Environmental Nutrition

View or print a copy of the entire August issue of Environmental Nutrition

Subscribers Only

Research Roundup

Subscribers Only Inadequate vitamin D levels in men may significantly increase the risk of having a heart attack. That’s what findings from a group of men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study suggest. In the study, researchers found that men with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to have a heart attack as those with the highest D levels, even after controlling for family history of heart attack, physical activity, diabetes, high blood pressure and body mass index. Even levels that were suboptimal—but not deficient—raised heart attack risk.

And the Beet Goes On…Deliciously, Nutritiously

Subscribers Only The ancient Romans considered beet juice an aphrodisiac. They also used beets to treat fevers and constipation. The French discovered the sweetness of sugar beets when Britain cut off its sugarcane supply during the Napoleonic wars. Americans refer to this root vegetable (Beta vulgaris) simply as beets, but the rest of the world knows it as beet- root. Both beetroot and beet greens are edible. Although most beets are processed for cans or jars, fresh beets are readily available at farmers’ markets; peak season is June through October. Specialty beets popular in restaurants these days include golden beets, baby beets and Chioggia beets (also called candy cane beets), an heirloom variety with a peppery taste and red and white concentric circles.

Sulfite Sensitivity Uncommon, But Asthma Sufferers Should Pay Heed

Subscribers Only Reactions to sulfites affect 5% to 10% of people with asthma, varying from mild to possibly fatal bronchial spasms. Additional effects can include vomiting, difficulty swallowing, dizziness and rash.

Nix on Negative Calories

Subscribers Only The theory? Some foods, like celery, cabbage, cucumbers and lettuce, provide so few calories that chewing and digesting them uses up more energy than the foods provide. The result, supposedly, is a calorie deficit and weight loss.

Can Supplements Help Control Blood Sugar?

Subscribers Only Many individual ingredients in these supplements have research behind them that suggests they may be effective for helping maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, none of the supplements has been studied extensively in clinical trials in the combinations being sold. Among the nutrients in them are biotin, chromium picolinate, magnesium, vanadium and vitamin D; chromium picolinate is the most widely studied.

Beyond Ice Cream: The Other Frozen Summer Treats

Subscribers Only Ice cream used to have a monopoly on sweet frozen summer treats. But frozen yogurt, sherbet and sorbet have come into their own with ever more sophisticated flavor choices. Moreover, these options are often more healthful; some frozen yogurts have the added benefit of probiotics and, as with sherbets, can be a source of calcium. However, calories can add up fast, especially if you dish up more than the standard half-cup serving.

New Research Suggests Natural Nitrates Actually May Be Good for You

Subscribers Only There may be good news for much-maligned nitrates if a preliminary animal study from Sweden pans out in humans. Nitrates and nitrites, preservatives used in some foods, particularly cured meats and pickled foods, have long been labeled as precursors to known carcinogens. In fact, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a D.C.-based consumer activist group, recently renewed its call to avoid the additives sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite, which are used to suppress the growth of bacteria and maintain color in bacon, corned beef, hot dogs, ham, luncheon meats and smoked fish.

Sugar Substitutes Now Boast Virtually Calorie-Free Natural Options

Subscribers Only For decades, calorie-free sweeteners have consisted pretty much of the artificial kind like aspartame, sucralose and saccharin. But now the market is expanding to include natural sweeteners. Here’s the lowdown (see chart, right) on a few that are now available in convenient sweetener packets. Some are even available in bulk for baking. Keep in mind some sugar substitutes contain erythritol, a polyol (also called a "sugar alcohol," though it is neither sugar nor alcohol), which is technically not calorie-free because it is a form of carbohydrate. But because it can be used in such small quantities, the calories are practically zero.

Rethinking Protein Intake: More May Be Better as We Age

Subscribers Only With all the focus on fat and carbohydrates in recent years, protein faded into the background. But experts are now rethinking protein needs, especially for older adults. Protein is a major structural component of hair, skin and nails. It is also needed to make enzymes and hormones, fight infection and maintain muscle, including vital organs like the diaphragm for breathing and the heart for pumping blood.

Eating Mediterranean Lowers Diabetes Risk

Subscribers Only Eating a traditional Mediterranean diet—rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, legumes and fish, while relatively low in meat and dairy products—may significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s the good news from researchers in Spain, who assessed the diets and tracked the health of 13,380 men and women (aged 20 to 90) for more than four years. They found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely were 83% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those whose diets were least like the Mediterranean diet.

9 Foods You Shouldn’t Live Without… And A Few To Add Back To Your Menu

Subscribers Only Nutritionists will tell you all foods can fit into a balanced diet. But let’s face it, some foods are better than others. Here, EN highlights nine foods that are a cut above and points out how they can give your eating plan a nutrition boost while broadening your dietary horizons.

Vitamin/Mineral Supplement Use After Cancer Diagnosis: Safe? Effective?

Subscribers Only As a result of living longer, the number of Americans with cancer has soared from about three million in 1970 to more than 10 million in 2004. And experts expect that number to double by 2050. People undergoing treatment for cancer as well as those fighting to keep it from returning—now all called cancer survivors—are increasingly determined to control their disease. Many of these survivors—about 75%, according to a recent review of 32 studies—are turning to dietary supplements, in hopes of quelling the side effects of treatment, reducing the risk of recurrence and improving survival odds. This is despite little evidence that supplements can make a difference. EN explores this controversial topic to uncover the best advice for survivors on what constitutes safe and sensible supplementation after a cancer diagnosis.