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June 2001
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The Merits Of Multivitamins: ENs Guide To Choosing A Supplement
By Elizabeth M. Ward, M.S., R.D.
As dietary supplements go, multivitamins don’t generate much excitement. "Multis" (multivitamin/mineral supplements) provide dozens of nutrients needed for good health, but they haven’t sparked nearly as much scientific curiosity as some of their more famous components, such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E. That hasn’t slowed sales, however. Americans prefer multivitamins to any other dietary supplement. Smart move. Several published studies have recently suggested that taking a multi that provides about 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for most nutrients
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Colorful Diet Helps Keep Cancer At Bay: Fruits And Vegetables Are Key
By Julie Walsh, M.S., R.D.
News reports about the role diet plays in cancer prevention seem to be as fickle as the recent stock market. One week, fiber is the cure-all for colon cancer; the next week, it’s dismissed as unimportant. Late last year, for example, a large study from Harvard Medical School shocked even experts when researchers found virtually no connection between fruit and vegetable consumption (or even fiber-rich fruits and vegetables) and colon cancer. As one of the largest studies of its
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Sizzle Safely This Summer: Tips for Great Grilling
By Catherine Golub, M.S., R.D.
Outdoor grilling is a convenient and easy way to make great tasting, low-fat meals. But should concerns about cancer-causing substances in grilled foods send you back into the kitchen to simply boil or bake? Relax. There’s no need to pitch the briquettes or ditch the gas grill just yet. With EN’s grilling do’s and don’ts, you’ll be on your way to safer summer cooking.
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Web Finds
www.aboutproduce.com Want to know the fat content of artichokes? What about the different varieties of avocados? Or the season for blackberries? Check out this one-stop information source on fruits, vegetables, nuts and herbs. You’ll find tons of recipes, information on phytonutrients and a handy food and nutrition dictionary. The site is a joint effort of the Produce Marketing Association and the nonprofit group that promotes the "5 A Day" concept.
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Color Code Your Kitchen for Cancer Protection
The basis of a diet rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients begins with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, contends David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of California, Los Angeles. Below are his seven color groupings.
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A Pyramid for Phytonutrient-Rich, Plant-Based Eating
There is plenty of evidence for—and very little against—eating a plant-based diet. Here’s what the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles believes is the most healthful balance of foods: Fruits and Vegetables: At least 7 servings a day (2 to 4 as fruits, 4 to 7 as vegetables). High-Fiber Grains: 6 to 11 servings of whole-grain breads and cereals, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, potatoes, peas or corn. Protein-Rich Foods:
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St. Johns Wort Disappoints, But Hope Lives
Can the popular herb St. John’s wort (hypericum perforatum) ease symptoms of depression? Not according to a major new study. In this most recent study, reported in the April 18 Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators followed 167 adults diagnosed with a "moderate" level of the condition known as major depressive disorder that had lasted at least four weeks. Half the participants took 900 milligrams daily (divided into three doses) of standardized SJW. If symptoms did not improve after
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Research Roundup
Vitamin C blood levels are significantly lower in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to a study from Belgium. The clogged leg arteries of PAD can lead to aches, cramps and burning pain in the legs when walking. In the study, researchers compared blood levels of vitamin C in 85 people with PAD, 106 people with high blood pressure but no PAD, and 113 healthy people. About half the PAD group had
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Amazing Algae or Beyond Belief?
The Buzz: Sun Chlorella, an extract of green algae, is called a "superfood" by its maker, which claims the product can control the growth and spread of tumor cells, boost immunity, bind heavy metals and eliminate toxins in the body. Promotional literature states it is "nutrient-rich with chlorophyll plus more than 20 different vitamins and minerals." A veritable "multi" it would seem. We were a tad suspicious.
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New Cholesterol Guide: More Drugs Plus Diet
A panel of experts has updated the National Cholesterol Education Program’s decade-old recommendations for lowering blood cholesterol levels. Changes in acceptable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels will greatly increase the number of people prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, typically statins. Moreover, key changes in dietary recommendations were made. A cholesterol-lowering diet will now allow up to 35% of calories from fat to allow more monounsaturated fat, as long as saturated fat is still kept below 7% of calories. Allowable daily
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Allergens Lurk in Sweets
A new investigation of foods brings scary news for the 1% to 2% of adults and 5% of children with food allergies. According to a recent Food and Drug Administration report, up to 25% of the ice cream, candy and cookies it analyzed tested positive for common allergens like peanut and egg, even though those ingredients did not appear on the label. That could prove life-threatening for some people. It takes only a minute amount of peanut,
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Herbal Help for Tired Swollen Legs
Q. I tend to get swelling, aching and a feeling of heaviness in my lower legs. Can natural remedies help? A. Possibly. But because swelling in the legs can signal serious conditions such as congestive heart failure and deep vein thrombosis, it’s important to see your doctor before looking for symptomatic relief on your own.
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What Does "GMO-Free" on Food Labels Really Mean?
Q. What exactly does the term "GMO-free" on labels mean? A. "GMO-free" is used on packaged food labels by many companies to indicate a food is free of genetically modified organisms developed through biotechnology. It’s an industry term that’s made its way into common usage, for better or for worse. But it’s confusing, because a definition of the term and the way it is used on labels are not necessarily the same.
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Ancient Olive Offers Flavor and Health Benefits
The Folklore: When the Greek goddess Athena drove her spear into the ground, an olive tree (Olea europaea) is said to have sprung up. Her gift to civilization has long since been a symbol of peace, strength and protection. Its leaves and bark have been used to reduce fever and promote wound healing.
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