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February 2003
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Experts Say Food, Mood Linked; How to Ease Stress, Beat the Blues
By Kerry Neville, M.S., R.D.
Do you binge when you’re feeling blue? Soothe stress with sweets? Munch between meals for an energy boost? It’s not all in your head. There is ever-increasing evidence that what you eat can influence your mood, stress level, energy level, sleep-wake cycle and mental function.
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Stroke: What You Need To Know To Minimize Your Risk Of A "Brain Attack"
By Elizabeth M. Ward, M.S., R.D.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Americans after heart disease and cancer. But that’s not the worst of it. Stroke is the primary cause of devastating disability, because stroke’s aftermath often involves partial paralysis and deficits in memory and speech. "Many people would rather die of a stroke than live with paralysis," says neurologist Edgar J. Kenton, M.D., of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. But the majority of stroke victims
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Relief for Irregularity: Sorting Out Which Laxatives Are Safe
By Emily Bergeron, M.S., R.D.
Staying regular is usually no problem if you include enough fiber in your diet, drink enough fluids and exercise regularly. But sometimes even that may not be enough to prevent constipation. Gentle laxatives can provide temporary relief, but choosing a safe laxative requires paying attention to active ingredients.
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Contaminated Chickens: From Frying Pan to Fire?
Harmful bacteria, such as Campylobacter and Salmonella, were found in nearly half the chickens tested in a new study conducted by Consumers Union (CU), the nonprofit group that publishes Consumer Reports. The results appeared in the January issue. The CU researchers tested 484 fresh, whole broilers bought at supermarkets and health food stores in 25 cities nationwide. Samples included four leading brands (Foster Farms, Perdue, Pilgrim’s Pride and Tyson), as well as 14
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Research Roundup
F Too much vitamin A weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures later in life, suggests new research from Sweden, where fortification of foods is common. In the study, researchers measured vitamin A (retinol) in the blood of 2,322 men who were followed for 30 years and found those with the highest blood levels of retinol had seven times the fractures of those with the lowest levels. This confirms similar results in previous
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Nuts: Experts Agree a Small Handful a Day Is Healthful
By Andrea Platzman, M.S., R.D.
The news has been dribbling in, a study at a time for years now, but a critical mass of research has been reached and experts agree that nuts no longer need to be avoided. On the contrary, they are beneficial to health and should be a regular part of your diet. The best news: Every nut and nut-like legume studied so far seems to confer benefits. Heart-Healthy. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University reviewed
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Walking Fights Fat Even If Few Pounds Shed
Exercise—even without much weight loss—does a body wonders. That’s the conclusion of the Physical Activity for Total Health Study of 168 overweight postmenopausal women. Participants who followed a moderate-intensity exercise program of brisk walking, treadmill and stationary bicycle for 12 months lost an average of three pounds compared to a slight weight gain in the control group, which engaged in weekly stretching sessions only. Neither group made diet changes. In addition, the exercise
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Atkins Diet Gains Some Credibility, But Long-Term Safety Still a Concern
Could Dr. Atkins have been right all along? Can his low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet not only cause significant weight loss but also improve blood lipids? That was the much ballyhooed conclusion drawn after a Duke University study was presented at the annual American Heart Association meeting last November. But there’s still plenty to question before becoming an Atkins convert. Controversial Research. The much- heralded, but still unpublished, study (funded by the Robert C. Atkins
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Eggs: Better Than Cracked Up to Be
The Folklore. The debate over which came first—the chicken or the egg—is nowhere near resolved. But eggs are a universal symbol of birth and fertility. The Facts. The protein in eggs (six grams) is high-quality protein, as it contains all the essential amino acids in the right balance. Eggs are also exceptionally high in choline (over half the daily recommendation) and are excellent sources of selenium and riboflavin.
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The Not-So-Sweet News About High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Q. I see high-fructose corn syrup listed on so many ingredient labels. What exactly is it, and is it safe? A. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a form of sugar used to sweeten scores of products from soft drinks and baked goods to breads, cereals, ketchup and more. When consumed in moderation, it’s considered safe, but concerns are growing that a large intake of any sugar high in fructose may unfavorably alter blood
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When the Swallowing Gets Tough, the Tough Try Alternatives
Q. As I get older, I’m finding it difficult to swallow certain vitamin and mineral supplements because they are so large. Are there any other options? A. Yes, several. Saliva production and flow naturally decrease as we grow older, often making swallowing—particularly larger multis and calcium pills—a bit more difficult in later years. Certain medications can also decrease saliva flow, compounding the problem. For example, drugs used to treat high blood pressure, including
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