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February 2005
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Help Prevent Breast Cancer: Watch Calories, Make Carbs Count, Exercise
By Linda Antinoro, J.D., R.D.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women, but maybe the most feared. You can’t change risk factors like age, race and family history. But eating right and being active may help fend off the development or recurrence of the disease. EN takes an updated look at what can reduce your risk.
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Revamped Dietary Guidelines Hit (and Miss) the Mark: EN’s Analysis
By Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D.
Hot off the press comes the long-awaited sixth edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, designed to promote optimal nutrition, prevent disease and serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policies. EN takes a closer look at the highlights (calories do count; whole grains rule) and lowlights (no specific limits on trans fats and sugar) of the guidelines.
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Potassium Primes Your Pump: How You Can Get More
By D. Milton Stokes, R.D.
Okay, so maybe getting more potassium wasn’t one of your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe it should have been. It’s not too late. With valentines in the air, February might be the time to do your heart a favor. Potassium is key to keeping your blood pumping on an even keel.
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Frozen Pizzas: Go for Veggie Toppings or Thinner Crust
By Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D.
Much maligned in the past for cardboard-like crust and skimpy toppings, frozen pizza has come a long way. If you haven’t checked them out lately, you might be surprised by the array of choices.
An EN Food Comparison.
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Predict Heart Attacks Better With CRP
For years, doctors have concentrated on lowering blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol) to reduce risk of heart disease. Now, two new studies provide direct and compelling evidence that elevated blood levels of CRP may be even more predictive of heart disease.
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Low-Glycemic Trumps Low-Fat In the Ongoing Diet Wars
One downside of dieting is that it slows metabolism, making it harder to burn calories and continue losing weight. But focusing on “good” carbohydrates rather than low-fat foods may curb the inevitable drop in metabolism that occurs when you cut back on calories.
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To Cut Trans, Foods Sub Palm Oil For Hydrogenated Oils: Is This Wise?
Q. I’ve noticed that some foods claiming “zero trans” now have palm oil as an ingredient. Isn’t this just as bad? A. Not necessarily. Yes, companies are getting rid of trans fats in their products by using ingredients like palm oil, which is high in saturated fats. But it may be the lesser of the two evils.
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Can Carbonation Cause Trouble? Facts About the Fizz You Drink
Q. I drink seltzer almost every day. Is the carbonation bad for me? A. In most cases, no. Most carbonated drinks are created by adding carbon dioxide gas. Typically, the gas is simply expelled from the body, either through burping or flatulence. However, there can be some gastrointestinal fallout.
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Does Chocolate Make For Livelier Lovers?
The Aztec emperor Montezuma II reputedly drank 50 cups of spiced chocolate a day to sustain his virility. Casanova devoured oysters to stimulate his libido and also drank chocolate before cavorting with the ladies. Even carrots, asparagus, apricots, figs and bananas have been touted as aphrodisiacs.
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Homely Rutabaga: Handsome Flavor and Nutrition
By Anastasia Schepers, M.S., R.D.
The Folklore: Compared to other vegetables, the rutabaga is a relative newcomer, developed by a 17th-century botanist who crossed a turnip with a cabbage. The Facts: As a member of the cruciferous family, courtesy of its cabbage roots, the rutabaga may help cut cancer risk. It is an excellent source of vitamin C.
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One in Five Ayurvedic Herbs May Be Contaminated
Ayurvedic treatments are gaining in popularity, but this traditional medicine from India may carry a hidden risk. A recent Boston survey tested 70 herbal supplements used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and found 14 (20%) were tainted with heavy metals, including lead, mercury and arsenic.
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Research Roundup
•The vitamin E in foods may help fight prostate and lung cancer, without affecting healthy cells, tests at the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California showed.
•Exposure to low levels of lead may increase the risk of cataracts, according to a study from Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
•One drink a day may actually benefit older women’s mental function, according to results from the Nurses’ Health Study.
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