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June 2005
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Metabolic Syndrome: Are You at Risk? How to Know It, What to Do
By Hillary Wright, M.Ed., R.D.
A new epidemic is brewing. Once ominously labeled Syndrome X, it’s now called metabolic syndrome and is believed to affect about 47 million adults in the U.S. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and has been linked to other health problems, including dementia and some cancers.
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Climbing the New Food Pyramid: EN Lends a Hand
By Janet Helm, M.S., R.D. and EN editors
EN eagerly anticipated the government’s updated nutrition icon, but we’re underwhelmed and disappointed with what was unveiled. As a stand-alone symbol, the new graphic falls flat. The wordless rainbow pyramid is colorful, but says little; it doesn’t even show foods. Here are more highs and lows.
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Yogurt Drinks: Tasty Treats, But Caloric and Costly
By Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D.
On-the-go eaters have long been making their own yogurt smoothies for a nourishing breakfast or anytime snack. But if you need a faster, more portable potable, a proliferation of yogurt drinks is overtaking regular yogurts in some markets. Is that a good thing?
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Bet on Blueberries for a Boost To Health
The Folklore. For centuries, Native Americans gathered blueberries to eat, and to use as medicine for the blood and for treating coughs. The Findings. Blueberries are rich in compounds that today’s researchers believe have medicinal properties, including anthocyanin, the pigment that gives the blueberry its rich, dark hue.
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What’s a Few Pounds More? A Lot, If You Want a Long and Healthy Life
It’s long been accepted that being overweight can bring on life-threatening illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and possibly cancer. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta came out with data to confirm that obesity and overweight account for a mind-numbing number of deaths each year. But this past April, a study—also from the CDC—seemed to come to the opposite conclusion.
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Total Nutrition or Multivitamin of Champions?
The “Breakfast of Champions” used to be something you ate from a bowl, but now the Wheaties name has been slapped on a multivitamin that claims to “help boost energy.” Likewise, Total cereal has always been touted as all the nutrition you need in a bowl. Apparently not any more.
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Eco-Informative Sites
• www.GreenerChoices.org—This new site, sponsored by Consumer Reports, is chock full of ways to be environmentally friendly.
• www.OceansAlive.org—This must-visit site, sponsored by the Environmental Defense Network, features a wealth of information, including “Eco-Best” and “Eco-Worst” seafood choices.
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Claims for Red Rooibos Tea Outstrip Scientific Proof of Benefit
Q. I’ve read that rooibos tea contains even more healthful antioxidants than black or green tea and that it’s rich in vitamins and minerals. Is that true?
A. Unfortunately, no. While rooibos (ROY-bus) tea is a good source of antioxidants, it contains only about one-quarter the antioxidant capacity of black or green tea.
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Research Roundup
• Eating beans or lentils at least twice a week may reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.
• Eating yogurt twice a day may help fight bad breath, say Japanese researchers.
• Sleeping too much or too little could cause your blood sugar to rise, increasing your risk of developing diabetes, report Harvard researchers.
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