April 2006

Diet May Help Protect Nonsmokers (and Even Smokers) Against Lung Cancer
By Hillary M. Wright, M.Ed., R.D.
Although it accounts for only 13% of cancer diagnoses, lung cancer is responsible for almost a third of all cancer deaths. Research increasingly suggests that what you eat may offer some protection against lung cancer, even if you smoke.

Can Omega-3 Supplements Help You Reel in the Health Benefits of Fish?
By Kerry Neville, M.S., R.D.
A recent study found omega-3 supplements probably won’t help reduce the risk of cancer, but they may still help prevent heart disease and some strokes and improve other conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis to depression.

Magnesium-Rich Foods Cut Colon Cancer Risk
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have found that a diet rich in magnesium may help reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.

Got Food Allergies? Not Sure? EN Answers Common Questions
By Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D.
As of January 1, food ingredient labels must indicate—in plain English—whether a product might contain proteins from the eight major food allergens. Label information notwithstanding, questions linger. EN provides answers.

Breads That Give You a True Whole-Grain Advantage
By Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D.
Choosing a healthful whole-grain bread can be tricky. A bread’s color, texture and even fiber content is no clue to its whole-grain content. EN helps you winnow the chaff with a brand-by-brand comparison.

Low-Fat Diets All But Dead, Paving Way for Good Fats and Plant Foods
A recent report from the Women’s Health Initiative found that eating low-fat diets offered no health benefits. The findings might seem like a green light to eat more fat. Not so. Here's the inside scoop.

Organic Foods: Balancing Your Health With the Health of the Planet
Lately, nasty rumors have circulated regarding the integrity of organic standards. Here, EN separates rumor from fact and provides some practical shopping advice. An Earth Day Special.

Ubiquitous Aspartame: Is It a Safe Sweetener or a Cancer Time Bomb?
Q. I’ve heard that aspartame isn’t safe. Should I stop drinking diet drinks?
A. If you enjoy an occasional diet drink, there’s probably no reason to worry. But if you have a six-can-a-day habit, it might be wise to cut back or switch sweeteners.

Yogurt: The New Honey, but Does It Make Foods Better for You?
Q. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of unexpected foods, like cereal, that have yogurt in them. Are they worth eating?
A. Not for any yogurt health benefits. Even if the added yogurt starts off with beneficial bacteria, few if any could survive the way cereals are processed.

Tiny, Versatile Pine Nut Packs Plenty of Nutrition
By Anastasia Schepers, M.S., R.D.
Pine nuts are soft, sweet and chewy and a good source of copper, magnesium and zinc plus vitamins E and K. Try EN's own recipe for a colorful salad enlivened with pine nuts.

Research Roundup
• Eating at least three servings of whole grains a day cut by more than half the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
• Eating more vegetable protein helps lower blood pressure, concluded a large study across China, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
• Overweight or obesity in midlife significantly increases the risk of death from heart disease later in life, according to a Chicago study.

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This newsletter is not intended to provide advice on personal health matters,
which should be provided by a qualified health care provider.