Health and Nutrition Brief – 5

Follow the latest news on health and nutrition here.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

If you are a heavy snorer and wake up exhausted in the the morning, you may have sleep apnea – a sleep disorder which causes interrupted breathing patterns when you stop breathing and then start breating again. This can be a dangerous condition because it can cause oxygen deprivation to the brain and heart, and can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. More….

Don’t Take Calcium and Vitamin D

The US Preventive Services Task Force has come up with a controversial recommendation for older women. After reviewing past research, they have determined that calcium and vitamin D supplements offer no benefits to post-menopausal women and in fact increase the risk for kidney stones. This recommendation does not apply to those who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis and have a history of fractures. More….

Fad Diets Not a Solution for Losing Weight

Dietitians say that fad diets do not offer a good solution for long-term weight-loss. Fad diets like the cabbage soup diet, the cottage cheese diet, or the no-carb diet, restrict particular foods or food groups and can cause nutritional deficiencies over the long term. Making lifestyle changes are a more effective way to lose weight. More….

Herbalife Recalls Nutritional Shake

Herbalife has recalled its Nutritional Shake Mix because it contains traces of milk protein despite being labeled as dairy-free. Although, so far, there have been no reports of any adverse health effects from consumers, it could cause a serious allergic reaction if consumed by people allergic to milk. More….

Vegetables: To Cook or Not to Cook

Vegetables and fruits provide many of the nutrients our bodies need but what’s important to know is how to derive the maximum nutrition from them. Some vegetables and fruits like beets and onions are better eaten raw, while others like tomatoes are better eaten cooked. More….

Foods That Can Damage Your Teeth

Dentists say that there are several foods that can damage your teeth and you need to know how to consume these foods in order to maintain your dental health. If you have weak teeth, you should avoid biting into crunchy foods like apples and carrots. Chopping them into tiny pieces would prevent your teeth from cracking if they’re already fragile. Tooth enamel can absorb colors from dark foods such as tomato sauce and cause stains. Dentists recommend swishing with plenty of water while eating such foods. More….

FDA Assessing Safety of Raw-Milk Cheeses

A new study done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows that soft-ripened cheeses made from raw milk can cause a dangerous, and even fatal bacterial infections. The sudy says that testing every batch of raw-milk cheese can lessen the risk from such pathogens. More….

Flu Shots Not protecting Older People

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the flu vaccine has been only 9% effective this season in protecting those 65 and older. Health officials don’t know why this is so, but still stand by their recommendation because some protection is better than none. More….

Yoga Balls Make Children More Attentive

Teachers nationwide are replacing regular desk chairs with yoga balls and are noticing a marked difference in how attentive their students are in class. According to the teachers, sitting on yoga balls also helps the kids to improve their balance and core strength, and gives an outlet for their natural restlessness without disturbing the class. More….

It’s OK to Leave Out Dairy Products

Nutritionists say that it’s not necessary to include dairy products in your diet as long as you’re getting important nutrients like calcium, potassium, protein, and vitamin D that’re associated with dairy. In fact, many people struggle to digest milk as they age and for them it might be better to look for alternatives. More….

Workout with friends without Leaving Home

A new website offers the opportunity to take one-on-one trainer-led exercise classes with all your friends and without having to leave you home. The trainers watch you and offer helpful feedback, and if you fill out a health form, they can also moidfy the exercises to suit you. More….

Better Nutrition Info from Doctors Who Cook

The Culinary Institute of America and Harvard University have started a program that teaches doctors how to cook so they can provide better nutrition information to their patients. They believe that those who are trained in healthy cooking will be able to influence their patients positively. More….

Focus on Quality over Calories

Dietitians say that the way people are looking at food is changing these days. Many are focusing on food quality and are categorizing foods based on the nutrition and health benefits they offer rather than just the calories they contain. They recommend eating a balanced diet – more of the nutrient-dense foods and less of nutrient-empty foods. More….

Men Who Sit For Long Periods Prone to Diabetes

An Australian study on over sixty thousand men showed that those who spent more time sitting were 12% to 19% more likely to develop diabetes than those who sat for less than four hours. Regular activity is necessary to keep our muscles, lungs, and hearts working well. More….

Bogus Flu Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to nine companies for marketing and selling drugs for flu prevention and treatment. According to the FDA, these drugs have neither been tested nor approved. The companies include Kosher Vitamin Express, Oasis Consumer Healthcare, University of Berkeley, and Nameva.com. More….

App for Cancer Patient Nutrition

Dietitians at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute have created a new application for smartphones that provides recipes and nutrition information to cancer patients and cancer survivors. Patients and survivors can search for recipes based on their particular disease and symptoms. More….

Caffeine and Hypertension

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), is it safe to consume coffee? According to Mayo Clinic, it’s better to limit your coffee intake to 200 milligrams a day, and to avoid caffeine before exercising, weight-lifting, or any other hard physical labor as your blood pressure levels will be naturally elevated then. More….

Acupuncture May Help with Allergies

A new study shows that acupuncture may help relieve some allergy symptoms like a runny nose and watery eyes. Researchers are not sure why and speculate that it’s because the treatment improves the overall immune system. More….

Ordering Take-Out Food Can Be Healthier

A survey found that almost 50% of men and 40% women tend to order take-out food at least once a week and this food is healthier than what they would order at a restaurant. A dietitian recommends the following strategy for ordering healthy food: plan and order early, order limited quantities, and buy only food that you wouldn’t make at home. More….

Tips for Revving up Your Metabolism

Experts say that eating 5-6 small meals a day and including protein is a great way to keep your metabolism going and to feel energetic all day long. Other tips include drinking lots of water and green tea, avoiding sugary drinks, and consuming fiber as it binds with metabolized fat and removes it from the body. More….

High-Glycemic Diet Increases Diabetes Risk

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people eating a diet high in processed foods and low in fiber can quickly increase their blood sugar, putting them at greater risk for diabetes. Instead of going for potatoes and white bread, opt for high-fiber fruits and vegetable, whole grains, nuts, and dairy products. Learning which foods are high-glycemic and which are low is very important. Ripe bananas, for instance, are high in sugar than semi-ripe ones. More….

The Dirtiest Spots in Your Kitchen

Your kitchen can be the perfect breeding ground for germs because of the moisture and food particles. Some of the dirtiest places where germs could be lurking are the sink, spong, dish cloth, the coffee maker, refrigerator and cabinet handles, stove knobs, light swtches, counter top, and garbage can. More….

Doctors Freeze Baby

Doctors reduce the body tempertature of a baby suffering from supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) – an abnormal heartbeat rate of 360 per minute (way above the normal 160), to slow the heart rate and protect vital organs. More….

How to Tell If You’re Losing Your Vitamins

If you’re taking vitamins and your urine is yellow, it could be that your body is flushing out the vitamins because it doesn’t need them. You do need to rule out the other causes for that color: dehydration and infection. More….

High Calcium Intake May Cause Death from Heart Disease

A study found that women getting more than 1400 milligrams of calcium a day from diet and supplements may be twice as likely to die from heart disease than those who don’t. Many older adults increase their calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis and this may prove to be detrimental to their heart health. According to the researchers, diet that are very low or very high in calcium can override the body’s normal control processes and cause changes in blood levels of calcium. More….

Hemorrhoids Most Commonly Searched Health Term

The most commonly searched health term on Google last year was “hemorrhoids”. Dietitians say this condition is usually caused by constipation. The solution is to include fiber in your diet by consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables. Drinking lots of water and exercise are equally important. More….

FDA Should Regulate Sweeteners in Soft Drinks

The Center for Science in the Public Interest recently filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging them to regulate the amount of high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners in soft drinks to help deal with obesity. Research over the past ten years has shown a link between these ingredients and obesity and other health issues. More….

Overall Diet Important for Bone Health

Maintaining your bone health is critical for healthy living and for preventing osteoporosis, a disease that affects a lot of people, particularly women. Dietitians say that while calcium and vitamin D are important for strong bones, so is your overall diet. Ninety percent of your bone mass is already in place by the end of adolescence and not getting enough nutrients in childhood can affect you for a lifetime. A healthy, balanced diet, and a healthy weight can prevent bone disease. More….

Coca-Cola Addiction Causes Death

According to a New Zealand coroner, a 31-year-old woman died of cardiac arrythmia caused by her addiction to Coca Cola. His report states that the sugar and caffeine from drinking more than 2.6 gallons of Coca Cola a day was a substantial factor in her death. Toxicologists say that anything can be toxic when consumed in large quantities. Drinking two gallons of soda a day without adequate quantities of food can cause a dangerous imbalance in electrolytes and cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can be fatal. More….

Home Altitude and Obesity

Do you live on top of a hill or a mountain? Then you’re probably thin. According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, Americans living in high-altitude communities are less likely to be obese than those living at sea-level. The reasons are not clear but researchers think that elevation affects appetite hormones, growth, and how many calories your body burns. More….

Diet Drinks Linked to Diabetes

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who drank diet versions of carbonated drinks were 60 percent more likely to develop diabetes than those who drank the regular sweetened drinks. This is made worse by the fact that diet drinkers consume more than the regular drinkers. More….

Dangerous Substances in Your Food

Chemicals that are used in weed killers, sunscreens, and flame retardants, as well as other disgusting substances like beaver anal gland juice (castoreum) are used in many of the foods we eat and are hidden under names like “natural flavoring”. Gatorade contains a flame retardant chemical called brominated vegetable oil (BVO). Many diet sodas and no-sugar ice creams contain acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener, which animal studies have linked to lung and breast tumors. More….

Nut Butter – A Healthy Snack Choice

According to dietitians, nut butters like peanut, almond, walnut, cashew, pecan, and macademia contain healthy fats, fiber, and other nutrients which make them a healthy choice for snacking between meals. Make these at home and save big, as store products can be expensive. More….

Campbell Promoting Women’s Heart Health

In partnership with a top chef from Top Chef All Stars show on Bravo, Campbell is promoting women’s heart health this month. People can visit addressyourheart.com all month for tips, coupons, and recipes, and share their stories for a chance to win a $50,000 kitchen makeover along with a year’s supply of Campbell’s heart-healthy products. More….

Consistency More Important Than Timing of Workout

When you exercise depends on whether you’re a morning or night person, and there is not much research on whether timing matters or not. What is important though is consistency. Sticking to a routine is important for gaining the benefits that exercise provides, such as reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, and building and maintaining bone and muscle strength. More….

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