The aim of this study was to review the literature in order to determine the levels of potentially harmful metals in table wines.
We know red wine is healthy, but is it safe? Continue reading Unforeseen consequences of drinking wine
Category Archives: Diet-Nutrition
Comparing weight loss options
 How much weight loss can obese people expect using various treatment options? Continue reading Comparing weight loss options
Christopher Columbus and the CAM connection
The connection, of course, is bromelain, which comes from pineapples. Continue reading Christopher Columbus and the CAM connection
More positive news about pedometers and weight loss
Pedometer-based walking programs — even without going on a diet — result in modest weight loss. Continue reading More positive news about pedometers and weight loss
Complementary and integrative medicine at Johns Hopkins
 The Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center opened Sept. 2nd in Baltimore, Maryland. Continue reading Complementary and integrative medicine at Johns Hopkins
No special label for genetically altered meats
 The FDA has released draft guidance stating it will not require a label on food made from genetically engineered animals. Continue reading No special label for genetically altered meats
Take your medicine with water
Dr. David Bailey from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada reported the “grapefruit effect” more than 15 years ago — grapefruit juice increases levels of the high-blood-pressure drug felodipine (Plendil), causing potentially dangerous effects.
Now, during the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, he reports more juice-drug interactions. Continue reading Take your medicine with water
Pistachios and risk factors for heart disease
 Eating nuts lowers cardiovascular disease risk.
But what about pistachios? Continue reading Pistachios and risk factors for heart disease
The real value of the DASH diet
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet lowers blood pressure, But what is the effect on stroke and coronary heart disease?
Here’s an estimate from research reported during the American Heart Association 2007 Scientific Sessions and published on Medscape. Continue reading The real value of the DASH diet
Review of herbal medicines in gynecology
Dr. Cathi Dennehy from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California San Francisco has reviewed the evidence.
I was surprised by her assessment of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms.
Here’s a summary of her findings.
6 easy steps to prevent cancer
The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research have published a tome (517 pages) titled, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective.
The goal is to reduce the global burden of cancer through healthier living.
Best of all, it can be accomplished in just 6 easy steps in addition to not smoking or chewing tobacco. Continue reading 6 easy steps to prevent cancer
A practical review of healthy oils
Ms. Marci Landsmann, who is managing editor of Healthy Aging, has written a plain-language review.
Here are the highlights. Continue reading A practical review of healthy oils
No differences in organic vs conventionally grown crops
Another study fails to find nutritional benefit from organically grown crops.
Continue reading No differences in organic vs conventionally grown crops
Fatty fish may reduce arthritis risk
That’s the conclusion from researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, as reported during the European League Against Rheumatism congress.
Here are the results from the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis study. Continue reading Fatty fish may reduce arthritis risk
Inability of soy to lower LDL cholesterol
Importantly, we are referring to people with mildly elevated cholesterol blood levels in this study by Australian researchers. Continue reading Inability of soy to lower LDL cholesterol
Breastfeeding and cholesterol later in life
Is it possible that infant feeding patterns can influence long-term changes in cholesterol metabolism?
An international group of researchers think it might. Continue reading Breastfeeding and cholesterol later in life
Fatty fish and the risk of “tiny” strokes
Among older adults, modest consumption of fish is associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical brain infarcts (“tiny” strokes) — changes in the brain consistent with a stroke, but without the usual outward signs and symptoms. Continue reading Fatty fish and the risk of “tiny” strokes
Eating fatty fish and the risk of atherosclerosis
The results from this study suggest that diet, rather than genetics, accounts for the two-fold lower coronary heart disease mortality in Japan than in the US. Continue reading Eating fatty fish and the risk of atherosclerosis
Lowering cholesterol with functional foods
This study shows it can be done, with reductions that are relatively small. But read the comment to see what can be accomplished with diet, exercise, and omega-3.
Continue reading Lowering cholesterol with functional foods
Nut products, pregnancy, and allergy risk
For pregnant women, researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands identified eating nut products (not nuts) as a potential risk factor for allergy in their children. Continue reading Nut products, pregnancy, and allergy risk