Nutrition and Diet Medical Library Stories & Articles

It can be hard to change the eating habits of a lifetime. But it becomes easier when we take an unhealthy or low-nutrition food and substitute for it something that's similar - but very healthy. It's amazing how just a relatively few dietary... ( Read more about 7 Easy Switches to Healthier Eating)

Exercise may not halt the aging process, but mounting evidence suggests people who stay active can slow its effects. The latest issue of Mayo Clinic Women's Healthsource offers 8 benefits to regular exercise. It Provides Energy: Feeling tired... ( Read more about 8 Ways Exercise Keeps You Young and Healthy)

A recent study from Penn State has found that American children are drinking insufficient amounts of milk and the dairy they are choosing to consume are very high in fat. The study examined a children's daily dairy intake and compared it with... ( Read more about American Children Are Not Consuming Enough Milk)

New guidelines released from the American Heart Association urge Americans to reduce their sugar consumption because there is mounting evidence that a high intake of added sugars can lead to a number of health conditions such as obesity, high... ( Read more about Americans Strongly Advised to Cut Sugar Consumption)

Research suggests that thin people may not be as healthy as they appear. Medical researchers at Imperial College, London, have shown that people with low or average body weight may not be healthy on the inside. These doctors believe that... ( Read more about Are Certain Thin People Actually Obese?)

We’re going to let you in on a new kind of diet very few here in the states know about, but it’s all the rage in Asia. And it’s cheap and easy to try. We’re only in the second week of the New Year, and already, folks are getting a little... ( Read more about Asian Seaweed Diet)

A common compound found in red grapes and red wine has been found to mimic the healthy-aging effect in mice of caloric restriction, that is, an ultra-low-calorie diet. Receiving regular doses of resveratrol guaranteed dramatically healthier... ( Read more about Caloric Restriction May Come in a Capsule)

By now many of us have already had to deal with some kind of respiratory infection, and it’'s not even January. Sure, you take the cold and flu remedies off the shelf of your pharmacy; but what about mom’s good old chicken soup? Is it urban... ( Read more about Chicken Soup | Holistic Remedy for Colds)

At the age of only 13, Mark Vindman ballooned to a whopping 229 pounds. But, today, he’s on a rigorous nutrition and fitness plan that’s getting him back on track. “I have challenges of not being able to eat sweets anymore. And not being able... ( Read more about Children and The Sugar Crisis)

New research reveals a critical period when a child is at risk of becoming obese. A study from Columbia University Medical Center found that during the ages of 1-3 years, children are at risk of gaining significant weight. The researchers... ( Read more about Critical Age for Childhood Weight Gain)

What’s 520 calories, contains 27 grams of fat and is gaining followers in the United States? That would be a serving of deep fried turkey, according to the National Turkey Foundation. What started as a Southern tradition is now taking hold of a... ( Read more about Deep Fried Turkey Danger)

Eating disorders have a noticeable effect on teeth, gums and other parts of the dentist’s domain (the mouth). So it’s not surprising that a person’s dentist may be the first to spot the telltale signs of eating disorders such... ( Read more about Dentists May Be First to Notice Eating Disorders)

Seniors who follow a Mediterranean diet and get regular exercise have less than half the chance of falling victim to Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA. The study was the... ( Read more about Diet and Exercise May Be Keys to Avoiding Alzheimer's Disease)

It’s a topic that keeps on churning out studies…which is the best diet to help you lose weight, and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Atkins? Zone? Ornish? The good old food pyramid? The results of the latest government funded study is... ( Read more about Diets Compared)

Cynthia Piro takes every food safety precaution in the kitchen before she hits the grill. "I always wash off my cutting boards with warm soapy water", says Cynthia. And every food group gets its own preparation area. "Vegetables get their own... ( Read more about Discussing Food Safety)

As the Fahrenheit soars during these dog days of summer, what better way to beat the heat than with a cool icy beverage. But, according to new research, while you’re quenching your thirst, you may also be gulping down hundreds of unwanted... ( Read more about Drinks and Diet)

This is a dirty problem we have on our hands. According to the center for science in the public interest, in the U.S. alone, there are 76 million--that’s right, million-- illnesses due to food borne pathogens each year, and five thousands... ( Read more about E. Coli Prevention | Nutrition)

As people get older, their metabolism begins to change. And this means their intake of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals must change, too, or their health might suffer. "All the nutritional things that we need to be concerned about... ( Read more about Eat Differently as You Age)

This week has been a notable one for those dealing with or treating eating disorders. HBO has released its highly controversial documentary called thin, and a major advocacy group has announced it’s received notice from the government that... ( Read more about Eating Disorders Latest)

There is a new soft drink hitting the market that does what no other soft drink has ever claimed to do: you drink it, and you’ll burn calories. Is it truly possible? Please say it’s so. You know, there’s a lot to be said for a brownie and a... ( Read more about Enviga | Nutrition and Diet)

With dieting being the most commonly adopted method to lose weight, many of us refrain from taking up exercise. For people who are markedly overweight, it can be difficult to start an exercise program. But, the latest data shows the combination... ( Read more about Exercise Study)

If you're not super-sizing your fries and you want to feast on a fast food salad, proceed with caution. Researchers at Consumer Reports found that a McDonald's Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with dressing has 440 calories and 26 grams of fat,... ( Read more about Fast Food Salads)

Losing weight isn't just a matter of cutting and burning calories. There are certain inherent qualities of foods, which, if you understand them, can help you craft an eating strategy that will magnify the effectiveness of your fat loss efforts.... ( Read more about Five Overlooked Food Factors in Weight Loss)

The FDA is planning on overhauling the labeling of foods, so that you, the consumer, can know how much you're really eating. Right now, the food labels are deceiving, and you may be thinking you're taking in fewer calories and carbs than you... ( Read more about Food Label Changes)

The food pyramid is the government's symbol of healthy eating. Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the food pyramid is not pulling its weight, as Americans get fatter and fatter and ignore the government's recommendations. The... ( Read more about Food Pyramid Revamp)

Researchers in Germany examined the links between fruit and vegetable consumption, plasma micronutrient status and cognitive performance in health subjects aged 45-105 years. Published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the results indicated... ( Read more about Fruits and Vegetables Linked to Positive Cognitive Performance)

Gastric Surgery:

Gastric Surgery Viable Option to Treat Severe Obesity)

There was good news this week for patients suffering from food allergies. President Bush signed into law a bill that calls for better labeling of food products so that consumers have improved access to information about food allergies. With the... ( Read more about Good News for Food Allergy Sufferers)

A person's liking for salty taste may be related to how much they weighed when they were born. In a paper looking at two month old babies, lighter birth weight infants showed greater acceptance of salt-water solutions than do babies who were... ( Read more about Health Wrap - Salty Foods; Nuts; Sleep)

A new study finds that habitual snoring in women is strongly tied to body mass index—a marker of fatness-- and age. Overall, 7.6 percent of women snore. The frequency of snoring reaches its peak in women ages 50 to 59. Frequent snoring was... ( Read more about Health Wrap:Snoring, Fetuses and Pain)

People who ate a healthy breakfast were found generally to weigh less than their counterparts who either ate a high-calorie, fatty meal or skipped it altogether. So concluded a recent study, which was reported in the American Journal of... ( Read more about Healthy Breakfast a Predictor of Lower Weight)

As you cook up the holiday meal this weekend, did you remember to put out enough foods high in antioxidants, the cancer fighting, heart disease-battling chemicals?

Currently there are several available acid reflux treatments. 60 million Americans suffer from it. One-fourth of these, approximately 15 million, have daily symptoms. That is the case with patient Michael Mills.

Hey move over soy! Take a back seat, flaxseed! You healthy foods you ain't got nothing on hemp. Whats hemp, you ask? For most people you'll ask about hemp, either its an I dont know Or it's something illicit. Never heard of it, says Anthony.... ( Read more about Hemp Foods... The New Soy?)

"I really found that one effect of sleep deprivation was that my appetite grew. I was so hungry I wanted to eat my pillow." says Matthew Tierney. Matthew Tierney participated in a study conducted by the University of Chicago which put sleep... ( Read more about Lack of Sleep and Hunger)

Have you ever wondered how low carb but higher fat diets actually work? Surprisingly, one answer may lie in your liver. Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have identified a liver hormone known as FGF21 which is required... ( Read more about Low Carb Diet For Diabetes)

Research shows that a low carb diet may be the ideal way to go about losing weight. "I eat a lot of eggs and a lot of meat. I sometimes even have roast beef rolled up at lunch, with some mayonnaise." It doesn't sound like a recipe for weight... ( Read more about Low Carb Diet Studies)

So just in case you thought the skinny on low fat diets was a big fat pile of confusion, there’s a new study out today: and it comes to the conclusion that the alternative low carb diets may be putting folks at risk for cardiovascular disease.... ( Read more about Low Carb Diets)

Do you curse at yourself when you step on the scale? Well, maybe you’re not all to blame. You might want to point a finger at the food industry, which is marketing huge portion sizes and foods full of fat. But there’s a push now to reverse this... ( Read more about Marketing Foods and Obesity)

Can a simple diet actually cut a person's chances of dying by more than half? New research shows the Mediterranean diet, a diet popular in Europe, can dramatically lower mortality risk in individuals over the age of 70, and probably has the... ( Read more about Mediterranian Diet)

Are pollutants in our air causing many of our children to become mentally retarded? According to new research released today, the U.S. is losing billions of dollars each year due to the impact of mercury poisoning on brain development. There... ( Read more about Mercury Poisoning)

Imagine if you could indulge in the fattiest of foods and not gain a single pound. It sounds too good to be true,but, genetically engineered mice at the University of Michigan Medical School are living every frustrated dieter's dream.

Emily Belmonte and Alana Whittaker are two peas in a pod. They share a lot, including, surprisingly, their disdain for soda and their love for milk. "Love it! I drink it like three times at bedtime and once in the morning." Emily says. "Well, I... ( Read more about Milk and Weight Gain)

Overweight women who engaged in exercise for one to two hours a week lost several pounds over six months without dieting. But paradoxically, those who exercised even more – three hours a week – failed to lose as much as... ( Read more about More Exercise Induces Women to Eat Treats)

In a large, well-regarded study on women, daily multivitamin use was found to provide no protection at all against breast cancer, colon cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots or premature death.
   
Previous... ( Read more about Multivitamins Found Useless Against Top Killers)

A recent study at Columbia University published in The Journal of American Medicine reported that diet and exercise may dramatically reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease. Several healthcare practitioners interviewed by Empowered Health News... ( Read more about Natural Therapies for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease)

There are important new diabetes guidelines just released that instruct most Type 2 diabetics to take cholesterol-lowering medication. The goal is to cut down on their risk for heart attacks and strokes, common killers in this patient... ( Read more about New Diabetic Guidelines)

Parents are finding innovative ways to ensure that their kids eat healthy snacks. It's snack time once again in the Browne household. Seven year old Patrick and three year old Shawn feverishly scour the pantry shelves searching for the perfect... ( Read more about Nutritional Mistakes Parents Make)

So here’s the question: is there any benefit to drinking your nutrition in the form of nutritional supplements? They’re marketed to seniors to help boost their health. But do they work? It all comes down to why do we eat: we eat to consume... ( Read more about Nutritional Supplements)

There’s no question that the cost of obesity in America is not just a healthcare concern, but an economic concern as well. But exactly how severe is the cost of obesity, and can tackling the financial aspects of obesity help reverse the obesity... ( Read more about Obesity Costs)

It's a sad note that we've gotten to the point in our society that our children are becoming so overweight, and the problem is so widespread, that now weight loss medication is now being approved for teens.

Obesity is still on the rise. A new study released by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that by 2015, 75% of adults will be overweight, 41% will be obese. The study was a meta-analysis (comprehensive overview) of 20... ( Read more about Obesity Rates Expected to Soar in the US)

Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat through diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery is one of the best options for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means or who suffer from... ( Read more about Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery)

From a nutritional standpoint, organically produced foods are no better than conventionally produced ones, according to research appearing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Though previous reviews have concluded that organic food is... ( Read more about Organic Found to Have No Nutritional Edge Over Standard Food)

You have taken the important first step on the path to physical fitness by seeking information. The next step is to decide that you are going to be physically fit. This pamphlet is designed to help you reach that decision and your goal. The... ( Read more about Physical Fitness Program Cannot Be Taken Lightly)

A handful of pistachios can have a noticeable impact on a person's cholesterol. Snacking on pistachio nuts may do more for your health than you realize. New research from Penn State reveals that a serving of pistachios lowers cholesterol and... ( Read more about Pistachios and Cholesterol Research)

By Dr. Thomas Cerebona, Dr. Ashutosh Kaul and Dr. Edward Yatco Nutritional Expectations: After Gastric Bypass you will need to make changes to your eating patterns. The diet after surgery progresses from a liquid diet to a pureed diet to a soft... ( Read more about Post Gastric Bypass Eating Habits)

There is important new research out tonight that may be the start of a different approach in medicine: to treat high blood pressure before it even gets high. The fact is about 69 percent of people who have a first heart attack, 77 percent of... ( Read more about Pre-Hypertension Treatment)

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how... ( Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

No doubt, a lot of us are stressed out, and a lot of us have unwanted belly fat. But are the two linked? And can an over the counter supplement called relacore help battle both problems at the same time? The thinking is this: that stress causes... ( Read more about Remedy or Rip Off: Relacor)

What’s your weakness? Where does your sweet tooth do you in? Carly Kayser says, “Fun Dip has got to be my favorite. It's a sugar stick, dipped into sugar.” But what if want to resist the sugar?

Forget coffee… There’s a new energy drink on the market that’s small in size--but the makers say, not in effect. Welcome the new, different, diminutive five hour energy to the already bloated energy drink market.

Most people with persistent, unexplained muscle and bone pain have low levels of vitamin D in their blood, a recent study discovered. Other studies have found vitamin D to be crucially important for healthy bones, bone marrow and blood vessels,... ( Read more about Severe Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Achiness)

Obese men are three times more likely than normal-weight men to have low sperm counts and to have sperm that don't "swim upstream," a recent study showed. "There is a strong relationship between overweight and obesity and altered sperm... ( Read more about Sperm Quality Worsens With Obesity)

Summer is a great season to enjoy what nature has to offer - fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether you're trying to lose weight or just want to eat healthy, summer provides your pick of produce. Summer fruits and vegetables in addition to having... ( Read more about Super Summer Foods)

America is awash in calories. And as the calorie floodwaters rise, the numbers of us who are overweight and obese rise along with them. One of the main streams swelling the calorie flood is the prevalence of large-portioned meals and drinks -... ( Read more about To Lose Weight, Join the "Portion Patrol")

If it was up to two year old Noah Winkler, he’d spend every waking hour on the playground. But it was the complete opposite just months ago. "We would go to the playground and he would refuse to get out of his stroller and he would sit in the... ( Read more about Understanding Celiac Disease | Symptoms, Causes, Treatments)

Diverticulitis:

The colon or large bowel stores waste products of digestion and reabsorbs salt and water back into the body.Many people develop out-pouching... ( Read more about Understanding Diverticulitis)

Recently there has been considerable focus on the health benefits of chocolate, pointing out that chocolate contains substances that can help prevent various diseases. There is a small but growing body of evidence that flavanols in chocolate... ( Read more about Valentine's Chocolate Heart Benefits)

Americans young and old who watch food commercials on TV have a greater tendency to snack and suffer weight gain, a recent study has discovered. The study, which was published in the journal Health Psychology, was done by scientists at Yale... ( Read more about Watching TV Food Ads Linked to Increased Snacking)

Well, if you need a reason to lose weight and get into shape, here is a new motivation in the form of a health warning for women: being overweight increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer. The latest study, in the journal of the... ( Read more about Weight Gain in Postmenopausal Woman and the Risk of Breast Cancer)

Hoodia is the latest appetite suppressant rage! It comes from a cactus-like plant in South Africa. It was used by tribesman as an appetite suppressant so they could go on long hunting and gathering trips. That appetite suppressant effect is... ( Read more about What is Hoodia?)

One of the new food guide recommendations released Wednesday by the USDA says we suggests an increased intake of whole grain foods. This has those in the grain industry celebrating, and rolling out new products almost immediately. "I don't like... ( Read more about Whole Grains)

The fattening of America is so out there, so obvious, the question has become how do we get the message that we need to reverse the trend? Perhaps, the message is sinking in, at least among women. New research released by the CDC shows, among... ( Read more about Women, Obesity Rates, and the Fountain of Youth)

It would make sense at first glance that workplace stress leads to heart disease--no surprise, right? But the latest research shows chronic stress at work can also leads to diabetes--and that--raises eyebrows. “Deadlines, they ask you questions... ( Read more about Work Stress and Metabolic Syndrome)

A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people... ( Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)

But that’s where the question lies: at what point does one really get life-protecting benefit from exercise--beyond the benefits of a better figure?