SCIENCE SENSE
Essentially, the more refined foods you eat, the more insulin is produced to manage it. This puts too much stress on the body, resulting in heart attacks, cancer, diabetes and lots of other diseases.
Just from a weight loss perspective, processed food gives a sudden surge of energy, which rapidly leaves your body, so you crash lower than before eating. This up and down effect alters your metabolism, so you actually gain weight.
The more you read, the more you'll learn that the way to better health is a fresh, balanced diet. The links supply the full articles.
http://www.andhranews.net/Health/2009/June/26-cornflakes-white-13601.asp
Washington, June 26: Exactly how cornflakes, white bread, French fries and other high carbohydrate foods increase the risk of heart problems has now been shown by Tel Aviv University researchers.
Bring colour into your life, and increase not only its length, but the quality too.
"But doctors know that high glycemic foods rapidly increase blood sugar. Those who binge on these foods have a greater chance of sudden death from heart attack. Our research connects the dots, showing the link between diet and what's happening in real time in the arteries," he added.
The researcher believes that the finding of his study may lead to a whole new way to show patients the effects of a poor diet on the body.
"We knew high glycemic foods were bad for the heart. Now we have a mechanism that shows how. Foods like cornflakes, white bread, french fries, and sweetened soda all put undue stress on our arteries. We've explained for the first time how high glycemic carbs can affect the progression of heart disease," says Dr. Shechter.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156341.php
05 Jul 2009
Vegetarians are 12 per cent less likely to develop cancer than meat eaters, according to new research published in the 'British Journal of Cancer'.
In a study of more than 61,000 people, Cancer Research UK scientists from Oxford followed meat eaters and vegetarians for over 12 years, during which 3,350 of the participants were diagnosed with cancer.
The most striking difference was in cancers of the blood including leukaemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The risk of these diseases was 45 per cent lower in vegetarians than in meat eaters.
Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "These interesting results add to the evidence that what we eat affects our chances of developing cancer. We know that eating a lot of red and processed meat increases the risk of stomach cancer. But the links between diet and cancer risk are complex and more research is needed to see how big a part diet plays and which specific dietary factors are most important.
"The relatively low number of vegetarians who developed cancer in this study supports Cancer Research UK's advice that people should eat a healthy, balanced diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat, salt and red and processed meat.
"It's understandable that what you eat can be linked to cancers of the digestive system, but more surprising to see an association between diet and leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this."
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155924.php
Grilling any type of meat, even chicken or fish, until it's charred or burned can increase your chances of getting cancer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Grilling vegetables and fruits does not create carcinogens (sources that cause cancer) so there is no cancer risk, which is just one more reason to add them to your shopping list.
-- Grill fish instead. Fish contains less fat than meat and poultry do, making it less likely to create carcinogens and cause flare-ups caused by dripping fat. Fish also requires less time on the grill, reducing its exposure to carcinogens.
-- Precook your foods. The higher the temperature at which food cooks and the longer it stays on the grill, the more carcinogens develop. Partially cooking meat or poultry indoors for two to five minutes draws out most of the potentially harmful chemicals without sacrificing moistness. Heat your meat up in the microwave or oven, and then finish it on the grill.
-- Lightly oil your grill. A little oil keeps charred material from sticking to the food. It also helps keep fish and chicken in one piece.
-- Lower the heat. On charcoal grills, increase the distance between the food and the hot coals by spreading the coals thin or by propping the grill rack on bricks. On gas grills, just lower the settings.
-- Stick to charcoal and hardwood. Barbecue briquettes and hardwood products, such as hickory and maple burn at lower temperatures than softwood (pine) chips.
-- Clean your grill. Scrub your grill thoroughly after every use to avoid a buildup of carcinogens that can be transferred to your food the next time you grill.
-- Spread aluminum foil on the grill. This will reduce flare-ups. Just make sure to make small holes in the foil to allow fat to drain.
-- Flip meat frequently. This reduces the amount of carcinogens that arise.
-- Marinate your food. Marinating not only makes grilled foods taste better, but makes them safer because marinades draw out chemical precursors of carcinogens.
Vicki Piper, R.D., L.D., M. D. Anderson Wellness Dietitian
Source: University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701103002.htm
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2009) — The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.
Vegetarian diets are often associated with health advantages including lower blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure levels and lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, according to ADA's position.
"Vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. These nutritional differences may explain some of the health advantages of those following a varied, balanced vegetarian diet."
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090623/mediterranean-diet-may-boost-longevity?src=RSS_PUBLIC
June 23, 2009 -- Want to live a long time? When you prepare dinner tonight, go heavy on the vegetables, skip the meat, and enjoy a bit of wine.
Past research already has linked the so-called Mediterranean diet with longevity. A new study finds that certain aspects of the diet -- such as high consumption of vegetables and olive oil, low consumption of meat, and moderate consumption of alcohol -- may be more strongly linked to longevity.
Researchers looked at the Greek participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. This included 23,349 men and women not previously diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
Researchers examined their diets and followed them for 8.5 years, on average, until June 2008. All diets were rated according to how closely they adhered to a traditional Mediterranean diet.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=628198
June 23 (HealthDay News) -- If you eat a healthy diet, you're likely to live longer.
It might be trite advice, but a new study offers proof that it can make a difference in your longevity.
Those with the best diets reduced their risk of death by up to 25 percent over a 10-year follow-up, said study author Ashima Kant, a professor of nutrition at Queens College of the City University of New York.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603103811.htm
ScienceDaily
(June 4, 2009) - Results suggest that a diet low in fat and red meat and high in fruits and vegetables is beneficial in preventing and treating prostate cancer.
Specifically, consumption of tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green tea, and vitamins including Vitamin E and selenium seemed to propose a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Consumption of highly processed or charcoaled meats, dairy products, and fats seemed to be correlated with prostate cancer.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071127161824.htm
ScienceDaily (Nov. 28, 2007) — A diet high in refined carbohydrates, like white rice or white bread, is associated with increased prostate tumor growth in mice.
ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2009) — Current research suggests that lowering
cholesterol may block the growth of prostate tumors.
High
cholesterol not only leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease, but may also
contribute to cancer growth and progression. Prostate cancer is the most common
non-skin cancer in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in 6 men.
Prostate tumors accumulate high levels of cholesterol, and tumor incidence
correlates with eating a high fat/high cholesterol diet "Western"
diet. In addition, prostate tumor progression has been linked to serum
cholesterol levels.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515073031.htm
ScienceDaily (May 17, 2008) — Scientists with UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center
and the Department of Urology have showed that lowering intake of the type of
fat common in a Western diet helps prevent prostate cancer in mice, the first
finding of its kind in a mouse model that closely mimics human cancer,
researchers said.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205161105.htm
ScienceDaily (Feb. 11, 2009) — New research from
Columbia University Medical Center continues to shed light on the benefits of
making fish a staple of any diet.
Fish are generally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown benefit in
many health areas such as helping to prevent mental illness and delaying some
of the disabilities associated with aging.
Eating tuna, sardines, salmon and
other so-called cold water fish appears to protect people against clogged
arteries. Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower triglycerides, a type of fat often
found in the bloodstream.
Now, a CUMC research team led by Richard J.
Deckelbaum, M.D., Director of the Columbia Institute of Human Nutrition, has
found that a diet rich in fish oils can prevent the accumulation of fat in the
aorta, the main artery leaving the heart. The beneficial actions of fish oil
that block cholesterol build up in arteries are even found at high fat intakes.
ScienceDaily (Aug. 13, 2007) — While a heart-healthy diet has become
synonymous with plenty of fruits and vegetables and little fat and cholesterol,
there's more to the story. Omega-3 fatty acids should be part of a heart-healthy
diet, too, according to the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Higher
amounts of two kinds of omega-3, (DHA) and (EPA), may benefit some people with
established heart disease or high triglyceride levels and can have an
anti-inflammatory effect for people with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, DHA
is being studied to see if it can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401200447.htm
Source
Of Major Health Benefits In Olive Oil Revealed
ScienceDaily (Apr. 2, 2009) — Scientists have pinned down the constituent of
olive oil that gives greatest protection from heart attack and stroke. In a
study of the major antioxidants in olive oil, Portuguese researchers showed
that one, DHPEA-EDA, protects red blood cells from damage more than any other
part of olive oil.
"These findings provide the scientific
basis for the clear health benefits that have been seen in people who have
olive oil in their diet," says lead researcher Fatima Paiva-Martins, who
works at the University of Porto.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080117101503.htm
Consuming Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps To Combat Degenerative Diseases Such As Cancer, Study Suggests ScienceDaily (Jan. 21, 2008) — In the 1960s, Ancer Keys, a US expert on nutrition, studied the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the first time. Since then many studies on the benefits of olive oil have been conducted. According to several studies performed in Italy, Spain and Greece (the main olive-oil-producing countries), the incidence of diseases is lower in these countries than in Northern Europe.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217192815.htm
New Anti-cancer Components Of Extra-virgin Olive Oil Revealed ScienceDaily (Dec. 27, 2008) — Good quality extra-virgin olive oil contains health-relevant chemicals, 'phytochemicals', that can trigger cancer cell death. New research sheds more light on the suspected association between olive oil-rich Mediterranean diets and reductions in breast cancer risk.
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/2006/pr-brainwave-053106.html
Recent interest in sleep, meditation and hypnosis research has spurred scientists to take a closer look at music. A small but growing body of scientific evidence suggests that music and other rhythmic stimuli can alter mental states in predictable ways and even heal damaged brains.
Music with a strong beat stimulates the brain and ultimately causes brainwaves to resonate in time with the rhythm, research has shown. Slow beats encourage the slow brainwaves that are associated with hypnotic or meditative states. Faster beats may encourage more alert and concentrated thinking.
Studies of rhythms and the brain have shown that a combination of rhythmic light and sound stimulation has the greatest effect on brainwave frequency, although sound alone can change brain activity.
ScienceDaily (June 16, 2009) — A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive analysis of Tai Chi suggest that it produces positive effects for improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers.
The researchers are now embarking on a new trial to establish if similar benefits can be seen among people with chronic low back pain.
"This is the first robust evidence to support the beneficial effects of Tai Chi. Our study proves that Tai Chi relieves pain and disability among people with arthritis and shows a positive trend towards effects for overall physical health. We now want to see if these benefits are the same for people suffering from low back pain", said author Dr Chris Maher at The George Institute.
Musculoskeletal pain, such as that experienced by people with arthritis, places a severe burden on the patient and community and is recognised as an international health priority. Arthritis is the major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, with 3.85million Australians affected. Low back pain is the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal condition in Australia, estimated to cost up to $1billion per annum with indirect costs exceeding $8billion.
"This research should reassure people with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis to seek exercise to relieve the pain. The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions", added Ms Amanda Hall, The George Institute.
Tai Chi is a form of exercise that is regularly practiced in China for general health purposes and has gained increasing popularity in North America and Australia and thus a growing body of research aimed at investigating its health benefits has emerged.
Tai Chi is a versatile activity that can be easily incorporated into people's daily activities. Usually preformed in a group, Tai Chi can also be practiced individually, which differs from traditional exercise therapy approaches in clinic.
(Source: 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, June 8, 2009)
11 June 2009
If you can't sleep, try meditation and deep relaxation techniques. They can help insomniacs and poor sleepers, researchers have discovered - but there's one unusual aspect to their approach.
Although you would expect people to meditate just before they went to bed, researchers found that it works far better if they do so during the daytime, hours before bedtime.
The research team from the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Evanston, Illinois discovered that insomniacs suffer from 'hyperarousal' all the time - and meditating during the day helps break the cycle.
Eleven chronic insomniacs tried Kriya Yoga, a form of meditation that reduces levels of arousal, for two months before replacing that with a course of health education, which included better diet, exercise, weight loss and stress management.
But, say the researchers, the meditation was far more effective.