Category Archives: Diet And Food

Two mass strandings in Tasmanian waters in a week has left about 200 pilot whales and 14 sperm whales dead.

On Monday, 14 juvenile sperm whales died and washed ashore at King Island, in Bass Strait. Approximately 230 pilot whales became stranded on Ocean Beach, west of the Tasmanian town of Strahan on Wednesday.

Tasmanian authorities said on Thursday that they would be transitioning to carcass recovery and disposal operations in the coming days. But how do you safely dispose of the massive beasts?

If cetaceans are left onshore where they have stranded and died, their decomposition can pose a biohazard risk, said Dr Olaf Meynecke, of Griffith Universitys coastal and marine research centre. The removal of the animals is a major issue and something that we kind of forget once a rescue mission is over.

In warmer climates, the internal decomposition of dead whales can result in spontaneous explosions. Gut bacteria in the whales can multiply quickly, producing large quantities of methane gas. If the rest of the body is still intact if the outer layer, the blubber, is still intact and not broken up then it can lead to an explosion, Meynecke said.

In 2004, the decomposing carcass of a 60-tonne, 17-metre sperm whale exploded on a busy street in the Taiwanese city of Tainan, showering cars and shops with blood and organs and stopping traffic for hours.

Researchers would probably carry out checks on the recently stranded animals, including necropsies to look at gut content, and assessing overall health indicators such as the thickness of their blubber layer, Meynecke said.

Usually necropsies cannot be conducted more than after a few days after a whale dies, due to the risk of explosion, he says. Its actually part of the risk assessment the animal has to be assessed beforehand and if there are signs of swelling in the gut area, the pressure needs to be released ahead [of the necropsy].

If theres anything of benefit, its that the dead individuals will be an opportunity to contribute to science, said Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist affiliated with Macquarie University, who described it as the silver lining of a sad situation.

We can learn more about their diet, their genetics, how similar these individuals were to the population that stranded before, she says, referring to a 2020 mass stranding event at the same location, in which 350 pilot whales died.

Cetaceans that die onshore after stranding should be towed out to the ocean, Meynecke said. They should be returned to sea thats where they belong.

Sam Gerrity, of Southwest Expeditions, has been involved in the logistical effort after both the most recent and 2020 mass strandings near Strahan. He said the disposal involved a pretty confronting process of towing dozens of carcasses out to sea.

Open decomposition and burial were both trialled after the 2020 pilot whale stranding, but authorities have said they are not the preferred methods for the most recent stranding. Our first option will be long-lining the carcasses out to deep ocean, the incident controller Brendon Clark, said at a press conference on Thursday.

But the logistics for larger whale species are far trickier than pilot whales, which weigh up to three tonnes. [For a sperm whale] were looking at probably over 15 tonnes or more. Once theyre not in water any more, they become too heavy to drag with normal equipment, Meynecke said.

Burying whales should be avoided, he said. Disposing of a sea animal on land is generally not a good idea. The animals will decompose a lot slower once theyre buried it will take months and its a very slow process.

In 2017, a New South Wales council buried an 18-tonne humpback whale at Port Macquaries Nobbys beach and then excavated it a week later, due to community concerns about heightened shark activity.

If youve got a connection to the water table theres a chance that it does leak out into the ocean it could potentially attract predators but thats not fully proven, Meynecke said.

An infamous whale disposal case occurred in the US in 1970, when the Oregon Highway Division tried to get rid of a decaying sperm whale by blowing it up with dynamite.

The humour of the entire situation suddenly gave way to a run for survival as huge chunks of whale blubber fell everywhere, said a reporter in a now-viral TV story.

Meynecke called the incident proof of human stupidity. We laugh about it, but its the same thing as burying something only because we cant see it, it doesnt mean its gone, and only because we blow it up it doesnt mean its gone its just distributed in smaller pieces and it creates more problems.

Why mass whale strandings occur is still not entirely clear. Pilot whales misnamed as they are actually a large oceanic dolphin are known as the most susceptible species to mass strandings, because they are highly social and form pods of several hundred.

They end up in these big groups, but they dont know each other very well, Meynecke said. If one of them starts to panic there is a lot of miscommunication, because they dont actually know each other and the calls dont make sense to them. He likened it to panic among humans at a concert or other crowd. There is that emotional stress that actually drives them to continuously restrand as well.

Sperm whales, however, do not usually mass strand, and the deaths of more than a dozen at King Island was concerning, Meynecke said.

It probably isnt a coincidence that these two species stranded at similar times, because they might have been looking for prey closer to the islands, he said. We do have drastic changes in the marine environment related to climate change. Thats also what was related to the stranding of sperm whales in Europe in 2016.

That incident was linked to changes in water temperatures and the movement of food sources into shallower waters in the North Sea. We might see more of these strandings in future, Meynecke said.

Read more:
Whale strandings: what happens after they die and how do authorities safely dispose of them? - The Guardian

The baby formula shortage is far from over, but to prevent future scarcity, the United States is taking a critical look at what went wrong earlier this year. On September 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an internal report on the fumbles and mishaps that led to a delay in response to the formula crisis. A number of reasons were listed, including outdated data systems, insufficient emergency response systems capable of managing multiple public health emergencies, and lack of consumer education on how to handle and prepare infant formula. The agency also acknowledged that there are many unknowns about the bacterial contaminant Cronobacter, which was reportedly found in baby formula products from Abbott Nutrition.

The baby formula shortage was a perfect storm, explains Jenelle Ferry, neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition, and infant development at Pediatrix Neonatology of Florida. You had a combination of COVID pandemic restrictions, supply chain issues, and now youre involving a situation with a company [Abbott Nutrition] that is a major manufacturer of formula products.

On February 17, 2022, the FDA sent out a warning to consumers to stop using powdered infant formula from Abbott Nutrition after concerns of bacterial contamination in its products. Shortly after, Abbott voluntarily recalled infant formula products and shut down the facility during the ongoing FDA investigation. Before the recall, the company was responsible for 40 percent of infant formula production. The uncertainty of when products would be back on shelves led to panic buying, making them hard to find. The situation created unrest and distrust of the whole process, and I think families did not know what to believe or what was safe for their babies, says Ferry.

[Related: What the FDA is doing about the US baby formula shortage]

Ferry explains part of the reason for the mistrust is the lack of understanding behind what actually happened to the babies who allegedly drank formula contaminated with Cronobacter. An initial report indicated that babies got sick with Cronobacter after drinking similarbut not the sameformula from Abbott, she says. Its very misleading to say the formulas was contaminated because its not clear [if] the two infants that died did because of Cronobacter. Testing later revealed that Cronobacter was on some surfaces of the manufacturing plant, but tests to identify the bacterial strains in the infants found they did not match those found in the factory. Ferry says the results get muddier because the strains found in the baby formulas were different from each other, which suggests that its unclear where the bacteria originally came from.

This isnt the first time Cronobacter has been a problem in such productsthe bacteria is a known contaminant of infant formula. Richard Martinello, an infectious disease expert at Yale School of Medicine, says that the bacteria is naturally present in the environment and has a preference for very dry environments, such as dry powdered baby formula. It is an opportunistic bacteria that causes severe infections in vulnerable populations such as infants with less developed immune systems. While Cronobacter infections rarely happentwo to four cases are reported each year in the USan infected infant (less than one year old) may experience symptoms ranging from fever, seizures, to meningitis. If untreated, there is a high chance of death or for the meningitis to lead to long-term neurological issues.

Ferry stresses that when you look at the contamination, you have to ask what was first exposed and where. She says the Cronobacter was not directly found in any of the recalled itemsmaking it possible that the product was exposed to bacteria from other environmental conditions or handling rather than a contaminated ingredient. There are also a lot more opportunities for the formula to have picked up the bacteria, such as on countertops, storage, and even at home when the infant formula is not safely handled or prepared.

Among the FDAs suggested areas of improvement, Martinello says it is important to create a system to make Cronobacter cases a reportable disease where states can identify infections. Doing so will help better understand the frequency of cases and allow more opportunities for scientists to study the bacteria.

[Related: 3 solutions for when you cant find your babys formula]

Infant formula is regulated as a food product, but experts agree its a life-saving item for babies under six months, when milk is the primary source of nutrition. Arik Alper, a pediatric gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, explains that infants and toddlers with special needs were hit hardest by the low stock of infant formulas. Abbott is a major producer of special formulas for babies that have food allergies, an inability to digest certain proteins in the diet, or have a disease where they need non-dairy formulas, says Alper. If you need a standard formula there are other options, but we have a problem when special formulas are not available, he says. Its not easy [for babies] to adjust to a new formula and the transition may be associated with gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting or irregular bowel movement.

Ferry says the only alternative to safely and adequately feed a baby under six months when infant formulas arent available is breast milk. However, she points out that often people choose infant formula because breastfeeding is not an option for all caregivers. Another possibility is to find other brands of infant formulas, although that is less of an option for infants with special needs. Though he does not recommend it, Alper has seen some parents create their own formula recipes in a blender at home. He says this would be better suited for older children and if a parent insisted on making their own stock, the process should be supervised by a nutritionist to ensure a nutritious and balanced diet. One thing he advises against is parents diluting their existing stock of formula to make it last. To provide a growing child 100 percent nutrition, you need to make sure they get enough caloriesthey need enough nutrients, vitamins, and fiber, Alper says.

Production at Abbotts Michigan plant resumed in early July. Currently, the FDA is forming groups that will work on improving the gaps uncovered in the baby shortage investigation and will reevaluate their progress in a year.

Go here to read the rest:
The FDA investigated the ongoing baby formula shortage. Heres what it found. - Popular Science

As one of the world's top sports nutrition brands, Crazy Bulk has a lot to offer athletes and bodybuilders who are looking for an edge. But what do the Crazy Bulk reviews say?

CrazyBulk has been around for a while now, and in that time, they've built up a pretty good reputation. Their products are used by some of the world's top athletes and fit almost every fitness goal, be it muscle growth, gaining muscle mass fast, burning fat, or even just improving overall performance.

The products are all-natural, which is always a big plus, and they're also very reasonably priced. But, we all know how the dietary supplement market can be. There is a lot of snake oil salesman out there, and it can be hard to trust any one brand.

That's why we took a close look at Crazy Bulk, their products, and what people are saying about them, to see if they're really as good as they claim to be.

CrazyBulk is one of the world's leading authority brands insports nutrition. The company produces a wide variety of supplements, all of which are natural and legal steroids.

This means that they can be used by athletes without the risk of testing positive for banned substances.

The company has a range of products to suit different goals, such as quick building lean muscle mass, burn fat, increasing endogenous testosterone production, and even improving strength and stamina.

CrazyBulk dietary supplements are all designed to work together synergistically to give users the best results possible. But you don't necessarily need to go by what the brand marketing speaks. This is one of the few brands that use studies published in the national library of medicineas reference to back up their claims.

So you can rest assured that what they say is actually true, and not just some marketing gimmick.

Click Here to Visit CrazyBulk Official Website

CrazyBulk's products are primarily centered around safe performance enhancement, something that was considered to be an oxymoron not too long ago.

You see, performance enhancement was largely synonymous withanabolic steroids, which are not only dangerous but also banned in most competitive sports.

Crazy Bulk has changed that perception by providing safe and legal steroids that can be used by athletes without the risk of testing positive for banned substances. Here's a look at their top products.

The range can largely be divided into legal Steroids and Legal SARMS. Here's a look at the top legal steroids from CrazyBulk.

The company's flagship product is D-Bal, a legal steroid alternative to the pink pill, also called Dianabol.

Dianabol is a well-known muscle building agent that has been used by athletes for decades, but it comes with a host of side effects that can be dangerous.

D-Bal, on the other hand, is designed to mimic the effects of Dianabol without the side effects. So, you get the explosivemuscle mass gainswithout the risk of liver damage, testicular atrophy, or gynecomastia.

Anvarol is another popular product from Crazy Bulk that is designed for cutting cycles.

It is a safe and legal alternative to the banned anabolic steroid Anavar, which was commonly used by athletes to shed body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.

Anvarol is designed to replicate the effects of Anavar, but without the side effects. So, you can shred body fat while preserving your hard-earned muscle gains.

Clenbutrol is a thermogenic fat burner that is designed to help you shred body fat while preserving lean muscle mass.

It is a safe and legal alternative to the banned anabolic steroid Clenbuterol, which was commonly used by athletes and bodybuilders for its thermogenic and fat burning effects.

Clenbutrol is designed to work like Clenbuterol without the side effects. So, you can get all the benefits of thermogenic fat burning without the risk of heart palpitations, anxiety, or tremors.

Trenorol is one of the best-selling products of Crazy Bulk. It is a supplement that has been designed to help you bulk up quickly and effectively while keeping your body fat levels down.

It accomplishes this by increasing your nitrogen retention, which helps your muscles retain more protein. This leads to increased muscle mass and reduced body fat.

Trenorol also increases your red blood cell count, which gives you more oxygenated blood flow to your muscles. This results in increased endurance and stamina during workouts.

Lastly, Trenorol helps to increase your testosterone levels, which further aids in muscle growth and fat loss.

Since no anabolic steroid cycle can be complete without testosterone, CrazyBulk has included Testo-Max in their collection. This supplement increases testosterone levels naturally by stimulating the production of luteinizing hormone in the testes.

Testo-Max is such a strong testosterone booster that it is called by most athletes the legal alternative to Sustanon 250, the injectable anabolic steroid. The benefits of using Testo-Max are:

It does notconvert to estrogenso there is no risk of developing man boobs

It can be used by both men and women.

Human growth hormone is a natural hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. It helps in the growth and development of tissues, organs, and bones in the body. HGH-X2 is a supplement that boosts the production of human growth hormone in the body.

The benefits of taking HGH-X2 include increased muscle mass, reduced body fat, improved bone density, increased strength and improved recovery from workouts.

HGH-X2 is a safe and legal alternative to illegal injectable human growth hormone. It is not associated with any of the side effects that are associated with steroids.

Anadrole is a supplement that boosts the production of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the muscles. Anadrole increases the production of red blood cells, which results in increased oxygenation of the muscles. This leads to improved stamina and endurance during workouts.

The benefits of taking Anadrole include increased muscle mass like D-Bal. But the difference is the type of muscle tissue you gain. Anadrole will give you pure, lean muscle mass.

As SARMS became a buzzword for safe performance enhancement, underground labs and black marketers started to peddle fake and dangerous products. This caused the reputation of SARMS to suffer.

In order to combat this, several companies have started to produce high quality, safe and legal SARMS. These companies use stringent quality control measures to ensure that their products are pure and effective.

The benefits of takingtop legal SARMSinclude increased muscle mass, reduced body fat, improved bone density, increased strength, and improved recovery from workouts.

In addition, legal SARMS are not associated with any of the side effects that are associated with steroids. CrazyBulk is one of the leading companies that produce top legal SARMS. Here's a look at their range.

Testol 140 is the RAD 140 clone from CrazyBulk that brings Rad140's amazing anabolic benefits without any side effects.

Rad 140 is one of the strongest SARMS in existence, that has an innate capability to help you gain muscle tissue while burning fat. Imagine being able to lose weight and bone dry while retaining hard muscle mass.

That's what Testol 140 can do for you. That too using safe ingredients like whey protein.

Ibubta 677 is agrowth hormone secretagoguethat is used by celebrities to stay looking young and shredded all year round.

Growth hormone is a natural hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. It helps in the growth and development of tissues, organs and bones in the body.

Ibubta 677 helps to increase the production of human growth hormone in the body.

The benefits of taking Ibuta 677 include increased muscle mass, reduced body fat, improved bone density, increased strength, and improved recovery from workouts. All of these without any of the negative effects associated with exogenous GH injections.

Ligan 4033 is the answer to LGD 4033, hands down the most popular SARMs for bodybuilding. Ligan has been scientifically engineered to target muscle tissue and muscle protein synthesis, which means it is one of the most anabolic compounds available. This makes it perfect for anyone looking to bulk up quickly, or even just add a little extra lean body mass.

The best part? It will get you the results fast. No wasting time here!

Cardarine created quite a stir when it was first introduced as a research chemical. It was touted as the endurance enhancer and quickly gained popularity in the bodybuilding world.

C-Dine 501516 is the perfect clone for anyone looking to shred down quickly. It targets fat cells and helps you burn them off, while also increasing your endurance. You can lose chest fat and retain lean muscle gains at the same time.

This makes it perfect for anyone looking to get in shape quickly, or even just improve their cardiovascular health.

Stena 9009 is the perfect clone for anyone looking to improve their VO2 max. This is the measure of your bodys ability to use oxygen, and is a great indicator of your overall fitness level.

Stena 9009 will help you improve your VO2 max, which means youll be able to exercise for longer periods of time without getting tired. Many athletes claim that they feel like they have one extra pair of lungs to absorb oxygen.

Go figure. Don't forget that extra oxygen translates into more energy and better endurance during your workouts!

Osta 2866 is one of the most popular SARMS from CrazyBulk. It is called the beginner-friendly sarm and for good reason too. Osta 2866 can help you preserve lean muscle tissue while also promoting muscle gain.

So, it finds a place in the bulking as well as cutting cycles.

As if the standalone legal steroids weren't good enough already, CrazyBulk also offers stacks. These are basically combinations of different steroids and SARMS that work well together and offer even better results.

The most popular stacks among seasoned athletes are:

Bulking is incredibly tough. Don't let anyone fool you into believing otherwise. We know what fitness coaches say. Eat more calories than what you are burning and you will gain. That's true.

But it wont make you look or feel like a million bucks. You will look like a bloated mess if you are not careful with your food and training.

That's why CrazyBulk created the bulking stack, a combination of the best legal steroids for bulking that will help you:

There are four steroids in the bulking stack. These are -

Testo-Max

Decaduro

Trenorol

You can use these steroids for bulking for up to sixteen weeks. The cycle starts with a loading phase of four weeks, where you take all four steroids. This is followed by a maintenance phase of four weeks.

If you thought bulking was tough, wait till you try cutting. Cutting is when you are trying to shred the fat while preserving the muscle mass.

It is incredibly difficult to do both at the same time, but CrazyBulk has made it possible with their cutting stack.

The cutting stack is a combination of the best legal steroids for cutting that will help you:

Preserve the muscle mass

Improve your strength

Increase your endurance

Lean muscle mass retention

The cutting stack has four steroids -

Clenbuterol

Anvarol

Winstrol

Testo Max

Each of these steroids is powerful and helps you achieve different goals.

Clenbuterol is the fat burner while Anvarol helps you preserve muscle mass, Winstrol gives you strength and Testo Max increases your endurance.

When you use all four steroids together, you get a synergistic effect that helps you achieve your goals quickly.

The Cutting Stack is very popular among athletes and bodybuilders who are trying to get in shape quickly.

If you want to shred the fat while preserving muscle mass, the Cutting Stack is the way to go.

The Ultimate Stack is the most powerful stack that CrazyBulk has to offer.

It is a combination of all the best steroids that when taken together can help you crush plateaus as well as recompose your entire body in a span of weeks.

The Ultimate Stack will help you:

Improve your endurance

Read the rest here:
Crazy Bulk Reviews - Does This Top Sports Nutrition Brand Really Cut It? - Outlook India

You might decide to take vitamins and supplements for many reasons, including getting your daily recommended intake of nutrients or addressing a specific health concern.

Vitamins and supplements offer a range of potential benefits, from promoting immunity to helping with stress management.

But with so many choices, what should you look for when selecting vitamins or supplements for your needs? Weve partnered with Swanson Health to provide advice on what to keep in mind when browsing the vitamin aisle.

Do you need to take vitamins and supplements? You might benefit from them if you have a deficiency. According to 2021 research, common deficiencies in the United States include vitamin D and B12. These essential vitamins play roles in bone and brain health.

How do you know whether you have a deficiency? Some signs and symptoms may include:

Discuss deficiency testing options with a medical professional if you think youre missing out on an essential vitamin or mineral. Testing can help identify potential deficiencies and determine why youre low on a particular nutrient, whether because of diet or an underlying health condition.

Read more about magnesium deficiency.

When shopping for vitamins and supplements, you can take your pick from a wide range of options. The kind you choose depends on the health concern you want to target.

Here are some commonly sold supplements and what people often use them for:

Read more about the potential benefits of ashwagandha.

With rows of vitamins and supplements available at stores and even more options online, how can you know which options are effective and trustworthy? Here are some key factors to consider.

Its important to consult a healthcare professional to determine which vitamins and supplements are a good fit for your needs and safe for you to take. Some vitamins and supplements can interact with medications.

A healthcare professional can also help you select the correct vitamin and supplement doses for your needs. Taking inappropriate amounts can be dangerous.

Purchasing dietary supplements from a reputable brand that offers a high quality product is crucial.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesnt usually approve claims and labeling before a vitamin or supplement hits the market. This means its up to the manufacturer to provide accurate information. Unfortunately, not every brand is transparent when it comes to labeling.

One 2019 study examined the label accuracy of herbal and dietary supplements. Researchers found that over half the products tested were mislabeled.

When shopping for supplements and vitamins, opt for brands that use reputable third-party testing. Looking for a certificate of analysis (COA) is one way to ensure a brand takes the quality of its products seriously.

Some third-party identifications to look for include:

Swanson Health offers a wide variety of gummies, such as magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, and multivitamins for both kids and adults. The supplements are also tested by both internal and third-party labs.

A products label can provide plenty of information, including:

Read more about how to choose high quality vitamins and supplements.

The right type of vitamin and supplement depends on your preferences and needs.

Do you hate swallowing chunky capsules? Do you prefer a convenient single-dose pill? Or maybe youre searching for a kid-friendly vitamin option.

Common forms of vitamins include:

Vitamins and supplements may provide benefits that may help with various health concerns. When choosing the right nutritional supplements for your needs, factors to consider include brand trustworthiness, safety, and your preferences.

Before you start taking a vitamin or supplement, talk with a doctor. They can help you determine whether you have a deficiency and provide advice on supplementing safely.

More:
Vitamins and Supplements: Your 5-Minute Read - Healthline

These days, you cant get into a conversation about nutrition and wellness without someone mentioning diet culture. Its all over social media, in both anti-diet spaces and more general wellness ones. Celebrities are calling it out. Its mentioned in academic research. Even the young teenagers I work with in my nutrition practice use the term. They talk about how their parents dont keep certain foods in the house, their friend is trying to lose weight, or their coach told them to avoid sugar, because, you know, diet culture.

But just because a term is ubiquitous doesnt mean that its universally understood. While many people think diet culture is just about, well, diets, its actually far more complex and far-reaching. Diet culture is an entire belief system that associates food with morality and thinness with goodness, and its rooted in the (very colonial) belief that every individual has full control and responsibility over their health.

Whats worse, diet culture is so ingrained, especially in Western society, that we often dont even recognize it. Thats why SELF asked experts to address some of the most common questions and misconceptions about the term to give you a better understanding of what diet culture really means and why its so problematic.

Although theres no official definition of diet culture, Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, author of Anti-Diet, published a great one on her blog in 2018. Harrison defines diet culture as a belief system that worships thinness and equates it to health and moral virtue, promotes weight loss and maintaining a low weight as a way to elevate social status, and demonizes certain foods and eating styles while elevating others. Diet culture also oppresses people who dont match up with its supposed picture of health, which disproportionately harms women, femmes, trans folks, people in larger bodies, people of color, and people with disabilities, Harrison writes.

Were all surroundedand influencedby diet culture, all the time. Theres this idea that diet culture only affects people who choose to diet, but thats not true, Sabrina Strings, PhD, a sociology professor at the University of California, Irvine, who studies diet culture and fatphobia, tells SELF. Diet culture is the culture were all steeped in; its the belief that we can control our bodies based on what and how much we eat, and it places a moral judgment on food and bodies. In other words, it makes us believe, consciously or not, that certain foods and (thin, usually white) bodies are good, while other foods and (fat, often Black or non-white) bodies are bad.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, American protestants started to publicly equate deprivation with health, and health with morality. The most famous example is probably clergyman Sylvester Graham (namesake of the graham cracker, which was originally much less delicious than it is now), who promoted a bland vegetarian diet of bread, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as a way to quell sexual urges, improve health, and ensure moral virtue.

Theres also plenty of racism and anti-Blackness baked into this colonial idea that thinness and food restriction equal goodness. In her book Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia, Dr. Strings talks about how white colonial thought used body size as a way to argue that Black people were inferior. During the height of slavery in the 18th century, there were prominent Europeans who believed that being thin and controlling what they ate made them morally superior, Dr. Strings says. And thus, African people were inherently viewed as inferior, because they tended to have larger bodies, which was equated to being lazy.

More:
What Does Diet Culture Mean and Why Is It Harmful? - Self

Data shows that poor diets are responsible for around 26% of global preventable mortality. Existing evidence suggests that different foods and nutrients have synergistic and complementary effects when consumed together.

While what makes up an optimal dietary pattern is largely well-established and validated, how common it is globally consumed remains unclear.

Previous studies have been limited to small subsets of countries and typically did not include those under 25 years old.

Studies investigating various countries dietary patterns across a wider age range could improve dietary guidelines and recommendations.

Recently, researchers analyzed global, regional, and national dietary patterns and trends among adults and children from 185 counties.

They found that between 1990 and 2018, diets became slightly healthier, although the extent of this varied by country.

In general, healthy diets have become more affordable as countries have become richer, Dr. Boyd Swinburn, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Aukland, not involved in the study, told Medical News Today.

Also, the globalization of food means that the variety of whole foods has increased, which is good. But the countervailing forces of ultra-processed foods taking over from whole foods and the widening wealth inequalities are creating unhealthier diets, Dr. Swinburn added.

The study appears in Nature Food.

The researchers collated data from nationally and subnationally-representative surveys on individual-level dietary intake alongside biomarker surveys.

Altogether, they compiled data from 1,248 dietary surveys from 188 countries. Among the surveys, 73.9% included data on children ages 0- 19 and 64.5% from adults ages 20 or over.

The researchers obtained data on individual-level dietary intake of up to 53 foods, beverages, and nutrients alongside demographic data, including age, sex, education, and urban or rural residence.

The researchers used the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) to define a healthy diet. Victoria Miller, Ph.D., a research fellow at the PHRI Population Health Research Institute and Visiting Scientist at Tufts University, one of the studys authors, told MNT:

The AHEI recommends that individuals consume lots of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 fats, and limited quantities of red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sodium.

In the end, the researchers organized diets on a scale of 0 to 100- with 0 being a poor diet, and 100 being an optimal diet.

They found that between 1990 and 2018, the global AHEI score increased modestly by 1.5 points- from 38.8 in 1990 to 40.3.

They also found that in 2018 only ten countries representing less than 1% of the worlds population had dietary scores of 50 or above. These included Vietnam, Iran, Indonesia, and India, with average scores of 54.5.

Meanwhile, the lowest scoring countries included Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Egypt, with scores ranging between 27.1- 33.5.

The researchers noted that the mean AHEI scores in 2018 for children and adults were similar: ranging between 38.2 and 42. However, in most regions, those ages 5 and under and 75 and over tended to have the highest AHEI scores.

They further wrote that globally, children tended to consume less fruit, non-starchy vegetables, and seafood omega-3 than adults. However, they also consumed more sodium and polyunsaturated fats than adults.

The researchers further noted that higher education attainment was linked to a higher AHEI score in most regions apart from the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where they observed no differences.

When asked how these findings could improve dietary choices around the world, Dr. Miller said:

Our findings are useful for informing the design and implementation of future research and national policies to improve dietary quality. Although South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest dietary quality in 2018, consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes/nuts, seafood omega-3 fat, and polyunsaturated fats were far from optimal in these regions. Policies to increase the intakes of produce, seafood, and plant oils will have the largest impact on dietary quality in these countries.

In Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, we found that red/processed meat and sodium increased over time, and policies focused on lowering the intake of these foods and nutrients will greatly improve dietary quality, she added.

Low consumption of unhealthy foods and nutrients, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, red/processed meat, and sodium, led to higher dietary quality in many countries, including Vietnam. In the USA, a dual focus on increasing healthful foods (fruits, vegetables, plant oils) and lowering unhealthy foods (sugar-sweetened beverages, sodium) is needed to improve dietary quality, she noted.

Dr. Marco Springmann, Senior Researcher on Environment and Health at the University of Oxford, not involved in this study, also told MNT:

The study also highlights that there has been little progress in improving diets worldwide. This should come as a wake-up call to policymakers who routinely brush off the need for progressive food policies as interfering too much in the market.

Without clear policy measures that would empower citizens to make healthy and sustainable dietary choices, we risk having another decade without progress on improving diets and the health and environmental impacts associated with them, he added.

The researchers concluded that their findings highlight the need for specific national and subnational policies to improve nutrition.

When asked about limitations to the study, Dr. Swinburn said: Data on diets is notoriously challenging. There is always massive under-reporting- about 20% of calories under optimal conditions of data collection are never recorded.

Nevertheless, by taking a zoomed-out approach like this, you start to see patterns which can tell you very useful things about the underlying changes over time and differences between populations, he added.

Dr. Rob M. van Dam, Professor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, also told MNT: The limitation of these findings is that the survey instruments and accuracy of the data varied across countries.

Also, the dietary quality indices used in the study were developed in high-income countries to prevent chronic diseases but may be less suitable for low-income countries where nutrient deficiencies are common, he added.

Salim Yusuf MD, D. Phil, Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology at McMaster University, not involved in the study, agreed that guidelines based on data may not apply to most other regions of the world. He noted that undernutrition is a challenge for many, alongside getting an adequate variety of food. He added that cultural habits, taste, and cost also influence what people eat.

See original here:
Diets worldwide only slightly healthier than 30 years ago - Medical News Today

Have you ever wondered why your friend can eat dairy without any side effects while you suffer from bloating? How can one person swear by the keto diet while someone else sees no difference? According to Boston Medical Center, an estimated 45 million Americans will try a diet plan each year. Maybe youre among the millions who have dabbled with keto, vegan, Atkins, Mediterranean, or one of the many other diets out there. Youve spent time trying different food combinations or rearranging your eating schedule. Youve told yourself it would all be worth it because this diet will be the one that works. Yet, now youre six months down the road and dont see the results you had hoped for.

Theres a reason diet culture is overwhelming and disappointing. The truth is, our bodies are all different. While one diet may make your friend, sister, or coworker feel amazing, it might not be the right fit for you. Were all about ditching diets and eating whatever makes your body feel good, but there may be an explanation for why different ways of eating work for different bodies.

Enter: the Blood Type Diet. Founded by Dr. Peter J. DAdamo, the Blood Type Diet provides individualized solutions for each persons blood type. Instead of looking at one diet as a solution for everyone, the Blood Type Diet breaks down each persons blood type and uses that information as the basis for nutrition. Im usually turned off by anything with diet in the title, but this one seems different. It proves that diets are not a one-size-fits-all method. Read on for my deep dive into what the Blood Type Diet really is and whether or not its worth trying out.

As Dr. DAdamo explains in his book Eat Right For Your Type, there are four universal blood types: Type O, Type A, Type B, and Type AB. Each type possesses a different antigen with its own chemical structure. Your blood type plays a huge role in how you absorb nutrients. This means that your blood not only affects how you respond to infections, stress, and bacteria, but it also affects the bodys response whether you eat a croissant or eggs for breakfast.

In his research, Dr. DAdamo found that different foods have different lectins, and those lectins produce a chemical reaction between blood and the food you eat. Sometimes the reaction leaves us feeling satisfied and energized, while other times, the reaction causes us to feel symptoms like indigestion, bloating, or fatigue. The Blood Type Diet looks at how different lectins in foods are absorbed by different blood types. Eating based on your blood type can increase nutrient intake, improve gut health and digestion, and support overall immune function, according to Dr. DAdamo.

Of course, nutrition is only one piece of the puzzle. Any wellness method is incomplete without factoring in the role of stress and exercise. (We can eat all the healthy food we want, but unless we also factor in high-stress levels and a sedentary lifestyle, we wont feel our very best.) Dr. DAdamo agrees. So, hes included research on how different blood types need different forms of exercise to cope with stress, as well as a stress and exercise plan for each blood type.

Dr. DAdamo found that people with Type O blood respond best to a diet based on animal proteins while avoiding dairy and grain products. Type Os can efficiently digest and metabolize meats and seafood because they tend to have high stomach-acid content, he explained. But its important to balance meat products with vegetables and fruit to avoid over-acidification. When it comes to exercise, he recommended intense physical exercise like HIIT or weight training because it makes the muscle tissue more acidic and produces a higher rate of fat-burning activity.

For Type As, Dr. DAdamo recommends limiting meat and dairy products, as they are poorly digested, but moderate quantities of seafood (3-4 times a week) can have beneficial effects. Focus more on plant foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, etc. Type As can tolerate wheat products and gluten more than other blood types. But they shouldnt eat in excess, or else their muscle tissue will become overly acidic. For exercise, Type As thrive by engaging in gentle and meditative movements to help manage stress, such as yoga, Tai Chi, stretching, walking, or Pilates.

Type Bs can benefit from a balanced diet of all types of foods, including meat, dairy, seafood, and grains. However, Dr. DAdamo suggests limiting corn, buckwheat, lentils, peanuts, and sesame seeds, as they contain a certain lectin that affects the efficiency of your metabolic process. This results in fatigue, fluid retention, and hypoglycemia. As for exercise and stress, Type Bs are able to manage stress well. They do best with moderate activities such as tennis, hiking, cycling, walking, yoga, jogging, or light weight training.

For those with the rarest of all blood types, Type ABs, their plan requires a combination of the Type A and Type B plans. Unlike Type As, meat in small portions can be beneficial. A balanced diet of all foods works for your systemincluding dairy, grain products, fruits, and vegetables. The key with Type AB is portion size and frequency, so eat smaller meals more frequently. When it comes to exercise, Type ABs have inherited a Type A stress pattern. So, Dr. DAdamo recommends following the Type A exercise plan of gentle movement to help decrease stress.

We like that the Blood Type Diet is a personalized wellness plan that looks at a persons genetics and bio-individuality. However, use it as a starting point or a way to experiment when finding what works best for your body. Dont follow the plan to a T. As with every diet, some experts swear by it while others disagree. For example, Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, CNS, DCa leading doctor and founder of Ancient Nutritionbelieves that the Blood Type Diet may help some people, but its not necessarily the best for everyone. There are other factors that determine how we digest nutrients than just blood type, like hormones.

Bottom line: The best way to determine what foods to eat and what exercise to do is to listen to your body. Period. Looking to your blood type for insight on nutrition and movement might make you feel amazing, but the same effects can be achieved in other ways too. The Blood Type Diet isnt necessarily for everyone, but it shows that diets need to be more personalized and cater to an individuals body type, food preferences, and biological history. Our bodies are all different, and how we eat should cater to that uniqueness. If youre thinking of experimenting with the Blood Type Diet, talk to your doctor and know that your body is always the #1 expert about which foods and exercise are best for you.

Read more:
What Is the Blood Type Diet, and Is It Worth the Hype? - The Everygirl

The number of people living with diabetes has risen dramatically over the last four decades. According to the World Health Organization, between 1980 and 2014, the number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million to 422 million.

The dramatic spike in diabetes cases in such a short period of time highlights just how big a threat the disease poses to the health of people across the globe. That makes now a perfect time to learn more about diabetes and what individuals can do to manage their disease.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease related to how the body produces or utilizes insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or cannot effectively utilize the insulin it produces.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

The WHO notes that more than 95 percent of the people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association , type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin properly, whereas type 1 occurs when the body does not produce insulin.

Can diabetes be managed?

Its important that individuals diagnosed with diabetes recognize that both types 1 and 2 can be managed. The ADA reports that diet and routine exercise are vital to managing type 2 diabetes. The ADA urges people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes to speak with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN/ RD) to find foods that are healthy and help them feel satisfied at the end of a meal. Lingering may compel people to make poor dietary choices that could make their condition worse. The ADAs Nutrition Consensus Report, published in 2019, is a comprehensive review of 600 research articles over a five-year span conducted by a panel of scientists, doctors, endocrinologists, diabetes educators, and dietitians. That review emphasized the significance of working with an RDN, noting that recommendations about diet for diabetes patients must take factors specific to each individual, including their life circumstances and preferences, into consideration. The review also noted that each person responds differently to different types of foods and diets, so there is no single diet that will work for all patients.

Though there is no one-size-fits-all diet for people with diabetes, the ADA created the Diabetes Plate Method as a simple way to help people with diabetes create healthy meals. The method urges individuals to fill half their plate with nonstarchy vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, green beans, and salad greens. One-quarter of the plate should be filled with lean proteins such as chicken, lean beef (cuts like chuck, round or sirloin), or fish (salmon, cod, tuna). Plant-based sources of protein also count, and these include beans, lentils, hummus, falafel, edamame, and tofu, among other foods. The final quarter of the plate should be reserved for foods that are higher in carbohydrates, such as whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, whole grain pastas), beans and legumes, or even fruits and dried fruit.

More people than ever before are being diagnosed with diabetes. Diet plays a significant role in managing life with diabetes. More information can be found at diabetes.org.

Originally posted here:
The basics of diabetes and diet Nebraska City News Press - Nebraska City News Press

Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight is a major health issue, not only in the United States but in many countries throughout the world. Governments are looking to identify the most effective services to support people to lose weight and improve overall health. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis (a larger study of studies) examined the effectiveness of weight management interventions delivered in primary care settings, and included data from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

Researchers evaluated 34 studies with adults who had a body mass index greater than 25 (overweight). They looked at people who received weight loss interventions within primary care settings. The interventions included instruction on weight management behaviors such as low-calorie diets, increased exercise, use of food diaries, and/or behavioral self-management approaches with support by clinic staff to set weight-related goals, solve problems, and increase self-efficacy.

Weight loss interventions were conducted by telephone, the internet, email, or face-to-face, and included group-based and/or individual connections. The research compared these types of interventions to no weight loss treatment, minimal intervention (use of printed or electronic education about weight loss), or instruction in attention control to resist urges or behaviors, but not focusing specifically on weight loss behavior.

The interventions were delivered by a variety of medical professionals (nurses, dietitians, and general practitioners) and nonmedical practitioners such as health coaches. The interventions lasted between one session (with patients following the program unassisted for three months) and several sessions over three years, with a median of 12 months.

Results showed that the mean difference between the intervention and comparison (no specific weight loss intervention) groups at one year was a weight loss of 5.1 pounds, and at two years it was 4 pounds for those that received weight loss interventions in primary care. There was also a mean difference in waist circumference of -2.5 cm, in favor of the intervention at one year.

Importantly, since this was a systematic review of 34 trials with a wide range of interventions, the authors were not able to specifically identify which interventions produced the result.

The authors noted that although a 5-pound greater weight loss in the intervention group may seem small, research has shown that a 2% to 5% weight loss is associated with health benefits, including lower systolic blood pressure along with reduced triglyceride and glucose levels, which may impact cardiac health.

The study recognized that the comparison groups had fewer person-to-person contacts than the intervention groups, and this may have played a critical role in the findings. A greater number of contacts between patients and providers led to more weight loss. The research suggests that programs should be developed to include at least 12 contacts (face-to-face, telephone, or a combination).

Although the study did not determine the costs of the programs, it is likely that interventions delivered by nonmedical personnel, with supervision and support from primary care health professionals, would be less expensive. It may be that a combination of practitioners would be most effective, since physicians and general practitioners most likely will not have the time for 12 consultations to support a weight management program.

A study prepared for the US Preventive Services Task Force and published in 2018 found similar results. This review reported a reduction of 5.3 pounds in participants who received weight management interventions in a variety of settings, including universities, primary care, and the community. Compared with controls, participants in behavior-based interventions had greater mean weight loss at 12 to 18 months and less weight regain.

In the two largest trials (of the 124 identified), there was a decreased probability of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those who did not receive the weight management interventions. There was an absolute risk reduction of approximately 14.5% in both trials over three to nine years, meaning those who received weight loss management intervention had a 14.5% reduced chance of developing diabetes compared to a control group.

Weight management interventions delivered in primary care settings are an effective way to deliver services. Primary care practices offer good reach into the community, and oftentimes are the first point of contact for people to the healthcare system. With our growing obesity epidemic, every effort should be considered to connect with patients struggling with their weight and offer viable, effective interventions.

Read more here:
Behavioral weight loss interventions: Do they work in primary care? - Harvard Health

Engaging in muscularity-oriented eating and weight-control behaviors is common among adolescents and young adults and varies according to gender.

Bulking and cutting is a dietary technique in which individuals alternate between periods of high caloric surplus bulking, and periods of caloric restrictioncutting, to increase muscle definition.

Until now, few studies have explored the link between bulk and cut cycles and psychological factors such as the drive for muscularity, eating disorders, and muscle dysmorphia.

Recently, researchers conducted a study to understand the prevalence of bulk and cut cycles across genders and to recognize any links with mental health conditions.

They found that almost half of young men and one in five women, transgender, and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals engaged in bulk and cut cycles in the last 12 months.

They also found that bulking and cutting was linked to an increased incidence of muscle dysmorphia and eating disorders among all genders.

The study was published in Eating and Weight Disorders- Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity.

For the study, the researchers used survey data from 2,762 individuals from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors. Participants were between 16 and 30 years old and were recruited between November and December 2021 via adverts on Instagram and Snapchat.

Survey topics included:

After analyzing the results, the researchers found that men were almost twice as likely as women and TGNC individuals to engage in bulk and cut cycles in the last 12 months and in the last 30 days.

They conversely found, however, that women and TGNC participants tended to complete more bulk and cut cycles than men.

They further found that in men, women, and TGNC participants, bulking and cutting were associated with a higher drive for muscularity, eating disorders, and muscle dysmorphia.

Engaging in bulk and cut cycles in the last 12 months and 30 days was also linked to a greater incidence of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia among men and women.

However, eating and cut cycles correlated only with muscle dysmorphia among TGNC participants in the last 12 months.

Muscle dysmorphia is also known as bigorexia or reverse anorexia, Dr. Jason Nagata, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, and senior author of this study, told Medical News Today.

Muscle dysmorphia occurs when an individual becomes obsessed with becoming muscular. They may view themselves as puny even if they are objectively muscular. Dr. Jason Nagata

To explain their results, the researchers noted that mens engagement in bulking and cutting with an average of three cycles per year generally aligns with regimes promoted by the fitness industry to achieve body ideals.

They added that women might be more compelled to engage in shorter bulk and cut cycles leading to a greater number of completed cycles to ensure a more consistent body image without excessive muscle gain or body fat.

They also noted that the greater number of completed bulk and cut cycles among TGNC individuals might be evidence of a greater level of disordered eating to align with gender-specific body ideals.

When asked about the studys limitations, Dr. Rebecca L. Pearl, assistant professor at the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida, told MNT:

Since bulk and cut cycling has received little attention in eating disorder research and treatment, there is not yet a standardized way to screen for this in young people. Its possible that the questions used in the current study to assess bulk and cut behaviors may not have measured exactly what the authors intended to measure across all participants.

As the authors highlighted in their paper, its possible that some participants particularly women and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals may have been thinking about times when they cycled between binge eating and subsequent caloric restriction (symptoms of bulimia nervosa) when they endorsed the questions about cycling between overconsumption and underconsumption, she said.

[P]articipants in this study were recruited via social media. Individuals who are active on social media may have greater exposure to and/or greater interest in messages related to fitness ideals and muscularity-oriented disordered eating and weight control practices [than those less active on social media]. Thus, the prevalence of bulk and cut behaviors in the study sample could potentially be higher than in the general population. Dr. Rebecca L. Pearl

The researchers concluded that their findings have important implications for future research and clinical and public health efforts.

When asked what these implications might be, Dr. Kyle T. Ganson, assistant professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto and the studys lead author, told MNT:

Given the popularity of this dietary practice, and the fact that it is supported and emphasized in many communities (i.e., online, social media, fitness), we need to be thinking of it as potentially overlapping with serious mental and behavioral health conditions that can have significant adverse effects.

Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this unique behavior and not just screening for typical eating disorder behaviors, such food restriction and binge-eating, or typical body-focused attitudes and behaviors, such as [a] drive for thinness. Dr. Kyle T. Ganson

Overall, we need to bring bulking and cutting, which is within the larger umbrella of muscularity-oriented eating and weight control behaviors, and the potential problems associated with these behaviors, into focus within our society, and among health and mental healthcare systems, he added.

Dr. Ganson told MNT that eating disorders are characterized by intense fears of gaining weight, significant body dissatisfaction, and problematic eating behaviors such as food restriction, binging, and purging.

If people sense that their psychological, social, and/or occupational functioning is being impeded by their focus on body and food, this may be an indicator of a potential eating disorder, he said.

It is important to note here that eating disorders can impact anyone, including all genders and sexual identities, races and ethnicities, people of all body sizes, and across the income spectrum. People shouldnt assume that they dont have an eating disorder because they do not fit the mold society has prescribed as having an eating disorder: white, young, skinny, affluent, female. Dr. Kyle T. Ganson

Dr. Ganson noted that muscle dysmorphia has similar psychological, behavioral, and functional symptoms to eating disorders. However, he said it differs as it is primarily driven by significant muscle dissatisfaction and an intense desire to gain muscle.

This may manifest in excessive and compulsive exercise and weight training, dietary practices aimed at increasing muscularity (i.e., bulking and cutting), and use of appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs and substances, like anabolic steroids, he pointed out.

To treat eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia, Dr. Pearl said talking with somebody is a good first step.

Many individuals keep these behaviors a secret from their loved ones due to shame and fear of judgment, which can lead them to feel even more ashamed and alone. Seeking professional help is important, which could include talking to your doctor or finding a mental health professional or nutritionist who specializes in body image and eating disorders, she said.

Non-profit and advocacy organizations such as the National Eating Disorders Association offer resources for obtaining accurate information, understanding treatment options, and connecting with others who have had similar experiences, she added.

Originally posted here:
Bulking and cutting: How a fitness trend may be impacting youth - Medical News Today