Category Archives: Diet And Food

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ISSIMMEE, Fla. Twelve-year-old Cecily Vamminos eyebrows shot up as she closed her lips around the veggie pie. It was a subtle mlange of carrots, potatoes, and zucchini, surrounded by a vaguely sweet crust, and it was not working for her.

Cecilys jaw carefully dispatched the invader while her left hand slid the remaining threat to a place where it could not harm her.

Uh-uh, she said, shaking her head.

Like every other meal Cecily would be sharing with 19 other children and their parents this month, this one was freshly cooked and served by the crack staff of kitchen professionals who were working under strict orders: Give the kids anything they want, as long as its all organic, and free of gluten, dairy, salt, and processed sugar.

It was a grand medical and, in ways, social experiment. The children are all living with a rare kidney disorder called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or FSGS, in which their kidneys leak proteins into the bloodstream. The disease strikes 5,000 people in the United States each year, and for a subset of pediatric patients, like most of those here, treatments like steroids and immunosuppresants dont help. They face painful symptoms and, eventually, the prospect of kidney failure.

For decades, FSGS has represented a stubborn medical mystery, but in recent years researchers have unearthed clues that have led them to ask a simple question. In an age when seemingly every ailment is treated with a pill, could a change in diet essentially force this disease into remission and, possibly, save these childrens lives?

It would be huge, said Dr. Leonardo Riella, the black-bearded nephrologist who is leading the research team here. Were hopeful, but we will see.

To get to the answer, though, Riella and his colleagues had to first design a research trial that could control the childrens diet long enough to observe possible effects, in a place where medical and scientific protocols could be followed and, importantly, in an environment that might tempt families to sacrifice a month of their lives in the name of science.

Two ideas came to mind: camp and Disney.

Since it would be difficult to find an established camp in Orlando that could accommodate such dietary restrictions for a large group, Riella and his team at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston created a camp-like environment at a water park resort here.

For every time Cecily and her friends confronted veggie pies (and whipped avocado desserts), there were considerable perks: a romp at the water park, movies in a huge in-home theater, a private performance from former Ringling Bros. acrobats, and trips to Disney.

It was all experienced from the confines of luxurious houses with backyard pools. It was all for free. And it was all in the name of science.

R

iellas clinical trial has its roots in a bit of research conducted in the early 1970s, the results of which were published in the Lancet. That small pilot study suggested that a subset of patients with nephrotic syndrome, a condition related to FSGS, improved while on dairy-restricted diets. Despite multiple similar case reports that followed, most of the field focused on drug treatments instead of dietary changes.

But theres always been chatter about this, said Lauren Lee, director of research and engagement for NephCure Kidney International, a Pennsylvania-based advocacy group for people with FSGS and other protein-leaking kidney disorders. (NephCure helped recruit patients for the trial.)

Then, three years ago, the parents of a 1-year-old girl in Brazil with nephrotic syndrome reached out to Riella. The girls condition had failed to improve with conventional treatments. Her parents had read that modified diets had helped others, and wondered if their daughters disease might be related to food sensitivity. They asked a doctor in Brazil to guide her through a new diet.

Within two weeks, the girls kidneys all but stopped leaking protein, and she effectively went into remission. Her parents were ecstatic, but they also wanted the medical community to better understand the mechanisms of this intervention, in hopes that doctors would embrace it as a treatment.

They were prepared to anonymously fund a research trial, but they wanted it done quickly.

As in this summer.

I thought, No way could we make it happen, said Riella, back in one of the three houses the research team rented for the trial one of which serves as the cafeteria and medical-team headquarters.

Riella, who is associate director of the Brighams kidney transplant program, has published widely on issues related to nephrotic disorders and immune-related topics, and is currently investigating a drug that could increase the success of kidney transplants.

For the Orlando-area study, at least, there would be no need for lengthy Food and Drug Administration approvals because no drug was involved. But he still needed to design the protocol, have it approved by his hospitals review board, and set up the operation 1,300 miles away from his office.

And then there was the small matter of recruiting 20 families to participate.

We thought, could we make a fun environment for them?

Aside from attracting families who would appreciate weekly theme park visits and almost-daily water park trips, Riella suspected the camp-like environment would appeal to a group of people who rarely meet others with their condition. It would also provide an environment for educational programming, like health lectures, cooking classes, and shopping tips, to help them eat a more kidney-friendly diet.

The parents of the girl in Brazil agreed to foot the bill (while insisting on anonymity). The next step was to find participants.

The medical team reached out to colleagues worldwide and attracted families from Belgium, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S. While locking down commitments from 20 families, they designed a testing protocol that would enable them to ship samples overnight to their Boston lab for analysis.

The participants will be encouraged to revert to their normal diets when theyre home, and theyll be tested again one month later to compare results.

Other researchers are watching the trial with interest. There is no doubt that the scientific question is important and the evaluation of the diet and its impact in a strictly controlled setting is ideal, said Dr. Bradley Warady, a research physician who treats pediatric nephrology patients at Childrens Mercy Kansas City. Whether or not a one-month evaluation is sufficient remains to be seen.

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aylor Faulkner, 21, slumped on a lounge chair at the poolside on a muggy Wednesday afternoon. I think were all a little tired still from Monday, she said.

Monday was the groups second theme park side trip, and the kids didnt get to bed until nearly midnight. Children with FSGS often tire easily, and the group was still adjusting to their new diet, as well as new beds, noisy homes, and 8 a.m. breakfasts.

Faulker, who is a musical-theater major at Northwest Florida State College, is the oldest participant by several years, and is the de facto big sister of the crew. Children gravitate toward her and she indulges them with applause, bright smiles, and laughter. She wears her hair in broad curls and a Despicable Me bandage over the spot on her arm where her blood was drawn.

Faulkner was 18 when she first noticed strange swelling in her ankles and a metallic taste in her mouth. The swelling is a telltale sign of nephrotic syndrome; swollen faces appear in the morning, and then, after a day of walking or sitting, the fluid settles in the ankles.

Often patients need hospitalization and a cocktail of drugs that draws fluid from the body, while replacing the lost protein. Patients also frequently need drugs to reduce the high blood pressure that accompanies the condition usually steroids, which are commonly prescribed to limit protein leaking.

The side effects from the medications, Faulkner says, are worse than the symptoms from the disease. Her current treatment, tacrolimus, is usually prescribed to people who undergo organ transplants, and it suppresses the immune system so she cant be around people who are ill.

Like most others in this study, such medications can generally control her symptoms, but because they dont control the underlying disease, her kidneys will eventually scar, putting her on course for dialysis or a transplant.

Thats something I worry about, a bit, she said.

But she and others in the group had heard that a couple of the kids had had their urine tested for protein leakage by their private doctors, and the diet seemed to be having an effect already.

We know somethings working, she said. She listed five different medications shes currently taking, and mused about the prospect of one day trashing them. That would be insane.

O

n the morning before exam day, Jodie Urias and four other veteran circus performers led the campers through 15-minute workshops in circus arts, including juggling, hula hooping, and tumbling.

True to day-camp form, most of the kids resisted switching from their favorite activities, but were quickly wrangled by the circus specialists, who played the part of sweetly stern camp counselors.

After an evening of movies and cellphone scrolling, they rested for the next mornings medical regimen. The children delivered urine and frozen stool samples to the medical team, stood for pictures (to track swelling), then underwent exams by Riella and had their blood drawn.

Some of the smaller children in particular clung to their mothers and wailed in fear of the phlebotomist, but most have endured so many needles that they barely flinched when the moment came. Cecily, for one, said shed been stuck with needles plenty in her life.

Despite some occasional struggles with the food, she said the camp experience has been positive mostly because she made friends after about five minutes.

Her mother, Dena, has been trying to continue her job duties as a software consultant while accompanying Cecily. She said Cecily has been lucky with her disease, in that her outward symptoms have been all-but-invisible, though her kidneys are as burdened as many others.

Indeed, one of the benefits of the trial, Dena said, was that Cecily can better understand the implications of the disease. It really hits home here, she said. And Ive learned so much, too, from the workshops and just getting to know everyone else.

Visiting Disney with severe dietary restrictions, though, can be tricky.

You see other kids walking by with the Mickey Mouse ice cream, and our kids are like following them, hoping a piece breaks off so they can eat it, Dena said, laughing. So yeah, it can be tough in the parks. I wont lie.

Senior Writer, Patients

Bob Tedeschi covers the patient experience for STAT, while also focusing on end-of-life issues. He previously covered technology, business, personal finance and a range of other topics for The New York Times.

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Drug treatments didn't work. Can a simple diet help change these children's lives? - STAT

When my doctor first suggested I try an elimination diet, I scoffed at the idea. It was autumn of 2014, and Id experienced months of extremely unpleasant digestive symptoms resulting in weight loss, exhaustion, and daily discomfort. My blood work was normal, and a physical exam revealed nothing unusual. My primary care physician suggested that my symptoms may be the result of a food allergy or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

I visited a board-certified allergist, who conducted an allergy panel. Basically, this involved sticking tiny needles with allergens on them into a grid on my skin. If I were allergic to one of the tests, redness and swelling would raise a red flag. She also took blood for the Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies (tTG-IgA) Testa common way to screen for celiac disease.

If youre not familiar with celiac disease, its a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting an estimated 1 out of 100 people worldwide, in which ingestion of gluten (a protein thats found in wheat, rye, barley, and a wheat-rye hybrid, triticale) causes damage to the small intestine.

My allergy panel showed serious pollen and dust allergies, but my blood work came back negative for celiac. The tTG-IgA test is not 100 percent accurate, and its still possible to have a gluten sensitivity without a celiac diagnosis. My physicians suggested I try eliminating various foods to see if that was in fact my problem. For the first phase of the elimination diet, I would cut out all foods containing gluten to see if there were any changes in my symptoms. If after three weeks I saw no change, Id cut out dairy products. After dairy, Id get rid of soy products. After soy would come nuts. If I didnt see any difference throughout the elimination diet process, my physician and I would move on to a different diagnostic process.

After three days without gluten, I felt improved beyond measure. I was no longer running to the bathroom after every meal, waking up with abdominal pain in the middle of the night, or struggling with my appetite. I didnt experience constant nausea. I even felt slightly more energetic. The final verdict, through a diagnosis of exclusion, was non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity (NCWS). The recommended (and indeed, only) treatment is to permanently avoid consuming gluten.

That was an outcome I didnt see coming, because I had consumed gluten products with gusto my entire life. I didnt realize quite how much gluten I ate until I had to cut it out entirely: No more bodega bagels, pasta dinners with friends, beer at happy hour, or late-night dollar slices of pizza. I discovered hidden gluten in things like soy sauce, vinegars, whole-grain tortilla chips, and meatballs. Wheat flour was a surprising staple in store-bought sauces and ready-to-cook rice mixes.

At first I was extremely skeptical of this new diagnosis. I didnt have an allergy to wheat the way someone may have an allergy to peanuts, causing an immediate reaction. Nor did I have celiac disease, meaning that my intestines werent necessarily harmed by the digestion of gluten. As it turns out, NCWS is a tricky condition. Researchers still arent entirely sure what causes it.

A number of recent studies involving blinded and placebo-controlled trials indicate that it is in fact possible to be wheat/gluten-sensitive without evidence of celiac disease, Armin Alaedini Ph.D., scientific director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, tells SELF. The exact triggers of such sensitivity are not entirely clear yet, but both gluten and non-gluten proteins in wheat may play a role. The symptoms of celiac disease and NCWS can be similar. Gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating are common with both conditions. However, symptoms are reported to have a generally more rapid onset in NCWS. In addition, certain extra-intestinal symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, headache, and depressed mood seem to feature more prominently in NCWS. Our understanding of NCWS is rather limited, but it is clear that the condition is quite distinct from celiac disease.

In other words, NCWS existswe just dont know what causes it or how exactly to diagnose it. That might explain why some acquaintances were dismissive when I disclosed my new gluten-free diet to them.

It's difficult to estimate how many people suffer from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, since there are currently no definitive biomarkers for the condition, Alessio Fasano, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist and research scientist, director of the Center for Celiac Research and author of Gluten Freedom: The Nation's Leading Expert Offers the Essential Guide to a Healthy, Gluten-Free Lifestyle, tells SELF. Fasano says that NCWS may affect between 0.5 percent and 6 percent of the population.

In cases of celiac disease, consuming gluten leads to an immune response in the body that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine and promote nutrient absorption. Experts believe NCWS is caused by inflammation, but the exact process is unknown.

Fasano says many people with NCWS may not know they have it, because symptoms are not always apparent from birth. This is also the case for celiac disease, which can present as asymptomatic.

Youre born with a genetic predisposition to these immune reactions, but you develop them over time under very specific circumstances, Fasano says. It can happen at any time.

Following a gluten-free diet is what physicians recommend for anyone with NCWS. Still, gluten-free diets have developed a reputation as a fad. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that the number of people following a gluten-free diet tripled between 2009 and 2014, but the number of people with celiac disease remains constant (the study does not include data on NCWS diagnoses). Researchers attribute the diets popularity to a public belief that the diet is healthier, something that is not necessarily true.

We know a gluten-free diet is lower in fiber, can be higher in sugar and processed foods, and lower in certain micronutrients, Amy Burkhart, M.D., R.D., tells SELF. For the average person, its not a healthy alternative. You can absolutely have a healthy, balanced gluten-free diet, but it requires making proper choices.

A diet low in fiber can lead to constipation, blood sugar fluctuations, weight gain, and high cholesterol. And Karen Ansel, R.D.N., previously told SELF that products made with enriched wheat flour often contain a substantial source of nutrients like iron and folic acid. By switching to gluten-free foods, which can be low in these nutrients [if they're] not enriched, a person may unknowingly be setting themselves up for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that could end up making them feel worse, Ansel said.

Alaedini notes, [Another] issue is that in trying to recreate the taste and texture of gluten-containing foods, the processed commercial gluten-free foods in the West often contain greater levels of fat and sugar than the original item, leading to concerns regarding increased risk of metabolic syndrome among people who consume these products regularly.

I live in New York City, where gluten-free options abound on every menu, and Im also lucky enough to afford specialty groceries. People living in rural areas or food deserts may not have access to the same variety of foodstuffs. Plus, the treatment burden of following a gluten-free diet is high. Burkhart explains: I dont think that anyone chooses to adhere to this diet and sticks to it. If they dont experience symptoms, they dont tend to stay on [the diet].

While I still love gluten-free pizza and some tolerable varieties of gluten-free beer, my current diet is much richer in whole foods than it was before my NCWS diagnosis. Im also much more likely to cook at homewhile New York restaurants are excellent at catering to food allergies and intolerances, Im more at ease eating food Ive prepared myself.

Some might wonder whether the switch to a diet rich in whole foods would be enough to make me feel better, for reasons having nothing to do with gluten. According to Dr. Burkhart, it could be possible if I were reacting to something else in the food besides gluten, "like a preservative, additive, coloring or other ingredient. In that case, the switch to a whole food diet would eliminate your exposure to the offender." But my body's reaction to gluten is clear: Ive been accidentally glutened four or five times in the past two and a half years, leading to, um, significant gastric distress.

Occasionally, friends will ask if Im still gluten-free. And my answer is that yeah, its inconvenient, but this is a lifelong change unless some other treatment for NCWS becomes available. And thats okay. I work closely with my doctor to make sure my diet is well-rounded. I read the nutrition labels on every supermarket product I come close to. I Google menus ahead of time to make sure a restaurant can accommodate me. Adhering to a strict diet is sometimes challenging, but it's nothing compared to the symptoms I struggled withand I promise you, the diet is much easier than it initially sounds.

Related:

You might also like: 6 Signs of Thyroid Problems You Shouldn't Ignore

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Can You Really Be Sensitive to Gluten and Not Have Celiac Disease? - SELF

Commentary

by Polly Ruhland, Cattlemen's Beef Board CEO

Beef WISE study"Diets are boring!"

"I hate trying to lose weight, it's no fun."

"Who wants to eat salad for dinner every night?"

Do these sound like excuses youve heard from friends or family when it comes to exercise to lose weight?

Well, if you missed it, the news is out and its exciting: the new Beef WISE study found that lean beef, as part of a healthy, higher-protein diet, can help people lose weight while maintaining muscle and a healthy heart.

The Beef WISE Study adds to the growing body of research demonstrating the role of lean beef in heart-healthy diets and strong bodies. This includes another beef-checkoff funded study called BOLD (Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet), and independent research DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).

Building on Previous Research

In recent years, higher-protein diets have become a popular diet strategy for weight loss. Dietary recommendations such as the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans may suggest that eating patterns with lower intake of red meats are associated with a reduced risk of obesity. However, these recommendations to limit red meat are based primarily on observational studies, whereas clinical trials such as the three I mentioned largely found no detrimental impact of lean red meat consumption on markers of cardiometabolic health during weight loss or weight maintenance.

Red meat is a major contributor of protein in the American diet and represents 58% of all meat consumption in the United States, thus its exclusion from the diet can pose as a barrier to sticking with a higher-protein diet for the long-term.

A Protein-Conscious Consumer Environment

Few clinical trials have compared different high-quality protein sources to understand their effectiveness in a weight loss or maintenance diet. The Beef WISE study did a direct comparison of the State of Slim eating plan with half the participants consuming four or more weekly servings of lean beef as the only source of red meat, compared to participants who did not consume any red meat during the study. Subjects in both groups lost equal amounts of body weight and fat mass while preserving muscle.

The WISE study, made possible by a research grant from your checkoff, demonstrates that lean beef doesnt have to be restricted in a higher-protein diet and is just as effective as other protein choices in supporting healthy weight loss and leaner bodies.

In order to get this good news out to health and fitness leaders, your checkoff sent custom emails along with a press release to approximately 150 targeted media outlets and reporters. These selected outlets cover health and fitness for consumers or are nutrition/science-focused publications

Be proud of your checkoffs work in this arena as this study is great news for people who enjoy beef but may have been told they should avoid it while following weight loss diets. It underscores, once again, lean beef can be part of a healthy, higher-protein diet for weight loss.

For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

Source: Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board

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Beef Board CEO highlights results of Beef Wise study - Delta Farm Press

ONTARIO, Calif., Aug. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For those looking to quickly, safely lose weight and improve their health markets, Body & Mind Medical Weight Loss Center (http://www.bodyandmindontario.com/) offers the KE Diet as part of its innovative Jump Start to Health program. This medically supervised intervention has already helped patients achieve tremendous results; more information about the program is available by calling 844-695-4331.

"Burning fat is key to losing weight and reversing lifestyle diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes," says Dr. Tanya Scurry, founder and medical director of Body & Mind Medical Weight Loss Center, "and the KE Diet has proven to be the best and safest way to turbocharge the fat-burning process. That's why it's an important element of our Jump Start to Health program. At Body & Mind Medical Weight Loss Center, we're helping people embrace a better way of life."

The KE Diet is administered during the first 10 days of the Jump Start to Health program. Patients receive a complete education on the diet during their intake and throughout the program. Under local anesthesia, a small naso-gastric tube is inserted to continuously deliver a specially formulated feeding solution rich in protein and fat. An obesity medicine physician closely monitors the patient throughout the diet, with no less than three follow-up appointments. Lab tests before and during the KE Diet ensure patient safety by checking electrolyte levels, ketones and other important markers.

Originally developed in Italy, the KE Diet has helped hundreds of thousands of people lose significant amounts of weight in a short time. At Body & Mind Medical Weight Loss Center, a 56-year-old male with hypertension, high cholesterol and an increased amount of abdominal fat shed 22 pounds in only ten days.

The KE Diet works by forcing the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates for energy. The feeding solution has zero carbs, which acts as a "hard reset" for the body. While carbs are an important part of a balanced diet, the standard American diet of today suffers from an excess of this macronutrient. Simple, highly palatable carbs are especially a problem. Many preventable health issues are a direct result of excess fat and obesity caused by carb-rich diets. The 12-week Jump Start to Health program offers the tools and resources to learn healthier food choices and eating habits.

To qualify for the KE Diet, patients must have a body mass index (BMI) over 30, or over 27 with a medical condition related to obesity sleep apnea, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. Patients of normal weight but high body fat percentages (over 25 percent for men, 32 percent for women) may also participate.

Once the KE Diet portion of the Jump Start to Health program concludes, patients work with a registered dietitian to develop a personalized meal plan to sustain their progress and set them on a path for a lifetime of better health. Patients also receive a personal fitness assessment by a personal trainer. The goal, according to Dr. Scurry, is to be successful in fat loss, not just weight loss.

About Body & Mind Medical Weight Loss Center

Under the leadership of Dr. Tanya Scurry, the goal of Body & Mind Weight Loss Center is to provide a helping hand to those struggling with obesity, to provide an ear to listen to their pain, to lift them up in encouragement and support, and to provide a safe place for them to heal.

Contact:

Dr. Tanya Scurry909-443-5191rel="nofollow">165841@email4pr.com

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Body & Mind Medical Weight Loss Center's Jump Start to Health Program Delivers Visible Results With 10-Day ... - Markets Insider

GLADE SPRING, Va. The role of libraries is changing, and so are the resources it has to offer.

Thats why Tonia Kestner, librarian at Glade Spring Library, never hesitated to host a series of classes thats a little different from most programs offered at the library.

A Healthy Living Series that runs through December will feature information on healthy eating, smart shopping, yoga, meditation, the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, managing stress and food safety.

Each class, free of charge and open to both children and adults, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Glade Spring Library.

Why not offer programs like this at the library? asked Kestner.

The library is about offering programs that are beneficial to the community, and this series features many helpful lessons. I hope this will make everyday life better for our patrons, she said.

People tend to be on the go more in the spring and summer, so this fall series comes along at a time when schedules slow down and so do our outdoor activities.

Classes will be taught by Kay Ogle, a licensed clinical social worker who has an avid interest in health and wellness, and Andrea Wann, nutrition educator for the Family Nutrition Program at the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Abingdon.

According to Wann, the class series is very relevant due to the high risk for obesity, heart disease and stroke found in Southwest Virginia as well as other southern states.

I want people to look at nutrition in a different way, said Wann. It can carry a strong stigma, but we have that power to take charge of your health and make changes for the better, not just for weight loss but to feel better.

Wann said its possible to eat healthy on a budget. I will show participants that they can feed a family of four within budget and have very healthy options on the table. Local farmers markets are a good place to start for finding fresh fruits and vegetables.

The following classes will be offered at the library.

Nutrition for Healthy Living will be led by Ogle on Aug. 31. Ogle will talk about appropriate nutrition for healthy living.

Shop for Value, taught by Wann, is Sept. 12. Wann explains why its important to read food labels while shopping for groceries. She will lead a discussion about the importance of fibers, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals in our diets. Snacks will be provided.

A Yoga class is Sept. 28 when Ogle presents a demonstration on yoga techniques. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.

A Fruits & Vegetables class on Oct. 10 will focus on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, which add vitamins and minerals to our diets. Wann will teach how eating different varieties and colors can encourage good health. Participants will learn how much is needed every day and different ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables in the daily diet. Participants will have the opportunity to taste test a smoothie made with fruits and vegetables.

Meditation can benefit overall health. Ogle will present a workshop on Oct. 26 that teaches participants how to relax.

Whats for Dinner is Nov. 14. Wann will show participants different ways to prepare healthy meals that are delicious, full of variety, and within budget. According to Wann, preparing meals ahead can save time and money, and reduce stress and food waste.

A class on Stress Management is Nov. 30 when Ogle offers suggestions on the benefits of managing stress.

Fix It Safely, the final class in the series, is Dec. 12. Wann will discuss common food borne illnesses and how to prevent them.

No registration is required to attend the classes. To learn more, contact the Glade Spring Library at (276) 429-5626.

Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at news@washconews.com.

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Glade Spring Library schedules healthy living classes - Southwest Virginia Today

They were saying, Well, shit, if you get cholera, it means that youve been doing certain things. Youre having sex outside of marriage, youre smoking, youre drinking alcohol, says Engs. And, above all, youre eating improperly. Graham actually wrote a whole book on cholera and how to prevent it. You dont drink coffee or tea, or eat raw vegetables. Now, the point about raw vegetables was probably good advice he gave, in terms of cholera. Cooking would kill the bacterium, and many other foodborne pathogens. Certainly, Graham didnt know that then. He believed that cholera was caused by, a particular acute manifestation of overstimulation of the stomach. Therefore, food should be soft, bland, devoid of strong flavors or flavors that might excite or stimulate a person. He ate this way, and he didnt get cholera, after all. Therefore, cooked (what wed now consider overcooked) vegetables became a central element in his dietary creed, which he preached in packed lecture halls across the country, drawing thousands at a time. And thanks to this incredibly lucky coincidence, his word soon became gospel.

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The Secret, Sordid History Of The Graham Cracker - Refinery29

One of the UKs longest-standing organisations that represents dietetics and nutrition has affirmed that a well-planned vegan diet can support healthy living in people of all ages in an official document signed by its CEO.

The British Dietetic Association has renewed its memorandum of understanding with The Vegan Society to state that a balanced vegan diet can be enjoyed by children and adults, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The memorandum is building upon the existing working relationship between the BDA and The Vegan Society and the previous agreement about vegan diets in 2014.

By combining their strengths, both organisations are committed to bringing reliable information on plant-based nutrition to every community in the UK.

Heather Russell, Dietitian at The Vegan Society, said: The Vegan Society is respected by vegans around the world and the nutrition pages on our website are a valuable resource that many people rely on.

The BDA is one of the foremost providers of evidence-based information in the practice of dietetics and by collaborating with them, The Vegan Society wishes to reaffirm itself as not just an authority on veganism, but also on vegan nutrition.

We want to reassure vegans that their lifestyle choice supports healthy living and give dietitians confidence to deliver reliable vegan-friendly dietetics advice.

Andy Burman, Chief Executive at BDA, said: We are pleased to have renewed this memorandum with The Vegan Society so that we can continue our positive working relationship.

It is important that people choosing to eat a vegan diet can get the right advice from the right sources, and know to visit a dietitian for advice on tailoring their nutrition and diet. The BDA will continue to work with The Vegan Society to promote this message.

The document states the BDA and The Vegan Society will work together to show that it is possible to follow a well-planned, plant-based, vegan-friendly diet that supports healthy living in people of all ages.

The organisations will also promote reliable, evidence-based advice on a healthy vegan diet to members of the public, services users and medical professionals.

The Vegan Society has recently revised all of its nutrition resources which can be found at http://www.vegansociety.com/nutrition

More worrying is the staggering decline in independent, investigative journalism. It costs a lot to produce, so many publications facing an uncertain future can no longer fund it.

With nobody to hold the rich and powerful to account, or report on the issues that don't fit with the mainstream 'narrative', your help is needed.

You can help support free, independent journalism for as little as 50p. Every penny we collect from donations supports vital investigative journalism.

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British Dietetic Association confirms vegan diets can support healthy living for all ages - The London Economic

Will & Gracealum andGood Luck Charliestar Leigh-Allyn Baker opens up about motherhood and her sons daily battle with dyspraxia in an exclusive five-partPEOPLEseries. (Read part 1here, part 2here, part 3hereand part 4 here.)

You wont find any gluten in Leigh-Allyn Bakers home but dont call it a junk-free space.

They dont eat chemical junk, but they still get to eat junk they just eat natural junk, Baker tells PEOPLE of her and husband Keith Kauffmans two sons:Baker James, 4, and Griffin Samuel, 8.

When theres a birthday party, my kids get a cake, they just get one without gluten, soy and dairy, and without artificial colors, she adds.

Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the PEOPLE Babies newsletter.

RELATED VIDEO:Will & Grace Alum Leigh-Allyn Baker on Learning Her Son Has Dyspraxia

Baker whose older son Griffinhas thedevelopmental disorder dyspraxia says that her familys gluten-, dairy-, soy- and artificial-color-free diet has been really important to keeping her kids healthy.

Scientists know, doctors know: Heal the gut, heal the brain, says theGood Luck Charlieactress. And so I want to create the best atmosphere possible for neurons to fire in his brain. So, to do that, I heal his gut.

The star says that the diet has had positive results with Griffin and Baker, explaining, Its been evident in the blood work.

FROM PEN:Girls Trip Star Jada Pinkett Smith on Being There for Son Jaden During The Pursuit of Happyness

RELATED:Leigh-Allyn Bakers Son Gets Frustrated at School: He Tries His Hardest But Its Exhausting with Dyspraxia

Additionally, little Baker whom the actress previously revealed suffers from speech issues has celiac disease. In fact, when she removed gluten from her younger childs diet, his nearly year-long struggle to speak ended.

Thats how important it is to the brain, Baker says. They do not eat any artificial dyes or food coloring. We happen to be very reactive to that. A rash will appear all over our body. Its not just hyperactivity or bad behavior or memory loss thats incurred on the body.

Baker is opening up more about how dyspraxia has affected her family in a Thursday Facebook Live chat with Dyspraxia Foundation USA, starting at 7:30 p.m. EST.

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Leigh-Allyn Baker on Why a Gluten-Free Diet Has Been Crucial for Her Sons: 'Heal the Gut, Heal the Brain' - PEOPLE.com

We also made 45 bales of silage. This was made from short leafy grass and, hopefully it will be excellent quality because we will use this for the bulls when we bring them in early September to finish them.

I just wonder about the weight gain of our bulls in that real hot weather. They do a lot of lying around and seem contented, I wonder whether they are grazing enough because if they are not taking in enough feed they can't maximise their weight gain.

I am toying with the idea of maybe bringing them in a fortnight earlier.

By leaving it until September to bring them in, it means that the oldest bulls will only be on approximately 90 days feed. While this works fine with the Angus bulls, I think the Belgian Blue bulls would benefit from an extra 30 days feed.

There was a little bit of coughing starting to appear in some of the young stock, so they all got their second treatment of the year for hoose and worms and thankfully the coughing disappeared a few days later. We injected them with Animec at 1ml per 50kg live weight.

Most of the ground that we took the second cut silage off got 2,500 gallons of watery slurry last week.

Grazing area

Any fields that have been grazed will be topped with the disc mower, as soon as we can get to it. So hopefully this will set the farm up nicely to produce some good quality grass for the cows and young calves to graze.

We will blanket spread the entire grazing area with fertiliser between now and the end of August. Depending on the particular fields and their soil sample results, it will either be straight Nitrogen or a compound.

I am reluctant to do it all at the one time because, if I do, by the time we get to graze the last few paddocks, the covers are way too heavy on them and we just don't get the utilisation.

We made 120 round bales of hay last week and, when the field greens up again, we plan to spray it off and re-seed it.

I am wondering what to do with a field that is probably one of our most fertile. There is an excellent crop of grass on it, with a lot of clover but quite a lot of docks are also starting to appear.

So I need to decide whether to spray the docks and hope it doesn't adversely affect the clover or maybe go for a full re-seed next year.

We have cut some of the winter barley. What looked a promising crop the whole year has turned out to be a bit disappointing.

At this stage, it looks like we will struggle to average 3.5 tonnes/acre. That basically means the crop will struggle to break even. The screenings were running at about 12pc with the moisture at 13pc+.

High screenings and low moisture usually add up to loads weighting less than expected and that is exactly what is happening.

To add insult to injury, the weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse.

Robin Talbot farms in partnership with his mother Pam and wife Ann in Ballacolla, Co. Laois.

Excerpt from:
Why this beef farmer might bring his bulls in early for some beefing up - Independent.ie

Are you interested in uses of palm kernel oil in Nigeria? In what spheres of life is it applied? Is this type of oil safe for your health? Only the most reliable information in details!

Palm kernel oil is widely used in a lot of countries of western Africa, including Nigeria.

This oil type is made from nuts of a particular kind of African oil palm. It is 80% composed of saturated fatty acids, and the remaining 20% is unsaturated fatty acids.

You can safely include palm kernel oil in small amounts to your diet. Palms and nuts for oil are never treated with pesticides and insecticides.

Despite all the debate around palm kernel oil, nobody can deny the obvious fact - this product contains as much as 20% unsaturated fat, and the remaining 80% is represented by medium chain saturated triglycerides. They are able to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol. Also, a regular use of a small amount of palm kernel oil significantly improves the general health, restores the skin and hair, and protects the joints.

One of the main advantages is the amount of antioxidants this oil contains. Its proven that palm kernel oil has the highest level of tocotrienols - sources of vitamin E when compared to other oil. This antioxidant helps protect your skin. It is okay to include a small amount of palm kernel oil in your diet. In addition, tocotrienols can reverse the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries, thereby reducing the risk of stroke.

Little is known about this fact, but palm kernel oil is also an excellent anti-aging agent. The bright red colour of the oil is provided by a special substance called beta-carotene. As for carotenes (carrots has them too), everyone knows that they increase immunity, improve vision, accelerate metabolic processes in the skin and slow aging.

The significant amount of vitamin K in palm kernel oil helps improves the coagulating and anti-coagulating system of blood.

This oil contains a sufficient amount of vitamin A to protect the eyes and increase visual acuity. Also, vitamin A is necessary for good immunity, the health of your hair, skin, and nails.

This is excellent news: palm kernel oil does not contain trans fats at all! It means that such oil can safely be included in your diet, even for those watching their weight.

Manufacturing of palm kernel oil in Nigeria

It is believed that in small doses, palm kernel oil is not dangerous, even after long-term use (more than six months). A safe quantity of oil is already contained in some products (chocolate, margarine, ice cream).

As long as you remember that moderation is key, then there are not much adverse effect to taken palm kernel oil

Be even more careful with palm kernel during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Just take in small quantities.

Also, you should not take it two weeks before a major surgery, because during an operation there is a risk of bleeding.

Refined palm kernel oil is good for the care of dry and flaky skin. It has a moisturizing effect on the hair. The oil can protect hands from dryness while actively nourishing and moisturizing the skin. Its used as oil for massage, and in soap making.

Refined palm kernel oil is obtained by pressing the crushed seeds of the oil palm Elaesis guineensis Jacq., followed by extraction and refining.

READ ALSO: Pros and cons of using palm kernel oil

The palm kernel oil contains natural vitamins of group E with an antioxidant effect. Unique properties of palm kernel oil can perfectly nourish and moisturize the skin, as well as increase its elasticity. With regular use for the face and body, the skin becomes soft and silky, small wrinkles and irregularities are smoothed out. You can buy palm kernel oil even for a child. It heals small wounds and cracks.

Application. In its pure form, it is used as a nourishing face cream or a skin care product for a baby after a bath. Mix palm kernel oil with some other oil, such as coconut, peach, avocado, almond, grape seed, and use it as a body cream after a shower.

The moisturizing properties of palm kernel oil make it possible to use it successfully for nutrition and hair enrichment.

Application. How to use palm kernel oil for hair? Wipe a small amount of palm kernel oil in the roots of the hair and leave for two hours. Then rinse with warm water and shampoo. You can also mix palm kernel oil with balm for your hair in a proportion of 1:10 and apply to the hair after washing. In 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.

You can buy palm kernel oil to take care of hands and nails in an excellent way. After two weeks of regular use, the growth of nails is stabilized. Besides, the skin of the hands becomes smooth and silky.

Application. Apply on hands, nail plates and cuticles twice a day.

The palm kernel oil works as a classic massage remedy. It perfectly soothes the skin with moisture, makes it soft and elastic. With regular use, the skin becomes smooth like a babys.

Application. Mix palm kernel oil with any other fat vegetable oil in a 1:10 ratio. Palm oil can be used independently as a massage oil.

For soap making, you can choose palm kernel oil for its unique foaming ability. A soap with palm kernel oil as an ingredient washes well and can last a long time. It has a white colour and is firm. It can carefully care for the skin, stabilizing the water-lipid metabolism and giving it that much-craved softness and silkiness.

As you see, we have shown you the importance of palm kernel oil in various fields of human activity. We hope the given information will be useful for you.

READ ALSO: Palm oil business in Nigeria 2017: How to start?

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Uses of palm kernel oil in Nigeria - NAIJ.COM