Mark Mahoney| Guest columnist

In past years I have provided information on general awareness including the role of a healthy diet in helping to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer.

As we focus on Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October the following is a reiteration of some recommendations for serious consideration to support this initiative.

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Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Each year in the United States, more than 250,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. Some additional facts include the following:

Healthy lifestyle choices are linked to a lower risk of different types of cancer and other health conditions, such as heart disease. A healthy lifestyle includes maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet.

Studies on maintaining a healthy weight and lowering the risk of a first-time breast cancer suggest that overweight women have an increased risk of breast cancer after menopause (when most breast cancers occur) compared to women at a healthy weight.

Overweight women are thought to be at higher risk for breast cancer because the extra fat cells make estrogen, which can cause extra breast cell growth. This extra growth increases the risk of breast cancer. Other studies such as the Women's Health Initiative Trial suggested that a diet very low in fat may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

More research is needed in this important area for women who are interested in eating well to reduce their risk of ever getting breast cancer.

Although no food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer some foods can make your body the healthiest it can be, boost your immune system, and help keep your risk for breast cancer as low as possible.

Some general recommendations proposed by Registered Dietitians (RDs) include:

You'll find that processed foods generally don't fit in this type of diet as well as fresh foods do.

More: Get the facts to fight back during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Being active, eating a balanced diet and making healthy lifestyle choices can be physically and mentally rewarding at any point in life. And it can also produce positive benefits in helping prevent and/or reduce breast cancer.

Thanks to the Breast Cancer Awareness organization as well as the Susan G. Komen organization for much of the content provided in this column.

Check out the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) websitecdc.gov/cancer/breast/

An explanation on the role of healthy lifestyle choices can be accessed atkomen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/lifestyle/

A discussion of steps to reduce the risk for breast cancer with a focus on prevention is available through the Mayo Clinic atmayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle

Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.

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A look at the role of diet as a tool to prevent, reduce breast cancer risk | Mahoney - Tallahassee Democrat

"We just thank you for this teaching that has given us freedom, and kept our weight off after all this time, God," says one of the women praying on her knees in the opening of newHBO Maxdocuseries "The Way Down."

The series follows Gwen Shamblin Lara's rise as an evangelical preacher through archival footage, depositionsand interviews with former members of Remnant Fellowship Church, which she founded. The documentary's full title "The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin" makes it clear thatthis is not the typical expos of an evangelical church. Here, diet culture prevails.

But before delving into that peculiar aspect of the church, one other detail makes this story particularly fascinating right now.Shamblin Lara died unexpectedly in Mayat age 66 in a plane crashshortly after takeoff.

Thatgrim turn of events had an unforeseen effect on "The Way Down," which opens with footage of the search and rescue team sent out after Shamblin Lara's private jet crashed into Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee, killing her and five other church members aboard. And although director Marina Zenovich never was able to interview her subject for the series directly, many of those who were afraid to speak out about their experiences with Remnant Fellowship while Shamblin Lara was alive have now come forward. This sparked the need for two more episodes of the series, which will follow in 2022.

For now, HBO Max has released the first three episodes, whichgo into detail aboutthe ways that Remnant Fellowship controlled former members, including allegations of child abuse and, in one case, accusations of the killing of one child by his parents. There'sbehavior that the series characterizes as cultlike, such asmega worship services with a charismatic leader, whom people both love and fear. But throughout the series, one of the oddest themes is of Shamblin Lara's obsession with the weight of her followers.

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Shamblin Lara, who's recognizable for her gravity-defying teased hair,earned a Mastersin food and nutrition and was a registered dietitianwho worked with the Tennessee Department of Health for five years. She put a twist on the usual weight loss approaches by developing her Christian diet program called theWeigh Down Workshop, which proposes that devotees can lose weight through belief in God. While some would see this as a more spiritual departure from diets that usually focus on physical and behaviorial approaches, thepatriarchal aspects of evangelical teachings begin to reveal themselves.

The basic principles of Weigh Down are supposedly portion control (hardly a revolutionary diet strategy), and dedicating the rest of the time to prayer instead of thinking about food. Throughout the series, we see former members describing their experiences with Weigh Down that go beyond merely prayer: one is told to fast even after losing over 100 pounds. Another remembers asking her husband for permissionto order Starbucks, and being told she could havethat or dinner. Another fasted for 40 days.

In one archival video, Shamblin Lara sits in a white dress withhuge gold hoops in her ears.

"God revealed to me that this is the true deliverance," she coos, "and that the key to permanent weight control is a matter of the heart."

More footage shows women proudly holding up pants that no longer fit them, similar to before and after ads for services like Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers.

Then Shamblin Lara's teachings go further: the congregation at Remnant is told that a thin body means you are "right with God." This meant that the overweight among the congregation were doing something wrong, that the people putting weight back on after losing it were clearly not in God's good graces (and presumably this means they're on "the way down" in the afterlife). To Shamblin Lara, the faster you lost weight, the holier you were. As one former member put it, if you weren't skinny, you weren't saved. "It was all about salvation. Nothing to do with Jesus Christ, it was about being thin."

This intersection of faith and diet culture is a twisted version of the world of juice cleanses and intermittent fasting in mainstream culture. Replace the negative language Remnant uses to describe plus-sized people with words like "lazy" , "weak-willed", or "unintelligent". Replace the "fear of God" as the motivator of the Weigh Down Workshops with "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." The stigma surrounding plus-sized people is the same, repackaged in a way that the believers of Remnant understand.

Fatphobia plagues the way that we as a society operate. It's a normalized structure that if you don't look a certain way, you can't find clothes that fit, or be comfortable on an airplane, or access proper medical care. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 28.8 million Americans will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime.

Throughout the series it's shown how Shamblin Lara used the language of manipulation present in many alleged cults to control believers. She tailored her teachings to an audience of the faithful by having them believe that the message she spread was one communicated to her by a higher power. She told her congregants that people in Weigh Down who were not a part of Remnant were gaining weight back from not being a part of the true religion she preached.

"The overarching theme of everything she ever taught in there was about being under God's authority, which was her." one former member says, "Everything fell around that. And then everything else was about the weight and what you looked like. . . . she was the voice from God."

"She beckoned to people," Reverend Rafael Martinez, a cult interventionist, says in the series."She began to believe that the Weigh Down Workshop message was the answer to all the world's evils . . .Christian perfectionism could only be achieved by following her message." That version of perfection may have looked different from how mainstream society would view it in everything but its clothing size.

Groups that exhibit what is interpreted as cultlike behavioerare made entertaining in documentaries like "The Way Down" because their beliefs and actions areoutside of the reality of the average viewer. And in many ways, the series hits all the right points of a good expos:Anonymous talking heads in dark rooms. Footage of people crying in prayer. Laughter in how ridiculous it all is, now that the former members are out. Sadness when you realize that Remnant is still in operation, run by Shamblin Lara's daughter Michelle, with no sign of changing. But the thread of the Weigh Down Workshops and the way this belief of theirs reflects our own societal pressures ultimately humanizes Remnant.

Diet culture and fatphobia are so pervasive that they can even infiltrate the places we would least expect it. Members of Remnant aren't special for the way they interpret diet culture. In fact, they're just like us. It turns an unforgiving look at the viewer who would believe they're above cultlike fanaticism: if we're able to ingest certain beliefs about other people in our day to day, what's stopping us from taking that further? What would we believe next?

The first tree episodes of "The Way Down" are available now to stream on HBO Max, with two more releasing in 2022.

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In HBO Max's "The Way Down," one evangelical church preaches dieting as the way to salvation - Salon

The Galveston Diets intermittent fasting, anti-inflammatory approach may help menopausal people lose weight more effectively than just reducing calorie intake, according to evidence on its methods. However, no specific research into this diet exists and no one diet can work for everyone.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, an OBGYN physician, created the Galveston Diet to help people with menopause lose weight. The basis of the Galveston Diet is an anti-inflammatory approach to nutrition and intermittent fasting.

According to the official website, the Galveston Diet is an evidence-based program that actually works. Haver claims that not only do women lose weight and gain muscle mass on the Galveston Diet, they also sleep better, have fewer hot flashes, and avoid brain fog.

This article explores the Galveston Diet, how it works, and what to eat and avoid. In addition, it discusses the research behind some of the diets approaches and the potential downsides of trying it.

Though numerous Galveston Diet recipe books are available by many authors, the official Galveston Diet program designed by Haver offers clients an online program via a subscription service.

The programs focus on three main areas to help balance hormones and lose weight during menopause:

Before a person begins the diet, Haver recommends that they educate themselves about these concepts, as well as prepare to change their mindset and attitude toward eating.

In addition, she encourages people to begin emptying their pantries of foods that the diet does not permit.

The Galveston Diet focuses on eating natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods and avoiding foods that contain added sugar and processed carbohydrates.

Foods to enjoy on the diet include:

The diet also suggests avoiding the following foods:

The Galveston Diet applies a different strategy to weight loss than counting calories, a focus of many weight loss diets.

While specific studies on the Galveston Diet itself do not exist, researchers have done a substantial amount of research into some of the eating plans core concepts. These include intermittent fasting and the importance of foods that promote feelings of satiety, or fullness.

For example, a 2017 review indicates that the body compensates for a calorie deficit after dieting, reaching a set point where people do not lose any more weight or regain the weight they lost. The authors suggest that it is more beneficial to understand the influence of foods on fullness and energy compensation.

The review reflects the Galveston Diets approach, which emphasizes foods effects on shifting hormones and inflammation and how they contribute to weight gain in menopause.

Another key characteristic of the Galveston Diet is intermittent fasting, which research suggests can have benefits for weight loss.

A 2020 systematic review of 27 trials on intermittent fasting for weight loss found that participants lost 0.8%-13% of their baseline body weight regardless of overall caloric intake.

In addition, studies of 2-12 weeks duration showed a decrease in body mass index of 4.3%, and hunger symptoms remained stable or decreased.

Additionally, another 2013 study on 115 women with excess weight showed that over a 3-month period, intermittent fasting and carbohydrate restriction caused more body fat loss than a reduced-calorie diet.

One 2019 study used the same 16-hour fasting period as the Galveston Diet as a weight loss intervention for adults with obesity in the abdominal area. Their waist size decreased by over 5 centimeters after 3 months.

Considering the studies above, there seems to be convincing evidence that the Galveston Diets approach may be effective for weight loss.

Along with reducing body weight, the Galveston Diet may have other health benefits, due to its anti-inflammatory approach and intermittent fasting methods.

According to a 2020 review, intermittent fasting reduces inflammation in the body that arises from adipose tissue (fat stores).

The same study also indicates that intermittent fasting may work to prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

A 2021 review suggests the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of intermittent fasting may also help prevent chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Intermittent fasting may also counteract the damaging effects of oxidative stress, which generates free radicals that cause disease and aging.

A 2019 review concluded that intermittent fasting might help prevent high blood pressure and conditions such as cancer as well as prolong lifespan.

The extra support and activity elements of some Galveston Diet program subscriptions may mean that people trying the diet feel more motivated to stick with it. Plus, they may lead individuals to engage in more physical activity than they usually do. Both of these things may benefit weight loss and general health.

The main potential downside of the Galveston Diet is that people may find it challenging to follow and fit into their lifestyle in several ways.

People attempting to lose weight on a budget may find the official diet websites subscription programs too expensive. Some of the foods that the program recommends, such as grass-fed beef, may also cost too much. Plus, individuals may find it hard to obtain certain foods, depending on where they live.

People who do subscribe to the official programs may find fasting for 16 hours difficult, especially at first.

Having a time-restricted eating window of 8 hours means that if someone has their evening meal at 7 p.m., they cannot eat until 11 a.m. the following day. This would mean skipping breakfast or eating breakfast much later than usual, which some may find challenging.

However, there is flexibility in when the 16-hour fasting window occurs, so a person could eat their evening meal at 5 p.m. and breakfast at 9 a.m., which may work better for some. Someone could also eat their breakfast and lunch at the usual time and skip their evening meal if they prefer.

Restricting certain foods and alcohol may also make it more challenging for someone to socialize and dine out. For this reason, a person trying the diet may wish to plan ahead and give social events some prior consideration.

Some evidence supports the idea that intermittent fasting and an anti-inflammatory diet are effective for weight loss. Using this approach may mean that the Galveston Diet is more effective than traditional calorie-reducing diets for some menopausal women.

However, the Galveston Diet itself has not been the subject of sufficient specific research.

The diet may also be beneficial for preventing chronic conditions, such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

A potential downside is that individuals may find the diet difficult to maintain due to restricted foods and window of time that eating is allowed.

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Galveston Diet: What is it and does it work? - Medical News Today

Statistics show Americans are losing the battle with weight, with obesity becoming the second leading cause of preventable death. For many women, diets don't seem to work. If you're a woman who's had trouble losing weight, you may have been following the wrong plan.

Not Your Husband's Diet

Men and women have different hormonal panels. That could be a reason why women might have a harder time shedding extra pounds compared to their male counterparts. Gynecologist and best-selling women's health author Dr. Sara Gottfried learned this lesson first hand.

"I was trying the ketogenic diet with my husband," she told CBN News, "He lost 20 pounds. I gained weight. And I hear that from so many of my patients and my followers and I think it's important to realize the missing piece is hormones."

Dr. Gottfried says the root of the problem lies in the fact that most diets are designed by men, for men. In fact, only twenty percent of the studies on metabolism use female participants.

"We know that most research is done on men. It's assumed to apply to women," she said, "And yet women are not men with breasts. We've got very different hormonal exposures, we've got very different hormonal balance, and so the way we eat really needs to be different."

Dr. Gottfried's research on women and weight loss led her to develop a hormone balancing diet that she tried on herself. She finally ended up dropping the stubborn twenty pounds that she had wanted to shed for years.

"This was what was missing for me when I was trying to lose that twenty pounds," she explained, "No amount of exercise or dieting is going to work if your hormones are out of balance."

What Can I Eat?

After Dr. Gottfried's patients began losing weight on the hormone-balancing diet, she decided to share it with a broader audience of women, in her book, Women, Food and Hormones: A Four-Week Plan to Achieve Hormonal Balance, Lose Weight, and Feel Like Yourself Again.

The book contains 50 recipes such as Fettuccine Alfredo and taco salad that are slightly modified from the traditional recipes but still qualify as comfort foods.

"I'm a big fan of swaps, making sure you get the foods you love the most," she said.

She says her turmeric braised chicken is especially popular with the whole family.

"That's one of my favorites, for the kids and adults, especially husbands," she said. "That's almost like fried chicken."

She says the purpose of the diet is to balance a woman's hormones which makes her feel great and leads to overall good health. She says the goal of any diet should be to feel your best. She says this diet achieves that, but as a wonderful side-effect, leads to weight loss.

Phase One: Detox

The hormone-balancing diet is called The Gottfried Protocol. It's broken down into three main parts. The first section is detoxification, which Dr. Gottfried says is missing from most diets, particularly the ketogenic diet.

"Detoxification includes eating cruciferous vegetables, the cabbage, the broccoli, the radishes the cauliflower," she explained.

Among other things, the detox phase primes the liver to work efficiently to process fats and other foods and beverages.

Keto, with a Female Touch

After the detox phase, The Gottfried Protocol involves eating mostly healthy fats. The wide variety of recipes help people who can get stumped trying to figure out what that means.

"For breakfast, I've got an egg avocado bake," she said."So that's an example of really healthy fat."

While the plan is similar to the keto diet, The Gottfried Protocol includes more carbohydrates because a diet that is too low in carbs can cause hormonal disturbances in women that can make them feel terrible and stay overweight.

"It can trigger a stress response which raises cortisol which can block belly fat from being lost," she said, "Number two, it can cause problems with serotonin, [which] makes it harder to sleep. And number three, it can raise your reverse T3, which can block thyroid function."

The diet calls for a moderate amount of protein, such as poultry and fish.

While the diet allows only a small amount of sugar, there are certain recipes on that plan that are similar to our guilty pleasures.

"So one of my favorites is this dark chocolate pudding. I absolutely love it," she said, "I also have a dark chocolate coffee cake that I think is delicious. And there are certain breads as long as they're baked a certain way that really allow you to get that pleasure without ruining your metabolic health."

Fasting is Key

Unfortunately, eating carbohydrates can raise the hormone insulin, which can cause weight retention. So to keep insulin and other weight-related hormones such as leptin and ghrelin balanced, The Gottfried Protocol calls for a 14-hour overnight fast every night.

"You're doing most of it while you're sleeping," she explained, "I advise that you don't eat for three hours before you go to bed. So for instance you might finish eating at 8:00 PM and then eat again the next day at 10:00 AM."

She said among other things, fasting like this re-sets a woman's insulin levels and guards against insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes and even some memory and thinking problems.

While some women worry that fasting will cause them to feel too hungry, Dr. Gottfried explains that when a woman's hormones are balanced, she typically loses the desire to eat all the time.

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'Women are Not Men with Breasts': Why They Need a Hormone-Balancing Diet - CBN News

To maintain a healthy heart and prevent any ailments, it is extremely essential to prevent piling up toxins in the artery. An Ayurvedic physician explains how you can do it.

Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : October 5, 2021 2:50 PM IST

The heart is one of the most important organs of the body without which one's body cannot survive. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with heart attack and stroke responsible for most of these deaths (85%).

Dr. Smita Naram, Co-Founder of Ayushakti, also highlighted that heart attacks have taken a serious toll in the past two decades and heart disease has become the leading cause of mortality across the globe. As around 52% of cardiovascular deaths take place before the age of 70, it is very important to maintain a healthy heart, she stated.

A heart attack is caused by the deposition of fatty and calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, which hinder the flow of the blood to the heart.

"Heart ailments don't occur overnight, they are built up over the years, depending on lifestyle, food pattern, exercise and much more. Some contributing factors that can cause a heart attack are high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, family history, unhealthy lifestyles like eating habits, and smoking/drinking," explained Dr. Naram, a well-accomplished Ayurvedic physician, pharmaceutical herbalist and nutritionist.

To maintain a healthy heart and prevent any ailments, it is extremely essential to prevent piling up toxins in the artery which can be done by taking antioxidants such as turmeric (haldi) daily, said the Ayurvedic practitioner.

"Curcumin in turmeric helps in improving these endothelial functions. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is an extraordinarily strong antioxidant. Thus, improves the flexibility and capacity of arteries, if taken daily for years and years," Dr. Naram elaborated.

According to Dr. Naram, one should follow a heart healthy diet by including: lots of vegetables such as ridge gourd (Turia), bottle gourd (dudhi), ivy gourd (tendli), snake gourd (padwal), pumpkin, leafy vegetables, etc and proteins such as green gram (mung), lentils, tofu, millet, rice, barley, etc as these foods help dissolve toxins and blockages from the arteries at a fast pace.

Your diet should be a combination of 60 percent vegetables, 30 percent proteins, and 10 percent carbohydrates, she stated.

Dr. Naram recommended excluding sour foods (like tomatoes); all sour fruits (oranges, pineapples, lemons, grapefruits, any kinds of vinegar, etc.); heavy to digest foods such as maida and red meat (as they are hard to digest and increase cholesterol in the body; wheat, fermented or fermentation increasing foods such as yogurt, alcohol, cheese (especially old and hard ones).

Dr. Naram often shares health tips, kitchen remedies, herbal remedies, marma, and detox plans for long-lasting results in any health problems.

She suggested a simple home remedy recipe that one can incorporate in their daily routine to maintain a healthy heart.

"Mix 1/2 tsp ginger juice and tsp garlic juice with warm water and consuming it twice a day," she said.

In addition to following a healthy diet, one should include a daily walk for 30-45 minutes which would improve the heart functions and also help reduce cholesterol and weight, she suggested.

Following these simple tips will surely lead to a healthy heart and lifestyle, the Ayuveda expert added.

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Ayurvedic Diet Tips To Prevent Health Ailments - TheHealthSite

Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise habits can interact with an individuals genomics to influence cancer outcomes as well as disease and recurrence risk. While there is no diet or workout plan that can cure or prevent cancer, research has shown that a change in eating habits could improve outcomes, according to Doris Piccinin, a clinical dietitian specialist at the University of Pennsylvanias Abramson Cancer Center.

Piccinin recently discussed diet and nutrition for individuals with a genetic risk for cancer at the 12th Annual Joining Forces Against Hereditary Cancer Conference.

DNA copies itself to make RNA a process called transcription. However, when something goes wrong in this step, faulty proteins and genetic mutations can be created, thus increasing a persons risk for cancer. Lifestyle habits like smoking can increase the chance of this happening, but recent research showed that certain nutrients can lower the risk.

Early epidemiological studies pointed to the benefits of many fruits and vegetables in lowering cancer risk at that stage, Piccinin said. It was identified that brassica-containing vegetables (that were) rich in sulfur were able to repair DNA.

Brassica is a family of vegetables that includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale and turnips.

That same study, which was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in 2017, also showed that for people who already had cancer, there was a 14% reduction in mortality risk with the consumption of these vegetables. Another study found that in patients with lung cancer who continued to smoke throughout treatment, there was a statistically significant decreased risk of disease progression and death in patients who had one cup cooked or two cups uncooked of brassica vegetables.

Piccinin also discussed that the standard American diet aptly referred to as SAD may also contribute to risk.

The standard American diet, void of color, (full of) white pastas, rice, grains, cereals, the only vegetable a French fry, and considering ketchup as their vegetable, as well as many fried foods that are high in saturated and trans-fat, is the perfect medium for this pro-inflammatory cytokine inflammatory environment that cancer cells just love to grow in, she said.

However, Piccinin explained that research from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund found that the Mediterranean diet could be beneficial.

If we can modulate (the American diet) by a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and whole grains that provide antioxidants potentially to limit inflammation, we can slow this (cancer) growth, she said. In addition, foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish, flax and walnuts can also lower this inflammation.

Patients should work with a dietitian to determine which food plan is best for them, especially since there may be different emphases for different cancer types.

For example, Piccinin explained that patients with gastrointestinal cancers or who are genetically prone to them should consume no more than 18 ounces of red meat per week, and no more than two servings of processed meat, such as pepperoni, bacon and lunch meats, per month.

When it comes to hormone-driven cancers, Piccinin said that there is more of an emphasis on fat reduction.

Finally, while a healthy diet and lifestyle changes may lead to improved outcomes, it is essential that patients do not substitute healthy eating and exercise for actual cancer treatment, as prescribed by their health care team.

Although lifestyle factors can play a role, they should never be a substitute for traditional cancer treatment, as per your oncology team, Piccinin said.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, dont forget tosubscribe to CUREs newsletters here.

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With all the buzz in recent years about the dangers of full-sugar soda, it can seem easy to assume that diet soft drinks are "healthier" than their sugary counterparts. However, in addition to being linked with higher rates of substance dependency than even cocaine addiction,some scientists are speaking out to spotlight the health problems diet soda can cause to your overall wellness and even your longevity.

USA Todayrecently reported that the media and consumer research company, 24/7 Tempo, performed an in-depth meta-analysis of studies on the health effects of diet soft drinks. Keep reading to learn the medical problems that diet soda may actually lead toand, don't miss Customers Are Noticing This Widespread Issue With Chick-fil-A's Food.

The report cites a 2012 study that followed more than 2,500 participants for a decade. Individuals who consumed diet soda saw a 43% greater chance of heart attack or other cardiovascular illness than did participants who drank regular cola (though from this report, it's not entirely clear how much or how frequently they drank either).

The report also suggests that diet soda consumption is linked to high blood pressure, possibly due to the sodium content which is a major ingredient for flavoring many diet drinks. High blood pressure happens to be a factor that can significantly increase stroke risk, which a 2017 study suggests also increases with diet beverage consumption.

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Totally counterintuitive, yesbut, despite their zero-calorie content, our source suggests that diet soft drinks may actually cause obesity.

Some behavioral health research has demonstrated that artificially sweetened drinks can lead to over-consuming other foods and beverages, since fake sweetener can leave the brain unsatiated thus, craving more treats.

Research has shown that diet pop may also lead to an increase in body mass index ("BMI"), and abdominal obesity.Plus, in one study, daily "diet" drinkers saw a nearly 70% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Meanwhile, another study concluded that diabetics who drink more than four diet sodas per week were twice as likely to suffer blindness or other vision problems that can be related to diabetes.

RELATED:This One Diet Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes, New Study Suggests

24/7 Tempo's report mentions one 2017 study that found the chance of dementia can increase three-fold among individuals over age 60 who drink one diet soda each day.

(Interested in preventing dementia? ReadThis Decreases Your Risk of Dementia Considerably, Study Finds.)

The report also says that because diet beverages contain phosphorous, they can lower the body's capacity to absorb calcium and lead to bones that are more brittle.

In particular, one study found that women who drank three or more sodas a day had lower bone mineral density in their hips. (However, we should note, it seems this study analyzed the effects of all soda on bone density, not only diet soda.)

RELATED:Popular Foods for Stronger Bones After 50, Say Dietitians

One study mentioned in the report found that mice who drank diet soda saw a disruption in the balance of the gut microbiome, while another found that the Aspartame used in many diet drinks causes dysfunction that can lead to fatty liver disease.

Several unhealthy diet habits have been shown to increase the likelihood of cancer in some individuals.

Specifically, this report says a 2016 study called out the sweetener Sucralose (which is also the main ingredient in some sugar substitute products) because it had been shown to cause leukemia and other blood cancers in male mice.

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Turns Out, Diet Soda Is Even Worse for You Than We Thought | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

PLEASANT RIDGE Recently, the city of Ferndale made moves on a road diet project on Woodward Avenue to remove a lane on each side of the road and replace the lanes with bike lanes and on-street parking.Pleasant Ridge originally planned to have a role in the project as well, with the lane reductions and other road diet elements from Ferndale stretching into the neighboring city.

For the time being, Pleasant Ridges portion of Woodward Avenue will not be a part of the road diet. This is because the Michigan Department of Transportation evaluated the project and determined the Interstate 696 underpass and Eight Mile Road bridge were significant design hurdles, city documents state, and they would not approve a reduction in travel lanes because of the design issues related to the underpass.

Its where the underpass and surface Woodward merge, City Manager James Breuckman said. Because of that merging and separating movement and depending on where theyre going southbound or northbound MDOT wont approve the reduction of lanes because they believe those lanes are necessary for drivers to make the merging and separating movements.

Breuckman further commented that theyre working on some options and that there would be a small gap on both northbound and southbound sides of Woodward because of the issue, but stated Pleasant Ridge is working on maximizing the protected cycling lanes on southbound Woodward.

Well use some on-street lanes north of Oakland Park, well use our parks, but were still gonna do that, he said. Were just waiting on a decision from MDOT, and once we get into design, well figure out what the final layout of that is going to be.

Pleasant Ridge City Commissioner Bret Scott added that the city had to largely eliminate its portion of the road diet so Ferndale could continue with its portion, and that was something they supported in the long run.

We were more than comfortable with that proposal because it at least allows the Ferndale portion to be approved now, he said. It will give the state of Michigan time to understand how traffic narrows into three lanes from 696 and Woodward north of 696, and then revisit it later.

While the road diet will be postponed in Pleasant Ridge for now, the city is moving forward with another project on Woodward: a two-way cycle track that will be installed on the northbound side from Sylvan Avenue up to North Main Street near I-696. It will be partially funded through a Transportation Alternatives Program grant. There also will be a streetscape project to redo the Woodward streetscape and stormwater infiltration on the east side thats being funded by a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, or EGLE.

Breuckman stated in an email the project is about $1.5 million in total, with Pleasant Ridge receiving about $1 million in EGLE stormwater management and TAP grant funding. The TAP grant is about $400,000 with a $100,000 city match, and the EGLE grant is $600,000 with a $400,000 local match.

This will have a higher level of design than what would be implemented as part of the road diet because we are actually redoing the entire streetscape so we can kind of build that cycle track in its final condition rather than a temporary interim condition, Breuckman said. Were excited about that. We think its going to be a good first project to highlight on Woodward, a good demonstration project for what we can do elsewhere.

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With road diet tabled, Pleasant Ridge focused on other Woodward project - C&G Newspapers

What goes into making decisions about your diet? For some, its all about weight loss, and the old adage move more, eat less still seems to work. Eating less may mean portion control for some, while others may decide it means eating lots more vegetables. Who hasnt spent a week wondering if the Dolly Parton Diet would melt away the pounds?

Diet has long been considered an important part of health. Indeed, Hippocrates is credited with saying Let food by thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food. While the evidence is slim that Hippocrates truly said this more than two millennia ago, theres no doubt that diet is important to health and wellbeing. Food is powerful, as outlined in this article which concludes The healing power of nutrition is a combination of multiple supporting roles that synergistically and unselfishly work together.

What if you have a specific condition that some experts say can be addressed through your diet? Its important in this case to look at the science behind the claims to help you figure out if, indeed, a specific food plan can help you. For example, a 2019 peer-reviewed study asserts that chronic inflammatory diseases have been recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50% of all deaths being attributable to inflammation-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions. Diet is cited as one of the major causes of chronic inflammation, stating that evidence linking diet and mortality is robust.

Perhaps youre looking for a diet that reduces inflammation; the internet is full of sources of help with an anti-inflammatory diet. Heres where understanding the reliability of sources is important. As Tony Rogers wrote in his article, For every credible website, there are dozens chock full of information thats inaccurate, unreliable or just plain nutty. Be sure you check out the source before you make any lifestyle changes. While not an endorsement, these sites may be helpful:

However, maybe you choose the foods you consume based upon an ethical issue. Fifty years ago, Frances Moore Lappe pointed out the environmental impact of meat production and promoted a vegetarian diet in her book Diet for a Small Planet. Thirty years later, her daughter, Anna, updated the research, publishing Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It further detailing the role food production has on climate change.

Some people avoid all animal foods and choose instead a vegan plant-based diet. For many, veganism is about more than simply food; it can also be a complete lifestyle, shunning anything coming from anything else that had a mother or a face, whether it be represented on your plate, in your clothes or (wool) or shoes (leather). The Vegan Society states that Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude as far as possible and practicable all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing for any other purpose

This article provides good advice: the key (to finding the right diet) is finding one you like and can stick to in the long run and reviews five diets supported by science.

Whatever your motivation, diet can play a huge role in wellbeing. What works for you?

Link:
What is the Best Diet for Wellbeing and Health? - Prohealth - ProHealth

India has a wide range of cultures and festivals which involves both fasting and feasting. Navaratri among Hindus is one of the most common fasts which is being observed. Navaratri comes twice a year during the seasonal change period, wherein in this phase, the human body is vulnerable and susceptible to fall sick. Thus, on this 9-day long festival people avoid non-vegetarian sources, onion, garlic, grains, alcohol and smoking. But the type of fast and duration differs from individual to individual.Also Read - Ayurveda Remedies For Eyes: Best Ayurvedic Home Remedies To Make Your Vision Stronger, Watch Video

Fasting has numerous benefits such as it boosts immunity, brings LDL cholesterol levels down, makes gut bacteria better, improves strength and vitality, and improves hormones as well. But there are certain ways to adhere to fasting. Offer a variety of hydrating fruits and vegetables before the fast. This helps in the slow release of calories and keeps them hydrated and satiated throughout the day. Also Read - All About Keratosis Pilaris, an Incurable Skin Condition Yami Gautam is Suffering From

A reminder that overindulging can cause weight gain. And also, as salt stimulates thirst, avoid salty foods. Opt for more air-fried and baked foods rather than deep-fried. Make sure the food isnt very oily or greasy, as you might feel tired for the next day. Also Read - Why Turning Into A Vegetarian Can Be A Good Option, Find Out | Watch Video

During Navaratri, make sure that the diet is balanced comprising of all nutrients. It basically works on complex carbohydrates which involves different grains on the plate with a vegetarian source of protein and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. This diet helps to detoxify the system of toxins as well as builds immunity. Keep the meal rule simple, 30% carbs + 30% good proteins + 30% high fiber vegetables.

Expecting mothers are not allowed to do long hours of fasting as it might affect the growth of the baby. Pregnant women will be allowed to fast with the doctors consent but making sure that they incorporate small frequent nutrient-dense meals throughout the day. Pregnant mothers should work more on the quality of nutrients rather than quantity. Consumption of healthy foods at regular intervals is required as the nutrients are going to the growing baby. Hydration status is also very important during the fasting period.

Balancing the macronutrients and micronutrients well is something that has to be adhered to by pregnant mothers during this period.

Remember to start the day with a good source of fiber and proteins like fruits, milk and nuts. And for breakfast opt for Fruit yoghurt with nuts and seeds or milkshakes or even smoothies. Always remember to hydrate in the middle of the day by indulging in tender coconut water, lassi or buttermilk. Lunch has to be balanced with either of the millets as an option for roti or rice with adequate gourd vegetables and a fiber dense vegetable with curd/paneer/tofu for proteins. Opt for vegetable soups for the evening with makana or any fruit or vegetable salad to munch on to cut down unhealthy and carbohydrate-based cravings. Dinner can be kichadi or Rotis with proper balance and finish off with dry fruits milkshake or milk. The essentials of adequate carbohydrates with the right amount of proteins for proper growth of the baby with a good amount of fruits & vegetables for antioxidants will work better.

Be sure to have small but frequent meals to maintain your stamina and to keep you functioning throughout the day.

Fasting does wonders for your body providing you balance the meal well. So, all the best and wishing you healthy and mindful eating during this festive season.

(Inputs by Greata Sherene Robinson, Executive nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chennai)

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Diet And Fasting Tips For Diabetic Patients And Expecting Mothers During Navratri - India.com