Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Nutrition / Diet Article Date: 03 Jun 2012 - 11:00 PDT

Current ratings for: 'Mediterranean Diet Good For Mental And Physical Health'

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The diet is characterized by the consumption of fish, olive oil, nuts, pulses, vegetables, and fruit.

In order to determine how much the Mediterranean diet impacts quality of life, researchers examined over 11,000 university students over a period of four years. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Navarra (both in Spain), is published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Patricia Henrquez Snchez, researcher at the centre in the Canary Islands and lead author of the study, said:

At the start of the study, the researchers asked participants to provide information on their dietary intake. In order to determine whether the diet was followed, consumption of fish, fruit, pulses, nuts, cereals, and vegetables was positively valued and consumption of meat, alcohol, and dairy products was negatively valued. The researchers measured self-perceived quality of life after the four year monitoring period using a questionnaire.

The Mediterranean diet is based on lots of fruit and vegetables, and lean animal sourced proteins

The researchers found that participants who stuck to the diet more had better physical and mental well-being and significantly better physical quality of life.

Henrquez said "the Mediterranean diet is an important factor associated with better quality of life and can be considered as a healthy food model."

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Mediterranean Diet Good For Mental And Physical Health

Keep pushing yourself ... you won't weigh less if you eat less.

Eat less, weigh less. Simple? Not quite, writes Nick Galvin.

Losing weight is simple in principle. The rule of thumb has been that if you cut out 2100 kilojoules a day - the equivalent of two large lattes or a blueberry muffin - you will lose about half a kilo a week until you reach that magic number on the scales.

Simple - but, as it turns out, probably way too simple.

It now appears that dietitians, doctors and others may have been getting it wrong all these years. There's a lot more to losing weight than just kilojoules in/kilojoules out.

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Losing weight ... just reducing your food intake is not enough.

When you start to lose weight, your body slows down your metabolism. In other words, you use less energy for the same activities.

This reaction has its roots in our primitive past, says Professor Michael Cowley, director of the Monash Obesity & Diabetes Institute. "If you go on a diet, your body says, 'Aha, here is a famine', and it decreases energy expenditure, so you need less energy just to stay at that weight," he says. "This is probably because we evolved in conditions where famine was frequent, and if you had an appropriate physiological response to famine, you were more likely to survive and your genes got propagated."

The result is that if you stay on the same reduced-kilojoule diet, over time the gap between kilojoules in and kilojoules out narrows. In a paper published last year in The Lancet, researchers from the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) found that for a given weight-loss goal, half the loss would occur in the first year, but the remaining kilos would take another two years to lose.

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The diet dilemma

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Some physicians say the theory of "evolutionary medicine" can help guide the treatment of modern ailments like obesity.

Some physicians say the theory of "evolutionary medicine" can help guide the treatment of modern ailments like obesity.

By now the paleo diet and lifestyle has inched from the fringe a little closer to the mainstream, thanks to some very passionate followers sold on the notion that our Paleolithic hunter-gatherer ancestors avoided modern day ailments like obesity and diabetes because they ate what some consider an "ideal" diet of meat, fruit and vegetables.

Maybe you've met paleo dieters through CrossFit, or seen them organizing MeetUps online, and been amazed that they've managed to swear off sugar, dairy, grains and beans.

But the paleo way is now moving beyond the gym and Web to an entirely new space the doctor's office. There the somewhat amorphous idea of "evolutionary medicine" is taking shape.

One of the founders of the paleo movement, Loren Cordain, a professor at Colorado State University with a doctorate in exercise science, is the author of a must-read book for paleo followers, The Paleo Diet. Recently, he co-founded the Paleo Physicians Network. Its goal: connect consumers with "medical professionals who practice Darwinian/Evolutionary Medicine." The network lists hundreds of them around the country (53 in California alone).

Except there's a small problem, according to one of the people who helped coin the term evolutionary medicine: No one actually practices evolutionary medicine because it's only a theory.

Randolph Nesse, a professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Michigan, might be called a father of evolutionary medicine. He co-authored an influential paper in 1991 called "The Dawn of Darwinian Medicine," which made a persuasive case for more research into how evolution by natural selection can help explain what makes us sick.

When Shots asked him about his thoughts on the Paleo Physicians Network, he said, "I don't like it much."

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The Paleo Diet Moves From The Gym To The Doctor's Office

Miami, FL (PRWEB) June 02, 2012

Americans are interested in gluten-free as they become more educated and have a better understanding of what is good and what is bad. Many diet fads are dangerous: skipping meals, only eating salads, eating only high protein. These diets can work temporarily and can result in not just regaining the weight plus more, but far harsher health problems. For this reason, Gluten-free diets have become popular. "Don't believe the hype of diets that claim you can lose 15 lbs. in 4 weeks without diet or exercise." The gluten-free diet is leading to weight-loss and healthier eating. In response, a private research firm, Ven Cleanse, is releasing a free copy of the 2012 Gluten-free meal plan and recipes to the public to help people get started the right way.

Starting at the beginning, gluten is a protein found in wheat, kamut, spelt, barley, rye, malts and triticale. It is used as a food additive in the form of a stabilizing agent. It is found primarily in cereals, certain grains, and wheat. Gluten makes bread chewy and prevents some foods from being sticky and doughy. Why is Gluten-free suddenly so popular? More and more everyday people are discovering that they are gluten-sensitive. Private industry is stepping up to help fill the needs of gluten free diets as well. One research firm is releasing a free white paper on their website, http://www.vencleanse.com, to help people make this lifestyle change. Because of the increase of gluten-sensitivity in the public doctors from a variety of fields are getting involved and researching the benefits of gluten-free living. Doctors are finding that gluten-free diets have the benefits of:

By choosing to follow a gluten-free diet people are actually eliminating a lot of foods they already know as unhealthy. Foods such as: fried foods, many desserts high in sugar and fat, and many processed foods. It is good for everyone to avoid processed foods. Many processed foods contain a lot of gluten, chemicals, and artificial flavors that are not healthy. These overly processed foods also often have fewer nutrients. Grocery stores are helping by carrying more gluten-free foods and making this life-style more accessible to all. In addition, by eating gluten-free one is more than likely eat more fresh food. Fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables are a good source of nutrients that are non-starchy, and almost completely gluten-free. Another benefit is gluten-free diets will eliminate unhealthy oils and carbohydrates. These are often found in food items such as doughnuts and pastries. Many of the foods on a gluten-free plan are high in anti-oxidants, essential vitamins and minerals which will help ward off viruses, this making in a healthier life! Gluten-free is healthy, but it is also important be careful. Most foods on a gluten-free diet will assist with healthy weight loss, especially when eating a well-balanced diet. Many of the gluten-free foods are healthy. Keep in mind, reading labels and getting a healthy balance of proteins, carbs, healthy fats, and nutrients is vital. And, of course, portion control is still a must!

Portion size no matter how healthy the food will affect weight loss! Eating a gluten-free diet will definitely help people lose weight, feel better, and be healthier. But, portion control is necessary also! Even when eating healthy foods increased portion size can contribute to a growing waistline.

Gluten-free is a successful lifestyle, not a fad diet! It is a process that will require forgetting those fad diets, and making lifestyle and dietary changes that can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life. It can be difficult to know where to start. Creating a meal plan from scratch can be daunting especially when taking into account the need to not only eliminate gluten, but to ensure the diet includes enough protein, nutrients, and minerals. But you are not on your own, seeking the advice of a doctor is always important before starting any major lifestyle change. This gluten craze has inspired a breakthrough Diet Meal Plan, which you can get a free copy of for a limited time by calling 888-548-6661 or emailing support(at)vencleanse(dot)com.

Sources: http://vencleanse.com http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/weight-loss-programs.aspx, http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/whats-with-the-gluten-free-craze-anyway, http://www.bistromd.com/related-information/special-conditions/health-benefits-of-a-gluten-free-diet.aspx

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Gluten-Free Diet Craze Leads to Weight-loss Says Private Weight Loss Research Firm

A nutritional counselor explains how you can use your diet to keep your energy levels up enough to keep up with the challenges of start-up life.

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As a busy entrepreneur you're probably going non-stop all day, but that doesn't mean your energy levels keep pace with your to-do list. Despite a consistently packed calendar from when the alarm rings in the morning to when we shut out the light at night, many busy professionals veer wildly from a post-coffee 11am energy buzz to a near catatonic post-lunch lull in the afternoon.

This can't be good for your productivity, but what's to be done about it? Afternoon napping has been suggested by many and seems to align well with humans' natural circadian rhythms, but if your customers or your kids make that option untenable, are their other possibilities for dealing with your daily energy rollercoaster?

On blog Dumb Little Man recently, nurse and nutritional health counselor Penny Klatell suggested busy professionals consider eating themselves to more consistent energy levels. "Food is both the culprit and the treatment for a big part of our lack of energy, muddled thinking, and mid-afternoon drowsy eyes," she writes, before offering advice on how to modify your diet to keep your mind and body on an even keel throughout the day.

Aside from solid-but-expected advice you've no doubt already heard from your mother ("Eat your breakfast!!!"), Klatell suggests several other dietary adjustments:

Complex beats simple, for once. We all know simple carbohydrates like sugary snacks, pasta and bread cause energy levels to spike and crash. Klatell nudges readers towards the alternative: "Complex carbs take longer to breakdown. Your body digests them more slowly so they supply energy at a slower and more sustained rate than simple sugars. You can get complex carbs from whole grains and cereals, beans, and vegetables."

Drink your way to more energy (no, not that kind of drink). "Dehydration causes fatigue. Even mild dehydration can slow your metabolism, drain your energy, and make you feel tired," writes Klatell.

"There's no easy answer to the question: 'How much water should I drink?' The answer really depends on many factors including your health, your age, how active you are, and where you live. For the average healthy adult who lives in a temperate climate, the Institute of Medicine recommends around 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total water intake a day for men and 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total water intake a day for women," she says.

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Diet Tricks for Entrepreneurs

AUGUSTA, Ga., June 2 (UPI) -- Adolescents who don't eat enough fiber tend to have bigger bellies and higher levels of inflammatory factors in their blood, U.S. researchers said.

Dr. Norman Pollock, of the Medical College of Georgia and the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Georgia Health Sciences University, and Dr. Samip Parikh, an internal medicine resident at GHS Health System, said the study involved 559 adolescents ages 14-18 in Augusta, Ga.

The researchers found the teens consumed on average about one-third of the daily recommended amount of fiber.

Low-fiber consumers in the study were more likely to have more of the visceral fat -- belly fat -- found in and around major organs in their abdominal cavity, Pollack said.

"The simple message is adolescents need to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains," Pollock said in a statement. "We need to push recommendations to increase fiber intake."

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, found only about 1 percent of the young participants consumed the recommended daily intake of 28 grams of fiber for females and 38 grams for males.

The study appears the first to correlate dietary fiber intake with inflammatory markers in adolescents, the researchers said.

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Low-fiber diet as teen, bigger belly later

Have thoughts of summer brought a smile to your face or are you stressing that youd better lose some weight? This is the time of year when many people resort to crash dieting. However, extreme diets are a terrible idea because they are not safe and ultimately they never work because no one can walk around feeling hungry and exhausted for very long. The good news is, to get beach body ready, you dont have to. Heres a better way:

Dont: Skip breakfast Do: Start your day off with a hearty breakfast If you are trying to shed pounds, skipping breakfast to save calories is counterproductive. By mid-morning, hunger kicks in and sets you up to overeat. The right kind of breakfast, such as a parfait made with high-fiber cereal, berries and some Greek yogurt, will jump-start your metabolism early in the day and keep you feeling full right until lunch.

Dont: Go cardio crazy Do: Focus on weight/strength training Cardio exercise is great for releasing endorphins and getting your heart rate up, but numerous studies have shown that it does not help much with weight loss. People who engage in prolonged cardio exercise often wind up feeling hungrier, which can lead to overeating and poor food choices. Exercise burns calories, its true, but if youve eaten more calories than youve burned by days end you are going to gain weight. Far more effective for weight loss is weight training. Lifting weights builds up lean muscle mass, and for every pound of lean muscle mass you add to your frame you can burn an extra 35-50 calories per day. That means if you add an extra 10 pounds of muscle, youll burn nearly 500 calories more per day enough to lose about 1 pound of fat every week!

Dont: Cut out carbohydrates Do: Eat more high fiber carbs Its a myth that carbohydrates make you fat. Your body needs carbs for energy and cutting carbs from your diet will leave you weak, irritable, and even nauseous. For healthy weight loss youll definitely want to eat more high fiber carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Dietary fiber has zero-calories so the more fiber a food has, the fuller youll feel after eating it. Not only will you eat less during the day, fiber helps stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing digestion, which in turn puts an end to sugar cravings.

Dont: Be unrealistic Do: Set realistic short-term goals Thinking you can lose 20 pounds in a month is unrealistic and trying to lose that much that quickly is dangerous. A healthy rate for weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week, and you can achieve this by eating a balanced diet thats satisfying and easy on calories and fat. Add moderate exercise to the mix, like yoga or a resistance workout, and youll see results even faster.

Dont: Ignore those between-meal bites that really add up Do: Write down in a food journal what you plan to eat and then stick to it Planning meals and snacks in advance leaves nothing to chance and journaling makes you accountable for what you put into your mouth. A study of nearly 1,700 dieters from Kaiser Permanentes Center for Health Research found that those who kept track of their food, drinks and exercise everyday lost twice as much over six months as people who did so occasionally or not at all.

Remember, just as it takes time to gain weight it takes time to take weight off. Depriving yourself of food to lose weight is bound to backfire because in the end being hungry just isnt sustainable. Eating well will get you slimmer this summer, and youll hit the beach looking and feeling great too.

Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a nationally known registered dietitian based in New York and the creator of a proprietary high-fiber nutrition program for weight loss, wellness and for treating variousmedicalconditions. Tanya authored the bestselling weight loss bookThe F-Factor Diet, and she is the first dietitian with a national line ofhigh-fiber foods, which are sold under the F-Factor name. Become a fan of Tanya onFacebook, follow her onTwitterandLinkedIn, and visit her websiteFfactor.com.

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Do's and don'ts for getting beach body ready

Jun 1, 2012 7:00am

For decades, medical experts have been concerned that high-protein, low-carb diets like Atkins could be damaging to the kidneys, but a new study found that this isnt the case in otherwise healthy patients.

Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine compared the effects of such a diet to that of a standard low-fat diet in 307 obese people who did not suffer from kidney disease or other chronic illnesses.

After a two-year period, they found that the high-protein, low-carb diet didnt cause noticeable harmful effects on healthy obese patients kidney function compared to obese people who followed a low-fat diet.

Despite decades of concerns about low-carb, high-protein diets that may cause kidney damage in healthy people, there were no signs that this would be the case after a 2-year period, said Dr. Allon Friedman, lead author of the study, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Protein in the blood contributes to important protective benefits to the body, including fighting infections, blood clots and improving circulation in the body. Normally proteins are too big to pass through the kidneys filter into the urine, but proteins from the blood can leak into the urine when kidney filters are damaged, according to the NIH.

Abnormal amounts of protein in the urine, known as proteinuria, usually point to some sort of kidney disease, regardless of diet. But, researchers found that the most important way to reduce protein in urine did not have to do with the type of diet was the actual amount of weight lost, not really how you get there, Friedman said.

The results are relevant to the millions of healthy obese adults who use dieting as a weight-loss strategy, researchers noted. More than one-third of American adults are obese, according to the CDC.

Despite the promising results, Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, chief medical officer of the National Kidney Foundation, cautioned people to take the findings with a grain of salt.

The population studied does not apply to most patients with or at risk for chronic kidney disease, since the study participants had no evidence of chronic kidney disease or other illnesses, said Vassalotti.

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High-Protein, Low-Carb Diet Safe for Kidneys