J Nutrition Jan, 2008
POSSIBLE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR HEALTH –Here’s my summary of the articles (1)-(10) described and linked below that might encourage better health in 2008:
EVERYONE – (1) Fruits and vegetables boost immune system to fight cancer. …..(3) Fish oil is needed every day, heart disease risk was reduced by 3 g DHA/day. The American Heart Association recommends 6 g fish oil (which is only 0.72 g DHA) per day for those at risk….. (9) Exercising and limiting how much food you eat have different benefits to improve the immune system to prevent cancer – you need to do both…..(7) Eating less animal protein is likely to maintain your bone strength. Why might milk not strengthen bones? A study suggests that the high sulfur content of animal-derived protein may be how it causes weaker bones as we age… (5) Shopping for a healthy diet is affordable! A Mediterranean diet was not more expensive for women in North America. (10) Vaccines may be more effective if you eat yogurt.
PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN – (6) Eating more polyunsaturated fats when pregnant decreases the level of lead in breast milk. (8) Your behavior and choices affect whether your young children are likely to be overweight. Food and exercise patterns were important only in eldest children.
MEN – (4) Lycopene (15 mg/day), available especially from cooked tomatoes like in pizza, stops the progression of prostate hyperplasia in men!
OVER 70 – (2) A food pyramid specifically for people over 70 is described, with a base of exercise and drinking fluids. Main deficiencies for older people are vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, potassium, fiber, and calcium.
LONGER SUMMARIES WITH LINKS
(1) Bioactive Food Components that Enhance T Cell Function May Play a Role in Cancer Prevention – A recent clinical study demonstrated that ingesting a fruit and vegetable juice concentrate increased the number of circulating T cells. Clinical studies also document that the oral consumption of a tea component, L-theanine, enhances T cell proliferation and interferon- secretion…While clarifying the diet and T interrelationship may not be simple, the societal implications are enormous.
(2) Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults – In 1999 we proposed a Modified Food Guide Pyramid for adults aged 70+ Underlying themes stress nutrient- and fiber-rich foods within each group and food sources of nutrients rather than supplements. Fluid and physical activity icons serve as the foundation of MyPyramid for Older Adults. A flag to maintain an awareness of the potential need to consider supplemental forms of calcium, and vitamins D and B-12 is placed at the top of the pyramid. Base is exercise and fluids.
(3) Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation Decreases Remnant-Like Particle-Cholesterol and Increases the (n-3) Index in Hypertriglyceridemic Men – Plasma remnant-like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C) and the RBC (n-3) index are novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease.3 g DHA/d. Decreased atherogenic RLP-C and increased cardio-protective (n-3) index may improve cardio-vascular health.
(4) Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia – the prostate did not enlarge in the lycopene 15 mg/d group.
(5) A Nutritional Intervention Promoting a Mediterranean Food Pattern Does Not Affect Total Daily Dietary Cost in North American Women in Free-Living Conditions – Consequently, increased cost should not be considered a barrier to the promotion and adoption of a Mediterranean diet.
(6) Maternal Dietary Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modifies the Relationship between Lead Levels in Bone and Breast Milk – In conclusion, higher maternal dietary intake of PUFA may limit the transfer of lead from bone to breast milk.
(7) A Positive Association of Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density with Dietary Protein Is Suppressed by a Negative Association with Protein Sulfur – Results suggest that protein intake is positively associated with aBMD, but benefit at the LS is offset by a negative impact of the protein sulfur acid load. If validated experimentally, these findings harmonize conflicting theories on the role of dietary protein in bone health.
(8) Dietary and Physical Activity Patterns in French Children Are Related to Overweight and Socioeconomic Status – Weight and height, leisure time physical activity, television viewing, and socioeconomic status were reported by parents or children. The varied food and physically active pattern was inversely correlated with childhood overweight in the eldest children only
(9) Energy Restriction and Exercise Differentially Enhance Components of Systemic and Mucosal Immunity in Mice – These data suggest that ER and EX enhance some, but not all, components of the immune system and are likely working via different biological mechanisms to regulate NK and T-cell function.
(10) Feeding a Diet Containing a Fructooligosaccharide Mix Can Enhance Salmonella Vaccine Efficacy in Mice – Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are considered prebiotics because of their ability to promote growth of specific beneficial gut bacteria, such as bifidobacteria.
Be happy. Happy New Year!
