J Nutrition December, 2006

[fish oil helps prevent obesity] Docosahexaenoic Acid Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation and Induces Apoptosis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2965-2969 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/12/2965] “Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6), a (n-3) fatty acid in fish oil, has been shown to decrease body fat and fat accumulation in rodents…These results demonstrate that DHA may exert its antiobesity effect by inhibiting differentiation to adipocytes, inducing apoptosis in postconfluent preadipocytes and promoting lipolysis.”

[Eating nuts daily is valuable for health] Almonds Decrease Postprandial Glycemia, Insulinemia, and Oxidative Damage in Healthy Individuals J. Nutr. 2006 136: 2987-2992 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/12/2987] “Strategies that decrease postprandial glucose excursions, including digestive enzyme inhibition, and low glycemic index diets result in lower diabetes incidence and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, possibly through lower postprandial oxidative damage to lipids and proteins…Almonds are likely to lower this risk by decreasing the glycemic excursion and by providing antioxidants. These actions may relate to mechanisms by which nuts are associated with a decreased risk of CHD. ”

[Overweight people need more vit C and E] Systemic Oxidative Alterations Are Associated with Visceral Adiposity and Liver Steatosis in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome J. Nutr. 2006 136: 3022-3026 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/12/3022] ” Although evidence suggests the link between chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as the main mechanism responsible for endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular complications in patients with metabolic syndrome, little is known about the determining role of each metabolic syndrome component in such alterations…In conclusion, metabolic syndrome patients exhibited decreased antioxidant protection and increased lipid peroxidation. Our results indicate a strong association between increased abdominal fat storage, liver steatosis, and systemic oxidative alterations in metabolic syndrome patients and diminished nitrosothiols and vitamin C concentrations as important factors associated with hypertension in these patients.”

[And they benefit more from 1 or 2 drinks per day!] Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is More Cardioprotective in Men with the Metabolic Syndrome J. Nutr. 2006 136: 3027-3032 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/12/3027] “The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation among alcohol consumption, the metabolic syndrome, and the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD)… After adjustment for a series of coronary risk factors, alcohol consumption over 15.2 g/d [one shotglass] was associated with a 39% reduction in the 13-y risk of IHD…These results confirm that moderate daily alcohol consumption has cardioprotective properties and suggest that the effects may be more important in subjects with a deteriorated risk profile, such as those with the metabolic syndrome. ”

[Phytoestrogens reduce colon cancer risk] Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake Is Associated with Reduced Colorectal Cancer Risk J. Nutr. 2006 136: 3046-3053 [http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/12/3046] ” Evidence suggests dietary phytoestrogens may reduce the risk of certain hormonal cancers (e.g. breast and prostate). There is a paucity of data regarding phytoestrogens and colorectal cancer risk…This finding that phytoestrogen intake may reduce colorectal cancer risk is important, because dietary intake is potentially modifiable.”