Managing Your Weight
and the Link to Chronic Disease Prevention
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that since 1980 adult obesity has doubled and today approximately 34% of American adults are obese. Research has shown a strong correlation between obesity and chronic health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension to name a few. In fact, a 27% increase in obesity-related medical costs has also been seen since the 1980's. It seems that our lifestyle may be the culprit. Increases in daily calorie consumption combined with a decrease in physical activity have contributed greatly to the obesity epidemic. After reading the sobering statistics, it's easy to want to drop those unwanted pounds or avoid them altogether. Accomplishing the task is a whole other ballgame. Where do we start?
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Living Healthy to Stay on Top of Your Game
Let's face it, being a teenager sometimes isn't easy. You've got to juggle school, homework, extra- curricular activities, family, friends, household chores, and maybe even a job. With all these responsibilities, it's essential to be in tiptop shape. Your body needs lots of support to stay fit and energized.
Our bodies are not self-sufficient. In order to lead a healthy, active life, we need a steady supply of nutrients and water every day. By eating a balance of nutritious whole foods (fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, good proteins, etc.) and drinking water, you'll get the nutritional support needed to juggle everyday living to help you stay on top of your game!
September 2008 Healthwatch
Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The September issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:The Importance Of Strong Immunity and National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue And Purple Fruits And Vegetables
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National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue And Purple Fruits And Vegetables
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the national health authority that encourages all Americans to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day to promote health and reduce risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, is strongly urging all Americans to eat blue and purple fruits and vegetables. This is because fruits such as blueberries, acai, and pomegranate containdisease-fighting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. NCI states that anthocyanins and phenolics are powerful antioxidants that help reduce the risk of such diseases as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. They may even help to slow the aging process. NCI also encourages eating a wide variety of other colorful foods in order to take advantage of other types of healthful phytonutrients they contain. For more information go to www.5aday.gov.
August 2008 Healthwatch
Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The August issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:Keeping Kids Healthy, Eating Right, Get Moving, Fruit Intake During Childhood May Help Curb Cancer Later In Life, Bone Health Impacted by Fruits at any Age. Click here for more information.
Keeping Kids Healthy
Less than 25% of kids eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables and few get regular physical activity. While moms and caregivers are aware of the importance of healthy eating and physical activity habits, they struggle with the best way to incorporate them into daily family life. With obesity rates rising among children and adults, it's important for parents to find useful information and realistic tips for making and sustaining healthy choices for kids. This month's issue of HealthWatch is devoted to helping parents and kids in their pursuit of balanced nutrition and physical activity for the mind and body.
Eating Right
Plain and simple, fast food can affect your game plan. Youngsters have been consuming more fast food since the 1970's and, coincidently, there's been a rise in teenage obesity and diabetes. Not fun! Fast foods are high in unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fats), sugar, high fructose corn syrup, chemical flavor enhancers and fake color. Also in highly processed foods, the vitamins and minerals typically get destroyed. Check your local fast food restaurant for fresh, healthy options such as healthy chicken and fish dishes, salads, vegetable soups, fruit plates and low-sugar drinks. When eating at home, it's best to favor low-fat meats, healthy dairy products, whole grains, vegetable dishes, fruit and nuts. If it's hard to eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day, a good quality multivitamin can help - it provides "insurance" when it comes to getting a wide spectrum of nutrients each day. Check out Healthcorps.org for additional information.
Fruit Intake During Childhood May Help Curb Cancer Later In Life
According to a long term study involving almost 4,000 people in the United Kingdom, it appears that a childhood diet rich in fruit may protect against the development of certain cancers. The findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, are based on a 60 year follow-up with a group of individuals who completed a food inventory checklist sometime in the 1930's. The researchers successfully traced almost all of the men and women who had been children in the 1930's and were able to assess their death and cancer records to arrive at their conclusions. Further prospective studies, with individual measures of diet are required to fully explain the researchers' conclusions. For more information go to the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 57, 2003.
Bone Health Impacted by Fruits at any Age
It's no surprise or secret that regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables can have a healthy impact on the bones of older people. But researchers in Cambridge, United Kingdom, recently studied the impact of fruits and vegetables on young people's bones as well. Fruits seemed to play a bigger role in bone health than vegetables, with "significant positive associations" between fruit intake and bone health in adolescent boys, girls, and older women. The study concluded, "Higher fruit and vegetable intakes may have positive effects on bone mineral status in both younger and older age groups." For more information go to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 83, 2006.
July 2008 Healthwatch
Stay up-to-date on the latest health and nutrition information with Virtual Health Info's monthly HealthWatch bulletin, America's premier source for health information. The July issue of HealthWatch features the following articles:Nature's Pharmacy Anthocyanins, National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue and Purple Fruits and Vegetables, Study Concludes Fruit/ Blueberry Consumption May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease. Click here for more information.
National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue and Purple Fruits and Vegetables
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the national health authority that encourages all Americans to eat 5 to 9 servings of vegetables and fruit a day to promote health and reduce risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, is strongly urging all Americans to eat blue and purple fruits and vegetables. This is because fruits such as blueberries, acai, and pomegranate contain disease-fighting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. NCI states that anthocyanins and phenolics are powerful antioxidants that help reduce the risk of such diseases as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. They may even help to slow the aging process. NCI also encourages eating a wide variety of other colorful foods in order to take advantage of other types of healthful phytonutrients they contain. Click here for more information
Study Concludes Fruit/ Blueberry Consumption May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
A November 2005 study released by Appalachian State University Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science found that daily fruit consumption significantly reduces oxidative stress in chronic smokers. The results were obtained by observing twenty chronic smokers over a three week period. The subjects were divided into three groups: the first group consumed 250g of blueberries daily, the second group consumed 250g of blueberries right before the final blood testing and the third was a control group and did nothing. The subjects' blood was drawn at the beginning and end of the study. The study concluded that acute ingestion of fruit had no affect on oxidative stress levels in the blood while daily fruit consumption significantly reduced this oxidation. The study states that fruit consumption plays a role in preventing cardiovascular disease. For more information, go to Free Radical Research, November 2005. Source: Taylor & Francis, Volume 39, Number 11, November 2005.
Diet Helps Reduce Cardiac Disease in Women
At the conclusion of a recently published research article, scientists stated that a diet resembling The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was significantly associated with lower risk of coronary
heart disease (CHD) and stroke in women. The DASH eating plan consists of a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, moderated intake of legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy products, and low intake of red and
processed meats and sodium. For the details surrounding this study go to the Archives of Internal Medicine, Volume 168, No. 7, April 2008.
Antioxidants and Health
Just like rust on a car, oxidation can damage our body's cells and may contribute to the breakdown of healthy immunity and speed up the aging process. Oxidation happens as the result of damaging free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that form in the body as a result of normal body metabolism, over-exercise, stress, being exposed to dirty air and other environmental pollutants.
Antioxidants help prevent oxidation by counteracting free radicals.* They do this by binding to them and transforming them into non-damaging compounds. Consequently, antioxidants are integral in supporting the body's natural defense system.*
Powerful antioxidants include vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, Coenzyme Q10, and garlic. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and green tea all contain antioxidants as well. These important nutrients and foods support a healthy body in the production of healthy cells which is the best strategy for protection against free radical damage and consequently the development of serious health challenges.
As we age, free radical levels in the body increase so that a continuous intake of antioxidants is important to assure overall health and protection. Antioxidant intake along with exercise, a positive attitude and an overall healthful diet are invaluable tools to defend against cell damage and prolong a healthy life, full life.
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*These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease.
This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Research Says Americans Have Terrible Diets
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture dietary guidelines, Americans should consume at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day as a part of a healthy diet because adequate fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease the risk for chronic disease. Research scientists from Johns Hopkins University recently reported that despite the promotion of these guidelines a significant number of Americans are not meeting these minimum levels. The researchers arrived at their conclusion after reviewing the data from two national health surveys. The first survey included 15,000 U.S. adults from 1988 to 1994 and the second survey included 9,000 adults from 1999 to 2002. For details surrounding the Johns Hopkins review go to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 32, April 2007. Read More.
Supplementing the Diet With Fruit, Vegetables, and Green Tea Can Prevent Oxidative Stress
A recent study where participants were asked to consume additional daily portions of fruit, vegetables, and 2-3 glasses of green tea concluded that an adequate supplement of antioxidants can prevent oxidative stress and correlated pathologies. For more information go to the journal Clinica Terapeutica, Volume 157, November 2006. Click here for more information.
Fruits and Vegetables Have Cancer Fighting Ability
A group of new studies presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research determined that vegetables and fruits help reduce the risks associated with getting head and neck, breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. According to nutrition education adviser for the institute, Melanie Polk, “These studies give lots more ammo to what we’ve been saying – eating a large variety of plant-based foods is one of the best things you can do for your health in terms of cancer prevention.” For more information, click here.
Study Concludes Fruit/Blueberry Consumption May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
A November 2005 study released by Appalachian State University’s Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science found that daily fruit consumption significantly reduces oxidative stress in chronic smokers. The results were obtained by observing twenty chronic smokers over a three week period. The subjects were divided into three groups: the first group consumed 250g of blueberries daily, the second group consumed 250g of blueberries right before the final blood testing and the third was a control group and did nothing. The subjects’ blood was drawn at the beginning and end of the study. The study concluded that acute ingestion of fruit had no affect on oxidative stress levels in the blood while daily fruit consumption significantly reduced this oxidation. The study states that fruit consumption plays a role in preventing cardiovascular disease. For more information, go to Free Radical Research, November 2005. Source: Taylor & Francis, Volume 39, Number 11, November 2005. Read More.
National Cancer Institute Encourages Eating Blue and Purple Fruits and Vegetables
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the national health authority that encourages all Americans to eat 5 to 9 servings of vegetables and fruit a day to promote health and reduce risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, is strongly urging all Americans to eat blue and purple fruits and vegetables. This is because fruits such as blueberries contain disease-fighting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. NCI states that anthocyanins and phenolics are powerful antioxidants that help reduce the risk of such diseases as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. They may even help to slow the aging process. NCI also encourages eating a wide variety of other colorful foods in order to take advantage of other types of healthful phytonutrients they contain. For more information, go to www.5aday.gov or Read More Here.
Red Grape Juice Proves Beneficial In Human Study
In a recent study involving twenty-six patients receiving hemodialysis and 15 healthy subjects who drank 100 mL of red grape juice for 14 days, red grape juice proved to have a variety of healthful benefits. Researchers concluded that dietary supplementation with red grape juice improves the lipoprotein profile, reduces concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers and oxidized LDL, and may favor a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. Additional studies would help to confirm these findings. For more information go to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 84, July 2006. Read More.
Fruit Intake During Childhood May Help Curb Cancer Later In Life
According to a long term study involving almost 4,000 people in the United Kingdom, it appears that a childhood diet rich in fruit may protect against the development of certain cancers. The findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, are based on a 60 year follow-up with a group of individuals who completed a food inventory checklist sometime in the 1930’s. The researchers successfully traced almost all of the men and women who had been children in the 1930’s and were able to assess their death and cancer records to arrive at their conclusions. Further prospective studies, with individual measures of diet are required to fully explain the researchers conclusions.
Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2003, Volume 57
Bone Mineral Density May Get Boost From Fruit Consumption
Recently, researchers in the United Kingdom set out to study the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and fruit and vegetable consumption during the adolescence years. Several groups of boys and girls were measured for BMD and interviewed for their history of fruit and vegetable consumption. After an analysis of the gathered information was made, scientists concluded that high intakes of fruit may be important for bone health in girls. They also concluded that fruit's alkaline-forming properties mediate the body's acid-base balance. To confirm the findings from this observational study, researchers state that intervention studies are required.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 80, October 2004
USDA Unveils Food Pyramid for Kids
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently unveiled a child-friendly version of the new MyPyramid Food Guidance System called MyPyramid For Kids. This new system provides age-appropriate information about the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid Food Guidance System released in the early part of 2005. It is specifically designed for 6 to 11-year-old children, with the hope that sound dietary advice combined with an interactive computer game featuring a rocket ship will help combat the growing obesity epidemic among children. The key messages of MyPyramid For Kids are to be physically active every day and to choose a wide variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good sources of fat, and some dairy and lean meats. Source: United States Department of Agriculture. Read More.
Fruit Consumption May Reduce Smokers' Risk of Bladder Cancer
According to a 2005 study completed by the Department of General Practice, Comprehensive Cancer Institute Limburg, fruit consumption may decrease the risk of bladder cancer in long-time smokers. The Belgian study followed 200 cases of long-time smokers and incorporated 385 controls to increase accuracy. It evaluated the interaction between fruit and vegetable intake and bladder cancer risk in its subjects. The study revealed no significant correlation between vegetable consumption and decreased bladder cancer risk. What it did uncover was a significant correlation between fruit intake and decreased bladder cancer risk. By increasing smokers’ daily fruit intake they were able to lower their risk of developing bladder cancer. The study concluded that antioxidants found in fruit may protect smokers from free radicals in cigarette smoke. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings. Source: International Journal of Cancer, December 2005. Read More.
Anthocyanins and Polyphenolics May Have Protective Effect
Because of the growing interest both from consumers and researchers in the role that berries play in human health, a research study was conducted to find out if anthocyanins and other phenolics present in black current and other dark fruits are effective in protecting cells against the oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Results showed that the compounds do have a protective effect in cultured neuronal cells. More research in this area would help to confirm these findings. For more information go to the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, published online January 2006. Source: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Read More.
Bone Health Impacted by Fruits at any Age
It's no surprise or secret that regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables can have a healthy impact on the bones of older people. But researchers in Cambridge, United Kingdom, recently studied the impact of fruits and vegetables on young people's bones as well. Fruit seemed to play a bigger role in bone health than vegetables, with "significant positive associations" between fruit intake and bone health in adolescent boys, girl, and older women. The study concluded, "Higher fruit and vegetable intakes may have positive effects on bone mineral status in both younger and older age groups." For more information go to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2006, Vol. 83. Read More.