Carb Restriction More Important Than Fat Restriction In Weight Loss

The findings of a clinical study by U.S. researchers should be encouraging news for adherents of low-carb, high-fat/high protein diets like Atkins. While calories (2,500) and protein content (130 g) were kept the same, 16 participants with metabolic disorder were fed six three-week diets that gradually increased carb content while fat and saturated fat were reduced. Total saturated fat in the blood did not increase – it even dropped in most people -- despite being increased in the diet as carb intake dropped. The biomarker palmitoleic fatty acid, associated with unhealthy metabolism of carbs, dropped with low-carb intake. But it gradually increased as carbs were re-introduced. “Since more than half of Americans show some signs of carb intolerance, it makes more sense to focus on carb restriction than fat restriction," the researchers concluded.

"Effects of Step-Wise Increases in Dietary Carbohydrate on Circulating Saturated Fatty Acids and Palmitoleic Acid in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome. ", PLoS ONE, December 05, 2014

Mediterranean Diet Linked To Longer Telomeres, Longer Life

A U.S. study shows that eating a Mediterranean diet (i.e., fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, fish, etc.) might help extend a person’s lifespan by keeping chromosomes, particularly their telomeres, intact. Telomeres sit on the end of chromosomes like the plastic aglets at the end of shoelaces. With aging, telomeres fray and shorten, scrambling genetic codes. Researchers analyzed dietary data on 4,676 healthy middle-aged women who also had a blood test to measure telomere length. Results showed that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with longer telomeres. Each one point change in diet score corresponded on average to 1.5 years of telomere aging.

"Mediterranean diet and telomere length in Nurses' Health Study: population based cohort study. ", British Medical Journal, December 03, 2014

Aerated Drinks Increase Stomach Volume, Reduce Appetite

A small clinical trial conducted by British and Dutch researchers finds that aerated or foamy drinks decrease appetite enough to be useful as adietary tool. Participants included 20 healthy adult males aged 18 to 60. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure volumes of foam, liquid and air layers in the stomachs of the participants. The researchers tested three beverages, each with 110 calories: skimmed-milk powder, xanthan gum and water and lemon syrup. The products were either non-aerated, aerated (foamy) stable, and aerated less stable. The researchers found that the foamy drinks significantly increased gastric volumes and reduced hunger.

"Aerated drinks increase gastric volume and reduce appetite as assessed by MRI: a randomized, balanced, crossover trial", The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 03, 2014

Trans Fat Consumption Linked To Poor Performance On Memory Test

U.S. researchers who questioned 1,000 healthy adult men and postmenopausal women about their consumption of artificially produced trans fats found that men who consumed the most did noticeably worse on a word memory test. Trans fats are used by food companies to turn liquid oils into solids at room temperature and extend food shelf life. They are found in margarines, fast foods, baked goods, snack foods, frozen pizza, etc. Men under age 45 who ate more trans fats remembered 11 fewer words than adults who ate the least trans fat.

"Trans Fat Consumption is Linked to Diminished Memory in Working-aged Adults", News release, study presented at an American Heart Association meeting, November 18, 2014