A recent study that concluded that early-stage dementia patients do not benefit from taking vitamin B-12 or folic acid supplements was “inaccurate and misleading”, according to British scientists who analyzed the data on which the study was based. The unjustified claim in the flawed study that B vitamins were “sadly not going to prevent Alzheimer’s disease” would not only have a negative impact on patient welfare, the scientists said, it could also bias research funding and health policy. Dr. Peter Garrard said there is “first-rate scientific evidence” that B vitamins have biological and neuropsychological benefits for people over 70 who have noticed a recent decline in cognitive abilities.

Researchers in Sweden and Israel show that type 2 diabetics can better control their blood sugar levels by timing their intake of calories. The study was conducted among eight men and 10 women between 30 and 70 years with type 2 diabetes and a normal to high body mass index. Some were being treated with the antidiabetic drug metformin. The study found that a calorie-loaded breakfast and a low-calorie dinner were associated with a significantly lower overall post-meal glucose level over the entire day. The researchers said the pattern may help achieve optimal metabolic control and “may have the potential for being preventive for cardiovascular and other complications of type 2 diabetes”.

A small U.S. clinical trial among non-athletic men finds that taking a pre-exercise supplement of an omega-3 fatty acid derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel reduces post-workout muscle damage. In prior testing, Pharmalink International’s Lyprinol, (Omega XL in the U.S.) has reduced the effects of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and exercise-induced asthma. For this study, participants took either the supplement or a placebo for 26 days. Then the body's reaction to a muscle-damaging treadmill regimen was tested immediately, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours afterwards. Those given the supplement had less muscle soreness and pain, less strength loss, less fatigue and fewer inflammatory proteins in their blood.

A team of U.S. researchers has developed a way to predict who might benefit from diabetes-prevention drugs, or lifestyle changes like weight loss and frequent exercise. The team analyzed data from more than 3,000 people in a study, all of whom had a high body mass index and abnormal results on two fasting blood sugar tests. The researchers looked at 17 health factors to create a “precision medicine” approach to diabetes prevention. Seven of the factors had the greatest impact: fasting blood sugar, long-term blood sugar (A1C level), total triglycerides, family history of high blood sugar, waist measurement, height, and waist-to-hip ratio.

People have known for some time that more frequent, and more intense, physical activity can reduce levels of sugars and fats in the blood of type 2 diabetics, reducing heart disease risk. But U.S. researchers have now determined that people with type 2 diabetes get the most benefit when they work out after eating dinner. Study participants performed different types of resistance exercises (e.g., leg curls, seated calf raises, abdominal crunches) at different times during the day. The study showed that the exercises had the most powerful effect on reducing plasma glucose and fat levels when performed after dinner.

A British study assessing diet quality in 187 countries found that high-income countries had the biggest improvement in diet quality (i.e., more fruits and vegetables) between 1990 and 2010. But the highest scores for healthful foods were found in several low-income countries (e.g., Chad and Mali) and Mediterranean nations (e.g., Turkey and Greece), perhaps because of the more healthful Mediterranean diet. Unfortunately, dietary improvements have been outpaced by the increased intake of unhealthy foods, including unprocessed meats, processed meats, sugar-sweetened drinks, saturated fat, trans fat, dietary cholesterol, and sodium in most world regions. Unless countries act to change the situation, “undernutrition” will be superseded by obesity and non-communicable diseases, “as is already being seen in India, China, and other middle-income countries”.

The FDA has approved the use of an electrical device to treat obese patients – BMI higher than 35 -- age 18 and older who have not been able to diet away their excess pounds. The Enteromedics Maestro Rechargeable System targets the nerve pathway between the brain and stomach that controls feelings of hunger and fullness. A rechargeable electrical pulse generator, wire leads and electrodes implanted surgically into the abdomen send intermittent electrical pulses to the abdominal vagus nerve. A clinical study testing safety and effectiveness found that after 12 months, the experimental group (with an activated implanted Maestro) lost 8.5 percent more excess weight than the control group (whose Maestro was implanted but not activated).

Four national retail chains were accused by the State of New York of selling “fraudulent and in many cases contaminated” dietary supplements. The state attorney general sent cease-and-desist orders to Walmart, Walgreens, Target and GNC including test results showing that supplements contained cheap fillers and hazardous substances, and often none of the labeled product. Five of six of GNC’s “Herbal Plus” supplements “were either unrecognizable or a substance other than what they claimed to be”. Three of six Target supplements (ginkgo biloba, St. John’s wort and valerian root) did not contain the advertised ingredient. Instead they contained powdered rice, beans, peas and wild carrots.

Australian scientists who systematically reviewed earlier studies show a strong link between nutritional deficiency and mental health that should not be ignored. In fact, psychiatry can only go only so far in treating psychological problems without taking into account diet quality. There is “emerging and compelling evidence”, they argue, that nutrition is as important in diagnosing and treating mental disorders as it is in treating heart or digestive problems. The researchers conclude that “nutrient-based prescription” could help with the management of mental disorders “at the individual and population level”, and even among children and adolescents.

Sitting for long periods of time – regardless of the amount of time spent exercising -- is bad for health, a Canadian study confirms. In fact, the amount of time spent sitting is directly proportional to the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death. The meta-analysis of previous studies on sedentary behavior found that the negative effects of sitting time on health were more noticeable among people who did little or no exercise than among those who exercised a lot. The researchers said more research is needed to determine how much physical activity is needed to offset the health risks associated with sitting for long periods of time.

A large percentage of consumers who buy poultry neither handle nor cook it properly, according to a U.S. study. Less than two-thirds of consumers own a food thermometer to check whether poultry is properly cooked, and less than 10 percent who own thermometers use them. It was also found that only 18 percent of consumers correctly store raw poultry products in the refrigerator, and only 11 percent of consumers who thaw raw poultry in cold water do it correctly. Nearly 70 percent rinse or wash raw poultry before cooking it, a possibly dangerous habit because of the risk of splashing contaminated water around the kitchen.

German researchers who compared the amounts and bioavailability of nutrients in oranges and processed orange juice found that the juice might actually be better for you. True, the production of pasteurized orange juice slightly lowers the levels of carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C. But it significantly boosts bioaccessibility (the ability of the body to absorb and use the nutrients.) In fact, though juicing oranges dramatically cuts flavonoids, the nutrients that are left are much more bioaccessible than those in orange segments.

Food writer Alison Spiegel predicts that chickpea flour – a “truly awesome flour” – will become a culinary star in 2015. It has virtues that foodies will appreciate, she notes, including being naturally gluten-free, high in protein, and rich in iron and fiber. In addition, chickpea flour’s versatility and subtle flavor make it useful for cooking both savory dishes and sweet desserts. A friend of hers uses chickpea flour to make Iranian dumplings, vegetable fritters, flatbreads and biscuits. It also works well in soups and yogurt sauces where it acts as a thickener that prevents curdling.

Retailer Tesco said it has removed sweets and chocolates from checkouts at all company-owned stores in the UK. In 1994, Tesco removed sweets and chocolates from the checkouts at its larger stores. Its latest move means no sweets and chocolate products will be on display at about 2,000 Tesco Metro and Express convenience stores across the country. According to the company, its decision to make its checkout lanes free from sweets and chocolates is part of its efforts to “help customers live healthier lives.”

An organization representing the natural products industry said a recent FDA warning about the risk of fungal disease from certain probiotic supplements in people with compromised immune systems was misleading and not necessary. The Natural Products Association said FDA did not make clear that the problem arose from a “single lot from a single product” in the live bacteria/yeast category, and was not an industrywide threat. The NPA said such products – indeed all dietary supplements -- should not be taken by immunocomprised individuals. The group also noted that the product in question was administered in a clinical setting, and was not distributed to millions of consumers, so the warning was “unwarranted”.

People who are trying to lose weight usually check the scale once in a while to determine their progress. But a new study of 40 people trying to lose weight finds that weight loss is related to the frequency of stepping on the scale. Researchers in Finland were careful to say there is no cause and effect relationship involved. But they observed nevertheless that study participants who weighed themselves more often – at least once a week or even daily -- tended to lose the most weight. The researchers advised dieters: “If you weigh yourself only once a week, do it on Wednesday because that will give you the most accurate reading."

Dutch and U.S. researchers say they have compiled “promising evidence” that the ancient mind-body practice of yoga helps manage risk factors associated with heart disease, and may be as beneficial as biking or brisk walking. The researchers analyzed the results of 37 clinical trials involving 2,768 patients, finding that yoga improved body mass index and systolic blood pressure, lowered low-density (bad) lipoprotein cholesterol, and and raised high-density (good) lipoprotein cholesterol. The results suggest there are “some possible physiological aerobic benefits occurring with yoga practice, and some stress-reducing, relaxation effect occurring with aerobic exercise", the authors concluded.

About 20 percent of the children and adolescents in Denmark who drink energy beverages consume way too much caffeine, according to Danish scientists. Of adolescents aged 15 to 17 who drink cola or eat chocolate, as many as 33 percent take in too much caffeine. Energy drinks are sweetened soft drinks that contain 150 to 320 mg of caffeine per liter. Sales of such drinks have tripled in Denmark to about 11 million liters in 2013. Denmark’s National Food Institute recommends a maximum intake of 2.5 milligrams of caffeine per kg of body weight a day. People who drink too many energy drinks often experience insomnia, restlessness and heart palpitations.

Add a new item to the list of health concerns related to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), a common constituent of plastic bottles, packaging and food and beverage cans. A new study found that the BPA levels in the urine of people who drank soy milk from a can rose dramatically within two hours, along with blood pressure. Those who drank the same beverage from glass bottles without BPA linings, however, experienced no increase in blood pressure. The researchers said a single instance of BPA intake and increased blood pressure is probably not of concern. But drinking from multiple cans or plastic bottles every day could contribute to hypertension.

Restricting eating to eight-to-12 hours in a day could help ward off high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, a U.S. study in mice suggests. The problem has arisen among children and adults who eat more as they spend more time in artificial light, as well as watching television, and interacting with tablets and smartphones. The researchers subjected 400 normal and obese mice to various diets and restrictions on eating times. The benefits of time-restricted feeding were evident regardless of the weight of the mice, type of diet or length of the time restriction. Even when their diets were high in fat, fat and sucrose or just fructose, time-restricted mice gained less weight than their unrestricted counterparts.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with a host of health issues, but a new study finds a link with certain mental health problems, too. U.S. and Australian researchers reviewed more than 100 scientific articles, finding an association between vitamin D deficiency and seasonal depression, sometimes called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). People with SAD show the same symptoms year after year, beginning in the fall and continuing through winter. The researchers are convinced by their findings that reduced sunlight – which produces vitamin D in the body – during the winter months probably contributes to SAD. Low vitamin D levels reduce the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which are linked to depression.

Researchers in Missouri have found compelling evidence in a review of scientific studies that eating the right kinds of fatty fish can prevent development of the type of tumors found in breast, prostate, pancreas, colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. Omega-3s in fatty fish seem to work the same way as low-dose aspirin: by inhibiting the activity of the cox-2 enzyme, a major contributor to adenocarcinomas. The researchers noted that olive oil used in Italy in cooking and as a salad dressing is low in omega-6; omega-3-rich fish is a staple in the Italian diet. A high ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s is the key. Subjects in Italian studies who consumed fish at least twice weekly were at a significantly lower risk for a number of gastrointestinal cancers.

Weight-stable, physically active adolescents who consume moderate amounts of sugary drinks every day need not worry about adverse metabolic impact, a new U.S. study has found. Researchers measured insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels of participants (boys and girls 15 to 20 years old) after they had consumed a couple of cans of either high-glucose or high-fructose beverages daily for two weeks. The researchers found that as long as the kids stayed active, there was little adverse impact from drinking the sugary beverages.

Weight loss can only happen on a balanced diet that features plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as complex carbohydrates like bread. Some breads are better for weight loss, however, than others. The eight breads that help dieters shed pounds are: oat bread, whole wheat, brown rice bread, whole wheat pita, flaxseed, rye bread, Ezekiel bread, and gluten-free. A physician commenter on the article, however, said only Ezekiel bread (barley, wheat, lentils, beans, spelt and millet) and genuine sourdough should be eaten by dieters. The other varieties of whole grain breads raise blood sugar levels significantly, prompt insulin release contributing to pre-diabetes, and should be avoided when trying to lose weight.

The key finding of a recent U.S. study should be good news for potato lovers on a diet: eating potatoes does not prevent weight loss. In addition, potatoes are a very healthful vegetable. One medium-size (5.3 ounce) skin-on spud contains just 110 calories, has 620 mg of potassium (more than a banana), provides 45 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin C, and contains no fat, sodium or cholesterol. For the study, 90 people were divided into three groups that ate 5 to 7 servings of potatoes a week as part of a lower calorie/high GI diet, or a lower calorie/low GI diet or an unrestricted diet. After 12 weeks, all three groups had lost weight.

A new study on the impact of diet sodas on gut microbes contributes more insights -- and probably more confusion – to the debate over whether diet drinks are good or bad for health. Some research suggests that diet drinks do help people cut calories and ward off weight gain. But the new study says diet sodas alter intestinal microbiota in such a way that the risk of metabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes, increases. Skeptics warn that one study among seven people does not provide enough scientific evidence. So, as the debate rages on, everyone agrees that more, and larger, studies are needed to settle the issue.

The human brain chooses one food over another because of its caloric content, the higher the better, according to a Canadian study. Researchers based their conclusions on brains scans and other factors of healthy participants who were asked to look at pictures of different foods and then rate them. They also estimated caloric content. Though they weren’t able to accurately guess calories, the foods they said they would like to eat tended to be the highest calorie ones. “We found that brain activity tracked the true caloric content of foods,” the researchers said, noting that understanding why people choose certain foods could help control the factors that lead to obesity.

A study that analyzed genetic data from 100,000 people of European ancestry has found a gene that affects cholesterol levels by generating omega-6 fatty acids known as lipoxins. Anti-inflammatory lipoxins actually help rid the body of so-called bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein, or LDL). The Austrian researchers believe their findings could lead to development of new therapies to prevent cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke. They also found that aspirin also stimulates production of lipoxins.