There Are Numerous Sources Of Key Nutrients For Vegetarian Athletes

Vegetarian athletes have to find ways to boost macronutrient levels in their diet, without consuming animal-based foods. The good news is that predominantly or exclusively plant-based foods do indeed provide those needed nutrients, . Eating orange/yellow and green leafy vegetables, fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, soy drinks, nuts and milk products (for vegetarians who consume dairy) can provide the iron, creatine, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D and calcium usually provided by animal foods. The formula for acceptable macronutrient distribution for all athletes, including marathon runners, is carbs (45-65 percent), fat (20-35 percent) and protein (10-35 percent).

"Monitoring Nutrient Intake Can Help Vegetarian Athletes Stay Competitive", News release, study presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Expo, July 17, 2013

Food Companies Should Develop Functional Foods That Inhibit Abnormal Blood Vessel Growth

Many drugs on the market are used to inhibit the abnormal growth of blood vessels that promote disease, obesity and inflammation. But there are also a wide variety of natural “anti-angiogenic” foods that accomplish the same thing. Among them are tomatoes, green tea, garlic, broccoli, dark chocolate, turmeric, tuna and olive oil. This should inspire food companies to participate in the “new frontier in dietary health” because there is a “clear global demand” for functional foods that provide health benefits beyond what is provided by their nutritive content, according to a nutrition scientist at General Mills.

"The New Frontier: Creating and Marketing Food Products that Prevent Disease and Obesity", News release, presentation at the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists, July 17, 2013

More Than Half Of US Women Not Aware Of Non-Hormonal Therapies For Menopause Hot Flashes, Study Reveals

In the United States, 52 percent of women ages 50 to 64 said they are not aware of non-hormonal options in treatment of menopause-related hot flashes, according to a survey of 314 women conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Society for Women’s Health Research and Metagenics in April 2013. Results of the survey also revealed 69 percent of women said they are open to using alternative and non-hormonal therapies to help reduce their hot flashes. However, only 10 percent of the respondents said they have discussed these therapies with a doctor. An estimated 50 million American women have reached menopause, with most of them expected to spend at least one-third of their lives beyond their final menstrual period and with 65–80 percent experiencing hot flashes at varying degrees.

"Most women open to natural menopause remedies", Newhope 360, July 29, 2013

Some New Imported Foods For American Kids Are Healthier And Tasty

Sugary treats, baked goods and confections of all shapes and sizes targeting children were on display at a recent Fancy Food Show in New York City. But there were also some healthier tasty foods – lower in fat and sugar and “no questionable ingredients” – that moms could buy without a guilty conscience. A small loaf of brioche known as pitch -- filled with chocolate, strawberry or lemon curd -- is popular among European kids. Pitch contains no artificial colors, preservatives or hydrogenated fats. Also catching food writer Nina Rizzo’s attention was a  Mexican-made Amaranth Bar containing agave and tiny pieces of nopal cactus, as well as amaranth, an ancient, nutrient-rich grain high in fiber and the essential amino acid lysine.

"Searching for food kids will like - and eat", Asbury Park Press, July 15, 2013

FDA Warns Companies Making Unauthorized Diabetes Claims For Their Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to companies that make diabetes-related claims for their products. Part of the FDA’s probe into health benefits claims on products, websites, and other marketing literature, the warning letters covered products ranging from nutritional supplements to topical creams. Neuliven Health, Inc. received a warning letter for claims the company has made for its Glucocil product, including lowering fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29 percent and lowering A1c levels significantly. Also, the FDA warned PharmaTerra, Inc. for claims related to its ProBeta product, which tend to establish that the product is a drug.

"FDA targets diabetes claims with raft of new warning letters", Nutra-Ingredients USA, July 23, 2013

Manufacturer Of Anti-Aging Nutraceutical Compound Builds Factory To Ramp Up Production

AstaReal, a biotech unit of Fuji Chemical Group, announced it is building a factory in Washington State dedicated to the production, research and marketing of natural astaxanthin, an anti-aging nutraceutical supplementation and cosmeceutical application. There has been a spike in interest in astaxanthin, thanks in part to Fuji Group’s heavy investment in clinical studies and strategic patents. The global market size of natural astaxanthin for human consumption is estimated to be around $200 millionand could reach $700 by 2017.

"Soaring Global Demand for Natural Astaxanthin Prompts AstaReal to Build a US Plant and Double Existing Production by 2015", Nutrition Horizon , July 17, 2013

Diet Poor In Omega-3s Leads To Health Problems Among Teens And Their Parents

New U.S. research finds that teens especially – but also their parents – who eat fewer foods containing omega-3 fatty acids are more prone to anxiety and hyperactivity, as well as impaired memory and cognition. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish like salmon and sardines, eggs, and meat from grass-fed livestock. The researchers, whose study was conducted among multiple generations of lab animals, said the health problems occur not just in the teens themselves but also in parents born in the 1960s and 1970s, when omega-3-deficient oils like corn and soy oil became prevalent, and farm animals began eating grain instead of grass.

"Adolescent Behavior and Dopamine Availability Are Uniquely Sensitive to Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency", Biological Psychiatry, July 29, 2013

Unhealthy Behavior At Age 65 Leads To Significant Disabilities In Later Years

A study by French and British scientists has determined that unhealthy behaviors at age 65 can lead to impaired mobility and functioning in later years. The researchers analyzed data collected between 1999 and 2001 on smoking, diet, physical activity and alcohol consumption among people 65 or older. After 12 years of follow-up, the data showed that those who had less physical activity, ate fewer fruits and vegetables and smoked were twice as likely to develop disabilities. About 30 percent of the association between unhealthy behaviors and disabilities was linked to higher body mass index, lower cognitive function, depressive symptoms, traumatisms, chronic conditions, and cardiovascular disease.

"Unhealthy behaviors and disability in older adults: Three-City Dijon cohort study", BMJ, July 24, 2013

For Peak Performance, Athletes Should Eat A High-Fiber, Low-Fat Diet While Training

Too many athletes are pushed into fad diets or diets that restrict calorie intake too much in a way that is unhealthy and unsustainable, according to a U.S. researcher who reviewed scientific literature. Instead, to maintain a healthy weight and remain performance-ready, athletes need to adopt a low-energy-dense diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish, and low-fat dairy. Sugary beverages like soda and alcohols should be avoided. Half of a plate of food should contain fruits and veggies, and processed food should be avoided. Lastly, opt for the food over the drink: instead of drinking orange juice, eat an orange. It has more fiber, and fills you up more.

"Athletes Need to Be Careful to Monitor Diet, Weight to Maintain Muscle Mass", News release, literature review published in the Nestlé Nutritional Institution Workshop Series, July 23, 2013

Eating Breakfast Is Important For Heart Health

Missing breakfast in the morning, or eating a meal late at night, can cause metabolic effects that lead to coronary heart disease, according to a U.S. study. Researchers analyzed data from a food frequency questionnaire, tracking health outcomes from 1992 to 2008, on nearly 27,000 males aged 45 to 82.  Men who reported they skipped breakfast had a 27 percent higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than those who reported they didn't. Men who reported eating late at night (eating after going to bed) had a 55 percent higher coronary heart disease risk than those who didn't. Skipping breakfast may lead to one or more heart disease risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

"Prospective Study of Breakfast Eating and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in a Cohort of Male US Health Professionals", Circulation, July 22, 2013

Antioxidants May Block The Benefits Of Good Bodily Stress, Like Exercise

The natural antioxidant resveratrol, found in red grapes and other plants and available as a dietary supplement, has been touted as an anti-aging compound. But new research finds that, in older men especially, eating a diet rich in antioxidants may actually counteract many of the health benefits derived from exercise, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The researchers suggest that antioxidants are not a panacea: some oxidative stress is necessary for the body to function effectively. Too many antioxidants may block healthy adaptations to stress, including beneficial exercise stress.

"Resveratrol Blunts the Positive Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiovascular Health in Aged Men", The Journal of Physiology, July 22, 2013

Eating Eggs Does Not Increase Risk Of Heart Disease Among Adolescents

A European study conducted in nine countries found that adolescents who ate larger amounts of eggs did not have higher serum cholesterol nor worse cardiovascular health, regardless of their levels of physical activity. Health experts have long followed the 1973 American Heart Association recommendation that egg consumption be limited to three a week, because of the higher cholesterol levels. But most foods rich in cholesterol are usually also rich in saturated fats. A medium-size egg contains 200 milligrams of cholesterol but has more unsaturated fats than saturated fats and only 70 calories.

" Ingesta de huevo y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en adolescentes; papel de la actividad física", Nutrición Hospitalaria, July 19, 2013

More Frequent Exercise Associated With Lower Risk Of Stroke Among Men

A U.S. study involving 27,000 stroke-free blacks and white older than 45  found that physical inactivity, which was reported a 33 percent of participants, was associated with a 20 percent greater risk of stroke. Men who exercised four or more times a week had a lower stroke risk, but the link between exercise frequency  and stroke among women was less clear. The researchers acknowledged that a limitation of the study was the self-reporting aspect. Results based on self-reported levels of physical activity may not reflect the truth.

"Frequency and Risk of Incident Stroke in a National US Study of Blacks and Whites", Stroke, July 18, 2013

Probiotic Strain Of E. Coli Inhibits Salmonella Replication In The Gut

U.S. researchers have determined that a probiotic strain of E. coli used to treat irritable bowel syndrome actually inhibits salmonella colonization in the gut, reducing the risk of bacterial infections. The probiotic bacterium competes with salmonella for iron, an essential nutrient found in  the gut that salmonella needs to replicate at high levels. Salmonella counts in the gut drop significantly when the E. coli strain Nissle 1917is administered to patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers hope that by understanding how pathogens get nutrients, it will be easier to find ways to eradicate them.

"Probiotic Bacteria Reduce Salmonella Typhimurium Intestinal Colonization by Competing for Iron", Cell Host & Microbe, July 17, 2013

Mood Disorders Can Be Improved With Vitamins, Minerals

A Canadian researcher who studied 97 adults diagnosed with mood disorders found that those who took more vitamins and minerals over three days showed significantly improved mental functioning. Bonnie Kaplan said vitamin and mineral supplements could be an alternative to increasing psychiatric medicines for relief of symptoms of anxiety and depression. Another researcher noted that 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5 HTP), vitamins B and D, as well as ginkgo biloba and omega 3 supplements have been known to enhance mood.

"Vitamins and Minerals Can Boost Energy and Enhance Mood", News release, study presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo, July 16, 2013

Study Finds Significant Increase In Blood Pressure Levels Among Children, Adolescents

U.S. researchers who analyzed health data from 3,200 children and adolescents found in two time periods (1988-1994 and 1999-2008) found that the risk of high blood pressure rose 27 percent in 13 years. The researchers suggested that the elevated blood pressure readings were probably due to high body mass, larger waistlines and excess sodium consumption. The elevated readings did not establish that the children were hypertensive, only that the risk of hypertension had risen significantly. High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney failure, accounting for about 350,000 preventable deaths a year in the United States.

"Childhood Blood Pressure Trends and Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure", Hypertension, July 15, 2013

Higher BMI Increases Risk Of Gallstone Disease

Although earlier studies have shown a strong association between a greater body mass index and greater risk gallstone disease, new Danish research has determined a significant causal relationship between the two. Gallstones are a pebble-like material that can develop when there is excess cholesterol –- accounting for 80 percent of all gallstones – bile salts or bilirubin in bile stored in the gallbladder. Researchers studied health data from nearly 78,000 people over 34 years. Findings indicated that gallstone disease risk increased 7 percent for every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI.

"Elevated body mass index as a causal risk factor for symptomatic gallstone disease: A mendelian randomization study", Hepatology, July 11, 2013

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids In Cord Blood Linked To Higher Risk Of Adolescent Allergy Problems

Swedish researchers who took cord blood samples of 800 children born in 1996-97 and followed them for diagnosis of allergies in adolescence found that those who had higher levels of omega-3 3 and omega-6 fatty acids at birth were more likely develop allergies. The risk of respiratory allergies in children with higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels was equally significant in children with allergic and non-allergic mothers. The researchers acknowledged they did not understand how the PUFA levels affected allergy development, but suggested that the process may involve “dampening of the immune activation in infancy needed for proper maturation of the infant's immune system.

"High Levels of Both n-3 and n-6 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Cord Serum Phospholipids Predict Allergy Development", PLoS ONE, July 10, 2013