Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Latest Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Vitamin C supplements appear to undercut the effectiveness of cancer drugs

A new study by scientists in the United States has revealed that vitamin C may blunt the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment.

1 Oct 2008

Food nutrition labelling in the "too hard basket" for many shoppers

A series of almost weekly food scares from China and the U.S. have made many consumers more aware of what goes into a food product and concern over where the ingredients are sourced from, but experts suggest many shoppers 'ignore food label schemes'.

1 Oct 2008

Shoppers happier with 'traffic light' food labelling

A recent survey by a consumer advocacy group in Australia has found that a "traffic light" labelling system is more popular with the public than the current daily intake guide labelling system.

1 Oct 2008

Discovery of genetic link between obesity and colon cancer risk

A new study reveals the first-ever genetic link between obesity and colon cancer risk, a finding that could lead to greater accuracy in testing for the disease, said a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

30 Sep 2008

Birth size a marker for breast cancer later in life

A new study by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found that birth size is a marker of susceptibility to breast cancer later in life - they say birth size, and in particular birth length, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in adulthood.

30 Sep 2008

Breast is best - the secrets of breast milk

Scientists unraveling the composition of human breast milk say it may lead to new ways to prevent and treat stomach illnesses and other diseases in babies and adults.

29 Sep 2008

New York City blacks more likely than other races to have high blood pressure, report finds

New York City blacks have the highest rate of high blood pressure of any racial or ethnic group in the city, according to a report released on Wednesday by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Staten Island Advance reports.

29 Sep 2008

New pig model of cystic fibrosis provides better understanding of human disease

For the first time, researchers have developed a genetically altered animal model for cystic fibrosis (CF) that closely matches the characteristics of the disease in humans. By studying the complex and multi-organ disease process in the pig model, researchers can now better understand how the complications of CF develop, an advancement that may lead to new avenues for research in prevention and treatment.

25 Sep 2008

Gene variant boosts risk of fatty liver disease

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that individuals who carry a specific form of the gene PNPLA3 have more fat in their livers and a greater risk of developing liver inflammation.

25 Sep 2008

Chocoholics jump for joy - chocolate protects from heart attacks

The good news for chocolate lovers is that a small amount of chocolate each day helps protect the heart from disease.

25 Sep 2008

Oversize waistlines are a potent risk factor for heart disease in women

A heart expert at Johns Hopkins is calling for all women with a waistline measuring more than 35 inches to get an annual check-up and detailed risk assessment for heart problems because excess abdominal fat, even in the mildly obese and overweight, leads more than a third of women to underestimate their lifetime risk of having a heart attack, stroke or chest pain (angina).

24 Sep 2008

Drugs to treat ADHD should be a last resort

According to new guidelines in Britain on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drugs should be the last resort in treating the disorder and parents need to learn how to cope with their child's unruly behaviour.

24 Sep 2008

News media overlook food system and climate change connection

A study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows the nation's top newspapers have largely overlooked the food system as one of the more important contributors to global climate change.

23 Sep 2008

Isoflavone dietary supplement improves the functioning of the arteries in stroke patients

A dietary supplement containing isoflavone - a chemical found in soybeans, chickpeas, legumes and clovers - can improve artery function in stroke patients according to new research published online in Europe's leading cardiology journal, the European Heart Journal today.

23 Sep 2008

U.S. authorities gunning for makers of bogus cancer cures

Government authorities in the United States are gunning for companies peddling bogus cancer cures.

22 Sep 2008

Top scientist says alcohol guidelines should be changed

The latest research on the health effects of drinking alcohol has found that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has a significant benefit - wait for it - for people with an unhealthy lifestyle!

18 Sep 2008

24 percent of U.S. women affected by pelvic floor disorders

Nearly 24 percent of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, report researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. Their analysis is the first to document in a nationally representative sample the extent of pelvic floor disorders, a cluster of health problems that causes physical discomfort and limits activity.

17 Sep 2008

Women who smoke increase their risk of dying prematurely

A long term study by researchers in the United States has found that women can reduce their risk of a premature death by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

17 Sep 2008

Anti-inflammatory drugs may mask prostate cancer marker

Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, may reduce serum levels of the prostate biomarker, PSA (prostate specific antigen), and hence may alter the detection of prostate cancer in individuals who take these medications.

14 Sep 2008

BioServe introduces customizable DNA panels for genetic research

BioServe has announced a more affordable pricing plan for its vast bank of DNA with comprehensive, de-identified, covariate data that includes age, gender, diet, body mass index (BMI), and race. In addition, each sample has data on the complete diagnostic and treatment history of the donor.

14 Sep 2008