Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Latest Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Lonza Group and Patheon extend exclusivity and due diligence period

The Special Committee of Independent Directors of Patheon Inc. (TSX:PTI) and Lonza Group AG (SIX:LONN) today announced the extension until October 15, 2009 of the exclusivity and due diligence period to allow for continued discussions regarding the previously announced non-binding proposal to acquire all of the outstanding restricted voting shares of the Company at a price of US$3.55 per share as well as other possible strategic transactions.

28 Sep 2009

Rosiglitazone slows progression of cachexia in cancer affected mice

Insulin resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes and a condition often associated with obesity, is paradoxically also an apparent contributor to muscle wasting and severe fat loss that accompanies some cancers, according to new research.

27 Sep 2009

AETNA's nutrition program to counter childhood obesity

Aetna Better Health, formerly Aetna Medicaid and CHIP Services, today announced an eight-week nutrition and exercise program for children at the North Fort Worth Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth. The pilot program, named ACTIVATE Kids, was created to educate children on the risks of childhood obesity.

26 Sep 2009

European CHMP recommends Merck's JANUVIA and JANUMET as add-on to insulin

Merck & Co., Inc., which operates in many countries as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for JANUVIA® tablets and JANUMET® tablets recommending their use as add-on to insulin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

26 Sep 2009

URMC study provides a new focus on health care in young adulthood

When adolescents graduate to young adulthood, their preventive care tends to fall by the wayside. A recent study has found that young adults are much less likely to use ambulatory or preventive care, even though their mortality rate is more than twice that of adolescents.

25 Sep 2009

Recent releases in Global Health

A study appearing in the Journal of Infectious Diseases explores how well access to safe drinking water reduces rates of diarrhea experienced by 6-month-old infants born to HIV-infected mothers following weaning.

25 Sep 2009

UHP's electronic health record system recognized

Urban Health Plan in the South Bronx is revolutionizing the way patients are identified and tracked at their network of community health centers. From identifying patients through an iris recognition scan to managing their patients' health through a fully electronic system, UHP is able to provide state-of-the-art, quality and comprehensive care to thousands of New York's neediest residents. This week, their efforts were recognized by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society who awarded them the 2009 HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence. Urban Health Plan uses eClinicalWorks (ECW) as its electronic health record (EHR) system.

25 Sep 2009

$4.5 million cost involved for MLSIC set up

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), Ann Arbor SPARK, Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and a private foundation have collaborated to create the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center (MLSIC). MLSIC will connect well-funded, experienced entrepreneurs with business accelerator organizations and start-up life science companies.

25 Sep 2009

Research to develop small-molecule drug that blocks excess iron absorption

Excess iron in the body, if left unchecked, can form toxic deposits in major organs leading to serious conditions including heart failure, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and even infertility. Iron overload can be a consequence of a genetically mutated gene known as hereditary hemochromatosis, or a consequence of red blood cell transfusions, required as life saving treatments, for patients with diseases such as thalassemia.

25 Sep 2009

Investment in preventative healthcare is vital during recession: Experts

In these economically challenging times, many experts say it is vital to invest in preventative healthcare. Better overall health means lower medical bills.

25 Sep 2009

Lifestyle choices affect the incidence and treatment of cancer

There is clear evidence that lifestyle choices affect the incidence and treatment of cancer, according to a study published in the current issue of American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (AJLM).

25 Sep 2009

Diabetes prevalence highest in the Southern and Appalachian states

Diabetes prevalence is highest in the Southern and Appalachian states and lowest in the Midwest and the Northeast of America. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Population Health Metrics have used two public data sources to investigate the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus at the State level.

25 Sep 2009

Study reveals that kidney transplants do not affect pregnancy

Women who have had a kidney transplant and have good kidney function can get pregnant and give birth without jeopardizing their health or the health of their transplant. Having children does not affect patients' kidney function or their life-span compared with transplanted women who do not have children, according to a matching cohort study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

25 Sep 2009

Children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome can be treated with prednisone

A kidney condition that can arise in children and was until recently believed to disappear after puberty may persist into adulthood and cause significant long-term complications, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). The findings indicate that better treatment options are needed for children with the disorder, called minimal change nephrotic syndrome.

25 Sep 2009

Matrix metalloproteinase-8 enzyme increases the risk of heart diseases

Scientists at Queen Mary, University of London have made an important discovery in understanding what causes arteries to clog up. They have discovered that an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase-8 plays a crucial role in raising blood pressure and causing abnormal build-up of cells in the arteries - both of which increase the risk of heart disease.

25 Sep 2009

Attitude to weight and diet in teens dependent on social class

Teenagers' attitudes to diet and weight are shaped by their social class, according to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Policymakers have long insisted on the importance of understanding young people's health and eating habits but this is the first study to show how everyday practices and perceptions of different social classes contribute to variation in the diet, weight and health of teenagers.

25 Sep 2009

FA announces their Second Annual Fellowship Convention dates

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) announces their Second Annual Fellowship Convention to be held at the Santa Clara Marriot from October 16-18, 2009 in Santa Clara, California.

25 Sep 2009

Contribution of psychological characteristics to weight loss

Being too optimistic could harm weight loss efforts. Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal, BioPsychoSocial Medicine, reveals the psychological characteristics that may contribute to weight loss.

25 Sep 2009

Living Proof Project showcases U.S. government's efforts to improve health around the world

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched the Living Proof Project: U.S. Investments in Global Health are Working, a multi-year awareness campaign to highlight the extraordinary success of the U.S. government's efforts to improve health around the world.

24 Sep 2009

BCLC recognizes HCSC for its outstanding work with community service

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) is recognizing Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) for its outstanding work with community service. The BCLC has named HCSC as a finalist for its Corporate Citizenship Award in the category of U.S. Community Service. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation and HCSC is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer operating Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

24 Sep 2009