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Byline: Mark Bittman, David L. Katz Does any old apple a day keep the doctor away? Or does it have to be organic? The answer is, honestly, 'That's impossible to [...]

Byline: David L. Katz, M.D. MERCY VIRTUAL has been called a hospital without patients, and the description is both true and false. There are neither beds nor patients in the [...]

Background: Improving diets has considerable potential to improve health, but progress in this area has been limited, and advice to increase fruit and vegetable intake has largely gone unheeded. Objectives: Our objective was to test the performance characteristics of the Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI), a tool designed to help improve dietary patterns one well-informed choice at a time. Design: The ONQI was developed by a multidisciplinary group of nutrition and public health scientists independent of food industry interests and is the basis for the NuVal Nutritional Guidance System. Dietary guidelines, existing nutritional scoring systems, and other pertinent scientific literature were reviewed. An algorithm incorporating >30 entries that represent both micro- and macronutrient properties of foods, as well as weighting coefficients representing epidemiologic associations between nutrients and health outcomes, was developed and subjected to consumer research and testing of performance characteristics. Results: ONQI and expert panel rankings correlated highly (R = 0.92, P < 0.001). In consumer testing, [approximately equal to]80% of >800 study participants indicated that the ONQI would influence their purchase intent. ONQI scoring distinguished the more-healthful DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet (mean score: 46) from the typical American diet according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006 (mean score: 26.5; P < 0.01). In linear regression analysis of the NHANES 2003-2006 populations (n = 15,900), the NuVal system was significantly associated with the Healthy Eating Index 2005 (P < 0.0001). Recently generated data from ongoing studies indicate favorable effects on purchase patterns and significant correlation with health outcomes in large cohorts of men and women followed for decades. Conclusion: NuVal offers universally applicable nutrition guidance that is independent of food industry interests and is supported by consumer research and scientific evaluation of its performance characteristics. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91(suppl):1102S-8S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.28450E.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the effects of daily walnut consumption on endothelial function, cardiovascular biomarkers, and anthropometric measures in type 2 diabetic individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--This study was a randomized, controlled, [...]

Background: Studies suggest cardioprotective benefits of dark chocolate containing cocoa. Objective: This study examines the acute effects of solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa intake on endothelial function and blood pressure in overweight adults. Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind crossover trial of 45 healthy adults [mean age: 53 y; mean body mass index (in kg/[m.sup.2]): 30]. In phase 1, subjects were randomly assigned to consume a solid dark chocolate bar (containing 22 g cocoa powder) or a cocoa-free placebo bar (containing 0 g cocoa powder). In phase 2, subjects were randomly assigned to consume sugar-free cocoa (containing 22 g cocoa powder), sugared cocoa (containing 22 g cocoa powder), or a placebo (containing 0 g cocoa powder). Results: Solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa ingestion improved endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated dilatation) compared with placebo (dark chocolate: 4.3 [+ or -] 3.4% compared with -1.8 [+ or -] 3.3%; P < 0.001; sugar-free and sugared cocoa: 5.7 [+ or -] 2.6% and 2.0 [+ or -] 1.8% compared with -1.5 [+ or -] 2.8%; P < 0.001). Blood pressure decreased after the ingestion of dark chocolate and sugar-free cocoa compared with placebo (dark chocolate: systolic, -3.2 [+ or -] 5.8 mm Hg compared with 2.7 [+ or -] 6.6 mm Hg; P < 0.001 ; and diastolic, -1.4 [+ or -] 3.9 mm Hg compared with 2.7 [+ or -] 6.4 mm Hg; P = 0.01; sugar-free cocoa: systolic, -2.1 [+ or -] 7.0 mm Hg compared with 3.2 [+ or -] 5.6 mm Hg; P < 0.001; and diastolic: -1.2 [+ or -] 8.7 mm Hg compared with 2.8 [+ or -] 5.6 mm Hg; P = 0.014). Endothelial function improved significantly more with sugar-free than with regular cocoa (5.7 [+ or -] 2.6% compared with 2.0 [+ or -] 1.8%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The acute ingestion of both solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa improved endothelial function and lowered blood pressure in overweight adults. Sugar content may attenuate these effects, and sugar-free preparations may augment them.

OBJECTIVE--We evaluated the role of a single measurement of Hb[A.sub.1c] in a diabetes case finding in hospitalized patients with random hyperglycemia at admission. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--From 20 March to [...]

Research has been conducted on raloxifene. The authors have investigated the raloxifene effect on endothelial funtion in healthy postmenopausal women, and the results demonstrate that raloxifene enhances endothelial-mediated dilathion in brachial arteries.

Byline: John P. Hayslett, David L. Katz, Joann M. Knudson Keywords: Hyponatremia; pre-eclampsia Abstract: Objective: The objective of this report is to describe a defect in water metabolism, characterized by hyponatremia, in patients with pre-eclampsia-induced nephrotic syndrome Study Design: This was an observational study of 3 women. Results: Hyponatremia was observed in 3 women with pre-eclampsia characterized by various extrarenal manifestations, as well as by nephrotic syndrome with normal or nearly normal renal function. Restriction in water intake partially corrected hyponatremia before delivery in each case, and no complications were observed in the neonates. The mechanism of impaired excretion of water in these patients is proposed to involve persistent and inappropriate production of vasopressin through stimulation of the nonosmotic mechanism for vasopressin secretion in response to a reduction in effective plasma volume. Conclusions: These results indicate for the first time that women with pre-eclampsia are, at least when nephrotic, at risk for development of dilutional hyponatremia, which can cause neurologic complications that simulate those of eclampsia. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:1312-6.) Author Affiliation: New Haven, Connecticut Article History: Received 8 December 1997; Accepted 30 April 1998 Article Note: (footnote) [star] From the Departments of Internal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, School of Medicine., [star][star] Reprints not available from the authors., a 0002-9378/98 $5.00 + 0 6/1/91434

Healthcare Professionals for Healthcare Reform is a group of physicians and others interested in health care reform who, recognizing the urgent need for change, convened to propose a universal health care plan that builds on the strengths of the U.S. health care system and improves on its coverage, efficiency, and capacity for patient choice. The group proposes a tiered plan, the core of which (Tier 1) would be lifetime, basic, publicly funded coverage for the entire population on the basis of the best evidence about which therapies are considered life saving, life-sustaining, or preventive. Optional coverage (Tier 2) would be funded by private insurance and cover all therapies considered to help with quality of life and functional impairment. Items considered to be luxury or cosmetic (Tier 3) would generally not be covered, as is the case under the current system. The entire system would be overseen by a quasi-governmental, largely independent organization known as 'The Board,' which would resemble the Federal Reserve and interact with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies to oversee implementation and coverage. By building on the current health care system while introducing other features and efficiencies, the Expanding Medical and Behavioral Resources with Access to Care for Everyone (EMBRACE) plan for universal health insurance coverage offers several advantages over alternative plans that have been proposed.

What you do with your arms, feet and fork can slash your risk for chronic disease by up to 80 percent, reports Dr. David L. Katz in his latest book. [...]

Ten tips for a healthy diet are presented. Brian Wansink, a nutrition researcher at Cornell University, says that changing the size of the plates from 12 inches to 10 inches results in 22% less calories. The use of fewer ingredients in preparing meals is also recommended.

Six challenges to a healthy eating behavior and ways to overcome them are presented. One challenge is to stop eating after nine in the evening, which can be overcome by addressing the cravings with something else such as a warm bath or music. Other tips on how to achieve a healthy diet are given.

Ways of improving the quality one's diet are presented. One way is to take breakfast as studies show that skipping it is related to obesity and overweight. Examples of ten-minute healthy habits for lunch and dinner are also given.

The body needs iodine to synthesize thyroid hormones, that is why it is advised to use iodized salt in cooking. Stomach cancer, meanwhile, may be caused partly by consumption of fermented vegetables, however, it does not mean people should stop eating them. The health impacts of occasional fasting are also examined.

Plain water is not the only source for hydration, as one can consume other beverages such as milk, tea, and coffee, to stay well hydrated. Food from cloned animals, meanwhile, are found to be safe for consumption. Advice on using real whipped cream over Cool Whip is also given.

Consuming plenty of vegetables and fruits is found to help lessen the risk for cancer while the Mediterranean diet reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease. Eating phytoplankton, on the other hand, has not been proven to provide health benefits. The health impacts of consuming eggs are also examined.

Some viruses can cause weight gain and scientists are aiming to prevent such viruses with a vaccine. Double diabetes, meanwhile, occurs to patients with diabetes type 1 who become overweight, which leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The side effects of gastric bypass surgery are also examined.

Caffeine in coffee can interfere with mineral absorption, however, the effect is minimal, Microwave cooking, meanwhile, was found to have the least damage to nutrients among all the diffferent cooking methods. Suggested diet for gout patients and a way of lowering low-density lipoprotein are given.

Answers to questions on belly fat being a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes and health concerns with regard to dietary fiber, soy, Brazilian acai berry juice intake are presented.

Frozen fish sticks and breaded fillets count as a fish serving, although they are usually made of cod or pollock which have less omega-3 fats. Hypertrophic obesity is easier to to reverse than hyperplastic obesity, which involves an excess of fat cells. The health benefits of calcium pills and managing food cravings caused by corticosteroids are also discussed.

Q| I use almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pine nuts in salads, granola, and snacks. Do nuts absorb pesticides in significant amounts? Is it important to buy organic nuts? --ANN CHITTY […]

Q I am obsessed with chips of any flavor. I can sit and eat a whole bag with no problem. Can you suggest ways I can control this craving, along […]

Q I have a very high risk of breast cancer, and I'm confused about soy: Should I eat it or avoid it? If it's good, how much? --LINDA HALL North […]

Q I'm so busy that most days, I have whole grain cereal for breakfast, turkey and cheese on whole wheat and yogurt or an apple for lunch, and spinach salad […]

Q Barbecue season is coming; so is bathing suit weather. If I overeat, how long does it take those calories to turn into pounds on my hips and thighs? And […]

Q | I just learned that I'm intolerant to more than 25 foods. After eliminating them from my diet, I dropped 21 pounds in two months. Do you think the […]

The cases of two women are presented who had an interstitial ectopic pregnancy that was treated using both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in the Fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.

When should I stop eating for the day so I don't gain weight? I go to bed at 11:30. --LEIGH WEINER, NEW YORK CITY A The common folk wisdom that […]

AN ASTOUNDING 65 PERCENT OF AMERICAN adults are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No wonder it's a seller's market for fad diets, which come in […]

A recipe for seasoned summer squash is presented. Squashes are nutritious vegetables that contain high levels of vitamin A, fiber, calcium, and potassium. The recipe is good for four to six servings.

Q As an Italian woman, I'm pleased that olive oil has so many health benefits. But is it true that monounsaturated oils don't handle heat as well as other fats? […]

Tricking the taste buds to prefer lean, nutritious fare over the rich and calorific is no easy feat: Those little suckers are fierce hunters for fat and sugar. So we […]