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To critically analyze appropriate clinical studies to assess the relationship between health conditions and the frequency of private prayer. Private prayer is defined as individuals praying for themselves.Using PubMed and other search engines, we identified over 300 articles reporting relationships between prayer and health conditions. We identified 41 observational clinical studies that evaluated the relationship between private prayer and health conditions. Prayer scores of 5 to 1 were assigned to studies, with 5 being private prayer for health and 1 being prayer in combination with meditation or Bible study. Frequency scores ranged from 3 to 1 with 3 being twice daily or more and 0 when frequency was not assessed. Studies were ranked from 8 to 1 based on the sum of Prayer and Frequency Scores.Twenty-one studies had Prayer-Frequency scores of 5 to 8, indicating that they evaluated private prayer (praying for one's own health) of suitable frequency in association with health conditions. Nine of 11 studies indicated that private prayer was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of depression (P value,0.01). Optimism as well as coping were significantly improved by prayer in four studies (P value, P 0.01). In 10 studies of mental health conditions-including anxiety and confusion-there was a significant benefit associated with prayer (P 0.01), In the reviewed studies, prayer did not have a significant effect on physical health or blood pressure.The reported observational studies suggest that frequent private prayer is associated with a significant benefit for depression, optimism, coping, and other mental health conditions such as anxiety. Controlled clinical trials are required to critically assess the associations of private prayer and health conditions.

Health professionals are in need of more information about the weight-loss outcomes of using commercial weight-loss programs.A commercial behavioral intervention program using meal replacements, fruits, and vegetables (MR-FV) was compared with usual-care weight-loss counseling.Obese volunteers were randomly allocated to usual-care weight-loss counseling or participation in an MR-FV standardized behavioral education program. The MR-FV group attended weekly weight-loss classes for 16 weeks and weekly maintenance classes for 8 weeks.Obese women or men aged 20 to 65 years were recruited from the community through a commercial program provided at a university medical center.The control group (C group) received weight-management counseling from an experienced dietitian, while the intervention group (MR-FV group) participated in scheduled behavioral weight-loss classes. The MR-FV group participants were encouraged to consume 3 shakes, 2 entrées, and 5 servings of fruits or vegetables daily, and achieve physical activity goals (expend ≥ 8.4 mJ/week); they kept records and placed midweek phone calls. The C group was counseled at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks.Both groups were seen at baseline, and 8, 16, and 24 weeks for assessment of weight, risk factors, and side effects.The primary data analysis was intention to treat.Thirteen of 16 subjects (81.3%) in the C group and 18 of 22 subjects (81.8%) in the MR-FV group completed the 24-week study. Mean weight losses for the C group were: 1.3% (standard error [SE], 0.9) at 8 weeks; 0.7% (SE, 1.1) at 16 weeks; and 0.7% (SE, 1.1) or 0.7 kg at 24 weeks. Mean weight losses for the MR-FV group were: 8.5% (SE, 0.6) at 8 weeks, 12.5% (SE, 0.9) at 16 weeks, and 13.9% (SE, 1.1) or 13.7 kg at 24 weeks.A behavioral intervention with a low-energy diet including 5 meal replacements and 5 servings of fruits or vegetables enabled obese individuals to lose 13 kg more than control subjects over a 24-week period.

To compare effects of raisin snacks with conventional snacks on glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors.A 12-week, randomized, controlled trial compared 3-times-a-day consumption of raisins with intake of processed snacks on glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors. Men and women were randomized to snacks (n = 15) or raisins (n = 31). Outcome measures were performed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.Fasting plasma glucose levels were not significantly affected by intake of raisins or snacks. Mean subject post prandial glucose levels were significantly reduced by raisin intake at 12 weeks; changes with raisin intake were -13.1 mg/dL (P = 0.003 vs baseline; P = 0.03 vs snacks). Eating raisins significantly decreased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (-0.12%; P = 0.004), a significantly greater level decrease than seen with snack intake (P = 0.036). Snack intake did not significantly affect subject systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP). Raisin intake was associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks with mean changes of -6.0 to 10.2 mmHg; all these changes were statistically significant (P = 0.015 to 0.001). Raisins were associated with significantly greater changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks than snacks (P0.05). Body weight did not significantly change within or between groups.Regular consumption of raisins may reduce glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors, including BP rate.

Persons with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Maintaining normal lipid levels is, therefore, a key goal in diabetes management. A high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet provides effective, positive, and safe treatment for diabetes and lowers the associated risk for coronary artery disease.

More than one half of middle-aged Americans have undesirably high serum lipid levels. Diets high in fiber and carbohydrate and low in fat reduce serum lipid levels two to four times more than the widely recognized American Heart Association diet. High intake of soluble fiber is especially effective for lowering serum cholesterol levels; alcohol restriction and weight reduction help lower serum triglycerides. High-carbohydrate, high-fiber diets combined with regular exercise and healthy life-style hold great potential to reduce hyperlipidemia and the incidence of coronary artery disease in the United States.