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Background: The results of randomized controlled trials indicate that the amount and type of dietary fat are important predictors of serum cholesterol concentrations. However, the results of observational studies show weak or no association between dietary fat intake and serum cholesterol. Serum fatty acids are valid biomarkers of fat intake and may improve dietary estimates. Objective: The objective was to ascertain whether serum fatty acids are associated with serum cholesterol concentrations in New Zealand adolescents and adults. Design: The current study was a cross-sectional, national, population-based survey of 2793 New Zealanders aged [greater then or equal to] 15 y who participated in the 1997 National Nutrition Survey. The fatty acid composition of serum cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and triacylglycerols was measured. Results: A 1-SD increase in myristic acid (14:0) in serum cholesterol ester, phospholipids, and triacylglycerol corresponded with increases in serum cholesterol of 0.19, 0.13, and 0.10 nmol/L, respectively, after adjustment of the regression analysis for sex, age, body mass index, ethnicity, and smoking. The mean difference in cholesterol concentrations between persons in the highest and the lowest quintiles of serum cholesteryl-myristate was 0.48 mmol/L (P for trend < 0.001). A 1-SD increase in the proportion of linoleic acid (18:2n--6) in serum cholesterol ester, phospholipids, and triacylglycerol corresponded with decreases in serum cholesterol of 0.07, 0.07, and 0.05 mmol/L, respectively. The difference in mean serum cholesterol between the highest and lowest quintiles of cholesteryl-linoleate was 0.18 mmol/L (P for trend = 0.019). Conclusion: Saturated and polyunsaturated fat intakes, measured by using fatty acid biomarkers, are important predictors of serum cholesterol concentrations in New Zealand. KEY WORDS Dietary fats, cholesterol, fatty acids, biological markers, nutrition survey

The World Wide Web is a valuable source of nutrition and health information, but the time and effort required to take advantage of this resource may stand in the way of routine use in medical education and practice. The Nutrition Academic Award (NAA) has produced numerous examples of Web-based nutrition resources, including nutrition assessment tools, patient education materials, and presentations and curricula for professional education. The University of Wisconsin Medical Nutrition Handbook provides evidence-based nutrition care guides for common clinical problems, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, and the metabolic syndrome. Incorporation of these resources into medical practice may increase the provision of effective nutrition care. KEY WORDS Nutrition resources, Internet, Nutrition Academic Award, nutrition handbook, clinical practice, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling

Background: Numerous entreaties have been made over the past 2 decades to improve the nutrition knowledge and skills of medical students and physicians. However, most graduating medical students continue to rate their nutrition preparation as inadequate. Objective: The objective was to determine the amount and type of nutrition instruction at US medical schools, especially including the instruction that occurs outside designated nutrition courses. Design: A 12-item survey asked nutrition educators to characterize nutrition instruction at their medical schools (required, optional, or not offered) and to quantify nutrition contact hours occurring both inside and outside designated nutrition courses. During 2004, we surveyed all 126 US medical schools accredited at that time. Results: A total of 106 surveys were returned for a response rate of 84%. Ninety-nine of the 106 schools responding required some form of nutrition education; however, only 32 schools (30%) required a separate nutrition course. On average, students received 23.9 contact hours of nutrition instruction during medical school (range: 2--70 h). Only 40 schools required the minimum 25 h recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. Most instructors (88%) expressed the need for additional nutrition instruction at their institutions. Conclusion: With the move to a more integrated curriculum and problem-based learning at many medical schools, a substantial portion of the total nutrition instruction is occurring outside courses specifically dedicated to nutrition. The amount of nutrition education in medical schools remains inadequate. KEY WORDS Nutrition education, medical education, nutrition, Nutrition in Medicine, medical school curriculum, medical students, education, nutrition curriculum

Background: Epidemiologic studies of choline and betaine intakes have been sparse because a food-composition database was not available until recently. The physiologic relevance of a variation in dietary choline and betaine in the general population and the validity of intake assessed by food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) have not been evaluated. Objective: This study was conducted to examine the physiologic relevance and validity of choline and betaine intakes measured by an FFQ. Design: We examined the relations between choline and betaine intakes measured by FFQ and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in 1960 participants from the Framingham Offspring Study. Results: Higher intakes of dietary choline and betaine were related to lower tHcy concentrations independent of other determinants, including folate and other B vitamins. For the lowest and highest quintiles of dietary choline plus betaine, the multivariate geometric means for tHcy were 10.9 and 9.9 [micro]mol/L (P for trend < 0.0001). The inverse association was manifested primarily in participants with low folate intakes (P for interaction < 0.0001 ). Among participants with folate intakes [less than or equal to] 250 [micro]g/d, the geometric mean tHcy concentrations in the lowest and highest quintiles of choline plus betaine intakes were 12.4 and 10.2 [micro]mol/L (P for trend < 0.0001). Except for choline from phosphatidylcholine, individual forms of choline were inversely associated with tHcy concentrations. Conclusions: Our findings provide support for a physiologically important variation in choline and betaine intakes in the general population and for the validity of intake measured by FFQ. KEY WORDS Choline, betaine, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, lecithin, sphingomyelin, homocysteine, methylation, Framingham Offspring Study

Many factors influence carbohydrate absorption. Slower rates of absorption may have advantages in reducing postprandial glycemia and insulinemia and, in time, reduce serum low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations. Foods high in viscous fiber or antinutrients, or foods that are resistant to gelatinization, show slower rates of digestion and absorption and may be called low glycemic index or lente carbohydrate foods. Specific enzyme inhibitors may also cause lente effects. Certain small-intestinal effects of lente carbohydrate may be mimicked by altering feeding frequency (eg, nibbling vs gorging). Increased meal frequency reduces post-prandial insulin and glucose responses in people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes and in nondiabetic volunteers and lowers serum concentrations of LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. Reduced hepatic cholesterol synthesis has been reported. Increased meal frequency may also slow small-intestinal absorption in the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and possibly obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59(suppl): 706S--9S.

Specific nutritional intervention can be beneficial to old people at risk for chronic diseases and can be a cost-effective method for ensuring healthy aging. Coronary heart disease, for instance, can be prevented by reducing fat intake while increasingintake of fish oil, soluble fibers, copper and chromium. Hypertension, on the other hand, can be avoided through less sodium consumption while increasing that of potassium, calcium and magensium. Dietary management can also be applied for the prevention of cancer, glucose intolerance, cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, immune senescence and vision problems.

Certain foods can reduce the risks of certain types of cancer, urinary tract infections, heart disease, obesity, colds, premenstrual syndrome, fatigue, depression and complications of pregnancy. The reasons the foods are considered effective are described.

Foods that can ease certain symptoms and speed recovery are described. Hot liquids are good for treating cold symptoms, for example. They thin nasal secretions and loosen phlegm.

An idea espoused by Dr. Elson M. Haas in his book 'The Detox Diet' is that detoxification diets are essential in helping the body maintain a long-term sustainable muscle growth aspect by ridding the body of substances which hinder growth.

No one food or diet can ensure your immunity from cancer, but a simple change in your eating habits can reduce the risk of cancer and can help you live [...]

8 weeks to a new you! Your Belly Off! Attack Plan Most weight-loss resolutions start--and end--in January. Not this one. We've mapped everything you need,including video workouts, meal plans, and [...]

A prospective diet intervention study is conducted to find out the effect of aging on the failure of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin, which causes abnormal weight loss in older people.

Under the heading of "how'd they do that?" falls a cleverly designed study recently published in Obesity Research. Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Illinois found a way [...]

It's a no-brainer that when that container of who-knows-what shoved in the back of the fridge has a blanket of grey fuzz, it's time to toss it out. The same [...]

The author examines the numerous popular diet plans and if they actually work or not. Topics include health aspects of dieting, nutrition, and psychological aspects of dieting.

You walk several times a week, maybe take yoga or Pilates classes, and tone up at home using resistance bands. Should you be eating more to help you stay active? [...]

Exercise doesn't come easily to most overweight people who take the easy way out and try various diet plans to tone the body. Following an exercise regimen helps in getting the body back to shape as it depends on the exercise program even though it takes a couple of months to notice the change.

The South Beach Diet is based on a different principle that one must cut off all easily digestible carbohydrates. It is suggested that lot of planning, shopping and preparation should be made in order to maintain a low-carb lifestyle.

Diet plans sometimes fail for many obese people even if they try hard to lose weight. Some obese people vouch for the weight-watchers diet, which adheres to the flexible eating system, as it is easy to follow and has a support group in place.

Obesity is growing at an alarming proportions in the US with nearly two-third Americans being overweight with no solution in sight despite of availability of different diet plans. It is suggested that regular exercise speeds up metabolism and helps the body burn calories more quickly.