A review of recent health related research stories that made the news with five items comprising: ‘Apple-a-day call for all over-50s’; ‘Eating nuts linked to healthier, longer life’; ‘Research reveals how cooks can maximize fruits and vegetables cancer-fighting compounds’; ‘Ulcer drugs linked to vitamin B12 deficiency’ and ‘Dad’s diet before conception plays crucial role in long-term health of offspring’.
‘Apple-a-day call for all over-50s’: “If everyone over the age of 50 ate an apple a day, 8,500 deaths from heart attacks and strokes could be avoided every year in the UK, say researchers. Apples would give a similar boost to cardiovascular health as medicines, such as statins, yet carry none of the side-effects, the University of Oxford researchers say in the BMJ. They base their assumptions on modelling, not direct scientific study.”
This is how the BBC reported on the story with a link to their full report below. In general the researchers gave ongoing encouragement toward a healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. This chimes with the Government ‘5 A Day’ campaign. The BBC report also included the following:
Dr Peter Coleman, of the Stroke Association, said everyone stood to benefit from eating a balanced diet. “Apples have long been known as a natural source of antioxidants and chemical compounds called flavonoids, all of which are good for our health and wellbeing. This study shows that, as part of a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, a daily apple could help to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. ”
RELEVANT LINKS:
BBC Health: Apple-a-day call for all over-50s
‘Eating nuts linked to healthier, longer life’: “A handful of nuts a day keeps the doctor away—and might help you live longer, according to new results from two long-running Harvard studies. “We found that people who ate nuts every day lived longer, healthier lives than people who didn’t eat nuts,” said study co-author Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. The report, in tomorrow’s New England Journal of Medicine, showed that daily nut-eaters were less likely to die of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. Overall, the daily nut-eaters were 20% less likely to have died during the course of the study than those who avoided nuts.”
The link to the full article on the Harvard website is provided below. Nuts are a fantastic natural source of vitamins and minerals – with each nut providing different nutritive content. So consider eating nuts regularly in sensible quantities as part of a healthy balanced diet (for those who do not have nut allergies). Many people are worried about the fat content of nuts and the Harvard article comments on this too with the following:
“Worried that eating nuts might make you fat, since they’re high in fat? In fact, frequent nut eaters were less likely to gain weigh in this and other studies. “Nuts are high in protein and fiber, which delays absorption and decreases hunger,” said Dr. Hu, adding that nuts contain mostly unsaturated healthy fats.”
RELEVANT LINKS:
Harvard Health: Eating nuts linked to healthier, longer life
‘Research reveals how cooks can maximize fruits and vegetables cancer-fighting compounds’: “Steaming your broccoli for three to four minutes until it turns a bright green will enhance its cancer-fighting compounds, according to new research presented today at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Annual Research Conference. The research finding was presented today at a session focused on the role of food processing and preparation in the enhancement of cancer protection.”
The link to the full article on the AICR website is provided below. The article is an important reminder on how important it is to consider how we cook certain foods to maximise their natural health giving properties.
RELEVANT LINKS:
American Institute for Cancer Research: New Research Reveals How to Prepare Foods to Boost Cancer-Fighting Activity
‘Ulcer drugs linked to vitamin B12 deficiency’: “Medication used to treat stomach ulcers may cause potentially harmful vitamin B12 deficiency, say experts.
A US study of 200,000 people in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the link. People who took tablets known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine antagonists (H2RAs) were more likely to lack enough vitamin B12 for good health. Left untreated, B12 deficiency can lead to dementia and neurological problems.”
This is how the BBC reported on the study with the link to the full story provided below. The study lends further weight to concerns for Vitamin B12 deficiency risk for those on certain medication. B12 deficiency can cause serious health complications and the deficiency may not manifest itself until potentially irreversible damage is done. We have a previous in-depth blog article on this topic with the link provided below.
RELEVANT LINKS:
BBC News: Ulcer drugs linked to vitamin B12 deficiency
Cytoplan Blog: Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Pernicious Anemia
‘Dad’s diet BEFORE conception plays crucial role in long-term health of offspring’ : “You are what you eat.. and so are your children (so stick to greens and avoid junk). Research found it’s not just women who need to eat well ahead of pregnancy. The advice follows a study of folic acid, a form of vitamin B, known to be key in the prevention of brain and spine defects such as spina bifida. Males low in the acid were 30% more likely to have children with defects. Those wanting to become fathers should ditch junk food, say doctors.”
The Daily Mail reports on Canadian research. A healthy diet is important for us all – and at all stages of life. For those of you not familiar with Folic Acid and its important role in preconception and pregnancy, plus nutrition tips for preconception – follow the links provided below.
RELEVANT LINKS:
Cytoplan Blog: Folate (Folic Acid), Mothers-to-be and Pregnant Women
Daily Mail: Fathers eat greens leafy vegetables improve sperm quality
Cytoplan Blog: Planning for a baby? Both eat lots of brussel sprouts!
If you have any questions regarding this article, any of the health topics raised, or any other health matters please do contact me (Amanda) by phone or email at any time.
Amanda Williams
Cytoplan
amanda@cytoplan.co.uk
01684 310099
Last updated on 15th December 2014 by
