Author: Staff (Page 67 of 158)

Should Everyone Avoid Gluten?

February 13, 2012 / Staff

Is gluten just the gimmick of the moment?

It seems like everyone is gluten intolerant, gluten sensitive or suffering from celiac disease these days.

But just who is really suffering from gluten?

The American Gastroenterological Association says that much more needs to be known about gluten sensitivity before official guidelines can be devised—including how many people suffer from it and to what degree.
About 1% of people in the U.S. have celiac disease, a fourfold increase over the past 50 years. Some gastroenterologists say that for every patient with celiac disease, they see six to eight who have the same symptoms, but without the tell-tale antibodies or intestinal damage needed to confirm celiac.
Evidence is mounting that gluten sensitivity does exist. Dr. Fasano and colleagues last year compared blood samples and intestinal biopsies from people with suspected gluten sensitivity to those with confirmed celiac disease and healthy controls, and found distinct differences in each.

Nutrition, Research, Wellness

celiac disease food allergies gastro-intestinal illness gluten gluten intolerance gluten-free

Obesity Is A Threat To National Security

February 12, 2012 / Staff

The U.S. military is overweight.

$4.65 billion is spent in food services each year.

It also spends an estimated $1.1 billion a year on medical care associated with excess weight and obesity.

“The Department of Defense considers obesity not only a national problem but a national security issue,” Assistant U.S. Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Jonathan Woodson told reporters in a call to discuss the first lady’s visit to Arkansas and other states to promote healthy eating.
“Our primary focus is on the health and well-being of service members, their families, and our retirees,” Woodson said in remarks to be delivered in Little Rock. “Obesity is a preventable problem which, if combated, can help prevent disease and ease the burden on our overall Military Health System.”

Quality Control, Research, Resources, Wellness

Michelle Obama military healthcare obesity in the military U.S. Military

The Lies Doctors Tell

February 11, 2012 / Staff

If you are expecting to get the truth out of your doctor then think again.

Physicians aren’t being completely honest especially when it comes to medical mistakes.

With fears of medical malpractice a real concern, physicians may hold back on the whole story with their patients.

“Our findings raise concerns that some patients might not receive complete and accurate information from their physicians,” the researchers write in the February issue of the journal Health Affairs. The findings also question whether patient-centered care — which is a philosophy of medicine that respects the preferences, needs and values of patients — is possible without more openness and honesty, the researchers from Harvard Medical School said.

Asking questions, doing your research and being an informed consumer of medical services is the best way to achieve a positive outcome with your care.

Doctors, Quality Control, Research, Wellness

Doctors ethics medical malpractice physician quality health care

Meal Planning Is The key To Healthy Eating

February 11, 2012 / Staff

Many people think that a workout can compensate for over-indulging in sweet treats and junk food.

But the dirty little secret that no one wants to hear is that your diet makes up over 90 percent of your fitness.

There is no way to be fit without eating well. It’s just not as simple as calories in and calories out.

Some foods inhibit our body’s ability to function properly and some foods will clog our arteries and destroy our livers no matter how many hours we log in at the gym.

Planning your meals ahead of time can help you to avoid the food traps into which hectic schedules inevitably lead.

Reasons to plan meals ahead include saving money and quality control.

Quality Control, Research, Wellness

diet tips healthy diet menu planning planning meals ahead

FDA Food Labeling Makes An Impact

February 10, 2012 / Staff

FDA food labeling has a real impact on American’s health.

In a good way!

The research shows just how effective these strategies can be when attempting to change behaviors.

By labeling and banning trans fats a significant, positive change has occurred.

Blood levels of trans fat declined 58 percent from 2000 to 2008. FDA began requiring trans-fat labeling in 2003. During the same period several parts of the country — New York most famously — passed laws limiting trans fats in restaurant food and cooking. The makers of processed food also voluntarily replaced trans fats with less harmful oils.
The decline, unusually big and abrupt, strongly suggests government regulation was effective in altering a risk factor for heart disease for a broad swath of the population.