Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Pyramid

Dr. Andrew Weil has been, and continues to be, a strong advocate of a great-grandmother-approved lifestyle. He has created an anti-inflammatory food pyramid. Eating according to the principles outlined in the pyramid should help you reduce inappropriate inflammation, which is a major contributor to many chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Check out his excellent website for more: drweil.com.

Buy in Glass Whenever You Can

Common Chemical Linked to Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disorders

Exposure to a chemical commonly used in food packaging materials may be putting millions at an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and liver abnormalities, researchers here said. Urinary levels of bisphenol A (BPA) were significantly higher in people with diagnoses of angina, coronary heart disease, and diabetes, those who had suffered heart attacks, and those with elevated liver enzymes, reported David Melzer, M.B., Ph.D., of Peninsula Medical School, and colleagues in the Sept. 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. BPA is a component of epoxy resins used to line food and beverage containers and in polycarbonate plastics contained in many consumer products. It is also present in drinking water and in household air, in the form of dust. Dr. Melzer and colleagues cited data suggesting BPA is detectable in the urine of 90% of adult Americans.

For more, go to http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/EnvironmentalHealth/tb/10924

Ah, the Beautiful Mediterranean -- Diet, That is

People who kept to a full Mediterranean diet had lower overall mortality as well as lower mortality from several major chronic diseases, a meta-analysis found.

Greater adherence to the diet was associated with a 9% lower overall mortality, a 9% lower cardiovascular mortality, a 6% lower incidence of or mortality from cancer, and a 13% lower incidence of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, Francesco Sofi, M.D., of the University of Florence, and colleagues reported online in the British Medical Journal.The Mediterranean diet, widely reported to be a model of healthy eating, is rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, fish, nuts, olive oil, and a moderate intake of red wine during meals, but is low in red meat, dairy products, and alcohol.

For more on this go to: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/tb/10887

Yay for Yoghurt

Health Benefits Of Probiotic Could Extend To The Entire Body According To New Study

Probiotics: Data from a recent study demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and pathogen protection benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 -- a probiotic bacterial strain of human origin. Gastrointestinal benefits of probiotics have been well-documented, but more and more research is revealing that probiotic benefits extend to the entire body. The report was published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens.

The inflammatory response is a key part of the immune system's battle against invaders. The normal response to infection is rapid and effective, however, the immune response may occasionally cause inflammation and damage to healthy tissue.

"Inflammation is a major factor in a number of chronic diseases affecting millions of people and can cause an unwanted impact on healthy tissue," said Dr. Liam O'Mahony, lead investigator. "Past research has shown that the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 can positively impact the body's immune defense3, and this most recent data suggests that its benefits are not restricted to the gastrointestinal tract."

Inflammation is associated with a wide range of conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, bacterial-induced colitis, type I diabetes and organ transplantation. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 has previously shown ability to modulate the inflammatory response in a clinical trial of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Prebiotics too. As probiotics have grown popular, prebiotics have emerged as another category of so-called functional food. Recent studies support the idea that certain compounds—the nondigestible carbohydrates inulin (also known as oligofructose), galactooligosaccharide, and lactulose—can stimulate the growth of friendly bugs in the gut. Prebiotics might have health benefits similar to probiotics, and they're easier to incorporate into one's diet: Consumers can get prebiotics without even buying special products, because many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other high-fiber foods naturally contain the stuff.