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(Science Daily) Dieters may not need as much willpower as they think, if they make simple changes in their surroundings that can result in eating healthier without a second thought, said a consumer psychologist..

"Our homes are filled with hidden eating traps," said Brian Wansink, PhD…

One of his studies showed that people lost up to two pounds a month after making several simple changes in their environment, including:

·         eating off salad plates instead of large dinner plates.

·         keeping unhealthy foods out of immediate line of sight and moving healthier foods to eye-level in the cupboard and refrigerator.

·         eating in the kitchen or dining room, not in front of the television.

"These simple strategies are far more likely to succeed than willpower alone. It's easier to change your environment than to change your mind," Wansink concluded.

Read more.

Community: Eating slowly and mindfully can help, too.

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(Booster Shots, Los Angeles Times) People who grow their own fruits and vegetables are apt to eat them, but a study finds that community gardeners may have an edge over home gardeners when it comes to consuming more fresh produce…

Eating more fruits and vegetables was also linked with being more socially involved and having a higher opinion of neighborhood aesthetics.

There could be value in those community gardens, beyond what the backyard has to offer, such as camaraderie and feeling more attached to one's neighborhood. "The array of qualities intrinsic to community gardens makes them a unique environmental and social intervention that can narrow the divide between people and the places where food is grown," the authors wrote, "and increase local opportunities to eat better."

They suggested health officials and policy makers offer community gardens throughout communities and make them permanent open space, support programs that connect community gardens to the local food-related groups such as food banks and farmer's markets, and create zoning codes that protect the gardens.

Read more.

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(UPI) More than 1,000 new farmers markets dot the U.S. landscape this year, bringing the total number to more than 7,000, federal officials say.

The current U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Farmers Market Directory says a total of 7,175 farmers markets operate throughout the United States as more farmers are marketing their products directly to consumers -- a 17 percent increase from last year.

Read more.

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(Consumer Reports) The U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid is a thing of the past, and its replacement, a plate logo, is missing something: fats. But avoiding certain fats can be hard, because some hide where you least expect them. See Fat counts in supermarket foods…

Read the Nutrition Facts and ingredient labels, and don't make assumptions. We found that some pretzels and popcorn have far more fat than others, that red pasta sauce might have almost as much fat as Alfredo, and that a handful of banana chips might have more fat than three Oreo cookies.

And keep an eye out for unhealthful oils in the ingredients: palm oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Other ways to limit fats:

·         For breakfast, top whole-grain bread with peanut butter and sliced bananas, or try oat-based, low-fat cereals like Cheerios with a sprinkle of granola for extra crunch instead of bacon and eggs.

·         Beware of the words "crispy," "creamy," and "tempura," synonyms for relatively high fat content.

·         Make your own chips. Slice parsnips or turnips into thin rounds; toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper; and bake in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

·         Avoid salads served in deep-fried shells or topped with cheese, creamy dressing, croutons, or breaded, fried chicken.

·         Satisfy your sweet tooth with a bowl of berries topped with a small scoop of ice cream.

·         Make your own sauce by simmering canned tomatoes with chopped onion, garlic, a little olive oil, and fresh herbs. Freeze the leftover sauce so you can use it in a pinch.

·         If you like specialty coffee drinks, order them with fat-free or low-fat milk.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Choosing healthy foods to barbeque -- and even barbequing with marinades instead of high-fat sauces -- can help reduce your risk of heart disease as well as stroke, experts say.

Many common barbeque favorites, such as pork, ribs and even corn on the cob, are often slathered with rich sauces that are high in calories, fats and salt. There are, however, healthier ways to barbeque that are also delicious, according to Dr. Vivienne Halpern, a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery.

"Grilling lean meats and vegetables without heavy sauces are wonderful for the barbeque," explained Halpern in a society news release. "These can become your family's new favorites." A fresh salad and watermelon for dessert will make the meal complete, she suggested.

Read more.

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(Reader's Digest) Wheat Germ is a natural, rich source of fiber, Vitamin E, and calcium. Recently, wheat germ has been touted as a popular ingredient for weight-loss; but how can you add it to your diet? Because of its mild taste and texture, wheat germ can be tossed into tons of different recipes at every meal.

Of course you won’t magically lose weight on wheat germ, but it’s another step in the right direction toward long-term health…

Plus: The Simplest Way to Increase Fiber

Read more, including ideas for incorporating wheat germ into meals and snacks.

Community: Wheat germ can be expensive if you buy it in the bottle. I get mine from the bulk foods section at Whole Foods, and it’s much cheaper. Be sure to keep it refrigerated.

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(MSNBC.com) Dr. Timothy Chase, a 15-year veteran of cosmetic dentistry in New York City says white teeth and healthy gums can take 10 years off your appearance. And while professional dental products work best for whitening,  what you eat and don’t eat can play a huge role in how white your teeth are.  It seems certain fruits, vegetables and other foods can aid in your quest for whiter teeth. Here’s what you should know about the white smile diet:

Apples, cauliflower, celery and carrots work to whiten because they function as an abrasive scrub for teeth. These foods are nature’s toothbrush. They also stimulate the production of saliva, which helps keep plaque from forming. Stain sticks to plaque.

The acid in oranges and pineapples may whiten and brighten the surface of the teeth. The acid also contains enzymes that kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath…

Strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid that can whiten teeth. Munch berries several times a week to naturally whiten chompers.

Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and hard cheeses like cheddar contain lactic acid, which may help protect teeth against decay.  Researchers think proteins in yogurt may bind to teeth and prevent them from attack by harmful acids that cause cavities. Dairy is also loaded with calcium, which guards and strengthens bone that holds teeth in place. Plus, chewing hard cheese creates saliva that helps remove food particles that stain.

You can also try to avoid stain-causing foods.  Any food that causes a stubborn laundry stain can discolor teeth, too. 

Read more.

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MyRecipes.com:

Classic Steak House Rubbed Filet Mignon
This simple steak house rub uses the perfect combination of seasonings to turn an ordinary steak dinner into a memorable meal.

EatingWell:

Slimmed Down Mac & Cheese
It’s healthier than traditional versions of mac-and-cheese, thanks to a lighter sauce, spinach in the middle and a golden breadcrumb topping.

SouthBeachDiet.com:

Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet
A homemade frozen dessert is always a welcome ending to any meal, and this rich-tasting sherbet is a true treat for Phase 1 dieters. Here, agave nectar provides a natural alternative to granular sugar substitute.

Recipes for Health, New York Times:

Here are five new recipes for dairy-free smoothies.

Peach Vanilla Smoothie
This smoothie tastes a bit like peach ice cream, with a hint of vanilla.

Fresh Fig and Date Shake
This thick, date-sweetened smoothie is a great source of energy.

Plum, Red Grape and Almond Smoothie
Red grapes and plums combine to make this smoothie delicious.

Watermelon Mint Smoothie
This smoothie tastes something like sweet mint tea blended with watermelon agua fresca.

Berry and Rose Geranium Smoothie
Fragrant rose geranium is very easy to grow in pots, and a little goes a long way.

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(Reader’s Digest) Instead of roasted potatoes try: Roasted turnips

Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim 2 pounds of turnips, and toss with a tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to taste. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until brown and tender. For added flavor, sprinkle with rosemary.

Instead of French fries try: Baked yam fries
Preheat oven to 425°F. Scrub yams and cut into 1/4 x 1/4 x 4-inch strips. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil, and a teaspoon each of ground cumin and ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable spray, and arrange yams on the sheet in a single layer. Bake for 25 minutes, turning once midway through.

Instead of mashed potatoes try: Mashed cauliflower
Steam a whole cauliflower (or just some florets) until soft. In a large bowl, combine the steamed vegetable with 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of softened butter. Use a potato masher to mash the cauliflower until smooth and creamy. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Instead of potato chips try: Kale chips
Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse and dry kale leaves; tear into roughly 3 x 3-inch strips. Mist leaves lightly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10 minutes or until brown and crispy.

Instead of a baked potato try: Baked celery root
Preheat over to 400°F. Peel 4 pounds of celery root (about 3 pieces) and cut into 1-inch chunks. Toss with 1/3 cup vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons salt. Place in a roasting pan and bake 30 minutes. Stir, reduce temperature to 375°F, and bake 60 minutes more.

Read more.

Community: If you really, really love your mashed potatoes, try mixing them with mashed cauliflower.

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(Andrew Weil, M.D.) Looking for a natural way to soothe some common ailments? Consider peppermint. The dried leaves of the peppermint plant offer more than a pleasing aroma and flavor, they have medicinal applications as well. Peppermint can be used:

1.    As a chest rub to ease breathing with the common cold

2.    For relief of indigestion and nausea

3.    As a treatment for gastrointestinal ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease

Be aware that peppermint tea can worsen the heartburn experienced with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may also promote flow of bile from the gall bladder and complicate gallstones - consult your doctor if you have these conditions. Also, don’t give peppermint tea to babies or young children: the menthol it contains can cause a choking sensation in youngsters of this age.

When choosing peppermint, look for oil containing at least 44% free menthol or teas with 100% pure peppermint leaves. You can buy pure peppermint leaf tea in most supermarkets. Brew it in a covered container to avoid loss of volatile components, and drink as much of it as you like, hot or iced.

Source

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(MyHealthNewsDaily)  Poor baby carrots. They are so good for you, yet they don't stand a chance of tempting your taste buds over more-scrumptious snacks like chips and pretzels.

Psychologists are trying to level the playing field. They want to improve the experience of eating healthy foods by determining how growers can breed them to taste better.

Linda Bartoshuk, a pioneering researcher at the University of Florida's Center for Smell and Taste, has started with the tomato. She has done studies to learn which compounds in the tomato enhance palatability and which lower it.

What the studies produced "was a road map to making a tomato taste better," Bartoshuk said. "The goal is to grow the plants so you produce more of the good stuff" and less of the bad…

"It would be very hard to achieve the degree of devotion that people have to high fat foods," Bartoshuk said.

But Bartoshuk said making healthy foods taste better certainly can't hurt. "We need to do everything we can" to assist Americans in making healthy food choices, she said.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Every year, millions of people contend with lower back and neck discomfort. With intent to ease their pain, [scientists] have created a biologically based spinal implant that could someday spell relief for these countless sufferers…

"We've engineered discs that have the same structural components and behave just like real discs," says [Lawrence] Bonassar. "The hope is that this promising research will lead to engineered discs that we can implant into patients with damaged discs."

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A human-made fat called Intralipid, which is currently used as a component of intravenous nutrition and to treat rare overdoses of local anesthetics, may also offer protection for patients suffering from heart attacks…

A UCLA preclinical study identified how Intralipid -- a fat emulsion made up of a combination of soy bean oil, egg phospholipids and glycerin that provides essential fatty acids -- can prevent extensive heart damage and help preserve heart function when used during the return of blood flow to the heart immediately following a heart attack.

This research shows that intralipid may help cell integrity and function when the body is under stress, such as during a heart attack, thus introducing a new way to significantly decrease damage to the heart muscle due to reperfusion injury or to prolong the tolerance of a tissue or an organ to lack of oxygen.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Arriving at a rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical during flu outbreaks, but until now, physicians and public health officials have had to choose between a highly accurate yet time-consuming test or a rapid but error-prone test.

A new detection method…, however, offers the best of both worlds. By coating gold nanoparticles with antibodies that bind to specific strains of the flu virus and then measuring how the particles scatter laser light, the technology can detect influenza in minutes at a cost of only a fraction of a penny per exam.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Feedback from fellow physicians helped doctors do fewer unnecessary tests on newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients in a study aimed at improving health care quality and consistency.

Coaching on the most current guidelines led doctors to cut in half the number of expensive CT scans and bone scans they ordered for low-risk patients, sparing them costs and potential side effects.

"The study is a great example of a new solution for an old problem," said Dr. David C. Miller, the lead researcher and a urologist at the University of Michigan. "Physicians are at the heart of the solution."

Read more.

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(Science Daily) A clinical warning system that uses wireless sensors to track the vital signs of at-risk patients is undergoing a feasibility study at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

When the full system is operational sensors will take blood oxygenation and heart-rate readings from at-risk patients once or twice a minute. The data will be transmitted to a base station, where they will be combined with other data in the patient's electronic medical record, such as lab test results.

The incoming vital signs and data in the medical record will be continually scrutinized by a machine-learning algorithm looking for signs of clinical deterioration. If any such signs are found, the system will call a nurse on a cell phone, alerting the nurse to check on the patient.

The idea is to create a virtual intensive care unit (ICU) where the patients aren't wired to beeping machines and instead are free to move about.

Read more.

Community: I guess I’ve never pictured ICU patients as being able to move about.

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(UPI) Alabama, hit by severe storms, pushed the total number of U.S. food stamp recipients to an all-time high of 45.8 million people in May, officials say…

To qualify for food stamps, a person's income cannot exceed $1,174 a month or $14,088 a year -- 130 percent of the national poverty level. The SNAP benefit averaged $133.80 per person and $283.65 per household in May.

Read more.

Community: Since the current population of the United States is about 311.8 million, that means 14% of Americans, one in seven, need food stamps to survive. Yet our politicians are making decisions that benefit only the top 1% of us.

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(HealthDay News) For older Americans who decide to get more physically active, a new study finds that performance often trumps appearance.

The boost in body functioning that older adults gained from about six months of exercise proved more satisfying than any change in appearance, especially among men, according to the research. This suggest that with advancing years, a shift in emphasis may occur, one that puts a premium on a well-functioning body over a "hot" body, experts said.

"If we can get older adults to become more physically active, there are other benefits related to quality of life," said study author Renee Umstattd… While many adults think of exercise as helping to prevent or delay chronic disease, Umstattd said her study shows there is much more to it than that.

Read more.

Community: But I still believe that appearance is important. Looking good is part of feeling good. But concern about appearance can go too far. See below.

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(HealthDay News) A new study suggests that about one-third of people who want rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, also have symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) -- a mental condition in which excessive concern about imagined or minor defects in appearance interferes with daily life…

Symptoms of BDD are particularly common among people who have had previous plastic surgery or mental health issues, the study authors pointed out. In the study, 20 percent of the patients had had a previous nose job, and they were more likely to have significant BDD symptoms, the researchers said. Symptoms were also more common among those with a history of psychiatric problems.

The Belgian team noted that most patients with serious concerns about their appearance had a nose that would actually be considered normal in size and shape. Those surveyed who showed more severe BDD symptoms also had lower quality of life and more problems in their day-to-day life, including trouble in relationships and low self-esteem.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Weight loss improves the sexual health of obese men with type 2 diabetes, a new study finds…

A modest weight loss of 5 percent led to an easing of erectile dysfunction and improved sexual desire within eight weeks, and these improvements continued for 12 months, according to the study… Problems with urinary tract function also improved, the team added…

The findings support previous research showing that lifestyle changes can have a positive effect on sexual function.

Read more.

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(Science Daily) Obesity is the main culprit in the worldwide avalanche of type 2 diabetes. But how excess weight drives insulin resistance, the condition that may lead to the disease, is only partly understood. Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center now have uncovered a new way in which obesity wreaks its havoc, by altering the production of proteins that affect how other proteins are spliced together…

"More broadly, this work adds a novel insight into how obesity may induce insulin resistance and diabetes risk by changing critical functions of cells, including splicing," says Dr. [Mary-Elizabeth] Patti. "This information should stimulate the search for other genes for which differences in splicing may contribute to risk for type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, we hope that modifying these pathways with nutritional or drug therapies could limit the adverse consequences of obesity."

Read more.

Community: How about curbing obesity? That will limit a lot of adverse consequences.

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(HealthDay News) Americans are popping more antidepressants than ever before to deal with everyday stress, and non-psychiatrists are increasingly willing to prescribe the drugs to patients with no mental health diagnosis, a new study finds…

The study authors said the increases don't necessarily mean that the drugs are being used inappropriately, but it's necessary to understand why antidepressant use is growing and, if necessary, to develop policies that ensure patients get the most effective treatment.

Read more.

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(UPI) People who believe in a benevolent God tend to worry less and are more tolerant than those who believe in an indifferent or punishing God, U.S. researchers say…

[T]hose who trusted in God to look out for them had lower levels of worry and less intolerance of uncertainty in their lives than those who had a "mistrust" of God to help them out, [lead author David H.] Rosmarin says.

Read more.

Community: One of the bases of the 12-Step programs is to encourage a belief in a power greater than ourselves. That power doesn’t have to be called God. What’s important is to get over the feeling of responsibility for all the ills in the world. That’s why the serenity prayer is so significant in those programs:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

I’m not saying we should just throw up our hands at societal problems. But we’re not totally responsible for them, either.

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(UPI) Workers get health benefits when they feel co-workers have their back and spend some time with them at the water cooler, researchers in Israel suggest…

"We spend most of our waking hours at work, and we don't have much time to meet our friends during the weekdays," [Dr. Sharon] Toker says in a statement. "Work should be a place where people can get necessary emotional support."…

The study … found those who had reported having low social support at work were 2.4 times more likely than others to die sometime within the 20-year period.

Read more.

Community: So much for those who believe that living in a dog eat dog world is good for us.

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MyRecipes.com:

Roasted Rosemary Shrimp with Arugula and White Bean Salad
Baked shrimp top a crisp salad for a refreshingly light meal in about 15 minutes. Serve with garlic ciabatta.

Grilled Pork Tenderloins with Rosemary Pesto

Rosemary Roasted Turkey

Roasted Fish on Rosemary

EatingWell:

Provençal Summer Vegetables
This stunning side dish of layered tomatoes, eggplant, summer squash and leeks bursts with fresh flavor. To make it even more colorful, use half a summer squash and half a zucchini. Try it alongside any grilled meat. Leftovers are delicious sandwiched between slices of crusty whole-grain bread.

Tuna Steaks Provençal

Grilled Filet Mignon with Herb Butter & Texas Toasts

Packet-Roasted Balsamic Green Beans & Peppers

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(Science Daily) University of Minnesota researchers have discovered and received a patent for a naturally occurring lantibiotic -- a peptide produced by a harmless bacteria -- that could be added to food to kill harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria…

The lantibiotic could be used to prevent harmful bacteria in meats, processed cheeses, egg and dairy products, canned foods, seafood, salad dressing, fermented beverages and many other foods. In addition to food safety benefits, lantibiotics are easy to digest, nontoxic, do not induce allergies and are difficult for dangerous bacteria to develop resistance against…

In wake of the recent deadly salmonella outbreak, it's important for researchers to continue developing methods to protect foods from dangerous bacteria.

Read more.

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(Reuters) U.S. food safety advocates are calling for changes to meat recall rules after regulators took months to warn the public about a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened nearly 80 people and caused one death…

A government agency that tracks antibiotic-resistant pathogens found evidence of the contamination in Cargill ground turkey in early March, and the five-month lapse of time between that discovery and the recall has sparked a renewed debate about how the United States protects the public from tainted meat.

Read more.

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(UPI) A leading U.S. House Democrat is citing a recent deadly Salmonella outbreak to slam Republicans for their slashing of food-safety funding.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee's health subpanel, said GOP budget cuts aimed at the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture could mean more food-borne illnesses like the salmonella linked this week to ground turkey produced by food giant Cargill Inc.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Some people with unexplained dizziness, headaches or weakness may find some relief with behavioral therapy done partly at home, a study out Wednesday suggests…

After three months, 30 percent of patients in the self-help group rated their overall health as "better" or "much better," versus 17 percent in the group that had only standard care.

After six months, that difference was no longer significant between the two groups, but the self-help group was faring better in other ways. Overall, 47 percent said the specific symptoms that had sent them to the doctor in the first place were better or much better, versus 30 percent of the comparison group.

"This is a study that points in a positive direction," said Dr. David Newman-Toker, an associate professor of neurology  at Johns Hopkins University.

Read more.

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(Andrew Weil, M.D.) If you have recurring aches and pains and spend any time surfing the internet, you've probably heard about magnet therapy. Magnets have long been promoted as treatment for a wide variety of disorders. Proponents claim magnets can minimize or slow the progression of pain, anxiety, cancer, heart disease, snoring, incontinence and just about everything else. While most of these claims are unproven, and most magnets on the market are unlikely to do any good at all, several studies do suggest that magnets may have something to offer for pain relief…

However, taken as a whole, studies suggesting that magnets help with pain relief appear to be outnumbered by those that find no benefit.

Read more.

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(Reuters Health) Women who have been sexually assaulted, abused by a partner or stalked may face high lifetime risks of depression and other mental health conditions, a new study suggests…

"The strong association with mental disorders shown in this study indicates that violence against women should be considered and responded to as a major public health problem," [lead researcher Susan] Rees said…

For women who've been victimized, Rees said the findings underscore the importance of seeking help right away.

"The reality is that once exposed, women are likely to experience the same form of abuse again or other forms of related abuse," Rees said. "The longer they delay in confronting the problem, the more likely they will incur the adverse consequences."

Read more.

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(MyHealthNewsDaily) Changes to some of the star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes may play a role in depression, a new study finds.

The findings are based on the postmortem examination of brains of depressed individuals who committed suicide…

The researchers said they don't know whether these alterations are a cause or effect of depression and can only speculate on how the changes would contribute to the mood disorder. It's likely they would affect communication between … parts of the brain.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Smoking increases the risk of developing a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation, a new study warns…

The risk of the abnormal heart rhythm was 1.32 times higher in former smokers and two times higher in current smokers, compared to people who never smoked, according to the report.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) Smokers who take a multivitamin pill may think they can smoke more because the supplement protects them from the harmful affects of cigarettes, according to a new study…

"Smokers who take dietary supplements can fool themselves into thinking they are protected against cancer and other diseases. Reminding health-conscious smokers that multivitamins don't prevent cancer may help them control their smoking or even encourage them to stop," said the study's lead author.

Read more.

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(HealthDay News) In a decade or so, people now clamoring for metal and ceramic replacement joints may instead be able to have a fully functional biological replacement -- a joint grown within their own bodies to their specific physiology.

To date, researchers have successfully grown replacement shoulder joints in rabbits, using an implanted biological "scaffold" upon which new cartilage developed, according to a study…

 Clinical use of the new technology is still a decade or more away, said [the researchers].

Read more.

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(Mark Bittman, New York Times) What will it take to get Americans to change our eating habits? The need is indisputable, since heart disease, diabetes and cancer are all in large part caused by the Standard American Diet. (Yes, it’s SAD.)

Though experts increasingly recommend a diet high in plants and low in animal products and processed foods, ours is quite the opposite, and there’s little disagreement that changing it could improve our health and save tens of millions of lives.

And — not inconsequential during the current struggle over deficits and spending — a sane diet could save tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars in health care costs.

Yet the food industry appears incapable of marketing healthier foods. And whether its leaders are confused or just stalling doesn’t matter, because the fixes are not really their problem. Their mission is not public health but profit, so they’ll continue to sell the health-damaging food that’s most profitable, until the market or another force skews things otherwise. That “other force” should be the federal government, fulfilling its role as an agent of the public good and establishing a bold national fix.

Rather than subsidizing the production of unhealthful foods, we should turn the tables and tax things like soda, French fries, doughnuts and hyperprocessed snacks. The resulting income should be earmarked for a program that encourages a sound diet for Americans by making healthy food more affordable and widely available…

The need is dire: efforts to shift the national diet have failed, because education alone is no match for marketing dollars that push the very foods that are the worst for us…

By profiting as a society from the foods that are making us sick and using those funds to make us healthy, the United States would gain the same kind of prestige that we did by attacking smoking. We could institute a national, comprehensive program that would make us a world leader in preventing chronic or “lifestyle” diseases, which for the first time in history kill more people than communicable ones. By doing so, we’d not only repair some of the damage we have caused by first inventing and then exporting the Standard American Diet, we’d also set a new standard for the rest of the world to follow.

Read more.

Community: There are lots of good ideas in this article. You might want to read the whole thing.

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(Dr John La Puma) As a physician and professionally trained chef, I write recipes on prescription slips. I try to practice what Mark Bittman of the New York Times eloquently preaches in Tax Soda, Subsidize Vegetables [above].

Yet a healthy diet is like penicillin–simple, powerful, and with increasing rates of resistance, from physicians.

Physicians are not trained to speak with patients about diet and nutrition, much less cooking and food shopping.

Physicians are also better paid to prescribe medication and do procedures than to ask patients to switch from soda to water.

Writing recipes on prescription slips changes this dynamic.

Putting foods, recipes and meals in pharmacies and on managed care and hospital formularies might help patients get the food and health care they need, economically.

Read more.

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(RealAge.com) A recent study suggests that combining green tea with tai chi -- two staples of Eastern cultures -- may work synergistically to prevent bone loss that leads to osteoporosis.

In a study of postmenopausal women who had bone thinning but not full-blown osteoporosis, consuming 500 milligrams a day of green tea polyphenols while participating three times a week in tai chi, a traditional Chinese form of mind-body exercise, resulted in improved bone health after just a few months. The women's blood and urine tests showed fewer markers of oxidative stress -- which is a good thing for not only bones but also the whole body…

And here are three additional health benefits you'll reap while you're at it:

Better balance. Tai chi has been shown to reduce the risk of falls and boost balance skills, flexibility, and strength…

Nicer skin. Water in tea keeps your skin hydrated, but green tea polyphenols also keep skin healthy and young…

Smaller belly. Green tea's polyphenols also help burn fat right where you need them to -- in your belly.

Read more.

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(Well, New York Times) For those who worry that fitness requires nutritional denial, there is good news, with caveats. Auspicious new science suggests that chocolate can have a surprisingly large effect on the body’s response to exercise, although not in the ways that many of us might expect, and certainly not at the dosages most might hope for.

Researchers have known for some time that chocolate has healthful effects, and recent epidemiological studies have shown that people who regularly indulge in moderate amounts of dark chocolate are less likely to develop high blood pressure or heart disease or suffer strokes. But chocolate’s potential role in exercise performance had not been studied, or probably even much considered, until scientists at the University of California, San Diego, and other institutions gave middle-aged, sedentary male mice a purified form of cacao’s primary nutritional ingredient, known as epicatechin, and had the mice work out. Epicatechin is a flavonol, a class of molecules that are thought to have widespread effects on the body…

The leg muscles of the mice that had been given epicatechin and exercised displayed far more mitochondrial activity than the leg muscles of the control mice. Even the mice that had drunk epicatechin and not exercised contained markers of increased mitochondrial health, suggesting that the flavonol prompts a physiological reaction even among the sedentary. But that response is greatly heightened by exercise, no matter how slight…

Mice are not people, though, and it remains to be seen whether the fitness-boosting effects of epicatechin will be identical in humans, especially since most of us would be getting the substance not in purified liquid form but in chocolate. “Processing destroys epicatechin,” Dr. [Francisco] Villarreal said, so heavily processed milk chocolate contains almost none of the flavonol, while cacao-rich dark chocolate has far more.

And even for those who adore dark chocolate, there is a catch. “A very small amount is probably enough,” Dr. Villarreal said. Extrapolating from his group’s mouse data, he said, five grams of dark chocolate daily, or just a sixth of an ounce — about half of one square of a typical chocolate bar — is probably a reasonable human dose if your aim is to intensify the effects of a workout.

Sadly, “more is not better,” he continued. “More could lessen or even undo” any benefits, he said, by overloading the muscles’ receptors or otherwise skewing the body’s response.

Read more.

Community: I put powdered cocoa in a healthy cookie that I make. That way, I get my chocolate, but I’m not tempted to eat a whole candy bar.

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