Nutrition

Cranberry-containing Products are Associated With a Protective Effect Against Urinary Tract Infections

Ann E Stapleton Evid Based Med. 2013;18(3):110-111. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common clinical problem that often recurs, leading to the institution of preventive measures for recurrent UTI (rUTI).[1,2] Antimicrobial prophylaxis is highly effective, but risks adverse effects and induction of resistance.[1,2] These considerations and widespread increases in antimicrobial resistance have intensified interest in […]

One Iron Pill a Day Keeps Fatigue Away?

Pierre-Alexandre Krayenbuehl Evid Based Med. 2013;18(4):e31 Could an apple a day keep the doctor away? The world’s first multicentre trial addressed this question and found that a simple treatment lacked effect in common cold.[1] Can an iron pill a day keep fatigue away? Iron is one of the cornerstones of cellular function being key in […]

Lactobacillus Probiotics May Prevent Recurrent UTIs in Postmenopausal Women

Jeremy P Dwyer Evid Based Med. 2013;18(4):141-142. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common; over half of all adult women will have a UTI, with a third having recurrent UTI. Women at higher risk of developing recurrence are older, postmenopausal, and incontinent and have cystocoeles with high postvoid residual volumes.[1] Preventative strategies using prophylactic antibiotics may […]

Food Allergy: The Perspectives of Prevention Using Vitamin D

Diego G. Peroni Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;13(3):287-292. Abstract Purpose of review We reviewed the scientific publications in the last 2 years on the connections between vitamin D and food allergy, and endeavor to focus on the possible indications for supplementation in order to prevent allergies. Recent findings Ecological studies have suggested a possible […]

The Low FODMAP Diet Improves Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A Prospective Study R. H. de Roest Int J Clin Pract. 2013;67(9):895-903. Abstract Background and aim: Current treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is suboptimal. Fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS patients. Our aim was to determine whether a low FODMAP diet improves symptoms in IBS patients. Methods: […]

Healthy Eating and Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

The Healthy Eating Index 2005 and Risk for Pancreatic Cancer in the NIH–AARP Study Hannah Arem J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013;105(17):1298-1305. Abstract and Introduction Abstract Background Dietary pattern analyses characterizing combinations of food intakes offer conceptual and statistical advantages over food- and nutrient-based analyses of disease risk. However, few studies have examined dietary patterns and […]

Probiotics Likely Do Little to Soothe Colicky Babies

Norra MacReady Oct 09, 2013 Full Story:  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/812388 Sad news for sleep-deprived parents: probiotics may not quiet their colicky babies, a new meta-analysis suggests. Evidence is still insufficient “to support probiotic use to manage colic, especially in formula-fed infants, or to prevent infant crying,” lead author Valerie Sung, MPH, and colleagues report in an article published […]

Effects of chocolate on cognitive function and mood

Effects of chocolate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review Andrew Scholey A systematic review was conducted to evaluate whether chocolate or its constituents were capable of influencing cognitive function and/or mood. Studies investigating potentially psychoactive fractions of chocolate were also included. Eight studies (in six articles) met the inclusion criteria for assessment of […]

Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acids Predict Mortality in Cardiovascular Health Study

Omega-3 PUFA as Biomarkers: Plasma Levels Predict Mortality, CV Events in CHS Analysis Steve Stiles Apr 03, 2013 Full Story:  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/781894 BOSTON — The highest levels of plasma phospholipid omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), as measured in >2500 older adults initially without coronary heart disease or a history of stroke, predicted the lowest mortality in […]

Supplemental Soy of No Benefit After Menopause

Taking soy supplements won’t improve quality of life for postmenopausal women.

Nutrition as a Metabolic Modulator in COPD

Chest 2013 Oct 01;144(4)1340-1345, AMWJ Schols Commentary By David Rakel, MD, FAAFP Nutrition Treatment for COPD: Practical Suggestions It is a relatively unexpected finding that nutrition can play a role in improving function and reducing the progression of COPD. Although this review discusses a rather complicated interplay between nutrients and lung function, the following take-home […]

Dietary Salt Associated With MS Activity

Published: Oct 4, 2013 | Updated: Oct 4, 2013 By John Gever Full Story:  http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ECTRIMS/42063 Action Points Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. This study suggests that higher sodium intake is […]

Higher magnesium intake reduces risk of impaired glucose and insulin metabolism, and progression from prediabetes to diabetes in middle-aged Americans

Adela Hruby, James B. Meigs, Christopher J. O’Donnell, Paul F. Jacques, Nicola M. McKeown Diabetes Care 2013 Oct; DC_131397. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc13-1397 Abstract Objective: To assess 7-yr associations between magnesium intake and incident prediabetes and/or insulin resistance (IR), and progression from these states to type 2 diabetes. Research Design and Methods: In 2,582 community-dwelling participants 26–81 yrs […]

Higher Vitamin D Levels Linked to Less MS Activity

Published: Oct 3, 2013 By Ed Susman Full Story:  http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ECTRIMS/42036 Action Points Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Among patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels […]

Probiotic Effect in Crying Babies Not Conclusive

Published: Oct 7, 2013 Full Story:  http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/42120 Overall, the evidence is insufficient to recommend the use of probiotics to prevent or treat colic in babies, especially in those who are formula fed, a systematic review and meta-analysis found. Six of the 12 randomized trials that were reviewed suggested that probiotics reduced crying and six did […]

Cinnamon Use in Type 2 Diabetes

Cinnamon lowers the levels of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels and increases HDL-C; however, it has no effect on hemoglobin A1C.

Barrett’s Esophagus Risk and Meat and Fat Intake

Li Jiao, MD, PhD, MS Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH Department of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine 2002 Holcombe Blvd, MS 152 Houston, TX 77030 (713) 791-1414 ext 10322 / (713) 748-7359 (FAX) jiao@bcm.edu / hasheme@bcm.edu “Dietary Consumption of Meat, Fat, Animal Products and Advanced Glycation End-Products and the Risk of Barrett’s Oesophagus,” Aliment Pharmacol Ther, […]

Fish Oil Shows Benefits in RA

Published: Oct 2, 2013 | Updated: Oct 2, 2013 By Nancy Walsh Full Story:  http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Arthritis/42007 Action Points Note that this small randomized trial demonstrated that fish oil, in addition to standard therapy, increased the remission rate in new-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Be aware that larger studies in other populations will be needed to validate the use […]

Clinical Effects of Diet Supplementation with DHA in Pediatric Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Reference: “Clinical effects of diet supplementation with DHA in pediatric patients suffering from cystic fibrosis,” Leggieri E, De Biase RV, et al, Minerva Pediatr, 2013 Aug; 65(4): 389-98. (Address: Centro Fibrosi Cistica Regione Lazio, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. E-mail: emanuela.leggieri@gmail.com ). Summary: In a study involving pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis, supplementation with the omega-3 […]

USPSTF Recommends Against Postmenopausal Vitamin D/Calcium Supplementation

IMNG Medical Media, 2013 Feb 25, S Worcester Full Story at Practice Update:  http://www.practiceupdate.com/Explore/News/?id=1909 (André’s note:  but then there is this to consider….….Conclusions:  Higher dietary calcium from nondairy or dairy sources is independently associated with a lower kidney stone risk.The Journal of Urology Dietary Calcium From Dairy and Nondairy Sources, and Risk of Symptomatic Kidney […]