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DALLAS, June 30 (UPI) -- Healthy nutrition and exercise have just as much, if not more, impact on lowering cancer risks and mortality rates as screening, a U.S. nutritionist says.

Dr. Jo Ann Carson, a clinical nutritionist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said whether a person wants to avoid cancer or prevent its return, it is wise to move toward a healthy weight.

"Do so by combining a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains with regular physical activity," Carson said in a statement. "Maintaining an energy-balanced diet is not only a good preventive measure, but also benefits patients after cancer treatment, especially in breast and colon cancer cases."

At Southwestern, groundbreaking work is being spearheaded by the Task Force for Obesity Research, a collaborative effort of various medical disciplines including genetics, endocrinology, nutrition and metabolism, Carson said.

The National Institutes of Health awarded researchers at the medical center a $22 million grant in 2007 to enhance efforts to attack obesity from every angle, from studying fat cells to developing medicines.

"Previous studies have linked obesity to higher rates of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers. Obesity also is associated with increased risks of kidney, gallbladder, thyroid and pancreatic cancers, among others," Carson said. "The National Institute of Health recently predicted that trends in obesity, if left unchecked, will lead to about 500,000 additional cancer cases in the United States by 2030."

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Diet, exercise key to cancer prevention

DENVER, Colo., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. has requested that the British Medical Journal (BMJ) retract its false and misleading statement that, according to a recent Swedish study, an "Atkins-style" diet is to blame for increased risk of cardiovascular disease among a specific female population in Sweden.The study itself never mentioned the term "Atkins-style" and the diet in the study did not in any way resemble the Atkins Diet.

The diet tested in the study is not the Atkins Diet.

It appears that BMJ, to draw public attention to its story, misleadingly inserted the false suggestion that an "Atkins-style" diet was used in the study, and omitted the conclusion of the Swedish researchers that diets similar to the actual Atkins Diet do not necessarily harm cardiovascular health. Atkins has demanded an apology and corrective action from the British Medical Journal.

Key studies done to date measuring the Atkins Diet's effect on heart health have shown diminished risk. Examples include a 2010 study published in Circulation (lead researcher Shai) demonstrated that a 2-year weight loss diet can induce a significant regression in heart disease markers and decline in blood pressure. Additionally, a 2010 study published in Annals of Internal Medicine entitled "Weight and Metabolic Outcomes After Two Years On a Low-Carbohydrate Versus Low-Fat Diet: A Randomized Trial" demonstrated better outcomes for risk factors for heart disease and blood pressure in the low-carbohydrate participants.

Dr. David Haslam, GP bariatric physician and former chair of the British Obesity Forum adds, "The editorial to this Swedish research is below the standards one expects of the British Medical Journal and betrays the lack of awareness of scientific principles or the requirement of checking facts before publication. The Atkins Diet is a scientifically validated one, which is balanced and contains the foods deemed important by this paper. Furthermore, Atkins is a diet I recommend to my patients."

Monty Sharma, CEO of Atkins Nutritionals, states "We request those media outlets who have unwittingly republished the British Medical Journal's incorrect statements to speak with Atkins and learn what the Atkins Diet really is a healthy, scientifically proven diet that includes healthy carbs, doesn't cut out any food groups, and is being passionately supported by millions of successful dieters across the globe."

About Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is a leader in the $2.4 billion weight control nutrition category, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and management. The Atkins Diet focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars and encourages the consumption of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping individuals feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., manufactures and sells a variety of nutrition bars and shakes designed around the nutritional principles of the Atkins Diet. Atkins' four product lines: Advantage, Day Break, Endulge and Cuisine appeal to a broad audience of both men and women who want to achieve their weight management goals and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Atkins products are available online at atkins.com and in more than 30,000 locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit atkins.com.

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British Medical Journal Summary Stating "Atkins-Style" Diet Increases Cardiovascular Risk is False and Misleading

Belviq Is First New Prescription Weight Loss Drug in 13 Years

By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

June 27, 2012 -- For the first time in more than a decade, the FDA has approved a new drug to help people lose weight.

Today, Arena Pharmaceuticals' Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) became the first prescription weight loss drug approved by federal regulators in 13 years.

The FDA approved Belviq as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for use in chronic weight control.

The approval is specifically for use in adults with a BMI above 30 (considered obese), and for adults with a BMI of 27 (considered overweight) or above if they also have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Belviq should not be used during pregnancy.

Today's move comes almost two years after the FDA refused to approve the drug, citing concerns about its safety and effectiveness.

But last May, an FDA advisory committee overwhelmingly endorsed making the drug available to people who are obese and those with health issues related to being overweight.

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FDA Approves Diet Pill Belviq

A doctor who advocates an austere "be hungry" diet defended a mother charged with murder after her teenage daughter died weighing only 40 pounds, claiming the cause of death may have been contaminated water and not the diet.

Ebony Berry is charged with child cruelty and murder in the June 15 death of her daughter, Markea Berry, 16, who officials say starved to death.

Dr. Andrew Chung, who calls Ebony Berry a "friend through Facebook" and a "sister in Christ," suggested the jailed woman's daughter "picked up something from the water when she was missing [in 2010]," which could have contributed to her weight loss.

Markea Berry wandered away from home in 2010 when she was 14. She was found safe at a Walmart the next day. Her mother told the Atlanta Journal Constitution at the time her daughter had special needs.

Chung visited Berry at a Cobb County, Ga., jail on June 22, a jail official confirmed to ABCNews.com.

"She is a friend through Facebook. I really didn't want to see her, but she is a sister in Christ," Chung said. "It was right for me to visit her."

The Emory University-educated cardiologist, who preaches people be "wonderfully hungry" and eat no more than two pounds of food per day, said he met Berry at a health fair in 2008. He said she showed an interest in his teachings.

Berry, who lives in the same area as Chung, had reportedly been a follower of the doctor's "Be Hungry" teachings, which he says are healthy for the heart and help combat obesity.

"Guard the body by holding the right amount of food," he said, summing up his belief, which he says is rooted in science. "Everyone goes around talking as it's starvation but medically it's not. Starvation is terrible."

Chung declined to further discuss Berry's case, saying he didn't want to speak for her.

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Diet Doctor Defends Mom of Teen Who Died Weighing 40 Pounds

Lawrence LeBlond for redOrbit.com

Diets based on healthy carbohydrates and not on low-fat may offer dieters a better chance of burning calories and keeping weight off and without unwanted side effects, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The research suggests that dieters trying to maintain weight loss burned significantly more calories eating a carb-healthy diet rather than a low-fat diet, but some experts say the results are still preliminary.

The National Institutes of Health-funded study, led by Cara Ebbeling, PhD, associate director and David Ludwig, MD, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center Boston Childrens Hospital, found that diets that reduce the surge in blood sugar after a meal (low-glycemic index or very-low carb) may be more beneficial to those trying to achieve lasting weight loss.

Participants in the study who followed a low-glycemic-index diet, which includes fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, also saw improved cholesterol levels and other important markers that lower the risks of developing heart disease and diabetes. The researchers said that foods such as minimally processed oatmeal, almonds, brown rice, beans and healthy fats like olive oil, and other similar foods also offer beneficial results.

Furthermore, the study found that the low-glycemic diet had similar metabolic benefits to the very-low-carb diet without negative effects of stress and inflammation as seen by participants consuming the foods in the very-low-carb diet.

Ludwig explained that most people struggle to keep weight off. Previous studies have shown that weight loss reduces the bodys daily energy expenditure (how many calories the body burns through activity and just by resting) making it easy to regain weight.

The studys 21 participants, who ranged in age from 18 to 40 years old, lost 10 to 15 percent of their body weight during the three-month diet that contained about 45 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from fat, and 25 percent from protein.

One month after the weight-loss phase of the study, the participants were each placed on one of the three diets: low-fat, very-low-carb, and low-glycemic-index. The participants were then switched to the other two diets during two additional four-week periods.

The low-fat diet consisted of about 20 percent calories from fat, 60 percent from carbs, and 20 percent from protein; the low-carb diet consisted of 10 percent of calories from carbs, 30 percent from proteins, and 60 percent from fat; and the low-glycemic diet was made up of 40 percent calories from carbs, 40 percent from fat, and 20 percent from protein.

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Low-Glycemic Diet Best For Maintaining Weight Loss

(CBS News) Does it feel like your diet isn't helping you keep off pounds in the long run? A new study suggests that simply cutting calories might not do the trick: It may depend on what kind of calories you're snipping from your daily intake.

The study, published on June 27 in The Journal of the American Medical Association, says that low-glycemic diets that compliment a person's changing metabolism are the best at helping keep the pounds off.

Study: Not all calories are created equal U. S. Task Force recommends obesity screening, counseling for obese patients Nuts about nuts? Best and worst kinds for health

"Our findings suggest that actually trying to restrict either carbs or fat is not the best way (to achieve long-term weight loss) and instead to focus on the quality of the fats and the quality of the carbs," Dr. David Ludwig from Boston's Children's Hospital told CBS This Morning (CTM).

Ludwig explained on the Boston Children's Hospital blog that after individuals lose weight, the rate at which they burn calories slows down. This makes it difficult to maintain the continued weight loss. With the study, researchers were attempting to find a diet that would continue the accelerated calorie-burning rate while taking into account the body's new metabolism.

"Keeping weight off - even under the best circumstances - is difficult," Ludwig told the Boston Children's Hospital blog. "But lining up biology and behavior can help."

For the study, researchers recruited 21 young adults who were overweight and obese. After losing 10 to 15 percent of their body weight (on average 30 pounds), they were placed on one of three diets that contained the same amount of calories, albeit from different sources, in random order for four weeks each: a low-fat diet (60 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 20 percent from fats, 20 percent from proteins; high glycemic load), a low-glycemic index diet (40 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 40 percent from fats, and 20 percent from protein;s moderate glycemic load) and a very low-carbohydrate diet (10 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 60 percent from fats, and 30 percent from proteins; low glycemic load).

Doctors measured both the pre-weight loss numbers for resting energy expenditure (REE) - the amount of calories required for a 24-hour period during a non-active phase - total energy expenditure (TEE) - all energy expended in a 24-hour period including the REE - hormone levels and metabolic syndrome components, as well as the stats during each period the subject was on the various diet.

The researchers found that compared with the pre-weight loss numbers, the decrease in REE and TEE was greatest in the low-fat diet, followed by the low-glycemic index diet and finally the very low-carbohydrate diet. This means the low-fat diet slowed down metabolism the most. Hormone levels were negatively affected by the low-carbohydrate diet, meaning that inflammation increased and the risk of disease also increased as well.

The overall winner was the low-glycemic diet, which offered both a healthy and an easy way to keep metabolic rates up. To keep a low-glycemic diet, people must eat fiber-rich, natural carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats, including nuts, avocados or olive oil. Grain products that have a low level of processing are also encouraged, while fruit juice and soda are to be avoided. Sugar can be consumed, but only with a balanced meal and in moderation. Drinking water is encouraged.

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Low-glycemic index diet may be best at keeping off pounds

Diets in study

Heres a look at the three types of diets used in the new study:

A low-fat diet, which is about 20 percent of calories from fat, 60 percent from carbohydrates, 20 percent from protein. It emphasizes whole-grain products and fruits and vegetables and cuts way back on oils, nuts, fatty meats and other high-fat foods.

A low-carb diet, similar to the Atkins diet, with only 10 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein, 60 percent from fat. This diet emphasizes beef, fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, some vegetables and fruits while slashing the consumption of breads, pasta, potatoes, rice, cakes, cookies and starchy vegetables.

A low-glycemic index diet, similar to a Mediterranean diet, is made up of vegetables, fruit, beans, healthy fats (olive oil, nuts) and mostly healthy grains (old-fashioned oats, brown rice). It gets about 40 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates, 40 percent from fat and 20 percent from protein.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association

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Low-carb diet burns the most calories in small study

HOUSTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Older adults, who are obese can reduce their metabolic syndrome risk by not only losing weight, but by adding exercise as well, U.S. researchers say.

Study author Dr. Matthew Bouchonville of the University of Mexico Health Sciences Center and the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Albuquerque said metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic problems that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease: Abdominal obesity as shown by a large waist circumference, low "good" cholesterol and high triglycerides, high blood pressure and high blood glucose blood sugar.

The researchers investigated the independent and combined effects of diet-induced weight loss and regular exercise in a one-year randomized, controlled clinical trial. They randomly assigned 107 obese adults ages 65 and older to one of four groups: Weight management using a calorie-restricted diet, exercise three times a week for 90 minutes each without dieting, combined dieting with exercise and a control group with no diet or exercise.

Ninety-three participants completed the study. The insulin sensitivity index did not improve in the exercise-only group or the control group.

However, the study found the insulin sensitivity index improved on average by 40 percent in the diet group and by 70 percent in the combined diet-exercise group, Bouchonville reported to The Endocrine Society's 94th annual meeting in Houston.

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Exercise and diet cuts metabolic syndrome risk

Losing weight is hard, but for many people, keeping off the pounds over the longer term is even more difficult.

Now, new research has attempted to shed some light on why: It found that certain popular diets are better than others at boosting the rate at which the body burns calories. And that, the researchers argued, could have implications for how successful people are at keeping extra pounds at bay.

"The results indicate that from a metabolic perspective, all calories are not alike," paper co-author Dr. David Ludwig, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at the Boston Children's Hospital told The Huffington Post.

For the new study, published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers recruited 21 overweight and obese young adults who had already shed 10 percent to 15 percent of their body weight. The researchers randomly placed participants for four weeks at a time on a succession of three popular eating plans: a low-fat diet, a low-carb diet and a low-glycemic index diet. With a low-glycemic diet, someone eats only certain types of carbohydrates to help regulate blood sugar levels.

Prior research has suggested that weight loss can decrease a person's rate for burning calories. According to the new study's authors, this might help explain why only 1 in 6 overweight or obese adults who have lost 10 percent of their body weight can maintain that reduction for a year.

For this study, the low-fat plan triggered the biggest decline in an overall calorie-burning rate, meaning less weight loss. On that plan, participants received 60 percent of their daily calories from carbs, 20 percent from fat and 20 percent from protein.

"The research subjects burned about 350 calories per day more on the low-carb diet than on the low-fat, even though they were consuming the same number of calories," Ludwig explained. "That's roughly equal to an hour of moderate physical activity without lifting a finger. On the low-glycemic [plan], they burned about 150 calories per day more than the low-fat diet."

The study also showed negative effects associated with the low-carb diet, which limited participants to receiving 10 percent of their daily calories from carbs.

The low-carb diet increased levels of the hormone cortisol, which can lead to insulin resistance and heart disease. It also boosted the levels of certain proteins that have been linked to heart disease over the long term.

Ludwig cautioned that any diet plan that drastically reduces a major class of nutrients like fat or carbs might be difficult to stick to because it is so restrictive, thereby undermining long-term maintenance of a lower weight.

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Diet Type Changes Quantity Of Calories Burned: Study

ScienceDaily (June 25, 2012) Obese older adults can reduce their chance of developing the metabolic syndrome by losing weight through dieting alone, but adding exercise to a weight loss program has even more benefit, a new study finds. The results, presented June 25 at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston, show that a combination of diet-induced weight loss and frequent exercise almost doubled the improvement in insulin sensitivity compared with dieting alone.

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic problems that raise the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease: abdominal obesity as shown by a large waist circumference, disturbed lipids (low HDL or "good" cholesterol and high triglycerides), high blood pressure and high blood glucose (blood sugar). Although it is known that weight loss can reduce these risk factors, the most appropriate lifestyle treatment for obesity in older adults has been controversial, said the presenting author, Matthew Bouchonville, MD.

"It was not clear from prior studies in obese elderly adults whether the beneficial effects of diet and exercise are distinct from each other or have additive effects," said Bouchonville, an assistant professor at the University of Mexico Health Sciences Center and the New Mexico Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System in Albuquerque.

The researchers investigated the independent and combined effects of diet-induced weight loss and regular exercise in a one-year randomized controlled clinical trial, funded by the National Institute on Aging. They randomly assigned 107 obese adults ages 65 and older to one of four groups: weight management using a calorie-restricted diet, exercise (three times a week for 90 minutes each) without dieting, combined dieting with exercise, and controls (no diet or exercise).

The primary outcome analyzed was the degree of change in the insulin sensitivity index. Insulin sensitivity is the body's ability to successfully clear glucose from the bloodstream and is often impaired in obese people. This index was measured from the oral glucose tolerance test, a blood test for diabetes after the patient drinks a sugary drink.

Other measures obtained included those for the components of the metabolic syndrome as well as C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation. Research has linked chronic inflammation to diabetes and heart disease.

Ninety-three participants completed the study. In the intention-to-treat analysis of all 107 subjects, the insulin sensitivity index did not improve in the exercise-alone group or the controls. This index did improve on average by 40 percent in the diet group and by 70 percent in the combined diet-exercise group after controlling for relevant covariates, Bouchonville reported.

"This suggests a distinct complementary effect of exercise on diet-induced weight loss," he said.

Weight loss by diet alone also led to improvements in blood pressure and C-reactive protein. Without weight loss, exercise did not result in improvement in these risk factors, Bouchonville said. Other measures that did not improve in the exercise-only group or the controls but did improve in the other two groups included glucose and insulin response to the oral glucose tolerance test (levels of insulin and glucose trended over several time points after the sugar intake), waist circumference, abdominal visceral (deep belly) fat, triglycerides and adiponectin. Adiponectin is a protein produced in fat cells that improves insulin sensitivity.

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Diet, exercise or both? What obese older adults need to do to reduce cardiometabolic risk

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