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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Diet soda may benefit the waistline, but a new study suggests that people who drink it every day have a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke.

The study, which followed almost 2,600 older adults for a decade, found that those who drank diet soda every day were 44 percent more likely than non-drinkers to suffer a heart attack or stroke.

The findings, reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, don't prove that the sugar-free drinks are actually to blame.

There may be other things about diet-soda lovers that explain the connection, researchers say.

"What we saw was an association," said lead researcher Hannah Gardener, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "These people may tend to have more unhealthy habits."

She and her colleagues tried to account for that, Gardener told Reuters Health.

Daily diet-soda drinkers did tend to be heavier and more often have heart risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

That all suggests that people who were trying to shed pounds or manage existing health problems often opted for a diet soda over the sugar-laden variety.

But even after the researchers factored in those differences -- along with people's reported diet and exercise habits -- they found that daily diet soda was linked to a 44-percent higher chance of heart attack or stroke.

Nevertheless, Gardener said, it's impossible for a study to capture all the variables that could be at work.

The findings do build on a few recent studies that also found diet-soda drinkers are more likely to have certain cardiovascular risk factors, like high blood pressure or high blood sugar.

This is the first study, Gardener said, to look at actual "vascular events" -- that is, heart attacks, strokes and deaths from cardiovascular causes.

The findings are based on 2,564 New York City adults who were 69 years old, on average, at the outset. Over the next decade, 591 men and women had a heart attack, stroke or died of cardiovascular causes.

That included 31 percent of the 163 people who were daily diet-soda drinkers at the study's start. In contrast, 22 percent of people who rarely or never drank diet soda went on to have a heart attack or stroke.

There was no increased risk linked to less-than-daily consumption. Nor was regular soda tied to heart attacks and strokes.

If diet soda, itself, somehow contributes to health risks, it's not clear how, Gardener said.

There's research in rats suggesting that artificial sweeteners can end up boosting food intake and weight. But whether results in rodents translate to humans is unknown.

"I don't think people should change their behavior based on this study," Gardener said. "And I wouldn't advocate drinking regular soda instead."

Regular soda is high in calories, and for people who need to shed pounds, experts often suggest swapping regular soda for the diet version.

A study out this month found that the advice may be sound. Obese people who were randomly assigned to drink water or diet drinks in place of sugary ones lost about five pounds over six months.

Gardener said that further studies such as hers are still needed to confirm a connection between diet soda and cardiovascular trouble.

Ultimately, she noted, clinical trials are considered the "gold standard" for proving cause-and-effect. That would mean randomly assigning people to drink diet soda or not, and then following them over time to see if there were differences in their rates of heart problems or stroke.

A study like that, Gardener said, would be "difficult and costly" -- since it would have to follow large groups of people over many years, and rely on people to stick with their assigned beverages.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/widyUV Journal of General Internal Medicine, online January 27, 2012.

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Diet soda tied to heart attack, stroke risks: study

Diet Doc HCG Diet & Weight Loss announce solutions to cravings for carbohydrates or chocolates, which increase serotonin levels, which is responsible for general overall well-being. Diet Doc announces a new approach for those who find it uncomfortable when they stop consuming these types of foods.

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 15, 2012

Diet Doc HCG Diet & Weight Loss announce a new diet approach for those who typically crave carbohydrates, chocolate or other foods while dieting.

When starting any weight loss diet, one of the biggest obstacles most people face can be food cravings, especially those for carbohydrates, chocolate and junk food. These types of food cravings can be controlled, and Diet Doc offers some simple solutions for people doing hCG diets, Atkins diets, ketogenic diets and most other low carbohydrate diets.

Eating carbohydrates can increase serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter which plays an important role in your sense of well-being. Many anti-depressants actually work by inhibiting the breakdown of serotonin (SSRIs). People who eat a lot of carbohydrates can become dependent on the their dietary carbohydrates for that same sense of well-being and when starting a low carb diet can experience strong cravings. Diet Doc offers a natural blood sugar support supplement as a first line of defense, which helps to balance insulin levels preventing the ups and downs which can lead to cravings. Diet Doc recommends anyone starting a hCG diet who used to eat a high amounts of carbohydrates use blood sugar support.

“Many dieters experience unstable blood sugar levels in the first week of a low carbohydrate diet, including the hCG diet. The key is to manage insulin levels while the body keto-adapts which can take around 7 days,” states Dr. Rao, medical director for Diet Doc.

The other key to carbohydrate cravings is to support gastrointestinal health. 90% of serotonin production occurs in the G.I. tract which is why Diet Doc offers a high quality refrigerated Acidophilus supplement which can help increase intestinal production of serotonin. As the gut flora is populated by the acidophilus, natural production of serotonin goes up and a more sustainable sense of well-being is created.

Chocolate cravings can potentially indicate a magnesium deficiency, which also happens to be one of the most common nutrient deficiencies. Diet Doc recommends magnesium citrate, a highly absorbable form of magnesium which can help with chocolate cravings. Adequate magnesium can also help with constipation which is common during low calorie diets like the hCG diet. Taking the magnesium at night can additionally help with sleep which plays a crucial role during any weight loss program.

Cravings while on the hCG diet generally resolve once in keto-adaptation has taken place and Diet Docs propriety protein shake and pure MCT oil can speed up the process. Once the adaptation takes place, 95% of the cells in the body switch to using ketones as a primary source of energy and dependance on carbohydrates and sugar decreases.

# # #

Jayden Parks
Slim Spa Medical
800-208-6533
Email Information

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Diet Doc Announces New Approach For Dieters Who Crave Carbohydrates or Chocolate During HCG Diet

Memphis, Tn - A diet plan that has gotten rave reviews from some is now being banned in the state of Mississippi. Patients claimed to lose up to 20-pounds in a month.

"I was a candidate for surgery. I was 226 pounds. I'm 5 foot 1 and 1/2. I was big," says Sonceria Cole.

That was before the HCG diet. She lost 62 pounds last year.

HCG is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy.

"Theoretically, at least in pregnancy, it's supposed to help catabolize or break down fats in your own body," says pulmonary and critical care Dr. Bo Adams.

Cole did the 23-day diet plan twice a year ago. Now, she's starting it for the third time, "This is my 3rd day and I weighed in today at 8 1/2 pounds less."

Dr. Adams says, "Most people tend to lost 10-15 pounds in the first 2 weeks."

This diet plan is not without controversy. In December, the FDA banned over-the-counter sale of HCG "drops, pellets, and sprays." They warned that they are, "unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous."

Adams says the prescription only inject-able is different. It is FDA approved for female infertility, not for weight loss. But, patient's losing extreme weight with this diet plan caught his attention.

Adams was looking for a way to help obese patients lose weight, so they can breathe easier.

He says his research shows, "Something works. Whether it's HCG, whether it's the diet, whether it's the placebo, whether it's my award-winning personality...something works."

Lena Muhammad lost 40 pounds after two 23-day cycles of the HCG diet. She's kept it off for more than a year.

The diet plan includes daily self-injections of HCG for 23 days and a strict diet of 500 calories a day.

"People think, '500 calories I'm starving.' But, you are not. It curbs your appetite," says Cole.

For $300 you get a doctor's examination and a 23-day supply of pre-loaded shots. But, you have to change your eating habits.

"We've had some people unfortunately they did it, lost the weight, went back to their prior eating habits and weight came back on. You have to make some commitment to a change," says Adams.

It has been banned in the state of Mississippi, because the FDA has not approved it for weight loss.

But, if the injections and 500-calorie a day diet don't turn you off, check with your doctor before using.
 

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Diet Drug Banned in MIssissippi

MIAMI, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fresh Diet America's premier at-home meal delivery company announces today that in honor of March being National Nutrition Month® they are hosting The Fresh Diet 365 Contest wherein one (1) fortunate winner will win free meal delivery service from the company for one (1) year.  The prize awarded, which is 365 days of The Fresh Diet's Premium plan, will include daily or ground delivery of three (3) meals, plus two (2) snacks per day to the winner's home and is valued at $16,421.35 USD.

"March is National Nutrition Month® and the Fresh Diet 365 Contest is meant to promote our program's healthy, portion-controlled meals and increase awareness about proper nutrition and the many health benefits of eating fresh food," says Candy Tree, Marketing Director for The Fresh Diet.  "We want to encourage people to live fuller lives through proper nutrition and diet, and stress the important role that a balanced diet can have on one's overall quality of life."

With the recent exception of assisting a weight-loss subject on CBS' The Doctors show in January, this is a first for The Fresh Diet in terms of granting a prize that has such a significant duration and monetary value.  The Fresh Diet 365 Contest will cease on March 31, 2012 at 11:59pm EDT.  The sole winner will be selected and notified on April 6, 2012.  For more information on National Nutrition Month® please visit the Eat Right.org website.

To enter The Fresh Diet 365 Contest, please visit: http://www.thefreshdiet.com.  To view the official contest rules for the 365 Contest, kindly click here: http://www.thefreshdiet.com/index.php?fn=contest365.  To schedule an interview with Director of Marketing, Candy Tree, or CEO, Zalmi Duchman, please see media contact information.

About The Fresh Diet

The Fresh Diet is America's premier at-home meal delivery program that hand-delivers three, freshly prepared meals and two snacks every day to our clients' doorsteps.  Our healthy meals are never frozen, freeze-dried or vacuum-packed.  An innovator in the diet delivery service category, The Fresh Diet provides members with an online meal planner and hands-on control over their service plan.  The Fresh Diet can accommodate certain dietary restrictions and personal taste preferences.  Founded in 2005 by Zalmi Duchman and Yos Schwartz, a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef, The Fresh Diet is available locally with daily delivery in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, Delaware, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, New Jersey, New York, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Southern California, Southern & Western Florida, Washington D.C., and is now available nationwide via ground shipping.  For more information, please visit http://www.TheFreshDiet.com.

Media Contact for The Fresh Diet:
Kathleen Berzon
Kathleen@thefreshdiet.com
+1-561-955-0047

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The Fresh Diet is Giving Away ONE FREE YEAR of Food!

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Kids who got regular diet counseling starting very early on ended up eating slightly less saturated fat and had lower "bad" cholesterol levels as teens, in a new study from Finland.

High cholesterol in kids and teens has been linked to build-up in the arteries in adulthood, a known risk for heart disease. But whether intervening in childhood helps prevent heart attacks and other cardiovascular ailments down the line isn't clear.

"In general, we know that lower ("bad" cholesterol) is better," said Dr. Stephen Daniels, a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

"If you look at it that way, I think you would have to suggest that these are beneficial changes," Daniels, who wasn't involved in the new study, told Reuters Health. "But quantifying the effect that they might have on actual outcomes I think is hard to do."

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government-backed panel, says there isn't enough evidence to recommend for or against regular diet counseling in kids and adults -- or routine cholesterol testing in youth.

Other groups, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, say that diet counseling can help kids and families stick to nutrition guidelines and reduce cardiovascular risks.

For the current study, researchers led by Dr. Harri Niinikoski from the University of Turku recruited more than 1,000 parents at well-baby clinics in their city. Starting when infants were seven months old, half of the kids and their parents had diet counseling with a nutritionist during routine visits every three to six months.

From age seven through 19, kids had more counseling sessions without their parents. Nutritionists used kids' food records, kept for a few days twice a year, to make recommendations with a goal of lowering saturated fat and cholesterol in their diets.

The other participants, serving as a comparison, were given basic health education once or twice a year.

By the time they were teenagers, both boys and girls who had the nutrition sessions reported getting fewer of their calories from saturated fat than those in the comparison group.

The individual differences were small: at age 19, for example, saturated fat accounted for 11.8 percent of calories consumed by boys in the counseling group, compared to 12.7 percent in the non-counseling group. For girls, those numbers were 11.4 percent and 12.0 percent of calories from saturated fat, respectively, Niinikoski's team reported in Pediatrics on Monday.

Kids who were counseled also had lower levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, on blood tests in their teens -- again a small but consistent difference. At age 19, average LDL cholesterol levels in both groups were in the range considered ideal or near-ideal for adults.

There was no difference in teens' body mass index, a measure of weight in relation to height, based on whether they had gotten diet counseling.

"One way of looking at this is, we need to do a better job across the whole population of improving diet," including lowering saturated fat intake, Daniels said.

While one option is focusing on those kids that already have a family risk of high cholesterol or have especially poor diet and lifestyle, Daniels said the real goal is to prevent problems before they start. He said that even if it might take up extra time, nutrition counseling should be part of every well-child visit -- and that any extra costs are likely to pay off with fewer health problems over the long run.

Those costs would depend on whether counseling would also help when done only once a year, and by a kid's pediatrician.

"Getting lifestyle right early and keeping it right over the lifespan I think is a really important idea," Daniels concluded.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/xuc9or Pediatrics, online February 13, 2012.

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Kids' diet counseling tied to better cholesterol

WILTON, Conn., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, author of the New York Times best-selling book, Eat Right for Your Type, as well as several other books on diet and nutrition, has collaborated with cooking show producer Kristin O'Connor to create a series of four new e-cookbooks aimed at people following the Blood Type Diet and anyone interested in healthy and delicious meals.  The books, Personalized Living Using the Blood Type Diet, are available today through Amazon.

The goal in creating the cookbooks was to simplify eating and living according to blood type.  Each book includes 150 recipes, menu planning strategies and pantry-stocking tips.

Says author Kristin O'Connor, "To combine my philosophies on health with my love of cooking by writing this series of cookbooks is sincerely a dream come true.  I came to see Dr. D'Adamo as a patient and I have never been healthier; but more than that, I have been able to see first-hand how dramatically he changes the lives of so many patients who walk through his door, read his books or follow his web forums.  My intent with this cookbook and series is to make life a little easier (and certainly tastier) once you have started eating right for your blood type." 

Each cookbook has been specifically designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of people following D'Adamo's guidelines for their blood type: A, B, AB and O. As a continuation of the lifestyle cookbooks, O'Connor has a Personalized Living Using the Blood Type Diet blog, http://www.dadamopersonalizedliving.com, where she contributes new recipes and tips on living according to the Blood Type Diet, from eating out at restaurants to shopping for ingredients.

Kristin O'Connor is chef, cooking show producer and food consultant.  After suffering from multiple health issues that were unsuccessfully treated with traditional medicine, O'Connor sought alternative means of healing and changed her diet.  In doing so, her perspective on food and cooking changed dramatically, and inspired her to pursue a career in the culinary arts.  As an associate producer, she assisted in developing cooking shows for Food Network and the Cooking Channel.  She also acts as a dietary consultant, helping families who have been placed on restrictive diets to adapt to their new dietary guidelines.  Personalized Living Using the Blood Type Diet is her first cookbook series.

The books have been published in e-book format by Drum Hill Publishing, Wilton, Connecticut.

CONTACT: Ann Quasarano
ann@dadamo.com
203-761-0042

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New Cookbook Series Expands Upon Blood Type Diet

TUESDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- People who drank water or diet beverages instead of calorie-laden drinks lost 4 to 5 pounds over half a year, according to new research.

The study included 318 overweight or obese people divided into three groups: those who switched to water from high-calorie beverages; those who switched to diet soft drinks; and those who weren't advised to change beverages but were given general information about healthy choices that could help them lose weight (the control group).

Over the six-month study, all three groups had small reductions in weight and waist circumference. But those who switched to calorie-free beverages were twice as likely to lose 5 percent or more of their body weight than those in the control group.

In addition, the investigators found that people who drank mostly water had lower fasting glucose levels and better hydration levels than those in the control group.

Percentage of weight loss and lower blood-sugar levels are important because they're associated with improvements in risk factors for obesity-related chronic diseases, according to study author Deborah Tate, an associate professor of nutrition and of health behavior at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health and member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"Substituting noncaloric beverages -- whether it's water, diet soft drinks or something else -- can be a clear and simple change for people who want to lose or maintain weight," she said in a university news release. "If this were done on a large scale, it could significantly reduce the increasing public health problem of obesity."

The study appears online and in the March print issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Weight loss among the participants in this study was less than that seen in more intensive, clinic-based behavioral lifestyle modification programs, the researchers said. However, they noted that asking people to change just one part of their diet (in this case, beverages) is consistent with previous findings recommending small but potentially more sustainable lifestyle changes to improve health.

"Substituting specific foods or beverages that provide a substantial portion of daily calories may be a useful strategy for modest weight loss or weight gain prevention," Tate said. "Beverages may be ideal targets, but keep in mind, the strategy will only work if the person doesn't make up for the lost calories some other way."

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains how to choose a safe and successful weight-loss program.

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Switching to Water, Diet Drinks Linked to Modest Weight Loss

By George Severson

CREATED Feb. 9, 2012

PALM DESERT - What do some of Hollywood's leading ladies, fashion experts and the NFL's leading players all have in common? Their diet plan. It's called the Alkaline Diet.

The diet is based on the philosophy that feeling out of balance isn't just a mind game. It's rooted in your body chemistry.

For years, a mysterious illness was sidelining Jan Brehm, an Alkaline Dieter. "I have been in the emergency rooms three times thinking I had a heart attack, and it was acid," Brehm claims. Jan thought her eating habits could be the culprit, so she decided to try the alkaline diet.

Registered dietician Erin Palinski says it's based on the philosophy that what we eat and drink affects our body chemistry, or p-h level, which is naturally "alkaline" at 7.4.  The goal is to keep that level in check.

"The people that promote the alkaline diet state that by being able to increase your intake of alkaline forming foods, and decrease your intake of acidic foods, you can actually alter the chemistry in your body," says Palinski.

Promoting things like weight loss, improved immunity, and even disease prevention, celebrity nutritionist Dr. Lindsey Duncan is a proponent of the alkaline diet. He says our meals are increasingly acidic, and our bodies are paying the price.

"Cardiovascular disease, depression, forgetfulness, poor mood, mind, memory," all things affected by diet says Duncan.

To reverse this, Dr. Duncan recommends avoiding meals packed with acidic foods like wheat, dairy, meat, fish, sugar, and caffeine. Instead, he says, load your plate with p-h balancers.

"Anything that's dark, leafy, and green. The general rule of thumb is the more bitter your foods, the more alkaline," says Duncan 

Other examples include watermelon, almonds, oranges and apples. Jan says she felt a difference within days of making the switch.

"Not only does the fatigue lift, but the mood shift, energy," Brehm claims.

Palinski says that while the alkaline diet dishes up healthy foods with actual science behind them, when it comes to p-h level. there have been no human medical research studies that prove any of the claims of the alkaline diet.

 "Our body really naturally, unless we have some kind of health problem, is going to keep our pH within the optimal level," Palinski says. She says the diet can also be restrictive, and some take it to the extreme, consuming supplements that promise to boost your ph, or even ingesting baking soda.

"This can make the body too alkaline and bring it outside of the optimal range, and that can actually have potentially deadly side effects," warns Palinski

But Dr. Duncan says there are plenty of studies that show the health benefits of alkaline foods, and that balance is the key.

"The proper ratio of food is 70-75% alkaline and 25-30% acid," says Duncan.

While experts continue to debate the food and p-h level connection, Jan says she is a believer.

"All I have is what I've experienced, and the difference that I feel is night and day," says Brehm.

Some alkaline dieters test their p-h daily with strips, which are available at the drugstore. 

 Dr. Dan Cosgrove who practices internal and preventatvie medicine at Wellmax in La Quinta says his take on the diet is that it is healthy. He says eating alkaline foods - like leafy greens - are always better for you than eating acidic foods like meat and processed foods. He says our bodies mantain blood p-h very tightly at about 7-point-4 and ph doesn't actually change that much at all with diet.

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Diet Monday: The Alkaline Diet

Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Small Blood Vessel Damage in the Brain

Feb 13, 2012 -- Chalk up another possible benefit to following a Mediterranean diet.

A new study suggests that people who follow a Mediterranean-style diet have less small blood vessel damage in the brain.

The Mediterranean diet is based on the diets of the populations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy and Greece.

The diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, legumes, monounsaturated fats like olive oil, and moderate amounts of alcohol. It has a low amount of red meat, saturated fats like butter, and refined grains.

Mediterranean Diet May Protect Blood Vessels

Eating a Mediterranean diet has already been linked to a lower risk of what’s called the metabolic syndrome, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

But researchers say no study has looked at the diet’s possible link to white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) in the brain, which might help explain some of these beneficial effects.

WMHV is an indicator of small blood vessel damage in the brain and is detected by magnetic resonance screening (MRI). WMHV can be found in the average person as he or she ages. Previous studies have shown that high amounts of WMHV in the brain can predict a higher risk of stroke and dementia.

In the study, researchers compared the brain scans and diets of 966 adults with an average age of 72. The participants’ reported diets were rated according to how closely they followed a Mediterranean diet.

The results showed that those who most closely followed a Mediterranean diet had a lower measure of WMHV than those who did not. Each increase in the Mediterranean diet score was associated with a corresponding decrease in white matter hyperintensity volume score.

This benefit remained consistent even after adjusting for other risk factors for small blood vessel damage in the brain, like smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Diet as a Whole Important

Researchers say the aspect of the Mediterranean diet that seemed to matter most was the ratio of monounsaturated fat to saturated fat.

Monounsaturated fats are found in many vegetable oils, avocados, and nuts. Saturated fats are mainly found in meat and dairy products, as well as in some processed foods.

But researcher Hannah Gardener, ScD, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and colleagues say their results suggest that “overall dietary pattern, rather than any of the individual components,” may be more relevant in explaining the healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

The results appear in the Archives of Neurology.

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Mediterranean Diet May Protect Brain

The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a host of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. A study finds that the diet may also be associated with a decreased chance of small vessel damage in the brain.

The diet, popular in Mediterranean countries, includes little red meat but lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy monosaturated fats from olive oil and nuts.

In the study, released Monday in the Archives of Neurology, researchers analyzed diet information on 966 people, average age 72, who answered a food questionnaire to see how close they came to consuming a Mediterranean diet. The participants also underwent magnetic resonance imaging to measure white matter hyperintensity volume. White matter hyperintensity, according to the authors, is an indicator of small vessel damage. That damage can be part of the normal aging process but is also linked with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.

The consequences can be serious, increasing the chances of stroke and dementia in more serious cases.

Overall, researchers found that adhering more closely to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower incidence of white matter hyperintensity volume, and that remained after controlling for risk factors such as smoking, physical activity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Among other findings: More men than women stuck to a Mediterranean diet, and those who were more physically active were also more apt to eat more foods associated with the diet.

While the results suggested that the ratio of monosaturated fat to saturated fat may be a key component in determining levels of white matter hyperintensity volume. However, the authors added that the overall diet, rather than specific pieces of it, may be more important.

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A Mediterranean diet may promote brain health: study

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