BIG Food Pyramid Update

Well, not so much Food Pyramid as food itself. You know how we're supposed to be watching our weight in order to avoid fates worse than death?

Turns out, not so much:

“Being obese before you are 40 has no correlation to your health either. The risk that people are told about does not exist.”

Now, after 40 is, perhaps, another matter, although that's not necessarily a given:

"The report ... shows that between the ages of 25 and 70 there is little difference in the health of normal compared with overweight people based on the amount of medication they are taking."

Granted, that's only one metric, but it seems to me that it's a pretty important one. Does this mean that we should all start pigging out? Of course not: common sense hasn't been disproven (yet).

Still, pretty decent food for thought.

Food Pyramid Update...

In our never ending quest to ensure that we stay on the cutting edge of food health, we've had semi-regular updates to our famous food pyramid.

Today, we learn that "(w)hen it comes to lowering blood pressure, a piece of dark chocolate beats green tea, hands down."

That's correct: chocolate, and especially dark chocolate [ed: my favorite!] contains healthful flavenoids that can help reduce blood pressure, apparently even more effectively than the much-touted green tea beverages.

More food for thought.

Major Food Pyramid Update

Well, it's been well over two years since our last Food Pyramid update. At that time, chocolate and red wine were the stars of the show, but that was then and this is now:

■ First up, great news for those of us who enjoy "a slice" now and again:

"Hallelujah! Eating pizza can actually help you stay healthy, awesome new study finds"

Turns out, it's more about the amount of sugar in a given food that drives its weight-gain potential. According to the study, "researchers concluded that a high-calorie diet with lower sugar actually improved the children’s cholesterol, insulin levels, liver function, blood pressure, and blood sugar."

Now about those anchovies...

■ In related news, Co-blogger Bob tips us that:

"Pasta may not be fattening after all ... By analyzing anthropometric data of the participants and their eating habits, we have seen that consumption of pasta, contrary to what many think, is not associated with an increase in body weight; rather the opposite"

Now loading it up with extra cheese, bacon and other treats is probably ill-advised, but at least we can enjoy a nice pasta salad (and maybe some of that yummy, healthy red wine).

Food Pyramid Update: Space Cadet Version

It's been a while since we last updated our (in)famous food pyramid, one important component of which is that wonderful concoction of spring water, malt, barley and hops. Today's update comes to us from the International Space Station, not usually associated with such exotic liquids:

"Space beer, the result of a five-month mission to boldly grow, where almost no one has grown barley before, has landed in Japan...But the 100 liters of the 5.5 percent alcoholic brew are not for sale."

Boo!

To be fair, the astronauts grew wheat, lettuce and peas, as well, and plan to cultivate space-potatoes down the road. Unfortunately, Cosmonaut Boris Morukov conceded that "we would try to grow potatoes as food, not for vodka production."

Oh, well.

Tuesday (Healthy) Food Pyramid Update

It's been a while since we've visited our own special IB Food Pyramid , and today brings us two interesting items:

■ First up, erstwhile political pundit (and baseball afficianado) George Will is of the opinion that not only is beer a desirable commodity, it is an essential one. He opines that "No beer, no civilization." I'm not sure I'd go that far (on the other hand, I'm not sure I wouldn't go that far, either), but Will makes a strong case:

It is Will's contention that, once we grew from the hunter/gatherer stage into an agrarian society, our living arranegments changed dramatically. Where once we had roamed the plains (or veldt, or wherever), we now had the ancient equivalent of "gated communities." This led, unsurprisingly, to urbanization, and a host of new challenges, water-borne diseases among them. And how better to guarantee the safety of that which we drink than by purifying it? And what better process than by fermentation, which leads to the anti-bacterial qualities of our favorite brew.

And I hear it tastes pretty good, too!

■ Quick: which is healthier for you, bacon or fish? Not so fast, pardner:

"Farm-raised tilapia, one of the most highly consumed fish in America, has very low levels of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and very high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, a potentially dangerous fatty acid combination...Tilapia has higher levels of potentially detrimental, long-chain, omega-6 fatty acids than...and even pork bacon."

Ouch!

(Of course, the article fails to mention how it compares to the turkey bacon that is regularly consumed in our household)

And it gets worse for folks with heart disease, arthritis, even asthma, who may be thinking "hey, I'll have the fish sandwich instead of the BLT." Unfortunately, that would be a poor choice. So while eating fish per se may be a healthy choice, it's important to select a healthy fish (such as salmon or tuna) to begin with.

■ And in a completely unrelated update:

Regular IB readers may recall the ongoing saga of the Sleazy Seniors, whose scheme to collect the insurance on homeless men they murdered was eventually cracked. Last we heard, they had pled "not guilty" and were awaiting trial.

Well, here's some good news on that front:

"Two elderly women were sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday for murdering two indigent men to collect insurance policies taken out on their lives."

Of course, given their advanced ages (75 and 77), one wonders just how long that sentence will actually be. Still, it is justice of sorts.

Food Pyramid Update: Scandis Rule

It's been a few months since since we last updated our (in)famous food pyramid, so this tidbit seems timely:

"Drinking wine or beer could reduce the risk of kidney cancer, according to a new Swedish study."

I, for one, remain grateful to the Swedes, whose bikini teams and lutefisk extravanazas remain high on my list of "accomplishments which should have won the Nobel Prize" (which, if I'm not mistaken, originated in Sweden, as well). This news, of course, only cements the Scandinavian reputation for cutting edge scientific breakthroughs.

Interestingly, the study found that it takes more than the occasional social sip to provide a meaningful firewall against that dread disease: researchers determined that "the risk was reduced in people who drank more than two glasses of red wine a week, or comparable amounts of white wine or normal-strength beer."

Cheers!

Fishy Food Pyramid Update

It's been a while since we've updated our (in)famous Food Pyramid. Recently, we received email from the 1Dental blog pointing out that:

"Harvard researchers found that polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption could be an effective treatment and prevention method for gum disease ... Polyunsaturated fatty acids found in foods like fish oil contain anti-inflammatory properties."

So there it is: eat more tuna, maintain healthier gums.

Now to go fire up the grill....

Food Pyramid Update

It's been several months since last we updated the (in)famous InsureBlog Food Pyramid, so we're pleased to bring our readers good news from the breakfast front:

"A high-fat breakfast of bacon and eggs may be the healthiest start to the day, a new university report showed."

Woo hoo!

Alas, no word on whethe ror not turkey bacon (my breakfast "meat" of choice) qualifies.

More Mythbusting

Back in December, we learned that turkey doesn't necessarily make you sleepy, or that reading in the dark will make you go blind. According to Gwen Schoen (food writer for the Sacramento Bee), there are few other food myths that we've always bought into:

■ Think ground beef is all bad? Think again.

■ Do you believe that dieting and pizza are mutually exclusive? Wrong.

I just love playing with my food(pyramid)!

More Healthful Food News...

Who says you can’t eat your cake and have it, too? In this case, of course, we must be referring to chocolate cake, perhaps made with Nestle’s brand chocolate:

“In a move that recognizes the modern world's twin obsessions — indulgence and guilt — chocolate maker Nestle said Monday it would purchase weight loss product maker Jenny Craig Inc. for $600 million.”

That’s right, the giant food conglomerate has us now, coming and going. We can indulge our sweet teeth, and then shed those unwanted pounds (and inches) when we’re sated.

If nothing else, one must applaud the company for its ingenious (if somewhat cynical) marketing synergy.

Just one more step toward the new food pyramid.

Healthy Food News

It's been almost a year since our last Food Pyramid update, and there's some great news to share:

"Chocolate and red wine can help stave off diabetes: High levels of antioxidants can regulate blood glucose levels"

Turns out, the candy, booze and fruit diet provides a boatload of "flavenoids" - antioxidant compounds - that may help to regulate one's glucose levels.

Eat, drink and be healthy!

Coffee in Donuts

No, that's not a typo; our famous New Food Pyramid may need updating:

"Buzz Donuts(TM) and Buzzed Bagels(TM) are the brainchild of Dr. Robert Bohannon, a molecular scientist living in Durham, NC. Dr. Bohannon has developed a way to mask the normal bitterness of caffeine so that it can be used in food and pastry products such as bagels and donuts."

Yum!

Food Pyramid Update: Bad News and Good News

[Welcome Reuters and FoxNews readers! Please feel free to look around the site]

Swedish scientists recently concluded a study on the effects of a "month-long diet of fast food and no exercise." [ed: sign me up!]

One of their conclusions, which should surprise exactly no one, was that such a diet leads to a higher risk of liver damage.

What was surprising, however, was that the subjects' "healthy HDL cholesterol actually increased" during the month-long experiment.

Decisions, decisions.

Food Pyramid Alert: Cocoa No-No

Last Spring, Bob touted chocolate's many benefits for expectant mothers, and a year earlier I reported on its ability to lower blood pressure. There's a fine line though, between low BP and no BP:

"A Cadbury spokesman says preliminary tests show melamine in its Chinese-made chocolates."

Turns out, some of the "milk" in Cadbury's "milk chocolate" came from China, and has been found to be tainted with melamine, "which is used to make plastics and fertilizer," but doesn't seem to have a place in candy-making.

The British sweets giant isn't alone in its concern: "(T)wo U.S. food makers were investigating Indonesian claims that high traces of melamine were found in Chinese-made Oreos, M&Ms and Snickers."

Cookies and candy bars? I may have to switch to 'Nilla Wafers and Marshmallow Fluff.

Tuesday Health Notes

■ First up, some great Food Pyramid news:

"Researchers ... in Spain have found that beer can help the body rehydrate better after a workout than water or Gatorade."

Apparently, the carbonation is a key factor, and the carbs help out, too.

■ Next, some good news for stroke survivors:

"A single injection, then a five-minute wait ... Now they're walking more steadily, reading more easily, concentrating better, speaking more clearly and regaining use of once-rigid limbs"

The secret? A 25mg shot of etanercept (an anti-inflammatory med). And the results?

"Of the total studied, more than 80 percent saw improvements in their ability to walk; more than 80 percent had less spasticity; and more than 85 percent exhibited improved motor function."

So if you (or someone you love) had a stroke, this may be just what the doctor orders.

■ Finally, the feel-good story of the week (or more), an early (and amazing) Valentine's Day gift. Forget flowers, candy and PJ's, here's a gift that truly keeps on giving:

"Three days before Valentine’s Day, a Florida woman gave her husband the most special gift of all ... Melissa DeGeso-Jones had her kidney transplanted at Florida Hospital in Orlando to her husband, James Jones, who has been suffering from renal failure."

His next major challenge? How does he top that?

Food Pyramid Update: Early Summer edition

Maybe Archie Bunker had it right all along:

"Meat and potato diet 'reduces risk of lung cancer by half"

Turns out, there's a vitamin, present in high doses in foods like meat and potatoes, fish and even whole grains that can have a profound effect in reducing the risk of lung cancer.

Even among smokers!

Just cutting out the cigs isn't enough, though: piling on the burgers and taters could reduce the chances of contracting lung cancer by an amazing 50%.

The secret ingredient: Vitamin B6.

But beware, just loading up on the vitamin itself doesn't seem to do the trick:

"Paul Brennan, of IARC [the International Agency for Research on Cancer] ... rejected suggestions that people should take supplements to boost levels of the vitamin. "We have had several bad experiences in the past with supplements. Twenty years ago, beta-carotene was given to people with lung cancer and found to increase, not decrease, deaths. I doubt if trials with supplements will go ahead."

To the drive-through, stat!

Saturday Miscellany...

■ Socialized Health Care, Anyone? At least one hospital in Great Britain's much-vaunted National Health Service (NHS) has a problem: dirty linens. Bill's posted before on the "sanitary" conditions of providers in the System, and a recent story in The Daily Mail (a British tabloid) confirms that the problem is on-going:

"Housekeeping staff at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, have been asked to re-use sheets and pillowcases wherever possible to cut a £500,000 (about $1 million US) laundry bill."

Seems the cost of cleaning has risen sharply, while the amounts available for reimbursement haven't.

But the care's "free."

■ Are Bad Habits Good for you? According to research just published in the Archives of Neurology medical journal, folks who smoke cigarettes and drink copius amounts of (presumably non-decaf) coffee reduce their risk of contracting Parkinson's disease.

My first thought was "D'uh! They die before they get it!" But that's apparently not the reason:

"Both smoking and "increasing intensity of coffee drinking" seemed protective against the disease, but no protective link was seen between daily or frequent use of the pain medications classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs."

So, we won't be adding Starbucks and Marlboro's to the ol' Food Pyramid.

Food Pyramid Update: Good News, Java-style

Turns out that El Grande double-mocha-frappa-latte espresso may help decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer's:

"Middle-aged people who consume modest amounts of coffee can significantly lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study by Finnish and Swedish researchers released on Thursday."

Of course, we've discussed the "nuances" of Swedish scientists before, but teaming with the Finn's may have been a good idea. Those of us in that nebulous demographic called "middle aged" may benefit from a few Cups o' Joe every day, to the tune of as much as a 60% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's.

There's no word on why coffee has such magic properties; oddly, I couldn't find a report on the study which indicated whether or not decaf obtained similar results. Miia Kivipelto, a professor at the University of Kuopio in Finland and lead researcher on the project, noted that "coffee contains strong antioxidants, which are known to counter Alzheimer's."

Don't Forget the Java

It's been a while since we've had either a Food Pyramid or Alzheimer's update, and now we have a two-fer:

"Three large cups of coffee a day could help to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and even reverse the condition, researchers say."

Past studies have linked caffeine with lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer's; this one actually concludes that it can "directly target the disease itself." The mice involved in the study actually demonstrated increased mental skills. How this will translate to humans, of course, is yet to be seen.

(In fairness, the scientists were really studying the effects of caffeine, not coffee per se: the mice were given caffeinated water. But they didn't say coffee wouldn't work just as well)

Food Pyramid Update: Pass the Salt!

(Yeah, we're old school like that)

Just two months ago, we noted a study of 4,000 Continentals and their intake of salt. The surprising results?

"People who ate lots of salt were not more likely to get high blood pressure, and were less likely to die of heart disease than those with a low salt intake ... The findings "certainly do not support the current recommendation to lower salt intake in the general population."

Now, one might be tempted to discount those results as a "one-off," but one would be wrong to do so. Researchers at Exeter University took a peek at "seven published studies involving 6,489 people. Some had high blood pressure, others had normal blood pressure and they had all been put on salt-reduction diets." Their results mirrored those of the one we cited in May:

"[T]he authors found that there was no evidence that cutting down reduced deaths or heart disease in either group."

In fact (and as noted in that previous study), folks who did cut back on their salt intake were actually more likely to die prematurely than those who didn't alter their diet.

Bon appetit!