No Heart or Cancer Benefit from High-Dose Vitamin D
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a study that found high-dose vitamin D supplementation provided no protective benefit with regard to risk of developing either cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Flavanols from Food Likely Better than Supplements
A recent study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, determined that isolated flavanols did not have a beneficial impact on systolic blood pressure and other cardiometabolic markers.
Aerobic Activity May Improve Executive Functioning
A randomized trial published in the journal Neurology suggested that aerobic exercise may have neurological benefits for adults at risk for cognitive decline. One hundred and sixty sedentary participants with cognitive impairments (but no dementia) were randomly assigned to one of four study groups: aerobic exercise alone, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet alone, a combination of aerobic exercise plus DASH diet, or health education alone.
No Weight Loss Boost from Intermittent Calorie Restriction
A randomized controlled trial recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found little difference between an intermittent calorie-restricted diet and a traditional continuous calorie-restricted diet. This well-conducted study followed 150 overweight or obese participants for fifty weeks.
Community-Based Physical Activity Promotes Health
The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) trial showed that older adults who follow a structured physical activity program can reduce mobility-disability by up to 28 percent. Based on these encouraging results, a pilot study was recently conducted by Tufts University to test the approach among older adults in an existing community setting.
Mediterranean-style Diet Plus Vitamin D3 for Osteoporosis
The NU-AGE (New Dietary Strategies Addressing the Specific Needs of the Elderly Population for Healthy Aging in Europe) trial, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the effects of a Mediterranean-style diet combined with vitamin D3 supplementation on bone health. In this study, conducted in five European countries, participants were randomized to either follow a Mediterranean-style diet or maintain their current diet for a one-year period.
Hypertension Risk High, Especially for Blacks
Black men and women had one and a half to two times higher risk for hypertension (high blood pressure) compared to white men and women, according to the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study recently published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Healthy Vegan Diet May Promote Weight Loss
Following a vegan diet may promote weight loss and reduce insulin resistance in overweight individuals. A recent 16-week randomized clinical trial, published in the journal Nutrients, examined the role of carbohydrate consumption on body composition and insulin resistance.
How to Address High Obesity Rates
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations 2018 State of Obesity report, obesity among American adults and children remains at an all-time high. According to the most recent national survey data, nearly 40 percent of American adults and 18.5 percent of children ages two to 19 are considered obese.
Protein Supplements May Not Help Older Adults Build Muscle
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming protein supplements did not help active older men build more muscle or gain more strength than resistance exercise training alone. Forty-one men with an average age of 70 completed whole-body resistance training three times a week for 12 weeks. Half the group drank a supplement containing 21 grams of protein after exercise and every night before bed. The other half drank a beverage with the same number of calories but no protein. At the end of the study period, while both groups were able to lift more weight and tests showed increased muscle mass, the protein group did not improve any more than the placebo group.