Junk food 'as addictive as drugs'October 28th, 2009 LONDON - A diet of junk food is almost as addictive as taking a drug like heroin, warn scientists. In the study, researchers found that regularly eating doughnuts, burgers and chocolate cakes can become a substitute for happiness.
You are what you eatOctober 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - The popular adage "you are what you eat" is literally true, according to a new research that claims a person's diet has a profound influence on his or her brain. The findings offer insight into the neurobiological factors behind the obesity epidemic in the world.
Dairy foods 'help fight the flab'October 21st, 2009 SYDNEY - Higher intake of dairy products while on a reduced calorie diet can help help fight obesity, say researchers. During the study, lead researcher Wendy Chan She Ping Delfos, from Curtin University of Technology, compared three serves of dairy food such as yoghurt, cheese and low fat milk, with five serves within a lower calorie diet prescribed to overweight participants over 12-weeks.
High protein diet 'shrinks the brain', finds Alzheimer's studyOctober 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists studying Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mice found that a high protein diet led them to develop smaller brains. The research team from the US, Canada and the UK were focusing on triggers for brain plaque formation and monitored the effects of four different food regimes on rodents which were genetically modified to develop a severe form of early-onset Alzheimer's.
High fat diet during pregnancy 'ups severe liver disease risk in offspring'October 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, researchers at the University of Southampton have found that a high fat diet during a woman's pregnancy makes her offspring more likely to develop a severe form of fatty liver disease when they reach adulthood. The research has been published in the journal Hepatology.
Gene controlling haemoglobin regulation identifiedOctober 12th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists have found that a gene, known as TMPRSS6, has a significant effect on regulating haemoglobin in the body. TMPRSS6's role was identified as part of a genome-wide association study, carried out by scientists from Imperial College London, which looked at the link between genes and haemoglobin level in 16,000 people.
Mediterranean diet cuts down risk of depressionOctober 10th, 2009 LONDON - People who follow the Mediterranean style of diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish seem less likely to develop depression, says a new report. The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders has been found to be lower in Mediterranean than Northern European countries, the report says.
High-fat diet harms muscle health in pre-diabetic teensOctober 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A diet rich in fat could damage muscle health in pre-diabetic teenagers despite any problem in muscle function, says a new study. Researchers at McMaster University have reported that the health of young adult muscle declines during the pre-diabetic state, which is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but lower than during Type 2 diabetes.
'Anti-Atkins' low protein diet may help boost longevityOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Flies fed an "anti-Atkins" low protein diet live longer, courtesy their better-functioning mitochondria, says a new study. The research, done at the Buck Institute for Age Research, shows that the molecular mechanisms responsible for the lifespan extension in the flies have important implications for human aging and diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.
Here's what causes arteries to clog upSeptember 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - British scientists have identified an enzyme that plays a crucial role in clogging up of arteries. They have discovered that an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase-8 that raises blood pressure and causes abnormal build-up of cells in the arteries - both of which increase the risk of heart disease.
High-fructose diet increases BP in menSeptember 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A high-fructose diet can significantly increase blood pressure in men, reveals a new study. Study's researchers claim that a drug used to treat gout might provide protection against high BP.
Too many chocolates, chips, mental problems linked to acne in teensSeptember 16th, 2009 LONDON - High intake of chocolate and chips along with mental health issues is linked to the development of zits, pimples, bumps and blemishes in young people, says a Norwegian study. Researcher Jon Anders Halvorsen, University of Oslo, along with co-authors from Lhasa (Tibet) and Boston (US) looked into the possible causes of the common skin condition affecting millions of adolescents.
A simple cuppa a day, or glass of juice, can cut heart disease riskSeptember 6th, 2009 LONDON - A cup of tea everyday can cut down your risk of heart disease, a new study claims. The study in Glasgow and France has led to the conclusion that both green and black tea, as well as raspberry, strawberry and bilberry juices, help prevent fatty deposits from building up in arteries.
High-fat diets can make us stupid, sluggishSeptember 4th, 2009 LONDON - Rats fed a high-fat diet exhibit stark reduction in their physical endurance and cognitive ability after just nine days, says a new study. The research, funded by the British Heart Foundation, may have implications not only for high-fat addicts, but also athletes looking for the optimal diet for training and patients with metabolic disorders.
'Master switch' gene may help control obesitySeptember 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from University of Michigan claim to have discovered a gene, which when switched off, can control obesity in mice and help them remain thin. According to Alan Saltiel, the Mary Sue Coleman Director of the U-M Life Sciences Institute, deleting the gene, called IKKE, appears to protect mice against conditions that, in humans, lead to Type 2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity.
