Diet & Nutrition

Researchers still unsure about vitamin D benefits

f9d6f48c45584df2a0cdee679adb5acbTwo new reports that analysed research on vitamin D supplements found there’s no reason to get excited yet about any possible health benefits.

One review, from international researchers, found hardly any benefit.

The other analysis suggested it may have what a specialist called a “huge” effect on lifespan,…

 

12 Apr 2015

What Tim Noakes eats

594b6863666d420bb27f4e05bf7bcd24Tim Noakes’ high-fat, low carb diet (Banting) has created more than a stir among professionals and the public, but there’s no denying that it’s worked for him since he is predisposed to develop adult-onset diabetes –

what is known as “carbohydrate resistant” (CR) and hence “pre-diabetic”.

According to Prof Noakes, those who are profoundly carbohydrate resistant (CR) (as he is) must restrict carbohydrates..

 

11 Apr 2015

More beans and lentils may benefit your heart

123569a5671c4385822049922c8b5f28Eating beans, lentils and other legumes may help you cut down on LDL “bad” cholesterol and lower your risk for heart disease, a new review suggests.

Canadian researchers examined 26 US and Canadian studies that included a total of more than 1000 people.

Their analysis showed that one daily serving (3/4 cup) of legumes– foods such as beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas – was linked to a reduction in…

 

10 Apr 2015

High-fat diets linked to breast cancer

29257d79b86c4359af11eb448c0b701aWomen who eat a lot of fat, particularly saturated fat, may be at higher risk of certain types of breast cancer, new research suggests.

Past studies have come to differing conclusions on a possible association between dietary fat and breast cancer. Whether the two are even linked at all remains controversial.

The new report, a second analysis of a large, long-term study, suggests that..

 

09 Apr 2015

Banting or low-carbing? Watch what meat you eat!

d610eb2aa72c4cdda42db014b37562b3The Banting diet has a cult following for those wanting to drop kilos or cut their risk of lifestyle diseases. But contrary to popular belief, this way of eating is supposed to be high in fat, not protein. Misguided dieters end up eating more red meat, and sometimes even processed meat!

For decades we’ve heard red and processed meats are bad for us. Saturated fats, a component of red and processed meats, have taken the blame for heart disease and many other ailments…

 

08 Apr 2015

Fad diets are hard work but can deliver

6c62e13f1b834442a2ee7263cf067e6fWith summer on the horizon, the pressure to lose weight is fast creeping in, making “fad” diets cross the minds of many overweight South African women. These diets demand fasting, virtually no carbs or liquid food shakes and is notoriously hard to stick to.

But even “fad” diets can lead to a slimmer, lighter New Year for those whose resolve remains robust, according to doctors and nutritionists analysing them…

 

07 Apr 2015

Mediterranean diet linked to better heart health

65c51f5eefb14c88b4c6e071049b37a8The study compared a low-fat diet to a Mediterranean diet – a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish and olive oil. The Mediterranean diet was supplemented with either extra nuts or extra virgin olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet didn’t lower the odds of developing metabolic syndrome – a collection of risk factors for heart disease – compared to following a low-fat diet, the study found…

 

06 Apr 2015

Tastic Simply Delicious products recalled

52cba250c5974995b2e546815b555492Tiger Brands’s grains division has recalled certain Tastic Simply Delicious products after tests found traces of colourants in them, the company said.

“Tastic believes in perfection for every one of its products and that the health of its consumers is paramount,” the company said in a statement

“The Simply Delicious range of products is produced in India under the strict control of an internationally renowned flavour house and re-tested by Tastic in an independent laboratory in South Africa to ensure that our high specifications are met.”…

 

05 Apr 2015

Eating disorders may start before puberty

722aafa00e5a4ac4b74d83b5d49ec601Canadian researchers evaluated 215 children, aged 8 to 12, with eating problems. More than 15 percent of the kids made themselves vomit occasionally, and about 13 percent had bulimic-like behaviours.

Fifty-two percent of the children had been hospitalized at least once due to their eating problem, and 48 percent …

 

04 Apr 2015

Is ‘slow and steady’ weight loss really the best approach?

ca747fc51e274878bf6e868f7356f9dfAn Australian study casts doubt on the notion that a more gradual approach to weight loss is always the most effective route to take.

The study also found that whether you opt for a “crash” diet or something a bit slower, the rate at which you shed excess pounds has no bearing on whether or not those pounds will come back…

 

03 Apr 2015