The human body can make most of the types of fats it needs from other fats or carbohydrates. That isn’t the case for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (also called omega-3 fats and n-3 fats). These are essential fats—the body can’t make them from scratch but must get them from food. Foods high in omega-3 include … Continue reading “Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution”
The US government has scrapped the much-maligned food pyramid icon and replaced it with a fruit- and vegetable-rich plate, seeking a simpler way to show Americans how to eat right. While it’s a major improvement, the new icon still falls short on giving people the nutrition advice they need to choose the healthiest diets. The new … Continue reading “Out with the Pyramid, In with the Plate”
The long-awaited new U.S. dietary guidelines are a step in the right direction, but they don’t go quite far enough to spell out what Americans need to do to stay healthy—not a surprise, some critics say, given the strong influence of the food industry on U.S. food policy. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released … Continue reading “New U.S. Dietary Guidelines 2010: Progress, Not Perfection”
See related article on The Nutrition Source about the IOM’s vitamin D recommendation, For Adult Bone Health, Too Low on Vitamin D—and Too Generous on Calcium
The Good-for-You Gimlet? — coverage from Newsweek.com, December 30, 2009 featuring Eric Rimm Fishing for Facts — coverage from The Boston Globe, December 14, 2009 featuring Eric Rimm Soy Foods Could Help Breast Cancer Survivors — coverage from USA Today, December 10, 2009 featuring Walter Willett Knowing What’s Worth Paying For in Vitamins — coverage … Continue reading “Faculty in the Media 2009”
Results from large, long Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial shows no effect on heart disease, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or weight. The low-fat, high-starch diet that was the focus of dietary advice during the 1990s-as reflected by the USDA food guide pyramid-is dying out. A growing body of evidence has been pointing to its … Continue reading “Low-Fat Diet Not a Cure-All”
Seaweed may bring to mind the slippery green, red, and brown plants that curl around your toes when walking in the ocean, or mounds of dried tangles washed up on shore. It may be less recognized as an aquatic food on your dinner plate. But certain types of “seaweed” (the common name for countless species … Continue reading “Seaweed”
Harvard experts say most recommendations are well-supported, but guidance on total fat intake omits decades of evidence The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines for defining healthy diets, with particular attention to carbohydrates, total fat, and specific types of fat such as saturated and trans fats. The guidelines are an addition to their … Continue reading “WHO releases updated guidelines on defining healthy diets”
Nickel is a ubiquitous mineral found in soil, water, and air. In the human body, it is a component of certain enzymes involved with chemical reactions and may assist with iron absorption. The absorption of nickel can depend on specific foods it is eaten with, including milk, tea, coffee, and orange juice, which either increase … Continue reading “Nickel”
Longevity is the achievement of a long life. We may hope for longevity so that we can experience many years of quality time with loved ones or have time to explore the world. But living to a ripe old age doesn’t necessarily mean healthy or happy longevity if it is burdened by disability or disease. … Continue reading “Healthy Longevity”
