Changes in American Diet Trends

US International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2018 Food and Health Survey shows as many as one in three US citizens are following a specific eating pattern or diet, with many increasingly shunning carbohydrates and sugar. The survey results demonstrate that the USDA’s Myplate guidance, as with the most other government nutrition advice, is a world away from reality, as well as being wrong.

Canada Senate legalise cannabis

Canada is the first Group of Seven (G7) nation to legalise cannabis. The sometimes controversial Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, argues this new law will stop use by the underaged and reduce related crimes. The Dutch have allowed recreational coffee houses since 1972 and proved that a certain amount of leniency does solve much of the crime and hard drug usage. In light of the increase in clinical evidence of benefit from cannabis use, the big question is, will other governments follow suit?

Cynical experts dash Alzheimer’s supplement ‘breakthrough’

Following an 18 month study into specific carotenoids and omega 3 fatty acids for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the main researcher said, “Due to the small scale of this initial trial, we’ve now funded a larger project to confirm these findings. But it would be negligent for us to ignore these results until the next study reports back, which will take several years”. This has sparked the usual outcry in the scientific community when unpatented nutritional interventions prove effective. Despite accusations of fuelling false hope for sufferers, we ask why anyone would shy away from a cheap and effective treatment?

Fasting reduces weight & blood pressure

Twenty three obese volunteers with an average age of 45 and a body mass index (BMI) of 35 ate between the hours of 10am and 6pm only and on average showed a loss of 3% of their body weight after 3 months. During this time systolic blood pressure also decreased. Intermittent fasting is a recommendation in the ANH-Intl Food4Health guidelines because of its many health benefits.

Weight gain linked to antidepressants

A population study lasting over 10 years has shown that antidepressants can increase the risk of weight gain and this should be taken into account at the time of prescribing. The evidence shows that long-term use of antidepressants in middle aged men and women results in a modest increase in weight gain as compared with those who are not on antidepressants. Participants included nearly 300,000 men and women who may not have been aware that for some people taking antidepressants, the impact on their body weight may bring with it a range of health problems that go beyond depression or anxiety and include an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer.