US scientists call for saturated fat limits to be abandoned

A group of leading scientists are calling on the US government to drop current limits on dietary saturated fat intake from its nutrition policies. The call comes following a two-day workshop, which included three former members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), an expert group that reviews the government’s nutrition policy every five years. They have also released a consensus statement concluding there is no evidence for the continued restriction of saturated fats (SFAs) in government guidelines and advising the consumption of a diversity of natural foods that include saturated fats. Given that the science has been signposting for years that the real culprit behind the obesity epidemic is the vast quantity of highly processed refined carbs consumed – not fat, this development is very welcome. Rob Verkerk PhD’s latest presentation from this year’s Get Well Show in London offers you a wealth of practical hacks based on hard evidence and clinical experience that will help you gain a new level of metabolic flexibility and resilience by changing what, when and how you eat.

Big Pharma influence on US politics exposed

A new study reveals the scale of Big Pharma influence in US politics. From 1999-2018 spend topped $4.7 billion with payments going to trade groups and lobbyists, congressional and presidential candidates. The largest spend went to 20 senators and 20 representatives, of which 39 belonged to health-related committees, 24 of whom were in senior positions. With such powerful interests driving government policy it’s no wonder that natural health and lifestyle interventions for non-communicable diseases continue to be pushed to the margins in favour of drug-based disease management. Now more than ever we citizens need to take back responsibility for our own health as the steps to prevention medicine begin at home.

Another cannabinoid soon to be in regulator cross-hairs? 

One of the main cannabinoids, cannabigerol (CBG), found in cannabis is attracting significant attention due to its potential health benefits, which include antibacterial properties. A new study published in Infectious Diseases by researchers from McMaster University, investigated 18 commercially available cannabinoids all of which demonstrated some antibiotic activity. The study builds on previous research showing CBG to be effective in combating the ‘super-bug’ Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in mice. The researchers cautioned that CBG could damage cells, however they were using synthesised CBG not a naturally-derived extract. Battle lines are now being drawn as regulators seek to crack down on the burgeoning CBD (cannabidiol) sector and Big Pharma moves in an effort to take control of yet another hugely profitable natural health market. ANH is working to support and protect this important natural health sector. We will keep you updated on developments as they occur.

US obesity rate hits 20-year high

New figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that over 40% of adults in the US were obese in 2017-18. This is the highest level seen in nearly 20 years having increased from 30% in 1999-2000. Adults aged 40-59 had the highest levels of severe obesity, with women most severely affected. Obesity organisations around the world hold conferences, workshops and keep talking, but offer little in the way of solutions. That’s why we created our Obesity Fix video series (The Obesity Fix – Part 1 and The Obesity Fix – Part 2) to guide you on your journey to regain metabolic flexibility and resilience. Helps us start a revolution by becoming a health creator and getting back into the driving seat of your own health!

EU MEPs support use of supplements to improve health

Writing in Euractiv European Parliament MEPs, Pascal Arimont and Simona Bonafé, have made a case for the use of food supplements to improve public health and reduce pressure on overburdened healthcare systems, while improving their sustainability, in the EU. They call for current EU regulations to be revised to ensure that consumers “…have access to accurate and evidence-based information about the health benefits of products”. Use of food supplements are often deemed beneficial and sometimes essential to maintain optimal levels of nutrients for a variety of reasons. Food supplements have been consistently found to be both a safe and effective way of supporting health and reducing disease, yet remain subject to stringent levels of regulation.

WHO partners with AYUSH to promote traditional medicine

The World Health Organization (WHO) and India’s Ministry of AYUSH have concluded a deal worth US$3.5m to increase the use of traditional medicine systems, including the over 4,000-year-old philosophy of Ayurveda. Over the next four years, the project will seek to integrate measurable criteria for assessing the effectiveness of systems including Unani, Siddha and Ayurveda into the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases platform. Health choice around the world has been severely impacted by draconian regulations designed to sideline traditional medicine, crucial to many in developing countries, in favour of pharma drugs in recent decades. The new partnership is great news for those campaigning for traditional medicine to be freely available to all those who choose natural therapies to create and maintain health rather than merely managing disease.

Early-onset dementia rates skyrocket in the US

Traditionally thought of as a disease of old age, diagnosis rates for early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in commercially insured Americans aged 30 to 64 have jumped by 200% since 2013. According to a new report from US health insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the average age of people living with early-onset dementia in the US is now 49. Rates of diagnosis have gone up from 4.2 per 10,000 adults in 2013 to 12.6 per 10,000 in 2017 with women more likely to be affected. Worryingly, those aged 30-44 have experienced a 373% increase. The consequences of such an increase are wide-ranging, affecting not only caregivers who carry much of the burden, but extracting a financial toll on healthcare systems and the economy, as those afflicted are no longer able to work. There is no single cause of neurodegenerative diseases, but what is clear, is that the underlying triggers often occur early in life. Then, it is largely down to the way we eat and live in the modern world that determines how or even if symptoms will be expressed later in life. For most of us, now is the time to take action to significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases through making different diet, lifestyle and environmental choices.