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Popular diets, like the Keto diet, could curve a tumours progression, but more research is needed to evaluate its impact on humans, a new study shows.

Diets that restrict overall calories, glucose intake or specific nutrients, like ketogenic, time-restricted, and intermittent fasting diets, have been found to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumours.

While theres no one-size-fits-all diet that can influence cancers development, new research has highlighted how nutrition could play a part in cancer treatment plans.

The results were published in a new study by Semmelweis University in Hungary which reviewed a compilation of over 300 studies focused on how different diets affect the metabolism of cancerous cells.

Cancers are very heterogeneous in their metabolic dependencies: there is no one-size-fits-all, Dr Otilia Menyhrt, an assistant professor at Semmelweis University and the studys first author, said in a statement.

What they do have in common is an extremely high energy need to support their growth, she added.

By adjusting the diet, it could be possible to enhance a patients response to treatment, for example, as well as impact a tumours progression, according to the study authors.

Colorectal, cervical, and certain types of breast tumours rely on glucose to fuel them.

Glutamine, an amino acid commonly found in the human body, is used by non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, myeloma and brain tumours while fructose can enhance the growth of prostate cancer cells.

When we cut back on the bodys energy sources, deprive the body of glucose for a long enough period, the body goes into a fasting state, Menyhrt said.

This forces your body to find an alternative fuel source. The body begins to produce ketones- molecules that serve as an alternative energy source - in the liver, a process that gave its name to the popular Keto diet.

Those who follow the high-fat, low-carb diet eat fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables, eggs, nuts and so on.

Healthy cells can effectively use ketones as an energy source. In contrast, cancer cells with metabolic inflexibility struggle to adapt to this shift, resulting in a limited capacity to derive energy from ketones.

When stressed, for example by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, fasting induces a transition in healthy cells from a growth phase to a state of maintenance and repair while cancerous cells dont.

In addition, starved tumour cells generate elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, heightening their vulnerability to DNA damage caused by treatment.

This explains the enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy when preceded and followed by fasting, accompanied by a significant reduction in associated side effects.

However, this was only observed in certain diseases.

[A] ketogenic diet in anticancer therapy can lead to increased survival and decreased tumour growth but in certain cancers, it accelerates disease progression, Menyhrt said.

Low compliance at clinical trials - due to side effects or poor adherence - means there are no clinical recommendations for dietary needs during treatment at this stage.

To change that, protocols that patients are able and willing to follow should be created and clinically tested, she added.

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Popular diets like Keto or intermittent fasting could help prevent or slow the spread of cancer - Euronews

The low-carb Atkins diet claims to promote weight loss while enabling followers to eat as much protein and fat as desired.

The diet was first promoted by Dr Robert Atkins, who wrote a bestselling book about it in 1972.

Kardashian told US broadcaster ABC News that the Atkins diet worked for her after giving birth to her first child in 2013.

When I really need to kick it up, then Ill do low carbs, like the Atkins diet, she also told entertainment news site E! News in 2014.

And kick it up she did. As Business Insider reports, the Atkins ambassador used the diet to lose 60 pounds (27 kilograms) after welcoming her second child, Saint, in 2015.

For a long and healthy life, eat, sleep, feel and exercise the right way

Specifically, Kardashian followed the Atkins 40 diet, eating 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of net carbs, three 113-170 gram servings of protein, and two to four servings of fat per day. She also drank eight cups of water every day and treated herself to an Atkins peanut butter cup on occasion.

While Kardashian has cycled through various personal trainers and workout routines, her dedication to fitness has stayed constant.

A 2016 video shows her boxing with her trainer Don Brooks. In an interview with People magazine, Kardashian said she was exercising with him at 6am every day when [she was] home.

She dropped 20 pounds in 2018 while working with her ex-bodybuilder trainer, Melissa Alcantara, writes People.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star once posted a Snapchat video of herself working out for the third time in a day. I went boxing earlier, I did the treadmill earlier, and now legs, she said while taking a selfie video.

In 2024, Kardashian has been seen training with personal trainer and fitness creator Senada Greca. In an Instagram video, Greca shared that Kardashian did squats, abduction exercises and hip thrusts as part of her lower body routine.

Ultra-processed food: what it is and why its bad for us

In 2018, Kardashians trainer Alcantara prepared recipes to ensure her client was eating balanced portions of proteins, carbohydrates and fats and zero processed foods.

The trainer told People that Kardashian began a typical day with blueberry oatmeal pancakes for breakfast, chicken, sweet potatoes and vegetables for lunch, and fish and vegetables for dinner.

In 2019, Kardashian admitted to eating the same Chinese chicken salad from the Los Angeles-based Health Nut almost every day for a year. The meal contains shredded chicken, noodles and pickled ginger in a sesame dressing.

In 2022, she hit a turning point, sharing with Interview Magazine that she was eating as plant-based as possible despite her many chicken-based meals in previous years.

She admitted that she was not perfect, but that it was a lifestyle choice that helped her feel really good in [her] own skin.

10 surprising ways a whole food, plant-based diet will benefit your health

Despite Kardashians intensive carb cutting in 2022, she does recognise the nutritional role carbohydrates play in a healthy diet.

My trainer Mel always says that before and after you train, you should eat simple carbs, like sweet potatoes, and small amounts of fat and protein, like chicken, Kim told subscribers of her workout app in 2018, writes Cosmopolitan magazine.

You should also have veggies with your meals, since you need them to help effectively break down and absorb your protein, fat, and carbs, she went on. Theres a myth that eating carbs is bad, but this isnt true!

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Which diet has Kim Kardashian done on and off for years to lose weight? - South China Morning Post

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Effects of dietary intervention on human diseases: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential | Signal ... - Nature.com

In stark contrast to much of the Western world, people who live on the Greek island of Ikaria have a good chance of making it into their 90s in good health. Experts speculate there are a few reasons for this. One is regular exercise. Ikaria is mountainous, so just visiting a shop is physically demanding. Another is a strong sense of community, which keeps rates of depression low. And another is diet.

Ikaria is one of the worlds five official Blue Zones. Like Okinawa in Japan and Nicoya in Costa Rica, its population follows a diet that is 95 to 100 percent plant-based. And were not talking vegan meats and processed foods, but rather fresh fruits, leafy greens, grains, beans, and legumes. So is a plant-based, whole foods diet the best for senior health? If Blue Zones are anything to go by, it certainly appears that way. Here, we take a closer look at why.

Research confirms that as human beings age, food becomes more important than ever. And thats because bodies start to change as they get older; muscles, bones, and organs need more support from vital nutrients.

Thinning skin, for example, is a common symptom of aging. But this makes it harder to absorb vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, so this, in turn, can lead to a calcium deficiency. Both of these nutrients can be topped up through diet.

Protein is also key, as it helps to preserve muscle mass. Without it, elderly people are at a greater risk of muscle deterioration, which can lead to mobility issues and slower recovery from illness. One study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, found that out of 2,900 senior people, those who ate the most protein were 30 percent less likely to become functionally impaired.

Potassium, omega-3, magnesium, and iron are also common deficiencies in older people. According to the British Geriatrics Society, 30 percent of people aged over 85 in the UK have anemia.

Diet can help to play a role in maintaining optimal senior health, which, may, in turn, reduce the risk of certain diseases.

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The World Health Organization notes that the risk of dementia, for example, is lowered when people follow a nutritious diet and limit their alcohol intake, among other healthy behaviors. And the Alzheimers Society acknowledges evidence that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and cereals, and low in red meat and sugar, may help to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Research also suggests that a diet high in plant foods can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer, all of which are common causes of death among elderly people.

While some people may be tempted to believe that veganism is a diet for young people, the fact is that there are many benefits to eating vegan foods for seniors, registered dietitian Amber Dixon, MPHwho is also a geriatric nurse and founder of Elderly Guides, a platform that provides health resources for seniors and their familiessays.

She reiterated that it may reduce the risk of dementia, as well as help people to maintain their weight. Eating vegan means you will be getting plenty of fiber and complex carbohydrates, she notes. Which helps you feel fuller longer and also helps regulate blood sugar levels.

There are various types of vegan diets. For example, a diet that consists solely of French fries and donuts isnt packed with nutrition, but its still vegan. For optimal senior health (and other ages, too), one specific type of vegan diet is recommended: whole foods, plant-based. Just like the Ikarians.

Like all people who follow a vegan diet, however, seniors may need to consider B12 supplementation. Research suggests that the likelihood of vitamin B12 deficiency increases with age, and affects 6 percent of people aged over 60. Vitamin B12 can be found in nutritional yeast and fortified cereals, but it is not found in fruits and vegetables.

That said, a diet full of grains, leafy greens, beans, legumes, and other whole foods will help seniors to get nearly all of the vital vitamins and minerals that are needed to help maintain good bone, muscle, and organ health. Here are some of the best foods to put on your plate, recommended by dietitians.

Pexels

Tofu is one of the highest sources of protein amongst vegan foods, registered dietitian Patricia Kolesa, MS RDN, says. This, she says, is because of seniors higher protein needs. She notes that tofu, which contains roughly 8 grams of protein per 100 grams, can be a helpful source in preventing the process of muscle breakdown.

Protein foods can also help with feeling full and satiated after a meal, Kolesa adds. Additionally tofu is high in calcium, which can be helpful in maintaining strong bones in older populations that are at higher risk for fractures and arthritis.

For more guidance on how to cook with tofu, peruse our guide to the best preparation and cooking methods. Other high-protein vegan foods include tempeh, which has 19 grams of protein per 100 grams, and seitan, which has a whopping 75 grams of protein.

Pexels

Kolesa also notes that beans are a good source of protein for older people. Combined with rice, they can make for a complete protein, she explains. Kidney beans are a particularly good source, with 24 grams per 100 grams. To find out which beans have the most protein, weve created this handy guide to everything from cannellini to edamame (plus high-protein recipes).

But, protein aside, beans have other benefits, too. Beans also contain fiber, Kolesa says. In older populations, it can be more difficult to form a bowel movement and fiber can aid in the digestive process by helping to form poop and remove waste from the body. Another problem amongst seniors is anemia, which results from low iron. Beans are a huge source of iron and should be paired with a vitamin C food like red bell peppers for the body to best absorb it.

Dixon agrees that beans are a good source of nutrition for seniors, and also recommends other protein- and vitamin-rich legumes, like lentils and peas. Beans and legumes are high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients that are important for seniors, she says. They can be used in a variety of recipes and are easy to incorporate into everyday meals.

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Dixon also recommends that seniors pack their diets with greens, like spinach and kale. Theyre high in vitamins A and C, which are important for eye health and preventing age-related vision loss, she says. They also contain antioxidants that help fight free radicals, promote healthy skin, and reduce inflammation.

Other good examples are arugula, bok choy, cabbage, watercress, and romaine lettuce.

To pack in the leafy greens (with a side of all-important beans and legumes!), try this Zesty Vegan Salad with Blackened Chickpeas, this Vegan Spinach, Chickpea, and Lemon Pilaf, or this Vegan-Apple Chickpea Kale Salad With Mustard-Dill Dressing.

Pexels

Whole grains are another essential part of a balanced plant-based diet. They include foods like brown rice, wild rice, oats, barley, durum wheat, and rye.

Whole grains provide many essential minerals and vitamins including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc (which helps prevent anemia), selenium (which helps protect the immune system), B vitamins (which support energy production), chromium (which helps balance blood sugar levels), and manganese (which supports bone health), Dixon notes.

For examples of how to enjoy whole grains in your diet, check out this Vegan Garden Fried Rice, this Jamaican-Inspired Vegan Banana Oatmeal Porridge, or these Healthy Vegan Strawberry Chia Oat Bites.

Unsplash

Other foods that can make up a healthy, whole foods, plant-based diet include berries, like bananas and strawberries, which are rich in vitamins like B6 and vitamin C, as well as colorful vegetables like peppers, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, beetroot, pumpkins, carrots, and more.

All of these examples have unique properties. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, for example, contain beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the body. To maintain good health at any age, but particularly in the senior years, people should aim to, quite simply, make like Blue Zone-rs and eat the rainbow.

Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.

Continued here:
Is a Plant-Based Diet the Best for Senior Health? - VegNews

In the quiet, frost-kissed mornings of the Arctic tundra, a delicate dance of survival unfolds, one that has persisted through the ages, yet now teeters on the brink of disruption. As the planet warms, the icy grip of winter loosens earlier, beckoning a flurry of insect life to emerge from its slumber.

This should be a feast for the migrating shorebirds arriving from southern climes, yet an ecological quandary looms: are these avian travelers arriving too late to partake in this insect banquet, potentially jeopardizing their breeding success?

Misha Zhemchuzhnikov, an ecologist at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), stands at the forefront of unraveling this complex tapestry. His research, set against the stark beauty of northern Russia and Greenland, delves deep into the intricate relationships between shorebirds and their arthropod prey.

As Zhemchuzhnikov prepares to defend his PhD thesis at Groningen University, he offers a cautionary tale against hasty conclusions regarding natures mismatches.

Shorebirds, those intrepid wanderers of the tundra, exhibit a remarkable adaptability in their dietary habits. Zhemchuzhnikovs research reveals a nuanced picture of their feeding strategies.

While these birds can indeed dine on a wide array of insects, they show a marked preference for crane flies, a choice that becomes apparent through the meticulous analysis of DNA in their droppings. This preference underscores the importance of examining specific insect populations rather than relying on general biomass measurements, which can misrepresent the true availability of key prey items.

Looking at just general insect numbers or just biomass may also provide a deceiving picture, said Zhemchuzhnikov. Based on the long-term monitoring near the research station of Zackenberg, we know that numbers and biomass are not always in sync. This may result in different conclusions about the trophic mismatches.

Zhemchuzhnikov advocates for a rigorous, data-driven approach to understanding these ecological dynamics. He proposes the use of standard field trials with brightly colored pitfalls to capture, count, and weigh the insects that populate the tundra.

This method, while demanding in terms of scientific endurance, promises to shed light on the true nature of trophic relationships in this changing landscape.

With the bright colors of these pitfalls, one can also catch flying insects the pollinators of the Arctic flowers, said Zhemchuzhnikov. But it takes a lot of scientific stamina to be able to draw sound conclusions in the long run.

However, there is an alternative way for going back in time and getting an idea about diet composition. We know that the chemical fingerprint that specific species of insects leave behind in birds can be found in feathers as well. And luckily, we have a huge sample of these feathers from the juvenile birds, collected for several decades in their wintering sites.

Therefore, we are working on a method where we can track back the diet of the birds, analyzing the feathers that were formed during their growth in the breeding grounds.

By analyzing the chemical signatures left by specific insect species in the feathers of juvenile birds, scientists can reconstruct historical diets, offering insights into how these birds have adapted (or not) to shifts in their food supply over time.

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research serves as a vital hub for marine and coastal research, playing a pivotal role in our understanding of how climate change impacts ecological systems.

Zhemchuzhnikovs work is just one example of the institutes commitment to advancing our knowledge of the natural world, with implications that stretch far beyond the Arctic tundra.

Zhemchuzhnikovs journey into the heart of ecological dynamics is a testament to the resilience and complexity of nature. It serves as a reminder that in the face of rapid environmental change, our assumptions must be continually challenged and refined. This story is not just about shorebirds and insects; its about the interconnectedness of all life and the delicate balances that sustain it.

As we ponder the future of these Arctic landscapes, let us approach with curiosity, armed with the knowledge that every creature, no matter how small, plays a role in the tapestry of life. The work of scientists like Zhemchuzhnikov illuminates the path forward, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of our planet and our place within it.

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Arctic survival: Can shorebirds adjust to changes in their diet? - Earth.com

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Jaime Gnau.

In a world of diet trends and conflicting nutrition information, it can feel like you are bombarded by tons of solutions for health improvement every day.

The truth is there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to personal nutrition.

Jaime Gnau, clinical assistant professor in the public health and sports medicine department at Missouri State University, brings over 20 years of health care experience to her role.

Gnau worked in patient care and radiology before becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. She found her niche in nutrition and dietetics, and helps individuals develop healthy lifestyle behaviors through the foods they eat. Her perspectives on nutrition emphasize evidence-based practices, mindfulness and community support.

In light of National Nutrition Month in March, Gnau shares some tips and advice for making more informed food choices and cultivating positive eating habits.

Gnau challenges common nutrition misconceptions by fostering a healthy relationship with food. She advocates for an approach where all foods fit and stresses the significance of facts over fear.

Balance is key, Gnau said. Enjoying your favorite treats in moderation is part of a balanced approach to nutrition.

By debunking the labeling of foods as inherently good or bad, Gnau encourages individuals to focus on nourishment rather than restrictive dieting.

While acknowledging the health benefits of the keto diet for medical conditions like seizure disorders, Gnau cautions against its widespread adoption as a diet.

I dont typically promote the keto diet for weight loss or general health, Gnau said. Its not sustainable and may not support overall well-being.

She notes it is important to focus on long-term sustainability and gut health when evaluating popular fad diets like keto.

Gnau focuses on the value of moderation and intuitive eating in promoting overall well-being. She highlights the detrimental effects of restrictive diets, noting they lead to heightened cravings and unhealthy relationships with food.

Listen to your bodys hunger and fullness cues. Eat when youre hungry and stop when youre satisfied to maintain a healthy relationship with food, Gnau said.

By encouraging individuals to listen to their bodies, Gnau promotes a sustainable approach to nutrition that prioritizes both physical and mental health.

Gnau promotes gut health through dietary choices. Our gut helps to break down the foods we eat and absorb nutrients to support bodily functions.

According to Gnau, fiber-rich foods like beans, lentils and whole grains promote gut health, but they are often lacking from the average persons diet.

Replacing some meats with beans and lentils is a great way to support gut health while staying within a budget. These foods are not only inexpensive, but they also pack a powerful fiber punch, said Gnau.

Her practical tips for budget-friendly grocery shopping include:

Gnau advocates for meal prepping as a practical strategy for maintaining a balanced diet amidst busy schedules. She suggests forming meal prep groups to stay consistent and accountable.

Starting small is key. For example, try meal prepping for a couple dinners a week. Based on your schedule, think about which meal would be the most convenient to prep for.

It can be difficult to incorporate variety when it comes to cooking. To keep healthy eating exciting, try exchanging a meal you have prepped and/or cooked with someone else in your area.

Gnau shares she is part of a group that meets once a week to swap prepped meals. One way to find locals interested in doing this is through social media platforms like Facebook.

Meal prepping can help you make nourishing, budget-friendly choices throughout the week and support a balanced approach to nutrition, Gnau said. It can also be a fun way to connect with friends!

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Navigating nutrition facts and fads - Missouri State News

Send your open letters here

To the Editor-

There are solutions to the Business 51 rebuild and roundabout that dont start with paying AECOM $30,000 for yet another study.

The self-appointed (maybe self-anointed?) city folks who claim to be researchers, engineers, street rebuild experts, specialists, master road builders, ad nauseum, need only look at a free way to find out if any of their ideas to remove lanes from an existing arterial road are prudent, including an additional roundabout that will cause gridlock and safety issues for the residents (and visitors?) of this city.

I propose that the city street department get all the orange barrels and cones out of storage and use them to close one lane (in both directions) from the underpass at Church and Patch Streets all the way north of the roundabout at North Point Drive, including the roundabout.

Keep the barrels and cones on the lanes going in both directions for three weeks. If the city doesnt own enough orange barrels and cones, perhaps they could borrow from outlying communities, such as Plover, Whiting, Hull, Junction City, Amherst, etc.

I would think there are enough city street department workers who havent had much work to do this winter to keep the barrels/cones on the selected lanes and then watch what happens to this dedicated main artery when school buses, SUVs, fire trucks, sedans, city buses, and all sorts of motorized vehicles want to get from point A to point B in a timely and safe manner.

I suggest this test so that we dont keep spending taxpayers money for studies and possibly build a gridlock that is dangerous to all for years to come. Please use some common sense and keep our city welcoming to all.

Ruth Pfiffner Stevens Point

Read the original:
Letter: City should 'test' road diet on Bus. 51 prior to implementation - Point/Plover Metro Wire

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has public health officials concerned. A team of researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California found that agrowing number of high school students have admitted to using delta-8 THC, a chemical compound that is similar to the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.

The chemical is unregulated in many states because of a loophole in the 2018 farm bill that allows it to be sold if it is derived from hemp plants.

According to the researchers, roughly one-third of high school students admitted to using marijuana products over the past year, while 11% of high school seniors admitted to using delta-8 THC products.

"We know high school students naturally want to explore and try new 'exciting' things, like e-cigarettes, alcohol, or marijuana,"said senior study authorAdam Leventhal, director of the University of Southern California Institute for Addiction Science. "It's not surprising that we're seeing that they're using delta-8. We just didn't expect it to be so high."

The study found the highest percentage of users were in states that have not legalized marijuana, particularly in the South and Midwest.

Public health officials are concerned that so many high school students are using thedrugs because there are limited studies about their long-term effects.

"11% is a lot of people that's at least one or two students in every average-sized high school class who may be using delta-8. We don't know enough about these drugs, but we see that they are already extremely accessible to teens,"Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said in a press release.

Read more from the original source:
Concerns Over Growing Number Of High Schoolers Using 'Diet Weed' Products - WOAI.com

Image by Justin Sullivan via Getty / Futurism

Bad news for diet soda lovers: artificially-sweetened soft drinks may come with a heart-shaped price tag.

Published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation:Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, the new research out of a Shanghai teaching hospital suggests that there may be a link between regularly drinking significant amounts of diet soda and dangerously irregular heartbeats.

As the Mayo Clinic explains, atrial fibrillation, the medical term for irregular heartbeats, is associated with a group of symptoms that also include heart palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Looking at a database cohort of more than 200,000 patients, the team comprised primarily of endocrinology researchers at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital found that over a period of nearly 10 years, those who drank more than 2 liters of sodas with nonsugar sweeteners were significantly more likely to develop a-fib compared to those who drank fruit juice or regular soda.

Specifically, the study indicates that people who drank more than two liters of diet beverages per week were 20 percent more likely to develop a-fib than those who don't drink any though the researchers struggled to explain exactly why it might cause the scary heart-related symptoms.

If you're thinking of switching back to regular soda, that's not a perfect solution either.The Shanghai researchers also found that drinking more than two liters per week of conventionally sweetened cola saw a 10 percent increase in a-fib symptoms.

When looking at the portion of the cohort that drank only pure, unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice, the researchers found something even more fascinating: they appeared to have an eight percent lower risk of developing irregular heartbeats than their soda-drinking counterparts.

While there's been lots of research looking into other negative health effects associated with diet sodas, Penn State nutritionist Penny Kris-Etherton pointed out in an interview withCNNthat this appears to be the first looking at its association with a-fib.

"We still need more research on these beverages to confirm these findings and to fully understand all the health consequences on heart disease and other health conditions," Kris-Etherton, an American Heart Association contributor who didn't work on the study, told CNN. "In the meantime, water is the best choice, and, based on this study, no- and low-calorie sweetened beverages should be limited or avoided."

At the end of the day, drinking a bunch of diet soda is still probably not as bad for your heart as, say, excessive alcohol intake, but the risk is serious enough to take seriously and to make those pure fruit juices look all the tastier.

More on heart health:Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

More:
Diet Sodas Linked to Heart Issues - Futurism

A new study suggests that sticking to a fasting-style diet can bring with it a range of benefits, including a lower risk of disease and slower cell aging.

Known as a fasting-mimicking diet, or FMD, the brief reduction in food aims to replicate the effects of a water-only fast without giving up essential nutrients.

This involves consuming a proportion of plant based soups, energy bars, crisps, teas, vitamin and mineral supplements portioned out across five days, providing a diet high in unsaturated fats and low in calories, protein, and carbohydrates.

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC), the Yale School of Medicine, and AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Italy ran two clinical studies involving a total of 144 volunteers. They found that those on the FMD had reduced insulin resistance (linked to diabetes), liver fat, and immune system aging all contributing to a lower biological age and lower disease overall.

"This study shows for the first time evidence for biological age reduction from two different clinical trials, accompanied by evidence of rejuvenation of metabolic and immune function," says gerontologist Valter Longo, from USC.

The participants who went through the cycles of FMD were found to be 2.5 years younger in median biological age than the other groups, which measures 'wear and tear' on the cells, or how well they function in relation to how old you actually are.

What's more, the health boosts didn't appear to be linked to any associated weight loss. In other words, the body wasn't just feeling the benefits of shedding some weight it seems there's something else going on here too, which future studies can continue to investigate.

"This is the first study to show that a food-based intervention that does not require chronic dietary or other lifestyle changes can make people biologically younger, based on both changes in risk factors for aging and disease," says Longo.

It's not the first time the FMD has been shown to have health benefits. A previous study found that this kind of food and calorie restriction was able to reduce the signs of dementia albeit only in mice, rather than humans. It might also help tackle obesity.

With all of this in mind, the researchers are keen to see the FMD promoted as part of cultivating a healthier lifestyle though as always, it's crucial to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before making drastic changes to your diet.

"These findings should encourage many more healthcare professionals to recommend FMD cycles to patients with higher than desired levels of disease risk factors as well as to the general population that may be interested in increased function and younger age," says Longo.

The research has been published in Nature Communications.

See the rest here:
This Diet Mimics The Effects of Fasting And Appears to Slow Biological Aging - ScienceAlert

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