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Diets designed to boost brain health, targeted largely at older adults, are a new, noteworthy development in the field of nutrition.

The latest version is the Canadian Brain Health Food Guide, created by scientists in Toronto. Another, the MIND diet, comes from experts at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Both diets draw from a growing body of research suggesting that certain nutrients mostly found in plant-based foods, whole grains, beans, nuts, vegetable oils and fish help protect cells in the brain while fighting harmful inflammation and oxidation.

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Both have yielded preliminary, promising results in observational studies. The Canadian version similar to the Mediterranean diet but adapted to Western eating habits is associated with a 36 percent reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimers disease. The MIND diet a hybrid of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) lowered the risk of Alzheimers by 53 percent.

Researchers responsible for both regimens will study them further in rigorous clinical trials being launched this year.

Still, the diets differ in several respects, reflecting varying interpretations of research regarding nutritions impact on the aging brain.

A few examples: The MIND diet recommends two servings of vegetables every day; the Canadian diet recommends five. The Canadian diet suggests that fish or seafood be eaten three times a week; the MIND diet says once is enough.

The MIND diet calls for at least three servings of whole grains a day; the Canadian diet doesnt make a specific recommendation. The Canadian diet calls for four servings of fruit each day; the MIND diet says that five half-cup portions of berries a week is all that is needed.

We asked Carol Greenwood, a professor of nutrition at the University of Toronto and a key force behind the Canadian diet, and Martha Clare Morris, a nutritional epidemiologist at Rush University Medical Center and originator of the MIND diet, to elaborate on research findings about nutrition and aging and their implications for older adults.

NUTRITION AND THE BRAIN

Its not yet well understood precisely how nutrition affects the brains of older adults. Most studies done to date have been in animals or younger adults.

What is clear: A poor diet can increase the risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, which in turn can end up compromising an individuals cognitive function. The corollary: A good diet that reduces the risk of chronic illness is beneficial to the brain.

Also, what people eat appears to have an effect on brain cells and how they function.

I dont think we know enough yet to say that nutrients in themselves support neurogenesis (the growth of neurons) and synaptogenesis (the growth of neural connections), Greenwood said. But pathways that are needed for these processes can be supported or impaired by someones nutritional status.

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Several nutrients have been shown to have biological mechanisms related to neuropathology in the brain, Morris said.

On that list is Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant found in oils, nuts, seeds, whole grains and leafy green vegetables, which is associated with slower cognitive decline, a lower risk of dementia, and reduced accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins a key culprit in Alzheimers disease.

The brain is a site of great metabolic activity, Morris said. It uses an enormous amount of energy and in doing so generates a high level of free radical molecules, which are unstable and destructive. Vitamin E snatches up those free radicals and protects the brain from injury.

Also on her list is vitamin B12 found in animal products such as meat, eggs, cheese and fish and vitamin B9 (folate), found in green leafy vegetables, grains, nuts and beans.

Because aging affects stomach acids that facilitate the absorption of B12, everyone who gets to middle age should have a doctor check their B12 levels, Morris said. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to confusion and memory problems, while folate deficiency is associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and nuts oils, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are highly concentrated in the brain, where they are incorporated in cell membranes and play a role in the transmission of signals between cells.

A primary focus has to be maintaining healthy blood vessels in the brain, Greenwood said. So, heart health recommendations are similar in many ways to brain health recommendations, with this exception: The brain has higher levels of Omega-3s than any other tissue in the body, making adequate levels even more essential.

Other studies point to calcium, zinc and vitamins A, C and D as having a positive impact on the brain, though findings are sometimes inconsistent.

FOODS TO AVOID

For the most part, the Canadian and MIND diets concur on foods to be avoided or limited to once-a-week servings, especially saturated fats found in pastries, sweets, butter, red meat and fried and processed foods.

As for dairy products, theres no evidence one way or another. If you like your yogurt, keep eating it, Morris said. Greenwood adds a caveat: Make sure you consume low-fat dairy products as opposed to whole-fat versions.

OTHER HELPFUL DIETS

Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that both the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet have a positive impact on various aspects of cognition, although neither was created specifically for that purpose.

At the end of the day, our [Canadian] diet, the MIND diet, the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet are not that different; theyre all likely to be helpful, Greenwood said.

THE PATTERN COUNTS

Studies promoting the cognitive benefits of drinking tea or eating blueberries have garnered headlines recently. But a focus on individual foods is misguided, both experts suggested. What matters instead is dietary patterns and how components of various foods interact to promote brain health.

The bottom line: Concentrate on eating an assortment of foods that are good for you. As long as people are eating a healthful diet, they shouldnt have to worry about individual nutrients, Greenwood said.

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2 diets that may help ward off Alzheimer's - Chicago Tribune

Kim Kardashian said she lost six pounds all thanks to the flu.

The 36-year-old reality TV star informed fans on Twitter that she easily shed the weight by getting sick, which she joked was perfect timing for her upcoming appearance at the annual Met Gala in New York City.

"The flu can be an amazing diet," she tweeted. "So happy it came in time for the Met lol #6lbsdown."

KIM KARDASHIAN CONSIDERS SURROGACY

While Kardashian made light of her illness, some tweeters were angry at the mother of two, stating that her reported weight loss technique is harmful advice to young fans. Kardashian's tweet has since disappeared after the backlash.

Kardashian previously told E! News that she relied on the Atkins diet to help her slim down from the baby weight she gained while pregnant with son Saint West, her second child with her husband, rapper Kanye West.

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Im definitely to my goal weight. Im down more than I expected, said the Keeping Up With the Kardashians personality to the celebrity news site. I think if you just really stay motivated and focused, the Atkins diet was so easy for me because theres so many sweets and treats that keep you satisfied along the way. I think with the help of all of that its been super easy.

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Kim Kardashian calls the flu an 'amazing diet' after recent weight loss - Fox News

There is the Mediterranean Diet. And then there is the Mediterranean Diet.

The Mediterranean Diet is said to be one of the most healthful in the world. It emphasizes fruit and vegetables while minimizing red meat. It features plenty of fish, along with poultry. It uses oil instead of butter, and herbs and spices instead of salt. It encourages exercise, along with long meals with family and friends.

The Mediterranean Diet, on the other hand, is what is eaten by people who live around the Mediterranean Sea.

There are plenty of similarities, of course the Mediterranean Diet was begun by looking at what people ate around the Mediterranean Sea. And here it should be noted that it is mainly focused on the northern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean. You wont find many foods on it from, say, Algeria (the researchers who first publicized it, Ancel and Margaret Keys, focused on foods from Greece, Crete and southern Italy).

But there are also differences.

For instance, the Mediterranean Diet specifically recommends fatty fish, such as salmon, and the use of canola oil. But salmon is a cold-water fish, native to the Northern Atlantic and Northern Pacific neither of which is particularly close to the Mediterranean Sea.

And canola oil comes primarily from Canada (the can in canola is for Canada). It is also produced in China, India and northern Europe. In other words, nowhere near the Mediterranean Sea.

Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Diet features a lot of lamb and goat meat. Youll find scant mention of either one in references to the Mediterranean Diet. And in northern Italy they use far more butter than olive oil.

So my goal in taking a healthful dip into these foods was to find that happy intersection where the Mediterranean Diet meets the Mediterranean Diet. To see where the healthy benefits of the diet are actually enjoyed by the people for whom it is named.

I began with an appetizer that couldnt be more Mediterranean if it surrounded Italy on three sides: Marinated Olives and Feta. This is a simple dish, but it creates an explosion of flavor.

Or rather, flavors. Everything that is so great about Mediterranean cooking is combined in one chunky dip: olives, feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, fresh rosemary and crushed red pepper. Its like going to a Mediterranean food store and buying everything on the shelves.

I marinated mine overnight to allow the flavors to blend, and served it on top of crusty bread and crackers. As the Greeks would say, Nstimo!

Next up was a dish that was, as hard as it may be to believe, even easier to make. Date Wraps are like a slightly healthier and more elegant version of perhaps the best hors doeuvre in the world, dates wrapped in bacon.

This time, the dates are wrapped in prosciutto. The rich flavor of the cured meat plays beautifully off the sweetness of the dates, and the saltiness means you can dispense with the Parmesan cheese that is an important part of the bacon version.

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A twist of black pepper on top provides just the right amount of spice to make it interesting. As the Italians would say, Delizioso!

For a side dish, I turned to perhaps my favorite vegetable, asparagus. In Andalusia the southern area of Spain that borders the Mediterranean Sea they cook it in an astonishingly good way.

First, they saut the asparagus spears in olive oil, which is a truly auspicious way to start anything. But then they go a step further by baking the asparagus with a topping made from blanched almonds, garlic and bread crumbs that are sautd in olive oil auspiciously and then all ground together.

Its not the garlic that goes so magnificently with the asparagus, or the almonds or even the bread crumbs. It is the combination of all three. As the Spanish would say, Excelente!

And for a main course, I made fish, of course. Both versions of the Mediterranean Diet involve eating a lot of fish.

I used one of the most popular fish in the region, swordfish, and topped it with an abundance of Mediterranean ingredients: olives, capers, tomatoes and olive oil.

How did it taste? Lets just say the French would call it superbe.

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Mediterranean diet is healthy -- but is it Mediterranean? - STLtoday.com

While most people are thinking about their weight when they embark on a new diet, Australian researchers have discovered one particular diet could be affecting more than just our waistline.

Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland have found a link between high-fat diets and the onset of osteoarthritis.

Professor Yin Xiao, who lead the research team, said diets high in saturated fats and simple carbohydrates produced osteoarthritic-like changes in the knee.

These high-fat and simple-carbohydrates diets have become more common in recent years thanks to Aussies indulging in more junk food on a regular basis.

Fad diets like the Atkins diet, which encourage foods high in saturated fat and low in carbohydrates have also become popular.

Our findings suggest that its not wear and tear but diet that has a lot to do with the onset of osteoarthritis, Professor Xiao said, reports Medical News Today.

Saturated fatty acid deposits in the cartilage change its metabolism and weaken the cartilage, making it more prone to damage.

This would, in turn, lead to osteoarthritic pain from the loss of the cushioning effect of cartilage. We also found changes in the bone under the cartilage on a diet rich in saturated fat.

Over 2 million Australians are living with osteoarthritis the most common form of the disease.

Experts recommend a diet low in saturated fats and high in monounsaturated fats, like those found in canola oil, olive oil, peanut oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados, for good overall health.

Past studies have also found that complex carbohydrates, such as those found in green vegetables, wholegrain foods, and legumes are best for weight management and energy levels.

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Study finds osteoarthritis linked to this popular diet - Starts at 60

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Vanessa Hudgens Dishes on How She Lost 20 Lbs.: 'You Can Eat Bacon' PEOPLE.com As for her #1 diet tip? You don't really need to count calories as much as you think you do, she says. Think about eating things that are going to fuel you, give you sustainable energy. And don't be afraid of fats. You can eat bacon; you can eat ... and more »

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Vanessa Hudgens Dishes on How She Lost 20 Lbs.: 'You Can Eat Bacon' - PEOPLE.com

In the first study of its kind, a link is found between the consumption of animal fats and an increased risk of osteoarthritis. The findings are published this week in the journal Scientific Reports.

Osteoarthritis is the most common version of arthritis and affects millions of people across the world, including an estimated 30 million people in the United States alone.

The condition is characterized by the slow breakdown of cartilage, which acts as a buffer between joints. As the cartilage degenerates, joints can become swollen, stiff, and painful, and the condition tends to worsen with time.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body but is most often found in the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

Traditionally, osteoarthritis is referred to as a condition of wear and tear - in other words, joints that are used most often or most heavily are more likely to experience a steady breakdown of cartilage, eventually leading to osteoarthritis.

There are some known risk factors for osteoarthritis - for instance, it more commonly affects older adults, and women are more likely to develop it than men. Similarly, previous joint injuries and bone deformities also increase the chances of developing the condition.

Another known risk factor for osteoarthritis is obesity. This is partly because of the excess stress put on joints when carrying around more weight, but the connection between excess weight and osteoarthritis may run a little deeper than that.

A team of researchers from the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland, both in Australia, recently investigated a connection between dietary fat and the onset of osteoarthritis. The group was led by professors Yin Xiao and Lindsay Brown.

This recently published study follows on from Prof. Xiao's earlier work, which found that antioxidants and anti-cholesterol drugs may slow the progression of the joint damage attributed to the fatty acids found in foods such as palm oil and butter.

In this research project, Prof. Xiao looked specifically at the effects of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids and simple carbohydrates on osteoarthritis. These dietary components mirror the nutritional elements commonly found in junk food - high fats and high carbohydrates.

The study demonstrates that osteoarthritis may be less to do with the general usage of our joints and more to do with what we eat on a regular basis. As Prof. Xiao says: "Our findings suggest that it's not wear and tear but diet that has a lot to do with the onset of osteoarthritis."

According to their results, a diet containing 20 percent saturated fats and simple carbohydrates "produced osteoarthritic-like changes in the knee."

"Saturated fatty acid deposits in the cartilage change its metabolism and weaken the cartilage, making it more prone to damage. This would, in turn, lead to osteoarthritic pain from the loss of the cushioning effect of cartilage. We also found changes in the bone under the cartilage on a diet rich in saturated fat."

Prof. Yin Xiao

Long-term use of animal fat, butter, and palm oil all appeared to weaken cartilage. However, when they replaced meat fat with lauric acid - a saturated fat commonly found in coconut oil - the opposite effect was observed. Lauric acid seemed to be beneficial. According to Ph.D. student Sunder Sekar, who was also involved in the trial, "when [the researchers] replaced the meat fat in the diet with lauric acid, [they] found decreased signs of cartilage deterioration and metabolic syndrome, so it seems to have a protective effect."

The researchers conclude that: "Replacement of traditional diets containing coconut-derived lauric acid with palm oil-derived palmitic acid or animal fat-derived stearic acid has the potential to worsen the development of both metabolic syndrome and osteoarthritis."

Although the results will need to be replicated, this could be yet another reason to avoid a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.

Learn how a new blood test can detect the early stages of osteoarthritis.

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Osteoarthritis linked to high-fat diet - Medical News Today

With so many diets to choose from, its often hard to determine which ones are good, which are bad and which are just down-right ugly. Heres what you need to know about some of todays most popular diet trends:

What is it? Prescribed in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, this very low-carb, high-fat diet forces the body to use fat instead of carbohydrate for energy ketosis to reduce seizures.

Pros: Outside of some improvement in lab values, almost none when used for weight-loss purposes.

Cons: Carbohydrate intake is severely restricted to less than 5 percent of daily calories. Virtually eliminates all fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes. Impossible to meet nutritional needs without a heavy dose of vitamin and mineral supplements.

Bottom line: A diet prescribed to treat a medical condition should never be used for weight-loss purposes. Health improvements seen in ketosis occur any time the diet is dramatically changed and calorie intake significantly reduced, so dont believe this is a keto-specific effect.

What is it? No sugar, artificial sweeteners, dairy, grains, legumes (including peanuts and peanut butter) or alcohol for 30 days. Aims to heal the body from inflammation caused by these foods. If you slip up, you start the 30 day cycle all over again.

Pros: Plenty of fruits and vegetables. Calorie counting and weighing are discouraged to shift focus to healthy eating benefits outside of weight loss.

Cons: Lifestyle must be completely altered to accommodate this diet. No long-term maintenance plan for keeping the weight off (or so-called inflammation away) after the 30 days.

Bottom line: 30 days is not nearly enough time to make you healthy or change your lifestyle. This diet is restrictive to the extreme and what happens when the 30 days are over?

What is it? Sometimes referred to as the 5:2 diet or more generally known as intermittent fasting. For this diet calories are restricted for two days (around 500-600 calories) and normal eating is allowed on the other five days. The idea is to trick the body into thinking it is experiencing famine, which will switch it from storing fat to burning it.

Pros: Im hard-pressed to find them.

Cons: Little guidance for what or how to eat, particularly on non-fasting days. Severely and unnaturally restricts intake for short periods of time. Eating patterns like this are strongly correlated with a higher BMI and greater body fat mass.

Bottom line: Restriction and deprivation will always result in overeating later. Always.

What is it? Proponents say eat like our cavemen ancestors to be healthy because our reliance on todays highly processed, convenience food is to blame for all health problems.

Pros: Packaged, convenience foods are eliminated. Focus is on whole foods such as plants and lean meats.

Cons: Two entire food groups are missingwhole grains and dairy. Open meals allow you to cheat as often as needed.

Bottom line: We dont hunt, fish or gather our food the way we did in Paleolithic times, and there is literally no food available today that even closely resembles what was eaten 10,000 years ago. Any diet that recommends cheating or allows you to nosh on cinnamon rolls, fudge and other junk food disguised with a healthy-sounding title is fooling you.

The diets above are the verb sense of the word short term, quick fix, extreme ways of eating with restriction and elimination at the core. They dont address the root of our eating and food issues. In contrast, the diets below are the noun sense long-term, sustainable ways of living without deprivation.

What is it? Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) was originally created to treat and prevent heart disease. Focuses on balance, moderation and nutritious foods.

Pros: Responsibly limits red meat, sodium, high-fat and high-sugar treats. Promotes consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, nuts and legumes. Slowly evolves diet over time. No off-limit foods. Is a natural, moderate and sensible approach to address health and weight concerns.

Cons: Eating out can be difficult due to typical large, heavily salted and high-fat restaurant choices.

Bottom line: Weight loss is a common side effect of eating a well-balanced, nutritious and natural diet like this one. This way of eating is sustainable you can healthfully follow these guidelines forever.

What is it? Based on the diet and lifestyle practices of those living in the Mediterranean region. These people tend to live long, healthful lives and its widely accepted that their diet and active lifestyle play a key role.

Pros: Fresh produce, whole grains, fish, legumes, nuts and other healthy fats form the base of each meal. Alcohol is consumed only in moderation. Red meats and sweets are reserved for special occasions and eaten in small amounts. Calorie intake is based on physical hunger and activity level.

Cons: None. Many restaurants have Mediterranean options and paired with a large salad or side of veggies, youll be just fine!

Bottom line: Of all the healthful ways of eating, this is one of the best. Its sustainable, based on intuitive principles, with whole, nutritious foods at its core.

While there is no one diet or way of eating that is right for everyone, any diet that restricts, deprives or otherwise approaches eating in an unnatural way should not be followed. Living a healthy lifestyle doesnt require cheating, isnt determined by a specific number of days or calories, nor should it be focused too heavily on one nutrient over another. A healthful diet is balanced and hunger-based and complimented by regular physical activity and appropriate self-care.

2 large bell peppers, any color, seeded and thinly sliced

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and thinly sliced into strips

1 large Portobello mushroom, sliced

1 medium jalapeno, seeded, thinly sliced

2-3 Tbsp. fajita seasoning

8 flour or corn tortillas

Suggested toppings: salsa, avocado, shredded cheese*

In large skillet over medium heat, add oil, garlic, peppers and onion. Saut 5 minutes. Add sweet potato, mushroom and jalapeno. Cook until veggies are soft, not mushy. Add fajita seasoning. Mix to combine. Remove from heat.

To serve: place spinach on tortilla and top with fajita veggie mixture. Finish with desired toppings.

Nutrition analysis per two fajita serving: 350 calories, 11 g fat, 10 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 430 mg sodium

*Suggested toppings not included in nutrition analysis

lb. dry pasta (rotini, penne or farfalle)

1 red bell pepper, chopped

cup green olives, drained and sliced

Cook pasta according to package directions. In small jar with lid, combine dressing ingredients. Shake to combine, set aside. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta and remaining ingredients with enough dressing to coat lightly. Toss. Reserve remaining dressing. Refrigerate one to two hours before serving, if possible. Add remaining dressing, toss and serve.

Nutrition analysis per serving: 460 calories, 24 g fat, 12 g protein, 47 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 390 mg sodium

Marisa Pruitt is a Gundersen Health System registered dietitian.

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Four diet trends that need to stop; two that need to start - La Crosse Tribune

Giant sloth was vegetarian: Diet of fossil megatherium decoded ... Science Daily Scientists have examined the diet of the extinct Giant Sloth Megatherium. Based on analyses of the collagen in the fossil bones, the researchers concluded in ... and more »

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Giant sloth was vegetarian: Diet of fossil megatherium decoded ... - Science Daily

People cut meat from their diets for many reasons health, animal welfare, the environment, among others. There is a growing number of individuals who are reducing their intake of animal products to better themselves and the planet. According to a recent survey, 35% of Brits are eating less meat than they did a year ago. This holds true for Americans, too.

The term reducetarian celebrates this trend in people choosing to eat fewer animal products. It unites vegans and vegetarians (people who eat less meat, just to such a degree that they eat none at all) with everyone who eats less meat than a typical omnivore. And it replaces static and self-defeating identifiers like lazy vegan and cheating vegetarian with more positive ones. Reducetarians work to cut down their carnivorous consumption by gradually reducing their meat, egg, and dairy intakes. They play around with Meatless Monday, Vegan Before Six, and Weekday Vegetarianism to see what works best for them.

Here are 7 reasons this flexible and easy approach to eating will help you become a happier, healthier, and richer person:

1. You will lower your grocery bill.

A family of four may spend anywhere from $760 - $1160 a month for groceries. Vegetables, fruits and plant-based protein are some of the cheapest products on the market, not to mention the best return in nutrient value. The average retail price for beef is about $6/lb ($8/lb for sirloin) whereas $1.49 for a pound of black beans. With 15 g of protein and fiber per cup, your wallet and body will thank you. In fact, one study showed that the average vegetarian saves at least $750 per year on his or her grocery bill.

2. You will cut down on your carbon footprint.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, animal agriculture accounts for approximately 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions thats more than the entire transportation sector combined. But plant-based foods have a much lower carbon footprint than animal-based foods. Thats why the average vegetarian has half the carbon footprint of a meat eater; and for a vegan, its even lower. Cutting down on meat is an easy way to help mitigate climate change.

Medical costs related to obesity are estimated at $147 billion per year. But according to recent research, the answer to the obesity epidemic might in fact have more to do with our brains than with our bodies.

3. You will help fight world hunger.

In 2015, world population reached a staggering 7.3 billion and is expected to hit 8.5 billion by 2030. This increase in mouths to feed creates a rising demand for food. The inefficiencies of feeding plants to raise animals for food instead of feeding these plants directly to people contributes to world hunger. For example, it requires 9 calories of feed for chickens to create 1 calorie from poultry. A decrease in livestock production, as well as a decrease in land to grow crops to feed these animals, will help combat this critical issue.

4. You will help conserve water.

Just one pound of meat requires roughly 2,500 gallons of water - thats 10 times the amount of water required to grow one pound of grain protein. This would mean that the water used to make one burger is equivalent to the amount of water used when showering for two whole months (assuming a four minute daily shower). Its no surprise that animal agriculture accounts for 80% to 90% of U.S. water consumption. With drought-stricken areas on the rise, reducing your consumption of meat can help conserve our precious water.

5. You will be saving farm animals from cruelty.

Factory farmed livestock live in inhumane and cruel conditions. From extremely crowded cages to harming of animals through practices like de-beaking, over 95% of the meat that we find in our grocery store comes from these horrible places. Reducing your consumption of animal products will help lessen the demand for them.

6. You will save money on medical bills.

The American Dietetic Association declared that appropriately planned reducetarian diets, including vegetarian and vegan diets, will provide you with the nutrition you need to stay healthy as well as aid in prevention of certain diseases. Evidence suggests that following a plant-based diet will lower your risk of heart disease, a leading cause of death in the U.S.d States. Furthermore, reducing your meat consumption may help lower your cholesterol levels and blood pressure as well as your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Given how expensive it is to treat these non-communicable diseases, eating less meat could save you thousands of dollars in health care bills. On a global scale, changing your diet could contribute to saving around $700 million in health care, unpaid informal care and lost working days.

7. You will fuel a growing revolution of start-ups and investment in good food companies.

As the plant-based industry continues to grow, so does its economic value. The Plant-Based Foods Association estimates the industrys annual revenue is roughly $4.9 billion dollars and is expected to keep growing. More than 2,000 jobs (that pay better than many other jobs) are added to this sector every year. Supporting plant-based companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat will not only benefit your taste buds, but also the economy.

Brian Kateman is editor of The Reducetarian Solution: How The Surprisingly Simple Act of Reducing The Amount of Meat in Your Diet Can Transform Your Health and The Planet, co-founder and president of the Reducetarian Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing meat consumption to create a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate world. He is a TEDx speaker and leading expert on food systems and behavioral change.

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7 ways dropping meat from your diet can help save the planet, the ... - MarketWatch

Lose a stone a week by limiting yourself to just 600 calories of food and drink a day

WOULD you like to lose one stone every month, while receiving motivational messages and texts to keep you on track?

This is the promise behind the LighterLife diet plan, but the very low-calorie meal plans are certainly not for everyone.

Superdrug

Heres the skinny on the three stages of the LighterLife diet, if youre wondering if its the one for you.

The idea of the LighterLife diet is to slash your daily calorie intake and kickstart weight loss.

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The deprivation technique is controversial with somemedical professionals but it certainly works and can be effective for those who are dangerously overweight.

Those with a BMI of 30 or above, meaning they are classed as obese, or severely obese if BMI is over 40, begin on the Total VLCD (very low calorie diet) plan.

This meal plan limits dieters to 600 calories per day, which is much less than the 2,000 cals recommended for women and 2,500 recommended for blokes.

Its a meal replacement concept, with dieters eating 28 LighterLife food packs per week equating to four per day.

Despite depriving yourself in terms of calorie intake, those behind the plan claim dieters will get 100 per cent of their recommended vitamins and minerals from the food packs.

Itsan easy plan for the dieters to follow because they dont have to calorie count but beware of the hunger pangs.

Overweight people, with a BMI of between 25 and 30, start on the Lite LCD (low calorie diet) plan.

They can hope to lose half a stone a week - by eating between 800 and 1,200 cals per day.

Those on the LCD plan will eat three or four food packs a day, plus one home-made salad or healthy meal.

Dieters stay on the LCD plan until they reach their goal weight.

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This is aversion of the fashionable 5:2 diet, known as the LighterLife Fast, which is exclusively available in Superdrug.

This is used as a weight maintenance technique, or can help some people lose up to 2lb a week.

Fast two days a week, limiting yourself to 800 cals by eating four food packs, and eat normally for the other five days.

The first stage of the diet, the Total VCLD plan, is the most worrying aspect of it.

The NHS warn that the Total VLCD plan could result in:

The NHS warn: "Surviving on a strict diet of shakes and soups and other meal replacements isn't much fun, and can feel socially isolating."

While the British Dietitian Association (BDA) say: "Rapid weight loss can be motivating, but it is unsustainable.

"LighterLife's very low calorie diet and its counselling component may work for some - particularly people who have struggled to lose weight for years, have health problems as a result of their weight, and are clinically obese with a BMI of more than 30.

"A very low calorie diet that involves eating 1,000 calories a day or fewer should not be followed for more than 12 continuous weeks.

"If you are eating fewer than 600 calories a day, you should have medical supervision."

Former Coronation Street actress and Loose Women panellistDenise Welch, 58, lost two stone in nine short weeks on the Total plan, before her wedding.

She has maintained her weight loss for three impressive years by following the Fast plan.

Denise, who went from a size 16 to a size 12, claims to have also seen improvements in her snoring, acid reflux and osteoarthritis since losing weight.

WhileHollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the soap, follows the LighterLife Fast 5:2 diet.

The34-year-old, who chooses not to weigh herself, said she had a 'guilt-free Christmas' on the plan- which Jen has been following since early 2015.

She even brought in the New Year with pizza, thanks to her two fast days.

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What is the LighterLife diet, what foods are restricted, is it safe and are there any success stories? - The Sun

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