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The weeks leading up to calving and the weeks following calving can be extremely challenging for dairy cows. One of the most obvious stressors during this time is the shift from gestation to lactation and the sudden and dramatic nutrient demand for milk production that accompanies this shift.

Over the past several decades, researchers have identified pre-calving dietary strategies to promote post-calving success, such as negative DCAD diets and controlled energy dry cow diets. Despite these diets working well from a physiological standpoint, how cows consume these diets and how these diets are managed play a critical role in their success. In the past several years, research has highlighted that non-nutritional dietary management is equally important as the diet itself in terms of maximizing success during the post-calving period. Below are four tips to consider when it comes to non-nutritional management of controlled energy dry cow diets.

Controlled energy dry cow diets typically contain 5 to 10 pounds of wheat straw or mature grass hay in attempt to limit energy consumption to about 100% of requirements while also allowing the cow to consume as much feed as she would like. One of the biggest challenges with feeding these diets is: Unfortunately, straw isnt high on the list of the cows most-sought-after feed ingredients. This introduces the risk of feed sorting, which consequently introduces the risk of cows consuming an imbalanced diet and defeating the purpose of these diets.

Additionally, straw can actually limit intake due to gut fill when not chopped finely. Research from the University of Guelph concluded that when straw was chopped to 1 inch (versus 4 inches), cows not only had higher intakes across the entire dry period, but interestingly they did not have as steep of a drop in intake in the week leading up to calving. Cows sorted against the long forage particles regardless of straw chop length; however, cows fed the 1-inch chopped straw sorted to a lesser extent than cows fed the 4-inch straw. The positive effect of the shorter chopped straw even carried on post-calving when cows were all fed the same lactating diet. Cows that were previously fed the 1-inch chopped straw tended to have lower blood ketone levels three weeks after calving compared to the cows fed the 4-inch straw.

Another area that deserves attention when feeding high-straw diets is consistency across the feedbunk. Preliminary research that was conducted on 10 northern New York herds in 2021 highlighted some interesting results related to particle distribution and the co-efficient of variation (CV) on the top screen of the Penn State Particle Separator (PSPS) when cows were fed high-straw, negative DCAD dry cow diets. In this research, we analyzed particle distribution at three locations across the bunk (both sides and the middle), and we found that as the CV on the top screen of the PSPS across the three samples increased, so did the cows risk of challenges post-calving (Figure 1).

We measured this through a liver health index (LHI) that incorporates liver biomarkers and assigns each cow a value higher values mean better liver health, and lower values mean poorer liver health. In a previous study, Cornell researchers found that cows with lower LHI had poorer health, milk production and reproductive success compared to cows with higher LHI. The data from this preliminary project, combined with earlier data, highlight an opportunity to better understand the importance of adequate mixing and consistent delivery when feeding these high-straw dry cow diets. To our knowledge, there is no recommended CV for these types of diets. However, our preliminary data suggests a CV under 10% on the top screen across the feedbunk may be a reasonable target. Factors that could impact the CV include proper mixing time, machinery maintenance and mixing order, to name a few.

This next tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous two. Monitoring sorting using the PSPS is a great check and balance for any diet on the farm but especially for these high-straw dry cow diets that are prone to sorting. Typically, cows will sort in favor of the fine grain components that are found on the bottom screen and the pan (if using the four-tier shaker box), and they will sort against the long forage particles found on the top screen. This behavior increases when the diet fed is physically easier to sort (i.e., particle length is long and cows can easily use their muzzle to sift and sort through the diet). This behavior is problematic with any diet fed because it alters the composition of what remains in the feedbunk for cows that will eat later in the day. A big risk with sorting negative DCAD diets is that some cows may be at risk of not consuming the balanced diet that was formulated for them, thereby increasing the risk of calcium challenges at freshening.

Additionally, when cows sort, they spend more time feeding but do not necessarily have higher intake. Previous research has nicely outlined the importance of pre-calving intake and the risks associated with lower intake in the weeks leading up to calving, so providing a diet and an environment that promotes consistent consumption of the diet is very important. Individual herds can monitor sorting by using the PSPS to analyze fresh feed and refusal feed (approximately 24 hours later). Then, compare the difference in particle distribution between the two points to get a sense of how cows are consuming the diet fed. Most commonly, well see a higher percentage of particles on the top screen and a lower percentage of particles on the bottom screen and in the pan after 24 hours. Some degree of sorting is to be expected, but this exercise can help farms identify if sorting is contributing to transition health issues.

Lastly, it goes without saying that how the feedbunk is managed plays a big role on transition cow success. Previous research concluded that competition at the feedbunk increased displacements and tended to decrease intake in the week before calving. Additionally, those cows that were fed in a competitive setting had a faster feeding rate. Ensure sufficient feeding space (30 to 32 inches per cow), especially in the close-up pen, to promote healthy and consistent feeding behaviors. Feed availability is also an important factor to consider.

Although less researched for dry cows, making sure feed is always available and is frequently pushed up to cows will help promote desirable feeding behaviors and will help drive intake. After all, intake is a function of feeding behavior, so promoting healthy feeding behaviors will help to drive intake in the pre-calving period.

Despite decades of supporting research for controlled energy negative DCAD diets, the nutritional part is only one side of the story. How these diets are managed from a non-nutritional standpoint is equally important in terms of stimulating intake pre-calving and promoting a successful transition to lactation. Chopping straw finely, monitoring sorting, ensuring consistent feed delivery across the bunk and promoting a desirable feeding environment are simple strategies to improve success when feeding these diets.

See the original post here:
Non-nutritional management of controlled energy dry cow diets: Another piece to a very complex puzzle - Progressive Dairy

School meals in the UK contain lots of highly processed foods, promoting poor health among children and increasing their risk of obesity.British primary and secondary schoolchildren are getting the majority of their lunchtime calories from ultra-processed foods, according to a study led by researchers at Imperial College London and published today in the journal Nutrients.The analysis, which looked at the content of school lunches of more than 3,000 children between 2008-2017, finds that 64% of the calories in meals provided by the school come from ultra-processed foods, contributing to the consumption of high levels of processed foods and increasing the risk of childhood obesity. Ultra-processed bread, snacks, puddings and sugary drinks were among the biggest contributors, and on the whole packed lunches contained more calories from highly processed foods, compared to school meals.According to the researchers, publicly funded school meals (i.e. free school meals and those that children buy in school) are a vital mechanism to deliver healthy food to children, especially those from families with low incomes. They explain the findings highlight a key opportunity for policy makers and educators to level the playing field by improving the nutritional quality of school lunches. They argue that urgent policy changes are needed to cap the amount processed foods school lunches contain and to increase access to free school meals, which could help to boost the diets and health of Britains children.Dr Jennie Parnham, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London and first author on the paper, said: This is the first study to look at the extent of ultra-processed food content in school lunches for children of all ages. We need to view these findings as a call to action to invest in policies that can promote healthy eating. Owing to the current cost of living crisis, school meals should be a way for all children to access a low-cost nutritious meal. Yet, our research suggests this is not currently the case.She continued: Ultra-processed foods are often cheap, readily available, and heavily marketed often as healthy options. But these foods are also generally higher in salt, fat, sugar, and other additives, and linked with a range of poor health outcomes, so its important that people are aware of the health risks of children consuming them in high levels at school.As food prices continue to rise in the UK and globally, accessing affordable, healthy food will become more challenging for many more people. School meals should offer children from all backgrounds access to a healthy and minimally processed meal, yet they are currently failing to meet their potential.Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are items which are heavily processed during their making: such as frozen pizzas, fizzy or milk-based drinks, mass-produced packaged bread and many ready meals.[1] Previous research has linked regular consumption of them with obesity and increased long-term risk of health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.Previous research by the team reported the scale of UPFs being consumed by children in the UK, which is the highest in Europe. The work also highlighted that eating patterns established in childhood extend into adulthood, potentially setting children on a lifelong trajectory for obesity and a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes.In the latest study, the team looked at the diets of more than 3,300 children in primary and secondary school, collected through the National Diet and Nutrition survey [2]. The aim was to examine the proportion of UPFs in packed lunches (food brought from home) and school meals (which includes lunches provided by the school (free school meals) or bought by students at the school canteen).The analysis included data from 1,895 primary school children (aged 4-11) and 1,408 secondary school children (aged 11-18), looking at food groups making up the total calorie count, as well as the proportion of total food intake of the meal (in grams).Overall, around 75% of calories across all types of school lunches came from UPFs with 82% of calories from UPFs in packed lunches, compared with 64% in school meals across all ages.However, within school meals the study found that secondary schoolchildren had higher levels of UPFs (70% of calories) compared to primary schoolchildren (61% of calories). Secondary school meals contained a higher proportion of calories from fast food items, puddings and desserts.In general, children from lower-income backgrounds were more likely to have higher levels of UPF on their plates (77% of calories) than children from higher-income backgrounds (71% of calories).In primary school, almost half of the calories in packed lunches came from ultra-processed bread and snacks, compared to just 13% of calories of school meals. Packed lunches also tended to have fewer calories from minimally processed fruit and veg, meat and dairy, and starch (such as pasta or potatoes), compared to school meals.One of the largest UPF contributors, as a proportion of grams of food intake, came from ultra-processed drinks such as fizzy drinks, fruit juice, or yogurt drinks. According to the team, one of the easiest and most cost-effective opportunities to improve the nutritional value of school lunches would be to swap these high calorie, ultra-processed drinks for water.While the work is the first to bring together both primary and secondary school settings, the researchers highlight the limitation that secondary schoolchildren self-reported their dietary data while primary schoolchildren did not, but this mostly likely means that the scale of UPFs being consumed by secondary schoolchildren is under-estimated.Dr Eszter Vamos, from Imperials School of Public Health, added: With the rising cost of living, many families are struggling to access healthy foods, and school meals might be the only opportunity for many children to have a healthy regular main meal. School meals are critically important in making sure that every child has access to an affordable nutritious meal.Children in England consume very high levels of ultra-processed foods, and it is worrying that meals consumed at school contribute to this. Our findings call for urgent policy changes to improve the accessibility and quality of school meals as this could shape childrens overall diets considerably with important consequences for their current and future health.This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), through the NIHR School for Public Health Research.-The ultra-processed food content of school meals and packed lunches in the United Kingdom by Jennie Parnham is published in Nutrients.For more information, please contact:Emily HeadMedia Manager (Medicine)Imperial College LondonT: +44 (0) 20 7594 6900E: e.head21@imperial.ac.ukOut of hours: +44 (0) 7803 886 248.NOTES TO EDITORS:This press release uses a labelling system developed by the Academy of Medical Sciences to improve the communication of evidence. For more information, please see:http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AMS-press-release-labelling-system-GUIDANCE.pdf%5B1%5D The term ultra-processed food comes from the NOVA classification, endorsed by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and is the most widely researched and validated food processing classification.NOVA categorises all foods and beverages into four groups based on their degree of industrial processing.Group 4: Ultra-processed foods, are mass-produced products using a series of industrial processes that include fractioning of a few whole foods into oils, fats, sugar, protein and other substances before recombining them back together.They typically have high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, and are often loaded with industrial substances that are not found in a household kitchen, such as additives to enhance colour and flavour, and those enable modification of shape and texture.They are designed to be cheap, convenient, durable, extremely tasty and attractively packaged. They are heavily marketed and created to displace all other foods and dishes.Examples include soft drinks, mass-produced packaged bread, flavoured yoghurts, most breakfast cereals, confectionery, packaged sweet and savoury snacks, chicken and fish nuggets, and many ready meals.Ultra-processed foods can be identified from the following characteristics: A long list of ingredients; Ingredients that you dont recognise or wouldnt use at home, such as additives; High fat, sugar and salt content; Long shelf life.Details of the NOVA classification of food types can be found online:https://www.fao.org/3/ca5644en/ca5644en.pdfFull details can also be found in the groups previous work:https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/223573/urgent-action-needed-reduce-harm-ultra-processed/%5B2%5D The study used nationally representative data from the UKs National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017).https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-diet-and-nutrition-surveyAbout Imperial College London

Imperial College London is one of the world's leading universities. The College's 20,000 students and 8,000 staff are working to solve the biggest challenges in science, medicine, engineering and business.

Imperial is University of the Year 2022 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. It is the worlds fifth most international university, according to Times Higher Education, with academic ties to more than 150 countries. Reuters named the College as the UK's most innovative university because of its exceptional entrepreneurial culture and ties to industry.

Imperial has a greater proportion of world-leading research than any other UK university, according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Imperial ranks first in the UK for research outputs, first in the UK for research environment, and first for research impact among Russell Group universities.http://www.imperial.ac.uk/About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;

Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;

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NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.Imperial College London press-release mailing listSign up to Imperial Twitter at:http://twitter.com/imperialcollegeandhttp://twitter.com/imperialsparkSign up for Imperial RSS feeds at:http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/imperialnews/RSS_14150300.xmlMore media resources online at:http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mediaSearch for experts at:http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mediaguide

Observational study

People

The ultra-processed food content of school meals and packed lunches in the United Kingdom

20-Jul-2022

Link:
Ultra-processed foods make up almost two-thirds of Britain's school meals - EurekAlert

In an ever-connected world, it can be challenging to take a break for self-care, even when you need it.

If youre experiencing burnout, you may feel drained both physically and emotionally, making it challenging to give your all when performing daily activities.

Weve partnered with Integrative Therapeutics, a manufacturer of science-based supplements designed to help achieve optimal health and previously available only through healthcare professionals, to bring you tips for confronting burnout and getting back to functioning at your best.

Knowing what tools and habits work for you when dealing with stress can help you prioritize your well-being and prevent burnout.

Coping strategies can be direct and action-focused or indirect and emotion-centered.

Taking an action-focused approach means you confront the cause of stress by making actionable changes, such as:

An emotion-centered approach focuses on managing your emotional response to stress. Some ways to do this may include:

Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager is designed to promote relaxation and calm to support restful sleep.*

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Findings from a 2021 study of 650 Finnish women suggest that eating a well-balanced diet is associated with lower burnout symptoms.

A healthy diet can help support your immune system and may have protective effects against depression and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

To boost your nutrient intake, try eating whole foods like:

And keep processed foods, sugars, and saturated fats to a minimum.

Have you ever been particularly moody after a bad nights sleep? Or experienced trouble focusing at work because you stayed up all night watching an exciting new show? When you dont sleep well or enough, lifes daily activities can seem overwhelming and exhausting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults over age 18 should get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

Research from 2021 also finds that quality sleep is associated with an improvement in mental well-being. On the other hand, poor quality sleep, shorter sleep times, and insomnia are linked to higher rates of burnout.

Getting enough quality sleep is crucial to both your physical and psychological health. Lack of sleep can lead to consequences such as:

Whether its setting boundaries at work, in your social life, or with family, knowing your limits can help you protect your mental health and focus on your own needs rather than just the needs of others.

Wondering how to set effective boundaries? Here are some strategies to try:

Research from 2017 links participation in leisure activities with improved quality of life and higher job satisfaction.

Maybe you feel most relaxed after physical activities like a game of tennis, yoga, or hiking. Or maybe you prefer more passive pastimes, like watching funny movies, reading, or listening to music.

Whatever unwinding means to you, taking time to decompress can help you feel refreshed and better equipped to take on everyday stresses.

Like sleep, exercise is important for many aspects of overall health.

Theres an enormous amount of research that links exercise to a longer, healthier, and happier life, according to a 2018 research review.

Exercise can help delay chronic disease risk, and also promote better mental well-being. Evidence from the review shows that aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and mind-body exercise can all improve symptoms of depression.

So whats the ideal amount of time to move?

The CDC recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week, as well as doing muscle-training activities 2 days per week.

Examples of aerobic exercise you can try include:

Some ways to practice resistance exercise include:

If youre feeling stressed, you might want to put down your phone and turn off the news on your television (or change the channel).

Studies suggest that consuming media that exposes you to news about disasters can negatively affect your mental health. A 2020 study involving 512 Chinese college students found that those who used social media frequently were more likely to have poor mental health.

A 2020 study suggests that social connectivity may translate to better mental well-being and a reduced risk for depression.

Sometimes talking with someone about whats on your mind can help you feel better. Connecting with a friend, family member, social group, or support group may make it easier to cope with stress.

If you need a little extra support with managing your mental health, a licensed professional such as a therapist can help you find the best coping strategies for stress and work with you to curb burnout symptoms.

When life feels overwhelming due to chronic stress from work and personal responsibilities, it can be natural to experience burnout.

Taking steps to cope with stress and exhaustion can get you back on a path to feeling better and performing at your best.

If you need a little extra support managing burnout, a licensed mental health professional can help guide you to get back on track.

Link:
Avoiding Burnout: 8 Tips to Function at Your Best - Healthline

KATE Moss makes light of her new job at Diet Coke with a joke about her wild party years.

The supermodel, 48, had an audience in hysterics by replying when asked how she felt about her new role: Well, I have always loved coke.

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Kate, who has daughter Lila, 19, was dropped by fashion brands in 2005 after appearing to snort cocaine but she is now teetotal and a yoga fan.

She has become Diet Cokes creative director and wowed a launch event in London in a stylish leopard print shirt.

Kate also proved shes still up for a good time by hitting the DJ decks and belting out Diana Ross hit Endless Love.

Katehas been brought in to add her unique aesthetic and style to its Love What You Love campaign.

The brand is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

She said: The campaign connected with me instantly as I am a firm believer that with confidence and passion, you can achieve your wildest dreams.

I am thrilled to join the Diet Coke family I love the past collaborations theyve done with such incredible names in fashion.

In her party days Kate was snapped, aged 31, apparently doing coke on a night out with then-boyfriend, Libertines singerPete Doherty.

The Sun previously revealed she has upped her charitable efforts, telling pals she hopes to be honoured bythe Queen.

Read this article:
Kate Moss has audience in hysterics as she makes light of wild party years in her new job for Diet Coke... - The Sun

Health food or exercise alone isnt enough to prevent chronic disease, new research shows. Contrary to popular belief, you cant outrun the toll of a poor diet and healthy eating, on its own, wont ward off disease.

Most people know that working out and eating well are critical components of overall health. But a sweeping study published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that hitting the gym wont counteract the consequences of consuming fat-laden foods, and mainlining kale cant cancel out sedentary habits.

Sensationalized headlines and misleading advertisement for exercise regimens to lure consumers into the idea of working out to eat whatever they want have fueled circulation of the myth about exercise outrunning a bad diet, the study authors wrote.

Previous animal studies as well as a few human ones have backed this up, suggesting that, at least in the short term, strenuous exercise can counteract the effects of overeating.

So an international team of researchers examined data from nearly 350,000 participants collected from the U.K. Biobank, an enormous medical database with health information from people across Britain, and followed up over a decade-long period. The study participants, median age 57, were healthy at the outset of the study, meaning they were not diagnosed with conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer or chronic pain.

Analyzing self-reported questionnaires, the experts broke peoples diets down by quality. For instance, high-quality diets had at least 4.5 cups of fruit and vegetables per day, two or more servings of fish per week, less than two servings of processed meats per week and no more than five servings of red meat per week. The study did not measure discretionary foods like soft drinks or desserts, said Melody Ding, the lead author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Sydney.

The researchers also measured activity levels using responses from another questionnaire that asked about the total minutes participants spent walking and engaging in moderate physical activity, like carrying light loads or biking at a steady pace, and vigorous physical activity that lasted more than 10 minutes at a time. The authors wrote that it was the first study to examine diet and exercise alongside both general mortality and specific lethal diseases, like cancer.

Not surprisingly, people with both higher levels of physical activity and better quality diets had the lowest mortality risk. Overall physical activity levels were associated with a lower mortality risk, but those who regularly engaged in vigorous exercise the kind that makes you break a sweat had a particularly lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. And even just 10 to 75 minutes per week made a difference.

Regardless of your diet, Dr. Ding said, physical activity is important. And whatever your physical activity is, diet is important.

Any amount of exercise is protective, said Salvador Portugal, a sports health expert and assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Health who was not involved in the study. But you cant rely solely on your workout to maintain good health, he added.

These findings underscore what many doctors have seen in practice, said Dr. Tamanna Singh, co-director of the Sports Cardiology Center at Cleveland Clinic who was not involved with the study. For instance, she said, there are many components of heart health, and optimizing one thing is not going to necessarily improve your cardiovascular risk.

She sees patients who classify themselves as amateur or professional athletes and are shocked when they suffer cardiovascular events, she said, without considering their diet. Often theyll come to me after an event and say, I work out so much. Why did I have a heart attack?

On the flip side, even those with the most nutritious diets in the study saw considerably worse outcomes without some form of regular fitness regimen.

That doesnt mean people cant treat themselves after a workout, Dr. Singh said. (Shes a marathon runner herself, and she looks forward to nachos after a long run.) If you are, for the most part, intentional about what you put into your body and intentional with how you move your body, youre doing enough.

The study highlights the importance of viewing food and exercise as components of holistic health, Dr. Ding said, instead of calculating how many miles can cancel out a cookie.

Its not just about burning calories, she said. We need to shift that thinking.

See more here:
Exercise or Diet Alone Isnt Enough to Prevent Disease, Study Shows - The New York Times

The Mediterranean diet may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, according to new research.

The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open Thursday, over 6,000 Hispanic and Latino individuals who followed a Mediterranean diet and found that strict adherence to the diet was associated with greater cognition and less memory decline.

There are currently over 6 million people living with Alzheimers disease in the U.S., and that number is expected to rise to 13 million by 2050.

Data also shows that the risk of Alzheimers disease and other dementias is substantial among Hispanic and Latino individuals. The number of Hispanic and Latino people who have Alzheimers disease is expected to increase by 832 percent between 2012 and 2060.

The Mediterranean diet, which prior research has found to be protective against cognitive decline, may help mitigate that risk, the researchers say.

These findings support what other studies have found and strengthen the link between cognitive health and the Mediterranean Diet. Its great that the population was specifically Latino/Hispanic and that the foods were culturally appropriate because it suggests that anyone, anywhere, can benefit from a Mediterranean-style diet, Danielle McAvoy, MSPH, RD, a registered dietitian with Strong Home Gym, told Healthline.

The researchers evaluated the health data of 6,321 Hispanic or Latino adults who either loosely, moderately or strictly adhered to the Mediterranean diet.

Participants completed diet assessments and underwent two cognition tests.

Of the group, 35.8% loosely adhered to the Mediterranean diet, 45.4% moderately adhered to it, and 18.8% strictly adhered to the eating plan.

The research team found that strict adherence to the diet was associated with greater cognition and a lower risk of learning and memory decline than those who loosely adhered to the diet.

According to the researchers, the findings suggest that strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease in the Hispanic and Latino population.

While Mediterranean Diets have been consistently linked with reduced dementia risk, this study reminds us that rather than something specific to any particular dietwith any given label, or related to any one culturethe benefits come with eating robust amounts of foods that help maintain brain performance and health and avoiding or limiting those that likely cause harm, Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, said.

Healthy lifestyle habits have long been associated with a lower risk of dementia, even among those at risk for developing the condition.

According to Dr. Dana Ellis Hunnes, a senior clinical dietitian at UCLA medical center, assistant professor at UCLA Fielding school of public health, and author of Recipe for Survival, the cognitive benefits of the Mediterranean diet have to do with the diets anti-inflammatory effects.

Research has shown that inflammation is closely associated with chronic diseases. Inflammation has also been linked to the buildup of plaques in the brain that are characterized by Alzheimers.

There are a lot of nutrition and epidemiological studies that indicate that healthy diets such as the Mediterranean diet lower inflammation, Hunnes said.

One of the best things we can do to slow down aging and cognitive decline is to eat a very healthy, anti-inflammatory, and primarily plant-based diet such as a Mediterranean diet, Hunnes added.

McAvoy says the Mediterranean diet is easy for most people to follow.

It does not specify portions or the amount of food you should eat you eat as much as you need depending on body size and activity level, McAvoy said.

According to Kaiser, the study also shows that we do not need to abandon our culture, tastes, or food preferences to maintain a brain-healthy diet.

Rather, within the frame of our likes and dislikes, we can aim to include generous amounts of brain-boosting beneficial foods and avoid or limit those that are most likely to do harm, Kaiser said.

The Mediterranean diet is comprised of nuts, seeds, and olive oil along with plant-based foods, including fruits, grains, legumes and vegetables. Fish, poultry, eggs and dairy are also key components of the Mediterranean diet.

Hunnes says you can also eat a Mediterranean diet that is fully plant-based and include walnut and algal oils for the omega-3 fatty acids.

Red meat, processed foods and butter should be avoided.

Following this type of diet is not only extremely good for your own personal health and cognition, but it is also healthy and beneficial for the environment and climate change, Hunnes said.

The Mediterranean diet may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, according to new research, according to new research. Dietitians say the Mediterranean has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, which helps combat the development of chronic diseases.

Read more:
The Mediterranean Diet May Help Reduce Risk of Cognitive Issues - Healthline

Food deserts and food inequality problems were issues that existed before COVID-19 that have only been made worse by the ongoing pandemic. With obesity rates climbing, there is plenty of concern that the pandemic has resulted in poor dietary decisions and habits that could exacerbate this growing issue.

And obesity is a well-known risk factor for plenty of negative outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several other diseases and disorders.

In an interview with HCPLive, Colleen Ereditario, MPH, RD, LDN, Program Manager, Healthy Food Centers, Allegheny Health Network, Megan Klucinek, Manager, Ambulatory Nutrition, Allegheny Health Network, and Tori Vallana, RD, LDN, Project Coordinator, Healthy Food Centers,Allegheny Health Network, spoke about how obesity is connected to different diseases and why diet is so important for men in avoiding some of these outcomes.

HCPLive: What are some of the diseases that can possibly be prevented with better diet decisions from men?

Ereditario: The main ones are obesity, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. So eating a healthy diet, along with getting enough physical activity and sleep can help prevent overweight and obesity, which can then put people at risk.

HCPLive: Specifically in gastroenterology, diet is used both as a preventative measure and a treatment when someone develops a disease like IBD. How important is it to continue to promote gut health diets with gastrointestinal diseases in mind?

Ereditario: So when you have some gastrointestinal diseases, it's really important that you seek help from your doctor and also a registered dietitian, because everybody's plan is going to be individualized and different.

So you want to make sure you have a plan as far as your nutrition goes. And also make sure you're taking your medications as prescribed. But what you are eating can have a huge effect on your stomach with these type of issues.

A lot of times, dietitians will put you on a low residue diet. That limits foods that are higher in fiber. So those are suggested when someone has Crohn's or colitis flares.

But it is important to make sure you're getting foods that include probiotics like yogurt, and also prebiotics like bananas. And this is where you know working with a dietitian, they can help you come up with a meal plan and different ideas of what you can eat.

Some foods that you want to avoid with IBD symptoms could be and again, everyone's different, but some of these foods that can irritate your stomach can be milk and other dairy products, caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fruit and fruit juices, spicy foods, fried or high fat foods.

Normally you tell people you need to eat a high fiber diet like whole grains. But when you're having a flare up, you want to decrease the foods that are higher in fiber, like whole grain breads, raw vegetables, beans, anything thing with nuts or seeds that can irritate the stomach.

HCPLive: What are some of the common mistakes men often make in regard to their diet?

Klucinek: Oftentimes men are known for skipping meals, possibly just working through the day and waiting to have one meal. Of course they're hungry, and they'll just eat anything and not be really mindful of perhaps what they're eating and might overeat at one meal.

Also what's in that meal. So oftentimes, they're highly processed foods, eating out, foods that are high in salt, high in fat, and cholesterol and calories. That can be an issue that we often hear with men.

Also something that is different from the CDC is taking a look at alcohol intake. And men are two times more likely to binge drink than women are. 59% of men say in the past 30 days that they might have engaged in that behavior compared to 47% of women.

So not only do you have issues with calories and not eating because you're replacing liquid and maybe not the best judgment with what you might be eating. But also it can increase your risk for obesity and for different cancers and for liver disease.

And something kind of unique, maybe not to men only, is they might have been former athletes and used to training and working out and eating a certain diet and a certain portion size of food when they work out to make up the caloric needs that they would have.

They kind of keep up with that intake, but don't keep up with the exercise at that same time. So that can predispose us to diabetes and some of the chronic illnesses that Colleen had mentioned.

HCPLive: How concerning are the obesity rates among men, which obviously is related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some other diseases? And are we actually seeing those rates come down a little?

Vallana: I always like to be positive. And this one, it's a little tough because we do see the obesity rates rising among men and women, particularly in the US. The Trust for America's Health, they took a look at those rates. And overall, we're at a 42.4% obesity rate in this country, for the last reported years of 2017 to 2018.

In 2008, just doesn't seem that long ago, but we were at 26%. If we keep going at this rate, this is not good for the whole country. And when we take a look at men, in particular, the latest CDC figures, one in three men are classified as being obese or overweight.

When we look at the age classes, the men who are ages 22 to 39, are coming in at 40.3%, obesity and overweight risk. To me looking at that, we have younger people that are experiencing obesity for a greater portion of their lives. And where might that lead them more, it's a little different than in previous generations.

And then for men 40 to 59, that rate is 46.4%. And men 60 and over is 42.2%. So we look at that perfect storm of increase of age and increase of weight that might leave us at greater risk.

And I think one positive thing though, is people have used the pandemic for different reasons.

During the pandemic, we saw folks that maybe took more time for eating and exercising.

But we also have more data to show that patients who were more obese had more difficulty recovering from COVID-19 and increased severity of COVID-19. So hopefully these things will make all men and women but particularly men take a look at their health and go to the doctors more and really start to address these things so we see the rates go down.

HCPLive: Are you afraid during the pandemic that many people developed poor dietary habits and poor routines that some of these habits may stay with people?

Vallana: Working at the healthy food centers, we focused on patients experiencing food insecurity. So coming out it from that angle, just seeing the amount of job loss or hours cut, you know, people are struggling with their budget, that's less money to spend on food.

If you're on that limited budget, you're probably not buying the fresh fruits and vegetables or things that are going to expire really quickly.

So I think it definitely did lead to poor diet quality among the existing food insecure population. And then we saw a lot of people that became food insecure throughout the pandemic.

I'm sure that it negatively impacted their diet quality as well. But beyond just that, a lot of people move to remote work through the pandemic. So just staying at home a lot more not getting out as much.

But hopefully, now that things are opening up, more people are getting back outside the weather's nicer. They're starting to get back into those healthy habits. And that's something that as dieticians, we're always trying to encourage.

HCPLive: How does food access impact the risk of disease in patients? And what can be done to improve these access problems across the country?

Vallana: There's definitely an association between lack of food access and poor diet quality and poor health outcomes, which is partially why the healthy food centers exist is to try and overcome that gap.

As dietitians, we're always telling people specifically how to eat or your doctor wants you to eat in a certain way. But if you can't afford those foods, or can't even get access to those foods, how are you supposed to be successful?

So we want to make sure we're getting people access to not just food but nutritious foods and foods that are appropriate for them and for their diet. So how do we fix that problem is a little bit of I don't know if I can solve that in this interview.

But on a smaller scale, doing things like the healthy food centers, giving people, just directly getting people the food, whether it's a produce distribution of food pantry, different forms of food distributions, but also the education that goes with it.

So just teaching people how to shop on a budget, what foods are low cost, but still going to be good for you how to stretch their food budget a little bit.

I think that's how we bridge it on a smaller scale. And then on a larger scale, looking at inequities and food access, looking for food deserts, how can we make sure that people have grocery stores in their area and have grocery stores that are affordable and that they can get you there on a bus line.

More here:
Improving the Diet of Men, Reducing the Risk of Disease - MD Magazine

Wouldnt it be nice if there was a magic weight loss pill or perhaps some concoction that you could consume that will melt away all your unwanted fat?

Lets assume there was, would you have to take it for the rest of your life for the results to last forever?

And if you do take it in the long term, what would the side effects be?

Wouldnt it also be nice if those exercise routines promising a six pack in six days work, or if you could get your dream body in six weeks.

I once bought a fat burning cream that you apply on areas you want to lose fat, in the hope that I would not have to exercise or eat clean.

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I even bought an electric vibrating belt and several ab machines promising to give you a sixpack. But thats nothing compared to what my biggest buy was- a fat melting machine- salon style- which I imported from the United States.

With that baby in my life, I thought that if I ate healthy and used the fat buster I would never have to exercise again in my life if I didnt want to.

While I may have seen some difference in everything I bought- call it the placebo effect if you like- nothing really worked.

That aside, the problem with everything I bought is that it all had to used/applied regularly.

I didnt have the patience, time or discipline to follow the instructions and use as required. Weight loss is hard work, and maintaining your weight after weight loss is just as hard.

I have been on numerous diets or eating plans from the low-carb, whole-food diet to a high protein diet to the quick fix cabbage soup diet.

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The protein diet I recall all too well. I had met a prosecutor in court who I hadnt seen in months. She looked as if she had shrunk.

The second I had a free moment, I immediately went to her and started complimenting her weight loss.

She bragged that it was the protein diet she had been on for three months that had led to her weight loss.

She even detailed how it worked.

That night I went home and researched it and most of the comments or reviews of the diet were favourable.

So, before I knew it, I was on the protein diet and in a week or two I lost 1 kilogram. However, it wasnt long afterwards that I got sick and tired of only eating protein and that was the end of the diet.

These days I do intermittent fasting when it suits me, which is an eating plan that switches between fasting and eating on a regular schedule.

However, the downside is that you can end up eating less calories which is actually bad for the body.

What I can say about majority of the diets out there is that a lot of them actually do work, however, it may not be sustainable in the long term, because you just get sick of them.

The key to staying at a particular weight is exercising and cutting out junk or unhealthy foods. But this is difficult to stick to because there are those days, where you crave a donut or chocolates or anything sweet. But thats okay, you are human after all.

However, its important to stick on the healthy side of food more than on the unhealthy side. Its even okay to have a cheat day, or even a cheat weekend, but dont overdo it.

I have always admired celebrities and have held a lot of them in high esteem, always wondering how on earth they manage to stay looking so beautiful and in shape at red carpets events.

But then when you look at unposed photos of them, snapped by paparazzi you realise they are not as perfect as you thought they were.

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For the movie Monster, South African born actor Charlize Theron put on 80 pounds or rather 13.6 kilograms.

It reportedly took her six weeks to lose the weight. Can you or me lose so much weight in that timeframe?

Maybe we can if we had a personal dietician, chef and personal trainer. But many of us are not that lucky.

These personal trainers are like alarm clocks that just wont stop going off. I mean they arrive at your home as scheduled and your training gets started. No time for procrastination.

As a working-class person, with no personal dietician, chef and personal trainer, its difficult to be disciplined especially when it comes to exercising and eating healthily.

In addition, for a lot of people not in the public limelight, they dont get paid for looking good, or having a Size 6 figure.

They do it for themselves.

The bottom line is that if you want to lose weight, or stay in shape there are no quick fixes, you have to put in the work, exercise and eat healthy.

Go here to see the original:
Opinion | Discipline and hard work - The Citizen

Larsa Pippen is soaking up the sun. The Real Housewives of Miami star flaunts her curves in a swimsuit via her latest social media post, while sunbathing on a boat. The only caption needed? A sun emoji. "Gorg," commented Brielle Biermann, while Melissa Gorga simply added three fire emojis. How does the reality star maintain her fit physique? Read on to see 7 of Larsa Pippen's top tips for staying in shape and the photos that prove they workand to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

Larsa doesn't believe that cutting carbs is the key to weight loss. "I don't think you can sustain that keto diet or the Atkins Diet," she told HollywoodLife. "Personally, I don't feel like those work. For me it's more about eating healthy and portion control. That's the only thing that lasts forever." "A portion is the amount of food you put on your plate, while a serving is an exact amount of food. To get a better handle on what you're eating, you could carry around measuring cups. Or you could use everyday objects as reminders of appropriate serving sizes, which is what the Mayo Clinic Diet recommends," says the Mayo Clinic.df44d9eab23ea271ddde7545ae2c09ec

"Change your attitude, poor eating habits, and maintain active rather than embarking on a standardized diet that promises a quick fix," she wrote on her blog. "Remember: Slow and steady wins the race."

"If you want to lose a couple of pounds, you have to eat a little bit less," Larsa added to HollywoodLife. "That's the only thing that's gonna work for life, because you can do all these diets, you can start them, but I don't feel like you can live that [way] forever. When you stop doing these diets and you go back to what you normally are used to, you're going to have the same results that you had before. It's a lifestyle of balance eating right, feeling good about yourself, working out for your mind, your body, your soul. It's all connected."

It all boils down to diet, says Larsa. "Being fit is 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise- you can't outrun your fork," Larsa captioned an Instagram post.

Larsa revealed to HollywoodLife that she works out five times a week, for about 40 minutes. However, she again emphasizes that a balance of the two is key. "What you choose to eat is far more important than the amount of exercise you put in," she added. "The nutrition aspect helps to provide a balanced lifestyle. You have to do both. You cannot win if you just do one or the other."

Larsa suggests meal prepping. "I'm really big on prepping what you eat for the whole week," she told HollywoodLife. "I cook every day for my kids. I have a menu that I draw up [for] all week so I know what we're gonna eat. If you're prepared like that you tend to eat healthier, as opposed to not knowing what you're gonna eat and then you end up eating junk."

Larsa is all about the occasional indulgence "I do love chocolate," she told HollywoodLife "I love dessert and I'm known to make pies. Me and my kids make pies like twice a week apple pie, pumpkin pie. I do cheat, but that's normal. I'll just do 10 extra squats that day. I'll do 20 extra jumping jacks."

See the article here:
Larsa Pippen in Bathing Suit Enjoys the "Sun" Celebwell - Celebwell

Unfortunately, a lot of the work of keeping nitrates and nitrites low in deli meat is out of the consumer's control, according to ANSES. Many of the practices that would curb the level of nitrates and nitrites happen on the farming and manufacturing side of the equation. Since there's nothing the average person can do about that, we have to instead look at how we can change our diets to protect ourselves. Luckily, ANSES has clear, proactive information on how to limit your deli meat intake to lower your personal risk of cancer. They suggest keeping your intake of the kind of meat you'd get from your grocery store's deli counter below 150 grams per week, which is about one serving of deli turkey or chicken breast meat, per Fat Secret.

ANSES also echoes what the NHS says about maintaining a balanced diet: Consume at least five different "portions" of fruit and vegetables per day. Fruits and vegetables not only provide vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and potassium. They also provide fiber, and a diet high in fiber can reduce your risk of colorectal cancers and keep your digestive system healthy. If you're also concerned about losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, fruit and vegetables are low in both calories and fat. Practice switching out a serving of processed meat every week with a serving of fruits and/or veggies they're delicious, and they could very well help reduce your risk of cancer.

The rest is here:
The Scary Link France Just Found Between Cancer And Processed Meat - Mashed

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