New Bill Could Halt Supplement Sales (Natural Products Marketplace blog) July 6, 2011
The author asserts that this bill was introduced because FDA hasn't acted on manufacturers of foods fortified with dietary supplements such as the melatonin brownies that were in the news not long ago. These "fortified" foods are already shunning current regulations that state all ingredients in foods need to be determined GRAS before they enter the marketplace.

New Technology Kills Bacteria That Cause Hospital Infections (PRNewswire) July 1, 2011
Impressive study results for copper!

You Docs: How to cut down cellphone radiation (Healthzone) June 21, 2011
A light-hearted and practical look at cell phone radiation.

Eating baked, broiled fish protects the heart (CNN) May 24, 2011
Opt for baked or broiled fish to take advantage of the heart healthy benefits.

Culture linked to improved health (BBC News) May 24, 2011
Both participating in and observing "cultural activties" proved beneficial to well-being in a Norwegian study.

Crossing Arms Confuses Brain, Relieves Hand Pain (PsychCentral) May 22, 2011
The complexities of the human brain just became a little less so, or did they?

Study Suggests Supplement May Protect Against Preeclampsia (HealthDay News) May 20, 2011
L-Arginine and antioxidants were the winning combination here but this is just a preliminary study. More testing will need to be done on the safety of the nutrients during gestation.

USDA Encourages Schools To Partner With Local Farms (NPR) April 27, 2011
At least this is a step in the right direction!

Guidelines help prevent heart attack deaths (Reuters) April 26, 2011
A review of cases from 1996 to 2007 show emergency treatment keeps getting better and better!

Sea salt confuses Americans, but then, so does wine (Los Angeles Times) April 26, 2011
The most shocking statistic quoted in this article is that 46% of those surveyed thought table salt was the biggest contributor of salt in the American diet. Not so! Three-quarters of salt in the diet comes from canned, packaged and prepared foods.

Nutrition May Help Treat Traumatic Brain Injury (WebMD) April 20, 2011
Treatment on the battlefield has historically made for significant advancements in basic emergency care. Any findings in relation to TBI are welcomed!

Are foods made with real sugar healthier? (Toronto Star) April 18, 2011
Drs. Oz and Roizen share their distaste for high fructose corn syrup AND real sugar.

Type 2 diabetes, like Type 1, may be an autoimmune disease, researchers say
(Los Angeles Times) April 18, 2011
It will be interesting to see where this reasearch leads.

Doctors 'often defy' their own treatment advice (BBC News) April 11, 2011
Incredible. They know better how to weigh the risks yet suggest their patients opt for treatment even they wouldn't choose.

The Age of Toxic Anxiety (Organic Processing Magazine) Published March-April 2011
Enlightening read covering many of the chemical toxins present in our food supply - some were banned years ago!

Want to reduce BPA exposure? Cut canned foods from your diet, report says
(Los Angeles Times) March 30, 2011
A great reason to start cooking fresh produce and maybe even learning to prepare more pantry staples like canned tomatoes and spaghetti sauce.

Erin Brockovich pushes for disease cluster law (Reuters) March 29, 2011
Imagine having this information on hand in order to make informed choices for you and your family.

Does Food Dye Make Kids Hyper? An FDA Panel Will Investigate (TIME) March 28, 2011
As far back as 1977, the FDA was petitioned to ban certain color additives due to hyperactivity concerns. FDA will meet to evaluate data and testimony in a two-day session to be held on March 30.

Walnuts are the healthiest nut, say scientists (BBC News) March 27, 2011
Most nuts are healthy but walnuts lead the pack. Get the most out of walnuts by eating them raw which maintains their high-quality antioxidants!

Study: Chemical in Many Household Products Associated With Early Menopause
(ABC News) March 25, 2011
Although chemical companies maintain their product is safe, this study found a relationship between high levels of PFCs and early onset menopause. PFCs are found in non-stick pans, clothing, carpet, paint ... Unfortunately, the list goes on.

More Added Sugars, More Pounds? (Businessweek) March 24, 2011
Fewer added sugars is certainly a step in the right direction.

Heads Up! (WholeFoods Magazine) April 2011 cover date
A glimpse into the current regulations that will shape the future of the natural products industry.

Get Greek: Mediterranean Diet Most Healthy (Medical News Today) March 8, 2011
Presumably due to the healthy fat choices rather than limiting total fat intake, following the Mediterranean diet has a positive impact on markers of good health. Olive oil isn't just for salads and cooking - try it in your bread and other baking recipes!

Lack of sleep takes a toll at work, while driving: study (Reuters) March 3, 2011
Be good to your body and give it the rest it deserves!

Alzheimer's Risk Looks Higher if Mom Had the Disease (US News and World Report)
February 28, 2011
Knowledge is power!

Vaccine case out of place (The Sun-Times) February 25, 2011
Regardless of your view on vaccines, the author here explains how historical product liability rulings run contrary to the recent decision regarding vaccines.

Group Wants Ban on 2 Types of Caramel Coloring in Sodas (WebMD) February 16, 2011
Yet another reason to curb soda intake or better, eliminate it altogether.

Zinc May Help Ease Common Cold: Analysis (Medline Plus) February 16, 2011
An analysis of data from 15 trials and more than 1300 subjects.

Why Almost Everything You Hear About Medicine Is Wrong (Newsweek)
Originally published January 24, 2011
"Coffee is good for you. No, avoid coffee." Given even a few weeks' time, most studies will eventually contradict themselves. Here an analyst explains why that is the case for nutrients and prescription drugs alike.

Study: Want to Live Longer? Switch to Whole Grains (TIME) February 15, 2011
Besides wheat, here's a wide variety of whole grains. Try something new like Amaranth or Quinoa!

PCRM sues federal agencies over dietary guidelines (Washington Post) February 15, 2011
A suit filed by PCRM regarding the new dietary guidelines brings up the potential conflict of interest in the Agriculture Department: give nutritional advice AND promote agriculture within the US.

Berries May Offer Sweet Protection Against Parkinson's Disease (Bloomberg Businessweek) February 13, 2011
Berries - what a delectable, nutrition-packed morsel!

Your allergies just might shield you from brain cancer (MSNBC) February 7, 2011
That's one thing about allergies that we can be thankful for!

Age related macular degeneration clue discovered (BBC News) February 6, 2011
Researchers have found keys to macular degeneration: specific material that accumulates on the macula and an enzyme that "cleans" it up. A significant breakthrough!

Restrictive Diet May Reduce ADHD Symptoms (Bloomberg Businessweek) February 4, 2011
A small but promising study conducted in Europe found that 78 percent of the children on the restrictive diet showed a decrease in symptoms.

Newsweek slams antioxidants: Yawn! (Nutra Ingredients USA) January 31, 2011
A natural products industry response to a mainstream article lambasting a health supplement staple - antioxidants!

USDA and HHS Release New Dietary Guidelines (Nutraceuticals World) January 31, 2011
Filling half your plate with vegetables is a great healthy reminder!

Jack LaLanne was a healthy showoff to the very end (Los Angeles Times) January 31, 2011
A powerful tribute to the late fitness pioneer, Jack LaLanne.

U.S. farmers get approval to plant GMO alfalfa (Reuters) January 28, 2011
After the previous approval granted in 2005 was revoked, Monsanto's Roundup Ready alfalfa may now be planted as early as Spring 2011. Although a boon to the biotech industry, opponents have strong points of contention but time is running out.

Essential fatty acid supplements may ease PMS, says trial (Nutra Ingredients USA) January 17, 2011
Trial participants saw greater improvement over time. A reminder to keep on top of your daily supplementation!

Even After A Morning Gym Session, a Day at the Desk Could Hurt Your Heart (Time) January 12, 2011
Don't let all that hard work at the gym go to waste! Take this study as a good reason to get up from your behind your desk and work on your health.

Magnesium supplements may reduce diabetes risk: Study (Nutra Ingredients USA) January 10, 2011
Be sure you're getting enough Magnesium from your diet in those green, leafy vegetables, nuts, good-for-you grains and proper supplementation!

U.S. Officials Recommend Reduced Fluoride Levels in Water (Businessweek) January 7, 2011
Officals are concerned that children (and presumably adults) are getting too much fluoride which may lead to fluorosis.

Walking Speed Predicts Who Will Live Longer (ABC News) January 5, 2011
Researchers have found that a brisk walking pace has a strong correlation with longer life expectancy. Make 2011 the year you get out and walk!

Fishy diet comes with lower risk of stroke (Reuters) January 4, 2011
A study out of Sweden suggests eating fish three times a week may help lower your risk of stroke. More benefit may be seen from fatty fish like salmon, but any fish will do, the study finds. Eat up!

Supplement Industry Commends FDA's Actions to Eliminate Drugs Masquerading as Supplements
(Natural Products Association) December 15, 2010
Through trade associations, the supplement industry supports FDA's crack-down on supplements that contain FDA-approved drugs.

Pomegranate juice components could stop spread of cancer (Medical Daily) December 13, 2010
Components in making pomegranate juice that stall the movement of cancer cells and likewise act to weaken attraction to chemical signal that promotes prostate cancer spread has been identified according to studies conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside.

Poor Brain Protein Elimination Linked To Alzheimer's Development (Medical News Today)
December 10, 2010
Alzheimer's disease appears to be caused by the brain's poor elimination of a plaque component, beta-amyloid protein, rather than simply the accumulation of it, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis revealed in the journal Science.

Low glycemic diet best for keeping weight off (CTV News) November 24, 2010
The best diet for weight loss maintenance, say researchers at the Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) at the University of Copenhagen, is one that is low fat, high in protein and low in food with a high "glycemic index."

Eating orange and dark green vegetables linked to longer life (Reuters) November 23, 2010
This time it is not the beta-carotene in vegetables that has the spotlight, but rather its cousin: alpha-carotene. Both are members of the carotenoid antioxidant family. Scientists believe carotenoid antioxidants promote health by counteracting oxygen-related damage to DNA.

L.A. County passes sweeping ban on plastic bags (Los Angeles Times) November 16, 2010
Enacting one of the nation's most aggressive environmental measures, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban plastic grocery bags in unincorporated areas of the county.

GOED Publishes Review of DHA, Alzheimer's Study (Nutraceuticals World) November 4, 2010
"While this trial examined DHA's impact on patients who already had Alzheimer's disease, it's important to keep in mind that most experts emphasize omega 3's benefits likely lie in the prevention or delayed onset of many health conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer's," said Harry Rice, PhD, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, GOED.

Diabetes may affect as many as 1 in 3 Americans by 2050 (USA Today) October 22, 2010
The future of diabetes in America looks bleak, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report out today, with cases projected to double, even triple, by 2050.

Drug Companies Hire Troubled Doctors As Experts (NPR) October 19, 2010
Drug companies say they hire the most-respected doctors in their fields for the critical task of teaching about the benefits and risks of the companies' drugs. But an investigation by ProPublica has uncovered hundreds of doctors receiving company payments who had been accused of professional misconduct, were disciplined by state boards or lacked credentials as researchers or specialists.

So, what's in a placebo, anyway? (Reuters) October 18, 2010
Despite carrying monikers like 'fake' or 'dummy' or 'sham,' some placebo pills may be potent enough to taint medical research results, hints a new review of more than 150 clinical trials. This time researchers aren't just talking about a 'placebo effect' on the mind, but rather physiological effects of the pills' constituents on the body.

One way to ward off Alzheimer's: Take a hike (MSNBC.com) October 13, 2010
Walking about a mile a day can increase the size of your gray matter, and greatly decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia in older adults, a new study suggests.

Celiac Disease Risk Rises as People Age, Study in U.S. Shows (Bloomberg) September 26, 2010 Celiac disease, which damages the lining of the gut and is triggered by eating food containing gluten, occurs more often as adults age, according to a study suggesting that environmental influences may be involved.

First genetically modified salmon sparks FDA debate (USA Today) September 15, 2010
A Food and Drug Administration panel will spend Sunday and Monday pondering the science of whether the first genetically engineered animal -- in this case a salmon -- should be sold as food for humans.

Trade group seeks name change for 'high-fructose corn syrup' (Los Angeles Times)
September 15, 2010
Much in the same way that troubled companies change names to improve their reputations, the Corn Refiners Assn. is trying to do away with high-fructose corn syrup.

Organic fruit tastes better, is better for you: study (Toronto Sun) September 2, 2010
In what is being called the largest study into soil quality, fruit quality and taste of organic fruit in history, Washington State University has found a number of key reasons to support organic farmers.

Vitamin D May Influence Genes for Cancer, Autoimmune Disease (US News & World Report)
August 24, 2010
Scientists have discovered a link between vitamin D and genes related to autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Some bottled tea beverages may lack the good stuff (Los Angeles Times) August 23, 2010
A new study shows that at least some bottled beverages that boast of having tea content actually have paltry levels of polyphenols.

Green Leafy Veggies May Cut Diabetes Risk (WebMD Health News) August 19, 2010
People who add more green leafy vegetables to their diet may significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study says.

Tai Chi beats stretching in fibromyalgia study (Reuters) August 18, 2010
The slow, flowing movements of tai chi are better for relieving pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia than conventional stretching exercises, doctors reported on Wednesday.

Scientists raise queries about Gulf oil left behind (Reuters) August 17, 2010
Two new scientific reports on Tuesday raised fresh fears about the environmental fallout from the world's worst offshore oil spill.

Gluten is a protein source that many people are allergic to (Florida Times-Union) August 11, 2010
Throughout my years as a lifestyle coach, I found that many people had issues with wheat or gluten.

Big Waist Increases Death Risk (WebMD Health News) August 9, 2010
Men and women who are very large around the middle are at much greater risk of dying from any cause than people with thinner waists, a new study says.

Trying to Outlaw Dietary Supplements (EmaxHealth) August 5, 2010
In top news this past week there have been questions about the safety of dietary supplements. Yet, according to a published report by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, no one died in the year 2008 as a result of taking a supplement.

Cancer Cells Use Fructose to Grow: Don't Blame Us, Says Corn Lobby (CBS News) August 4, 2010
Afraid of fructose? You may have good reason to be, as an alarming new study shows that the popular sweetener can fuel the growth of cancer.