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BBC News Article: Depression link to processed food

It is of little surprise to anyone who pays attention to what they eat (if I ever neglect to eat properly I find my tempter shortens very quickly) but here’s more evidence to support the importance of a healthy diet As a mum, I am particularly concerned about the food choices we make at home and how this will impact my children and so am very conscious of what they eat regularly. It’s also a difficult balancing act to let them try process food (when out/ at parties etc) to demystify it without it becoming something they are allowed too often.

Eating a diet high in processed food increases the risk of depression, research suggests. What is more, people who ate plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish actually had a lower risk of depression, the University College London team found.

Data on diet among 3,500 middle-aged civil servants was compared with depression five years later, the British Journal of Psychiatry reported. The team said the study was the first to look at the UK diet and depression. “ The UK population is consuming less nutritious, fresh produce and more saturated fats and sugars ” Dr Andrew McCulloch, Mental Health Foundation

They split the participants into two types of diet – those who ate a diet largely based on whole foods, which includes lots of fruit, vegetables and fish, and those who ate a mainly processed food diet, such as sweetened desserts, fried food, processed meat, refined grains and high-fat dairy products. After accounting for factors such as gender, age, education, physical activity, smoking habits and chronic diseases, they found a significant difference in future depression risk with the different diets. Those who ate the most whole foods had a 26% lower risk of future depression than those who at the least whole foods. By contrast people with a diet high in processed food had a 58% higher risk of depression than those who ate very few processed foods.

Mediterranean diet

Although the researchers cannot totally rule out the possibility that people with depression may eat a less healthy diet they believe it is unlikely to be the reason for the findings because there was no association with diet and previous diagnosis of depression. Study author Dr Archana Singh-Manoux pointed out there is a chance the finding could be explained by a lifestyle factor they had not accounted for. “There was a paper showing a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of depression but the problem with that is if you live in Britain the likelihood of you eating a Mediterranean diet is not very high. So we wanted to look at bit differently at the link between diet and mental health.”

It is not yet clear why some foods may protect against or increase the risk of depression but scientists think there may be a link with inflammation as with conditions such as heart disease. Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “This study adds to an existing body of solid research that shows the strong links between what we eat and our mental health. Major studies like this are crucial because they hold the key to us better understanding mental illness.” He added people’s diets were becoming increasingly unhealthy. “The UK population is consuming less nutritious, fresh produce and more saturated fats and sugars. We are particularly concerned about those who cannot access fresh produce easily or live in areas where there are a high number of fast food restaurants and takeaways.”

Margaret Edwards, head of strategy at the mental health charity SANE, said: “Physical and mental health are closely related, so we should not be too surprised by these results, but we hope there will be further research which may help us to understand more fully the relationship between diet and mental health.”

Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/8334353.stm

BBC NEWS: Experts back folic acid in bread

Folic acid should be added to bread on a mandatory basis, the Food Standards Agency has advised government. It says the move could cut the number of babies being born with spina bifida by nearly two thirds, as the vitamin plays a key role in foetal development. Women are advised to take supplements before becoming pregnant, but many do not do so, or take them too late.

Research has linked folic acid to a raised cancer risk, but the FSA said the evidence was not convincing. The US and Canada started fortification of bread flour in the late 1990s, and some of the subsequent research has pointed to an increase in cases of bowel cancer. However the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which advises the FSA, said this evidence was insubstantial and that any increase in cases could be down to improved screening. It did, however, recommend that those deemed to be at greater risk of colon cancer should receive precautionary advice on taking extra supplements containing folic acid, and that the situation should be monitored.

Unplanned pregnancies

Last month there were calls for all Scottish women to take folic acid – even those not planning a family – after 15 babies were born with the condition since the start of the year.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin found in a wide variety of foods including liver and green leafy vegetables. The body cannot store it, so it must be ingested daily via supplements or folate-rich foods. The vitamin is known to prevent neural tube defects in foetuses, but many women do not take it – in part because pregnancies are often unplanned and can go unnoticed for many weeks.

As well as cutting the incidence of spina bifida, latest research from Canada also suggests it can reduce the risk of congenital heart problems in babies. But while cereal has long been fortified, suggestions that bread should be supplemented have been rejected by those who argue it is tantamount to mass medication. The FSA’s advice has been sent to the UK’s chief medical officer – Sir Liam Donaldson, who is known to be an advocate of fortification. Legislation would be needed however for the move to go ahead.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “We will now consider their recommendation for the introduction of mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid alongside controls on voluntary fortification.”

You can read the article on the BBC website here – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8315836.stm

For more information on the Herbalife products containing Folic Acid, please contact us or visit our online store to browse the full product range.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Kidney Care Cookbook by Lawrence Keogh

Here is an email I received today from McCann Erickson:

I thought you and your readers might be interested in some recent work carried out by TV chef Lawrence Keogh from BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen.

Lawrence had to have a kidney transplant at the age of 35, and as a result is now limited to what foods he can consume i.e. minimal amounts of salt, sugar and fat. On the back of this he developed a cookbook especially tailored for people who have or have had problems with their kidneys. The book contains 16 recipes and is available free of charge from renal dieticians and is designed to help people cook meals that are still exciting and flavourful but move away from the quite often dull low phosphate diets that many sufferers have to contend with.

Our aim is to get as many sufferers of CKD that we can to know about the book with the hope of being able to change their lives in some way. I have attached a PDF file of the cookbook ‘Rediscovering Foods and Flavours’ that that should be OK to upload to your blog to allow people to view the recipes without having to make an appointment with their dietician to get a copy of the book. Or you could email it to anyone that would like a copy?

One in 10 people will develop CKD in their lifetimes in the UK alone but with the help of the cookbook we hope that their lives won’t be changed too much.

You can click here to download the Recipe Book! (Link broken, if you leave a comment, I’ll email it until the link is fixed)

Are All High Protein Diets Created Equal?

A clinical study undertaken at the University of Ulm, Germany, studied the impact of different protein diets on weight loss. The study, which lasted for a total of 12 months, consisted of male and female subjects and was split into two groups of 50 subjects each, with both groups consuming a high protein diet.

The first group was instructed to follow a diet that supplied about twice the protein obtained from a typical diet. The subjects replaced two meals a day with Herbalife’s European Formula 1 shakes mixed with semi-skimmed milk (0.5 to 2.0% fat) and ate one regular high-protein meal each day. A high protein meal provides 2.2g of protein/Kg of lean body mass. The second group was instructed to follow a standard protein diet using regular grocery store foods.

Both groups followed their respective programs for three months. During the three-month period, the group consuming Herbalife® Formula 1 shakes, made with semi-skimmed milk and extra protein from Herbalife F3 PPP, lost on average 72% more weight than the group instructed to consume a standard protein diet from conventional foods they selected. For the next nine months, both groups were instructed to follow the same high-protein maintenance program, using one Herbalife® shake per day to replace a single meal.

They followed this regimen for nine months. At the end of the 12 month study period, those who used Herbalife® Formula 1 Shakes for the full 12 months lost more than 200% more body fat than those who tried the standard protein diet using conventional foods for the initial three-month period.

Conclusion:

Using the Herbalife® Formula 1 product as directed, as part of a high-protein, calorie-controlled diet is proven to yield significant increases in weight loss over a conventional food-based standard protein programme.

Further findings based Upon This Clinical Study: The use of Herbalife® Formula 1 and Formula 3 (PPP) can support a weight-loss program, and the continued use of Herbalife® Formula 1 after initial weight loss can help to maintain results.

Herbalife is also excited about the broader implications of this study. Using the Herbalife F1 Shakes as part of a balanced and varied diet helps maintain good overall health by delivering nutrients to the body and helps maintain a healthy weight.

You can find out more about the Herbalife products and order online at our store:

These results are not necessarily typical. Individual results will vary. The Herbalife® Weight- Management programme can help slimming or weight control only as part of a calorie controlled diet.

Study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in May of 2008.
Study published in the International Journal of Obesity

INTRODUCING: Formula 1 Healthy Meal Bars!

Do you love using Herbalife but find it’s not always convenient to make a shake? Herbalife’s new Formula 1 Healthy Meal Bars may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Designed for ultimate portability, the new Herbalife Formula 1 Healthy Meal Bar has been scientifically formulated to have all the benefits of the Formula 1 shake, and is packaged for people on the move.

Enjoy the following benefits:

• Only 207 calories!
• Can be used for meal-replacement, as part of a calorie controlled diet.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Low GI – Provides you with sustained energy.

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW FROM OUR ONLINE STORE!!!

BBC NEWS: Apple-shaped women’s asthma risk

A study suggests apple-shaped women with a waist bigger than 88cm (35in) have a higher risk of developing asthma – even if their body weight is normal.

Being overweight is well known to raise the risk of asthma. But the latest study suggests that the amount of weight women carry around the abdomen might be particularly important. The study, by the Northern California Cancer Center at Berkeley, appears in the journal Thorax. The researchers analysed data on 88,304 female teachers and school administrators.

The results showed that overweight women were 40% more likely to have asthma than women of a normal weight. Asthma was more than twice as likely in obese women, and more than three times as likely in extremely obese women than in those of normal body weight.  But perhaps more surprisingly, the researchers also found that women of normal body weight, but with a waist circumference of more than 88cm were also at increased risk – around a third higher than those with a smaller waist.

Overall, 5.4m people in the UK have asthma, and rates have been rising in recent years.

You can read the full report here, and if you’d like help with reducing your waistline, check out the weight-managment products at our online store:

***Petition to Downing Street – please read!***

Anyone who is interested in using vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements should take a look at this petition, and sign if you would like to add your support.

More details from petition creator:

The principle of self medication with herbal/vitamin/mineral food supplements would be restricted to ‘prescription only’ status, if the Codex Alimentarius is applied in this country. Since the NHS priorities are ill health diagnosis and treatment, the good health preservation that supplements provide will be inaccessible to the majority of our population and the cost to the NHS will increase, and the health of the population will decline.

Please pass this address on to your friends:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Vitamins/

Thank you,

Sarah

Have raw cake and eat it!!

I’m always interested in hearing about other people’s lifestyle and nutritional habits, and recently came across a lovely lady called Annette who had changed her entire family’s eating habits to help her son and is now launching a new website promoting raw foods.

Here is what Annette has to say about it:

I came to raw food for love of my tiny son, who suffered the most terrible nappy rash. We saw a nutritional therapist who suggested we eliminate all foods and turn to vegan, mainly raw food. At first it was quite a shock and I admit to being unsure about whether it would have any effect at all. As I was breastfeeding I would also need to follow the diet and I felt it would only work if we did it as a whole family. But I was willing to try anything and was certainly more committed to a holistic approach to health.

So our raw vegan journey began. I was hardly a junk foodie – we ate what I had thought was a healthy, organic, wholefood diet. We cut out dairy, wheat, yeast, eggs, meat, sugar and brought in raw greens and more raw food. Lots of my recipes ended up in the bin as I re-learned how to cook and prepare raw food for my family. Most importantly my son’s nappy rash cleared up, but the unexpected differences to my health also amazed me.

My hayfever disappeared, I gradually had much more energy and realised I had felt sluggish for many years, I was suddenly much less thirsty, my digestion felt better and I was not trying to keep myself awake in the afternoon.

I read and researched a lot and eventually invested in a high powered blender and dehydrator. It soon started to all come together. I managed to create dishes that my family like to eat and enjoyed preparing food. Over time friends and family started complimenting my new recipes and I decided I wanted to share what I was doing with others. So I set up a website with raw food information, including details about transitioning to raw food and child friendly recipes. I now have an online raw food shop with recipes linked to ingredients, which is a place where people interested in raw food can start and find both recipes and ingredients in one place. The shop opens on 18th August 2009 and readers of the SK Nutrition Blog can have a 5% discount until the end of the year with the code RAWFOODUK

Annette – www.haverawcakeandeatit.co.uk

Thanks for sharing your story Annette, and the very best of luck with your website! It’s amazing how much difference your diet can make to how you feel! When you feed your body with good “fuel” it really can function more effectively.

Average 50-something fitter than 25-year-old, according to Herbalife study

You may have seen the results of the latest Herbalife research in the press over the last few days. According to the study of 4,000 British adults, 50-somethings eat less calories, exercise more and eat less junk than people half their age.

Here is the coverage from the Daily Telegraph:

Researchers found the average 25-year-old consumes over 2,300 calories a day, exercises only three times a week and munches on 12 types of junk food a month. But the typical 50-year-old has only 1,990 calories each day, does at least four forms of exercise and treats themselves to just one piece of junk food each week. And while those in their mid-20s have three takeaways a month, the older generation have only one.

The study, commissioned by global nutrition and direct selling company Herbalife, quizzed 4,000 Brits on their diet and lifestyle. Neil Spiers, Herbalife’s Regional Vice President, said: “The results of the study will be surprising to most as it’s natural to think that the younger you are, the fitter you are. It seems many young people are making the mistake of underestimating the benefit of a more balanced, holistic approach to diet and lifestyle. It’s great to think that the older generation are showing the youngsters the way when it comes to healthier living.”

The nationwide research of 16-80 year olds quizzed them on their health and exercise habits. It found the over-50s are more likely to walk as much as they can during the day – to the shops or with the dog – while those in their 20s tend to drive everywhere. But when it comes to excuses for not exercising, over a third (36 per cent) of 25 year olds blame not having enough time, compared to 22 per cent of over-50s. The research found 70 per cent of Brits see themselves as healthy – exercising for 27 minutes a day, at least three times a week, opting to go for a walk, run, cycle or gym. A quarter of Brits polled cycle to see friends or go to the shops, and 70 per cent take the stairs instead of the lift. Nearly four in 10 walk to the train station or to work in a bid to keep fit.

The study also found the average Brit believes they are overweight by nine pounds. Over a quarter of the population are currently on a diet – with the ‘low fat’ (30 per cent), ‘low carb’ (14 per cent) and ‘detox’ (eight per cent) diets being the most popular. And they would wish to lose 13 pounds for them to be their ideal weight.

The study also highlighted the lengths people will go to in order to hide their flab. Nearly a quarter have fibbed about the amount they eat, one in five has lied about their weight and 12 per cent have cut labels out of clothing which revealed their real size. A cheeky 16 per cent have turned to slimming aids without telling anyone and seven per cent have uploaded misleading pictures on Facebook.

And 30 per cent have ‘binge dieted’ to fit into a dress or to look good in a bikini in time for a holiday.

Very interesting reading, and not wholly suprising, judging from the conversations I’ve had with some of my clients.

If you’d like information on losing weight in a healthy and safe way by incorporating the Herbalife products into a healthy lifestyle, visit our online store. (You can also read testimonials from some of our clients on out results page.)