This is a surprising paper just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Don’t forget that allergy to casein (dairy protein) is a serious matter, but when that is not a factor note what the investigators found: “The dairy-supplemented diet resulted in significant suppression of oxidative stress and lower inflammatory markers and increased adiponectin, whereas the soy exerted no significant effect.” Just goes to show the importance of the scientific approach and an open mind. The authors conclude: “An increase in dairy food intake produces significant and substantial suppression of the oxidative and inflammatory stress associated with overweight and obesity.” The best dairy is from animals eating alpine grasses or forage rather than grain, whether cow, sheep or yak. [In fact, 'yak' refers to the male of the species; the milk-bearing female is the dru.]
Category Archives: Good Eating
Study links dark chocolate to lower anxiety through gut bacteria
This interesting study recently published in the Journal of Proteome Research documented improvement in anxiety with lower levels of cortisol and catecholamines (excitatory neurotransmitters) that were associated with changes in chemicals produced by the bacteria in the gut. The authors state: “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of free living and healthy human subjects, as per variation of both host and gut microbial metabolism.” The intervention was performed with a daily intake of 40 g (1.4 ounces) of dark chocolate (Noir Intense, 74% cocoa solids, Nestle).
Sugar shortens life span
You are probably aware of earlier studies that demonstrated increase in life span of experimental animals by the effect of caloric restriction on insulin regulating pathways. This interesting study recently published in the journal Cell Metabolism elucidates the flip side: “We found that adding a small amount of glucose to the medium (2%) shortened the life span of C. elegans by inhibiting the activities of life span-extending transcription factors that are also inhibited by insulin signaling…” The authors conclude: “Together, these findings raise the possibility that a low-sugar diet might have beneficial effects on life span in higher organisms.”
Mediterranean diet and depression
As this paper recently published in the Archives of General Psychiatry states: “Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) is thought to reduce inflammatory, vascular, and metabolic processes that may be involved in the risk of clinical depression.” Not surprisingly, a way of eating that reduces or protects against chronic inflammation in the brain is likely to help prevent or treat depression.
Alkaline diets favor muscle mass in older adults
The 384 men and women in this 3 year trial that was reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition were more successful at preserving muscle mass when they had a higher intake of vegetables and fruits. These are alkali-producing largely due to their potassium content (unlike acid-producing cereal grains and protein).
Long-term effects of a very low-carbohydrate diet and a low-fat diet on mood and cognitive function
An original investigation just published in Archives of Internal Medicine showed similar effects for weight loss and cognitive function, but severely restricting carbohydrates for a year resulted in more “total mood disturbance, anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, and depression-dejection”. The authors conclude: “Over 1 year, there was a favorable effect of an energy-restricted LF [low fat] diet compared with an isocaloric LC [low carb] diet on mood state and affect in overweight and obese individuals. Both diets had similar effects on working memory and speed of processing.” [Isocaloric = same amount of calories.] Lapis Light patients know to eat an abundance of low glycemic carbs of multiple colors.
Low selenium associated with worse prognosis in cardiovascular disease
Coffee drinking reduces liver cancer risk
This meta-analysis published in the journal Hepatology evaluates several studies that suggest there is a reduction of risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC = liver cancer) from drinking coffee. The authors conclude: “The present analysis provides evidence that the inverse relation between coffee and HCC is real…”
Phytochemical rich foods reduce weight gain and inflammation
Phytochemicals occur naturally in plants, especially richly colored vegetables and fruits. This interesting study reports that a Phytochemical Index (PI), derived from the proportional amount of phytochemical-rich foods in the subjects’ diets, correlated with weight-gain, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and plasma oxidative stress (linked to inflammation). “The PI score was a significant contributor to yearly weight gain.” This confirms an additional benefit from a diet whose carbohydrate portion is mainly from low-glycemic vegetables and fruits.
Walnuts improve blood vessel function in type 2 diabetes
This study documents a significant improvement in blood vessel function (specifically their ability to relax and open up to allow blood to flow freely) when 56 grams of walnuts were added to the diet of the study subjects. Both the study cohort and the control group (who did not consume walnuts) were allowed to eat freely (ad libitum) otherwise. Their conclusion: “A walnut-enriched ad libitum diet improves endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in type 2 diabetics, suggesting a potential reduction in overall cardiac risk.”