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Dr. Walter Willet, the Department of Nutrition Chair at Harvard University has pointed out that plant protein sources are healthier than animal sources. He has also recommended limiting consumption of coconut oil to prevent a rise in bad cholesterol.
Earning a high score on the Alternative Eating Index, developed by Harvard faculty members, can lower macular degeneration risk.
Like London School and Stanford counterparts, Harvard researchers have found exercise may be as effective as medications in treating heart disease, stroke, and in preventing diabetes. Harvard research has resulted in other key findings such as eating nuts regularly may lower total mortality risk; nut and fiber intake during teen years may reduce subsequent breast cancer risk; consuming eggs may increase the possibility of type 2 diabetes and the spread of prostate cancer; higher saturated fat intake is associated with lower sperm counts; trans fat and higher animal protein intake may increase heart disease risk; consuming more vegetables and fruit as well as peanut butter may be able to do the opposite; aiming for below-average cholesterol levels may provide better heart disease protection; eating whole grains may lower type 2 diabetes risk; eating more animal protein, animal fat, and cholesterol may harm the kidneys; red meat intake might raise the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and overall mortality; a low-carb plant-based diet may also mean a lower mortality risk; daily egg consumption may mean a higher mortality risk; meat and dairy intake may mean a higher cancer risk; the mercury amount considered by the U.S. EPA to be safe should be lower; a public cutback in mercury levels could raise both national I.Q. points and wages; there is an apparent link between adolescent milk intake, especially for skim milk, and teen acne; cured meat consumption may be a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; common household chemicals may produce childhood allergic reactions; and finally, buying more plant-based foods may help both a consumer’s health and budget.
The Harvard Nurses Health Study (HNHS) is considered a key long-term population study on women’s health. Its findings include eating meat or eggs before pregnancy may raise gestational diabetes risk; regular nut and fiber consumption, along with limiting dietary cholesterol, may help
extend a woman’s life and may prevent breast cancer; meat intake may be an infertility risk factor; enough magnesium intake may prevent heart attacks; and getting enough plant-based omega-3’s may reduce depression risk.
Topic summary contributed by Randy
Shaving before applying underarm antiperspirants can increase aluminum absorption. Could this explain the greater number of tumors and the disproportionate incidence of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant of the breast near the armpit?
When done right, love may protect your lover’s life.
How should we parse the conflicting human data on aspartame (Nutrasweet) intake and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer?
Sugar is no longer considered just empty calories, but an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. So what happens if you switch to artificial sweeteners?
Why do some recommend thousands of units of supplemental vitamin D when the Institute of Medicine set the recommended daily intake at just 600 to 800 units?
Sprinkling vinegar on greens may augment their ability to improve endothelial function.
If the uric acid crystals that trigger gout come from the breakdown of purines, should gout patients avoid even healthy purine-rich foods such as beans, mushrooms, and cauliflower?
The mercury content in fish may help explain links found between fish intake and mental disorders, depression, and suicide.
One week on a plant-based diet can significantly drop blood levels of homocysteine, a toxin associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Without vitamin B12 supplementation, though, a long-term plant-based diet could make things worse.
Does the threshold for toxicity of fructose apply to fruit or just to added industrial sugars such as sucrose and high fructose corn syrup?
The galactose in milk may explain why milk consumption is associated with significantly higher risk of hip fractures, cancer, and premature death.
Of all the components of a healthy Mediterranean diet, which are associated with a longer lifespan?