Medicine.org - Nutrition & Food

Humane Society Sues USDA to Close Loophole Leading to the Largest Beef Recall in U.S. History

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:19:49 -0500

The Humane Society of the United States has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to close a dangerous loophole in the agency's regulations that contributed to the recent recall of more than 143 million pounds of beef. The recall was initiated after an HSUS undercover investigation documented shocking acts of animal cruelty to non-ambulatory or "downer" cattle at a slaughterhouse in Chino, California. Watch the undercover video now

Undercover Animal Cruelty Video Prompts Largest Beef Recall in US History

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:39:32 -0500

The USDA has ordered a massive recall of 143 million pounds of beef from Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., affecting beef products dating back to Feb. 1, 2006. This is the largest beef recall to date in the United States.

Diabetes: A Rising Epidemic

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:57:01 -0500

Blindness, Amputation of Limbs, or dialysis for the rest of their lives; these are the consequences of diabetes. Almost everyone with diabetes could anticipate that one of these catastrophic disabilities would happen to them. However, the Centers for Disease Control report that today, the complications are decreasing, even though the rates of diabetes are increasing. For the first time, heart decrease has decreased by almost 16%. This decrease is a result of new knowledge within the past decade that controlling blood pressure, managing cholesterol levels, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels staves off the eventual outcome of diabetes.

Are Supplements Safe?

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:45:11 -0500

Today’s Health Craze is good. Hopefully, it is a fad that turns into a lifestyle for most of us. But along with our new found interest in diet and exercise, we have renewed interest in what supplements can we take to make us even healthier. Therefore, one should have knowledge about their use and safety prior to purchase.

The need for dietary supplements

Because many products are marketed as dietary supplements, it is important to remember that supplements include vitamins and minerals, as well as herbs, botanicals and other substances.

Deprivation and Dieting

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:27:51 -0500

Deprivation feeds desire and leads to over-indulgence in the future. This should be a ‘motto’ (or an epitaph) on everyone’s refrigerator. It is a fact. Years of research have born out that a main reason for diets not working is the deprivation one feels during this ‘restricted semi-fast’. So, if you have always loved potato chips; you occasionally should have a small amount of chips.

Be Careful with Folk Medicines: They May Contain Lead

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:45:15 -0500

Your latest friend from India gives her child a ‘very effective’ Indian herb when they have a slight tummy ache. It has been used for centuries in her country, and has been very helpful in soothing the stressed infant. She offers you some, when you discuss your own baby’s colic. This may be the god-sent you have been waiting for! Should you take it? Read the following, and then make a decision.

Toxic Sugar and the Holidays

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:59:28 -0500

With all the Holidays right around the corner, it is time to watch your sugar intake. If you don’t, you will regret it Mid-January.
Sugar not only increases ones weight exponentially, it also takes its toll on almost every body system. Cavities, high cholesterol, obesity (with all the diseases associated with being fat), bone loss and fractures are all areas adversely impacted by one’s excessive intake of sugar. .

Have a Healthy Happy Thanksgiving

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:48:00 -0500

It’s difficult to worry too much about food at Thanksgiving; as this traditionally has been a day of food excess (when else would you have more than one vegetable dish at a setting?). Most people gain 1-2 pounds over Thanksgiving, and most of it caused by an increase in fat intake. All those delicious veggie dishes come laden with fattening sauces, coatings, and added ingredients. Turkey, like any fowl, has all the fat directly under the skin. Mashed potatoes, even sweet potatoes are made with heavy creams and other goodies made especially for our grand feast. Last, but not least, are the delicious, but fattening, desserts. The smells alone on Thanksgiving are enough to put a few pounds on all of us. What is a person to do? Is there any hope? Or should we just give in to the inevitable, and maybe exercise more than we usually do?

Want to Lose Weight? Do So Slowly for Permanent Loss

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:59:00 -0500

Are you discouraged with dieting? Yes, you lose pounds rapidly, but at what cost? You deprive and sacrifice to reach your magic goal; but then put it all back on again (way too easily). Part of the problem is your style of dieting. Scientists now say that you can easily lose weight, and not gain it back, by simply following a few steps. The goal is to lose one pound per week (maybe two at the most, but not more). By slowly losing weight, you will adapt a new and healthier lifestyle that will be easy to maintain, once your goals have been achieved. True, it won’t happen over night: but then, you didn’t gain it over night. So let your loss of weight be like the turtle and not like the hare. Speed is not of the essence, or even desirable, when it comes to losing weight. Some experts in the field state that yo-yo dieting is actually unhealthy in the long run, as you lose muscles in the process, but regain fat.

Trick-or-Treat: Creative Ways to “Trick’ Kids into Healthy Eating

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:48:06 -0500

What’s a parent to do when their kids absolutely refuse to eat all their ‘veggies’, or even worse, eat none of their ‘veggies’. One approach that never works is to firmly re-state your position, that all vegetables must be eaten. Or, an approach which may develop into power and control (or eating disorders) later in life is to have the child finish all their food before they are allowed to leave the table. A boring lecture on all the antioxidants and the new pyramid food guide, probably won’t get very far with the recalcitrant child either. So, what to do, what to do!

Breastfeeding Is Not Always the Best Method for Baby

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:15:19 -0400

A myth exists that breastfeeding is good for the mother and good for the infant. For the most part, this is not myth but fact. Women who don't have health problems should try to give their babies breast milk for at least the first six months of life. Breast feeding offers many benefits to the baby. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help your infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect your infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections. It may also help your health. Certain types of cancer may occur less often in mothers who have breastfed their babies.

Cancer Can Be Prevented

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:11:29 -0400

Cancer. The very word strikes dread in our hearts. When the word comes from our doctors vis a vis a diagnosis; most of us accept it as an automatic death sentence. So, news that there are several things we can do to prevent cancer, aside from smoking, should motivate all of us to ‘sign-on’.

Following the steps below may prevent 30% of cancers. Additionally, the actions identified are good for anyone who would like to adapt a healthy lifestyle.

Obese Children at Risk for Several Diseases

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:06:31 -0400

Obese children have become a national epidemic. “Recent national data indicate that the incidence of overweight is 13% for preschool-aged children, 18.8% for school-aged children, and 17.4% for adolescents. These numbers increase to 26.2%, 37.2%, and 34.3% respectively when both overweight and at-risk of overweight categories are combined. Most overweight children are school-age, African-American (particularly girls), or Mexican-American (particularly boys). States with the highest rates of child overweight are Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.” (Harbaugh, 2007). Almost every body system in kids is impacted when they are over-weight.

Parent's Role Essential In Teaching Kids Health Habits

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:36:21 -0400

Parents have a critical role as teachers for their children learning healthy habits. This particular extends to nutrition. What foods are good? What snacks are healthy? What are Oral Hygiene skills and how to brush their teeth? Not only do parents teach their children through instruction, but even more importantly, as role models. An old adage wrongfully advices to "Do As I Say; Not As I Do". This has never worked well in the past, and still doesn't today.

How-To's of Snacking Smart and Healthy Teeth for Kids

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:29:38 -0400

How can you snack smart? Be choosy! This will help with weight control, and promote healthy bones and teeth. The list below identifies several choices for healthy snacks.

Pick a variety of foods from these groups:
• Fresh fruits and raw vegetables
(1) berries
(2) oranges or grapefruit
(3) melons
(4) pineapple
(5) pears
(6) tangerines
(7) broccoli
(8) celery