New Autism Reports

Prenatal folic acid supplements have proven effective in preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. A Norwegian study tracking 85000 children recently discovered a 40% reduction of incidences of autism in children born to women who took the B vitamin before and during their pregnancies, compared to women who did not take the supplement. If you plan to become pregnant, be sure to start the supplements before hand; about 6 to 8 weeks. The study also showed that women who started the supplement mid-term did not have similar results; the children had no lower risk of autism. The Center for Disease Control recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for women who are or plan to become pregnant.
~ JAMA, 2013

Life Really Is a Bowl of Cherries!

People with gout may be able to cut in half their risk of recurrent attacks by eating about 20 tart cherries a day, according to research from the Boston University School of Medicine. Cherries contain a powerful natural property that inhibits the production of uric acids in the body, and the elimination of the same. It is the high levels of uric acid that cause the joint inflammation. The phyto-chemicals in the red cherries also work as an anti inflammatory similar to ibuprofen. Subjects in several studies concerning arthritis have reported relief from arthritis pain not related to gout.
The flavinoids in cherries are most concentrated in the skins of the cherries, so the best way to get the powerful antioxidant benefits is by eating the whole fruit, either fresh or dried. Look for juices containing the entire fruit; a residue of settled fruit puree on the bottom of the container is the best evidence the whole fruit was used to make the product. Also, many  juices are mostly apple juice with cherry flavoring or just enough cherry juice to give it color. Be sure the ingredient label says "100% cherry" juice and not just "100% juice."  If you eat cherries alone for gout treatment or in combination with  medication, it is advised to drink a lot of water to help flush out the toxic properties of uric acids from the body.
The benefits of medical diets often work as well as traditional medications and have no side effects. And, when used on a long-term basis, they provide the body with other health benefits. Even with the cherries, it is still necessary to stick to a low-purine diet for the treatment of gout. As always, be sure to discuss your diet and medications with your doctor so that there won't be a surprise of drug - food interactions.
 

National Nutrition Month Turns 40

National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education and information campaign, which focuses on making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This month also celebrates my profession, which makes it a welcomed  break from the holidays that encourage gluttony.
This year’s NNM theme “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” supports personalized healthy eating styles and acknowledges that food preferences, lifestyles, and health concerns along with cultural and ethnic backgrounds all have a great impact on our individual food choices. As RD's, we want to inspire you this month to simply make a small change every day that works for you. Make it personal and make it better. General nutrition wisdom should come into play – concepts of balance, moderation, making sure you get adequate nutrition from a variety of foods and aiming for a healthy lifestyle rather alternating perfect days and cheat days.
Make this month count by vowing to try new things, get active, and share your ideas with friends & family.
For nutrition facts and ideas from the experts, visit eatright.org 

Blame the Beans?

Gas rumors don't just start at the pump. Most intestinal gas results from fiber additives (inulin, chicory root extract, sorbitol and maltitol) in many processed or manufactured food items bearing the "high fiber" claim on the label. Thought beans, cabbage and milk are the usual suspects, many additives can be the cause of the exponential amounts resulting in bloating, cramps, or diarrhea. Inulin, along with other more complex sugars known as oliosaccharides are sugars our digestive enzymes can not break down. It ferments in the large intestine; a process that produces gas. Beans also contain such sugars, but soaking dried beans, combined with the cooking process remove most of the culprits. Over-the-counter enzyme remedies help with digestion of the sugars to prevent the gas producing fermentation process.
Some sugar free candies, sodas, and gum contain the sugar alcohols mentioned. Some fiber enriched snack items contain as much as 9 grams of inulin, where a serving of beans only contains 3 grams of the oligosaccharides.
Instead of avoiding the whole foods that provide the best nutrition, check the label of your favorite granola bar, cereal, or yogurt. You may be avoiding the wrong food. Though intestinal gas is un-welcomed, it is not harmful.

~American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1998

Colon Cleansing...REALLY??

Labels of such products promise to "cleanse, detox, regulate." Some include a bonus "liver cleanser, gastro cleanser," and pills for "kidney health." And those are just the products you swallow. A more motivated person would try the colonic irrigation kits. Do we need to clean our colons and other organs? Absolutely not, according to Ranit Mishori, physician and associate professor of family medicine at Georgetown University. The claims of eliminating your body of toxins to reduce allergies, depression, or whatever is completely unfounded. Our bodies are designed to rid itself of toxins. If anything, taking pills only adds to the work our kidneys do everyday, and liver enzymes are produced and used within the liver. Enzymes you take orally get destroyed long before they can make it to the liver. Colonic cleansers, or "enema's on steroids" have proven fatal. Lawsuits in several states are pending. Such a practice began in ancient times and became  popular in the early 1900's until the American Medical Association condemned the practice in 1919. Such use of "colonic cleansers" upsets the bacterial balance of the gutt, which interrupts the enzyme activities and absorption of nutrients. This imbalance leads to lower GI upsets, inflammation, and reduced immunity from infection & disease. There are much safer interventions to detox and de-stress our bodies. Yoga, walking, talking, a glass of wine, daily servings of vegetables, water. I'll opt for the latter...
 ~ Journal of Family Practice, 2011
 ~American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009