Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It is said to promote weight loss, lower blood pressure and boost brain health, among others. But what does science actually say about intermittent fasting? In a review published in The New England Journal of Medicine, neuroscientist Mark Mattson of Johns Hopkins Medicine and aging specialist Rafael de … Continue reading Intermittent fasting is key to a “healthy lifestyle,” experts suggest
A high-fiber diet may help reduce inflammation linked to COVID-19, study suggests
Up to 50 percent of patients with COVID-19 report experiencing gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Research also shows that patients tend to have lower levels of gut bacteria that make short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by fermenting fiber from foods. SCFAs play a key role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. They … Continue reading A high-fiber diet may help reduce inflammation linked to COVID-19, study suggests
Just 2 days of increased sugar intake can harm your gut health, warn researchers
A common trick to maintain a low-sugar diet is to indulge your sweet cravings from time to time. You might adhere to a strict diet during the weekdays and loosen up a bit over the weekend as a reward for dieting. But a study shows that it takes only a couple of days to ruin good … Continue reading Just 2 days of increased sugar intake can harm your gut health, warn researchers
Are low salt diets doing more harm than good?
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), death from cardiovascular disease could be reduced by 1.2 million people over the next decade if Americans limited their sodium intake to just 1,500 milligrams. Dieticians and health experts are quick to recommend a low sodium diet. Doctors often say that salt intake is a leading cause of … Continue reading Are low salt diets doing more harm than good?
Intermittent fasting found to boost health, lower diabetes risk
A recent study revealed that intermittent fasting can help with heart health, improve blood chemistry and reduce the risk of diabetes. The study, published in Nutrition Research, looked at the benefits of time-restricted feeding – in particular, the 16:8 intermittent fasting method – in healthy college men. “What we are doing is time-restricted feeding. It is a way … Continue reading Intermittent fasting found to boost health, lower diabetes risk
Can diet soda kill you? Studies show that some people can’t digest aspartame
Diet soda, despite the name, is not better for you than regular soda. In fact, it can even be deadly for certain people. Diet soda contains aspartame, an artificial sweetener that’s 200 times sweeter than table sugar. While both table sugar (or sucrose) and aspartame have the same amount of calories, manufacturers need only a small amount of the … Continue reading Can diet soda kill you? Studies show that some people can’t digest aspartame
Shirataki noodles, a low-carb and low-GI superfood perfect for vegans
Noodles and pasta are filling, but eating them too frequently may be bad for your health, especially if you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight. If you love regular noodles but want to use a healthier ingredient, try cooking with shirataki noodles, a low-carb superfood. Shirataki noodles, a low-carb superfood Shirataki noodles are becoming more popular both … Continue reading Shirataki noodles, a low-carb and low-GI superfood perfect for vegans
The Consequences of a Poor Diet Could Epigenetically Persist Despite Improving Eating Habits
A majority of people know that improving your diet will lead to an improvement in your health. But not everyone knows that the consequences of eating poorly can actually persist even after you’ve changed your dietary habits for the better. New research on mice suggests that even following the treatment of atherosclerosis – the build-up … Continue reading The Consequences of a Poor Diet Could Epigenetically Persist Despite Improving Eating Habits
Vegetarian health and nutrition: 7 Nutrients you can’t get from plants
Eating only plant-based foods as a vegan or vegetarian confers numerous health benefits, including improved heart health and a decreased risk of various diseases. But humans have been eating both plants and meat for thousands of years. In fact, many nutrients that are important for overall health can only be found in meat, fish and dairy products. … Continue reading Vegetarian health and nutrition: 7 Nutrients you can’t get from plants
Being Overweight Adds Distinct Epigenetic Marks to DNA
Extra weight that you may have put on during the holidays could not only appear around your belly, but also add epigenetic tags to your DNA, suggests a new study. Having a high body mass index (BMI) was linked to additional methyl tags found at more than 200 areas on the genome, which affects gene expression and … Continue reading Being Overweight Adds Distinct Epigenetic Marks to DNA
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 