Fructose more damaging to men

When men were given a fructose drink equivalent to drinking several liters of soda a day, their triglyceride levels went up 71 percent compared to when they weren’t drinking the beverage, while their fasting glucose levels increased 5 percent, according to research from Switzerland. Women had a 4 percent increase in glucose levels and only a 16 percent rise in triglycerides, and only four of 12 metabolic parameters tested by researchers were affected in women, while 11 of them were in men. The researchers say gender needs to be taken into consideration when looking at nutrition and metabolic disorders…

Heavy RA patients have less joint damage

Rheumatoid arthritis patients with a high body mass index were found to have less damage to their joints in the initial stages of the disease than lighter-weight people did. Researchers in the Netherlands found that those with higher BMI had less joint erosion and joint narrowing, but they aren’t sure why. They say further studies in patients with RA and osteoarthritis will be conducted in the hope of developing better treatment for people of all sizes…

Diabetes group to name education centers

To help slow the spread of diabetes around the world and improve the success of treatment, the International Diabetes Federation has announced that it will name healthcare facilities “centers of education” for the disease. The centers will be at institutions that already have experience in diabetes education, and they’ll be required to teach workshops for health professionals and diabetics. There are more than 250 million diabetics around the world, according to the federation…

Most restaurants not following NYC rule

It’s estimated that only about a quarter of the chain restaurants required to post calorie counts on menus in New York City are actually doing so, a deputy commissioner for the Health Department said. So far 81 restaurants have been cited, but the city will not start collecting fines from businesses that don’t follow the rule until next month. Right now, department officials say they’re in an “educational period” of trying to help restaurant owners understand the new rules…

In praise of reality weight-loss shows

There are so many television shows having to do with weight loss these days, from “The Biggest Loser” and “Celebrity Fit Club” to specials on TLC about the super-morbidly obese. Aside from providing entertainment, Los Angeles Times health writer Jeannine Stein says they may actually provide some motivation to the people who watch them. While it’s important to remember that your weight loss experience will differ from someone who’s sequestered and focused 24/7, at the very least people who watch these shows will develop sympathy for and a deeper understanding of obese people and what led them to gain so much weight in the first place…

Man eats a dozen or more Mars bars a day

Finally, one for the “don’t try this at home” file: Keith Sorrell of England reports that most of his diet is based on Mars candy bars, and that he eats a dozen a day, more on weekends. He even eats Mars and vodka shakes when he goes out drinking. He supplements his candy-filled diet with orange juice and vitamins, and says at 14 stone (196 pounds) he’s pretty healthy. He says he’s been eating this way for 17 years. Mars officials say they encourage chocolate in moderation “as part of a balanced diet.”

(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 and is filed under Nibbles: diet news shorts. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.