Low energy density diet prevents weight gain

Children who have a gene linked to an increased risk of obesity can prevent that fate by eating more fruits and vegetables, according to a report from the journal PLoS ONE. Looking at more than 2,000 children, researchers from University College London and the University of Bristol found that even kids with the FTO gene could avoid becoming obese if they ate diets based on low energy density, or foods that have few calories for the weight of food. Children who ate diets with the highest energy density gained more fat over three years than those with less-dense diets, and those with the gene who also ate more calories per bite had the most fat mass of all.

Combo of Plavix, heartburn drug may cause more heart attacks

People who have heart attacks are often put on a blood thinner like Plavix as well as heartburn medication like Prilosec to cut gastrointestinal bleeding that is common with blood thinners. But a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that combining those drugs can nearly double the risk of a second heart attack or other heart problems compared to people who didn’t take a combination of drugs. The study tracked more than 8,000 people who’d had a first heart attack. Researchers say Prilosec shouldn’t be routinely prescribed to patients, but others say the bleeding caused by not taking such a drug could also be deadly.

Fructose link to diabetes may be caused by gene

A study in rats aiming to explain why diets high in fructose seem to increase insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes, suggests that a gene is involved. PGC-1 beta, which also activates another gene that regulates fat production in the liver, seems to boost insulin resistance. When the gene was blocked in rats they didn’t develop insulin resistance or high triglyceride levels when fed a high fructose diet. Some research suggests that fructose is metabolized differently from glucose and can be more easily turned into fat. Researchers say this study points to the possibility that turning off that particular gene could reduce insulin resistance, triglyceride levels and fatty liver disease.

Dead mice found at Texas peanut plant

The federal inspection report from a Peanut Corporation of America plant in Texas that was closed after a plant in Georgia was linked to a salmonella outbreak has been released, and inspectors report finding recently deceased mice, rodent droppings and evidence of birds’ nests. Inspectors also said there was no effort being made to exclude pests from processing areas or to avoid contamination, and processing machines had a buildup of sticky paste on them. The outbreak is considered ongoing and 677 people have been reported to have contracted salmonella. More than 2,800 products have been recalled.

Watching drinking on TV prompts young adults to drink

Seeing people consume alcohol in movies and advertising makes people more likely to drink, a report in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism says. Researchers in the Netherlands watched 80 young adults (18-29) while they watched either the movie “American Pie” or “40 Days and 40 Nights” either with or without commercials for alcohol included. Those who saw more references to alcohol drank twice as much as those who saw fewer references.

“Loser” castoff says he should have finished race

Finally, in last week’s “Biggest Loser” recap we touched on the controversy surrounding Dane’s update, which showed him running across the finish line of a marathon with his wife, when in reality he was driven three miles so the finish line crossing could be taped before the time limit for the race expired. Dane now says he wishes he’d run the whole way and he will redeem himself by running a full race in April. He said he didn’t mean to deceive anyone and he did go back and run those three miles after the cameras stopped. Dane lost 100 pounds in eight weeks on the show, the fastest weight loss ever, before being voted off.

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

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 and is filed under Beverages, Biggest Loser, Childhood obesity, Diabetes, Food safety, Foreign stories (non-U.S.), Kids and families, Nibbles: diet news shorts, Soda pop, HFCS, and beverages. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.