In an Agricultural Research Service greenhouse study, supplemental UV-A plus UV-B light sharply raised carotenoid and chlorophyll levels in green leaf lettuce while slightly lowering them in red varieties, which instead produced more phenolic compounds.
Food Consumer
Diet
Neutralizing acidosis and bone loss among mature adults
In a three-month placebo-controlled trial of adults 50 and older led by Bess Dawson-Hughes, 78 volunteers given potassium or sodium bicarbonate, an amount equal to about nine servings of fruit and vegetables, showed significant drops in markers of bone loss and fracture.
Phytochemicals
Nutrient supports bone health over time
Among 213 men and 390 women averaging 75 years old in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study, carotenoid intake was associated with some protection against bone mineral density loss over four years, at the hip in men and the lumbar spine in women. Other bone sites showed no significant link.
Sci-Tech
Nanotechnology may be used for food safety
ARS engineer Bosoon Park and University of Georgia colleagues built a nanoscale biosensor that attaches fluorescent dye particles to Salmonella antibodies so the bacteria light up and are easier to see. Park says it could be adapted to other foodborne pathogens.
Phytochemicals
Berry compound reduces aging effect
Aged rats fed the berry and grape compound pterostilbene reversed measurable effects of aging on brain function and behavior, ARS and Tufts scientists report. Improved working memory tracked with pterostilbene levels in the hippocampus.
Diet
Pomegranate extract may inhibit inflammatory response in cells
In a cell study by University of South Carolina and Case Western Reserve researchers, the pomegranate extract POMx cut production of two pro-inflammatory cytokines in stimulated human mast cells. The team hopes the effect can be replicated in people to head off chronic inflammation.
Nutrition
Probiotics may ease anxiety
In a preliminary trial, 39 people with chronic fatigue syndrome took Lactobacillus casei Shirota or placebo daily for two months. Those on the probiotic had higher fecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria and a significant drop in anxiety symptoms; the researchers cannot yet explain why.
Cooking
Health-e-Recipes: Halibut with citrus and garlic
Halibut, a cold-water fish, supplies omega-3 fats known for heart benefits and now being studied for possible cancer protection. The recipe bakes fillets in foil packets with orange zest, garlic, lemon juice, zucchini, red onion and basil. 137 calories per serving.
Chemical
Congress calls for federal ban on BPA
Proposed legislation would ban BPA in food and beverage containers for adults as well as children under three, after Sunoco told investors it would not sell BPA for such uses. Studies cited link BPA to developmental problems in lab animals and, in humans, to heart disease and diabetes.
Miscellaneous
Is the pharmaceutical industry harming our soldiers?
The piece ties Iraq-war suicides to psychiatric drugs: 80 percent of troops with PTSD receive SSRIs or SNRIs that carry suicide warnings, and published reports count 660 suicides on those drugs since 1988. The VA still recommends SSRIs as first-line PTSD treatment.
Diet
Hibiscus tea shown to lower blood pressure
In a Tufts study of 65 adults with raised blood pressure who took no medication, three daily cups of hibiscus tea for six weeks lowered blood pressure an average 7.2%, against 1.3% on placebo. Participants starting above 129 mm Hg systolic gained significantly more.
Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids help cancer patients
In a double-blind randomized trial at Trinity College Dublin, esophageal cancer patients given an omega-3-enriched supplement after surgery kept their muscle mass, while those on a supplement without omega-3 lost about 4 pounds of muscle. The doses far exceeded what food provides.
Chemical
Artificial food dyes linked to hyperactivity, doctors urge Congress to act
Nineteen psychiatrists, toxicologists and pediatricians have asked Congress to ban synthetic food dyes, pointing to a growing link with hyperactivity and attention problems. Dyes such as Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1 are common in gum, candy and cereal marketed to children.
Supplements
Seaweed extract may reduce the need for NSAIDs
In a study of 14 adults with knee osteoarthritis, Aquamin, a seaweed, calcium, magnesium and selenium supplement, was tied to half the NSAID use after two weeks and greater range of motion than placebo after 30 days. Further study is coming, and it also supplies calcium.
Other Diseases
Trans fat, saturated fat may induce cognitive decline in diabetics
Among 1,486 diabetic women aged 70 and over in the Nurses' Health Study, higher intakes of saturated and trans fat since midlife were associated with worse cognitive decline. The gap between highest and lowest trans fat intake matched about seven years of aging.
Biological
Food poisoning cases in 2008
CDC's FoodNet surveillance in 10 states found that 2008 incidence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157 and other enteric infections did not change significantly from the preceding three years, and none of the Healthy People 2010 reduction targets were met.
Vitamins
B vitamins fight migraines
In a six-month trial at Australia's Genomics Research Center, 52 diagnosed migraine sufferers took either folic acid with vitamins B6 and B12 or a placebo. Those on the vitamins cut homocysteine 39% while controls saw no change, and migraine disability fell from 60% to 30%.
Cancer
Folic acid may boost colorectal cancer risk
Since Chile mandated folic acid fortification of flour, colorectal cancer rates rose 162 percent among people aged 49 to 64 and 190 percent among those 65 to 79, a University of Chile team reports. Critics point to obesity, smoking and heavy drinking as alternative explanations.
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