In the United States, 23.6 million children and adults — 7.8% of the population — have diabetes and one-third of U.S. adults are obese [1-2]. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as insulin resistance, a condition that precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. New research published in the Journal of Nutrition now suggests that blueberries can help improve insulin sensitivity in obese, non-diabetic and insulin-resistant people [3].
Is Junk Food Addictive?
June 3, 2010 | by
In a recent paper in Nature Neuroscience, two researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida report that obese rats with extended access to what they deemed “palatable food” — bacon, sausage, cheesecake, pound cake, frosting and chocolate — exhibited compulsive like eating behavior, much like rats with extended access to cocaine or heroin [1]. This compulsive eating meant that they continued eating despite negative ramifications, in this case a flash of light signaling an oncoming electric shock administered to their foot. This lack of control over behavior with known negative consequences is a hallmark of both drug addiction and obesity. The investigators found that just like drug addicted rats, these obese rats had fewer striatal (a region of the forebrain) dopamine D2 receptors; this is responsible for the observed dampening of their neural reward responses to the food, which caused them to continue to eat, seeking that elusive high.
The Review Is In: Lifestyle Changes Prevent Breast Cancer
September 30, 2009 | by
This article was written by Allison Bland.
Experts agree that diet and nutrition can reduce risk of many diseases, including different types of cancer and chronic disease. A recent update to a 2007 report by the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund (AICR/WCRF) concludes that breast cancer deaths can be prevented by physical activity, breast feeding, a healthy diet and other preventative measures. The study is an update to the breast cancer chapter of Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective [1]. Earlier conclusions were based on data from 873 studies evaluating the relationship between diet, physical activity, obesity and cancer [2]. The 2009 update includes evidence from an additional 81 studies.
Health Highlights – September 8th, 2009
September 9, 2009 | by
Health Highlights is a biweekly summary of particularly interesting articles from credible sources of health and medical information that we follow & read. For a complete list of recommeded sources, see our links page.
- Vaccines TV News Spots | Doctor Anonymous
In Ohio, the videographer Doctor Anonymous hits airwaves with his local CBS affiliate to talk about immunizations.
- The Obesity Epidemic | fundscience.org
It's amazing what has happened in the U.S. over the last 15 years. With the food and healthcare industries focused on profits, obesity-associated conditions today include heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, gall stones and osteoarthritis.
- Beware of Top 50 “Great Tools to Double Check your Doctor” or whatever Lists | Laika’s MedLibLog
Jacqueline posts a warning about top 50 or top 100 health lists – some may not be as innocent as they seem. Linker beware!
- The Neural Basis of Multitasking | dlPFC
Michael Waskom describes a study that imaged brain activity in an attempt to understand why people have trouble doing more than a single thing at once.
- Medical Research, Research!America Featured in This Week’s PARADE Magazine | Research!America
How has medical research changed your life? PARADE magazine lists a number of breakthroughs from NIH-funded research.
- A new website for the rapid sharing of influenza research | Official Google Blog
PLoS Currents is a new and experimental website for the rapid communication of research results and ideas. The first research theme: influenza.
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Tired? You May Not Be Getting Enough Sleep
May 7, 2008 | by
A good night’s sleep is increasingly loosing out to late night television, the Internet, video games and other modern day distractions, and our health is taking the toll. An estimated 50 to 70 million people suffer from chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders, and loss of sleep is associated with a variety of health problems, including obesity and depression [1]. According to a recent four state study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of adults report not getting enough rest or sleep at least once over the past month; 10% report insufficient rest or sleep every day [2].
