The US FDA has caved into “pressure” from the powerful sugar and artificial sweetener lobby and issued a warning letter to Celestial Seasonings for using a popular natural sweetener in some of its teas. The letter indicates the FDA classifies the herb stevia as “unsafe”, even though it is a main staple sweetener in countries …
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Category:Health
Banning smoking works
Recent studies on the effect of the smoking ban brought in to Ireland in March 2004 shows a strong reduction in related disease, proving the costs of smoking. This does not mean a prohibition is appropriate, but definitely supports a public place ban and better information for consumers. Dr Edmond Cronin and colleagues at Cork …
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Parents are the problem with children’s diets.
Yes, we are. It seems only fair to note that children’s poor diet is a direct consequence of what they are fed by their parents. And if you don’t believe it’s a life or death issue, have a look at this story of the death of a 16-year-old boy who collapsed and died during a PE …
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Obesity 101
Its a nasty word, isn’t it? But most of us face it sooner or later. When its not really a problem we tend to ignore it, but once it starts to get out of control its sooo difficult to rein it in. It becomes a disease, both physiological and psychological. Whether for interest or use, …
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Stress worse for health than disease (again)
As we’ve said before “Many health and happiness problems today are related to stress“. A World Health Organisation report (published in the Lancet) on the largest population-based worldwide study that explores the effect of depression in comparison with four other chronic diseases on health state found that depression is more damaging to everyday health than …
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Modest eating, red wine and longevity
So long as there is adequate nutrition, cutting calories by 40pc prolongs lifespan by 50pc or more — in yeast, mice, rats and every other species so far tested. In 1999 David Sinclair, at Harvard, showed that a single gene, SIRT1, controlled the process of ageing. Subsequent work showed that resveratrol, found in red wine, …
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Bush tucker fights cancer
Scientists from Food Science Australia, a government-funded research body, have now demonstrated that natural foods sourced by Australian aboriginies aid in the fight against cancer. The fruits, in particular, found in bushland are high in anti-oxidants which are proven to help teh body resist cancer and other diseases. They include red and yellow finger limes, …
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Healthy eating makes you good and brainy
A children’s nutrition survey by the UK education charity Food for the Brain has shown strong links between a healthy diet and higher SAT scores. The survey also reveals “the shocking state of children’s diet and mental health in Britain” which leads to one in three children suffering from attention or concentration problems and mood …
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How to get fat without even trying
This five part YouTube series with now deceased TV newscaster Peter Jennings explores how the food industry spends billions of dollars to sabotage your health. Jennings also takes a critical look at the US government’s agricultural subsidy programmes, and the consequences of misguided government policies on diet and health. For example, sugar and fat receive …
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Marketing junk food to children
A special report by Ethical Corp Magazine summarises the global weight of junk food marketing aimed at children. This revealing article is peppered with data on this billion dollar advertising niche and offers some links with more advice.