Nutrition.gov News Feeds

Everyday Foods Add Up to Major Salt Problems: CDC

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00 GMT

Ten food types, including bread, account for higher risk of heart disease, stroke, report says

In the News: Resveratrol

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:44 GMT

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring chemical found in red wine and other plant products and is sometimes sold as a dietary supplement. Recently, a study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute looked at how resveratrol works at the cellular level, identifying how it may provide its health benefits.

Fewer years for teens?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:01 GMT

Today’s teens’ poor health habits might cost them years of life. A study found this in data on about 5,500 teens. Donald Lloyd-Jones of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago examined risk factors for heart disease. Many teens had high blood sugar, low physical activity, and smoked. Their eating patterns were high in sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages, and low in fruits, vegetables, fiber and lean protein.

ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs Issued

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:49 GMT

ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs Issued

By Kim Kaplan
January 27, 2012

Drinking soy milk rather than cow's milk or mother's milk can result in better bones, at least in piglets, according to findings reported in the latest issue of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Food and Nutrition Research Briefs and its Spanish-language edition (Informe de investigaciones de alimentos y nutrición).

View the English edition at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb0112.htm

The popular online newsletter reports discoveries from researchers at ARS laboratories nationwide.

Among other findings, the current issue reports that:

• Newer broccoli varieties provide the same nutrient levels as heirloom varieties.

• Researchers are identifying ways to help identify breeding wheats that could make the best whole-grain cookie doughs.

• A cacao collecting trip may help save chocolate from witches' broom disease.

ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs is offered with color photos and illustrations on the Web. And by clicking the "subscribe" link on the newsletter's home page, readers can sign up for two e-mail options: They can receive the full text of the newsletter by e-mail, or simply an advisory that a new issue has been posted to the Web.

ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.

Food Price Outlook, 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00 GMT

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food is probably the most widely used indicator of changes in retail food prices. ERS regularly updates food price forecasts for the short-term period. The CPI for all food is projected to increase 2.5 to 3.5 percent in 2012. ERSs food price outlook is available for December 2011.

FDA's MedWatch Safety Alerts: December 2011

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:16 GMT

FDA gives updated safety information on ADHD drugs and heart disease in adults, dietary supplements that could be contaminated with Salmonella, and a blood thinner that may lead to bleeding problems. Learn about these and other safety alerts at http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucmXXXXXX.htm

USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:09 GMT

The new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is more sophisticated and accurate than any other previously developed. Click the image for link to zone map web site.

USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

By Kim Kaplan
January 25, 2012

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map—jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group—is available online at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA.

For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps also have been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access.

"This is the most sophisticated Plant Hardiness Zone Map yet for the United States," said Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The increases in accuracy and detail that this map represents will be extremely useful for gardeners and researchers."

Plant hardiness zone designations represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period. They do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations.

The new version of the map includes 13 zones, with the addition for the first time of zones 12 (50-60 degrees Fahrenheit) and 13 (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit). Each zone is a 10-degree Fahrenheit band, further divided into 5-degree Fahrenheit zones "A" and "B."

To help develop the new map, USDA and OSU requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic area, and trial versions of the new map were revised based on their expert input.

Compared to the 1990 version, zone boundaries in this edition of the map have shifted in many areas. The new map is generally one 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zone warmer than the previous map throughout much of the United States. This is mostly a result of using temperature data from a longer and more recent time period; the new map uses data measured at weather stations during the 30-year period 1976-2005. In contrast, the 1990 map was based on temperature data from only a 13-year period of 1974-1986.

However, some of the changes in the zones are a result of new, more sophisticated methods for mapping zones between weather stations. These include algorithms that considered for the first time such factors as changes in elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, and position on the terrain, such as valley bottoms and ridge tops. Also, the new map used temperature data from many more stations than did the 1990 map. These advances greatly improved the accuracy and detail of the map, especially in mountainous regions of the western United States. In some cases, they resulted in changes to cooler, rather than warmer, zones.

While about 80 million American gardeners, as well as those who grow and breed plants, are the largest users of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, many others need this hardiness zone information. For example, the USDA Risk Management Agency uses the USDA plant hardiness zone designations to set some crop insurance standards. Scientists use the plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects.

Although a poster-sized version of this map will not be available for purchase from the government as in the past, anyone may download the map free of charge from the Internet onto their personal computer and print copies of the map as needed.

As USDA's chief scientific research agency, ARS is leading America towards a better future through agricultural research and information. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to help answer agricultural questions that impact Americans every day. ARS research helps to:

ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products;
assess the nutritional needs of Americans;
sustain a competitive agricultural economy;
enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and
provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communties and society as a whole.

Finding New Forages for Rangeland Cattle

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:05 GMT

Read the magazine story to find out more.

Ranchers in the Intermountain West can reduce feeding costs by grazing their animals on the forage kochia, an Asian plant that sometimes survives wildfires and other environmental challenges better than native plants. Click the image for more information about it.

Finding New Forages for Rangeland Cattle

By Ann Perry
January 24, 2012

Cattle that graze on rangelands in the western United States may soon have a new forage option, thanks to work by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist.

Research by geneticist Blair Waldron with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Logan, Utah, suggests that forage kochia (Kochia prostrata) can provide more nutritious winter forage than traditional rangeland vegetation.

ARS is USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency, and this work supports the USDA priorities of responding to climate change and promoting international food security.

Waldron and his cooperators in Utah partnered to learn more about forage kochia, a shrubby Asian native plant that sometimes survives wildfires and other environmental challenges more successfully than North American native plants. Waldron works at the ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory in Logan.

In a series of studies, the team found that forage kochia can be established on damaged rangelands, and that it can compete with cheatgrass successfully. It can even protect against wildfires.

Waldron and his research partners also investigated fall/winter rangeland forage yields, rangeland carrying capacities, nutritive values, and the livestock performance of cattle that spent the fall and winter grazing on either kochia-dominated rangelands or grass-dominated rangelands. The team stocked each site with predominately Black Angus cattle and ran field trials for two seasons.

They found that the forage yield on rangelands seeded with kochia was 2,309 pounds per acre, which was six times greater than the forage yield on traditional grazinglands. This difference meant that the rangelands with kochia could support 1.38 animals per acre, while the traditional rangelands could support only 0.24 animal per acre.

In addition, the experimental forage had a crude protein content of 11.7 percent, well above the recommended minimum, while the stockpiled grasses had a crude protein content of only 3.1 percent, which was below the recommended minimum.

Results from this research were published in Forage and Grazinglands, Journal of Extension, Small Ruminant Research, and elsewhere.

Probiotics

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:55 GMT

Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria." Probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of dietary supplements and foods.

Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:58 GMT

As with any treatment, it is important to consider safety before using complementary health products and practices. Safety depends on the specific therapy, and each complementary product or practice should be considered on its own.

Mind and body practices such as meditation and yoga, for example, are generally considered to be safe in healthy people when practiced appropriately. Natural products such as herbal medicines or botanicals are often sold as dietary supplements and are readily available to consumers; however, there is a lot we don’t know about the safety of many of these products, in part because a manufacturer does not have to prove the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement before it is available to the public.

Depression and Complementary Health Practices

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:48 GMT

Depression is a medical condition that affects nearly 21 million American adults each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mood, thoughts, physical health, and behavior all may be affected. Among the common symptoms of depression are persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings; feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and/or worthlessness; restlessness or irritability; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; insomnia; overeating, or loss of appetite; and/or thoughts of suicide.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Depression can be treated effectively with conventional medicine, including antidepressants and certain types of psychotherapy.

Some people turn to complementary health products and practices for depression, including the dietary supplement St. John's wort; however, no complementary approach has been proven effective for the long-term treatment of depression. This issue provides information on "what the science says" about the effects of complementary health products for depression, including the dietary supplements omega-3 fatty acids, St. John's wort, valerian, as well as other complementary practices such as massage, relaxation techniques, and yoga.

Cinnamon

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:37 GMT

This fact sheet provides basic information about cinnamon—common names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and resources for more information.

Cinnamon comes from the bark of trees native to China, India, and Southeast Asia. A popular cooking spice in many cultures for centuries, cinnamon also has a long history of use as a folk or traditional medicine. For example, many ancient societies used cinnamon for bronchitis. Additional folk or traditional uses include gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, and control of diabetes, as well as a variety of other conditions.

Cinnamon bark is used to make powders, capsules, teas, and liquid extracts. Although there are many kinds of cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon (sometimes referred to as "true" cinnamon) and cassia cinnamon (also known as Chinese cinnamon) are the most familiar.

Lock it Up: Medicine Safety in Your Home

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:00 GMT

Every year thousands of children are hospitalized and some die after taking medicine not meant for them. FDA pharmacist Connie Jung explains in this video how you can prevent harm by locking your medicine up.

In the News: Dietary Supplements Research

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:04 GMT

Three recently published studies have highlighted the use and research surrounding natural products.Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) in the Journal of the American Medical Association.Effect of increasing doses of saw palmetto extract on lower urinary tract symptoms: a randomized trial in the Journal of the American Medical Association.Monounsaturated, trans, and saturated fatty acids and cognitive decline in women in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

New Go4Life Campaign Focuses On Fitness for Older Adults

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:24 GMT

Being physically active is vital to maintaining health and independence as we age, and a new federal campaign for people 50 and older will help them to get active and keep going. Introduced today by the National Institutes of Health, the Go4Life campaign encourages sedentary older adults to reap health benefits by making physical activity part of their daily lives. Only 25 percent of people aged 65–74 say they engage in regular physical activity.

NCCAM Clinical Digest: Alzheimer's Disease and CAM

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:12 GMT

According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's disease affects nearly 4.5 million Americans and is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Alzheimer's disease is an incurable disease with a slow progression beginning with mild memory loss and ending with severe brain damage and death.

While no treatment is proven to stop Alzheimer's disease, some conventional drugs may limit symptoms for a short period of time in the early stages of the disease. Research on several dietary supplements is ongoing to determine whether they are effective in preventing or slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This issue provides information on "what the science says"; about the effectiveness of antioxidants, Asian ginseng, cat's claw, ginkgo, and grape seed extract for Alzheimer's disease.

In the News: Study Shows Vitamin E Supplements Increase Incidence of Prostate Cancer

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:07 GMT

An updated analysis of data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) showed that vitamin E supplements significantly increased the incidence of prostate cancer in healthy men. At a median followup of 7 years, the researchers observed that the incidence of prostate cancer was increased by 17 percent in men who received the vitamin E supplement alone compared with those who received placebo. The findings were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Vitamin E Supplements Increase Incidence of Prostate Cancer, According to SELECT Study

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:05 GMT

A vitamin E supplement significantly increased the incidence of prostate cancer in healthy men, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The findings are from an updated analysis from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)—a study of more than 35,000 relatively healthy men aged 50 or older. SELECT was funded by the National Cancer Institute, NCCAM, and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Effects of Chromium Picolinate in People at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:13 GMT

The dietary supplement chromium picolinate does not improve insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance in people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study published in the journal Endocrine Practice. Previous research has suggested that chromium picolinate may help people with type 2 diabetes by improving insulin resistance and increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin. However, its effects on people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes have not been largely studied.

Saw Palmetto Extract No More Effective Than Placebo for Urinary Symptoms in Men

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:39 GMT

The fruit extract of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)—a widely used botanical product—administered at up to three times the standard daily dose did not reduce the urinary symptoms associated with prostate enlargement in older men more than placebo. Prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can cause frequent urination, a weak or intermittent urine stream, and an inability to empty the bladder completely. The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases, the Office of Dietary Supplements, and NCCAM.

Study Explores Relationship Between Fatty Acids and Cognitive Decline in Women

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:37 GMT

A diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids may be associated with less cognitive decline in older healthy women, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Previous research has linked cognitive decline with cardiovascular disease, and certain types of dietary fatty acids (saturated and trans) are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, in this study, no association was found between cognitive decline and saturated or trans fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive and canola oils, and saturated fats are found in coconut and palm oils as well as in butter, cheese, milk, and fatty meats. Trans fats are found in some margarines, commercial baked goods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oil.

Nutrition Express Voluntarily Recalls Protein Supplements Because of Possible Health Risk

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:02 GMT

Nutrition Express of Torrance, CA is voluntarily recalling specific products containing whey protein isolate sourced from one supplier because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

AARP & NCCAM Survey Report (2010)

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:46 GMT

Do Americans aged 50 and older discuss the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with their health care providers? To help answer this question, AARP and NCCAM partnered on a telephone survey of over 1,000 people aged 50 and older. Just over half of those surveyed reported using complementary and alternative medicine and over a third take some type of herbal product or dietary supplement. Yet only a third of all respondents and a little over half of CAM users said they have ever discussed CAM with their health care providers. These findings highlight the need for providers to ask about CAM use at every patient visit and the need for people aged 50 and older to know that CAM use is something that is important to discuss with their conventional medical providers.

In the News: Cancer and Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:30 GMT

People with cancer want to do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms, and cope with the side effects of treatment. Many turn to complementary and alternative medicine—for example, botanical (herbal) and other dietary supplements, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.

A special analysis of 2002 NHIS data found that CAM use was more prevalent among people with a prior diagnosis of cancer. About 40 percent of cancer survivors reported using CAM; 18 percent had used multiple CAM therapies. The most popular CAM therapies among cancer survivors were herbal and other natural products (20 percent), deep breathing (14 percent), and meditation (9 percent).

In the News: Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:18 GMT

Historically, cranberry fruits and leaves were used for a variety of problems, such as wounds, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems. Most notably, cranberry products have been used in the hope of preventing or treating urinary tract infections. The berries are used to produce beverages and many other food products, as well as dietary supplements in the form of extracts, capsules, or tablets.

Research has examined the use of cranberry in preventing urinary tract infections but study sizes have been too small to provide a definitive answer. Recently, an NCCAM-funded study in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that cranberry juice—given to college-aged women who just recovered from a bladder infection—did not prevent urinary tract infections from coming back.