News You Can Use

Posted on August 2, 2010 by bob in NewsUCanUse

Start Your Day with High Protein
A quality, high-protein diet – one that begins at breakfast – is critical for maintaining muscle mass, curbing hunger, reducing abdominal fat, and preventing and slowing the progression of age-related bone and muscle loss, according to findings presented at the 2010 Institute of Food Technologists annual meeting.

While humans are able to build muscle at any age, the effects of insufficient protein increase substantially in older adults, often leading to muscle and bone conditions such as sarcopenia (the degenerative loss of muscle mass) and osteoporosis.

Protein makes up about 50 percent of bone volume and 33 percent of our body mass, said dietician and sports nutritionist Marie Spano, a meeting presenter. “Higher protein diets (optimally, between 25 and 30 grams of protein per meal) are associated with greater bone mass and fewer fractures when calcium intake is adequate.” In addition, replacing carbohydrates with protein can prevent obesity and obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes.

The move toward a more protein rich diet could lower health costs and improve mobility and independence in older adults, said Spano. Quality, high-protein foods include: eggs (12.5 grams of protein per egg), milk (3.3 grams per 4 ounces), and meats and fish (7 grams of protein per serving).
— Institute of Food Technologists

Summer’s Heat Is Bad for Your Car
Everyone has heard of winterizing cars, but the summer months also cause wear and tear. Small things to keep your car running well in the heat:
– Check wipers for cracks and tears. The summer sun often causes more damage than winter storms, so make sure blades don’t skip during wiping or form streaks on your windshield.
– Check all fluid levels and cooling systems. Signs of engine cooling problems include overheating, a sweet smell, leaks, or having to repeatedly add fluids.
– Pack your car lightly to avoid stressing tires and to maximize gas mileage.
For more on summer car care, visit carcare.org.
– Statepoint

Dengue Fever Reported in South Florida
If you’re planning to vacation in Florida this summer, you might want to take care that you don’t return with something more serious than a cute pair of Mickey Mouse ears.

After 75 years of absence, dengue fever has returned to certain parts of the Sunshine State and dozens of cases have been reported this year. Also known as break-bone fever, dengue is a mosquito-borne, tropical disease that afflicts 100 million people worldwide annually.

“Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitos, which are present in the U.S.,” said Dr. Bert Lopansri, medical director of the Loyola University Health System International Medicine and Traveler’s Immunization Clinic. “These are domesticated mosquitoes that breed in still waters around homes, such as potted plant dishes, vases, bird baths, etc. Draining these water sources is an important measure to prevent infection.”

Symptoms of dengue fever include a high fever, severe headache with pain behind the eyes, a rash and pain in bones and joints, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The incubation period after infection is about four days. There is no vaccine for dengue and physicians mainly concentrate on relieving symptoms. Each year about 25,000 people die from dengue infections.

Since dengue doesn’t spread from person to person, you can take simple steps to protect yourself from infection, Lopansri said.
“Mosquitoes that transmit dengue feed during the day, mostly during the early morning and late afternoon. Protective measures include wearing clothing that protects all of your body from bites, if at all possible,” Lopansri said. “Also be sure to use mosquito repellant with effective chemicals such as DEET.”

Lopansri said that most people who vacation in Florida have very little to worry about from the dengue fever.
“The situation in Florida is evolving and it seems to be localized in South Florida at this time,” Lopansri said. “For those who are a little concerned about it, just do the things you would normally do to avoid mosquitoes, and then have a good time.”
— Loyola University Health System

Pistachios May Reduce Lung Cancer Risk
A diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to a clinical trial conducted at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer. Higher intakes of gamma-tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk of lung cancer. Pistachios are a good source of gamma-tocopherol. Other food sources that are a rich source of gamma-tocopherol include nuts such as peanuts, pecans, walnuts, soybean and corn oils.
Pistachios are also known to provide a heart-healthy benefit by producing a cholesterol-lowering effect and providing the antioxidants that are typically found in food products of plant origin.

Diet Soda, Sodium Tied to Kidney Trouble
Two new studies show that a diet high in salt or artificially sweetened soda increases the risk of kidney function decline. The association between artificially sweetened beverages and kidney function decline persisted when other factors, such as age, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, physical activity, caloric intake and cardiovascular disease were accounted for.