Category Archives: Diet And Food

DENVER, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. today announced that a recently released epidemiology study published in Nutrition Journal has come to the mistaken conclusion that a low-carbohydrate diet, like the Atkins Diet, is to blame for rising cholesterol levels between 1986 and 2010 in a Swedish population. However, based on the study abstract, this population actually consumed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, which is very different from the Atkins Diet.

Based on the Swedish study of food frequency questionnaires, during 2010 the population consumed a diet with carbohydrates making up 45.9 percent of calories and 39.9 percent of calories from fat. In contrast, with Atkins, in the early weight loss phases, only 10 percent of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, and the remaining calories come from a variety of protein choices, as well as healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. Foods associated with the high fat intake in this Swedish study were "fats used for spreading on bread and cooking, dairy products, oil for salad dressing or cooking, various types of meats, and sausages, as main dishes or on sandwiches, pizza, deep fried potato chips, French fries, including corn chips and popcorn."

"This food intake is not reflective of the Atkins dietary program," said Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. "The Swedish study is a case study of what happens when a population consumes high carbohydrate combined with high fat. In fact, BMI increased, as did markers for heart disease. Fat poses no risk when carbohydrate consumption is low enough to allow the body to burn fat for fuel. This has been demonstrated in clinical trials time and time again, consistently supporting the conclusion that a well-constructed Atkins Diet lowers risk factors for heart disease. What this study does showcase is that the Swedish researchers need to take a close look at the mounting evidence that the low-carbohydrate approach to weight loss and long-term weight maintenance is not only effective but also safe and beneficial to every clinical measure looked at to date."

Representatives from the Science Advisory Board for Atkins Nutritionals Inc. have weighed-in on the mistaken assumptions made by the study:

"This study does not take into account other variables or factors taking place in the Swedish demographic in this time period," said Dr. Stephen D. Phinney, PhD., MD. "For one, they do not take into consideration the effect of age on the population. The Swedish population is rapidly aging, and this is most notable in the northern part of the country where this study was done and I did not see where they corrected their data on weight or cholesterolfor change in mean age. And most importantly, anyone attempting to assess health risk by change in total cholesterol does not appreciate the science of the last 30 years. Particularly notable is the lack of information on serum HDL cholesterol and triglycerides."

"This study completely ignores a large body of literature that points to health-promoting effects of low carbohydrate diets. A well formulated low carbohydrate diet, like the Atkins Diet, has been shown in numerous studies to result in favorable effects on cholesterol, saturated fat levels in the body, and other cardio-metabolic markers, especially in individuals who have insulin resistance," said Dr. Jeff Volek, PhD., RD.

Over the past few decades, health researchers who have studied the Atkins approach have found that low-carbohydrate is a viable, safe, effective and sound alternative for those individuals who prefer this style of eating and dietary management, and especially those with metabolic syndrome. Health professionals are recognizing that one diet does not fit all types of individuals. The Atkins approach has consistently been found to warrant consideration in the global fight against obesity and the concomitant chronic diseases associated with it.

About Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is a leader in the $2.4 billion weight control nutrition category, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and management. The Atkins Diet focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars and encourages the consumption of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping individuals feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., manufactures and sells a variety of nutrition bars and shakes designed around the nutritional principles of the Atkins Diet. Atkins' four product lines: Advantage, Day Break, Endulge and Cuisine appeal to a broad audience of both men and women who want to achieve their weight management goals and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Atkins products are available online at atkins.com and in more than 30,000 locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit atkins.com.

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Swedish Study Falsely Blames Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diets for High Cholesterol Levels

SALINE, MI--June 11, 2012: As Michigan prepares for the upcoming Quicken Loans 400, select Walmart stores will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting June 13. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy a special appearance by Brad Keselowski, along with show car and simulator displays -- perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR -- June 13 -16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., depending on the location.

"Walmart is the champion of the racing fan, and we are committed to providing customers with savings on authentic merchandise, as well as unique race time experiences," said Shelly Lehman, market manager, Walmart. "We want to give fans affordability and accessibility, so they can enjoy race time with their families and friends."

In addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, area Walmart stores will feature savings on all the food and snacks you need to enjoy the race, plus authentic NASCAR merchandise such as T-shirts and racing flags, with an even bigger selection of exclusive products available at Nascar at Walmart.

Participating stores near the Michigan International Speedway include:

Wednesday, June 13

Events free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coors Light Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, M&M's Show Car, Sim Pod and Trophy Display, 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 24 Pepsi Max Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Pennzoil No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Oreo Ritz Show Car at:

Store #1593 800 E. Chicago St. Coldwater, Mich. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 14

Events free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coors Light Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, M&M's Show Car, Sim Pod and Trophy Display, 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 24 Pepsi Max Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Pennzoil No. 22 Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Oreo Ritz Show Car at:

Store #1809 701 Olds St. Jonesville, Mich. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Link:
Special Motosports Events - Michigan Walmart Stores Offer NASCAR Driver Appearances, Authentic Merchandise, Fan Events ...

You've heard of Dukan, scoffed fat on Atkins, fainted from drinking only honey and lemon water and lost friends from the noxious side-effects of the cabbage diet. Now there's a new one, this time designed to inspire jealousy and help you to "get skinnier than all your friends". Six Weeks to OMG comes out in print next month. It has knocked the Dukan Diet off the top of the iTunes diet book chart and a subsidiary of Penguin has bought it for a seven-figure sum.

The book, by British sports scientist and personal trainer Paul Khanna, who goes by the pen name Venice A Fulton, offers controversial tips, such as skip breakfast, take cold baths and drink black coffee. But for short-term weight loss, can the OMG diet really help you shed pounds? Consultant Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist Linia Patel, Dr Christian Jessen, the presenter of the Bafta award-winning Embarrassing Bodies series, and the celebrity fitness trainer Jay Darrell Ingleton explain the science behind Fulton's unconventional theories. I've also given Fulton's tips a try, in a (highly unscientific) experiment, to see how tough they are to stick to.

Skip breakfast

Fulton says skipping breakfast will help to stop you becoming a "fadult" (that's a fat adult to you and me). "Breakfast is for wimps!", he writes. He recommends exercising first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and then only eating once three hours have passed, so that your body is forced to burn stored fat rather than food.

The expert view: "Skipping breakfast is a weight-loss disaster," says Patel. "When you wake up your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone that helps store fat. If you don't eat, you are putting your body under more strain and stress and therefore more likely to gain weight around the middle. Also, you will want sugary and fatty things when you're really hungry, which add to weight gain."

My experience: I skipped breakfast and still had enough energy to run up the stairs on the underground (my "workout"). It didn't affect my concentration and I ate breakfast at 10am. It was easy, but I consumed exactly the same amount that I usually eat, so I doubt it made much impact on my weight.

Drink black coffee before exercise

Read the rest here:
After the Dukan, get the skinny on the OMG diet

SALINE, Mich., June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --As Michigan prepares for the upcoming Quicken Loans 400, select Walmart stores will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting June 13. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy a special appearance by Brad Keselowski, along with show car and simulator displays perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR June 13 -16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., depending on the location.

"Walmart is the champion of the racing fan, and we are committed to providing customers with savings on authentic merchandise, as well as unique race time experiences," said Shelly Lehman, market manager, Walmart. "We want to give fans affordability and accessibility, so they can enjoy race time with their families and friends."

Race Time at Walmart

In addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, area Walmart stores will feature savings on all the food and snacks you need to enjoy the race, plus authentic NASCAR merchandise such as T-shirts and racing flags, with an even bigger selection of exclusive products available at Walmart.com/NASCAR.

Participating stores near the Michigan International Speedway include:

Wednesday, June 13

Events free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coors Light Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, M&M's Show Car, Sim Pod and Trophy Display, 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 24 Pepsi Max Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Pennzoil No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Oreo Ritz Show Car at:

Store #1593 800 E. Chicago St. Coldwater, Mich. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 14

Events free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coors Light Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, M&M's Show Car, Sim Pod and Trophy Display, 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 24 Pepsi Max Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Pennzoil No. 22 Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Oreo Ritz Show Car at:

Follow this link:
Michigan Walmart Stores Offer NASCAR Driver Appearances, Authentic Merchandise, Fan Events Starting June 13

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Edmame are often steamed or boiled and served with some coarse salt on top.

There are some foods we should probably make a point to include in our diets more often. Edamame is one of those foods

It is an excellent source of fiber, it has very little saturated fat, it's low in sodium, and it has a good amount of high-quality protein per serving.

Edamame is a variety of soybean that is picked when it is green and is consumed boiled or steamed, often with some coarse salt sprinkled on top. It's sweeter and nuttier than the common field soybeans raised for animal feed or soybean oil production.

Because it is so high in fiber, eating edamame helps you feel full longer, so you often eat less, helping to manage weight.

Most Americans get only about half of the 25 to 35 grams of fiber needed daily. Edamame, with about 8 grams of fiber per cup, can help make up the deficit.

Consuming more fiber daily can also help to lower insulin resistance in folks with blood sugar problems, making it easier for them to keep blood sugar under control.

In addition to its fiber component, soy has certain phytonutrients, known as isoflavones, which may help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce risk of heart disease. More than 40 scientific studies have shown a reduction in this "bad" cholesterol when study recipients increased soy in their diets. One study showed volunteers who consumed 25 grams of soy protein per day reduced both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. One cup of edamame provides 17 grams of protein.

Those same isoflavones that help lower LDL cholesterol may also help prevent certain forms of cancer, although the scientific data is less clear about this.

Read more:
Megan Murphy: Nutritious edamame also quite tasty

The term Dunbars Number refers to a particular hypothesis by primatologist Robin Dunbar. It is a very simple idea with rather complex implications, and it is one of those simple ideas that gets more complicated than ideal as we look into it more and more. Eventually, the idea is required by many who contemplate it to do more work than was ever intended, and in this way seems to fail, though it really doesnt. I personally think Dunbars number is useful if it is properly understood, so I want you to give it a chance, and to help you do that Id like to use an analogy.

Im thinking of a number called Carriers Number. Carrier, in this case, refers to the company that installs air conditioners and heaters. Carriers number is the temperature in degrees F at which you, sitting there in your chair, notice it is too warm so you get up and go turn on the air conditioner. It is best measured as a post hoc numberwe watch and wait, flies on the wall, as the room heats up, and when a person gets up and flips on the air conditioner, the temperature at that point was carriers number for that person at that time.

One might argue that a post hoc measure like this isnt much use in science because in science we like to predict things. But just because carriers number is best measured pot hoc does not mean that it only exists post hoc. It existed before the test subject got up, we just didnt know what it was. For a large number of test subjects, we should be able to estimate carriers number (it is probably in the upper 70s F). However, this will vary across cultures, across seasons, humidity, as clothing styles change (in the days of Polyester Leisure Suits, it is said that Carriers Number went down by about four degrees) and so on. The fact that it varies does not make it a bad number. In fact, its variation and reasons for it can make it an extra good number depending on what one is trying to do with it.

Dunbars number is the number of full blown social interactions you can manage. This number is lower or higher across species of social primates, as it tracks adaptive suites of sociality and the ability of brains to manage sociality. So, you can measure Dunbars number across primate groups by looking at how large effective primate groups get across species and figuring that the number is just about that maximum group size. Or, you could estimate Dunbars number (retrodict it, as it were) by looking at relative brain size, if we assume that brain size is linked to Dunbars number, all else being equal. In this way, Dunbars number is a way of linking primate sociality with brain evolution, which was the original idea.

In modern society, and in human historical contexts, we may see Dunbars number in a lot of places. This is the number at which, more or less, groups start to break down (in some societies) and villages split. Military units max out at about Dunbars number (companies are about 100 in size) and so on. This does not mean that Dunbars number and its associated dynamics explain everything. It might mean that the breakdown of social interactions can be more important than, say, resource limitations, on human group fission and fusion. That is exactly what many anthropologists have been suggesting for decades. Dunbars Number is simply this concept quantified somewhat and expanded to primates.

There are variations and adjustments. Some organisms have apparent smaller brain size because their diets cause a different body size, so that has to be adjusted for (leaf-eating monkeys may small relative brain size because their bodies are large, not because their brain is small, for example). What a fully blown social interaction is may vary. A group of primates may have a subgroup that hardly ever interacts with the others. Perhaps pre-adolescent monkeys dont count for as much as sexually mature monkeys, so if there happens to be a baby boom a couple of years back, the group size if you count everyone is higher than Dunbars number. Or perhaps the group includes two or three social geniuses who temporarily facilitate an extra large group size, or temporarily force an extra small group size, for some reason.

It makes sense that there is a limit on effective sociality, and thus, on effective social group size. Dunbars number is nothing other than the number you end up with because when you are making the damn graph you need a damn number to put there on one of the axes. It has been over-interpreted or over-used as a number like many of those from Physics, like the freezing point or boiling point of water, which it is not.

Desiree Schell and I spoke about Dunbars Number on the Skeptically Speaking that just became ready for you to download. Check it out here.

This video includes, during the last third somewhere, a discussion by Dunbar of all this.

And, heres a few items by Dunbar you might find interesting:

Excerpt from:
What is Dunbar’s Number? [Greg Laden's Blog]

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire -06/09/12)- Diartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today presented positive data from its recently completed Phase 1 multicenter clinical trial of VRS-859 (exenatide-XTEN) at the American Diabetes Association's 72nd Scientific Sessions, which began yesterday in Philadelphia. VRS-859, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, is being developed as a once monthly treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The Diartis poster -- "Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of a Single Subcutaneous Administration of VRS-859 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes" -- was presented today, June 9, in the 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Clinical Therapeutics/NewTechnology session (Poster Presentation 1105-P).

Jeffrey L. Cleland, Ph.D., Diartis Chief Executive Officer, was present at the poster session to discuss the recently completed safety, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) results from the company's Phase 1 clinical trial in T2DM patients. The Phase 1 multicenter, blinded, placebo-controlled, single-ascending dose study was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VRS-859 as well as the ability to maintain glycemic control for one month in T2DM patients after a single dose.

"We are very encouraged by the robust results seen in this initial Phase 1 study, most notably the statistically significant reductions in HbA1c levels at 30 days after only a single 200 mg dose of VRS-859," commented Dr. Cleland. "We are also quite pleased by the dose-proportional decreases in body weight observed within 30 days after a single treatment."

The Phase 1 results in T2DM patients demonstrate that all doses administered (up to 200 mg) were well tolerated and no unexpected adverse events were noted. Furthermore, the PK of VRS-859 in these patients was dose linear and comparable to the profile predicted from preclinical studies, validating the half-life extension capability of the XTEN technology and supporting a once monthly dosing regimen for VRS-859.

The Phase 1 Trial The primary objective of the study was to determine the safety and tolerability of a single subcutaneous dose of VRS-859 in patients with T2DM. Secondary objectives included single dose pharmacokinetics, assessment to evaluate evidence of VRS-859 activity by measurement of fasting plasma glucose and response to oral glucose tolerance tests at selected times post-dose, as well as to evaluate post-challenge glucose excursions. Seventy T2DM patients concurrently on metformin were enrolled in the study: 18 patients received placebo and 52 patients received one of six dose levels: 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg.

The study demonstrated that a single dose of VRS-859 achieved very high plasma concentrations and provided statistically significant and persistent improvements in glycemic control. There were no reported SAEs in the study. Adverse events, including those related to GI tolerability, were primarily mild and transient. These results support the company's plan to conduct a 6-month repeat dose study to determine a safe and efficacious subcutaneous dose of VRS-859 in patients with T2DM. It is hoped that upon successful development of this compound, VRS-859 may allow T2DM patients to safely manage their glucose with a therapy that is superior to current treatments for diabetes.

About Diabetes TreatmentTreatment of diabetes involves lowering blood glucose levels. Despite the availability of current therapies, more than 60 percent of people with diabetes do not achieve their target levels with their current treatment regimen. In addition, approximately 80 percent of type 2 diabetes patients are either overweight or obese. After diagnosis, type 2 diabetes patients are often placed on a diet and exercise program to control blood glucose levels and reduce body weight, but these patients usually progress to oral drug therapy, metformin and/or sulfonylurea. However it has been demonstrated that many patients are still unable to achieve adequate glycemic control on diet and exercise plus these oral therapies.

About VRS-859The compound has been designed to provide improved therapeutic outcomes for T2DM patients including robust and sustained improvements in HbA1c, improved tolerability, prolonged half-life (up to monthly dosing), as well as enhanced administration of a liquid formulation via a fine-gauge needle. The development goal is to satisfy the unmet needs of T2DM patients as well as contribute to treatment of the worldwide healthcare problem of obesity.

About Diartis PharmaceuticalsDiartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Redwood City, CA. Diartis develops novel biologics with enhanced properties to provide improved therapeutic outcomes to patients with metabolic diseases. The company's initial focus is the development of a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist that conveniently delivers maximum glucose control, aids compliance and adherence via less frequent administrations, and has improved GI tolerability. Diartis acquired the VRS-859 (exenatide-XTEN) program from Versartis, Inc. and continues its development for T2DM.

XTEN is a novel hydrophilic sequence of natural amino acids and is expressed as a fusion protein with a therapeutically active peptide or protein. New compounds developed by Diartis using the XTEN technology are expected to provide improved therapeutic outcomes such as enhanced efficacy/compliance, fewer side effects, prolonged half-life (up to monthly dosing), as well as low-cost production and enhanced stability. Further information on Diartis can be found at http://www.diartispharma.com.

Read more:
Diartis' Positive Clinical Results of VRS-859 for Type 2 Diabetes Presented at ADA Annual Scientific Meeting

07-06-2012 11:56 (704) 412-8013 -- Call for more info or to attend our free workshop. Do you need to lose weight? Have you tried diets, and they don't work? Are you exercising and not seeing any results? Have you tried the same diets as your friends, but they didn't work for you? Have you had weight loss,...

Originally posted here:
Sick of Diets? This Works Better! Free Workshop |704-412-8013|Charlotte|28213|28262|28269|NC - Video

07-06-2012 11:56 (704) 412-8013 -- Call for more info or to attend our free workshop. Do you need to lose weight? Have you tried diets, and they don't work? Are you exercising and not seeing any results? Have you tried the same diets as your friends, but they didn't work for you? Have you had weight loss,...

Follow this link:
Lose Weight With a Diet That Works - Free Workshop |704-412-8013|Charlotte|28213|28262|28269|NC - Video

07-06-2012 11:56 (704) 412-8013 -- Call for more info or to attend our free workshop. Do you need to lose weight? Have you tried diets, and they don't work? Are you exercising and not seeing any results? Have you tried the same diets as your friends, but they didn't work for you? Have you had weight loss,...

Excerpt from:
This Dukan Diet Alternative Works-- Free Workshop|704-412-8013|Charlotte|28213|28262|28269|NC - Video