Chocolate consumption may significantly reduce the risk of develoing heart disease

Researchers from the University of Cambridge selected seven studies assessing chocolate intake and heart health conditions in over 114,000 subjects. While type of chocolate, scientific method, and measured outcome varied among the studies, five of the seven studies produced a beneficial association between chocolate intake and heart health. Compared to those who consumed the lowest level of chocolate products, subjects who consumed the highest level of chocolate products demonstrated a 37% reduction in heart disease and a 29% reduction in stroke.

This meta-analysis, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that chocolate consumption may significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

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Americans with diabetes rises to nearly 26 M

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, according to new estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, an estimated 79 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes raises a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Diabetes affects 8.3% of Americans of all ages, and 11.3% of adults aged 20 and older, according to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet for 2011. About 27% of those with diabetes—7 million Americans—do not know they have the disease. Prediabetes affects 35% of adults aged 20 and older.

“These distressing numbers show how important it is to prevent type 2 diabetes and to help those who have diabetes manage the disease to prevent serious complications such as kidney failure and blindness,” said Ann Albright, Director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “We know that a structured lifestyle program that includes losing weight and increasing physical activity can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.”

In 2008, the CDC estimated that 23.6 million Americans, or 7.8% of the population, had diabetes and another 57 million adults had prediabetes. In a study published in 2010, the CDC projected that as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. Read more at CDC

Press release

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Digestive Health: Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic (long-term) digestive disease in which patients have inflammation or irritation of the small intestine, which causes difficulty with absorbing nutrients from the diet. Patients with CD often have other family members with the condition and are therefore susceptible to this disease. Inflammation in the bowel occurs when a patient with CD begins to eat food that contains gluten. Gluten is the name given to certain types of proteins found in wheat, barley, rye and related grains. Oats are currently considered not to be toxic to persons with CD. However, due to the high possibility of contamination with other gluten containing grains, oats are typically not recommended for people with celiac disease. Only 1 out of 10 people are estimated to be properly diagnosed with celiac disease. This may be due in part to many people who have only mild to moderate forms of the disease, where little to no noticable symptoms may be present. — American College of Gastroenterology

Celiac disease patients are born with the potential for their autoimmune system to overreact to gluten, but it can be triggered at any age, writes gastroenterologist Dr. Neil M. Kheterpal. He adds that intestinal damage from the body’s reaction to gluten can happen without any symptoms and, if symptoms do occur, they are not always gastrointestinal in nature.

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Weight loss, lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes.

According to Digestive Health SmartBrief (December 3, 2010), data from the National Diabetes Prevention Program indicate that boosting exercise and improving other habits, along with a 7% reduction in body weight, give patients with pre-diabetes a 58% chance of preventing or delaying Type 2 diabetes. The evidence-based program is run by the CDC and the YMCA, with classes available at 28 metropolitan locations. Read more at USA Today.

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Diabetes epidemic will hit half of U.S. by 2020

An article in WebMD reports that more than half of all Americans may develop diabetes or prediabetes by 2020, unless prevention strategies aimed at weight loss and increased physical activity are widely implemented, according to a new analysis.

These efforts could in theory also save about $250 billion in health care costs in the next 10 years, suggests the analysis published by UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform & Modernization, a specialized center within UnitedHealth that focuses on health care reform issues. See full article WebMD.

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Gallstone Disease: Are You at Risk?

Gallstones are one of the most common gastrointestinal problems, especially for women. Women between the ages of 20 and 60 years are three times more likely to develop gallstones than men.

Risk factors for development of gallstone:

• Multiple pregnancies
• Family history of gallstones
• Hispanic or American Indian heritage
• Obesity
• Rapid loss of weight

Learn more about the symptoms and risk factors for developing gallstone disease.
Reference: American College of Gastroenterology

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Crohn’s disease

Patients with Crohn’s disease affecting the small intestine will often be highly sensitive to fat intake. The disease makes digestion of fat difficult, which can worsen diarrhea. Foods to avoid include butter, cream-based sauces and fried foods, among others. — MayoClinic.com

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Digestive Health Tips from ACG

Digestive problems are among the most common reasons people see their doctors (Mayo Clinic). They are also a leading reason people take medication. If you are one of millions who suffer from common gastrointestinal problems, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) has compiled a list of digestive health tips to ease your symptoms. The tips are outlined below:

• 10 Tips on Belching, Bloating, and Flatulence
• 8 Tips on Peptic Ulcer Disease
• 5 Tips on Swallowing and Heartburn
• 5 Tips on Nutrition and Aging
• 5 Tips on Gallstone Disease
• 6 Tips on Hepatitis
• 4 Tips on Circulatory Disorders of the GI Tract
• 5 Tips on Use of Medications
• 5 Tips on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• 10 Tips on Hemorrhoids
• 5 Tips on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• 10 Tips on Constipation and Incontinence of Stool
• 10 Tips on Dietary Fiber
• 5 Tips on Diverticular Disease

Click here for details on these digestive health tips at the American College of Gastroenterology.

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To Cut Diabetes Heart Risks, Diet and Exercise May Beat Drugs – USNews

To Cut Diabetes Heart Risks, Diet and Exercise May Beat Drugs – US News and World Report.

More than 1 in 10 American adults have diabetes, and many of them successfully keep their blood sugar levels under control with various medications. Unfortunately, these multibillion-dollar blockbuster drugs haven’t proved to be so successful against the biggest cause of death related to diabetes: heart disease.

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Vitamins and Supplements: Do They Work? – USNews

Vitamins and Supplements: Do They Work? – US News and World Report.

The picture is mixed, but thumbs up for vitamin D and fish oil.

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