tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981197052686065994.post2621385804919470665..comments2023-10-01T04:36:19.806-07:00Comments on medicine: facts and fictions: The Obesity "Epidemic" and NutritionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981197052686065994.post-55163382612289516352011-07-08T12:21:20.731-07:002011-07-08T12:21:20.731-07:00The Washington Post issue of June 29, 2011 quoted ...The Washington Post issue of June 29, 2011 quoted two studies, one from Carnegie-Mellon Institute and one from Cornell University , both of which stated that posting calories on a menu does not lead to weight loss, because the main problem seems to be a lack of self-control on the part of the eater. I am trying to get the two articles, but without proper subscriptions this seems to be impossible.george thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14810516710667919032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981197052686065994.post-87006302325556983092011-06-19T22:44:23.221-07:002011-06-19T22:44:23.221-07:00A recent (May, 2011) article in Lancet reproducing...A recent (May, 2011) article in Lancet reproducing a 30 year study of weight and health showed that in the Far East, heavier patients (BMI 26-29) had the best survival rate after a heart attack. No one knows what to make of this result.george thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14810516710667919032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981197052686065994.post-55446497182192436672009-09-22T14:25:17.461-07:002009-09-22T14:25:17.461-07:00Of course, the real problem with all dietary studi...Of course, the real problem with all dietary studies is their brevity. A white lab rat reproduces every 30 days, so a six month study covers six generations. Humans reproduce every 20 to 25 years, so we never had an interventional study lasting one generation, let alone two, and we certainly never had an interventional study beginning at birth.george thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14810516710667919032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981197052686065994.post-69820903421835300482009-09-22T11:08:49.212-07:002009-09-22T11:08:49.212-07:00There are indeed few helpful studies for health ef...There are indeed few helpful studies for health effects of diet. Among the notable are three at Mayo from 1978 through 1983 testing the hypothesis that vitamin C improves cancer survival, all with null results. A 1996 study for vitamin E effects on heart disease showed reduction in infarction rate after one year, and a 2001 study of diabetics showed improvements in cardiac indices, while a 2002 study of effects on macular degeneration showed a null result. The 2009 Physicians Health study for both vitamins showed null results for several cancers. A 2003 study for effects of omega-3 fats on depression showed a null result, and a 2009 study for cardiac-associated mortality showed a null result.<br /><br />Other dietary factors can have effects. Strict control of dietary fat and cholesterol may reduce gallstones, although not everyone benefits. A 2004 study showed significant risk reduction for men. A 1996 study showed that a diet high in fiber and low in animal fat did not reduce risk of kidney stones more than increased fluid intake. A 2000 study of dietary fiber effects on adenoma showed a null result. A 2008 study for adult-onset diabetes showed better control with low gycemic index foods than with high-fiber foods.<br /><br />While needs for vitamins and other nutrients have been established by controlled studies, there are few reliable studies for effective quantities. Most controlled studies of diet factors have been of short durations with small populations. The mortality studies have very low predictive power, since few participants die during limited testing. Many studies focus on outcomes for people at high risk: after diabetes diagnoses, cancer treatments or heart attacks. Few address long-term preventive effects for the general population. There is need for better studies of diet factors, but there is very little government support for them.Craig Bolonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14569851577673286112noreply@blogger.com