Thursday, June 17, 2010

Nuts and Seeds OK in Diverticulosis in Men



In a study completed through the University of Washington, Strat et al. found that nut, corn, and popcorn consumption was not associated with an increased risk of new diverticulitis or diverticular complications, but instead inverse relationships were observed between nut and popcorn consumption and the risk of diverticulitis. After adjustment for other known and potential risk factors for diverticular complications, men with the highest intake of nuts (at least twice per week) had a 20 percent lower risk of diverticulitis compared with men with the lowest intake (less than once per month); men with the highest intake of popcorn had a 28 percent lower risk of diverticulitis compared with men with the lowest intake. No association was seen between corn consumption and diverticulitis, and for diverticular bleeding, there were no significant associations observed for nut, corn, or popcorn consumption.
Implication for practice: A diet that is restrictive in nuts, seeds, and popcorn appears to be unnecessary in treating diverticulitis or diverticular complications.



Source: Lisa L. Strate; Yan L. Liu; Sapna Syngal; Walid H. Aldoori; Edward L. Giovannucci JAMA. 2008;300(8):907-914.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Body Mass Index and Survival



Good news for the overweight older adult - as long as they continue to be active.

Researchers found that older adults who were classified as overweight ran a lower risk of death from all causes including heart disease, cancer, and respiratory disease , than those classified as normal weight, underweight, and obese. The researchers also found that older adults who were sedentary ran a higher risk of death than those who exercised.

It's not completely clear why overweight older adults appear to run a lower risk of death than others. But it's possible that carrying some extra weight, or having extra "nutritional reserves," may help older adults survive if, for example, they become ill, the researchers write in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.






Source: Leon Flicker, PhD, Kieran A. McCaul, PhD, Graeme J Hankey, MD, Konrad Jamrozik, PhD, Wendy J. Brown, PhD, Julie E. Byles, PhD, and Osvaldo P. Almeida, PhD.(2010) "Body Mass Index and Survival in Older Men and Women Aged 70 to 75 Years" ournal of the American Geriatrics Society (Volume 59, Issue 2).