No evidence probiotics are beneficial for healthy adults
Conclusion
This review finds no evidence that probiotic supplements have beneficial effects on the composition of gut bacteria in healthy adults.
The review has strengths in that it pre-specified exactly which trials would be eligible – that is, only RCTs in healthy adults, comparing probiotics with placebo, that assessed changes in gut bacteria levels as the main outcome.
This should aim to reduce diversity between the trials and try to find a definitive answer on the effect in a specific population.
However, despite this, the seven trials were still highly variable in their methods and design, such as the type of ...
Source: NHS News Feed - May 12, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lifestyle/exercise Medical practice Food/diet Source Type: news
Proven to lower NOTHING: Scientists reveal ‘LITTLE evidence’ probiotics improve health
SHOPPERS could be wasting their time and money on yoghurts, drinks and pills which could make their gut healthier. (Source: Daily Express - Health)
Source: Daily Express - Health - May 10, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Probiotic supplements 'could help prevent menopause-associated bone loss'
Bone loss associated with the menopause could potentially be addressed through the use of probiotic supplements.This is according to new research from the Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia State University in the US, which conducted an experiment with mice and discovered evidence that probiotic bacteria may have potential as an affordable treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.Encouraging results The study involved the use of mice that had had their ovaries removed, meaning the animals underwent the same hormonal changes that occur when women reach the menopause.It was shown that the resulting loss of oest...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 2, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Dinner for one – now that’s my kind of date | Nell Frizzell
Solo dining is a singular joy. Alone, you can eat what you want, when you want, as fast as you wantI was recently joined on a bench in O’Connell Street, Dublin, by a man in a sludge-green coat and wide-brimmed hat who methodically pulled out, wiped and pocketed his false teeth, before bending down to the large plastic bag at his feet and pulling out a yoghurt. He turned to me, smiled, and then asked: “Would you ever find me a spoon?”These things don’t happen so easily when you’re in a group: you’re much less approachable when eating as a couple; and none but the truly determined would approach a munching threes...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 13, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Nell Frizzell Tags: Food & drink Older people Psychology Restaurants Mental health Source Type: news
Milk, yoghurt and cheese: the best breakfast items
Israeli researchers present findings at the annual Endocrine Society conference which suggest a protein-rich diet can help us lose weight and manage type 2 diabetes.
Daily Mail (Source: Society for Endocrinology)
Source: Society for Endocrinology - April 5, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Source Type: news
Nigeria: Standards Body Shuts Yoghurt Firm Over Manufacturing Practices
[Daily Trust] Kaduna -The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Kaduna has sealed the Kaduna office of Tosco Standard Yogurt, a multi-billion naira business over lack of good manufacturing practice. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - April 5, 2016 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Sugar levels in children's fruit juices 'unacceptably high'
Conclusion
This study showed the sugar content of fruit juice, juice drinks and smoothies marketed at kids in the UK can be high and, in many cases, one drink carton as sold can be their entire maximum daily allowance of sugar.
More than half would have attracted a Food Standards Agency red colour-coded label for sugars. But not all drinks were laced with lots of sugar – around a third would have attracted a green Food Standards Agency label, meaning their sugar levels weren't a worry.
The study applied to products in big supermarkets in the UK today. Lower sugar alternatives might be on the way given the recent sugar ...
Source: NHS News Feed - March 29, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Pregnancy/child Source Type: news
South Africa: Dairy Law Sets New Fat Levels for SA Products
[News24Wire] Low fat dairy products in South Africa - including yoghurt, milk and cheese - will now be classified as medium fat products, in line with new regulations set to take effect in the next few weeks. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - March 26, 2016 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Why Your Smoothie Might Be Making You Fat
Love smoothies? Do you have them on a regular basis? Smoothies certainly pack in a punch. Depending on their ingredients they can give you protein, fiber, nutrients, vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Many smoothies are loaded with fruit, sometimes with some vegetables and even at times with dairy like milk or yoghurt, sweeteners etc. There are so many variations of smoothie recipes that they seem to outnumber the different flavors of ice cream out there. But how good and healthy is your smoothie? Many recipes are based on fruit. There are smoothies made out of banana, pineapple, mango, melon, peach, apple and alm...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - March 24, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Ask, and You Shall Receive
I'm extremely reluctant to ask for help and generally avoid situations like that. My parents raised me to be independent and encouraged me to do things on my own wherever possible. I take pride in my self-reliance and self-efficacy.
Nowadays I recognize that we all need to support each other, but my lifelong training still gets the better of me. I feel so vulnerable and only reach out for aid under duress. Consequently, it feels like a painful failure when I am turned down. I continue to struggle with the dichotomy between my misgivings and the clear necessity for help. Raising children has continuously taught me that it...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - March 15, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Yes, The Calorie Is Broken. Here's Why.
“For me, a calorie is a unit of measurement that’s a real pain in the rear.” Bo Nash is 38. He lives in Arlington, Texas, where he’s a technology director for a textbook publisher. And he’s 5’10” and 245 pounds – which means he is classed as obese. In an effort to lose weight, Nash uses an app to record the calories he consumes and a Fitbit band to track the energy he expends. These tools bring an apparent precision: Nash can quantify the calories in each cracker crunched and stair climbed. But when it comes to weight gain, he finds that not all calories are equal. How ...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - January 30, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
Yes, The Calorie Is Broken. Here's Why.
“For me, a calorie is a unit of measurement that’s a real pain in the rear.”
Bo Nash is 38. He lives in Arlington, Texas, where he’s a technology director for a textbook publisher. And he’s 5’10” and 245 pounds – which means he is classed as obese.
In an effort to lose weight, Nash uses an app to record the calories he consumes and a Fitbit band to track the energy he expends. These tools bring an apparent precision: Nash can quantify the calories in each cracker crunched and stair climbed. But when it comes to weight gain, he finds that not all calories are equal. How ...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - January 30, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
Behind the Headlines' 2015 Quiz of the Year
In 2015, Behind the Headlines covered more than 500 health stories that made it into the mainstream media. Why not test your knowledge of 2015's health news with our month-by-month quiz?If you've been paying attention, you should find this quiz both easy and fun.Answers are at the bottom of the page – no peeking! QuestionsIn January 2015's health news...1. What activity was said to increase the risk of heart disease?a) playing violent video games b) sexual role playing c) angry tweeting 2. Eating like a what was claimed to reduce obesity risk?a) a Native American b) a Zulu c) a Viking In February 2015's health ne...
Source: NHS News Feed - December 29, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Special reports Source Type: news
Probiotic friendly bacteria may play role in stopping asthma
Conclusion
This complicated and interesting study sheds light on one potential cause of asthma in children, and points towards areas where research might lead to a treatment to prevent it or reduce its severity. However, this exciting prospect depends on much more work to confirm the results of this study and find out whether what seems to work in laboratory mice can also work in people.
The idea that reduced exposure to bacteria in childhood might increase the chances of getting allergies and asthma has been around for some time. This theory suggests that, for a child's immune system to develop well, it needs to be expose...
Source: NHS News Feed - October 1, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Source Type: news
