(Press-News.org) Philadelphia, PA, April 15, 2013 – Data from a new study of British adults suggest that adherence to a "Western-style" diet (fried and sweet food, processed and red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products) reduces a person's likelihood of achieving older ages in good health and with higher functionality. Study results appear in the May issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
"The impact of diet on specific age-related diseases has been studied extensively, but few investigations have adopted a more holistic approach to determine the association of diet with overall health at older ages," says lead investigator Tasnime Akbaraly, PhD, Inserm, Montpellier, France. "We examined whether diet, assessed in midlife, using dietary patterns and adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), is associated with aging phenotypes, identified after a mean 16-year follow-up."
The AHEI is a validated index of diet quality, originally designed to provide dietary guidelines with the specific intention to combat major chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Investigators analyzed findings from the British Whitehall II cohort study, which suggest that following the AHEI can double the odds of reversing metabolic syndrome, a condition known to be a strong predictor of heart disease and mortality. The research team sought to identify dietary factors that can not only prevent premature death, but also promote ideal aging.
Researchers followed 3,775 men and 1,575 women from 1985-2009 with a mean age of 51 years from the Whitehall II study. Using a combination of hospital data, results of screenings conducted every five years, and registry data, investigators identified mortality and chronic diseases among participants. The outcomes at follow-up stage, classified into 5 categories were:
Ideal aging, defined as free of chronic conditions and high performance in physical, mental, and cognitive functioning tests – 4.0 percent
Nonfatal cardiovascular event – 12.7 percent
Cardiovascular death – 2.8 percent
Noncardiovascular death – 7.3 percent
Normal aging -- 73.2 percent
The study determined that participants with low adherence to the AHEI increased their risk of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular death. Those who followed a "Western-type diet" consisting of fried and sweet food, processed food and red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products lowered their chances for ideal aging.
"We showed that following specific dietary recommendations such as the one provided by the AHEI may be useful in reducing the risk of unhealthy aging, while avoidance of the 'Western-type foods' might actually improve the possibility of achieving older ages free of chronic diseases and remaining highly functional," notes Dr. Akbaraly. "A better understanding of the distinction between specific health behaviors that offer protection against diseases and those that move individuals towards ideal aging may facilitate improvements in public health prevention packages."
### END
Following a Western style diet may lead to greater risk of premature death
New findings reported in The American Journal of Medicine
2013-04-15
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Excess vitamin E intake not a health concern
2013-04-15
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Despite concerns that have been expressed about possible health risks from high intake of vitamin E, a new review concludes that biological mechanisms exist to routinely eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, and they make it almost impossible to take a harmful amount.
No level of vitamin E in the diet or from any normal use of supplements should be a concern, according to an expert from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The review was just published in the Journal of Lipid Research.
"I believe that past studies which have alleged ...
Research aims to settle debate over origin of Yellowstone volcano
2013-04-15
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – April 15, 2013 – A debate among scientists about the geologic formation of the supervolcano encompassing the region around Yellowstone National Park has taken a major step forward, thanks to new evidence provided by a team of international researchers led by University of Rhode Island Professor Christopher Kincaid.
In a publication appearing in last week's edition of Nature Geoscience, the URI team demonstrated that both sides of the debate may be right.
Using a state-of-the-art plate tectonic laboratory model, they showed that volcanism in the ...
Mass. General team develops implantable, bioengineered rat kidney
2013-04-15
Bioengineered rat kidneys developed by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators successfully produced urine both in a laboratory apparatus and after being transplanted into living animals. In their report, receiving advance online publication in Nature Medicine, the research team describes building functional replacement kidneys on the structure of donor organs from which living cells had been stripped, an approach previously used to create bioartificial hearts, lungs and livers.
"What is unique about this approach is that the native organ's architecture is ...
New insight into accelerating summer ice melt on the Antarctic Peninsula
2013-04-15
A new 1000-year Antarctic Peninsula climate reconstruction shows that summer ice melting has intensified almost ten-fold, and mostly since the mid 20th Century. Summer ice melt affects the stability of Antarctic ice shelves and glaciers.
The research, published this week in the journal Nature Geoscience, adds new knowledge to the international effort that is required to understand the causes of environmental change in Antarctica and to make more accurate projections about the direct and indirect contribution of Antarctica's ice shelves and glaciers to global sea level ...
Nanosponges soak up toxins released by bacterial infections and venom
2013-04-15
Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have invented a "nanosponge" capable of safely removing a broad class of dangerous toxins from the bloodstream – including toxins produced by MRSA, E. coli, poisonous snakes and bees. These nanosponges, which thus far have been studied in mice, can neutralize "pore-forming toxins," which destroy cells by poking holes in their cell membranes. Unlike other anti-toxin platforms that need to be custom synthesized for individual toxin type, the nanosponges can absorb different pore-forming toxins regardless of their molecular ...
Cutting specific pollutants would slow sea level rise
2013-04-15
BOULDER – With coastal areas bracing for rising sea levels, new research indicates that cutting emissions of certain pollutants can greatly slow down sea level rise this century.
The research team found that reductions in four pollutants that cycle comparatively quickly through the atmosphere could temporarily forestall the rate of sea level rise by roughly 25 to 50 percent.
"To avoid potentially dangerous sea level rise, we could cut emissions of short-lived pollutants even if we cannot immediately cut carbon dioxide emissions," says Aixue Hu of the National Center ...
Mount Sinai study identifies new gene variations associated with heart rate
2013-04-15
(New York, NY – April 14, 2013) – Through a collaborative genome-wide study on individuals, researchers have discovered 14 new genetic variations that are associated with heart rate. Since heart rate is a marker of cardiovascular health, these findings could provide a better understanding of genetic regulation of heart beat and is a first step towards identifying targets for new drugs to treat cardiovascular disease.
The study, titled, "Identification of Heart Rate-Associated Loci and Their Effects on Cardiac Conduction and Rhythm Disorders," was published online this ...
Recent climate, glacier changes in Antarctica at the 'upper bound' of normal
2013-04-15
In the last few decades, glaciers at the edge of the icy continent of Antarctica have been thinning, and research has shown the rate of thinning has accelerated and contributed significantly to sea level rise.
New ice core research suggests that, while the changes are dramatic, they cannot be attributed with confidence to human-caused global warming, said Eric Steig, a University of Washington professor of Earth and space sciences.
Previous work by Steig has shown that rapid thinning of Antarctic glaciers was accompanied by rapid warming and changes in atmospheric ...
Bacterial security agents go rogue
2013-04-15
CRISPR, a system of genes that bacteria use to defend themselves against viruses, has been found to be involved in helping some bacteria evade the mammalian immune system.
The results are scheduled for publication Sunday, April 14 in Nature.
CRISPR is itself a sort of immune system for bacteria. Its function was discovered by dairy industry researchers seeking to prevent phages, the viruses that infect bacteria, from ruining the cultures used to make cheese and yogurt. Bacteria incorporate small bits of DNA from phages into their CRISPR region and use that information ...
Gene sequencing project finds new mutations to blame for a majority of brain tumor subtype
2013-04-15
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has identified mutations responsible for more than half of a subtype of childhood brain tumor that takes a high toll on patients. Researchers also found evidence the tumors are susceptible to drugs already in development.
The study focused on a family of brain tumors known as low-grade gliomas (LGGs). These slow-growing cancers are found in about 700 children annually in the U.S., making them the most common childhood tumors of the brain and spinal cord. For patients whose ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Study shows making hydrogen with soda cans and seawater is scalable and sustainable
Could dietary changes -- even after obesity -- help prevent pancreatic cancer?
From rubble to rockets: Turning scrap metal into essential equipment
Museum specimens offer new lens on pollution history
Studying the 12C+12C fusion reaction at astrophysical energies using HOPG target
Bacteria hitch a ride on yeast puddles to zoom around
New non-invasive method discovered to enhance brain waste clearance
A summer like no other: inside 2023’s record-smashing North Atlantic marine heatwave
Many possible futures: How dopamine in the brain might inform AI that adapts quickly to change
Research shows rivers release ancient carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, uncovering a greater role for plants and soil in the carbon cycle
Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol awareness among US adults
Longitudinal outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth physical fitness
Study shows loss of Y in blood cells hinders immune response to cancer
Loss of Y chromosome leads to poor cancer outcomes
The atmosphere’s growing thirst is making droughts worse, even where it rains
Colorectal cancer leaves lasting toll on women’s sexual health
New technology developed at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University promises faster, earlier diagnosis of deadly form of heart failure
PolyU scholar honored with the Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology Award for contributions to Web3 and digital economy
Nationwide study finds that leaks in natural gas pipelines contribute to hazardous particulate air pollution
‘Eye’ on health: AI detects dizziness and balance disorders remotely
EyeCare4Kids™ names Maggie Cline as new CEO
Moderate exercise slows brain aging: U-shaped association revealed by accelerometry
Bat viruses similar to MERS have potential to jump to humans
New 3D-printing method makes two materials from one resin
A better understanding of how gene editing tools work
Tool for protecting soldiers’ brain health earns $3.2 million grant
Virginia Tech researcher earns American Heart Association fellowship to explore how obesity increases the risk for heart disease
Study identifies personality traits associated with bedtime procrastination
How late college students go to sleep is influenced by the need to belong
Discovery of giant planet orbiting tiny star challenges theories on planet formation
[Press-News.org] Following a Western style diet may lead to greater risk of premature deathNew findings reported in The American Journal of Medicine