Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Dr. Newsom I applaud you. Wow, this man is clearly an American hero, who aims to help others, in spite of personal sacrifice, economic backlash, and a hostile environment of addicts that surround him. More about him:

• He is an American hero, 38-year-old former Army doctor - served in Iraq

• Returned home to run the Bay County Health Dept. in Panama City, Fla.

• Launched a one-man war on obesity by posting warnings on electric sign outside the health department building:

• “Sweet Tea Liquid Sugar”

• “Hamburger Spare Tire”

• “French Fried Thunder Thighs”

• “America Dies on Dunkin’” to replace Dunkin’ Donut’s advertising slogan, “America Runs on Dunkin’”

• A county commissioner who owns a doughnut shop and two lawyers who own a new Dunkin’ Donuts on Panama City Beach, along with some of his own employees, turned against him.

• After the lawyers threatened to sue, his bosses at the Fla. Health Dept. made him remove the anti-donut rants, and eventually forced him to resign.

• Newsom picked on doughnuts because they are, “ubiquitous in this country. Everywhere I went, there were two dozen doughnuts on the back table. At church, there were always doughnuts on the back table at Sunday school. It is social expectation thing.”

• He was hired by the state Health Dept. to direct the county agency. His job primarily involved educating the public about health issues, including the dangers of doughnuts.

• He angered staff members by barring doughnuts from dept. meetings and announcing he would throw them away if he saw them in the break room. He also banned candy bars in the vending machines, putting in peanuts instead.

• Dunkin’ Donut businessmen had the backing of the County Commissioner, who owns a diner and doughnut shop himself. The County Commissioner called for Newsom’s ouster. “I think he was somewhat of a zealot. I don’t have a problem with him pushing an agenda, it’s the way he did it. People borrowed money to go into business and they are being attacked by the government.”

• His bosses at the state Health Dept. told him that his leadership wasn’t wanted and that he could be fired or resign. He chose to resign on May 8, but has reapplied for the job.

• Newsom currently works at a prison, doing exams of inmates.

• Dunkin’ Donuts is pleased the signs have been removed.

Would you have risked your job to take a stand against donuts, sugar and fries?

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Appearing in the British Medical Journal, a new study claims the Mediterranean diet—i.e. eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and avoiding meat, alcohol and dairy products—increases lifespan. Researchers examined the eating habits of 23,000 Greeks over 10 years, finding the presence of a diet rich in vegetables yielded health benefits, but when the heavy consumption of vegetables was removed, these benefits were negated; HealthDay News reports.

Sadly, many Mediterranean countries are loosing ground. In 2008, childhood obesity in Portugal, Spain and Italy jumped 30%. According to Dr. Fuhrman, all those healthy Mediterranean foods are giving way to western foods. That’s why the Mediterranean is getting fat, just like us!

And last September, a report revealed countries like Spain, Italy and Greece are buckling under the weight of fast food and the move away from their traditional dietary roots.

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A new study in the journal of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention reveals the rate of colon cancer among young adults—under the age of 50—is increasing. Data showed regardless of sex, race and age incidences of colon cancer between 1992 and 2005 rose 1.5% in men and 1.6% in women, with the largest increases in men and women, ages 20 to 29, with 52% and 5.6% respectively. Experts blame consumption of fast foods and high rates of obesity; via EurekAlert!

It’s a good idea to kick fast food as soon as possible. In April, a study showed kids eating fast food are more likely to develop poor eating habits. And given the unhealthiness of fast food, some Los Angeles officials don’t want any more fast food restaurants in their neighborhoods.

In related news, eating lots of fruits and veggies helps cut colon cancer risk in men, but taking high-dose folic acid supplements can raise colon cancer risk, by as high as 162%. Eek!

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Trans-fat’s been quiet lately, but for good reason. New findings in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine claim negative news reports on the dangers of trans-fat, such as heart risks, influences people to avoid foods with trans-fat. Trans-fat raises LDL or “bad cholesterol” and also lowers HDL or “good cholesterol” and is commonly found in junk foods like cookies, crackers and French fries. Researchers found shoppers in Los Angeles, California were more careful about their purchases after media coverage on artery-clogging trans-fats, but only for a short time; Reuters reports.

Not to long ago there was a great debate about banning trans-fat. Many health experts want trans-fat gone, but other say trans-fat is a market issue and consumers should decide whether or not they want to buy it. But trans-fat is unhealthy, linked to both colon cancer and breast cancer.

Trans-fat has gotten the shaft nationwide, from New York to California, even retailers and restaurants like Wal-Mart and Kentucky Fried Chicken have given trans-fat the heave-ho.

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A new study in the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests kids and adults eating fast food, like hamburgers, fries, pizza and soda, develop poor eating habits and obesity. Researchers claim children ages 2 to 12 who regularly eat fast food have a higher risk of becoming overweight. Mothers consuming fast food were more likely to have kids who eat fast food and drink more soda, but despite these kids being overweight, they were found to be happier than kids who ate less fast food. Leading scientists recommend healthy eating campaigns also focus on reduction of happiness; via Booster Shots.

Okay, even when I was a fat load, I avoided fast food like the plague. But not everyone does. In the Mediterranean, which traditionally had a healthy diet, fast food is now invading countries like Greece and muscling out good food. This does not bode well. New research found people living in neighborhoods with a lot of fast food restaurants, ate more fast food and gained more weight.

Fast food is gross and apparently indestructible too. Burgers kept in cool, dry basement will last forever and don’t decompose, seriously! But they’re great for painting pictures, like the Mona Lisa in grease.

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New findings in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggest eating more fiber and less sugar can lower the risk of type-2 diabetes in adolescent Latinos. For the study, 66 overweight Latino teenagers were put into three groups. One group attended weekly classes on nutrition, specifically reducing sugar and increasing fiber. Group two was given nutrition education twice a week and did some strength training. The final group served as a control. After 16 weeks teens who ate less sugar and more fiber had substantial drops in blood glucose and insulin levels; Reuters reports.

In New York City, type-2 diabetes hits ethnic groups hard as they abandon traditional diets in favor of standard American fare, 800,000 people in NYC have diabetes. Yesterday, a study showed 22% of Hispanic children in America, ages 1 to 4, are obese. Dr. Fuhrman recommends the whole family eat healthy early to promote good eating habits later in life.

In related news, research shows children going to high school within walking distance of fast food restaurants are more likely to eat less fruits and vegetables and drink more soda.

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A new study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine claims 1 in 5 Native American preschoolers are obese. Children were considered obese if their body-mass index (BMI) placed them in the 95th percentile or higher on government growth charts. Of the 8,550 participants the rate of obesity among Asians was 13%, whites 16%, blacks 21%, Hispanics 22% and a startling 31% for American Indian children. Researchers cite possible genetic disparities as reason why, but also blame lifestyle issues such as low-income status; the Associated Press reports.

Makes sense, a recent report linked childhood poverty with an 82% higher risk of cardiovascular problems later in life and in February, researchers determined 89% of American preschoolers are not active enough. Not a good combination, especially when you consider weight gain in very young children increases their chances of becoming obese as they mature. Add all that up and you’re in a lot of trouble, no matter what race you are.

Occupation doesn't seem to matter either. Many emergency responder recruits, like ambulance drivers and firemen, are overweight and unable to meet national fitness standards. Even U.S. combat troops in Iraq are getting fat! I still can't believe that.

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No doubt, Leonardo da Vinci is spinning in his grave. Not that this rendition of his classic masterpiece The Mona Lisa doesn’t bear a striking resemblance to the original, but rather, because its drawn, or smudged or whatever you want to call it, with hamburger grease:

I guess it could be worse. After all, he could have sculpted David out of chicken nuggets and French fries. For more on artist Phil Hansen, check out Phil in the Circle.

Via Serious Eats.

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A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology determined people living in towns with high-concentrations of fast food restaurants ate more fast food and gained more weight, but people from neighborhoods that required a lot of walking to get around, lost weight. Experts surveyed over 1,200 residents of Portland, Oregon, ages 50 to 75, tracking key markers such as body weight, eating habits and physically activity, and discovered people surrounded by fast food had a weight increase of 3 pounds, but those doing a lot of walking had a weight decrease of 2.7 pounds in one year; ScienceDaily reports.

Strikingly similar to last month’s study linking high-density of fast food restaurants in a neighborhood to 13% higher risk of stroke among residents and this is related to yesterday’s post about the lack of healthy foods being sold in low-income communities.

And a previous report showed kids’ whose school is within walking distance of fast food restaurants are more likely to be obese and drink soda. But come on. At the end of the day there’s no gun to your head, no one’s forcing you to eat fast food!

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According to a new study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition retailers in low income communities are less likely to sell healthy food, such fruits and vegetables. Stores in wealthier areas tend to offer healthier fare. Researchers examined survey data from 759 Baltimore, Maryland residents and discovered 24% of blacks lived in neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food, compared to only 5% of whites. Experts propose offering tax breaks to stores in poorer areas for selling healthier food or distributing cash subsides so residents can buy fruits and veggies; HealthDay News reports.

Sadly, this predicament is very common. More and more supermarkets are moving out of New York City, leaving low income residents with small bodegas and drugs stores mostly selling junk food and few, if any, fresh fruits and vegetables. To make matters worse, many of these neighborhoods are already wrought with fast food, deepening local epidemics of heart disease and diabetes.

In related news, people living in communities with a lot of fast food restaurants were found to have an increased risk of stroke. Overall likelihood was 13% higher and increased 1% per restaurant.

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