| A Trans Fat Substitute Might Have Health Risks Too
A controversial nutritional test of a chemically modified fat suggests that the substance may be more harmful, at least in its potential to cause diabetes, than is a trans fatrich, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Many food producers are phasing out partially hydrogenated oils, which contain harmful trans fats. For certain products such as baker's shortening and margarine, some companies are turning to fats in the class called interesterified fats. Interesterification shuffles the fatty acids that make up each fat molecule (see "How Interesterification Works"). Like partial hydrogenation, which generates unnatural trans fats, interesterification produces some molecules that are rare or nonexistent in nature. The new study reports worrisome changes in blood glucose and cholesterol concentrations in 30 volunteers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who had consumed an interesterified-fatheavy diet.
Obesity remains the number one health concern in the UAE
As obesity numbers reach alarming heights globally, urbanization and the sedentary modern lifestyle (in particular the adoption of western work and eating habits and increasing physical inactivity) are not helping the UAE cope with its obesity problems. .
Jazz up your diet with some spa ideas
If you started a diet in January, you're probably getting bored by now. There's no need to subsist on rice cakes and water for weeks and weeks. "What you eat is in direct relation to how you feel," says Chris Halpin, a Calgary caterer and chef for Sante Spa. "Eating great food that's very healthy will give you energy and make you feel good." Spa food generally isn't very unusual, says Christopher Joyce, the chef for Thomsons at the Hyatt Regency and Stillwater Spa. It's about simply prepared dishes with wholesome ingredients -- plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein, regional offerings and few processed foods. "If you believe in using fresh, quality ingredients, you can't go wrong," Joyce says. "It's all about moderation, knowing what you're eating and being smart about it." This past year, Halpin has noticed more of his catering clients don't just want low-fat, low-calorie food during the week.
Research indicates new benefit of seafood diet
Growing numbers of Britons retiring to Florida or the Mediterranean are well placed to keep fish on the menu - and fight the effects of ageing into the bargain. Health benefits linked to oily fish have been known for decades, but recently interest has focussed on dementia. Two recent research papers showed that fish oils slowed the advance of early stage Alzheimer's disease. In the Framingham Heart Study, US researchers working for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute followed 899 elderly people over nine years. .
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