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Understanding "Good" Fat May Help Fight Obesity

A recent understanding of the origins of brown fat cells - the "good" kind of fat that burns energy and keeps us warm - may lead to the discovery of new treatments for obesity. Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston said they used a single molecular switch to turn immature muscle cells into brown fat cells in the lab. This suggests that brown fat may be more akin to muscle cells than traditional white fat cells.

Another team from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston found a protein important for bone growth helped promote the development of fat tissues in mice. Both teams claim their new findings lend understanding about the origins of brown fat, which releases energy, in contrast to white fat, which only stores energy. (Read more about Understanding "Good" Fat May Help Fight Obesity)

What is Gastroenterology?

Video: Dr. Jonathan Cohen of the Concorde Medical Group discusses Gastroenterology.

Gastroenterology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract - from the mouth to the anus. Gastroenterolgy studies the functioning and disorders of the esophagus, stomach and intestines, as well as its associated organs such as the liver, pancreas and gall bladder.

There is documented evidence that some forms of Gastroenterolgy were practiced in ancient Egypt. Greek, Roman and Arab practitioners studied the digestive tracts of the human body with specially designed spatula and mirrors illuminated by candles or oil lamps. More complex tools for examining the rectum with dilating specula were found in the ruins of Pompeii. (Read more about What is Gastroenterology?)

SESAME ALLERGIES

There is a new type of food allergy that only now is starting to be recognized- sesame allergies. According to new research, sesame allergy is fast becoming a significant problem, not just in America but worldwide.
An article in this month’s issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology says that hypersensitivity to sesame is the fourth most common allergy among Australian children, after egg, milk and peanuts. (Read more about SESAME ALLERGIES)

FAST FOOD SALADS

If you’re not super-sizing your fries and you want to feast on a fast food salad, proceed with caution. Researchers at Consumer Reports found that a McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with dressing has 440 calories and 26 grams of fat, while Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad with dressing has 630 calories and 35 grams of fat. (Read more about FAST FOOD SALADS)

FOOD LABEL CHANGES

The FDA is planning on overhauling the labeling of foods, so that you, the consumer, can know how much you’re really eating.
Right now, the food labels are deceiving, and you may be thinking you’re taking in fewer calories and carbs than you really are. If you look on a food label, the key is the number of servings to understand what you’re really taking in. Serving sizes come in varying shapes and sizes, and right now, food labels are deceiving, which may be part of the reason America has such an obesity problem. (Read more about FOOD LABEL CHANGES)

ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT

There is new hope for patients suffering from the gastrointestinal condition known as ulcerative colitis.
The disease can be severe, and often, treatment does not completely relieve the symptoms. Sometimes surgery is the only recourse for patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis. (Read more about ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT)

HALLOWEEN FOOD SAFETY

It’s Halloween this weekend, and parents need to take extreme care with Halloween food safety. Specifically, parents of children with food allergies need to take extra caution.
Halloween food safety is a particularly important consideration for parents of children with allergies. Lurking inside that harmless looking cupcake or chocolate bar could be ingredients harmful to people with allergies. (Read more about HALLOWEEN FOOD SAFETY)

FOOD SAFETY

Cynthia Piro takes every food safety precaution in the kitchen before she hits the grill.
“I always wash off my cutting boards with warm soapy water,” says Cynthia.
And every food group gets its own preparation area.
“Vegetables get their own cutting board to prevent any contamination from the chicken.” (Read more about FOOD SAFETY)

FOOD ALLERGIES

There was good news this week for patients suffering from food allergies.
President Bush signed into law a bill that calls for better labeling of food products so that consumers have improved access to information about food allergies. With the improved food labels consumers can identify whether ingredients to which they are allergic are present. (Read more about FOOD ALLERGIES)

FOOD PYRAMID REVAMP

The food pyramid is the government’s symbol of healthy eating.
Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the food pyramid is not pulling its weight, as Americans get fatter and fatter and ignore the government’s recommendations.
The Department of Agriculture is looking to introduce a new food pyramid, changing not only what it recommends, but also, how it gets the message through to the consumer. (Read more about FOOD PYRAMID REVAMP)