Blood Tests Show a ‘Nordic Diet’ Improves Key Health Markers – Even Without Weight Loss

A new study adds support to the idea that eating better foods is beneficial even without obtaining weight loss – with the Nordic diet reducing blood sugar and cholesterol even when no weight was lost.   “It’s surprising because most people believe that positive effects on blood sugar and cholesterol are solely due to weight loss,” … Read more

Orcas: Fossil hints that killing whales is a recent adaptation

A 1.4-million-year-old fossil relative of killer whales had teeth that suggest it ate small fish rather than large marine mammals Life 7 March 2022 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre Artistic reconstruction of Rododelphis stamatiadisi Rossella Faleni A 1.4-million-year-old ancestor of orcas and false killer whales seems to have dined on small fish – which suggests its descendants … Read more

Omega-3 supplements could reduce the number of premature births

South Australia has launched a world-first programme to reduce premature births by testing omega-3 levels during pregnancy and giving supplements when they are low Health 28 February 2022 By Alice Klein Omega-3 fish oil can be taken as daily supplements R_Szatkowski/Shutterstock Giving omega-3 supplements to pregnant women with low levels of this fatty acid could … Read more

Low-Meat Diets Linked to Lower Cancer Risk, Hints Study of Nearly 500,000 People

A growing number of people are choosing to eat less meat. There are many reasons people may choose to make this shift, but health is often cited as a popular motive. A large body of research has shown that plant-based diets can have many health benefits – including lowering the risk of chronic diseases, such … Read more

Is a Low-Carb Diet So Much Better For Weight Loss? A New Review Brings The Evidence

In the 1970s, low-carb diets were all the rage. The Dr Atkin’s Diet Revolution book claimed carbohydrate restriction was a “high calorie way to stay thin forever“. Carbohydrates are found in breads, cereals and other grains, fruit, vegetables and milk. They’re also in ultra-processed fast foods, cakes, chips and soft drinks.   These days, low-carb … Read more

New dinosaur: Species had teeth that were constantly replaced

Iberospinus natarioi, a new species of spinosaur dinosaur found in Portugal, constantly grew new teeth to replace those it broke while hunting fish and other aquatic animals Life 16 February 2022 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre Life reconstruction of Iberospinus natarioi, showing detail of muscles, and a fossil of part of the lower jaw Mateus, Estraviz-Lopez et … Read more

Yoga: At least one session a week may help to lower blood pressure

A large real-world study adds to clinical trial evidence that people who do yoga tend to have lower blood pressure, which may prevent heart attacks and strokes Health 9 February 2022 By Alice Klein Regular yoga may lead to health benefits Boston Globe Copyright: Aram Boghosian/Boston Globe/Getty Images Practising yoga one or more times per … Read more

Weight loss: Getting enough sleep may lower the amount of calories you eat

When people who weren’t getting enough sleep took measures to sleep for longer, they ate fewer calories per day and lost weight without changes to their diet or exercise Health 8 February 2022 By Clare Wilson An extra hour of sleep helped some people lose weight Getty Images/Westend61/Kiko Jimenez Sleeping for about an hour longer … Read more

Lifespan: Cutting down meat and dairy could help you live up to a decade longer

A new website based on the latest scientific research offers people an indication of how their dietary choices can affect their lifespan Health 8 February 2022 By Michael Le Page Fresh fruit and vegetables – key to a longer life? Shutterstock / Rawpixel.com Want to know roughly how much longer you might live if you … Read more

Changing Your Diet Can Add Up to 10 Years to Your Life Expectancy, New Study Shows

Everyone wants to live longer. And we’re often told that the key to doing this is making healthier lifestyle choices, such as exercising, avoiding smoking, and not drinking too much alcohol. Studies have also shown that diet can increase lifespan.   A new study has found that eating healthier could extend lifespan by six to … Read more