According to a nutrition expert, trans fats are getting a bad rap.

In a new scientific review, University of Alberta researcher Spencer Proctor reported that while some trans fats are bad for you, other natural trans fats found in dairy and beef are not detrimental for health, and can in fact have positive effects.

Some evidence even links these natural trans fats to reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Proctor explained that naturally occurring trans fats have a different fatty acid profile than industrial trans fats, which explains why they have drastically different effects on health.

The main difference between natural and industrial trans fats is that industrial trans fats are typically a component of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are strongly associated with cholesterol and coronary heart disease.

While fat is typically demonized in health adverts, Proctor urged government officials to make a clearer distinction between good fats and bad fats.

“A change in how trans fat information is presented on nutrition labels would be a huge step forward,” Proctor said. “Right now, in the U.S., a substantial portion of natural trans fats content is included in the nutrition label trans fats calculation, which is misleading for the consumer. We need a reset in our approach to reflect what the new science is telling us.”

He pointed to some European countries, where natural trans fat is not included in the nutrition label calculation. Another solution could be to have separate listings for industrial trans fats and natural trans fats.

Proctor and his colleagues plan to continue to study the health effects of natural trans fats.

“With industry, the science community, regulators and other important groups in this area working together, we can continue to make strides to help the public better understand the health implications of natural ruminant trans fats,” Proctor said.

Labor Day weekend heralds the start of September and, in turn, a new school year.

Are your kids ready to go back to school? Sure, they probably have their school supplies by now, but what about their vaccinations?

Here some of the back-to-school guidelines I think are the most important to address to ensure your children have a happy, healthy year:

Vaccinations

In order to enter kindergarten, there are a number of required vaccinations children must receive, though they vary from state to state. Check with your school system for specific requirements. Additionally, in New York, children must receive the booster for TDAP in order to enter middle school.

Other vaccines, such as Hepatitis A or chicken pox boosters, are recommended, but not required. Also, don’t forget to get an influenza shot ahead of the upcoming flu season this year. Kids are busy enough without having to worry about getting sick!

Nutrition

Three meals a day is still the rule of thumb for children, according to nutritionists. Kids shouldn’t skip breakfast because this can lead to weight gain. They should also avoid fried or sugary foods in the school cafeteria at lunch.

Make sure kids are drinking enough water to avoid dehydration during warmer months. This holds especially true for athletes, who have to exert extra energy and sometimes wear heavy gear during practice.

Exercise

Kids need daily exercise. I know we’re all tied to our laptops and iPods or what have you (and I think my kid’s cell phones might actually need to be surgically removed from their hands) but it’s important to set technology aside for an hour or so to run around outside.

Studies have shown that sedentary lifestyles lead to a number of health problems, and I’m not just talking about weight gain. In recent years, more and more kids have been diagnosed with typically “adult” diseases, such as type II diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important factors that influence health. Students have a lot going on during the school year, from clubs to sports to music lessons or other extracurricular activities – and that’s not even factoring in nightly homework assignments.

Don’t let your child get too overbooked this year. Inadequate rest can increase susceptibility to illness, as well as cause weight gain and lower concentration in class, among other health problems. Eight hours of sleep a night should be the absolute minimum, especially for younger children.

Finally, try not to stress too much. I know school comes with certain pressures and expectations, but one of the most important things kids can do to keep themselves healthy both physically and mentally is to cut out the anxiety and take the time to have fun. Have a good school year, everyone!

Seventy percent of 8 month-old babies consume too much salt due to being fed high amounts of processed foods, according to a new study.

UK researchers found that the salt intake of most infants was double the recommended maximum level because many were consuming foods like yeast extract, gravy, baked beans and canned spaghetti.

Many were also given cows’ milk, which has higher levels of salt than breast or formula milk.  Doctors typically recommend that infants not be fed cows’ milk as a main source of nourishment until they are at least one year old.

Too much salt intake can damage developing kidneys, increase children’s preferences for salty foods and establish poor eating habits that continue into adulthood, setting them up for a lifetime of health problems.

The study results were based on a survey of nearly 1,200 participants in England.  Researchers found that the majority of infants were first introduced to solid foods around 3-4 months, and the mean salt intake in 8 month olds was up to double the recommended amount for that age group.

The infants who consumed the most salt typically also drank cows’ milk as their main drink and ate three times the amount of bread as infants who consumed the least amount of salt.  They also had diets high in processed foods, which are typically high in sodium.

‘These findings show that salt intakes need to be substantially reduced in children of this age group. Infants need foods specifically prepared for them without added salt, so it is important to adapt the family die,” said Dr .Pauline Emmett and Vicky Cribb, the nutritionists who conducted the research.

The study was published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

An antioxidant that is naturally found in grapes may help prevent development or delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study.

Mount Sinai researchers have found that grape seed polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants, may prevent the production of beta amyloid in the brain, which has long been associated with Alzheimer’s development.

Dr. Giulio Pasinetti and colleagues tested the effects of grape seed extract by administering it to mice genetically determined to develop memory deficits and symptoms similar to those found in Alzheimer’s.  The results indicated that mice who were treated with the extract showed substantially reduced beta amyloid content in their brains and less memory loss.

Previous studies have indicated that increased consumption of grape-derived polyphenols may protect against cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s.  That means consuming polyphenols may be useful as a preventative measure or even treatment for the disease.

Polyphenols can be found in grapes and red wine, as well as nutritional supplements.

The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Eating nuts can help manage type 2 diabetes and prevent further complications from the disease, according to a new study.

Canadian researchers report that consuming two ounces of nuts daily in the place of carbohydrates help control blood glucose and lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

It didn’t matter whether the nuts were mixed, unsalted, raw or dry-roasted, the researchers said.

For the study, lead researcher David Jenkins and colleagues assigned three different nutritional supplements to people who suffered from type 2 diabetes.  One group was given muffins, another was given a mixture of nuts including almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, cashews and macadamias, and the last group was given both muffins and nuts.

The group who received the nut-only supplement showed the greatest improvement in blood glucose control.  They also saw a reduction in LDL cholesterol.

Meanwhile, the group who simply ate muffins experienced no benefits, while the group who ate muffins and nuts also reduced their cholesterol levels.

Furthermore, nut consumption was not associated with weight gain.

“If anything, nuts appear to be well suited as part of weight-reducing diets,” Dr. Jenkins said.

“The study indicates that nuts can provide a specific food option for people with Type 2 diabetes wishing to reduce their carbohydrate intake,” he said.

The study was published in the journal Diabetes Care.

Here in America, we have a serious problem.

It’s called obesity, and it’s killing millions of people every year.  The fact is, much of our own diet, the food we eat to keep ourselves alive, is slowly killing us at the same time.  Thanks to the consumption of excess meat, dairy and oils, we’re putting ourselves at greater risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

In his book, Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, Gene Stone compiles statements from number of doctors, chefs and nutrition experts for  insight into the health benefits of a plant-based diet, which may reduce people’s risks of cancer and other diseases.  At the very least, it may help in dropping a few pounds.

The book also contains healthy recipes that won’t make you feel like you’re eating rabbit food.  I especially can’t wait to try the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad (quinoa is especially filling!) or the MexiCali Burritos.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is looking to improve their health and their waistline.  However, as always, consult your doctor before starting any diets.