Vegetarianism

Dr. Eric A Davidson writes that meat consumption must be reduced. Fertiliser use and management of manure must change to avoid that the targets of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will not be met. [1]

A study of Pan et al. 2012 supports the long ongoing hypothesis that red meat consumption increases the risk of total, CVD, and cancer mortality. The data of more than 120.000 observations and dietary habits of 2 prospective cohort studies over the course of 20-30 years demonstrate that people eating daily red meats, such as hot dogs, sausages and other processed  red meats, had a 20% increase in mortality rate. [1]

Healthy diet does not only reduce risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes but has a deep impact on  psychiatric and neurologic conditions, such as depression and dementia. Many studies assessed the improving of cognitive function are related to this issue.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides high levels of phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  Murphy et al. 2011 estimating usual intakes of nine phytonutrients by Americans consuming recommended levels of fruits and vegetables found that such diet is rich in carotenoids and flavonoids. [1]

Cassava  (Manihot esculenta) is a staple food for large African regions, but it has the lowest protein:energy ratio and cassava diet furnishes less than 30% of proteins and  less than 10-20% of the required amounts of iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin E. [1]

Larsson and Wolk 2012 conducted a meta-analysis of 11 prospective studies with 6643 pancreatic cancer cases. The authors found that consumption of red meat was associated with an increase in pancreatic cancer risk in men (RR=1.29),  but not in women (RR=0.93) and 120 g red meat per day was associated with an overall relative risk (RR=1.13), 50 g per day increase in processed meat consumption was  (RR=1.19). [1]

Phytoestrogens have been promoted as healthy dietary supplements and foods, such as soybean-derived foods, rich in the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. These isoflavones are also found in soy-based infant formulas. [1]

According to “La Republica” four out of five bottles of extra-virgin Italian olive oil are cheap, less aromatic olive oil from Greece, Spain, Morocco and Tunisia. Italian companies import these oils for less then 25 cents, mix them with a small amount of Italian oil and sell it  for up to 4,00 euros per kilo to supermarket chains abroad, to tourists and to wholesale trade. [1]

According to a study of Orešič et al 2011, blood serum analysis may predict future development of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) before symptoms of the disease occur. The analysis identifies molecular changes associated with Alzheimer Disease years in advance. These biomarkers suggest a state of increased hypoxia. [1]

Seven executives of the Italian food companies Sunny Land, Sona and Bioecoitalia and  the director of a certifying body from the Marche farming region of central Italy faked the origin of food, labelled as “organic” over years. It is assumed that 700.000 tons (valued 220 million Euros) of faked foods were sold all over Europe. Only 2.500 tons could be arrested. [1]