Annual membership (subscriber) of HEC for only Au$29.95 (inc. GST) More.....
All members get:
- access to the on-line book "Food Facts" on CD-rom by Professor Wahlqvist
- access to do our body image module on-line
- member discounts for all our on-line healthy eating course modules
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Do a course module TODAY! (subscribers get member discounts/module):
Pick from:
Module 1: What's in food: value of food variety (includes CD Food Facts) (Member $50/$70)
Module 2: Healthy Eating Tips ( Member $35 / $50 )
Module 3: Body Image (subscribers get this module for FREE) ($50)
Module 4: Understanding Food Labels ( Member $35 / $50 )
Module 5: Physical activity for fat loss and strength (includes video on CD-rom) ( Member $65/$75 )

Do all 5 modules as a Megabyte member at a discounted price of $195 and get a "Certificate of Completion in Healthy Eating" signed by our Editor in Chief, Professor Mark Wahlqvist, as well as our Managing Editor, Dr. Antigone Kouris. The HEC website is the only website currently offering on-line reputable course modules for the general public in nutrition. More ....
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HEC FACT SHEETS

Herbs & Spices

Herbs and spices appear to play a role in the prevention and management of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. More research is needed to confirm their health benefits. In the mean-time why not try experimenting with herbs (the fresher the better) - you have nothing to lose - you may even have some health gains. For example, did you know that garlic, linseed, fenugreek and lemon grass may help lower total and LDL cholesterol and that garlic (half to one clove per day) can help lower triglycerides without affecting HDL cholesterol levels? There is also emerging evidence that cinammon and other herbs and spices (commonly used in Indian cuisine) may play a role in improving insulin action and blood glucose control. Click here to find out more about their health benefits and some cooking tips.
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WHAT'S NEW IN NUTRITION RESEARCH

Too much fructose may not be so healthy

Fructose, along with other sugars, is found naturally in many foods, such as honey, fruits and some vegetables. However, corn syrup is primarily fructose and table sugar contains fructose and glucose, and these are commonly used to sweeten processed foods. It is hard to over-consume fructose from unprocecessed or unrefined foods, but excessive intake of unnaturally sweetened foods such as soft drinks, some fruit drinks, cakes, biscuits etc can result in a diet high in fructose.

The scientific literature was reviewed by Elliot et al (published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002; vol 76: p911-22) to explore whether fructose consumption might be a contributing factor to the development of obesity and accompanying abnormalities observed in the insulin resistance syndrome (which can develop into diabetes). They concluded that...more

Weight cycling and death
Weight cycling (or yo-yo dieting) is the term used when there is recurrent loss and regain of weight. Studies have shown that weight cycling is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and death. However, a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (December 9-23, 2002) on over 5,600 middle aged men in Britain suggests that this is not entirely true. The men were observed for over 20 years; there were almost 1000 deaths during that time, with about half from heart disease. The men with stable weight had the lowest mortality, but the men who had a steady weight gain over the study period had a similarly low death rate. Sustained weight loss and weight fluctuation were linked to increased mortality, but this was explained by unhealthy lifestyle or preexisting disease.
This study suggests that weight cycling does not affect risk of death and that our obsession with weight may not be justified if we are looking at mortality data. Being physically active, avoiding substance abuse and not having chronic health problems was more important than body weight in this study.
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RESOURCES ON THE WEB

Diabetes Resources on the web: Western Pacific Declaration on Diabetes

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