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The heavy burden of hunger in the United States helps explain why the poor are at higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, according to an editorial in the July 1 <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> co-authored by two UCSF faculty members.
A new study shows that overweight and obese women who suffer from hot flashes can reduce the severity of their hot flashes if they lose weight through diet or exercise.
A new study by UCSF cardiologists and researchers found that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure, improve the health of blood vessels and increase the number of circulating angiogenic cells in patients with heart disease. The findings indicate that foods rich in flavanols – such as cocoa products, tea, wine, and various fruits and vegetables – have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients.
The cause of diabetes during pregnancy is directly controlled by serotonin, a chemical produced by the body and normally known as a neurotransmitter, and is influenced by the amount of protein in the mother’s diet early in pregnancy, according to new findings of an international team led by researchers at UCSF.
It is well-known that vitamin D is essential for strong and healthy bones. However, in an article in the online “In Press” section of “Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism,” a San Francisco VA Medical Center physician reviews recent scientific literature suggesting that the vitamin may also play a role in preventing cancer, fighting infection, and controlling or preventing auto-immune disease.
To fight the “diseases of civilization,” a Paleolithic diet filled with fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, fish and lean meat shows early promise -- but imagine no grains, beans or dairy products.
To be a truly comprehensive and successful anti-obesity program, First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign must include interventions that target pregnant women, infants, and pre-school-age children, UCSF experts say.
Talk of taxing sugary drinks may spread in light of a new study that connects soft drink consumption with diabetes.
A new study from UCSF shows that prenatal health care professionals are concerned about patients’ excessive weight gain during pregnancy but have difficulty providing effective counseling.
People are paying close attention to pediatric endocrinologist Robert Lustig’s message that the obesity epidemic can be blamed on a marked increase in the consumption of a type of sugar called fructose.
UCSF has launched a family-friendly web portal and is conducting a survey on family needs with the goal of increasing the availability and access of family programs, services and events.
UCSF is sponsoring a one-day symposium for the Bay Area research community to bring awareness to the problem of how certain foods can cause an addictive-like state in the brain and are a hidden cause behind the nation's obesity epidemic.