FDA Commissioner Pushing For Better Nutrition.

reported Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb “is pushing for less salt in food, more nutrition information on labels and innovative ways to communicate healthy ways of eating.” In an interview, Gottlieb said, “We spend a lot of time at the FDA on new technologies – cell and gene base therapies, regenerative medicine – that have curative potential and there is a lot of public health opportunity from what we’re seeing in the pipeline. But when you think of where we’re going to have the most dramatic public health impact, it’s going to be getting back to the public health basics, trying to sharply reduce smoking rates, trying to improve diets and trying to increase vaccination rates.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/06/fda-chief-scott-gottlieb-pushes-lower-sodium-better-labels-reduce-disease-obesity/493138002/

Beta-Blockers May Raise Mortality In Those With Diabetes,

reports that the “use of beta-blockers may be associated with an increased mortality risk in patients with diabetes, particularly among those who have coronary heart disease (CHD),” according to new research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Medscape says, “Among nearly 3000 participants with diabetes, all-cause mortality over 5 to 6 years was significantly higher in those taking beta-blockers than those who were not, with an even more pronounced effect among those with CHD.” http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(17)30845-5/fulltext

Article Describes Three Most Promising New Methods Of Male Birth Control.

reports on “several promising-products” for male birth control that “are quietly making their way through clinical trials,” including a “topical gel that blocks sperm production,” a hormonal pill contraceptive, and a “nonsurgical vasectomy.” Vox observes, “Men want more birth control options,” but the “science of finding new methods, and getting those new methods approved for market, has been incredibly difficult.” Diana Blithe, chief of the contraceptive development program at the NIH’s National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said of the gel, “It’s the furthest along [of all male birth control methods].” Vox adds, “In a new, yet-to-be published study recently presented at the annual Endocrine Society meeting, researchers revealed data from a 100-person randomized controlled trial showing that a male birth control pill – dimethandrolone undecanoate, or DMAU – appeared to be safe when used every day for a month.” https://www.vox.com/2018/4/4/17170262/male-birth-control-explained

Supervised Injection Sites Gain Ground in U.S. Evidence they can reduce overdose deaths and HIV and viral hepatitis transmission

https://www.medpagetoday.com/reading-room/aga/lower-gi/72161?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2018-04-06&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202018-04-06&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Individuals With Diabetes Less Likely To See Dentist Despite Higher Risk For Gum Disease, Data Indicate.

reports that “many adults with diabetes don’t see the dentist often enough, even though” they have a higher “risk for gum disease, researchers say.” The “investigators analyzed data from just over 2.5 million American adults who took part in an annual federal government health survey.” The survey indicated “that people with diabetes or prediabetes were least likely to visit the dentist.” The findings were published online in the Journal of the American Dental Association. https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/those-with-diabetes-less-likely-to-see-dentist-despite-health-risks-732555.html

Taxing Products Such As Soda, Alcohol, Tobacco May Steer Consumers Toward Healthier Choices, Research Indicates.

reports a new analysis published Wednesday in The Lancet found that “taxing products such as soda, alcohol and tobacco can steer consumers toward healthier choices and avert a ruinous tumble in which obesity fuels disease and medical costs push people further into poverty, data from countries ranging from Chile to India show.” A research group examined five studies and found that taxes on unhealthy products can work without disproportionately harming the poor. On its website, NBC News (4/4, Fox) reports that Larry Summers, a former Treasury Secretary and an emeritus professor at Harvard University, wrote commentary for the study saying, “Taxes are an underused instrument for the prevention of premature death and disease because they can discourage consumption of products like tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages that contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, mental health problems, and injuries. Tobacco and alcohol taxes consistently raise prices, reduce consumption, and save lives, while generating additional revenues to support public services.” https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/taxing-sodas-junk-food-tobacco-works-task-force-argues-n862816

Pasta May Not Be Linked To Weight Gain Or Increased Fat Levels

The researchers noted that while there are many types of pasta, they all generally have a lower GI status than other starchy foods such as white bread. The study emphasized that the inclusion of whole grains does not significantly affect pasta's GI status. And while it is relatively low in fiber, pasta has a similar GI rating to fiber-rich foods such as barley, legumes and steel cut oats, and a lower rating than wholewheat bread, breakfast cereals like bran flakes and potatoes with skin. On average, white pasta also has a higher micronutrient content than other white wheat products. “These results are important given the negative messages with which the public has been inundated regarding carbohydrates, messages which appear to be influencing their food choices, as evidenced by recent reductions in carbohydrate intake, especially in pasta intake,” the authors wrote. "So contrary to concerns, perhaps pasta can be part of a healthy diet such as a low GI diet,” lead author Dr John Sievenpiper, a clinician scientist with the hospital's Clinical Nutrition and Risk Modification Centre, said in a statement. Making it whole wheat or veggie blend pasta is even better! http://www.newsweek.com/pasta-weight-loss-869178