Researchers from Spain say that the much-touted Mediterranean diet may be able to reverse metabolic syndrome–having three or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

The Mediterranean diet includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, reducing intake of red meat, eating fish and poultry at least twice a week, and replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil.

For their study, the research team analyzed men and women aged 55 to 80 who were at high risk of cardiovascular disease. At study baseline, 64 percent of participants had metabolic syndrome. All individuals were a part of the PREDIMED trial - an ongoing study that aims to assess the effects of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular diseases. Participants were randomized to follow one of three diets: a low-fat diet, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts or a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil. Researchers did follow-ups for an average of 4.8 years.

Results of the study revealed that participants who followed the Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts and the Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil saw a reduction in blood glucose levels and abdominal obesity. Furthermore, 28.2 percent of participants who followed the Mediterranean diets did not meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome by the end of the study.

While the results are promising, the researchers note that there are some limitations to their study. They point out that because study participants were older individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease, their findings cannot be generalized to the entire population.

NEXT: A guide to seasonal allergies (infographic)

Sourced from: , Mediterranean diet with nuts, olive oil ‘may reverse metabolic syndrome’

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the increasing rate of consumption of energy drinks has caused in increase in health problems, and that this could pose a threat to public health in the future.

Last year, a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that the number of emergency department visits involving energy drinks doubled between 2007 and 2011, from 10,068 visits to 20,783.

Caffeine is the main ingredient in energy drinks, and the one that causes most health concerns. A single can contains as much as 500 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent to five cups of coffee. Studies included in the team’s review claim that excess caffeine intake can lead to numerous health problems, including hypertension, heart palpitations, nausea and vomiting, psychosis, convulsions and even death.

A major concern is the number of young adults who mix energy drinks with alcohol. One study found that this occurs among 71 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 who consume energy drinks. When people mix energy drinks with alcohol, they may experience a feeling of “wide awake drunkenness,” because the consumption of high amounts of caffeine contained within energy drinks reduces drowsiness without diminishing the effects of alcohol. This may lead to individuals to drink much more alcohol than they should.

Researchers also pointed to studies that showed that mixing energy drinks with alcohol increases smoking, illicit drug use, sexual risk taking and other risky behavior, such as taking advantage of someone sexually or riding with an intoxicated driver. They said that there should be regulations about the marketing of energy drinks toward children and young adults.

NEXT: Columbus discovers tobacco: Oct. 15, 1492

Sourced from: Medical News Today, WHO: rising energy drink consumption may pose a threat to public health

Doctors at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego believe they’ve diagnosed the first case of a person addicted toGoogle Glass.

A new study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors reports the case of a 31-year old enlisted service member who checked into the US Navy’s Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program over the summer for treatment of alcoholism. But after they had him relinquish all of his electronics, the doctors found that his withdrawal symptoms seemed to be related to his reliance on the Google Glass device, a wearable computer mounted into the headset of a pair of glasses.

The patient told the doctors that he had been wearing the headset for 18 hours a day, removing it only when he bathed or slept.

The patient reported dreams as though he was viewing them through the device, and he also exhibited a symptom where he would repeatedly place his index finger to the right side of his face, as if he was activating the Glass. Without the device, the man seemed to have impaired short-term memory and would lose his train of thought easily.

The study reports that after completing a 35-day residential treatment program, the patient is now following up with outpatient treatment and is experiencing improved memory and reduced withdrawal symptoms.

NEXT: Energy drinks called threat to public 

Sourced from: Medical News Today, First case of ‘Google Glass addiction’ reported