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Dietary Guidelines

All articles tagged with #dietary guidelines

health22 days ago

Lower Protein May Boost Healthy Aging, New Review Finds

A review of more than 350 studies suggests lowering protein intake may improve metabolic health and possibly extend lifespan, especially for sedentary adults. Updated U.S. guidelines now recommend 1.2–1.6 g/kg body weight, up from 0.8 g/kg. The hormone FGF21 rises with lower protein and may help convert white fat to energy-burning beige fat, improving glucose control and reducing inflammation. Active individuals may be protected by exercise, which directs amino acids to muscle growth, but experts say more high-quality human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Protein restriction could improve health and extend lifespan, review finds
health-and-science24 days ago

Protein restriction could improve health and extend lifespan, review finds

A comprehensive review of 350+ studies links lower protein intake to healthier aging and possible lifespan extension by boosting metabolism and the hormone FGF21; amino acids such as methionine, isoleucine, and valine may drive these effects, though protein remains essential for muscle and certain groups, suggesting more personalized protein guidelines rather than a universal high-protein approach.

Beef Delivers More Micronutrients Per Calorie Than Chicken
health1 month ago

Beef Delivers More Micronutrients Per Calorie Than Chicken

USDA data and nutrient-scoring analyses show beef (especially grass-fed) often has higher density of micronutrients like iron, zinc and B vitamins per calorie than chicken; chicken remains a high-protein staple but typically offers fewer of these micronutrients on a per-calorie basis. The findings feed into the MAHA push and the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines, which emphasize nutrient-dense, minimally processed proteins, while noting costs and access vary by meat type and region.

Rethinking protein: should you eat more to age better?
nutrition-diet1 month ago

Rethinking protein: should you eat more to age better?

A Frontiers in Nutrition perspective argues current protein guidelines may be too conservative for healthy aging, suggesting intake could rise to about 1 g per pound of body weight (roughly 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day depending on activity) to support muscle recovery, fat loss, weight management, and bone health—especially for active adults, older adults, and pregnant people. While high-quality, whole-food protein sources can meet these needs, the article cautions that very high intakes could pose digestive, kidney, or vascular risks, particularly for those with kidney disease, and stresses that protein should be paired with regular resistance training and a heart-healthy diet. Guideline changes for the general population are typically slow and require extensive evidence.

Global study finds kids worldwide fall short on fruits and vegetables amid cyclospora outbreak
health1 month ago

Global study finds kids worldwide fall short on fruits and vegetables amid cyclospora outbreak

A BMJ Global Health analysis of more than 1,200 dietary surveys from 1990–2018 across 185 countries shows children worldwide consistently fall short of recommendations for fruits, non-starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and starchy vegetables. In the U.S., infants and toddlers eat more fruits and vegetables than older children, but intake declines through adolescence. The piece highlights strategies like repeated exposure, family meals, and involving kids in shopping and cooking, and notes that all produce forms can help (with affordable options emphasized) while juice should be limited per AAP guidelines. Despite a multistate cyclospora outbreak, health officials caution against avoiding produce and advise safe handling: wash hands, rinse produce, prevent cross‑contamination, refrigerate perishables, and follow recalls; the interview also underscores building consistent, long-term healthy eating habits.

Flavanols Make the Difference: Why Five a Day Isn’t Always Heart-Protective
health-and-nutrition2 months ago

Flavanols Make the Difference: Why Five a Day Isn’t Always Heart-Protective

A large international study suggests that heart protection depends not just on how much fruit and vegetables you eat, but on which ones you choose, due to flavanol intake. Most people fall short of the flavanol levels (about 500 mg daily) linked to lower cardiovascular mortality, even when meeting general fruit/veg targets. The study highlights flavanol-rich foods like plums, cranberries, blackberries, green tea, apples with skin, and beans, and suggests dietary guidance may need to specify food choices to maximize heart benefits.

Biden-commissioned study finds no safe level of alcohol, fueling calls for tougher guidelines
health2 months ago

Biden-commissioned study finds no safe level of alcohol, fueling calls for tougher guidelines

A government-commissioned study concluded there is no protective health effect from alcohol, with risks rising even at one drink per day; the findings were released independently after the Trump administration sidelined them amid industry pushback, while officials say dietary guidelines consider the total body of evidence, and the authors urge stricter guidance to one drink or fewer per day.

No Safe Level: Federal Study Finds Any Alcohol Raises Health Risks
health2 months ago

No Safe Level: Federal Study Finds Any Alcohol Raises Health Risks

A federally commissioned study concludes that even light alcohol consumption raises the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and premature death, with no level providing health protection. The findings, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, were reportedly excluded from the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines amid pushback from the alcohol industry and lawmakers. Researchers advocate a conservative message: no more than one drink per day, and risk grows with each additional drink, challenging the view that moderate drinking can be healthy.

Unreleased federal study finds no health benefit to drinking, even at low levels
health2 months ago

Unreleased federal study finds no health benefit to drinking, even at low levels

A federal SAMHSA-led study on alcohol’s health effects, shelved by the Trump administration and later published in a scientific journal, concludes there is no net health benefit from drinking and that even light alcohol use raises risks of death and disease, fueling debates about political interference in science as dietary guidelines move away from fixed drinking limits.

Diamantas Takes Interim Lead of FDA Amid Leadership Shakeup
health3 months ago

Diamantas Takes Interim Lead of FDA Amid Leadership Shakeup

Kyle Diamantas, formerly FDA deputy for food, becomes acting FDA commissioner after Marty Makary’s resignation, guiding food safety policy and dietary guidelines during an interim leadership phase; his past defense of Abbott’s infant formula and ties to Trump circles are noted, but he’s seen as a non-controversial placeholder while a permanent appointee is sought.

Ditch the Toilet Scroll: Higher Fiber Now Key to Prevent Hemorrhoids
health3 months ago

Ditch the Toilet Scroll: Higher Fiber Now Key to Prevent Hemorrhoids

New guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association urge higher daily fiber intake (38g for men, 25g for women) and shorter bathroom sessions to prevent hemorrhoids and constipation, emphasizing plant-based proteins and fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, and noting that most hemorrhoids improve with home care; in-office treatments exist for persistent cases.

US Dietary Guidelines Leave Kids' Produce Targets Undefined
health4 months ago

US Dietary Guidelines Leave Kids' Produce Targets Undefined

The new USDA dietary guidelines are vaguer than the previous MyPlate guidance, dropping explicit daily fruit and vegetable targets for children and leaving families without a clear reference on how much produce to serve. Experts caution this could complicate meal planning, even as guidelines still promote fruits/vegetables, dairy, and iron-rich foods with age-specific notes (5–10-year-olds: about 1–2 cups daily). While produce supports brain development and immunity, some critics say the shift emphasizes meat and full-fat dairy over vegetables. The piece also offers practical tips to boost intake, such as involving kids in prep, making produce appealing, and modeling healthy eating.

Protein Hype vs. Science: Most People Don’t Need More—Fiber and Balance Matter
health4 months ago

Protein Hype vs. Science: Most People Don’t Need More—Fiber and Balance Matter

Stanford Medicine experts say the protein hype is overblown: most adults already meet protein needs, and simply eating more isn’t a universal fix. For some groups, about 1.2–1.6 g/kg may help preserve muscle (notably older adults or those losing weight), but resistance training matters more. The newer guidelines may emphasize protein, yet fiber and plant-based foods remain essential; the myth of incomplete plant proteins is debunked, and timing or post-workout protein is less critical than overall diet.

Protein Frenzy Keeps Meat in the Spotlight Amid Health Warnings
health4 months ago

Protein Frenzy Keeps Meat in the Spotlight Amid Health Warnings

Most Americans view meat as part of a healthy diet and seek more meat due to a protein-led trend and new dietary guidelines; health experts warn that protein needs are individual and red meat carries risks like saturated fat, inflammation, and links to heart disease and some cancers, urging more plant-based or seafood protein while the meat industry defends its role and shoppers stay budget-conscious.

RFK Jr. demands safety data on sugary coffee drinks from Dunkin’ and Starbucks
politics5 months ago

RFK Jr. demands safety data on sugary coffee drinks from Dunkin’ and Starbucks

RFK Jr., the HHS secretary in the piece, urged Dunkin’ and Starbucks to prove their sugary beverages are safe, pointing to a 115-gram iced coffee as potentially unsafe for teens; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey playfully defended Dunkin’ online; HHS stressed the move is about transparent, science-based food safety. The episode ties to Kennedy’s broader push to reshape federal nutrition guidance toward “real food,” highlighting a January overhaul favoring protein and healthy fats over grains.