A Mantra for Mamas: Fiber, Fiber, Fiber
If you have diabetes and you get pregnant, your risk of preeclampsia—a dangerous condition marked by high blood pressure—is increased. But new research suggests a possible way to lessen that risk: eating a high-fiber diet early in pregnancy. Researchers at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle found that women who ate a diet high in total fiber (21 grams a day or more) early in pregnancy had a preeclampsia risk that was 72 percent less than those who ate the least amount of fiber daily (about 12 grams or less). The scientists believe that dietary fiber may reduce elevated plasma fats that are characteristic of preeclampsia.
Source: American Journal of Hypertension, August 2008
FIBER POWER: The USDA recommends adults get 25 grams a day. Here are some super sources. |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9.5 grams |
8.8 grams |
6.5 grams |
4.8 grams |
4.3 grams |
3.7 grams |
3.6 grams |
Cooked navy beans, 1/2 cup |
Bran cereal, 1/2 cup |
Artichokes |
Baked sweet potatoes |
Small pear |
Dried figs |
Canned pumpkin, 1/2 cup |
| Source: USDA Dietary Guidelines | ||||||
Info, Stat!
After a trip to the emergency room, three-quarters of patients don’t fully understand their medical condition, a new study found, including the doctor’s orders for self-care. Patients were quizzed by researchers about their diagnosis, emergency care, post-ER home care, and return instructions; the answers were then checked against their charts. Of those who didn’t fully understand the doctor’s instructions, 80 percent failed to realize they had missed a crucial detail, such as how to dress a wound properly or what foods should be avoided. Understanding ER instructions is vital for a healthy recovery, so the study authors suggest that patients keep asking questions until they fully understand what is going on.
Source: Annals of Emergency Medicine, July 11, 2008
Stupendous Statins
We already know that statins are cholesterol-busting powerhouses that reduce the risk of heart attacks, but two new studies show that they may also protect against memory loss and improve survival after a kidney transplant. Statin users had half the chance of developing dementia or cognitive impairment than people not taking statins during a 5-year study. For kidney transplant recipients, statin use was associated with a 36 percent lower chance of death 12 years after surgery.
Sources: Neurology, Aug. 5, 2008; Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, November 2008
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