... What is the Mediterranean diet...? The true diet is simple, plant-based cooking, with the majority of each meal focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts and a heavy emphasis on extra-virgin olive oil. Fats other than olive oil, such as butter, are consumed rarely, if at all. And say goodbye to refined sugar or flour. Meat can make a rare appearance, but usually only to flavor a dish. Instead, meals may include eggs, dairy and poultry, but in much smaller portions than in the traditional Western diet. [Also], fish, which are full of brain-boosting omega-3's, are a staple.

The study, published Wednesday in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, examined 343 people at high risk...

A green Mediterranean ('green Med') diet, containing even more plant matter and very little red meat or poultry, may be even better for cardiovascular and metabolic health than the traditional version — at least in men — suggests research published online in the journal Heart...

... It's thought that its impact is related to higher dietary intake of polyphenols, 'healthy' fats and fibre and lower animal protein intake.

The researchers wanted to find out whether a greener version of this diet, higher in green plant food sources and even lower in red meat intake, might be even better for health...

... "Education and encouragement to follow a green Med dietary pattern in conjunction with physical activity has the potential to be a major contributor to public health..."

A 41-year-old Chinese man has been confirmed as the first human case of infection with a rare bird flu strain.

Officials did not give details on how the man got infected but the H10N3 strain is thought to not easily spread from humans to humans. The Jiangsu province resident, who was diagnosed last week, has now recovered and is ready to be discharged [from hospital].

There are many bird flu strains and it is not unheard of that people working with poultry occasionally get infected...

... "As long as avian influenza viruses circulate in poultry sporadic infection of avian influenza in humans is not surprising, which is a vivid reminder that the threat of an influenza pandemic is persistent,"...

... Human infections with bird flu have been rare since a larger outbreak of the H7N9 strained killed around 300 people in 2016 and 2017.

... Owners should return food made on behalf of the brands by manufacturer Fold Hill as a precaution.

Fold Hill and the Food Standards Agency say cats that eat it could be at risk of developing the bone marrow condition pancytopenia.

There has been a spike in cases in the UK...

... "We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause."...

What do you have for breakfast?...

Stefanie Sacks works hands-on with individuals and groups in transition to a healthier way of eating...

... Durward shares the obvious secret that is repeatedly overlooked by unsuccessful dieters...

... the #1 cause of both death and disability in the United States is our diet. Cigarettes now only kill about a half million Americans every year, whereas our diet appears to kill hundreds of thousands more. The good news is that means we have tremendous power over our health destiny and longevity. Healthy eating has the potential to not only prevent, but reverse some of our leading causes of death...

... This oncologist and chief physician will take us on a journey to explore why plant-based diet seems to cure several chronic diseases. In this talk, David will uncover the scientific evidence behind how to transform your health with easy choices. ... educates the public about how what we eat affects our health and disease...

... Americans eat a staggering amount of ‘Fast Food’, spending $200 billion a year on these meals. Every day, one in four Americans eats at a fast food restaurant. Fast Food’s huge appeal is its particular taste, convenience/availability, and low cost. It’s cheap because the major commodities used to produce it: corn, soy, and beef are heavily subsidized by the U.S. government...

... Another problem: fast food really isn’t cheap when we consider overall personal expenditures. Once we factor in the healthcare expenses needed to treat the chronic diseases we suffer due to diet, eating fast food, ... The total cost of healthcare in the U.S. for 2015 was 3 trillion dollars or, $9,500 per person; the highest in the world. That money is, in large part, spent on healthcare required to treat the epidemic of lifestyle diseases, ... all related to obesity...

... Solutions – Multi-pronged ... Conclusion – You Deserve A (Better) Break Today...

While some viewers might find advice provided in this talk to be helpful as a complementary approach, please do not look to this talk for medical advice or an alternative to treatment...

The government is to impose a UK-wide pre-9pm ban on TV adverts for food high in sugar, salt and fat.

Products affected include chocolate, burgers, soft drinks, cakes, sweets, ice cream, biscuits, sweetened juices, crisps, chips and pizzas [... breakfast cereals, yoghurts, ready meals, chicken nuggets and battered fish...]

There will also be new rules on online promotion...

... Food companies have said outlawing any form of junk food advertising - worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year - is disproportionate...

... the restrictions would not affect some foods high in sugar, salt or fat - such as honey, olive oil, avocados and Marmite - as these were not seen as contributing significantly to childhood obesity.

Speaking on a visit to a military base in Aldershot, the prime minister said: "I'm afraid we do have a national struggle with obesity, and we need to deal with it...

... chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, called the advertising ban "a bold and very positive step", adding that it was "one important part in building a more healthy environment where the healthy option is the easy option"...

US drugs giant Johnson & Johnson is to pay $230m (£165m) to settle claims it fuelled an opioid addiction crisis in New York State.

The firm did not admit liability or wrongdoing in settling with the state.

The payments remove it from a trial due to begin on Tuesday in which several large opioid makers and distributors are defendants.

J&J said the settlements were consistent with a prior agreement to pay $5bn to settle US opioid claims.

The settlement with New York State also calls for J&J to stop selling the painkillers nationwide.

"The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on countless communities across New York state and the rest of the nation, leaving millions still addicted to dangerous and deadly opioids,"...

Is it still very profitable to get people hooked on drugs?

Is it still very profitable to get people hooked on drugs?

Sugar and salt should be taxed and vegetables prescribed by the NHS, an independent review of the food we eat has suggested.

The report, led by businessman Henry Dimbleby, says taxes raised could extend free school meal provision and support better diets among the poorest.

England's National Food Strategy also wants GPs to try prescribing fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy eating.

The food industry warned [against] new taxes ... Food and Drink Federation, which represents manufacturers, said: "Obesity and food is very much about poverty, and we need measures to tackle poverty and to help people to make choices..."

Really, all 'just' no-morals profitable business?

University of Michigan, Health Nutrition Index
Small changes in diet could help you live healthier, more sustainably

Eating a hot dog could cost you 36 minutes of healthy life, while choosing to eat a serving of nuts instead could help you gain 26 minutes of extra healthy life, according to a University of Michigan study.

The study, published in the journal Nature Food, evaluated more than 5,800 foods, ranking them by their nutritional disease burden to humans and their impact on the environment. It found that substituting 10% of daily caloric intake from beef and processed meats for a mix of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and select seafood could reduce your dietary carbon footprint by one-third and allow people to gain 48 minutes of healthy minutes per day.

... The fast-food chain said it was experiencing some supply chain issues, which had affected the availability of a small number of menu items.

These products also include some bottled drinks, which are temporarily unavailable in its 1,250 outlets...

The problems emerged because of low stock distribution caused by the continuing shortage of HGV drivers...

... a supply chain crisis due to a shortage of lorry drivers. They blame post-Brexit EU immigration rules, Covid-19 restrictions and self-isolation rules.

Business groups representing the retail and transport sectors have been calling for the government to reverse its decision not to grant temporary work visas to drivers from the EU.

... Vectura makes inhaled medicines and devices to treat respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

Dozens of health groups had urged Vectura to reject the [Marlboro]'s bid...

... "excited" by expanding the firm's product offer beyond cigarettes and vape...