For reducing cholesterol, corn oil better than olive oil, study suggests

Consuming vegetable oils has been associated with a reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad, cholesterol. But a study published in the January/February 2015 edition of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology suggests that between corn oil and extra virgin olive oil, the corn variety does a better job.

In a double-blind, randomized controlled crossover feeding study, researchers at Biofortis, a global clinical nutrition research team for dietary industry clients, found that corn oil lowered LDL cholesterol by nearly 11 percent, compared to extra virgin olive oil’s 3.5 percent reduction. Corn oil similarly lowered total cholesterol by over 8 percent compared to about 2 percent for extra virgin olive oil, according to a news release.

Fifty-four healthy men and women participated in the study and received four tablespoons of one of the oils in the same foods every day. Researchers measured the participants’ fasting blood samples before and after each treatment phase of the study.

Having high cholesterol is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 600,000 Americans die of heart disease every year. That means the condition is responsible for 1 in 4 total annual deaths in the U.S.

Coronary heart disease costs the U.S. about $108.9 billion each year in health care services, medications and lost productivity, according to the CDC.

Study authors said corn oil was more effective at reducing cholesterol levels compared to extra virgin olive oil because it has a greater amount of plant sterols. Plant sterols are substances found in produce, nuts, seeds, legumes and vegetable oils.  A growing body of evidence suggests that they play a crucial role in maintaining a heart-healthy diet.

Compared to extra virgin olive oil’s 30 milligrams of plant sterols per serving, corn oil contains about 136 milligrams of plant sterols per serving, according to the news release.

"The study results suggest corn oil has significantly greater effects on blood cholesterol levels than extra virgin olive oil, due, in part, to the natural cholesterol-blocking ability of plant sterols," lead researcher Dr. Kevin C Maki, of Biofortis, said in a news release. "These findings add to those from prior research supporting corn oil's positive heart health benefits, and align with recommendations to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats, such as those found in corn oil."

The study was funded in part by ACH Food Companies, Inc., which produces the corn oil product Mazola.

According to the Mayo Clinic, in the U.S., total cholesterol under 200 milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood is considered desirable, while 240 milligrams per deciliter of blood is considered high. For LDL cholesterol, respectively, those values are below 70 milligrams per deciliter of blood and 160 to 189 milligrams per deciliter of blood.

Cancer organization partners with NFL on prostate treatment

Jan 30, 2015: General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy
and helmets for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots
during a press conference for Super Bowl XLIX
at Phoenix Convention Center. (REUTERS)

A U.S. cancer organization has partnered with the NFL alumni association ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl XLIX to raise awareness about screening, diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer, a disease that kills tens of thousands of U.S. men a year.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), a private, for-profit operator of cancer treatment hospitals and outpatient clinics, will treat NFL Alumni who are fighting prostate cancer, which afflicts almost one in seven U.S. men, at its five hospitals in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa.

"CTCA is proud to partner with NFLA and we look forward to making a difference in the lives of those alums who are or will be diagnosed with prostate cancer," Gerard van Grinsven, chief executive and president of CTCA, said in a statement Thursday.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States, second only to non-melanoma skin cancer. It also is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men.

"This new partnership addresses one of the biggest health concerns among men today," said NFL Alumni head Joe Pisarcik.

The CTCA is already sponsoring sunblock dispensers for fans at pre-game events in downtown Phoenix ahead of the game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

The NFL Alumni Association is a group of former league players, coaches and other employees who help ex-players and their families with medical, financial and social programs.

Best Satire! Italian artist painted a "world leader" and "the burden of the day."

"A. I met Christina Marie" Italian artists. Create a painting series entitled "Il Dovere Quotidiano" means "daily duties" but if it's already. Be called "The burden of the day" because she is an artist. Envisions a world leader both politicians Religious leaders and Queen are doing, "the burden of the day" that is sitting on the toilet bowl itself.

Person she chose to portray the world, including the US President, Mr. Barack Obama. Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, Mrs. Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor of Queen Elizabeth 2nd of England also has religious icons. The Saints Francis and the Dalai Lama as well.

Caricature artist Has changed the profile of the bathroom while tapping the world. "The burden of the day" different, such as a bathroom of Mr. Obama, it looks like a replica of the White House, and her works are created in the image by drawing a humorous expression. And panties of these individuals differently.

One that we know it. The work of women artists of the Italian people is that we are all equal. At least as of now we do, "the burden of the day."

Rihanna Covers Madonna’s “Vogue,” and More of the News You Missed Today

Rihanna’s version of “Vogue”… It might have taken more than six years to be released, but a studio version of Rihanna singing Madonna’s iconic “Vogue” song just leaked online. The pop star originally performed it at Fashion Rocks! back in 2008. We love RiRi, but nothing can beat Madge on this one. [YouTube] Cathy Horyn’s new gig… This morning The Cut announced that Cathy Horyn will be joining its editorial team as critic at large, beginning with her runway coverage during February fashion month. Horyn, who served as the chief fashion critic for The New York Times for 15 years, will be reporting daily from the Fall 2015 shows, covering everything from the collections to the surrounding fashion scene. [The Cut] Maybe baby… Over the weekend, Beyoncé managed to send the world into a flurry of speculation with one single photo. Knowles uploaded an image of herself on a beach covered in sand, complete with a sculpted baby bump. Are the Carters expecting? The Internet definitely thinks so. [British Vogue] Another day, another Kardashian on the cover… Kim Kardashian West has been revealed as the cover star of Vogue Australia’s February issue. Though she was featured in the American edition of Vogue last year, this marks Kardashian West’s first solo cover for the publication. The cover is an interesting change of look for the celeb, who swapped out her signature smoky eye for a much more natural look. [The Huffington Post] Isabel Marant’s female warrior… Natasha Poly has been tapped as the face of Isabel Marant’s Spring ’15 campaign. The ads gave Poly an opportunity to show off her playful side. “She’s a warrior, but she’s also fun. It’s not supposed to be so serious,” Marant told WWD. [WWD]

Oldest person to begin primary school

The world's oldest person to begin primary school was aged 84. Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge (Kenya) enrolled into Standard One at Kapkenduiyo Primary School, Eldoret, Kenya, on 12 January 2004.
He even wore the school uniform and hoped to reach Standard Eight. On 6 April 2004 it was reported that Ng'ang'a passed his first end-of-term exams with straight A's in English, Kiswahili and math, making him among the top five students in the class. The headmistress, Mrs Jane Obinchu (Kenya) made him a senior headboy as a reward.
Ng'ang'a was a Mau Mau Veteran (who fought for independence against British colonialists) had 30 grandchildren - two of which were above him at the same primary school at the time he enrolled. He wanted to take advantage of free education for two reasons: to learn to count money; and for literacy so he could read the Bible.
Sadly, Mr Maruge passed away on 15 August 2009, aged 90.

VLC Media Player 2.1.5 (32-bit)

VLC Media Player is the most popular and robust multi format, free media player available. The open source media player was publically released in 2001 by non-profit organization VideoLAN Project. VLC Media Player quickly became very popular thanks to its versatile multi-format playback capabilities. It was aided by compatibility and codec issues which rendered competitor media players like QuickTime, Windows and Real Media Player useless to many popular video and music file formats. The easy, basic UI and huge array of customization options have enforced VLC Media Player’s position at the top of the free media players.

 Technical

 

Title: VLC Media Player 2.1.5 (32-bit)

Filename: vlc-2.1.5-win32.exe

File size: 23.60MB (24,743,106 bytes)

Requirements: Windows XP / Vista / Windows7 / Windows8

Languages: Multiple languages

License: Open Source

Date added: July 28, 2014

Author: VideoLAN.org
www.videolan.org

Homepage: www.videolan.org

MD5 Checksum: F78940628EB76AB6E654C19EE33F2F89

Download Click Here 

FDA targets Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps for sharing health benefits of coconut oil

(NaturalNews) Relatively new to the food products market, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a Southern California-based family company famous for its organic, fair-trade pure castile soaps, has come under scrutiny by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for merely sharing with its customers the proven health benefits of eating extra-virgin coconut oil.

The FDA sent a letter to Dr. Bronner's on July 8, 2014, warning that its Magic "All-One!" Fresh-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil had suddenly transformed into an "unapproved drug" based on one simple health claim indicated on its packaging. By selling its coconut oil with the stated claim, maintains the FDA, Dr. Bronner's is engaging in the sale and distribution of an illegal drug.

"Based on our review of the product label, we have determined that your product is promoted for conditions that cause it to be a drug under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the Act)," claims the FDA in its letter. "[I]ntroducing or delivering this product for introduction into interstate commerce for such uses violates the Act."

Saturated fat in coconut oil improves cholesterol, but the FDA doesn't want you to know this

So what dastardly thing did Dr. Bronner's print on its coconut oil label that sent the FDA into regulatory enforcement hyperdrive? Here is the original health claim as it was printed on the Magic "All-One!" Fresh-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil label, before Dr. Bronner's voluntarily removed it:

"Clinical research confirms that the saturated medium chain fatty acids (MCT's) in [Virgin Coconut Oil], such as lauric acid, actually improve blood cholesterol by increasing the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol."

To the FDA, this simple statement, which is thoroughly backed by peer-reviewed science, suggests that extra-virgin coconut oil is a "drug," as only drugs are capable of affecting human health. In fact, the FDA's position, based on this claim, is that Dr. Bronner's Magic "All-One!" Fresh-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil is unsafe, unless, of course, Dr. Bronner's is willing to pay off the agency to declare it safe with an expensive new drug application.

But the science is already freely available. In one animal study, the MCTs in coconut oil were found to lower serum cholesterol levels in rats and calves, as well as cholesterol in the liver and other tissues. Generally speaking, MCTs have demonstrated anti-coagulation effects, meaning they can help prevent the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Ward Dean, M.D., has compiled an extensive listing of the health benefits associated with MCTs, which is available through Nutrition Review.

FDA: enemy number one of public health

The health claims made by Dr. Bronner's about the cholesterol-moderating effects of coconut oil are most definitely true. But the FDA refuses to acknowledge this, insisting that coconut oil be redefined as a "drug" so that it falls under the agency's regulatory jurisdiction. In order to tell the truth about coconut oil, in other words, Dr. Bronner's has to get permission from the FDA first, permission that is only granted alongside a large cash payment.

The FDA says sponsors of new drug applications must demonstrate "substantial evidence" of the drug's clinical benefits, with "substantial evidence" being defined as "adequate and well-controlled investigations... by [qualified] experts." These investigations tend to cost tens of millions of dollars to conduct in accordance with the FDA's requirements, meaning they typically don't occur for natural foods and substances.

As a result, the public is deliberately kept in the dark about the health benefits of ordinary foods like coconut oil and the various substances derived from these foods, all thanks to the heavy-handed enforcement of unjust regulatory requirements by an agency with a cunning anti-nutrition agenda.

[Editor's note: Dr. Bronner's recently issued a press release in response to a Food Safety News article on this subject which made incorrect claims. That article accused Dr. Bronner's of hiding trans fats in their coconut oil. The Food Safety News article was taken down after its inaccuracies were pointed out. Dr. Bronner's press release can be viewed here: News.Yahoo.com.]

Sources:

http://www.fda.gov

http://nutritionreview.org

http://jonrappoport.wordpress.com

http://www.fda.gov ^[PDF]