As the Studies Turn - Can Milk, Butter, and Brown Bread Prevent Asthma?

In recent years, a number of health conscious Americans concerned about asthma have been avoiding dairy products. Recently, the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment analysed the diet of nearly 3,000 two-year-olds and found that by age 3, those who had eaten full cream milk and butter on a daily basis were less likely to have developed symptoms of asthma. Daily consumption of brown bread (not defined in the article) was also associated with lower rates of asthma. There is some thought that we have introduced too much polyunsaturated fat into the diet by replacing animal fats with oils and margarine. The balance of types of fats in the diet influences the immune system, but there is not yet enough data to make specific dietary recommentdations.

Lots of people are willing to change their diets based on reports about test tube studies, it appears. A recent poll by the American Institute for Cancer Research finds that people are more likely to change their diets in response to test tube studies than controlled trials (tests in which subjects are fed particular foods and monitored). This is disturbing because while test tube (in vitro) studies are useful for determining future research, they do not mimic how substances act in human bodies and are thus the least reliable for recommending dietary changes. It is suggested that significant dietary changes not be made until there have been at least half a dozen consistent studies of various types.

Sugar is sugar, right? Except maybe it's not. The increasing prevalence of high fructose corn sweetener (HFCS) in the American diet may be contributing to our growing waistlines. Fructose occurring naturally in fruit isn't a problem, but the HFCS added to soda pop and cookies (read any label in the conventional grocery store!) is a highly refined product. It was recommended for many years as it doesn't raise blood sugar, because it is metabolized by the liver instead of being converted to glucose. However, it is converted to fat more than any other sugar. While keeping overall intake of refined sugars down, it may be most helpful to reduce your intake of corn based sweeteners most of all.