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Science Friday > Archives > 2000 > April > April 28, 2000: 

Hour One: Diet, Nutrition, and Health

Last week, two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that low-fat, high-fiber diets don't seem to help prevent the polyps that can lead to colon cancer -- a finding that runs contrary to the advice given by dieticians for years.

Of course, this isn't the first study that conflicts with other dietary advice. Anyone who has tried to decide between using butter and margarine knows that dietary advice can change, and sometimes seems to be contradictory to itself.

So what's someone who wants to eat a healthy diet to do? On this hour of Science Friday, we'll try to sift through the findings of several recent studies concerning the effects of diet on health, and talk about how people should deal with conflicting advice when it comes to nutrition. So call in with your diet question -- not the ones about the all-jellybean miracle weight loss plan, but anything relating to diet, nutrition, and long-term health. Our number is 1-800-989-8255.

Listen to this program in RealAudio!

Guests:
Ashima Kant
Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Studies
Queens College
Flushing, New York

Barbara Schneeman
Assistant Administrator for Human Nutrition
USDA/Agricultural Research Service
Washington, DC
Professor, Department of Nutrition
University of California
Davis, California

Arthur Schatzkin
Chief,  Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Lack of Effect of a Low-Fat, High-Fiber Diet on the Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas" by Arthur Schatzkin, Elaine Lanza, Donald Corle, et. al. NEJM, April 20, 2000. "Lack of Effect of a High-Fiber Cereal Supplement on the  Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas" by David S. Alberts, Maria Elena Martinez, Denise J. Roe, et. al. NEJM, April 20, 2000. "Diet, Colorectal Adenomas, and Colorectal Cancer" (editorial) by Tim Byers, M.D., M.P.H. NEJM, April 20, 2000. "A Prospective Study of Diet Quality and Mortality in Women" by Ashima K. Kant, PhD; Arthur Schatzkin, MD, DrPH; Barry I.Graubard, PhD; Catherine Schairer, PhD. JAMA, v283 no 16, April 2000. (find more SciFri Books here)

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Related Links:
The American Dietetic Association
USDA: Center for Nutrition Policy Promotion
Food and Nutrition Information Center
American Cancer Society: Diet and Prevention
American Heart Assn: Diet and Nutrition
 

Produced By: Karin Vergoth
Web Producer: Charles Bergquist