Monday, May 11, 2015

What food manufacturers DON'T tell us: From cheese that isn't cheese - to olive oil that's rancid - the tricks that mean many of us have no idea what we're eating

  • Findings come from Reader's Digest , which interviewed dozens of experts
  • Include 70% of supermarket olive oils not being the standard they claim
  • Plus farmed salmon sometimes being healthier than wild salmon  




  • Do you know - really know - what's inside the foods you're eating?
    We might look at the calories or the fat content, but how many of us pore over the ingredients list to see what's in our favourite meals and snacks?
    If you did look - and know what the information meant - you might be shocked.  
    Cheese that isn't really cheese, sugar that's disguised under other names and olive oil that isn't as 'extra virgin' as you might think. 
    That was the discovery was made by Reader's Digest, which interviewed dozens of experts for its article '50 Secrets Food Manufacturers Won't Tell You.' 
    The magazine's editor in chief, Liz Vaccariello, told the TV show CBS This Morning the best way to deal with the findings was to learn more about the products you often eat. 
    'You can't educate yourself on everything, but if you care about sugar, if you care about whole grains or fibre, make sure you're aware of the words to look for on the labels,' Ms Vaccariello. 
    Here is a pick of the magazine's findings, the full list of which can be read on its website. 
    SUGAR IS OFTEN HIDDEN UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME  
    Sugar is often 'disguised' in nutrition labels as high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose or agave nectar
    Sugar is often 'disguised' in nutrition labels as high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose or agave nectar
    Sugar is often labelled as something else - especially if there is a lot of it in the product.
    Terms commonly used include: high-fructose corn syrup, cane crystals, dextrose, evaporated cane juice, agave nectar, and fruit juice concentrate. 
    Another trick is to 'intentionally use two or more different types so sugar doesn’t end up being number one on the ingredients list,' Walter Willett, of the Harvard School of Public Health told the magazine.  




    THE CHEESE THAT ISN'T CHEESE
    Many products we know as cheese actually contain none of it - and are officially known as 'pasteurised prepared cheese products'
    Many products we know as cheese actually contain none of it - and are officially known as 'pasteurised prepared cheese products'
    They are a favourite of young children and make burgers taste great.
    But many cheese products such as slices do not actually contain any cheese, says Melanie Warner, author of Pandora’s Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal.
    The same goes for some brands of shredded cheese.




    'To save money and simplify the production process, manufacturers take out some of the milk and replace it with processed milk protein concentrate or whey protein concentrate,' she told Reader's Digest.
    However under FDA guidelines, those products are not classed as cheese - so are instead called, rather unattractively, pasteurised prepared cheese products. 
    FARMED SALMON MIGHT BE BETTER FOR YOU THAN WILD  
    Robert J. Davis,who has a PhD in health policy, told the magazine: 'Farmed salmon is not necessarily a bad choice, especially if you get it from a store that’s careful about its sourcing. 
    'Some studies show it has slightly more heart-healthy omega-3s than wild salmon.' 
    MULTIGRAIN IS NOT THE SAME AS WHOLE-GRAIN
    Grains have become a buzz word in the healthy eating world.
    But again, it's a case of buyer beware, as the health benefits vary considerably between products. 
    We all think of grains as healthy - but don't mistake 'multi grain' for 'whole grain', experts warn
    We all think of grains as healthy - but don't mistake 'multi grain' for 'whole grain', experts warn
    'If you see the word "multigrain" on a package, whether it's cereal or crackers, it usually means just many grains and not whole grains,' Ms Vaccariello said.
    So if you're looking products high in fibre, bear in mind that those containing multigrains probably don't contain as much as you'd like. 
    YOUR OLIVE OIL MIGHT NOT BE AS SWANKY AS YOU THINK 


    Research by the University of California found many brands actually contained lower-grade oil than their labels suggested.
    In fact, around 70 per cent of bottles on supermarket shelves were either rancid or did not meet the criteria for the extra-virgin grade, researcher Dan Flynn told the magazine. 
    'To find a good oil, look for a dark glass or tin container, which protects the oil from light, and a harvest date, which better producers often include on the bottle.'  


    Around 70 per cent of olive oil bottles on supermarket shelves were either rancid or did not meet the criteria for the extra-virgin gradeDiabetics or those with blood sugar problems should stick to white pastaDIABETICS SHOULD EAT REGULAR PASTA RATHER THAN WHOLE WHEAT
    Around 70 per cent of olive oil bottles on supermarket shelves were either rancid or did not meet the criteria for the extra-virgin grade, while diabetics or those with blood sugar problems should stick to white pasta
    In recent years, we've had it drummed into us that wholewheat is healthy and white is not.
    But diabetics or those with blood sugar problems should stick to white pasta, recommends food scientist Kantha Shelke.
    This is because whole wheat pasta often has more starch than regular because of the way it’s ground, she said. 
    'Or just look for a pasta with a low glycemic index, which some brands put on the box,' she said.

     

     

     

    Monday, May 4, 2015

    Revealed... how to tell if YOU have skin cancer: From bleeding, itchy moles to flat, red spots, the symptoms to watch out for

  • Poll found three quarters of people could not recognise skin cancer signs 
  • Non-melanoma skin cancers are characterised by a lump or discoloured patch on the skin that doesn't heal 
  • Melanomas, the most deadly form of skin cancer, are usually detected by the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole




  • From a discoloured patch on the skin to a mole that has changed in appearance, would you spot the signs of skin cancer?
    According to a new survey, carried out by the British Association of Dermatologists, more than three-quarters would not recognise warning signs of the disease.
    And the majority of British people do not carry out the monthly checks recommended by dermatologists, experts warned.
    The poll found 81 per cent of people said they do not feel confident they could recognise signs of a non-melanoma skin cancer.
    More than three-quarters would not recognise warning signs of skin cancer, according to a new survey. Dermatologist warn many people ‘bury their heads in the sand’ over the threat posed by the disease 
    More than three-quarters would not recognise warning signs of skin cancer, according to a new survey. Dermatologist warn many people ‘bury their heads in the sand’ over the threat posed by the disease 
    This type of cancer is characterised by the appearance of a lump or discoloured patch on the skin that doesn't heal, most often appearing on the face, ears, hands and shoulders.
    Here, we reveal the signs and symptoms of different types of skin cancer...
    BASAL CELL CANCERS  
    Skin cancer can come in the form of a basal cell cancer (BCC), sometimes called a rodent ulcer.
    The disease affects the bottom of the epidermis, the outermost layers of cells in the skin. 




    Signs and symptoms of BCCs, include a growth that:
    • looks smooth and pearly
    • appears waxy
    • appears as a firm, red lump 
    • sometimes bleed
    • develops a crust or scab
    • begins to heal but never completely heal
    • is itchy
    • looks like a flat, red spot that is scaly and crusty
    • develops into a painless ulcer


    A basal cell carcinoma, pictured here, may be smooth and pearly, look waxy, be itchy and sometimes bleed
    A basal cell carcinoma, pictured here, may be smooth and pearly, look waxy, be itchy and sometimes bleed
    Around 75 per cent of all skin cancers are BCCs, which are typically slow-growing and almost never spread to other parts of the body.
    If treated at an early stage, this form of skin cancer is usually completely cured.
    But, some BCCs are more aggressive, and if left to grow, they may spread into the deeper layers of the skin and into the bones, which can make treatment more difficult. 
    SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA 
    Another form of non-melanoma, skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of the keratinocyte cells, in the outer layer of the skin.
    They are mainly found on the face, neck, bald scalps, arms, backs of hands and lower legs. 
    Squamous cell cancers, the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK, may:
    • look scaly
    • have a hard, crusty cap
    • make the skin raised in the area of the cancer
    • feel tender to touch
    • bleed sometimes
    A squamous cell carcinoma, pictured here, may look scaly, have a hard, crusty cap and feel tender to touch
    A squamous cell carcinoma, pictured here, may look scaly, have a hard, crusty cap and feel tender to touch
    MELANOMA 
    The poll also revealed, 77 per cent of respondents said they do not feel confident they could recognise the signs of a melanoma - the most deadliest form of skin cancer.
    Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, but they most commonly appear on the back, legs, arms and face and even underneath a nail.
    Though less common, they often spread to other organs in the body, making them more deadly. 
    The most common sign is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. 
    Signs to look out for include a mole that is:
    • getting bigger
    • changing shape
    • changing colour
    • bleeding or becoming crusty
    • itchy or painful
    A helpful way to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma is the ABCDE checklist:
    Asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape.
    Border – melanomas have a notched or ragged border.
    Colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours.
    Diameter – melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.
    Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma. 
    Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is detected by the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole
    Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is detected by the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole

    SUNBURN: THE DANGERS 
    The research, carried out by the British Association of Dermatologists, also revealed 72 per cent of people admitted having been sunburned in the previous year, a figure experts described as 'shocking'.
    More than 2,000 people in the UK die from skin cancer each year.
    People underestimate the damage caused by sunburn, Jonathon Major of the British Association of Dermatologists warned.
    'Almost three-quarters of people we surveyed admitted that they had been sunburned in the last year, which is shocking,' he said.
    Dermatologists say it is possible to enjoy warm weather while staying safe
    Dermatologists say it is possible to enjoy warm weather while staying safe
    'With sunny days already making an appearance in parts of the UK, it is likely that this figure will remain high this year.
    'This is a reflection of poor sun protection habits - people underestimate the damage that sunburn can do to their skin, and many think that skin reddening is just a harmless part of the tanning process, rather than a sure sign that you have damaged your skin irreparably.'
    The research, carried out last summer, surveyed 1,018 people and found 84 per cent were worried about skin cancer in the UK climate.
    People who have been sunburned before are doubly at risk of developing melanoma than those who have not been burnt.
    SUN AWARENESS WEEK 
    Today marks the beginning of Sun Awareness Week, which aims to inform people of the dangers of the sun and how to protect themselves.
    Charlotte Proby, a professor of dermatology in Dundee, and chairwoman of the British Association of Dermatologist's Skin Cancer Prevention Committee said: 'Rising skin cancer rates are a major health concern for the UK, and some dermatology departments are stretched to capacity trying to keep up with cases.
    'Many people in the UK are aware of the dangers; however, this has yet to translate into a culture of sun protection and skin checking which would do a lot to curb the incidence and deaths from this disease.
    'As summer comes around again we want people to consider the message that you can enjoy the warm weather whilst staying safe.' 
    Last month experts warned that nearly 50 people in the UK are dying of skin cancer every year after being exposed to the sun while at work, in industries such as construction, agriculture and leisure and entertainment.
    A separate study, also commissioned by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, looked at work attitudes to sun safety in the construction sector, and found that two-thirds of workers who spent an average of nearly seven hours a day thought they were not at risk or were unsure if they were.


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3067076/Revealed-tell-skin-cancer-bleeding-itchy-moles-flat-red-spots-symptoms-watch-for.html#ixzz3ZB4tJnOi 
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