Bacon, But Not Steak, Indicted in Heart Disease
A recent analysis by Harvard scientists has good news and bad news for meat lovers. The good news in the review of nearly 1,600 prior studies totaling about 1.2 million people is that eating red meat such as beef, pork or lamb was not associated with an increased risk of heart disease or diabetes. The bad news is that the same can't be said of processed meats such as bacon, sausage, salami, luncheon meat or hot dogs: Just 50 grams (1.8 ounces, about one hot dog) of processed meat daily was associated with a 42% greater risk of heart disease and 19% increased risk of diabetes. "Processed" meats were defined as any meat preserved by smoking, curing, salting or chemical preservatives. Researchers commented, "This suggests that differences in salt and preservatives, rather than fats, might explain the higher risk of heart disease and diabetes seen with processed meats, but not with unprocessed red meats." To be on the safe side, they advised eating no more than one serving of processed meat per week. — Circulation

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Olive Oil May Protect Against Ulcerative Colitis
Oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid found in olive and peanut oil, might help protect against ulcerative colitis. In a study of 25,639 patients, ages 40 to 74, enrolled in the EPIC-Norfolk study in England, those with the highest intake of oleic acid were almost 90% less at risk for the painful intestinal condition. Researchers identified 22 patients who developed ulcerative colitis and compared their seven-day food diaries to those of age- and gender-matched controls. Results were adjusted for factors such as smoking as well as for intake of other polyunsaturated fats. A significant trend associating oleic acid consumption — the equivalent of that found in 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil — with reduced risk was seen across the study. Although the causes of ulcerative colitis are largely unknown, researchers suggested that omega-9 fats may inhibit the formation of metabolic compounds that cause inflammation. It's too early, they added, to make clinical recommendations based on their findings. — Digestive Disease Week

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Vitamin D Supplements Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Although a new Canadian study found no evidence that overall vitamin D or calcium intake is associated with protection against breast cancer, the findings may have a silver lining: Women who took at least 400 IU of vitamin D in supplement form every day were 24% less likely to develop breast cancer. Researchers at Cancer Care Ontario compared the food and supplement intakes of 3,101 breast-cancer patients with 3,471 healthy controls. Neither total vitamin D nor total calcium intake was associated with breast-cancer risk. The surprising supplement results could be tied to the fact that it's difficult to get high levels of vitamin D from food alone, and only 13% of the patients and 14% of the controls took extra vitamin D. Some previous studies have suggested that vitamin D might help protect against breast cancer, researchers noted, and breast cells do have receptors for vitamin D, so the vitamin could help regulate the division and proliferation of these cells. — American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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Calories and Fat Choices Could Affect Urinary Incontinence
Extra weight is a key risk factor for urinary incontinence, but a new study suggests that dietary factors may play a role beyond putting on pounds. Women who consumed the most calories and those who ate the most saturated fat, versus polyunsaturated fat, were three times as likely to suffer urinary incontinence. The association remained even after adjusting for weight, and in fact was stronger among lean women. Researchers used data from a health and nutrition survey of 2,000 Boston women, ages 30 to 79; 12% of the women reported moderate-to-severe urinary incontinence. It's not clear why the balance of fats in the diet might influence urinary incontinence, but researchers suggested that chronic systemic inflammation could be involved. Although more research is needed to confirm the findings, they added that dietary changes coupled with weight loss could be an effective combination for those suffering from urinary incontinence. The findings also could mean that cutting calories and switching fats might help normal-weight women with the condition. — American Journal of Epidemiology

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Citrus Sodas a New Weapon Against Kidney Stones?
Could diet citrus sodas such help reduce your risk of kidney stones? That's a possibility now under investigation, following laboratory research showing such sodas contain higher levels of citrate than a homemade "lemonade therapy" that some doctors recommend to combat kidney stones. Citrate, a chemical related to citric acid, is known to counter the formation of the most common kind of kidney stones, made of calcium oxalate. A decade ago, researchers identified a lemonade concoction that might protect against the stones because it was high in citrate. Now a laboratory analysis has shown that diet citrus sodas including 7Up, Sprite, Sunkist Orange and Fresca, as well as Canada Dry ginger ale (but not colas), are superior sources of citrate. Researchers tested diet drinks to avoid excess sugar, and point out that in any case the sodas can help those at risk of kidney stones get the recommended 2 to 3 liters of daily fluids. They're now planning a study to see if the sodas really do make a difference in stone formation. — Journal of Urology

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