It's been a big year for diet and nutrition, with a lot of new information as well as updates of "conventional wisdom". New studies and approaches are always a good thing. While sometimes information might seem contradictory or confusing, it's the only way we have to try out new ideas and shed light of the best ways to stay healthy. Check out some of these highlights. I'd love to hear some 2008 news that YOU use!

Beyond Apple and Pear Body Shapes : Most of us are familiar with the idea that "apple" shaped people (belly fat) are at higher risk for diabetes and heart disease, compared with "pears" who have most of their fat deposits in the hips, thighs, and buttocks. There's a lot more to the story. One of the best predictors of disease risk from excess fat is not only your body shape, but extra fat accumulating in your liver. Known as a "fatty liver", this condition is often associated with diabetes and heart disease risk, regardless of your shape. You'll need some blood work to determine this, so ask your doctor for liver function tests (liver enzyme blood levels) to see if you fall in this category.

NYC and Calorie Counts on Foods : Trying to cut calories to lose weight? New York City has a new policy that I hope will sweep across the country. Chain restaurants are now required to post calories next to the foods on the menu board - right next to the price. This is a great step in the right direction to be mindful of the calories in food. None of us are very good at "guesstimating" the calories in foods. Seeing those calories when checking out the food is a real eye-opener - and a big help.

Vitamin D Requirements Double for Children and Adults: Based on new scientific information, the requirement for daily vitamin D intake has recently doubled. While we all make Vitamin D in our skin, we're often not outside for long enough, and are wearing plenty of sunscreen, that blocks the process. For children and teens, aim for 400 IU a day - up from 200 IU. For adults, 800 IU per day is now the recommendation, up from 400 IU. Some fish are rich in vitamin D, but most foods are not, and fortification in dairy products is the most popular dietary source for many people, along with some supplementation when needed.

Gingko Biloba Supplementation Does Not Help Memory: The supplement industry is a multibillion dollar one in the USA. Whle some supplementation is health promoting - like a daily multiple vitamin containing 100% of the RDA - too much and too many can be a bad thing (at the very worst) or simply a waste of money (at the very best). Gingko has had many claims of memory boosting, but a longterm study showed this not to be the case. It is disappointing, but the "hear-say" of ginkgo had to be tested in a scientific setting in a controlled manner, to determine if there was a clear benefit. I think the take home message is to be careful with all supplements, and make sure you thoroughly information gather about any compound you hear is "health promoting" and is of interest to you. It's also a good idea to check with your doctor.

Lose More Weight With A Financial Incentive: A big question for dieters is always one of keeping up with a plan and not losing interest. An interesting study showed that money can be a good motivator, at least for the short term. When people were given a financial incentive to lose weight, they lost twice as much weight in 16 weeks, compared with those who had no financial gain. You might try to "reward" yourself with an item, based on your ability to stick with your plan. Pay yourself a small amount of money every time you make a health promoting daily change, and see if this helps you sustain your motivation. Small changes add up, as do small financial perks - at the end of a month, you'll likely have saved enough for a spa service, DVD, cosmetic item, or some other non-food bonus for yourself.

With 2008 winding down, I'm looking forward to sharing more diet and nutrition news for '09.

Happy Holidays to All!!