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ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2009) - Any diet will do? Not if you want to lose fat instead of muscle. Not if you want to lower your triglyceride levels so you'll be less likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. Not if you want to avoid cravings that tempt you to cheat on your diet. And not if you want to keep the weight off long-term. "Our latest study shows you have a better chance of achieving all these goals if you follow a diet that is moderately high in protein," said Donald Layman, a University of Illinois professor emeritus of nutrition. The research was published in the March Journal of Nutrition.

In the first study to look at the long-term effects of low-carbohydrate diets, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found no evidence of an association between low-carb diets and an increased risk of CHD in women. Their findings did suggest, however, an association between low-carb diets high in vegetable sources of fat and protein and a low risk of CHD. "This study suggests that neither a low-fat dietary pattern nor a typical low-carbohydrate dietary pattern is ideal with regards to risk of CHD; both have similar risks. However, if a diet moderately lower in carbohydrates is followed, with a focus on vegetable sources of fat and protein, there may be a benefit for heart disease," said Tom Halton, a former doctoral student in the Department of Nutrition at HSPH.

Low-carbohydrate-diet score and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. Halton TL, Willett WC, Liu S, Manson JE, Albert CM, Rexrode K, Hu FB. N Engl J Med. 2006 Nov 9;355(19):1991-2002. PMID: 17093250 Conclusions Our findings suggest that diets lower in carbohydrate and higher in protein and fat are not associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease in women. When vegetable sources of fat and protein are chosen, these diets may moderately reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Mango juice contains a number of valuable nutrients. The naturally fulfilling fruit beverage also acts as a beneficial dietary food item that aids in normal bodily functions and the prevention of health risks and disease.

Nutritional Content
Like many other natural fruit drinks, mango juice, sometimes referred to as mango nectar, packs a variety of both vitamins and minerals. Each cup of mango juice adds a more than feasible source of both vitamins A and C to any diet. Without added sugars, pure mango nectar contains about 30 grams of sugary carbohydrates per cup.

Although mangos contain moderate to high levels of carbohydrates, they cause little fluctuation in blood-sugar levels. This process lets the body maintain appetite and metabolic processes much easier. Plus, none of the calories found in mangos comes from fat, making the juice an easily digestible, energy providing drink.

Nutritional Content of Mango Juice per 100 ml
Energy: 58 Kcal
Fat: NIL
Carbohydrate: 14.6 g
Vitamin C: 10.34 mg
Sugar: 14.5 g
Iron: 0.3 mg
Protein: 0.11 g
Sodium: 15mg

Health Benefits

One cup of mango juice contains over 60% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, which helps the body regulate enzymes and metabolic processes. Mangos also have high levels of vitamin A, with one cup providing nearly 40% of the daily required valued. This important nutrient helps maintain healthy eye function and growth, gene transcribing and the maintenance of healthy skin tissue.

Mango juice also provides a good source of calcium and iron. Iron helps the body eliminate free radicals, while calcium assists with the formation of healthy teeth and bones.

Health Warnings

Consuming too much mango juice will lead to an excess amount of sugars within the body. Too much sugar will increase fat storage and lead to weight gain.

I stumbled on one of the growing number of local media stories on the power of vitamin D. \nIn one story, a purported "expert" was talking about the benefits of "high-dose" vitamin D, meaning up to 1000, even 2000 units per day. \nI regard this as high-dose---for an infant. \nJudging by my experiences, now numbering well over 1000 patients over three years time, I'd regard this dose range not as "high dose," nor moderate dose, perhaps not even low dose. I'd regard it as barely adequate.