Nutrition & Health Issues

Eating a healthy diet can help in the prevention or management of several diet-related diseases. The Internet is filled with “dietary advice” and it can be hard separating the helpful from the harmful.

Following are links to several reliable resources - 

• publications from University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension
• various diet - and health-related organizations
• selected resources on other websites. 

Nutrition and Health Issues Publications

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids G2032 | PDF version (3 pages)
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in foods, are important to health. Learn how much you need and which foods are the best sources.

How Much Sodium Are You Eating? G1974 | PDF version (4 pages)
Although some sodium is good for the body, Americans typically consume about twice the amount considered healthy. Learn how to reduce sodium intake through food choices.

A Healthy Lifestyle with Probiotics and Prebiotics, G1863 | PDF version
Prebiotics and probiotics are live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts provide a beneficial health effect in humans. This publication describes their health benefits.

Dietary Fiber, G1610 | PDF version (2 pages)
Food fibers are the part of plant foods that remain undigested. Consumers and researchers are increasingly interested in the role that dietary fibers play in maintaining the body's health.

• Fiber-rich foods help with constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticular disease.
• Some types of fiber may have a cholesterol-lowering effect that could help reduce risk of heart disease.
• Fiber may reduce the incidence of certain types of cancer.
• Fiber may help control diabetes.
• Eating fiber aids in weight management and helps prevent obesity, especially in women.

Folate - Why is it So Important?
Folate is a vitamin that’s important for good health and disease prevention, yet many people do not consume enough of the foods that are good sources of folate.
Click the link to check out our folate page, which includes a short, informative film about folate, and an accompanying fact sheet.

How to Bake Gluten-Free with Sorghum
One of the grains people with celiac disease can eat is flour processed from food sorghum varieties. Whole grain sorghum flour is a wholesome, hearty grain that provides important fiber and has a mild flavor that won’t compete with the delicate flavors of other food ingredients.

Learn more about baking with sorghum and obtain several recipes made with sorghum.

Diet and Health-related Organizations

MyPyramid: www.mypyramid.gov
This website is sponsored by the USDA and encompasses menu planning, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and steps to healthier weight for specific age groups. It offers teaching aids including video podcasts and you can personalize your pyramid.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – Nutrition: http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/
CDC nutrition efforts cover a wide spectrum of related topics. Good nutrition is vital to good health, disease prevention, and essential for healthy growth and development of youth.

American Dietetic Association: http://www.eatright.org
Provides food and nutrition information from a professional association of dietitians. Site includes frequently asked questions, nutrition resources, and information on the National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics. Also, includes how to locate a dietitian by zip code.

American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org
This society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering.

American Heart Association: http://www.amhrt.org/
Their mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Provides excellent diet, nutrition, and lifestyle advice to prevent and treat heart disease.

American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/
Site offers sections on recipes, planning meals, cookbooks, and my food advisor where you can track what you eat to manage diabetes and prevent complications. It also includes section on fitness management and weight loss.

National Osteoporosis Foundation: http://www.nof.org/
This website offers information and resources to help in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov
Click on Foods to get Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Search capabilities include food and nutrition quackery such as FDA product warnings plus dietary supplement rules on labeling.

Weight Loss & Nutrition Myths
This publication from the Weight Control Information Network dispels weight-loss and nutrition-related common myths about diet, meals, physical activity, and food. A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).