Nutrition & Weight topics
Vitamins, minerals and nutrients
Find out all about vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, iron and the nutrients necessary for a healthy body.
A2 milk no protection against autism
Suggestions that A2 milk protects against autism in children have been dismissed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Animation: carbohydrate digestion
See how your body digests carbohydrates to make glucose, and view insulin's role in using the glucose for energy.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants, naturally occurring substances beneficial to our health, prevent oxidation of substances known as free radicals.
Antioxidants commonly used in breast cancer despite risks
Antioxidant supplements are used widely among women with breast cancer, despite concerns they may interfere with treatments.
Antioxidants: concern about carotenoids in breast cancer
Taking antioxidant supplements containing carotenoids during breast cancer treatment may double women's risk of dying from the cancer, a study suggests.
Antioxidants: their role in health
Antioxidants neutralise the effects of free radicals, substances that damage the body`s cells, and have a role in disease prevention.
Apples and pears may help prevent stroke
Eating white fruits and vegetables like apples and pears reduces stroke risk, a study suggests.
Asthma severity in kids linked to low vitamin D
Children with severe asthma have lower vitamin D levels than those with moderate asthma and might benefit from supplements if deficient, a study suggests.
B group vitamins may improve memory
An Australian study has found that a diet rich in B group vitamins may improve memory and verbal ability.
Bread in the diet
Bread is inexpensive, low in fat and healthy. It is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and many vitamins and minerals.
Calcium pill trend blamed for rise of milk-alkali syndrome
A largely forgotten disorder that can cause kidney failure is having a resurgence because of growing use of calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Calcium-boosting ideas for your diet
12 ideas to help you increase your calcium intake.
Cheese in the diet
Cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals and is a good way to fulfil one of the 2-3 recommended daily serves of dairy.
Diabetes in pregnancy linked to low vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy may be associated with gestational diabetes, researchers suggest.
Diabetes risk reduced by midday coffee, study finds
A French study has found those who regularly consumed 3 or more cups of coffee per day had a reduced risk of developing diabetes.
Dietary fibre
A diet that's high in fibre is good for your health. Find out how to get enough fibre in your diet.
Dietary fibre does protect against bowel cancer
New research adds to growing evidence that a high-fibre diet protects against developing colorectal (bowel) cancer, an expert says.
Eczema: fish reduces child eczema risk
Eating oily fish in the first year of life may play a role in reducing the risk of childhood eczema, a study suggests.
Fatty acids in the diet
Fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 may have an important role in preventing heart disease.
Fish oil supplements: avoid before surgery
People taking fish oil may be at increased risk of bleeding and should be advised to stop the supplements in the lead-up to elective surgery.
Fish oils study shows heart health benefits of omega-3s
Evidence for the health benefits of fish oils containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is now comprehensive.
Folate linked to school grades
Higher folate intake may be linked to better academic performance in teenagers, a Swedish study suggests.
Food choices influenced by celebrity endorsement
Celebrity endorsements and selective nutrient claims on packaging increase the chance of parents buying energy-dense, nutrient-poor food for their children, a survey shows.
Food labels: a guide to reading nutrition labels
Knowing your way around a food label can help you to make more informed choices about the food that you eat.
Fruit and lung function
Eating fresh fruit on a regular basis has been shown to improve lung function in children.
Hot flushes relieved by soy
Having 2 serves of soybean-rich foods - about 200 g of tofu or 2 glasses of soy milk - each day can help relieve hot flushes in menopausal women.
Iodine and your thyroid gland
Find out about how important iodine is for your thyroid gland, and how iodine deficiency can cause problems, especially in unborn and newborn babies.
Iodine fortification of bread introduced
Mandatory iodine fortification is expected to reduce inadequate iodine intake in the Australian population.
Iron and your body
Iron deficiency can be due to inadequate amounts of iron in the diet and body stores, or to insufficient numbers of blood cells - anaemia.
Iron intake for vegetarians
Anaemia caused by iron deficiency can be a nutritional problem for vegetarians, especially women.
Lactose intolerance: dairy-free diet unnecessary
People concerned about lactose intolerance run the risk of poor bone health if they unnecessarily exclude all dairy foods from their diet, experts warn.
National Healthy Bones Week
National Healthy Bones Week highlights the importance of calcium in developing and maintaining healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis.
Nutritional supplements for healthy living
Many pharmacies specialise in nutritional supplements, including specific vitamins for women, men and older people.
Nuts can lower cholesterol, study finds
Eating nuts can substantially reduce cholesterol levels and could offer a cheap and effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk.
Nuts in a healthy diet
Nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates and fibre as well as containing many vitamins and minerals.
Osteoporosis: lowering risk
Find out how to lower your risk of osteoporosis by ensuring you get enough calcium in your diet, getting enough vitamin D and exercising.
Salt in food: experts call for action
Australian experts say there is now compelling evidence for a Government-led push to change food industry standards for maximum salt targets in foods.
Selenium supplements don't prevent cancer
Selenium supplements do not prevent cancer, studies involving one million people have shown.
Tomato ingredient lycopene lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
Lycopene, a substance found in tomatoes and other red fruits, can lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure when taken in high doses, a study shows.
Vitamin A poisoning from eating fish livers
Eating the liver of carnivorous fish may lead to food poisoning caused by toxic levels of vitamin A, doctors warn.
Vitamin D helps stall pre-diabetes
Vitamin D status may be important in preventing early metabolic changes that can lead to diabetes in healthy older adults.
Vitamin D lack linked to arterial stiffness
A link between low vitamin D and artery stiffness might explain its association with heart disease and stroke, a study suggests.
Vitamin E raises prostate cancer risk
Men taking vitamin E supplements had a 17 per cent increased risk of prostate cancer, a study has found.
Vitamins
Vitamins are important for many daily bodily functions, such as growth and cell reproduction.
Yoghurt may protect against bowel cancer
Yoghurt consumption may reduce the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer, a study suggests.
Suggestions that A2 milk protects against autism in children have been dismissed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Animation: carbohydrate digestion
See how your body digests carbohydrates to make glucose, and view insulin's role in using the glucose for energy.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants, naturally occurring substances beneficial to our health, prevent oxidation of substances known as free radicals.
Antioxidants commonly used in breast cancer despite risks
Antioxidant supplements are used widely among women with breast cancer, despite concerns they may interfere with treatments.
Antioxidants: concern about carotenoids in breast cancer
Taking antioxidant supplements containing carotenoids during breast cancer treatment may double women's risk of dying from the cancer, a study suggests.
Antioxidants: their role in health
Antioxidants neutralise the effects of free radicals, substances that damage the body`s cells, and have a role in disease prevention.
Apples and pears may help prevent stroke
Eating white fruits and vegetables like apples and pears reduces stroke risk, a study suggests.
Asthma severity in kids linked to low vitamin D
Children with severe asthma have lower vitamin D levels than those with moderate asthma and might benefit from supplements if deficient, a study suggests.
B group vitamins may improve memory
An Australian study has found that a diet rich in B group vitamins may improve memory and verbal ability.
Bread in the diet
Bread is inexpensive, low in fat and healthy. It is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and many vitamins and minerals.
Calcium pill trend blamed for rise of milk-alkali syndrome
A largely forgotten disorder that can cause kidney failure is having a resurgence because of growing use of calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Calcium-boosting ideas for your diet
12 ideas to help you increase your calcium intake.
Cheese in the diet
Cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals and is a good way to fulfil one of the 2-3 recommended daily serves of dairy.
Diabetes in pregnancy linked to low vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy may be associated with gestational diabetes, researchers suggest.
Diabetes risk reduced by midday coffee, study finds
A French study has found those who regularly consumed 3 or more cups of coffee per day had a reduced risk of developing diabetes.
Dietary fibre
A diet that's high in fibre is good for your health. Find out how to get enough fibre in your diet.
Dietary fibre does protect against bowel cancer
New research adds to growing evidence that a high-fibre diet protects against developing colorectal (bowel) cancer, an expert says.
Eczema: fish reduces child eczema risk
Eating oily fish in the first year of life may play a role in reducing the risk of childhood eczema, a study suggests.
Fatty acids in the diet
Fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 may have an important role in preventing heart disease.
Fish oil supplements: avoid before surgery
People taking fish oil may be at increased risk of bleeding and should be advised to stop the supplements in the lead-up to elective surgery.
Fish oils study shows heart health benefits of omega-3s
Evidence for the health benefits of fish oils containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is now comprehensive.
Folate linked to school grades
Higher folate intake may be linked to better academic performance in teenagers, a Swedish study suggests.
Food choices influenced by celebrity endorsement
Celebrity endorsements and selective nutrient claims on packaging increase the chance of parents buying energy-dense, nutrient-poor food for their children, a survey shows.
Food labels: a guide to reading nutrition labels
Knowing your way around a food label can help you to make more informed choices about the food that you eat.
Fruit and lung function
Eating fresh fruit on a regular basis has been shown to improve lung function in children.
Hot flushes relieved by soy
Having 2 serves of soybean-rich foods - about 200 g of tofu or 2 glasses of soy milk - each day can help relieve hot flushes in menopausal women.
Iodine and your thyroid gland
Find out about how important iodine is for your thyroid gland, and how iodine deficiency can cause problems, especially in unborn and newborn babies.
Iodine fortification of bread introduced
Mandatory iodine fortification is expected to reduce inadequate iodine intake in the Australian population.
Iron and your body
Iron deficiency can be due to inadequate amounts of iron in the diet and body stores, or to insufficient numbers of blood cells - anaemia.
Iron intake for vegetarians
Anaemia caused by iron deficiency can be a nutritional problem for vegetarians, especially women.
Lactose intolerance: dairy-free diet unnecessary
People concerned about lactose intolerance run the risk of poor bone health if they unnecessarily exclude all dairy foods from their diet, experts warn.
National Healthy Bones Week
National Healthy Bones Week highlights the importance of calcium in developing and maintaining healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis.
Nutritional supplements for healthy living
Many pharmacies specialise in nutritional supplements, including specific vitamins for women, men and older people.
Nuts can lower cholesterol, study finds
Eating nuts can substantially reduce cholesterol levels and could offer a cheap and effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk.
Nuts in a healthy diet
Nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates and fibre as well as containing many vitamins and minerals.
Osteoporosis: lowering risk
Find out how to lower your risk of osteoporosis by ensuring you get enough calcium in your diet, getting enough vitamin D and exercising.
Salt in food: experts call for action
Australian experts say there is now compelling evidence for a Government-led push to change food industry standards for maximum salt targets in foods.
Selenium supplements don't prevent cancer
Selenium supplements do not prevent cancer, studies involving one million people have shown.
Tomato ingredient lycopene lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
Lycopene, a substance found in tomatoes and other red fruits, can lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure when taken in high doses, a study shows.
Vitamin A poisoning from eating fish livers
Eating the liver of carnivorous fish may lead to food poisoning caused by toxic levels of vitamin A, doctors warn.
Vitamin D helps stall pre-diabetes
Vitamin D status may be important in preventing early metabolic changes that can lead to diabetes in healthy older adults.
Vitamin D lack linked to arterial stiffness
A link between low vitamin D and artery stiffness might explain its association with heart disease and stroke, a study suggests.
Vitamin E raises prostate cancer risk
Men taking vitamin E supplements had a 17 per cent increased risk of prostate cancer, a study has found.
Vitamins
Vitamins are important for many daily bodily functions, such as growth and cell reproduction.
Yoghurt may protect against bowel cancer
Yoghurt consumption may reduce the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer, a study suggests.
