According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, women who had poor diets were more likely to die from ovarian cancer, compared to females who had healthy eating habits.

These findings were based on diets that the women had three to five years prior to their cancer diagnosis.

Researchers found that the higher a patient’s fruits and vegetable consumption, the higher their chances of survival. Similarly, it was found that higher levels of vegetable consumption alone had a positive effect on survival rate.

"The study findings suggest that food patterns three to five years prior to a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer have the potential to influence survival time," study author Dr. Therese Dolecek said. "The pre-diagnosis food patterns observed to afford a survival advantage after an epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosis reflect characteristics commonly found in plant-based or low fat diets."

Research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reveals that based on the MRI images of the knees of 20 anorexic girls and 20 healthy girls of the same age, the group who suffered from the eating disorder had surprisingly high levels of fat in their bone marrow.

Scientists believe this can be detrimental to bone strength, as these kinds of levels generate the production of fat rather than bone formation. The researchers believe this occurs because the body is trying to develop more fat in order to stay warm.

"Because of the hormonal alterations induced by malnutrition, the bone marrow stops yielding the needed cells to form bone. Instead the stem cells are pushed toward fat formation," said study author Catherine Gordon.

Results found in the research published in the journal Biological Psychiatry indicate that humans tend to eat unhealthy foods even when they’re full because it releases a pleasure sensation into the brain that the body takes as a reward.

Ghrelin, which is a hunger hormone, also serves as a drive for individuals to seek out certain high-calorie foods, reminding the brain that it will make the body feel good.

"They give us sensory pleasure, and they motivate us to work to obtain them," explained senior co-author of the study, Dr. Jeffrey Zigman. "They also help us reorganize our memory so that we remember how to get them."

Researchers split mice into groups of two, and either blocked the action of ghrelin, or let it continue. Both groups were then exposed to a small hole, which featured a high-fat food on the other side. Mice that had their ghrelin blocked gave up on trying to obtain the food much quicker than the other group.

Usnews.com reports that some dietary supplements offer multiple health benefits, including preventing individuals from developing certain diseases and cancers.

The website reports that while vitamin D supplements help with bone health, they may also help prevent certain cancers, and previous studies suggest it may even ward off tuberculosis, diabetes and even the common cold.

Fish oil supplements continue to be reported for health benefits, including improving heart-related conditions. Usnews.com cites a study found in The Lancet that revealed there was a slightly lower rate of deaths and hospitalizations in heart failure patients who were taking a 1,000 milligram fish oil supplement daily.

The American Heart Association suggests taking the supplements for those who don’t enjoy eating seafood twice a week. The recommended dosage for those who are at a high risk for heart attack is 1,000 milligrams.

The article is quick to point out that while these natural supplements are beneficial to humans, the dosages may vary due to age, race and gender.

The study was conducted by specialists from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine and the Heart Institute of Sheba Medical Center using 56 healthy volunteers.

Participants were divided into four groups—one which ate a cornflake mush mixed with milk, another one which ingested a pure sugar mixture, the third which consumed bran flakes, and the placebo group which was given water.

After four weeks, the researchers tested the volunteers using a cuff on the arm, like those used to measure blood pressure, to visualize arterial function in real time.

They found that before eating, the patients’ arterial function was similar. However, afterwards, except for the placebo group, all had reduced functioning due to distended brachial arteries for several hours.

"We knew high glycemic foods were bad for the heart. Now we have a mechanism that shows how," says Dr. Shechter.

Other risks for heart disease include a high-fat diet that may increase the level of LDL cholesterol which over time forms plaque that can block arteries.

In addition to cutting out the carbs, those who would like to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease may also consider nutritional supplements containing fish oil.

Or one of the 54 million Americans with borderline blood sugar problems?

Do you have a family history of blood sugar troubles?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s important you keep reading.

If you notice you’re urinating more often… hungrier than usual… fatigued… irritable… having tingling sensations in your hands or feet… or slow to heal from cuts and bruises, you may need to be screened for blood sugar problems.

However, some people may not experience any of these symptoms so this possible serious condition can silently do damage without you even knowing it!

The University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore reports that by the time a blood sugar-related health problem is diagnosed, many people have lost 50 percent of the function of their pancreas. And statistics show that more than 20 percent of those diagnosed are NOT overweight! Surprised?

This is because genetics and environment play an important role in your health, including key factors such as age, family history, exposure to toxins, prescription drug use and stress.

So how do I recommend you combat blood sugar problems and avoid insulin imbalance, high cholesterol levels, poor immune function and kidney problems?

Try these six helpful suggestions:

1. Reduce your weight by at least 7 percent.
2. Exercise 30 minutes a day on a regular basis.
3. Switch to a low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet.
4. Strive to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
5. Find ways to help manage feelings of stress, depression and anger.
6. Consider supplementing with natural nutrients scientifically proven to help regulate your blood sugar levels.

By incorporating these tips, plus safe and effective nutrients into your daily routine, you can help fight insulin imbalance and avoid declining health by keeping your blood sugar problems at bay.

Here are several nutrients to consider:

Gymnema Sylvestre—Nicknamed the “sugar destroyer,” this amazing nutrient has been shown to help regulate fasting blood sugar levels and improve blood sugar. Plus, it can also help put an end to food cravings and enhance your insulin sensitivity so your cells are able to accept the glucose to fuel your body. It’s also been shown to actually help repair and grow new pancreatic beta cells.

Chromium—Known as the “insulin booster” this powerful nutrient helps bind insulin to the cells for more energy, increases the number of insulin receptors in your body, as well as activates them to boost insulin sensitivity and keep blood sugar levels stable and in the normal range. Patients taking chromium have reported an 85 percent improvement in frequent urination, fatigue and excessive thirst.

Methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP)—Found in the common apple pie spice “cinnamon,” this accidental discovery has proven to mimic insulin and help transport glucose to your cells, activate insulin receptors to allow glucose through the “gates” of your cells, plus it works synergistically with insulin in cells boosting you when you need it most, but not overloading you when you don’t. Studies have shown patients taking MHCP experienced fewer blood sugar spikes after eating, decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lowered blood glucose levels.

These are just a few of the scientifically proven nutrients that can offer protection from blood sugar imbalance.

Researchers from the Center for Public Health Advocacy and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research interviewed 42,000 Californians of all ages for the study.

They found that 24 percent of adults drink one or more non-diet sodas a day. They say those people are 27 percent more likely to be overweight than those who do not drink soda.

The results for children were even worse – with 41 percent of kids between the ages of two and 11, and 62 percent of adolescents (between the ages of 12 and 17), drinking at least one sugar-sweetened drink a day.

"For the first time, we have strong scientific evidence that soda is one of the – if not the largest – contributors to the obesity epidemic," said Dr. Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.

Experts say living a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet with plenty of exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight.

For those trying to lose or control their weight, health practitioners have also recommended the alkaline diet.

It is based on citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes.

For you to be healthy that water needs to have a healthy pH balance. The letters “pH” mean “potential of hydrogen” and the measure of how acidic or alkaline your body is ranges on a scale from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline).

You will achieve optimum health much easier—and avoid getting sick—when your organ tissues stay in a slightly alkaline environment, or about 7.0 to 7.5 as measured by saliva.

Is an acidic pH balance behind YOUR symptoms? Simply answer these questions:

• Do you suffer from high blood pressure, a failing heart or other heart problems?
• Do your joints feel stiff, inflamed and painful or do you suffer from bone loss?
• Has a doctor told you that your blood sugar levels are too high or too low?
• Are you finding it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep?
• Do you suffer from constant fatigue or energy crashes after meals?
• Do you frequently endure cramping, constipation, heartburn or other digestive problems?
• Do you sometimes feel depressed, negative and cranky?
• Have you noticed that your ability to solve problems or to remember details is lacking?
• Do you sometimes suffer from shortness of breath or other lung problems?
• Do you experience pain, numbness or tingling in your hands, legs or feet?
• Is your skin or hair aging more rapidly than it should?
• Do you notice that your eyesight or hearing is fading at an alarming rate?
• Do you suffer from low sexual desire or performance problems?
• Do you contract infections more often with each passing year?

If you answered “YES” to one or more of these questions, there’s a good chance that you may be suffering from acid overload. In addition to the best nutrition you can consume, the next step is to supplement with alkalizing minerals.