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Core Concepts in Health, Brief Cover Image

Core Concepts in Health Brief, 9/e

Paul M. Insel, Stanford University, School of Medicine
Walton T. Roth, Stanford University, School of Medicine

Nutrition Basics

Health Links

Government Agencies and Key Professional Associations
General Nutrition Information
Vegetarian Diets
Dietary Supplements
Food Safety and Foodborne Illness Other Food Issues: Organic Foods, Ir
radiation, Food Additives, Pesticides, Food Allergies and Intolerances, Food Labeling
Osteoporosis
Recipes and Menu Planning
Analysis of the Nutritional Content of Foods
Nutritional Content of Fast Food

Government Agencies and Key Professional Associations (good starting points)
Nutrition.Gov (http://www.nutrition.gov) A gateway to U.S. government nutrition information.



American Dietetic Association (ADA) (http://www.eatright.org) Provides a wide variety of nutrition-related materials, including http://www.eatright.org/nfs consumer-oriented fact sheets on topics such as dietary fat, food safety, vegetarian diets, and functional foods. Detailed, scientific http://www.eatright.org/positions.html ADA position papers on fat replacers, vegetarian diets, food irradiation, and other issues are also available.



American Heart Association: Delicious Decisions (http://www.deliciousdecisions.org) Provides guidelines and tips for eating a low-fat, heart-healthy diet, including advice for shopping and eating out.



Consumer Information Center: Food (http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/food.htm) Provides online government publications about dietary fat, fiber, food safety, and other nutrition issues.



FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov) Offers information about a variety of topics, including food labeling, food additives, dietary supplements, and foodborne illness; a special http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/advice.html menu of consumer advice is also available at the site



Food and Nutrition Board/Institute of Medicine (http://www4.nationalacademies.org/IOM/IOMHome.nsf/Pages/Food+and+Nutrition+Board) Provides information about the Dietary Reference Intakes and related guidelines.



Health Canada: Food and Nutrition (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/food.htm) Provides information about Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating as well as nutrition advice for people with special needs.



MedlinePlus: Nutrition (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutrition.html) Provides links to information from government agencies and major medical associations on a wide variety of nutrition topics.



National Cancer Institute 5-A-Day Program (http://www.5aday.gov) Promotes the consumption of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The following related sites provide tips and recipes to help people eat more fruits and vegetables, information about nutrient content, and special resources for kids and educators: http://www.dole5aday.com Dole 5-A-Day: Nutrition Education http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/297_five.html FDA Consumer 5-A-Day information http://rex.nci.nih.gov/NCI_Pub_Interface/5aDay_publication/timefive.html NCI 5-A-Day brochure http://www.5aday.com Produce for Better Health Foundation



National Cancer Institute Action Guide for Health Eating (http://rex.nci.nih.gov/NCI_Pub_Interface/ActionGd_Web/Actiongd.html) Provides practical information for improving dietary intake of fat, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.



USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (http://www.ams.usda.gov) Offers a helpful series of pamphlets ('How to buy . . .') that include practical, consumer-oriented advice about shopping for food.



USDA Agricultural Research Service (http://www.barc.usda.gov/bhnrc/foodsurvey/home.htm) Provides data from national surveys tracking the eating habits of the American population.



USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (http://www.usda.gov/cnpp) Provides information about the Dietary Guidelines, the Food Guide Pyramid, the nutrient content of the U.S. food supply, and other topics; this site also includes the http://63.73.158.75 Healthy Eating Index, an individualized online assessment of overall diet quality.



USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic) A gateway to nutrition information that offers a variety of consumer-oriented materials relating to the Dietary Guidelines, food labels, Food Guide Pyramid, and many other topics; links to http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000023.html#xtocid2381818 Ethnic/Cultural and Special Audience Pyramids for people who eat ethnic foods, who are vegetarians, or who have special dietary needs are provided. The site also includes an http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/fnic.html extensive set of links.

General Nutrition Information
Ask the Dietitian (http://www.dietitian.com) Questions and answers on many topics relating to nutrition.



Center for Science in the Public Interest (http://www.cspinet.org) Provides information on a variety of nutrition-related topics and selected articles from the Nutrition Action Health Letter.



Colorado State University Hypertextbook: Digestive System (http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/index.html) Provides information about the digestive system and process.



CyberDiet (http://www.CyberDiet.com) Provides a variety of resources, including a profile that calculates calorie and nutrient needs and a database that provides nutrition information in food label format.



Digestive Health Resource Center (http://www.gastro.org/public/digestinfo.html) Provides information on the digestive system and on common digestive problems; sponsored by the American Gastroenterological Association.



EatEthnic.Com (http://www.eatethnic.com) Provides information and links about ethnic foods and customs.



Eat Well, Live Well Information Centre (http://www.healthyeating.org) An Australian site that includes interactive dietary checklists, healthy eating tips, and information about Australian dietary guidelines.



FDA Consumer magazine (http://www.fda.gov/fdac/fdachtml.html) Often includes articles on a safe and healthy diet; you can search for articles on a particular topic by using the http://www.fda.gov/advsearch.html advanced FDA search page and checking the 'FDA Consumer' box from the menu of choices.



Grains Nutrition Information Center (http://www.wheatfoods.org) Provides information about whole grains and dietary fiber.



International Food Information Council (http://ificinfo.health.org) Provides helpful information on nutrition and food safety for consumers, journalists, and educators.



Martindales's 'Virtual' Nutrition Center (http://sun2.lib.uci.edu/HSG/Nutrition.html) Provides information and links to many sites, including nutrition dictionaries, recipes, food safety information, and online nutrition calculators.



National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Standard Serving Sizes versus Real Ser... (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/visualreality/visualreality.htm) An online quiz designed to heighten your awareness of the serving sizes you actually consume.



Nebraska Cooperative Extension: Foods and Nutrition (http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/Foods) Provides online brochures on a variety of topics, including the Food Guide Pyramid food groups, meal planning, food safety, and diets for special health concerns.



Nutrition Links (http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ext_f&n/NUTLINK/N2.HTM) A university-based site with links to nutrition resources on many topics, including food-drug interactions, vegetarian diets, age-specific nutrition information, and many others.



Oregon State University: Food Resource (http://food.orst.edu) Provides information and extensive links on foods and food ingredients; some of the information is advanced.



Tufts University Nutrition Navigator (http://navigator.tufts.edu) Provides descriptions and ratings for many nutrition-related Web pages.



University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension: Foods (http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/Foods) Provides online brochures about many nutrition issues, including how to read a nutrition label, how to make healthy meals, how to keep a kitchen safe, and how to obtain key nutrients.



World Health Organization: Nutrition (http://www.who.int) Provides information on international nutrition issues, including malnutrition, deficiencies, obesity, and food aid.

Vegetarian Diets
About Vegetarian Cuisine (http://www.vegetarian.about.com) Includes many articles and links on vegetarian diets.



American Dietetic Association: Position Statement on Vegetarian Diets (http://www.eatright.org/adap1197.html) Includes information on a healthy vegetarian diet, a vegetarian food pyramid, and lists of foods that are good sources of nutrients of concern to vegetarians; the association also provides a helpful consumer pamphlet http://www.eatright.org/nfs/nfs95.html Meat-Free Goes Mainstream.



International Vegetarian Union (http://www.ivu.org) Provides historical information, recipes, and a listing of vegetarian phrases in many languages.



Vegetarian Pages (http://www.veg.org) Gives a variety of resources for people interested in becoming vegetarians and those who already follow a vegetarian diet.



Vegetarian Resource Group (http://www.vrg.org) Information and links for vegetarians and people interested in learning more about vegetarian diets.



Vegetarian Times (http://www.vegetariantimes.com) Includes recipes, background information, food substitution suggestions, an extensive glossary, and links to related sites.



Veggies Unite (http://www.vegweb.com) Provides a weekly planner that generates a grocery list.

Dietary Supplements
American Botanical Council (http://www.herbalgram.org) Provides basic information about selected popular herbs; also includes ordering information for the German Commission E monographs on herbs.



Archives of Family Medicine: A Review of 12 Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs (http://archfami.ama-assn.org/issues/v7n6/ffull/fsa8005.html) Full text of a journal article that reviewed the research on 12 popular medicinal herbs.



ConsumerLab.Com (http://www.consumerlab.com) Tests and rates a variety of supplements.



FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: Dietary Supplements Information (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html) Provides information about supplement labeling and consumer warnings about particular products.



FDA MedWatch (http://www.fda.gov/medwatch) Collects reports of adverse effects from dietary supplements, drugs, and medical devices; consumers can report adverse effects directly to the agency via the Web site.



Federal Trade Commission: Dietary Supplements-An Advertising Guide for Industry (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/dietsupp.htm) Although directed at supplement sellers, these guidelines provide useful information about what is and what is not allowed in the advertising of dietary supplements.



MedlinePlus: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vitaminandmineralsupplements.html) Provides links to information on vitamin and mineral supplements from government agencies and major medical associations.



National Nutritional Foods Association (http://www.nnfa.org) Provides information about supplement industry activities and the association's TruLabel program, which seeks to certify good manufacturing practices.



NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov) Provides general information about dietary supplements as well as an extensive database of scientific abstracts and citations about supplements. The http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/supplements/intro.html Clinical Nutrition Service offers consumer-oriented fact sheets.



Shape Up America! Fitness Center Supplement Guide (http://shapeup.org/fitness/nutrition/supp.htm) Provides information about selected dietary supplements, particularly those marketed for improving fitness.



USDA Dietary Supplements Information (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000015.html) Provides information on vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other types of dietary supplements; includes links to a wide range of reliable sources.



U.S. Pharmacopeia: Dietary Supplements (http://www.usp.org/dietary/index.htm) Provides information about USP certification activities.



U.S. Pharmacopeia: Just Ask About the Quality of Your Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Prod... (http://www.usp.org/pubs/just_ask/vitamin.htm) Provides information about evaluating the quality of vitamin and mineral supplements.

Abstracts of research studies on herbs, vitamins, and other dietary supplements are available at the following searchable sites:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (http://nccam.nih.gov)



National Library of Medicine: PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed)



NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov)

Food Safety and Foodborne Illness All of the following sites provide consumer information about foodborne illness and safe food handling:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Causes of Foodborne Illness (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/foodfacts/causese.shtml)



CDC Food Safety Initiative (http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety)



CDC National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases: ... (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/foodborneinfections_g.htm)



CDC National Center for Infectious Diseases: Traveler's Health (http://www.cdc.gov/travel)



FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition home page (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov)



FDA Center consumer advice page (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/advice.html)



FDA Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook ('The Bad Bug Book') (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html)



Fight Bac! (http://www.fightbac.org)



FoodSafety.Gov (gateway to government food safety information) (http://www.foodsafety.gov)



MedlinePlus: Drinking Water (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drinkingwater.html)



MedlinePlus: Food Contamination and Poisoning (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodcontaminationpoisoning.html)



National Food Processors Association Safe Food Consumers Web site (http://www.safefood.org)



USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Publications for Consumers (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/consumerpubs.htm)



USDA/FDA Foodborne Illness Education Information Center (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodborne/wais.shtml)

Other Food Issues: Organic Foods, Irradiation, Food Additives, Pesticides, Food Allergies and Intolerances, Food Labeling For information on genetically modified foods, refer to the Chapter 9 In the News links.
Center for Science in the Public Interest: Food Additives (http://www.cspinet.org/additives) Information and advice on food additives from an food safety advocacy group; site includes descriptions and evaluation of many types of additives.



Consumer Reports: Eco-Labels (http://www.eco-labels.org) Provides information about organic labeling and other environmental labels for foods and other products.



Environmental Protection Agency: Pesticides and Food (http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food) Provides information about how the government regulates pesticides, potential health risks from pesticides, and healthy food practices for consumers.



FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov) Provides information on a wide variety of nutrition issues, with special Web pages on topics including the following: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-bckg.html Food Additives (including irradiation) http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wh-alrgy.html Food Allergies http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html Food Labeling http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/pestadd.html Pesticides and Chemical Contaminants



Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (http://www.foodallergy.org) Provides tips, recipes, and answers to frequently asked questions about food allergies.



International Food Information Council: Food Safety and Nutrition Information (http://ificinfo.health.org/infofsn.htm) Provides information about food additives, food allergies, food irradiation, and other issues.



National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Food Allergy and Intolerance (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/food.htm) Provides background information and links on food allergies and intolerances.



National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders: Celiac Disease (gluten... (http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/celiac/index.htm) Provides information about celiac disease and tips for avoiding foods with gluten.



National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders: Lactose Intolerance (http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/lactose/lactose.htm) Provides information about lactose intolerance and tips for reducing lactose intake.



Organic Consumers Association (http://www.purefood.org) Includes information and links from an advocacy organization promoting organic foods.



USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: National Organic Program (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop) Provides information on the development of federal organic standards.



USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Irradiation (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/topics/irrmenu.htm) Provides information on laws relating to food irradiation.

Osteoporosis
Dairy Council of California (http://www.dairycouncilofca.org) Provides an online calcium quiz to help determine if you consume recommended amounts of calcium.



National Institutes of Health: Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases-National Resource C... (http://www.osteo.org) Provides information about osteoporosis prevention and treatment; includes a special section on men and osteoporosis.



National Osteoporosis Foundation (http://www.nof.org) Provides up-to-date information on the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis.

Recipes and Menu Planning The following are just a few of the Web sites that present recipes and sample menus designed to promote good health.
American Heart Association: Delicious Decisions (http://www.deliciousdecisions.org) Presents a variety of heart-healthy recipes.



Cooking Light Magazine (http://www.cookinglight.com) A source of low-fat recipes.



CyberDiet Recipe Index (http://www.cyberdiet.com/recipe_index/recipe_index.html) Includes a collection of low-fat recipes.



Healthy Ideas: Cooking and Nutrition (http://www.healthyideas.com/cooking) Includes a selection of healthy recipes as well as a before-and-after makeover of recipes traditionally high in fat and calories.



Kitchen Link (http://www.kitchenlink.com) Provides thousands of recipes as well as an extensive set of links.



Mayo Clinic Health Oasis Virtual Cookbook (http://www.mayohealth.org/home?id=SP4.1.5.7) Provides a variety of healthy recipes; if you send in a traditional favorite, their dietitians will 'lighten it up' and add the new version to the cookbook.



Meals for You (http://www.mealsforyou.com) Includes a wide variety of recipes and meal plans; site has subject menus and is searchable by title or ingredient.



Meals Online (http://www.my-meals.com) Provides a database of over 10,000 recipes, searchable by recipe title or ingredient.



National Cancer Institute 5-A-Day Recipes (http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/RECIPES.HTML) Recipes containing at least one serving of fruits or vegetables.



National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Resource Library (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd1/Tipsheets/resourceroom.htm) Includes tips sheets and other resources focusing on heart-healthy eating. Other dietary publications at the site include the following: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/stepb.htm Step By Step: Eating To Lower Your High Blood Cholesterol http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/index.htm Cooking the Heart-Healthy Way http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/cooking.htm Heart-Healthy Cooking African American Style http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/sp_recip.htm Heart-Healthy Latino Recipes



Recipe Source: Searchable Online Archive of Recipes (SOAR) (http://www.recipesource.com) Search for recipes by key word or by category.

Analysis of the Nutritional Content of Foods
USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp) In addition to a general, searchable database for all foods, this site also has http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/index.html special food composition data on carotenoids, trans fatty acids, sugar, isoflavones (soy products), and other nutrients of special interest to health.



Diet Analysis Web page (http://dawp.anet.com)



Nutrition Analysis Tool, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (http://www.nat.uiuc.edu)

Nutritional Content of Fast Food For information on the nutritional content of items from fast food restaurants, pick up a brochure at the restaurant or visit the appropriate Web site: See also the listings for Chapters 10 (exercise), 11 (weight management), 12 (cardiovascular disease and cancer), and 14 (aging).
Arby's (http://www.arbysrestaurant.com)



Burger King (http://www.burgerking.com)



Domino's Pizza (http://www.dominos.com)



Hardees (http://www.hardees.com)



Jack in the Box (http://www.jackinthebox.com)



KFC (http://www.kfc.com)



McDonald's (http://www.mcdonalds.com)



Subway (http://www.subway.com)



Taco Bell (http://www.tacobell.com)



Wendy's (http://www.wendys.com)



White Castle (http://www.whitecastle.com)

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