A diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals does not seem to prevent the degenerative eye disease known as age related macular degeneration, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal. Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual loss in older people. It is caused by the progressive break down of light sensitive cells in the macula, located in the centre of the retina at the back of the eye. Sufferers do not go blind, but find it virtually impossible to read, drive, or do tasks requiring fine, sharp, central vision. Risk increases with age and smokers are thought to be more susceptible.

Let’s briefly review the favorite standby lines for celebs who have lost a ton of weight in a very short time:

1) “I started doing Pilates twice a week.”

2) “I’ve been eating a lot of lean fish and veggies.”

3) “Whenever I’m hungry, I have a couple of almonds.”

I've said it time and time again--the nutrition label needs work. And there needs to be more research on how to make a better label, and avoid the influence of "big food." I have to admit, 10 years ago if you would have told me that big food companies have influence over the government’s position on the food label and food policy, I would have thought you were a conspiracy theorist. How naive I was.  Take a look at this bit of research from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Current food labeling leads to under-consumption of calcium, according to this study. Those who were taught how to translate the information consumed more. Researchers believe the same is true for other beneficial nutrients. A woman at risk for osteoporosis is told by her doctor to get 1,200-1,500 milligrams of calcium every day. But when she looks at the Nutrition Facts panel on a carton of yogurt or a jug of milk, she finds that calcium is only listed by “Percent Daily Value” (%DV). How does she convert that to milligrams?

Addictions come easy. Addictions die hard.

There are commonalities in all of them – food, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol – they are different means of coping with a similar end result. Our addictions divert us from our emotions, our substances offer sustenance – they are reliable, easily available (or we ensure that they are), and they never let us down. However, our reliance upon them does. We let ourselves down, and the best pick-me-up is that next slice of cake or pint of beer that can extinguish the fire within.