Find out how to IMPROVE YOUR DIET by doing our on-line course module on
"Healthy Eating Tips" for $29.95 (as part of 2004 annual subscription). Subscribers also get:
- access to the on-line book "Food Facts" on CD-rom by Professor Wahlqvist
- member discounts for all our on-line healthy eating course modules More.....

HEC short on-line Healthy Eating course ( 5 modules, $195) More ....
The HEC website is the only website currently offering on-line reputable course modules for the general public in nutrition.

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Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (published by Healthy Eating Club (HEC) press)

This journal is over 15 years old and is recognised as the leading nutrition journal in Asia and the Pacific.
If nutrition issues and research from this region interest you then consider subscribing to the journal.
If you wish to receive a hard copy of the journal, annual subscription is only AU$135 (inc. GST); for on-line access only subscription is AU$120 (inc. GST) - more...

HEC in the NEWS

About SOY: ABC Radio National in Australia interviewed HEC's Professor Mark Wahlqvist about SOY FOODS and why it is advisable to eat, where possible whole soy bean foods. click here to read the transcript.

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WHAT'S NEW IN NUTRITION RESEARCH

Diets of Ancient Greeks and the Olympic athletes

The oldest known Greek cook book "Art of Cookery" by Mithaecus from the fifth century B.C. provides insight into the diets of Ancient Greeks. The writings of the famous ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates also provides information on dietary advice provided to Olympic Athletes and the general public.

The Greek diet of the 20th century does not really compare with the diets of ancient Greeks because they did not have tomatoes, corn, potatoes, vanilla or chocolate. However, they still managed to create tasty dishes with herbs, spices and wine and foods were cooked quickly because they believed this preserved flavour and health benefits. It is amazing that many foods served in ancient Greece and Rome are still available today such as pesto, fetta cheese, custard, pasta, pizza, baklava and pancakes. Also, certain cooking techniques originated in antiquity such as cross-cutting ham to bake it in a honey glaze, adding truffles to dishes and baking in a water bath.

What dietary advice was provided to Olympic athletes and to the general public by ancient Greek doctors? more.....

National survey of South Australian school children found to be mildly iodine deficient

Iodine is essential for brain development and thyroid function. Mild iodine deficiency can lead to lack of concentration, poor memory or sluggishness, reduced mental IQ, inability to fall pregnant, miscarriage, thyroid problems and in severe cases mental retardation. Iodine can be obtained from some seafood and vegetables and from iodised salt (the green pack). In Australia, iodine intake has been declining for several reasons more.

Initial findings from a study on 400 South Australian primary school children (Eastman et al.) suggest that a significant number of children have mild iodine deficiency, agreeing with other studies from NSW and Victoria. There is no evidence to date however that children in Australia have suffered brain damage as a result of iodine damage, but it is not certain about whether there have been any effects on memory and IQ.

These studies are alarming according to an international iodine expert Professor Basil Hetzel because "we do not want anything that reduces our mental functions - the world is a demanding place, people need full equipment, particularly intellectual equipment, to cope". Professor Hetzel discovered in the 1950s and 60s that iodine deficiency caused much of the mental retardation in the developing world and to solve the problem he advanced the cause of iodised salt.

Professor Hetzel has written a book, available on CD-rom "Towards the global elimination of brain damage due to iodine deficiency - a global program for human development with a model applicable to a variety of health, social and environmental problems" (if you would like to purchase a copy please email info@healthyeatingclub.org)

When the study in South Australia is completed there will probably be recommendations to health authorities about fortifying foods in Australia with iodine and for it to be added to all salt that is consumed in Australia.

Read more about iodine

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NUTRITION RESOURCES ON THE WEB
http://www.seniors.gov.au

If you are a senior citizen, you may find this new whole of government website from the Department of Health and Ageing a great resource.
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