Roundup: Calcium Loss; Grapefruit Diet

Fractures Increased In Girls 56 Percent Over Past 30 Years

POSTED: 6:52 PM EST January 22, 2004
UPDATED: 7:47 PM EST January 22, 2004

Doctors are alarmed at the increasing rate of broken bones in children. A new study shows it may all boil down to what they are drinking.

Mayo Clinic researchers say fractures have increased as much as 56 percent for girls over the past 30 years.

Scientists say it's likely due to the fact that kids now drink much more soda and sweetened drinks than milk. So, they are not getting bone-building calcium when they need it most, and that could lead to osteoporosis later in life.

Grapefruit Diet?

There may be something to the grapefruit diet after all.

New research shows people who eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice with every meal lose weight, and they don't have to change their diet in any other way.

On average, the grapefruit eaters lost three to 10 pounds over 12 weeks.

Researchers say grapefruit helps control insulin levels -- an important factor in regulating appetite and metabolism.

They hope their findings lead to better management of metabolic disorders.