It may not have quite the dramatic impact as Vitamin C on scurvy or iodine on rickets, but scientists are making another connection between a dietary deficiency and a dreaded disease. The condition is asthma and according to a research article in the most recent issue of UC's California Agriculture journal, a deficiency in dietary magnesium could be related.

California Agriculture editor Janet Byron distributed a news release today about the report that also touches on the disease's connection with obesity and offers hope to people with asthma.

"Replacing low-magnesium foods with high-magnesium foods may be a practical, low-cost way to reduce asthma symptoms,” the article quotes post doctoral researcher Alexandra Kazaks. “It may also improve overall health.”

Another press release about an article in the publication teases out some of the reasons for America's epidemic of obesity and overweight.

"UC scientists were able to pin down four factors that are most likely to cause overweight and obesity in America: the consumption of dietary fat, sweetened beverages and restaurant foods, and a pattern of breakfast-skipping," the news release says.

The systematic review Byron reported on also found that intake of protein, simple sugars and fruit juice, as well as food variety, portion size, snacking and frequency of eating, were not consistently related to obesity.

The conclusions can help parents and health professional focus their efforts on the prime culprits in their efforts to stop the obesity epidemic currently sweeping the United States.

I will be traveling to UC Riverside July 24-25, but will return to blog about UC ANR news once again on July 26.