McDougall says that Vitamin D pills can be of little benefit, and some harm: “Low vitamin D levels found in the blood are a clear indication that there is a worldwide problem of sunlight deficiency. Rather than correct the problem and encourage people to expose themselves to more of this natural element, the solution has become another drug — a supplement pill sold as vitamin D.”

McDougall also reviews his five favorite articles from recent medical journals.

And, of course, recipes including Soba Miso soup, wok-stirred noodles, baked tofu, asparagus and pea salad, Spanish garbanzos and spinach, overnight multi-grain cereal, low-energy-dense soup, and sunny citrus salad dressing.

Researchers in China estimated that 9.7 percent (92.4 million) of Chinese adults had diabetes, and an additional 15.5 percent (148.2 million) had prediabetes during 2007 and 2008. The China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study looked at 46,239 adults in a wide range of provinces and municipalities. Previous surveys showed diabetes to affect approximately 3 percent of the population in 1994, and 5 percent in 2000 and 2001.

Urban populations had the highest risk of diabetes; urbanization in developing countries is associated with Westernized diets, physical inactivity, and obesity. Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in China.

Yang W, Lu J, Weng J, et al. Prevalence of diabetes among men and women in China. N Engl J Med. 2010;362:1090-1101.

An increase in childhood obesity reflects increased intake of oils, meat, cheese, and frozen desserts, according to a new PCRM study that will be published next month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Neal Barnard, M.D., looked at food availability data maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1909 to 2007. Oil intake increased from 35 pounds to more than 86 pounds per person per year. Meat intake rose from 123 pounds to more than 200 pounds per person per year (with a greater than six fold increase in chicken and turkey intake alone). In 2007, Americans also ate nine times more cheese and 16 times more frozen desserts than they did in 1909. Since 1970 (no prior data available), sweetener consumption doubled, mostly from carbonated beverages. Other long-term trends include decreased grain consumption, decreased fluid milk consumption, and increased fruit (mostly juices) and vegetable intake.

Barnard ND. Trends in food availability, 1909-2007. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(suppl):1S-7S.