NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Cutting calories helps people lose weight, but doing so by filling up on whole grains may be particularly heart-healthy, new research suggests.

In a study of obese adults at risk of heart disease, researchers found that those who trimmed calories and increased their whole-grain intake shed more belly fat and lowered their blood levels of C- reactive protein or CRP.

CRP is a marker of chronic, low-level inflammation in the blood vessels, and both abdominal fat and CRP, in excess, are linked to heart attack and stroke.

In contrast, dieters in the study who mainly ate refined grains, like white bread, were able to lose weight, but they trimmed less fat from the middle and showed no change in CRP.

The findings offer yet more incentive for Americans to opt for whole grains over highly processed versions, according to the researchers.

"This is the first clinical study to prove that a diet rich in whole grains can lead to weight loss and reduce the risk of several chronic diseases," Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, the senior researcher on the study, said in a statement.

She and her colleagues at Pennsylvania State University report the findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In general, experts recommend eating whole grains -- such as oatmeal, brown rice and barley -- rather than refined grains, like white bread and other products made from white flour. Whole-grain foods retain more of the nutrients and fiber components of the grain.

This fact might explain why dieters in the current study showed added benefits when they ate whole grains, according to the researchers. For example, fiber-rich foods may have kept participants' blood sugar levels more stable throughout the day, and this, in turn, may have lowered their CRP levels.

Alternatively, CRP might have dropped because of the antioxidant nutrients that are present in whole grains but depleted in refined ones.

The study included 50 obese men and women who had metabolic syndrome, a collection of several risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and stroke -- such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

All of the study participants cut calories for 12 weeks, but half were instructed to strive for whole grains, while the rest were told to choose refined grains. The whole-grain group was told to look for products with "whole grain" listed as the first ingredient on the label.

In the end, the average weight loss was about 8 to 11 pounds in both groups. However, the average CRP level dropped by 38 percent in the whole-grain group, while remaining unchanged in the refined-grain group. In addition, while both groups showed a similar change in waistline size, the whole-grain dieters showed a greater reduction in the percentage of fat around the middle.

The researchers recommend that consumers look at labels and be careful to choose products that are good sources of whole grain.

"There are a lot of foods around that claim they contain whole grain but are not really major sources of whole grain," Kris-Etherton said. She suggested looking for foods like oatmeal, breakfast cereals made from whole grains, whole-wheat pastas, granola and popcorn.

As a general rule, she said, consumers should buy grain products that are at least 51 percent whole grain. Products that put health claims about whole grains on their labels are required to contain at least that much whole grain.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2008.

On tomorrow I will be voting in the Democratic Primary. The polling place that I will be using is at a church and like many churches nationwide they have the opportunity to serve their communities in a civic duty. This is not what I want to talk about.

During an election back in 1982, I was voting in the Chicago Democratic Primary, where Harold Washington was standing for the Mayoral nomination. The polling place was at a church across the street from my home. How convenient. Well, I made my way to the church and I noticed these two gentlemen watching the door. I noticed that they were studying their Bibles and I thought, what a great way to past the time on what had to be a long day.

So I went in and voted. When finished, I made my way out of the door and noticed this lady was overweight and struggling to climb up the stairs of the church and out of the door. You would think that our two Bible scholars would have been the first to assist this lady or at the least have some empathy for her uncomfortable situation. No such luck. I was so incensed to discover that these guys were laughing at her and their Bibles were doing this amazing balancing act to stay on their laps. After we helped her safely out to her car, all I could do was look at them with discust. Then I heard one of them tell the other one, "You know she looks like she's gotten even bigger." They were laughing so hard that they did not notice that me and the others were starring at them. But I do remember that I was angry that entire day.

This morning during devotion I remembered this incident; but instead of being angry Psalms 1 came to my mind.

(Psalms 1:1 KJV)  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

(Psalms 1:2 KJV)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

(Psalms 1:3 KJV)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

(Psalms 1:4 KJV)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

(Psalms 1:5 KJV)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

(Psalms 1:6 KJV)  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

We must remember that we are all part of the human family and that everyone has the right to be treated like a human being and not am object of entertainment for two Phariseesitical jerks. Now, when we are in public proclaiming our allegiance with Christ Jesus by wearing a gleaming blinged out cross, or studying the Bible at a coffee shop, we should be aware that the world is watch. Our actions and attitudes say way more that what we can say or debate. Like Jesus said, "(Matthew 25:40 KJV)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

God is not interested in how long you read the Bible or if it is as big as the Encyclopedia Britannica. God could care if you give all your money to the poor or burn your body in protest of injustice. Jesus said, "(John 13:35 KJV)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

God Bless You and Hotep.

From (Our Daily Bread) Devotional

The King James Version of The Holy Bible

(2Co 5:12)  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

   Reading today's devotional I also remembered my childhood as a PK (pastor's kid). For me it was a responsibility that I sometimes failed , but it was also a burden. You see all I ever wanted, and longed for was the recognition of achievement from my father. I carved it; because when I got it, I felt complete. This is the great thing about my dad. Out of the clear blue, when I least expected it, my dad would reveal to me, "Son, I've been watching you and you are doing so great ( in whatever). I'm proud of you son." Boy, I would just beam inside and out.

   Because of Jesus Christ we are again God's children and as a child of God I want him to be proud of me. I want Him to say, "That's my boy Paul. He doing great stuff! Look at him go!:" And sometime out of the clear blue God reveals Himself saying, "This is my beloved son, for whom I'm well pleased."

   Take courage, God is always watching. He knows that you are there and is proud of you. Just close your eyes and be silent and you can feel his presence inside you. God bless you and Hotep.

   God give me the desire today to do your will, so that you will be pleased with me and that you will be glorified. In Jesus name Amen.