Peter Whoriskey

The guidelines drop the warning about avoiding cholesterol in the diet. The new version also eases up on warnings about salty foods and omits a previous suggestion that Americans eat breakfast in order to stay fit.

Scientists who tallied diet and health records for several thousand patients over 10 years found that, contrary to government advice, people who consumed more milk fat had a lower incidence of heart disease.

American Medical Association estimates of the time involved in many procedures are exaggerated, sometimes by as much as 100 percent, according to an analysis of doctors' time, interviews and medical journals.