After studying how the body responds to different foods at the molecular level, Norwegian biologists have come up with a dietary formula they say is the best for maintaining optimum health: one-third protein, one-third fat and one-third carbohydrate.

When that formula is skewed -- particularly to be on the carbohydrate-rich side -- that causes genes to work "overtime," said scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Too many carbs activate genes that cause inflammation as well as those associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia and type 2 diabetes, throwing the body off kilter.