A new study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that calcium absorption was not the primary reason for the evolution of milk tolerance in Europeans. The researchers discovered that fermented milk products, such as yoghurt and cheese, played a significant role in the rapid emergence of lactase persistence.
Research reveals microbes participate in complex networks of trade, swapping nutrients and resources using human-like strategies. Microbes cooperate with humans and plants, sharing economic strategies to thrive.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that early hominins like Paranthropus boisei ate a diet of tiger nuts, fruits, and insects, providing enough nutrients for their large brains. The research calculates that a hominin could extract sufficient calories from tiger nuts in just two to three hours per day.
Many clinical studies on vitamins have poor methodology, leading to inaccurate conclusions and defying existing evidence. New methodologies are needed to provide scientifically valid information to consumers with inadequate diets or deficiencies.
Eating a tomato-rich diet for 10 weeks increased adiponectin levels by 9 percent in postmenopausal women, reducing breast cancer risk. Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is believed to promote breast cancer prevention in at-risk populations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics urges consumption of only pasteurized dairy products, citing bacterial infections risks. Studies show equivalent nutrient levels in raw and pasteurized milk, but pasteurization prevents severe illnesses.
Most multivitamin supplements have no benefit in preventing chronic disease or death, and long-term use does not preserve cognitive function. Researchers found that high doses of multivitamins and minerals do not protect against cardiovascular events following myocardial infarction.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that banana plants accumulate specific toxins in infected root tissues to resist parasitic nematode Radopholus similis. The localized accumulation of defense substances inhibits further propagation of the pest, leading to its death.
A Swedish study of 1,000 men aged 75 found that low vitamin B12 levels increased the risk of fractures by up to 70% in six years. The researchers used a new method to measure vitamin B12 uptake and found that physical activity and quitting smoking can help prevent fractures.
Researchers found that early humans focused on sites with abundant nutritious foods, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins. These nutrient-rich locations allowed hominins to colonize the Atlantic fringe of north west Europe during warm periods.
Researchers create handheld, battery-operated device that can rapidly identify harmful bacteria like E. coli O157:H7, which causes 2,000 hospitalizations and 60 deaths in the US each year. The device uses dielectrophoresis to sort microbes based on their unique electrical properties.
Supplementation with multivitamins plus selenium reduced HIV disease progression, immune decline, and illness risk in antiretroviral therapy-naive adults in Botswana. The supplement delayed time to HIV disease progression and improved markers of immune function.
A large study found a significant association between a history of airborne allergies, particularly to plants, grass, and trees, and an increased risk of hematologic malignancies in women. The study suggests that chronic immune stimulation may play a role in the development of blood cancers in women.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found an inverse association between nut consumption and total mortality in both men and women. Nuts contain essential nutrients and phytochemicals that may offer cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Fruit juices could serve as carriers for probiotics, offering a dairy-free alternative. The study found that certain strains are stable in fruit juice without affecting sensory scores.
Research led by Michigan State University found that schools offering healthful snack options can significantly improve students' diets. By implementing Smart Snacks nutrition standards, schools can boost daily consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, leading to improved overall nutrition.
A systematic review found multivitamin supplements lack effectiveness in preventing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. Guidelines for opioid prescribing also need improvement to mitigate overdose deaths among patients with chronic pain.
Individuals with a known gelatin allergy can experience mild to severe reactions from the flu shot, including hives, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Precautions should be taken when receiving the vaccine, such as having a board-certified allergist administer it.
Research reveals Yeast Protein Concentrate (YPC) can be separated from cereal matter and is a cost-competitive substitute for imported soya-based protein feeds. This could partially replace fish meal on commercial fish farms, benefiting 800 million chickens reared for meat production each year.
Scientists from the University of Glasgow have developed a range of new pizza recipes that meet public health goals without compromising taste. The pizzas contained at least 30% of all required nutrients, including carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, making them suitable as healthy meals.
Researchers have developed a new testing strategy that can estimate levels of essential vitamins and minerals without directly testing each nutritional factor. This approach uses protein levels in the bloodstream as proxies for nutrient levels, enabling rapid detection of population-wide deficiencies and potential remediation efforts.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a novel approach to find new antibiotics by targeting the processes that bacteria use to produce essential vitamins and amino acids. The study identifies chemical compounds that block these processes, potentially providing much-needed therapies to address antibiotic drug resistance.
A study of postmenopausal women found that taking multivitamin/mineral supplements reduced the risk of dying from invasive breast cancer by 30%. The association persisted even after controlling for other factors, suggesting a potential cause-and-effect relationship.
A five-year study found that folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids can positively affect children's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development. Early nutrition is crucial for brain maturation and can have far-reaching effects on mental performance.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a crucial link between elevated uterine NK cells and deficient steroid production. Elevated NK cells indicate reduced formation of essential fats and vitamins necessary for pregnancy nutrition.
Researchers found that antibiotics create a nutrient surplus in the gut, allowing pathogens to establish themselves. The study suggests that friendly gut bacteria compete with pathogens for nutrients, and when this defense falters, harmful microorganisms can thrive.
A recent study published in Nature found that approximately 1 in 4 individuals have fewer than average intestinal bacteria, leading to reduced diversity and increased inflammation. This lack of gut bacteria is associated with a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center discovered that higher consumption of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of invasive bladder cancer in women. The study found significant associations between increased intake of yellow-orange vegetables and lower bladder cancer risk among female participants.
Gold nanoparticles with special coatings can deliver drugs or biosensors to a cell's interior without damaging it. Researchers have figured out how the process works, including the crucial first step of fusing with lipids in the cell wall.
Researchers at the University of Kent have successfully identified the anaerobic pathway for producing vitamin B12 in bacteria. This discovery paves the way for increased production of the essential nutrient, which is used to treat pernicious anemia and other conditions.
Consumers of grapes and grape products have increased intakes of essential nutrients, including vitamin A, C, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This study suggests that incorporating grapes into one's diet may lead to healthier dietary patterns and improved nutrient intake.
Teduglutide improves intestinal absorption, reducing parenteral nutrition dependency and IV-fluid requirements. Patients with short-bowel syndrome experience significant relief from debilitating symptoms, achieving enhanced quality of life.
Consumers can safely eat at least 12 ounces of cooked seafood per week if they pay attention to local seafood advisories and limit their intake of large, predatory fish like shark. Research is ongoing to improve food safety for these high-risk fish, with experts emphasizing the importance of handling practices, preparation, and storage.
A study found that individuals with an uncommon genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease did not experience increased anxiety or distress after learning their genetic risk. Instead, they took proactive measures such as exercising and following a healthy diet to mitigate their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Research suggests that vitamins and minerals, such as B and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, can improve mood and reduce fatigue. Supplementing with these nutrients may provide an alternative to psychiatric medicines for symptom relief.
A study published in Epigenetics suggests that a high-folate diet during pregnancy can prevent the development of an obesogenic phenotype in Wistar rat offspring. The diet has epigenetic effects on hypothalamic mechanisms regulating food intake, leading to reduced obesity.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reveals that nearly half of cosmetic plastic surgery patients take herbal supplements, which can increase complication risk. The study advises patients to stop taking supplements at least two weeks before surgery to minimize risks.
A new UCLA-led study found that primary care physicians rarely discuss the risks and benefits of dietary supplements with their patients. The study analyzed audio recordings from over 1,400 office visits and discovered that only six out of 738 supplements were discussed in detail regarding all five major topics.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 increased circulating vitamin D levels by 25.5 percent in hypercholesterolemic adults over a nine-week intervention.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found no link between nitrous oxide anesthesia and increased risk of heart attack. Despite concerns about the impact on homocysteine levels, the study showed that B vitamins did not influence heart attack risk in surgery patients.
The global prevalence of stunting has slowly decreased, but rates are not falling quickly enough to meet global targets. Malnutrition affects at least 165 million children worldwide, with stunting, wasting, and underweight affecting over 90% in Asia or Africa.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that taking calcium supplements up to 1,000 mg per day can lower the risk of death in women. The research, conducted on 9,033 Canadians over 12 years, showed no benefit for men and no conclusive evidence that vitamin D has an impact on mortality.
A recent study found that calcium supplements, especially those containing up to 1,000 mg per day, can lower the risk of death among women. The benefit was seen regardless of whether the supplement contained vitamin D.
A large multicenter trial showed that adding lutein and zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to an antioxidant vitamins formulation did not reduce the risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration. No significant effects were observed on vision loss development either.
A recent NIH study found that adding omega-3 fatty acids and lutein/zeaxanthin to a combination of nutritional supplements does not improve protection against age-related macular degeneration. However, removing beta-carotene from the supplement formulation may help reduce risk, according to researchers.
A study found that a diet low in grains, beans, and certain vegetables combined with anti-aging supplements improved blood vessel function. Patients consumed a restricted diet and took antioxidants to slow cell aging, potentially reversing high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital found that dietary supplements accounted for more than half of the Class 1 drugs recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration between 2004-12. The majority of these recalls were for bodybuilding, weight loss, or sexual enhancement products containing unapproved medicinal ingredients, including...
A review of 32 randomized controlled trials suggests that mental exercise, such as computerized training programs or intensive one-on-one personal cognitive training, may benefit older adults in preventing cognitive decline. The annual rate of dementia-related cognitive decline is estimated to double to over 1 million Canadians by 2047.
Despite concerns over high vitamin E intake, a new review concludes that the body can eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, making it impossible to take a harmful amount. Vitamin E is essential for proper organ function and has antioxidant properties.
A review of published research found no evidence that drugs, herbal products, or vitamin supplements can prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults. However, mental exercises such as computerized memory training programs and intensive one-on-one personal cognitive training showed promise.
Research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found no significant benefit from high-dose oral vitamins and minerals in reducing recurrent cardiac events. However, combining these supplements with active chelation therapy showed a slight additional benefit.
A large European study found that eating processed meat was associated with an increased risk of premature death, particularly from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The researchers estimated that up to 3% of premature deaths could be prevented if people consumed less than 20g of processed meat per day.
A European-wide study with 450,000 participants found that eating over 40 grams of processed meat per day increases the risk of mortality compared to those who eat fewer than 20 grams a day. Moderate consumption of up to 40 grams daily does not increase mortality risk.
A study found that morning sickness lasting all day is often linked to hormonal and genetic factors, with ethnicity and diet also playing a role. Women who have experienced hyperemesis gravidarum in previous pregnancies are at higher risk of severe nausea during subsequent pregnancies.
A new study published in Neurology found no correlation between antioxidant intake and risk of developing stroke or dementia. The study suggests that individual antioxidants and food sources may be more important than total antioxidant levels in reducing the risk of these conditions.
Research published in BMC Medicine found that caffeine from all sources reduces birth weight and increases pregnancy length by 5 hours per day. Caffeine intake from coffee was associated with an even longer gestational length, increasing risk of small for gestational age at birth by almost a third
Researchers found that African-American and Caucasian women absorb and metabolize vitamin D at the same rate. Vitamin D deficiency can cause abnormalities in calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism, leading to conditions like osteomalacia and muscle weakness.
A Kaiser Permanente analysis found significant variation in vitamin D potency among supplements, with some products containing up to 146% more or less than listed values. The study suggests that consumers may not be getting the expected amount of vitamin D from their supplements.
A meta-analysis of large randomised trials found no significant increase in cancer risk among those taking daily folic acid for 5 years or less. The study provides reassurance about the safety of folic acid intake, particularly in countries where fortification is mandatory.
A study published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care found that Mexican-origin patients with HIV often used complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) to support their health and alleviate symptoms. Healthcare providers need to learn about CAM benefits and risks and teach patients to report CAM use to develop e...