Researchers are exploring inflammation caused by COVID-19 as a trigger for Long Covid, a condition characterized by persistent symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. The study aims to identify potential causes and treatments for Long Covid, with findings that could lead to enhanced immune function in patients.
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is conducting a clinical trial to better understand lipedema. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments and imaging techniques to help advance medical knowledge related to chronic disease. Compensation of up to $475 is offered for participation in the three-month study.
Dr. George Bray's paper tracks the development of obesity research over 100 years, from early explorations to modern medication interventions. The study highlights the chronic and relapsing nature of obesity as a disease process.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides recommendations for protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and water intake at various stages of life to support overall health. The guidance, developed by Dr. Steven Heymsfield and Dr. Sue Shapses, aims to promote personalized diets with key macronutrients.
The study found that obesity rates have nearly tripled in adult men and doubled in women since 1990. The prevalence of malnutrition is now the most common form of malnutrition globally, affecting nearly 880 million adults and 160 million children. Obesity can lead to comorbidities like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
A comparative study of four major type 2 diabetes medications reveals differences in medication acceptance, quality of life, insulin secretion, and mortality. The GRADE Study found that younger age and higher blood sugar levels at baseline were associated with poor blood sugar control over time.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical confirmed the accuracy of remotely gathered physical measurements for children in a weight management study. The findings support the value of remote height and weight measurements for both research and clinical purposes.
A 12-year study published in JAMA found that bariatric surgery significantly improved blood glucose control and type 2 diabetes remission compared to medical management alone. Participants who underwent bariatric surgery experienced greater weight loss, reduced medication use, and higher rates of diabetes remission.
Researchers found that a compound called BAM15 makes mitochondria less efficient at producing energy, extending life span and improving body composition in fruit flies. The study also showed reduced age-related decline in motor activity. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans.
A new screening tool has been developed to catch endometrial cancer cases earlier, saving lives. The partnership between Pennington Biomedical's Metamor Institute and the LSU School of Medicine has already screened over 2,000 women and found abnormal bleeding in many cases.
Researchers have confirmed a new method for precise body composition analysis using 3D surface scans and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This approach yields accurate measurements of fat, lean muscle, and bone, surpassing commercial software in clinical settings.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical aim to investigate the effects of intermittent fasting and calorie counting on healthspan. Participants in the DiAL-Health study will be compensated up to $2,500 for their involvement.
Flori Corpodean, a postdoctoral researcher at Pennington Biomedical, has been selected as the sole recipient of the 2024 Resident Research Award. She is exploring how the brain and intestinal tract communicate through her research on altered nutrient delivery.
Dr. Newton will study the role of fathers in promoting their children's physical activity through a proof-of-concept intervention. The study aims to understand barriers to exercise among African American families and assess the impact of social determinants on father-child interactions.
Researchers aim to determine optimal duration and intensity of behavioral interventions for childhood obesity among rural and minority children. The five-year study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will enroll 900 parent-child pairs and compare different 'dosing' combinations of face-to-face intervention time.
A 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events has been observed for patients with obesity but no history of diabetes taking semaglutide. This study marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of semaglutide beyond its weight loss effects.
The Louisiana Clinical & Translational Science Center has received a $1.3 million NIH grant to support the creation of a network of data warehouses for healthcare providers and researchers in Baton Rouge. The project aims to enhance research capacity, address health care disparities, and improve patient engagement.
A study by Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Woman's Hospital found that pregnant women in Louisiana were more likely to exceed recommended weight gain levels during the pandemic, with a 3-7% increase. This rise in non-optimal gestational weight gain may have long-term impacts on maternal and infant health.
A recent study by Pennington Biomedical Research Center identifies GDF15 as a protein that acts as a cellular signal to enhance insulin secretion. High-intensity exercise training in patients with type 2 diabetes was found to have elevated levels of GDF15, associated with improved glycemic control.
Dr. Prachi Singh of Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a $3.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate the cardiovascular risks associated with limited sleep and extended eating duration.
A 12-year study by Pennington Biomedical researchers found that metabolic surgery provides better results, less regression, compared to medical or lifestyle intervention for patients with class 1 obesity. The study showed significant improvements in glycemic control and weight loss, with high rates of diabetes remission.
The Shape Up! Keiki research study aims to create a better way to measure and describe health from body shape, focusing on identifying obesity risks in young children. Participants aged 5 years or younger will be compensated $200 for their time.
A new partnership between Patrick Reed and Kenneth Eilertsen is putting a focus on translational research and commercialization at Pennington Biomedical. The team aims to evaluate patentability and marketability of potential disclosures, promoting public benefit from scientific discoveries.
A large study of nearly 10,000 Americans with COVID-19 has uncovered the most common symptoms and potential subgroups associated with long COVID. The research team identified 12 key symptoms that distinguish those with and without long COVID, as well as a scoring system to diagnose and monitor patients.
The National Institutes of Health is enrolling 10,000 participants in a landmark precision nutrition study. The study aims to develop algorithms predicting how individuals respond to different foods and diets based on genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
The 'Low Oxygen and Weight Status' study will investigate the effects of low oxygen levels on weight loss and health outcomes in adults with obesity. Participants will be randomized to sleep in an altitude tent or normal conditions, while following a weight loss diet. The study aims to inform new strategies for improving metabolic health.
The grant aims to develop accurate household food waste measurement methodologies and metrics. Innovative technologies will help create impactful interventions to minimize and eliminate food waste in the United States and globally.
Researchers found that physical activity can prevent cancer recurrence in stage III colon cancer patients by lowering the recurrence rate within the first year of treatment. This association persisted for approximately three years after surgery, suggesting a long-term survival benefit.
Dr. David McDougal's research project aims to find better therapies to prevent hypoglycemic episodes in people with type 1 diabetes, focusing on the role of leptin in regulating blood sugar responses. The grant-funded study seeks to identify novel treatments for preventing low blood glucose in these patients.
A global team led by Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has secured $25 million to study cachexia, a debilitating wasting condition responsible for up to 30% of cancer deaths. The team plans to build a deep understanding of what causes cachexia and develop novel treatments.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that a 12-week app program improved children's motor skills by an average of 15.5 percentage points. The app-based program focused on six motor skills, including hopping, throwing, and jumping, and was shown to be effective in preventing childhood obesity.
A customized WeightWatchers program has been shown to effectively manage Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and promoting significant weight loss. Participants in the six-month clinical trial experienced improved glycemic control and overall well-being, with clinically meaningful and statistically significant results.
A new study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that FGF21 is critical for extending lifespan and improving metabolic health in mice fed a low-protein diet. Without FGF21, mice fail to adapt to the diet and exhibit detrimental effects on health.
A study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle found that BAM15 improves health outcomes for aged mice with obesity by preventing muscle loss and increasing energy expenditure. The compound helped mice lose fat, gain strength and increase physical activity.
Research suggests exercise can break the vicious cycle of inflammation that leads to diabetes and depression in people with Long COVID. A 30-minute session of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, can be beneficial.
A new study found that calorie restriction improves metabolic and immune responses, generating more T cells to fight off infections and improve energy efficiency. This could lead to a potential treatment to reduce age-related inflammation and improve metabolic health.
A study by Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that black residents in Baton Rouge and New Orleans faced a twice-higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than white residents. Communities with high household crowding, lower income, and disparities in education were also at higher risk.
A new federally funded study will use machine learning to create a first-of-its-kind algorithm predicting individual responses to food and dietary routines. The National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program will recruit 10,000 participants nationwide.
Researchers aim to generate a model of brain-fat communication system to regulate metabolism during environmental challenges. The study uses cutting-edge techniques like immunolabeling-enabled imaging to identify new components of neural circuits controlling brown and white fat tissues.
A new study reveals that metabolism increases rapidly during infancy, peaking at around one year old. After a gradual decline until the 20s, metabolism levels off and then slows down again after age 60, with older adults requiring fewer calories. The findings suggest that muscle loss and cellular changes contribute to this decline.
A new diet that restricts methionine has shown promising results in improving biomarkers of metabolic health, potentially slowing the aging process. The palatable oxidized casein diet could be a solution to offset major components of metabolic disease.
A study published in Women's Health found that the pandemic significantly increased stress levels among mothers with preschoolers, leading to reduced sleep, physical activity, and a higher risk for obesity and poor health. The researchers recommend providing reliable childcare options and support systems to help mothers balance work an...
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that maintaining a stable body weight does not guarantee muscle mass and increases the risk of premature death among colorectal cancer survivors. Women are particularly vulnerable to losing muscle mass, with one in five women experiencing significant changes.
Patients with extreme blood sugar swings between doctor visits face higher risk of heart disease, study finds. Wide variations in blood sugar levels are associated with poor health outcomes and even death, researchers suggest.
A new study, MoTrMito, aims to identify molecular factors promoting positive mitochondrial change with exercise. The research will compare mitochondria responses between younger and older adults undergoing exercise training.
A $2.1 million federal grant will enhance clinical trial access in five areas, including care before birth and obesity, with the goal of improving health outcomes for all Louisiana children and potentially slowing or preventing chronic diseases like asthma.
A nationwide effort aims to increase COVID-19 testing in Louisiana's Black communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the virus. The project seeks community-driven approaches to reduce testing barriers and improve access to tests.
The MyH.E.A.L.T.H. app offers personalized coaching, community support, and expert advice to help users improve their health and wellness. With advanced AI technology and tailored strategies for resilience, the app aims to empower individuals to reach their health goals.
A global survey during the COVID-19 lockdown found that people with obesity improved their diets but experienced sharp declines in mental health and high incidence of weight gain. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring mental health screenings and remote visits to prevent irreversible health effects.
Controlling blood sugar levels boosts cognitive function, including thinking, learning, and remembering. However, more weight loss and exercise only improve executive function skills, while verbal learning and memory decline. Effective management of type 2 diabetes is crucial to offset its negative effects on brain health.