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Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by diet and exercise even in individuals with a high genetic risk

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes even in individuals with a high genetic risk. Lifestyle changes significantly improved glucose metabolism and reduced the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic risk.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateAug 7, 2024

Eating more fruits & vegetables to reduce dietary acid lowers blood pressure and improves kidney and heart health in patients with hypertension

A five-year randomized control trial found that diets high in fruits and vegetables lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve kidney health. The study also suggests that incorporating fruits and vegetables into treatment plans can be more effective than traditional medication approaches.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2024

Ketogenic Diet reduces friendly gut bacteria and raises cholesterol levels - University of Bath study

A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that a ketogenic diet can reduce beneficial gut bacteria and increase unfavorable fats in the blood. The diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, may have long-term health implications such as increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 6, 2024

Evaluating diet quality in community café meals for individuals facing food insecurity

Research published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that meals from community cafés had significantly higher diet quality than meals not eaten at the café, measured by the Healthy Eating Index. This improvement was particularly pronounced for individuals with very low food security. The study suggests that commu...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateAug 5, 2024

Duke-NUS study reveals peer influence can promote healthier shopping habits

Researchers found that adding behavioural nudges and financial incentives improved diet quality by 14% when consumers saw front-of-pack nutrition labels and how their peers' baskets compared. The combined effect was akin to moving average nutritional quality from C grade to B grade, resulting in significant sugar and sodium reductions.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalFood Policy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 29, 2024

When you eat may impact your overall health, nutrition experts say

A special issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics explores the effects of various fasting regimens on body weight, cardiometabolic disease risk, and sleep. The study found that time-restricted eating can result in clinically meaningful weight loss and reduction in liver enzymes in adolescents with type 2 diabetes.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2024

Healthy prenatal dietary pattern and offspring autism

A cohort study found that a healthy prenatal dietary pattern was linked to reduced risk of autism diagnosis and social communication difficulties in offspring. Adherence to this dietary pattern was not significantly associated with reduced restrictive and repetitive behaviors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 18, 2024

All FODMAPs aren’t created equal: Working toward alternative diets to manage IBS

New studies suggest a simplified, less restrictive low FODMAP diet may be effective for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The alternative 'FODMAP-simple' diet restricts only fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides without restricting other FODMAP groups. This approach may reduce symptoms and improve patient adherence to the diet.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

Paleolithic diets are not without risks

A recent UNIGE study highlights the risks of high-protein diets, also known as Paleolithic diets, which can lead to severe neurological disorders. Excess protein increases ammonium production, overwhelming the liver and potentially causing coma in severe cases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeNews article·DateJul 17, 2024

What fat cats on a diet may tell us about obesity in humans

Researchers analyzed fecal samples from fat cats undergoing different dietary changes and found striking similarities to human studies, particularly in the presence of short-chain fatty acids. The study suggests that feline gut microbiome shifts may correlate with metabolic outcomes and provide valuable insights for obesity treatment.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 17, 2024

Food aroma study may help explain why meals taste bad in space

Researchers discovered that a particular sweet chemical in vanilla and almond aromas could explain the change in perceptions, along with individual sensitivity. The study also found that spatial perception played a significant role in how people smell aromas in isolated settings.

SourceRMIT University·JournalInternational Journal of Food Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Can omega-3 fatty acid intake affect acne severity?

Following a Mediterranean diet and taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements, participants experienced significant reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions. Those who reached target omega-3 levels showed the most substantial improvement in acne severity.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology·DateJul 10, 2024

Diet quality among children

Despite overall improvement, US children's diets remain suboptimal, with total dietary quality scores below the 5-point threshold. The study analyzed data from 2005-2020 and found that the increase remained lower than expected.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 8, 2024

Declining iron levels in women in the military

A recent study published in BMJ Military Health found that female conscripts' iron deficiency more than doubled from 25% to 55% after five months of basic military training. The study also showed a significant decrease in ferritin levels, which can lead to anemia and fatigue.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMJ Military Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 8, 2024

Proteins and fats can drive insulin production for some, paving way for tailored nutrition

Researchers found that individual responses to proteins and fats can drive insulin production, challenging the long-held belief that fats have negligible effects on insulin release. This study has implications for tailored dietary guidance to manage blood sugar and insulin levels in individuals with diabetes or those at risk.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2024

"A hearty debate" concludes plant-based meat alternatives are healthier for your heart than meat

A Canadian Journal of Cardiology review article finds that plant-based meat alternatives tend to reflect a heart-healthy dietary pattern, improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure. The authors recommend incorporating PBMAs into a healthy diet as an excellent protein source, with options lower in saturated fat and sodium.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 26, 2024

Myths about intermittent fasting, debunked

Research debunks four common myths about intermittent fasting: it does not lead to a poor diet, cause eating disorders, excessive lean muscle mass loss, or affect sex hormones. Studies show both types of intermittent fasting (alternate-day and time-restricted) are safe despite popular misconceptions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Reviews Endocrinology·DateJun 24, 2024

Wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants to treat illness and injuries

Chimpanzees have been observed seeking out specific plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments, and further pharmacological testing has confirmed the presence of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds. These findings highlight the importance of studying animal behavior in discovering new medicines.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2024

Dietary sucrose determines activity of lithium on gene expression and lifespan in drosophila melanogaster

Researchers found that lithium's efficacy in enhancing longevity and altering body composition is influenced by the sucrose content of the diet. The study reveals a significant overlap between the transcriptional responses to increasing dietary sucrose and adding lithium, suggesting a joint mechanism at play.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Paternal use of metformin during sperm production not associated with major birth defects

A study of almost 400,000 live births found that paternal use of metformin monotherapy was not significantly associated with major congenital malformations. However, researchers noted that fathers prescribed metformin had higher rates of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, which could affect reproductive health.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJun 17, 2024