Research on diet and how food affects the body. Covers the microbiome, meal timing, cardiovascular risk, and nutrition in illness.
The study found that the global prevalence of overweight among infants and children aged 0-5 years is 3.3%, with some countries having very high rates of both overweight and wasting. Developing countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America have the highest prevalences of overweight.
Consumers who consumed high amounts of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods had lower serum concentrations of vitamins and micronutrients, as well as higher levels of homocysteine. This study highlights the need for new strategies to educate consumers on moderating their EDNP food intake.
The average American consumes 27% of their daily energy from junk foods, which can lead to nutritional and health issues. The study found that those who consumed more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop heart disease.
A new study from Michigan Medicine shows that color-coded labels on supermarket shelves can guide shoppers to healthier food choices, particularly among African Americans. The program may lower the risk of diet-related health problems like heart disease.
A study found that women with low-fat diets had 19% lower fractional calcium absorption rates than those with high-fat diets. The authors propose that fat may increase calcium absorption by slowing transit time through the intestines.
A new University of Florida study reveals that consuming folate-rich foods daily can significantly reduce homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease, in postmenopausal women. The research suggests that improving folate intake is crucial for older women's health.
A study by Heaney et al. found that calcium absorption from soy milk is three-quarters of that from cow's milk. The researchers recommend increasing soy milk fortification to match calcium absorption levels of cow's milk.
A Penn State researcher suggests listing energy density on Nutrition Facts labels to encourage people to choose lower-calorie, yet still satisfying foods. This approach can help reduce calorie intake and combat the current obesity epidemic.
A study found that unfiltered coffee increases plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy volunteers, equating to a 10% overall increase in risk for heart attack or stroke. Individuals at risk of cardiovascular diseases should limit their consumption of unfiltered coffee.
A new study from Penn State suggests that healthy eating habits and good health status can help maintain the ability to fight off germs and reduce illness in older adults. The research found that well-nourished women between 60 and 80 years old have immune systems that function similarly to younger women.
A study of middle-aged women found that high consumption of zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C was linked to higher bone mineral density and reduced evidence of bone loss. Moderate alcohol intake also appeared to have a positive effect on bone health.
Two studies published in December 1999 found that green tea consumption can trigger biochemical mechanisms affecting human health. The studies suggest that increasing green tea intake can increase energy utilization, thermogenesis, and fat oxidation, while also protecting cells from oxidative damage.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is establishing a prestigious new Clinical Nutrition Research Unit with $4.7 million in NIH funding. The unit will focus on enhancing the use of laboratory discoveries in population-based and clinical research, as well as educating health professionals about nutrition.
A meta-analysis of formerly obese individuals who lost weight found that their resting metabolic rate decreased, explaining why dieters struggle to maintain weight loss. This decrease in metabolism may be a key factor contributing to the difficulty in keeping excess weight off.
The long-term study found that orlistat helped successful dieters keep weight off. The accompanying editorials suggest that orlistat's benefits are modest.
The IFT Meeting will address key nutrition topics, including the impact of new dietary reference intakes on industry and public policy. The event also highlights the nutritional needs of older adults, particularly those turning age 65 each year, who are at increased risk for nutrient deficiencies.
A Penn State study suggests that eating low-energy-density meals, which contain fewer calories per ounce and are rich in fruits, vegetables, or grains, can help individuals manage their weight while still feeling full and satisfied. The study found that the energy density of food, rather than fat content, plays a key role in satiety.
Researchers found a strong relationship between reading nutrition labels and eating less fat. People who read labels tend to consume 30% or less of their daily calories from fat, compared to 35% for non-label readers.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered specific compounds in garlic that lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting liver cell production. The study found three water-soluble sulfur-containing compounds that decreased cholesterol production in cultured rat liver cells by 40 to 60 percent, with potential implications for heart health.
A recent study found that 57% of patients who received nutrition counseling felt better emotionally after the visit, while nearly 65% felt more in control of their illness. The researchers also found improvements in health, such as weight loss and improved blood pressure, among 44% of patients.
A study found that leptin decreases in response to energy deficit in women, leading to increased hunger and desire to eat. Leptin's role in regulating food intake is supported by the association between leptin levels and self-reported hunger.
A new consortium of experts plans to increase the number of physician nutrition specialists on medical school faculties, establish educational standards for post-graduate training, and promote accreditation and monitoring. The goal is to help create a supply of nutrition professionals who can inform medical curricula and patient care.
A growing recognition of age differences in dietary needs is driving calls for separate guidelines for children. Key findings include the importance of sound scientific evidence and gradual changes to a child's diet, with monitoring of growth by health professionals at regular intervals.
A study investigated the understanding of common food label quantifier terms among consumers, revealing significant discrepancies between their perceptions and FDA regulations. Consumers tended to overestimate the amounts of components affected by these terms.
The American Heart Association recommends using oils in their natural state for cooking, and choosing softer margarines over harder ones for spreads. New guidelines suggest that these choices can help lower total fat intake and reduce trans fatty acid consumption.
A Penn State study found that teenagers prioritize health concerns when shopping, but primarily rely on front-of-label nutrition claims. Researchers suggest educational programs to improve food shopping and label reading skills.
The Nutrition Analysis Tool (NAT) allows users to analyze the nutrients in over 5,200 common food items based on daily allowance data from the US Department of Agriculture. Researchers are working to add an energy calculator to help high school athletes at risk for anorexia and bulimia make better nutrition decisions.
Athletes often overconsume carbohydrates while underconsuming fats, leading to inadequate calories. A well-balanced diet with essential fatty acids is crucial for performance enhancement.
A recent study by Penn State found that Meals on Wheels clients, particularly women, are at risk for iron deficiency due to insufficient nutrition. The study's authors recommend iron supplementation as a viable solution to improve the iron status of female recipients.
A global study of children's weights and heights found a significant association between stunting and overweight in kids from diverse countries. The research suggests that critical periods for weight gain include infancy, childhood, and adolescence, emphasizing the importance of healthy feeding practices.
A study of postmenopausal women found that soy protein increased bone-mineral density, suggesting a potential role for isoflavones in maintaining bone health. The researchers also observed significant improvements in blood cholesterol profiles, with LDL cholesterol dropping by about 8% and HDL increasing by 4.5%.
A sports nutrition program has been adopted by top US women's heptathlon athletes, credited with improving performance and hydration. The program emphasizes fluid replacement and eating small, frequent meals to optimize fuel for high-intensity exercises.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that rosemary significantly inhibited the binding of a known cancer-causing agent to DNA in mammary cells, reducing tumor formation by 76 percent in rats fed a diet supplemented with 1 percent rosemary.