Articles tagged with Nutritional Physiology
Studies investigate lifestyle interventions to achieve nutritional ketosis and its impact on chronic illness, sleep, and cardiovascular disease in the military. Researchers aim to understand how ketogenic diet, ketone-based beverages, and their effects on clinical outcomes will benefit soldiers' health.
A study published in Nature found that fat entering the intestines triggers a signal that drives mice to consume fatty foods. The gut sends signals to the brain via the vagus nerve, with two types of cells responding to different nutrients. Blocking these signals prevents mice from developing an appetite for fat.
Eating one avocado a day for six months improved overall diet quality by eight points and slightly decreased LDL cholesterol levels. However, avocados had no effect on belly fat or weight gain in participants with overweight or obesity.
A narrative review of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) highlights its potential as a minimally invasive weight loss procedure. The review concludes that ESG induces significant weight loss and improves obesity-related conditions, with the technique's success attributed to delayed gastric emptying. Researchers support the use of ESG...
A new study presents a protein-reduced, Nordic-style diet that increases fruit, berry, and vegetable consumption in infants, establishing a preferable eating pattern. The diet was well-tolerated and did not negatively affect growth or breastfeeding duration.
A large study of over 90,000 postmenopausal women found a strong association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and an increased risk of developing liver cancer. The study suggests that reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intake may help lower the likelihood of developing liver cancer.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered chimpanzees experiencing nocturnal erections, a phenomenon previously only observed in humans. Eight out of twelve male chimps demonstrated this behavior, with half also masturbating and consuming ejaculate, suggesting potential health benefits.
A new study published in Anglo-Saxon England suggests that Anglo-Saxon kings were mostly vegetarian, while peasants occasionally hosted lavish meat feasts for their rulers. The findings challenge historical assumptions about early medieval English history and the role of food-rent in sustaining royal households.
A study suggests that intense exercise can help rats resist cues for high-fat food pellets, even after a 30-day diet. The researchers found that exercise modulated the rats' willingness to work for these cues, reflecting their craving level.
A recent study found that yellow perch can expel microplastics from their bodies, but the process reduces nutritional value and alters liver function. The fish also experienced changes in gut microbiota communities and reduced body protein and mineral levels.
A study by TUM confirms that physically fit primary school pupils perform better in terms of concentration and health-related quality of life. The results show a positive correlation between physical fitness, concentration, and overall well-being.
Researchers have found that two sugar substitutes, acesulfame potassium and sucralose, inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein, a vital protein in liver detoxification. This can lead to impaired transport of toxins and drugs, potentially affecting people taking certain medications. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A recent study suggests that eating nutrient-rich prunes every day may benefit bone health in postmenopausal women by reducing inflammatory factors. The research found significant reductions in inflammatory markers in prune-eating groups compared to a control group.
Researchers investigated physiological changes in Japanese Black cattle during feeding, uncovering metabolic and nutritional conditions. They found increased blood triglycerides, insulin levels, and fat metabolism during fattening phases.
A comprehensive literature review found that consuming plant-based alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) rich in walnuts and flaxseeds can lower cardiovascular disease risk by 10% and fatal coronary heart disease risk by 20%. ALA may also benefit heart health when combined with other omega-3s.
Prunes have been found to help prevent or delay bone loss in postmenopausal women by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. This is due to their potential to alter the gut microbiome, which can lead to lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative damage.
A recent study found that people with Parkinson's Disease who consume more flavonoids have a lower mortality risk than those who don't. The researchers discovered that higher flavonoid intake is associated with improved survival rates in both men and women, particularly when it comes to anthocyanin-rich foods like berries and red wine.
Researchers found that increasing energy intake by feeding more milk replacer supports greater growth during summer. However, feeding frequency had no effect on growth during summer but improved growth during winter. The study suggests optimizing feeding strategies to maximize calf growth and welfare in hot environments.
Researchers found that flavanols activate brown adipose tissue, causing it to burn calories and produce heat. Long-term consumption of flavanols increased the levels of heat-related proteins in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic effect against obesity-related diseases.
A daily dose of yoghurt has been found to be associated with lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. The study, conducted on 915 community-dwelling adults, found that even small amounts of yoghurt were linked to significant reductions in blood pressure.
Katherine Tucker, a renowned nutritionist, has been awarded the top honor at UMass Lowell for her exceptional teaching, research, and service to the university. She will deliver the annual Distinguished University Professor Lecture and continue to lead her research team in establishing long-term interventions for diverse populations.
Researchers found that over 37% of African Caribbean individuals in the UK Biobank had vitamin D deficiency, with insufficient levels prevalent among more than 95% of the black community population. Public health messaging is needed to promote vitamin D supplementation and intake of food rich in vitamin D.
Researchers found that females who consumed less food for their entire lives lived longer but didn't reproduce as well as better-fed counterparts. However, those who switched to unlimited food after early life restriction started mating and reproducing more, producing three times more offspring than restricted diet flies.
A new review in the Journal of Dairy Science explores the relationship between serotonin and calcium metabolism in dairy cows, highlighting its importance in maintaining calcium balance. Research shows that mammary serotonin drives hormone production that modulates mammary calcium transport.
A study found that consuming high amounts of herbs and spices daily can lead to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers discovered that adding just 1.3 teaspoons of herbs and spices a day to an average American diet resulted in lower blood pressure after four weeks.
Adding more fruit and veggie side dishes resulted in a 24% increase in veggies and 33% more fruit, while substituting produce for other foods led to a 41% boost in veggies and 38% more fruit. The study suggests ways parents and caregivers can encourage healthy eating by experimenting with different fruits and vegetables.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation with calcidiol increased the expression of genes related to cell adhesion and migration, pathogen recognition, and pathogen killing in dairy cows. This suggests a possible link between vitamin D and enhanced immune function, particularly during early lactation.
Research from the University of Illinois found that high-oil corn has greater amino acid and energy digestibility than conventional corn, with increased phosphorus and fiber content. This could save producers money by reducing supplement needs.
Research reveals that nectar-feeding bats foraging in intensively managed banana plantations have less diverse gut microbes compared to those feeding in natural forest habitats or organic plantations. This association between habitat alteration and sustainable agriculture on bat gut microbiota is a significant finding.
A new study suggests that prebiotics can help realign sleep-wake cycles and core body temperature after chronic disruption of rhythms, hosting health-promoting microbes and a different metabolome. Researchers hope to develop customized prebiotic mixtures for individuals with frequent circadian disruptions.
The energy balance model fails to explain the biological causes of weight gain, whereas the carbohydrate-insulin model identifies excessive consumption of rapidly digestible carbohydrates as a key contributor to obesity. This perspective argues for a shift in focus from calorie restriction to dietary pattern change.
A controlled trial found that consuming an avocado daily for 12 weeks reduced visceral abdominal fat and the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat in female participants. The benefits were primarily seen in females, with no impact on glucose tolerance or male participants.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a signaling molecule called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) as the key driver of hunger-dependent odor attraction. Mice with NPY deficiency showed reduced preference for food odors, highlighting the crucial role of NPY in enhancing food attraction when hungry.
Researchers have discovered a new target for developing a drug treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) regulates body weight and food intake via a receptor in the brain, according to a recent study published in Cell Metabolism.
A UMass Amherst team, led by Professor David Julian McClements, has been awarded $200,000 to develop plant-based protein with a meat-like texture and feel. The goal is to create fiber-like structures from plant proteins that improve the texture of plant-based meat.
Researchers at Penn State's Sensory Evaluation Center found that milk significantly reduces capsaicin burn, with whole milk and skim milk showing the largest reductions. Milk's effectiveness is attributed to its protein content, which may play a more relevant role than fat content.
Researchers found that food odors impact protein degradation and cell recycling, leading to shorter lifespans. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm model organism, to uncover the role of olfactory neurons and microRNA molecule mir-71 in regulating digestive processes.
Researchers found that perceiving food activates the liver to prepare for nutrient uptake, including rapid signaling cascades that prime the endoplasmic reticulum for protein synthesis. This study may hold implications for understanding obesity and diabetes connections through protein folding and insulin release.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that the brain values foods high in both fat and carbohydrates more than those containing only one nutrient. This suggests that processed foods, which often combine these nutrients, may hijack our body's natural signals governing food consumption.
Successful weight loss maintainers exhibit distinct behavioral and physiological responses to food, including decreased salivation and heart rate after consuming highly palatable foods. This difference in response may contribute to their ability to sustain weight loss over time.
A mouse study found that time-restricted feeding maintains normal food intake and reduces weight gain in obese mice. The researchers discovered that restricting food availability to one half of the day resets the normal timing of satiety signals, leading to less weight gain.
A new study found that phenylalanine reduces food intake by affecting the gut and brain, suggesting it may be used to treat or prevent obesity. The amino acid suppressed appetite by releasing hormones in the gut and activating areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation.
A new study reveals that internal physical states can serve as contexts that cue specific learned behaviors, such as seeking food. Researchers found that rats conditioned to associate fullness with receiving treats pressed the lever far more often when they were full than hungry, suggesting a relapse pattern.
Researchers found that people prefer large, widespread species for basic needs like food and medicine due to their ability to produce large quantities. In contrast, smaller palm species are often used for psychological and self-actualization needs with less dependency on biological traits.
Biological engineers at Cornell University have discovered a way to ferment carbon monoxide into ethanol using an anaerobic microbe. The process is controlled by thermodynamics rather than enzyme expression, making it a potential solution for producing biofuel from industrial waste gases.
A new bitter plant extract, Amarasate™, has been shown to activate gut peptide hormones involved in appetite regulation and suppress subsequent feeding behavior. The study found significant reductions in energy intake following ingestion of the extract.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research demonstrates that nicotine suppresses body weight gain in rats independent of food intake. The study suggests a potential link between nicotine exposure and weight regulation, offering insights into the development of obesity pharmacotherapies.
Researchers identified O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) as a key enzyme regulating food intake in mice. Deletion of OGT caused mice to overeat and become obese, suggesting a new treatment target for human obesity.
A recent study has found that microRNAs, previously thought to be digested and absorbed by the body, are actually broken down in the small intestine, rendering them ineffective for modifying physiological functions.
A leading public health doctor argues that calorie counts should be mandatory on all alcoholic drinks to address obesity concerns. The Royal Society for Public Health supports this move, as a recent survey found that many consumers are unaware of the calorie content in common drinks.
A new study by researchers at San Diego State University found that limiting fruit flies' eating hours can prevent aging- and diet-related heart problems. Flies on a time-restricted feeding schedule slept better, didn't gain as much weight and had healthier hearts than those that ate anytime.
A UCLA psychology study reveals that a diet high in processed foods leads to weight gain, fatigue, and cognitive impairments. The research suggests that junk food diets, not lack of exercise or discipline, are responsible for obesity and related health issues.
A new protocol allows researchers to investigate feeding patterns and detect plant DNA in grasshoppers, providing insights into insect-plant interactions. The method enables tracking of plant food movement during consumption and can be completed in under three hours.
A new study suggests that high doses of vitamin C and E supplements can blunt the improvement of muscular endurance through cellular adaptions. The study found that markers for muscle mitochondria production increased only in the group without supplements.
The study found that metformin significantly reduced food intake and body weight gain by inhibiting neuropeptide Y expression in the hypothalamus. Metformin also improved lipid metabolism by reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein levels.
A new study reveals that sleep duration affects hunger differently in men and women. In normal-weight participants aged 30-45, short sleep increased ghrelin levels in men but not women, while reducing GLP-1 levels in women. This sex difference is associated with increased appetite in men and reduced feelings of fullness in women.
A new study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that humans tend to reject unfair offers of water, even when severely thirsty. The researchers used an ultimatum game to test whether humans would accept an unequal offer of water, and found that they did so only if they subjectively felt a strong need for water.
A study by Purdue University researchers reveals that hornworm caterpillars adapt to increase the efficiency of converting food into energy when threatened by predators. They also increase nitrogen extraction and lipid content. However, this adaptation comes at a cost in later developmental stages.
A study by Max Planck researchers found that looking at pictures of food increases the hormone ghrelin in the blood, leading to feelings of hunger. This suggests that external stimuli like advertising can contribute to weight gain in Western populations.
A field study found that diners with large forks ate less than those with small forks due to the need to visually track their progress. The authors suggest consumers learn to better understand hunger cues to avoid overeating.