Articles tagged with Nutritional Physiology
University of Cincinnati researchers found that pleasurable activities like tasty foods and sex can reduce stress by weakening anxiety responses in the brain. The findings suggest a long-term benefit and could potentially provide strategies for intervening in metabolic disorders.
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that eating quickly can lead to overeating by curbing the release of hormones that signal fullness. Researchers discovered that subjects who took their time consuming a meal had higher concentrations of appetite-regulating hormones,...
Researchers suggest a link between lower mortality rates in September and the preceding summer vacations in Mediterranean countries. The study found that extreme heat and cold are associated with increased risk of death, but also noted a physiological effect of increased vitamin D synthesis and stress-relieving benefits of time off.
Researchers found that chameleons alter their sunbathing behavior in response to their dietary vitamin D intake, regulating UV exposure to maintain optimal levels. The study showed remarkable accuracy in the chameleons' ability to gauge and adjust their UV exposure based on internal vitamin D levels.
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that rats whose mothers ate an unhealthy diet during pregnancy were more likely to develop obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This effect was even more pronounced in female offspring, suggesting a long-term health impact.
A genetic variation in the GLUT2 gene is associated with higher intakes of sugars in two distinct populations. The study found that individuals with the variation consistently consumed more sugars, regardless of age or sex.
Recent symposium discussions highlighted the brain's role in initiating and regulating obesity, as well as its response to nutrient abundance. Research suggests impaired brain function may contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, fueling obesity and type 2 diabetes development.
Researchers have identified a critical gene in the circadian time-keeping system that enables animals to predict mealtime. The Period 2 gene plays a key role in the brain's ability to anticipate food availability, but not its effect on physiological coordination outside the central nervous system.
Researchers created the first 'encyclopedia' of nuclear receptors, revealing their role in regulating reproduction and nutrient metabolism. The study found that certain receptors form networks to control processes such as diet-derived lipid use for energy.
Researchers from University of Toronto found that environmental cues, such as portion size, palatability, and social norms, dominate eating decisions rather than physical or nutritional needs. This 'zone of biological indifference' makes individuals vulnerable to socially-based influences, leading to overeating.
A study of 12 normal-weight individuals found that their eating behavior did not compensate for overeating, despite gaining weight. Instead, they maintained their usual eating patterns when returning to their normal environment.
Biological differences in taste sensitivity have been linked to various health risks, including colon cancer and cardiovascular disease. Supertasters are more likely to avoid vegetables due to their bitter taste, but this may lead to a higher risk of certain cancers.
A team of UC Irvine researchers found that pythons expend excessive energy in digestion when consuming protein-rich foods. The study revealed that the metabolic rate needed for digestion is based on the content of the food, not its volume.
A Texas A&M University research team is counting Bowhead whales in the Okhotsk Sea to estimate their population size and understand the impact on the ecosystem. By using photo identification and genetic testing, researchers hope to gather information on the whales' feeding behavior and determine if their food supply is dwindling.
Researchers pinpointed the time it takes for the human brain to signal fullness and identified areas involved in eating. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to record activity changes in neurons, finding a connection between brain activity and traditional biochemical indicators like glucose and insulin levels.