Xanthan gum is a food additive used to thicken and stabilize many processed foods. Although it is widely used, animal research has raised questions about whether regular intake could affect gut health. A new study examined whether xanthan gum could promote inflammation and alter the intestinal barrier. The study included 32 adult male rats divided into four groups. For 10 weeks, one group ate a control diet, while the other three ate the same diet supplemented with 462.5, 925, or 1,850 milligrams of xanthan gum per kilogram of food. After the feeding period, researchers examined tissue from t... gut inflammation intestinal permeability ultra-processed foods
Read morePrediabetes, a condition in which markers of blood sugar regulation are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range, is typically treated by focusing on weight loss. However, many people struggle to lose weight or keep it off. A new study examined whether people with prediabetes could return to normal blood sugar levels without losing weight, and whether this change affected their future risk of type 2 diabetes. The researchers analyzed data from a previous large German lifestyle intervention study, focusing on 234 adults with overweight or obesity (BMI around 30) who maintained or e... diabetes metabolism visceral fat
Read moreSilicone bakeware has become a kitchen staple for its flexibility and nonstick surface, yet little is known about how much of its chemical ingredients migrate into food or the air when heated. Scientists at Health Canada set out to fill that gap by measuring how cyclic siloxanes, chemical compounds that can remain as residual substances in silicone baking forms after the manufacturing process, behave during typical baking conditions. The team tested 25 new silicone baking products bought in Canada, including cupcake molds, loaf containers, and cookie sheets. Each was baked at 177°C (338°F) fo... pollution environment
Read moreBone mass decreases markedly with aging, compromising overall fitness and contributing to fractures and falls, especially among older adults living in residential care. Evidence indicates that nutritional factors play critical roles in maintaining bone mass and overall health. Findings from a recent study suggest that dietary protein and calcium reduce the risk of fractures and falls in older adults. Calcium participates in many aspects of human health, but it is perhaps best known for its role in bone health. The body maintains very tight control over the calcium circulating in the blood at ... dairy nutrition bone calcium protein menopause
Read moreCurrent approved treatment protocols for COVID-19 involve provision of supportive care, such as supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation, and administration of remdesivir, an antiviral drug. Results of a recent phase 3 clinical trial demonstrate that REGEN-COV, a combination of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, improves outcomes in people who have COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that mimic the body's natural antibodies. They are mass-produced in a laboratory setting and help the body combat harmful pathogens such as viruses. In late 2020, the Food and Drug... covid-19
Read moreCancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, but new therapies targeting diet and lifestyle may aid in fighting the disease. Emerging research suggests that modulating the kind of nutrients available to cancer cells may encourage or inhibit their growth (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5329766/). Findings of a recent study detail the effects of polyunsaturated fats on cancer growth in mice. Polyunsaturated fats are fatty acids that have more than one unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are present in fish, nuts, and se... cancer omega-3 ketogenic diet
Read moreMetabolic syndrome is a constellation of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood glucose, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. People with metabolic syndrome are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Findings from a new study suggest that fasting "jump starts" dietary strategies to improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome. The "Western diet," also known as the Standard American Diet, is rich in processed foods, red meat, high-fat dairy products, and added sugars. It plays contributing roles in the development of metabolic sy... microbiome fasting blood pressure
Read more[toc position='left'] Background Collagens are major structural proteins in numerous body tissues, including tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, blood vessels, muscles, gut tissue, and dentin.[ref doi='10.1101/cshperspect.a004978'] They are the most abundant proteins in the body, comprising 30 percent of the total protein mass. The human body continuously manufactures collagens to maintain tissue structural integrity. However, aging drives a progressive decrease in protein synthesis and reduced capacity to produce new collagen.[ref doi='10.1016/S0047-6374(01)00337-2'] Collagens are also highl... interesting nutrition aging metabolism autoimmunity menopause
Read moreType 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Long-term complications from poorly controlled type 2 diabetes include heart disease, stroke, diabetic retinopathy (and subsequent blindness), kidney failure, and diminished peripheral blood flow, which may lead to amputations. An estimated 500 million people (https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/67/Supplement_1/202-LB) worldwide are living with type 2 diabetes. A 2017 study suggests that sulforaphane may be beneficial in treating the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Sulforaphane is an isoth... diabetes sulforaphane insulin isothiocyanates blood sugar nrf2
Read more[toc position='left'] Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by negative mood, loss of interest in doing things, and metabolic, hormonal, and immune disturbances that can degrade a person's quality of life and increase their risk of disease and death. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 322 million people – more than 4 percent of the global population – currently live with depression,[ref doi='10.1001/jama.2017.3826'] the most common mental health disorder worldwide. Between 2005 and 2015 (the most recent years for which robust meta-analyses are availabl... inflammation probiotics circadian rhythm meditation behavior heat stress depression metabolism neurotransmitter nutrition exercise brain microbiome interesting omega-3 menopause
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