Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Latest Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Standard Process launches new ProSynbiotic product

By our first birthday, we've acquired over 400 bacterial passengers in our gastrointestinal tract. Our gut microbes, or "bugs," work to keep our complex and diverse gut ecosystem in balance. Unfortunately, the trials of daily life-stressful events, aging, diet, or immune challenges-can be hard on these bugs. Standard Process Inc. introduces a new product, ProSynbiotic, to help our body maintain a healthy, balanced gut ecosystem.

8 Jul 2010

Dietary protein intake may reduce bone density in overweight, postmenopausal women: Research

Overweight and moderately obese postmenopausal women using diets based on higher protein intake also need to be aware of potential bone loss, according to new research from Purdue University.

8 Jul 2010

New findings show why some people suffer from high levels of triglycerides

New findings reported in the July issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication, are offering new leads as to why some people might suffer from high levels of triglycerides. High triglycerides are a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. They can also lead to inflammation of the pancreas, the researchers said.

8 Jul 2010

Pfizer invests $100M to expand Singapore Nutrition Plant

Pfizer Inc. today announced a $100 million (U.S.) investment into the expansion of its Singapore Nutrition Plant, helping it continue to set the standard for the manufacture of high-quality, safe and environmentally sustainable nutritional products for infants and children. This expansion, which brings the total investment in the plant to $372 million (U.S.), makes it one of the largest nutritional plants worldwide.

8 Jul 2010

HHS awards $10M to support public health efforts for reducing tobacco use and obesity

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced awards of $10 million to 10 national non-profit organizations to support public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and reduce obesity through increased physical activity and improved nutrition.

8 Jul 2010

Omni Health Media announces launch of CancerConnect.com

Omni Health Media, one of the world's leading specialty publishers of health-related information, websites, applications, and educational programs for individuals with cancer and their caregivers announces the successful launch of CancerConnect.com during the Allen Media Conference in Sun Valley, ID. Cancer Connect is a new social network that will allow people with cancer and those who care for them to share information, inspiration, hope, and support.

8 Jul 2010

Regular use of fish oil supplements reduces risk of invasive ductal breast cancer

A recent report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease.

8 Jul 2010

FDA invites public comments, suggestions on menu labeling

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it is inviting the public to submit comments and information to help the agency implement a new federal law that requires the posting of calorie content and other nutrition information on menu items at certain chain restaurants and similar retail food operations and vending machines.

8 Jul 2010

Common glucose test accurately predicts Type II adult-onset diabetes, study finds

A common test to diagnose gestational diabetes -- a temporary condition which can harm both mother and child if left untreated -- also has predictive power for Type II adult-onset diabetes, a new Tel Aviv University study finds.

8 Jul 2010

Rutgers researchers report genetic coding responsible for making QPM kernels sturdy

Rutgers researchers have discovered the basis for what makes corn kernels hard, a quality that allows corn to be easily harvested, stored and transported. The findings could lead to better hybrids and increase the supply for people in developing countries who rely on it as a nutritional staple.

7 Jul 2010

Study finds link between early nutrition and arthritis in people and moose

It's seen as a sign of getting old, but scientists have discovered that arthritis is not just a human problem as a study lasting 50 years reveals how moose suffer from an identical form of the condition. The research, published in Ecology Letters, also casts new light on how malnutrition early in life can lead to the disorder in both moose and humans.

7 Jul 2010

Codex Alimentarius Commission provides new guidance to help improve food safety

The maximum amount of melamine allowed in powdered infant formula is 1 mg/kg and the amount of the chemical allowed in other foods and animal feed is 2.5 mg/kg, according to new rulings from the United Nations' food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission.

7 Jul 2010

Study shows gene-environment interaction in congenital heart disease

A pregnant mother's diet may be able to interact with the genes her unborn child inherits and influence the type or severity of birth defect according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation. The study, published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, suggests that mothers who eat a high fat diet before and through pregnancy could be inadvertently putting the health of their offspring at risk.

7 Jul 2010

Study: High concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure

A new study by UCSF cardiologists and researchers found that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure, improve the health of blood vessels and increase the number of circulating blood-vessel-forming cells in patients with heart disease. The findings indicate that foods rich in flavanols - such as cocoa products, tea, wine, and various fruits and vegetables - have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients.

7 Jul 2010

Carrots can help protect vision, not improve

In a recent survey among eyecare providers, nearly 30 percent hear the following question at least once a week: Will eating carrots really improve my vision?

7 Jul 2010

FDA accepts DBV Technologies' IND for clinical study of VIASKIN for desensitization to peanut allergy

DBV Technologies (DBV), a biotech company specializing in food allergy with innovative products for diagnosis and treatment, announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its Investigational New Drug (IND) application. DBV Technologies will begin clinical investigation of its lead food allergy desensitization candidate, VIASKIN® PEANUT, for the desensitization to peanut allergy. The Company expects to commence recruitment of peanut allergy patients at several medical centers in the U.S. this month.

7 Jul 2010

Experts show the continuing global impact of Framingham Heart Study

Few medical investigations have had the impact of the Framingham Heart Study. This study, started in 1948, was designed as a cohort, observational study of cardiovascular disease, then recognized as a growing health threat but now has emerged as much more. The Framingham Heart study came to revolutionize thinking about cardiovascular disease, change the study of epidemiology, and even force the biostatistics community to develop multivariate analysis.

7 Jul 2010

PI3 kinase boosts body heat, helps burn excess calories

New findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers suggest that an enzyme in the brain known as PI3 kinase might control the increased generation of body heat that helps burn off excess calories after eating a high-fat meal.

7 Jul 2010

Pfizer's new chewable Lipitor for children receives European Commission approval

Pfizer Inc. announced it has received European Commission approval of a new chewable form of Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) suitable for use in children aged 10 or older with high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and high triglycerides due to the inherited disorder familial hypercholesterolemia and other primary causes, which can increase the risk of heart disease and premature death. This pediatric indication has also been approved for the currently available tablet form of Lipitor.

7 Jul 2010

POMC neurons suppress appetite, induce weight loss: Research

A protein found in cells throughout the body must be present in a specific set of neurons in the brain to prevent weight gain after chronic feeding on high-calorie meals, new findings from UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers suggest.

7 Jul 2010