Science Weekly - 05102019

​In this edition of Science Weekly you'll find papers on a variety of topics including the connections between supplements and long-term health conditions, the link between weight gain and gut bacteria and how FODMAPs diet may affect IBS symptoms.

Vitamin D and fish oil show promise in prevention of cancer death and heart attacks

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial (VITAL) is the largest and most recent to test whether vitamin D or fish oil can effectively prevent cancer or cardiovascular disease. Results to date have been mixed but show promise for some outcomes, now confirmed by updated pooled (meta) analyses.

Source: The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)

Molecule links weight gain to gut bacteria

Good bacteria that live in the guts of mammals program the metabolic rhythms that govern the body's absorption of dietary fat.

Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Common nutrient supplementation may hold the answers to combating Alzheimer's disease

In a new study, researchers reveal that a lifelong dietary regimen of choline holds the potential to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Source: Arizona State University

Cooking food alters the microbiome

Scientists have shown for the first time that cooking food fundamentally alters the microbiomes of both mice and humans, a finding with implications both for optimizing our microbial health and for understanding how cooking may have altered the evolution of the our microbiomes during human prehistory.

Source: University of California - San Francisco

​Type 2 diabetes remission possible with 'achievable' weight loss

People who achieve weight loss of 10% or more in the first five years following diagnosis with type 2 diabetes have the greatest chance of seeing their disease go into remission, according to a new study.

Source: University of Cambridge

Omega-3 fish oil supplements linked with lower cardiovascular disease risk

People who received omega-3 fish oil supplements in randomized clinical trials had lower risks of heart attack and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) events compared with those who were given placebo.

Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Food insecurity in young adults raises risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma

Stress, fasting-binging, calorie-dense eating may lead to inflammation and insulin resistance
A paradox of food insecurity in wealthy countries is its association with excess weight. Now, a study finds that young adults in the United States who are food insecure not only are slightly more likely to be obese, they are significantly more likely to suffer from disorders associated with high body mass index, as well as obstructive airway diseases like asthma.

Source: University of California - San Francisco​

​Chair yoga more effective than music therapy in older adults with advanced dementia

Pilot study first to show adults with advanced dementia can participate in non-pharmacological interventions
​Researchers assessed the ability of older adults with advanced dementia to participate in non-pharmacological interventions and compared chair yoga with chair-based exercise and music therapy. Results showed that participants with moderate-to-severe dementia could safely adhere to non-pharmacological interventions; more than 97 percent fully engaged in each session. The chair yoga group reported a higher quality of life score, including physical condition, mood, functional abilities, interpersonal relationships, and ability to participate in meaningful activities.

Source: Florida Atlantic University

Drinking more sugary beverages of any type may increase type 2 diabetes risk

People who increase their consumption of sugary beverages -- whether they contain added or naturally occurring sugar -- may face moderately higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

FODMAPs diet relieves symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease

New research has found that a diet low in fermented carbohydrates has improved certain gut symptoms and improved health-related quality of life for sufferers of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Source: King's College London