Science Weekly - 19072019

Weekly round-up of fitness, nutrition and sports science research publications.

This week's papers revolve around nutrition related questions and solutions on a variety of problems, including childhood malnutrition, childhood obesity, how lifestyle may affect the risks of dementia, that supplements have no impact on heart and other health measures and how the changing climate could affect our nutrient supplies in 30 years.

For malnourished children, new therapeutic food boosts gut microbes, healthy development

New approach targeting gut microbes proves superior to standard treatment
A new type of therapeutic food, specifically designed to repair the gut microbiomes of malnourished children, is superior to standard therapy in an initial clinical trial conducted in Bangladesh. Researchers have undertaken a new approach for addressing the pressing global health problem of childhood malnutrition. Their approach focuses on selectively boosting key growth-promoting gut microbes using ingredients present in affordable, culturally acceptable foods.

Source: Washington University School of Medicine

Healthy lifestyle may offset genetic risk of dementia

Living a healthy lifestyle may help offset a person's genetic risk of dementia, according to new research.

Source: University of Exeter

Early and ongoing experiences of weight stigma linked to self-directed weight shaming

New study identifies key characteristics of people who internalize weight bias
Researchers surveyed more than 18,000 adults enrolled in the commercial weight management program WW International, and found that participants who internalized weight bias the most tended to be younger, female, have a higher body mass index (BMI), and have an earlier onset of their weight struggle.

Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Anti-starvation trick that saved our ancestors may underlie obesity epidemic

A molecular 'trick' that kept our ancient ancestors from starving may now be contributing to the obesity epidemic, a new study finds.

Source: NYU Langone Health / NYU School of Medicine

Vast majority of dietary supplements don't improve heart health or put off death, study finds

In a massive new analysis of findings from 277 clinical trials using 24 different interventions, researchers say they have found that almost all vitamin, mineral and other nutrient supplements or diets cannot be linked to longer life or protection from heart disease.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine

Rising CO2, climate change projected to reduce availability of nutrients worldwide

Protein, iron, zinc to be 19.5%, 14.4%, and 14.6% lower, respectively, than without climate change
​The most comprehensive synthesis of climate change impacts on the global availability of nutrients to date finds that, over the next 30 years, climate change and higher CO2 could significantly reduce the availability of critical nutrients, representing another challenge to global development and the fight to end undernutrition.

Source: International Food Policy Research Institute