Category: Nutrition

Those experiencing hip fractures are typically more prone to comorbidities, postoperative complications, and protein-energy malnutrition (Bell, Bauer, Capra, & Pulle, 2014; Foss, Jensen, & Kehlet, 2007). Many individuals fail to meet the appropriate amount of energy and protein during postoperative care. As a result, muscle wasting can occur and contribute to further deterioration of nutritional status and health outcomes (Bell, Bauer, Capra, & Pulle, 2014; Foss, Jensen, & Kehlet, 2007; Mahan & Raymond, 2017).

This article will review how the consumption of meat (unprocessed and processed) affects your health, examining both the risks and benefits. It’s important to note that this article’s purpose is to surmise and present the information from the research available for both risk and benefits.

August 28th is National Red Wine Day; red wine is a drink that’s been consumed for thousands of years. The process of making red wine is by crushing whole grapes and leaving it to ferment. There are myriad of types of red wine, which vary in taste, color, and alcohol content, typically 12–15% (Bjarnadottir, 2017). Many believe that in moderation, red wine can be part of a healthy diet.

Vitamin B3, more commonly known as niacin, is a precursor of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) (Kevin Comerford, 2015). They serve a multitude of functions in the body, and are required in most metabolic redox processes in which substrates are oxidized and reduced (“Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals,” 2020). Numerous studies have explored the effects of niacin supplementation on cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life as it has numerous benefits to both the mother and baby (About Breastfeeding). While breastmilk provides all the nutrients that babies need, it is just as important to ensure the mother is getting proper nutrients as well. Nutrient requirements during lactation are increased to cover both the volume and concentration of breast milk (Bo Lonnerdal, 2016).

Many regional cuisines have developed throughout the culinary scene across China and its provinces. Chinese cuisine is uniquely different in each region and sometimes borrow from each other’s styles and neighboring countries. Additionally, in Chinese culture, food is seen as something more than to just satisfy hunger. Food is meant to strengthen relationships among friends and family and sometimes purport health and medicinal benefits (Li & Hsieh, 2015)

Turmeric is a popular Eastern spice grown throughout India, Asia, and Central America. It has been historically used in Ayurveda medicine for many chronic conditions, such as rheumatism, pain, and fatigue. Turmeric contains an active group of polyphenolic compounds, of which curcumin is the most well studied. Curcumin is thought to have potential benefits by reducing inflammation which is the body’s response to infection or injury. The Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kB) pathway serves as a pivotal mediator in the inflammatory response and is usually deregulated in chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. The result is prolonged inflammation that increases tissue damage. However, initial studies have explored the therapeutic benefits of curcumin, which serves as a potent mediator in NF-kB pathway reducing inflammation in varying disease states. As for the health and safety of consumption, curcumin is a generally recognized as safe compound by the Food and Drug Administration. Overall, it seems that a dose as low as 80 mg/day of curcumin can provide health benefits for a generally individual. Although gastrointestinal upset has been seen among individuals in studies consuming large quantities, further research is needed to determine the full extent of benefits, bioavailability, and dose-response of turmeric. As with any trending topic in the nutrition field, it is important to consider one’s diet rather than focusing on a single nutrient when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

There are many purported health benefits of the cherry fruit, thanks to its abundance of vital nutrients. Among the many benefits, cherries have been purported to promote sleep and improve sleep disorders. Inadequate sleep can lead to many unwarranted chronic health conditions and issues. Cherries naturally contain significant amounts of melatonin, a chemical linked in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm. Studies have found promising results in improvements of sleeping patterns, total sleep time, decreased number of awakenings, and treating insomnia linked to the supplementation of dietary melatonin through cherry juice. While the mechanism of effects remains unclear, subjective and objective data report many sleep related improvements with the supplementation of cherry juice. Those looking to alleviate insomnia and other sleep related issues, may find it beneficial to incorporate cherry juice into their diet.