Nutrients
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April 19, 2022Innate Immunity May Also Have Immune Memory
In the past, only the adaptive immune system was considered to create new immune memory (via antigen-antibody interactions) and update its function after novel experiences. Recent studies, however, suggest that innate immunity can also be ‘trained’ by immune events and exposures.
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February 18, 2022Polyphenols Help Maintain Immune Equilibrium
Regulation of the immune response occurs through the collective actions of signaling pathways that direct innate and adaptive immune function. This review examines how dietary polyphenolic substances (quercetin, resveratrol, and others) affect immune signaling networks implicated in the development of autoimmune dysfunction.
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December 6, 2021Dietary Polyphenols Affect Both Commensals and Pathogens in the Gut
This meta-analysis identifies dietary polyphenols that exert significant influence on the intestinal abundance of probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species as well as various pathogenic and beneficial Clostridium species. From data derived by the analysis, the authors estimate daily polyphenol intakes most closely associated with specific improvements in gut microbiota composition.
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November 29, 2021EPA’s Impact on Mood
This meta-analysis of 26 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials concluded that a daily dosage of ≤1 gram of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) provided in omega-3 formulations consisting of at least 60% EPA showed significant benefit in 2160 with depression or depressive symptoms, compared to placebo. The authors discussed several mechanisms for the efficacy of EPA in addressing mood.
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November 15, 2021Higher Flavonoid Intake Linked to Better Cognitive Function
Greater consumption of flavonoid-rich foods has been linked to cognitive health, and this study highlights the special contributions of quercetin, anthocyanins, catechins, flavonols, and flavanones to these findings. These flavonoids are found in berries, green and black tea, citrus fruits, buckwheat, cruciferous vegetables, and other deeply-colored fruits and vegetables.
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October 25, 2021How Plant Polyphenols Benefit Plants—and Their Consumers
This review examines the dual nature of polyphenolic substances created by food plants: protecting growing plants to ensure their survival and enhancing these foods’ nutritional and health advantages for consumers.
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October 11, 2021Omega-3 Supplementation Reprograms the Immune Response
Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA, DHA, and DPA have demonstrated many direct benefits to immune, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive health. Their nutritional influence extends further, however, through the actions of their specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM/PRM) metabolites.
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August 30, 2021The Big Three in Nutritional Modulation of Immunosenescence
Cellular senescence is increasingly linked to biological aging of immune cells, which regulate the accumulation of senescent cells within tissues. This review examines aging processes that affect specific populations of immune cells from both adaptive and innate aspects of immunity. The authors propose three classes of nutraceuticals—phytonutrients, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids—for slowing and potentially reversing the progress of senescence in immune cells and, ultimately, reducing senescent cell burden.
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August 17, 2021
Dietary Flavonoid Intakes Impact Self-Assessment of Cognitive Decline
This decades-long prospective study of over 77,000 health professionals is among the first to demonstrate that a higher intake of flavonoids is associated with significantly reduced risk for subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Especially strong protection was found for flavones, flavanones, and anthocyanins, though other flavonoid subclasses were also associated with reduced SCD risk.
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August 17, 2021The Flavonoid Rutin Modulates GLP-1 Secretion and Glucose Metabolism in Animals
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone that modulates postprandial levels of lipids and glucose. This series of preclinical investigations shows that, in an animal model of type 2 diabetes, dietary addition of either rutin or of Tartary Buckwheat (a rutin-rich relative of common buckwheat) has beneficial effects on blood glucose and HbA1c levels as well as pancreatic beta cell function. These influences were found to be dose-dependent upon intakes of rutin, which was discovered to activate GLP-1.
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July 20, 2021Certain Senolytic Phytonutrients May Also Trigger the Antioxidant Response
The concept of cellular rejuvenation centers upon encouraging immune-mediated autophagy of aged or dysfunctional ‘senescent’ cells. For maintaining performance of healthy cells, the ability to trigger a robust antioxidant and detoxification response is equally important. This review examines current research on how fifteen phytonutrients that possess both of these qualities may be potentially useful for targeting therapies aimed at transformed senescent cells.
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July 2, 2021Regenerative Agriculture Adapts to Unique Soil Needs
This study describes the evolution of regenerative agriculture as a concept and as a real-world system, and notes its flexibility in addressing the unique soil needs of land areas with varying baseline levels of essential fertility.
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July 2, 2021Regenerative Agriculture Benefits Consumers, Farmers, and Planet Alike
This study compares the regenerative approach to soil health with conventional cropping methods for growing corn, and finds that regenerative practices result in restoration of soil structure and fertility, improvement of biodiversity in fields, and greater profitability for farmers. The researchers suggest that regenerative agriculture may hold answers to many of the most pressing concerns regarding conventional global food production.
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June 28, 2021Targeted Dietary Change Nourishes Mental Health
Connections between mood and diet have long been proposed. However, there are only a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that specifically look at the link between diet and depression. One recent RCT in depressed adults was published in 2019 in Nutritional Neuroscience, and helps to shed light on this important topic. In this study, strategic dietary improvements, including adoption of a Mediterranean eating pattern and long-term supplementation with omega-3 fats, were linked to better scores in validated assessments for depression, mood, and quality of life.
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June 21, 2021
How DHA and EPA Contribute to the Omega-3 Index
Supplementation with omega-3 fats—especially of longer-chain DHA, EPA, and DPA—is an increasingly crucial consideration for individuals with cardiometabolic concerns. The results of this study demonstrate that each of these elongated fatty acids presents different metabolic advantages to men and to women, and reinforces the importance of the Omega-3 Index as a key biomarker for immune balance and inflammatory potential.
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June 1, 2021Pro-Resolving Mediators Can Shift Immune Balance in Fat Tissue
In this review, a team of well-regarded lipid mediator researchers examines how pro-resolving mediators (PRMs, metabolites of omega-3 fatty acids) influence immune function in adipose tissue. They give special attention to the chronic low-grade inflammation seen in obesity and the critical importance of adequate tissue levels of PRMs for maintaining immune homeostasis in adipose.
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June 1, 2021Bitter Tastes Can Have Sweet Effects on Energy Metabolism
This series of preclinical investigations shows that bitter receptor ligands can offer manifold benefits in immunometabolic conditions. The results of these and previous studies establish bitter ‘taste’ receptors as useful targets in glucose, insulin, and lipid dysregulation through their ability to induce secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
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June 1, 2021The Flavonoid Fisetin Shows Real-Time Senolytic Potential
In a series of lab investigations, this groundbreaking study evaluated the ability of polyphenols to ameliorate cell senescence. It is the first study to demonstrate that the use of a senolytic phytonutrient given late in life can extend healthspan and lifespan in animals, and it concluded that the flavonoid fisetin is able to reduce senescent cell burden in chronologically and biologically aged animals.
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May 18, 2021
Fish Oil and Essential Fats Build Skin’s Resilience
This review summarizes the most recent research into the effects of essential fats on skin integrity, comfort, and moisture retention. Special emphasis is given to studies on fish oil, as it contains a broad range of components that are integrated into skin structures or metabolized by skin-residing immune cells.
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May 10, 2021
Astaxanthin Can Help Protect Ocular Structures and Visual Function
This 2020 review of preclinical and clinical research into the effects of astaxanthin on eye health found that supplementation with this marine nutrient shows benefits for the retina, cornea, lens, conjunctiva, macula, and ocular vasculature.
