Topic of the Month
Big Data and Nutrition in the Information Age
5 April 2018
In the information age, data is key. The amount of digital information produced is estimated to be doubling in size every two years.
08 September 2015
According to a new US study greater adherence to the micronutrient-rich Mediterranean diet is associated with longer telomeres potentially promoting health and longevity.
The observational study calculated nutrient intakes, based on food frequency questionnaires, and measured the relative telomere lengths in peripheral blood leukocytes of 4676 middle aged and older healthy women (1). The study results showed that participants with high intakes of vitamin-, carotenoid- and mineral-rich vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and grains as well as a high intake of olive oil and fish, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, had significantly longer telomeres after adjustment for potential confounders (e.g., body mass index, smoking, physical activity and energy intake).
The researchers noted that micronutrients in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, key components of the Mediterranean diet, have well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can positively affect telomere length. Telomere attrition has been shown to be accelerated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Telomere length is considered to be a biomarker of aging; shorter telomeres are associated with a decreased life expectancy and increased rates of developing age related chronic diseases. The variability of telomere length may be partially explained by lifestyle practices, including dietary patterns.
5 April 2018
In the information age, data is key. The amount of digital information produced is estimated to be doubling in size every two years.
1 July 2013
Micronutrient requirements differ according to the individual. They can vary according to stage of life, gender, health status, lifestyle habits, possible hereditary metabolic disorders and environmental influences. At certain stages of life, the importance of and need for individual micronutrients is particularly high, for example in pregnancy and when breastfeeding, for children and youths during the growth phase, and in old age. Micronutrient intakes that do not meet the needs of earlier stages of life in particular can increase chances of developing chronic illnesses later in life, such as osteoporosis or heart disease. It is therefore important to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, essential fatty acids and other nutrients from the very beginning.
24 May 2013
A new study reports that blood vitamin D concentrations of people living in São Paulo, Brazil, are good among the young and active during the summer, but not so in the winter, and that the elderly have poor levels year round.