In this week’s “Food As Medicine” digest, we explore various topics that highlight the profound connection between food, health, and medicine. From understanding ultra-processed foods to exploring dietary interventions for chronic diseases, here’s a comprehensive roundup of the latest insights and research.
Ingredients
Discover the insights on ultra-processed foods gained at a leading food technology event in Stat News. Learn about the causes of food poisoning and how to avoid it from NewYork-Presbyterian Health Matters. Enhance your cooking skills with tips from The New York Times.
The Wall Street Journal discusses the consumer limits on rising food prices (WSJ). Harvard Business School shares how a mission to cut food waste launched a multimillion-dollar venture (HBS Working Knowledge). The New York Post examines the potential health risks of a keto diet (New York Post).
Mexican national dietary guidelines promoting less costly and environmentally sustainable diets are featured in Nature Food (Peer-Reviewed Research). Marion Nestle’s Food Politics blog discusses widespread nutrient deficiencies in Australia (Food Politics). Researchers leveraging AI to provide nutritious choices in American food deserts are highlighted by EurekAlert!.
A study estimates exposure to potentially hepatotoxic botanicals in U.S. adults (EurekAlert!). The quality of diet in community café meals for those facing food insecurity is evaluated (EurekAlert!).
Thriving and Longevity: Live Better, Healthier, and Stronger
Optimal dietary patterns for healthy aging are discussed in two large U.S. prospective cohort studies published in Current Developments in Nutrition (Peer-Reviewed Research). The link between Western diets and chronic diseases is examined in Nature Medicine (Peer-Reviewed Research).
The Wall Street Journal shares strategies for improving the odds of a healthy retirement (WSJ). UCHealth provides keys to longevity and aging well (UCHealth). Fortune discusses the potential for AI breakthroughs in longevity (Fortune). Business Insider explains what NAD is and its use as a longevity supplement (Business Insider).
A doctor and CEO of a longevity company shares diet hacks for healthy aging on Yahoo News UK. The podcast “Secrets of Ageing” explores life expectancy (Podcast). A vegan diet’s potential to slow aging is discussed by News Medical.
Yahoo News UK covers supplements a doctor specializing in nutrition and healthy aging takes daily (Yahoo News UK). Preventing Parkinson’s Disease with seaweed antioxidants is highlighted by EurekAlert!. The role of diet and supplements in cancer prevention is also explored by EurekAlert!.
Treatment (Maybe) & Causation of Disease
NPR discusses whether magnesium supplements can help Americans get more sleep (NPR). MedicalNewsToday examines fish oil supplements’ potential to reduce Alzheimer’s risk (MedicalNewsToday). A study on cardiometabolic effects of extra virgin olive oil within a whole-food plant-based vegan diet is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (Peer-Reviewed Research).
The American Journal of Medicine features a study on dietary acid reduction in primary hypertension (Peer-Reviewed Research). MSN reports on the FDA’s findings that yogurt may reduce diabetes risk (MSN). News Medical explores the role of diet and supplements in cancer prevention (News Medical).
The Alzheimer’s Association discusses the risk of dementia from processed red meat and the benefits of swapping it for nuts and beans (Alzheimers Association). An economic modelling study for England published in The Lancet highlights the benefits of population-level interventions for dementia risk factors (Peer-Reviewed Research). MedicalNewsToday reports on how much extra virgin olive oil makes a diet heart-healthy (MedicalNewsToday).
Autism Parenting Magazine explores the impact of a good diet on Asperger’s Syndrome (Autism Parenting Magazine). CNN covers a study on the benefits of a diet high in fruits and vegetables for reducing heart and kidney disease risk (CNN). The Guardian reports on the NHS ‘Soup and Shake’ diet putting Type 2 diabetes cases into remission (The Guardian).
Health examines two diets that improve IBS symptoms more than drugs (Health). The American Society for Nutrition discusses high-quality dietary patterns associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in Asian populations (American Society for Nutrition). A study in Nature Food investigates the complex interplay of diet and chemical exposures during pregnancy (Peer-Reviewed Research).
Cystic Fibrosis News Today highlights a study suggesting a high-fat diet may not benefit CF patients (Cystic Fibrosis News Today). UT SouthWestern links tryptophan intake to liver cancer growth (UT SouthWestern). Nature Communications details how tryptophan fuels MYC-dependent liver tumorigenesis (Peer-Reviewed Research).
AOL discusses the safety of a TikTok viral diet promising to fix gut issues (AOL.com). The Independent explores whether diet can help balance hormones (The Independent). SciTechDaily reveals new research that fish oil could help prevent Alzheimer’s in high-risk individuals (SciTechDaily). JAMA Neurology reports on ω-3 PUFA for the prevention of white matter lesions and neuronal integrity breakdown (JAMA).
Food As Medicine
Time Magazine discusses whether Americans need prescriptions for healthy food (Time). Med City News explores the future of the food-as-medicine market (Med City News). Food Navigator USA examines how interest in weight-loss drugs has ‘turbo-charged’ the food-as-medicine industry (Food Navigator USA).
A nonprofit highlights the healing power of food in an article on Audacy. Healthier nutrition in hospitals is made possible by modified menus, as discussed by EurekAlert!. Public health measures that reduce dementia risk could save up to £4bn, according to EurekAlert!.
Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition discusses preferences for food vouchers among adults with low incomes (Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition). A study on medically tailored meals for hepatic encephalopathy is published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology (Peer-Reviewed Research). An expert from Surrey urges governments to invest in creating healthier, greener food systems, as reported by EurekAlert!.
Dietary and Herbal Supplements
Mayo Clinic Press discusses what’s safe and what to avoid in pre-workout supplements (Mayo Clinic Press). Experts explain the benefits and best supplements for gut health in the New York Post. Glamour shares a personal experience with hair growth vitamins (Glamour).
NutraIngredients reviews supplements for sleep and mood, revealing knowledge gaps (NutraIngredients). Good Housekeeping discusses if a magnesium supplement is right for you (Good Housekeeping). Natural Products Insider revisits the 2015 DNA study against supplement retailers and its industry impact (Natural Products Insider).
The Independent examines if chamomile supplements can help you sleep (The Independent).
Plant Forward
Scientific Reports publishes a study on the association of plant-based diet indexes with the metabolomic profile (Peer-Reviewed Research). Food & Wine reports that ultra-processed plant-based foods can increase serious health risks (Food & Wine).
