Category Archives: Diet And Food

Heat map of thermogenic fat cells (artistic rendering). Image credit: Life Sciences Institute multimedia designer Rajani Arora

Researchers have discovered a new set of signals that cells send and receive to prompt one type of fat cell to convert fat into heat. The signaling pathway, discovered in mice, has potential implications for activating this same type of thermogenic fat in humans.

Thermogenic fat cells, also called beige fat or beige adipocytes, have gained attention in recent years for their potential to curb obesity and other metabolic disorders, due to their ability to burn energy stored as fat. But scientists have yet to translate this potential into effective therapies.

The challenge of activating beige fat in humans arises, in part, because this process is regulated through so-called adrenergic signaling, which uses the hormone catecholamine to instruct beige fat cells to start burning energy. But adrenergic signaling also controls other important biological functions, including blood pressure and heartbeat regulation, so activating it in humans with agonists has potentially dangerous side effects.

In a new study scheduled for online publication June 12 in the journal Developmental Cell, a team of researchers led by the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute describes a pathway that can regulate beige fat thermogenesis independently of adrenergic signaling. Instead, it operates through a receptor protein called CHRNA2, short for Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha 2 Subunit.

This pathway opens a whole new direction for approaching metabolic disorders, said Jun Wu, an assistant professor at the LSI and the studys senior author. Of course, this cholinergic pathway also is involved in other important functions, so there is still much work to do to really figure out how this might work in humans. But we are encouraged by these initial findings.

For their study, Wu and her colleagues blocked the CHRNA2 pathway only in adipocytes in mice, and then fed the mice a high-fat diet. Without the CHRNA2 receptor proteins, the mice showed greater weight gain than normal mice, and were less able to activate thermogenesis in response to excess food intake.

Wu believes the findings are particularly exciting in light of another research teams recent discovery of a new type of beige fat that is not regulated by catecholamine. This newest study from the LSI indicates that this subpopulation of beige fat, called glycolytic beige fat (or g-beige fat), can be activated through the CHRNA2 pathway.

Many patients with metabolic disorders have catecholamine resistance, meaning their cells do not detect or respond to catecholamine, said Wu, who is also an assistant professor of molecular and integrative physiology at the U-M Medical School.

So even if it could be done safely, activating that adrenergic pathway would not be an effective treatment option for such patients. This new pathway, with this new subtype of beige fat, could be the beginning of a whole new chapter for approaching this challenge.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, American Diabetes Association, Chinese Scholarship Council and Michigan Life Sciences Fellows program.

Study authors are: Heejin Jun, Shanshan Liu, Jine Wang, Alexander Knights, Margot Emont, X.Z. Shawn Xu and Jun Wu of U-M; Yingxu Ma of U-M and Central South University, China; Yong Chen and Shingo Kajimura of the University of California, San Francisco; Jianke Gong of U-M and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology; and Xiaona Qiao of U-M and Fudan University, China.

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U-M researchers identify new approach to turning on the heat in energy-burning fat cells - University of Michigan News

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 26: Protesters march on Hiawatha Avenue while decrying the killing of George Floyd on May 26, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired after a video taken by a bystander was posted on social media showing Floyd's neck being pinned to the ground by an officer as he repeatedly said,

As states are reopening and lifting social distancing restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some communities have begun to host gatherings again. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending all Americans to continue wearing cloth face coverings, among other guidelines, to help lower the risk of spreading the virus during gatherings and events.

In its updated guidelines, the CDC "strongly encouraged" cloth face coverings in settings where "individuals might raise their voice," citing shouting, chanting, and singing as examples. These settings might include protests, concerts, conferences, and weddings, or any other gatherings where physical distancing may be difficult. As a reminder, wearing a cloth face mask isn't necessarily meant to protect an individual from getting the virus, but rather to protect them from unknowingly spreading the virus to others, if they aren't showing any symptoms, according to the CDC.

Related: Experts Agree That Swimming Is Safe During COVID-19, but You'll Need to Take Precautions

While the World Health Organization (WHO) recently said the asymptomatic spread of coronavirus is "very rare," the CDC advises event organizers and attendees to continue to exercise caution, and prioritize outdoor activities as much as possible. "The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading," the CDC states.

In addition to wearing face masks, the CDC recommends washing hands often and maintaining distance when possible, and discourages individuals from exchanging physical interactions, like handshakes, fist bumps, and high-fives at events. If you believe that you're infected with the coronavirus, are showing symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone showing symptoms within the past 14 days, you should stay home, especially from gatherings. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, here's how you can take care of yourself at home.

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The CDC Recommends Wearing Face Masks at Any Type of Gathering, Big or Small - Yahoo! Voices

Ethan Brown can't wait to go to China.

The founder and CEO of Beyond Meat was scheduled to take the trip in March, but the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to that plan.

Related: Beyond Meat captures triple-digit revenue growth in fiscal 2019

As soon as he can safely travel, though, he'll be there. He wants Beyond Meat to be a major player as more people there begin eating meat.

"It's a really exciting market for us," Brown said this during the William Blair 40th Annual Growth Stock Conference, which of course was conducted via the internet.

Jon Andersen, a research analyst at William Blair, interviewed Brown and tossed in some questions submitted by the company's investors.

Even before Brown can cross the Pacific, Beyond Meat is working toward its goal of selling the plant-based alternative meat at a price lower than animal-based beef is sold.

Since coronavirus triggered the closing of numerous meatpacking plants across the country, the cost of beef skyrocketedjust as Memorial Day kicked off summer grilling season.

Beyond Meat is taking the opportunity to grab more consumers with its new, value pack of 10 frozen patties at price that, by pound, is about half of its other retail offerings, Brown said.

"This summer, we decided to hold our breath and lean in, because of the very rapid increase in beef pricing on the wholesale and, subsequently, retail markets," he said. "We said this would be a good opportunity for us to invest in pricing.

"It's not going to underprice beef, even at these historic highs, but it will come within striking range, and that's what's important," Brown said. The company's goal is to cost less than animal beef within three-and-a-half years. "We want to see how the consumer reacts to that this summer."

Beyond Meat also plans to start selling its products directly to consumers. Brown didn't give a specific date but said the initiative would launch soon. Although consumers will order via the company's website, it has contracted with a third party to fulfill the orders.

The established retail market has benefited Beyond Meat as the pandemic forced restaurants and other food service outlets to limit sales or close, Brown said. Retail sales haven't completely replaced the lost institutional sales, but they have helped keep the company moving forward.

Europe and Asia are both important markets for Beyond Meat. During Wednesday's conversation, Brown said the European market is better developed than the U.S. market, but that the company needed a production facility there to reduce costs.

The next day, Beyond Meat announced it has contracted with Zandbergen, located in the Netherlands, as a co-packer. The new facility will produce Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage products. It also will debut a sustainable package that features recyclable trays and less paper and plastic, according to a statement from the company.

Beyond Meat also has acquired a manufacturing plant in the Netherlandsits first outside of Missouri. The plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, the company reported.

The company has been importing supplies from Europe, making the product in the United States, then shipping it back to Europea process Brown said was ridiculous during Wednesday's discussion.

But even without Brown's visit, Beyond Meat is starting to put down roots in Asia. Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, has launched Beyond Meat brands there.

"It's kind of a dream come true for a company like mine," Brown said.

But to enter the retail market there, Beyond Meat has some work to do, he said. Asian consumers have a different palate than American consumers, and they use social media differently, as well. But as more residents of China become affluent, they will be more interested in eating meat, Brown said.

"As more meat consumption comes online we hope to benefit from that by providing a plant-based meat," Brown said. He wants to capture the market before consumers make a habit of eating animal meat, so they simply move from a plant-based diet to a diet with plant-based alternative meat, he explained.

"To what extent can we be super aggressive in Asia to help usher in a new era of plant production?" Brown asked rhetorically.

If Beyond Meat can match the taste and nutrition of animal meat, while beating it on price, Brown said he expects consumers in Asia, Europe and the United States to be very attracted to the product.

Link:
Beyond Meat gets ready to feed China and the world - New Hope Network

The real world beckons us from self-quarantine. Scientifically, new cases and hospitalizations are down a data point which has enabled retail, outdoor dining and driving ranges to resume business this week. More holistically, Americans are being called to leave their homes and join in the rallying cry for systematic reform to cease state violence long targeted at black people.

Jenna Wortham deems the pandemic an accelerant in her striking New York Times analysis, A Glorious Poetic Rage. This time is different. Heres Why. Wortham notes, For roughly three months before Mr. Floyds death, Americans were living in a state of hypervigilance and anxiety, coping with feelings of uncertainty, fear and vulnerability things many black Americans experience on a regular basis. Solitude and glaring reminders of the stark inequity across our country led many to examine crucial questions of racism, bias and privilege. Worcesters Amplify Black Voices demonstration drew thousands of peaceful protestors. This show of solidarity marked the first crowded public outing in 10 weeks for me and many others. In so many ways, it felt like the start of a new chapter.

If you too are feeling ready to re-enter society (with a mask, of course) here are a few easy ways to jump in:

Visit the farm

Many business owners and organizers have reached out to me this week with operational updates and thoughts on how to safely re-enter their respective spaces. Creativity and flexibility are at a premium right now for everyone. Many nonprofits forced to cancel major events have pivoted to virtual alternatives. For instance, the Alzheimers Association introduced a free-of-charge meal kit in lieu of their annual fundraising dinner scheduled for April. Theres even a Facebook group where participants can post pictures of their heart-healthy meal photos and videos. If you feel comfortable, head to a local farm stand like Howes in Paxton with your shopping list and prepare a dish to highlight the Alzheimers Associations Mediterranean diet.

Attend an outdoor exercise class

Exercise groups are making adjustments to move their workouts outside. CrossFit Prototype continues to offer online classes in addition to group fitness opportunities held in their parking lot. Owner Mike Collette explained, Were limiting classes to nine clients per one instructor with mats outside. Everyone will have their own parking spot equipped with sanitizing materials and enough room to allow for proper social distancing measures. Colette is hopeful the weather will cooperate for 5:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. classes. Comfort level is the priority here, he said, adding, All classes have filled up immediately, including the waitlist.

Reacquaint yourself with the open road

Whether you are venturing back into the world for a large-scale rally or a small-scale return to the gym, keep in mind your car probably has not gotten a lot of use in the last few months. Mike Bundick, director of product marketing at Michelin North America, suggests you take care of your own light maintenance tasks before traveling more than a few miles for the first time. Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, Bundick said, Now is not the time to get stuck on the side of the road or delayed. If your car has been sitting for an extended period, check the battery and the air pressure before you hit the road. Is your spare tire inflated? Do you have a set of jumper cables? Bundick also urges drivers to check their tire treads with the penny test prior to a maiden voyage. Take a penny and hold Abe's body between your thumb and forefinger, he said, Select a point on your tire where the tread appears the lowest and place Lincoln's head into one of the grooves. If any part of Abe Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal and safe amount of tread. Any lower and your vehicle will have trouble gripping the road.

Be honest about your own comfort level and stay safe out there. Lets make the post-pandemic world a better place.

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Lifestyle: Easing back into the real world - Worcester Mag

I remember when Workplace Wellness meant Id be conducting a series of workshops on health issues to encourage employees to

I remember when Workplace Wellness meant Id be conducting a series of workshops on health issues to encourage employees to adopt better lifestyle habits at home so that theyd stay healthy and call in sick less often. But now, the focus is on wellness at work so that we can get in and out of our jobs without catching anything and bringing it home.

As were being allowed to re-enter the workplace following months in quarantine, we seem to have more questions than answers about how to get back to our office desks safely. It took weeks of practice to adapt to working from home including creating new schedules, home schooling, frequent snacking, no showering, Zoom meetings and even procrasti-baking. But no one prepared us for the precautions we might need to take to navigate the same office spaces we may have worked in for years. Our offices may never look the same again.

[Read: Immunity-Boosting Smoothie Recipes.]

The New Workspace

Elevator buttons on floors, keyless entries, washroom faucets and flushers that work automatically, temperature checking and, of course, mask-wearing are just a few of the modifications well be seeing when we go back to our desks. Employers are working hard to keep us healthy at work, and depending on what state you live in, there may be specific guidelines regarding sanitation procedures and whether you will need to wear a mask at your desk or in communal spaces or both.

But as much as we want to get back to our pre-COVID-19 lives, many of us are skeptical about leaving our shelters. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, psychologist, integrative mental health expert and owner of Dr. Roseann & Associates in Connecticut, coined the term Re-Entry Panic Syndrome to capture the emotion we may be feeling when it comes to leaving the security of our homes.

Capanna-Hodge told me that even people who may not have had a history of anxiety could be feeling panic right now or some level of discomfort about whether their work environment is safe enough for them to return to.

[See: Foods That Can Support Your Immunity.]

Getting to Work

Even if our work stations are pristine, we have to feel comfortable with transportation options that will get us to and from our jobs. Capanna-Hodge agrees that people are worried about public transportation because traveling in close quarters brings a higher risk of catching something.

Capanna-Hodges advice for mitigating this problem is to take care of your own health, eat a nutritionally-rich diet, wear masks, wear gloves and, if it makes you feel better, bring wipes to clean any surface youre sitting on or touching. Above all, dont touch your eyes, nose, mouth or face, she underscores, even if youre using a car service or carpooling.

If you feel the need to take further precautions when you get home from work, Capanna-Hodge suggests that you do whatever procedures you need to make yourself feel comfortable, like showering when you get home, which could be a good way to clean your nasal passages. Good hygienic practices can help to reduce transmission of disease and support the immune system to help fight infection and reduce stress levels.

If you enjoyed schmoozing with co-workers around the water cooler, sharing lunches or meeting in the office cafeteria, you may have to hang onto those memories for a while until we can break bread together again. For the time being, eating at your desk or if you work in an area where youre able going outdoors to a park bench will be your best options.

Dr. Jonathan Spero, CEO of InHouse Physicians, a company that helps global corporations implement policies promoting the health and well being of their employees, says, its clear that everyone is taking food very seriously, so itll be awhile before you see an office salad bar or a buffet again.

Spero feels that corporations may have food services bringing in pre-packaged lunches for their employees including individually wrapped foods like sandwiches. He thinks that the typical gathering in your office kitchen and using a communal coffee pot or microwave or fridge will be on hold for the foreseeable future. Some companies are permitting foods to be ordered in and dropped off, but only by certain restaurants, without the need for employees to leave their buildings. He recommends bringing your own lunch to work.

[See: 10 Healthful Snacks That Wont Break the Calorie Bank.]

Bring Your Own Lunch

So perhaps back to work will start to look more like back to school. Its likely that lunch may need to be brought in instead of ordered out, so if youre preparing meals for your kids, it would be wise to put some aside for yourself. Prepping food from home may seem like itll take you more time, but it could also save you money and even save some calories by packing less fried, salty and expensive choices than a restaurant meal might bring.

You might have to put down some cash to have the right equipment on hand. Consider lunchboxes that contain freezer packs to keep your food cold, so youre not keeping them in the communal fridge. In addition, thermoses for a hot meal, coffee or soup can be handy or a COVID backpack (yes, Ive seen them) with separate compartments for your containers and your computer.

Pre- or post-quarantine, I have always been a fan of keeping go-to snacks or emergency lunches stashed in a desk drawer. A jar of nut butter, whole grain crackers, unsalted nuts, healthy energy bars and dried or freeze dried fruits and veggies could satisfy hunger with a combo of protein, carbs and healthy fats to get you through your day without leaving your desk.

Melissa Altman-Traub, a registered dietitian nutritionist in the Philadelphia area, suggests keeping some items at your desk like, a coffee pot that can be used for coffee or tea, a mug heater, your own coffee mug, dish soap and dish rag.

To take a break, Altman-Traub says, consider online conferences with coworkers from your desk to keep things social or take a walk outside. Now that the weather is warmer, perhaps a picnic on a nearby bench while social distancing with a friend could provide a mealtime escape.

Dont be Mask-Bullied

As we become desensitized to precautions and people start feeling more comfortable sharing space again, they may ditch their distances and stop wearing their masks. But if youre still on your own high alert and you want to maintain the strategies that keep you feeling secure, dont let anyone bully you into letting your guard down until youre ready.

Spero points out that now until November, well be on a positive trend, where things are going to be getting better and better with business back to a new normal, but around December/January, well see a resurgence of colds and influenza and most likely another, but smaller, wave of COVID.

Part of this predicted bump is because, by then, restrictions will have further loosened, the weather will be colder and more activities will have moved indoors and cold and flu season kick up.

That time of year will also bring a resurgence of angst, concern and confusion, not knowing whether a sneezing workmate has the flu, a common cold or COVID-19. Hopefully by then well be in a better place to safeguard our workspaces and protect ourselves.

And consider this: If you scrubbed your hands in the washroom, wiped down your keyboard, brought your own packaged lunch and sanitized your workspace, youll be on the right track. But what are you going to do when you get a text on your phone while youre eating? We often overlook the germs that lurk on our electronic BFFs. Its doubtful that youll set an away message during lunchtime, but it might be helpful to eat a meal with a side dish of sanitizing wipes. Keep your phone clean and stay safe.

More from U.S. News

8 Ways to Eat Healthy During the Summer

Keto-Friendly Breakfast Ideas

What Weakens the Immune System?

How to Be Safe at Work originally appeared on usnews.com

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How to Be Safe at Work - WTOP

The first-ever detailed study of the diets of great white sharks off the east Australian coast reveals this apex predator spends more time feeding close to the seabed than expected.

Lead author Richard Grainger examining contents of a white sharks stomach at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. Credit: University of Sydney

Within the sharks stomachs we found remains from a variety of fish species that typically live on the seafloor or buried in the sand. This indicates the sharks must spend a good portion of their time foraging just above the seabed, said lead author Richard Grainger, a PhD candidate at the Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney.

The stereotype of a sharks dorsal fin above the surface as it hunts is probably not a very accurate picture, he said.

The study, published on World Oceans Day in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, is an important contribution towards understanding the sharks feeding and migratory habits.

Dr. Vic Peddemors a co-author from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries), said: We discovered that although mid-water fish, especially eastern Australian salmon, were the predominant prey for juvenile white sharks in NSW, stomach contents highlighted that these sharks also feed at or near the seabed.

Mr. Grainger said: This evidence matches data we have from tagging white sharks that shows them spending a lot of time many meters below the surface.

GoPro image of a great white shark off east Australian coast at Evans Head, New South Wales. Credit: Richard Grainger/University of Sydney

The study examined the stomach contents of 40 juvenile white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) caught in the NSW Shark Meshing Program. The scientists compared this with published data elsewhere in the world, mainly South Africa, to establish a nutritional framework for the species.

Understanding the nutritional goals of these cryptic predators and how these relate to migration patterns will give insights into what drives human-shark conflict and how we can best protect this species, said Dr Gabriel Machovsky-Capuska, an adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Charles Perkins Centre and a co-author of the study.

Mr. Grainger said: White sharks have a varied diet. As well as east Australian salmon, we found evidence of other bony fish including eels, whiting, mullet, and wrasses. We found that rays were also an important dietary component, including small bottom-dwelling stingrays and electric rays.

Eagle rays are also hunted, although this can be difficult for the sharks given how fast the rays can swim.

The study found that based on abundance, the sharks diet relied mostly on:

The remainder was unidentified fish or less abundant prey. Mr. Grainger said that marine mammals, other sharks, and cephalopods (squid and cuttlefish) were eaten less frequently.

The hunting of bigger prey, including other sharks and marine mammals such as dolphin, is not likely to happen until the sharks reach about 2.2 meters in length, Mr. Grainger said.

Great white shark swimming of east Australian coast taken from a helicopter. Credit: Ryan Montgomery/Aerologistics Helicopters

The scientists also found that larger sharks tended to have a diet that was higher in fat, likely due to their high energy needs for migration.

This fits with a lot of other research weve done showing that wild animals, including predators, select diets precisely balanced to meet their nutrient needs, said co-author Professor David Raubenheimer, Chair of Nutritional Ecology in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Tracking of white sharks shows that they migrate seasonally along Australias east coast from southern Queensland to northern Tasmania, and the range of movement increases with age.

Protecting this species and safely managing its interactions with humans is a priority for scientists and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

This study will give us a lot of information to assist in this management process, Dr. Peddemors said.

Reference: Diet Composition and Nutritional Niche Breadth Variability in Juvenile White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) by Richard Grainger, Victor M. Peddemors, David Raubenheimer and Gabriel E. Machovsky-Capuska, 7 June 2020, Frontiers in Marine Science.DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00422

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Scientists Surprised When They Examine Stomach Contents of Great White Sharks and Find Out What They Really Eat - SciTechDaily

If youve noticed stress-induced breakouts, rashes or skin irritations while at-home during the coronavirus pandemic, it may be time to add gut-friendly foods to your diet.

Cookies and chips may have been your go-to comfort foods, but overdoing it on pantry favorites can trigger gut dysfunction (an imbalance of gut bacteria) and in turn, cause your skin to react. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a healthy diet can play a key role in clear skin.

In fact, healthy skin can start in the kitchen. Dr. Taz Bhatia, an immune support and wellness physician, offers Yahoo Life three items that can help your skin thrive.

Apple cider vinegar helps balance gut bacteria, reduces inflammation and lowers the growth of a yeast called candida. An overgrowth of candida can lead to skin problems like acne and eczema. Bhatia suggests adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to water or combining it with oil for a salad dressing. Apple cider vinegar may not be your favorite drink, but it is magic when it comes to your skin, she says.

Yogurt provides the body with good bacteria that is essential in overcoming bad bacteria and keeps the gut balanced. It calms the gut down and helps to take inflammation down, Bhatia explains.

Dandelion tea helps cleanse the liver, which over time can help clear your skin. The liver digests, processes and metabolizes different hormones and toxins. One of the common reasons for unhealthy or broken out skin is a clogged up liver, almost like a laundry bag that's never been emptied, says Bhatia.

These foods can not only make your skin look good but they can also help you feel good.

For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDCs and WHOs resource guides.

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3 healthy things to eat for clear skin - Yahoo Lifestyle

As we explained in this blog, the best ways to maintain a healthy gut is by being mindful of the foods you choose to eat. However, not all of the nutrition advice available online is reliable and some of it is downright wrong.

Another important point to bear in mind is that one-size-fits-all diet recommendations are not necessarily the answer. In other words, the diet that helped your friend, work colleague or family member will not necessarily be as helpful for you. As such, it is better to focus on the particular ways the foods you choose can support your gut health.

We interviewed gut health dietitians Andrea Hardy, Paula Crespo, Kate Scarlata, Megan Rossi and Mariana Camarena on frequent misconceptions you can find on your way to a healthy gut and how to fix them.

Andrea Hardy: The most common myths I hear are usually around restrictive diets there seems to be a new one each month! Between gluten-free, dairy-free, lectin-free and even vegetable-free, there is an array of restrictive diets focused on removing foods and, often, moralizing food decisions. My nutrition motto is If something scares you, its probably not true. Listen to that gut reaction and trust that nutrition science is rarely that sensational or extreme. All foods you enjoy can fit within a balanced diet. I prefer people focus on what they can add rather than take away!

Paula Crespo: I think that the most common misconception is to not believe how something so abstract or invisible as gut microbiota can be so important to maintaining overall well-being. In general, people dont understand that the gut microbiota is as important as other organs. [I debunk this by giving] specific nutritional recommendations for improving intestinal health. I also personalize those recommendations according to each individual case and condition, and say Just try. This is harmless, it is just food. Please just try and lets see what happens after following these recommendations daily for at least two months.

Kate Scarlata: One common misconception is that FODMAP carbohydrates are bad for you. While some FODMAP food sources such as high fructose corn syrup offer little beneficial nutritional value, other foods that contain FODMAPs such as cashew nuts, pistachios, kidney beans, and onion, to name a few, are rich in healthy prebiotic fibers.If a person tolerates these FODMAP-containing foods, they should be included as part of a healthy diet. A low-FODMAP diet has science to support its use in irritable bowel syndrome, but for the majority of people that do not experience IBS, FODMAP-rich foods can be enjoyed and many FODMAP-rich food sources are fiber-rich and offer health benefits.

Megan Rossi: One common myth is that you need to be following a restrictive diet for good gut health. In fact, the opposite is likely: its more about what you INclude rather than EXclude. Indeed, research has shown people who eat at least 30 different types of plant-based foods each week, compared with those who ate 10 different types, had a more diverse range of gut bacteria, which is typically used as a marker of good gut health. Whats more, cutting out whole food groupsfor example cutting out whole grains and legumes on the paleo dietcan negatively impact your GM. It may also increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Mariana Camarena: The I have to detox to clean my gut myth is one of my favorites. The body has its own detox system supported by the lungs, the colon, the liver, the kidneys and the lymphatic system, which are all programmed to detoxify the body constantly. We dont need a detox diet with enemas to ensure gut health; we just need to maintain a proper diet, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water and sleep well. That is the route to a good and natural detox.

To sum up, although lots of dietary patterns and advice have been touted to have beneficial effects for gut health, not all of them necessarily work for your particular situation. Rather than focusing on what you can take away in your diet and on sticking to restrictive diets for a long while, it is a better approach to focus on what you can add. In case of any doubt or question, ask a registered dietitian before completely eliminating a food group that you love.

Note: original answers may be edited for style and length.

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How to find the right nutrition advice for a healthy gut? Registered dietitians debunk 5 common gut health myths - Gut Microbiota for Health

Saray Stancic, MD ran her first marathon in 2011. This coming October she will walk 25 miles to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her diagnosis with MS. She was supposed to be in a wheelchair by now. "They told me that I would never walk without a cane and that Icould expect to be wheelchair-bound in 10 to 15 years." Her triumphant story is now the subject of a documentaryCODE BLUE, which is about whymedicines most powerful tool is almost never prescribed.

Dr. Stancic shared her story with The Beet. It all began when as a young medical resident, she was having trouble walking and went to the doctor, who did all the tests, MRI's and blood tests and delivered the devastating news: "You have MS."

"I was a young doctor, and so I took all the meds and did all the things mydoctors advised and I kept getting worse. ThenI read about a doctor who had treated MS patients with diet changes in the Netherlands and I immediately began researching more.Her work led her to a plant-based diet, and successfully overcoming her chronic condition. She has a collection of canes and crutches in the basement she says, a reminder of what might have been, had she not taken her own treatment into her hands and changed her diet.

Dr. Stancic'strue cause now is to change the way the medical community views nutrition.She is on a mission to get hospitals and doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals of all types to help feed patients healthy plant-based foods, get the fast food and junk out of hospitals, and make nutrition an integral part of medical training.

"They used to let you smoke in hospitals," she points out. "Now that is absurd. Having a Burger King in Rutgers Medical Center is equally absurd. I protested but no one listened. One day I want to be able to say, they used to feed heart patients eggs and bacon and pancakes. It's just insane."The example starts with the doctor, she adds. "Studies show that if a doctor eats healthy and exercises and is mostly plant-based then the patients will be more likely to follow his or her advice," Stancic says.

Dr. Stancic:I am ininfectiousdisease specialist who started her career in the 1990s during the HIV epidemic and at the VA.... As a young woman, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and I was very ill and taking all these medications and depending on a cane and as a young resident, I was really struggling.

"Then one dayI came across an article in 2003 about the effect of diet and chronic illness and specifically this spoke about the effects on MS -- both the cause and the symptoms. Royce Swank wrote an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in 1952 and said that somehow dairy was connected to worsening symptoms of MS. He was looking at the incidence of MS in Norway and saw that those who were consuming a diet high in dairy and animal fat had a higher incidence of the disease and worse disease. So he started "treating" patients with a low-fat plant-based diet and he followed 130 patients over 34 years and he found that those who followed the diet were symptom-free.

"And here I was a physician at 32 and struggling and this was not taught to me in medical school. And this offered me a glimmer of hope and it wasn't just Swank but others too. And it wasn't just diet but exercise and sleep hygiene and stress relief and these lifestyle interventions were ethe best weapons against MS. And of course, I went to my physician and he didn't think there was any merit in it.

"So I had to take my own treatment into my own care and I adopted a plant-based diet because the overwhelming body of evidence pointed to the fact a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds was the optimal diet not only for MS but for all of us. I went off all my medicines and went into that diet.

It's been 25 and I take no medicines and I run every day. October 11th this year 2020 on that day I am going walk 25 miles and celebrate 25 since my diagnosis. And they told me I'd be in a wheelchair within 10 to 20 years. I don't even have a cane. I have a collection of canes and crutches in my basement. I don't need them.

"My hope is to tell the story of the absence of this critical piece of education in our medical schools. All of our doctors are not getting this education which is particularly important in our world today. The rates of obesity are rising, heart disease and diabetes are all rising. And I am an infectious disease specialist and I treat people from a lifestyle basis. We know that those who have bad outcomes from COVID-19 who die from it have obesity and diabetes. and hypertension ... we can prevent 80 percent of these diseases. We can prevent 80 percent heart diseases. . . and isn't it tragic? Every year about 600,000 people diet every year from heart disease and we could save about 450,000 people a year.

"Not only bring education to the community, but to the public. This is what we need today: To prevent diseases and maintain wellness by changing how we eat.

"Even the way we train physicians is inhuman. They are on-call 24 hours at a time. So they have no time to eat or sleep and no time to exercise. The hospitals should be the example of how we treat humans. Inside Rutgers ... I can tell you there is a Burger King inside... and that to me is unacceptable. I have tried everything, petitions, signs, stood inside the hospital and our community that is struggling with heart disease and hypertension and obesity.

"We need to change medical school and the hospital's food environment. Our patients in the hospital who are healing and recovering from illness should be fed a plant-based diet. We can't serve bacon and eggs and pancakes to someone recovering from a heart attack or heart surgery.

"You used to be able to smoke in the hospital in the 1960s. Today we know better. Today we know that these foods are fueling the disease states: Obesity and hypertension and heart disease. And those are fueling the COVID-19 crisis... this is like a perfect storm, it's come together. And how can you ignore that?

"We need to change the medical school education, as well as pharmacists and nurses and everyone in the health care community. We know that doctors, those who are the ones giving the message to their patients are most likely the ones practicing this lifestyle himself. That doctor who is exercising and eating plant-based and meditating and taking care of themselves is more likely to counsel and educate their patients as well.

"The patients take it more seriously when the doctor is an example. Erika Frank has published literature on that. So those doctors who set an example and those patients are more likely to take it more seriously. They think, If my doctor does it then I should as well.

"I work with patients to practice what I call Lifestyle Medicine. I tell them to optimize every aspect of their life. I spend 2 hours with patients and help them realize they don't have to be hypertensive or obese or have heart disease. I counsel them that they can make changes that will intervention and reverse their disease. They can. That' s what I want for every human being is to optimize and empower them to live their best lives.

"I also mentor youngdoctors and help them integrate this lifestyle medicine into their practices, because we want to treat the disease and teach and educate people about lifestyle medicine.

"I am not against medicine and I think it is an important part of the management and armament against diseases. I am an infectious disease specialist. Where would we be without antibiotics? But many of the diseases we treat are preventative and only 3 to 5 percent of the NIH budget goes toward prevention. But while the advances in medicine are important we know that prevention is even more important. Prevention is always preferred over cure.

"In 2010 I ran a marathon. It was an extraordinarymoment for me. I am blessed and hope to spread this healing message far and wide."

"For the film, interviewing doctors like Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (below) and Dr. Ornish was meaningful. We all care about spending time and resources on prevention.Seven of the top 10 causes of death in America are chronic diseases, two of which, heart disease and cancer, account for nearly 50% of all deaths.

"US health care costs are approaching 3 trillion dollars per year with 86% of these dollars goes to manage chronic illness.Yet studies tell us thatby changingour lifestyle, including diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and managing body weight, we can prevent nearly 80% of chronic diseases that gravely compromise our quality of life. We have to change this paradigm."

More Information About Code Blue:

Code Bluereveals lapses in the current state of medicine and provides a common-sense solution by featuring the practice of lifestyle medicine to prevent, manage and reverse chronic diseases. The film presents the hurdles faced to the proposed shift: antiquated curricula in medical schools, confusion in the media, inadequate government policies, and the underlying influences of the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Code Bluefollows passionate physician Dr. Saray Stancic, as she reflects upon her journey from a multiple sclerosis diagnosis to wellness through her own adoption of lifestyle medicine. Dr. Stancic introduces us to expert physicians and scientists who are paving the way to make the meaningful and necessary change in our healthcare environment, in turn, empowering audiences to stand up and reclaim control of their health.

In Code Blue, the doctorswho have rallied around her and been interviewed for the movie reads like a Who's Who of plant-based medicine, including:

See more here:
This Doctor Treated Her MS By Switching to a Plant-Based Diet - The Beet

Highlights

Whether we like it or not, the elongated period of staying at home has had unprecedented changes on our diet. Some people have started becoming more diet-conscious while at home, avoiding heavy food that could impact health severely at times. Other people are guilty of overindulgence - reaching out for a snack more frequently. Lockdown has meant irregular schedules and changes in working routine too. As countries begin to open up restrictions, it's important to find ways to restore rhythm into our regular working lives and our diets too.

1. Adopt Simplicity

While we were at home, we experimented with new and innovative recipes that we had never tried before. But once lockdown ends, it means getting back to the rigours of life like before. Your motto during this time should be, "Not every meal has to be an event". Keep it simple and make easy recipes for at least some meals to save time on preparation as you resume work.

2. Switch Your Meals Around

Sometimes we don't feel like eating an entire meal, as a drink or a heavy snack often suffices and satiates our appetite. It can be a good idea to practice intermittent fasting by skipping first or last meal of the day. But it is always good to consult a dietitian or nutritionist before making the switch.

(Also Read:Celebrity Nutritionist Pooja Makhija Shares 5 Nutrition Tips For Those Working From Home)

3. Get Creative With Leftovers

It's not necessary to cook every meal from scratch. Leftovers can be creatively used to make a brand new dish altogether. Another idea could be to cook a bit extra during one meal and save time by reusing leftover preparations in the next one.

4. Be Daring

When it comes to easy recipes for working people, there are a plethora of options that can be found. There's no time like now to try out some new recipes, if you find your old ones tedious or time-consuming. It is the way the food is cooked and how it tastes that makes a difference to our habits!

(Also Read:'The Quarantine Plan' by Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar May Sort Out Your Weekly Diet)

The idea is to resume working life with as much rigour and gusto as possible. We need not make drastic shifts to our eating practices in these trying times. However, it is essential to practice good dietary practices to maintain our health. Eating a balanced diet and generous amounts of fruits and vegetables is a must irrespective of lockdown being present. These are basic diet tips that will go a long way in keeping the body fit and fine, at all times.

About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.

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4 Easy Ways To Restore Healthy Eating Habits Post Lockdown - NDTV Food