Ohio University faculty Nathaniel Szewczyk and Sarah Wyatt recently had their research published by NASA in a collection of papers titled The biology of spaceflight. The collection is considered to be the largest set of astronaut and space biology data ever produced. However, this was not the first time either Szewczyk or Wyatt has worked with the prestigious aeronautics agency.

I did my postdoc with a NASA-funded project in North Carolina, Wyatt said. And that's how I got acquainted with working with NASA.

The focus of much of Wyatts research, including that which she did during her postdoc, has been on plants. Wyatt has explored plant signaling in depth, testing how plants respond to certain stimuli, like gravity and the lack thereof. To research plants' responses to a lack of gravity, Wyatt has sent several plant experiments to outer space, working with NASA to do so.

By sending plants and other living organisms to outer space, researchers are indirectly expanding their understanding of how astronauts bodies respond to outer space.

(It is) quite strange to think that there are things that change in plants and people and worms that are similar, but there actually are, Szewczyk said.

Wyatts interest in NASA first piqued when she was much younger. Growing up in the time of the space race, Wyatt watched NASA successfully land on the moon on her eleventh birthday. Now, Wyatt estimates that she has worked on five different flights with NASA. Her upcoming flight is slated to launch in May. Szewczyk is also working on the same flight.

For the first time, he and I will actually fly something potentially on the same flight, Wyatt said.

Like Wyatt, Szewczyk completed a postdoc with NASA. On his upcoming flight, Szewczyk will be sending worms to space, exploring how genetic mutations might alter responses to spaceflight. He has worked with worms in the past, growing and researching them in space.

We've previously grown worms for six months on the space station, so that's about 24 generations with the diet that we use, Szewczyk said. Thats one of the things that's made us think about, given how long we can get worms to survive in space, could we do something like send them to Mars? Could we send them to the moon? One of the projects that we're working on now is developing a worm house that would actually let the worms go to the moon or go to Mars.

Space biology research, like that of Szewczyk and Wyatt, has inspired Ohio University students. Joseph Flesch, a freshman studying astrophysics, is excited by data that suggests increased ability for humans to exist in space.

With the pushes for better quality of life in space and making artificial environments more suited to harboring human life, especially in hostile places such as space, it really makes me feel like space is the next step for humanity, Flesch said in a message.

Although Szewczyk and Wyatt have dedicated much of their lives to science and space research, their careers have not been without challenges.

As a woman in STEM, Wyatt often exists in the minority when working on high-level experiments, like with NASA. This hardship has led Wyatt to devote some of her time to encouraging middle school girls in Appalachia to pursue science with the Tech Savvy program.

Most of the faculty, most of the scientists are men, (and) that's what girls see, Wyatt said. So, (were) trying to get them the chance to see other successful women in these fields, and to know that they can do (it too).

Szewczyk also recognizes that pursuing a career in the sciences will not always be an easy undertaking. He advises persistence.

The most important thing if you actually want to have a career and research is just to be stubborn and to stick with things, Szewczyk said.

@isabelnissley

in566119@ohio.edu

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OU faculty work with NASA, further space biology research - The Post

Across the state and nation, millions of people will don red apparel Friday for National Wear Red Day.

Women and men throughout the country will be wearing red clothing or accessories to show their support of the American Heart Associations mission to saves lives from the nations No. 1 killer heart disease.

February is American Heart Month, an annual celebration that began in 1964 urging Americans to join the battle against heart disease, said Tim Harms, senior director of communications for the American Heart Association.

"A presidential proclamation each year pays tribute to researchers, physicians, public health education professionals and volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating and researching heart disease," Harms said.

The Go Red for Women movement was launched by the American Heart Association in 2004 to raise awareness about heart disease in women.

Harms said a woman dies from heart disease every 80 seconds in the United States, making it the leading cause of death.

Through Go Red for Women, the AHA is teaching women that up to 80% of heart disease is preventable through healthy lifestyle changes.

According to heart.org, every year, the AHA funds more than $180 million of research nationally, including more than $5 million at universities in Indiana.

"Thanks to advancements in treatment, mortality rates from heart disease have dropped more than 50% in the last 30 years; however, one in three deaths are still the result of heart disease," Harms said. "By wearing red, participating in these events and financially supporting the American Heart Association, Hoosiers will help save lives."

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says focusing on heart health has never been more important, and people with poor cardiovascular health also are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Dr. Matthew Wilson with Schneck Primary Care in Seymour said there are a multitude of ways to have a healthy heart, and it all starts with our habits.

"The habits you will want to follow include eating a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining regular exercise and getting enough sleep," Wilson said.

A healthy, balanced diet includes vegetables (especially dark greens such as spinach), fruits, whole grains and lean protein.

"For heart health, you should avoid any trans fats such as those found in processed foods and a lot of fast food," Wilson said. "When preparing food, avoid frying and try to prepare with methods such as grilling and baking and try to incorporate more fish into your diet."

He said shrimp and shellfish are excluded from that list because they are high in cholesterol.

Also, eating things such as leafy vegetables are low in calories and make you feel full faster, so you dont consume as many calories.

For those who enjoy Mountain Dew, Wilson suggests putting down the 2 liter of soda and replacing it with 2 liters of water.

He said doing this will make you feel more full throughout the day and help avoid unhealthy snacking.

Wilson also said people should avoid tobacco use and secondhand smoke.

"The chemicals found in cigarette smoke can damage small arteries in your body that can lead to heart disease and stroke," he said.

Regular exercise includes 30 minutes of moderate activity at least five times a week.

Wilson said being intentional about adding activity throughout your day (park farther away at work, get up and walk around the office during the day, etc.) is good for your heart, too.

"Sleeping seven to eight hours is important for heart health," he said. "Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about conditions, such as sleep apnea, that could be disrupting your sleep and for individualized recommendations for your heart."

Its never too late to improve heart health.

"Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Yes. So its better late than never," Wilson said. "You can start today with small changes, like adding vegetables to your diet, one less fast food run per week or walking for 15 minutes three times per week, even if needing to walk around the inside of your house due to current weather."

Small changes can add up to large improvements in health. The sooner you can start making healthy changes, the sooner your heart and general health will improve and you will likely have a good sense of well-being, he said.

When considering making a lifestyle change, such as trying the Keto diet or Mediterranean diet, Wilson said its always a good idea to talk with your own doctor about which approach is best for you.

Even more important than choosing one of those two diets is making sure you are making overall healthy choices and eating a balanced diet of whole foods including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein.

"Fat is an important part of a healthy diet, but it should be healthy fat from natural sources and include olive, canola, peanut and sesame oils, avocado, nuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseed and fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, mackerel or sardines," Wilson said.

He said remember not to deep fry the fish, though, and avoid trans fats found in processed foods and fast foods.

"As stated above, talk to your doctor about specific diet and lifestyle changes that will lead to you having an improved and healthier heart," Wilson said.

On the Web

For information, visit heart.org or goredforwomen.org/en.

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Friday is National Wear Red Day - Seymour Tribune

Third spacing is an outdated term describing the movement of bodily fluid from the blood, into the spaces between the cells.

The term third spacing also describes the accumulation of fluid from the blood within body cavities, intestinal areas, or areas of the body that normally contain little fluid.

Keep reading to learn more about third spacing, including the causes, phases, diagnosis, and treatment.

Third spacing occurs when intravenous fluid shifts out of circulation in the blood and into the space between cells in organs and tissues, also known as interstitial space.

Third spacing can also describe the accumulation of fluid from the blood into interstitial space, body cavities, or body areas that usually hold minimal fluid.

Once intravenous fluids move into the interstitial space, they no longer impact the bodys fluid balance and become non-functional. Third spacing may affect one organ, an area of the body, multiple organs.

Healthcare professionals initially coined the term third space to describe a non-functional compartment in the body where intravenous fluids would pool during major surgery.

However, experts have never formally identified or localized these areas. Tracer studies have also been unable to confirm the spaces existence.

Some research calls for the terms third space and third spacing to be abandoned, arguing that intravenous fluid can exist within the vascular system or interstitial spaces. Therefore, there is no organ or void space to fill.

Other researchers believe they should only use the term third space to refer to anatomical spaces where extracellular volume the fluids outside of the bodys cells can accumulate, such as within the:

A wide range of conditions can lead to third spacing, usually those that cause severe trauma, obstruction, or inflammation, such as:

There are two distinct phases of third spacing.

Phase 1 is also called fluid loss. In this phase, fluid moves from the blood into the interstitial spaces or body cavities. This typically occurs directly following surgery, trauma, or any other cause of severe inflammation, and lasts for 4872 hours.

During Phase 1, the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries, become more fragile and permeable. When this occurs, they allow fluids and proteins to leak into areas where inflammation, trauma, or obstructions develop.

Phase 2 is also called reabsorption. In this phase, capillaries start to heal and regain their normal permeability, blockages clear, and fluid volume shifts back into the blood. Once in the blood, the kidneys eventually excrete these fluids. Phase 2 usually occurs once someone is recovering in the hospital.

Symptoms of phase 2 include:

Healthcare professionals may monitor someone for signs that the circulatory system has become overwhelmed, such as:

If surgery leads to third spacing, most people complete phase 2 and recover on the third day after surgery.

It is usually difficult to tell whether someone is experiencing third spacing. This makes it harder to diagnose the condition early and reduce the risk of complications.

During or after surgery or a major disease or trauma, third spacing may trigger some symptoms that doctors, nurses, or medical monitoring may pick up on, such as:

The best treatment for third spacing usually depends on the underlying cause and phase of the condition.

Managing phase 1 typically includes administering intravenous fluids, often crystalloid or colloid fluid. Doctors may also give people hypertonic fluids before undergoing anesthesia and isotonic fluids during surgery.

During Phase 1, healthcare professionals will monitor various vital signs to avoid complications, such as:

Treatments for phase 2 typically involve medical monitoring. If severe symptoms occur, healthcare professionals may administer a diuretic, such as furosemide.

Third spacing is an outdated term that medical professionals sometimes use, especially among the nursing community.

The term can refer to the movement of fluid from the blood vessels into interstitial spaces. Or it can describe intravenous fluids accumulating in places typically containing minimal fluid, often during surgery or in response to major trauma or inflammation.

Third spacing is almost impossible to detect, while even healthcare professionals often miss or misdiagnose it.

Contact a doctor if the following symptoms occur, especially during or after surgery, trauma, or major disease:

Read more:
What is third spacing? Causes, phases, and more - Medical News Today

One of the most nutritional edible seeds available to us, chia seeds are among the healthiest superfoods on the planet. It belongs to the salvia hispanica family, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala and a part of the mint family. While it's nutritional values surfaced in recent times, chia seeds date back to the Aztec Civilization in the 16th century.Rich in fibre, protein and other healthy nutrients, chia seeds can be incorporated with almost everything. Whether you choose to have a wholesome breakfast cereal or drink a delicious smoothie, a spoonful of chia seeds can boost your immunity and provide your body with all the essential nutrients.Nutritional value in chia seedsUnlike any other food, chia seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins. That said, one cup of chia seeds can provide you with a wholesome of nutrition. Here's a brief look at what it holds. - 5 grams (g) fiber- 2 g protein- 6 g carbs- 5 g fat (1 g saturated, 7 g polyunsaturated, 1 g monounsaturated, and 0 g trans)- 2 milligrams (mg) phosphorus - 7 mg calcium - 2 mg phosphorus - 8 mg potassium - 5 IU vitamin A- 2 mg vitamin C - 1 mg vitamin E Possible health benefits of adding chia seeds to your dietWhile chia seeds are loaded with nutrients, it can have a positive impact on both your body and your brain. That said, here are some of the effective health benefits of chia seeds.

Chia seeds can aid weight lossChia seeds are rich in fibre and protein, both of which can aid in weight loss. The soluble fibre expands in the stomach and keeps you satiated for a longer period of time, keeping extra and unnecessary calories at bay. Similarly, protein in chia seeds could help reduce appetite and calorie-intake. This facilitates effective and healthy weight loss in the long run.

Packed with antioxidantsChia seeds are a potential source of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, which can combat the production of free radicals. Therefore, it can assist your body in fighting chronic illnesses like cancer and can prevent premature aging.

Loaded with Omega-3 Fatty AcidsAccording to a review in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, chia seeds are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids. This in turn helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and blood clots in people.

Improves bone healthChia seeds are packed with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and protein, which not only enhances energy levels in the body, but also improves bone health and density.

Lowers blood sugar levelsHigh blood sugar levels can be associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases, including heart disease. Due to its high fibre content, chia seeds slow down the absorption of sugar, hence decreasing the level of blood sugar in the body.

Health risks associated with chia seedsChia seeds come with a load of nutritional values and is a wonderful superfood that goes with almost anything. However, too much of it can also cause various health issues. While one tbsp of chia seeds is sufficient and wholesome, going overboard with it can have a negative effect on you.

Excess consumption of chia seeds can often lead to digestive issues. Its high fibre content can prove too strong for your gut and therefore, it is crucial that you increase your intake gradually and drink a lot of water.

While chia seeds are healthy and nutritious, many studies have claimed that the benefits of chia seeds originate from their incorporation with different wholesome diets.

Some studies have also claimed that eating chia seeds alone can be dangerous too. According to a case study presented to the American College of Gastroenterology in 2014, a patient who first ate chia seeds and then drank some water experienced a blockage in the esophagus. This as per the study was caused because the chia seeds absorbed the water and grew in size and expanded in the throat. Therefore, in order to avoid this, one must either cook them or mix them with water first.

How to add chia seeds to your diet?There are many ways to incorporate chia seeds in your diet. While it has no significant taste, it can be added to almost anything.

From adding it raw to breakfast cereals, yogurts and salads to blending it with a wholesome smoothie, you can make chia seeds a staple ingredient in all your meals. It can also be mixed in bread batter, soups, muffins, cakes, sauces and many more items.

Read more from the original source:
Chia Seeds: Health benefits, nutritional value, health risks and how to add chia seeds to your diet - Times of India

It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack, which can vary by person. Sometimes a person may have a heart attack without realizing it and not seek the emergency medical care they need. That could lead to lasting heart damage.

The medical name for a heart attack is a myocardial infarction (MI).

A heart attack usually happens because a coronary artery becomes blocked, reducing or stopping the nourishing blood supply to the heart muscle.

Chest pain is the most recognized sign of a heart attack, but the symptoms someone experiences can depend on their gender and age.

It is essential to identify a heart attack as early as possible and seek prompt medical attention. Treatment can minimize damage and increase the chances of a full recovery.

This article looks at the various symptoms of heart attacks, how these may vary in females and older adults, and when to seek medical attention. It also looks at risk factors, treatment, and prevention.

Most people know that chest pain is a typical heart attack symptom. However, a heart attack can affect the entire body, not just the heart.

Individuals of different ages and sexes may experiences heart attack symptoms differently.

Most heart attacks do have several defining symptoms, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are:

Heart attacks typically involve some level of pain or discomfort in the chests middle or left side. It may feel like sharper pain, or more like squeezing, fullness, or uncomfortable pressure.

Usually, this accompanies chest pain, but shortness of breath may also begin before any chest discomfort.

A person may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, which can radiate to the shoulders. There may also be pain in the neck, jaw, or back.

Someone may feel weak, faint, or break out into a cold sweat.

Heart attack symptoms may show up differently in females, and may seem less evident or unrelated to heart problems.

The following are common heart attack symptoms in females that can occur with or without chest pain:

Because heart attacks are commonly associated with chest pain, females often misread their symptoms and delay consulting a doctor.

It is crucial that everyone, especially females, recognize heart attack symptoms that may be atypical and seek immediate medical help when necessary.

Like females, older adults who experience heart attacks may have non-typical symptoms.

Asymptomatic or silent heart attacks are more common in older adults, and chest pain is an infrequent finding.

During a silent heart attack, someone may experience no symptoms and feel relatively well apart from feeling unusually tired or short of breath. They may also show one or more of the signs associated with heart attacks in females.

The National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute state that acting quickly could save someones life in the case of a heart attack.

Even if an individual is not entirely certain they are experiencing a heart attack, it is best to seek emergency medical help to limit any potential damage to the heart.

The consequences of an untreated heart attack could be severe.

People should always seek medical attention if they suspect a heart attack.

If someone experiences heart attack symptoms for more than 15 minutes, the hearts muscle cells are at a high risk of damage.

From the onset of symptoms, an individual has less than 90 minutes before critical damage levels occur.

If the heart does not receive oxygenated blood, it cannot function normally, which can cause a heart attack. This can happen when a coronary artery is partially or fully blocked.

The most common cause of blocked coronary arteries is coronary heart disease.

When coronary heart disease occurs, fats and cholesterol can form deposits or plaques on the arterial walls, called atherosclerosis.

Over time, the plaques narrow the arteries, and eventually, this obstructs blood flow.

Use of recreational drugs, such as cocaine, can also cause heart attacks.

Several factors increase an individuals risk of a heart attack. These include being age 65 or over, being male, or having a family history of heart disease.

Race also plays a part, as people of African, Mexican, and American Indian descent are at higher risk.

There are also modifiable factors that increase the risk of heart attacks. These include:

The good news is that people can change, treat, or control the modifiable risk factors to reduce the chances of having a heart attack.

Anyone who thinks they are having a heart attack should immediately seek medical attention.

A doctor will diagnose heart attack based on symptoms, age, general health, and family history. They will also carry out tests including:

If the tests show that an individual has had a heart attack, doctors may recommend the following procedures:

A doctor may also treat a heart attack with medications to thin the blood, break up clots, relax the blood vessels, and help with pain relief.

Heart attacks can damage the heart muscle, leading to complications including:

The severity and duration of any complications often depend on how much damage the heart attack caused to the heart muscle.

Although people cannot control all the risk factors of heart attacks, such as gender, age, and genetics, habit changes could help with prevention. These include:

Fortunately, for most people, having a heart attack does not mean the end of a normal, healthy life. However, around 20% of people over age 45 will have further heart attacks in the 5 years following their first.

For this reason, it is important to focus on living a lifestyle that can help prevent heart problems in the future.

Although most people are familiar with a heart attacks common signs, such as chest pain and breathlessness, they may not realize that females and older adults can experience heart attacks differently.

In these groups, heart attack symptoms such as indigestion and extreme fatigue can seem unrelated.

If someone is experiencing any symptoms that may be related to heart problems, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Prompt treatment can save someones life and prevent permanent heart damage from occurring.

Read more from the original source:
How to recognize the signs of a heart attack and what to do - Medical News Today

Plant-based diets have skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade, with vegetarianism and veganism becoming more mainstream across the world. Thatchange could help save the planet.

A new report this month by the Chatham House advocacy organization states that in order to maintain the health of current ecosystems, more people will have to shift to a plant-based diet or we risk severe habitat destruction around the world.

The global food system is the primary driver of habitat loss around the world, researchers write, coming as climate change and deforestation additionally threaten species.

Researchers claim that clearing land for pasture and crop production have been the leading cause for habitat and biodiversity loss, thanks to the growing demand to produce more food at the lowest cost.

The report also specially notes that the current food system is also leading to increased contact with both wild and farm animals, which is exposing the public to zoonotic diseases how scientists believe COVID-19 first spread to humans.

Our food system today is driving both environmental harm and deteriorations in public health, researchers wrote. They ultimately argue that reforming the food system, especially the ways humans cultivate food, will heal biodiversity loss and help protect human health.

Three methods were identified as crucial to overhauling how humans farm. First, dietary habits must shift to plant-based foods on a global scale. This will ultimately reduce the amount of land allocated toward animal farming, which occupies about 78 percent of land used for agricultural purposes across the globe.

In turn, the decrease in carbon emissions from cattle would reduce the total volume of greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere. Multiple ecosystems and habitats for flora and fauna would be preserved as well, helping increase global biomass.

Implementing policies and initiatives dedicated to preserving nature is another crucial component researchers say is needed.

Biodiversity is highest in areas of unconverted land, the report reads. From a purely theoretical perspective, and according to a growing body of academic literature, setting aside land for biodiversity to the exclusion of other uses, including farming, and either protecting or restoring natural habitat would offer the most benefit to biodiversity across a given landscape.

To reduce extinction and habitat depletion, conservation is the most effective strategy, researchers also write.

Finally, scientists note that some animal farming will still occur, but it must be done safely. This requires excluding chemicals like pesticides from crops and moving to smaller-scale animal farming.

This is key to helping reduce carbon emissions.

Intensive, large-scale animal farming entails the raising of large herds on relatively small areas of land, creating volumes of manure that leak nutrients into soils and water courses at scales that become harmful, researchers explain. Ploughing disturbs the soil, liberating carbon into the atmosphere. It exposes soils to erosion by wind and water, damaging nearby water courses.

Changes to how humans cultivate food will have to be done at the policy level, researchers say. The study concludes that the primary path to preserving biodiversity and improving human and planetary health is to forge international dialogues that translate to global action.

Specifically, they mention the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, set for Nov.1-12, as a platform to begin discussions on sustainable agriculture.

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Switching to a plant-based diet is crucial to saving global wildlife, says new UN-backed report | TheHill - The Hill

Especially for teens, I feel that it is very hard to eat healthy. When we are with friends, its never lets go get a salad or maybe we should cut back on our calories. Its always what fast food place sounds the best right now; and that place is usually Chick-fil-A. But, as the pandemic rolled around, I wasnt able to see my friends hardly at all. Meaning I had more control over every meal I had. With a combination of my dads teaching and a strong desire to get shredded for the summer, I ate one of the healthiest diets imaginable.

Most people can agree that they want to eat healthy and get in shape. Well, now is the time to do so. You have so much control over what you eat right now and what you do during the day. With school being only a few hours long and sports being cancelled, now is the time to eat healthy and focus on getting in shape.

Jack, Desmond

At the start of quarantine everything was closed. Because gyms and other places to work out were closed, it was my responsibility to get myself moving each day. If you dont know, exercise creates happy chemicals in your brain, causing your mood (and health) to improve. When I wasnt working out as consistently, there was a steep decline in my mental health. I was just kind of sad all of the time and I felt drained. And so, I reached for food as a way to help me cope. It was nothing too extreme, I didnt have an eating disorder or anything, but that was my way of coping with what was going on. That cycle of not feeling great, then reaching for food, and then feeling worse, continued for a few weeks.

I was probably at an all-time low and I wasnt feeling great about myself. I began to start running to get myself into shape, and started cooking more often. My family assigned my siblings and I one night to cook dinner for the family, and I thought that was fun and almost therapeutic. And so, I got really into cooking for myself and in turn, started eating healthier. I try to pay attention to the foods I eat, but I never obsess about it, because I know that can lead to toxic cycles and patterns. I try to fit in fruits and veggies when I can, but I dont always get my five a day in.

Keener, Hoggard HS Wilmington, NC

Your diet is essential for many aspects of your life whether you realize it or not. And though Covid-19 has made it more difficult for many to have access to fresh produce and healthy food options it shouldnt be an excuse to not be educated how to eat properly and make good food decisions. In fact, Covid-19 was one of the reasons I chose to become vegetarian. I wanted to have more control over my diet and cook at home more. This provided the me with the opportunity, through trial and error to see how my diet affected my body and mind. I was astonished to find that by eating more fruits and vegetables I had more energy and I actually began to enjoy learning new recipes and cooking for myself. It also made me realize just how much Id been depriving myself of a very important part of any diet, fiber. And this is why I believe that its essential for people to think more deeply about what they chose to put into their body, because you only have one.

Jason J., Glenbard West HS Glen Ellyn, IL

This year my taste has changed in food, meaning my diet looks completely different from last year. I have cut all soda from my diet and replaced it with water. I have been eating healthier foods like salads, turkey, and chicken. The most important part to me about having not only a clean input of food but a good consistent exercise routine, without working out eating healthy has little impact.

Badr Abusalah, Palestine

As an athlete, I try to maintain a healthy diet and to be cognizant of what I eat and drink. While I certainly eat fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains, I also enjoy dessert, pancakes, and more everything in moderation! However, I do think that it is important to note the harm of perpetuating diet culture, especially in teens. Eating disorders are widespread and incredibly common, and putting too much emphasis on food itself can lead to unhealthy practices. Rather than focusing on eating healthy to look a certain way, we should promote the concept of eating healthy for just that: health. To make sure that teenagers are eating according to Ms. Carons recommendations, we should recommend tasty ways to eat fruits and vegetables (for instance, a healthy smoothie) and promote healthy eating to feel better, perform better in sports, and be ones best self, rather than for physical appearance.

Sarah Faz, Mountain View, CA

Continued here:
What Students Are Saying About Social Media Consequences, Healthy Diets and Wild Weather - The New York Times

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The global infant nutrition market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7 percent to reach an incredible $61.6 billion by 2026. One of the major demographic factors contributing to this rapid growth is a fast growing population of young working mothers around the world relying on the convenience of infant nutrition formulas. According to the Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, many young mothers participating in the workforce lack the time for frequent and lengthy breastfeeding, creating intense demand for nutritious formula alternatives. Furthermore, markets in developed countries have seen an increased focus on health in recent years. These factors are contributing to huge opportunities for companies in the infant nutrition space, such as Else Nutrition (TSXV:BABY) (OTCQX:BABYF), Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), Danone (OTCQX:DANOY) and Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT).

Else Nutrition Expands Market Footprint

As the infant nutrition market surges, Isreal-based food and nutrition company Else Nutrition (TSXV:BABY) (OTCQX:BABYF) is capitalizing on the rise of plant-based foods and increased focus on consumer health. Else Nutrition has developed a 100 percent plant-based, non-soy, and GMO-free infant nutrition formula that meets the highest standard for nutrition and industry standards to be considered a clean label product. At a time when nutrition products that parents can trust are in higher demand than ever, Else Nutrition is bringing to market a highly disruptive product that is backed by leading US pediatricians and nutritionists.

In recent months, Else has made significant headway distributing its infant nutrition products in the North American market. The company successfully launched its products online through its e-store and via Amazon in 2020 and Else products are now being made available at a rapidly growing list of major US retailers. On December 23, the company announced that beginning in February 2021, its products would be available at major US health food retailer Sprouts Farmers Market. In early January, Else announced that plant-based food ecommerce retailer PlantX would be stocking Else products as part of PlantX's newly created baby products section on its ecommerce platform. On February 2, Else announced that it had signed an agreement with Thrive Market, a US-based online retailer of wellness, nutrition, and better-for-you food products, providing the company with yet another valuable distribution channel.

On January 27, Else announced that its products had been chosen for the high-profile KeHE Distributor's Elevate program. This highly selective program curates unique brands and promotes them in the US market to maximize their growth and success, and to better serve market demands. This selection represents a significant feather in Else's cap and could open numerous doors for the company.

"We are thrilled to have our products chosen for this unique program. KeHE offers best in class distribution and via the Elevate program we will be able to increase our brand awareness and visibility across the U.S. channels served by KeHE," Else Nutrition CEO and Co-Founder Hamutal Yitzhak said in the company's release.

Infant Nutrition Companies Update Offerings Amid Market Surge

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), makers of Similac baby formula, released an earnings and revenue report on February 1 showing better-than-expected growth in 2020 amid challenging pandemic-related market factors. Among other key indicators, the company posted 5 percent sales growth in the pediatric nutrition segment led by the increased market share of Abbott's Similac infant formula brand.

Danone (OTCQX:DANOY), maker of Aptamil, Karicare, Laboratoire Gallia, and Nutrilon brand formulas, announced last year that the company would be launching a tracking service that helps users follow the supply chain of its products. Danone hopes that this approach will help foster greater transparency and consumer trust in its products.

Rather than focusing on the infant formula market, Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC) offers a range of products for infants aged from under six months to over twelve months under its Heinz By Nature brand. Kraft Heinz revamped its baby nutrition line last summer with a greater focus on all-natural, plant-based offerings.

Walmart Inc's (NYSE:WMT)store brand Parent's Choice infant formula is one of the top selling infant formula brands in the United States market for its lower cost compared to its competitors. Recently, Walmart has been undergoing a significant overhaul of its Parent's Choice brand, adding about 120 new products and improving another 100.

The infant nutrition market is surging, but it is also ripe for disruption from innovative and nutritious products that capitalize on ongoing trends in the food industry. This is why there is a huge opportunity for innovative infant nutrition companies like Else Nutrition.

For more information onElse Nutrition, click here.

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Consumer Health Trends are Fueling an Infant Nutrition Surge - PRNewswire

The Center for Food Safety is challenging the FDAs approval of a color additive used to make Impossible Foods plant-based burger appear to bleed like real meat. The advocacy group claims that the FDAs decision was not based on convincing evidence as required by regulation.

In a brief filed Jan. 28 inthe Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals,the center is specifically challenging the Food and Drug Administrations 2019 approval of soy leghemoglobin.

FDA approved soy leghemoglobin even though it conducted none of the long-term animal studies that are needed to determine whether or not it harms human health, said Bill Freese, science policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety (CFS).

This includes studies for cancer, reproductive impairment and other adverse effects called for by FDAs Redbook, the Bible of food and color additive testing. We find this to be all the more troubling because a number of potential adverse effects were detected in a short-term rat trial: disruption of reproductive cycles and reduced uterine weights in females and biomarkers of anemia, reduced clotting ability and kidney problems.

The novel heme colorant is produced in genetically engineered (GE) yeast and is modeled on a protein found in the roots of soybeans. The ingredient is also referred to as genetically engineered heme, soy leghemoglobin. It is the color additive Impossible Foods uses to make its plant-based burger appear to bleed as if it were beef.

FDAs failure to require Impossible Foods to conduct long-term tests called for in the agencys own authoritative guidelines means it does not have convincing evidence that this color additive, consumed by millions, is safe, said Ryan Talbott, staff attorney at CFS.

The approval of soy leghemoglobin must be revoked, unless and until truly convincing evidence proves it to be safe.

The GE heme is a color additive preparation that also contains more than a dozen yeast proteins.

In order to make this GMO heme, Impossible Foods uses the process of synthetic biology to extract DNA from the roots of soy plants where a small amount of heme is produced and then inserts the DNA into genetically engineered yeast where it is fermented to mass-produce the genetically engineered heme.

Because GE heme is new to the human diet, and substantial quantities are added to the Impossible Burger, CFS contends that the FDA should have required extensive safety testing before approving its use as a color additive, as required by law.

The FDA is supposed to have an extremely high bar for approval for color additives in food. The agencys convincing evidence standard means that a color additive cannot be approved without the strongest possible evidence of safety, a higher bar than for other food additives. However, Impossible Foods products containing GE heme are now widely available in supermarkets across the country because of what CPS believes was the FDAs unlawful approval of GE heme as a color additive. according to the center officials.

The full legal brief can be viewed here.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

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Lawsuit challenges FDA approval of additive that makes Impossible Burger 'bleed' - Food Safety News

A new way to create 'food inks' from fresh and frozen vegetables that enables 3D-printed food has been developed by Singapore researchers.

The research team claims their method preserves the nutrition and flavour better than existing methods.

Food inks are usually made from pureed foods in liquid or semi-solid form, then 3D-printed by extrusion from a nozzle and assembled layer by layer.

Pureed foods are usually served to patients suffering from swallowing difficulties known as dysphagia. To present the food in a more visually appetising way, healthcare professionals have used silicone moulds to shape pureed foods, which is both labour and time intensive and requires storage.

While 3D food-printing means food can be easily produced in a desired shape and texture in a shorter time, the dehydrated food and freeze-dried powders used as food inks usually contain a high percentage of food additives such as hydrocolloids (HCs) to stabilise the ink and enable a smoother printing process.

High concentration of HCs usually changes the taste, texture and aroma of the printed food, making it unappetising to patients with dysphagia. This may lead to reduced food consumption and malnutrition among patients.

To overcome this challenge, the research team explored various combinations of fresh and frozen vegetables to make the food inks stable.

They said they were able to better preserve the nutrition of the printed food, which was also more palatable and therefore should lead to increased meal consumption by patients.

Professor Yi Zhang, principal investigator from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, said, Our technology helps to provide dysphagic patients with adequate nutrient-rich and safe diets.Their feeding is more dignified, enabling them to socialise and consume meals that look, feel and taste like regular food.

Our method of 3D-printing fresh vegetables can be used easily in hospitals; nursing homes; day-care centres for the ageing population with dysphagia, and other swallowing disorders. Our research is also another step forward in digital gastronomy, where we can cater to specific requirements prescribed by dieticians, such as nutrition customisation and visual appeal.

Corresponding author professor Chua Chee Kai added: The next frontier of additive manufacturing is 3D food-printing. As the 3D food-printing landscape is increasingly evolving, we are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of this industry to find innovative solutions for global issues, such as food security and sustainability.

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3D-printed fresh vegetables become reality with new method - E&T Magazine