Courtesy: P2Life

Nutrition research has a problem: fit women are severely underrepresented

Nutritional guides tend to provide a kind of one size fits all approach, which stands to leave significant holes in your diet depending on whether youre male or female. At the most basic level athletes training for the same sport at the same levels have similar nutritional needs, however, as always the devil is in the details, and these details can have a massive impact on outcomes. Men and women train with different target metrics in mind, from their ideal swim times to how much theyd like to be able to lift and weigh. Different target metrics and hormonal fluctuations mean that the nutritional needs of men and women are different and will fluctuate. In this two-part series, well be unpacking what male and female swimmers should be doing differently when it comes to nutrition.

The gender gap:

Nutrition research has a problem: fit women are severely underrepresented. Examine. Until recently sports nutrition has primarily been focused on male athletes, in part because there werent many female volunteers, and many werent training with weights to the extent that is normal now. The other major reason for this gender gap was aimed to control for hormone fluctuations, which have been identified as the cause for the largest differences in nutritional needs. The majority of gender-focused research has so far been centered on the unique medical and musculoskeletal aspects of the female athlete, according to an article in the Journal for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. As research continues to evolve more athletes and institutions are calling out for more gender-dependent nutrition research, in the meantime, there are some very clear blind spots in the American diet that female swimmers should specifically be aware of. Given that female athletes are underrepresented in the research were going to start with them.

Female athletes nutritional needs vary more than males:

The menstrual cycle is a key factor for consideration in female athletes, and how they should fuel their bodies. According to Examines review of the currently available peer-reviewed research, no two women are exactly the same when it comes to menstrual cycle lengths and symptoms. Given that the menstrual cycle places additional demands on the body, a one size fits all approach to nutrition is not enough to address the variation in nutritional needs, especially for competitive athletes.

Caution for calorie counters:

Calorie requirements are based on body size and activity levels, regardless of gender. However, adhering to a strict caloric diet can do more harm than good, especially when it encourages disordered eating. More than 30% of athletes report suffering from disordered eating and while women are more at risk, men are becoming a larger portion of the affected count, according to My Fitness Pal. Swimmers adhering to strict dietary restrictions with a focus on reducing caloric intake geared towards preventing weight and muscle gains run a variety of risks, that can run into the realm of injury and overtraining. Not fueling with adequate carbohydrates and proteins can cause the body to enter a catabolic state in which it seeks out glucose, or protein, or other nutrients from sources such as muscles, which is not only less efficient but also puts you at higher risk for injury. Insufficient nutrient intake because of calorie concerns can result in delayed recovery, higher risks for stress-fractures, and hormonal imbalances, amongst other issues.

Strength training matters

Runners and swimmers and divers demonstrated some deficits in site-specific Bone Mineral Density (BMD) values when compared to athletes in other sports, according to the study published in the Journal of Athletic Training. This suggests that college-level female athletes need to pay extra attention to not only getting bone-healthy nutrients, but also on incorporating cross-training that will help build BMD. Athletes and coaches alike are being cautioned to be wary of overtraining and to keep in mind the high incidence of low BMD in female swimmers. One of the ways female athletes can improve their BMD is through resistance weight training, which may also help to prevent stress fractures. Stress fractures are a common problem for female athletes, and osteoporosis is reported to affect 44 million adults, of whom 80% are female according to the study, which also noted that strength-based and high impact sports are associated with higher BMD.

Fueling for success the nutrients female athletes need more of:

Iron:

Iron is a trace mineral that is vital for various biologic pathways including that it is a component of hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. In addition, athletes may be more prone to iron deficiency due to exercise-induced ischemia, foot strike hemolysis, and sweat losses. Female swimmers are at a higher risk for iron deficiencies, because of their menstrual cycles. A study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found around 15-35% of female athletes were iron-deficient compared to the 5-11% of male athletes.

What happens when you dont get enough:

Insufficient iron intake can impact immune function, and lead to higher fatigue, which ultimately impacts training. Insufficient iron can result in anemia, a condition in which you dont have enough healthy red blood cells to oxygenate your bodys tissues effectively.

Try to get more: spinach, lean protein (lean red meat or turkey), iron-fortified cereals, beans and kale. Pair with foods high in Vitamin C: such as oranges, strawberries, green and red bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower, as vitamin C aids the absorption of non-heme iron into the body.

Looking to supplement: a daily vitamin like the P2Lifes Sport Multivitamin for Women is an easy way to get the needed Daily Values of vitamins and minerals, or the P2Life NutriBoost Shake, which can be taken as a post-training snack to help jumpstart recovery. For all you competitive athletes out there, P2Life batch tests all of its products to be free of banned and illegal substances.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, but it also plays a vital role in muscle contraction and relaxation.

What happens when you dont get enough:

Inadequate calcium can result in muscle twitches, cramps, and fatigue. However, 99% of calcium is stored in the skeletal system, namely your bones and teeth. A less well-known fact is that bone density fluctuates, and than if muscle cells do not have adequate calcium they may draw on the vast reserves stored in bone tissue. If this pattern persists over time, the bodys calcium reserves can become lower, which can predispose athletes to injuries and potentially to osteoporosis later in life. A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology also found the supplementation of calcium to be an effective method for reducing mood disorders during PMS. In addition, calcium is directly related to the sleep cycle, an element of recovery that is critical for athletes. Calcium helps to regulate muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Given this role, if youre someone who struggles with muscle cramps you may benefit from taking some time to review your diet and assess whether youre getting enough calcium.

Try to get more: dairy, kale and broccoli, sardines, salmon, or calcium-fortified nut or soy milk if youre looking for dairy-free options. You also want to ensure youre getting sufficient protein, magnesium, vitamin C, K, D and E as they work in conjunction with calcium, and contribute towards building strong bones, absorbing and maintaining calcium levels.

Looking to supplement: get a calcium boost in your diet, the NutriBoost is an excellent source of calcium and a convenient way to jumpstart recovery after training. If youre considering other supplements we suggest that you check whether your supplement is bioavailable and easily absorbed.

The Female Athlete Triad

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the female athlete triad is the causal relationship between inadequate energy intake, menstrual function, and bone-health. This can manifest as amenorrhea (missed periods, or irregular periods) osteoporosis or eating disorders. Amenorrhea can be caused by energy deficiency, calorie-restricted diets, or genetic abnormalities, or even stress. Symptoms of the female athlete triad include skipping family or team meals, missed periods, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, withdrawn or defensive attitudes about diet habits, rapid weight loss or sudden weight fluctuations, excessive training beyond the prescribed protocol. A study published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that the female athlete triad occurs on a spectrum from optimal health to disease, noting the triad occurs when energy intake does not adequately compensate for exercise-related energy expenditure, leading to adverse effects on reproductive, bone, and cardiovascular health. These effects may have short or long term consequences on both the health and performance of the athlete. Diagnosing the female athlete triad can take a whole team of coaches, physicians, and support teams to diagnose, so building awareness around the existence of this issue is important for teams, coaches and female athletes.

Recovery:

In our experience female athletes tend to be more reluctant to supplement than their male counterparts, and this reluctance can put them at a disadvantage, especially if their competition has a more comprehensive nutrition plan, or is taking a superior supplement. Its impossible to work off a bad diet, but sometimes even healthy, well-structured diets have holes in them, and the right supplements can be an effective tool in filling in any gaps in an athletes diet. Athletes who are not getting adequate nutrition are at risk for weakened immune systems and are also more prone to injuries, and are less likely to power through demanding practices. Inadequate nutrition can also manifest with longer-lasting consequences such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and even morbidity.

When it comes to supplements, many female athletes fear that protein shakes cause athletes to bulk, which is simply not the case. They also have concerns about additional calories, and whether the supplement may be tainted. P2Lifes NutriBoost shake contains a combination of three proteins and is specifically designed to build and repair lean muscle, not to add bulk, and is batch tested to be free of banned and illegal substances. The NutriBoost has undergone 35 years of research and development, and a similar formula is used by P2Lifes sister company to assist women in losing weight safely by providing complete nutrition with fewer calories. The NutriBoost is focused on providing athletes with all the nutrients the body needs to repair and recover effectively. The NutriBoost is adaptable, and suitable for athletes looking to keep off weight, but is also a popular option for the many athletes looking to put on some weight, many of whom have found that adding a scoop (or two) of ice-cream to their shakes is a delicious option.

One of P2Lifes goals is to empower athletes with information about what theyre putting into their bodies, to be transparent about what ingredients we use, and why we made the decisions to use them specifically. We recognize that the body of research in the scientific community will continue to grow, and we commit to accepting this as the opportunity to better serve athletes and to iterate our products accordingly. If you have any questions, or comments on content you would like to see us submit moving forward, please leave a note in the comments section. Keep an eye out for part two, where we unpack what male swimmers should be doing differently when it comes to their nutrition.

Sources:

P2Life is a family-owned, performance-based, nutritional supplement company that was designed for swimmers, by swimmers, to protect health and promote performance. Within one year of launching, P2Life was the preferred choice for 40% of the USA Mens National Swim at the London Olympics. Today P2Life is the dominant force in nutrition and is tried, tested, and loved by elite and aspiring athletes across all levels; high school, collegiate and masters swimmers around the globe. Every P2Life product is independently batch tested to be certified free of banned and illegal substances. P2life products have undergone +35 years of rigorous research and development, and the difference they make is evident in the numbers. With 18 Olympic medals, +800 World Records, and +100 National Age Group Records and counting, its clear that P2Life athletes feel the difference.

P2Life was founded by Tim Shead, a Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee and +45x World Record Holder, and co-founded by Michael Shead, a former national water polo player. Tims expertise in swimming and years of experience and knowledge working with nutritional products, combined with Michaels love of innovation and technical background, has enabled the P2Life team to create a technologically savvy company that is dedicated to furthering athletic potential. P2Life strives to empower athletes with the highest-quality nutritional supplements, backed by peer-reviewed scientific research, and to arm athletes and their loved ones with accurate and reliable information to make informed decisions. The whole P2Life team is working to fuel the athletes of today and tomorrow for a bright future, in which dreams become achievable goals and sustainable realities.

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Nutrition: What Men and Women Should Be Doing Differently - SwimSwam

Obesity is linked with several deadly diseases. Yoga is an effective way to maintain a healthy weight. Here are some yoga asanas and diet tips that can help you fight obesity.

Obesity can increase the risk of several chronic diseases

Obesity and being overweight is not only disadvantageous but it is also a dangerous condition. It can be linked to a number of health complications like type-2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, respiratory problems, cancer and more. It also leads to liver disease, gall bladder disease, strokes and can cause complications during pregnancy. There are over 1 billion overweight adults worldwide according to a 2020 study and obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally. Studies also found that about a third of the global population-including adults and children were overweight, of which 10% of people suffered from obesity.

If you or a loved one is obese or overweight, your weight loss should be focussed more on well-being, and overall health than rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss could be unscientific, unhealthy and cause many harmful side effects. If you want to enjoy sustained weight loss, let your aim be to lead a more wholesome, and healthy lifestyle.

Running, swimming, walking, yoga, stair climbing etc. can all be the different ways you can boost your physical fitness. Choose any activity that is suitable for your physical fitness level. It should challenge you without exhausting you. Safe and gentle exercises like yoga can help you align your body and mind to your weight management goals. Weight loss is as much as a mental workout as it is a physical task.

BMI is, an index commonly used for classification of obesity. Over weight is defined as a BMI (or body mass index) greater than or equal to 25.0 & Obesity as a BMI greater than and equal to 30.0.

Common Reasons for Obesity

Yogic techniques include practices such as Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga asanas, and Mudras. Yoga not only helps in eradicating the problem of being overweight but also helps you manage your weight safely. Yoga is a tool that focuses on holistic wellness and works better for your body in the long term.

Meditation - Beej Dhyan/Aarambh Dhyan

The mind is very much like a fertile land where we plant the seeds of our thoughts, and actions for our life. For a plant to grow beautifully, it needs its share of sunlight, fertilizer, and water. Much like a plant, how we nurture our mind and our energies will be reflected in the way that we grow. Bheej Dhyan is the meditation technique that teaches us to pause in life. We can use this method to sow the seeds that can bring about great improvement in our life. Whether we want to start a new habit, change our response, or behaviour all depends on the mind.

Bheej Dhyan or Seed Meditation tests your auto response system. Reacting to life's circumstances in an unconscious manner can either be extremely favourable or unfavourable to your growth and personal success. Seed Meditation controls and transforms this automatic response system that lies within you.

Also read: Yoga for beginners

Chakrasana can help you fight belly fatPhoto Credit: iStock

1. Include Whole Grain - Bajra, Ragi, Maize and Jowar, are some examples of whole grain that you can eat. Try switching to a vegetarian diet. Whole grains provide the body with the energy to sustain and grow and is also a major source of all essential nutrients.

2. Consume Fruits and Vegetables - Ensure that you are including 3 servings of seasonal vegetables, and 2 servings of whole fruits per day. Vegetables and fruits provide both soluble and insoluble fibre in addition to vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

3. Eliminate Fatty Food- Stay away from Trans fats that comes in fast foods, snack food, fried foods and other processed food. Choose low fat milk, double toned and use different combinations of oil to get all essential fats.

4. Reduce your Sugar- Keep the intake of sugar to less than 10% of your total calories. If you are overweight or obese, it is recommended that less than 5% would be better for you.

5. Eat 3 balanced meals - It is important that you eat three balanced meals per day. Keep seasonal fruits aside for you to snack on.

Eat a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weightPhoto Credit: iStock

To create an obesity-free world, we need an increasing number of people to become more conscious about their health choices. This goal can be easily achieved by applying yogic techniques of Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga asanas, Mudras, and affirmations. Yoga not only helps in eradicating the problem of being overweight but also helps you manage your weight safely. This is a tool of holistic wellness and works better for your body in the long run.

Also read: Yoga for belly fat

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(Grand Master Akshar is a Yoga Master, Spiritual Guide and Lifestyle Coach)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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About 95 million adults in the US have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

High cholesterol is often caused by a combination of unhealthy lifestyle factors and genetics. If it's left untreated, these fatty deposits of cholesterol can build up as plaque in your arteries, and may create blockages that increase your risk for heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke.

Many people aren't aware they have elevated cholesterol levels, because there usually aren't any noticeable symptoms. That's why it's important to check your cholesterol at a doctor's checkup every few years and more frequently if you may be at risk.

If you do have high cholesterol, your doctor will recommend certain lifestyle changes and medications to effectively lower your cholesterol and help avoid serious health complications. Here's how to know your risk for high cholesterol and lower it with the right steps.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance created by your liver to perform important functions, like building cells and hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

Your body naturally produces all the cholesterol it needs to carry out these vital functions. But cholesterol can also enter your body through the foods you eat, and if you have an unhealthy diet, your cholesterol levels may become too high. Some people are also genetically predisposed to naturally having high cholesterol levels.

To check your cholesterol, a blood test called a lipoprotein panel measures these components by the amount of milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in your blood:

The cholesterol levels that are healthiest for you can differ by age and gender. Here's what's considered normal or high cholesterol for men and women over the age of 20:

Yuqing Liu/Insider

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults have their cholesterol checked every four to six years. People at risk for heart disease should have their cholesterol levels checked more frequently.

If you're under the age of 20, normal or high cholesterol levels look a bit different:

Yuqing Liu/Insider

Children between the ages of 9 and 11 should have their cholesterol checked once before puberty, according to the CDC, and then once again between the ages of 17 and 21. More screenings may be necessary for children and adolescents with diabetes or obesity, as they can be at a higher risk.

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. It can only be detected through a blood test.

People with very high cholesterol levels, such as LDL cholesterol levels higher than 190 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), may have xanthomas, skin lesions caused by a buildup of fat, on their upper and lower extremities. They may also have xanthelasma soft, yellowish fatty deposits on their eyelids.

Xanthomas and xanthelasma are also symptoms of familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited condition that causes high cholesterol.

Both an unhealthy lifestyle and genetic factors can increase your risk for high cholesterol levels. The major causes of high cholesterol include:

A diet high in saturated and trans fats is one of the biggest risk factors for high cholesterol. This is because these foods affect how your liver processes cholesterol, causing it to build up in your arteries.

Saturated fat is found in the following foods:

As of 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned manufacturers from adding artificial trans fat to processed food. However, partially hydrogenated oils that contain these fats may still be found in some products. If there is less than 0.5 total trans fat per serving, the FDA allows product labels to indicate zero trans fat.

The following are some foods that may have trans fats:

Only 5% to 6% of the calories you consume each day should be from foods high in saturated fats, the AHA recommends, and you should avoid trans fats entirely.

Not getting enough physical activity is another significant risk factor for developing high cholesterol. In fact, research has found that a sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to high-cholesterol related health problems, including coronary heart disease.

A 2002 Duke University study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that people who don't exercise may have smaller protein particles that carry cholesterol through your bloodstream. These smaller particles are more likely to clog your arteries than larger particles.

To help lower your cholesterol level, you should get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, says Guy L. Mintz, MD, director of Cardiovascular Health & Lipidology at Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York.

Research has found that smoking cigarettes is associated with higher levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and lower levels of HDL cholesterol.

The increased levels are caused by inhaling carbon monoxide when you smoke, according to the AHA. The carbon monoxide enters your bloodstream from your lungs and raises the amount of cholesterol in your arteries, causing them to harden over time and increasing your risk for heart disease.

In fact, people who smoke cigarettes are two to four times more likely to have coronary heart disease or stroke than nonsmokers, according to the CDC.

The excess fat associated with being overweight or obese can increase the amount of LDL cholesterol your liver produces. It also slows down your body's ability to remove LDL cholesterol from your blood.

Research has found that about 50% to 60% of people who are overweight and 60% to 70% of people who are obese have high cholesterol.

High cholesterol can be hereditary, because your genes control how much cholesterol your body produces. Inherited high cholesterol is called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This condition begins at birth and increases the risk of having heart disease at an early age.

FH affects about one in 200 to 250 people in most countries. It can be managed with a healthy diet and exercise, though cholesterol-lowering medications may also be necessary.

To lower your cholesterol, Mintz says it's important to get serious about making lifestyle changes. In fact, many people can lower cholesterol naturally without medication in the following ways:

Eating a heart-healthy diet is important for lowering your cholesterol. For example, foods that are high in soluble fiber can reduce your LDL cholesterol, while the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in some seafood can lower your triglycerides.

Foods that can help lower your cholesterol include:

Overall, eating a Mediterranean diet that includes fruits and vegetables, fish like salmon and sardines, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains can reduce LDL cholesterol, according to a 2020study published in the journal Lipidology.

Research has found that regular exercise helps increase the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body, which prevents LDL cholesterol from building up in your bloodstream and blocking your arteries. Exercise also helps lower your triglycerides.

For example, a 2007 meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials that was published in the JAMA Archives of Internal Medicine found that the 1,404 total study participants who did aerobic exercises for about 40 minutes three times each week over a six-month period increased their HDL cholesterol levels by an average of 2.53 mg/dL.

For the most health benefits, adults should get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week, according to thePhysical Activity Guidelines for Americans published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This can include activities like:

Adults should also do muscle-building exercises at least two days a week, such as:

Overall, the guidelines point out that any amount of physical activity has some health benefits, and is better than being sedentary. For more information, read about the best types of exercise for heart health.

When you stop smoking cigarettes, you stop inhaling carbon monoxide. This lowers the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your bloodstream, which will help prevent fatty deposits from building up in your arteries.

In addition, a 2011 study published in the American Heart Journal found that the level of HDL "good" cholesterol can rise about 5%, or 2.4 mg/dL, within just six weeks after quitting smoking. The higher level of HDL cholesterol can help remove more LDL cholesterol from your blood.

Losing weight with a healthy diet and exercise will not only lower your LDL cholesterol level, but it will also reduce your risk for other obesity-related health issues, such as type 2 diabetes.

In fact, researchers have found that people with obesity-related health issues who lose just 10% or less of their body weight can experience reduced cholesterol levels, along with other health benefits like lower blood pressure and lower blood sugar.

Learn more about how to lose weight and keep it off safely.

If lifestyle changes aren't lowering your cholesterol levels, or if you're at risk for having a heart attack or stroke, your doctor may prescribe medications called statins. These are perhaps the most effective cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to the AHA.

Statins work by preventing your liver from producing LDL cholesterol, and helping it remove LDL cholesterol that's already in your blood. Randomized trials have found that statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by about 25% each year for every 39 mg/dL of cholesterol.

While statins are generally considered safe, they may have some of the following side effects:

The following side effects are more serious but rarely occur:

Overall, the benefits of statins far outweigh the risk of side effects, the AHA noted in a2018 report. "From what we know from long-term studies, they appear to be very safe," says cardiologist Eugene Yang, MD, medical director of the UW Medicine Eastside Specialty Center and chair-elect of the ACC Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Council.

But statins won't lower cholesterol on their own, so it's important to also adopt the healthy lifestyle changes mentioned above. "One of the things that's really important is that patients don't use the medications as a way to justify eating unhealthily," Yang says.

If you think you have high cholesterol or may be at risk, you should check in with your primary care doctor. They may also refer you to a cardiologist, who can evaluate your overall cardiovascular risk, determine the cause of your elevated cholesterol, and recommend a safe, effective, and individualized course of treatment to lower your cholesterol.

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How to know if you have high cholesterol and the best ways to lower it - Insider - INSIDER

The internet is filled with blogs and articles offering advice for parents who are trying to coax children into eating greens. Anyone with kids can relate to stories of mealtimes becoming a succession of attritional confrontations, where you cycle through ineffectual strategies before accepting the reality of the situation and plead with your toddler to simply take one bite of broccoli. In the end, it doesnt matter how much gravy you pour on fish, or cheese you melt on cauliflower fussy toddlers know what youre up to.

If we could converse with animals, they would also relate to these stories, as many species have a seemingly irrational dislike of anything unfamiliar and are more likely to eat new food after watching other individuals try it. Fussy eating can be an important way of avoiding toxic food, as witnessing other individuals eat new foods might tell them that its safe.

But fascinatingly, fussy eating may also indicate the presence of teaching in animals. Despite 30 years of research on the topic, there are still few examples of teaching in other species, making it difficult to understand how such behaviour might have evolved. My colleagues and I recently conducted research in the Atlantic forest of Brazil that provides new evidence that some animals may effectively teach their young what foods are safe to eat.

There are plenty of examples of fussy eating among animals. Young marmoset monkeys are slow to eat new food when alone, but are more willing to take a risk and try it if they are surrounded by family. Similarly, capuchins eat more unfamiliar food when group members also do so.

There are instances where food handling is linked to teaching in animals. The way in which meerkats show their young how to safely handle scorpions for eating is one well-known illustration. At first, young pups are given dead scorpions to familiarise them with the dangerous insect. As the meerkats grow up, adults remove the sting from live scorpions so that the pups can learn how to deal with the prey. Then intact animals are gradually introduced.

As a behaviour, this meets the three criteria scientists use to identify teaching in animals. An individual changes its behaviour in the presence of an observer, at a cost or no benefit to themselves, and this change leads to learning in another individual. In the case of the meerkats, although an escaped scorpion might represent a lost lunch, the exercise leads to learning in the young observer.

This kind of research has helped challenge the long-held assumption that teaching is a uniquely human practice. But the overall dearth of evidence means there is still debate.

In particular, its not always clear that instances where animals learn to eat new foods because of other individuals around them really meet the criteria for teaching. For example, there is limited evidence that adult golden lion tamarin monkeys, which are known to have a varied diet that includes insects and fruits, might teach their young about diet by sharing and transferring food.

If such food transfers do have a teaching function, we would expect them to meet the three criteria I mentioned before. The tamarins would transfer more unfamiliar food than familiar food because this would create the opportunity for learning.

On two recent visits to Brazil, we studied this behaviour by introducing familiar and unfamiliar foods to wild groups of tamarins. Initially, we introduced these foods when young tamarins were dependent on their family, enabling us to look at how adult tamarins transferred food within their family group.

Six months later, when the young tamarins were independent, we returned to find that their food choices were influenced by their parents. The tamarins did not, as we had expected, transfer more unfamiliar food than familiar food. But they did transfer more food they had grown accustomed to than the food they had never tried.

Despite not clearly demonstrating teaching because it doesnt meet all the criteria, this evidence appears to show that adult tamarins assess new food first before passing it on to others. This is still significant for juveniles, as they learn about what to include in their diet from the food that they receive from adults.

It is possible that food transfers in golden lion tamarins serve several functions simultaneously, depending on the identity of the individual receiving the food, and the food type being transferred. Further research could look at how tamarins transfer insects to see if there is a general pattern.

We also need to investigate whether adult tamarin gain any benefit, such as decreased harassment or increased social bonds, by transferring food to their young. Such information would help us come closer to understanding whether some animals really can be taught to overcome their fussy eating.

Original post:
Animals are picky eaters too we're trying to discover if parents teach them what's safe to eat - The Conversation UK

Pregnant women should avoid coffee, soda, and other caffeine-containing products for the safest pregnancy possible, according to a review of 48 existing studies published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

Caffeine can cause a persons heart rate and blood pressure to spike, Insider previously reported, two conditions that can negatively impact a foetus during pregnancy.

For the review, researchers from Reykjavik University in Iceland looked at data from 37 observational studies that were published after 2000, plus 11 articles that reviewed previous studies on caffeine and pregnancy. Those 11 article were published after 1998.

After reviewing the existing findings, they determined any level of caffeine consumption can increase a pregnant womans risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight.

These findings go against the official existing recommendations in the UK, US, and the European Commission, which all say pregnant women can consume a moderate amount of caffeine, about the equivalent of two cups of coffee, and still be safe.

The researchers said existing guidelines need radical revision in light of their findings.

After examining studies on caffeine consumption and miscarriage, nine in total, the researchers found that eight of those studies showed significant associations, but not a direct link, between the amount of caffeine a pregnant woman consumed and her risk of experiencing a miscarriage.

One of those studies concluded caffeine-consuming pregnant women could be one-third more likely to experience miscarriage than those who dont consume any caffeine.

When it came to stillbirth, or losing a pregnancy after 2o weeks, four of the five studies the researchers examined found caffeine could increase stillbirth risk up to five times if a woman consumed a high level of caffeine.

Of the 10 low birth-weight and caffeine studies the researchers looked at, seven found a caffeine consumption increased low birth-weight risk.

The reviews authors didnt look at any randomised controlled trials (the gold standard of scientific research), so their conclusions could be flawed.

They relied on observational studies, which can lead to skewed results if a study participant misreports information, or if lifestyle factors like smoking and diet also played a role in a pregnant womens birth outcomes.

Existing recommendations from various countries health organisations say women can safely consume a moderate amount of caffeine during pregnancy.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests consuming less than 200 mg, which is equal to two cups of coffee, daily if youre pregnant. NHS, the UKs national healthcare organisation, has the same recommendation.

And the World Health Organisation (WHO), a global organisation that offers health recommendations for countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa, says pregnant women who typically have 300 mg of caffeine daily should lower their intake.

When it comes to the baby, their metabolism is not yet as sophisticated as an adults, so it is harder for them to metabolize the caffeine, which means that their sleep pattern could be disrupted and they could become restless, Dr. Isis Amer-Wahlin, obstetrics and gynecology consultant for midwife app Bonzun, previously told Insider.

Caffeine can come from sources other than coffee, like chocolate, soft drinks, and medications, health experts say pregnant women should be cognisant of what they eat and drink.

When looked at together, the evidence doesnt suggest that caffeine should be eliminated entirely, but instead, that it should be limited to a moderate amount, Amer-Wahlin said. If you are worried or feel that you would like further clarification on the subject, make sure to speak to your doctor.

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Introduction:

Metal Packaging plays an important role in the process of packaging and preservation. Globally, metal packaging has been witnessing a strong growth over the past few years on account of increasing health consciousness among consumers. There are several types of metal packaging used across the world. Use of cans is one of the most widely used type of metal packaging and it has become an important part of the human diet in developed and developing countries during past few years. It is of more value in those parts of the world where no or limited refrigeration exist for storing food. It is a mean of safely preserving foodstuffs, medicines, chemicals, etc. without microbiological deterioration. The global metal packaging is projected to reach more than US$ 150 Bn by 2026, with a decent CAGR in the forecast period.

Global Metal Packaging Market Dynamics

Metal packaging has a lucrative business opportunity, since it has excellent printability, cost effective- high speed filling & packaging, glossy & high aesthetic value over other packaging materials. The market of global Metal Packaging is anticipated to be driven by many factors such as rise in packaged food intake, and beverages, particularly the increased consumption and use of canned fruits and vegetables and the trend towards on-the-go lifestyles among progressively time-poor consumers. Nutrition retentive properties of metal packaging is one of the significant factors driving the market. The growth of pharmaceutical industry and personal care industry is another major reason for the increasing demand of metal packaging. However, the increasing awareness of environmental concerns, and the adoption of new regulatory necessities on packaging recycling and the introduction of HDPE and PET bottles in packaging industry is anticipated to hinder the future growth of metal packaging market growth. To counter the alternative packaging material market, the metal packaging companies are also focusing on developing new metal packaging material prototypes and different product marketing strategies in order to keep on developing the market share in the global metal packaging market.

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Global Metal Packaging Market Segmentation

The global Metal Packaging market is segmented on the basis of product types such as cans, drums & pails, aerosols, lids, tubes, trays & foils, caps & closure and others. On the basis of metals used, the global metal packaging is segmented into aluminum, steel, tin and iron. On the basis of end use industry, the global metal packaging is divided into food & beverages industry (whipped cream, beer bottles, etc.), food services industry (catering services, etc.), oil & gas industry (storage of petroleum, etc.), chemical industry (storage of industrial solvents, etc.), personal care industry (deodorants, shave products, etc.), household products (air fresheners, crockery, etc.), industrial use (degreasers, spray paints, etc.) and many others.

Global Metal Packaging Market: Regional Outlook

Geographically, the Global Metal Packaging industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America currently holds the largest share in the global metal packaging market, as consumption rate of canned food is highest in North America. The second largest market in global metal packaging is Europe, followed by Asia Pacific, Latin America and then rest of the world. The high growth in market of Asia Pacific and Latin America markets is expected in the forecast period owing to the urge of convenient packaging across end use industries.

Global Metal Packaging Market Players

The major players identified across the value chain of global Metal Packaging market include Amcor of Limited, Ardagh Group, Alcoa Incorporated, CPMC, Manaksia Group, Emballator Metal Group, Crown Holdings, Grief Incorporated, Silgan Holdings, Rexam Plc, Jamestrong Packaging, Shetron Group, Ton Yi Industrial, Bericap Group, GM Metal Packaging Ltd., Fujian Fuzhen Metal Packaging Co. Ltd., etc. The companies are emphasizing on research and development and new product development in order to maintain the competitive advantage in global metal packaging market during the forecast period. Acquisitions and mergers are very rare in metal packaging market, which is the key strategy executed by major market players to gain competitive advantage.

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Covid-19 Outbreak: Metal Packaging Market 2020 Research On Import-Export Details, Business Standards And Forecast To 2026 - The Daily Chronicle