A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition reported that consumption of mixed tree nuts for 4 weeks had a positive effect on cognition in healthy nonelderly adults as well as upregulation of a microbial class associated with gut health. Cognitive impairment is a growing worldwide health concern as our population ages.  In the absence of effective pharmaceutical treatments, modifiable lifestyle factors such as nutrition represent crucial targets in preventing cognitive decline.  Nuts beneficially modulate a broad spectrum of parameters including cardiometabolic function, lip ..read more

The ASN Science Policy Fellowship is offered to advanced graduate students, early professionals, postdoctoral trainees, or medical interns, residents, or fellows. The intent of the Fellowship is to allow for an expanded understanding of current nutrition policy issues and initiatives. The Fellowship provides recipients with the opportunity to gain an enhanced perspective on public policy issues related to nutrition and facilitates the acquisition of skills and tools necessary to become well-informed advocates for nutrition research and policy. Samantha Sundermeir, is o ..read more

The ASN Science Policy Fellowship is offered to advanced graduate students, early professionals, postdoctoral trainees, or medical interns, residents, or fellows. The intent of the Fellowship is to allow for an expanded understanding of current nutrition policy issues and initiatives. The Fellowship provides recipients with the opportunity to gain an enhanced perspective on public policy issues related to nutrition and facilitates the acquisition of skills and tools necessary to become well-informed advocates for nutrition research and policy. Caitlin Lowery, is one of ..read more

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that inflammation in lactating mothers with obesity may disrupt the transfer of circulating fatty acids to the mammary gland, contributing to low milk production. Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and is a risk factor for insufficient milk production. Evidence suggests that suppression of inflammation-mediated enzymes inhibits uptake of fatty acids from the blood by body tissues, leading to high blood lipid concentrations. Fatty acids are critical to support milk production in the mammary gland, so inflammation could nega ..read more

In Canada, self-regulation by industry does not sufficiently protect children from unhealthy food and beverage advertising, according to a study recently published in The Journal of Nutrition. Potvin Kent (University of Ottawa) and co-authors concluded that federal-level regulations that restrict unhealthy advertising are needed to protect children across Canada. Food marketing can influence children’s dietary behaviors. Although there has been a shift toward advertising on digital media, companies continue to market energy dense foods that are poor in nutrients to children on television. The ..read more

Get to know ASN Early Career member, Dr, Bridget Stroup, and her passion for evidence-based and systematic approaches to wellness and nutrition across the lifespan. Learn about the reason why she was compelled to pursue her PhD after earning her RDN and how her fellow ASN members and colleagues helped shape her personal and professional growth. Read our full interview below. Pictured: ASN Member Bridget Stroup, PhD, RDN What drew you to the field of nutrition science, research, and practice? Who are some of the individuals that influenced you and what events or opportunities would you attribu ..read more

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that dietary supplement use in U.S. adults has been on the rise. Multivitamin-mineral supplements remain the most consumed product type used, but the prevalence of use of these combination products decreased at the same time there was an increase in other types of vitamin and mineral products. Among children, patterns of use and products remained stable from 2007-2018, although use of supplements increased for girls and among children living with food insecurity, according to the research team led by Regan Bailey, Ph.D., (at the Institute ..read more

Food sufficiency and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program participation may be protective factors preventing accelerated cognitive decline in older adults, according to a study recently published in The Journal of Nutrition. Na (Penn State College of Health and Human Development) and co-authors reported that older adults considered food insecure experienced faster cognitive declines compared to food secure peers. Older adults living with food insecurity are more likely to experience malnutrition, depression, and physical functioning limitations.  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ..read more

*By David S. Seres, MD, ScM, PNS, director of medical nutrition and associate professor of medicine in the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY Recent ASN blogs explored the complex bidirectional links between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity , and effective nutritional strategies to alleviate the global burden of COVID-19. Some of those nutritional strategies included vitamin D. A different take on vitamin D supplementation and COVID-19 outcomes is shared below. In April of 2020, when widespread panic about COVID-19 was taking hold, I re ..read more

As of Feburary 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports more than 6.8 million deaths worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  WHO cautions that these figures likely undercount the true death toll of the pandemic. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over: WHO continues to report thousands of new deaths every week.  In response, the medical and pharmaceutical science communities are working on developing and improving vaccines and treatments.  At the same time, the nutritional science community has been focusing their efforts on unlocking the links between nu ..read more