Diet & Nutrition

Lutein, a carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables, has long been associated with eye health. A new study conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has found that this nutrient may also help slow cognitive decline. This pigment or carotenoid may play an important role in the development and maintenance of brain function while improving memory and learning. The...

There are an estimated 23,000 miscarriages every year in the United States. About 3 percent of babies born in the U.S. have some type of birth defect, and these congenital defects are responsible for about 20 percent of all newborn fatalities. It is common knowledge that many different vitamins are crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Now, a new study claims...

Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical and the main component of turmeric. While curcumin and neuroblastoma (a type of cancer most common in infants) may seem entirely unrelated, a new study found that this chemical, which is currently used in food coloring, cosmetics and spices, may help in the treatment of neuroblastoma tumors that are resistant to treatment. What is...

A growing body of research suggests that bacteria in the gut influence overall human health. While past research has indicated that trillions of bacteria thriving in the human digestive tract can affect everything from immune system function and nutrition to mood, two new studies have found that gut bacteria influence diet as well as reproductive success in fruit flies. These...

Recommendations for vitamin intake during pregnancy are constantly being modified to reflect new research. Most people are aware of the importance of taking in enough folic acid and other B vitamins during their child-bearing years. A new study on taking vitamin D during pregnancy suggests that this vitamin also may be crucial to developing children, especially in the areas of...

Are you getting enough iron in your diet? Research on iron and heart disease suggests that getting enough of this mineral may be crucial to your health. We hear a lot about how diet can affect disease risk. However, there is a great deal of conflicting information. Is vegetarian food the healthiest choice? Should we be eating low-carb instead? While...

Heart disease is the leading cause of early death; it is estimated that over 17 million people die from heart disease every year. The rates of heart disease are on the rise; experts believe that by 2030, over 23 million people will die of heart disease yearly. One of the most common forms of heart disease is known as coronary...

Much has been researched and written about the curative properties of turmeric. New studies on turmeric and diabetes suggest that this tasty spice may offer new hope for an all-too-common disease. Turmeric is gaining popularity, both as a spice and as a natural remedy. Not only is this exotic spice an important part of popular foreign cuisines such as East...

Got bacteria? Research on the link between gut bacteria and IBD suggest that a well-balanced intestinal microbiome may be crucial to treating this disease. An increasing amount of research about the importance of the gut microbiome has flooded science newspapers and journals. We have linked the bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tracts to digestive health, diabetes risk and even...

Almost 30 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes, a disorder of glucose metabolism. This number is growing at an alarming rate, making this one of the most studied diseases of our times. According to a new study, vitamin A plays an incredibly important role in maintaining insulin production. Could a link between vitamin A and diabetes—namely a...