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Demonstrating the Causal Beneficial Role of Microbes in Diet-Microbe-Host Interactions in Metabolic Disease

May 30, 2016 in /by

Over the past decade there has been an exponentially growing number of reports that describe changes in the microbial populations in response to dietary intervention. These changes in the microbiota are then associated with health outcomes with limited understanding of what changes in the microbial population really mean. Very few reports have demonstrated the specific mechanism of causality in the microbial modifications and resulting host response. Our group has observed changes in the microbiome in conjunction with improved glucose control in response to the inclusion of pea seed coats, particularly those containing proanthocyanidins. In particular we have observed an increase in two distinct genera in response to peas containing proanothocyanidins, Parasutterella and Akkermansia. This project will combine dietary intervention with the defined microbial population model so as to directly test the role of specific microbial changes in health outcome. This is a highly unique approach to test causality in diet-microbe-host interactions. While this approach will be used as a means to specifically address the interaction between a single diet constituent and a couple of identified organisms, it will provide an invaluable model to test the role of microbial change in diet induced health outcomes.

Institution: University of Alberta
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Willing, PhD
Year Awarded: 2016

The IAFNS Future Leader Award, given annually to promising nutrition and food scientists, allows new investigators the opportunity to add to an existing project or to conduct exploratory research that might not receive funding from other sources or add to an existing project. Consideration is given to individuals proposing research in the areas of experimental nutrition, nutrition and toxicology, and nutrition and food science. Grants extend for a period of 2 years at a funding level of $15,000 USD per year. Funds may not be used for overhead or to support the investigator’s salary.

View all Future Leader Award Recipients.

Listeria monocytogenes Thermal Resistance in Low-Moisture Foods: Role of Water Activity or Food Matrix

April 24, 2016 in /by

Low moisture foods (e.g., cocoa powder, dried milk powder, flour) have been increasingly involved in foodborne outbreaks. Foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes can survive in low moisture foods and dry food processing environments for months, and even for years. However, there is a general lack of knowledge related to the behavior of L. monocytogenes in these foods. The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate L. monocytogenes survival in low moisture foods in heat processing, and examine factors impacting their resistance.

Institution: Washington State University
Principal Investigator: Meijun Zhu, PhD
Year Awarded: 2016

Read more: Thermal Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Under Different Water Activity

Read more: Stability of Listeria monocytogenes in Non-Fat Dry Milk Powder During Isothermal Treatment and Storage

Read more: Listeria monocytogenes in Almond Meal: Desiccation Stability and Isothermal Inactivation

Learn more about the IAFNS Microbiology Committee.

Exploring Nutritional and Metabolomic Pathways Linking Chronic Stress and Childhood Obesity

April 14, 2016 in /by

Chronic stress is a key risk factor for obesity and the accumulation of abdominal fat among children, which are harmful to long-term health. However, the mechanisms that underlie these relationships are poorly understood. This study will draw from a well-characterized cohort of children to provide some of the first data to explore two often-hypothesized, yet surprisingly relatively untested, pathways via which stress may lead to childhood obesity: excessive intake of "comfort foods" and perturbed metabolism. This work will identify novel child-level nutritional and biological responses to chronic stress.

Institution: University of Michigan
Principal Investigator: Katherine Bauer, PhD
Year Awarded: 2016

The IAFNS Future Leader Award, given annually to promising nutrition and food scientists, allows new investigators the opportunity to add to an existing project or to conduct exploratory research that might not receive funding from other sources or add to an existing project. Consideration is given to individuals proposing research in the areas of experimental nutrition, nutrition and toxicology, and nutrition and food science. Grants extend for a period of 2 years at a funding level of $15,000 USD per year. Funds may not be used for overhead or to support the investigator’s salary.

View all Future Leader Award Recipients.

Modeling the Impact of High-Oleic Soybean, Sunflower, and Canola Oils on Fatty Acid Intakes

April 8, 2016 in /by

Food production affords opportunities to select from a variety of commercially available fats/oils to achieve specific functional product characteristics. Widespread changes in the food supply, even if small for individuals, can shift population intakes and potentially modify cardiovascular risk. Modeling changes in advance of widespread commercial adoption can be used to predict the upper potential and lead to informed choices. The aim of this project is to model a scenario in which high oleic oils replace comparable vegetable oils at high levels in order to estimate potential changes to fatty acid intakes and cardiovascular risk in the US population.

Institution: Creme Global Ltd
Principal Investigator: Conor McGauran
Year Awarded: 2016

Project Poster

Learn more about the IAFNS Dietary Lipids Committee.

Flavan-3-ols and Cardiovascular Disease Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

February 11, 2016 in /by

Dietary flavonoids integrate a diverse range of polyphenolic compounds that occur naturally in plant foods. To date, the sub-class flavan-3-ols has received the most research attention, with the majority of nutrition studies focused on two dietary sources: tea and chocolate. It is not clear if the metabolic and cardiovascular health benefits may be attributed flavan-3-ols or to other bioactive constituents in these foods. The aim of this project is to quantify the level of flavan-3-ols associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes grade the strength of evidence.

This project will be conducted in two phases: In Phase 1, an evidence map of flavan-3-ol intakes from all food sources as they relate to cardiovascular outcomes will be developed to determine whether or not evidence is sufficient to complete a quality systematic evidence review. Pending sufficient evidence, in Phase 2 a systematic evidence review of flavan-3-ols and cardiovascular health outcomes will be conducted and a quantified level of bioactive assessed.

Institution: Tufts Medical Center and University of East Anglia
Principal Investigator: Gowri Raman, MBBS, MS; Aedin Cassidy, PhD
Year Awarded: 2016

Read more:

Dietary Intakes of Flavan-3-ols and Cardiovascular Health: A Field Synopsis Using Evidence Mapping of Randomized Trials and Prospective Cohort Studies

Dietary Intakes of Flavan-3-ols and Cardio-metabolic Health: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials and Prospective Cohort Studies

Learn more about the IAFNS Bioactives Committee.

Lutein/Zeaxanthin and Eye Health Visual Function Evidence Map and Systematic Review

December 10, 2015 in /by

Lutein/zeaxanthin, found in egg yolks and a variety of fruits and vegetables, is associated with healthy ocular tissue, but an amount recommended per day has not been established. The goal of this study is to determine the strength of evidence linking a specific quantity of lutein/zeaxanthin with normal healthy eye structure (including macular pigment density) and visual function among populations relevant to general population in North America. In Phase I, an evidence map will be developed to summarize the extent and distribution of evidence to provide investigators with information about the type and amount of research available, the characteristics of that research, and the topics where a sufficient amount of evidence has accumulated for synthesis. In Phase II, specific defined outcome(s) from the evidence map will be selected for systematic evidence review.

Institution: Jean Mayer USDA HNRCA at Tufts University
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Johnson, PhD
Year Awarded: 2015

Read more: Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake and Visual Outcomes in Adults with Healthy Eyes: Qualitative Gap Analysis

Read more: The Association Between Macular Pigment Optical Density and Visual Function Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Read more: The Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake on Human Macular Pigment Optical Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

 

Learn more about the IAFNS Bioactives Committee.

The Scientific Basis of Guideline Recommendations on Sugar Intake

September 23, 2015 in /by

Several authoritative organizations have issued public health guidelines addressing dietary sugars. These organizations have conducted their own reviews of the available evidence, and have crafted different recommendations with regard to sugar consumption with various rationales for limiting intake. When respected organizations issue conflicting recommendations, it can result in confusion and raise concern about the quality of the guidelines and the underlying evidence. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic survey and critical appraisal of authoritative public health guidelines, including an assessment of the quality of evidence supporting recommendations for dietary sugar intake.

Institution: University of Minnesota
Principal Investigator: Joann Slavin, PhD, RD
Year Awarded: 2015

Read More: The Scientific Basis Of Guideline Recommendations On Sugar Intake: A Systematic Review

Learn more about the IAFNS Carbohydrates Committee.

Principles for Public-Private Research Partnerships

June 22, 2015 in /by

The Assembly on Scientific Integrity deemed it critically important to pursue a public private partnership initiative that establishes a set of harmonized principles for public private partnerships in scientific research to ensure a strong ethical foundation to avoid potential and perceived conflicts of interest. Such partnerships are imperative in leveraging diverse expertise to solve our […]

Protein Intake and Healthy Aging

May 18, 2015 in /by

Aging is associated with many physiological and metabolic changes. The role of dietary protein in aging has focused largely on musculoskeletal aging; however, protein may also have implications for age-related physiological functional changes beyond muscle and bone. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of protein intake in mid-life to healthy aging.

Institution: USDA Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Principal Investigator: Paul Jacques, DSc
Year Awarded: 2015

Read more:

Dietary Protein and Changes in Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort

Protein Intake and Functional Integrity in Aging: The Framingham Heart Study Offspring

Dietary Protein and Changes in Markers of Cardiometabolic Health Across 20 Years of Follow-Up in Middle-Aged Americans

Learn more about the IAFNS Protein Committee.

Bacteriophage Engineering for Rapid Pathogen Detection

May 4, 2015 in /by

The development of pragmatic rapid detection methods benefit the food manufacturer, retailer and consumer. It has been estimated that cost of foodborne illness from sickness, hospitalizations and deaths reaches $152 billion annually in the United States. Although the United States has one of the safest food supplies, there exists significant potential for improvement. The rapid detection of bacteria in foods and food processing environments could provide clear advantage in combating foodborne illness and food recalls. The goal of this project is to develop a method which can rapidly identify viable bacteria (E. coli) in several hours without pre-enrichment, which could ultimately lead to improved food safety.

Institution: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Principal Investigator: Sam Nugen, PhD
Year Awarded: 2015

The IAFNS Future Leader Award, given annually to promising nutrition and food scientists, allows new investigators the opportunity to add to an existing project or to conduct exploratory research that might not receive funding from other sources or add to an existing project. Consideration is given to individuals proposing research in the areas of experimental nutrition, nutrition and toxicology, and nutrition and food science. Grants extend for a period of 2 years at a funding level of $15,000 USD per year. Funds may not be used for overhead or to support the investigator’s salary.

View all Future Leader Award Recipients.