Search Results for: ferira

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN The digestive system begins in the mouth, which is home to 700+ unique species of bacteria.1 Research has shown that salivary2 and gastrointestinal (GI)3-4 microbiota possess diurnal rhythms; whether these daily patterns are a result of circadian biology and/or eating behaviors is unknown. The composition of one’s habitual diet has been shown to impact human GI microbiota, and emerging research suggests that eating frequency and timing of meals may also play a role,3-4 however,…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN We are a stressed society, and our children are not immune. Stressors originating from home life and school (e.g. academic performance concerns, peer exclusion, social pressure, bullying, etc.) can result in negative short- and long-term consequences on children’s mental wellbeing, physical health and quality of life (QOL).1 It is estimated that in the 3-17 year age group of US children: 3% suffer from anxiety; 2.1% have depression; and 3.5% have behavioral or conduct problems.2…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the US: 30 million US adults have diabetes (90-95% type 2 diabetes [T2D]), with another 84 million living with prediabetes.1 The most influential, modifiable risk factors for diabetes include overweight/obesity, lack of physical activity, and smoking.1 With diabetes-related medical costs and lost work/wages totaling $245 billion/year,1 the US cannot afford to let this epidemic remain unchecked. Clinicians who are equipped to implement successful, evidence-based lifestyle interventions for their…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome with significant social, communication and behavioral deficits and challenges.1 No cure exists for ASD, although early interventions (birth to 3 years) can yield developmental improvements.1 ASD impacts approximately 1 in 68 children in the US and is 4.5 times more common in boys (1 in 42) than girls (1 in 189).2 Vitamin D’s extraskeletal roles are numerous, including its role as a neurosteroid, impacting both…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Three months of nutritional ketosis provided relief from chronic cluster headache (CCH), according to a study by Di Lorenzo and colleagues.1 Headache complaints are among the most commonly reported neurological disorders. Migraines affect 1 in 7 adults annually and are 2x more common in women than men. In contrast, cluster headache (CH) is rare, affecting < 1% of the population and is 6x more common in men.2 CH is the most severe type of…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN As part of its Breakthrough Devices Program, the FDA authorized marketing for the Brain Trauma Indicator, the first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults.1 What is TBI? TBI, also known as “concussion,” occurs following a bump, blow or jolt to the head or penetrating head injury that disrupts the brain’s normal functioning. TBI can cause short- and long-term impairments in thinking, memory, movement, sensation (e.g. vision or hearing) and…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Turkey finds its way on the menu for most carnivores during the holiday season, but is also commonly consumed by many Americans throughout the year. This poultry meat has gained popularity for being a good source of tryptophan,1 an essential amino acid required for protein biosynthesis. Interestingly, most poultry and other meats are good sources of tryptophan; additionally, legumes, especially soybeans and seeds (e.g. pumpkin seeds), also contain tryptophan.1 Tryptophan is the biochemical precursor to melatonin, a…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Heart disease is the #1, equal opportunity, killer in the US.1 Suboptimal diet quality, including low nut consumption, is also a leading cause of death.1 Observational and interventional studies have demonstrated that chocolate and almonds, separately, yield cardiometabolic benefits. Numerous nutritional bioactives exist in these foods, but the key players are thought to be unsaturated fats in almonds and flavanols in dark chocolate. A recent study by Lee et al. explored the individual and combined effects of dark chocolate,…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Nonnutritive sweeteners were designed to limit caloric intake and assist in weight and blood glucose management,1 but recent findings linked nonnutritive sweetener use to higher adiposity and cardiometabolic risk.2 Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) including aspartame, sucralose and stevioside are zero- or low-calorie sugar substitutes commonly consumed in the US.3 Approximately 25% of children and 41% of adults consume low-calorie sweeteners, with increased consumption in adults with higher body weight.3 Although beverages are the top source of NNS, many foods contain these ingredients too. The…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN An analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS2) cohort revealed that women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) who are also overweight or obese have a significantly increased risk of developing chronic hypertension (HTN) later in life.1 HDP includes pre-eclampsia and gestational HTN: obstetric complications increasing risk of maternal mortality.2 In the US, pre-eclampsia and gestational HTN affect 3% and 5-10% of pregnancies, respectively.2 Furthermore, HDP increases risk for chronic HTN. Conservative figures estimate that…