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When children suffer malnutrition, their gut microbiomes suffer as well. Although malnourished children gain some weight and grow better when fed a nutrient-rich supplement, they fail to catch up to their well-fed counterparts. Their gut microbiomes also fail to recover.

This conundrum weighed on microbiologist Jeffrey Gordon, who for more than a decade has tracked how a poor diet affects childrens health in Bangladesh, Malawi, and other parts of the world. So Gordon and his team at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, began to gauge the precise role that the microbiome might play in the connections between diet and health.

Ensuring that malnourished children and their microbiomes recover requires more than just dietary supplements. Image credit: Shutterstock/Dana Ward.

Over time, the team started to home in on food as the link between the microbiome and human health. In April, they reported that a unique mix of foods such as peanuts, bananas, and more that supported the growth of age-appropriate microbes helped restore the health of malnourished toddlersand was more effective at improving their health than standard supplements used to treat malnutrition (1). Their food blend worked not just by feeding the kids but by feeding their microbes too.

The teams work is helping to find better ways to define a healthy microbiome, Gordon says, potentially using diet to help the malnourished microbiomes recover. Its not the only approach aiming to treat ailments by targeting microbiotaother studies are looking to treat diabetes and other metabolic conditions.

Changes in the gut microbiome have been correlated with allergies in babies, Alzheimers disease, cancers, and several other diseases, making our bacteria an appealing target to treat a variety of conditions. But attempts to apply these data to fix the microbiome have had limited success. Thats in part attributable to a long struggle to define exactly what a healthy microbiome looks like, says Justin Sonnenburg, a microbiologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Researchers have consistently found that individuals have a core microbiome, the activities of which remain consistent over long periods of time, but the composition of this core community differs based on a persons lifestyle, habits, or health.

Gut microbes associated with a Western-style diet have been linked to inflammatory disorders, diabetes, and other diseases. But the microbiomes of healthy people in developed countries are also starkly different from those of people in huntergatherer communities. And within an individual, diet, exercise, sleep, and many other factors can shift the proportions and activity of various species greatly from one day to the next, or even over the course of a single day. Theres just such a huge array of species, Sonnenburg says. To promote overall health, its not quite clear what facets of the microbiome we would be trying to maintain or change.

Discerning this answer was part of Gordons aim. Through a series of studies, his team mapped out how the microbial community develops in a healthy child and how that process is disrupted in malnutrition.

In 2014, the researchers sampled gut bacteria from children up to age 2 with and without malnutrition and found consistent differences in the proportions and species of bacteria present (2). Microbial communities in children with malnutrition appeared more similar to those from well-fed children who were younger. Even after children in the former group were fed standard supplements, their microbiomes failed to recover from malnutrition.

The researchers transplanted microbial samples from under-nourished infants and their healthy counterparts into germ-free mice to test whether these differences could account for differences in the childrens health. The mice responded much like the children: Despite eating the same foods, those mice with under-developed microbiomes failed to gain weight and thrive as well as those with age-appropriate microbes. Transplanting bacteria from healthy animals into malnourished ones improved their microbiome and helped the animals thrive.

Diet has a big impact on microbiome function, potentially pointing to ways to improve long-term health. Image credit: Reprinted from ref. 3, with permission from Elsevier.

For children in resource-poor regions, though, such transplants wouldnt be a practical solution. These microbes only grow in the absence of oxygen, making them expensive to culture, store, and turn into probiotic pills, which are the most common way to deliver beneficial bacteria to the gut. The question was, what could we do to repair the microbiota of these kids that was both culturally acceptable and scalable? says Gordon.

In recent years, efforts to repair the gut microbiome have focused on two approaches: probiotic supplements that aim to deliver beneficial gut bacteria, and fecal microbial transplants (FMT), which aim to supplant a disease-linked microbiome with a healthy one. Neither one offers a clear path forward for treating malnutrition. Probiotic pills could prove not only expensive to manufacture and distribute on a large scale, but also less than effective. There's still scant evidence of long-term benefit from adding what are presumed to be beneficial bacteria. FMT has not been tested in the context of malnutrition and would pose cultural and logistical challenges in resource-poor regions where malnutrition is common. And the procedure has only proven effective in very limited conditions, such as gut infections caused by Clostridium difficile. FMT is like restarting a computer to fix a problem, says gastroenterologist Purna Kashyap of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt.

Difficulties with modifying the microbiome arise, in part, because an established gut community is simultaneously in constant fluxchanging with food, sleep, or jet lagand resistant to long-term change. If you change diet, you see this very short-term perturbation where the community changes in response to the chemicals in food, Sonnenburg says. But over time, it will rebound back to something similar to its starting state.

That starting state likely reflects an individuals core microbiome. But Sonnenburg and others have begun to find hints of how to use microbiome-directed foods to drive long-term changes in both the gut community and human health. He and his colleagues tested two dietary changes thought to benefit gut bacteria: plant-based diets high in fiber, and diets high in fermented foods such as kombucha and kefir (3). The researchers monitored changes in the participants microbiomes as well as their health after several weeks of the diets.

Those who consumed high-fiber plant-based meals rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes showed an increase in certain carbohydrate-digesting enzymes produced by gut microbes but no changes in the proportion of different species. Fermented foods, however, were kind of the food equivalent of probiotics, Sonnenburg says. Those who ate more of these foods showed an increase in their gut microbial diversity and a decrease in inflammatory immune markers, perhaps because these foods are rich in so-called prebiotic chemicals that feed beneficial gut bacteria (see ref. 4). Still, neither group showed long-term effects on weight loss, fatigue, stress, or other general markers of well-being.

To understand those links, epidemiologist Tim Spector and nutrition researcher Sarah Berry, both at Kings College in London, UK, and their team, homed in on a long-overlooked aspect of human metabolism: our response to meals. Most research on glucose or fat metabolism has focused on the levels of these chemicals after a long period of not eating. Typically, doctors will request a fasting blood test to gauge a persons metabolic health. But most people eat two or three meals a day interspersed with snacksand every bite contributes to short, sharp rises in circulating sugars and fats. If we were to map blood levels of these metabolites into a typical eating pattern, you actually see that we spend most of our time not fasting, Berry says. The long-term effects of diets, certain foods, or nutrients arise because of their short-term impacts on circulating metabolites, according to Berry.

The researchers also found that peoples genetics showed only a weak correlation to their metabolic responses to food; rather, the microbiome composition was much more strongly associated with how certain metabolites changed after meals. In follow-up studies, the team identified specific groups of microbes associated with metabolic responses to different foods. Then the team developed a machine-learning model to predict how a person might respond to food, based on several factors including their microbiomes (5). Nearly 1,100 study participants had their microbial composition, blood glucose levels, and lipid levels assessed after eating a specific set of foods (6). They then received a set of personalized diet recommendations aimed at health outcomes such as weight loss or improving blood sugar levels in participants with diabetes.

The researchers are still studying whether the recommended dietary changes alter gut microbes as well. But the data so far suggest that different foods promote a change in the microbiome composition, Berry says. The more data that emerge, the more well start to see this symbiotic relationship: Its not enough to just consume beneficial bacteria, but we also need to ensure were giving them the appropriate food.

Gordon and his team wanted to find the appropriate foods for children with severe malnutrition. They designed dietary supplements using different proportions of bananas, peanuts, chickpeas, and other common foods that in laboratory tests in mice appeared to support a healthy microbiome. In mice carrying microbiomes of malnourished children, one specific cocktail helped transform these microbiomes to resemble those found in healthy children. When the researchers fed malnourished toddlers in Dhaka this particular supplement twice a day for three months, their health improved: The children gained height and weight in patterns similar to healthy peersan effect not seen with the standard treatments used for malnutrition. Blood tests also showed that, compared with current remedies, children who received the microbiome-targeting supplement had higher levels of circulating proteins linked to bone growth and brain development (1). Its a nutrient substrate that benefits both the microbes and the host, Gordon says. We have to think of their development together.

In future studies, the group plans to test how long the benefits last and the mechanisms linking host and bacterial metabolism. They emphasize that the work does not try to define a single normal microbiome. Instead, their goal is to identify a community that most benefits a persons health in the context of their individual circumstances.

The results could also help parents seeking ways to optimize childrens nutrition as they shift from infant diets of milk or formula to solid foods. If were able to connect the dots between food and the development of microbiota that drive human growth, we could have a microbiome-informed sequence of foods [to improve childrens health], Gordon says.

Their approach could also extend to other disorders where the microbiome has been implicated, he and others on the team add. What were trying to emphasize with our studies is that we have to change the way we think about food in many ways, says Robert Chen, Gordons doctoral student at Washington University who co-authored the new study. The supplement, Chen adds, is a food designed with a specific purpose and specific targets. And in that way, he says, it is more like a bridge between food and medicine.

Here is the original post:
Inner Workings: Can feeding the gut microbiome treat malnutrition? - pnas.org

Yesha Rughani opened up about the challenges she had to go through after finding out that she has PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease). Yesha, in an exclusive interview with ETimes TV, shared that she, too, follows intermittent fasting to keep her weight in control, which helps her lead a healthy lifestyle. "I do intermittent fasting because I have the issue of PCOD to keep it in control and keep a track on it, I am following this healthy diet lifestyle. I do not step much on the weighing scale, but I have managed to lose 8 kgs. Honestly, it is very difficult when you have PCOD. You have to deal with weight issues. So, fortunately, I realised about it during lockdown when I underwent a weight loss programme. I started looking after myself, I used to eat and sleep on time. I used to keep myself hydrated, wake up on time, so I followed a proper routine and my mother took care of each and every small thing. I was not stressed, because I was at home in my comfort zone, not working and doing anything else, but concentrating on my health. So, it made things easier for me. Usually, we are working round the clock, we wake up late, sleep late, we work for long hours, we miss our lunches or dinner, so all this affects our health. It gets difficult to maintain," said the Hero - Gayab Mode On actress.

Originally posted here:
Quitting roti, rice for years to following intermittent fasting; extreme diets followed by these TV celebs to lose weight - Times of India

Danone North America, whose plant-based food and beverage offerings include products sold under the Silk and So Delicious brands, has released new research on the relationship between multicultural audiences and plant-based products. According to At the Table: The Multicultural Plant-Based Food Perspective, plant-based eating is on the rise among multicultural consumers, particularly the younger Millennial and Gen Z demographics. However, while the popularity of plant-based foods has skyrocketed and multicultural consumers are major contributors to this increased interest, the research also uncovered such issues as cultural stigmas and accessibility barriers.

Plant-based eating has the potential to be a real beacon of healthy living, especially for diverse communities, noted John Starkey, president of plant-based food and beverage for White Plains, N.Y.-based Danone North America. To hear that multicultural audiences are more willing to add plant-based foods into their diets was personally inspiring and affirming to me, as my family and many friends have adopted flexitarian lifestyles over the last few years. With this research and the breadth of our product portfolio, the ability to help move Danone North America and the plant-based industry forward is one of the biggest reasons why I joined the company. Weve made a conscious effort to be more inclusive and reach underrepresented communities, particularly through our Silk and So Delicious brands, which have a long legacy in the plant-based space. Yet there is still a lot of work to be done in understanding how different communities are experiencing plant-based food and beverages and how we can do more to engage and appeal to multicultural consumers, from our innovation choices and marketing efforts to our community impact work and sustainability strategies.

Key findings from the research include the following:

At the Table: The Multicultural Plant-Based Food Perspective further revealed that multicultural consumers believe plant-based eating is healthy and nutritious, better for the environment, and more ethical. However, these shoppers want more plant-based companies and brands to engage with them in a deeper, more meaningful way, not just through marketing efforts, but also through ingredient choices, education and sustainability work.

In response to this research, Danone North America is looking to take further action in 2022 by expanding its inclusive marketing and customer efforts through new internal and external partnerships encompassing sales and marketing, nutrition and innovation.

At Danone North America, we believe making progress toward a more inclusive, just and diverse culture is an essential part of using our business as a force for good, said Terrance Irizarry, the companys head of inclusive diversity. Our commitments to inclusive diversity are put into action through a strategy that focuses on four major areas our people, the marketplace, community engagement, and advocacy, for a number of topics that demonstrate our support for racial equity and social justice. Marketing efforts for our portfolio should reflect the diversity of our consumers and society and also reach those consumers meaningfully. Conducting this important research on behalf of our plant-based portfolio is a huge step forward in listening, learning and ultimately taking action. Its also part of our larger journey and work toward enhancing the overall diversity in our content and our partnerships with diverse suppliers in the industry.

Initiatives already undertaken by the company include the following Silk and So Delicious initiatives: a focus on diverse talent and influencer marketing efforts, financial support for major African American and Asian American foundations, and advocating for the social and economic empowerment of farming partners across the supply chain.

In partnership with global integrated communications agency Zeno Group, Danone North America fielded an online survey of 4,027 adults in the United States, including Asian Americans, Black/African Americans, and Hispanic/Latino communities, between April 27 and May 19. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

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Multicultural Shoppers More Open to Plant-Based Products Than Total Population - Progressive Grocer

Diabetes can be a life-altering disease and hence requires one to make lifestyle and diet changes. As such, there are many things a diabetic must keep in mind to ensure their blood sugar levels are always under control.

If you have just been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, heres some help from Ridhima Batra, certified diabetic educator, sports nutritionist, and founder of Nutrition Defined.

Recognise that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and managing it soon after diagnosis (or before) will pay off now and in the long term. It is a serious disease that demands your attention. Ignoring it may not seem to have significant short-term consequences (chronic high blood glucose levels are not painful), but over time, elevated glucose levels can damage your nervous system, blood vessels, eyes, heart, and kidneys, she said.

Which is why, managing your blood glucose levels now, along with other health risk factors (e.g., cholesterol, blood pressure, weight), is necessary for preventing these complications. Losing even a small amount of weight and keeping it off can improve glucose control as well as have other clinical benefits. Better diabetes management will also benefit you in the here and now your mood and energy levels are adversely affected when your glucose levels are high, the expert added.

She added that food has a major impact on blood glucose so optimising your mealtime, making informed food choices, and exercising portion control play a huge role in blood glucose management.

The life you lead and the food you eat are two important factors when it comes to diabetes. Whole foods that are not processed should always be on the menu. But also remember that some items must always be away from the dining table if you want to steer clear of diabetes, she advised.

Additionally, avoid special diets and stick to what you make at home. Just follow the basic rules:

*Avoid drinks with lots of added sugars and carbohydrates (unless you have low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia). Staying away from regular soda and large amounts of fruit juice is usually wise.

*Add more low GI (glycemic index) foods in your diet.

*Avoid all refined and processed foods, especially the packaged variety.

*Impose portion control. Make sure you fill half your plate with veggies or salad, portion of your complex carbohydrates and the other portion with a protein source.

*Add healthy fats and protein to your meals to balance the sugar levels (helps in lowering the GI of the meal) and curb sugar cravings.

Incorporate activity into your routine

Physical activity is the perfect partner to your healthy eating plan: Food gives you energy, and activity can help to burn it up! The American Diabetes Association recommends accumulating 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as walking on most days, with the addition of resistance training (pushing, pulling, lifting) two or three times a week.

Your physical activity plan should, over time, include three types of activity:

*Aerobic or cardiovascular activity that benefits the heart and lungs (walking, biking, swimming, dancing, stair-climbing).*Resistance or strength training (lifting, pulling, pushing).*Stretching and flexibility.

Use blood glucose testing to identify patterns and be regular with your follow-ups

Check-ups are an important part of diabetes care. The only way you can confidently know what your blood glucose level is at any given time is by testing it. Regular testing will help you identify high and low levels before serious problems develop. When testing is performed on a regular basis, it helps you assess how well you are balancing your insulin therapy, meal planning, and exercise to manage diabetes, she added.

These test results will also provide valuable information for your doctor to help make adjustments to your overall care plan.

Simple sugar checks can be done at home using a glucometer, while advanced checks are done at health centers. Advanced sugar checks are done on a weekly, monthly and annual basis, and include checking the condition of blood sugar, cholesterol, and kidney performance.

Work with a diabetic educator

Diabetes educators are certified health care professionals with specialised knowledge in diabetes self-management and education. Early detection, prevention, and treatment are the keys to minimising diabetes complications. Work with your diabetic educator to customise your diabetes care schedule, including personal goals and targets.

For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and dont miss out on the latest updates!

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Things to keep in mind if you have just been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes - The Indian Express

ANGOLA If youve ever been to the Steuben County Farmers Market, youve likely seen the black-and-white logo of The Rooted Vegan, a food brand with vegan selections made by Craig and Kristi Collins.

The Collinses have frequented the farmers market since beginning the brand last summer and have now expanded to a year-round operation with an official storefront in downtown Angola at 30 N. Public Square.

While they only had baked goods available at the farmers market, the Collinses are now able to provide meals and drinks all vegan.

We started it because of the lack of vegan options in town, Kristi said. Were vegan ourselves and thought theres got to be other people who are as well and have the same struggles, but it turned into so much more than that. There are so many people that have allergies or illnesses or whatever it may be that limits their diets in so many different ways, and we can accommodate that even.

The Collinses chose to go vegan three years ago after Kristi experienced a foot injury. Recovery was not going as she had hoped, and after being recommended a vegan diet and researching its effectiveness, she decided to give it a shot.

I was really skeptical, but there was tons of research out there that supported it, Kristi said. I thought, what have I got to lose? Im suffering from this, and nothing else that I was doing was working. So we made that change, and within about two weeks, the injury was gone and it hasnt returned.

Making the decision to switch diets may have been simple, but actually implementing a vegan lifestyle proved to be not quite so easy.

When we started, there were very limited options in the area as far as going out to eat. Even going grocery shopping was difficult. We had to go to Fort Wayne most of the time. It was the closest that we could find a lot of the products that we were eating or cooking with, Kristi said. As we decided that we were going to stick with it, the frustration that we felt with not having options locally grew.

The Collinses often had to visit stores like Fresh Thyme in Fort Wayne that offered satisfying substitutions for meals and experimental cooking.

Last summer, they decided to make the leap and create a local vegan option for themselves and anyone else who might benefit from it.

A lot of other restaurants in town, I think, are starting to accommodate more of those situations, but it may be one or two options that theyre limited to. Where here, they can come in, and everythings available to them, Kristi said. Theres people who have allergies to dairy or to eggs or to a lot of things, and they find they can come in here and they dont have to worry about running into any of those ingredients or the possibility of cross contamination because we dont even have them in the building. So theyre safe to eat anything.

While the Collinses had never owned a restaurant before, theyre not entirely unfamiliar with the culinary business. Kristi has almost 25 years in the food industry, and growing up in a family of 16 brothers and sisters, Craig had plenty of experience cooking with his mother. As such, Kristi handles most of the stores operations while Craig puts his skills to the test back in the kitchen.

Through trial and error, the Collinses have curated a menu of vegan options that can appeal to a variety of diets.

Yes, its different, but at the same time, we want the average person to be able to walk in and feel comfortable eating anything, Kristi said. We really go all out on developing our recipes, and if its not similar to what we would have had prior to being vegan, then we dont want it in here.

Kristi and Craig have found vegan substitutes for commonly used foods such as cheese, eggs and meat that retain the same texture, but a little creativeness is required to get the taste to match as well.

A lot of it comes down to just knowing the seasonings and spices and what will give it that authentic taste, Kristi said. We add ingredients to get that natural taste that somebody off the street who isnt vegan, when they come, they would say it tastes just like the real thing.

Many curious passersby have found the store already since it opened in late October, and regulars have started to migrate to the shopfront since the farmers market closed for the year.

The Collinses may have moved on from the market, but they are still grateful for the experience and people they met while there.

We didnt really know that there were people out there struggling with that kind of situation until we went to the farmers market and started meeting these people, Craig said.

The market helped establish an initial clientele with both locals and tourists who only stayed during the summer months and were looking for more diverse food options in the area.

They found out that we were at the market, so we were seeing people from Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Craig said.

Even further than that, Kristi added. We had some I would call them regulars throughout the summer that lived in Arizona and some that lived out in California. This stuff is common there, but here, when they come, they cant find it.

Many of the downtown Angola businesses have also been showing their support for The Rooted Vegan long before the shops opening, whether by purchasing something or passing on the name by word of mouth or simply encouraging the Collinses to pursue their goals.

Now with their own storefront, Craig and Kristi are excited to work with the other businesses on equal footing and contribute to the vibrancy of downtown Angola.

I want to increase the life of downtown, Craig said. Its beautiful down here, and we want to add to everybody else.

Of course, everybody wants their own business to succeed, but ultimately, their goal is, lets work together so that we all can succeed, Kristi said. We couldnt ask for or have dreamed of a better location, not only because of the traffic, obviously, but just the support from all the other businesses around. Its been overwhelmingly amazing, and we appreciate it so much.

For more information about The Rooted Vegan or to follow the shops daily updates, visit The Rooted Vegan on Facebook.

Excerpt from:
Dec. 9 - The Rooted Vegan sets roots in downtown Angola - FW Business

Theres no mistake. Theyre home.

Children, even those with just an ounce of sneakiness, look for cues to alert them of when their parents arrive home. The sound of gravel being uniformly crunched by wheels can serve as a signal to hide any evidence of the candy we overindulged in or a sign to abruptly turn off video game consoles. One source of stimuli I seldom missed was a distinct blend of scents. Usually generated from the manual labor jobs my parents are employed in, this lingering concoction of smells could only be achieved over the span of several hours, the duration required for grease, gasoline and sweat to slowly embed themselves between individual cotton fibers.

These aforementioned scents would arrive at two intervals clustered around the late evening, which is often when Id either be reading about current events or completing homework. The former activity was a favorite pastime of mine. I was a gluttonous inquisitor that consistently consumed articles through Business Insider and Bloomberg (prior to the existence of their paywalls). Regardless, Id bury my attention into textbooks or digital screens as my parents attempted to decompress after an arduous day of work. This exact scenario unfolded over countless evenings throughout high school. Our households seemingly mundane routine proved to be transformative with each passing day, as I was becoming more embedded in different environments, like speech and debate club and eventually college, and drifting further away from the spaces my parents are left behind in.

Social class has outsized influence over the connections a person forms based on physical and relational proximity, and these connections serve as important conduits for a wide spectrum of knowledge. Sociologists often refer to these concepts as social and cultural capital respectively. The advent of the Internet, and the tools and services that have followed, like Coursera and Googles search engine, have often been promoted as great equalizers of information and opportunity.

To the dismay of egalitarians, this noble assertion is not fully true as some, like my working-class family, are still living in darkness. Essentially, the technological illiteracy of, and subsequent lack of integration and resources for, my older working-class family members inhibits their access to social media, online news platforms and other digital-native information channels. This stifles their ability to develop relevant skills and capitalize on opportunities through the vast resources and information that are increasingly becoming digital-exclusive.

This observation is noteworthy because our information diets have significant influence over how we perceive and interact with the world, and my working-class family is at greater risk of being put in a disadvantageous position when unplugged. For example, if they are unaware of rising inflation, it limits their ability to make appropriate financial adjustments, such as modifying their grocery list and budget. As the Internet enters the early stages of Web 3.0, my familys information bubble remains much less dynamic relative to most people Ive encountered throughout life. They rely on their budget smartphones for calls and rudimentary tasks, seldom use computers and one of my parents doesnt even have an email address, unfamiliar with the enormous influence digital media platforms wield over society.

At the surface level, my family misses out on innocuous content. Memes are littered across every digital space to serve as a colloquial, humorous form of expression, yet despite their influence on contemporary culture, they have yet to permeate the spaces my older family members typically occupy. As a result, my family likely doesnt know what a Karen is, the characteristics of a Chad, or any other concept with digital origins that might be deciphered with the Urban Dictionary website. But this exclusion impacts them much more severely than missing out on widespread comedy. They have missed out on participating in and observing viral phenomena in real-time, such as the Gamestop short squeeze and various major political and activist-oriented movements. A plethora of politicians, celebrities and influential figures are active on these virtual public forums, just a few keystrokes and clicks away, but due to my familys technological illiteracy, they are not within reach. They have limited digital avenues for participating in digital activism, accumulating political capital, and projecting their voices on various existential matters.

Digital developments such as direct-to-consumer brands and ghost kitchens were unfathomable not too long ago and we now take them for granted, but they have yet to reach my family. Although there are fewer gatekept barriers associated with digitally-integrated products and services, there is a spectrum in terms of awareness and affordability. For example, ride sharing and food delivery apps have widespread use among the public, whereas coveted, niche NFTs have skyrocketed to exorbitant prices exclusive affordable for the wealthy while non-esoteric NFTs are reasonable to obtain. Despite the generic accessibility associated with these emerging technologies, my older working-class family members have limited funds and little to no awareness, the latter of which is primarily due to their unfamiliarity with technology at a more basic level and their consequential minimal usage.

The limited literacy and usage of technology within my family does not only restrict them from digital information and convenience services, but it also prohibits their participation in digitized data collection. Corporations and businesses that seek public input do not reach them and will unintentionally innovate without their input. Consequently, these nascent technologies will cater exclusively towards those with the means to utilize them. After several iterations, my family is no longer a part of the target audience, leaving them further behind in this technological ecosystem.

When I inform my parents of some of the aforementioned trends and events, as I am one of their few consistent sources of information, they share lived experiences that represent direct impacts of the global and national trends they remain unaware of, which affirms their relative proximity to the very shifting digital and economic ecosystems that harm them. Terms associated with current trends and events like the creator economy, the metaverse, transitory inflation and the reconciliation bill are at best on their periphery. But these nebulous words are increasingly becoming a part of societys lexicon, and their implications on the workforce, financial markets and government will prove to be disruptive, whether my family knows about them in advance or not. For example, one of my parents is a fast food crew member and works at a routinely understaffed location. The rise of the gig and creator economies, alongside other forces, have diminished the applicant pool and results in my parents frequently working overtime without understanding the macro forces at play.

The tragic irony in writing this piece is that my family, without inorganic intervention, will never lay their eyes upon this work. Yet another stark reminder of how my family and I are at times worlds apart, our respective environments separated by underlying forces influenced along social strata lines. We are all living in a world submerged in a deep pool of information, whose ocean currents are propelled by the Internet and the tectonic plates of the digital landscape are shifting at warp speeds. I am merely an aqueduct that filters high volumes of data and drips out condensed droplets in a desolate desert.

Despite the drastic changes and amount of experiences Ive gone through, I will always have the working-class experience as a part of my story. Ive absorbed plenty of information and memories, but my nose will never forget to register whiffs of manual labor. The blue-collar smells of gasoline, grease and sweat now serve as a signal to involuntarily reminisce about my parents coming home from work. Over the span of several hours, base notes of stability and unconditional love have been imbued into their signature scents. Its quite clear that my familys scant engagement with the digital world due to their unfamiliarity and limited resources places them in a disadvantageous position. Their procurement of information takes place primarily through in-person interactions and conversations, which pales in comparison to the deep reservoir of information most people access through social media and digital news outlets. This means that my parents are unlikely to hear about news coverage and discourse over relevant and significant matters as they arise, further perpetuating the discrepancies in information they experience as late adopters to technology, yet their lived experiences, labor and love would make their contributions to these digital spheres incredibly valuable. The consequences of this for families like mine are that they rely on a handful of connections to those they deem as technology savants to keep them in the loop. What this means for society is that, without intervention, information deserts in underrepresented areas will persist and worsen. The stories and input of underrepresented people will continue to be meager across the digital landscape and the consequential social, political and economic movements the landscape informs. If society hopes to foster a more inclusive future, it is imperative to reflect on who is not present, and we must ensure everyone has a seat at both the physical and digital tables.

MiC Columnist Gustavo Sacramento can be reached at gsacrame@umich.edu.

The rest is here:
barriers to information from the digital ecosystem - The Michigan Daily

For many people, the pursuit of weight loss feels like a never-ending goal. Seeing the number on the scale go up or struggling to button your jeans can have you eagerly seeking out the latest crash diet to help get you back into fighting form in a hurry.

However, if you want to lose those extra pounds and keep them off in the long run, unsustainable fad diets aren't the way to go. With the help of registered dietitians, we've rounded up the very best foods for weight lossno crash diets needed. And for more great ways to shed the pounds, check out these 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work.

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor awayand it can help keep the extra pounds away, too.

"Apples are a good source of fiber (a medium apple has about 5 grams), helping slow down digestion, enhancing satiety, controlling appetite, and reducing overall energy intake," says Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD, clinical dietitian at the Cotton O'Neil Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic and author of The Nourished Brain.

"Apples also have the added benefit of a natural plant compound called ursolic acid that increases fat-burning. Other compounds found in apples are also good for those trillions of bacteria living in our guts, improving our gut microflora. That means we have better digestion and better excretion of fats," add Mussatto.

RELATED: The One Diet That Will Slim Down Your Waistline, Says Dietitian

If you want to lose a few pounds without going hungry, try incorporating some citrus fruit into your daily meal plan.

"Oranges and grapefruit not only are low calorie and a good source of fiber (60 calories and 3 grams of fiber in oranges and 100 calories and 4 grams of fiber in grapefruit), but studies have also shown they contain flavonoids that favor weight loss and may reduce risk of chronic disease like type 2 diabetes by preventing metabolic syndrome," says Mussatto, citing 2009 research conducted by researchers at the University of Western Ontario.

Inexpensive, versatile, and delicious, oatmeal is a great choice if you want to lose weight and keep it off.

"Oats are a great source of soluble fiber, which slows digestion and promotes the feeling of fullness both during and after a meal," says Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, founder of Hispanic Communications and a member of the Grain Foods Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board.

"In fact, oatmeal has been scientifically-proven to help you feel full between meals, and one study found that oatmeal for breakfast may lead you to consume a lower-calorie lunch by promoting satiety. In addition, whole grain and cereal fiber intake have been found to be associated with lower total percent body fat and lower abdomen fat mass."

Whether you're using them as a protein-rich replacement for meat in your favorite dish or adding them to a salad, beans are a great way to stay full for longer while slimming down.

"As long as they have little to no added sugar, canned beans or cooked beans are a great choice to support weight loss," says Melendez-Klinger.

"Research on beans has proven that you not only get filling high-quality protein, iron, fiber, and many important vitamins and minerals, but they've also been linked to living longer. The Blue Zones study demonstrated that centenarians ate about a half-cup of beans regularly, which played a significant role in their longevity and overall health, which included a weight within range," she adds.

RELATED: How to Lose Weight Starting Right Now, According to Dietitians

If you're looking for an easy way to stay full without loading up on calories, Melendez-Klinger recommends adding some soy to your meals.

"These legumes may aid in weight management because they are a low-fat plant-based protein that can be used at any meal and as a snackfor example, using textured vegetable protein in place of high-calorie, high-fat ground beef in meatloaf, soy flour in baked goods, or tofu in place of cheese in a dish such as lasagna. In fact, research shows that when combined with a healthy lifestyle soy can help with losing weight as well as weight maintenance," says Melendez-Klinger, citing a review of research published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences.

Whether you're ricing it, baking it, or pureeing it into a soup, cauliflower is a great choice for anyone trying to lose weight.

"Cauliflower is a good food for weight loss. The fiber content helps to maintain a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. Fiber slows stomach emptying. It passes through the digestive tract undigested and provides very little in the way of calories to the body," explains Jinan Banna, PhD, RD, a registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at the University of Hawaii.

An easy and delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, or even pasta dishes, tuna is a great addition to any weight loss diet.

"Tuna is a great source of lean protein. It is very low in fat but very high in protein, keeping you full and satisfied. Tuna also contains many minerals, including zinc and choline," says Kristen Carli, MS, RD, owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness and writer for Fit Healthy Momma.

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The Final Verdict On The Best Foods for Weight Loss, Say Dietitians Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

I am 36 years old, and I would say 27 years of my life have been spent in a battle with my weight. You name the dietI have probably tried it more than once and failed at it. Nothing ever came easy, nothing ever made sense. I would try something new and get bored of itwhich then led to gaining even more weight.

Growing up I was made to feel bad about myself because of my weight and eating habits. I would be forced into certain diets that never made me feel good. They left me feeling either sick, starving, or extremely bloated. There was never a consistent pattern in any of the "diets" I was on. It was either eat a pound of broccoli and fish, or you can eat greasy burgers and mayo but no bun. How was any of that sustainable or going to make me be able to lose weight the healthy way? It wasn't.

All the other diets I have been on have always been about losing weight and never taught me the value of nutrition and healthy eating.

In 2018 I became the unhealthiest I've ever been. I am a wife, and a mom of two amazing boys. I would eat fast food four or five times a week and then throw out the bags to hide the evidence from my family. I had become lazy in making healthy meals that I would just throw together without thinking of nutrition. I had fallen back into so many bad habits that led to me feeling sad all day long. I hated the way I looked, how I felt, and, more importantly, the path I was heading down.

November 2018 is when my life changed forever. It was when I asked for help and was introduced to The Ultimate Portion Fix program. I needed to know what people were doing to get these amazing results. I needed to know all about itNOW!

[Editor's note: The Ultimate Portion Fix was created by Beachbody Super Trainer Autumn Calabrese, a fitness and nutrition expert and certified health and wellness coach. It's designed to teach people how to control their meal portions using color-coded containers for measuring out portions of foods that make up a meal or snack. Calabrese's system forms the basis of her book Lose Weight Like Crazy Even if You Have a Crazy Life, published by Galvanized Media, publisher of Eatthis.com.]

I jumped in. I watched all the Ultimate Portion Fix videos, read all the program materials, and used the workbooks and logbooks provided. There was no cutting out carbs or fruits like so many "diets" make you do. This made sense. There was no weighing my food or counting calories. I didn't have to give up foods that I love, I just had to pick healthier versions and proper portion sizessomething we all know but are never fully aware of not to dountil now I wish I would have known about this years agobut what was important was that I had the tools I needed now.

The first few days I measured, and I prepared meals ahead of time. Did I have doubts? Of course! I had doubts this was going to work for mebecause nothing in the past had. But I continued to measure, I continued to portion my meals and eat exactly how I was supposed to.

My cravings for sugar slowly went away and it got easier. I was learning to cook healthy meals for my family! I realized this wasn't like anything I had ever done. I was able to eat all the food I normally would, but now I was using these containers as my guide, and they taught me how to eat all over again.

In one year, I lost 110 pounds following Autumn's Portion Fix program and pushing play on her workouts. I used the tools that were given to me and followed them. There were no shortcuts, there was no easy way out. I knew I needed to change my old habits to see new resultslong-lasting results.

When it got hard, I would remember her talking about our "whys." Why was I doing this? To lose weight and be healthy. Why did I NEED to do this? Because I didn't want to die young. I wanted to grow old with my husband and watch my boys grow up. Those answers are ALWAYS in the back of my head.

My boys watch me push play to Autumn's workout programs every day and see me have fun doing it! I can make them delicious, healthy meals, and what is even more amazing is that they are aware of making healthy choices. They used to watch me sit around on a couch all day feeling sad and eating junk food. Today, they have the best version of me and it's all because of those 6 amazing containers.

(Adapted from Lose Weight Like Crazy Even If You Have a Crazy Life!)

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I Lost 110 Pounds, And This is the #1 Thing That Helped Me Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Another victory. Another winner by Michail Antonio.

There are several contributing factors behind the West Ham No 9s blistering start to the season including a change in his diet and extra work in the gym to strengthen his troublesome hamstrings.

In January, the in-form striker changed his diet and no longer eats red meat. Nine months on, it appears to be having the desired effect.

Antonio has six goals in his eight league appearances this season. Only Mohamed Salah (10) and Jamie Vardy (seven) have scored more, and theyve both played an additional game. And it is not just the changes to his diet where Antonio is feeling the benefits. His full-body workout includes single-leg Romanian deadlifts and jump split squats, which have allowed him to stay fully fit.

The 31-year-old told Sky Sports: Ive come to realise Im no longer the young pup that I used to be. I kept believing that I was. There were certain things in life I was doing that I could have been better with.

I used to eat what I wanted, I wasnt the best eater. Now Ive changed my diet and routine of life. And Ive noticed since I changed my diet Ive had less niggles and Ive not felt my hamstrings at all.

These days, West Ham supporters are more accustomed to seeing Antonio find the back of the net, as opposed to leaving the field with an injury. The forward has played 716 minutes in the league this season. After the first nine matches of 2020-21, he had only played 485.

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How change in diet and extra gym work helped in-form Antonio stay fit - The Athletic

As you've probably noticed by now, the body is ever-evolving. What you may not realize? With each new life phase, it's vital we take stock of our nutritional needs to ensure our bodies have what they need to stay healthy and thrive. This is especially true as we move into late adulthood.

"Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is critically important for older adults because of the impact of food intake on health," says Katherine Brooking, RD, co-founder of the health communications company Appetite for Health. "Years of research have demonstrated that getting enough of all the right nutrients has a huge effect on physical condition, cognitive condition, bone health, eye health, digestive function, vascular function, and the immune system."

But hitting the mark isn't always easy. "Research demonstrates that older adults have a diminished ability to absorb and utilize many nutrients, including B12," Brooking says. To add to that challenge, "seniors take more medications, which can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies," notes Liz Weiss, RDN, of Liz's Healthy Table. "Certain drugs can interfere with nutrient absorption while others can suppress appetite so you get fewer nutrients in your diet overall."

RELATED:A Vitamin B Deficiency Might Be the Reason You're Tired All the Time

So how can you make sure you hit all of the nutritional marks after 50 and beyond? Brooking and Weiss are here to help. Read on to learn more about the nutrients you should get more of as you age, plus how to fit them into your daily diet.

Aim for: Men 51+, 1.7 mg; women 51+ 1.5 mg

Vitamin B6 helps the body use food for fuel and plays an important role in our immune function, making it a crucial nutrient for all ages. After 50, though, it's harder for the body to absorb. This, Brooking says, coupled with the fact that folks over 50 tend to consume fewer foods containing the nutrient, is why health experts recommend consuming additional B6 after midlife.

Eat This!: Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods, Brooking says. "The richest sources of vitamin B6 include fish (like tuna and salmon), beef liver, and other organ meats." She also recommends hitting the daily mark by reaching for chicken breasts and ground beef.

"If you don't eat poultry, meat, or fish, be sure to consume fortified cereals, potatoes, bananas, squash, and nuts. You may also consider a supplement if your physician suggests it," Brooking adds.

Don't missMajor Effects Bananas Have on Your Health, Says Dietitian!

Even if you're strong and active, you can count on losing some muscle mass as you age. (Some research estimates we lose about 3-8% each decade after 30!) Lifting weights and staying active can help slow this process, as can making sure you eat enough protein on a daily basis.

Hitting the mark isn't always easy, though, especially for those 71 and older. About 50% of women and 30% of men in this age group fall short of protein recommendations, according to the latest USDA Dietary Guidelines.

Eat This!: "Amino acids are the building blocks of muscles. But one amino acid in particularleucinehas been shown to stimulate muscle growth and reduce muscle loss in the elderly," says Weiss. "Aim to include leucine-containing foods such as milk and Greek yogurt, lean meat, fish, edamame, tofu, and other soy foods into everyday meals as you move into your 50s. This way it becomes a habit through later life."

Leucine isn't the only important amino acid, though. Weiss stresses the importance of consuming various protein sources (like seafood, poultry, beans, lentils, and eggs) and spreading them throughout the day. "People tend to eat the lion's share of protein at dinner. But amino acids are more efficient at building muscle when they're consumed throughout the day," Weiss explains.

Aim for: Adults up to 70, 600 IU; adults over 70, 800 IU

Vitamin D has many jobs, but one of the most essential is helping the body absorb calcium, a mineral that's a building block for strong bones. Vitamin D and calcium work together to maintain bone strength and ward off conditions like osteoporosis, which significantly increases the risk for fractures.

While getting enough vitamin D during all life stages is vital, it becomes imperative after 70. "This can prevent damage to the bones or muscles if you fall," says Brooking.

RELATED:5 Amazing Benefits of Vitamin D, According to Experts

Hitting the recommended intake can be a challenge, though. "Our skin produces vitamin D when it's exposed to natural sunlight. But people over the age of 65 have been shown to produce less vitamin D," says Brooking. "It's speculated that this may occur either because this group spends less time outside or because it's harder to convert sunlight into vitamin D as you age."

Eat This!: "Few foods naturally contain vitamin D. The flesh of fatty fish (such as trout, salmon, tuna, and mackerel) are among the best sources," says Brooking. "Beef liver, egg yolks, and cheese have small amounts of vitamin D."

If none of these foods are your cup of tea, Brooking recommends shopping for fortified milk, cereals, and yogurt. Since vitamin D is so vital to healthy aging, Brooking also suggests asking your care provider if adding a daily vitamin D supplement to your routine is right for you.

Aim for: 2.4 mcg

Okay, here's the deal with vitamin B12. You don't actually need more of it after 50; everyone over 14 should aim for 2.4 micrograms a day. But as we near mid-to-late life, hitting that mark can become tricky, so it's worth paying special attention to.

"We often need to take more medications as we age, and certain classes of ones like acid reflux meds that are proton pump inhibitors, the diabetes drug, Metformin, and peptic ulcer disease treatments can decrease absorption of B12," explains Brooking. "We also lose some of our ability to absorb vitamin B12 as we age," notes Weiss, adding "for this reason, your doctor may recommend routine blood work for B12 deficiency after age 60. If levels are low, a dietary supplement may be recommended."

Eat This!: Even if you take a B12 supplement, eating foods rich in the nutrient is key to maintaining good health, says Weiss. "Consuming a B12-rich diet takes you into your older years on good footing. Foods I recommend consuming include liver (not an everyday food for most people!), clams, beef, fortified breakfast cereals, canned tuna, fortified nutritional yeast (important for vegans and vegetarians), and seafood."

For more, be sure to check outOver 60? This Is The #1 Best Food to Eat, Says Dietitian. Then, don't forget to sign up for our newsletter!

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4 Nutrients You Need More of After 50, Say Dietitians Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

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