Audrey & Alfie’s Post

The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods on Health: Insights from BMJ A groundbreaking study published in BMJ sheds light on the profound implications of dietary exposure to ultra-processed foods. The systematic umbrella review, spanning from 2009 to June 2023, evaluated associations between ultra-processed food consumption and adverse health outcomes across various parameters. Key findings reveal a compelling correlation between greater exposure to ultra-processed foods and heightened risks of cardiovascular disease related mortality, common mental disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The evidence, graded according to pre-specified classification criteria, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive population-based strategies to target and mitigate the adverse effects of ultra-processed food consumption. Of particular significance is the classification of evidence, with convincing and highly suggestive associations linking ultra-processed food exposure to a spectrum of health concerns. From mortality rates to mental health outcomes, the evidence paints a clear picture of the detrimental impact of ultra-processed foods on human health. As we navigate this paradigm shift in nutritional science, it becomes imperative to explore mechanistic research and develop robust public health interventions aimed at reducing dietary exposure to ultra-processed foods. The implications extend beyond individual health outcomes to encompass broader population health initiatives and policy frameworks. This seminal study serves as a clarion call for action, urging stakeholders to collaborate in the pursuit of healthier dietary practices and improved human well-being. Together, we can embark on a transformative journey towards a future where access to wholesome, nourishing foods is a cornerstone of public health policy. The journey towards better health begins with informed choices and collective action. Let's heed the insights gleaned from this research and work towards a brighter, healthier future for generations to come. #HealthResearch #NutritionScience #PublicHealth #BMJStudy #UltraProcessedFoods #HealthImplications

A groundbreaking study by the American Heart Association reveals that a six-month produce prescription program significantly enhances blood sugar control, food security, and nutrition security in low-income adults with Type 2 diabetes. In the first randomized clinical trial of its kind, participants who received free weekly produce deliveries experienced improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, a key measure of blood glucose control. The study, involving 450 adults in Southern California enrolled in Medicaid, demonstrated that providing free produce deliveries for six months resulted in an overall average HbA1C reduction of 0.32 points, indicating the potential of produce prescription programs to address health disparities and improve cardiovascular health. The findings underscore the impact of healthy nutrition on cardiometabolic health, emphasizing the role of accessible and affordable fresh foods in managing diet-related health conditions. Participants in the higher- and lower-dose produce groups showed significant improvements in blood sugar levels, with secondary analyses suggesting larger benefits during the intervention and a potential waning effect post-program. The study highlights the potential long-term benefits of interventions providing nourishing food for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced health disparities. #ProducePrescription #Type2Diabetes #CardiometabolicHealth #FoodIsMedicine #HealthyNutrition #FoodSecurity #BloodSugarControl #AmericanHeartAssociation https://lnkd.in/gqpArxRP

A groundbreaking study by the American Heart Association reveals that a six-month produce prescription program significantly enhances blood sugar control, food security, and nutrition security in low-income adults with Type 2 diabetes. In the first randomized clinical trial of its kind, participants who received free weekly produce deliveries experienced improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, a key measure of blood glucose control. The study, involving 450 adults in Southern California enrolled in Medicaid, demonstrated that providing free produce deliveries for six months resulted in an overall average HbA1C reduction of 0.32 points, indicating the potential of produce prescription programs to address health disparities and improve cardiovascular health. The findings underscore the impact of healthy nutrition on cardiometabolic health, emphasizing the role of accessible and affordable fresh foods in managing diet-related health conditions. Participants in the higher- and lower-dose produce groups showed significant improvements in blood sugar levels, with secondary analyses suggesting larger benefits during the intervention and a potential waning effect post-program. The study highlights the potential long-term benefits of interventions providing nourishing food for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced health disparities. #ProducePrescription #Type2Diabetes #CardiometabolicHealth #FoodIsMedicine #HealthyNutrition #FoodSecurity #BloodSugarControl #AmericanHeartAssociation https://lnkd.in/gAXa6jSn

Association of Ultra-Processed Food Exposure With Adverse Health Outcomes BMJ: British Medical Journal TAKE-HOME MESSAGE This umbrella review evaluated the association of the consumption of ultra-processed foods (defined as ready-to-eat products with long shelf lives, such as carbonated drinks, snack foods, and packaged meals) with numerous adverse health outcomes. The results showed that exposure to ultra-processed foods was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 1.21), heart disease mortality (HR, 1.66), depression (HR, 1.22), and obesity (OR, 1.55). Highly processed foods are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk of all-cause mortality. This information can be used to counsel patients on healthy eating choices and lifestyle habits. – Timothy Overton, MD, MPH https://lnkd.in/g73DtaZY #healthyfood #healthyeating #nutrition #food #cleaneating #dinner #foodie #lunch

In a recent study, Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy researchers discovered that produce prescription programs can enhance the intake of healthy foods, alleviate food insecurity, and lead to better clinical outcomes such as reduced levels of HbA1C and hypertension. What are Produce Prescription Programs? These programs represent a game-changing approach where healthcare organizations finance nutritious foods for individuals facing food insecurity or battling diet-related ailments like heart disease and diabetes. They utilize innovative methods like vouchers, debit cards, or loyalty cards to empower shoppers to access fruits and vegetables, all at zero cost. It's clear that we need to expand the reach of these programs on a larger scale. They hold immense potential in enhancing the quality of care, especially for lower-income adults and families grappling with obesity, diabetes, or hypertension. #NutritionScience #HealthcareInnovation #FoodSecurity #HealthyEating #PublicHealth #ResearchHighlights #ProducePrescription #HealthEquity#SDOH https://lnkd.in/gf5WYFgi

This comprehensive meta-analysis explores the profound impact that ultra-processed foods can have on our health. The clear link between high consumption of these foods and increased risks for serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health disorders, highlights the urgency for a shift towards whole, nutrient-rich foods. As a Nutritarian coach inspired by Dr. Joel Fuhrman's principles, this research aligns with the philosophy of prioritizing foods that are not only minimally processed but also high in micronutrients. The findings strengthen the call for integrating nutritional education and whole-foods-based diets into public health strategies, aiming to enhance both physical and mental well-being on a large scale. Let's empower our communities by spreading awareness about the significant benefits of reducing ultra-processed food consumption in favor of a nutritarian lifestyle, which focuses on foods that heal and nourish the body and mind.

Dear Startupers, please read carefully this article. Something is « cooking » around ultra-PROCESSED foods !!

🚨 New Research Alert: The Hidden Dangers of Ultra-Processed Foods 🚨 A comprehensive review published in the BMJ by experts from renowned institutions like Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the University of Sydney, and Sorbonne University has shed light on the alarming impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on our health. 📊 🔍 Key Findings: - Direct associations were discovered between UPF consumption and 32 health parameters, including mortality, cancer, mental health, and more. - High intake of UPFs is linked to increased risks of cardiometabolic diseases, common mental disorders, and higher mortality rates. - In the US and UK, over half of the average diet comprises UPFs, with some demographics consuming up to 80%. The study, encompassing 9.9 million people, underscores the urgent need for public health measures to reduce dietary exposure to UPFs. 🌍🥗 💔 Risks Highlighted: - 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death. - 48-53% higher risk of anxiety and other common mental disorders. - 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes. - 21% greater risk of death from any cause. Experts argue that UPFs, often high in sugars, fats, and salt but low in nutrients, are not only poorly nutritious but are also engineered to drive overconsumption, particularly targeting disadvantaged communities. 🥤🍟 📢 Call to Action: It's time for global action similar to tobacco control, urging UN agencies and member states to tackle the ultra-processed food crisis head-on. Additionally, findings suggest that calorie labelling in eateries could prevent thousands of heart disease-related deaths. Let's rethink our food choices and advocate for healthier, less processed options for a better future. 🌱💪 #UltraProcessedFoods #PublicHealth #Nutrition #BMJStudy #EatRealFood https://lnkd.in/dTJVkXDn

The Food as Medicine movement is gaining momentum, particularly around tech-enabled nutrition support, according to this recently published report from Rock Health. Here are our top two takeaways from the report, along with Season Health's approach for solving these challenges. 1. Consumers want to eat healthier, but need guidance: According to the report, 50% of consumers find it hard to understand what foods are best for their health and 68% receive conflicting information about what foods they should eat or avoid. How do we solve for this at Season? Through personalized nutrition care from our nationwide network of Registered Dietitians. 2. Payers want to control rising costs of diet-related disease: Rock Health reports that payers are grappling with the costs of treating the nearly 50% of Americans with diet-related disease while addressing rapidly increasing food insecurity, which is now the reality in 12.8% of U.S. households. How do we solve for this at Season? Our programs allow payers to drive behavior change in their patient populations by shifting patients’ relationship with food, improving health outcomes and quality of life, and offering an alternative to expensive medications like GLP-1s. Read the full report below and reach out to us to discuss how we are connecting the dots and driving outcomes by pairing clinical guidance with tech-enabled access to food for patients nationwide. Email us at partnerships@seasonhealth.com #foodasmedicine #registereddietitian #nutritioncare https://lnkd.in/gfy6cBxi

A few weeks ago, I got a slew of messages from current and former clients, asking me about a recent study done on intermittent fasting.    When I read what all the fuss was about, I immediately knew I could tell my clients to relax.    Researchers from the American Health Association released their unpublished data from an observational study based on dietary surveys.    The results showed that those adhering to time restricted eating (ie: intermittent fasting) had an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. 😮   I, along with most others in the scientific community, quickly noticed some serious limitations of this study that render it pretty much useless.    Essentially, researchers gave participants two food recall surveys less than 2 weeks apart. This means the participants had to remember what they ate the previous day AND what time they ate it.    They grouped participants into groups based on their eating window.   (Note, they never asked participants directly if they adhere to intermittent fasting, they just assumed that based on their meal times from survey data.)   Then they followed these participants for a median of 8 years and compared their health outcomes to their dietary surveys.    The flaws in this study are borderline hilarious.    First of all, self reported food surveys are notoriously unreliable. (I can’t remember exactly what I ate yesterday, not to mention what time I ate it!) 😅   Secondly, the researchers made the assumption that these participants' food surveys were representative of their diet for the next 8 years….   Guys, 8 years ago I was a beef loving, binge drinking college student. Now, I eat a whole food plant based diet and rarely drink. Dietary patterns change dramatically in that long of a time frame. 🤷🏽♀️   It’s also worth noting that most of the cardiovascular deaths from the time restricted eating group were due to pre-existing conditions.    Long story short, I wouldn’t give this study a second thought.    I love intermittent fasting as a short-medium term tool for many reasons. 🩸It increases your insulin sensitivity. (Insulin resistance is the precursor to Type 2 Diabetes and contributes to obesity). 🔥 Done correctly, it helps you burn fat without losing muscle mass. It helps you stay in a calorie deficit without counting calories. 🍿It helps you kick late-night snacking… which is a huge problem for most of my clients. 💪🏼 It gets noticeable results, quickly. This lends itself to positive momentum that makes you more likely to stick with your weight loss regimen. Have you tried intermittent fasting? If so, did it work for you?