Nutrition Articles

Due to its large population and high burden of malnutrition, India has the highest number of children born vulnerable to iodine deficiency and the greatest number of stunted children in the world... Read more »

Abstract Hypertension is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke and kidney failure. To prevent hypertension, one modifiable factor is the intake of a salt-rich diet. In some communities, traditional foods have a large amount of salt in the form of pickles, chutneys, yoghurt, buttermilk with salt, etc. But...  Read more »

We are constantly being fed rumors about the latest fad supplement that is totally going to turn our health around. However, coconut oil is showing up time and again to be immensely effective in all kinds of areas. Only rather recently have we discovered the uses and advantages to supplementing...  Read more »

Present in every single cell of our bodies, calcium plays a major role in our overall health and wellness. Out of all the minerals contained within us, calcium is one of the most abundant, and for good reason, too. This particular nutrient is essential to the body’s most significant physiological...  Read more »

Whenever we hear the word “fat”, we immediately get uneasy about what we may be putting into our bodies. However, the “omegas” are a set of fatty acids quite essential to our bodily processes and overall physical health. Omega-3, 6, 7, and 9 each have their own responsibilities within the...  Read more »

The vitamin B complex is indeed a complex grouping of nutrients, ultimately all geared towards converting food into energy for the body to use, but individually essential for various other bodily functions. Scattered among the different foods and supplements we consume on a regular basis, we come across a variety...  Read more »

The prevalence of obesity has increased in the last two decades and it is presently the most common and costly nutritional problem [1]–[4]. In the United States, one-third of the population is affected by obesity, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Read more »

Various clinical guidelines and government bodies recommend supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid supplements for cardiovascular-related indications ranging from triglyceride lowering to cardiovascular risk modification to preventive treatment following myocardial infarction. However, despite popular belief and practice, a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis found that supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty...  Read more »

Stunting—a low height for age, also called linear growth retardation—is on the decline in India in certain age groups, but more attention still needs to be paid to it as an indicator of undernutrition in children younger than 5 years, according to an article published recently in Indian Pediatrics. Underweight...  Read more »

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and conditions, such as cancer, cataracts, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, viral autoimmune diseases, and aging. A recent study conducted by researchers at the KLE University and the Navodaya Medical College in Karnataka, India, examined the relation of...  Read more »

A healthful diet and exercise have a significant positive effect on serum lipid profiles, and obesity constitutes a major risk factor for the development of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, a recent Indian-based study found. Key Point: A healthful diet and regular exercise are effective reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Prevention...  Read more »

Inadequate feeding and care may contribute to high rates of malnutrition and stunting among children in rural families in India. An international team of researchers, led by Shahnaz Vazir, PhD, from the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India, report that a combination of caregiver education and psychosocial stimulation improved...  Read more »

Low levels of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, have been measured in patients with cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes. Key Point: This study supports the hypothesis that inflammation is associated with a functional deficiency of vitamin B6. It is important to note that...  Read more »

Caffeine consumption may result in a lower risk of skin cancer—specifically basal cell carcinoma, a recent study found. World coffee consumption is approximately 140 million to 145 million bags (60 kg per bag) per year, and it’s predicted that India’s consumption levels will Read more »

A community-based program for the control of nutritional anemia in children aged 6 months to 35 months and rural unmarried adolescent girls aged 12 years to 19 years in rural India led to improved hemoglobin status, appetite, and knowledge of iron-rich foods. In addition to weekly iron supplementation, the community...  Read more »

One out of 3 Indian females suffers from osteoporosis, making India one of the most affected countries in the world, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Additionally, in most Western countries, the peak incidence of osteoporosis occurs at about 70 to 80 years of age; in India, it occurs 10...  Read more »

Metabolic syndrome is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The diagnosis is made based on the presence of 3 or more of the following clinical signs: waist circumference of 88 cm or more; serum triglycerides of 1.7 mmol/L or more; blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or...  Read more »