Estimated read time = ~ 14-16 minutes Probiotics can been defined as: “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” – International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics [ISAPP] This criteria is strain-specific, encompassing specific species for which there is evidence from controlled interventions demonstrating an effect. To be classified as a probiotic, a product must: Note that this definition of probiotic does not include fermented foods. It can be helpful to understand the organisation of living organisms, and how they are categorised, which is known as ’taxonomy’. The ecosystem of live bacteria …
How Diet Influences Heart Disease Risk
This Sigma Statement draws together the evidence from the previous two statements in the Diet and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Series (see part one and part two). It is not intended to revisit the salient elements of those respective Statements in detail, so for the purposes of this statement we will be proceeding with a number of premises from the conclusions of the two preceding parts of the series, namely: The role of diet, therefore, in influencing risk of CVD/CHD will be discussed in the context of these conclusions, and in particular in the context of replacement nutrients. First, however, let’s …
The Impact of Diet on Blood Lipids
This Sigma Statement will focus on the influence of diet on blood lipids. The evidence for causality between blood lipids per se and cardiovascular disease (CVD), will be discussed in the next Sigma Statement. You can join the email list to be notified when it is released. In examining the effects of diet on health outcomes, it is important to understand the substitution effects of different dietary constituents. In nutrition, substitution or replacement is a vital concept because the question of whether a nutrient has a positive or harmful influence on health is invariably faced with the response: “compared to …
Cholesterol, Lipoproteins & Lipids: Understanding CVD Risk (Sigma Statement)
This statement is the first of three statements which collectively make up our “Diet & CVD” series. The goal of this series is to examine the relationship between diet and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and specifically coronary heart disease (CHD). But before discussing the connection between diet and CVD outcomes, it is crucial to first examine: In this statement we will address point #1 above; i.e. answering the question: What are the roles of lipids, cholesterol and lipoproteins in atherosclerosis & CVD development? The next statement in this series deals with point #2 above, whilst the third statement will circle back …
What Are Sigma Statements?
I’m delighted to announce a new resource that we are making available to you: the Sigma Statements! A Sigma Statement will be written piece that gives a clear walk though and explanation of the current evidence on a specific nutritional science topic, with the aim of having you come away with a clearer and more nuanced understanding of some of the most important (and often hotly debated) topics in nutrition and health. Although they will discuss science, reseach and link to relevant studies, the statements are written with the aim of not being too difficult to read or engage with. …