CLEVELAND, Ohio- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval of a drug that experts say marks a landmark shift in treatment for the most common form of liver disease.

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, a small pharmaceutical company in Pennsylvania was granted approval for its one and only drug: Rezdiffra (resmetirom), the first and only approved drug for the treatment for a serious form of fatty liver disease in adults.

University Hospitals liver specialist Dr. Pierre Gholam said the drug is designed to help prevent progression to cirrhosis in persons with fatty liver who have already shown some liver dysfunction -- somewhere between 8 and 10 million patients. These patients often have difficulty losing weight, which up until Thursday was the only intervention proven to be effective.

This is a big deal because fatty liver is by far the leading condition we see in the treatment of liver disease, said Gholam, of the approval announced last week.

Out of 56 patients he saw in his liver clinic last week, 34 of them had fatty liver, he recounted. Where else do you see a situation where two-thirds of your patients have the exact same problem?

Fatty liver is seen most often in people who are overweight or obese and is becoming more common around the world, especially in Middle Eastern and Western nations as the number of people with obesity rises.

Initially there may be no symptoms, but some people with fatty liver can develop a more severe form of the disease called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. When this happens, the fat in the liver becomes toxic, and liver cells become inflamed and die. NASH can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, the need for a transplant, and even death.

The new drug works by stimulating the thyroid to burn excess energy that the liver would otherwise store in the form of fat. In patients with NASH, it has been shown to prevent and even reverse liver damage.

However, it is not currently approved in patients whose liver damage has progressed to cirrhosis, and the dosage of certain other medications, like statins used for lowering cholesterol, may need to be adjusted. Madrigal says, they are currently investigating whether the drug can help patients with cirrhosis.

It doesnt work for every patient. It works for a subset of patients, explained Gholam. But when it does it reduces inflammation and scarring in the liver which is ultimately what leads to patients developing cirrhosis and getting sick from fatty liver disease.

The drug manufacturers say that it should not be considered a substitute for modifications in diet and exercise, but instead used as a complementary treatment to help nudge patients in the right direction. And for many patients this is a big relief.

On the morning following the FDAs announcement, Gholam says seven patients called his office asking if they could get on the drug, which demonstrates just how many people are desperate for a solution.

Its the first step after 15-20 years of trying and failing said Gholam. Its a small first step. We have not cured fatty liver disease and we certainly have not cured metabolic syndrome or obesity, but it is the first time that someone is going to come to my clinic with fatty liver with scarring and Ill be able to offer them something other than diet and exercise.

Unfortunately, 90%-95% of people who lose weight regain it within three to five years he says.

So it is not a realistic expectation for most people, Gholam said.

Gholam says this marks the beginning of what may be a turning point in the treatment of fatty liver disease, and hes hopeful that a decade from now, patients will have multiple options.

GLP-1 agonists, like the drugs liraglutide and semaglutide currently prescribed to treat obesity and diabetes are also being investigated for their ability to treat the liver along with several other classes of medications Gholam said. The studies should have results in the next 10-18 months.

Meanwhile, data on Rezdiffra will continue to be collected for the FDA over the course of a total of 54 month because it was approved under the accelerated approval pathway, which allows for earlier approval of drugs that treat serious conditions and address an unmet medical need.

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When diet and exercise arent enough, new drug can treat fatty liver disease, says FDA - cleveland.com

Twilight star Ashley Greene knows it can be hard to get motivated for a workoutbut she does it anyway. Greene, 37, shared a video of herself wearing black leggings and a white t-shirt, doing a kettlebell workout at the gym. "Didn't feel 100 today but still got it in," reads the text over her Instagram story. Greene has detailed her fitness journey since welcoming daughter Kingsley in September 2022here's how the actress prioritizes her health and wellness.

Greene changes up her workouts to avoid boredom and fitness plateaus. "I started doing CorePower Yoga a lot because I feel like I'm getting all these little aches and pains if I'm not paying attention to stretching," she told Parade. "I like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and for that I do STRONG by Zumba, which is right up my alley. I don't generally go into the classes, but I download them. There's a 60-minute one, there's a 20-minute one and there are some shorter ones too. And it's impossible for me to get a butt, but they have one geared towards that so I've started doing that one."

Greene loves clean beauty products. "Basically, I try to find things that are going to be clean and aren't going to include anything that doesn't need to be in there, and I love Beauty Counter for that reason," she told New York Magazine. "Each one of these oils serves a different purpose."

Greene is embracing her postpartum figure. "I am dedicated to putting in the work to rebuild a strong base," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I am also dedicated to giving myself grace and remaining eternally grateful for the beautiful life my body graciously helped me create and nurture. I don't think my body will ever be quite 'the same' and I'm learning to be ok with that." df44d9eab23ea271ddde7545ae2c09ec

Greene partnered with mental wellbeing platform Aura Health as mental health is a cause close to her heart. "I have always tried to be honest and vulnerable to help others not feel so alone, and this partnership with Aura Health is an example of that in its purest form," she said in a press release. "Opening up about my mental health journey was daunting but I am so proud to share my story on Aura and encourage others to care for their mental health with the help of the many features Aura Health has to offer."

HIIT is Greene's favorite workout. "What I love about HIIT is the fact that you can use your own body weight, which really works for me versus trying to lift a thousand pounds," she told Parade. "Whenever I work out with my body weight, I find that I can track how strong I'm becoming and I'm able to do things later in the week that I maybe wasn't able to in the beginning of the week. So for me, that's just a really fun thing to be able to track."

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Ashley Greene In Workout Gear Didn't Feel 100 Today But Still Got It In - Celebwell

Gabrielle Epstein is showing off her gym-honed body. In a new social media post the model wears a crop top and leggings, flaunting her washboard abs. She captioned the series of Instagram snaps, "stuff." How does the model approach diet and exercise? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

Gabby eats healthy most of the time. "I try and follow the 80/20 rule, which is my approach to maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than a diet philosophy. It's pretty simple, I try and eat well 80% of the time, and then 20% of the time I let myself enjoy a bit of indulgence. It isn't about counting calories, denying myself certain foods or cutting out entire food groups, and allows me to enjoy life without feeling guilty about breaking my 'diet,'" she told Galore.

Gabby drinks a lot of water. "Staying hydrated is my number 1 tip!" she told Galore. "Water also helps to flush out all the toxins in your system, especially with a bit of freshly squeezed lemon it. Coconut water and green tea are great for detoxing as well." According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.

"Preparation is key!" Gabby says about snacking. She packs them so she won't be tempted by high fat foods such as pizza and hot chips when she is out and about. "If I'm spending the whole day at the beach with friends we always make sure we pack an esky full of coconut water, fresh fruit, nuts and organic popcorn," she added to Galore.

Gabrielle supplements to ensure she is getting the nutrients she needs. "I also take a good-quality multivitamin daily. It's a great way to replenish your body of essential vitamins and minerals and to protect your general health," she told Galore.

"I usually mix up my training with running, reformer Pilates, boxing, and yoga," Gabrielle told Galore. "When I'm away I have 20-30 minute circuit programs that I can do in my hotel room or at a park if I don't have time to get to a gym a short workout is always better than no workout at all." df44d9eab23ea271ddde7545ae2c09ec

"I try and set aside at least 45 minutes to an hour a day for some form of physical activity," Gabrielle told Galore. "I also try and work physical activities into the itinerary paddle boarding, surfing, hiking, and swimming are fun activities that will definitely help you keep fit! I also try and eat as healthy as I can on vacation and avoid consuming sugar, processed foods, alcohol and simple carbohydrates. No matter where you are there should be some kind of fresh high-protein, high-fiber food available."

Gabby maintains that "cutting out whole food groups to lose weight" is a no-no in her book. "Healthy eating is all about balance, and your body needs a mix of proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates to function and work to its full potential. I think any diet that cuts out a whole food group is dangerous and can't be sustainable long-term. Eating healthy, nutritious food and exercising regularly is the best diet for a healthy lifestyle," she told Galore.

"I usually hit the gym by 5:30am/6am, and workout for an hour-1.5 hours, then I'll go home and eat breakfast and make a list of everything I need to do that day. Then usually work from home, or from my laptop at a coffee shop, and catch up with my family or my friends," Gabby told Women Fitness. "I have always been a morning person, but I find I'm much more productive when I get up early and get everything I need to do out of the way as soon as possible to avoid procrastination and I'm a huge list person."

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Model Gabrielle Epstein in Two-Piece Workout Gear Shares "Stuff" - Celebwell

Holly Madison refuses to talk about diet and exercise in front of her children credit:Bang Showbiz

Holly Madison refuses to talk about diets in front of her children.

The 44-year-old star - who was one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends for 15 years at the famed home owned by the late magazine owner - has daughter Rainbow, 11, and seven-year-old son Forest with ex-husband Pasquale Rotella and explained that whilst she is "focused" on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, she won't discuss it in front of her kids.

She told Us Weekly: "Were really focused on healthy eating. Im really careful not to say anything about dieting or weight or anything in front of my kids. If theyre trying to shove something unhealthy in front of me, I just say, Oh, Im doing a health thing.

The former 'Girls Next Door' explained that she doesn't want her daughter to begin suffering from body image issues or seek "validation" through her appearance because she started to experience things like that when she was her age.

She said: "We dont want her to get into the mode where shes really focused on the way she looks, or trying to get attention for the way she looks or validation through that. I think weve been really successful so far. Shes on a better track than I was at that age for sure. I was already trying to look some sort of way when I was 11."

Holly was recently asked if it was true that the bathroom pipes had to be replaced from the amount of girls vomiting during their time in the mansion as they suffered from bulimia and she admitted it was "sad" to see so many women suffering at the time.

She said: "On my podcast, ['Girls Next Level with Bridget Marquardt'], we've talked to staff and other people who were there at the time that this allegedly happened, and I guess it was a thing. There were people who struggled with really bad eating disorders while I was there, and it was always a sad thing to see."

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Holly Madison reveals why she refuses to discuss diets in front of her kids - Yahoo News UK

People across the world are always curious about the British Royal Family and want to know as much about them as possible. That even includes wondering what they eat and how they exercise.

Princess Catherine (aka Kate Middleton) has previously revealed the secret to fitting exercise into her busy day. But how does a princess eat?

We were curious after she recently opened up about her health, revealing that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. With a bit of digging, we were able to put together an idea of what sort of foods are part of her diet!

Read more to see what kinds of foods Princess Catherine eats

Cosmopolitan did a bit of research into Princess Catherines diet and highlighted three different elements.

For starters, the royal reportedly eats a lot of home-cooked meals, and she is said to be a bit of a pro in the kitchen. Shes opened up about baking birthday cakes, and her roast chicken appears to be one of Prince Williams favorite dinners.

Princess Catherine has also been reported to enjoy a smoothie in the morning. One recipe that was referenced in the Daily Mail included spirulina, kale, matcha (a finely ground green tea powder), spinach, romaine, cilantro and blueberries.

The publication noted that the Prince and Princess of Wales are both sushi eaters.

What else do we know about Princess Catherines diet? The List noted that shes enjoys a spicy dish but is not a fan of almond milk. The more you know!

Last year Prince William revealed everything he ate in a day, which gave more insight into a royal diet!

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What Does Kate Middleton Eat? The Princess of Wales' Diet Revealed - Just Jared

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, causing hormonal imbalances and a range of symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, and weight gain. While PCOS cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes, particularly focusing on diet and exercise. Adopting a PCOD diet and exercise plan is crucial for women with PCOS to alleviate symptoms and improve overall health.

We spoke to our expert Dr Kapil Dave, Director Sports - Sharda University to shed some light on the importance of diet and exercise in managing PCOD. Here is what he shared with us.

Choosing the right foods is essential for managing PCOS symptoms. A PCOD diet should primarily consist of unrefined, natural foods that are low in processed sugars and high in essential nutrients. Here are some dietary guidelines for women with PCOS:

Opt for whole grains, legumes, and minimally processed foods to stabilise blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.

Include fatty fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel in your diet to reduce inflammation and support hormone regulation.

Load up on nutrient-dense greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli to provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Also Read:World Down Syndrome Day 2024: 10 Tips for Caregiving Parents

Choose fruits like grapes, cherries, and berries that are rich in antioxidants and low in sugar to help manage insulin levels.

Incorporate sources of healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, and nuts to support hormone production and maintain satiety.

Add anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and cinnamon to your meals to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.

Indulge in dark chocolate in moderation, as it contains antioxidants and may help regulate mood and cravings.

Minimise consumption of cakes, pastries, white bread, and other refined carbohydrate products to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.

Also Read:Expert Shares 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Fennel Tea

Avoid fast food and fried foods such as fries, pizza, and burgers, which are high in unhealthy fats and contribute to weight gain.

Steer clear of processed meats like sausages and bacon, which can exacerbate inflammation and hormonal imbalances.

Limit intake of high-sugar fruits like bananas, mangoes, and jackfruit, as they can cause rapid increases in blood sugar levels.

Reduce consumption of red meat, pork, and ham, as they may contribute to insulin resistance and inflammation.

Exercise is an integral component of managing PCOS, as it helps improve insulin sensitivity, regulate hormones, and promote weight loss. Here are some exercise recommendations for women with PCOD:

Incorporate cardio workouts such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, or rowing into your routine to improve cardiovascular health and aid in weight management.

Include strength training exercises to build muscle mass, increase metabolism, and enhance insulin sensitivity.

Practice yoga asanas, meditation, and breathing exercises to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and promote relaxation.

Strengthen your core muscles through exercises like planks, crunches, and leg raises to support posture and stability.

Incorporate HIIT workouts into your routine to maximise calorie burn and improve cardiovascular fitness in less time.

It's essential for women with PCOS to consult with healthcare professionals, including dieticians and physicians, to develop a personalised diet and exercise plan tailored to their specific needs and goals. These experts can provide guidance on nutritional requirements, exercise intensity, and lifestyle modifications to effectively manage PCOS symptoms and improve overall health.

Adopting a PCOD diet and exercise plan is crucial for women with PCOS to alleviate symptoms, regulate hormones, and improve overall well-being. By making healthy food choices, engaging in regular physical activity, and seeking professional guidance, women with PCOD can take control of their health and enhance their quality of life.

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Managing PCOD: Expert Shares the Importance of Diet and Exercise - Onlymyhealth

Sep 15, 2022

Eric GomezMexico writer

Canelo Alvarez will complete one of this century's most exciting boxing trilogies when he faces Gennadiy Golovkin on Sept. 17 in Las Vegas. The rivalry features hallmarks of some of the sport's all-time best -- explosive punching power by both fighters inside the ring, coupled with a fiery mutual dislike of each other outside of it.

Going into the trilogy, the fight also displays a subplot of its own: Alvarez's dalliance with a vegan diet, and a return to eating red meat following his most recent loss.

Before facing WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol last May, Alvarez revealed he had adopted a near-vegan diet. He said he stopped eating red meat in 2018 following a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance sometimes fed illegally to cows in Mexico. Alvarez alleged he had come into contact with clenbuterol after eating tainted meat in his home country. Regardless, the Nevada Athletic Commission suspended him for six months, delaying his second fight with Golovkin -- a fight the Mexican boxer won via split decision.

"I'm not complicated when it comes to food. I adapt quickly," Alvarez told ESPN earlier this year. "I eat [a vegan diet] all week now and if one day the opportunity presents to eat red meat, chicken or whatever, I'll have no problem with that. But I do try to keep vegan [right now]."

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The impetus behind Alvarez's change to vegan came after watching "The Game Changers," a documentary about athletes who incorporate plant-based diets. During training, Alvarez relied solely on vegan protein five days a week but ate fish and chicken on weekends.

"His output hasn't changed at all, physically he looks very strong and I don't see any change in him after he switched his diet," said Munir Somoya, who worked with Alvarez as part of his training team.

Come fight night, Bivol dominated Alvarez and retained his crown by way of unanimous decision. Bivol relied on his superior size and reach to hold Canelo to a career-low 84 punches landed over a full 12 rounds. Fighting at his preferred weight, Bivol used a two-inch reach advantage and taller frame, coupled with fluid movements and high energy output throughout to flummox Alvarez. In the later rounds, the usually durable Alvarez, who has won titles in four different weight classes, seemed sluggish and tired.

Alvarez's sudden dietary switch became a talking point after the fight. Among the critics, Alvarez's former promoter Oscar De La Hoya questioned the boxer's choices in the run-up to the Bivol fight.

"When you change something drastic like your diet overnight, you run the risk of it not working for your body, and it not adjusting properly," De La Hoya told reporters.

Since the loss, Alvarez is no longer training on a primarily plant-based diet as part of his fight plan to face Golovkin at super middleweight on Saturday.

"I tried to do it for some weeks and it's very complicated to change everything all of a sudden," Alvarez told the Associated Press in an interview. "So now, like I have all my life, I'm eating what I did before."

While Alvarez didn't use the diet to excuse his loss, his flirtation with veganism is notable in the sports world. In recent years, a number of elite athletes, including tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams as well as Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton have followed plant-based diets.

A consistent vegan diet over months or even as quickly as weeks can positively affect the maximum amount of oxygen a person's body can absorb and use during exercise, while maintaining strength through a similar level of plant-based protein intake. That's according to The Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Physical Performance and Molecular Signaling in Skeletal Muscle, an academic paper published in 2021 by members of the Institute of Sport Science at the University of Hildesheim in Germany. However, the authors admit "research on the influence of a vegan or vegetarian diet on exercise performance is scarce."

Because of the lack of research, it remains impossible to make any conclusive judgment across the board for any athlete who chooses to transition toward a plant-based diet. Any change -- whether plant-based or not -- can carry adverse effects for a high performance athlete, the experts say.

"In Canelo's case, going on a mostly plant-based diet shouldn't have been done so near to a fight," said Colette Gonzalez, a nutritionist from Alvarez's hometown of Guadalajara. "We can't change a high-performance athlete's diet in such a radical fashion and expect them to perform the same way."

Though Alvarez has made other dietary shifts during his career before fights he ended up winning, a vegan diet -- or even a near-vegan diet -- requires time to adapt, Gonzalez said. "There was clearly not enough time to gauge how the change would affect his muscle mass or his energy requirements for such an important fight."

As for the apparent fatigue Alvarez showed during later rounds in his last bout, Gonzalez says diet isn't entirely to blame. Higher weight and muscle mass requires the body to exert more energy, and though Alvarez had sparred and fought at 175 pounds before, a fast opponent with quick hands like Bivol simply outboxed him as time went on.

"Any time you gain weight, your body has to adapt. If your opponent is more accustomed to that weight, it's a disadvantage," Gonzalez said.

Combat sports in general can claim a few top-level ambassadors for vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. Former heavyweight champion David Haye famously took on a vegan diet in 2014 in defense of animal rights, and maintained his diet toward the end of his career. Haye's change in lifestyle, however, had come after the dwindling of his prime, fighting only in a handful of bouts on a plant-based diet.

"If you don't have any examples of plant-based athletes who are succeeding in your sport, you're going to think this doesn't work here," said Bryan Danielson, a pro wrestler for AEW who went vegan in 2009. "You need people who look like you or do what you do to succeed."

Danielson initially adopted the diet for health reasons -- while training for WWE events, he developed three staph infections over the course of a year. Before then, Danielson suffered through a weak immune system for most of his life. Shortly after the switch to veganism, the infections went away and the diet became permanent.

With the guidance of a trainer, Danielson -- known as Daniel Bryan during his WWE days -- reached peak physical yield under the diet. "I've deadlifted 518 pounds while on a full vegan diet," Danielson said. "There was no difference in my performance. The only difference was I instantly stopped getting sick."

When Alvarez chose to drop red meat prior to his second meeting with Golovkin, he still ate other types of animal protein. The shift was made in direct response to, arguably, his career lowlight.

Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol in 2018, a banned substance catalogued as a performance-enhancing drug. He claimed it had accidently entered his body via tainted meat. In Mexico, the illegal practice of feeding cows pulverized clenbuterol pills in order to stimulate their growth and obtain more meat has been well documented.

A six-month suspension followed, pushing his May bout to September, and leading to claims of foul play from Golovkin's camp. For his part, Alvarez espoused moving forward with an abundance of caution when it came to what he put in his body.

"After what happened to me, I've been very careful," Canelo told ESPN then. "Really, too cautious, I think, [to the point] of not eating meat."

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Learn about the history and usage of Clenbuterol in cattle and the effects it can have on professional athletes.

When they finally clashed for their rematch on Sept. 15, Golovkin and Canelo staged The Ring magazine's Fight of the Year for 2018, with Alvarez narrowly coming out on top on two of the scorecards. The outcome did little to quell the debate over which fighter was better, as the controversy behind the draw in the first fight, coupled with Alvarez's previous doping suspension, created plenty of fodder.

Under the shadow of their third fight -- and as Canelo reels from the circumstances surrounding his second pro loss -- Golovkin continues to raise the issue, suggesting Alvarez's success might have less to do with diet and more with seeking unfair advantages.

"There are lab results," Golovkin told The Orange County Register in August. "And when asked, I said, 'Yes, I believe that he cheated.' And if somebody in his team didn't like my words, I believe it's their problem."

Alvarez will enter the ring at a dangerously unique point in his storied career. Coming off a loss for only the second time, he will stand opposite a man he has yet to beat convincingly -- whether in the scorecards or in the court of public opinion. Though Golovkin, who turned 40 in April, is likely in the latter stages of his career, a loss or even an unconvincing win will place detractors front and center.

Furthermore, Alvarez's flirtation with veganism will do little to subdue the debate as to whether a championship-level athlete in the most brutal of combat sports can thrive solely on a plant-based diet. Somoya is no longer advising Alvarez and has gone to work with another Mexican fighter, heavyweight Andy Ruiz.

"Someday, you'll have a fighter on [Alvarez's] level who wins championships and is on a vegan diet," Gonzalez said. "But that person will have likely been on the diet for years -- not just a few weeks."

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Why Canelo Alvarez moved on from a dalliance with a vegan diet after his recent loss - ESPN

As you age, your body undergoes many different changes. One common age-related shift is loss of muscle mass, which can happen at a rate of around 3% loss of strength with every passing year once you enter middle adulthood. This is also known as sarcopenia.

"Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, can begin as early as one's thirties and can result in a nearly 15% lean muscle loss due to aging throughout your lifetime," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements. "And while this isn't always avoidable, it can be slowed through our diet and lifestyle."

Fighting sarcopenia involves a focused balance of both movement and nutrition, with things like a sedentary lifestyle and lack of dietary protein being common culprits of accelerating muscle aging. But when it comes to diet, it may take more than just adding protein.

Read on to learn more about helpful eating habits you can incorporate to slow the aging muscle process, and for more healthy aging tips check out 6 Best Breakfasts to Slow Aging.

One of the most foundational eating habits to pay attention to when it comes to slowing muscle aging is making sure you're consuming enough high-quality protein.

"All animal food sources are complete proteins, and plant sources of complete protein include hemp seeds, quinoa, tofu, edamame, tempeh, nutritional yeast, and a combination of beans and rice," says Best.

A complete protein has all 9 essential amino acids, which our bodies do not produce on their own, meaning we need them from the food we eat. Most plant proteins like vegetables are considered incomplete proteins, but if you have a balanced diet, you should still be able to hit your required amino acid profile.

And while some people may feel they need an exact amount, Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author ofFinally Full, Finally Slim, and member of our medical expert advisory boardsays you may not need to focus as much on this."Rather than fixate on exact grams with people (which tends to confuse them), I advise being sure to include protein at each meal like milk, yogurt, eggs, chicken, fish, lean meat, nuts, and beans."

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According to Best, another crucial habit to get into for protecting your muscle strength is incorporating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids into your daily diet.

"Omega-3s are linked to muscle health due to their anti-inflammatory nature," says Best. "And the lower the rate of inflammation in the body, the less likely muscle cells are being broken down or damaged."

You can get omega-3s through many types of fish, seeds, and nuts, or you can supplement with an omega-3 pill.

RELATED:The #1 Best Omega-3 Supplement to Take, Says Dietitian

Vitamin D is important for your bone health, mental health, your body's calcium absorption, and your muscle health as well.

"Vitamin D is another important factor in your diet to prevent muscle breakdown because it assists in muscle protein synthesis and is also an anti-inflammatory in the body," says Best. "Many foods high in vitamin D are fortified with this vitamin and include juices, milk, yogurts, and cereals."

Similarly to omega-3s, if you feel you aren't getting enough vitamin D through your daily diet then you can supplement this as well. However, talk with a doctor before supplementing, as it's also possible you can have too much of this vitamin.

Your calorie intake, whether increasing it or decreasing it, can play a significant role in helping to fight sarcopenia as you age. Whether you need more or less entirely depends on what is recommended by your doctor.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

What we mean by this is that for some, it's a common struggle to not get enough nutrient-dense calories as you age because of age-related changes in appetite. This lack of nutrition can contribute to accelerated muscle aging. But for others, a calorie restriction plan may actually help with muscle aging.

According to a study published in the journal Aging, restricting calories without losing nutrients can possibly help with synthesizing muscle protein, delaying atrophy, and improving overall muscle strength. However, you should definitely talk with your doctor about your individual needs when it comes to your calorie intake.

Protein is certainly a crucial nutrient for your muscle strength, but it's important not to forget about incorporating healthy carbs, too.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, carbohydrates are necessary for building muscle strength because of the energy they provide your body for working out and getting enough exercise. Harvard Health also suggests combining a protein source with a carbohydrate after your workouts to help build more muscle.

In one study of over 800 elderly Korean adults, it was found that a combination of important nutrients like carbs, protein, fiber, and certain vitamins like zinc, vitamin B6, and carotene were helpful in lowering the risk of developing sarcopenia. When thinking of meals to cook for yourself that meet these nutrition suggestions, consider ways you can get plenty of protein while still consuming healthy carbs. An example would be a lean chicken breast with veggies and a sweet potato, or fish with rice and vegetables.

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5 Eating Habits To Help Slow Muscle Aging Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

At the end of September, the White House will host a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, the first such conference in more than 50 years. Its goal is to accelerate progress toward ending hunger, improving nutrition and physical activity, and reducing diet-related disease.

Given the ubiquity of contradictory and headline-grabbing information that can lead to confusion about what to eat or drink, progress on improving diets and the science underlying dietary recommendations is needed now more than ever. Take alcohol consumption. A 2021 news article reported that moderate alcohol consumption could benefit heart health. Eight months later, the same news organization reported that no amount of alcohol was beneficial for health. Examples of this sort of about-face in dietary advice abound; its no wonder many people are tempted to give up trying to follow dietary recommendations entirely.

To ensure that nutrition guidance and policies rest on a secure evidence base, nutrition research must be fully funded and optimally coordinated.

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Nutrition science is evolving, with a rapidly growing collection of methods and interventions. At the time of the first White House nutrition conference, in 1969, research focused particularly on isolated vitamins and minerals and their role in nutrient deficiency diseases like rickets and pellagra. Since then, the focus has switched from underconsumption to overconsumption, and the United States, along with many other countries, is now experiencing epidemic levels of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes that are linked to energy imbalance and obesity. Focusing on the prevention of diet-related chronic diseases has produced important gains in knowledge, but it has not been sufficient to stem increasing rates of these conditions. The burden is not likely to lessen anytime soon and there is much that scientists still need to learn.

Yet federal research efforts remain uncoordinated and there is no official accounting of all federal nutrition research funding. Politico, a media company, conducted its own analysis and found that the share of federal research spending dedicated to nutrition at the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has remained flat since the 1980s.

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The NIH is the largest funder of nutrition research in the U.S.: it spent just over $2 billion on nutrition research in 2021 (though this included some projects that also addressed tobacco, exercise, and other topics less directly related to nutrition). This funding supported almost 4,900 projects across at least 24 of NIHs 27 institutes, centers, and offices. If that sounds impressive, it amounts to just 5% of NIHs total funding. Just 1% of all projects supported by NIH in recent years have focused on the role of diet in the prevention or treatment of disease in humans the rest focused on basic science and preclinical research.

Compare this to the diet-associated cost of cardiometabolic disease in the U.S., which was recently estimated to be $50.4 billion per year. This outstrips the NIHs annual budget for 2021 and the combined annual appropriations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Over the years, the NIH has made sporadic attempts to coordinate the diverse nutrition research under its wing. In 1975, it established the NIH Nutrition Coordinating Committee in the Office of the Director, the highest level of leadership at NIH. But that committee was summarily shifted to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in 1993, and then relegated still lower within NIDDK in 2015, when it was renamed the Office of Nutrition Research.

In 2020, as Congress was considering whether to create a wholly new institute, the National Institute of Nutrition, the NIH released its first agency-wide Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research with a focus on precision nutrition. No new nutrition-focused institute has been created, though the Office of Nutrition Research was moved back to the Office of the Director in 2021.

The strategic plan and office reshuffling are unlikely to be sufficient actions in the effort to curb rising rates of diet-related diseases. Establishing a National Institute of Nutrition could bolster essential nutrition research and provide the coordination necessary to address increasingly complex and interdisciplinary issues. This institute would be integral to achieving the goals of NIHs strategic plan and developing a research blueprint for addressing chronic disease using a combination of basic science, clinical trials, epidemiology, and policy research.

Research coordinated by the National Institute of Nutrition could range from foundational, such as identifying new biomarkers of nutrition status, to cross-cutting, such as understanding links between nutrition, health, and the food system. It could leverage the agencys current research on cancer, aging, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and health disparities to drive research aimed at better understanding individual, social, and environmental determinants of nutrition and health and developing translational solutions.

But coordination beyond the world of research is also necessary. A recent Government Accountability Office report identified 200 diet-related efforts including research, education, clinical services, food assistance, and regulation scattered across 21 federal agencies. The report recommended that Congress direct a federal body to develop and carry out a strategy for such efforts with the goal of reducing chronic disease risk. Creating a White House Deputy Assistant to the President for Food and Nutrition Policy could harmonize these activities by leading a cross-agency federal food and nutrition working group. This group could coordinate between agencies and report to the President, the Cabinet, and Congress on issues ranging from nutrition, food access, and health equity to sustainability and climate change.

The cross-government cooperation required to address the ongoing infant formula crisis and the effects of climate change on and by the food system only highlight the need for such a body. The administration has, in effect, already created this working group in preparation for the White House conference as the need to organize topics of discussion and policy priorities across numerous federal agencies has arisen.

Coordination and investment in nutrition research at the federal level can take many forms. A new institute at NIH and a White House Deputy Assistant to the President are only the beginning of the solution. But their establishment, which should be a focus of the upcoming White House Conference, would be a positive step towards efficiently utilizing limited nutrition science dollars to combat the effects of diet-related disease.

Stephanie Rogus is a registered dietitian who leads the scientific integrity initiative for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Peter G. Lurie is a physician, the president and executive director of CSPI, and a former associate commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

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Federal nutrition efforts are in desperate need of coordination - STAT - STAT

Trigger warning: Mentions of Anorexia, an eating disorder (ED).

There was a time in my life when I used to starve myself, just to look thin. But over the years, my life experiences broke it down to me that weight gain or looking a certain way doesnt matter. Being fit and stronger does. That realisation helped me embrace fitness and respect my body, says Radhika Nihalani, a fitness enthusiast, mother of two and successful entrepreneur.

Donning many hats, she aces a good balance between her family, work life and, of course, her wellness. Though she says, It wasnt an easy journey and it still isnt.

Having a love-hate relationship with her own body ever since she was a teenager, Radhika recalls her weight loss journey from being an overweight teen to being borderline anorexic to dealing with postpartum weight gain and finally getting into a fitness routine.

All women, especially mothers, might relate to me. Ive had a roller coaster ride throughout till I finally embraced fitness as a major lifestyle change, says the 39-year-old who runs two PR companies.

While growing up in Delhi, Radhika says that she was called the plump kid throughout her childhood and never had to experience body shaming or body image issues. When I was in school, there were no discussions around fat shaming or body image issues and I always felt okay in my skin. Even when people made subtle comments on my body, it didnt bother me much, she says, adding that her perspective and her sense of body image changed as she became a young adult.

It was when she joined the college that she started noticing her weight had increased over the years. She recalls that her weight was around 80 kg during her early years in college which she felt was a big size for a 52 girl of that age.

It never occurred to me until I joined a dance class that every single person in the class was a certain size and I didnt look like them. That triggered me, she recalls.

There was also another incident which happened in my own house. One day my cousin and I decided to weigh ourselves on our newly bought weighing machine. I was sure that my weight wouldnt be more than 55 kg but when I weighed 78 kg. I could not believe that I had gained weight as I was least bothered about it up until that point, she elaborates, adding, These two became the turning points in my life.

Radhika then went on to take extreme measures that resulted in unhealthy weight loss. I stopped eating food properly and starved myself to lose weight. There were days when I just ate an orange. Besides, I went for extreme exercise regimes like running for 20 km a day, that too without eating enough food. My weight dropped drastically from 80 kg to 48 kg. This led to a lot of health issues and also affected my period cycles, she says.

From that point onwards everything in my life started revolving around being thin or fat. I started lying to people that I had eaten when I hadnt, she adds.

The weight woes continued even after she moved out of her house to pursue her post-graduation. I continued the same drastic regime there and the fact that I was out of my house added to it, as I was deprived of good food too. I ate very little and deprived my body so much that on certain days when I would let go, I would stuff myself with food. It was just extreme [behaviour], either I would starve myself or eat like it was the last day of my life, she says.

Later, it was one of her college friends, who specialised in Psychology, who pointed out that she might be borderline anorexic. At that time, there were not many available resources like we have now on the internet. So, my friend made me read a few books on anorexia and I realised that I might have it. Thats when I understood its severity and also that what I was doing to myself was not right, she recalls, adding that this was a much-needed reality check.

She says that it changed her way of thinking and made her determined to do something about it. It took her a lot of effort and self-discipline to break out of her anorexic lifestyle. I was determined, I thought, if I have the willpower to starve myself for so many days then I can train my mind to be better for myself. Eventually, I started eating nutritious food and alongside I started working out, she adds.

By giving importance to fitness and nutrition Radhika says that she eventually found a balance in her life. In 2006, she moved to Mumbai after her studies and later got married to the love of her life.

When I got pregnant with my first child, I took it as an opportunity to eat everything I felt like. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal and every mother faces it. I was confident that even if I gained a lot of weight, I could lose it easily after the delivery, she elaborates.

But post her delivery in 2018, Radhika realised that it wasnt as easy as she thought it would be. I thought I would start working out immediately and would be back in shape soon. But the reality was different. There was so much stress and anxiety as it was our first child. I started stress eating and gaining more weight. I didnt have the motivation to work out, says Radhika.

It took her around a year to start thinking about working out to get back to her healthy weight. So, she took up a 100-day fitness challenge on Instagram where she posted about her workout every single day. That challenge was an experiment that maybe if I put myself, I would be consistent and reach my goal. And it worked, she says.

When she had her second child in 2021, she says that it gave her a whole new perspective regarding body weight and fitness. I knew my body would change again and I didnt want to get stressed about it. So, I decided to eat healthily and take it as it came. After my delivery, I realised that it isnt the shape or size but the health and strength that mattered. Most importantly, I have to take care of my two children and for that, I need to stay fit and healthy, says Radhika, who now works out daily and aims to be consistent with it.

When she started sharing her workout routine on Instagram, her followers started writing to her asking for instructions. If you put your mind to it, anyone can do it. Of course, it isnt easy! But try to take that 30 minutes out of your life every day and do what works best for you, she advises.

I do hit the gym but there are days when I miss them. But on those days I make sure that I compensate for it by walking to work or ditching the lift and climbing the stairs, says Radhika.

She adds, Most importantly, it is the mindset that needs to change. Choosing fitness is a lifestyle change and a long-term goal. Its not a short sprint, but a marathon. It might take time but slowly you will see the changes.

Edited by Yoshita Rao

Read more:
First Overweight, Then Borderline Anorexic: How I Finally Chose Fitness Over Weight Loss - The Better India