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Oil up a 4th straight session to settle at highest price in over 9 months – MarketWatch

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Oil futures on Thursday stretched their gains to a fourth straight session, as signs of progress toward another round of economic relief by U.S. lawmakers helped to keep prices at their highest levels in more than nine months.

Crude prices have been unstoppable the last several weeks as vaccine rollouts begin, oil inventories are starting to come down, Asian demand remains robust, and the dollar slide propels commodities higher across the board, Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda, said in a market update.

If Congress can get a virus relief bill done this week, that might be the last catalyst needed to help WTI crude make a run towards the $50 level, he said.

West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery CL.1, +0.10% CLF21, +0.10% rose 54 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $48.36 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, for the highest front-month contract settlement since Feb. 26, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

February Brent crude BRN00, BRNG21, , the global benchmark, added 42 cents, or 0.8%, to $51.50 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe to log the highest finish since March 3.

Read: How a weaker dollar could help fuel a commodities boom in 2021

Sentiment has shrugged off slightly bearish monthly updates from OPEC, the EIA, and the IEA this week, said Stephen Innes, chief global markets strategist at Axi, in a note.

While all-clear signals point to gradual demand recovery throughout 2021, however, I worry about the red lockdown flags on the ground, whether too much vaccine optimism is in the price, and if stretched longs canweather any near-term headwinds, he said.

Crude was lifted Wednesday after the Energy Information Administration reported thatU.S. crude inventoriesfell by a larger-than-expected 3.1 million barrels in the week ended Dec. 11.

Meanwhile, Washington lawmakers were seen making progress toward a $900 billion package of economic relief.

The U.S. reported a record 247,000 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. There were 113,090 COVID-19 patients in U.S. hospitals on Wednesday, according to theCOVID Tracking Project, up from 112,816 on Tuesday, as hospitalizations reached a record for an 11th-straight day.

An advisory panel was widely expected on Thursday to recommend the Food and Drug Administration authorize a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. MRNA, +5.09%. If the FDA does so, it would be the second vaccine authorized by the FDA, joining the drug developed by Pfizer Inc. PFE, +0.50% and BioNTech SE BNTX, +0.61%, which saw rollout begin this week.

The only thing that could get in the way of oils rally is if any problems emerge with the coronavirus vaccine rollouts, Moya said.Transportation issues and some slowness in getting people vaccinated may start to raise doubts that a return to pre-pandemic life will happen by mid-fall.

Read: Why a COVID-19 relief package and vaccine wont be enough to boost U.S. gasoline demand

Back on Nymex, natural-gas futures finished lower after the Energy Information Administration reported on Thursday that domestic supplies of natural gas declined by 122 billion cubic feet for the week ended Dec. 11.

On average, the data were expected to show a drop of 127 billion cubic feet for the week, according to analysts polled by S&P Global Platts.

January natural gas NGF21, +1.44% lost 1.5% to $2.636 per million British thermal units.

Rounding out action on Nymex, January gasoline RBF21, +0.06% added 2.6% to $1.3881 a gallon and January heating oil HOF21, -0.12% edged up by 1.2% to $1.4952 a gallon.

The Ten Best Photography Books of 2020 | Arts & Culture – Smithsonian Magazine

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

This year brought heartbreak and sacrifice never before experienced to people all over the world. As we reminisce about 2020, it may be hard to determine exactly what we might look tofor a moment of solace. If there is a silver lining, it would be that we were able to slow down and take a closer gaze at things we usually overlook. Smithsonian magazine's photo team has gathered the following ten photography books that weve appreciated from the year.

Photographer Diana Markosian is at her best when shes delving into her family history and heritage, and her recent ambitious project, Santa Barbara, is no exception. In this book and short film, she recreatesand casts and directsher familys harrowing journey to America from post-Soviet Russia in the 1990s. Her mother was a Russian mail-order bride, bringing two young children with her to build a family with a man she had never met in Santa Barbara, California. Coincidentally, the city was already well-known in Russia, as the 1980s soap opera of that name was the first American television show to be broadcast there in 1992, and had gained a large following. Now as an adult, Markosian has begun to look back on this period of her childhood with a new sense of perspective and empathy for her mother, and with greater appreciation for her struggles and sacrifices. Incorporating casted re-enactments, stills from the film version of Santa Barbara, as well as archival images, Markosian has created a world that is cinematic yet still gleams with moments of intimacy.

Readers, meet Bob. Bob lives on Curaao, a tiny island nation in the southern Caribbean Sea, just north of the Venezuelan coast. Bob just happens to be an American flamingo. A concussive run-in with a hotel window in 2016 left him in the care of Odette Doest, a local exotic pet veterinarian and the head of a non-profit wildlife rehab center and conservation foundation. While caring for Bob, Doest determined he was suffering from bumblefoota common malady in captive birds that would make it difficult for him to catch food in the wildand that he had previously been domesticated. So Bob, who was quite fond of humans, stayed on with Odette as an educational ambassador for the foundation. He began accompanying her on her community speaking engagements and cutting a striking figure. That was where leading conservation photographer Jasper Doest came in. While visiting his cousin Odette, Jasper found Bob irresistible, and he began documenting Bobs life on and off for the next three years. Those photos have turned into Meet Bob. Shes using him to tell a bigger story, Jasper told National Geographic. He by himself would just be a flamingo, and without Bob, she would not have that emblematic animal that gives her the attention to do her educational work.

Redheads of the world, unite! At least, they have on paper in Gingers, Scottish photographer Kieran Dodds aptly-titled book. Its full of beautifully lit portraits of redheads from around the world photographed on black backgrounds, allowing their features and hair to radiate off the page. Pale and ginger (just ask him!) with two redhead girls, Dodds resides in Scotland, the global ginger capital, with 13 percent of its population possessing those fiery locks. Social media served as Dodds Bat Signal for locating redheads across the world, as the book transects 11 time zones, with subjects from the Americas and Europe, to the Middle East and Asia. The book connects us across political and cultural boundaries, using a rare golden thread, Dodds told Bored Panda. I want people to compare the portraits and delight in our variety. We are made of the same stuff but we are uniquely tuned. The November issue of Smithsonian showcased another of Dodds series, titled Border Patrol, on the mighty hedges that have defined the British landscape since the Bronze Age.

The photographs in Secreto Sarayaku have a surreal, transformative feeling. Like youve been swiftly whisked away by Ecuadorian photographer Misha Vallejo and dropped among the Kichwa people of Sarayaku. These residents of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest have a special connection to the jungle and believe it is a living, conscious entity, with all parts interconnected. Vallejo has been documenting their everyday lives for this project, a collection of beautiful visual details of the mundane, dramatic portraiture and jungle landscapes. The Kichwa have been incorporating technology, from solar panels on their house to satellite Internet access, into their lives to their advantage. When confronted by the interests of Big Oil, they have used social media to advocate for their environmental message and to gain supporters worldwide. Vallejo attempts to reflect their worldview on camera: that protecting their home is fundamental not only to their own survival, but to that of humanity.

The Permian Panthers of Odessa, Texas, are forever stamped in the American consciousness when it comes to small-town football, thanks to Buzz Bissinger's 1990 book Friday Night Lights chronicling the team's dramatic 1988 season. Photographer Robert Clark was there as well, capturing all the action on gritty black and white film. Twenty of those photographs accompany Bissinger's original book. However, Clark shot 137 rolls of film as he documented the Panthers in all their trials and tribulations, making a run towards the Texas state championship. Now 30 years later, Clarks Friday Night Lives reveals the never-before-seen photographs. Through Clark's time capsule, viewers can hear the cheers of the crowd, the sounds of the locker room, the music played by the pep band, and feel the hot West Texas sun beating down on the football players during drills. Its apparent that the town's hopes and dreams are beholden to the high school's football team's success. Clark brings us to the present day with poignant portraits of key characters of the storied season, including Mike Winchell, the star quarterback; Boobie Miles, who injured his leg that year; and head coach Gary Gaines.

Necessary Fictions is a continuation of conceptual documentary artist Debi Cornwall's dark-humored approach shown in her award-winning exploration of Guantnamo Bay in Welcome to Camp America. Only this time, the location is unknown, if only at first. Throughout the book of photographs, clues are given, such as coordinates and a quote attributed to Karl Rove, the one-time chief political strategist to President George W. Bush. As a former soldier who's been to Kuwait and Iraq, things at first look familiar to me. However, there is something off-putting. Clothes seem too clean for the environment, too pristine for any battlefield. As I move forward, it becomes obvious. It's a simulation, a staged role-playing game in a place I've never been. The players are paid to play themselves; Iraqis and Afghans who fled war and young soldiers play dead and wounded in graphic detail as if walking off the set of a horror movie. The country is called "Atropia," and its location is played out across the United States on military bases. Twenty years after 9/11 and the start of the War on Terror, Necessary Fictions takes a good look at how far we've come in filling the needs of the military-industrial complex as efficiently as possible.

Over a two-year period, photographer Joni Sternbach documented historic surfboards from the Surfing Heritage and CultureCanter Center (SHACC) collection in San Clemente, California. The photographs from these efforts are shown in her latest self-published monograph titled Surfboard. Sternbach used an ultra large-format camera and collodion-coated glass plate negatives to capture each board. (See her magical methods on the Smithsonian magazines Instagram account.) The artistry in both Sternbach's photographs and the boards themselves, one of which was used by the legendary surf icon and Native Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku, is impressive. The book captures the evolution of surfboard making methods and the art depicted on them. One board from the 1930s depicts a swastika long before the symbol was stolen during the period of Nazi Germany.

Tyler Mitchell's distinctive vision of a black utopia is on full display in his book I Can Make You Feel Good, which is already in its second edition. The imagesa mix of documentary, fine art, and portraiture, among other photo genresare full of energy and life and show a freshness rarely seen in a debut photo book. The photographs run full bleed to the pages' edges as if the beauty seen in each image is too bold to be contained by any book. "I Can Make You Feel Good is simply a declaration. And one that I feel is gut-punching in its optimism. It feels important at a time like this to declare such a thing," Mitchell explains in his opening statement. One striking image of a young black man holding a plastic toy gun recalls 12-year-old Tamir Rice's tragic death, who was himself playing with a toy gun as a police officer shot and killed him. In I Can Make You Feel Good, Mitchell imagines a place where his community can play and thrive without deadly consequences. "I aim to visualize what a Black utopia looks like or could look like. People say utopia is never achievable, but I love photography's possibility of allowing me to dream and make that dream become very real," he says.

American artist Imogen Cunningham (18831976) enjoyed a long career as a photographer, creating an extensive and distinct oeuvre that underscored her unique vision, versatility and ardent commitment to the medium. An early feminist and inspiration to future generations of men and women practitioners, Cunningham intensely engaged with Pictorialism and Modernism; genres of portraiture, landscape, the nude, still life and street photography; and a multitude of themes, such as flora, dancers, music, hands and the elderly.

Beginning with Cunninghams childhood in Seattle where she started developing and printing her own photographs in 1905 in a darkroom built by her father, and spanning the entirety of her illustrious 75-year career, Imogen Cunningham: A Retrospective contains nearly 200 color images of her elegant, poignant and groundbreaking photographs. The book features both renowned masterpieces and rarely seen pictures, including several that have never been published.

Underappreciated during her time, Cunningham was an inventive, inspired and prolific photographer who tirelessly explored her chosen medium until her death at age 93. Imogen Cunningham: A Retrospective recognizes Cunninghams enormous achievements and raises her stature to the same level as her male counterparts in 20th-century photography.

David Benjamin Sherry: American Monuments is a landscape photography project that captures the spirit and intrinsic value of Americas threatened system of national monuments. In April 2017, an executive order called for the review of the 27 national monuments created since January 1996. In December 2017, the final report called on the president to shrink four national monuments and change the management of six others, recommending that areas in Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans be offered for sale, specifically for oil drilling and coal and uranium mining. American Monuments focuses on the areas under review, with special emphasis on those that have already been decimated. Sherry documents these pristine, sacred and wildly diverse areas using the traditional, historic 810 large format. The resulting photographs not only convey the beauty of these important and ecologically diverse sites, but also shed light upon the plight of the perennially exploited landscape of the American West.

For more recommendations, check out The Best Books of 2020.

By buying a product through some of these links, Smithsonian magazine may earn a commission. 100 percent of our proceeds go to supporting the Smithsonian Institution.

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The Ten Best Photography Books of 2020 | Arts & Culture - Smithsonian Magazine

Abu Dhabi FP3: Verstappen heads Red Bull one-two – Grand Prix 247

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Max Verstappen led Alexander Albon in a Red Bull one-two in the final practice session of the Formula One season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Saturday, as dominant Mercedes found themselves in unfamiliar territory.

Max lapped the Yas Marina track in one minute, 36.251 seconds, 0.501 seconds clear of his British-born Thai team mate Albon.

Daniel Ricciardo was third for Renault with his teammate Esteban Ocon in fourth.

World champion Lewis Hamilton, back in action after missing last weeks Sakhir Grand Prix due to COVID-19, was the lead Mercedes in sixth, 0.761 seconds slower than Verstappen.

Team mate Valtteri Bottas, who had set the fastest time on Friday, was ninth.

Mercedes, running a special livery with the names of about 2,000 team personnel on their cars, have taken pole in Abu Dhabi every year since 2014. They have started every race but one this season from the front of the grid.

Hamilton indicated on Friday that the Brackley-based team, who this year wrapped up a record seventh straight title double, could use Saturdays hour-long session to run their cars on higher fuel loads, suggesting normal order could be restored come qualifying.

Lando Norris was fifth for McLaren ahead of Hamilton, who has wrapped up a record-equalling seventh title.

Lance Stroll was seventh for Racing Point ahead of Carlos Sainz in the other McLaren.

Sergio Perez, winner in Sakhir last week who is set to start Sundays race from the back of the grid thanks to engine-related penalties, rounded out the top 10 for Racing Point.

George Russell, who stood in for Hamilton in Sakhir and nearly won the race, was 15th on his Williams return behind Sebastian Vettel who took part in his final practice session for Ferrari.

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Abu Dhabi FP3: Verstappen heads Red Bull one-two - Grand Prix 247

GAIL DRAKE: The red kettle of compassion | Local News – The Albany Herald

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

That cheerful bell is one of the most familiar sounds of Christmas. What shopper hasnt enjoyed the ringing, tinkling as they rush home with their treasures? Sometimes the bells are accompanied by singing and occasionally by trumpets, trombones and sometimes a tuba.

And so many community leaders and famous folks get into the act, cheerfully ringing and waving, Merry Christmas! Bells have been rung by comedian Bob Hope, Mr. Bean, and even Snoopy. Famous movie scenes of bell-ringers and bands include "Its a Wonderful Life," "The Grinch," "A Christmas Story" and "Maid in Manhattan," to name a few.

All graciously inviting us, the blessed, to give to those who suffer hunger by tossing coins into the ubiquitous Red Kettle. This year a 32-foot-tall red kettle structure lights up Times Square. 2020 marks the 24th year the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show during their Thanksgiving football game. Country star Kane Brown brought a star-studded performance, expressing his appreciation for the Army because there were times growing up when my family did not have enough to eat or a roof over our heads, and today there are so many people in need.

So where did all these red kettles come from and why is this cheerful job detail so important?

It was December in San Francisco. The famed red light district known as the Barbary Coast was a hotbed of gambling, prostitution and kidnapping for forced labor on ships. The citys population had exploded with the promise of jobs, stressing the famous infrastructure that included novel cable cars that traversed the steep hills. The city was rife with political corruption and poverty.

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Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee walked the streets of the city, troubled that so many homeless were going hungry. He resolved that he would provide free Christmas dinner for the destitute and impoverished. There was only the small obstacle of funding the dinner.

As he prayed and pondered, McFees mind drifted back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. Then he remembered Stage Landing, the dock where ships came in, that featured a large iron kettle the locals called Simpsons Pot. Travelers would drop coins to help the poor. So the next day, McFee placed a pot at Oakland Ferry Landing near Market Street with a sign that read Keep the Pot Boiling. Soon he had enough to feed Christmas dinner to 1,000 of the citys poorest.

Six years later, in 1897, the kettle idea migrated from west to east, with Boston and San Francisco jointly feeding 15,000 Christmas dinners to the hungry. In 1901, kettle donations in New York City funded a sit-down dinner in mammoth Madison Square Garden. Today, the Salvation Army feeds more than 4.5 million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The annual Red Kettle Campaign is the most significant part of the organizations funding.

Every year, the Albany Salvation Army Corp quietly feeds and provides safe shelter to our communitys most vulnerable. The Albany Army feeds 19,000 hot meals a year, and during the early COVID months handed out an additional 20,000 boxed meals. The Lodge provides approximately 7,000 night beds each year in addition to assistance with utilities and clothing. Albany is blessed with the competent and compassionate leadership of Capts. James and Rebecca Sullivan. And theres the assurance that what is given in the kettles in Albany stays in Albany.

With all the stresses of COVID, many with little now have even less. The 2020 Red Kettle campaign is suffering the biggest shortfall in decades. Times are hard, but those among us who still have a home and job have an opportunity to give and bring Christmas at this critical time. Lets all make this years Red Kettle Campaign a year of compassion for Albany.

Gail Drake serves on the Albany Salvation Army Advisory Board. She practices probate, adoption, mediation and childrens law in Albany and is a frequent contributor to The Albany Herald.

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GAIL DRAKE: The red kettle of compassion | Local News - The Albany Herald

Vandals Tear Heads and Wings Off Memorial Angels – Evanston RoundTable

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

St. Nicholas Church, 806Ridge Ave., was one of many sites across the country where memorials to victimsof gun violence were remembered this past weekend. Dec. 14 was the eighthanniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown,Conn.

People for a Safer Society plantedflags in the lawn, red to remember the more than 700 victims of gun violence locally this year, and26 white angels representing the Sandy Hook victims. Within a few days, vandalssavaged the angels.

We were very appalled onSunday to see that some cruel fools had torn the heads and wings off the angels,Eileen Soderstrom, Vice President of People for a Safer Society, wrote in anemail. How much hate are we seeing in our community?

Commander Brian Henry of the Evanston Police Department told the RoundTable the case has been assigned to a detective. He added there is no video surveillance footage of the area.

On Dec. 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother and thendrove to the school, where he shot 20 and killed children and six staff membersand shortly afterward, himself.

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Vandals Tear Heads and Wings Off Memorial Angels - Evanston RoundTable

"Tottenham is so good in the Air" : Watch Tim Sherwood Left Red Skinned After His Prediction Goes… – The Sportsrush

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Tim Sherwood Left Red Skinned After His Prediction Goes Haywire: The Tottenham manager was left biting his words after Liverpool raced into a 2-1 lead

How Tim Sherwood continues to be employed as an expert of the game is something which has left many scratching their heads. Ever since being asked to air his views on the game, his clear prejudice for Tottenham and the players he managed has reeked.

Tim Sherwood has been more interested in promoting himself and his time as Tottenhams manager rather than providing an in-depth analysis on the nitty gritties of the game. Its resulted in his making some bemusing comments across the last couple of years, ones all top eagerly highlighted by ardent supporters of the game.

And he was at it again during Liverpool and Tottenhams showdown on Wednesday. Speaking right before Andrew Robertson took a corner, Tim Sherwood went onto claim how he was least perturbed about the corner with Tottenham set to get to the ball first owing to their height.

He was left looking silly as a goose midway through his comments as Roberto Firmino eased his way off Toby Alderweireld to thump home a scorching header. It saw Liverpool race into a 2-1 lead on the day, one enough to give the home side the three points from the encounter.

The goal left Tim Sherwood embarrassed as his counterparts broke into fits of laughter around him. This isnt the first time hes become the subject of ridicule though with his inept acumen of the game coming to the fore on a multitude of occasions previously as well.

The topsy-turvy clash which finally nestled Liverpools way meanwhile saw Liverpool displace Tottenham from top spot. Both the clubs who were only kept apart by goal difference previously now see daylight between them with Liverpool holding a three point atop of the points tally.

With Leicester City slipping to a 2-0 defeat on the day as well, Liverpool are now clearly outright favourites for the glistening title.

Also Read: Inter Milan Vs Napoli Dream11 Team

I Met the Real Santa in Oswego, New York – Oswego Daily News

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Santa Bob McManus

Written by: Jim Farfaglia

Are you finding it hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year? Worried about spending time in busy shopping centers? Mourning the loss of joyful concerts at schools and churches? It sure doesnt feel like a typical holiday season to me, which if why Ive been thinking about a December from years ago, when I learned to believe in the magic of Christmas no matter what else is going on in the world.

It was a cold winter evening in 1988 and our family had just moved to Oswego. After living out of state for a number of years, we decided to move back home and be closer to family. I left behind a teaching job and was, as yet, unable to find work here, while my wife, Mary, had secured a job as a nurse. We were renting a tiny, 2nd floor apartment that she and I nicknamed the hellhole, because it was so small that whenever our two kids, Carly, age four and a half, and Nick, two and a half, cried, talked loudly or played with their toys, sounds echoed through the apartment like a train speeding through a tunnel. Stress was highvery high.

On this night Mary and I decided to venture out into the cold to watch the annual tree lighting ceremony in downtown Oswego. The promise of Santa Claus appearing at the nearby Armory seemed like the perfect bit of joy to offer to Carly, who was just getting the hang of this believing in Santa thing. Nick was too young to understand, but he imitated everything Carly did and big red things caught his eye. Hopeful, we headed out into the night.

The tree lighting was nice, the carols sung by the high school chorus were beautiful and the hot cocoa served by a local service club soothed our chilly attitudes. With thoughts of our echoing apartment fading, we headed over to the Armory to wait for the advertised arrival of Santa and for some one-on-one time with good old St. Nick.

When we got there, Santa hadnt arrived and we were shocked at the long line of parents holding the anxious hands of five-year-olds or carrying younger ones like squirming packages of excitement. We had no choice but to get in line and play the waiting game. We sure could have used those carolers here and maybe another cup of cocoa, to bide the time.

Our patience was running thin as minutes added up to a half hour and still no Santa. His cutely-dressed elves had no explanation for Santas no show. Carly just couldnt understand and to make this night stink even worse, Nick had deposited something in his Christmas diaper. People around us were starting to stare.

Having waited as long as we could, we decided to go back to the apartment. Carly burst into tears, unable to understand why there was no Santa, and Mary and I were sure we were the worst parents ever: denying our child any chance of believing in Santas goodness. Nick, the imitator, decided to join the chorus of his sisters song of woe.

We started walking to our car, promising Carly a Christmas movie when we got home to at least show her Santa on TV. We thought about hanging a few more decorations, putting on some Christmas musicanything that would stop the crying, anything that would keep their sobs from ricocheting off the walls of that cold apartment. Then we saw him.

Heading straight for us, ringing a bell, that red suit filled out just right, and walking at a quick pacein a hurry, I was sure, to make it to the Armory. We knew we had to walk right past him and we were a little bit embarrassed by our two crying children, not to mention the stench of Nicks diaper. And we didnt want to delay Santas arrival for the children any longer. We proceeded to keep our heads down, trying to divert Carlys attention from the approaching merry sight. But how can you miss Santa when hes big as life?

Whats wrong, little girl? Santa inquired.

Carly turned her face from my tear-stained coat, widened her ready-to-believe eyes and hushed her sobbing. She was waiting for you, Santa, at the Armory, but it was time to go home, Mary said.

I think she was afraid you werent real, I added.

Oh, Santa exclaimed, No, no, my dear. I am real. You mustnt ever stop believing that. Santa just got a little hung up back at the Toy Shop. As he held out his arms to offer her a hug, he said, Now, tell me your name. And right there, in the middle of windy downtown Oswego, as dozens of other kids waited for their moment to believe, for Carly Santa became real.

That moment made our familys Christmas special, and continued into the rest of that season and on into the new year. I was sure this moment with Santa had been unique, but it turns out that was far from the truth. I learned that this Santa was really a man named Bob McManus, a lifelong Oswegonian whod been portraying our red-suited friend for 43 years. A few years later I also learned that the evening we crossed paths was Bobs last Christmas as our favorite Santa. The following December, just days before he was to appear again at Oswegos holiday tree lighting, McManus died suddenly. Upon his passing, many suggested there will never be a Santa as real as Bob McManus.

Which makes my memory of our meeting him even more important. Santa Bob knew just what to say to a child who wanted to believe in Christmas. But the thing he may not have known is that two parents also needed to believe. His time with us on that cold night lasted about three minutes; not a lot of time, you might say. But for a young family in transition, and for all the seasons since then, Santa Bob McManus has made my Christmas bright.

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I Met the Real Santa in Oswego, New York - Oswego Daily News

‘We do stupid things’: anxiety stalks Arsenal as their troubles mount – The Guardian

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could feel a moment of respite. Every Arsenal player could. There were 71 minutes on the clock in Wednesdays home game against Southampton, they were down to 10 men again and the walls were closing in. But Kieran Tierney had the ball in the left-back position and there was clear space in front of him, the opportunity to make ground.

What Tierney did next was to leather the ball towards the Southampton goal. Although he was inside his own half, the fact that the visiting goalkeeper, Alex McCarthy, was a long way off his line made it appear that Tierney had taken on the shot. In which case it was a ridiculous decision. Southampton accepted the return of possession and continued to push for the winning goal.

In the technical area, Mikel Arteta shouted for calm. The Arsenal manager made the internationally recognised gesture with his hands, moving them slowly up and down, in an attempt to reinforce the point. But nobody is calm at Arsenal.

Tierneys mistake was a small example of what happens when anxiety overruns a player. There were bigger ones. Danny Murphy made the point on Match of the Day, which was also clear to everybody inside the stadium, about how Arsenal started the game dropping deep, failing to put any pressure on the ball. It was not only in the first series of actions but for the first 30 minutes or so. Theo Walcott, Southamptons former Arsenal winger, said he could feel the fear in his old side.

Dani Ceballos had a close-range shooting chance on 37 minutes only to try (and fail) to buy a penalty and then there was Gabriel, who has been arguably Arsenals best player during a traumatic season. Not here. He struggled to suppress the Southampton striker Che Adams and he lost his head in the 62nd minute, pulling back Walcott to collect a cheap second yellow card.

It was Arsenals third sending-off in five Premier League games, following Nicolas Pps headbutt at Leeds and Granit Xhakas neck throttle against Burnley two other instances of players failing to channel their competitive desires correctly, being overwhelmed by the high stakes.

Aubameyang was honest in his appraisal. At the moment I think sometimes we are a bit nervous because we need points, the captain said. Maybe sometimes we do stupid things but I can understand. We have to stay cool in the head and try to be a little more intelligent in that case and try to stay with 11 on the pitch because we need it at the moment.

There were some good things for Arsenal to promote. They were able to hold on for the 1-1 with 10 men and they did raise the tempo and rally after that lacklustre opening period. Aubameyang scored the equaliser only his third goal of the league campaign which he badly needed and Bukayo Saka showed courage on the ball. They even almost nicked a last-minute winner when Rob Holdings header hit the woodwork. That would have represented the ultimate smash-and-grab.

The numbers, though, continue to feel like a charge sheet. Arsenal lag 15th in the table. They have taken five points from nine games and have scored only three times during the period.

Where is the creativity in central attacking midfield? There was a time when Arsne Wenger had so many No 10s he seemed ready to name a team of them. Now Artetas midfielders are deep-sitters or box-to-box types and they are not providing the needed incision. One side-effect is to funnel the play wide but Arsenal have struggled to connect with their crosses.

The schedule does not get any easier. Next up is a visit to Everton on Saturday tea-time followed by a home derby with Chelsea on Boxing Day. Aubameyang wants to build on the small steps taken against Southampton and, like Arteta, he has called for cool heads, for clarity.

I think at the moment we try to play simple and thats what we have to do because of course it is not easy when things go wrong, Aubameyang said. It is always difficult to play good football. So we have to be patient and play football and have confidence because we have great players.

We go to Everton and we are going to go there with belief. We have to win the game. Thats it. Hopefully yes [it can kickstart our season]. We have to take this point against Southampton and keep believing.

In different circumstances, it would be easy to imagine a packed Emirates seething with frustration at a draw with Southampton. The truth on Wednesday was it felt as if it was a decent result. This is where Arsenal are; minds scrambled, desperately seeking stability. Everybody is saying the right things. It is not getting through.

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'We do stupid things': anxiety stalks Arsenal as their troubles mount - The Guardian

BBCs Pandemonium and Covid-19: Are We Ready to Laugh About the Virus? – The New York Times

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

By then, it felt like this huge political and social issue that we had to tackle, he said in a recent interview. We just needed to find a way to do it that was both cathartic and inoffensive.

Business & Economy

Dec. 17, 2020, 4:35 p.m. ET

Selling Mr. Basden on a Covid rewrite was easy.

I realized that there was a version of the story, which is about a California holiday not being taken because of coronavirus, that felt interesting to me, Mr. Basden said. I felt it had the potential to sum up the year for a lot of families in terms of what their experience has been, with all of the various disappointments along the way.

Whether Britons need a cov-com, as Mr. Allen dubbed the show, remains to be seen. Viewers may prefer to watch anything but a reflection of what they have just lived through. If youre looking for pure escapism, a show in which a doctor on television is heard intoning, Stay inside, wash your hands, follow the guidelines, isnt for you. Alternatively, the show could turn the ordeals imposed by Covid into bittersweet entertainment by demonstrating just how universal their effect has been.

The show starts at a moment that now feels like eight years ago namely, early 2020. The Jessups are booking their flights to California and Paul decides not to spend another $30 or so per ticket for refundable fares.

Were not going to cancel, he tells his wife. Thats just a scam to make idiots pay more money.

The upbeat mood evaporates as the virus arrives. It shuts down Pauls archery club, rendering him jobless. Robin, Mr. Basdens character, is jilted by a woman who leaves him for her personal trainer. Now-familiar tensions and debates surface. At first, Pauls mother, Sue, wont take the virus seriously, exasperating her son. She also refuses to join in nationwide applause for National Health Service workers on Thursday nights.

Clapping? she asks Paul, outraged at the thought. After they cancel my hip replacement? Are you mad? Im the only one on my street booing.

There are jokes that would fly over the heads of an American audience, like a reference to Dominic Cummings, the since-dismissed adviser to Boris Johnson, who made headlines by flouting lockdown rules. Other bits suggest that the United States still has substantial cultural heft here. When Paul tries to convince his daughter, Amy (Freya Parks), that he is woke, he proves it by noting that he read and loved Michelle Obamas book.

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BBCs Pandemonium and Covid-19: Are We Ready to Laugh About the Virus? - The New York Times

Two Weeks. Three Lost. One Florida Family Ravaged by the Coronavirus. – FRONTLINE

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

ST. PETERSBURG The family took their seats under the green cemetery tent and passed hand sanitizer row to row. Yes, Lord, my life is yours drifted from the speakers. Boyzell Hosey prayed in front, facing the bone-white casket and the empty space beside it.

A man from the funeral home passed out two memorial cards.

In Loving Memory: Amos Hosey.

Forever in our hearts: Roy Hosey.

Boyzell wiped his glasses and nodded as the bishop talked of trusting the hand of God. It was Nov. 21. His elderly father had died on the 5th. His older brother had passed on the 15th. Soon there would be a memorial for his brother-in-law, Bob, who had died in between. Boyzell himself had fought COVID-19 and was only a week out of the hospital, where his sister had gone for treatment, too.

The Hoseys bowed their heads.

Boyzells wife, Andrida, walked the grass in a white robe overlaid in gold. She picked up her long skirt and spread it like wings. A piped-in electric organ wailed, and Beau Williams crooned: One of these mornings it wont be very long youre going to look for me, and Ill be gone

In face shields, Andrida and fellow dancers spun, shimmered, lifted their hands. With the music came the soft pop of umbrellas. The mornings pale sky had darkened, and a mist began to fall.

Boyzell swayed. At 56, he found himself the sudden patriarch, the man everybody was looking to. He watched his wife lay her hands upon his fathers casket and shout her grief. Roys body waited to be cremated.

Family members packed their chairs closer to escape the rain as the Rev. Frank Peterman echoed the words Boyzell had been clinging to all month.

In times of trouble, stand, the reverend said. When youve done all the standing, stand some more.

Andrida cried, Hallelujah!

After scripture and tributes, mourners fist-bumped and waved goodbye. As the funeral home crew packed up folding chairs, cemetery workers approached the gravesite. Without ceremony, they lowered the casket.

Boyzell stood at its foot, holding one red rose. His shoulders briefly heaved. He kissed the rose and, gently, tossed it into the earth. For a moment, he let his hand hang there, empty.

***

By fall, the Hoseys, like so many, had eased up on some early-pandemic anxieties. The compulsive hand-washers of spring were still wearing masks and scrubbing their palms but also reconnecting with a few friends theyd missed.

On Sundays, Boyzell and Andrida pulled up for drive-in church, where honking the horn meant Preach! For Andridas birthday month, they planned a couple of Doc Fords double dates on the breezy Pier. And theyd begun in-person work once more. For Andrida, that meant teaching drama at John Hopkins Middle School. Boyzell picked up a shoot here and there for the Tampa Bay Times.

He and Andrida had been married for 28 years, best friends even longer. As deputy editor of photography at the Times, Boyzell brought a sensitive hand and an artful eye. Andrida, 63, brought the big heart and legendary hugs to the couples many deep friendships. They were community fixtures involved in their church, local festivals, volunteer work and more and a family with much to be thankful for. Andrida had recently made it through a knee replacement surgery, and Boyzell was on the mend with a new hip. Their kids were grown: Jacquay, 34, in Pittsburgh, and Kiashi, 35, here in town, teaching at their churchs school.

Are we really safe? Boyzell sometimes wondered. When friends went to hug Andrida at Walmart, he teased, Honey, you cannot do that anymore. Bombarded with pandemic news, Boyzell leaned toward caution. The isolation was harder on his wife. But after a September dinner party, Boyzell told her, We have to slow down, because this thing is real, and its kicking up.

Four houses down from Boyzell and Andridas green bungalow lived Papa Hosey, or Amos. At 91, with a lung tumor, he was in declining health. Boyzells brother Roy had moved in there a couple of years ago to become his dads caregiver. At 67, Roy was mending family ties after years of being estranged.

Two days before Halloween, sister Kathy moved in to help, too. She had just retired from criminal investigations with the federal government and at 63, she looked forward to the Florida life.

Kiashi picked her aunt up from the airport. At first, Kathy worried her niece wrangled kids all day and wasnt wearing a mask. But she knew that likely didnt matter, since the two houses blended so much. Soon, shed see that Roy went to Save A Lot nearly every day, popping into the 7-Eleven for lottery tickets. Sometimes, his nose peeked out from his mask. Others at the grocery store, Kathy would see, neglected to wear one at all.

It was a jolt, coming from Los Angeles, where she had kept isolated, following all the guidelines. Because of her multiple sclerosis, she knew she was at risk.

Up the road, that same night, Boyzell roasted salmon and cooked up a pot of his famous collard greens. Andrida brought home a key lime pie and a mango version to indulge a different guest at a small dinner. It was her brother Bob McCalls 61st birthday.

She and Bob were tight, each others only sibling. He was social like her, a motivational speaker visiting from North Carolina for a conference. Around the table, the family split cornbread and talked, and kept talking as Thursday Night Football rumbled in the background. Bob, a former vice president for Duke Energy, a collector of Corvettes, was grateful for a home-cooked meal.

After dinner, the back of Boyzells head began to ache. After a while, sluggishness hit. He checked his temperature: 99.9. An hour later, Bob headed back to his hotel.

On that Friday, Oct. 30th, Andrida went to work. Home alone, Boyzell tracked his fever as it climbed: 100, 101. Tylenol helped knock it down. He developed a dry cough.

On Halloween, stomach cramping, fever rising, wracked by chills, Boyzell needed to know. The waiting room at AFC Urgent Care near Tyrone Mall was packed. Four hours, $85 and an antibiotic prescription later: Positive.

His doctor said to call if he had breathing issues. Otherwise, Boyzell would have to endure.

***

Roy insisted he was fine. He could smell and taste, he said, whereas Boyzell had lost his sense of smell. But Kathy found him, some days, shivering under the covers. She saw him using his nebulizer more and more. After years of homelessness and addiction, he struggled with weight gain and health issues, like chronic asthma. Kathy wondered. Did you get a test? she asked.

Normally, Roy handled the meals and most of Amoss needs. He was good at caregiving, and usually energetic he liked to bust into Boyzells house blasting his 70s R&B, like a 2020 Radio Raheem. But Halloween weekend, Roy didnt get up to cook breakfast. He asked, Can you take care of Dad?

One day, Amos tried to get out of bed by himself and fell. As Roy pried Amos from the floor, Kathy saw how hard he was working.

I dont need to get the test, Roy finally said. I know I have it.

***

Boyzell camped out in the family room, Andrida the office, and Kiashi her bedroom. Boyzell let Bob know he should get tested and alerted a friend whod come over for a World Series pizza.

Flung apart in the house, the family called each other to coordinate bathroom trips and snacks from the kitchen. They left mists of Lysol in their wake.

Kiashi had no symptoms, but a rapid test soon came back positive. Andrida let co-workers know shed be quarantining, though her test had been negative.

In between Star Wars movies and episodes of The Incredible Hulk, Boyzell could hear Andrida and Kiashi teaching classes online. He ate the homemade chicken noodle soup Roy sent over. He chugged water. He felt helpless.

Normally, come Election Day, he would be dispatching Times photojournalists and editing their frames. But the human resources director told him, We dont want you trying to work.

Then, on Nov. 4th, Kathy called to say, I dont think Dads doing too well.

The family had been preparing for the inevitable. But Amos was still lucid, glad for a barbershop outing. Hed been a stern father, but a giving one, too, who built the familys red-brick home frame by frame. In old age, after decades of stoking the blast furnace in a steel mill, Amos finally relaxed. Kiashi sometimes heard him singing in his room.

Kathy phoned again the next day. Amos hadnt been eating.

Hes calling for you, she told Boyzell.

Boyzell managed to walk over. His sister raised a window so the men could see each other through the screen. Hey, Pops, how you doing? Boyzell said. Amos raised up from bed, smiling and waving, saying nothing. Im sorry I cant come see you right now, Boyzell said. Amos soon fell asleep.

An hour and a half later, Kathy called. I think Dad passed away.

Boyzell walked back over. He touched his dads face, still warm. He was saying bye to me, he thought.

Roy had finally gone to get a test, but, ever stubborn, turned back, because the line was too long and because, he said, he had a feeling something was wrong. He pulled up at the house as his father was being taken away.

***

The day after their father passed, Roy and Kathy tidied Amoss room. It was stuffy. Roy got on the stepstool to open up the air conditioning vents. He could hardly lift his hands over his head.

He fell. He hit his head on a dresser and couldnt get up.

Kathy watched her brother being put into the ambulance, unsteady and straining to breathe.

Roy called Boyzell from the hospital the next day. Boyzell said, Just worry about getting better.

***

A week into November, Andrida could hear Boyzells coughs across the house. On video calls, his eyes seemed sunken in. He stared at the tube he was given to exercise his breathing, willing himself to try, but each effort zapped his energy. His fever wouldnt break. He used a pulse oximeter to measure his blood oxygen levels, which dropped to 88, 87 percent. He tried to trick it by sitting still: 92.

Andrida often checked in with her friend Sharon Irving, a nurse practitioner and Ivy League professor. They had been college roommates, and by 2020, were more like sisters. Andrida told her she, too, had started feeling strange. A fever had set in. Then, chills.

Sharon, in Philadelphia, told Andrida, Dont play with this. To Boyzell, she said, I dont like how youre sounding. She asked both: Did you eat? Did you drink? Anger flared as she thought of how the virus had kept Boyzell from his fathers side: We didnt have to be here.

Sharon feared for Roy, too. He ticked too many boxes where the virus had proven lethal: a Black man, with chronic asthma, on the overweight side.

That Sunday night, after Andrida got back from taking another test, Bayfront called. Roy was in critical condition. He was going on a ventilator. What? Boyzell and Andrida thought. Didnt we just talk to him?

The next day, Boyzell paced in the yard, pumping his arms and chanting to himself: Just keep, just keep, just keep breathing. But he knew he was going downhill.

His doctor wanted a chest X-ray. That meant the emergency room.

***

Boyzell took a shower and ate a bowl of oatmeal, some yogurt. He readied himself. Andrida watched him walk into the crowded lobby of St. Anthonys. Five steps after he was given an intake clipboard, staff called, Mr. Hosey!

A nurse led him down a lonely hallway cold as a meat locker. Hours passed there, until he was taken to a temporary room, alone.

Doctors ran tests, hooked him to an IV. His potassium was low. A lot of things were low. They wanted to keep him.

At home, taking antibiotics and contending with a 102-degree fever, Andrida called her brother, who was back in Charlotte. They talked about Boyzell and Roy. Are you doing OK? she asked. Bob sniffled a bit.

***

About 24 hours after checking in, Boyzell settled into a room in the COVID-19 unit. It was immaculate, quiet. He learned that pneumonia had taken root in his lungs.

The hours passed in his hospital bed, where, between nebulizer and steroid treatments, he worked to plan his fathers memorial. Hed been told that Amos died of natural causes, but Boyzell thought maybe it was the virus. His father had complained of a headache just days before he died.

He tried to write his dads obituary but thinking through the exhaustion was too difficult. He dozed. Though he was an asthmatic with a worrisome case, he fixated only on his family:

Roy was sedated, vitals waning. Bayfront doctors went looking for a rotating bed big enough to fit him, so they could ease the weight on his lungs.

Andrida called to say her latest test came back positive and that Bob doesnt sound good. Called again, saying, no, Bob sounded like death.

Whats going on? Andrida thought. Bob had gotten antibiotics, and he told her, Well, they said give it a day. She insisted, But youre not breathing right! By the 12th, her fever on the edge of breaking, she was begging Bobs wife to take him to the hospital.

Before her class the next morning, Bob said he felt better. Hed gotten a negative test. Still, she could hear his ragged breathing.

At 5 p.m., Bobs wife called. She had pulled up after work and found Bob in the drivers seat of his car, his eyes rolling back in his head. She had tried to pull him out, but he collapsed to the ground.

Not only was he positive for COVID-19, the hospital said, but it was full-blown.

This cant be happening, Andrida thought.

This is Bob , Boyzell thought. Bob, all muscles and work ethic and made-for-TV smile. Bob, the former bodybuilder who went to the gym at 5 a.m.

Mom, its Uncle Bob, itll be OK, Kiashi said.

At 10 p.m., they learned that doctors couldnt regulate Bobs blood pressure. He was going on a ventilator.

Andrida called her friend, asking about intubation.

Sharon took a deep breath. I dont know if Bobbys as sick as Roy, but in terms of putting him on a machine to breathe, thats the same, she said.

When she hung up, Sharon repeated to herself, Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness.

Andrida and Kiashi couldnt take the separation anymore. They burrowed under the covers of the master bed, praying, holding on to each other as they cried. They left a laptop open so Boyzell could see them.

At 4 a.m., Bobs wife called. Bob was going into cardiac arrest.

Andrida watched on a video call as her brother lay with tubes blanketing his face. His wife rubbed his smooth, bald head. Hes gone, she repeated, and Andrida took a picture because she couldnt believe it. While Kiashi cried, she screamed and begged, God, please, let him breathe.

It was dark outside Boyzells hospital window. He could only listen to the womens keening through the screen, and he couldnt bear it. He tried to push himself up from the bed and pull out his IV but Kiashi began to pray, pleading with him to wait, to stay.

Boyzell breathed deep, in through his nose, out through his mouth.

They stayed on FaceTime for a long time like that, just breathing.

***

How could this be happening? Kiashi held her mother, numb, on the red loveseat in the living room.

In the hospital, Boyzell felt suspended in a nightmare. Just stand, he told himself, called back to that Bible passage. Calls flooded in from Bayfront. Roys health was cratering.

He could be flown to Tampa General Hospital across the bay. Doctors there could drill into his lungs and, with tubes, release the viral toxins.

But the doctors explained that Roy likely wouldnt survive such a flight, that trauma would take its toll on his brain. They said it was rare for someone to last so long with the ventilator so high. They asked that Boyzell consider classifying Roy as do not resuscitate.

Ive got to give him a fighting chance, Boyzell told Sharon. I want my brother back.

You want the brother that you sent to the hospital, Sharon said. Im not sure thats the brother youre going to get back.

Boyzell was quiet.

They ran through more scenarios, more questions.

It was late when Boyzell agreed. But it felt like signing Roys death warrant.

As Boyzell waited to be discharged the next morning, he tuned into Bethel Churchs livestream as leaders prayed over the Hoseys. His phone lit up with Bayfronts number. He cut off the stream.

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Two Weeks. Three Lost. One Florida Family Ravaged by the Coronavirus. - FRONTLINE

Italian fishermen held in Libya freed after more than 100 days – The Guardian

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Eighteen Italian fishermen, held captive in Libya for more than 100 days, have been freed, ending a political standoff between the two countries over the fate of the men.

The prolonged imprisonment of the group had become an embarrassment for Italys government, with critics accusing ministers of failing to stand up to Khalifa Haftar, the military commander who holds sway in eastern Libya.

The Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, flew to Benghazi for the release of the fishermen, who were on board two Sicilian boats that were seized by Haftars forces on 1 September.

We received phone calls confirming their imminent release, Salvatore Quinci, the mayor of the Sicilian port town of Mazara del Vallo, where the men are from, told Italian media. We are really happy.

Di Maio wrote on Facebook: Our fishermen are free. In a few hours they will be able to hug their families and loved ones again. Thanks to AISE [Italys external intelligence and security agency] and to all the diplomatic corps who worked to bring them home.

The fishermens families, who have held several protests demanding their release, gathered outside Mazara del Vallos town hall after hearing the news.

The fishing crew was onboard two vessels, the Antartide and Medinea, about 80 miles off Benghazi, when they were approached by militia belonging to Haftars Libyan National Army, the major military force in the east of the country.

The militia accused them of fishing in Libyan territorial waters and from there they were taken to a prison close to Benghazi.

The men were accused of fishing for prized red prawns, which can fetch between 50 and 70 a kilo, in a dispute that has dragged on between Sicily and Libya since the mid-1990s.

Senators from the Democratic party, which rules nationally in coalition with the Five Star Movement, presented a motion this week urging the government to move quickly to secure their release.

After more than 100 days of seizure, 18 fishermen are coming home, the senators, led by Andrea Marcucci, said.

Weeks after their capture, Haftar reportedly offered to release the men in exchange for Italy freeing four Libyan footballers convicted of human trafficking.

Seizures of Italian fishing boats became more frequent in 2005, when Muammar Gaddafi unilaterally decided to extend Libyas territorial waters from 12 to 74 miles offshore.

According to data from Sicilys Distretto della Pesca, a cooperative that unites stakeholders in the fishing industry, in the past 25 years more than 50 boats have been seized and two confiscated, while about 30 fishermen were detained and dozens of people injured.

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Italian fishermen held in Libya freed after more than 100 days - The Guardian

What are Food Supplements and Who Needs Them?: (EUFIC)

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Last Updated : 12 April 2013

There are numerous food supplements on the market, but whom are they for? When are they beneficial, ineffective or even harmful? In this article we explore the general recommendations on taking food supplements.

The idea behind food supplements, also called dietary or nutritional supplements, is to deliver nutrients that may not be consumed in sufficient quantities. Food supplements can be vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and other substances delivered in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, liquid, etc.1 Supplements are available in a range of doses, and in different combinations. However, only a certain amount of each nutrient is needed for our bodies to function, and higher amounts are not necessarily better. At high doses, some substances may have adverse effects, and may become harmful. For the reason of safeguarding consumers health, supplements can therefore only be legally sold with an appropriate daily dose recommendation, and a warning statement not to exceed that dose.

Supplement use varies in Europe. For example it is common in Germany and Denmark (43% and 59% of the adult population respectively) but is less so in Ireland and Spain (23% and 9% respectively). Women use supplements more than men.2,3,4,5,6

Supplements are not a substitute for a balanced healthy diet.1 A diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, adequate protein, and healthy fats should normally provide all the nutrients needed for good health. Most European countries agree that messages aimed at the general public should focus on food-based dietary guidelines.7 Supplements do not feature in these guidelines, but there are certain population groups or individuals who may need advice about supplements, even when they eat a healthy balanced diet, i.e. women of childbearing age, individuals on specific medications.

Partly due to our modern lifestyle, not everyone manages to eat a healthy diet. In Europe, dietary surveys have suggested that there are suboptimal intakes for several micronutrients.2,8 The EU-funded EURRECA project found inadequate intakes for vitamin C, vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, selenium and iodine.9 A recent comparison of national surveys showed widespread concern about vitamin D intakes, whereas certain age groups are more likely to have low intakes of minerals.2 For example, there is concern about adequate intakes of iron amongst teenage girls in Denmark, France, Poland, Germany and the UK.2 Poor iron status in young women also increases the risk of infants being born with low-birth weight, iron deficiency and delayed brain development.10 Folate status is also critical for women who may become pregnant. They are advised to take folic acid before conception, and continue for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. An adequate folate status can decrease the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Recent research suggests that 5070% of Europeans have poor vitamin D status.2,11,12 Since vitamin D status is dependent not only on dietary intake but also exposure to UV light, there may be a stronger case for advising supplements for vitamin D in Northern European countries. In some countries (including UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden) there are already recommendations for certain groups in the population to take a vitamin D supplement, although there are calls for more research.

Other common concerns are shown in Table 1, although groups considered at risk are not the same in different countries.

Population group

Nutrients

People over age 50

Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, folate

Frail elderly may benefit from a low-dose multivitamin supplement.

Women of childbearing age

Folic acid and vitamin D, possibly iron

Children under age 5

Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, although children with a good appetite who eat a wide variety of food may not need them.

Breastfeeding individuals

Vitamin D

People with insufficient sun exposure or darker skin

Vitamin D

Vegans

Vitamin B12, vitamin D2

Particular risks for specific population groups Despite having a role in the health of some individuals, not all supplements are useful for everybody. In fact, for some people, it is not advisable to take certain supplements, in particular in high doses. Some studies show multivitamins can contribute to an increased risk of excessive nutrient intakes, and it has been suggested that multivitamins should be formulated with greater consideration for the intakes of micronutrients from foods.2 Individuals should pay particular attention to reading the label and assure that a supplement is suitable for them. For pregnant woman, for example, supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) including fish liver oil may be harmful and cause birth defects if the recommended dose is greatly exceeded, or exceeded over an extended period of time.

Studies have also highlighted that smokers should be wary of some supplements, in particular high doses of beta-carotene. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has considered the evidence in this area and has concluded that exposure to -carotene below 15 mg/day is safe in the general population, including smokers.13

Some population groups are advised to take specific supplements. The overall message is: follow a healthy, balanced diet, carefully read labels of supplements and fortified foods, and avoid taking multiple doses that exceed the Recommended Daily Amounts (RDAs). In case of doubt, seek advice from a dietitian or medical doctor before choosing a dietary supplement.

The Truth Behind the Top 10 Dietary Supplements

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

SOURCES: Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board, Dietary Reference Intakes: "Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride." National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1999. Journal of Nutrition, October 2005. Position paper of the American Dietetic Association on Food Fortification and Supplementation, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, August 2005. Michael Holick, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics, Boston University Medical Center. Andrew Shoa, PhD, vice president for regulatory affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition. Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, director and senior scientist, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University. Dave Grotto, RD, spokesman, American Dietetic Association; author, 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life. Eduardo Baetti, MD, rheumatologist; Kaiser Permanente. Patrick Rea, editorial director, Nutrition Business Journal. Kristine Clark, PhD, RD, director of sports nutrition, Penn State University. Vasilios Frankos, PhD, Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, FDA. Sarubin, A. The Health Professionals Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements, American Dietetic Association, Chicago, IL, 2000. FDA. WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Feature: "Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?" National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: "Questions and Answers About Homeopathy."

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The Truth Behind the Top 10 Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are largely unregulated. That’s just dumb – Los Angeles Times

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Whatever else weve learned from the race to come up with a COVID-19 vaccine, its clear that consumers depend on federal authorities to make sure the medicines we take are safe and effective.

So why do those same authorities all but shrug off the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements those over-the-counter herbal and holistic remedies intended to address potentially serious ailments?

These products are sold without any requirement for upfront evidence of effectiveness and without a need for regulatory approval prior to being offered to consumers.

While many if not most supplements are benign and pose no apparent health threat to the public, the largely free rein given to the $35-billion industry creates an unwelcome opportunity for unscrupulous businesspeople to indulge their worst tendencies.

Case in point: Checks worth a total of nearly $775,000 are currently being mailed to more than 13,000 consumers nationwide as part of a settlement between the Federal Trade Commission and a Colorado supplements company called AS Research.

The settlement involves a supplement called Synovia, intended to relieve arthritis and joint pain.

The FTC found that AS Research made misleading health claims and used phony testimonials, including one in which a user said he gave away his walker after using Synovia.

The complaint says theres no truth to AS Researchs claims that Synovia is clinically proven to significantly reduce arthritis pain and restore damaged cartilage.

It also says AS Research tried to get customers to upgrade to an enhanced version of Synovia for an extra $9.95 beyond the standard cost of nearly $70, including shipping, for a one-month supply.

In fact, the complaint says, Defendants ship the same product to all consumers, whether or not they pay an additional $9.95 per bottle.

An FTC spokesman told me about 10% of the Synovia settlement cash is going to California residents.

No one at AS Research responded to my requests for comment. The settlement says the owners of the company neither admit nor deny any of the allegations against them.

The practices described by the FTC are obviously skeevy. But weve seen a number of similar instances in recent years, and especially since the outset of the pandemic.

In one such case, I wrote in April about the FTC cracking down on a Los Angeles businessman named Marc Ching, whose company, Whole Leaf Organics, sold a supplement called Thrive that purportedly treats, prevents or reduces the risk of COVID-19.

The company represented that the benefits of Thrive are clinically or scientifically proven, the FTCs complaint says. In fact, there is no competent and reliable scientific evidence that Thrive or any of its ingredients treats, prevents or reduces the risk of COVID-19.

A Los Angeles Times investigation subsequently found that Ching allegedly engaged in troubling practices involving pet-related businesses and an animal-rescue charity.

The questionable supplements sold by both AS Research and Whole Leaf Organics could have been stopped in their tracks if the Food and Drug Administration required supplement makers to meet safety and efficacy requirements similar to those for makers of prescription drugs.

Pharmaceuticals have to undergo multiple tests and trials before theyre approved for use by consumers. The process typically takes years, although the urgency of finding a COVID vaccine accelerated things in a big way.

Supplements, on the other hand, are largely unregulated prior to hitting store shelves.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe and lawful, well-manufactured and properly labeled, and the FDA is authorized to take action when it identifies a violation, said Courtney Rhodes, a spokeswoman for the agency.

In other words, the FDA will weigh in only after a problem arises. The FTC, for its part, focuses on potentially deceptive marketing practices, which, again, typically come to light only after a product goes on sale.

Currently, the FDA has no systematic way of knowing what dietary supplement products are on the market, when new products are introduced or what they contain, Rhodes acknowledged.

The FDA has proposed strengthening its oversight of supplements, but Congress has shown no interest in giving it that power.

Thats clearly not good enough, as recent crackdowns demonstrate.

Daniel Fabricant, chief executive of the Natural Products Assn., a trade group representing the supplements industry, told me theres no need for supplements to be overseen as rigorously as prescription drugs.

They look like drugs, but theyre not drugs, he said. Thats like saying we should put orange juice through clinical trials to make sure it contains vitamin C.

Yeah, no.

Federal law says companies cant claim a supplement will cure an illness but they can say a supplement may be good for addressing certain conditions. For example, you cant say melatonin will cure insomnia but you can say it may help you get to sleep.

The problem is that, in the eyes of at least some consumers, this may be a distinction without a difference.

Walk through the supplements aisle of any big drugstore and its hard not to come away with the impression that the various bottles of pills have medicinal value.

At the very least, the FDA should require that supplement companies demonstrate upfront that their products can do what they say perhaps not as meticulously as testing for prescription drugs, but at least enough to satisfy modest safety concerns.

Cracking down after a health-related product reaches store shelves seems wholly inadequate.

Particularly at a time like this.

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Dietary supplements are largely unregulated. That's just dumb - Los Angeles Times

10 Best Snacks to Boost Your Immunity From Dietitians – Eat This, Not That

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Cold and flu season in conjunction with a global pandemic naturally makes people focus on ways they can support their immune system. While there is no food that will be a magic bullet to preventing you from contracting a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or otherwise, there are nutrients that have been shown to help people support their immune system and possibly reduce the duration or symptom severity of these conditions.

And while some supplement companies may try and convince you that you need to take a fistful of pills to keep your body healthy, dietitians will agree that many key nutrients can very easily be obtained through your diet. Nutrients that have been scientifically-proven to support a healthy immune system (some of which have been linked to COVID-19 specifically) include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and vitamin D.

Leaning on snack time is a great way to sneak in immune-supporting vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional features. Instead of noshing on candy, sodas, and other foods that don't offer much in the nutrition department, try eating some of these dietitian-recommended, snacks for immunity instead. Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

California raisins are naturally sweet with no added sugar, and satisfy my 3 PM sweet tooth just as well as sugar-packed candy. But when I am choosing raisins instead of candy, I am choosing a food that naturally contains fiber (7% DV) and potassium (6% DV). Fiber particularly soluble fiber has been shown to positively affect gut microbiota. And since our microbiota plays a key role in our immune function, noshing on fiber-rich foods can help support your immune system in a naturally sweet way.

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"Many people think of just including sweet potatoes at a meal, but they also make for a great snack option. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamins A and C as well as several antioxidants, making them a great ally for your immune system. Consider throwing them in hummus or sweet potato cookie dough bonus is that kids will love it too! " Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN of Bucket List Tummy.

"Snacking on bell peppers gives a natural boost of vitamin C. Pair it with hummus for some gut-friendly fiber to further support the immune system." Melissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, LD, registered dietitian and author of A Balanced Approach to PCOS

"With the interest in immune support foods and supplements, I always like to remind my clients that there are foods beyond the produce patch that also offer the nutrients commonly associated with immune health, like zinc, Vitamin D, iron, and folate. While I certainly encourage consumption of fresh and frozen fruits like berries when available, given the state of the pandemic again it's often challenging to access these for many.

Enter: fortified breakfast cereal! Choose a brand that offers whole grains and fortified nutrients like zinc, iron, vitamin D, and folate. Many often supply 100% of your daily iron needs, as well as 15 to 20% of your daily zinc, vitamin D, and folate needs. A win-win for all!" Elizabeth Shaw, MS RDN CPT, Nutrition Expert at ShawSimpleSwaps.com and author of The Air Fryer Cookbook For Dummies, 2020.

"Sliced apple and peanut butter is one of my favorite snacks for supporting the immune system. Make sure to eat the apple skins because they have nearly all of the quercetin apples offer. Quercetin is a plant compound that helps reduce your risk for infection. Peanut butter packs protein that your body uses to make the cells it needs to fight off germs. Two tablespoons of peanut butter are a good source manganese and supply zinc, two must-have minerals for a strong immune system." Liz Ward MS, RDN, registered dietitian and co-author of The Menopause Diet Plan

"Tea contains polyphenols and flavonoids, antioxidants which may help keep your immune system strong. Grate some ginger and add it to your tea for an added bonus. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties to help fight infections. Spice up your tea with lemon and ginger, cinnamon and honey." Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Finally Full, Finally Slim. For more, check out12 Side Effects of Drinking Tea Every Day.

"Sardines are rich in 3 key nutrients that can benefit the immune system: (1) Zinc: a mineral that plays an important role in the production of immune cells. Even a mild deficiency of zinc will affect your immune system. (2) Omega-3 fatty acids: these are good fats typically associated with heart health, but they may also enhance white blood cell activity. And (3) Vitamin D: studies have shown that it can encourage certain cells to fight infection."

"A suggestion is to make sardine toast: Just mix crushed sardines with lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped onion and place on toasted whole-grain bread." Elena Paravantes RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and creator of olivetomato.com

"Foods rich in zinc, like beef, have been shown to support the immune system by fighting inflammation and may even help shorten the duration of the common cold!" Elise Compston, RD, registered dietitian and owner of Compston Kitchen

Smoothies are a quick and easy way to sneak in a slew of nutrients with little fuss. Using fortified orange juice will give your concoction a boost of vitamin C and vitamin D two nutrients that help support a healthy immune system.

Since people with low vitamin D levels are more susceptible to colds, the flu, and respiratory infections, choosing fortified orange juice is key during cold and flu season.

For more, check out these27 Best Immune-Boosting Smoothie Recipes.

Just 8 strawberries contain almost 100% of the daily value of vitamin C along with other key nutrients to help keep us healthy. The chocolate covering is used simply because chocolate is delish! Continue to protect yourself from infection with these11 Best Immune-Boosting Foods to Fight COVID-19, Say Doctors.

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10 Best Snacks to Boost Your Immunity From Dietitians - Eat This, Not That

Certain foods and drugs may lower risk of colon cancer – Harvard Health – Harvard Health

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Colon cancer prevention involves following a healthy lifestyle for instance, exercising and not smoking and periodically getting a screening test such as a colonoscopy. But what impact do diet and medications have? A recent review of 80 statistical analyses published over the last 40 years explored this question. The review was published online Oct. 1, 2020, by the journal Gut.

Over all, the results were disappointing in that no specific drug, food, or supplement stood out in the body of evidence. Yet some of the reviewed studies did show a link between a lower risk of colon cancer and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) and a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. But other studies did not.

The findings did not provide clear-cut information on doses and durations of supplements and food or whether certain ones were better. Most importantly, there is no proof that NSAIDs prevent colon cancer in the general population, and therefore you should not take an NSAID just for cancer prevention unless advised by your doctor. But making some nutritional adjustments in your diet, like adding more fruits and vegetables and getting more fiber is reasonable, since these offer other health benefits as well.

Disclaimer:As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Certain foods and drugs may lower risk of colon cancer - Harvard Health - Harvard Health

Nutritional Supplements Market Size-Share Analysis and System Production (2020-2027) | Addressing the Potential Impact of COVID-19 by Abbott…

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

TheGlobal Nutritional Supplements MarketStudy contains data that has been precisely analyzed in depth on the different models and factors influencing the industrial expansion of the Nutritional Supplements market.Increasing awareness about health benefits of nutritional supplements is driving growth of the global nutritional supplement market. Nutritional supplements are used in order to treat nutritional deficiency in the human body. Nutritional supplements consist of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other necessary ingredients. Health benefits associated with consumption of nutritional supplements are reduction in signs of aging and improved cardiovascular health, among others. There has been increasing focus among women on maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as a rising need to prevent premature skin aging, and rising preference for effective and safe beauty solutions. Such factors are expected to drive growth of the nutritional supplements market.

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Revenue and cost profit analysis of major player dominating the Nutritional Supplements market Abbott Laboratories, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), American Health, Inc., Amway Corporation, Arkopharma Laboratoires Pharmaceutiques, Ayanda, DuPont, DSM, the Natures Bounty Co., Herbalife International of America, Inc, Stepan Company, Pfizer Inc., Nestle S.A., Natures Sunshine, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Detailed Segmentation:

Global Nutritional Supplements Market, By Ingredient:

Global Nutritional Supplements Market, By Form:

Global Nutritional Supplements Market, By Product Type:

Rising demand for organic and natural products is aiding growth of the global nutritional supplements market. According to the Organic Trade Association, the sales of organic products in the U.S. were valued at US$ 52.5 Million in 2018, which was an increase of 6.3% from 2017. Moreover, according to the Plant Based Food Association, the sales of plant-based food increased by 20% in 2018 compared to 2017.Key players operating in the nutritional supplements market are focused on launching organic and natural products in order to cater to rising consumer demand. For instance, in April 2019, Garden of Life, a manufacturer of certified organic vitamins and supplements, launched Garden of Life Collagen Beauty, Garden of Life Collagen Peptides, and Garden of Life Collagen Turmeric, which are non-GMO (genetically modified organism) certified, keto certified, paleo certified, and gluten free to support health of skin, hair, and nails.

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Malnutrition Could Kill 153 Children Every Day Over the Next Two Years Because of COVID-19, Warns Save the Children – YubaNet

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

FAIRFIELD, Conn. Dec. 14, 2020 The COVID-19 crisis has put the world on the brink of a nutrition crisis, Save the Children warned in a new report today, with pandemic-related malnutrition projected to kill an average of 153 children a day over the next two years if action is not taken.

In addition, a COVID-19-induced spike in the number of global malnutrition cases could push an additional 9.3 million[i] children to suffer from wasting, a result of acute malnutrition that can lead to death.

The impact of COVID-19 has led to an increase in poverty, a loss of livelihoods and less access to health and nutrition services, pushing up rates of hunger and malnutrition. In its new report, Nutrition Critical, Save the Children said that the pandemic could reverse years of progress made in the battle against malnutrition, with children in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa being hardest hitespecially those in poorer households or in crises and conflict zones.

Even before the pandemic hit, many communities struggled to provide children with enough healthy food, with one in three children under five suffering from malnutrition.[ii] Almost half of all of deaths among children under the age of five were linked to under-nutrition.

Before COVID-19, the school fed us meals each school day, but now the program has stopped. I hope it will start again soon, said Nassir,* a 12-year-old student in the Somali region of Ethiopia.

The COVID-19 crisis threatens to exacerbate an already dire situation. The report includes new data from the Standing Together for Nutrition consortium (STfN),[iii] which predicts that, unless we act now, an additional 168,000 children will die of malnutrition by the end of 2022.

Michelle,* a 9-year-old girl in the Democratic Republic of Congo, told Save the Children about her one-year-old sister Gloria,* who suffers from malnutrition. Every day, Michelle* carries her sister on her back to the health center to receive food supplements.

My sister has become really skinny because we do not eat well. We only eat once in the morning and in the evening, we go hungry, she said. I carry my sister on my back [to the clinic]. I just want her to get healthy again. I would like to eat twice a day, in the morning and at night.

Without action, millions more children will be at risk of suffering irreversible health damage due to a lack of nutritious foods, Save the Children warned. Vulnerable communities across the globe are already facing an extreme food emergency, as 11 million children under five are facing extreme hunger or starvation, including in five hunger hotspots caused by conflict and the effects of climate change.

In Yemen alone, recent UN data shows that some 16.2 million people will be facing high levels of acute food shortages in early 2021 as an effect of conflict and the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes 7.35 million children, with an estimated 21,338 children at risk of falling into famine.

Gabriella Waaijman, Humanitarian Director at Save the Children, said:

The COVID-19 crisis has led to a wave of new malnutrition cases among vulnerable communities, and we must stop this threat in its tracks. To truly put an end to malnutrition and hunger, we must tackle the root causes of acute nutritious food shortages. That means putting an end to global conflict, tackling changing climate, building more resilient communities, and ensuring aid workers have unhindered access to the most vulnerable communities. Investing now can prevent these deaths. The pandemic has forced us all to rethink the society we live in, giving us a chance to build back better and support children in fulfilling their potential.

To avert a nutrition crisis in the coming years, Save the Children urges governments and other organizations to take immediate action. This means:

Together with the Standing Together for Nutrition consortium, Save the Children emphasized that 2021 is a pivotal year for nutrition. The launch of its report coincided with a kick-off event this week for Nutrition for Growth 2021, convened by the governments of Canada and Bangladesh, in partnership with the government of Japan. The event celebrated new policy and financing commitments to nutrition from a range of stakeholders and formally launched a Nutrition for Growth Year of Action that includes milestone events leading up to the Summit in Tokyo in late December 2021.

*Names changed to protect identities

[i] Data from Standing Together for Nutrition Consortium.

[ii] https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-of-worlds-children-2019

[iii] Standing Together for Nutrition (STfN) is a multidisciplinary consortium of nutrition, economics, food and health system experts working to address the scale and reach of COVID-related nutrition challenges. https://micronutrientforum.org/standing-together-for-nutrition/

The report, Nutrition Critical, can be found here: https://www.savethechildren.org/content/dam/usa/reports/health/nutrition-critical-report-stc.pdf.

Save the Childrenbelieves every child deserves a future.Since our foundingmore than100 years ago, weve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children every day and in times of crisis transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us onFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandYouTube.

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Malnutrition Could Kill 153 Children Every Day Over the Next Two Years Because of COVID-19, Warns Save the Children - YubaNet

Global Astaxanthin Market Report 2020: Sources, Technologies and Applications 2017-2026 – GlobeNewswire

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Dublin, Dec. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Astaxanthin Market - Sources, Technologies and Applications" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report reviews, analyzes and projects the global Astaxanthin market for the period 2017-2026 in terms of volume consumption in metric tons, market value in US$ and the compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) projected from 2019 through to 2026 with a special focus on y-o-y growth for 2019-2020.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on astaxanthin demand is expected to differ in intensity depending on their end-use application and region. Sharpest declines would be expected in astaxanthin for dietary supplements, cosmetics and aqua feed sectors. Demand for astaxanthin in poultry feed and food & beverages, although less than the normal growth, is expected to be somewhat better compared to other applications.

Volume consumption of Astaxanthin in Asia-Pacific is slated to post the fastest corresponding period CAGR and reach a projected 90 metric tons by 2026. Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for astaxanthin across the globe is forecast to decline in 2020, with North America being hit hardest by the pandemic registering a negative YOY growth of 9.7%, followed by South America, Japan and Asia-Pacific in 2020 compared to 2019.

Research Findings & Coverage

Product Outline

The report analyzes the market for the key types of Astaxanthin (based on raw materials) including:

Major application areas of Astaxanthin analyzed in this study comprise the following:

Geographic Coverage

Synthetic Astaxanthin

Haematococcus Pluvialis Microalgae

Paracoccus Carotinifaciens Bacteria

KEY BUSINESS TRENDS

COMPANY PROFILES

Synthetic Astaxanthin

Natural Source Astaxanthin

Haematococcus Pluvialis Microalgae Astaxanthin Manufacturers

Cultivation Technology, Extraction and Other Services Providers

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sz08cs

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Global Astaxanthin Market Report 2020: Sources, Technologies and Applications 2017-2026 - GlobeNewswire

‘Any company that is not doing personalization is going to die’: Viome founder – NutraIngredients-usa.com

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Danzig

Speaking during the recent Personalized opportunities for microbiome optimization webinar, Jain, founder of Viome, said that personalization is the key to the future of health and wellness.

Any company that is not doing personalization is going to die, he said. Every person in the next five years is going to ask for foods that are personalized for them, and every ingredient is personalized for them. Its up to us to provide them with the right set of ingredients that their body needs.

Viome, said Jain, doesnt focus exclusively on the microbiome but the whole human body.

We saw that your DNA or genes are not your destiny. Your DNA never changes when you develop chronic diseases, he said.What really changes is your gene expression, and thats what we look at at Viome. And thats the gene expression of your microbiome, and of you the host. That means were looking at mitochondrial gene expression, human gene expression, oral microbial gene expression, gut microbial gene expression, on and on.

And once we understand that, then we see what pathways are being activated and how do you modulate these pathways using the foods and supplements to decrease the things that are bad and increase the things that are good?

Speaking about the state of the science, Maritte Abrahams, PhD, CEO & Founder, Qina, said that there is a lack of real-world evidence of what influences somebodys dietary or food choices that can so much impact the microbiome.

The consumer expectation is incredibly high at the moment, with what a microbiome test can tell them. From my point of view, there is a huge responsibility on industry to be transparent about the state of the science because it is early, and we dont really have great long-term data on any of the interventions, especially when it comes to the diet, on long-term health outcomes.

We need to eat every day and theres enough studies and research to show that having a diverse diet, a slightly more plant-based diet, a high-fiber diet, these are the things that we already know that we can impact the health and the diversity of the microbiome. But even that, we are not doing well.

Abrahams added that one of the big questions she gets asked over and over from her clients is about claims, and what can and cannot be communicated to consumers.

Healthcare practitioners are often asked by patients what to do, and they are the translators of the science, she said.

There is a lack of educating the practitioners on what this technology really means, and what they can really say because what they know is what they read. The questions I usually get are, what can we say? and, how far can we go?, she said.

We also know that the people who [currently] benefit from personalized nutrition solutions are the people that dont really need it, or that already have a good diet, but can afford a high-priced test, added Abrahams. And thats not really the target were looking for to reduce global medical expenses. So, accessibility is a key point. We want to make sure that with what we know, the science that we have, that we need to make healthy food affordable for everybody.

Everything about a human, no matter what measure, is individual, said Jim Kaput, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Cofounder, Vydiant Inc. So logically, the microbiome must be different. And to think that there is one magic microbiome, as many of the early companies [in this space] thought, was pretty simplistic.

The issue is on how to maintain an individuals healthy biome, and that is still a very open question, added Kaput, who was formerly a senior expert at the Nestl Institute of Health Sciences and before that was director of the Division of Personalized Nutrition and Medicine at the FDAs National Center for Toxicological Research.

So, the question is, because we live within ranges, and if youre within that range that is right for you then youre going to be doing pretty good. And if we can figure out that range for you, I think thats the approach were going to go to get to a definition of health for each individual. Whats your range genetically, and environmentally, and socially, and if youre within that range and if you can adapt to changes in life (and thats broadly speaking), then I think you can say youre healthy.

Marc Brush, Principal of Bend LLC, explained that he is seeing brands move away from general health and see more personalization at a granular level.

This is a hypothesis Im working on, said Brush. When we talk about personalizing, it implies this specificity about our health, but the upshot of that is a very generalized solution: Youre going to take a quiz, pull some diagnostics, and were going to make you healthier. There are some companies that are tackling a category or a claims area, one of these structure-function claims that we all know well in the supplements world, and personalize there.

Gut health would be a clear winner, but its not the only one any more. For immunity, theres a company called Big Bold Health, which is a Jeff Bland venture, that pre-COVID was trying to figure out how to take all these tools and do something different with them. Im expecting more of that, especially when you get to doctors and practitioners.

Sports is obviously an area where this is going to pop up, and even the cognition space.

Qinas Dr Abrahams added, Especially with COVID, people have realized that nutrition plays such a key role in health, but nutrition also plays a key role in microbiome health, and so people are looking at this holistic solution where people want these multi-beneficial products or solutions.

To watch the webinar on-demand, please click HERE.

The webinar was sponsored by:

Atlantia Food Clinical Trials: A world class company that performs acute, observational and intervention studies to ICH-GCP standards for the functional foods and beverages, supplements, pre- and probiotics and microbiome-based therapeutics sectors.

ADM: Leaders in the scale-up and industrial manufacturing of probiotics, developing novel, proprietary and tailored strains for skin health, gastrointestinal health, immune health, oral health, and more every year that go through extensive preclinical and initial clinical evaluation.

LactoSpore: Sabinsas shelf-stable probiotic Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 is known worldwide as LactoSpore. The health benefits and stability of LactoSpore have been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals.

Probi: An international company focused exclusively on developing, producing, and delivering clinically proven probiotics. The company are experts at managing stable, live bacteria from R&D through every stage of the manufacturing process, and into finished products, including bulk formats, supplements, and functional foods.

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'Any company that is not doing personalization is going to die': Viome founder - NutraIngredients-usa.com

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