Monthly Archives: May 2022

Whether the vitamin and mineral supplement that you are taking daily is doing anything good to you or not is important to know before you head to the nearest chemist shop to buy the fresh stock next time.

These are the dietary supplements that make up for the missed out nutrients that one can not gather from foods.

But if you are someone who is eligible to have anything and everything without any major health issues, dont you think having a wholesome diet is better than popping in a few pills?

Health experts have always been divided over the claims of the nutrient supplement makers.

The reason behind this never-stopping growing popularity of vitamins and minerals is because of the marketability of the products over the fact that vitamins and minerals are essential for a human being's bodily functions but they are not synthesized by the body. The fact is, whatever the body can not produce on its own, it absorbs from the food we take.

Read more:

Are vitamin, mineral supplements really helping you? We try to decode - Times of India

Nutricosmetics is a novel developing branch of cosmetics aiming to optimize cosmetic products as well as food supplements for the objective of skin nourishment and reduction of skin aging. This innovative branch of cosmetics is highly desirable for many, and with the world's population predicted to grow to 1.4 billion by 2030, this industry is also expected to gain rapid traction.

Image Credit:photo_gonzo/Shutterstock.com

This novel sector of cosmetics includes both cosmetic products and food supplements that have the underlying purpose of increasing the integrity of skin and maintaining youthfulness through reducing aging.

Food supplements include micronutrients, which can be described as vitamins and minerals, macronutrients, which include peptides and fatty acids, as well as botanicals, comprising herbal extracts and fruit extracts.

These products and supplements provide nutritional support to skin, nails, and hair, encompassing inner wellbeing, including activity and mood.

Nutricosmetics have become the latest trend that has rocketed through the global population. Beauty brands are developing innovative strategies to meet the demand of targeting the root cause of ubiquitous skin and health problems to provide long-term results.

The global market for this novel industry for anti-aging has been estimated by P&S Intelligence to rise from $194 billion in 2020 to $422 billion by 2030. The nutricosmetics market has been predicted to grow significantly, with reports of a compound annual growth rate of 7.07%. Beauty supplements are also estimated to achieve approximately $7 billion at the end of 2024.

The skin is the largest organ in the body as well as the primary defense against the environment; subsequently, exposure to the outside world can cause premature skin aging.

The function of this critical organ, other than protection, includes maintaining the balance of liquids, preventing water loss as well as encouraging perspiration.

Stressors of the skin can include free radicals from pollution and ultraviolet rays, causing reactive oxygen species to be activated and induce unnecessary inflammation; this can affect DNA, lipids and proteins, and destroy the integrity of biological components within the body. It can also include the breakdown of collagen, a significant element of the extracellular matrix that functions to support cells.

Proteins such as collagen and keratin provide the skin with strength and elasticity and waterproofing. The loss of these can be detrimental to the integrity and quality of skin health, resulting in wrinkles and brittle nails or hair.

Additionally, other causes of skin problems can include sportswear, resulting in dryness and irritation due to the increase of friction between the skin and the material of tight clothing.

Showering frequently and the use of detergents can also negatively impact the integrity of the skin with an alteration of hydrolipidic film and affect elasticity.

Nanocarriers are ubiquitous within nanomedicine; however, with skin quality and health in high demand for consumers, these fields have overlapped.

The use of nanotechnology and nanoformulations as delivery systems for improving the performance of active components within cosmetics and supplements can enhance the quality of products to ensure effective results.

This diverse field can be used for a range of products, from sunscreen and barrier creams that ensure the skin barrier is strengthened against ultraviolet rays and pollutants to antiacne, anti-aging, and hair products.

Nanoemulsions can be described as colloidal dispersions with a droplet radius of 10 to 100 nm in size; these nanotechnology incorporations into the nutricosmetics industry can be useful as they are used to increase the delivery of active ingredients in the skin.

An example of this includes oil/water nanoemulsions that can hold water-soluble active components such as polyphenols and emulsifiers; these can include Opuntia ficus indica(L.) extract for use within moisturizing. However, hydroalcoholic extracts ofVellozia squamataleaves are used as anti-aging agents in products, while pomegranate seed oil can be developed to protect the skin against photodamage against the ultraviolet light.

Nanoparticles have a diameter of 10 and 1000 nm and can also be used for nutricosmetics, with a range of nanoparticles including but not limited to polymeric nanoparticles, hydrogel nanoparticles, and copolymerized peptide nanoparticles.

Using these colloidal-sized particles as delivery systems can enhance the penetrative ability through the skin barrier, enabling the release of active ingredients within cosmetic products. Additionally, the use of nanoparticles can also involve surface functionalization of active elements to further the skin's targetability and improve particular areas of concern.

Metallic nanoparticles are examples of nanoparticles used within suncream and cosmetic formulations, with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide being used to create sunscreens that are more transparent. Safranal nanoparticles, which include solid and lipid nanoparticles, have been shown to increase sunscreen activity when used within a size range of 103-230 nm; this illustrates the optimization nature of nanotechnology and versatility in finding the optimum level for an application.

The administration of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, significant for skin repair, can be challenging, with the biological activity level being low due to the low solubility in aqueous environments and instability as a result of pH and degradation by enzymes.

The use of nanotechnology delivery systems can increase the availability of these substances within food supplements or as a topical formulation. Using biodegradable polymer-based delivery systems including liposomes or lipid nanoparticles, active ingredients can achieve permeability as well as maintain stability in the body.

The future of nutricosmetics has been predicted to be monumental and fast-moving, and with the incorporation of nanotechnology as a delivery system for the holistic health of skin, this field may be revolutionary.

Skin integrity is a critical component of health. With the skin being the largest organ in the body, protecting its functionality against the continuous onslaught of carcinogens and stressors from the environment should be a significant priority for wellbeing.

Dini, I., 2022. Contribution of Nanoscience Research in Antioxidants Delivery Used in Nutricosmetic Sector.Antioxidants, 11(3), p.563. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11030563

Dini, I. and Laneri, S., 2019. Nutricosmetics: A brief overview.Phytotherapy Research, 33(12), pp.3054-3063. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6494

Kaul, S., Gulati, N., Verma, D., Mukherjee, S. and Nagaich, U., 2018. Role of Nanotechnology in Cosmeceuticals: A Review of Recent Advances.Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2018, pp.1-19. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2018%2F3420204

Merchet, S., 2022.Beauty-from-within complements overall wellness strategies. [online] Natural Products INSIDER. Available at: https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/personal-care/beauty-within-complements-overall-wellness-strategies

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.

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Nanotechnology in the Nutricosmetics Industry - AZoNano

Our diets provide us with the building blocks we need to stay healthy and fight disease. The nutrients in foods and beverages can be tallied up to know if we are getting what our bodies need. Yet what if a nutrient has been overlooked? For instance, friendly microbes in raw and fermented foods have not been measured as part of our diets until now.

Ultimately we want to understand if there should be a recommended daily intake of these microbes to keep us healthy, either through the foods or from probiotic supplements, said Maria Marco, a professor in the food science and technology department at UC Davis. In order to do that, we need to first quantify the number of live microorganisms we consume today in our diets.

Marco co-authored a new study with a group of scientists that examined the number of living microbes per gram of more than 9,000 different foods consumed by nearly 75,000 adults and children. It found that around 20 percent of children and 26 percent of adults consumed foods with high levels of live microorganisms in their diet. Both children and adults increased their consumption of these foods over the 18-year study period. Thestudy, published in the Journal of Nutrition, is the first large-scale estimate of how many live microbes are consumed by Americans every day.

This trend is going in the right direction. Exposure to friendly microorganisms in our foods can be good for promoting a healthy immune system. said Marco.

Study authors examined theNational Health and Nutrition Examination Surveyto create the estimate. The health and dietary database contains extensive information on the foods consumed by Americans daily. Food science and fermentation experts assigned each food an estimated range of live microbes per gram, creating categories of foods with low, medium and high levels of live microbes. Foods in the high category included fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, fermented pickles and kimchi. Fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables were also good sources of live microorganisms, represented in the medium category.

The analysis was funded by a grant from theInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, orISAPP. The microorganisms quantified in this study are not necessarily probiotics.

By definition, a probiotic must be well-defined and have a demonstrated health benefit at a quantified dose. Live microbes associated with food as a category, however, do not generally meet the criteria of a probiotic, said corresponding author Mary Ellen Sanders, executive science officer for the ISAPP.

The publication is part of a larger global effort to determine how live dietary microbes might contribute to health.

There is no doubt that the microbes we eat affect our health. When we think of microbes in our food, we often think of either foodborne pathogens that cause disease or probiotics that provide a documented health benefit, said co-author Colin Hill, a professor of microbial food safety with University College Cork, Ireland. But its important to also explore dietary microbes that we consume in fermented and uncooked foods. It is very timely to estimate the daily intake of microbes by individuals in modern society as a first step towards a scientific evaluation of the importance of dietary microbes in human health and well-being.

Other scientists co-authoring the paper were ISAPP board members Robert Hutkins, Dan Merenstein, Daniel J. Tancredi, Christopher J. Cifelli, Jaime Gahche, Joanne L. Slavin and Victor L. Fulgoni III.

See the original post:

Should there be more microbes on your plate? - University of California

Nutrition has become a hot topic of discussion across virtually all social media platforms.

In fact, these days it seems nearly impossible to open any social media app without seeing sponsored content from influencers touting a new supplement, diet program, or workout regimen that often sounds too good to be true.

Though it can definitely be tricky to distinguish between the facts and the fake news out there, knowing what to look for can make it much easier.

This article will take a closer look at the risks and dangers of some common social media fads and a few steps you can take to weed out the bad advice.

In recent years, diet and nutrition seem to have taken center stage on many social media platforms.

From new supplements and diets to cleanses, recipes, workout routines, and what I eat in a day videos, theres more focus on food, health, and nutrition than ever before.

However, much of this content seems to come from individuals who may not be completely qualified to dole out nutrition advice, including celebrities and online influencers.

One study analyzed about 1.2 million tweets over a 16-month period and found that discourse on diet and nutrition was largely dominated by non-health professionals (1).

Another study presented at the European Congress on Obesity found that only one of the nine most popular weight loss influencers in the United Kingdom provided trustworthy, credible nutrition advice (2).

Though this may seem alarming, keep in mind that not all information on the internet is harmful and that a variety of reputable resources can provide accurate, evidence-based advice to help you learn more about your health.

However, determining which sources are trustworthy and reliable can be challenging, especially if youre not sure what to look for and what to avoid.

Though some stories, posts, or videos may seem innocent enough, many of the fad diets and supplements popping up on social media can have serious consequences.

For example, officials from the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) recently urged Instagram to crack down on accounts promoting and selling Apetamin, an appetite stimulant often touted by influencers for its ability to enhance curves (3, 4).

According to the NHS, no action was taken against the dozens of social media accounts that were illegally selling the drug, which is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and has been linked to many severe side effects, including liver toxicity (3, 4).

Online influencers also often promote detox teas, which they claim can help boost metabolism, enhance fat-burning, or remove harmful toxins from your body.

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint with a popular detox tea marketer, stating that the company made various health claims that were not backed by evidence, such as that their detox pack could help fight cancer or unclog arteries (5).

Furthermore, the FTC sent out warning letters to 10 influencers who didnt adequately disclose that they were being paid for promoting the product (6).

Besides making unrealistic health claims, these types of products can have serious side effects and may even be dangerous.

For instance, one case report detailed the treatment of a 51-year-old woman who experienced severe hyponatremia low levels of sodium in the blood after using an over-the-counter detox tea product (7).

Similarly, a 60-year-old woman experienced acute liver failure plus a range of symptoms like jaundice, weakness, and worsening mental status after drinking a detox tea three times daily for 2 weeks (8).

In addition to supplements, restrictive fad diets and cleanses have been heavily promoted on social media.

Not only can these programs increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and other health problems, but they may also negatively affect mental health while fostering an unhealthy relationship with food (9, 10, 11).

In fact, content from many popular creators tends to glamorize eating disorders, dangerous diets, and other unhealthy habits such as extended fasting, taking questionable supplements, or adopting extreme workout regimens in order to lose weight quickly for an event.

For example, Kim Kardashian recently made headlines after saying that she lost a concerning amount of weight in a short time to fit into a dress originally worn by Marilyn Monroe for the Met Gala, sending a dangerous message to millions of people (12).

Kardashians alleged rate of weight loss was much faster than the rate recommended by most professionals: 1/2 pound to 2 pounds per week (13).

Plus, losing weight for a specific event is symbolic of diet culture and the pressure to prioritize aesthetic thinness over whole body health.

In the past, celebrities such as Kardashian have also been called out for editing their pictures on social media, fostering unrealistic standards of beauty.

Furthermore, many social media trends such as the what I eat in a day videos all over TikTok can set unrealistic expectations, promote diet culture, and perpetuate an unhealthy obsession with clean eating, especially in young people.

Not all nutrition information on the internet is trustworthy and reliable. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you distinguish between good and bad advice online.

Instead of trusting social media influencers who promote supplements or weight loss products, its best to get your nutrition advice straight from professionals with education, experience, and training.

For example, registered dietitians must earn a bachelors degree from an accredited institution, complete a dietetic internship or coordinated program with supervised nutrition practice, and pass a written exam (14).

On the other hand, formal training is not required for nutritionists in many states, meaning that anyone can use this title, regardless of their experience or education (15).

Besides registered dietitians, physicians are also a valuable source for credible health advice, while certified personal trainers can provide more detailed information on fitness and exercise.

Social media nutrition advice may seem appealing because its free. However, working with a qualified professional doesnt need to be pricey.

Many health professionals, including registered dietitians, accept health insurance and Medicare or can adjust fees based on a sliding scale as needed to help make their services more affordable.

According to the FTC, social media influencers are required to disclose any financial or personal relationships with a brand when endorsing products (16).

This requirement can make it much easier to determine when someone is making a genuine recommendation about a product, diet, or supplement that they actually use, as opposed to being paid for their endorsement.

Generally, its best to exercise caution when sponsored content pops up in your feed.

If youre interested in trying or learning more about a product that someone is endorsing, be sure to look at reviews from real customers or healthcare professionals to try and find out whether the product is credible and safe.

Many diet products and supplements are backed by claims that may sound too good to be true and thats often because they are.

Diets, pills, or other products that claim to help you lose large amounts of weight quickly should be avoided at all costs.

In fact, weight loss supplements and crash diets have both been linked to a long list of harmful effects on health and are unlikely to result in long-term, sustainable weight loss (17, 18).

Look for terms like cure, quick fix, or instant results and be wary of health claims that sound unrealistic, unsustainable, or unhealthy.

Many popular diet programs are highly restrictive and often eliminate nutritious ingredients or entire food groups.

Some companies peddle these fad diets in an attempt to profit off consumers who are looking for an easy way to lose weight or improve their health.

However, in addition to being ineffective in the long run, crash diets can have some serious consequences for health and may increase the risk of disordered eating behaviors (10, 18).

Avoiding overly restrictive diets and enjoying your favorite foods in moderation as part of a nutritious, well-rounded eating pattern is a much better approach to promote weight loss and overall health.

Learn more about why fad diets like these dont work and how they can cause harm in this article.

With more and more buzz building up in the health, wellness, and nutrition spheres, its important to start being more selective about where you get your information.

Though it may seem harmless and easy to scroll past them, many of the products and fads promoted on social media platforms can have serious effects on health.

Be sure to get your information from credible sources, steer clear of sponsored content, and avoid any restrictive diets or products that seem too good to be true.

Read more here:

How to Tell Real Nutrition Advice from Fad Diets - Healthline