Obesity :: Body-weight regulation scientists give perspective on obesity-related research

When obesity overloads the body with excess nutrients, parts start to fail. Obesity contributes to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers, liver disease, immune dysfunction, painful joints, and a host of other problems. With so many parts of the body affected, studies of the health effects of obesity that concentrate on one body organ or system may overlook common underlying events occurring at the cellular level throughout the body.

Folic Acid :: Folic acid linked to increased cancer rate

Two recent commentaries appearing in the November issue of Nutrition Reviews find that the introduction of flour fortified with folic acid into common foods was followed by an increase in colon cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and Canada. The two new review articles address these recent findings and provide an overview of the existing evidence on folic acid fortification and the associated policy issues.

Diet :: Severely restricted diet linked to physical fitness into old age

Severely restricting calories leads to a longer life, scientists have proved. New research now has shown for the first time that such a diet also can maintain physical fitness into advanced age, slowing the seemingly inevitable progression to physical disability and loss of independence.

Down Syndrome :: Conference focuses on Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities

Families and professionals eager to learn more about how individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities can overcome obstacles and enjoy healthy, productive futures can register for the Andrew J. Kirch Annual Conference, to be held 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at the Burgundy Basin Inn, 1361 Marsh Road, Pittsford.