Trending Topics
…a hot take on a trending topic
Trending Topics articles are published in timely response to recent media and journal articles, position statements, clinical guidelines, etc. Since they are based on the most recent evidence/publications, they may not be consistent with PEN evidence in other PEN content areas. As soon as possible, when this occurs, the PEN content will be reviewed and updated as needed.
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Added Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease – Is There New Cause for Concern?
A recent newsletter post from McGill University reviewed a U.K. study that concluded that consuming higher amounts of added sugars increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This is an important topic with CVDs being the leading cause of death globally. The PEN Team decided to explore if a change in practice guidance is needed based on this study.
Posted: 2023-03-14
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Anti-inflammatory Diets and Health
Dietitians are receiving client questions about anti-inflammatory diets that have made headlines in recent months and years. Questions focus on including anti-inflammatory foods in everyday dietary patterns to promote overall health and protect against chronic diseases.
Posted: 2023-01-30
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Low Calorie/Energy Restriction to Promote Type 2 Diabetes Remission - Is There Truth to This?
Recently posted in U.K. university news, the use of low calorie diets by individuals of South Asian ethnicity promoted weight loss, resulting in the remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Similar postings about T2DM remission have been seen on various social networks, often relating to the DiRECT Trial (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial), as well as new related clinical practice guidelines in Canada. The PEN Team conducted a quick review of these studies to assess their application to dietetic practice.
Posted: 2023-01-09
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Does High Protein Dairy Milk Have More Health Benefits than Regular Dairy Milk?
A PEN System user recently reached out to the PEN Team to share their experience with parents of young children choosing high protein milk products for their children and questioned if this is good practice. The PEN Team thought a deeper dive into the possible merits or adverse effects of recommending high protein milk to clients would be useful to dietitians.
Posted: 2022-12-16
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Dietary Supplements - Can Consumers Trust What’s on the Label and in the Package?
The PEN Team thought a deeper look into mislabelled dietary supplement products might be a topic of interest to practitioners whose clients are, or are considering, taking dietary supplements.
Posted: 2022-11-23
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#Guttok: Are L-Glutamine Supplements Needed for Gut Health in Healthy Populations?
Social media influencers are sharing their gut health struggles and tips to "hack" your gut” using hashtags such as #guttok, #guthealth and #guthealing. Recently, this included promoting the use of L-glutamine supplements to heal the gastrointestinal system. The content targets individuals experiencing various ailments, including diarrhea, constipation, bloating and other symptoms associated with a ‘leaky gut’.
Posted: 2022-10-23
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Dietetic Practice and the Effects of Climate Change on the Global Food Supply
Based on a United Nations (UN) report, as the climate changes, food will become more expensive, scarcer and even less nutritious. People across the globe have already started to adapt what food they eat based on what’s available, accessible and acceptable to them.
Posted: 2022-09-15
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Promoting Cultural Competence Using a Heart Healthy Diet to Lower Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Cultural competence in dietetics is an important aspect of cultivating trust and connection with clients seeking to improve dietary outcomes. Dietary recommendations need to reflect the unique culture of individuals and population(s).
Posted: 2022-08-15
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North American Shortage of Infant Formula Sparks International Response
There is a shortage of infant formula in the U.S. that has implications for the Canadian market. The shortage of infant formulas for infants with food allergies and certain medical conditions is of particular concern as there are fewer opportunities for formula substitutions.
Posted: 2022-06-15
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Does a Vegetarian Eating Pattern Affect a Child’s Nutrition Status and Growth?
A 2022 paper, Vegetarian Diet, Growth, and Nutrition in Early Childhood: a Longitudinal Cohort Study, has gained traction on social media. The PEN Team took a closer look at the study to assess if the current PEN recommendations related to children and vegetarian eating are up to date with this latest evidence.
Posted: 2022-05-20
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Sweeteners and Cancer Risk – Is There a Strong Association?
A recent large cohort study examining artificial sweetener intake with cancer risk concluded that artificial sweeteners were associated with increased cancer risk. This has important implications for practice, given the wide range use of sweeteners in foods and beverages and the frequency that these foods and beverages are consumed.
Posted: 2022-04-13
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Conflict and the Impact on the Global Food Supply
A key concern for dietitians is the ability of the food system to feed people and then for people to have adequate access to food. This concern is amplified during times of war and conflict, especially for those most directly impacted. There are considerable health and safety implications including access to life-sustaining food and water.
Posted: 2022-03-22
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Do Veggies Protect Your Heart? Recent Low Quality Evidence Questions Vegetables’ Value
A recent study observed that vegetable consumption was only minimally protective for incident cardiovascular disease. Media headlines subsequently reported that “eating veggies won't protect your heart”. The PEN Team thought an analysis of the study was needed to determine if any changes to current recommendations to “eat lots of vegetables” are required.
Posted: 2022-03-10
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Food, Nutrition and Wellness Trends 2022
Trends for 2022 show an interest in the consumer, their mental health and wellness, healthy immunity, choices that support a healthy environment, sensible indulgences, reducing alcohol consumption and trying new spices and spicy foods.
Posted: 2022-01-07
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Intermittent Fasting and Weight Loss – Do the Studies Line Up?
Intermittent fasting (IF) continues to be a hot topic for dietitians and their clients. The PEN Team was pleased to add new content on IF to the PEN System in November 2021.
Posted: 2021-12-17
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An Update on Taxation and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
The PEN Team is currently reviewing the evidence on the health impact of SSB intake on adults and children, anticipating publication in 2022. In the interim, here is a look at the positions of the partnering PEN countries related to SSB taxation.
Posted: 2021-11-08
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Diet Quality and COVID-19: Socioeconomics Matter
Is eating plant-based enough to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection? Not without a closer look at the socioeconomic gradient.
Posted: 2021-10-01
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Should You Strike "Boosting Your Immune System" from Your Vocabulary? Avoiding "Science-ploitation"
In a recent podcast, Dr. Jen Gunter describes the problems with the phrase “boosting the immune system” (1). The PEN Team wondered if the podcast concepts might be useful to dietitians when clients ask about “immune-boosting” foods and supplements.
Posted: 2021-07-29
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Can Coffee Prevent Chronic Liver Disease?
Recent headlines (1,2) attest that drinking coffee prevents chronic liver disease, based on a recently published study (3). The PEN Team set out to investigate whether the evidence supports these cause-and-effect statements.
Posted: 2021-07-09
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Vitamin B12 in Pregnancy
A concern about vitamin B12 deficiency causing adverse outcomes in pregnant women, particularly of South Asian descent, prompted us to look more closely at this hot topic. We identified a systematic review (SR) that focused on the vitamin B12 status of women and infants living in India (1).
Posted: 2021-05-25
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Consumers’ Feelings About Meat and Meat Alternatives: Can Framing Influence Perception?
In a recent study, researchers used a mixed-methods approach to examine consumer perceptions of meat and meat alternatives and whether framing products as part of a meal, rather than in isolation, influences consumer perceptions (1).
Posted: 2021-04-14
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U.S. Report of Heavy Metals in Manufactured Infant Foods
A U.S. report finds heavy metals in manufactured infant foods. Should we be concerned? Are heavy metals present in infant foods at unsafe levels? What should dietitians be advising parents to do? The PEN Team went looking for answers.
Posted: 2021-03-02
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Vitamin D and COVID-19: Do Latest Studies Support Supplementation?
To date, research on vitamin D supplementation and COVID-19 outcomes has been limited, so the PEN Team reviewed two recent studies on vitamin D and COVID-19 to see what, if anything, has changed.
Posted: 2021-02-16