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Nutrition
Malnutrition among older adults can affect immune and sensory functions and aggravate the symptoms of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Unhealthy eating can also result in fatigue, digestive problems and anemia. That’s why a healthy diet is essential to optimal aging. Read more about the importance of good nutrition for older adults.
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Dietitian-delivered nutrition therapy for prediabetes
Research investigates the role dietitians play in helping people living with prediabetes. -
Dietitian-delivered nutrition therapy for high blood pressure
Research investigates the role dietitians play in helping to lower blood pressure. -
3 tips for people living with cardiovascular diseases
Living with a cardiovascular disease? Research points to strategies that can improve physical and mental health. -
Irritable bowel syndrome and low FODMAP diets: Where does the evidence stand?
Research shows whether a low FODMAP diet is effective for irritable bowel syndrome. -
Diet and cardiovascular disease: What works?
Living with or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease? Research investigates what popular dietary programs can reduce the risk of death. -
Breaking bread alone or in company
What do we know about the impact of eating alone or with others on health and well-being? -
3 evidence-based benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables
Research makes the case for not skipping out on fruits and vegetables. -
‘Food for thought’: Can diet protect cardiovascular health in people with type 2 diabetes?
Living with type 2 diabetes? Consider how dietary changes can help reduce cardiovascular risk factors. -
6 evidence-based strategies for reducing blood pressure
Looking for strategies to help you reduce your blood pressure or keep it in check? From lowering your salt intake to supplements, multiple strategies are available to increase your chance of success. -
Upping fruit and veggie consumption to get blood pressure down: What’s the case for plant-based diets?
If you’re looking to lower your blood pressure through lifestyle changes, pay attention to your diet. Research shows that a diet of mostly plant-based foods may be beneficial, but careful consideration is needed to find the one that is best for you. -
Can satisfying your sweet tooth with sugar substitutes help with weight loss?
Sugar substitutes are widely available, but can they help those of us looking to lose weight achieve this goal? It turns out, modest benefits may exist for some, but not others. -
Finding success with non-drug treatments: 4 common conditions that can benefit
Are you living with dementia, high blood pressure, or urinary incontinence? See what the research has to say about your options for non-drug treatments. Hint: promising possibilities lie ahead. -
Supplementing our diets with supplements for heart health?
At one time or another, dietary supplements have been a feature of many of our shopping carts and medicine cabinets. But is there substance to the hype when it comes to our heart health? The research suggests no, except in very specific scenarios. -
Better bone health: An apple a day to keep fractures away?
Peppers, and tomatoes, and grapes. Oh my! If you’re looking for strategies to help protect your bones against breaks, see what the research has to say about fruit and vegetable intake. -
Too committed to quit it! Can making a commitment help you achieve your diet and weight loss goals?
Is commitment making the answer to your weight loss woes? Recent research highlights where it may help and where more research is needed. -
Mental well-being: What’s ‘food’ got to do with it?
Can diet impact mental well-being? Emerging evidence gives us some food for thought. -
Working to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight? These 3 evidence-based tips may help
If you are currently working towards achieving or maintaining a healthy weight, consider these evidence-based strategies. -
Is echinacea good for upper respiratory tract infections?
The use of echinacea to prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infections continues to be a matter of hot debate. New research weighs in on the conversation. -
The Paleo diet: Does it help your heart?
The Paleo diet encourages us to eat like our hunter-gatherer ancestors. While “going Paleo” may help with certain risk factors for heart disease, the jury is still out on these benefits and questions around safety remain. -
Support healthy aging with nutritional approaches that improve the make-up of your body
Maintaining a healthy body composition is an important part of healthy aging. Research has found that a few different nutritional strategies may either keep you or get you on track. -
There can’t be too many cooks: Kitchen collectives to feed your needs
Most Canadians eat out once a week or more, because it is more convenient, they don't have time, don't like to, or don't know how to cook. Some initiatives, such as collective kitchens, have been launched here and abroad to meet the nutritional, economical and social needs of people in the community. -
Fact or fiction: Research reveals the truth about common supplements
There are many claims out there about the health benefits of dietary supplements, but not all claims are backed by evidence. Talk to your health care provider about which supplements may be beneficial to you. -
Identity on the plate: food activities can help older adults maintain their identity
Food not only nourishes the body, it helps maintain or rebuild the individual and social identity of older adults. Deteriorating health or any other change due to aging threatens the social context of food activities, which can lead to social isolation and an identity crisis. -
“Pass the low-sodium salt substitute, please!” Could this be one way to help control blood pressure?
No salt, no problem? Not exactly. Low-sodium salt substitutes may help lower blood pressure, but they are not safe for everyone. -
Dietary mobile apps put nutrition help at the fingertips of those with chronic disease
More and more people are embracing the digital age. Those with chronic diseases have the option of turning to the plentiful supply of dietary mobile apps to better manage their health. While these apps hold promise, more work is needed to determine if they are safe and effective. -
Dietary mobile apps put nutrition help at the fingertips of those with chronic disease
More and more people are embracing the digital age. Those with chronic diseases have the option of turning to the plentiful supply of dietary mobile apps to better manage their health. While these apps hold promise, more work is needed to determine if they are safe and effective. -
The Portfolio diet: An investment in your heart health?
When it comes to lowering your cholesterol, eating a “portfolio” of cholesterol-lowing foods may be a good way to invest in your heart health. -
Can vitamin D ward off acute respiratory tract infections?
Looking for ways to ward off acute respiratory tract infections? Vitamin D3 supplements may be your answer to helping prevent these unwelcome events. -
Just a fad? Do popular diets actually work?
Losing weight and keeping it off is no easy task. While there are many popular diets out there, many are not backed by research to show that they work. However, a few do show promise. -
Vitamin D: A possible ally in the fight against diabetes
Could vitamin D supplementation help you improve your blood sugar control? Research shows promise for some people living with type 2 diabetes. -
Selenium and cancer: Friends or foes?
Selenium has been touted to have anti-cancer properties, but new research suggests that selenium supplements may be too much of a good thing. -
Oh my veggies! Can a vegetarian diet help you lose weight?
With the numbers of overweight and obese adults on the rise globally, people are looking to different types of diets for solutions. To shed pounds, going lacto-ovo vegetarian or vegan may help. -
The diabetes epidemic: Don’t become a statistic!
The global prevalence of diabetes continues to rise. Don’t become a statistic with the help of these simple lifestyle changes. -
Struggling to lose weight? Mindfulness may be the solution
Mindfulness may be one way to help control your eating habits and become more physically active. -
Does menu labelling affect food choices?
Eating out is convenient, but hidden calories can jeopardize a healthy diet. Can menu labeling help you make healthier food choices? -
Digestive problems? Try probiotics
Got probiotics? These “good for you” bacteria, found in certain foods and available as supplements, contribute to a healthy digestive system and improve gastrointestinal problems. -
Diet or exercise: Which works best for weight loss?
Want to lose some weight, keep it off and lower your risk of heart disease? Forget fad diets and extreme programs - learn the truth about the best ways to achieve your goals. -
5 diet changes supported by research evidence
When it comes to food, too much of a good (tasting) thing can be bad for you. But too much food advice can be bad for you too, particularly if it’s not reliable. Revamp your diet by making changes that have been shown to help promote healthy aging. -
Living with heart failure: Effective self-care is key to coping well
Heart failure is serious but people can live with the condition successfully. Giving people information about how to care for themselves is important, but additional support is necessary to promote effective self-care. -
Does salt really affect blood pressure?
Cut back on salt for at least four weeks to lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. -
Antioxidant vitamins for eye health? Research evidence provides clarity
Cataracts and macular degeneration commonly develop as we age. Will taking antioxidant vitamins help prevent these vision problems? -
Supporting seniors at higher risk of poor nutrition
Eating well is not always easy. A panel of older adults share their thoughts and suggestions about ways to improve nutrition, especially for those most at risk. -
Diet changes, accountability and regular weigh-ins may be keys to maintaining ideal weight
A healthy weight is important for optimal health. The best strategy is to avoid gaining weight. Sounds easy... find out how to do it! -
Don’t rely on fatty acid supplements for protection against heart disease
Fatty acids (such as those found in fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils) provide health benefits, including lowering risk of heart disease. Fatty acid supplements may help lower blood pressure, but don’t prevent heart attacks in people already diagnosed with heart issues. -
Lifestyle counselling programs help people make healthy choices and beneficial changes
People at risk of heart disease can improve their health by exercising and changing their diet. Lifestyle counselling programs can help people make these changes. -
Fish-oil supplements: another weapon against high blood pressure
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish promote heart health. Taking fish-oil supplements is an effective alternative to eating fish. -
Vitamin D and calcium: A dynamic duo in the maintenance of strong bones
Calcium and vitamin D supplements help keep bones healthy and may reduce the risk of bone breaks in older adults. -
Does vitamin C help with the common cold?
Vitamin C taken regularly as a supplement doesn't change the frequency of catching a cold but may help a little with the duration and the severity of your symptoms.
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