Folic acid fortification: should we be concerned? Since the late 1990s, many countries including Canada and the United States have required the addition of folic acid to refined grain products such as white flour. The goal of this policy was clear: increase folate intake in the population and reduce the risk of neural tube defects…
Iron deficiency is well known, but what about zinc deficiency? During flu season, it is helpful to remember that what we eat influences not only our overall health but also our immune system. Many nutrients play a role in immune function, but here we focus on a lesser-known trace element: zinc, a mineral with numerous…
Among key trace elements, fluoride is one of the most debated. Water fluoridation remains controversial due fluoride toxicity risks at high doses. Still, fluoride plays multiple roles in the body. Its importance for humans cannot be denied. Nearly 99% of fluoride in the body is found in hard tissues like teeth and bones. Fluoride is…
The Fair Trade Cacao Movement: Restoring Justice and Nutritional Value to Cacao The fair trade cacao movement is part of a broader effort to make the cacao industry more equitable while seeking to restore cacao’s rightful place in terms of nutrition and medicinal value. Cacao, the main ingredient in chocolate, is primarily grown in tropical…
Choline, often overlooked in nutrition discussions, plays a fundamental role in maintaining liver and brain health. This essential nutrient, classified as a semi-vitamin, is involved in critical biological processes. Yet, 77% of men and 80% of postmenopausal women have a choline deficiency, which can lead to various health issues. Why Is Choline Still Little-Known? Unlike…
Few nutrition policies have achieved the iconic status of folic acid fortification. Public health authorities introduced the measure to reduce neural tube defects (NTDs), and early data appeared convincing. Incidence rates declined, and fortification quickly became framed as an unquestionable success. Science, however, rarely stands still. Newer research invites a more nuanced but also uncomfortable…
Autism is a way of being. It reflects neurobiological diversity, and society increasingly recognizes and accepts that. At the same time, autism remains a complex condition. Research now shows that genetics alone does not explain it. One factor deserves special attention: autism and folic acid. Emerging evidence suggests that what a mother eats — even…
Nutrition advice in the United States has evolved many times. Yet chronic diseases continue to rise. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders now affect a large portion of both adults and children. This time, however, a clear theme stands out: Eat real food. Why this shift, and why now? A recent scientific…
