News

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

In honor of national Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day, we asked Ashlee Linares-Gaffer, board member and past president of the Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, for some details about exactly what an RDN is - and how to become one.

Treating the Skin from the Inside Out

Many common skin conditions are directly related to inflammation and may be improved by diet, but nutrition experts aren’t commonly used or called upon by dermatologists. That could change with a recent review article from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology that highlights new approaches to skin care and skin health, beyond drugs or topical treatments, lead authored by Martina Cartwright, director of continuing professional education in the University of Arizona Nutritional Sciences Department.

Combating Diabetes Through Food Security

In the state of Arizona, where at least 10% of households are living with food insecurity, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death. Taking the classroom to the community, Nutritional Sciences PhD student Eliza Short and public health and molecular and cellular biology double-major Jayati Sharma are partnering with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to establish a nutrition-based diabetes treatment program to help those most at risk.

University of Arizona's Diabetes Prevention Program Earns Full Recognition from CDC

The University of Arizona's Diabetes Prevention Program has received full recognition from the CDC. The free program teaches practical skills like reading food labels, preparing healthy foods, and starting an exercise routine, among others. The new CDC recognition makes the program eligible to become a diabetes prevention provider for Medicare and get reimbursed for its services, which in turn helps keep the program free for Arizona's underinsured and uninsured populations. 

Student Profile: Kara Dunn on Returning to Class after Rare Neurological Condition

Just a few days into a summer vacation in Spain, Kara Dunn, an honors student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological syndrome in which the immune system attacks the nerves. Now, she's using her experience to fuel her passion for nutrition and precision wellness to improve the lives of patients in the future.

Prescription Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reduce High Triglycerides

According to a scientific advisory published by the American Heart Association, prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications are a safe and effective option for reducing high triglycerides. The advisory stresses that people with high triglyceride levels should not try to treat the condition themselves fish oil dietary supplements.

In the News: Associate Professor of Practice Kayle Skorupski on Sugar Alternatives

Trendy alternative sweeteners are taking up more and more space on grocery store shelves and touting all sorts of health benefits. But how much of that is true, and how much is hype? A recent article on MDLinx takes a closer look at some of the new additions and shared some insights from the experts, including Nutritional Sciences assistant professor of practice Kayle Skorupski.

In the News: Professors Rani Olson and Melanie Hingle on Tucson's Food System

The latest issue of the Tucson Weekly examines Tucson's food system and its relationship to our local economy after the Great Recession. They talked to two Nutritional Sciences professors - assistant professor of practice Rani Olson and assistant professor Dr. Melanie Hingle - about nutrition and food insecurity among our children and families and about national and local efforts to improve access to nutritious food.

In the News: Dr. Ann Skulas-Ray on Fad Diets Versus "Slow-and-Go"

Dr. Ann Skulas-Ray appeared on KGUN-9's Good Morning Tucson on January 28, 2019, to discuss the risks of fad dieting and the potential rewards of changing your eating behavior using the "slow-and-go" method.

Faculty Research: New Study Shows Prolonged Spaceflight Could Weaken Astronauts' Immune Systems

Nutritional Sciences professor Richard Simpson recently authored a study showing that astronauts who embarked on spaceflights lasting longer than six months experienced a decrease in the functionality of NK cells, which serve an important role in the immune system by killing cancerous cells and preventing viruses from reactivating.

Faculty Spotlight: Fighting Dry Mouth in Cancer Survivors While Mentoring the Next Generation of Scientists