The evolving United States demographics, evident from the most recent census, show a steady population growth for Hispanics. Research suggests that after immigrating to the United States, first-generation Hispanic populations seem vulnerable to weight gain and development of chronic disease. Many health professionals recognize the increased need for Spanish language...
Physical inactivity and unhealthful diet are major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, and strategies worldwide now focus on improving diet and encouraging physical activity (PA). Participation in PA lowers the risk for numerous chronic diseases, while a healthful diet also offers resistance to disease. However, practicing both behaviors offers greater...
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and abdominal obesity (AbOb) increase the risk of
developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Energy restriction (ER), highprotein
(PRO) intake and high-intensity interval training (HIT) can independently
improve MetS and AbOb. However, ER reduces metabolically active lean body
mass (LBM) in addition to body fat (BF). Purpose: To...
The primary goal of my studies was to elucidate the mechanisms for the well-recognized interaction between two nutrients, vitamins E and K. The outcomes from my studies assess mechanisms for adverse effects of vitamin E and provide novel information on mechanisms for vitamin K homeostasis. These findings will provide information...
Although fluoride is an important trace element in the prevention of dental caries,
it has a narrow range between beneficial and toxic effects. Excessive fluoride intake for
example can cause dental fluorosis in infants and children whose teeth are still
developing. The primary source of this unwanted fluoride has been...
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disease of multi-complications
affecting more than 20 million US adults. Hyperglycemia is the classic clinical feature of diabetes, and uncontrolled hyperglycemia leads to deadly health complications. Thus, control of blood glucose represents a major goal for diabetics. Human and rodent studies revealed another...
Acculturation, defined as the process of adopting the behaviors and beliefs of the dominant host culture, is often associated with dietary change and negative health outcomes, such as increased risk for obesity and diet-related diseases. The large and rising immigrant population in the U.S. necessitates a better understanding of the...
Arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are polyunsaturated fatty acids required for proper embryonic development, specifically neurodevelopment. However, little is known regarding their conversion to other metabolites during embryogenesis. The oxidation of ARA gives rise to the biologically active eicosanoids and the oxidation of DHA gives rise to the...