EDITORS CHOICE

The Editors pick of key articles published in recent issues of the journal

MRI-measured pelvic bone marrow adipose tissue is inversely related to DXA-measured bone mineral in younger and older adults
This article is of interest with respect to system biology, bringing together two biological systems (adipose tissue, bone marrow and haematopoetic cells) and giving rise to an extended view of two different body compartments (or functional systems) which are inter-related (See also Mechanisms and implications of bone adipose tissue-mineral relationships)

Effects of higher- versus lower-protein diets on health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis  Open
This review extends the traditional view of protein needs (which is mainly based on nitrogen balance data) and adds a new paradigm based on effects of protein intake on health outcomes (See also Higher-protein diets for health?).

A mathematical model for the hemoglobin response to iron intake, based on iron absorption measurements from habitually consumed Indian meals
This article provides a scientifically-based recommendation for iron intake in a country with a high prevalence of iron deficiency using detailed measurements of iron kinetics (i.e. this study extends the traditional paradigm of dietary nutrient needs based on the factorial method).

Oral nutritional supplements containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids affect quality of life and functional status in lung cancer patients during multimodality treatment: an RCT  Open
A controlled intervention in a group of cancer patients showing far reaching effects of supplementation on well-being and functional status.

Risk of metabolic syndrome in adults exposed to the great Chinese famine during the fetal life and early childhood
This study covers a long-term observation documenting that early exposure to famine increases metabolic risks in adulthood.

NEWS

Special Issue on Calcium and vitamin D for chronic disease. Calcium and vitamin D have both been long accepted for their role in human nutrition. The recent publication of a research document by the Institute of Medicine has stimulated the need to confirm their role in the prevention of chronic diseases, other than bone health. The September issue of EJCN includes a special section of review articles which bring together a range of topics that are central to this important area. The reviews offer unbiased views on calcium and vitamin D physiology and their potential involvement in chronic disease, mechanistic pathways for their regulation of human energy balance, an overview of recent randomized controlled trials aimed at determining whether dietary calcium accelerated weight and fat loss, a meta analysis of relevant data on vitamin D in Type 2 Diabetes and a modelling approach based on vitamin D-chronic disease mortality relationships, that postulates the holistic benefits of improving the vitamin D status of many population groups worldwide. In publishing these papers, we hope to stimulate constructive discussion and inspire new research in areas of relevance. Read the issue here.

EJCN article included in latest Nature Outlook on Nutrigenomics. Read the full collection of papers for free.