Latest news with #UCLAHealth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Why people on protein-heavy diets need to eat more of this nutrient
Americans can't seem to get enough protein. Typically the go-to fuel of bodybuilders and athletes, protein has become the wellness world's ultimate nutrient for weight loss, energy and muscle maintenance. Nutritionists and gastroenterologists warn that the more we load up on protein, another vital nutrient is being left behind: fiber. 'A lot of times when people are on a high-protein diet they're eliminating other sources of food,' said Christina Fasulo, a nutritionist in the department of digestive diseases at UCLA Health. 'Most people need to have a set amount of fiber in their diet, and a lot of that is getting displaced by a high-protein diet.' Dietary guidelines recommend 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men. Yet the average American consumes just 15 grams daily. Only 5% of men and 9% of women meet the recommended intake, according to recent estimates. And for protein diets that consist mostly of meat, it's even more important to balance with fiber to keep things moving. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can't digest. It's commonly broken down into two categories, soluble and insoluble fiber. It's considered necessary for maintaining healthy bowel habits. It also helps control blood sugar by slowing the rate at which sugar gets absorbed from our food into the bloodstream. 'It prevents some of those spikes in our blood sugars that you see from our more simple sugars, which are digested much more quickly,' Fasulo said. Fiber is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and may lower rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes. A diet high in fiber has been linked to lower rates of colon cancer which might be because of an ability to bind to potential carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, in our intestines and eliminate them, Fasulo said. Fiber's real power is connected to the gut microbiome, which needs the carbohydrate to flourish. The gut microbiome is the diverse community of trillions of microorganisms such as bacteria that live in the digestive tract, playing a vital role in digestion and immune function. When the microbiome is out of balance, called dysbiosis, it can include a lack of diversity of bacteria, too little beneficial bacteria or an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Changes to the microbiome have been linked to a variety of chronic diseases including obesity and diabetes. In fact, recent research suggests that a toxin produced by certain harmful gut bacteria may be behind the rising incidence of colon cancer. Gut bacteria can ferment fiber, producing a molecule known as butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is believed to have anti-cancer properties, including inhibiting tumorous cell growth and promoting death in cancerous cells, Fasulo said. 'If you don't have enough fiber in your diet, it's as if you're starving your microbiome,' said Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health. 'When you get a really nice, fiber-healthy meal, it's like you're giving them their Thanksgiving dinner,' she said. In other words, if gut bacteria doesn't have enough fiber to eat, it can create chronic problems in the microbiome. Fiber is also linked to lower rates of heart disease, possibly reducing the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from our diets into our bloodstream. Experts say more research is needed, however. There are two types of fiber. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as seeds, beans and lentils. It attracts water and forms a gel in the digestive system. 'Soluble fiber is kind of like a sponge, where it's really slowing things down that are passing in our digestive tract,' said Fasulo. Insoluble fiber, found in vegetables and whole grains, doesn't dissolve in water and helps food move through the digestive system. Fasulo compares it to a street sweeper passing through our intestinal tract to help aid with constipation. 'Insoluble fibers in particular kind of mechanically stimulate the gut,' said Dr. Olufemi Kassim, a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. It's important to get a mixture of both types of fiber, she added, as they each provide their own set of benefits to digestion. However, some may want to consume more insoluble fiber depending on their symptoms. 'If you're someone who's more prone to having loose stools, you probably want to avoid the insoluble fibers,' which can aggravate symptoms, she said. 'Soluble fibers will be easier to tolerate.' Legumes, seeds and nuts are excellent sources of both fiber and protein. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. 'If you can hit 20 to 30 grams of fiber from food, that's ideal,' said Kassim. 'You're not just getting the benefit from fiber from eating an apple a day, but you're also getting all of the great micronutrients like vitamins.' Kassim includes at least one fiber-rich food in every meal. Some of her favorite sources of fiber are apples and spinach, both of which have 4 grams of fiber per serving, as well as popcorn, which has about 6 grams of fiber. In her own diet, de Latour places a strong emphasis on lentils. Lentils contain about 15 grams of protein and fiber each. Experts prefer getting the daily recommended fiber through food alone. But if that's a struggle, over-the-counter fiber supplements that include psyllium husk, inulin and methylcellulose can help. Methylcellulose is a soluble fiber that's not fermented so it doesn't cause as much gas and bloating as some other fiber supplements. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that is naturally found in various plants like chicory root. Kassim, who treats patients with irritable bowel syndrome, often recommends methylcellulose as a supplement over the popular psyllium husk because people will be more likely to stick with it. Going beyond the recommended daily amount isn't seriously harmful but can lead to discomfort. Kassim said it's about listening to how your body reacts to more fiber. Don't increase fiber intake too quickly or you may get some unwanted side effects like bloating or excess gas. 'If you start to notice that you're feeling a little bit more gassy or you're going to the bathroom a little bit too much, then you can back off a little bit,' she said. Fasulo recommends a gradual increase of 3 to 5 grams per day until reaching the recommended daily amount. 'Slow, steady and hydrate,' she said. This article was originally published on
NBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
With a protein-heavy diet, it's important to eat this crucial nutrient, nutritionists say
Americans can't seem to get enough protein. Typically the go-to fuel of bodybuilders and athletes, protein has become the wellness world's ultimate nutrient for weight loss, energy and muscle maintenance. Nutritionists and gastroenterologists warn that the more we load up on protein, another vital nutrient is being left behind: fiber. 'A lot of times when people are on a high-protein diet they're eliminating other sources of food,' said Christina Fasulo, a nutritionist in the department of digestive diseases at UCLA Health. 'Most people need to have a set amount of fiber in their diet, and a lot of that is getting displaced by a high-protein diet.' Dietary guidelines recommend 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men. Yet the average American consumes just 15 grams daily. Only 5% of men and 9% of women meet the recommended intake, according to recent estimates. And for protein diets that consist mostly of meat, it's even more important to balance with fiber to keep things moving. Why fiber is a crucial nutrient Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can't digest. It's commonly broken down into two categories, soluble and insoluble fiber. It's considered necessary for maintaining healthy bowel habits. It also helps control blood sugar by slowing the rate at which sugar gets absorbed from our food into the bloodstream. 'It prevents some of those spikes in our blood sugars that you see from our more simple sugars, which are digested much more quickly,' Fasulo said. Fiber is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and may lower rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes. A diet high in fiber has been linked to lower rates of colon cancer which might be because of an ability to bind to potential carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, in our intestines and eliminate them, Fasulo said. Fiber's real power is connected to the gut microbiome, which needs the carbohydrate to flourish. The gut microbiome is the diverse community of trillions of microorganisms such as bacteria that live in the digestive tract, playing a vital role in digestion and immune function. When the microbiome is out of balance, called dysbiosis, it can include a lack of diversity of bacteria, too little beneficial bacteria or an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Changes to the microbiome have been linked to a variety of chronic diseases including obesity and diabetes. In fact, recent research suggests that a toxin produced by certain harmful gut bacteria may be behind the rising incidence of colon cancer. Gut bacteria can ferment fiber, producing a molecule known as butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is believed to have anti-cancer properties, including inhibiting tumorous cell growth and promoting death in cancerous cells, Fasulo said. 'If you don't have enough fiber in your diet, it's as if you're starving your microbiome,' said Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health. 'When you get a really nice, fiber-healthy meal, it's like you're giving them their Thanksgiving dinner,' she said. In other words, if gut bacteria doesn't have enough fiber to eat, it can create chronic problems in the microbiome. Fiber is also linked to lower rates of heart disease, possibly reducing the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from our diets into our bloodstream. Experts say more research is needed, however. Types of fiber There are two types of fiber. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as seeds, beans and lentils. It attracts water and forms a gel in the digestive system. 'Soluble fiber is kind of like a sponge, where it's really slowing things down that are passing in our digestive tract,' said Fasulo. Insoluble fiber, found in vegetables and whole grains, doesn't dissolve in water and helps food move through the digestive system. Fasulo compares it to a street sweeper passing through our intestinal tract to help aid with constipation. 'Insoluble fibers in particular kind of mechanically stimulate the gut,' said Dr. Olufemi Kassim, a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. It's important to get a mixture of both types of fiber, she added, as they each provide their own set of benefits to digestion. However, some may want to consume more insoluble fiber depending on their symptoms. 'If you're someone who's more prone to having loose stools, you probably want to avoid the insoluble fibers,' which can aggravate symptoms, she said. 'Soluble fibers will be easier to tolerate.' At least one fiber-rich food every meal Legumes, seeds and nuts are excellent sources of both fiber and protein. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. 'If you can hit 20 to 30 grams of fiber from food, that's ideal,' said Kassim. 'You're not just getting the benefit from fiber from eating an apple a day, but you're also getting all of the great micronutrients like vitamins.' Kassim includes at least one fiber-rich food in every meal. Some of her favorite sources of fiber are apples and spinach, both of which have 4 grams of fiber per serving, as well as popcorn, which has about 6 grams of fiber. In her own diet, de Latour places a strong emphasis on lentils. Lentils contain about 15 grams of protein and fiber each. Experts prefer getting the daily recommended fiber through food alone. But if that's a struggle, over-the-counter fiber supplements that include psyllium husk, inulin and methylcellulose can help. Methylcellulose is a soluble fiber that's not fermented so it doesn't cause as much gas and bloating as some other fiber supplements. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that is naturally found in various plants like chicory root. Kassim, who treats patients with irritable bowel syndrome, often recommends methylcellulose as a supplement over the popular psyllium husk because people will be more likely to stick with it. 'Slow, steady and hydrate' Going beyond the recommended daily amount isn't seriously harmful but can lead to discomfort. Kassim said it's about listening to how your body reacts to more fiber. Don't increase fiber intake too quickly or you may get some unwanted side effects like bloating or excess gas. 'If you start to notice that you're feeling a little bit more gassy or you're going to the bathroom a little bit too much, then you can back off a little bit,' she said. Fasulo recommends a gradual increase of 3 to 5 grams per day until reaching the recommended daily amount. 'Slow, steady and hydrate,' she said.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Groundbreaking transplant gives recipient hope of a ‘normal life'
Surgeons at Keck Medicine of USC and UCLA Health have performed the world's first bladder transplant. The recipient, Oscar Larrainzar, 42, had been on dialysis for seven years and lost most of his bladder to cancer. He says he now hopes he can live a 'normal life' and spend time with his children. The complex eight-hour surgery involved transplanting a kidney, followed by the bladder. The transplanted kidney immediately began producing urine, eliminating the need for dialysis post-surgery. The groundbreaking procedure offers a potential alternative to reconstructive bladder surgery, which carries significant risks.
New York Post
19-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
World's first bladder transplant performed in the US: ‘Now I have hope'
Urine for a breakthrough — in a true medical milestone, UCLA surgeons completed the world's first in-human bladder transplant. Dr. Nima Nassiri, a urologic transplant surgeon and director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Program, led the stream team — providing relief to one lucky patient who had been struggling for years after having most of his bladder removed due to a tumor. 3 The first human bladder transplant was performed at UCLA on patient Oscar Larrainzar. Nick Carranza/UCLA Health 'I was a ticking time bomb,' Oscar Larrainzar, 41, told the New York Times. 'But now I have hope.' The groundbreaking eight-hour operation — performed on May 4 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center — involved extensive research, practice surgeries on animals and deceased donors and the development of new surgical techniques. 'This first attempt at bladder transplantation has been over four years in the making,' Nassiri said in a statement. 'For the appropriately selected patient, it is exciting to be able to offer a new potential option.' Bladder transplants had not been attempted before due to the complex vascular structure of the pelvic area and the technical challenges involved. Current treatments for non-functioning bladders often involve using a segment of the patient's intestine to create a urinary reservoir, which can lead to complications like infections and digestive issues. 3 The team was led by Dr. Nima Nassiri, left, a urologic transplant surgeon. Nick Carranza/UCLA Health 3 The surgery was performed at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on May 4, 2025. Nick Carranza/UCLA Health While the long-term success of the transplanted bladder remains to be seen, Larrainzar's overnight recovery has been promising. 'The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient's kidney function improved immediately,' Nassiri said. 'There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.' The team aims to perform more of these pioneering surgeries in the near future, offering fresh hope to patients with non-functioning bladders. And this is not the only groundbreaking transplant in recent months. Earlier this year, a 'miracle' baby girl was born in the UK to a mom who had undergone a womb transplant. And doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian performed an extremely rare series of heart transplant surgeries that transformed the lives of three children.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
World-first bladder transplant a ‘historic' success four years in the making
Surgeons have performed the world's first-ever human bladder transplant – calling it a 'historic' operation that has the potential to change the lives of millions patients with bladder diseases. For the first bladder transplant patient Oscar Larrainzar, after seven years on dialysis with no kidneys and a barely functioning bladder, the procedure was a success - with no dialysis needed post-op. 'My hope is to have a better life,' Mr Larrainzar said. 'I'm still 42 and I have kids, I would like to see them grow so as much as I can have a better life, normal life, in the best possible way, that's what I'm hoping for.' In a joint effort between Keck Medicine of USC and UCLA Health, surgeons performed the groundbreaking surgery on May 4, and the patient is now recovering well, the experts said. Dr Inderbir Gill, the founding executive director of USC Urology, said: 'This surgery is a historic moment in medicine and stands to impact how we manage carefully selected patients with highly symptomatic 'terminal' bladders that are no longer functioning. 'Transplantation is a lifesaving and life-enhancing treatment option for many conditions affecting major organs, and now the bladder can be added to the list.' Dr Gill worked with UCLA urologic transplant surgeon Nima Nassiri for years to develop the new and complex surgical technique, which involved transplanting a kidney, followed by a bladder, into the patient. The whole procedure lasted eight hours, the experts said. 'This first attempt at bladder transplantation has been over four years in the making,' Nassiri said. 'For the appropriately selected patient, it is exciting to be able to offer a new potential option.' Mr Larrainzar had been on dialysis for seven years after losing most of his bladder when a tumour was removed. Both of his kidneys had also been removed due to renal cancer. Dr Nassiri said following the surgery, Mr Larrainzar's kidney immediately began producing urine. 'There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder,' he said. Dr Gill said, despite the complexity of the case, everything went according to plan. 'The patient is doing well, and we are satisfied with his clinical progress to date,' he said. Millions of people around the world live with a degree of bladder disease or dysfunction, the urologists said, and current treatment for severe so-called terminal cases in which their bladders can stop functioning can involve creating a new bladder with part of the patient's intestine. Dr Nassiri said while those surgeries can help, they also come with short and long-term risks that can have ongoing effects on the patients' health. 'A bladder transplant, on the other hand, results in a more normal urinary reservoir, and may circumvent some short- and long-term issues associated with using the intestine,' he said. The experts acknowledged that because it is a first-of-its-kind procedure, there are many unknowns, including how well the bladder will function over time. 'Despite the unknowns, our goal is to understand if bladder transplantation can help patients with severely compromised bladders lead healthier lives,' Dr Gill said. The surgery was performed as part of a UCLA clinical trial, and the urologists hope to perform more of the pioneering surgeries in the near future.
