Latest news with #UniversityofNavarra
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Researchers find a popular type of cereal bar could super-boost weight loss
Protein bars offer a convenient way to manage hunger on the go, but they could also help fuel weight loss, new research has found. Researchers from the University of Navarra found that people who ate protein bars boosted with collagen—a protein found in connective tissue—lost twice as much weight as those who didn't have them, despite consuming the same amount of calories. Head researcher Dr Paola Mogna-Peláez said collagen is an accessible and inexpensive protein is that can keep you fuller for longer, and is an alternative to potent weight loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy. 'Many weight loss drugs are very expensive,' Dr Mogna-Peláez said. 'We were interested in collagen because it is a protein that is cheap and easy to obtain and is not known to have any side effects.' The researchers studied 64 overweight and obese adults, weighing around 13 stone on average, aged 20-65, over a 12-week period. All of the participants were given healthy eating advice based on the Mediterranean diet—hailed for its menu of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains—before the study started. Half of the volunteers were instructed to eat two chocolate-flavoured protein bars fortified with 10g of collagen a day, with a glass of water before lunch and dinner. Both groups consumed the same number of calories. The collagen, which was extracted from cows, was modified to help it absorb extra water in the gut. 'Crucially, collagen's structure can be modified to allow it to absorb extra water, which leads to it growing in size,' Dr Mogna-Peláez explained. 'We wanted to know if such a compound creates a feeling of fullness when it expands in the stomach, reducing appetite and leading to weight loss,' she added. The adapted bars are available to buy in US supermarkets, the experts wrote. Before the study started, the participants filled out a questionnaire about their appetites and underwent a range of body measurements and other baseline tests. Participants were measured periodically throughout the study. After 12 weeks, those who were eating two collagen-boosted protein bars a day had lost twice as much weight as the control group— roughly five pounds, compared to two and a half. Researchers also found that the collagen group experienced a significant drop in blood pressure. Those consuming collagen also lost more weight around their waist, dropping 2.8cm over 12 weeks. They reduced their body mass index (BMI) score by 1.2 units and saw improvements in liver function. The control group, meanwhile, only dropped by an average of 0.78 BMI units. Collagen snack eaters were also seen to gain more muscle mass than the control group throughout the course of the experience. The questionnaires also showed that the collagen reduced hunger throughout the day. To confirm these results, researchers also monitored the participants' leptin levels—a hormone that induces the sensation of feeling full. Over the 12 weeks, levels of the hunger-inducing hormone decreased in both groups, but leptin levels were higher in the collagen group at the end of the study. In animal trials, researchers noted that collagen had a similar effect, significantly reducing levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Dr Mogna-Peláez said: 'Our results indicate that, by swelling in the stomach, the collagen made the participants feel less hungry, which would have led to them eating less and so losing weight. 'Collagen may also have led to the participants building muscle and we know that muscle burns more calories than fat. 'It is also possible that collagen changes the make-up of bacteria in the gut, which may aid with weight loss and appetite control.' It comes as research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga found that the effects of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic are short-lived if patients do not maintain a healthy lifestyle after they stop taking the medication. The study, by researchers at the University of Oxford, found that patients typically returned to their original weight within 10 months of quitting the jabs. The lead researcher, Professor Susan Jebb, said: 'These drugs are very effective at helping you lose weight, but when you stop them, weight regains much faster than [after stopping] diets'. She added that patients lack 'behavioural strategies' to stop them over-eating when they cease taking the drug. Speaking at the conference, experts said the obesity crisis cannot be solved by weight loss jabs alone. 'It shouldn't surprise anyone if people regain weight having used GLP-1 drugs without seriously attempting to improve their lifestyle. Using GLP-1s is not the quick-fix which many users believe it to be,' Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said. Around two in three adults in the UK are currently obese or overweight, giving the country one of the highest obesity rates in Europe. Last year, a sobering report also suggested Britain's obesity crisis has fuelled a staggering 39 per cent rise in type 2 diabetes among young people under 40, with 168,000 Brits now living with the condition. Overweight and obesity has also been linked to at least 13 types of cancer and is the second biggest cause of the disease in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Can protein bars act as weight loss supplements? Important facts to know
Protein bars are absolutely adored by fitness enthusiasts. They come in all sizes, shapes, and flavours. Many opt for protein bars as a quick breakfast or snack option. The content promised on the label is the major reason for its popularity amongst fitness enthusiasts. But what if a protein bar could help you lose weight? According to a new Spanish study, have shown potential as a weight-loss aid. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now New research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) and published in the journal Nutrients suggests that protein bars containing collagen could be a safe and effective weight-loss supplement. Collagen, a protein commonly found in connective tissue. The researchers found that individuals with overweight and obesity, who ate protein bars enriched with collagen, lost twice as much weight compared to those who didn't consume them. The participants also showed a reduction in blood pressure, waist circumference, and improvement in liver function. They may also have increased skeletal muscle and fat-free mass. 'Many weight loss drugs are very expensive. We were interested in collagen because it is a protein that is cheap and easy to obtain and is not known to have any side effects. It is also a compound that the public is familiar with. Crucially, collagen's structure can be modified to allow it to absorb extra water, which leads to it growing in size. We wanted to know if such a compound creates a feeling of fullness when it expands in the stomach, reducing appetite and leading to weight loss,' researcher Dr Paola Mogna-Peláez, of the University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, said in a statement. The researchers conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial in 64 adults aged 20 to 65, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.65. All participants were advised to follow a Mediterranean-style diet. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Half the group was additionally asked to consume a chocolate-flavored protein bar containing 10 grams of collagen with water before lunch and dinner. The collagen, which came from cows, had been treated to absorb extra water, so that it would increase in size when consumed with water. At the end of the study, the protein bar group lost an average of 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds), compared to 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) in the control group, despite both groups consuming the same number of calories. Study Biotech & Health Tech Abroad: Top Courses at Harvard, Stanford The collagen group felt less hungry and fuller than the control group. Levels of leptin, a hormone that induces feelings of satiety, fell in both groups but were higher in the collagen group than in the control group. No side effects were reported. Previously, collagen has shown decreased levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, in animal experiments. The supplement also swelled to almost 20 times its original size in stomach acid and had low digestibility. 'Our results indicate that, by swelling in the stomach, the collagen made the participants feel less hungry, which would have led to them eating less and so losing weight. Collagen may also have led to the participants building muscle, and we know that muscle burns more calories than fat. It is also possible that collagen changes the make-up of bacteria in the gut, which may aid with weight loss and appetite control,' Dr Mogna-Peláez said.
Gulf Today
11-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
SCCI signs deals in Spain to boost academic, training programmes
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by its Sharjah Training and Development Centre (STDC), successfully concluded its official visit to the Kingdom of Spain. The tour aimed to strengthen academic and training partnerships and broaden avenues of cooperation in empowering national talent and enhancing leadership and management competencies. The initiative also focused on promoting expertise and knowledge exchange with distinguished Spain-based academic and research institutions. The Chamber's delegation was led by Maryam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for the Support Services Sector at SCCI, and comprised Amal Abdullah Al Ali, Director of STDCl, as well as senior officials and representatives from both entities. The visit culminated in the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with the University of Navarra, one of Europe's leading institutions in management, communication, and academic research. The agreement aims to develop joint academic and training programs, facilitate expert and academic exchange visits, and support the international accreditation of STDCl's offerings, thereby elevating program quality and aligning with global trends in leadership development. The partnership agreement was formally signed by Maryam Saif Al Shamsi and Jaime García del Barrio, General Director of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) at the University of Navarra, during an official signing ceremony held at the university's headquarters in Madrid. The signing was attended by Amal Abdullah Al Ali; Khaled Maqlad, President of Future Academy and STDCl's Academic Advisor; and H.E Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Head of Political Affairs, Media, and Public Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in Spain. Also present were Elena Belzunce, Director of Development at ICS; and Ramzi Jazmati, Director of Development for the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Navarra. The Sharjah Chamber delegation also signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Salamanca, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities. The partnership aims to enhance joint academic and training programs, facilitate the exchange of expertise and scholarly visits, and strengthen the international accreditation of STDCl's programs, in line with the Centre's vision to become a global hub for leadership development and institutional innovation. In her remarks, Maryam Saif Al Shamsi said that the Sharjah Chamber's visit to Spain comes as part of its ongoing and dedicated efforts to enhance the global accreditation of the Sharjah Training and Development Centre and elevate the international quality benchmarks of its academic and training programs. She highlighted the cooperation agreement with the University of Navarra as a strategic milestone that supports STDCl's initiatives and reflects the Sharjah Chamber's strong commitment to empowering national talent with global competencies and world-class expertise to lead future development agendas. For her part, Amal Abdullah Al Ali stated that the partnership agreement signed by Sharjah Training and Development Centre with the University of Navarra aligns with the Centre's mission and ambitious vision to train and develop human capital across public and private sector institutions in the UAE. She emphasized STDCl's commitment to delivering world-class training programs and courses that cover the latest skills in advanced management, effective communication, and impactful leadership. As part of its visit program, the Sharjah Training and Development Centre organized a training workshop titled 'Design Thinking', held within SCCI's Strategic Business Leadership program at the University of Granada. The workshop was part of a series of field training initiatives regularly implemented by the Centre to strengthen executive leadership and enhance institutional transformation capabilities through cutting-edge leadership methodologies. The session explored design thinking principles and tools as a user-centered framework and effective methodology for addressing complex business challenges, fostering empathetic thinking, generating innovative ideas, and iterative problem-solving. It featured strong participation from senior executives, who demonstrated high engagement through applied exercises and hands-on activities that reflected real operational scenarios. The visit also included a high-level meeting with H.E Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Head of Political Affairs, Media, and Public Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in Spain. The meeting highlighted STDCl's strategic efforts to secure international accreditation for its training and academic programs, underscored by recently concluded agreements with four distinguished Spanish institutions.
Zawya
11-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Chamber unlocks global opportunities for developing national competencies, signs partnership agreements in Spain to enhance academic and training programs
Sharjah, The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by its Sharjah Training and Development Centre (STDC), successfully concluded its official visit to the Kingdom of Spain. The tour aimed to strengthen academic and training partnerships and broaden avenues of cooperation in empowering national talent and enhancing leadership and management competencies. The initiative also focused on promoting expertise and knowledge exchange with distinguished Spain-based academic and research institutions. The Chamber's delegation was led by Maryam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for the Support Services Sector at SCCI, and comprised Amal Abdullah Al Ali, Director of STDCl, as well as senior officials and representatives from both entities. The visit culminated in the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with the University of Navarra, one of Europe's leading institutions in management, communication, and academic research. The agreement aims to develop joint academic and training programs, facilitate expert and academic exchange visits, and support the international accreditation of STDCl's offerings, thereby elevating program quality and aligning with global trends in leadership development. The partnership agreement was formally signed by Maryam Saif Al Shamsi and Jaime García del Barrio, General Director of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) at the University of Navarra, during an official signing ceremony held at the university's headquarters in Madrid. The signing was attended by Amal Abdullah Al Ali; Khaled Maqlad, President of Future Academy and STDCl's Academic Advisor; and H.E Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Head of Political Affairs, Media, and Public Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in Spain. Also present were Elena Belzunce, Director of Development at ICS; and Ramzi Jazmati, Director of Development for the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Navarra. The Sharjah Chamber delegation also signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Salamanca, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities. The partnership aims to enhance joint academic and training programs, facilitate the exchange of expertise and scholarly visits, and strengthen the international accreditation of STDCl's programs, in line with the Centre's vision to become a global hub for leadership development and institutional innovation. In her remarks, Maryam Saif Al Shamsi said that the Sharjah Chamber's visit to Spain comes as part of its ongoing and dedicated efforts to enhance the global accreditation of the Sharjah Training and Development Centre and elevate the international quality benchmarks of its academic and training programs. She highlighted the cooperation agreement with the University of Navarra as a strategic milestone that supports STDCl's initiatives and reflects the Sharjah Chamber's strong commitment to empowering national talent with global competencies and world-class expertise to lead future development agendas. For her part, Amal Abdullah Al Ali stated that the partnership agreement signed by Sharjah Training and Development Centre with the University of Navarra aligns with the Centre's mission and ambitious vision to train and develop human capital across public and private sector institutions in the UAE. She emphasized STDCl's commitment to delivering world-class training programs and courses that cover the latest skills in advanced management, effective communication, and impactful leadership. As part of its visit program, the Sharjah Training and Development Centre organized a training workshop titled "Design Thinking', held within SCCI's Strategic Business Leadership program at the University of Granada. The workshop was part of a series of field training initiatives regularly implemented by the Centre to strengthen executive leadership and enhance institutional transformation capabilities through cutting-edge leadership methodologies. The session explored design thinking principles and tools as a user-centered framework and effective methodology for addressing complex business challenges, fostering empathetic thinking, generating innovative ideas, and iterative problem-solving. It featured strong participation from senior executives, who demonstrated high engagement through applied exercises and hands-on activities that reflected real operational scenarios. The visit also included a high-level meeting with H.E Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Head of Political Affairs, Media, and Public Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in Spain. The meeting highlighted STDCl's strategic efforts to secure international accreditation for its training and academic programs, underscored by recently concluded agreements with four distinguished Spanish institutions. These partnerships are designed to facilitate the exchange of expertise and support the delivery of internationally accredited programs, reinforcing the Centre's position as a key hub for leadership development, organizational innovation, and institutional excellence in the UAE. During the meeting, Al Nuaimi praised the efforts of the Sharjah Chamber and the Sharjah Training and Development Center in building impactful international partnerships the reflect the UAE's ambitious vision in leadership education, training, and cross-border knowledge exchange. Furthermore, the Sharjah Chamber delegation conducted a field visit to the main campus of the University of Granada, one of the oldest universities in Spain and Europe, with the aim of strengthening knowledge partnerships and fostering global leadership collaborations. During the visit, the delegation met with several university officials with whom they explored advanced academic experiences and research practices in the fields of leadership and strategic management. Delegation members welcomed the visit as a strategic milestone in advancing academic and training cooperation between academic institutions and training centers, highlighting its potential to foster cross-border collaboration in leadership development. They stressed the importance of leveraging international experiences and global best practices in driving institutional transformation and cultivating future leaders. The Sharjah Chamber's tour concluded with a site visit to the University of Granada's Archaeological Restoration Center, in addition to the Alhambra Palace in Granada city, one of the world's most iconic historical landmarks.
Sharjah 24
11-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Chamber expands global training partnerships in Spain
Strategic partnerships with leading Spanish universities During the visit, STDC signed significant cooperation agreements with the University of Navarra and the University of Salamanca. These partnerships focus on developing joint academic and training programs, facilitating expert exchanges, and supporting the international accreditation of STDC's offerings. The collaboration with the University of Navarra, led by Jaime García del Barrio, General Director of the Institute for Culture and Society, aims to align STDC's programs with global trends in leadership development. Strengthening the Strategic Business Leadership programme The visit also highlighted the success of the "Strategic Business Leadership" program, a collaborative initiative between SCCI, the Granada Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Granada. This program, designed to enhance strategic leadership and business management skills, has been instrumental in empowering UAE professionals. The delegation's engagement with Spanish institutions provided valuable insights into advanced management practices and strategic decision-making. Commitment to international accreditation and innovation Maryam Saif Al Shamsi emphasised SCCI's commitment to elevating the quality of STDC's programs through international accreditation and innovative training methodologies. The partnerships with Spanish universities are expected to enhance the global competitiveness of UAE professionals and foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Exploring global best practices in leadership development The delegation's visit included meetings with experts and specialists in administrative fields at the University of Granada, focusing on leadership in strategy development, best practices in management, and advancing leadership programs. These discussions aimed to develop skills essential for strategic decision-making and anticipating future business trends. Conclusion The Sharjah Chamber's strategic partnerships in Spain mark a significant step towards enhancing the UAE's global competitiveness in leadership and management. By fostering international collaborations, SCCI aims to provide UAE professionals with world-class training opportunities, aligning with the nation's vision for sustainable development and innovation.
