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Jeffrey Zachwieja, PhD
PepsiCo
Hannah Holscher, Ph.D., R.D.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc
Head of Department, Professor
University of Copenhagen
Joanne Slavin, PhD, RDN
Professor
University of Minnesota
Metabolic health has long been defined rather simply as the absence of metabolic syndrome. More recently, researchers have been looking at metabolic health as a proactive state in which individuals have optimal levels of the same markers used to define metabolic syndrome -- waist circumference, glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein -- and not taking any related medication. By that definition, according to a recent study, only 12.2% of Americans are metabolically healthy.
One route to improving those statistics may be through the microbiome. Recent research has suggested that the microbiome regulates inflammation, maintains blood glucose and lipid levels, controls appetite, maintains the integrity and function of the gut, and helps control the communication between the gut and other organs and tissues. We also know that dietary factors, such as consumption of whole grain foods like oats, can have significant influence on metabolic health. The mechanism of action for oats, in particular, may be through the gut microbiome. Whether oats can be the means to the end benefit of metabolic health is an important consideration. This symposium will be focused on these two topics: 1) the extent to which oats and whole grain foods can influence overall metabolic health and 2) discussion on whether changes in the gut microbiome in response to consumption of oats can be linked to end physiological benefits for metabolic health.
Lunch will be available for sponsored satellite program attendees on a first-come, first-serve basis.