The Ironies of Iron During Pregnancy

August 28, 2017 – Iron is listed by the American Pregnancy Association as one of the nutrients essential for healthy fetal development. Why? Because a lack of iron, a mineral naturally found in foods like meat, seafood and vegetables, directly impacts the development of the fetal brain. Iron also prevents anemia, low birth weight and premature delivery. Unfortunately, 22 percent of US women in their childbearing years are iron deficient, says Susan Smith, PhD, deputy director of science at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute on the NC Research Campus.

February 2017

Breast Cancer Subtype Important in Deciding Impact of Folate It is generally known that folate (vitamin B9) is important in early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in babies, because folate is needed by rapidly dividing cells (e.g., those of a developing...

January 2017

What We’re Learning about Mom’s Nutrition and Alcohol Dr. Phil May’s research group at the NRI studies the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in humans. The recent addition to the NRI faculty of Dr. Susan Smith now provides an avenue...

July 2016

The Sweet Reality of Eating Nutritious Fruits This time of year, fresh fruits abound. No matter whether the fruit you eat is fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, all of the varieties offer a plethora of flavors, colors and, most importantly, health benefits. No...

Researchers Say Absolutely No Drinking While Pregnant

October 21, 2015 • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in the United States has long been estimated at no more than three children per 1,000. A new study published in the journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence reports that the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is between 3 and 8 per 1,000 and when combined with partial FAS (PFAS) the prevalence of both actually ranges between 11 to 25 children per 1,000.
Lead researcher Philip May, Ph.D., research professor with the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC, emphasized that the study “Prevalence and characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome and partial fetal syndrome in Rocky Mountain Region City” is only the second population-based study completed in the United States that aimed to establish more accurate rates of FAS and PFAS.

Impact Report 2014-15

Steve H. Zeisel, institute director, addressing faculty and staff in his lab. In the past year scientists at the Nutrition Research Institute have made significant advances in our understanding of the roles genetics and nutrition play in determining our individual susceptibility and resistance to disease. This is our bold mission: to discover the mechanisms by which diet can prevent or lessen the negative effects of chronic diseases and aging, and improve human development, even prior to concep