Institute of food sciences (ISA)

Focus

Broad spectrum effects of natural phytochemicals on disease prevention and wellbeing

2016
Phytochemicals trigger cellular pathways leading to the prevention of pathological conditions associated with cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Although this positive association evidenced by interventional and observational studies is debated and subjected to criticism, biochemical and genetic studies on cellular and animal models on the mechanism(s) of action of phytochemicals provide a functional explanation of how and why a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can protect ...

The immunomodulatory activity of the intestinal microbiota

2015
The intestinal microbiota plays a key role in promoting maturation of the immune system, particularly during the neonatal period, and is influenced throughout life by environmental factors. In particular, diet plays a central role in the structure and constitution of the gut microbiota. Moreover, it has been suggested that a healthy microbiota exists when there is a balance between symbionts, commensal organisms, and pathobionts. Alterations in this balance can lead to dysbiosis, which has been ...