Older adults are frequently cited as an at-risk population for vitamin D deficiency that may in part be due to decreased cutaneous synthesis, a potentially important source of cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃). Previous studies found that cutaneous D₃ production declines with age; however, most studies have been conducted ex vivo or in the photobiology lab. The purpose of this study was to characterize the response of vitamin D metabolites following a 30-min bout of sun exposure (15-min each to the dorsal and ventral sides) at close to solar noon in younger and older adults. Methods: 30 healthy individuals with skin type II/III were recruited; a younger cohort, aged 20–37 (n = 18) and an older cohort (n = 12), age 51–69 years. Exposure was at outer limits of sensible sun exposure designed to enhance vitamin D synthesis without increasing risk of photo ageing and non-melanoma skin cancer. Serum D₃ concentration was measured at baseline, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exposure. Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline and 72 h post-exposure plus 168 h post-exposure in the older cohort. Results: D₃ increased in response to sun exposure (time effect; p = 0.002) with a trend for a difference in D₃ between cohorts (time*group; p = 0.09). By regression modeling of continuous data, age accounted for 20% of the variation in D₃ production. D₃ production decreased by 13% per decade. Despite changes in D₃, however, serum 25(OH)D did not change from baseline to 72 or 168 h post exposure (p > 0.10). Conclusions: Serum D₃ concentration increased significantly in response to outdoor sun exposure in younger and older adults. While ageing may dampen cutaneous synthesis, sunlight exposure is still a significant source of vitamin D₃.

Ultrasonography advantageously measures skeletal muscle size and quality, but some muscles may be too large to capture with standardized brightness mode (B-mode) imaging. Panoramic ultrasonography can capture more complete images and may more accurately measure muscle size. We investigated measurements made using panoramic compared to B-mode ultrasonography images of the rectus femoris with muscular performance. Concurrently, protein intake plays an important role in preventing sarcopenia; therefore, we also sought to investigate the association between animal-based protein intake (ABPI) and muscular performance. Ninety-one middle-aged adults were recruited. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness were obtained using B-mode and panoramic ultrasound and analyzed with Image J software. Muscular performance was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, a 30-s chair test, and handgrip strength. Three-day food diaries estimated dietary intakes. Linear regression models determined relationships between measures from ultrasonography and muscular performance. Mixed linear models were used to evaluate the association between ABPI and muscular performance. Muscle CSA from panoramic ultrasonography and ABPI were positively associated with lower-body strength (β ± S.E.; CSA, 42.622 ± 20.024, p = 0.005; ABPI, 65.874 ± 19.855, p = 0.001), lower-body endurance (β ± S.E.; CSA, 595 ± 200.221, p = 0.001; ABPI, 549.944 ± 232.478, p = 0.020), and handgrip strength (β ± S.E.; CSA, 6.966 ± 3.328, p = 0.004; ABPI, 0.349 ± 0.171, p = 0.045). Panoramic ultrasound shows promise as a method for assessing sarcopenia. ABPI is related to better muscular performance.

Diet influences critical periods of growth, including gestation and early development. We hypothesized that a maternal/early life diet reflecting unprocessed dietary components would positively affect offspring metabolic and anthropometric parameters. Using 9 C57BL-6 dams, we simulated exposure to a Western diet, a high-fiber unprocessed diet (HFUD), or a control diet. The dams consumed their respective diets (Western [n = 3], HFUD [n = 3], and control [n = 3]) through 3 weeks of pregnancy and 3 weeks of weaning; their offspring consumed the diet of their mother for 4.5 weeks post weaning. Measurements included dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, feed consumption, body weight, blood glucose, and insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the offspring. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc analysis. The offspring DEXA measures at 5 and 7.5 weeks post parturition revealed higher lean body mass development in the HFUD and control diet offspring compared to the Western diet offspring. An analysis indicated that blood glucose (p = 0.001) and HbA1c concentrations (p = 0.002) were lower among the HFUD offspring compared to the Western and control offspring. The results demonstrate that diet during gestation and early life consistent with traditional diet patterns may influence hyperglycemia and adiposity in offspring.

American consumers fall short of dietary fiber intake recommended by dietary guidelines. Beans provide protein and fiber, however, less than 14% of adults include them in their daily diets. Nuña beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a class of common beans originated in South America and cultivated for growth in North America, possess a unique set of characteristics including flavor profile, popping ability, and nutrient content that may appeal to consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a unique line of Wyoming‐grown popping beans to (1) determine nutrient characteristics and (2) assess popping percentage and shelf stability. Crude protein content was determined for five lines grown in Wyoming utilizing the Dumas method for nitrogen quantification. Total fatty acid content and a fatty acid profile for one line (CO49957) was determined by gas–liquid chromatography. Popping percentage was assessed by heating beans in canola oil in a cast iron pan to induce popping. Storage duration impact on popping was evaluated on CO49957 at 6, 12, and 15 months after harvest. Crude protein content was significantly different between all five lines. Total fatty acid content of CO49957 averaged 2.90 g/100 g wet weight. Average fatty acid profile of CO49957 popped in canola oil comprised oleic acid (41.4%), linoleic acid (20.4%), α‐linolenic acid (18.6%), palmitic acid (10.4%), and stearic acid (2.23%). Popping percentage was 90% (baseline), 100% (6 months), 87% (12 months), and 80% (15 months). Popping beans provide plant‐based protein and fiber while maintaining adequate levels of popping percentage with prolonged storage.

Despite great loss in gathering and consumption of traditional foods among Indigenous communities, there is great hope for reclaiming and preserving knowledge. The Restoring Shoshone Ancestral Food Gathering (RSAFG) is a community group leading grassroots efforts on the Wind River reservation to reclaim Shoshone ancestral foods and promote food sovereignty. The story of the RSAFG promotes equitable, decolonized, and community empowered methods of reclaiming Indigenous foods by sharing three of RSAFG’s acts of decolonization: 1) enacting treaty rights through gathering traditional plants, 2) demanding equitable partnerships in community-based research, and 3) sharing the story through radical authorship via layered narratives. A pesar de la gran pérdida en la recolección y el consumo de alimentos tradicionales entre las comunidades indígenas, existe una gran esperanza para recuperar y preservar el conocimiento. El Restoring Shoshone Ancestral Food Gathering (RSAFG) es un grupo comunitario que lidera los esfuerzos de base en la reserva wind river para recuperar los alimentos ancestrales shoshone y promover la soberanía alimentaria. La historia de la RSAFG promueve métodos equitativos, descolonizados y empoderados por la comunidad para recuperar los alimentos indígenas al compartir tres de los actos de descolonización de RSAFG: 1) promulgar los derechos de los tratados mediante la recolección de plantas tradicionales, 2) exigir asociaciones equitativas en la investigación basada en la comunidad, y 3) compartir la historia a través de la autoría radical a través de narrativas en capas.