This lecture will feature some of the latest nutrition science information, starting with some of the basic facts and principles around nutrition and dietary behaviours, the links between inadequate nutrition and chronic diseases, the benefits of dietary supplementation, the importance of bioavailability of active ingredients, and why certain polysaccharides are crucial for health. Dr. Lewis will discuss the results of his extensive line of research on how polysaccharides modulate the immune system and other organ systems in the context of patients with Alzheimers, HIV, MS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and healthy adults. Having a proper understanding of the evidence base of nutrition and dietary supplementation and their relationships to chronic disease is important for all allied health practitioners and wellness industry professionals, especially considering all of the marketing hype around diet, food, and dietary supplements. Dr. Lewis lecture provides attendees an evidence-based review of nutrition science that emphasizes some recent important findings that have an impact on health and quality of life.

Obesity has become a global epidemic, which is rapidly spreading at phenomenal rates. The gravity of this Globesity epidemic goes beyond sheer numbers, as it is directly linked to many diseases that pose serious health risks and are responsible for escalating health care expenditures. Notably, obesity is the single most important contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes along with other metabolic disorders; comprising the constellation of cardiovascular risks. In this presentation, the magnitude of this crisis and its hidden consequences will be delineated setting the stage for the necessary actionable steps. Though the solution seems straightforward with weight reduction being the cardinal intervention, however, achieving and maintaining weight loss is extremely challenging. Diets have disappointingly had limited short term benefits with lack of sustainability and even rebound weight gain. In addition to their restrictive nature, there are even more complex personal behaviour and social factors affecting food ingestion that current day diets do not address. These shortcomings will be explored in the context of dietary behaviour patterns promoting weight gain that may be critical in sabotaging weight loss efforts. Our research group has undertaken study initiatives including a multicentre survey aimed at understanding eating habits in overweight and obese individuals in our region. The published data will be shared for interactive discussion and a recently published novel eating behaviour modification concept will be introduced. This lecture aims to provide an evidence- based presentation intended specifically for the target audience with compelling take-home messages.

In the European Regulation 1924/2006 and especially its first recital; the evaluation of health claims (HC) by European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) was introduced so as to ensure a high level of consumer protection, [and] give the consumer the necessary information to make choices in full knowledge of the facts Now, with 10 years of hindsight since the Regulation was adopted, it can be asked whether EFSA HC process of evaluation that led to a marginal number of accepted claims is consistent with this objective, not just for protecting consumers but for allowing them to decide freely and make informed choices. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the inclusion of a ranking of the weight of evidence in the assessment of EFSAs scientific substantiation of HC would allow consumers to benefit from the very high standard of scientific evaluation performed by EFSA. The definition of standards of proof is a generalized practice and rests on the principle that evaluations of health practices should be understood in terms of descriptions ranging from formal proof from high-power double-blind placebo-controlled studies to rankings based on the consensus views of experts or even agreement among professionals. Grading of weight of evidence not of scientific expertise is pervasive in all the recommendations or consensus meetings of health authorities or learned societies. This approach would stimulate research and product innovation as industrials would see a positive return on investment. The transition from an all-or-nothing system of health claims to a system graded by weight of evidence would be an alternative to the current system. This approach would be more consistent with the rationale of European Regulation which aims both to provide consumers with the best possible information by giving them the opportunity to exercise their free will in full knowledge of the facts and to promote research that meets sound scientific and medical grounds providing a basis for such information.