Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health

University of Ulster Research Reveals Vitamin Link to Curbing Blood Pressure
University of Ulster nutrition experts say that one in ten people in Northern Ireland, depending on their genes, could significantly lower their blood pressure and, in turn, their risk of heart disease and stroke by increasing their intake of vitamin B2, which is found in dairy products. more

10th May 2012
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Research on the anticancer activity of Irish seaweed wins first prize at the international NutraMara conference held in Dublin 25-26th April 2012.
A study conducted by Ms Sonja Nitecki, a PhD student within the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE) at the University of Ulster won joint first prise at the international ‘NutraMara’ conference which was held in Dublin on the 25-26th April 2012. Sonja’s study showed a reduction in colorectal cancer cell proliferation in cells that were supplemented with extract material from Irish seaweed. The tested seaweed species included brown kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum),oarweed (Laminaria digitata), a common dulse (Palmaria palmata) and a green sea lettuce (Ulva intestinalis). It has been reported that the dietary consumption of some seaweed may have anti-cancer properties. These results add to the growing evidence that Irish sourced seaweeds may have potential in reducing risk factors associated with cancer. The conference, which was attended by over 130 people from across the world, was opened by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, who in his speech expressed appreciation of research on marine bioactives and acknowledged the significance of scientific discoveries in attaining international recognition for the nation. Further information on research within NutraMara can be found at www.nutramara.ie.

So Much Knowledge, So Little Change: Enhancing Our Ability to Persuade the Public to Respond to Evidence Based Recommendations for Nutrition and Physical Activity

Date: 8-9 March 2012 Time: 9.30 am - 2.15 pm Venue: H215, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus

Overall learning objective: to understand the development, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition and health campaigns for behaviour change.

To confirm your place, please contact Dr Alison Gallagher am.gallagher@ulster.ac.uk or Miss Shauna Harte s.harte@ulster.ac.uk before 2 March 2012.

Food Safety: challenges in risk assessment, management & communication

Date: 20-21 June 2012

This 1½ day master class will be delivered by Hans Verhagen (Visiting Professor, RIVM Bilthoven), a leading expert in the area of food toxicology and food safety, together with Dr Barbara Stewart-Knox from NICHE. The purpose of this master class is to provide participants with an understanding of risk assessment of foods and nutrition, and to provide insight as to how various stakeholders can work to improve the assessment and management of food safety risk.

Those interested in attending should contact Dr Alison Gallagher am.gallagher@ulster.ac.uk or Miss Shauna Harte s.harte@ulster.ac.uk by 14 June 2012.