Healthy Eyes at Every Age

Eye health was the focus of some speakers at the Institute of Food Technologists meeting in Chicago in July when they discussed an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in human wellness. Unfortunately, few people have heard of it and fewer still are eating enough of it. “Choline is an essential but widely under-consumed nutrient, ” says Catherine Adams Hutt, registered dietician and science and nutrition advisor to The Choline Information Council®.
“Only children typically get enough choline and most adults, including pregnant and lactating women, don’t get as much choline as they need. Just as choline is essential in the development of the brain, it is also critical for the development of the mechanics of our eyes,” she adds.
The Institute of Medicine defined choline as an essential nutrient in 1998, but according to recent nutrition studies, about 90% of Americans (especially adolescents, adults, and the elderly) are not getting as much choline as scientists like Dr. Steven Zeisel, Director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) in Kannapolis, NC recommend. Continue reading.

Last Chances This Summer to Tour the NRI


Find out where scientific discovery takes place during this summer’s special tours of the UNC NRI.
Tours feature the Human Research Core, and a state-of-the-art laboratory of one of our world-class scientists. Summertime tours are offered two Tuesdays a month, once at 1:00 in the afternoon and once at 7:00 in the evening. Tours are limited to 16 people. Registration required.

Date Time
August 4 7 PM
August 18 1 PM

The NRI is located at 500 Laureate Way, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Cooking for Nourishment

cookingjwusquareOn September 15, we will take AFL on the road. In collaboration with Johnson & Wales University, we are pleased to present a very special event at the JWU campus in Center City Charlotte. Peter Rinehart, Chef on Assignment, will team with NRI nutrition expert, Itzel Vazquez-Vidal, Ph.D., to demonstrate delicious, healthy cooking while sharing tips for consuming a balanced nutritious diet. Learn more and register today