This review focuses on national and subnational Mediterranean diet (MD) and Nordic diet (ND) interventions and policies in the WHO European Region. In the context of increasing noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden and unhealthy diets, there is a need to continue identifying optimal, evidence-informed diets and interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs. The MD and ND have been identified as region-specific healthy diets. To support decision-makers in shaping context-specific diet and nutrition policies, this review provides a summary of the NCD burden and activities in the Region; outlines the NCD-related health benefits of the MD and ND; describes interventions and policies in 15 countries; reviews four identified studies into the effectiveness of MD and ND policies on NCD outcomes; and discusses policy implications and options. In the context of MD and ND interventions for NCDs, there remains a Region-wide need to increase translation of evidence into action, monitor and evaluate the impact of existing policies on NCD outcomes and share activities through public platforms to support information sharing.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR QUALITY SLEEP 'In her brilliant new book Mikhail delivers accessible science to help you take back control of your bedtime and your sleep' Psychologies Are you suffering from chronic insomnia, an erratic sleep pattern or do you simply feel that your sleep isn't as deep and restorative as it should be? Then struggle no more. Teach Yourself to Sleep is the new, sustainable solution that you have been waiting for. After decades of trying traditional methods to cure her poor sleep, the chance reading of a book by her great-great uncle, a pioneer in cognitive therapy and clinical hypnosis, led chronic insomniac Kate Mikhail to research the science of sleep and the mind-body loop, and develop the tried-and-tested methods that have finally enabled her to take control of her sleep and wake up feeling rested and energised. In Teach Yourself to Sleep, Kate shares her approach, blending first-person experience with accessible sleep science and interviews with leading doctors, scientists and academics, as well as highly effective sleep 'scripts' provided exclusively for this book by sleep experts. Teach Yourself to Sleep will help you to view sleep in a wider, deeper context by revealing that its quality is inseparably woven into the way you spend your day - not an add-on that comes out of nowhere as night descends. Considering sleep from every angle - from the role of biology-based self-talk in reinforcing better sleep habits, to fixing your sleep-wake cycle through the right balance of light and darkness, and when, what and how to eat for the best sleep possible - this book will help you to understand your sleep better and give you the tools to take control and finally begin to get the sleep you need.

Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Provides accurate and well-documented information on the impact of diet and physical activity in the prevention and management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and healthy aging. This authoritative textbook examines the independent and combined impact of diet and physical activity in the prevention and management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, with special emphasis on the elderly populations. In this book the authors: Provide the latest data on the association between a suboptimal diet and physical inactivity and chronic disease. Examine the role of epigenetics on longevity. Discuss the fundamentals of healthy aging. Highlight the role of well-known dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet and the Nordic diet in favorable health outcomes, including cardiovascular, metabolic health, and healthy aging. Discuss the health outcomes of physical activity and healthy aging. Present the most recent evidence-based data on the independent and synergistic impact of diet and exercise on disease prevention and management including, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, kidney failure, cancer and other conditions. Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease: Diet, Physical Activity and Healthy Aging is an excellent textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in medical and health-related disciplines and for health professionals, including dietitians and nutritionists, exercise physiologists, athletic trainers, nurses, physicians, geriatricians, and other health professionals with a special focus in older adults. This book is also a highly useful reference for health professionals interested in introducing diet and physical activity as an intervention for healthy aging as well as the prevention and management of cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases that are prevalent in aging populations.

This reference work provides comprehensive information about the bioactive molecules presented in our daily food and their effect on the physical and mental state of our body. Although the concept of functional food is new, the consumption of selected food to attain a specific effect existed already in ancient civilizations, namely of China and India. Consumers are now more attentive to food quality, safety and health benefits, and the food industry is led to develop processed- and packaged-food, particularly in terms of calories, quality, nutritional value and bioactive molecules. This book covers the entire range of bioactive molecules presented in daily food, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, isoflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, bioactive molecules presented in wine, beer and cider. Concepts like French paradox, Mediterranean diet, healthy diet of eating fruits and vegetables, vegan and vegetarian diet, functional foods are described with suitable case studies. Readers will also discover a very timely compilation of methods for bioactive molecules analysis. Written by highly renowned scientists of the field, this reference work appeals to a wide readership, from graduate students, scholars, researchers in the field of botany, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology and food industry to those involved in manufacturing, processing and marketing of value-added food products.

Considering the detrimental environmental impact of current food systems, and the concerns raised about their sustainability, there is an urgent need to promote diets that are healthy and have low environmental impacts. These diets also need to be socio-culturally acceptable and economically accessible for all. Acknowledging the existence of diverging views on the concepts of sustainable diets and healthy diets, countries have requested guidance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on what constitutes sustainable healthy diets. These guiding principles take a holistic approach to diets; they consider international nutrition recommendations; the environmental cost of food production and consumption; and the adaptability to local social, cultural and economic contexts. This publication aims to support the efforts of countries as they work to transform food systems to deliver on sustainable healthy diets, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs at country level, especially Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 13 (Climate Action).

Phytochemistry is the branch of science that deals with the study of plant-derived chemicals or compounds, which are also known as phytochemicals or plant-derived secondary metabolites. Plants are known to produce phytochemicals that are essential for their growth and reproduction, as they protect them from insects, pathogens, and herbivores. Some of the major groups of plant-derived secondary metabolites are phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannin etc. Plant-derived phytochemicals are pharmacologically active and have the potential to cure various human diseases and disorders. Natural plant products have been known for their medicinal properties for untold years, and form the basis of several medicinal systems such as Chinese, Unani, and Ayurvedic Medicine. This book offers an essential introduction to phytochemicals and their synthetic analogues. It discusses various in silico approaches used to identify pharmacologically active phytochemicals and their biological activities, as well as in vitro and in vivo models/assays that have been utilized for the pharmacological profiling of plant-derived products to combat cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. The intended audience includes upper-level undergraduate and graduate students; researchers and scientists from the pharmaceutical/food chemistry/nutrition sciences/biochemistry, and clinical biochemistry fields; and medical students. Sharing the latest findings, the book will familiarize these readers with the concepts, chemistry, and tremendous potential of phytochemistry.