Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS) sets up a Department of Health Research to provide evidence-based research on nutrition and fitness
New Delhi: Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS), the largest online fitness institute, has set up a Department of Health Research to promote evidence-based research in nutrition and fitness. This department will be focussing on providing scientific learning, address health issues, upgrade skills of health professionals as well as collaborate with national and international institutes.
The Department of Health Research will be concentrating on one topic every quarter and the themes for the upcoming year are evidence-based review on immunity, nutrition labelling, macronutrient intake and metabolic disorders.
Commenting on the launch of the Department of Health Research, Jyoti Dabas, Founder and CEO, INFS, said, “There is a lot of information as well as misinformation being floated in the public domain related to health and fitness. By focussing on various themes, we are simplifying the terminologies for everyone to understand the need to focus on overall wellbeing. This department will help the larger community to rely on evidence-based study being conducted by our team.”
Commencing with immunity, the department reviewed 51 articles of which 31 were selected based on pre-decided criteria. For this review, only human studies on immunity were considered highlighting guidelines for adults and papers published after 2005 were reviewed. Post the study, it was concluded that the habits weakening immunity were stress, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, consuming excessive processed foods, and alcohol above daily limit. Immunity must be finely balanced by focusing on making long-term changes and building positive habits in our lifestyle. There should not be an over-reliance on supplements. Increasing immunity through physical exercise, consuming balanced nutrition, and taking care of factors like sleep, hydration and stress should be the big picture focus.
Dr. Shunmukha Priya, Research Supervisor and Faculty, INFS, said, “We are elated to launch the Department of Health Research as it will help our students, faculty as well as health and fitness enthusiasts who are looking for evidence-based study. Every quarter we will distill facts for the community on leading topics in nutrition and fitness. In the future, we will also replicate studies in these fields with Indian subjects to confirm the effect size for people from the Indian subcontinent. We hope to reach far and wide with our research to support the wellness revolution and thus improve the lives of millions.”
The Department of Health Research has been introduced keeping in mind INFS’s mission to provide enthusiasts with excellent education that is scientifically proven, and research based.
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