Presenter: Aileen Burford-Mason, PhD

The New Nutrition Webinar Series, which has been running each Spring and Fall since 2003, is an up-to-date exploration of the critical role diet and supplements play in maintaining the health of our bodies and brains.

Present-day diets often fail to provide enough of the essential nutrients—fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals—needed for peak performance. The New Nutrition examines how the body relies on these nutrients to carry out vital functions, such as converting food into energy, regulating blood pressure, promoting restful sleep, and preventing chronic conditions like memory loss and age-related bone deterioration.

The webinars are designed to be useful to a broad audience. The series breaks down complex nutritional science into practical, easy-to-understand information, offering actionable advice on optimizing diet and supplements for better health. Webinar content is rooted in the latest scientific research, and will appeal to both laypersons and health professionals seeking timely, evidence-based insights into the rapidly evolving field of nutrition.

1. Vitamin D, Mood and Immunity: The Sunshine Vitamin’s Role in Mental Health and Immune Resilience

Best known for its role in bone health, vitamin D is also critically important for immunity and brain health. Low levels are linked to depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and increased risk of infection, especially in winter. This webinar explores how vitamin D supports mood and immune defenses, and offers practical guidance on recognizing and correcting deficiency.

2. High Cholesterol: Can It Be Controlled Without Medication?

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, yet medication may not be the only approach to cholesterol control. This webinar reviews the evidence for non-pharmaceutical approaches, including diet and lifestyle changes and the use of carefully curated nutritional supplements, and considers when lifestyle measures may not be sufficient and medication is warranted.

3. Should Everyone Avoid Gluten?

Gluten-free diets are hotly debated as a dietary approach to better health, especially digestive health. While everyone agrees that that with those with celiac disease must avoid gluten, growing evidence suggests that gluten and other wheat proteins may also affect individuals without celiac disease. This webinar will explore the science behind non-celiac gluten sensitivity, who benefits from a gluten-free diet and provide practical guidance on identifying and managing gluten-related health issues.

4. Those Senior Moments: Nutritional Links to Better Memory

Memory lapses are often dismissed as an inevitable part of aging, but growing evidence suggests that nutrition plays a vital role in supporting brain health and preventing memory decline. This webinar will review the substantial amount of recent research linking memory decline with inadequate nutrition, and show how dietary patterns and specific supplements can help preserve cognitive function, reduce the risk of decline, and support sharper memory at any age in life.