Lab Design ⓟ/ⓦ/Ӕ: The Science of Nutrition (💁)

“Fats are bad.” “Fats are good.” “Fats cause cancer.” “Fats cause heart failure.” Some scientific research has revealed all of these claims to be somewhat true under some circumstances. So…which one is correct?

The USA now leads the world with over 73% of the population either overweight or obese, and over 38% of adults diabetic or pre-diabetic. The EU is not that far behind. It is an epidemiological crisis. 

Imagine you are a leading epidemiologist interested in addressing this crisis. Much of it comes down to a simple, but frustratingly difficult question to answer: Are fats or carbs primarily responsible for this crisis? Design a large-scale investigation to evaluate the effects of fats vs. carbohydrates to try to figure out who the true culprit is in poor nutritional health.

Here is an outline of what you should include: 

• A clearly identified independent variable and dependent variable presented within a clear research question. 
• Clearly defined control variables (as thorough as possible)
• A clearly written methodology – HOW will you obtain the data you need to reach a confident conclusion? 
• A brief discussion of reliability – HOW can you trust the data your investigation will obtain? 
• A brief discussion of the limitations of your experimental design.

This is a challenging task, so here are a few hints to help you along: 

• Time should be a key component of your design – health studies often take years (sometimes decades) to be done well.
• Control variables are notoriously difficult in studies of human nutrition. Think + discuss why – this should have a big impact on your lab design.

Ӕ: The Academy – Carbs & Lipids (💁)

Go here if you need help screen recording videos

Grab a tablet (or a pen + paper), and screencast a Khan Academy-style video of yourself drawing the molecules from 2.1 & 2.3. This video should include ALL of the following: 

• You drawing a ribose molecule
• Include correct numbering of carbons (1-5)
• You drawing an 𝝰-glucose molecule
• Briefly state how glycogen and starch would form from this
• Briefly state difference between 𝝰- and 𝛃-glucose
• You drawing the formation of a disaccharide from 2 monosaccharides
• Include definition of anabolism 
• Include explanation of condensation reactions
• Briefly outline the breakdown of this; including definition of catabolism and hydrolysis
• You drawing a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid
• Point out the carboxyl and methyl groups

ⓟ/ⓦ: The Truth about Carbs and Calories (💁/ 👫 max 3)

From Atkins to Keto, carbs have been at the center of countless diet fads. Some diets declare war on carbs, and keep them out of the diet as much as possible. Is this accurate? Are carbs healthy or unhealthy? Listen to this podcast, then come up with some key inquiry questions to discuss the topic. Here are a few suggestion to get you started: 

• What macromolecules are in whole grains that makes them different from processed grain?
• How whole grains vs. processed grains ultimately affect blood sugar in humans?

Ⓛ: Blubber Mitten (💁/ 👫 max 2)

Lipids are biology’s insulating material. It’s what makes animals like polar bears, penguins, and whales able to survive in such frigid conditions. Complete this lab and get an idea why that is. 

ⓟ/ⓡ (+NOS / +TOK): Death of Trans Fats at 107 – One of Those Times When Science Got it Wrong (💁/ 👫 podcast max 3)

Anyone over the age of 10 has likely consumed trans fats in their life, thinking they were healthy. And why not? When they were first invented, trans fats seemed like a great solution: they greatly helped prevent spoilage of food products, and they tasted just like normal fats. But scientists kept on asking questions, and ultimately the truth was revealed: trans fats are really, really bad for human health. Read this article and respond: 1) What makes trans fats different from unsaturated and saturated fats?  2) Why trans fats are bad for human health; and 3) What do you think about the idea of “science getting it wrong” – should we be more skeptical of science? Should we wait to put new science into practice? Why or why not?

ⓟ/ⓦ (+NOS): How to be a Savvy Consumer of Science News (💁/ 👫 max 3)

It’s easy to get confused about science in the 21st century. Throughout the world, scientists churn out papers at breakneck speed, and journalists try to interpret them with catchy “spitball” headlines. How can you know what is true and what is just clickbait? Listen to the podcast and answer: 1) How the process of science often gets misunderstood from scientist → journalist → public;  2) How the science on saturated fats has been a big player in this confusing realm; and  3) How everyday people can best know which science articles to trust, and which to disregard.  

Lab Analysis ⓟ/ⓦ : Your Ticket to Truth – The Meta-Analysis (💁)

“Fats are bad.” “Fats are good.” “Fats cause cancer.” “Fats cause heart failure.” There is a good chance that some scientific research has revealed all of these claims to be somewhat true under some circumstances. So…which one is correct? The meta-analysis is one of the strongest (and most under-represented) tools the science community has to offer. Go straight to the science and decide for yourself: Read this meta-analysis of several fat-related health studies, and discuss the conclusions made within it. Try to compile a list of good questions (some inquiry-based). Here are a few suggestions to get you started: 

1. What kinds of fats are healthy, and what are not healthy?
2. What is a meta-analysis, and how is it useful for topics (like dietary fats) that often seem confusing or contradictory?
3. Considering how advanced science is, we still have a hard time making conclusions about nutrition and dietary health. Why is this? How are experimental concepts, such as control variables, reliability, and accuracy achieved in these kinds of experiments?  

Extras: 

Puzzle: Evaluating Scientific Claims (💁/ 👫 max 2)

Print out these pages, and cut out the individual statements in the second box (try to disregard the current positioning – they are already in the correct spots). Place the individual statements inside the correct column/row. 

📄(Old School Worksheet): Practice with Carbohydrates 

Complete this worksheet for extra practice with carbohydrates, and this one on lipids. These will both help make you a pro on the topic!

The BMJ’s guidance on dietary fats and cardio health