12 November 2024 | Institut Lyfe – Lab. Services, ECULLY France
A changed relationship with food can occur for many reasons, from illness to aging to shifts in the food environment. The impact of this can range from a loss of pleasure in food and eating, to lower food intake and potential undernutrition, to diminished social engagement and even an altered relationships to oneself and the wider world.
Sensory changes trigger disgust in foods once enjoyed, or even from the smell of a loved one. Food that was once delicious is now tasteless. Overall, altered taste and sensing can shift the valence of our encounters with food, cooking and eating, from being easy and enjoyable to being problematic and unpleasant.
Our 4th International Symposium is dedicated to oncology. Sensory alterations in cancer patients are observed in a large proportion of patients during or following the cancer treatments. Taste, smell and somatosensory perception (texture, temperature, and irritating sensations such as spiciness or astringency) have been observed in cancer populations. They impact eating pleasure, appetite, food intake, as well as psychological well-being, quality of life and nutritional status.
Sensory alterations are often not considered a priority in clinical practice so patients may not be adequately informed about the potential side effects or benefits of addressing these sensory changes. Moreover, patients also rarely discuss these issues, further highlighting the need for increased awareness and research in this area.
The symposium will gather most advanced and recent research results from internal experts and will provide a multidisciplinary platform to exchange on current strategies for addressing sensory and food perception alterations through interventions based on potential ingredient/food solutions and culinary tips for patients and family carers.
Who should attend ?
Scientists, chefs, professionals interested in the topic of altered taste, in its multi-sensory consideration, consequences in eating and potential solutions.