WASHINGTON — The Grain Foods Foundation has added two members to its scientific advisory board, expanding the areas of specialization for oversight of the scientific accuracy of the foundation’s programs and communications.

The new members are Suzanne Steinbaum, an attending cardiologist and director of Women and Heart Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York; and Gene Bowman, an assistant professor of neurology and a leading researcher at the Layton Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Oregon Health and Science University.

“The decision to expand our scientific advisory board comes after recent assessment of our current expertise against the changing dynamics of the current nutrition and science landscape,” said Christine Cochran, executive director of the G.F.F. “This assessment has led to the engagement of new experts with relevant expertise in the areas of cardiology and neurology to bolster our scientific reach.”

In addition to her work at Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Steinbaum is author of “Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum's Heart Book: Every Woman’s Guide to a Heart Healthy Life.” She is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and an American Heart Association Go Red For Women national spokesperson.

“It is essential for consumers to understand the importance of balance for achieving heart health and that includes diet,” she said. “Whole grains’ contribution to heart health is notable and should be not be overlooked.”

Dr. Bowman’s background includes members in the American Academy of Neurology, American Society for Nutrition, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine. He is an associate editor for the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and review editor for Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

“The impact of diet on cognitive function is an emerging field of research,” he said. “With our aging population, proper nutrition is key developing and maintaining healthy brain function across the life span, and I am excited to work with the Foundation to advance the science.”

Ms. Cochran said the addition of Dr. Steinbaum and Dr. Bowman are important steps as the foundation works to ensure its message is grounded in sound science and moves toward encompassing the “full spectrum of health.” She described cardiology and neurology as two important pieces the foundation was missing.

“Because diet plays such an integral role in whole body and mind health, we are thrilled to have these two experts join our team,” Ms. Cochran said. “Their knowledge will properly equip us to navigate emerging fields of research to better help the consumer separate fact from fiction in what is such a cluttered media landscape.”

Other members of the G.F.F. scientific advisory board include: Glenn Gaesser, chairman, professor and director, exercise and wellness program and director, Healthy Lifestyles Research Center at Arizona State University; Judi Adams, nutrition expert and president of the Wheat Foods Council; Shelley Case, Celiac nutrition expert and author of “Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide”; Marion J. Franz, director of nutrition and health Professional Education at the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis; Ronald Kleinman, chief, pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Massachusetts General Hospital; Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger, founder of Hispanic Food Communications; Julie Miller Jones, professor emeritus at St. Catherine University; and Bruce Young, Silverman Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, York University School of Medicine.