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United European Gastroenterology Journal Sep 2023Lifestyle modification comprising calorie restriction (CR) and increased physical activity enabling weight loss is the first-line of treatment for non-alcoholic fatty... (Review)
Review
Lifestyle modification comprising calorie restriction (CR) and increased physical activity enabling weight loss is the first-line of treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, CR alone is not optimal and evidence suggests that dietary pattern and composition are also critical in NAFLD management. Accordingly, high consumption of red and processed meat, saturated fat, added sugar, and sweetened beverages are associated with an increased risk of developing NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma, while other foods and compounds such as fish, olive oil, and polyphenols are, in contrast, beneficial for metabolic disorders. Therefore, several dietary interventions have been studied in order to determine which strategy would be the most beneficial for NAFLD. The evidence regarding the effectiveness of different dietary interventions such as low carbohydrate/low-fat diet, time-restricted eating diet, CR, and the well-studied Mediterranean diet is summarized.
Topics: Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Exercise; Weight Loss; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Patterns
PubMed: 37491835
DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12443 -
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Mar 2024The Mediterranean diet, which was born in the Mediterranean basin, was initially quite poor and simple, essentially based on the products that grew almost spontaneously... (Review)
Review
The Mediterranean diet, which was born in the Mediterranean basin, was initially quite poor and simple, essentially based on the products that grew almost spontaneously along the shores of the Mediterranean, i.e., olives, grapes, and wheat, which were long cultivated in the Mediterranean region. The invasions of the Roman Empire by barbarian populations, between 400 and 800 AD, made the diet enriched with products from wild uncultivated areas, meat from game and pigs, and vegetables. With the arrival of the Arabs in southern Italy in the ninth century, the focus of the diet shifted to carbohydrates, particularly to dried pasta and to other new ingredients. The Arabs primarily brought a new imaginative spirit to the kitchen by introducing and using an infinity of condiments and seasonings. The discovery of the Americas and the arrival of new ingredients from the New World brought the final adjustments to the Mediterranean diet: new meat (turkey), new vegetables (potatoes, broad beans, corn, tomatoes,) new fruits (strawberries, pineapples, coconuts, peanuts), chocolate, coffee and sugar completed the list of components of the Mediterranean diet as we know it today.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Diet, Mediterranean; Diet; Vegetables; Fruit; Mediterranean Region; Italy
PubMed: 38520653
DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02686-3 -
PloS One 2023A substantial body of evidence points to the heritability of dietary preferences. While vegetarianism has been practiced for millennia in various societies, its...
A substantial body of evidence points to the heritability of dietary preferences. While vegetarianism has been practiced for millennia in various societies, its practitioners remain a small minority of people worldwide, and the role of genetics in choosing a vegetarian diet is not well understood. Dietary choices involve an interplay between the physiologic effects of dietary items, their metabolism, and taste perception, all of which are strongly influenced by genetics. In this study, we used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify loci associated with strict vegetarianism in UK Biobank participants. Comparing 5,324 strict vegetarians to 329,455 controls, we identified one SNP on chromosome 18 that is associated with vegetarianism at the genome-wide significant level (rs72884519, β = -0.11, P = 4.997 x 10-8), and an additional 201 suggestively significant variants. Four genes are associated with rs72884519: TMEM241, RIOK3, NPC1, and RMC1. Using the Functional Mapping and Annotation (FUMA) platform and the Multi-marker Analysis of GenoMic Annotation (MAGMA) tool, we identified 34 genes with a possible role in vegetarianism, 3 of which are GWAS-significant based on gene-level analysis: RIOK3, RMC1, and NPC1. Several of the genes associated with vegetarianism, including TMEM241, NPC1, and RMC1, have important functions in lipid metabolism and brain function, raising the possibility that differences in lipid metabolism and their effects on the brain may underlie the ability to subsist on a vegetarian diet. These results support a role for genetics in choosing a vegetarian diet and open the door to future studies aimed at further elucidating the physiologic pathways involved in vegetarianism.
Topics: Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Diet, Vegetarian; Diet; Diet, Vegan; Brain
PubMed: 37792698
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291305 -
European Journal of Cancer Prevention :... Nov 2023The prevalence of cancer is rising globally, and it is the second leading cause of death. Nutrition has an important influence on the risk of developing cancer.... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of cancer is rising globally, and it is the second leading cause of death. Nutrition has an important influence on the risk of developing cancer. Moreover, changes in the gut microbiota are connected to the risk of developing cancer and are critical for sustaining immunity. Various studies have shown that intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet, and the Mediterranean diet are effective therapies in changing the intestinal microbiota, the prevention of cancer, and the improvement of tolerance to treatment in cancer patients. Although there is not enough evidence to show that the ketogenic diet is effective in changing the intestinal microbiota in a manner that could prevent cancer, intermittent fasting and the Mediterranean diet could positively affect composition of intestinal microbiota against cancer. In addition, the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, and the Mediterranean diet have the potential to stimulate anticarcinogenic pathways, and they might increase cancer patients' quality of life according to scientific evidence. In this review, we represent and argue recent scientific data on relationship between intermittent fasting, the ketogenic diet, and the Mediterranean diet, intestinal microbiota, cancer prevention and cancer treatment.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Ketogenic; Diet, Mediterranean; Intermittent Fasting; Quality of Life; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37401519
DOI: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000820 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Sep 2023Hypertension (HT) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular and premature death around the world. Diet is one of the important factors that contributes to the... (Review)
Review
Hypertension (HT) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular and premature death around the world. Diet is one of the important factors that contributes to the development of HT. We review the current evidence of how different dietary factors may influence blood pressure (BP) and consequent development of HT. There is evidence that BP is positively associated with higher consumption of sodium, alcohol, animal-based protein such as red meat, low-quality carbohydrates such as sugar-sweetened beverages, and saturated fatty acids. On the contrary, other dietary constituents have BP-lowering effects. These include potassium, calcium, magnesium, yogurt, eggs, plant-based proteins such as soy and legumes, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and high-quality carbohydrates such as whole grain and fruits. Dietary fibre is unrelated to BP lowering, possibly due to the different mechanisms of various types of fibre. The effects of caffeine, hibiscus tea, pomegranate, and sesame on BP are also unclear as evidence is hard to assess due to the varying concentrations and different types of drinks used in studies. Implementing dietary changes such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet) or adopting a Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce and control BP. Although the effect of diet on BP control has been established, the optimal amount of each dietary component and consequent ability to devise a personalized diet for HT prevention and BP control for different populations still require further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hypertension; Blood Pressure; Diet, Mediterranean; Carbohydrates; Diet
PubMed: 37286197
DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgad021 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Nov 2023Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) is effective for weight loss and glycaemic control in humans. Here, the study aimed to explore the effects of LCD/high-fat diet (HFD) in both...
BACKGROUND
Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) is effective for weight loss and glycaemic control in humans. Here, the study aimed to explore the effects of LCD/high-fat diet (HFD) in both humans and mice.
METHODS
Twenty-two overweight or obese participants received LCD for 3 weeks. Based on carbohydrate intake > 10% or ≤ 10% of calories, the participants were divided into moderate LCD (MLCD) and very LCD (VLCD) groups. The participants completed a 10-question food preference survey. Meanwhile, C57BL/6J mice were assigned to five groups: chow diet (CD, 10% fat), HFD with 60%, 70%, and 75% fat from cocoa butter (HFD-C), and HFD with 60% fat from lard (HFD-L) and fed for 24 weeks. Eight mice were acclimatised for the food-choice test.
RESULTS
LCD decreased the total energy intake in humans. The VLCD group showed greater weight loss and better glycaemic control than the MLCD group. A food preference survey showed that 65% of participants tended to choose high-carbohydrate foods. In mice, HFD resulted in energy overconsumption, obesity, and metabolic disorders. When CD and HFD-L were administered simultaneously, mice rarely consumed CD. In the HFD-C groups, the energy intake and body weight increased with increasing dietary fat content. Compared with the HFD-C group, the HFD-L group consumed more energy and had poorer metabolism.
CONCLUSIONS
Lower carbohydrate intake contributed to lower energy intake and improved metabolism in humans. In mice, diets with a higher proportion of fat become more attractive and obesogenic by fixing the fat sources. Since the mice preferred lard to cocoa butter, lard induced excess energy intake and poorer metabolism. Different food preferences may be the underlying mechanism behind the opposite effects of the LCD/HFD in humans and mice.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The clinical trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ). The registration number is ChiCTR1800016786. All participants provided written informed consent prior to enrolment.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Obesity; Energy Intake; Weight Loss; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 37950240
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01956-3 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Dec 2023Postpartum depression (PPD) has deleterious effects on both maternal and child outcomes. Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy has been implicated in the development...
OBJECTIVE
Postpartum depression (PPD) has deleterious effects on both maternal and child outcomes. Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy has been implicated in the development of PPD. This review aimed to explore the association between the overall dietary intake patterns during pregnancy and the development of PPD.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases for relevant randomized controlled trials, cohort and cross-sectional studies published up to 17th September 2020. Included studies assessed at least one dietary pattern during pregnancy and reported on PPD. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of methodology. A narrative analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
Ten studies (eight cohort and two cross-sectional) were included with substantial heterogeneity in measurements of dietary intake exposures and PPD. The studies identified several types of healthy dietary patterns, including a 'healthy', 'health conscious', 'Japanese', 'high-glycemic index/glycemic load', 'Vegetable', 'Nut-Fruit', 'Seafood', and 'compliance with the Australian Dietary Guidelines'. The 'Western', 'unhealthy', 'Beverage', 'Cereal-Meat', and 'Egg' were labelled as unhealthy dietary patterns. Four of the eight studies showed an inverse association between adherence to healthy diets and risk of PPD, whereas only one of the seven studies showed that adherence to unhealthy diets was associated with increased risk of PPD. Methodological quality of the studies varied across the sample.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that adherence to a healthy diet may be beneficial for PPD. However, the relationship between unhealthy diets and PPD needs to be corroborated by more high-quality studies.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Australia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression, Postpartum; Diet; Diet, Healthy
PubMed: 37814068
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03781-7 -
BMC Geriatrics Sep 2023It remains unclear whether plant-based or animal-based dietary patterns are more beneficial for older adults more in maintaining muscle mass. Using a prospective cohort...
BACKGROUND
It remains unclear whether plant-based or animal-based dietary patterns are more beneficial for older adults more in maintaining muscle mass. Using a prospective cohort with nationwide sample of China older adults in this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between adhering to plant-based diet patterns or animal-based diet patterns and muscle loss.
METHODS
We included 2771 older adults (≥ 65 years) from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS) with normal muscle mass at baseline (2011 and 2014 waves), which followed up into 2018. Plant-based dietary pattern scores and preference subgroups were constructed using 16 common animal-based and plant-based food frequencies. We used the corrected appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) prediction formula to assess muscle mass. We applied the Cox proportional hazard risk regression to explore associations between dietary patterns and low muscle mass (LMM).
RESULTS
During a mean of 4.1 years follow-up, 234 (8.4%) participants with normal muscle mass at baseline showed LMM. The plant-based dietary pattern reduced the risk of LMM by 5% (Hazard Ratios [HR]: 0.95, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]: 0.92-0.97). In addition, a high plant-based food company with a high animal-based food intake pattern reduced the risk of LMM by 60% (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.240-0.661) and 73% (HR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.11-0.61) in the BADL disability and IADL disability population compared with a low plant-based food and high animal-based food intake, whereas a high plant-based food and low animal-based food intake was more beneficial in reducing the risk of LMM in the normal BADL functioning (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.90) and IADL functioning (HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28-0.91) population.
CONCLUSIONS
When it comes to maintaining muscle mass in older Chinese people with functional independence, a plant-based diet pattern is more beneficial and effective than the animal-based one. People with functional dependence may profit from a combination of plant-based and animal-based diets to minimize muscle loss.
Topics: Humans; Diet; East Asian People; Prospective Studies; Diet, Vegetarian; Aged; Muscular Atrophy; Functional Status; Muscle, Skeletal; Diet, High-Protein
PubMed: 37716958
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04265-7 -
Trends in Microbiology Aug 2023Benefits of fasting and caloric restriction on host metabolic health are well established, but less is known about the effects on the gut microbiome and how this impacts... (Review)
Review
Benefits of fasting and caloric restriction on host metabolic health are well established, but less is known about the effects on the gut microbiome and how this impacts renewal of the intestinal mucosa. What has been repeatedly shown during fasting, however, is that bacteria utilising host-derived substrates proliferate at the expense of those relying on dietary substrates. Considering the increased recognition of the gut microbiome's role in maintaining host (metabolic) health, disentangling host-microbe interactions and establishing their physiological relevance in the context of fasting and caloric restriction is crucial. Such insights could aid in moving away from associations of gut bacterial signatures with metabolic diseases consistently reported in observational studies to potentially establishing causality. Therefore, this review aims to summarise what is currently known or still controversial about the interplay between fasting and caloric restriction, the gut microbiome and intestinal tissue physiology.
Topics: Caloric Restriction; Ecosystem; Fasting; Diet; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 37031065
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.02.009 -
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology... Mar 2024Obesity is defined as a condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fat cells, which results in increased body weight. Worldwide, obesity is progressively on... (Review)
Review
Obesity is defined as a condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fat cells, which results in increased body weight. Worldwide, obesity is progressively on the rise, leading to an increased prevalence of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Obesity is a result of the interplay between genetic, metabolic, social, behavioral, and cultural factors, necessitating an interdisciplinary and multimodal management approach. Diet therapy, which includes dietary modifications and nutritional interventions, is a fundamental component of the multifaceted approach to managing obesity. The principle of diet therapy is based on achieving weight loss through a negative energy balance and maintaining weight through an equilibrium of energy intake and expenditure. Strategies for weight loss and control rely on caloric restriction, macronutrient distribution, and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets. Recently, studies have been conducted on weight control using information and communication technology-based interventions, as well as interventions based on intestinal microorganisms which consider inter-individual variability and long-term adherence. In conclusion, diet therapy stands as a pivotal element in the management of obesity, providing a personalized and comprehensive approach to weight control. By combining evidence-based dietary strategies with behavioral modifications and consistent support, healthcare professionals can enable individuals to attain and sustain a healthier weight, thereby reducing related health risks.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Obesity; Diet; Caloric Restriction; Weight Loss
PubMed: 38522851
DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2024.004