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Nutrients Nov 2023The scientific discourse on vegan diets for children and adolescents primarily involves referencing position statement papers from different scientific and professional... (Review)
Review
The scientific discourse on vegan diets for children and adolescents primarily involves referencing position statement papers from different scientific and professional organizations, including paediatric associations. Over the past two decades, specialized associations have issued official statements and published position papers about adopting well-designed vegan diets during crucial life stages, including pregnancy and lactation, infancy, and childhood. A subset of these associations firmly supports the notion that a well-designed vegan diet can indeed be healthy and support normal growth and development during particularly delicate life stages, emphasizing careful planning, vitamin B12 supplementation, and regular supervised medical and dietetics oversight. In contrast, specific paediatric associations caution against vegan diets for children and adolescents, citing potential harm and the lack of adequate substantiation. These criticisms in position papers frequently point to lower-quality studies and/or outdated studies. Additionally, concerns extend to comparing vegan and omnivorous diets, considering public health issues such as obesity and early stages of cardiovascular disease as well as the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Notably, some scepticism stems from studies where children's adherence to a well-designed vegan diet is incomplete. Scientific rigor suggests performing a comparable assessment of omnivorous and vegan diets. This narrative review highlights the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date literature review to inform balanced perspectives on vegan diets for children and adolescents. Researchers and decision-makers should aim to actively improve the design and consistent implementation of both diet types.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Nutritional Requirements; Vegans
PubMed: 38004109
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224715 -
Nutrients Jan 2024Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is crucial for ensuring the good health of mothers and babies. Despite the high energy and nutrient demands of breastfeeding,... (Review)
Review
Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is crucial for ensuring the good health of mothers and babies. Despite the high energy and nutrient demands of breastfeeding, lactating women are often vulnerable from a nutritional perspective. The nutritional focus during breastfeeding tends to be on the newborn, often neglecting the mother's diet. Therefore, in the present narrative review, nutrient intakes were compared with the dietary reference values (DRVs) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as well as by the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). In the diets of lactating mothers, dietary inadequacies were observed in the intake of some vitamins, such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D, and in the intake of certain minerals like calcium, iron, and iodine; polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, primarily in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were also observed. On the other hand, the debate on the necessity of supplementation during lactation continues; the need for nutritional supplementation during lactation depends on many factors, such us mothers' eating habits. There seems to be a positive association between nutritional supplementation of the lactating mother and the concentration of certain nutrients in human milk. The present narrative review provides an update on the nutritional status (fatty acids and micronutrients) of breastfeeding mothers and the impact of diet and dietary supplementation on human milk composition.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Breast Feeding; Lactation; Nutritional Status; Diet; Vitamins; Dietary Supplements; Vitamin A; Mothers
PubMed: 38276540
DOI: 10.3390/nu16020301 -
Microbiome Aug 2023Upper small intestinal dietary lipids activate a gut-brain axis regulating energy homeostasis. The prebiotic, oligofructose (OFS) improves body weight and adiposity...
BACKGROUND
Upper small intestinal dietary lipids activate a gut-brain axis regulating energy homeostasis. The prebiotic, oligofructose (OFS) improves body weight and adiposity during metabolic dysregulation but the exact mechanisms remain unknown. This study examines whether alterations to the small intestinal microbiota following OFS treatment improve small intestinal lipid-sensing to regulate food intake in high fat (HF)-fed rats.
RESULTS
In rats fed a HF diet for 4 weeks, OFS supplementation decreased food intake and meal size within 2 days, and reduced body weight and adiposity after 6 weeks. Acute (3 day) OFS treatment restored small intestinal lipid-induced satiation during HF-feeding, and was associated with increased small intestinal CD36 expression, portal GLP-1 levels and hindbrain neuronal activation following a small intestinal lipid infusion. Transplant of the small intestinal microbiota from acute OFS treated donors into HF-fed rats also restored lipid-sensing mechanisms to lower food intake. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that both long and short-term OFS altered the small intestinal microbiota, increasing Bifidobacterium relative abundance. Small intestinal administration of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum to HF-fed rats improved small intestinal lipid-sensing to decrease food intake.
CONCLUSION
OFS supplementation rapidly modulates the small intestinal gut microbiota, which mediates improvements in small intestinal lipid sensing mechanisms that control food intake to improve energy homeostasis. Video Abstract.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Obesity; Body Weight; Dietary Fats; Diet, High-Fat
PubMed: 37533066
DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01590-2 -
Journal of Mother and Child Jun 2023Increased uptake of essential fatty acids during pregnancy through seafood and supplementation has been shown to positively correlate with gestational age and increased... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Increased uptake of essential fatty acids during pregnancy through seafood and supplementation has been shown to positively correlate with gestational age and increased infant birth weight. We aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal dietary intake of essential fatty acids, supplementation on gestational period and infant birth weight.
MATERIALS
A literature search with the help of various databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus was conducted.
METHODS
Original research articles and intervention-based studies, which involve an association between dietary intake and supplementation of essential fatty acids during full-term pregnancy on human infant birth outcomes and published from 2011 to 2021, were included.
RESULTS
In total, there were 21 intervention-based studies, including full-term pregnant women with or without existing comorbidities, which compared essential fatty acids in the form of dietary sources and supplementation with dietary counseling and with or without placebo. The intervention trials included in this review were conducted in developed and developing countries. Half of the pregnant women who enrolled in the study had comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, which might increase their risk of adverse maternal and infant birth outcomes. Most of the studies included in the review have reported a positive association between improvised dietary and supplementation intake of essential fatty acids with increased length of gestation, infant birth weight and other parameters such as head circumference, infant birth length and growth velocity.
CONCLUSION
Positive correlations were found between increased consumption of essential fatty acids in food sources and supplements with improvised infant birth weight and gestational period.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Infant; Female; Birth Weight; Dietary Supplements; Diet; Pregnant Women; Fatty Acids, Essential
PubMed: 37843970
DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-22-00052 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023Single amino acid (AA) supplementations in foods are increasing, however their potential nutritional and physiological impacts are not fully understood. This study...
Single amino acid (AA) supplementations in foods are increasing, however their potential nutritional and physiological impacts are not fully understood. This study examined the effects of L-lysine (Lys) supplementation on protein quality of diets, serum AA concentrations and associations between the ratio of supplemental Lys to dietary protein (X) with body weight gain (BWG) in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Rats were fed one of 10 diets containing either 7% or 20% casein and supplemented with 0% (Control), 1.5%, 3%, 6% Lys or 6% Lys + 3% L-arginine (Arg) (8 rats/diet group) for 1 week. Lys supplementation reduced the protein quality of the casein-based diets (p < 0.01). BWG was reduced by supplemental Lys when X > 0.18. Free Lys supplementation dose-dependently increased serum Lys levels (p < 0.01), while increased protein-bound Lys (1.4% vs 0.52%) had little effect on serum Lys (p > 0.05). In the 7% casein diets, ≥ 1.5% supplemental Lys reduced serum alanine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, serine, tyrosine, valine, carnitine, ornithine, and increased urea. Supplementation of ≥ 3% Lys additionally reduced tryptophan and increased histidine, methionine and α-aminoadipic acid (α-AAA) compared to the Control (p < 0.05). In the 20% casein diets, addition of ≥ 1.5% Lys reduced serum asparagine and threonine, and ≥ 3% Lys reduced leucine, proline, tryptophan, valine, and ornithine, and 6% Lys reduced carnitine, and increased histidine, methionine, and α-AAA. Overall, this study showed that free Lys supplementation in a Lys-sufficient diet reduced the protein quality of the diets and modified the serum concentrations of many amino acids. Excess free Lys intake adversely affected growth and utilization of nutrients due to AA imbalance or antagonism. Overall lower protein intake increases susceptibility to the adverse effects of Lys supplementation.
Topics: Male; Animals; Rats; Lysine; Tryptophan; Leucine; Caseins; Histidine; Asparagine; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Dietary Supplements; Amino Acids; Diet; Methionine; Dietary Proteins; Weight Gain; Valine; Racemethionine; Carnitine; Ornithine
PubMed: 37968448
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47321-3 -
European Journal of Nutrition Oct 2023Maternal dietary choline has a central role in foetal brain development and may be associated with later cognitive function. However, many countries are reporting lower...
BACKGROUND
Maternal dietary choline has a central role in foetal brain development and may be associated with later cognitive function. However, many countries are reporting lower than recommended intake of choline during pregnancy.
METHODS
Dietary choline was estimated using food frequency questionnaires in pregnant women participating in population-derived birth cohort, the Barwon Infant Study (BIS). Dietary choline is reported as the sum of all choline-containing moieties. Serum total choline-containing compounds (choline-c), phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics in the third trimester. The main form of analysis was multivariable linear regression.
RESULTS
The mean daily dietary choline during pregnancy was 372 (standard deviation (SD) 104) mg/day. A total of 236 women (23%) had adequate choline intake (440 mg/day) based on the Australian and New Zealand guidelines, and 27 women (2.6%) took supplemental choline ([Formula: see text] 50 mg/dose) daily during pregnancy. The mean serum choline-c in pregnant women was 3.27 (SD 0.44) mmol/l. Ingested choline and serum choline-c were not correlated (R) = - 0.005, p = 0.880. Maternal age, maternal weight gain in pregnancy, and a pregnancy with more than one infant were associated with higher serum choline-c, whereas gestational diabetes and environmental tobacco smoke during preconception and pregnancy were associated with lower serum choline-c. Nutrients or dietary patterns were not associated with variation in serum choline-c.
CONCLUSION
In this cohort, approximately one-quarter of women met daily choline recommendations during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to understand the potential impact of low dietary choline intake during pregnancy on infant cognition and metabolic intermediaries.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Choline; Australia; Eating; Diet; Pregnant Women
PubMed: 37378694
DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03186-w -
Nutrients Nov 2023Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the first cause of mortality globally. Diet plays a fundamental role in cardiovascular health and is closely linked to the... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the first cause of mortality globally. Diet plays a fundamental role in cardiovascular health and is closely linked to the development of CVD. Numerous human studies have provided evidence on the relationship between diet and CVD. By discussing the available findings on the dietary components that potentially influence CVD progression and prevention, this review attempted to provide the current state of evidence on healthy dietary choices for CVD. We focus on the effects of individual macronutrients, whole food products, and dietary patterns on the risks of CVD, and the data from population-based trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses are summarized. Unhealthy dietary habits, such as high intake of saturated fatty acids, sugar-sweetened beverages, red meat, and processed meat as well as high salt intake are associated with the increased risk of CVD. Conversely, increased consumption of plant-based components such as dietary fiber, nuts, fruits, and vegetables is shown to be effective in reducing CVD risk factors. The Mediterranean diet appears to be one of the most evidence-based dietary patterns beneficial for CVD prevention. However, there is still great debate regarding whether the supplementation of vitamins and minerals confers cardioprotective benefits. This review provides new insights into the role of dietary factors that are harmful or protective in CVD, which can be adopted for improved cardiovascular health.
Topics: Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Fruit; Diet, Mediterranean; Nutrients; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38068756
DOI: 10.3390/nu15234898 -
Nutrients Jan 2024Over recent decades, a growing body of evidence has emerged linking the composition of the gut microbiota to sleep regulation. Interestingly, the prevalence of sleep... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Over recent decades, a growing body of evidence has emerged linking the composition of the gut microbiota to sleep regulation. Interestingly, the prevalence of sleep disorders is commonly related to cardiometabolic comorbidities such as diabetes, impaired lipid metabolism, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this complex scenario, the role of the gut-brain axis as the main communicating pathway between gut microbiota and sleep regulation pathways in the brain reveals some common host-microbial biomarkers in both sleep disturbances and MetS. As the biological mechanisms behind this complex interacting network of neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways are not fully understood yet, the present systematic review aims to describe common microbial features between these two unrelated chronic conditions.
RESULTS
This systematic review highlights a total of 36 articles associating the gut microbial signature with MetS or sleep disorders. Specific emphasis is given to studies evaluating the effect of dietary patterns, dietary supplementation, and probiotics on MetS or sleep disturbances.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietary choices promote microbial composition and metabolites, causing both the amelioration and impairment of MetS and sleep homeostasis.
Topics: Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Brain-Gut Axis; Probiotics; Diet; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Dysbiosis
PubMed: 38337675
DOI: 10.3390/nu16030390 -
The Chinese Journal of Physiology 2023Acute body mass loss before competitions in combat sports usually leads to loss in fat-free mass. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to increase... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute body mass loss before competitions in combat sports usually leads to loss in fat-free mass. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to increase skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength in various muscle wasting conditions. This study investigated the effect of HMB supplementation on body composition and sport-specific performance in well-trained boxers consuming a hypocaloric diet. Twelve male college boxers were divided into the HMB and placebo (PLA) groups using a body weight-matched single-blind parallel design. The study comprised a 6-day weight loss period (days 1-6), followed by a 3-day competition period (days 7-9). The participants in both the groups consumed 16 kcal/kg/day, including 1.6-1.7 g/kg of carbohydrates, 1.2-1.3 g/kg of protein, and 0.45-0.5 g/kg of fat during the 9-day period. The HMB group consumed 3 g/day HMB. Body composition measurement, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and a simulated boxing match were performed at baseline and on days 7, 8, and 9. Fasting blood samples were collected on the day before day 1 and on days 7, 8, and 9. Body mass was significantly decreased after the 6-day weight loss period (HMB group: baseline: 69.4 ± 11.2 kg, day 7: 67.1 ± 11.2 kg; PLA group: baseline: 68.6 ± 12.1 kg, day 7: 65.7 ± 11.5 kg, P < 0.05) while it was unchanged on the 3-day competition period in both the groups. Fat-free mass in the HMB group was maintained throughout the 9-day period (baseline: 56.7 ± 9.3 kg, day 7: 56.3 ± 8.7 kg, day 9: 55.8 ± 9.5 kg) whereas it significantly decreased on days 7 and 9 compared to the baseline in the PLA group (baseline: 55.2 ± 6.4 kg, day 7: 54.1 ± 6.6 kg, day 9: 54.0 ± 6.6 kg, P < 0.05). In the PLA group, the average and maximal heart rates in round 1 and the average heart rate in round 2 on days 8 and 9 were significantly lower than those at baseline, while these parameters were unchanged in the HMB group. The maximal force and the rate of force development in the IMTP remained unchanged among the different timepoints in both the groups. The blood biochemical parameters were similar at any timepoint between the PLA and HMB groups. HMB supplementation during acute weight loss may preserve fat-free mass and maintain heart rate response in subsequent simulated matches in well-trained boxers. In addition, HMB supplementation had a nonsignificant effect on glucose, fat, and protein metabolism during energy restriction.
Topics: Humans; Male; Body Composition; Diet, Reducing; Dietary Supplements; Muscle, Skeletal; Obesity; Polyesters; Single-Blind Method; Weight Loss
PubMed: 38149561
DOI: 10.4103/cjop.CJOP-D-23-00074 -
Cell Host & Microbe Dec 2023Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal-related deaths in children, especially in resource-poor settings. It also targets the immunocompromised, chronically...
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal-related deaths in children, especially in resource-poor settings. It also targets the immunocompromised, chronically infecting people living with HIV and primary immunodeficiencies. There is no vaccine or effective treatment. Although it is known from human cases and animal models that CD4 T cells play a role in curbing Cryptosporidium, the role of CD8 T cells remains to be defined. Using a Cryptosporidium tyzzeri mouse model, we show that gut-resident CD8 intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) confer resistance to parasite growth. CD8 IELs express and depend on the ligand-dependent transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). AHR deficiency reduces CD8 IELs, decreases their cytotoxicity, and worsens infection. Transfer of CD8 IELs rescues severely immunodeficient mice from death following Cryptosporidium challenge. Finally, dietary supplementation of the AHR pro-ligand indole-3-carbinol in newborn mice promotes resistance to infection. Therefore, common dietary metabolites augment the host immune response to cryptosporidiosis, protecting against disease.
Topics: Child; Humans; Mice; Animals; Cryptosporidiosis; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cryptosporidium; Ligands; Diet
PubMed: 38052207
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.11.008