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European Journal of Nutrition Apr 2022There is an ongoing debate whether vegetarian (VG) and especially vegan (VN) diets are nutritionally adequate in early childhood. Hence, the Vegetarian and Vegan...
PURPOSE
There is an ongoing debate whether vegetarian (VG) and especially vegan (VN) diets are nutritionally adequate in early childhood. Hence, the Vegetarian and Vegan Children Study (VeChi Diet Study) aimed to assess the food and nutrient intake of VG and VN infants.
METHODS
The study examined the diets of 1-3-year-old VG, VN, and omnivorous (OM) children (n = 430). Dietary intake was assessed via a 3-day weighed dietary record and compared between groups using ANCOVA. Lifestyle data were collected using a questionnaire. Here, the results of micronutrient and fatty acid intakes are presented.
RESULTS
Most nutrient intakes (with and without supplements) differed significantly between VN children and the two other groups, with a more favourable overall micronutrient intake in VN, followed by VG children, [e.g., the highest intake of vitamin E (8.3 mg/d vs. VG 7.4 mg/d and OM 5.1 mg/d), vitamin B (569 µg/d vs. VG 513 µg/d and OM 481 µg/d), folate (143 µg/d vs. VG 116 µg/d and OM 108 µg/d), magnesium (241 mg/d vs. VG 188 mg/d and OM 164 mg/d), and iron (8.9 mg/d vs. VG 7.3 mg/d and OM 6.0 mg/d)] as well as fat quality [highest intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (8.7 E% vs. VG 6.9 E% and OM 4.5 E%) and lowest intake of saturated fatty acids (9.1 E% vs. VG 11.9 E% and OM 14.0 E%)]. In contrast, OM children had the highest intake of vitamin B (639 µg/d vs. VG 461 µg/d and VN 429 µg/d), calcium (445 mg/d vs. VG 399 mg/d and VN 320 mg/d), iodine (47 µg/d vs. VG 33 µg/d and VN 31 µg/d), and DHA (35.4 mg/d vs. VG 16.6 mg/d and VN 18.4 mg/d). Without supplementation, OM children had the highest average vitamin B intake (1.5 µg/d vs. VG 0.6 µg/d and VN 0.2 µg/d), whereas VN children had the highest average vitamin B intake with supplementation (73.8 µg/d vs. VG 1.3 µg/d and OM 1.7 µg/d). Without supplementation, none of the groups' median intakes met the harmonised Average Requirement (h-AR) for vitamin D and iodine. Moreover, VG and VN children did not achieve h-ARs for vitamin B, vitamin B, and iron-if a low absorption of iron is anticipated; VN children also did not do so for calcium.
CONCLUSION
In early childhood, VN and VG diets can provide most micronutrients in desirable amounts and a preferable fat quality compared to an OM diet. Special focus should be paid to (potentially) critical nutrients, particularly vitamin D, iodine, and DHA for all children regardless of diet, as well as vitamin B, vitamin B, calcium, and iron for VG and VN children.
TRAIL REGISTRATION
This study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00010982) on (September 2, 2016).
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Fatty Acids; Germany; Humans; Infant; Micronutrients; Vegans; Vegetarians
PubMed: 34855006
DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02753-3 -
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology :... Jul 2023Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and a rise in prevalence has been observed concomitantly with changing dietary habits in the Western world. This... (Review)
Review
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and a rise in prevalence has been observed concomitantly with changing dietary habits in the Western world. This change has favored a more Westernized diet characterized by high intake of processed food and fat in contrast to a Mediterranean diet high in fruit, vegetable and fish intake. This has resulted in a decreased intake of several antioxidants and micronutrients including n-3 long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D that are speculated to have anti-inflammatory effects and hold immunoregulatory properties. Several observational studies have investigated associations between dietary intake and wheeze and asthma but only few large well-conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed investigating the primary preventive effect of micronutrient supplementations. Currently, the recommendations from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) for primary prevention of asthma in children do not include maternal dietary changes or supplementations during pregnancy, although the most recent report mentions both specific dietary patterns and micronutrients as potential protective supplementation regimes. This review will present the current literature and future research needs focusing on primary and secondary prevention of both early and late childhood asthma from dietary intake during pregnancy and early childhood to highlight potential preventive effects of specific dietary patterns and micronutrient supplements, which may facilitate the planning of future clinical trials in search of a preemptive strategy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Animals; Humans; Dietary Supplements; Diet; Asthma; Antioxidants; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Micronutrients
PubMed: 37492917
DOI: 10.1111/pai.13984 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2021Optimal nutrition is crucial for honey bee colony growth and robust immune systems. Honey bee nutrition is complex and depends on the floral composition of the... (Review)
Review
Optimal nutrition is crucial for honey bee colony growth and robust immune systems. Honey bee nutrition is complex and depends on the floral composition of the landscape. Foraging behavior of honey bees depends on both colony environment and external environment. There are significant gaps in knowledge regarding honey bee nutrition, and hence no optimal diet is available for honey bees, as there is for other livestock. In this review, we discuss (1) foraging behavior of honey bees, (2) nutritional needs, (3) nutritional supplements used by beekeepers, (4) probiotics, and (5) supplemental forage and efforts integrating floral diversity into cropping systems.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 34689917
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2021.06.006 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2023Trace mineral nutrition of sheep often focuses on their greater susceptibility to copper toxicosis due to a lesser biliary excretion ability compared with other... (Review)
Review
Trace mineral nutrition of sheep often focuses on their greater susceptibility to copper toxicosis due to a lesser biliary excretion ability compared with other ruminants. Our understanding of sheep trace mineral requirements has improved for most elements allowing for a factorial approach to determining daily requirement instead of a dietary concentration. Forage trace mineral content is influenced by many factors making issues of trace mineral supplementation geographic-dependent. Oral delivery of trace elements is a preferred supplementation method, and this can be achieved through free choice trace mineralized salt or direct dietary incorporation.
Topics: Animals; Sheep; Trace Elements; Diet; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Dietary Supplements; Minerals
PubMed: 37640586
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2023.07.001 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2022Many researchers have evaluated different nonantibiotic, dietary interventions to reduce liver abscessation including degree of grain processing, roughage particle size,... (Review)
Review
Many researchers have evaluated different nonantibiotic, dietary interventions to reduce liver abscessation including degree of grain processing, roughage particle size, ionophore inclusion level, and supplemental prebiotics or probiotics; however, these alternatives have been inconsistent in outcomes and have not proven to be successful. New technologies and methodologies that allow for description and characterization of the microbiome within cattle, their environment, and liver abscesses themselves may help elucidate the etiology of liver abscess formation and allow for targeting interventions that will provide solutions to replace or reduce antimicrobial use that is currently used for the reduction of liver abscess prevalence.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Cattle; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Digestion; Ionophores; Liver Abscess
PubMed: 36243462
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2022.08.005 -
Nutrients Oct 2023Plant sterols are well-known natural lipid-lowering agents. The DESCO (Diet and plant sterols in the control of cholesterolemia) study was a single-center, randomized,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Plant Sterols on Total and LDL-Cholesterol in Plasma Is Affected by Adherence to Mediterranean Diet: Insights from the DESCO Randomized Clinical Study.
Plant sterols are well-known natural lipid-lowering agents. The DESCO (Diet and plant sterols in the control of cholesterolemia) study was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover clinical trial designed to investigate the effect of a once-a-day ready-to-drink dietary supplement containing 2.5 g of phytosterols on the lipid profile, also in relation to the quality of the diet, in a cohort of 50 Italian individuals with polygenic hypercholesterolemia and low global cardiovascular risk. Eligible individuals were enrolled in a run-in period of 2 weeks. Then, participants who qualified for continuation in the study were randomly allocated (1:1) to a 3-week treatment with either phytosterols or placebo. After a 2-week washout period, enrolled individuals were crossed over to receive the alternative treatment. Dietary supplementation with phytosterols was associated with significant improvement in plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC; -11.8 ± 4.0 mg/dL, = 0.016), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -7.8 ± 7.7 mg/dL, = 0.021), and apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo B-100, -3.7 ± 4.1 mg/dL, = 0.048) compared to baseline. The changes in TC and LDL-C were also significant compared to placebo, and greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with greater reductions in LDL-C. Dietary supplementation with phytosterols was well tolerated and adherence to treatment was high. According to the findings of DESCO, the once-a-day ready-to-drink dietary supplement we tested is able to quickly and significantly decrease plasma levels of TC, LDL-C, and Apo B-100, with a greater effect in individuals more adhering to the Mediterranean dietary pattern.
Topics: Humans; Cholesterol, LDL; Phytosterols; Cholesterol; Apolipoprotein B-100; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 37960208
DOI: 10.3390/nu15214555 -
Animal Biotechnology Dec 2022In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary dihydromyricetin (DHM) supplementation on intestinal barrier and humoral immunity in growing-finishing pigs. The...
In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary dihydromyricetin (DHM) supplementation on intestinal barrier and humoral immunity in growing-finishing pigs. The data showed that dietary DHM supplementation improved jejunal barrier function by upregulating the protein expressions of Occludin and Claudin-1 and the mRNA levels of and . Dietary DHM supplementation increased the amylase, lipase, sucrase and maltase activities and the mRNA expression of nutrient transporter (, , ) in the jejunum mucosa. Dietary DHM supplementation significantly reduced the population in the cecum and colon and increased the population in the cecum. In addition, dietary DHM supplementation increased the contents of butyric acid and valeric acid in cecum and colon. In serum, dietary DHM supplementation reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) content and increased interleukin-10 (IL-10), Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) contents ( 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, dietary DHM supplementation improved secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) contents and down-regulated TNF-α protein expression in jejunum mucosa ( 0.05). Together, this study demonstrated that dietary DHM supplementation improved intestinal barrier function, digestion and absorption capacity and immune function in growing-finishing pigs.
Topics: Animals; Animal Feed; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Immunity, Humoral; Interleukin-10; RNA, Messenger; Swine; Intestines; Flavonols
PubMed: 35838495
DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2099881 -
Poultry Science Dec 2020Mineral nutrition plays a critical role in growth and bone mineralization in meat ducks as well as reproductive performance in duck layers and duck breeders. In addition... (Review)
Review
Mineral nutrition plays a critical role in growth and bone mineralization in meat ducks as well as reproductive performance in duck layers and duck breeders. In addition to improving production performance parameters, minerals are also essential to support several enzymatic systems to enhancing antioxidant ability and immune function. This review explores the biological function and metabolism of minerals in the body, as well as mineral feeding strategy of various species of ducks. Topics range from mineral requirement to the physiological role of macroelements such as calcium and phosphorus and microelements such as zinc and selenium, etc. As with the improvement of genetic evolution and upgrade of rearing system in duck production, mineral requirements and electrolyte balance are urgent to be re-evaluated using sensitive biomarkers for the modern duck breed characterized by the rapid growth rate and inadequate bone development and mineralization. For duck breeders, mineral nutrition is not only required for maximal egg production performance but also for maintaining normal embryonic development and offspring's performance. Therefore, the proper amounts of bioavailable minerals need to be supplemented to maintain the mineral nutritional state of duck species during all phases of life. In addition, more positive effects of high doses microelements supplementations have been revealed for modern meat ducks subjected to various stresses in commercial production. The nutritional factors of mineral sources, supplemental enzymes, and antinutritional factors from unconventional ingredients should be emphasized to improve the effectiveness of mineral nutrition in duck feed formulation. Organic mineral sources and phytase enzymes have been adopted to reduce the antagonistic action between mineral and antinutritional factors. Therefore, special and accurate database of mineral requirements should be established for special genotypes of ducks under different rearing conditions, including rearing factors, environmental stresses and diets supplemented with organic sources, phytase and VD.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Ducks; Minerals
PubMed: 33248592
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.09.041 -
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 -
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Jun 2023The effects of dietary supplementation of creatine and guanidinoacetic acid (GDA) have been studied to a limited extent in various fish species including red drum...
The effects of dietary supplementation of creatine and guanidinoacetic acid (GDA) have been studied to a limited extent in various fish species including red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and hybrid striped bass (HBS) (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops). However, in HSB, there is a need to better understand the impact of creatine and GDA supplementation at elevated salinity which may be encountered by this euryhaline fish. Therefore, two separate feeding trials were conducted at a salinity ranging from 15 to 20 g/L with juvenile HSB for 9 and 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of dietary creatine and GDA. In each trial, four diets were formulated with either singular additions of creatine at 2% of dry weight, GDA at 1% of dry weight, or a combination of both. Fish grew adequately in both feeding trials but no significant (P > 0.05) effects of supplemental creatine or GDA were observed on weight gain, feed efficiency, survival, hepatosomatic index (HSI), intraperitoneal fat (IPF ratio), or protein conversion efficiency (PCE). However, fish fed diets supplemented with creatine had significantly (P < 0.05) increased ash and reduced lipid deposition in whole-body tissues in the first feeding trial. Supplemental creatine also resulted in significantly higher muscle yield in the second trial, but no other effects on growth performance or body composition were observed. The addition of GDA to the diet had little effect except for significantly increasing the creatine content in the liver of fish in both feeding trials due to its role as a precursor and a catalyst for synthesis of creatine within the body. Based on the results of these two trials, supplemental creatine and GDA had rather limited effects on HSB cultured in moderately saline water.
Topics: Animals; Bass; Creatine; Diet; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37069332
DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01196-3