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Journal of Aging and Health 2022Using comprehensive measures of biological risk, this study aims to investigate the relationship between intake of individual dietary components, overall diet quality,...
Using comprehensive measures of biological risk, this study aims to investigate the relationship between intake of individual dietary components, overall diet quality, and biological dysregulation. We analyzed nationally representative data from 3734 older adults who participated in the Health and Retirement Study Venous Blood Study in 2016 and Health Care and Nutrition Survey in 2013. Eleven out of 13 individual dietary components were associated with lower biological risk. Respondents with poor/suboptimal quality diet had higher biological risk than those with good quality diet. Findings from this study emphasize the importance of healthy eating in improving health of older adults. Encouraging intake of fruits, greens and beans, whole grains, and fatty acids, while limiting consumption of sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat would improve overall diet quality and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and morbidity.
Topics: Aged; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Energy Intake; Fruit; Humans; Nutrition Surveys; United States
PubMed: 34779298
DOI: 10.1177/08982643211046818 -
Aging Cell Dec 2023Calorie restriction (CR) is a promising approach for attenuating the risk of age-related disease. However, the role of diet composition on adherence to CR and the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Calorie restriction (CR) is a promising approach for attenuating the risk of age-related disease. However, the role of diet composition on adherence to CR and the effects of CR on cardiometabolic markers of healthspan remains unknown. We used the Geometric Framework for Nutrition approach to examine the association between macronutrient composition and CR adherence during the 2-year CALERIE trial. Adult participants without obesity were randomized to a 25% CR intervention or an ad libitum intake control. Correlations of cardiometabolic risk factors with macronutrient composition and standard dietary pattern indices [Alternate Mediterranean Diet Index (aMED), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)] were also evaluated by Spearman's correlation at each time point. The mean age was 38.1 ± 7.2 years at baseline and the mean BMI was 25.1 ± 1.7. The study population was 70% female. The CR group, but not the control, consumed a higher percentage reported energy intake from protein and carbohydrate and lower fat at 12 months compared to baseline; comparable results were observed at 24 months. Protein in the background of higher carbohydrate intake was associated with greater adherence at 24 months. There was no correlation between macronutrient composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in the CR group. However, statistically significant correlations were observed for the DII and HEI. These findings suggest that individual self-selected macronutrients have an interactive but not independent role in CR adherence. Additional research is required to examine the impact of varying macronutrient compositions on adherence to CR and resultant modification to cardiometabolic risk factors.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Caloric Restriction; Diet; Obesity; Energy Intake; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 37873687
DOI: 10.1111/acel.14018 -
Nutrients Feb 2022The consumption of a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (ketogenic diet) has diverse effects on health and is expected to have therapeutic value in neurological disorders,... (Review)
Review
The consumption of a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (ketogenic diet) has diverse effects on health and is expected to have therapeutic value in neurological disorders, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Recent studies have shown that a ketogenic diet not only pronouncedly shifts the cellular metabolism to pseudo-starvation, but also exerts a variety of physiological functions on various organs through metabolites that act as energy substrates, signaling molecules, and epigenetic modifiers. In this review, we highlight the latest findings on the molecular mechanisms of a ketogenic diet and speculate on the significance of these functions in the context of the epigenome and microbiome. Unraveling the molecular basis of the bioactive effects of a ketogenic diet should provide solid evidence for its clinical application in a variety of diseases including cancer.
Topics: Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Diet, High-Fat; Diet, Ketogenic; Humans; Microbiota; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 35215432
DOI: 10.3390/nu14040782 -
PloS One 2023The current food system is associated with negative impacts on health, food insecurity and environmental harm. Sustainable diets have attracted increasing interest and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The current food system is associated with negative impacts on health, food insecurity and environmental harm. Sustainable diets have attracted increasing interest and novel proposals with a global scope have emerged. This scoping review aims to give an overview of the analysis of all the available evidence related to the sustainable diet indices that have been developed based on the EAT-Lancet Commission.
METHODS
Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases. This review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The target population were studies addressed the use of an index or metric for assessing sustainable diets based on the EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report were included. PCC acronym was used in the design of the study to describe eligibility criteria: P (Population)-Indexes; C (Concept)-Sustainable diets; C (Context)-Knowledge on the structure and applicability of measurement indices of sustainable diets based on EAT-Lancet recommendations available in the literature. Study eligibility criteria were restricted to papers published in English, from January 2019 through October 2022, with no population restriction.
RESULTS
A total of 1,458 papers were retrieved, 14 of which were included in the review. Seven measures of sustainable diets were identified as follow: EAT-Lancet diet score (ELD-I), New EAT-Lancet diet score (EAT), Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), Sustainable Diet Index (SDI), Sustainable-HEalthy-Diet (SHED), novel Nutrient-Based EAT index (NB-EAT) and World Index for Sustainability and Health (WISH). Most studies were conducted in developed countries, where greater adherence to this type of diet was found. Estimated greenhouse gas emissions was the most reported indicator of sustainability, followed by diet quality and the benefits of sustainable diets with regards to health outcomes.
DISCUSSION
We identified barriers that hinder progress towards sustainable diets, including the difficulty of comparing different indices and the tendency to neglect social aspects and the lack of common definitions and metrics. Despite being challenge, we highlight the importance of using indices that assess sustainable diets that harmonize various indicators, as recommended by the EAT-Lancet Commission, in order to promote positive changes towards a more sustainable future.
Topics: Diet; Diet, Healthy; Greenhouse Gases; Global Health
PubMed: 38117768
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296026 -
JNCI Cancer Spectrum Apr 2021Prior research suggests a relationship between overall diet quality and breast cancer survival, although few studies have reported on this topic. We evaluated whether 4...
BACKGROUND
Prior research suggests a relationship between overall diet quality and breast cancer survival, although few studies have reported on this topic. We evaluated whether 4 dietary quality indices consistent with healthy eating recommendations around the time of breast cancer diagnosis were associated with risk of recurrence, cause-specific, and all-cause mortality.
METHODS
A total of 3660 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer were included. Diet was assessed an average of 2.3 (range = 0.7-18.7) months after diagnosis, from which 4 dietary quality indices were derived: the American Cancer Society guidelines (ACS), the alternate Mediterranean Diet Index (aMED), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Over 40 888 person-years of follow-up, 461 breast cancer recurrences, and 655 deaths were ascertained. Cox models were used to estimate hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
Adjusted comparisons between extreme quintiles showed all 4 dietary quality indices to be inversely associated with all-cause mortality, suggesting a 21%-27% lower risk (ACS HR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.95; aMED HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.61 to 1.03; DASH HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.58 to 1.00; HEI HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60 to 1.01). Similar patterns were noted for non-breast cancer mortality (ACS HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.98; aMED HR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.05; DASH HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.79; HEI HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.94). None of the dietary quality indices were associated with recurrence or breast cancer-specific mortality.
CONCLUSION
Food intake patterns concordant with dietary quality indices consistent with recommendations for healthy eating may be beneficial for women with breast cancer.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Cause of Death; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension; Female; Food Quality; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 33928215
DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkab019 -
PloS One 2022This article tries to explore consumer attitudes regarding a balanced diet and daily calorie intake monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. It has become vital... (Review)
Review
This article tries to explore consumer attitudes regarding a balanced diet and daily calorie intake monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. It has become vital to boost people's immunity because of reoccurring diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola, and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, etc. Healthy diets are important for supporting immune systems and keeping track of daily calorie consumption is an accompaniment to this. The research on attitudes toward a balanced diet is reviewed in this empirical study. Researchers employed a tri-component attitude model to assess consumer attitudes about a balanced diet and to track daily calorie consumption. A sample of 400 respondents was surveyed and data were collected with a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. The majority of respondents were found to lack declarative knowledge of both a balanced diet and daily calorie consumption. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer attitudes about a healthy diet and daily calorie intake were effectively evaluated using beliefs, affection, and intentions. The repercussions for the government and business community were discussed. This study also evaluates the usefulness of the tri-component attitude model in the Indian context.
Topics: Attitude; COVID-19; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Energy Intake; Humans; Pandemics
PubMed: 35926006
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270843 -
Nutrients Feb 2021In recent years, an increasing interest in the influence of diet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) led to the publication of several articles exploring... (Review)
Review
In recent years, an increasing interest in the influence of diet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) led to the publication of several articles exploring the role of food/nutrients in both the risk of developing these conditions in normal subjects and the natural history of the disease in patients with established RMDs. Diet may be a possible facilitator of RMDs due to both the direct pro-inflammatory properties of some nutrients and the indirect action on insulin resistance, obesity and associated co-morbidities. A consistent body of research has been conducted in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are scarce and have been conducted mainly on experimental models of the disease. This review article aims to outline similarities and differences between RA and SLE based on the existing literature.
Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
PubMed: 33673487
DOI: 10.3390/nu13030772 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Apr 2024Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the progressive functional and structural denaturation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems.... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the progressive functional and structural denaturation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Despite the wide range of genetic predispositions, the increased emergence of these disorders has been associated with a variety of modifiable risk factors, including lifestyle factors. Diet has been shown to influence cognitive alterations in the elderly population with age-related brain pathologies, and specific dietary interventions might, therefore, confer preservatory protection to neural structures. Although Mediterranean and ketogenic diets have been studied, no clear guidelines have been implemented for the prevention or treatment of ND in clinical practice. Murine models have shown that intermittent fasting and caloric restriction (CR) can counteract disease processes in various age-related disorders, including NDs. The objective of this perspective is to provide a comprehensive, comparative overview of the available primary intervention studies on fasting and CR in humans with ND and to elucidate possible links between the mechanisms underlying the effects of fasting, CR, and the neuropathology of ND. We also included all currently available studies in older adults (with and without mild cognitive impairment) in which the primary endpoint was cognitive function to provide further insights into the feasibility and outcomes of such interventions. Overall, we conclude that nutritional intervention trials focusing on fasting and CR in humans with ND have been neglected, and more high-quality studies, including longitudinal clinical intervention trials, are urgently needed to elucidate the underlying immune-metabolic mechanisms in diet and ND.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Humans; Mice; Caloric Restriction; Diet; Diet, Ketogenic; Fasting; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 38432589
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100197 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Financial barriers and limited cooking facilities are major obstacles to healthy dietary practices among the homeless population. Homelessness is currently at crisis...
Financial barriers and limited cooking facilities are major obstacles to healthy dietary practices among the homeless population. Homelessness is currently at crisis point and up-to-date evidence from multiple stakeholders is needed to address dietary inequalities. The aim of this study was to understand dietary practices, barriers to healthy eating within homeless services from multiple perspectives. Twelve service users and five healthcare and social service providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Four themes were identified which included: lack of control over diet and food supply; sources of food for the homeless population; practical barriers to good nutrition; and the impact of diet on emotional and physical wellbeing. Frequent consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods was reported. Food insecurity resulted in perceived depressive symptoms and stress. Barriers to healthy diet included financial constraints and a lack of access to cooking and storage facilities. Our study highlights low levels of food skills and healthy eating knowledge among service users and service providers. In order to address diet-related health disparities, health promotion initiatives should be targeted at building healthy public policy in relation to diet and nutrition and developing food skills with members of this population and service providers.
Topics: Humans; Qualitative Research; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Food Supply; Ill-Housed Persons
PubMed: 36498047
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315976 -
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Oct 2020Little is known about cancer survivors' self-perception of their dietary quality compared with their measured diet quality and how those perceptions may influence their...
OBJECTIVES
Little is known about cancer survivors' self-perception of their dietary quality compared with their measured diet quality and how those perceptions may influence their actual diet. This study aimed to fill this gap using national large datasets.
METHODS
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 to 2014 were used. The healthy eating index (HEI) based on 24-h dietary recall was used to measure diet quality. Logistic regression models were fit to examine the influence of the misperception of eating healthiness on diet quality.
RESULTS
The agreement between self-perceived and actual diet quality was low (Kappa = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.09) among cancer survivors. Over-rating diet quality was associated with a 5.39 lower total HEI score (P < 0.0001), 1.00 lower HEI score for empty calorie intake (P = 0.0028), 0.15 lower score for vegetable intake (P = 0.108), and 0.29 lower score for fruit intake; under-rating one's diet quality was associated with a 7.12 higher total HEI score (P < 0.0001), 2.57 higher HEI score for empty calorie intake (P < 0.0001), 0.02 higher score for vegetable intake (P = 0.904), and 0.84 higher score for fruit intake (P = 0.001). Our multinomial regression estimates suggested that each 10-year increase in age was associated with an increase in the odds of being an over-rater vs. a correct-rater (OR: 11.4, 95% CI: 10.01, 10.2). Hispanics were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to over-rate their diet quality (OR: 1.792, 95% CI: 1.062, 3.024).
CONCLUSIONS
Tailored nutrition interventions and guidance aimed at reducing the divergence between self-assessed and actual diet quality have the potential to improve cancer survivorship and narrow racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities.
Topics: Adult; Cancer Survivors; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Energy Intake; Humans; Neoplasms; Nutrition Surveys
PubMed: 32242138
DOI: 10.1038/s41430-020-0619-2