-
FP Essentials Apr 2024Micronutrients are nutrients the body needs in small quantities, such as vitamins and minerals. Micronutrient deficiencies can occur when an individual is restricting... (Review)
Review
Micronutrients are nutrients the body needs in small quantities, such as vitamins and minerals. Micronutrient deficiencies can occur when an individual is restricting calorie intake for weight loss or management, not consuming an adequate amount of food to meet energy requirements due to poor appetite or illness, eliminating one or more food groups from the diet on a regular basis, or consuming a diet low in micronutrient-rich foods despite adequate or excessive energy intake. Patient groups at risk include older adults, pregnant patients, patients with alcohol use disorder, patients with vegetarian or vegan diets, and patients with increased requirements secondary to medical conditions or long-term drug use that alters nutrient absorption, metabolism, or excretion. The micronutrients that most commonly require supplementation are vitamin D, iron, vitamin A, zinc, folate, and iodine. Results of large-scale randomized trials have shown no overall benefit of multivitamins for the majority of patients. However, a daily multivitamin may be beneficial, particularly for patients who do not consistently consume a well-balanced diet. Although dietary supplements can be helpful in correcting deficiencies, higher than recommended doses can cause adverse effects. Patients should be advised to take recommended dosages of supplements and consult their physician if they notice any adverse effects. Physicians should advise patients to consult drug labels and/or pharmacists about potential supplement interactions with drugs or other supplements.
Topics: Humans; Micronutrients; Dietary Supplements; Vitamins; Female; Nutritional Requirements; Pregnancy; Zinc
PubMed: 38648170
DOI: No ID Found -
The New England Journal of Medicine Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Disease Outbreaks; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeriosis; Diet, Plant-Based; Milk Substitutes; Europe; Female; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38631008
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2400665 -
PloS One 2024Vitamin B12 deficiency is responsible for a variety of complications, particularly neurological/neuropsychiatric complications, including depression, irritability,...
BACKGROUND
Vitamin B12 deficiency is responsible for a variety of complications, particularly neurological/neuropsychiatric complications, including depression, irritability, paresthesia and insomnia. Since vitamin B12 is found in animal-derived products, vegans/vegetarians are at a greater risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency.
AIMS
This study aims to investigate the occurrence of vitamin B12 deficiency among a sample of adult Lebanese population, with a particular emphasis on assessing the severity of its neurological/neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, especially among vegans/vegetarians.
METHODOLOGY
A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 483 Lebanese adults. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized anxiety disorders-7 (GAD-7), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scales.
RESULTS
Among the participants, 11.4% were in the vegan/vegetarian group, and about 43.1% had vitamin B12 deficiency. After analyzing the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ISI total scores, higher scores were reported in participants with vitamin B12 deficiency, compared to individuals with normal vitamin B12 serum levels (p < 0.001). Regarding the diet type, vegans/vegetarians were more susceptible to developing depression compared to omnivores (mean scores of 11.92 vs 8.02 on the PHQ-9 scale, respectively, with p < 0.001). Of the patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, 81.1% reported having paresthesia compared to 43.7% of individuals with no vitamin B12 deficiency (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Vitamin B12 deficiency in Lebanon is notably high and is linked to an increased risk of developing depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and paresthesia. Vegans/vegetarians exhibit a higher susceptibility to developing depression compared to omnivores, whereas the risk of developing insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder and paresthesia was statistically insignificant when comparing vegans/vegetarians to omnivores.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Vegans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet, Vegetarian; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Paresthesia; Lebanon; Vegetarians; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Diet, Vegan; Vitamin B 12; Diet
PubMed: 38630748
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297976 -
Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism Jun 2024Taste modifies eating behaviour, impacting body weight and potentially obesity development. The Obese Taste Bud (OTB) Study is a prospective cohort study launched in...
AIMS
Taste modifies eating behaviour, impacting body weight and potentially obesity development. The Obese Taste Bud (OTB) Study is a prospective cohort study launched in 2020 at the University of Leipzig Obesity Centre in cooperation with the HI-MAG Institute. OTB will test the hypothesis that taste cell homeostasis and taste perception are linked to obesity. Here, we provide the study design, data collection process and baseline characteristics.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Participants presenting overweight, obesity or normal weight undergo taste and smell tests, anthropometric, and taste bud density (TBD) assessment on Day 1. Information on physical and mental health, eating behaviour, physical activity, and dental hygiene are obtained, while biomaterial (saliva, tongue swap, blood) is collected in the fasted state. Further blood samples are taken during a glucose tolerance test. A stool sample is collected at home prior to Day 2, on which a taste bud biopsy follows dental examination. A subsample undergoes functional magnetic resonance imaging while exposed to eating-related cognitive tasks. Follow-up investigations after conventional weight loss interventions and bariatric surgery will be included.
RESULTS
Initial results show that glycated haemoglobin levels and age are negatively associated with TBD, while an unfavourable metabolic profile, current dieting, and vegan diet are related to taste perception. Olfactory function negatively correlates with age and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
CONCLUSION
Initial findings suggest that metabolic alterations are relevant for taste and smell function and TBD. By combining omics data from collected biomaterial with physiological, metabolic and psychological data related to taste perception and eating behaviour, the OTB study aims to strengthen our understanding of taste perception in obesity.
Topics: Humans; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Female; Male; Adult; Taste Perception; Taste Buds; Middle Aged; Taste; Research Design; Feeding Behavior; Young Adult
PubMed: 38618969
DOI: 10.1111/dom.15563 -
Cureus Mar 2024In this article, we discuss the ethics of veganism by looking at the moral implications of having a vegan diet or plant-based diet. Veganism is a way of diet that... (Review)
Review
In this article, we discuss the ethics of veganism by looking at the moral implications of having a vegan diet or plant-based diet. Veganism is a way of diet that forbids or avoids consuming any animal products. It has drawn a lot of interest recently due to awareness or trends of vegan diet, human health, and ethical behavior benefits. The aim of the research is to look into the moral values that talk about veganism, such as animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and human welfare. In this study, we conduct a thorough assessment of ethical theories and actual evidence in an effort to know about the ethical reasons for veganism and its larger societal impacts. Through an analysis of existing literature and clinical studies, we discuss the various challenges, advantages, lifestyle modification, and nutritional concerns related to a vegan diet.
PubMed: 38618417
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56214 -
Journal of Dairy Science Apr 2024Innovation around cheese is constant in attempts to meet ever-increasing consumer demands. Retail packaging provides a canvas to communicate to consumers added value... (Review)
Review
A systematic review of articles influencing United States retail cheese packaging, labeling, and market trends related to cheese in the marketplace and cheese during consumption.
Innovation around cheese is constant in attempts to meet ever-increasing consumer demands. Retail packaging provides a canvas to communicate to consumers added value from innovations or inherent properties of cheese. Packaging itself may also be the subject of cheese-related innovation. This systematic review of literature organizes research over the past 10 years related to cheese packaging innovation that consumers experience in the marketplace and during consumption of cheese products. The review discusses shipping, displaying cheese at grocery stores, the value of branding, purchasing preferences by demographics, health and nutrition claims, opportunities to highlight protein in cheese, marketing to children, issues of obesity and cheese, diet cheeses, allergens and non-dairy or vegan cheese, opening cheese packaging, cutting of cheese, cooking with cheese, eating cheese, the growing trend of snacking and convenience, and flavor preferences. This review provides helpful insights to cheese producers applying findings from research of various styles of cheeses, cheese marketers communicating effectively to consumers, cheese developers designing new products relevant to recent consumer demands, smaller or specialized companies seeking to differentiate their cheese product through available technology and strategy, and cheese lovers or those with hobbies surrounding food wanting to know recent advancements in cheese packaging. This review is a tool for discovering relevant articles relating to cheese packaging in a marketplace and consumption setting to guide cheese and cheese packaging and labeling innovation in the United States.
PubMed: 38608946
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23977 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Diets rich in minimally processed plant-based foods are recommended to breast cancer patients, and some may have an interest in whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diets that...
Changes in the consumption of isoflavones, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids in women with metastatic breast cancer adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet: post-hoc analysis of nutrient intake data from an 8-week randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Diets rich in minimally processed plant-based foods are recommended to breast cancer patients, and some may have an interest in whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diets that avoid animal-based foods, added fats, and refined sugars. Within WFPB diets, the intakes of isoflavones, omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs), and omega-3 polyunsaturated FAs (n-3 PUFAs), which have been discussed in reference to breast cancer outcomes, have not been well characterized.
METHODS
Women with stage IV breast cancer on stable therapy were randomized 2:1 into (1) a WFPB intervention ( = 21) or (2) usual care ( = 11) for 8 weeks. Three meals per day were provided. Outcomes presented here include dietary intake of isoflavones, n-3 and n-6- PUFAs, which were assessed using three-day food records at baseline and 8 weeks. Baseline and 8-week mean intake within groups were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and between control and intervention groups by a two-sample -test.
RESULTS
The WFPB intervention participants increased their daily consumption of total isoflavones from a mean of 0.8 mg/day to 14.5 mg/day ( < 0.0001) and decreased the n-6:n-3 ratio of their diet from a mean of 9.3 to 3.7 ( < 0.0001). Within the WFPB group, linoleic acid (n-6 PUFA) consumption decreased by a mean of 3.8 g ( = 0.0095), from 12.8 g/day to 9.0 g/day; total n-3 PUFA consumption increased by a mean of 1.1 g ( = 0.0005), from 1.6 g/day to 2.7 g/day.
CONCLUSION
Transitioning to a WFPB diet resulted in significantly increased isoflavone intake and decreased n-6:n-3 ratio in women with breast cancer.
PubMed: 38577156
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1338392 -
Current Nutrition Reports Jun 2024Bone fractures can have a devastating effect on health, especially in the elderly, undermining their independence for daily activities, and increasing the risk of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Bone fractures can have a devastating effect on health, especially in the elderly, undermining their independence for daily activities, and increasing the risk of comorbidities and mortality. Nutrition is a key factor in maintaining an optimal bone health across the lifespan. The number of people that choose to avoid meat or even all animal products is increasing globally, for a diversity of reasons. Properly planned vegetarian and vegan diets are widely recognized as a healthy dietary pattern, but the long-term impact of these diets on bone health and more specifically risk of bone fractures is less clear. Classic studies have observed a slightly lower bone mineral density in vegetarians but have many limitations, including inadequate adjusting for relevant confounding factors, and cross-sectional design. The aim of this review is to summarize and put into context the current evidence on the effect of vegetarian and vegan diets on bone health, with a focus on fracture risk.
RECENT FINDINGS
In recent years, results from many large prospective studies have emerged, which allowed us to assess the risk of incident bone fractures in vegetarians. In these studies, vegetarian and especially vegan diets were associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. In many recent prospective cohort studies, vegetarian and especially vegan diets were associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. At least part of this risk could be due to a lower body mass index and a lower intake of nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein. Some evidence suggests that combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation and other factors such as consumption of protein-rich foods may attenuate this risk. The eventual deleterious effect of vegetarian diets on bone health should be contextualized and balanced with its benefits, such as lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Vegetarian; Diet, Vegan; Fractures, Bone; Bone Density; Risk Factors; Calcium, Dietary; Vitamin D
PubMed: 38554239
DOI: 10.1007/s13668-024-00533-z -
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Jul 2024Quality of life (QOL) is among the most important outcomes for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and it predicts survival. QOL is negatively impacted by... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
Quality of life (QOL) is among the most important outcomes for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and it predicts survival. QOL is negatively impacted by cognitive impairment, fatigue, and weight gain. We assessed whether a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet-promoting weight loss is feasible and might improve QOL.
METHODS
Women with MBC on stable systemic treatments were randomized 2:1 to 1) WFPB dietary intervention (n = 21) or 2) usual care (n = 11) for 8 weeks. Participants attended weekly education visits and consumed an ad libitum WFPB diet (3 prepared meals/day provided). Patient-reported outcomes and 3-day food records were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. The effects of WFPB diet on changes in outcomes were assessed by analysis of covariance model controlling for baseline.
RESULTS
20 intervention and 10 control participants completed the trial. Intervention participants were highly adherent to the WFPB diet (94.3 % total calories on-plan). Intervention group nutrient intakes changed significantly including dietary fat (35.8 % to 20.4 % percent calories from fat, p < 0.001) and fiber content (12.7 to 30.8 g fiber/1000 kcal, p < 0.001). Perceived cognitive function (FACT-Cog total + 16.1; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.8-31.7; p = 0.040) and emotional well-being (FACT-B emotional well-being subscale + 2.3; CI = 0.5-4.1; p = 0.016) improved in the WFPB versus the control group. Fatigue, measured by the BFI, improved within the WFPB group for fatigue severity (M = 4.7 ± 2.5[SD] to 3.7 ± 2.3, p = 0.047) and fatigue at its worst (5.8 ± 2.8 to 4.4 ± 2.4, p = 0.011).
CONCLUSIONS
Significant dietary changes in this population are feasible and may improve QOL by improving treatment-related symptoms. Additional study is warranted.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03045289. Registered 7 February 2017.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Adult; Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Feasibility Studies; Nutrients; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38553649
DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07284-z