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Behavioural Brain Research May 2024Creatine supplementation has been put forward as a possible aid to cognition, particularly for vegans, vegetarians, the elderly, sleep deprived and hypoxic individuals.... (Review)
Review
Creatine supplementation has been put forward as a possible aid to cognition, particularly for vegans, vegetarians, the elderly, sleep deprived and hypoxic individuals. However, previous narrative reviews have only provided limited support for these claims. This is despite the fact that research has shown that creatine supplementation can induce increased brain concentrations of creatine, albeit to a limited extent. We carried out a systematic review to examine the current state of affairs. The review supported claims that creatine supplementation can increases brain creatine content but also demonstrated somewhat equivocal results for effects on cognition. It does, however, provide evidence to suggest that more research is required with stressed populations, as supplementation does appear to significantly affect brain content. Issues with research design, especially supplementation regimens, need to be addressed. Future research must include measurements of creatine brain content.
Topics: Creatine; Humans; Dietary Supplements; Cognition; Brain; Animals
PubMed: 38582412
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114982 -
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 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) May 2024Iron deficiency (ID) is a common and challenging problem in adolescence. In order to prevent, recognize, and treat ID in this age range, it is critical to understand the... (Review)
Review
Iron deficiency (ID) is a common and challenging problem in adolescence. In order to prevent, recognize, and treat ID in this age range, it is critical to understand the recommended daily intake of iron in relation to an adolescent's activity, dietary habits, and basal iron losses. Adolescents following vegetarian or vegan diets exclusively rely on plant-based, nonheme iron, which has decreased bioavailability compared with heme iron and requires increased total iron intake. Individuals with disordered eating habits, excessive menstrual blood loss, and certain chronic health conditions (including inflammatory bowel disease and heart failure) are at high risk of ID and the development of symptomatic iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Adolescent athletes and those with sleep and movement disorders may also be more sensitive to changes in iron status. Iron deficiency is typically treated with oral iron supplementation. To maximize iron absorption, oral iron should be administered no more than once daily, ideally in the morning, while avoiding foods and drinks that inhibit iron absorption. Oral iron therapy should be provided for ≥3 mo in the setting of ID to reach a ferritin of 20 ng/mL before discontinuation. Intravenous iron is being increasingly used in this population and has demonstrated efficacy and safety in adolescents. It should be considered in those with persistent ID despite a course of oral iron, severe and/or symptomatic IDA, and chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by decreased gastrointestinal iron absorption.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Iron; Dietary Supplements; Iron Deficiencies; Female; Nutritional Status; Iron, Dietary; Male
PubMed: 38556251
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100215 -
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 -
Upcycling culture waste into vegan cheese analogue using inulin, locust bean gum, and κ-carrageenan.Food Chemistry: X Jun 2024The growing popularity of probiotics has led to the generation of substantial by-products. Among these, cell-free supernatant is recognized for containing beneficial...
The growing popularity of probiotics has led to the generation of substantial by-products. Among these, cell-free supernatant is recognized for containing beneficial postbiotics. Here, we upcycled -free supernatant (LFS) into cheese analogues using inulin (INU), locust bean gum (LBG), and kappa-carrageenen (kCG). In this system, LBG/kCG established the primary structure, while interstitial spaces were progressively filled by INU. Despite the absence of milk proteins and fats, the cheese analogue with 35% /w INU, 0.2% w/w LBG, and 0.8% kCG exhibited a texture and appearance resembling commercial processed cheese, as determined by texture profile analysis and dynamic small amplitude oscillatory rheometry technique. This can be attributed to the effective fat-replacing activity of INU regarding texture and rheology. Furthermore, the potassium-dominated salt composition of LFS proved advantageous for the LBG/kCG-derived structure-forming. These findings hold significant promise for upcycling probiotics wastewater into low-fat vegan cheese analogues, enriched with both prebiotics and postbiotics.
PubMed: 38550889
DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101276 -
Nutrients Mar 2024Research suggests a link between deficiencies in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and impulsivity among psychiatric populations. However, this... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Research suggests a link between deficiencies in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and impulsivity among psychiatric populations. However, this association is less evident in non-clinical populations. As omega-3 LCPUFAs are predominantly sourced through fish consumption, non-fish dieters may be more vulnerable to higher impulsivity.
METHODS
This cross-sectional observational study explored the association between lower intakes of omega-3 LCPUFA food sources and higher self-reported measures of impulsivity among healthy adults consuming non-restricted, vegetarian, and vegan diets.
RESULTS
The results from the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire showed significantly lower estimated omega-3 LCPUFA intakes among vegans and vegetarians when compared with people consuming non-restricted diets. Furthermore, although all groups scored within the normal range of impulsivity measures, vegans scored comparatively higher. Vegans also scored significantly higher in impulsivity control relating to attention than those consuming non-restricted diets.
CONCLUSIONS
The significantly lower omega-3 LCPUFA dietary intakes in the vegan diets were associated with higher scores in the second-order attentional aspect of self-reported impulsiveness.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Eating; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Vegetarians
PubMed: 38542786
DOI: 10.3390/nu16060875 -
Biomedicines Mar 2024Around 20-30% of Fibromyalgia patients modify their dietary habits after diagnosis, including avoiding certain food groups such as cereals. In this systematic review, we... (Review)
Review
Around 20-30% of Fibromyalgia patients modify their dietary habits after diagnosis, including avoiding certain food groups such as cereals. In this systematic review, we used the PRISMA guidelines to select the main studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of restrictive diets, including elimination and vegetarian diets, in patients with Fibromyalgia. Data on vegetarian/vegan diets are more consistent than data on elimination diets due to higher quality and better results of the published studies. Although the results are favorable in most of the studies, their heterogenicity and the scarce and low quality of the evidence (small number of patients included, often non-randomized and uncontrolled studies and multiple confounding factors and biases) does not allow for a positive recommendation about these restrictive diets in Fibromyalgia patients. Several factors other than food restriction could influence the symptomatic and functional improvements observed after restrictive diets, such as the placebo effect, weight loss that often occurs, coexistence with gastrointestinal diseases and positive effects of unrestricted foods. We must advance more and improve in our knowledge of the effectiveness of restrictive diets and variables related to them before recommending them systematically to all patients with Fibromyalgia. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials with large sample sizes, longer follow-up periods and standardized outcome measures that explore predictors of dietary response are needed to better understand the relationship between Fibromyalgia and nutrition.
PubMed: 38540241
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12030629 -
Current Cardiology Reports Mar 2024Hypertension results in significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. Fortunately, it is largely preventable and treatable by implementing dietary... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Hypertension results in significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. Fortunately, it is largely preventable and treatable by implementing dietary interventions, though these remain underutilized. Here, we aim to explore the role of healthy dietary patterns in hypertension management and describe approaches for busy clinicians to address nutrition effectively and efficiently with patients.
RECENT FINDINGS
DASH, Mediterranean, vegetarian, and vegan diets that include minimally processed, plant-based foods as core elements have consistently shown positive effects on hypertension. Recommendations that distill the most healthful components of these diets can significantly impact patient outcomes. Clinicians can harness evidence-based dietary assessment and counseling tools to implement and support behavioral changes, even during brief office visits. Healthful plant-based dietary patterns can often effectively prevent and treat hypertension. Clinicians may help improve patient outcomes by discussing evidence-based nutrition with their patients. Future work to promote infrastructural change that supports incorporating evidence-based nutrition into medical education, clinical care, and society at large can support these efforts.
Topics: Humans; Blood Pressure; Diet; Diet, Plant-Based; Hypertension
PubMed: 38526748
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-02008-z -
Current Obesity Reports Jun 2024This study is to examine potential micronutrient deficiencies and any need for supplementation in children following specific diet plans in the first 1000 days of life. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This study is to examine potential micronutrient deficiencies and any need for supplementation in children following specific diet plans in the first 1000 days of life.
RECENT FINDINGS
Optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days of life has a lifelong positive impact on child development. Specific intrauterine and perinatal factors, pathological conditions, and dietary restrictions can represent potential risk factors for micronutrient deficiencies in the first 1000 days of life, which can have negative systemic consequences. Preterm and low-birth-weight infants are intrinsically at risk because of immature body systems. Children affected by cystic fibrosis are prone to malnutrition because of intestinal malabsorption. The risk of micronutrient deficiency can increase in various situations, including but not limited to children following selective dietary regimens (vegetarian and vegan diets and children affected by specific neuropsychiatric conditions) or specific dietary therapies (children affected by food allergies or specific metabolic disorders and children following restricted diet as a part of therapeutic approach, i.e., ketogenic diet for epilepsy). In light of this situation, the micronutrient status in these categories of children should be investigated in order to tailor strategies specific to the individual's metabolic needs, with a particular focus on deficiencies which can impair or delay the physical and cognitive development of children, namely, vitamin B12, vitamin D and folic acid, as well as oligo-elements such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3. Identification of micronutrient deficiency in the first 1000 days of life and timely supplementation proves essential to prevent their long-term consequences.
Topics: Humans; Micronutrients; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Dietary Supplements; Nutritional Status; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child Development
PubMed: 38512555
DOI: 10.1007/s13679-024-00554-3 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are chronic autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of SLE can vary widely but often include fatigue, pain,...
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are chronic autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of SLE can vary widely but often include fatigue, pain, photosensitivity, and, in some cases, nephritis. SS is frequently characterized by extreme dry eye and mouth, resulting from damage to moisture-producing glands, and is often present in combination with SLE. While the health benefits of plant-based diets have been well-established with respect to weight and cardiometabolic outcomes, less research is available to support the role of diet in treatment and management of autoimmune disease. This case series presents three women with SLE and SS who adopted a nutrition protocol to reverse symptoms of autoimmune disease. The protocol emphasizes leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and water, and includes predominately raw foods. The three patients reported dramatic improvements in physical symptoms, with nearly all symptoms of SLE and SS resolving after 4 weeks or less of adhering to the protocol. All three patients have remained symptom-free, two of whom have remained symptom-free for 6+ years with no recent medication use. Patients and practitioners should be made aware of the promising possibility of food as medicine in the treatment of SLE and SS. Future research should explore whether dietary changes may be a potential treatment strategy for individuals suffering from severe symptoms and poor quality of life due to SLE and SS.
PubMed: 38505266
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1208074