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Scientific Reports Oct 2023Vegan, vegetarian and low-carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diets can all offer several health benefits, if food choices are appropriate. In most studies examining their...
Vegan, vegetarian and low-carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diets can all offer several health benefits, if food choices are appropriate. In most studies examining their effects on systemic inflammation, participants were either overweight, on a weight loss programme or not matched for BMI, or had a pre-existing condition such as type 2 diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Little is known about the effects of dietary patterns on healthy and normal weight individuals. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess and directly compare inflammatory and intestinal permeability status in healthy participants following aforementioned or omnivore diet for at least 6 months. In this cross-sectional study, we measured the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, TNF-α and CRP, and the markers of intestinal permeability LBP and zonulin, along with the analysis of lifestyle aspects, dietary intakes and physical activity, in 89 healthy participants. The groups were matched for sex, age and BMI. There were no differences in any of the measured parameters between the four groups and we found no strong correlations with dietary intakes. Using cluster analysis, participants were divided into eight clusters with more or less favourable inflammatory profiles; all clusters contained representatives of all patterns and all patterns were represented in each cluster. Significant differences between clusters were in the intake of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, ω-3/ω-6 ratio, phase angle and working two shifts. In healthy, normal-weight individuals, inflammatory status therefore does not depend on the dietary pattern itself, but is rather more complexly regulated and associated with dietary and non-dietary factors.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Vegetarian; Vegans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet, High-Fat; Healthy Volunteers; Diet; Vegetarians; Biomarkers; Permeability; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 37828090
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44233-0 -
Journal of the American College of... Dec 2018Reduction in excess calories and improvement in dietary composition may prevent many primary and secondary cardiovascular events. Current guidelines recommend diets high... (Review)
Review
Reduction in excess calories and improvement in dietary composition may prevent many primary and secondary cardiovascular events. Current guidelines recommend diets high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes; moderate in low-fat dairy and seafood; and low in processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and sodium. Supplementation can be useful for some people but cannot replace a good diet. Factors that influence individuals to consume a low-quality diet are myriad and include lack of knowledge, lack of availability, high cost, time scarcity, social and cultural norms, marketing of poor-quality foods, and palatability. Governments should focus on cardiovascular disease as a global threat and enact policies that will reach all levels of society and create a food environment wherein healthy foods are accessible, affordable, and desirable. Health professionals should be proficient in basic nutritional knowledge to promote a sustainable pattern of healthful eating for cardiovascular disease prevention for both healthy individuals and those at higher risk.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet Therapy; Diet, Healthy; Diet, Mediterranean; Diet, Western; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Health Promotion; Humans
PubMed: 30522630
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.10.019 -
Nutrients Sep 2023The ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by a very low carbohydrate intake and variable protein, fat and calorie intake, has long been in the spotlight for its potential...
The ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by a very low carbohydrate intake and variable protein, fat and calorie intake, has long been in the spotlight for its potential therapeutic applications [...].
Topics: Humans; Diet, Ketogenic; Energy Intake
PubMed: 37764810
DOI: 10.3390/nu15184027 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2021Residual feed intake (RFI) is one of the preferred traits for feed efficiency animal breeding. However, RFI measurement is expensive and time-consuming and animal...
Residual feed intake (RFI) is one of the preferred traits for feed efficiency animal breeding. However, RFI measurement is expensive and time-consuming and animal ranking may depend on the nature of the diets. We aimed to explore RFI plasma biomarkers and to unravel the underlying metabolic pathways in yearling bulls fed either a corn-silage diet rich in starch (corn diet) or a grass-silage diet rich in fiber (grass diet). Forty-eight extreme RFI animals (Low-RFI, n = 24, versus High-RFI, n = 24, balanced per diet) were selected from a population of 364 Charolais bulls and their plasma was subjected to a targeted LC-MS metabolomic approach together with classical metabolite and hormonal plasma analyses. Greater lean body mass and nitrogen use efficiency, and lower protein turnover were identified as common mechanisms underlying RFI irrespective of the diet. On the other hand, greater adiposity and plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) together with lower insulin sensitivity in High-RFI animals were only observed with corn diet. Conversely, greater plasma concentrations of BCAA and total triglycerides, but similar insulin concentrations were noted in efficient RFI cattle with grass diet. Our data suggest that there are diet-specific mechanisms explaining RFI differences in fattening Charolais yearling bulls.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Body Composition; Cattle; Diet; Eating; Feeding Behavior; Male; Metabolome; Poaceae; Zea mays
PubMed: 34934071
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03678-x -
Nutrients Apr 2021Why measure and leverage food motives and values? Every failure and every success in dietary change can be connected to motivation. Therefore, this research question... (Review)
Review
Why measure and leverage food motives and values? Every failure and every success in dietary change can be connected to motivation. Therefore, this research question naturally arises: How can food motives and values be measured and leveraged to improve diet outcomes from the individual to populations? There are four ways that food motives and values (FMVs) can assist researchers and health professionals. First, FMVs can help to create a personalized approach to dietary change. Second, FMVs can inform content for dietary interventions. Third, these FMV measures can be used in data analysis to elucidate differences in adherence and outcomes among participants. Fourth, public health nutrition messages can be tailored using information on FMVs. Each of these uses has the potential to further the literature and inform future efforts to improve diet. A central aim of our study is to provide specific examples and recommendations on how to measure and leverage FMVs. To do so, we reviewed 12 measures included in the literature citing the Food Choice Questionnaire by Steptoe, Pollard, and Wardle, which was identified as the earliest, highly cited article appearing under the search terms "food motives" AND "food values" AND "eating behavior" AND "measure". Specific details on how articles were selected from the citing literature are described in the Methods section. We also expound on our reasoning for including the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, which made for 13 measures in total. Our main finding is that each measure has strengths and shortcomings to consider in using FMVs to inform nutritional recommendations at different levels.
Topics: Diet; Feeding Behavior; Food Preferences; Humans; Motivation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33922896
DOI: 10.3390/nu13051452 -
Nutrients Jan 2022This narrative review presents the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), along with its components, and cognition-related disorders, as well as the potential... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This narrative review presents the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), along with its components, and cognition-related disorders, as well as the potential reversal role of diet against cognitive impairment by modulating MetS.
METHODS
An electronic research in Medline (Pubmed) and Scopus was conducted.
RESULTS
MetS and cognitive decline share common cardiometabolic pathways as MetS components can trigger cognitive impairment. On the other side, the risk factors for both MetS and cognitive impairment can be reduced by optimizing the nutritional intake. Clinical manifestations such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and increased central body adiposity are nutrition-related risk factors present during the prodromal period before cognitive impairment. The Mediterranean dietary pattern stands among the most discussed predominantly plant-based diets in relation to cardiometabolic disorders that may prevent dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other cognition-related disorders. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that the consumption of specific dietary food groups as a part of the overall diet can improve cognitive outcomes, maybe due to their involvement in cardiometabolic paths.
CONCLUSIONS
Early MetS detection may be helpful to prevent or delay cognitive decline. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of healthy nutritional habits to reverse such conditions and the urgency of early lifestyle interventions.
Topics: Cognitive Dysfunction; Diet; Diet, Mediterranean; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome
PubMed: 35057514
DOI: 10.3390/nu14020333 -
Cell Host & Microbe Mar 2017Here I revisit our early experiments published in Cell Host & Microbe (Turnbaugh et al., 2008) showing that a diet rich in fat and simple sugars alters the gut...
Here I revisit our early experiments published in Cell Host & Microbe (Turnbaugh et al., 2008) showing that a diet rich in fat and simple sugars alters the gut microbiome in a manner that contributes to host adiposity, and reflect upon the remarkable advances and remaining challenges in this field.
Topics: Animals; Cytosol; Diet; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Obesity
PubMed: 28279330
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2017.02.021 -
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Jun 2022Within the last decades, plant-based diets have received increasing interest for their potential benefits to human and environmental health. The concept of plant-based... (Review)
Review
Within the last decades, plant-based diets have received increasing interest for their potential benefits to human and environmental health. The concept of plant-based diet, however, varies widely in its definition. Current definitions range from the exclusion of all animal products to diets that include meat, fish, and dairy in varying quantities. Therefore, the main objectives of this review were twofold: (a) to investigate how researchers use the term plant-based diet in nutrition intervention studies and (b) what types of food a plant-based diet may include. Searching two databases, we found that the term "plant-based diet" evokes varying ideas to researchers and clinicians. Fifty percent of the retrieved studies that included a plant-based dietary intervention completely proscribed animal products and used the term plant-based diet interchangeably with a vegan diet. In contrast, an ~33% of trials included dairy products and 20% of dietary interventions emphasized a semi-vegetarian dietary pattern. Based on specific examples, we point out how the usage of the umbrella term "plant-based diet" may cause significant ambiguity. We often encountered incomplete descriptions of plant-based dietary interventions, which makes comparison and reproducibility of studies difficult. As a consequence, we urge others to use the term "plant-based diet" only in conjunction with a detailed dietary description. To facilitate this process, we provide a template of a standardized plant-based intervention reporting checklist. Finally, the present review also highlights the urgent need for a consensus definition of the term plant-based diet and its content.
Topics: Animals; Checklist; Diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Humans; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34675405
DOI: 10.1038/s41430-021-01023-z -
Health Reports Nov 2020A larger share of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPF) in the diet is increasingly linked with poor diet quality, weight gain and elevated risk of diet-related chronic...
BACKGROUND
A larger share of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPF) in the diet is increasingly linked with poor diet quality, weight gain and elevated risk of diet-related chronic disease. This study used 2015 national-level data, the most recent available, to characterize the intake of UPF among Canadians and to examine changes since 2004.
DATA AND METHODS
The 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health Surveys provided 24-hour dietary recall data for Canadians aged 2 or older. All food and drink items were classified according to type of food processing using the NOVA classification. The mean energy contribution of UPF (as a percentage of total daily energy intake) was compared across survey years for the overall population and for eight age-sex groups. The National Cancer Institute's methodology was used to assess the distribution of usual energy contributed by UPF.
RESULTS
On average, UPF contributed 47.8% (95% CI: 47.3% to 48.3%) of total daily energy in 2004 and 45.7% (95% CI: 45.0% to 46.4%) in 2015 among the overall population, and more than half of total daily energy among children and adolescents. Both the mean energy contribution of UPF and their usual energy distribution shifted downward since 2004 for all age-sex groups, except among adults aged 55 or older. The energy contributions of soft drinks, fruit juices and fruit drinks declined, particularly among children and adolescents. Ultra-processed breads contributed more energy in 2015 for nearly all age-sex groups.
DISCUSSION
As in 2004, the overall dietary share of UPF in Canada remained high in 2015, but intakes of some UPF, particularly beverages, declined. The energy contribution of UPF remained highest among children and adolescents, and increased among adults aged 55 or older.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Canada; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Energy Intake; Fast Foods; Female; Food Handling; Food Quality; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys
PubMed: 33205938
DOI: 10.25318/82-003-x202001100001-eng -
Appetite Apr 2024Plant-based diets are quickly gaining popularity for their benefits to animal welfare, the environment, and public health. Compared to meat-eaters, meat-abstainers such...
Plant-based diets are quickly gaining popularity for their benefits to animal welfare, the environment, and public health. Compared to meat-eaters, meat-abstainers such as vegetarians and vegans are especially motivated by animal rights and the environment. However, little is known about the motivational and psychological factors that distinguish vegetarians from vegans, and what prevents vegetarians to shift towards a fully plant-based diet. In a sample of vegans (n = 335) and vegetarians (n = 182), we investigated a) motives for reducing or quitting meat consumption and b) motives for reducing or quitting animal product (dairy and egg products) consumption, as well as moral psychological and social-contextual factors that may explain potential differences. Results demonstrate that vegetarians and vegans tend to be similar in their motives to abstain from meat consumption and are most strongly motivated by animal rights. However, vegetarians are less motivated by health, environmental, and especially animal rights for dairy/egg reduction compared to meat reduction and compared to vegans. Lower moral concern for animals, stronger beliefs in human supremacy over animals, and heightened veganism threat among vegetarians (vs. vegans) partly explained why vegetarians were less strongly motivated by animal rights for dairy/egg reduction. Human supremacy beliefs also explained differences between vegetarians and vegans in health and environmental motives for dairy/egg reduction. Furthermore, vegetarians reported significantly less social support for plant-based diets and perceived more practical barriers to plant-based diets than vegans. These findings reveal meaningful differences in the motivational and psychological profiles of vegetarians and vegans and highlight the value of distinguishing between motives for meat-free diets and motives for plant-based diets.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Vegans; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Plant-Based; Diet; Vegetarians; Meat; Plants; Diet, Vegetarian
PubMed: 38286335
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107232