Frontiers in Nutrition最新文献

Background: In Ethiopia, diabetes and its complications are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, with huge economic implications. Despite the high dietary non-adherence that has been reported in limited studies in Ethiopia. Moreover, there is a gap from the perspective of patients in the area of this topic.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess adherence to dietary recommendations and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Addis Ababa Selected Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024.

Methods and materials: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a 420 sampled population among four hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 24 June to 15 July 2024. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit individual study participants. The collected data were exported into SPSS version 25 software for analysis. A descriptive summary, including frequencies, percentages, and graphs, was used to present the study results. Binary logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Finally, the results of bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were presented using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. In the final model, a p-value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Results: A total of 406 participants were included, with a response rate of 96.7%. The study participants had an average age of 48 (± 11.4 years), and the overall adherence to dietary recommendations in this study was 62.8% among type 2 diabetic patients. Years of diagnosis of DM, having a family history of DM, having comorbidities, and having received diabetic nutrition education were significantly associated with adhering to diabetic dietary recommendations among type 2 diabetic patients.

Conclusion and recommendation: The study found that overall adherence to dietary recommendations among type 2 diabetic patients was relatively high at 62.8%, suggesting the need to develop and implement tailored dietary education and counseling programs for this patient population.

Introduction: Alfalfa is used as a feed source for animals and plays an important role in animal nutrition. Nutritional value analysis and contamination evaluation are essential for sustainable utilisation to ensure the quality and safety of alfalfa.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and safety of alfalfa in five major regions in China-the Northeast Plain (NP), Inner Mongolia Plateau (IMP), Northwest Desert Oasis (NO), Loess Plateau (LP), and Huanghuaihai Plain (HP).

Methods: Ninety-five samples representing 44 large-scale pratacultural companies were collected and analysed.

Results: The average nutritional values of alfalfa hay were 16.43% crude protein (CP), 44.01% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 33.22% acid detergent fibre (ADF), 10.78% crude ash (Ash), and 91.90% dry matter (DM), which were better in the NO and IMP areas; in particular, the α-linolenic acid value of alfalfa was the highest in the IMP area (p < 0.05). The detection rates of mycotoxins, microorganisms, and heavy metals were 100%. The over-standard rates of total bacteria count and total mould count were 66.7% and 75.8%, respectively, while the over-standard rate of chromium in heavy metals was as high as 87.9%.

Discussion: This study establishes the nutrient composition and harmful component profiles of alfalfa hay in five major planting areas for the first time, which provides a valuable reference for the safe and sustainable utilisation of alfalfa in livestock feed.

Objective: To improve further the management of the nutritional status and dietary habits of depressed patients.

Methods: This study investigated the effect of different severity states of depressive symptoms on serum and erythrocyte folate levels using the Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2017 to 2020. We comprised a sample of 4,872 cases from NHANES database. We developed 3 linear regression models to assess the effect of depressive symptoms on erythrocyte folate and serum folate by collating and analyzing the data. The relationship between depression severity and erythrocyte folate as well as serum folate was also mutually validated by the results of multiple logistic regression. Finally, we made restricted cubic spline plots using the glm function of R.

Results: Depression remained negatively correlated with serum folate levels with a OR value of -0.02, 95% CI of -0.05 ~ -0.00. Moderate depression was negatively correlated with folate, with a OR value of -0.03, 95% CI of -0.05 ~ -0.00. When exploring the association between different degrees of depressive symptoms and erythrocyte folate, it was unexpectedly found that major depression was negatively associated with erythrocyte folate with a OR value of -0.18, 95% CI of -0.31 ~ -0.04 after adjusting for all covariates.

Conclusion: Depression is associated with folate levels. The risk of serum folate insufficiency or erythrocyte folate insufficiency is higher after a positive depression. For different degrees of depressive symptoms, serum folate levels were significantly lower than normal in patients with moderate depression, while erythrocyte folate levels were lower than normal in patients with major depression. Therefore, attention should be paid to the dietary habits and nutritional status of patients with depression or depressive symptoms when they are undergoing long-term antidepressant treatment. Folic acid supplementation is recommended for patients with moderate or severe depression or for depressed patients who have developed unhealthy eating habits.

Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (ELNs) are critical mediators of cross-kingdom communication, modulating gene expression in animal cells despite their plant origin. In this study, we investigated the effects of glucoraphanin-enriched kale (GEK)-derived ELNs (GELNs) on collagen production in normal human dermal fibroblasts NB1RGB. The ELNs isolated from GEK juice powder had particle sizes similar to those of typical exosomes. GELNs increased type I collagen expression in NB1RGB cells significantly. Microarray analysis demonstrated that GELN-derived total RNA upregulated the expression of genes related to extracellular matrix formation, including those involved in collagen synthesis. Further investigation revealed that microRNA-enriched fraction of GELNs promoted collagen production by inhibiting the expression of Smad7. These findings suggest that GELNs and their microRNA content enhance collagen production through the downregulation of Smad7.

Background: Schizoaffective disorder is a severe psychiatric condition characterized by mood disturbances and psychotic symptoms. Standard treatments, primarily pharmacological, often fail to control symptoms fully and can lead to significant metabolic side effects. Emerging evidence suggests that ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT), also known as the ketogenic diet, may offer a powerful alternative to conventional treatments for mood components and resolve psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizoaffective disorder.

Methods: This case series investigates the effects of KMT on two individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder who pursued this therapy due to the ineffectiveness of conventional treatments. Both case presentations followed a modified ketogenic diet with medical oversight. Symptom changes in mood were assessed using validated tools, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-42), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Results: Both case presentations experienced the complete cessation of psychotic symptoms and improvements in mood. Case 1, a 17-year-old female, achieved full remission of severe suicidal ideation, hallucinations, and anxiety within 6 weeks, with sustained improvements at a 24-week follow-up. Case 2, a 32-year-old female, achieved full remission of chronic psychotic and mood symptoms by 6 months. Patients either achieved full psychiatric deprescription or were in the process of deprescription at time of follow-up.

Conclusion: This case series demonstrates that ketogenic metabolic therapy can resolve chronic psychotic and mood symptoms in patients with schizoaffective disorder, leading to full remission and significant functional recovery and reported improvements in quality of life that extend beyond symptom control with standard of care interventions.

Objective: Lower limb muscle mass (LLMM) accounts for more than 50% of the total body skeletal muscle mass. Assessing leg muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly individuals is crucial for the prevention and diagnosis of sarcopenia. Current bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices are capable of measuring LLMM, but validation studies are limited. This study compares the accuracy of BIA devices with different frequencies for measuring LLMM in middle-aged and elderly populations.

Methods: LLMM measurements were obtained using the following devices: foot-to-foot dual-frequency (StarBIA201, 5, 50 KHz), multi-segment single-frequency (Tanita BC418, 50 KHz), dual-frequency (InBody270, 20, 100 KHz), triple-frequency (Tanita MC780MA, 5, 50, 250 KHz), and six-frequency (InBody770, 1, 5, 50, 250, 500, 1,000 KHz). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) served as the reference standard. Comparisons were conducted using the following metrics: (1) mean difference (bias), (2) limits of agreement (LOA), (3) Pearson correlation coefficients, and (4) ordinary least product (OLP) regression analysis.

Results: A total of 153 community-dwelling individuals aged over 55 years (102 females, 51 males) were recruited. The average age of participants was 67.5 ± 8.9 years, with a BMI of 23.9 ± 3.9 kg/m² and a body fat percentage of 35.8 ± 6.5%. The correlation coefficients of StarBIA201, BC418, InBody270, MC780, and InBody770 with DXA were 0.902, 0.903, 0.917, 0.925, and 0.928, respectively. Their mean differences were -0.141, -2.731, -0.587, -1.613, and -0.625 kg, with LOAs of 4.3, 5.7, 4.0, 5.1, and 3.8 kg, respectively. StarBIA201 and InBody270 showed no fixed or proportional biases.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the four-electrode foot-to-foot BIA method shows significant practicality and potential in assessing LLMM. Compared to multi-frequency BIA and DXA, this method is simpler to operate and more convenient, making it particularly suitable for preliminary screening and assessment of sarcopenia in clinical and community settings.

Background: Previous studies have shown inconsistent findings regarding the association of alcohol consumption with sarcopenia. Therefore, this study comprehensively investigated the association of alcohol consumption with sarcopenia in a nationally representative sample of US adults.

Methods: This population-based study included adults aged 18 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III. Alcohol exposure was defined as daily alcohol intake, alcohol drinking history, number of drinking days per week, and frequency of binge drinking days per month. Weighted logistic regressions were used to determine associations.

Results: Four cohorts were selected from the NHANES III: cohort 1 (n = 7,592), cohort 2 (n = 12,060), cohort 3 (n = 7,608), and cohort 4 (n = 7,649), corresponding to alcohol exposure categories of daily alcohol intake, drinking history, number of drinking days per week, and frequency of binge drinking days per month. In the full model, the risk of sarcopenia was significantly associated with mild (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.51), moderate (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.12-3.71), and heavy drinkers (OR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.17-4.97) compared to nondrinkers. There was an association between the development of sarcopenia and current drinkers (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.12-2.56) but not former drinkers (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.88-1.66). Compared to nondrinkers, an increased risk of developing sarcopenia was observed in participants who consumed alcohol 2 days (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.40-3.99) or > 2 days (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.10-3.07) per week, and those who engaged in binge drinking for ≤1 day per month (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.09-2.60) or > 1 day per month (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.10-4.01). Sensitivity analyses based on different definitions of sarcopenia yielded similar results. Stratified analyses revealed that these associations were present in females but not males.

Conclusion: Alcohol intake was associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia in all individuals, with this association being primarily observed in females rather than males.

Diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia are significant health concerns that elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and other metabolic disorders, necessitating effective management strategies. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of dietary fats, particularly seed oils, in influencing health outcomes in these conditions. This systematic review evaluates the impact of seed oils on lipid profiles, inflammatory and oxidative markers, and glycemic control in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia. A comprehensive search across databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, identified studies focusing on the effects of seed oils. The studies include randomized controlled, parallel-design, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and open-label studies published in English. The quality of the studies was assessed through a detailed review process, and data were extracted to evaluate the effects of seed oils on key metabolic markers. The review included 11 studies demonstrating that seed oils derived from canola, flaxseed, and sesame seeds can positively influence lipid profiles and glycemic control while potentially modulating oxidative stress markers. The findings suggest that seed oils may benefit in managing diabetes and dyslipidemia, although the results are sometimes inconsistent. This review provides valuable insights for dietary recommendations and therapeutic strategies, highlighting the need for further research to clarify the role of seed oils in metabolic health.

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated with several metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and traditional treatments, such as xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors, often have limitations, such as severe hypersensitivity reactions or ineffectiveness in achieving target serum urate levels in some patients. Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has shown potential as a hypouricemic agent through XO inhibition.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the potential hypouricemic effect of Quercetin Phytosome™ (QP) supplementation across three cohort studies involving healthy adults with various metabolic health profiles, exploring its potential as a safe, effective intervention for hyperuricemia.

Methods: Clinical data collected in various clinics in Italy between September 2021 and April 2024 under real-life clinical settings from three distinct cohort studies, were analyzed. Cohort 1 consisted of 164 healthy participants (87 QP-treated, 77 probiotic Streptococcus salivarius (S. salivarius) K12-treated) who were monitored for 90 days. Cohort 2 included 22 mildly hyperuricemic adults with metabolic disorders receiving QP, while Cohort 3 comprised 64 obese adults with hypercholesterolemia, further divided into moderately hyperuricemic QP-treated group (n = 20), a moderately hyperuricemic Berberine Phytosome™ and monacolins (BM)-treated group (n = 22), and a normouricemic BM-treated group (n = 22). QP was administered at 400 mg of quercetin daily in all cohorts. Primary endpoints were reductions in serum uric acid levels, while secondary outcomes included effects on lipid profile, glycemia, liver enzymes, and treatment tolerability.

Results: In Cohort 1, QP significantly reduced uric acid levels by 15.2% in males and 13.8% in females, with no significant changes observed in the probiotic group. Cohort 2 showed a significant 13.1% reduction in uric acid (p < 0.01) and a concurrent 10.2% reduction in triglycerides (p < 0.05). In Cohort 3, QP led to a 13.7% decrease in uric acid and a 20.8% reduction in triglycerides (p < 0.01), with no significant uric acid changes in the BM-treated group. QP was well tolerated across all cohorts, with minimal, transient side effects.

Conclusion: QP supplementation demonstrates a significant hypouricemic effect. Additionally, triglyceride-lowering benefits were evident, particularly in metabolically compromised individuals (Cohorts 2 and 3), where these effects were statistically significant. With high tolerability, these findings highlight Quercetin Phytosome™'s potential as a safe adjunctive therapy for hyperuricemia management, meriting further investigation in larger, randomized trials to confirm its efficacy and safety.

Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT06652035.