Nutrition Research最新文献

The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between food security status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) using a nationally representative dataset. We hypothesized that food insecurity would be associated with an increased odds of having MetS. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2005–2006 to 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collection cycles. Food security was measured using the US Food Security Survey Module. Presence of MetS was determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The association between food insecurity and MetS was examined using logistic regression models stratified by sex and adjusted for poverty to income ratio, age, race, marital status, educational attainment, smoking status, and body mass index. After adjusting for covariates, men with marginal (odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–2.20) and low (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02–1.73) food security had a higher odds of having MetS than men with full food security; however, this association was lost among men with very low food security. For women, very low food security was associated with a 1.61 times greater odds of having MetS (95% CI, 1.16–2.25). These results suggest that food insecurity is generally associated with an increased prevalence of MetS for women, but not necessarily for men. These findings highlight the need to address rising food insecurity rates, while also highlighting the need for further research to fully elucidate the role of gender and sex in food insecurity and chronic disease.

Deficiency for thiamine (vitamin B₁), traditionally assessed via the activity of the thiamine-dependent enzyme erythrocyte transketolase, has been reported in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and in people with HIV; concentrations of the metabolically active diphosphate form, however, have yet to be reported in HIV cohorts and results in AUD are equivocal. In this cross-sectional study, samples from 170 AUD, 130 HIV, and 100 healthy control individuals were analyzed to test the hypothesis that AUD and HIV groups relative to healthy controls would show low whole blood thiamine diphosphate (TDP) concentrations related to peripheral neuropathy. TDP concentrations were not different in the 3 study groups (P = .6141) but were lower in Black (n = 172) relative to White (n = 155) individuals (P < .0001) regardless of group. In a multiple regression, race relative to diagnoses explained more than 10 times the variance in whole blood TDP concentrations (F_4,395 = 3.5, P = .0086; r² = 15.1]. Performance on a measure of peripheral neuropathy (2-point discrimination) was worse in the HIV and AUD cohorts relative to the healthy control group (P < .0001) but was not associated with TDP concentrations. These findings suggest that Black individuals carry a heightened vulnerability for low whole blood TDP concentrations, but the clinical significance and mechanisms underlying these results remain to be determined.

The study focuses on the association between serum carotenoids and cancer-related death. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2006 and 2017–2018), the study encompasses 10,277 participants older than age 20 years, with recorded baseline characteristics and serum carotenoid concentrations (including α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, cis-β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin). We hypothesized that serum carotenoid concentrations were negatively associated with cancer-related death. The weighted chi-square analyses indicate significant negative correlations between higher serum concentrations of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and total carotenoids, and the risk of cancer-related deaths. Using weighted Cox regression analysis, this study confirms that α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and total carotenoids, as continuous or categorical variables, are inversely related to cancer mortality (P < .0001). Furthermore, considering competitive risk events, lower concentrations of serum β-cryptoxanthin (Fine-Gray P = 1.12e-04), trans-lycopene (P = 5.68e-14), and total carotenoids (P = .03) are associated with an increased risk of cancer-related deaths. The research reveals a crucial inverse relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and cancer-related death.

Among the often-neglected features of healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, is the preparation and sharing of food, which is (or was) done in a social environment governed by social rules rather than by time constraints. The act of eating is a daily human practice that is not limited to meeting nutritional and energy needs but also involves a constructed social dimension of sharing meals that is part of the process of human civilization and food cultures around the world. In this narrative review, we outline the importance of conviviality in steering part of the health effects of healthful diets, with special reference to the Mediterranean diet. Based on the available evidence, we suggest that public health initiatives (such as nudging to promote conviviality) to improve people's eating and living styles, reduce loneliness, and promote the sharing of meals could improve health. Interventions aimed at directly increasing/improving people's social relationships, networking, and conviviality can—directly and indirectly—improve both psychological well-being and general health.

The Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) dietary pattern is associated with reduced cognitive decline and dementia risk. However, the nutrient features that distinguish the MIND from other patterns are unknown. We investigated the relationship between accordance to the MIND pattern and carotenoid intake (phytonutrients hypothesized to confer neuroprotection) relative to the Mediterranean, DASH, and Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020). We hypothesized that MIND diet accordance would be a stronger predictor of carotenoid intake relative to other diet indices. A total of 396 adults (aged 19–82 years) completed the Dietary History Questionnaire to assess carotenoid intake and adherence to each diet index. Stepwise regressions with adjustment for covariates followed by the Meng's Z-test were used to compare correlation strength between each diet pattern and carotenoid. All diet patterns were positively associated with lutein and zeaxanthin, β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin (all βs ≥0.38, Ps <.01). Effect size comparisons revealed that MIND accordance predicted a greater proportion of variance in lutein and zeaxanthin (all Zs ≥ 3.3, Ps < .001) and β-carotene (all Zs ≥ 2.6, Ps < .01) relative to the Mediterranean, DASH, and HEI-2020. MIND accordance explained a greater proportion of variance in α-carotene (Z = 3.8, P < .001) and β-cryptoxanthin (Z = 3.6, P < .001) relative to the HEI-2020. MIND diet accordance was disproportionately related to carotenoid intake, indicating the MIND index places greater emphasis on carotenoid-rich foods, particularly those containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene, relative to other diet indices. Future research is needed to define the role of these carotenoids in nutritional interventions for cognitive health.

Bovine dairy milk is a nutrient-rich matrix, but consumption of full-fat dairy food varieties has been claimed historically to be associated with poorer cardiometabolic health, a notion often attributed to the saturated fat content. However, continued investigation that includes observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide evidence that favorably supports full-fat dairy foods and their bioactive components on cardiometabolic health. This review addresses this controversy by examining the evidence surrounding full-fat dairy foods and their implications for human health. Dairy foods are heterogeneous, not just in their fat content but also in other compositional aspects within and between fermented (e.g., yogurt, cheese) and nonfermented products (e.g., milk) that could differentially influence cardiometabolic health. Drawing from complementary lines of evidence from epidemiological studies and RCTs, this review describes the health effects of dairy foods regarding their fat content, as well as their polar lipids that are concentrated in the milk fat globule fraction. Observational studies have limitedly supported the consumption of full-fat dairy to protect against cardiometabolic disorders. However, this framework has been disputed by RCTs indicating that dairy foods, regardless of their fat content or fermentation, are not detrimental to cardiometabolic health and may instead alleviate certain cardiometabolic risk factors. As dietary recommendations evolve, which currently indicate to avoid full-fat dairy foods, it is essential to consider the totality of evidence, especially from RCTs, while also recognizing that investigation is needed to evaluate the complexity of dairy foods within diverse dietary patterns and their impacts on cardiometabolic health.

Treatment adherence, defined as the degree to which the patient actively follows the plan of care, is very difficult for subjects undergoing ketogenic dietary therapies (KDTs). This is a relevant issue because adherence to dietary therapies is considered 1 of the primary determinants of the treatment's success. This paper aimed to review the literature evidence about KDT adherence according to age and diagnosis of patients. Performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, this systematic review included clinical trials and observational studies. The risk of bias was assessed by the RoB 2.0 Cochrane tool and the quality of evidence according to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool system. Twenty-two articles were included, with more than half (n = 12) having average quality (2–3 stars). The studies’ heterogeneity in measuring adherence and diagnosis made it difficult to compare results. Mean adherence rates were 71.5%, 66%, and 63.9% for children, adolescents, and adults, respectively. Adherence and compliance rates varied according to the follow-up period (79.7%, 66.7%, and 37.7% at 6, 24, and 36 months, respectively). The most frequent reasons for low adherence were linked to inefficacy in seizure control, adverse effects, food refusal, difficulty in preparing KDT meals or diet restrictiveness, lack of motivation, poor parental compliance, or cost of the diet. To conclude, there is a lack of standardized tools to measure adherence. Several studies highlighted the families’ challenges in adhering to KDTs. These factors should be considered when creating strategies and resources on family education.

Hormonal changes during the menopause transition may lead to vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes (HFs) and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and irritability. We hypothesized that the effects of cassis polyphenol (CaP) to improve microcirculation and vasorelaxation may alleviate menopausal symptoms. We performed a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial involving 59 healthy women (mean [standard deviation] age, 51.3 [4.3] years; body mass index, 20.8 [2.6] kg/m²). Participants experiencing subjective menopausal symptoms consumed CaP tablets (400 mg/d, CaP group) or placebo tablets (placebo group) for 4 weeks. Participants were evaluated using questionnaires at baseline, during the 4-week intervention period, and during a 2-week postinterventional observation period. The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with CaP on HFs in healthy Japanese women with menopausal symptoms. Additional assessments included the modified Kupperman menopausal index, World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, World Health Organization quality-of-life 26-item index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (anxiety and trait components), and Oguri–Shirakawa–Azumi sleep inventory (middle-aged and elderly versions). During the 4-week intervention period, no significant between-group differences were detected in the HF frequency, HF score, sweating frequency, menopausal symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, or sleep. During the 2-week postintervention observational period, the HF score and sweating frequency were significantly decreased in the CaP group compared with the placebo group. These findings suggest that twice daily intake of CaP for 4 weeks does not alleviate menopause symptoms, but the improvement observed in the CaP intake group during the postintervention period warrants confirmation through further large-scale studies.