Nutrition and health最新文献

BackgroundWith the rise in availability of herbal supplements, there has been a similarly expanding landscape of online information about these supplements.Aims/ObjectivesThis study identifies commonly used herbal supplements, their ingredients, oxalate content, and the reliability of their online information.Methods/MethodologyA survey was administered to members of a nephrolithiasis Facebook group on their use of herbal supplements. The top 10 bestselling herbal supplements on Amazon and their common ingredients were identified. Consumer interest and online engagement with these ingredients were analyzed using Google Trends and BuzzSumo. The reliability of the top 10 articles for each ingredient was rated using the DISCERN questionnaire. Oxalate content was quantified by ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.Results/FindingsThe most common ingredients in supplements were black pepper, ginger, apple cider vinegar, and turmeric. Google Trends identified apple cider vinegar, ginger, and turmeric as search terms of high interest. BuzzSumo revealed the highest article engagement and video views for apple cider vinegar. For all ingredients, average DISCERN scores for the most popular articles were in the "poor reliability" category. Turmeric-containing and standalone turmeric formulations were found to have the highest oxalate levels, with ranges of 2.69-54.8 mg/g and 15-19.5 mg/g, respectively.ConclusionsHigh consumer interest in herbal supplements combined with unreliable online information highlights the need for high-quality, evidence-based information. With popular herbal supplements containing varying amounts of oxalate, it may be useful for those providing care for kidney stone formers to familiarize themselves with popular herbal products and their lithogenic potential.

Antecedents: Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, contributing to chronic diseases. While extensively studied in athletes, its relevance in untrained individuals and the role of nutritional interventions such as beetroot juice (Beta vulgaris) (BRJ) remain less explored. Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of BRJ on oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant capacity in non-athletic adults. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Cochrane guidelines. Experimental studies comparing BRJ to placebo in untrained adults, assessing redox biomarkers, were included. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB-2, certainty of evidence with GRADE, and pooled effects calculated using a random effects model. Results: Seven studies (n = 360) met inclusion criteria. BRJ significantly reduced oxidative damage biomarkers (SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.09; p = 0.01) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 55%), particularly improving the GSH/GSSG ratio. It also significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (SMD = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.27; p < 0.001), though with high heterogeneity (I² = 81%). Overall risk of bias was low and certainty of evidence high. Conclusion: BRJ supplementation improves oxidative status in untrained adults. Standardization of dose, duration, and product quality is needed to support clinical and public health recommendations.

BackgroundAerobic exercise improves fitness but can induce oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammation. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), rich in lignans and antioxidants, may help reduce these effects and support immune function.AimThis systematic review examines the synergistic effects of sesame supplementation and aerobic exercise on oxidative stress, muscle damage, immune response, and inflammatory markers in athletes.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and EMBASE was conducted up to September 2024. Eligible randomized controlled trials included semiprofessional athletes receiving sesame supplementation (oil, extract, capsule, or whole seed) for ≥4 weeks, with placebo or no-supplement comparators under identical training protocols. Primary outcomes assessed oxidative stress biomarkers, muscle damage markers, inflammatory cytokines, and immune response parameters.ResultsA total of 290 studies were initially identified, with four randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria after screening. These trials, spanning 4-10 weeks with a total of 140 participants, revealed that sesame supplementation significantly enhanced antioxidant defenses, as indicated by increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and vitamins A, C, and E, while reducing oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, the combination of aerobic exercise and sesame improved anti-inflammatory markers, including a reduction in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), though cytokine modulation appeared to be primarily attributable to exercise alone.ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential of sesame supplementation as a natural adjunct to exercise regimens in mitigating oxidative and inflammatory stress, with implications for enhancing athletic performance and recovery.

Background and Aim: Over the years, U.S. health care cost has been increasing. Studies in the public health domain have studied food behavior to improve health, but direct relationship between food behavior and health expenditure is yet to be investigated. We examine this relation to understand and inform the current policy shift toward food as medicine. Methods: National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) 2012-13 and Grossman's model is used to estimate the association between food behavior and health expenditures. Multiple regression model is analyzed, controlling for confounding households' financial behavior and sociodemographic variables. Results: Among the full sample (4029), the average monthly household health expenditure in the years 2012-2013 was $191, while the monthly mean total household income was $3391. Multiple linear regression results indicate that respondents who reported "eating healthy" had significantly lower health-related expenses (β = -20.71; p < 0.05). Time-constrained individuals who did not eat healthily had higher other (β = 41.68; p < 0.05) and total expenditures (β = 52.08; p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights the significant relationship between healthy eating behaviors, financial constraints, and expenditure patterns. Results also reveal a complex relationship between food consumption behavior and health expenditures. Households that prioritize healthy eating tend to have lower health-related expenses but higher other expenditures. In addition, those who are constrained by time also face greater overall costs. Financial stressors, such as unexpected expenses and higher debt payments, correlate with increased health expenditures. These findings emphasize the need for policies that promote healthy eating accessibility and financial well-being.

BackgroundEriodictyol is a flavonoid primarily found in citrus fruits for dietary consumption. Laboratory studies have shown that it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help prevent colorectal cancer (CRC). However, consuming eriodictyol through citrus drinks and added sugars may increase the risk of CRC. These beverages can raise blood sugar levels and disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially increasing the risk of CRC.AimThis study aims to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake of eriodictyol flavonoid, commonly consumed through citrus drinks or sugar-sweetened orange beverages, and the increased risk of CRC, as well as its connection with diabetic patients.MethodsData from 53,914 participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial were analyzed using Dietary Questionnaire (DQX) and Dietary History Questionnaire (DHQ). LASSO regression identified significant associations, while restricted cubic spline analysis examined nonlinear relationships between eriodictyol intake and CRC risk.ResultsDiabetes was confirmed as a significant risk factor for CRC in both the DHQ and DQX cohorts. Additionally, higher eriodictyol intake was associated with increased CRC risk in the DQX group, suggesting a possible link between diabetes, elevated eriodictyol consumption, and CRC development. The primary source of dietary eriodictyol in the USA is sugar-sweetened beverages.ConclusionsThe findings show that hyperglycemic patients have a notably higher risk of CRC, and this increased risk remains even with dietary intake of eriodictyol, a flavonoid commonly found in citrus fruits and increasingly consumed through citrus beverages in industrialized countries.

Loss aversion, the cognitive bias favouring avoiding losses over equivalent gains, has been linked to dietary choices. Independently, genetic variation affecting dopaminergic function has been associated with loss aversion. This study examined the influence of loss aversion and genetic variation on food choices based on perceived healthiness. This is a randomised cross-over study. Participants completed two food choice tasks, scale-up (adding toppings) and scale-down (removing/keeping toppings). Participants rated the perceived healthiness of each food item. Loss aversion was objectively assessed using a small-stake gambling task, classifying individuals as highly (LA_H) or lowly (LA_L) loss averse. Buccal samples were collected for genetic analysis, and all data were obtained via Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Online Surveys. Both LA_H and LA_L participants kept more toppings than they added. LA_H participants kept more healthy and unhealthy toppings, whereas LA_L kept only more healthy toppings than they added. Genetic variation had an opposing effect in the LA_H and LA_L groups, leading to the differences in the addition of total toppings and unhealthy toppings (scale up) and removal of unhealthy toppings (scale down). Therefore, high loss aversion combined with genetic predispositions to reduced dopamine activity may promote greater food retention, irrespective of perceived healthiness. In contrast, genetic variants and lower loss aversion are associated with more selective, health-oriented choices. Findings warrant further investigation in larger cohorts to elucidate underlying mechanisms and inform personalised dietary interventions.

BackgroundEarly nutrition is critical to later health outcomes. Infants exposed to maternal incarceration are a marginalized population and may be at elevated risk for suboptimal feeding.AimTo assess adherence to recommended timing of complementary food introduction among infants exposed to maternal incarceration in utero.MethodsWe analyzed data from 69 infants and caregivers in Georgia. Formerly incarcerated mothers (n = 17) and nonmaternal caregivers (n = 52) reported timing of complementary food introduction. Regression analyses assessed associations with independent variables, including poverty, food insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receipt, and caregiver education, psychological distress, and age.ResultsApproximately 47.8% of infants received complementary foods early, defined as before four months of age. The mean age of introduction was 3.6 months. Caregiver distress was associated with earlier introduction.ConclusionThis population of caregivers requires tailored nutrition education, financial assistance, and mental health and social support services to promote optimal infant feeding practices.

Introduction: Advances in nutrigenomics have enabled exploration of how genetic variation may relate to nutrition and lifestyle traits. However, the extent to which demographic factors influence the distribution of such variants remains underexplored. Objective: This study examined gender- and region-specific variation in diet- and lifestyle-related genetic traits and described patterns of trait clustering within a cohort of direct-to-consumer gene-test clients. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 503 anonymised gene-test reports covering 41 nutrition- and lifestyle-linked genetic components. Chi-square tests assessed demographic differences in allele frequency distributions. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were applied as exploratory tools to visualise trait patterns. Results: Most individuals exhibited typical genotype distributions, though some demographic differences were observed. Statistically significant gender variation was noted in omega-3/6 metabolism (p = 0.0378). Lactose intolerance showed the greatest regional disparity, disproportionately affecting Asian (p < 0.00001). Marked regional differences were also observed in vitamin-D status (p = 0.0137), omega-3 metabolism (p = 0.0215), pain tolerance (p = 0.0279), fat utilisation (p = 0.0406) and gluten sensitivity (p = 0.0411). Clustering grouped 41 components into 14 sets. Three principal clusters explained 44-80% of the variance. Predictive modelling was limited by incomplete data and class imbalance. Conclusion: This exploratory study highlights modest demographic differences in allele frequencies and demonstrates clustering of nutrition-related genetic traits within a direct-to-consumer dataset. Findings should be interpreted as descriptive signals rather than prescriptive guidance. Future research incorporating phenotypic, biomarker, and outcome data is needed to evaluate functional and clinical significance.

Background and AimsThe climate emergency and other sustainability challenges interact to threaten human and planetary health. Efforts to improve the sustainability of food initiatives within healthcare institutions could mitigate these threats by addressing the four pillars of sustainability: health, social, economic, and environmental. Understanding current initiatives to incorporate sustainability into food programs and the sustainability pillars that guide those initiatives is important to inform priorities for action. This scoping review will investigate the extent to which major healthcare institutions in Ontario, Canada, have publicly committed to, discussed, planned, and/or implemented sustainable food initiatives.MethodsThe protocol follows guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute and Arksey & O'Malley. The current strategic plans of 57 healthcare institutions in Ontario, Canada, will be retrieved from their websites and used to examine any commitments to or discussion, planning, and/or implementation of sustainability initiatives. The healthcare institution websites, along with those of selected sustainability organizations, will be searched for grey literature from 2015 to 2024 describing sustainable food initiatives within these institutions. Documents will be screened for eligibility by two researchers. Data concerning the incorporation of sustainable food into institutional food programs, and the sustainability pillars addressed, will be extracted by one researcher, with 10% of entries verified by a second researcher. Data will be shared with stakeholders in sustainability to augment findings. The data will be synthesized narratively.SummaryThis grey literature scoping review will summarize publicly available progress toward integrating sustainable food into healthcare institutions in Ontario, Canada, informing efforts to address climate and other sustainability challenges.

BackgroundDiet teas marketed for weight loss remain understudied despite growing consumer use and potential health risks.ObjectiveThis study examined the marketing practices, labeling, and regulatory disclaimers of diet teas sold in culturally specific grocery stores.MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of 12 diet teas sold across three Asian-oriented grocery stores in Connecticut. Packaging was systematically reviewed for ingredients, health claims and benefits, warnings, labeling format, and disclaimers using a team-developed codebook and iterative thematic coding.ResultsThe majority (58.3%) displayed Supplement Facts panels; 66.7% included FDA disclaimers. Marketing claims emphasized natural ingredients, detoxification, slimming and thin imagery, and ancient remedies. Four themes were identified: slimming and weight loss imagery, "natural" and "herbal" health claims, caffeine-free or gentle detox positioning, and use of regulatory disclaimers to appear trustworthy.ConclusionsThese teas employ strategic marketing that may obscure health risks and appeal to vulnerable populations, including adolescents.