Nutrients最新文献

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) can develop as post-vaccination syndrome (PVS) or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). In our prior retrospective study, most patients with PVS who developed ME/CFS had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. We evaluated the efficacy of vitamin D replacement therapy guidance for ME/CFS symptom improvement in patients with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial enrolled 91 participants with ME/CFS as PVS or PASC and serum 25(OH) vitamin D < 30 ng/mL across five clinical sites. Participants were randomized 1:1 to intervention (active vitamin D preparation plus vitamin D replacement therapy guidance: 25 μg daily supplementation, dietary counseling, sun exposure, and exercise) or control (active vitamin D preparation alone) for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in ME/CFS symptom count from screening to Week 12. Results: Mean symptom change was -6.7 in the intervention group versus -1.2 in the control group (between-group difference -5.6; 95% CI: -7.2, -3.9; p < 0.001). Serum 25(OH) vitamin D improved from 18.6 to 27.1 ng/mL in the intervention group, while the control group showed a decreasing trend (between-group difference 10.2 ng/mL; 95% CI: 7.9, 12.5). Achievement of <8 symptoms (i.e., no longer meeting ME/CFS diagnostic criteria) was significantly higher in the intervention group, with 16 participants achieving this threshold compared to 1 in the control group (p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed consistent benefit in both PVS (n = 56) and PASC (n = 29) cohorts. Conclusions: Vitamin D replacement therapy guidance significantly reduced ME/CFS symptoms along with improvement of serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels in patients with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency who developed ME/CFS as PVS or PASC.

Background/Objectives: Energy availability (EA) is associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport syndrome. This study assessed the EA, body composition, and phase angle (φ) of adolescent artistic gymnasts during a competitive season. Methods: Thirty non-elite artistic gymnasts aged 11-14 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric data were collected and body mass index (BMI) was assessed using the World Health Organization growth charts. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed and diet and physical activity were recorded for three days. Dietary and physical activity records were analyzed to estimate energy intake, total energy expenditure (TEE), and exercise energy expenditure, from which energy balance (EB) and EA were calculated. The 95% confidence ellipses of the impedance (Z) vectors were compared with a reference population using the two-sample Hotelling's T² test. Correlations between variables were examined by Pearson's or Spearman's correlation analysis. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: All participants were classified within the normal BMI category, except for one who was classified as being overweight. Mean (± SD) fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), and φ were 16.1 ± 3.4%, 83.9 ± 3.4%, and 6.0 ± 0.6°, respectively. The 95% confidence ellipses of Z vectors differed significantly from the reference population. Energy balance was 32 ± 223 kcal/day and EA was 49.2 ± 11.4 kcal/kg FFM/day. Energy availability was significantly correlated with EB, TEE, and body composition variables. Conclusions: Adolescent non-elite artistic gymnasts showed no clear indications of LEA and exhibited a normal body composition and φ during the competitive season, consistent with their EA.

Background: Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated chalcone flavonoid derived from hops (Humulus lupulus), is increasingly recognized as a highly pleiotropic natural compound.

Objective: We aimed to structure XN's mechanistic hierarchy with emerging translational relevance across disease areas.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive and integrative literature review of XN for its biological and translational effects across cancer, metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and dermatological disorders.

Results: Mechanistically, XN exerts diverse bioactivities by inhibiting major pro-oncogenic and pro-inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, STAT3, HIF-1α, and selective MAPK cascades, while activating cytoprotective signaling, such as the Nrf2/ARE and AMPK pathways. Through these coordinated actions, XN modulates redox homeostasis, mitochondrial integrity, apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and inflammatory responses. In oncology, XN demonstrates broad-spectrum anticancer activity in preclinical models by inhibiting proliferation; inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis; and restoring chemosensitivity in resistant cancers, including breast, lung, gastric, liver, and head-and-neck carcinomas. Beyond cancer, XN exhibits multi-organ protective bioactivities through antioxidative, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities; inhibition of ferroptosis and excitotoxicity; and preservation of mitochondrial integrity. It shows beneficial effects in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, skin photoaging, and atopic dermatitis. Human subject studies demonstrate that XN is safe and well tolerated, with observed reductions in oxidative DNA damage and inflammatory cytokine release. Recent advances in micellar formulations have improved XN's systemic bioavailability and thus its translational feasibility.

Conclusions: In summary, XN is a safe, multifunctional natural compound with strong potential for modulating disease-relevant biological pathways associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory skin conditions. Continued efforts to enhance its bioavailability and conduct rigorous clinical trials are essential to fully establish its clinical relevance in patient populations.

Background: Caloric restriction (CR) is a dietary intervention based on limiting calories relative to the basic energy needs of the organism, which changes the intensity of metabolism, causes changes in the functioning of the endocrine and sympathetic systems, and influences the expression of genes in muscle, heart, and brain cells. During the use of CR, there is a transition from carbohydrate supply to increased fat metabolism. Fatty acids are more or less susceptible to free radicals, depending on their molecular structure. Oxidation (peroxidation) contributes to the production of metabolites (including hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid), some of which are involved in inflammation.

Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term caloric restriction on the tissue levels of selected fatty acids and fatty acid-derived lipid mediators with pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory properties in skeletal muscle and intestinal tissues. The study was carried out on C57BL/6 mice. During the 8-month experiment, the mice in the study group were fed a 30% calorie restricted diet-according to the Every-Other-Day Diet concept. Analyses were performed on intestinal and muscle tissues collected from animals. Fatty acid derivatives were isolated using solid-phase extraction (C-18 columns) columns, and isolation of fatty acids was performed using a modified Folch method. The compounds were analyzed by liquid and gas chromatography.

Results: CR induced detectable alterations in both fatty acid profiles and lipid mediator concentrations in a tissue-specific manner. However, most of these changes did not remain statistically significant after multiple testing correction.

Conclusions: These findings suggest potential effects of long-term CR on lipid signaling pathways, although the current dataset lacks the statistical power required to draw definitive conclusions. This study highlights the need for further research using larger sample sizes and integrated multiomic approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying lipidomic adaptations to prolonged caloric restriction.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial joint inflammation and different system involvement that results in considerable physical and psychological symptoms. This narrative review investigates the impacts of nutritional diet therapy on RA symptoms, highlighting recent scientific findings in terms of how different dietary components may modulate inflammation and disease activity. Treatment of RA includes conventional and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and symptomatic response modifiers, like corticosteroids and non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs (NSAIDS). However, nutritional interventions are becoming more and more popular due to their ability to alter inflammation. The review also focuses on macronutrients such as proteins and fats, stressing the usefulness of omega-3 fat acids/monounsaturated fat acids but warning against high intake of processed carbohydrates/sugars. Besides that, it explores the effects of micronutrients and bioactive compounds like polyphenols which may minimize RA symptoms and result in better disease control together with vitamin D or probiotics. This study highlights that incorporating anti-inflammatory foods can benefit the health and well-being of RA patients. Dietary modification may serve as a supportive approach alongside conventional treatments, helping patients improve both physical and mental aspects of their condition and achieve a better quality of life.

Background: Sleep quality (SQ) and physical activity (PA) are among the strongest behavioral determinants of healthy aging, while dietary behavior and psychological factors act as complementary modulators of these relationships. Although each domain has been studied extensively, their combined influence on subjective life expectancy (SLE)-an individual's perceived likelihood of living to an advanced age-remains largely unexplored. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from sleep science, exercise physiology, behavioral medicine, and psychological aging. Literature published between January 2015 and 15 December 2025 was examined across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using integrative keyword strategies. Studies addressing SQ, PA, circadian rhythms, psychological health, SLE, or aging-related outcomes were included. Results: The review identifies several converging pathways linking sleep and PA to aging trajectories. Sleep architecture, circadian stability, metabolic regulation, inflammatory balance, and autonomic function represent key biological mechanisms. PA contributes through improvements in mitochondrial efficiency, VO₂max, muscle metabolism, and anti-inflammatory signaling (IL-6 as a myokine). Across studies, both sleep and PA strongly influence psychological health, health perception, and future-oriented expectations, within a broader lifestyle context supported by nutritional status and dietary quality. SLE emerges as a central psychological mediator that shapes motivation, adherence to health behaviors, and long-term health outcomes. Contextual moderators-including age, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural norms, and wearable technology engagement-further influence these relationships. Conclusions: SQ and PA form the core behavioral components of a dynamic system that is further shaped by dietary behavior and psychological well-being and centered on SLE. Our proposed integrative model positions SLE as a key psychological link between lifestyle behaviors and longevity. This framework is hypothesis-generating and requires empirical validation through future longitudinal and interventional studies, underscoring the need for multidomain research integrating behavioral, biological, nutritional and psychological indicators of aging.

Background: The human gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in maintaining health throughout the lifespan, and age-related alterations in its composition and diversity have been implicated in numerous chronic and neurodegenerative conditions. However, the combined effects of aging, dementia, and shared living environments on gut microbial communities remain incompletely understood. Methods: This study included 56 older adults residing in a nursing home, of whom 29 had been diagnosed with dementia. Gut microbiota composition was characterized by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. Microbial diversity was assessed using alpha- and beta-diversity metrics, and differences in amplicon sequence variants (ASVs)/features were determined. Analyses adopted some covariates as potential confounders variables including age, sex, frailty status, drug use, and time spent in the nursing home. Results: Alpha diversity was significantly higher in older adults compared with younger, while beta-diversity analyses revealed distinct microbial community structures between age groups. In older individuals, Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla, whereas Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota declined with advancing age. Notably, older adults exhibited an increased relative abundance of Euryarchaeota, a phylum encompassing Archaea, predominantly methanogens involved in anaerobic carbon dioxide reduction to methane. In subjects with dementia, marked compositional shifts were detected, resulting in a distinct microbial signature. Dementia was associated with a significant enrichment of Actinobacteriota, Euryarchaeota, and Proteobacteria, alongside a depletion of Bacteroidota and Firmicutes. Overall, different bacterial genera mostly belonging to the Firmicutes phylum were associated both with aging and dementia. Conclusions: Results show age-related remodeling of the gut microbiota, with a stable core of common taxa and distinct individual-specific signatures. These shifts reflect both host factors and life-long environmental conditions. Dementia-related changes seem to correlate with increased inflammatory species, thus suggesting the effect of vulnerability in microbiota changes in subjects sharing living environment and diet.

Background/Objectives: Legumes, a significant source of plant-based protein, play a crucial role in diets across Portugal and Spain, contributing to both human and animal nutrition. As plant-based diets gain traction, various legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and beans have risen in popularity. However, fava beans remain underutilized compared to these varieties. This study explores stakeholder perspectives on the factors influencing the lower consumption rates of fava beans in the Iberian Peninsula, despite their nutritional and environmental benefits. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders, including nutritionists, retailers, farmers, catering professionals, and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian consumers in Portugal and Spain. Results: Our findings highlight a perceived lack of visibility of fava beans in supermarkets and on influential social media platforms, which often shape consumer preferences. Seasonal availability further contributes to the limited consumption, as people tend to purchase fava beans only when they are more prominent in markets. Addressing local challenges to legume production and consumption can pave the way for effective interventions to increase the intake of these sustainable foods. This study suggests promoting fava beans as a locally cultivable option, which could reduce reliance on imports and enhance regional agricultural output. Interviewees suggested using targeted promotional tactics, such as short videos, cooking demonstrations, and influencer marketing on social media, as effective means to boost fava bean consumption. Conclusions: These exploratory findings indicate that such strategies may foster a more positive perception and integrate fava beans into everyday diets in the region.

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic complications during pregnancy. Nutritional and diabetological education constitutes the cornerstone of treatment; however, its actual impact according to maternal knowledge levels requires further evaluation. The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of maternal dietary and lifestyle knowledge on the metabolic control of women diagnosed with GDM and to analyze the effectiveness of nutritional and diabetological education received during pregnancy in achieving favorable obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral center in women diagnosed with GDM. Participants completed a specific questionnaire to evaluate dietary and lifestyle knowledge relevant to glycemic control. Pregnancy follow-up included anthropometric measurements, maternal biochemical parameters-including oral glucose tolerance tests-and maternal-fetal obstetric outcomes, analyzed in relation to knowledge levels and education received. Results: Results showed that women with lower nutritional knowledge exhibited higher body weight, body mass index, and glucose levels in GDM diagnostic tests. Higher knowledge levels were associated with improved metabolic control. Nutritional and diabetological education during pregnancy proved beneficial, with better maternal-fetal outcomes observed, particularly among women who received reinforced education. Conclusions: Dietary and lifestyle knowledge significantly influenced GDM metabolic control. Nutritional education before and during pregnancy is key to optimizing glycemic management and improving maternal-fetal outcomes, supporting the need for preventive and educational programs targeting women with risk factors.

Carotenoids accumulate in both the skin and the macula, but their biochemical specificity, anatomical localization, optical environments, and temporal kinetics differ fundamentally. Despite superficial similarities, these distinctions raise questions about whether non-invasive skin carotenoid measurements, which are obtained using reflection spectroscopy or resonance Raman spectroscopy, can meaningfully reflect macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a retina-specific biomarker associated with visual performance and neuroprotective function. This review synthesizes evidence across biochemistry, tissue distribution, optical pathways, kinetic behavior, and statistical correlations to evaluate this proposed relationship. Skin carotenoid measurements capture a broad mixture of dietary carotenoids, which are dominated by β-carotene and lycopene, that accumulate superficially within the epidermis and dermis and respond rapidly to short-term dietary and environmental changes. In contrast, MPOD reflects only lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin, which are selectively transported into the foveal neurosensory retina and change slowly through regulated retinal uptake and deposition. Across human studies, correlations between skin carotenoids and MPOD are weak, inconsistent, and biologically implausible, with large cohort analyses demonstrating near-zero associations. Collectively, evidence across biochemical, anatomical, optical, physiological, and statistical domains shows that skin carotenoid values encode general systemic antioxidant exposure, whereas MPOD reflects a highly localized, retina-specific carotenoid reservoir. Therefore, skin carotenoid measurements cannot be used to estimate, substitute for, or infer macular pigment levels. Accurate assessment of MPOD requires direct retinal imaging technologies.