Nutrients最新文献

Background: An increasing amount of evidence, derived from both human epidemiological studies and animal research, suggests that exposure to maternal obesity in utero is linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring. These can include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy.

Methods: A thorough search in Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed by two independent reviewers in order to investigate the link between the exposure to maternal obesity and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring. A list of keywords, including maternal obesity, maternal overweight, maternal diet, neurodevelopment, and neuropsychiatric disorders, was used in the search algorithm.

Results: The existing evidence regarding the potential mechanisms through which maternal obesity may impact offspring neurodevelopment and programming, such as inflammation, hormone dysregulation, alterations to the microbiome, and epigenetics, as well as evidence from animal studies, was summarized in this narrative review.

Conclusions: Maternal obesity seems to be overall associated with various neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, more robust data from future studies are needed to establish this association, which will take into account the role of potential confounders such as genetic factors and gene-environment interactions.

Background: Nutritional support through oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) is important for patients. It leads to improved nutritional intake and better clinical and economic outcomes.

Objectives: The problem that often accompanies the use of ONSs is their consumption below the optimal prescribed doses. One of the reasons for this is patient education on the importance of ONS intake. This study investigated hospitalized patients and focused on the impact that educational sources have on ONS intake. It also investigated patient compliance with the intake of the prescribed dose, and the time of initiation and discontinuation of ONS consumption.

Methods: A qualitative survey using an anonymous questionnaire was conducted on 120 hospital patients across three locations in the Republic of Croatia: Varaždin General Hospital, the Special Hospital for Chronic Diseases in Novi Marof, and the hospital for lung diseases and tuberculosis in Klenovnik. Data were collected by independent nurses and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, including Shapiro-Wilk, Levene, Mann-Whitney, and χ² tests.

Results: There is a statistically significant difference between compliance with the intake at home and the source of information on how to consume ONSs (p = 0.003). There is also a statistically significant difference between compliance with intake at home and the initiation of ONS consumption (p = 0.000) with a key time of six months (half a year) when most of them give up.

Conclusions: Only 47.95% complied with the recommended dose of ONS intake at home who received the information from a nurse, if we look at the information source. There is a clear need to change patient education by developing a standardized form and tools accessible to patients. After six months, most patients discontinue ONS consumption. Further research is necessary to determine whether a medical specialist is the reason for discontinuation, or whether discontinuation happened due to insufficient education on the importance of ONS intake.

Background/objectives: Yacon syrup (Smallanthus sonchifolius) has gained attention due to its high concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and associated health benefits. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of yacon syrup on metabolic parameters and intestinal health in humans over the last decade.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search in databases, including Medline (PubMed), Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, and SciELO, up to October 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on clinical trials examining the impact of yacon syrup on glycemic control, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, appetite regulation, and gut microbiota in healthy, overweight, or obese individuals. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 161 participants from diverse populations.

Results: Yacon syrup supplementation demonstrated significant reductions in fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and LDL cholesterol, alongside improvements in satiety and intestinal transit time. Acute supplementation with yacon syrup had inconsistent results for postprandial glycemia and insulin levels, probably due to prior individual gut microbiota composition. Longer interventions with yacon syrup were associated with enhanced microbiota modulation and appetite regulation, particularly in women. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort was reported, but with the continued use of yacon syrup, the symptoms decreased. Yacon syrup presents promising health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, weight management, and gut health. However, further research is needed to establish optimal dosing and long-term safety.

Conclusions: This review highlights the potential of yacon syrup as a functional supplement for metabolic and gastrointestinal health.

Objectives/Background: The Cannabis genus contain a mixture of cannabinoids and other minor components which have been studied so far. In this narrative review, we highlight the main aspects of the polarized discussion between abuse and toxicity versus the benefits of the compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Methods: We investigated databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) documents for scientific publications that can elucidate the heated discussion related to the negative aspects of addiction, organ damage and improved sports performance and the medical benefits, particularly in athletes, of some compounds that are promising as nutrients. Results: Scientific arguments bring forward the harmful effects of cannabinoids, ethical and legislative aspects of their usage as doping substances in sports. We present the synthesis and metabolism of the main cannabis compounds along with identification methods for routine anti-doping tests. Numerous other studies attest to the beneficial effects, which could bring a therapeutic advantage to athletes in case of injuries. These benefits recommend Cannabis sativa compounds as nutrients, as well as potential pharmacological agents. Conclusions and Future Perspectives: From the perspective of both athletes and illegal use investigators in sport, there are many interpretations, presented and discussed in this review. Despite many recent studies on cannabis species, there is very little research on the beneficial effects in active athletes, especially on large groups compared to placebo. These studies may complete the current vision of this topic and clarify the hypotheses launched as discussions in this review.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effects of both joint and individual types of fatty acids on low muscle mass in adults. Methods: We enrolled 8842 adults selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariate adjusted weighted logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the connection between fatty acids and low muscle mass. We used restricted cubic splines (RCSs) to determine whether the relationship is linear or non-linear, while stratified analyses and interaction effects were also assessed. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) analysis assessed the impact of joint and individual types of fatty acids on low muscle mass. Additionally, mediation analysis determined the direct and indirect implications of polyunsaturated fatty acids on low muscle mass. Results: A total of 8842 participants were included in this study, of which 705 were identified as having low muscle mass. The logistic regression analyses identified a significant linear correlation between all three types of fatty acids and low-muscle-mass risk. Additionally, the WQS analysis demonstrated that a fatty acid mixture was inversely associated with low-muscle-mass risk, with polyunsaturated fatty acids being recognized as the principal component. Moreover, inflammation may mediate the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids and low muscle mass, accounting for 3.75% of the effect size (p < 0.001) through white blood cell count. We further examined linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and each unit increase in LA and ALA intake was linked to a decrease in low-muscle-mass risk by 0.29 (95% CI: 0.64-0.79, p < 0.001) and 0.27 (95% CI: 0.66-0.81, p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: These findings indicate that polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially LA and ALA) may effectively mitigate low-muscle-mass risk.

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Background/objectives: Fathers have been largely understudied in feeding research, as most studies have focused on mothers. This study aims to explore the relationship between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional observational design. Fathers (n = 114) completed one-off self-reported questionnaires using the Child Feeding Practices Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behaviors Questionnaire from October 2023 to February 2024. Variations in feeding practices across sociodemographic factors were explored using correlational statistics. The generalized linear model was used to identify relationships between paternal feeding practices and child eating behaviors.

Results: For young children, the availability of healthy food at home was positively associated with food approach behaviors, while paternal practices of pressuring and child control were linked to increased food avoidance. Among school-aged children, using food as a reward was positively associated with food approach behaviors, while using food to regulate emotions was linked to increased food avoidance. Restriction for weight control was associated with both food approach and avoidant behaviors. In adolescents, paternal monitoring of their diet and certain socioeconomic conditions were observed to be associated with their eating behaviors.

Conclusions: The findings provide valuable insights into the role of paternal feeding practices in shaping children's eating behaviors and highlight the potential for interventions targeting modifiable paternal behaviors to support healthy eating habits.

Background: Frailty, sarcopenia, nutritional risk, and cognitive impairment are prevalent geriatric syndromes that adversely affect health outcomes in older adults, underscoring the need for an effective screen tool to enable early detection and timely intervention. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional validation design and translated, culturally adapted, and validated the Chinese version of the Rapid Geriatric Assessment (C-RGA) among 416 nursing home residents. The C-RGA consists of four subscales: the simple frail questionnaire screening tool (FRAIL), SARC-F for sarcopenia (SARC-F), the Simplified Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), and the Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS). Results: The C-RGA demonstrated high content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.982) and strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.839). Factor analysis confirmed its four-domain structure, accounting for 61.497% of the variance. Model fit indices demonstrated good construct validity (χ²/df = 1.122, RMSEA = 0.024, GFI, AGFI, and CFI > 0.90), supporting the robustness of the assessment tool. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong association between FRAIL and SARC-F with SNAQ (r = -0.671, 95% CI: [-0.742, -0.600], p < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with RCS (r = -0.426, 95% CI: [-0.513, -0.339], p < 0.01), underscoring the interplay among nutritional deficits, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The C-RGA demonstrates strong psychometric properties, supporting its potential use as a screening tool for the early detection of frailty, sarcopenia, nutritional risk, and cognitive impairment among nursing home residents, enabling timely and targeted interventions. Future research should further assess its applicability across diverse healthcare settings to enhance its generalizability and clinical utility.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of cocoa shell extract (CSE) supplementation on the plasma metabolome of female rats.

Methods: Female rats were supplemented with CSE (250 mg/kg/day) over seven days, and plasma samples were collected at baseline, day 4, and day 7 for untargeted metabolomic profiling using LC-ESI-QTOF.

Results: A total of 244 plasma metabolites were identified, while 180 were detected in the CSE. Among these, only 21 compounds were consistently detected in both the CSE and the plasma at baseline and day 7. Notably, just three compounds, caffeine, theobromine, and N-isovaleroylglycine, were bioavailable, detected only in plasma after supplementation on day 7, confirming their absorption and systemic distribution. Pathways related to caffeine metabolism, glycerophospholipid biosynthesis, nicotinate, and nicotinamide metabolism were significantly upregulated, indicating enhanced lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Conversely, reductions were observed in pathways involving tryptophan, glutathione, arginine, and proline, pointing to shifts in amino acid metabolism and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Network analysis revealed significant changes in the cholinergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and glutamatergic synapse pathways, which are crucial for cellular communication and neurotransmission.

Conclusions: The observed metabolic reconfiguration demonstrates CSE's rapid modulation of the metabolome, highlighting the bioavailability of its key components. These findings suggest potential mechanisms for CSE as a functional food ingredient with health-promoting effects, potentially supporting cognitive function and metabolic health through energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and lipid signaling pathways.

Background: Eating behavior is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors from early infancy, shaping an individual's relationship with food. Tools such as the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) were designed to evaluate these patterns in children and facilitate the early identification of potential issues.

Objective: The objective of this study is to validate the CEBQ for use in Brazilian children and adolescents.

Methods: Parents/caregivers of students from public and private schools in southern Brazil completed the CEBQ. Anthropometric measurements of students' weight and height were also taken. Psychometric properties were assessed by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), construct validity (exploratory factor analysis), and criterion validity (correlation between CEBQ scores and participants' body mass index-for-age categories).

Results: A total of 205 participants aged 3 to 13 and their caregivers participated in this study. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a five-factor questionnaire and a reduction of four items. All remaining items had a factor loading > 0.3. Cronbach's alpha values were satisfactory, with values ≥ 0.7 in all factors, supporting the instrument's internal consistency. The findings also showed significant associations between CEBQ scales and participants' BMI for age.

Conclusions: The findings of this study provide evidence that the CEBQ is a valid tool for assessing eating behavior in Brazilian children and adolescents.