Nutrients最新文献

Background: Childhood obesity is a pressing global public health challenge, marked by significant disparities in prevalence and management across countries. Japan and the United States offer contrasting approaches to addressing this issue, presenting a valuable opportunity for comparative analysis.

Objective: This review examines the effectiveness of public health policies, cultural dietary habits, and lifestyle factors in combating childhood obesity in Japan and the United States. It aims to identify actionable insights to inform global strategies for obesity prevention.

Results: Japan exhibits one of the lowest childhood obesity rates globally, attributed to prevention-focused policies such as the food education program, stringent school lunch standards, and culturally ingrained healthy eating practices. These efforts are complemented by active lifestyle promotion through urban planning and school-based physical education programs. In contrast, the United States faces higher obesity rates due to systemic challenges, including socioeconomic disparities, reliance on processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and inconsistent implementation of federal programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed).

Conclusions: This review highlights Japan's success in aligning public health initiatives with cultural norms to achieve sustainable outcomes. In the United States, systemic barriers and cultural disconnects hinder obesity prevention efforts. Recommendations include adopting integrated, prevention-focused policies, addressing socioeconomic inequities, redesigning urban environments to promote active living, and fostering global collaboration. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of culturally tailored, multidimensional strategies for addressing childhood obesity and improving public health outcomes worldwide.

Background/objectives: Sarcopenia is a condition marked by a continuous decline in skeletal muscle strength and volume, often leading to significant health complications. According to several articles, sarcopenia is highly prevalent in chronic pancreatitis (CP) due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the pooled prevalence and risk of sarcopenia among CP patients.

Methods: The search process adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO under the identification number CRD42025637059. The search was conducted in the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI). It covered studies published between 1 January 1985 and 20 December 2024. Only studies published in English or Russian with detailed comprehensive statistics and adult CP were included. Studies with specific patient populations affecting data objectivity were excluded. Sensitivity analyses were conducted (first, only studies with more than 50 CP patients were considered. Second, the analysis was restricted to full articles, excluding abstracts from conferences).

Results: In total, 16 studies with 1556 participants (1398 CP patients and 158 controls) met the criteria. The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia was 39.117% (95% CI: 28.891-49.852) in CP patients and 7.745% (95% CI: 2.154-42.622) in the control group. An association was found between sarcopenia and CP using the fixed-effects model when compared to the control group (RR = 2.194, 95% CI: 1.502-3.203).

Conclusions: Sarcopenia is underdiagnosed in CP patients despite its significant clinical impact. Management strategies, including pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, nutritional support, and resistance training show potential in the treatment of this state. Further research is needed to establish standardized diagnostic criteria and unified treatment approaches. Early detection and comprehensive care are essential to improving outcomes in CP patients with sarcopenia.

Background/objectives: The global shift towards vegan and vegetarian diets has garnered attention for their ethical, environmental, and potential health benefits. These diets are often rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), suggesting a potential protective effect against systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, despite these benefits, concerns remain regarding their impact on neurological health due to the possible deficiencies of critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron. This review critically evaluates the influence of these dietary patterns on neurological outcomes, emphasizing their nutritional composition, potential deficiencies, and their interplay with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature published between 2010 and 2023 was conducted, focusing on studies that explore the relationship between vegan and vegetarian diets and neurological health. Key nutrients such as vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc were analyzed alongside antinutritional factors and their effects on the nervous system.

Results: Evidence suggests that vegan and vegetarian diets, when well planned, can be rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These findings indicate a potential role in reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. However, deficiencies in critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron have been consistently associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, the presence of antinutritional factors like phytates and oxalates may further impair nutrient absorption, necessitating careful dietary planning and supplementation.

Conclusions: While plant-based diets provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, their neurological implications depend on nutrient adequacy. Proper planning, supplementation, and food preparation techniques are essential to mitigate risks and enhance cognitive health. Further research is needed to explore long-term neurological outcomes and optimize dietary strategies.

Background: Few studies have examined whether sleep is related to dietary intake in aging adults. To address this gap, this study investigated (1) the associations between sleep duration and sleep quality with fruits and vegetables (FV), fiber, and fat intake in lower-income midlife and older adults and (2) sex differences in these relationships. Methods: Baseline data from 163 ethnically diverse, lower-income midlife and older adults in the NIH-funded Steps for Change trial were analyzed. Dietary intake was assessed using the Block Fruit/Vegetable/Fiber and Fat Intake Screeners, operationalized as weekly servings. Sleep duration (hours per night) and quality were self-reported via the Stanford WELL for Life Scale. Linear regression models assessed the association between sleep duration and FV, fiber, and fat intake, adjusting for potential confounding covariates with separate models for sleep quality. Sex differences were tested using interaction terms, with stratified models also used to explore differences. Results: The sample was 73.2% female, with a mean age of 70.5 (SD = 9.7) years (range: 41-99). The mean sleep duration was 6.8 (1.2) hours per night, with 79.2% reporting fairly or very good sleep quality. Mean weekly servings were 24 for FV, 7 for fiber, and 18 for fat. Sleep duration was positively associated with FV intake (β = 2.2; p = 0.02). The interaction between duration and sex was marginally significant (p = 0.08), with a positive association in males (β = 5.5; p = 0.02) but not in females (β = 0.9; p = 0.41). No significant associations were found between sleep duration and fiber or fat intake or between sleep quality and any dietary intake outcomes. Conclusions: This study found that longer sleep duration was associated with higher FV intake in males but not in females. These findings suggest the possibility of sex differences in the sleep-diet relationship among aging populations that merit further exploration in longitudinal studies.

The calcium-binding S100B protein is concentrated in glial cells (including enteroglial cells) in the nervous system. Its conformation and amino acid composition are significantly conserved in different species; this characteristic suggests conserved biological role(s) for the protein. The biological activity is concentration-dependent: low physiological concentrations exert a neurotrophic effect, while high concentrations exert a proinflammatory/toxic role. The proinflammatory/toxic role of S100B currently attracts the scientific community's primary attention, while the protein's physiological action remains unraveled-yet remarkably interesting. This is now a topical issue due to the recently consolidated notion that S100B is a natural trophic nutrient available in breast milk and/or other aliments, possibly interacting with other body districts through its impact on microbiota. These recent data may offer novel clues to understanding the role of this challenging protein.

Background/Objectives: Vascular aging is associated with increased arterial stiffness and changes in the wall structure, leading to a loss of elasticity. Silicon is abundant in arteries and plays a key role in the synthesis and stabilization of elastin fibers. In animal models of accelerated cardiovascular aging, a specific nutritional supplement based on silicon-enriched spirulina (SpSi) has been shown to have beneficial effects on vascular function. The present study, designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this SpSi supplement on aging-related changes in vascular function among healthy older adults. Methods: Here, 120 healthy volunteers aged 60-75 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the SpSi group (n = 60) or placebo group (n = 60). Over 6 months, the participants received either 3.5 g of specific 1% silicon-enriched spirulina (SpSi group) or placebo tablets daily. The primary outcome was the assessment of arterial wall pressure waveforms, which included blood pressure (BP) readings and the determination of the aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV). Secondary outcomes included the vasomotor endothelial function through post-ischemic vasorelaxation, measured using the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), and carotid intima-media thickness. Results: When considering the entire sample, none of the studied parameters differed between the placebo and SpSi groups. However, when focusing on individuals with high-normal blood pressure (i.e., systolic BP between 130 and 150 mmHg) and aPWV levels above cutoff values (>10 m/s), the BP decreased by 8% (p < 0.001) and aPWV decreased by 13.5% (p < 0.0001) in subjects receiving SpSi. In individuals with BP and aPWV levels below the cutoff values, no effect was observed. Conclusions: In healthy elderly individuals, SpSi supplementation improved high-normal blood pressure and aortic pulse wave velocity, suggesting an enhanced vascular function.

Background/Objectives: Determining whether dietary fatty acids and the use of fat spreads are associated with cardiovascular risk factors is difficult due to the multicollinearity of fatty acids and the consumption of multiple spread types. Methods: We applied clustering methodologies using data on 31 different fatty acids and 5 different types of fat spreads (high fat: butter, blended butters, and margarines; lower fat: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) and investigated associations with blood pressure, serum lipid patterns and insulin resistance in the Raine Study Gen2 participants in Western Australia, at 20 and 22 years of age. Results: Amongst n = 785 participants, there were eight distinct clusters formed from the fatty acid data and ten distinct clusters formed from the fat spread data. Male participants had higher systolic blood pressure than females (122.2 ± 11.6 mmHg versus 111.7 ± 10.3, p < 0.001 at age 20 and 123.4 ± 10.6 versus 113.9 ± 9.8, p < 0.001 at age 22). Males consuming exclusively butter as a fat spread had significantly higher SBP (+4.3 mmHg) compared with males not using spreads. Males consuming a high intake of margarine had significantly higher SBP (+6.6 mmHg), higher DBP (+3.4 mmHg) and higher triglycerides (+30.5%). Amongst females, four patterns of fatty acid intake were associated with lower levels of HDL cholesterol compared with the low-saturated-fat/high n-3 reference group (p = 0.017 after adjustment for relevant confounders, range = -10.1% to -16.0%, p = 0.017). There were no associations between clusters and HOMA-IR or other serum lipids for males or females. Conclusions: Compared to using no fat spreads, amongst males, a high intake of margarine was characterised by higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and higher serum triglycerides, whilst the use of butter also was associated with higher SBP. Diets low in n-3s or high in trans fats were associated with sub-optimal HDL levels amongst females.

Introduction: The planetary health diet, introduced by the EAT-Lancet Commission, aims to address global health and sustainability challenges by promoting a plant-based diet with reduced consumption of animal-sourced foods. This diet not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also offers significant health benefits, including prevention and management of abdominal obesity, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. These metabolic disorders are components of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Objectives: This narrative review aims to gather the most recent findings on the impact of the planetary diet on individual components of metabolic syndrome and on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Methods: The available research on the topic was identified via searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Results: Abdominal obesity, a major risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, can be effectively mitigated by adhering to plant-based dietary patterns, which have been shown to reduce waist circumference and improve overall cardiometabolic health. Furthermore, the planetary diet plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes and improving glycemic control, with specific dietary components such as whole grains and fiber, demonstrating positive effects on blood glucose levels. This diet is additionally associated with favorable lipid profiles, including lower levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, which are critical in the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: These multiple benefits highlight that the planetary diet may be an effective strategy for managing and preventing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. However, further research is needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and applicability across diverse populations.

Physical exercise is an essential component of human health. In recent years, scientific research has focused on identifying natural compounds and formulating new supplements aimed at enhancing athletic performance, accelerating muscle recovery, and minimizing the damage caused by physical exertion. The use of antioxidants to counteract the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following physical activity (PA) is already a widely adopted practice. Resveratrol (RES), a polyphenol belonging to the stilbene class, is well known for its potent antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects primarily attributed to the activation of sirtuins. RES possesses multiple nutraceutical properties used for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory, cardiovascular, neoplastic, and infectious diseases, thus attracting attention to study its use in combination with physical exercise to promote well-being. Animal trials combining RES and PA have mainly reported improvements in muscle, energy, and cardiovascular functions. The data presented and discussed in this narrative review are from Pubmed, Scopus, and the Human Gene Database (search limited to 2011 to 2025 with the keywords RES, sirtuins, and physical activity altogether or in combination with each other). This review gathers several studies on RES focusing on its nutraceutical properties, epigenetic activities via sirtuins, and the potential benefits of combining RES with PA in maintaining health and well-being based on trials performed first in animals and later in humans. Human studies have been conducted on various populations, including active adults, sedentary individuals, patients with diseases, and elderly individuals. Some studies have confirmed the benefits of RES observed in animal experiments. However, in some cases, no substantial differences were found between RES supplementation and the control group. In conclusion, the benefits of RES on PA reported in the literature are still not fully evident, given the contrasting studies and the still limited number of trials, but both RES and PA are successful tools for the maintenance of health and wellbeing.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors that increase the likelihood of both acute events and chronic conditions. While exercise has been shown to improve individual risk factors associated with MS; research on its effects on MS as an integrated condition remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month Adapted Personalized Motor Activity (AMPA) program for improving the health outcomes of individuals with MS. Methods: Seventy-one sedentary participants with MS (mean age: 63 ± 9.4 years, 46.5% female) completed a 6-month intervention, incorporating moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance training. Each participant received a personalized exercise plan prescribed by a sports medicine physician. The training was monitored via telemetry to ensure safety. No dietary recommendations were provided during the intervention. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET), anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, heart rate, lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides), fasting glucose, and HbA1c. Results: Significant improvements were observed in fasting glucose (-10.6%, p < 0.001), HbA1c (-3.88%, p < 0.001), HDL cholesterol (+20.8%, p < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (-25.1%, p < 0.001), and VO₂max (+8.6%, p < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also decreased significantly, with reductions of -12% (p < 0.001) and -5.9% (p < 0.001), respectively. Reductions in weight and waist circumference were statistically significant but modest and clinically irrelevant, showing no correlation with improvements in cardio-metabolic parameters. Logistic regression and correlation matrix analyses were performed to identify key predictors of changes in individual risk factors. Conclusions: While personalized exercise alone may not fully control individual risk factors of metabolic syndrome, its overall effect is comparable to low-intensity pharmacological polytherapy with minimal adverse effects. These benefits appear to be independent of dietary habits, gender, and both baseline and post-intervention physical performance and anthropometric measures.