Journal of Nutritional Science最新文献

A sponsored symposium was held at the International Congress on Nutrition to discuss the role of the fruit matrix in modulating the impact of 100% fruit juice (FJ) on markers of glycaemic control and vascular health and to present two recent studies. Structural, nutrient, and non-nutrient components of FJ, which comprise the fruit matrix and include polyphenols, pectins, vitamins, and minerals, have been shown in previous studies to influence postprandial metabolic responses. While the free sugar content of FJ and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) can be similar, the fruit matrix distinguishes FJ from SSBs, the latter typically lacking in micronutrients and containing added sugars. Epidemiological studies consistently report that higher polyphenol intakes are associated with a lower risk of CVD, while some randomised controlled trials on citrus juices (rich in the flavanone, hesperidin) find beneficial effects for vascular function and blood pressure. Other randomised controlled trials report that FJ has neutral effects on cardiometabolic markers, which may be due to intra-individual differences in the digestion and absorption of polyphenols. The symposium concluded that the benign influence of the fruit matrix justifies the categorisation of FJ as a type of processed fruit, and not an SSB, for public health and regulatory purposes.

Adequate protein intake is crucial for preventing frailty and sarcopenia in older adults, but conventional dietary assessments are time-consuming. Developing a rapid screening tool for identifying those at risk of low protein intake is essential; however, no such tool exists for Asian populations. This study developed a prediction model to identify older adults in Japan at risk of low protein intake using a simple food intake questionnaire. The model was developed using data from 4,085 older adults aged ≥65 years from the 2013 and 2017 National Health and Nutrition Surveys. Protein intake was assessed using a one-day dietary record with a semi-weighted method. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to predict low protein intake (<1.0 g/kg adjusted body weight/day), incorporating sex, age, adjusted body weight, and food intake frequency of nine food groups. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and a calibration plot, both adjusted for optimism through bootstrap resampling. Participants had a mean age of 74.1 years (standard deviation = 6.6), and 55.5% of all participants were female. The prevalence of low protein intake was 21.8%. Internal validation showed a bootstrap optimism-corrected ROC area of 0.695 and a calibration slope of 0.921. We developed a 12-item prediction model for identifying older adults at risk of low protein intake. The model provides a practical tool to identify older adults at high risk of low protein intake and is expected to be used in public health settings.

Nutrient gaps are differences between recommended and actual intakes and are often based on the estimated average requirement (EAR), the average daily intake estimated to meet the requirement of 50% of healthy individuals. While nutrient gaps have been established in the general population, their presence in exercising adults has not been extensively investigated. In the present analyses, 681 dietary recalls were obtained from 226 healthy exercising adults (154 F, 72 M) using the Automated Self-Administered 24-h (ASA24®) Dietary Assessment Tool. Intakes of seventeen vitamins and minerals were compared to corresponding EAR values to determine if nutrient gaps were present. Additionally, the potential for sex differences in absolute and relative nutrient intakes was examined. Median intakes of vitamin D fell below the EAR in both female and male adults, with the median intake of vitamin E below the EAR in female adults only (p ≤ 0.003 for each). In female participants, >50% exhibited intakes below the EAR for calcium, folate, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. In male participants, >50% exhibited intakes below the EAR for vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Sex differences were present for intakes in sixteen of seventeen micronutrients (p < 0.001 for each), with lower intakes observed in female adults. Collectively, the present analyses indicate underconsumption of some micronutrients, particularly in exercising female adults. The potential to improve vitamin and mineral intakes and attendant health and performance outcomes through targeted interventions in exercising adults should be explored in future research.

Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) often experience hypozincemia. The clinical factors associated with hypozincemia have not been established. We investigated clinical factors that may be useful to predict hypozincemia in patients with CLD. The serum zinc levels CLD patients were measured; Study 1 investigated the predictive factors of hypozincemia, and Study 2 was performed to validate the factors identified in Study 1. Study 1 included 197 participants, of whom 28 and 106 had serum zinc levels <60 µg/dL and <80 µg/dL, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that serum zinc levels <60 µg/dL or <80 µg/dL were associated with the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and serum albumin level. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the ALBI score ≥ -1.83 and the serum albumin level ≤3.3 g/dL were the cut-off values for a serum zinc level <60 µg/dL, whereas the ALBI score ≥ -2.44 and the serum albumin level ≤3.6 g/dL were the cut-off values for a serum zinc level <80 µg/dL. In Study 2 (n = 177), the diagnostic accuracy rates for serum zinc <60 µg/dL were 81.9% for the ALBI score and 75.1% for the serum albumin level, and those for serum zinc <80 µg/dL were 70.1% for both parameters. Together these findings indicate that the ALBI score may serve as a predictive factor of hypozincemia in CLD patients.

Although many online-based dietary surveys have been developed in recent years, systems that easily survey the dietary balance based on the Japanese diet are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary balance scores from an online survey system based on the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, and nutrient/food intake calculated using the weighing method from dietary records (DRs), as well as to assess the system's utility and applicability. An online dietary balance survey and semi-weighted DR assessment with food photographs were conducted in Japanese participants (n = 34). Registered dietitians entered the balance scores into the system based on the participants' food photographs, and the scores were calculated using the system. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.001) were found between the online dietary balance scores and nutrient/food intake from DRs; especially for 'grain dishes' and carbohydrates (r = 0.704); 'vegetable dishes' and the vegetable dish group (sum of potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, and algae) (r = 0.774); 'main dishes' and protein (r = 0.661); 'milk' and the milk and milk products group (r = 0.744); and 'fruits' and the fruits group (r = 0.748). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the dietary balance scores obtained by this system tended to underestimate the intake compared with the weighing method. Although there are limitations to the accurate estimation of nutrient and food intake, the online dietary balance scores obtained from the online dietary balance survey system were useful for understanding the dietary balance in the Japanese diet.

Groundwater iron varies geographically and iron intake through drinking water can minimise iron deficiency (ID). Rice, a major share of daily meals (∼70% of total energy) in Bangladesh, absorbs a substantial amount of water. This study aimed to estimate the contribution of groundwater iron entrapped in cooked rice and its implications on the recommended iron intake. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 25 households, selected by the iron content of their drinking groundwater source in Sirajganj district, Bangladesh. Each household pre-supplied with 600 g of raw rice (300 g for each cooking), was instructed to cook 'water-draining rice' (WDR) and 'water-sitting rice' (WSR). Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, iron content in filtered and non-filtered water was measured as 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/L and 6.1 ± 2.0 mg/L, respectively. After adjusting for water filtration, the weighted mean of total iron content in WDR and WSR was 6.18 mg and 5.70 mg, respectively. Assuming the average rice intake, iron content in WDR and WSR fulfilled approximately 98.15% and 90.62% of the average requirement for non-pregnant and non-lactating women (NPNL). The water-entrapped iron in cooked WDR and WSR fulfilled about 23.77% and 20.4% of Recommended Dietary Allowances, and 52.83% and 45.30% of Estimated Average Requirements, respectively in NPNL women, suggesting that groundwater entrapped in cooked rice is an influential dietary iron source. The substantial amount of iron from cooked rice can make an additional layer to the environmental contribution of iron in this setting with the potential to contribute ID prevention.

Kids SIPsmartER is a school-based behavioural intervention for rural Appalachia middle school students with an integrated two-way short message service (SMS) strategy for caregivers. When tested in a cluster randomized controlled trial, the intervention led to significant improvements in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among students and caregivers. This study explores changes in secondary caregiver outcomes, including changes in caregiver SSB-related theory of planned behaviour constructs (affective attitudes, instrumental attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intentions), parenting practices, and the home environment. Participants included 220 caregivers (93% female, 88% White, 95% non-Hispanic, mean age 40.6) in Virginia and West Virginia at baseline and 7 months post-intervention. Relative to control caregivers (n = 102), intervention caregivers (n = 118) showed statistically significant improvements in instrumental attitudes (Coef.= 0.53, 95% CI [0.04, 1.01], p = 0.033), behavioural intentions (Coef.=0.46, 95% CI [0.05, 0.88], p = 0.027), parenting practices (Coef. = 0.22, 95% CI [0.11, 0.33], p < 0.001), and total home SSB availability (Coef. = -0.25, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.11], p < 0.001), with specific improvements for sweetened juice drinks (Coef. = -0.18, 95% CI [-0.35, -0.01], p = 0.043) and regular soda/soft drinks (Coef. = -0.31, 95% CI [-0.55, -0.07], p = 0.010). In contrast, there were no significant between group changes for affective attitudes, subjective norms, or perceived behavioural control. Our findings highlight future research areas and fill gaps in intervention literature. This study is among the few to develop and evaluate a scalable, theory-based caregiver SMS component in a rural, school-based intervention. Combined with evidence that Kids SIPsmartER improved SSB behaviours, our results emphasize the potential of theory-guided SMS interventions to impact SSB-related outcomes. Trial registration: Clincialtrials.gov: NCT03740113.

Despite the multiple advantages of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcifediol or 25(OH)D) compared to cholecalciferol, it is used sparingly. This study was planned to assess the safety and efficacy of supplementing daily 25 µg of calcifediol capsules vis-a-vis 100 µg (4000 IU) of cholecalciferol sachets in apparently healthy individuals with vitamin D deficiency in Chandigarh, India (latitude 30.7° North, 76.8° East). It was a prospective, interventional study to evaluate the effects of calcifediol vis-a-vis cholecalciferol. Following initial screening of 70 subjects in each group, 62 were included in the calcifediol and 41 in the cholecalciferol group. Forty-six from calcifediol and 37 from cholecalciferol group completed the 6-month follow up. There was a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D (355% in cholecalciferol & 574% in calcifediol groups, respectively, p < 0.001) and 1,25 (OH)₂D (p < 0.001) with a marked decrease in iPTH (p < 0.001) and ALP (p = 0.016) in both groups. Though serum ALP decreased significantly more in the calcifediol group than the cholecalciferol group, no appreciable difference in other biochemical parameters was noted between the groups. No episodes of hypercalcaemia or incidence of new renal stone disease were observed during follow-up. However, hypercalciuria (spot urine calcium creatinine > 0.2 mg/mg) was noted in 8/46 individuals in the calcifediol group and 5/37 individuals in the cholecalciferol group at final visit with no significant difference between two groups. This study establishes the efficacy and safety of correcting vitamin D deficiency with daily 25 µg calcifediol capsules as an alternative to 4000 IU (100 µg) cholecalciferol sachets.

Maintaining appetite in older adults is important for preventing malnutrition. Previous studies have shown seasonal variations in dietary intake, suggesting that appetite itself may vary with the seasons. Nevertheless, few studies have directly examined seasonal changes in appetite in older adults, particularly those living alone, who are at higher risk of malnutrition. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to identify when appetite declines throughout the year in older adults living alone and with others. Of the 60 adults aged 65 and older who participated in the study, 57 completed the longitudinal study over four seasons. Appetite for each season was assessed using the Simple Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and the visual analogue scale for hunger, satiety, and expectation of food intake. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The living arrangements of the participants were determined based on whether they were living alone or with others. The stratified analysis revealed seasonal changes in SNAQ scores exclusively among individuals living alone (p = 0.029, effect size = 0.280), who exhibited diminished appetite during summer compared to winter (p = 0.026, 95% CI: 0.076-1.258). No seasonal variation in appetite or nutritional status was observed in those living with others (p > 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of an approach that considers living arrangement and seasonality to ensure that older people maintain adequate appetite status throughout the year.

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a well-known intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and plays an important role in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine). While previous study suggested that AKG enhances glucose metabolism, its effect on the adaptation of muscles and adipocytes has not been well studied in diabetic condition. This study aimed to determine whether AKG improves glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscles and adipose tissues in diabetic mice. Male institute of cancer research mice were divided into control, diabetic, and diabetic + AKG groups. Diabetes (DM) was induced by a high fat diet consumption and streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Mice in the DM + AKG group were administered 1% AKG in drinking water for 6 weeks. The non-fasting plasma glucose level was significantly higher in the diabetic group than that in the control and DM + AKG groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein levels in the muscles between the DM and DM + AKG groups. AKG supplementation attenuated the decrease in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 alpha and GLUT4 protein levels in inguinal and epididymal adipose tissues in diabetic condition. In conclusion, the study findings suggested that AKG supplementation increased protein levels related to mitochondrial biogenesis and glucose transporters in adipocyte tissue accompanied with improved whole-body glucose metabolism in STZ and high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice.