Journal of Nutritional Science最新文献

Male volleyball athletes may be at risk of inadequate energy and carbohydrate intake. This may increase their risk of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) and impair a variety of physiological and psychological systems involved with performance and health. This study explored the eating behaviours and diet quality of international elite volleyball male athletes and their association on hormones associated with acute energy deficit and primary serum REDs indicators outlined in the International Olympic Committee REDs Clinical Assessment Tool 2.

Methods: Using a retrospective design, 30 male athletes from a national indoor volleyball programme were assessed using DXA bone mineral density, hematological analysis, anthropometry, restrained eating behaviour via the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 and the Athlete Diet Index (ADI) questionnaire.

Results: All participants met or exceeded dietary recommendations for health and sport with ADI mean score of 95.2/125 ± 10.5. Restraint eating was inversely associated with insulin (r = - 0.37; p  < 0.05). Both the ADI total and core nutrition sub-scores were inversely associated with free-triiodothyronine (r = - 0.58; p < 0.01) but not with total testosterone, insulin or leptin.

Conclusion: Male volleyball athletes at risk of inadequate energy intake may not necessarily demonstrate signs of poor diet quality.

There is increased interest in self-selected exclusionary diet patterns, specifically vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free (GF) diets, but there is a lack of research exploring the beliefs and behaviours surrounding these diets in Canadians capable of bearing children (CCBC). The goal of this study was to explore the beliefs and behaviours of CCBC who follow vegetarian, vegan, and/or GF diets using mixed methods. A self-administered online Qualtrics™ survey containing 102 questions was conducted using open text and closed format questions. Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation while percentages were used to summarize categorical variables. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. A total of 271 CCBC between 18-45 years of age were analysed, with 27%, 22%, and 3.7% indicating they followed a vegan, vegetarian, and/or GF diet, respectively. Three main themes emerged that influenced CCBC beliefs about their chosen diet. The belief that these diets are healthy or could impart health in some way, was the main reason for following their chosen diet, especially in those who identified as vegetarian. Ethical/moral concerns, primarily around animal welfare and the environment, was the second theme for following their chosen dietary pattern, especially amongst those who identified as vegan. Perception of social judgement in the forms of criticism, guilt, and isolation were noted by some CCBC, with family, friends, and colleagues interacting differently with them because of their dietary choices. These findings serve to enhance our understanding of the beliefs and behaviours of CCBC who choose to follow exclusionary diets.

Although studies had suggested that monosodium glutamate (MSG) may serve as a salt substitute in processed foods, its market impact remains unclear. This study was aimed to: (1) identify MSG in ingredient lists, (2) compare sodium levels in products with and without MSG, (3) examine the association between MSG and other umami enhancers, and (4) assess manufacturers' adherence to the Food Regulation 1985 for MSG declaration. An observational cross-sectional market survey was conducted during the Movement Control Order (June to September 2021) on 1076 processed foods from selected Malaysian hypermarkets, that were located within 10 km of the researcher's residence to ensure accessibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic movement restrictions. Additionally, online platforms were used to supplement any missing data. Nutritional and ingredient information were collected from packaging, and foods were classified by using the FAO/WHO Food Standards CODEX Alimentarius. Over half (50.8%) of the surveyed products contained MSG. Results found that MSG-containing products had a significantly higher sodium levels (2812.2 ± 5191.4 mg/100 g) than those without (1372.2 ± 1541.4 mg/100 g) (p < 0.001). Additionally, 14.4% of MSG-free products were labelled as 'No Added MSG', while products with MSG were more likely to contain other umami enhancers (p < 0.001). Compliance with MSG declaration regulations was 61%. In conclusion, MSG was present in half of the surveyed products. MSG-containing products were more likely to have higher sodium content and include other flavour enhancers. Future research should analyse the actual MSG as well as sodium content and explore alternative sodium reduction strategies.

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore dietary habits among healthcare workers during night shifts and to identify individual and environmental factors that influence their dietary behaviour during night shifts. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-five healthcare night female workers, which were recruited via email invitations from managers and posters placed in central workplaces at a university medical centre in the Netherlands. The interview protocol was developed following an integrated behaviour change model focusing on individual (I-Change model, i.e., awareness, motivation, intention, and ability) and environmental (Environmental Research framework for weight Gain prevention at environmental level (EnRG), i.e., physical, policy-related, economic, and sociocultural) factors. Inductive analyses were conducted to explore dietary habits, while deductive thematic analysis was applied to identify potential factors influencing dietary behaviour. Female healthcare workers in night shifts generally made poorer dietary choices during night shifts than during other shifts. Seven key themes were coded for dietary behaviour. Based on the domains of the integrated behaviour change model, four individual and five environmental key themes were established, within which 41 sub-themes were coded. Key individual factors included awareness (i.e., lack of knowledge about timing and type of consumption) and motivation (i.e., attitude and efficacy to eat healthy). Critical environmental factors included physical and sociocultural work environment, organisation of work, and lack of organisational policies. To conclude, future dietary interventions for healthcare night workers should target both individual behaviours and the workplace environment, with an emphasis on raising awareness and enhancing organisational policies to promote healthy dietary habits.

Statins are effective drugs for lowering hypercholesterolemia and preventing cardiovascular diseases. They can cause various side effects, in particular statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and micronutrient depletion. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of a supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) against SAMS in statin-treated patients. A systematic literature search was performed in Medline and Cochrane Library in August 2024. Studies were selected for a meta-analysis according to the following criteria: randomised controlled trials (RCTs), adults taking statins (any type and dose), supplementation of CoQ10, a comparable control group, and muscle pain as outcome criterion. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used for bias assessment. Seven RCTs with 389 patients in total were included in this meta-analysis. The selected studies included 35 to 76 patients and had a duration ranging from 30 to 90 days with CoQ10 dosages ranging from 100 to 600 mg per day. Results show a significant reduction of SAMS in four trials and no significant change in three trials. Overall, a significant reduction in SAMS, measured as pain intensity, after CoQ10 supplementation was found: weighted mean difference (WMD) -0.96 (95% Confidence Interval -1.88; -0.03), p < 0.05. Supplementation of CoQ10 can reduce muscle pain in patients with SAMS, which is relevant for their well-being and treatment continuation. More research is needed for evidence-based recommendations.

This pilot cross-sectional study, conducted in two public hospitals in Malawi, assessed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and compared their dietary quality and food group consumption before and during pregnancy. The study targeted women aged 18 to 49 years within 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. GDM was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group criteria and assessed dietary quality before and during pregnancy using a 30-day qualitative food frequency questionnaire. We compared changes in dietary quality and specific food group mean scores using paired t-tests at p < 0.05. Of the 508 women enrolled, 22.7% were diagnosed with GDM. The overall diet quality significantly decreased during pregnancy compared to before; a similar trend was observed in women diagnosed with GDM compared to those without GDM (p < 0.0001). Among women with GDM, the mean score of the following food groups significantly (p < 0.05) decreased during pregnancy: cruciferous vegetables, deep orange vegetables and tubers, citrus fruits, deep orange fruits, other fruits, nuts and seeds, poultry, fish, low fat dairy, whole grains, and liquid oils and significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the following food groups; red meat, processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets, sugary snacks and ice cream. In conclusion, GDM is prevalent in Malawian women enrolled in this study and is coupled with inadequate dietary quality, especially during pregnancy. Since dietary quality is pivotal to GDM management, more in-depth longitudinal dietary studies are needed to inform nutritional interventions to prevent and better manage GDM.

Adolescents from low-income households are at increased risk of growth failures due to inadequate food intake. This cross-sectional study assessed dietary practices and nutritional status according to FANTA measurement standards. Among 610 randomly selected adolescents attending public primary schools in rural and semi-urban Kuyu district. Dietary diversity and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and Body Mass Index) were collected and analysed using SPSS version 26 and WHO Anthro Plus software. The study population included 36% females and 69% semi-urban residents. Dietary analysis revealed that most adolescents consumed two or fewer daily meals, primarily cereals and legumes. Over 90% of the households consumed less than four food groups during the 7-day recall period. The anthropometric assessment showed significant undernutrition: 19% of early adolescent girls and 34% of late adolescent boys were underweight; 27.5% were stunted; 8% and 5.9% had moderate and severe undernutrition, respectively; and 13.8% exhibited thinness, with boys more affected (35%) than girls (10%). Additionally, 7% were overweight, and 64% presented single, double, or triple growth failures. Regression analysis showed that Children in female-headed households had 1.7 times higher odds of stunting, adolescent girls had 1.8 times higher odds of thinness, late adolescents had 70% lower odds of being overweight, and adolescents from households with off-farm activities had 4.5 times higher odds of being overweight. Inadequate meal frequency and limited dietary diversity contribute to the high prevalence of undernutrition among Kuyu district adolescents. A school feeding programme is strongly recommended.

Catechins are bioactive flavanols commonly found in the fruits and leaves of plants, particularly the fresh tea leaves. This experimental study aims to evaluate the antioxidant properties of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, one of the most prominent catechins, and its ability to mitigate cadmium-induced oxidative stress. Eighty rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 20: an untreated control group (group 1), a catechin-treated group (group 2), a cadmium-exposed group (group 3), and a cadmium-catechin group (group 4). Group 2 rats received daily oral doses of catechin at 300 mg/kg body weight, while Group 3 rats were given an aqueous solution of cadmium chloride at a final concentration of 5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day. Group 4 rats were treated with both catechin and cadmium chloride. The rats in Group 4 exhibited increased levels of total proteins and significant increases in antioxidant markers, including total thiols, glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Additionally, this group demonstrated significant decreases in blood cadmium levels and in the following enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. They also demonstrated significant decreases in creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urea, and bilirubin, as well as in oxidation markers (H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde), compared to the cadmium group (Group 3). Tissue homogenates from the livers and kidneys of Group 4 rats revealed similar results to those of the serum biochemical assay. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that catechin's (ECGC) antioxidant properties significantly mitigate cadmium-induced oxidative stress.

Differences in appetite, food intake, eating behaviours, and food preferences can occur throughout the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is associated with significant emotional and physiological changes, including altered appetite and food cravings. Therefore, the relationship between PMS and hedonic hunger, food craving of individuals during the menstrual cycle phases were investigated in this study. This study was conducted on 150 women volunteers. Research data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Four assessment stages were scheduled for each woman, and they were classified in phases according to the onset of menstruation. Participants completed premenstrual syndrome scale and anthropometric measurements were taken based on their statements at the initial assessment stage. In the first, second, and third phases of menstrual cycle, a questionnaire form including the power of food scale (PFS) and Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T) were applied. The average age, age of menarche, menstrual cycle length, and bleeding time of the participants were 22.0 ± 2.0, 13 ± 1, 27.7 ± 3, 5.9 ± 1.3, respectively. Women with PMS showed significantly higher total PFS scores compared to those without PMS during the luteal phase (mean ± SD: 3.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.9 ± 0.7, p < 0.01). Energy intake also increased significantly in the PMS group during this phase (mean ± SD: 2,200 ± 310 kcal/day vs. 1,880 ± 290 kcal/day, p < 0.01). The PFS total scores of participants in phase 1 and phase 2 differ significantly according to BMI classification (p = 0.017; p = 0.013). According to the presence of PMS, phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3, PFS total and sub-factor scores of women differ significantly (p < 0.05). The scores of those with PMS were higher than the scores of those without PMS. In conclusion, the presence of PMS affects hedonic hunger during the menstrual cycle phases.

Sulforaphane (SFN), a bioactive compound derived from glucoraphanin in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, has been extensively studied for its therapeutic potential across diverse disease categories. SFN exerts its effects through well-characterised pathways, including the Keap1/Nrf2 axis, which regulates phase II detoxification enzymes, and epigenetic mechanisms such as histone deacetylase inhibition. This review evaluates clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, focusing on those using SFN or broccoli-derived extracts. As a result, we identified 84 trials, of which 39 have been published. Results suggest SFN's potential in regulating redox and inflammatory pathways, improving metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes, and exerting anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects. For healthy subjects, SFN enhanced detoxification and reduced inflammation. In cancer patients, SFN showed promise in early-stage prostate and breast cancer, particularly in GSTM1-positive individuals, but had limited effects in advanced cases. For brain disorders, SFN demonstrated symptomatic improvements in autism spectrum disorder and cognitive benefits in schizophrenia but lacked robust biomarker integration. SFN had minimal impact on respiratory diseases but showed supportive roles in allergic rhinitis therapy. Metabolic disease studies revealed glycaemic control improvements in type 2 diabetes but no benefits for hypertension. Approximately 50% of completed trials remain unpublished, raising concerns about publication bias. While published results highlight SFN's therapeutic potential, limited sample sizes and inconsistent outcomes underscore the need for more extensive, stratified trials. This review emphasises the importance of integrating mechanistic insights and precision medicine approaches to maximise SFN's clinical utility.