Journal of Nutritional Science最新文献

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.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the nutritional composition and labelling of commercial foods in Canada targeted to infants up to 18 months of age. Front-of-package labelling requirements were assessed based on daily values identified by Health Canada for saturated fatty acids, sugars, and sodium for children aged one year and older. Infant commercial food products were identified from online and in-person records of retailers across Canada. A total of 1,010 products were identified. Products aimed at older infants (12-18 months) contained significantly more calories, macronutrients, sugars, saturated fat, and trans fat compared to those targeted at younger infants (<12 months). In addition, 40% of products for children aged 12-18 months required a 'high in sugar' front-of-package label, while less required a 'high in saturated fats' (13%) and 'high in sodium' (5%) label. Organic products had higher added sugar and fibre, while they were lower in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and protein. Plant-based products, including vegetarian/vegan products, contained fewer calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and protein, but more fibre. Gluten-containing products had more calories, macronutrients, sugar, fibre, and saturated fat. Non-GMO labelled products had more calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, but less saturated fat. Significant differences were observed for vitamins and minerals across food categories (p < 0.05). Our findings offer valuable guidance for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals on infant nutrition, highlighting the importance of selecting foods that align with infants' specific dietary needs.

This pilot study evaluated the effect of an online cooking intervention: Up for Cooking. Seventy-three Dutch families participated in four 1.5-hour sessions, before which they received ingredients and intervention materials. Parental questionnaires (pre-post) assessed food literacy skills (planning, selecting and making a healthy meal), knowledge and self-efficacy towards cooking and healthy eating (quantitative). Interviews assessed whether families changed their cooking behaviour at home (qualitative). A Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and inductive thematic coding were used. Thirty-nine parents completed questionnaires and eleven parents participated in interviews. Scores on food literacy items related to selecting and making a healthy meal improved significantly post-intervention. Parents' knowledge of healthy eating and self-efficacy in cooking with their children also improved significantly. Interviews revealed an increased involvement of children in meal preparation and positive changes in family cooking behaviour. This online cooking intervention is a promising nutrition intervention, but implementation and long-term changes need further exploration.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardio- and neuroprotective effects of moringin (MG), a dietary isothiocyanate readily derived from Moringa oleifera seed, in a rat model of isoproterenol (ISP) induced myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty-two adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: a control group, an MI group, a group pretreated with freshly prepared MG solution (MG + MI; glucomoringin 20 mg/kg + 30 µl myrosinase/rat), and a group pretreated with a stable α-cyclodextrin-based formulation of MG (α-CD/MG + MI, 42 mg/kg). Pretreatment was administered daily for 7 days. On days 6 and 7, rats received ISP (85 mg/kg, subcutaneously) at 24-hour interval. MI rats exhibited impaired hemodynamic and behavioural responses, marked elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in both myocardial and hippocampus tissues. MI rats also demonstrated a significant rise in serum cardiac biomarkers, including cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB). In contrast, pretreatment with MG and α-CD/MG significantly improved locomotor and exploration behaviour, reduced heart rate (HR), and enhanced mean arterial pressure (MAP). Furthermore, both treatments lowered serum cardiac markers, restored redox balance, normalised brain monoamines levels, and improved the histoarchitecture of myocardial and hippocampus tissues. These findings suggested that MG and α-CD/MG exert cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects by attenuating oxidative stress in a rat model of ISP-induced MI. Overall, intake of MG and α-CD/MG may represent a potentially effective pretreatment strategy for mitigating the systemic perturbations associated with myocardial infarction.

This study examines the influence of fish oil on brain amyloidogenesis in hyperglycaemic Alzheimer's disease animal models, emphasising the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease. Thirty males of Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) control rats (NS); 2) rats supplemented with 3 g/kg of fish oil (NS+FO3); 3) rats injected via intraperitoneal (i.p) with Streptozotocin-Lipopolysaccharide (STZ-LPS); 4) rats injected with STZ-LPS (i.p) and supplemented with 1 g/kg of fish oil (STZ-LPS+FO1), and 5) rats injected with STZ-LPS (i.p) and supplemented with 3 g/kg of fish oil (STZ-LPS+FO3). The cerebral brain was extracted for examination, and the αβ precursor protein (APP) level was measured using an immunoassay kit, while αβ 42 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry staining. Brain amyloidosis-related genes were quantified using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results revealed that fish oil supplementation significantly increased APP levels and reduced αβ 42 accumulations in STZ-LPS rats. Moreover, the Apolipoprotein E, ε4 isoform (ApoE-4) and Beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (Bace-1) genes were downregulated while the Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (Lrp-1) gene was upregulated in STZ-LPS rats treated with fish oil, thereby elucidating the impact of fish oil on diminishing αβ buildup in the brain. Therefore, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting dietary interventions as adjunctive strategies for the prevention or delay of Alzheimer's disease progression in metabolic dysfunction.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between selected parameters of nutritional status and the occurrence of frailty syndrome in older adults by analysing clinical and socio-demographic factors.

Methods: The study included 150 community-dwelling participants aged > 60 years who were qualified in the medical centre. The following research tools were used: activity of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, survey of health, aging, and retirement in Europe, geriatric depression scale, mini mental state examination (MMSE), anthropometric measurements, mini nutritional assessment (MNA), body composition measurements, and biochemical blood tests.

Results: The study included 150 people over 60 years of age (mean age 76.2/SD 4.9), including 104 women and 46 men. Participants in the frail group were significantly older (KW-H: P < 0.001) and had a higher level of depression (P = 0.008), whereas on the MMSE scale, they achieved a lower result (P < 0.001) than those in the non-frail and pre-frail groups. People in the frail group had significantly lower levels of nutritional status (P < 0.001) according to the MNA scale, assessment of basic activities in everyday life (P = 0.005), complex activities of everyday life (P < 0.001), hand grip strength of the right hand (P = 0.038) and left hand (P = 0.028), and energy drop (P < 0.001). They were also characterised by difficulties walking (P < 0.001), less frequent physical activity (P < 0.001), loss of appetite (P < 0.001), and weight loss more often (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Advanced age, a greater number of diseases, worse functional and mental performance, and differences in nutritional status and body composition were observed in people with frailty syndrome.

A Palaeolithic diet is an efficacious dietary approach for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. Causal mechanisms are body weight loss and glucometabolic effects from differences in included food groups, macronutrient composition, fibre content, and glycaemic load. The aim was to test the hypothesis that characteristic food group differences between a Palaeolithic and a diabetes diet would cause an effect on glycaemic control when weight was kept stable and diets were matched for macronutrient composition, fibre content and glycaemic load. Adult participants with type 2 diabetes and increased waist circumference were instructed to follow two diets, with or without the food groups cereal grain, dairy products, and legumes, during two periods of 4 weeks separated by a 6-week washout period in a random-order crossover design. The Palaeolithic diet included fruit, vegetables, tubers, fish, shellfish, lean meat, nuts, eggs and olive oil, and excluded cereal grains, dairy products and legumes. The diabetes diet included fruit, vegetables, fish, shellfish, lean meat, nuts, eggs, olive oil, and substantial amounts of whole grains, low-fat dairy products and legumes. Dietary energy content was adjusted throughout the study to maintain stable body weight. There were no differences between diets on HbA1c or fructosamine among the 14 participants. Body weight was kept stable, and the two diets were successfully matched for macronutrient composition and glycaemic load but not for fibre content. Characteristic food group differences and the accompanying differences in fibre content between a Palaeolithic and a diabetes diet do not cause an effect on glycaemic control.