Nutrients

Background/Objectives: This study examined the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), dietary and vitamin intake, physical activity, and body composition in young adults. Methods: A total of 145 Spanish university students (34 women and 111 men) were included in this cross-sectional study, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23 kg/m². MD adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Dietary intake was evaluated through a three-day food record, physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Overall adherence to the MD was moderate. Participants with high MD adherence showed significantly lower body weight (p < 0.05; d = 0.4), BMI (p < 0.01; d = 0.52), fat mass (p < 0.05; d = 0.44), and fat mass percentage (p < 0.05; d = 0.38) compared with those with low adherence. Energy (p < 0.05; d = 0.41), protein (p < 0.05; d = 0.65), and carbohydrate (p < 0.05; d = 0.37) intake per kilogram of body weight were higher in the high-adherence group. Fiber intake was greater (p < 0.001; d = 0.82) among those with higher MD adherence. Adherence to the MD was also associated with higher intakes of vitamins C (p < 0.05; d = 0.39) and E (p < 0.05; d = 0.62), retinol equivalents (p < 0.05; d = 0.28), and carotenoids (p < 0.001; d = 0.79). MD adherence was inversely correlated with body weight (r_s = −0.32; p < 0.01; r = 0.46) and BMI (r_s = −0.34; p < 0.01; r = 0.32). Fiber intake showed positive correlations with several water-soluble vitamins, particularly folate (HAG: r_s = 0.68; p < 0.001; r = 0.81 and LAG: r_s = 0.61; p < 0.001; r = 0.69). Conclusions: In conclusion, higher adherence to the MD among university students was associated with healthier body composition and improved vitamin intake adequacy. These findings support the promotion of the MD as an effective nutritional strategy to enhance micronutrient intake and overall diet quality in young adults.

Background/Objectives: Zinc is an essential trace element involved in multiple aspects of immune function, including epithelial barrier integrity, innate and adaptive immune responses, regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Zinc deficiency has been associated with increased susceptibility to infections, particularly in the pediatric population. This narrative review aims to summarize and discuss current evidence on the role of zinc in the prevention and management of pediatric respiratory infections. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted including randomized controlled trials, real-world studies, and international guidelines published in recent years. Both zinc monotherapy and multicomponent dietary supplements containing zinc were considered. Results: Evidence consistently supports a preventive role of zinc supplementation in reducing the incidence and burden of respiratory infections, particularly in children with recurrent disease and in zinc-deficient populations. Zinc-containing multicomponent supplements demonstrated significant reductions in infection frequency and duration, alongside improved patient and parent-reported outcomes, with a favorable safety profile. In contrast, data on zinc as an adjunctive treatment during acute infections, especially severe pneumonia, are less consistent, with limited impact on major clinical outcomes. The effectiveness of zinc appears to be influenced by treatment duration, baseline nutritional status, and formulation. Conclusions: In conclusion, zinc may represent a valuable component of preventive immune-nutritional strategies for pediatric respiratory infections, especially when administered as part of multicomponent formulations and over prolonged periods. While its role in acute disease management remains uncertain, optimizing zinc status may contribute to reducing infection recurrence and overall disease burden. Further well-designed trials are warranted to clarify optimal dosing, timing, and target populations.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the potential of Saussurea involucrata cultures (SICs) against high-altitude illness under hypobaric hypoxia and establish a progressive experimental evidence chain covering acute hypoxia tolerance enhancement and acute/chronic hypoxic injury protection. Methods: A tiered experimental strategy was employed. Key findings were derived from primary rat models of acute (5500 m, 8 h) and chronic intermittent (5500 m, 8 h/d, 4–8 weeks) hypobaric hypoxia. A mouse acute tolerance model (10,000 m lethality, closed-system endurance) provided supplementary verification. Comprehensive analyses included survival, hemorheology, multi-organ function, and core mechanistic indicators of endothelial function and oxidative stress. Diamox, Rhodiola, and Compound Danshen Dripping Pills served as positive controls. Normoxic/hypoxic blank groups served as negative controls. Results: SICs significantly enhanced acute hypoxia tolerance in mice. In the rat models, SICs demonstrated dose-dependent and selective regulation of the endothelial–oxidative stress/hemorheology axis. Specifically, it downregulated endothelin-1, upregulated nitric oxide, enhanced total antioxidant capacity, and improved chronic hypoxia-induced blood hyperviscosity. Medium doses showed consistent optimal efficacy. SICs had limited effects on macroscopic organ remodeling. Conclusions: The core protective effect of SICs lies in enhancing hypoxic tolerance and selectively modulating the interconnected pathways of endothelial function, oxidative stress, and microcirculatory health. This mechanistic profile supports its potential as a preventive or early adjuvant intervention for high-altitude illness, providing a systematic preclinical foundation for translational development.