Nutrients

17 pages, 368 KB

Open AccessArticle

Associations Between Lipid Profiles and Vitamin A and D Deficiencies Among Children and Adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Yan Zou, Li-Chun Huang, Meng-Jie He, Dan Han, Dan-Ting Su, Pei-Wei Xu and Rong-Hua Zhang

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3159; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193159 - 6 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the associations between lipid profiles, including triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and vitamin A (VA) and vitamin D (VD) deficiencies among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China. Methods: This [...] Read more.

Background: This study investigates the associations between lipid profiles, including triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and vitamin A (VA) and vitamin D (VD) deficiencies among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 and included 9039 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years who participated in the provincial nutrition surveillance in Zhejiang Province. Blood samples were collected to measure the concentrations of TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VA and VD. Results: The prevalence of elevated TG, elevated TC, low HDL-C, and elevated LDL-C was 21.0%, 11.6%, 4.7% and 5.1% among children and adolescents aged 6–17 years, respectively. There were significant differences with respect to elevated TG and low HDL-C prevalence between sex (χ² = 10.303 and 7.27, p = 0.006 and 0.026). There were significant differences with respect to elevated TC and low HDL-C prevalence between urban areas and rural areas (χ² = 13.289 and 10.195, p = 0.001 and 0.006). There were significant differences with respect to elevated TG, elevated TC, low HDL-C, and elevated LDL-C prevalence among children with or without obesity/overweight (χ² = 209.828, 58.54, 171.972, and 146.256, p < 0.001). There were significant differences with respect to elevated TC and low HDL-C prevalence among children with or without vitamin D deficiency/vitamin D insufficiency (χ² = 33.37 and 56.848, p < 0.001). Ordinal regression analysis revealed that sex and obesity/overweight were associated with critical/abnormal TG (χ² = 340.03, p < 0.001), sex, age group, location and obesity/overweight were associated with critical/abnormal TC (χ² = 255.125, p < 0.001), age group, location, obesity/overweight and vitamin D deficiency/vitamin D insufficiency were associated with critical/abnormal HDL-C (χ² = 458.527, p < 0.001), and age group, obesity/overweight were associated with critical/abnormal LDL-C (χ² = 164.380, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Elevated TG, elevated TC, low HDL-C, and elevated LDL-C are prevalent in this population, with notable differences based on sex, urban vs. rural residence, and obesity/overweight status. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was linked to elevated TC and low HDL-C prevalence. Future interventions should focus on targeted public health strategies to mitigate these disparities and promote healthier lipid profiles in children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Nutrition)

15 pages, 2577 KB

Open AccessArticle

Muscle Strength, Lipid Metabolism and Hepatic Steatosis Are Improved with Ursolic Acid Treatment in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

by Dongyang Kang and Li Cao

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3158; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193158 - 5 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of obesity globally has increased steadily in the past decades. Obesity, sarcopenic obesity (SO) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) commonly coexist. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has demonstrated potential anti-obesity properties. This study was designed to [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of obesity globally has increased steadily in the past decades. Obesity, sarcopenic obesity (SO) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) commonly coexist. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has demonstrated potential anti-obesity properties. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-obesity efficacy of UA in a mouse model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, with a particular focus on its impact on muscle function and NAFLD. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (6 weeks old) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 20 per group): a control group (CON) fed a normal chow diet, a high-fat diet group (HFD), and a UA treatment group (UA). The HFD and UA groups received a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to induce obesity. Thereafter, mice in the UA group were administered UA orally once daily for 6 weeks. Results: In HFD-induced obese mice, UA administration significantly reduced body weight (BW), abdominal fat weight and liver weight; improved grip strength and muscle weight; and enhanced lipid profiles, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and free fatty acid levels in serum. UA also improved histological changes in the liver and abdominal adipose tissues, regulated serum GH, IGF-1, T3, T4 and leptin levels and downregulated the inflammation-associated gene expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in abdominal adipose tissue. Conclusions: UA could enhance muscle strength, improve lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis and might be considered a potential therapeutic agent for managing obesity and related metabolic diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity)

18 pages, 2823 KB

Open AccessArticle

Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharides Alleviate Simulated Weightlessness-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Gut Microbiota Modulation and Suppression of NLRP3/NF-κB Pathways

by Fang Chen, Muhammad Noman Khan, Mengzhou Xie, Yiwen Zhang, Liang Li, Ahsana Dar Farooq, Jixian Liu, Qinghu He, Xinmin Liu and Ning Jiang

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3157; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193157 - 5 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Polygonatum sibiricum (PS), possessing both medicinal and edible dual functions, boasts a long history of application in Chinese traditional practices. As a component of its effectiveness, Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSPs) have been reported to exert neuroprotective effects. However, the protective effects [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Polygonatum sibiricum (PS), possessing both medicinal and edible dual functions, boasts a long history of application in Chinese traditional practices. As a component of its effectiveness, Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSPs) have been reported to exert neuroprotective effects. However, the protective effects of PS on the cognitive deficits induced by simulated weightlessness remain unclear. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of PSPs to counteract the cognitive deficits induced by simulated weightlessness using the Hindlimb Unloading (HU) method. Methods: Mice were subjected to HU to establish cognitive impairment, and PSP was administered for four weeks. The Morris water maze test (MWMT) and passive avoidance test (PAT) were used to evaluate the cognitive abilities of mice, followed by an analysis of molecular mechanisms. Results: PSP treatment increased learning and memory in mice. PSP treatment partially restored gut microbial diversity and composition towards beneficial taxa, including Lactobacillus and Firmicutes, while inhibiting proinflammatory genera, including Alistipes and Proteus. At the same time, PSP upregulated Claudin-5 and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) levels in the colon, suggesting improved intestinal barrier integrity, and decreased neuroinflammatory response by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NF-κB phosphorylation in the hippocampus. It also modulated neurotransmitter homeostasis along the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis by increasing the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5-HT) while reducing the levels of excitotoxic metabolites, including Glutamate (Glu) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). Conclusions: These results indicate that PSP may have beneficial effects on HU-induced cognitive impairment by regulating gut microbiota, enhancing barrier function, suppressing neuroimmune signaling, and restoring neurotransmitter balance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Carbohydrates)

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18 pages, 4936 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM1001 Supplementation Attenuates Muscle Atrophy and Function Decline in Aged Mice

by Jacques Karekezi, Hwajin Kim, Theodomir Dusabimana, Tatang Aldi Nugroho, Edvard Ntambara Ndahigwa, Yoon Ju So, Juil Kim, Tae-Rahk Kim, Minn Sohn, Ji Miao, Yuseok Moon and Sang Won Park

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193156 - 4 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Aging and metabolic disorders are associated with a decline in muscle function, referred to as age-related sarcopenia. The underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia include cellular senescence, imbalanced protein homeostasis, accumulation of oxidative and inflammatory stressors, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Probiotic supplementation improves the [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Aging and metabolic disorders are associated with a decline in muscle function, referred to as age-related sarcopenia. The underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia include cellular senescence, imbalanced protein homeostasis, accumulation of oxidative and inflammatory stressors, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Probiotic supplementation improves the gut microbiome and enhances muscle function via the gut–muscle axis. However, details of molecular mechanisms and the development of an appropriate treatment are under active investigation. Methods: We have examined the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM1001, a probiotic that reportedly improves the digestibility of branched-chain amino acids in myocyte cultures, but exactly how it contributes to muscle structure and function remains unclear. Results: We show that aged mice (male C57BL6/J) fed a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibit weak muscle strength, as reflected by a reduction in grip strength. LM1001 supplementation increases muscle strength and restores myofibril size, which has been altered by HFD in aged mice. Expression of myogenic proteins is increased, while protein markers for muscle atrophy are downregulated by LM1001 treatment via the IGF-1/Akt/FoxO3a pathway. LM1001 improves gut microbiota that are altered in aged HFD-fed mice, by increasing their abundance in beneficial bacteria, and efficiently maintains the epithelial lining integrity of the large intestine. Conclusions: We conclude that LM1001 supplementation serves a beneficial role in patients suffering from sarcopenia and metabolic disorders, improving their muscle function, gut microbiota, and intestinal integrity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Prebiotics and Probiotics)

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14 pages, 2528 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Association of Skipping Breakfast with Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

by Bowen Yang, Linxi Lian, Kaijun Xing, Yangyang Cen, Yi Zhao and Yannan Zhang

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3155; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193155 - 3 Oct 2025

Abstract

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a growing and significant public health burden worldwide. The evidence regarding whether skipping breakfast affects the development of MetS and its components remains inconsistent and uncertain. This study aimed to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the association [...] Read more.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a growing and significant public health burden worldwide. The evidence regarding whether skipping breakfast affects the development of MetS and its components remains inconsistent and uncertain. This study aimed to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the association between skipping breakfast and the risk of MetS and its components. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from inception until May 2025. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. This review included cross-sectional and cohort studies on the association between breakfast skipping and the risk of MetS and its components. Results: Nine studies were included after quality evaluation by NOS. Pooled results from the meta-analysis revealed that skipping breakfast was significantly associated with an increased risk of MetS (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04–1.17) and its components—namely abdominal obesity (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.01–1.34), hypertension (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.10–1.32), hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.23), and hyperglycemia (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.16–1.37). Conclusions: The meta-analysis demonstrated that skipping breakfast was significantly associated with an increased risk of MetS and its key components—abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. These findings highlight regular breakfast consumption as a potential modifiable factor for preventing and managing MetS and related cardiometabolic diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutritional Epidemiology)

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20 pages, 4443 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preventing Sepsis in Preterm Infants with Bovine Lactoferrin: A Randomized Trial Exploring Immune and Antioxidant Effects

by Virginia Plaza-Astasio, Belén Pastor-Villaescusa, Mª Cruz Rico-Prados, María Dolores Mesa-García, María José Párraga-Quiles, María Dolores Ruiz-González, Pilar Jaraba-Caballero, Inés Tofé-Valera, María José de la Torre-Aguilar and María Dolores Ordóñez-Díaz

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3154; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193154 - 3 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g and/or gestational age <32 weeks), with limited preventive strategies. We evaluated whether early enteral bovine lactoferrin (bLf), given its antimicrobial, [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g and/or gestational age <32 weeks), with limited preventive strategies. We evaluated whether early enteral bovine lactoferrin (bLf), given its antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, reduces LOS and improves immunologic, antioxidant, and hematologic markers in these infants. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 103 VLBW infants received bLf (150 mg/kg/day; n = 50) or the placebo (n = 53) within 72 h of birth for four weeks or until discharge. Outcomes included culture-confirmed LOS, mortality, and major morbidities. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated, adjusting for gestational age, human milk intake, and ventilatory support when ≥25 events occurred. Pre/post changes in cytokines, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and hemoglobin (Hb) were analyzed for interaction effects (time x intervention). Results: bLf reduced LOS (adjusted RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31–0.93; p = 0.028), without differences in other morbidities or mortality. bLf preserved MCP-1 levels, declining in the placebo group (interaction p = 0.022). Among LOS infants receiving bLf, IL-6 remained stable and MCP-1 increased, while both declined in other groups (interaction p = 0.007 for IL-6; p = 0.052 for MCP-1). Although TAC showed a non-significant interaction, the placebo group declined (p = 0.002), while bLf remained stable (p = 0.400) in the post hoc analysis. In non-transfused infants, bLf increased Hb by 0.9 g/dL vs. controls (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Early bLf supplementation safely reduces LOS in VLBW infants and may support immunologic, antioxidant, and hematologic stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Nutrition)

17 pages, 377 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Clinical Applications of Probiotics in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics—A Systematic Review

by Lucia Giannini, Giovanna Stella, Giovanni Cattaneo, Gianna Dipalma and Cinzia Maspero

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3153; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193153 - 3 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: In recent years, scientific interest in probiotics in oral health has grown exponentially. This systematic review aims to analyze the effectiveness of probiotic use in dentistry, specifically in two areas: orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Methods: Forty studies (RCTs, systematic reviews, clinical and [...] Read more.

Background: In recent years, scientific interest in probiotics in oral health has grown exponentially. This systematic review aims to analyze the effectiveness of probiotic use in dentistry, specifically in two areas: orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Methods: Forty studies (RCTs, systematic reviews, clinical and preclinical studies) published between 2001 and 2025 were selected from the literature (PubMed) to evaluate the impact of probiotics on clinical, microbiological, and patient-specific parameters. Results: Results generally indicate that the most observed effect is the reduction in Streptococcus mutans levels, while in orthodontics, probiotics have proven beneficial primarily in reducing halitosis and traumatic lesions. In pediatric dentistry, early and prolonged use of probiotics has been shown to benefit both the reduction in caries and the improvement of gingival health, with significant results also observed in pediatric patients with special needs. Conclusions: Although the data obtained so far are very encouraging, further clinical studies are needed to define standardized protocols, identify the most effective strains, and evaluate the effects of long-term probiotic use. Probiotics therefore represent a promising and potentially valuable addition to preventive strategies in dentistry, particularly in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, when integrated into a sustainable and personalized approach to patient oral health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Prebiotics for Oral Health Improvement)

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17 pages, 1835 KB

Open AccessArticle

Management of Post-Colonoscopy Syndrome with a Nutraceutical Intervention Based on Hericium erinaceus: A Retrospective Two-Arm Multicentre Analysis

by Antonio Tursi, Alessandro D’Avino, Giovanni Brandimarte, Giammarco Mocci, Raffaele Pellegrino, Alessandro Federico, Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino, Antonietta Gerarda Gravina and the HERICIUM-COLON Study Group

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3152; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193152 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Post-colonoscopy syndrome is an emerging clinical entity characterised by the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms following a colonoscopy. The current management of this syndrome has not yet been established, although probiotics have been proposed. The therapeutic potential of a combination nutraceutical compound [...] Read more.

Background: Post-colonoscopy syndrome is an emerging clinical entity characterised by the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms following a colonoscopy. The current management of this syndrome has not yet been established, although probiotics have been proposed. The therapeutic potential of a combination nutraceutical compound based on HBQ-Complex^®, butyrate, and probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) in this setting remains unknown. Methods: A retrospective, multicentre, observational study was conducted in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy in the absence of known gastrointestinal diseases, assessing the onset of upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms post-colonoscopy immediately after the procedure (T₀), at 2 weeks (T₁), and 4 weeks (T₂) thereafter, using a VAS (0–10). Two groups were analysed, one undergoing nutraceutical supplementation and a control group. Results: A total of 599 patients were included (64.9% receiving nutraceutical supplementation and 35% in the control group). Several variations were observed involving the treated group compared to the control for abdominal pain (59.9% vs. 33.3%), meteorism (64.9% vs. 35.1%), diarrhoea (46.9% vs. 19.5%), and bloating (59.3% vs. 26.7%) (p < 0.001 for all). Logistic regression analysis showed a reduction in constipation (OR: 3.344) and bloating (OR: 3.791) scores. Conclusions: Nutraceutical supplementation based on this combinational compound was associated with a reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms arising after colonoscopy, suggesting potential benefit in this setting. These findings pose a rationale for controlled prospective studies to confirm such evidence in broader clinical settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic News and Updates on Probiotics)

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21 pages, 4758 KB

Open AccessArticle

Arctigenin from Saussurea medusa Maxim. Targets the PI3K/AKT Pathway to Inhibit Hepatocellular Carcinoma Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis

by Ruitao Yu, Jinghua Chen and Ruixue Yu

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3151; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193151 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Arctigenin (ARC), a natural lignan derived from Saussurea medusa, exhibits anti-cancer activity, but its mechanism against HCC remain incompletely elucidated. Methods: This study integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular [...] Read more.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Arctigenin (ARC), a natural lignan derived from Saussurea medusa, exhibits anti-cancer activity, but its mechanism against HCC remain incompletely elucidated. Methods: This study integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, in vitro, and in vivo experiments to investigate ARC’s anti-HCC effects. Results: Seventy-five potential targets shared between ARC and HCC were identified, with KEGG analysis highlighting the PI3K/AKT pathway as central. ARC showed strong binding to key proteins, and molecular dynamics indicated stable interactions with PIK3CA and GSK3B. In HepG2 cells, ARC inhibited proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC50: 11.17 μM at 24 h, 4.888 μM at 48 h), induced apoptosis at high concentrations, suppressed PIK3CA phosphorylation, and increased GSK3B (Ser9) phosphorylation. In H22 tumor-bearing mice, ARC dose-dependently inhibited tumor growth (high dose: 50.6% vs. 63.0% for CTX) with minimal weight loss. Conclusions: These findings suggest ARC suppresses HCC by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, providing evidence for its development as a plant-derived therapeutic agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)

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15 pages, 819 KB

Open AccessReview

Recent Progress in Exploring Dietary Nutrition and Dietary Patterns in Periodontitis with a Focus on SCFAs

by Jing-Song Mao, Hao-Yue Cui, Xuan-Zhu Zhou and Shu-Wei Zhang

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3150; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193150 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Dietary patterns greatly affect periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that compromises both dental and systemic health. According to the emerging evidence, periodontal risk is more strongly associated with the overall dietary quality, especially fiber density intake, than any one micronutrient. While the average [...] Read more.

Dietary patterns greatly affect periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that compromises both dental and systemic health. According to the emerging evidence, periodontal risk is more strongly associated with the overall dietary quality, especially fiber density intake, than any one micronutrient. While the average intake in industrialized countries is only half of the recommended 30 g day⁻¹, high-fiber diets such as the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and whole-food plant-based diets are consistently associated with a 20–40% lower periodontitis prevalence. Dietary fiber plays a central role in regulating immune responses, strengthening tissue barriers, improving metabolic homeostasis, and shaping a healthy microbiome through its microbial fermentation products: short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This makes it a biologically rational and clinical evidence-supported strategy for the prevention and management of periodontitis. Integrating high-fiber diet recommendations into routine periodontal care and public health policies could be a crucial step towards more comprehensive oral and systemic health management. This narrative review elaborates on the mechanistic, observational, and intervention data highlighting the role of dietary fiber, especially SCFAs, in periodontal health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)

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23 pages, 1571 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Dietary Consumption of Toxicant-Laden Foods and Beverages by Age and Ethnicity in California: Implications for Proposition 65

by Shahir Masri, Sara Nasla, Denise Diaz Payán and Jun Wu

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3149; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193149 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Investigating human exposure to toxic contaminants through dietary consumption is critical to identify disease risk factors and health guidelines. Methods: In this study, we developed a cross-sectional online survey to collect information about dietary patterns and related food consumption habits among adults [...] Read more.

Background: Investigating human exposure to toxic contaminants through dietary consumption is critical to identify disease risk factors and health guidelines. Methods: In this study, we developed a cross-sectional online survey to collect information about dietary patterns and related food consumption habits among adults (age ≥ 18) and adolescents (ages 13–17) in Southern California, focusing on popular staple foods and/or those targeted most commonly under California’s Proposition 65 law for lead and acrylamide exposure. Results: Results identified root vegetables, rice, leafy greens, pasta/noodles, tea, juice, and seafood to be among the most heavily consumed foods by mass, while the daily intake of many foods such as stuffed grape leaves, tamarind/chili candy and herbs/spices varied by age and race/ethnicity, suggesting that many of Proposition 65’s pollution allowances may be exacerbating issues of health inequity and environmental injustice. Moreover, findings from this study indicate that the methods of exposure assessment often applied under Prop 65, especially relating to herbs/spices, are likely to underestimate single-day exposures, thus allowing unsafe products on the market without warning labels. Conclusions: Study outcomes are broadly relevant to environmental health and nutrition science, with particular relevance to public health practitioners and California’s Prop 65 regulators and other stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)

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20 pages, 2811 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation and Aerobic Exercise on Metabolic Health and Physical Performance in Aged Mice

by Yi-Ju Hsu, Mon-Chien Lee, Huai-Yu Fan and Yu-Ching Lo

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3148; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193148 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Aging is characterized by progressive physiological and metabolic decline. Aerobic exercise mitigates age-related impairments, and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a precursor in the NAD⁺ salvage pathway, has emerged as a nutritional intervention to promote healthy aging. This study investigated whether NMN [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Aging is characterized by progressive physiological and metabolic decline. Aerobic exercise mitigates age-related impairments, and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a precursor in the NAD⁺ salvage pathway, has emerged as a nutritional intervention to promote healthy aging. This study investigated whether NMN supplementation combined with aerobic exercise provides synergistic benefits on physical performance and metabolic regulation in aged mice. Methods: Forty male C57BL/6J mice, including eight young (8 weeks) and thirty-two aged (85 weeks) mice, were randomly assigned to five groups: young sedentary (YS), aged sedentary (AS), aged with exercise (AE), aged with NMN (ASNMN; 300 mg/kg/day), and aged with combined NMN and exercise (AENMN). Interventions lasted six weeks. Assessments included grip strength, muscle endurance, aerobic capacity, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and indirect calorimetry, followed by biochemical and molecular analyses of NAMPT and SirT1 expression. Results: The AENMN group demonstrated significant improvements in maximal strength and aerobic endurance compared with the AS group (p < 0.05). Both NMN and exercise interventions increased blood NAMPT concentrations, with the highest levels observed in the AENMN group (p < 0.05). SirT1 expression was elevated in the ASNMN and AENMN groups relative to YS (p < 0.05). Glucose tolerance improved in the ASNMN and AENMN groups (p < 0.05). Enhanced energy metabolism in the AENMN group was indicated by increased oxygen consumption, elevated energy expenditure, and reduced respiratory quotient. Conclusions: NMN supplementation, particularly when combined with aerobic exercise, effectively improved aerobic performance, glucose regulation, and systemic energy metabolism in aged mice. These findings suggest that NMN, in synergy with exercise, may serve as a promising nutritional strategy to counteract age-associated metabolic and functional decline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sports Nutrition)

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13 pages, 264 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation Signatures Linking Prenatal Exposure to the Chinese Great Famine and Blood Lipids in Late Adulthood: The Genomic Research of the Chinese Famine (GRECF) Study

by Huan Wang, Luqi Shen, Tingting Liu, Ruiyuan Zhang, Zhenghe Wang, Jingkai Wei, Ye Shen, Jinzhen Guo, Toni Miles, Changwei Li and Zhiyong Zou

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3147; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193147 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Prenatal exposure to famine can lead to lasting health effects through changes in DNA methylation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of prenatal exposure to the Chinses Great Famine (1959–1961) on human epigenome and the subsequent influence on blood lipids. Methods: [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Prenatal exposure to famine can lead to lasting health effects through changes in DNA methylation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of prenatal exposure to the Chinses Great Famine (1959–1961) on human epigenome and the subsequent influence on blood lipids. Methods: We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of peripheral blood-based DNA methylation and prenatal exposure to the Chinese Great Famine as well as blood lipids among eight participants exposed to famine and eight sex-matched participants (born ≤ 3 years after the famine). Genome-wide DNA methylation sites were profiled using the Illumina EPIC BeadChip, which covers 850K methylation positions. Results: After EWAS analyses, seven probes in genes C8orf31, ELAVL1, U6, GBA2, SHOX2, SLC1A4, and NPHP4 reached p < 1 × 10⁻⁵. Of these, famine exposure was associated with decreased methylation levels of a GBA2 exonic probe cg08258661 (p = 4.9 × 10⁻⁶). After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, pathway enrichment analyses for genes harboring nominally significant (p < 0.05) probes identified 44 significant pathways (q < 0.05), and 5 pathways were related to lipid metabolism. After FDR correction in each pathway, probes cg02622866 (5’UTR of ATF2, p = 1.09 × 10⁻³), cg07316730 (body of GRB2, p = 1.32 × 10⁻³), and cg01105385 (body of PIK3R1, p = 1.94 × 10⁻³) in the PI2K-Akt signaling pathway were associated with blood LDL-C (q ≤ 0.04); probes cg09180702 (3’UTR of PIGQ, p = 9.21 × 10⁻⁵, and q = 0.04) and cg01421548 (body of HS3ST4, p = 5.23 × 10⁻⁵, and q = 0.01) in the metabolism pathway were associated with blood LDL-C and HDL-C, respectively; In addition, probe cg08460387 (5’UTR of MAN1C1, p = 1.09 × 10⁻⁴, and q = 0.02) in the vesicle-mediated transport pathway was associated with log-transformed blood triglycerides. Conclusions: Through an epigenetic study of the Chinese Great Famine, we identified six novel genes involved in lipid metabolism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics)

30 pages, 1702 KB

Open AccessReview

Adulteration of Sports Supplements with Anabolic Steroids—From Innocent Athlete to Vicious Cheater

by Daniela Puscasiu, Corina Flangea, Daliborca Vlad, Roxana Popescu, Cristian Sebastian Vlad, Sorin Barac, Andreea Luciana Rata, Cristina Marina, Ionut Marcel Cobec and Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3146; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193146 - 1 Oct 2025

Abstract

Some protein food supplements intended for athletes may be adulterated with pharmacologically active substances, including anabolic steroids and prohormones. The addition of these substances is aimed at enabling manufacturers to achieve rapid sales growth by promising quick increases in strength and muscle mass. [...] Read more.

Some protein food supplements intended for athletes may be adulterated with pharmacologically active substances, including anabolic steroids and prohormones. The addition of these substances is aimed at enabling manufacturers to achieve rapid sales growth by promising quick increases in strength and muscle mass. However, the consumption of these products will lead to a positive result in a routine anti-doping test, along with all of the consequences that will directly affect an athlete’s career and reputation. At the same time, the illicit use of anabolic steroids continues to evolve across numerous sport disciplines. Moreover, vicious cheaters try to cover up their illegal actions by using various pharmacological agents to mask detection in anti-doping tests. This narrative review focuses on two situations—the innocent athlete and the vicious cheater. The athlete involved in inadvertent doping will suffer the consequences of doping, making close collaboration with medical staff extremely important. The analytic strategies described here address anabolic steroid doping detection and cheating using masking agents. This approach, based on biochemical changes, examines how these substances interfere with the testosterone pathway, from synthesis to elimination. Using masking agents alters the steroid profile, and the modifications produced by each agent are the subject of a detailed presentation. For most honest athletes, these findings support the initiation, development, and refinement of strategies for identifying food supplements with added illegal substances. Every athlete must have access to these approaches in order to avoid becoming vulnerable to sports fraud. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements for Athletic Training and Racing)

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19 pages, 1042 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of the PortionSize Ed App into SNAP-Ed for Improving Diet Quality Among Adolescents in Hawaiʻi: A Randomized Pilot Study

by Emerald S. Proctor, Kiari H. L. Aveiro, Ian Pagano, Lynne R. Wilkens, Leihua Park, Leilani Spencer, Jeannie Butel, Corby K. Martin, John W. Apolzan, Rachel Novotny, John Kearney and Chloe P. Lozano

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3145; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193145 - 1 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Coupling mobile health (mHealth) technology with community-based nutrition programs may enhance diet quality in adolescents. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of integrating PortionSize Ed (PSEd), an image-assisted dietary assessment and education app, into the six-week Hawaiʻi Food [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Coupling mobile health (mHealth) technology with community-based nutrition programs may enhance diet quality in adolescents. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of integrating PortionSize Ed (PSEd), an image-assisted dietary assessment and education app, into the six-week Hawaiʻi Food and Lifeskills for Youth (HI-FLY) curriculum delivered via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). Methods: Adolescents (grades 6–8) from two classrooms were cluster-randomized into HI-FLY or HI-FLY + PSEd. Both groups received HI-FLY and completed Youth Questionnaires (YQ) and food records (written or app-based) at Weeks 0 and 7. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed via enrollment, attrition, and User Satisfaction Surveys (USS). Diet quality was measured using Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020) scores and analyzed via mixed-effects models. Results: Of 50 students, 42 (84%) enrolled and attrition was minimal (2.4%). The sample was 49% female and 85% at least part Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NHPI). PSEd was acceptable, with average USS scores above the scale midpoint. No significant HEI-2020 changes were observed, though YQ responses indicated improvements in sugary drink intake (p = 0.03) and use of nutrition labels in HI-FLY + PSEd (p = 0.0007). Conclusions: Integrating PSEd into SNAP-Ed was feasible, acceptable, and demonstrated potential healthy behavior change among predominantly NHPI youth in Hawaiʻi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Dietary Assessments and Nutritional Monitoring Through Digital Health Monitoring and Intervention)

28 pages, 740 KB

Open AccessReview

Nutritional Status and Dietary Challenges in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review

by Eleni C. Pardali, Arriana Gkouvi, Maria G. Grammatikopoulou, Alexandros Mitropoulos, Christos Cholevas, Dimitrios Poulimeneas and Markos Klonizakis

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193144 - 1 Oct 2025

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is seriously affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc), due to fibrosis and persistent inflammation. Patients with GI involvement frequently exhibit poor nutritional status, which affects disease burden and quality of life. The aim of the present review was to discuss [...] Read more.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is seriously affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc), due to fibrosis and persistent inflammation. Patients with GI involvement frequently exhibit poor nutritional status, which affects disease burden and quality of life. The aim of the present review was to discuss all nutritional issues in SSc and serve as a primer for the nutritional assessment of patients with scleroderma. Patients with SSc suffer from GI impairments that affect the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Symptomatology includes microstomia, xerostomia, dysphagia, reflux, esophageal dysmotility, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and fecal incontinence, among others, which may contribute to inadequate food intake. As a result, patients often suffer from malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty, while presenting with micronutrient deficiencies that impact disease outcomes and worsen their condition. This aggravated nutritional status is related to greater disease severity, organ involvement, reduced physical function, and increased length of hospitalization and mortality. GI involvement is well-documented within the SSc population, yet routine nutritional assessments are lacking in the hospital setting. Currently, there is a lack of specific recommendations from scientific societies regarding the nutritional care of patients with SSc. Given the high risk of nutritional impairments in this population, systematic assessments should be undertaken, and novel tools tailored to their unique needs should be developed and implemented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)

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24 pages, 1584 KB

Open AccessArticle

Retarded Learning in a Rabbit Model of Metabolic Syndrome Created by Long-Term Feeding of High-Fat Diet and High Sucrose

by Desheng Wang, Ezekiel A. Irewole, Logan D. Bays, MacKinzie D. Smith, Delanie Talkington, Roger W. Bell, Neha Lal and Bernard G. Schreurs

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3143; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193143 - 1 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of medical conditions including central obesity, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides known to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, with significant sex differences in the syndrome’s incidence and prevalence. These [...] Read more.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of medical conditions including central obesity, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides known to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, with significant sex differences in the syndrome’s incidence and prevalence. These clinical symptoms may be accompanied by cognitive impairment. Methods: In the present experiment, we fed rabbits a diet high in fat and sugar (HFSD), assessed symptoms, and measured changes in cognition using trace eyeblink conditioning. Results: We show that a range of symptoms of metabolic syndrome resulted from HFSD in male and female rabbits and obesity, high blood sugar, and glucose intolerance were higher in male than female rabbits. Specifically, HFSD male rabbits gained more weight and had a higher body-mass index, more body fat, higher fasting glucose levels, and greater glucose intolerance. Importantly, using trace and delay eyeblink conditioning, we show that there was cognitive impairment because of the high-fat and high-sugar diet in both male and female rabbits, but this was greater in HFSD male rabbits than HFSD female rabbits. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome modeled in rabbits fed a diet high in fat and sugar reflects trends in the adult population including central obesity, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides and cognitive impairment and provides an important model and test bed for assessing interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Lipids)

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18 pages, 1366 KB

Open AccessArticle

One-Week Elderberry Juice Intervention Promotes Metabolic Flexibility in the Transcriptome of Overweight Adults During a Meal Challenge

by Christy Teets, Andrea J. Etter and Patrick M. Solverson

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3142; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193142 - 1 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Metabolic flexibility, the ability to efficiently switch between fuel sources in response to changing nutrient availability and energy demands, is recognized as a key determinant of metabolic health. In a recent randomized controlled human feeding trial, overweight individuals receiving American black elderberry [...] Read more.

Background: Metabolic flexibility, the ability to efficiently switch between fuel sources in response to changing nutrient availability and energy demands, is recognized as a key determinant of metabolic health. In a recent randomized controlled human feeding trial, overweight individuals receiving American black elderberry juice (EBJ) demonstrated improvements in multiple clinical indices of metabolic flexibility, but the mechanisms of action were unexplored. The objective of this study was to utilize RNA sequencing to examine how EBJ modulates the transcriptional response to fasting and feeding, focusing on pathways related to metabolic flexibility. Methods: Overweight or obese adults (BMI > 25 kg/m²) without chronic illnesses were randomized to a 5-week crossover study protocol with two 1-week periods of twice-daily EBJ or placebo (PL) separated by a washout period. RNA sequencing was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 participants to assess transcriptomic responses collected at fasting (pre-meal) and postprandial (120 min post-meal) states during a meal-challenge test. Results: The fasted-to-fed transition for EBJ showed 234 differentially expressed genes following EBJ consumption compared to 59 genes following PL, with 44 genes shared between interventions. EBJ supplementation showed significantly higher enrichment of several metabolic pathways including insulin, FoxO, and PI3K–Akt signaling. KEGG pathway analysis showed 27 significant pathways related to metabolic flexibility compared to 7 for PL. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that short-term elderberry juice consumption may promote metabolic flexibility in overweight adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Foods and Nutritional and Botanical Supplements for the Enhancement of Human Health and Performance)

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17 pages, 677 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Association Between Anthropometric Indices Related to Overweight and Obesity and Selected Trace Elements and Heavy Metals: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Grzegorz Józef Nowicki, Anna Maria Cybulska, Maciej Polak, Elżbieta Grochans, Romuald Bohatyrewicz, Eliza Blicharska, Tomasz Czernecki, Agnieszka Adamczuk, Magdalena Łapot and Barbara Ślusarska

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3141; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193141 - 30 Sep 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Over the last two decades, obesity has evolved into a global pandemic. Environmental pollutants, as endocrine disruptors, may play a key role in the development of obesity. The study aimed to assess the relationship between the concentration of certain trace elements and [...] Read more.

Introduction: Over the last two decades, obesity has evolved into a global pandemic. Environmental pollutants, as endocrine disruptors, may play a key role in the development of obesity. The study aimed to assess the relationship between the concentration of certain trace elements and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Cr and Fe) and ferritin in blood serum, with anthropometric and physiological parameters associated with overweight and obesity in individuals following myocardial infarction and without a previous myocardial infarction. Method: The study was conducted in a group of 146 respondents divided into two groups: a study group (SG) of patients that had a history of myocardial infarction (n = 74) and a control group (CG) of patients that had no history (n = 72). The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed to assess the concentration of trace elements and heavy metals. Measurements were taken to determine the anthropometric indices associated with overweight and obesity. Results: In the SG, there was a positive correlation between Cr concentration and body adiposity index (BAI) and a negative correlation between Zn, Zn/Cu, and ferritin level and percentage body fat (FM%). In the CG, there was a positive correlation between Zn concentration and WHtR and between ferritin level and BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between Mn concentration and WHR and ferritin level and BAI and FM%. Conclusions: This study found a link between certain blood concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals and anthropometric and physiological indices associated with overweight and obesity. It, therefore, has substantial implications for public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Nutrients in Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases: A Focus on Adipose Tissue)

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