Search Results (2,399)

While medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium- and long-chain triglycerides (MLCTs), and carotenoids individually possess anti-obesity properties, the synergistic metabolic regulatory effects of their combined intervention remain under-investigated. This study explored the effects of MCTs or structured MLCTs combined with natural carotenoids on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. After establishing obesity in C57BL/6J mice using a 60% HFD, a ten-week intervention was conducted using 45% HFD containing 150 mg/kg carotenoids across three groups: MCT-C, MLCT-C, and a physical mixture of MCTs and long-chain triglycerides plus carotenoids (MCT+LCT-C), alongside a low-fat diet (LFD) control. Results showed that among the three HFD-fed intervention groups, the MCT-C group had the lowest body weight with significantly lower fat mass, fat pad coefficient, and adipocyte area, but higher liver coefficient and serum alanine aminotransferase levels compared to the LFD control group (p < 0.05). The MLCT-C and MCT+LCT-C groups exhibited higher body weight, white adipose tissue expansion, and adipocyte hypertrophy, with MCT+LCT-C showing the largest adipocyte volume and uniquely presenting hepatocyte necrosis, unlike other groups. Serum total cholesterol was lowest in MCT-C, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in MLCT-C and MCT+LCT-C. Notably, compared with the MCT+LCT-C group, MLCT-C demonstrated distinctly superior capabilities in maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, as evidenced by enhanced community alpha diversity and significantly reduced the abundance of harmful Pseudomonadota, while preserving a highly comparable core functional profile. Collectively, these findings confirm that lipid structure differentially shapes gut microbiota and influences energy metabolism, providing a scientific basis for precision nutrition interventions. Full article

Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome is a key driver of obesity-associated chronic low-grade inflammation, contributing to hypothalamic neuroinflammation and disruption of energy homeostasis. Quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid, has been proposed as a modulator of inflammatory and metabolic pathways, including the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO). Objective: This study evaluated the effects of quercetin on hypothalamic mRNA expression of Fto and components of the TNF-α/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Methodology: In a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model, male Wistar rats (n = 18) were divided into three groups: standard diet (SD), HFD, and HFD + Q (supplemented with quercetin 50 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks). Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR using the 2^−ΔΔCt method. Results: HFD significantly increased the expression of Fto and pro-inflammatory genes, including Tnf, Nlrp3, Casp1, Il1b, and Il18. Quercetin supplementation attenuated this upregulation, restoring expression levels toward baseline. Conclusions: These findings indicate that quercetin reduces hypothalamic neuroinflammation and modulates Fto expression, likely through inhibition of NF-κB signaling and suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Quercetin may represent a potential molecular modulator of obesity-associated neuroinflammatory processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutritional therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of chronic metabolic diseases. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a low-purine, energy-restricted, and balanced diet (LPEB diet) in ameliorating gout conditions and improving related metabolic risk factors. Methods: A total of 90 patients with gout were randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group, with 45 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received routine basic nutritional health education. Based on the conventional education, the intervention group underwent a 42-day structured dietary intervention characterized by low purine intake, energy restriction, and balanced nutritional composition. Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in serum uric acid (sUA) level by 112.4 μmol/L (p = 0.007). Meanwhile, the fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) showed a significantly greater increase of 0.87% in the intervention group compared with the control group (p = 0.003), while daily purine intake was significantly reduced by 262 mg (p = 0.001) in the intervention group. Moreover, notable improvements in body composition were observed in the intervention group. Specifically, body mass index (BMI) decreased by 0.50 kg/m² (p < 0.001) and visceral fat area (VFA) was reduced by 12.1 cm² (p < 0.001), with significant intergroup differences confirmed for both indicators. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that an LPEB diet not only effectively reduces sUA levels by enhancing FEUA but also significantly ameliorates central adiposity and related metabolic risk factors in patients with gout. Full article

Background/Objectives: Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic properties. This study evaluated the effects of two beetroot cultivars (Boldor and Wodan) on blood serum parameters, body composition, and organ weights in male WKY rats fed a low-protein diet (LPD, 8.8% protein). Methods: Five-week-old male rats were maintained on an LPD for 8 weeks and subsequently continued on the LPD diet supplemented with 4% dried beetroot for 45 days. The experimental diets included beetroot from the Boldor and Wodan cultivars, either treated or untreated with a plant growth stimulator during cultivation. Results: Foliar application of the selenium-based plant growth stimulator did not significantly increase selenium or other element concentrations in beet roots. Elemental analysis showed higher levels of Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, As, Cd, and Sb in the Wodan group, while Boldor increased Cr, Pb, and As; Ni and Se remained unchanged. Beetroot supplementation significantly affected 14 of the 30 measured biochemical parameters, including biomarkers of liver function (ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein), renal function (uric acid), pancreatic activity (amylase and lipase), electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, and chloride), mineral metabolism (calcium), inflammatory status (CRP), and nutritional metabolism (iron). Conversely, no significant effects were observed on lipid profile parameters or biomarkers of cardiac and skeletal muscle injury. Among the beetroot cultivars evaluated, Wodan exerted distinct effects relative to Boldor, resulting in higher circulating total bilirubin and potassium concentrations, alongside reduced uric acid and lipase levels in treated rats. Boldor supplementation significantly increased body weight gain and fat mass, with a trend toward higher lean mass, and increased kidney weight. Wodan did not significantly affect body weight but increased kidney and spleen mass. Feed intake was similar across groups. No changes in cardiovascular function were observed ex vivo. Conclusions: Beetroot supplementation modulated multiple metabolic and physiological biomarkers in rats fed a low-protein diet, with distinct cultivar-specific effects, underscoring the importance of cultivar selection for optimizing functional dietary interventions. Full article

A ketogenic diet (KD) is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat dietary approach. Beyond treating neurologic disorders, KDs have attracted significant media attention for their potential to improve obesity and diabetes. The diet induces a metabolic shift from glucose toward fatty acid oxidation and ketone body production. This shift leads to ketosis, which may reduce hunger, partly through the anorexigenic effects of ketone bodies, thereby contributing to weight loss and improved metabolic parameters, including glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. In particular, the positive effects of KDs lower insulin demand and may thereby improve β-cell function. However, the long-term efficacy, safety, and sustainability of KDs, especially for diabetes, remain debated. This review offers current insights into the effects of ketogenesis and ketosis, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying them. We explore the metabolic effects of KDs in obesity and diabetes, drawing on preclinical and clinical studies, and suggest that combining KDs with antidiabetic agents may provide synergistic benefits. However, combining KDs with these pharmacotherapies, particularly SGLT-2 inhibitors, requires careful clinical supervision because of potential risks, including euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis. We explore how a KD alters the composition of the gut microbiota, thereby affecting host health. We conclude by highlighting challenges and future directions for optimising KD-based therapies and by outlining the limitations of the current review. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutrition plays a core role in chronic disease management, and there is growing interest in the health impact of plant-based diets (PBDs) in people with overweight or obesity. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence on the health effect of PBDs compared to omnivorous diets in overweight or obese individuals. Methods: We searched the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception to 3 January 2024. Two review authors independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, evaluated the risk of bias, and rated the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021225525. We used random-effects meta-analysis to analyze data. Results: Of 2664 records identified, 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six ongoing studies met the inclusion criteria. The available evidence suggests little to no difference between plant-based and omnivorous diets for body weight, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum glucose, serum insulin, insulin sensitivity, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and body fat mass. Plant-based diets may slightly reduce LDL cholesterol. They may also reduce BMI and HbA1c, although the certainty of the evidence is very low. Longer-duration dietary interventions (14 weeks or more) showed greater improvements in BMI, LDL cholesterol and HbA1c. Conclusions: Plant-based diets may represent a dietary option for people with overweight or obesity and may support modest improvements in selected cardiometabolic outcomes, although the available evidence is limited and uncertain. Most outcomes showed little or no difference between PBDs and comparison diets, while the observed effects on BMI and HbA1c were supported by very low certainty evidence. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity-related insulin resistance is accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation, but the extent to which weight loss modifies circulating cytokines in a sex-specific manner remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to assess sex-specific cytokine responses and metabolic adaptation in adults with obesity and insulin resistance following a six-month weight-reduction program (WRP). Methods: Thirty-six participants (24 women and 12 men) with a value of Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥ 2 underwent an individualized low-calorie diet combined with moderate physical activity and health education. Anthropometric, body composition, biochemical, oxidative stress, and cytokine parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Both women and men showed significant reductions in body mass, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral fat area (VFA), body fat mass (BFM), fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, modified Atherogenic Index of Plasma (new-AIP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI). Women additionally showed significant decreases in fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal-muscle mass (SMM), total body water (TBW), glycated hemoglobin A_1c (HbA1c), and triacylglycerols, whereas cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C) increased significantly in men. Cytokine changes were selective rather than uniform. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) decreased in both women and men. In sex-stratified analyses, IL-1β decreased significantly only in women, whereas IL-7 decreased significantly only in men. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: [NCT07645105] (retrospectively registered on [11 June 2026]). Conclusions: A 6-month lifestyle-based weight-reduction program in adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance was associated with metabolic improvement, reduced oxidative stress, and partial attenuation of obesity-related low-grade inflammation. The observed cytokine and metabolic changes suggest sex-related patterns of immunometabolic adaptation to weight reduction. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the relatively small sex-stratified subgroups and the number of cytokine endpoints analyzed, and they require confirmation in larger, sex-balanced studies. Full article

Background: Frequent consumption of foods high in fat and sugar (HFS) has been linked to disrupted appetite regulation (via hippocampal dysfunction) and an increased tendency to continue desiring palatable foods, even when physiologically full. While we have previously shown that motivational drive for such foods can persist when full, it remains unclear whether attentional engagement (i.e., the visual attention captured by palatable foods) shows a similar sustained desire to consume palatable foods when full. Understanding whether attention persists is critical, as attention can powerfully shape food choice and overeating. Methods: This study investigates whether habitual HFS intake was associated with the maintenance of visual attention, motivational responses, and food consumption when satiated. Twenty-four adults aged 18–30 years completed a food frequency questionnaire and a bogus taste-rating task once when hungry and again after consuming a standardised meal. Using Tobii Pro Glasses 3 wireless eye-tracking glasses, we measured fixations on real snack foods, and participants rated wanting and liking for each item. Results: Eating a meal significantly reduced total fixations to snack foods, and wanting was more sensitive than liking to physiological state. Fixations were higher for ‘healthy’ snacks compared to ‘unhealthy’ snacks, with this effect more pronounced when participants were hungry. Notably, individuals in the low-fat/low-sugar group showed strong alignment between post-meal decreases in visual attention and decreases in wanting and liking, whereas this coupling was diminished in the high-fat/high-sugar group. Discussion: Extending previous work into the domain of attention, this study reveals diet-related differences in how visual attention interacts with motivational evaluations of food. The disrupted coupling associated with high-fat/high-sugar intake suggests potential alterations in attentional and motivational processes supporting appetite regulation. Understanding how diet shapes these cognitive–motivational interactions provides a valuable foundation for future neurocognitive research on overeating and obesity risk. Full article

Background: Critical illness leads to profound metabolic, neuroendocrine and immune disorders that affect the prognosis of patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs). The ketogenic diet, a high-fat and low-carbohydrate eating model, is gaining increasing importance as a potential metabolic intervention in the ICU. Preliminary data suggest that the ketogenic diet (KD) may support the control of seizures in a super-refractive epileptic state (SRSE), stabilize glycemia, reduce insulin demand, and modulate the immune response in sepsis. The aim of this review was to present a synthetic presentation of the current state of knowledge regarding use of the KD in intensive care patients. Methods: The review was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR. PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library databases were searched (10–19 April 2026) using the Population–Concept–Context model. Full-text observational studies, randomized trials and reviews of the use of KDs in ICU patients were included. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Results: Of the 42 publications identified, seven studies were included in the analysis. The KD was feasible and safe in both critically ill adults and children. In SRSE, most patients achieved stable ketosis within a few days, which often allowed for reduction or discontinuation of anesthetics. In sepsis, the KD led to glycemic stabilization, reduced insulin demand and reduced immune deregulation; in one study, “after day 4, none of the patients in the KD group required insulin treatment.” The KD also showed beneficial effects on cellular bioenergetics and mitochondrial function. The safety profile was acceptable and adverse reactions were manageable with appropriate monitoring. Conclusions: The KD represents a promising, non-pharmacological metabolic intervention in intensive care, particularly in the treatment of SRSE and in the stabilization of glucose metabolism in sepsis and other critical conditions. Despite the growing number of positive clinical observations, the available evidence remains limited due to small samples, heterogeneous protocols, and a lack of randomized trials. Further, well-designed prospective studies are needed to determine optimal KD implementation protocols and identify the patient populations that benefit most. Full article

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a multifactorial complication of diabetes mellitus driven by chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and disturbed metabolic homeostasis, leading to progressive injury of both the peripheral and central nervous systems. This study investigated whether L-serine supplementation could attenuate DN through dose-dependent metabolic and neuroprotective mechanisms in a high-fat diet (HFD) plus streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Male Wistar rats (n = 8 per group) were allocated to five groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), pioglitazone (PIO; 1.5 mg/kg/day), low-dose L-serine (S1; 200 mg/kg/day), and high-dose L-serine (S2; 400 mg/kg/day). After 60 days of oral gavage, behavioural testing, glucose and insulin profiling, HOMA-IR calculation, brain histopathology, nerve growth factor (NGF) immunohistochemistry, and LC–MS/MS-based proteomic analysis of cerebral tissue were performed. Diabetic rats exhibited marked hyperglycaemia (355.33 ± 4.72 mg/dL), hyperinsulinaemia, severe insulin resistance (HOMA-IR 16.8 ± 3.2; a 14-fold increase), impaired thermal nociception, motor dysfunction, and pronounced neuronal degeneration. L-serine supplementation significantly improved metabolic status: S1 reduced HOMA-IR by 77.4% and S2 by 87.5% relative to diabetic controls (p < 0.001). High-dose L-serine produced greater improvements in thermal sensitivity, motor coordination (rotarod latency 26.67 ± 1.52 s vs. 16.1 ± 0.85 s in DC; p < 0.05), and NGF expression (8.6-fold increase vs. DC). Histopathology confirmed attenuation of neuronal injury and gliosis in both treatment groups. Exploratory, group-level proteomic profiling identified dose-specific molecular signatures: S1 was predominantly associated with carbohydrate, lipid, and biosynthetic pathways, whereas S2 was associated with synaptic, neurotransmission-related, and proteostasis pathways. Within the constraints of an exploratory design—group-level pooled proteomics, analysis of cerebral rather than peripheral-nerve tissue, and only two doses—these findings indicate that L-serine attenuates the metabolic and behavioural features of experimental diabetic neuropathy and generates the testable hypothesis of dose-dependent neuro-metabolic remodelling. The proteomic signatures are hypothesis-generating and require orthogonal validation before any mechanistic or translational inference can be drawn. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lifestyle Modification Programs (LMPs) based on exercise and nutrition aim to prevent/manage chronic diseases and foster well-being. However, moving LMPs from research to medical practice can be challenging, as programs must be both effective and feasible. The primary goal of this study was to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) changes according to an LMP, measured through VO_2max, as a key indicator of health outcomes and intervention efficacy. Methods: In this single-arm intervention study, 100 subjects were enrolled; per-protocol analysis of main parameters was performed on 85 participants (15 were excluded due to medical/technical reasons). A feasible intervention program (of low resource intensity with only two physician/patient encounters) provided personalized exercise prescription, optimized nutritional habits based on the Mediterranean diet and Healthy Eating Plate principles, and supported behaviour change. We assessed CRF through VO_2max, a key indicator of health outcomes and intervention efficacy. We also analyzed, using regression analysis, the relationship between VO_2max (the gold-standard measure of CRF) and MET_Speak, a simpler, feasible parameter of CRF derived from Exercise Stress Testing. Body composition (BC) and AHA diet score were also measured at baseline and post-6-month intervention. Statistical analyses included paired comparisons and multivariable regression to explore factors influencing CRF changes. Results: Analysis on the primary outcome, VO_2max, was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle and per-protocol. This feasible protocol resulted in a significant increase in VO_2max, improvements in fat-free mass, and a reduction in fat mass. Overall, 42.4% of participants achieved an improvement of ≥1 MET, a change previously associated with reduced mortality risk. Older participants tend to experience smaller improvements in VO_2max. Conclusions: Although observing an improvement in CRF and BC following an LMP is not surprising, the strength of the study is to show the feasibility of implementing an effective, feasible LMP into clinical routine, supporting the integration of such programs into clinical practice. Full article

As the direct biosynthetic precursor of creatine, guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) exerts a pivotal regulatory role in energy homeostasis and protein metabolism. Rabbit meat has garnered increasing global recognition as a healthy food source, characterized by its outstanding high-protein and low-fat nutritional profile. Accordingly, the optimization of rabbit meat quality has attracted growing attention from both consumers and animal production practitioners. In the present study, we evaluated the impacts of dietary GAA supplementation on meat quality traits, in vivo antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber characteristics, and fatty acid metabolism in New Zealand white rabbits. A total of 960 male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to two age groups: 40-day-old group and 60-day-old group (40 ± 2 days, 1.19 ± 0.09 kg; 60 ± 2 days, 1.82 ± 0.15 kg). Within each age group, rabbits were randomly allocated to a control diet or a diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg GAA (CON-40, GAA-40, CON-60, GAA-60). After a 45-day feeding period, two-way ANOVA revealed that GAA supplementation significantly reduced shear force (p < 0.01, diet main effect) and muscle fiber density (p < 0.01, diet main effect), with an age-dependent effect on shear force (age × diet interaction, p < 0.05). Moreover, GAA enhanced systemic antioxidant capacity, as indicated by increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05), while no significant effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected under the current experimental conditions. GAA also regulated the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes (FAS, HSL, ACC) in intramuscular and perirenal fat, indicating its regulatory effect on fatty acid metabolism. In conclusion, dietary GAA supplementation improves rabbit meat tenderness and antioxidant capacity, with no negative effects on growth performance. These findings confirm that GAA has the potential to serve as a nutritional strategy to improve rabbit meat quality, supporting the development of rabbit meat as a functional food for human consumption. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), particularly semaglutide, have demonstrated efficacy for weight loss in obesity; however, up to 40% of weight lost may derive from lean body mass. The ketogenic diet independently improves insulin sensitivity and promotes fat oxidation while preserving lean tissue. This study aimed to describe changes in body composition, insulin sensitivity, and cardiometabolic markers in patients who followed a personalized ketogenic dietary protocol while receiving low-dose semaglutide over a 6-month insulin resistance reversal program. Methods: Seven analyzed adults (six female, one male) with overweight or obesity (baseline BMI 25.6–47.2 kg/m²) participated in a clinician-supervised 6-month program combining a whole-food ketogenic diet with semaglutide (≤1.0 mg/week). Body composition and fasting metabolic markers were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: Mean total weight loss was 21.9 kg, of which a mean of 92% was attributable to BIA-estimated fat mass. Skeletal muscle mass was largely preserved as measured by BIA (mean loss 1.2 kg), and one patient gained lean tissue. Fasting insulin declined by a mean of 15.6 µIU/mL. Visceral fat decreased by a mean of 37.0%. Six of seven patients showed reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Triglycerides decreased in six of seven patients, and HDL cholesterol increased in all seven. LDL cholesterol responses were heterogeneous. Conclusions: In this small, uncontrolled case series, combining a ketogenic diet with low-dose semaglutide was associated with substantial fat loss, apparent preservation of lean mass as measured by BIA, and improvements in insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic markers. Because the semaglutide dose and dietary protocol were individualized to each patient’s response, the program illustrates a personalized approach to insulin resistance. These preliminary findings are hypothesis-generating and warrant confirmation in controlled prospective studies. Full article

Aging-associated dyslipidemia and chronic low-grade inflammation contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. As a blend of long-chain aliphatic alcohols, policosanol from insect wax (PIW) has been documented to regulate lipid metabolism. However, the effects of PIW on atherosclerosis remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, ApoE^−/− mice fed a high-fat diet were concurrently administered PIW (75 and 150 mg/kg) for eight weeks. PIW was associated with weight gain reduction and improvement in lipid profile, particularly a decrease in triglycerides and total cholesterol. PIW also lowered circulating inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein). Histopathological analyses revealed attenuated hepatic injury and reduced aortic lipid deposition and lesion features. In parallel, PIW reduced serum endothelin-1 and oxidized LDL levels and modulated aortic ET-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance, and LOX-1/NF-κB-related protein signals. Notably, as PIW was administered concurrently with high-fat diet induction, these findings should be interpreted within a preventive intervention framework. Collectively, PIW help attenuate HFD-associated atherosclerotic features and hold promise as a functional food ingredient for cardiovascular health and healthy aging. Full article

Given the global increase in beef consumption, cull dairy cows are an underutilized resource, mostly destined for low-value ground beef, despite their potential for premium cuts. This review summarizes recent evidence on pre- and post-mortem strategies specifically aimed at improving meat quality in cull dairy cows, addressing a topic that has been little studied. Finishing diets notably increased intramuscular fat by 112% after 4 months of feeding, enhanced carcass yield, and reduced shear force. Wet aging can improve tenderness by approximately 30% during the first 7 days when combined with finishing diets at a lower operating cost, whereas dry aging enhances intense flavors, albeit with greater losses due to dehydration. Innovations such as vascular rinsing and mechanical tenderizing show promising results, although their adoption is limited by technical requirements and costs. The implementation of these strategies can generate economic benefits by revaluing discarded meat (≈25% higher retail price) and sustainability by reducing waste in livestock systems. However, heterogeneity in breed, age, and management requires adapted approaches. Additional studies integrating productive, sensory, and economic aspects, as well as research on consumer acceptance, are needed to facilitate their adoption on an industrial scale and contribute to more efficient and sustainable meat production. Full article