Search Results (454)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a major risk factor. Beyond medications, dietary interventions and functional foods offer significant cholesterol-lowering potential. This article provides a comprehensive review of functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients that help to reduce cholesterol levels and introduces the novel Cholesterol-Lowering Capacity Index (CLCI), designed to quantify and communicate the efficacy of such foods. In doing so, it summarizes key functional components, including plant sterols/stanols, viscous fibers, soy protein, red yeast rice, berberine, polyphenols (e.g., bergamot extract, garlic), and others, highlighting their mechanisms of action and the typical LDL-C reductions observed in clinical studies. Strategies for the design of next-generation cholesterol-lowering foods are discussed, such as combining multiple bioactives for synergistic effects, personalized nutrition approaches, and novel food processing techniques to enhance bioavailability. Building on these strategies, the CLCI is then proposed as a practical scoring system, analogous to the glycemic index for blood sugar, that integrates the evidence-based potency of ingredients, effective dosing, and synergistic interactions into a single metric. A methodology for the calculation of the CLCI is presented, alongside potential applications in food labeling, clinical guidance, and dietary planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: High concentration of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the predominant cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease progression and coronary heart disease. Nutraceutical combination together with a cholesterol-lowering action provides an alternative to pharmacotherapy in patients reporting intolerance to statins and in subjects with low cardiovascular risk. The effects on lipid parameters were evaluated over 6 months for a food supplement containing aqueous extract of Berberis aristata and Olea europea, fenugreek seed extract, water/ethanol extract of artichoke leaf and phytosterols from sunflower seeds (Ritmon Colesystem^®). Methods: Laboratory data were obtained at baseline from 44 otherwise healthy subjects (33 males, mean 50 ± 11 years) without cardiovascular disease having LDL-C in the range 115 to 190 mg/dL pharmacologically untreated for hypercholesterolemia. Subjects were re-evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months during which they took one tablet of Ritmon Colesystem^® after dinner. Results: At baseline, the mean values were 151 ± 21 mg/dL for LDL-C, 223 ± 24 mg/dL for total cholesterol (T-C), 52 ± 14 mg/dL for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and 124 ± 58 mg/dL for triglycerides. A significant reduction in LDL-C was observed; 9 mg/dL (95% confidence interval 3–14), 10 (4–17) and 7 (1–14) at 1, 3 and 6 months. A similar significant trend was detected for T-C while triglycerides did not show significant changes and HDL-C had lower values only at 3 months. Conclusions: These nutraceuticals in individuals with sub-optimal blood cholesterol levels at intermediate–low cardiovascular risk reduced LDL-C and T-C over 6 months contributing to the improvement of cholesterol control by dietary supplements. Full article

The market for plant-based alternatives to animal foods has increased rapidly in the past decade, mainly due to consumer demand. Little evidence is available regarding nutritional impacts, drivers, and barriers to using these products as substitutes for animal foods in real-life conditions. This pilot study followed 16 Danish adults (30 ± 11 years old; 11 females) for 4 weeks with substituting milk, cheese, and yogurt with plant-based analogues to dairy (PBADs) and assessed their drivers and barriers to applying the intervention with a mixed-method approach. PBADs are constantly compared to their animal counterparts, both regarding product characteristics, such as price and sensory properties, as well as cultural roles and subjective memories. The mixed methods showed dairy attachment, price, and taste were the main barriers to consuming PBAD, while changes in life and social circles were drivers (qualitative data). As for the liking of PBADs, plant-based yoghurt was the preferred intervention product (73.5/100, p < 0.05), followed by plant-based drinks (65.9/100), while plant-based cheese was the lowest rated (47.9/100, p < 0.05). As for dietary changes, a lower average intake of sugars, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc was observed after the intervention. Additionally, this study describes the attachment of the study population to milk and dairy products. It shows that choosing dairy is beyond nourishment but is connected to tradition, culture, pleasure, memories, and a sense of belonging. In contrast, there is no history or attachment to PBADs. Full article

Background: Taste changes are common during pregnancy and can have a significant impact on dietary habits. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of the perception of sweet and fat taste on diet in pregnant diabetic women. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 66 pregnant women, 33 with gestational diabetes and 33 with pre-gestational type 2 diabetes. Taste perception tests were conducted to evaluate thresholds for detecting sweet and fatty tastes. Dietary surveys were used to assess daily nutrient intake, and various biochemical parameters, such as glycemia, HbA1c, and cholesterol, were analyzed. Results: The low-fat taster group (threshold > 0.75 mmol/L) included more patients with diabetes compared to those with gestational diabetes. All diabetic patients had low sucrose perception. Although pregnant women with gestational diabetes detected sweetness at high concentrations, pregnant women with diabetes detected it at lower concentrations (0.012 ± 0.023 mmol/L vs. 0.006 ± 0.005 mmol/L; p = 0.3). High-fat tasters exhibited elevated glycemia compared to low-fat tasters (6.04 ± 1.88 mmol/L vs. 7.47 ± 3.4 mmol/L; p = 0.03). They also had higher cholesterol (p = 0.04) and lower HDL-C levels (4.96 ± 1.04 mmol/L vs. 1.36 ± 0.29 mmol/L; p = 0.03). High-fat tasters showed more frequent daily consumption of oil, butter, cheese, and chocolate. The highly sweet tasters had higher cholesterol levels and lower LDL levels. Individuals who reported being highly sensitive to sweet taste consumed more daily oil, sweetened yogurt, or cream desserts, as well as white sugar. Conclusions: These findings indicate that altered sensitivity to fat and sweet tastes is associated with different dietary habits and metabolic profiles in pregnant women with diabetes. Specifically, reduced sensitivity to the taste of fat is associated with higher consumption of high-fat foods and poorer lipid profiles. In contrast, sensitivity to sweet taste correlates with an increased intake of sugary and fatty foods. Understanding these taste-related behaviors can help develop personalized nutritional strategies to improve metabolic control and maternal–fetal outcomes in this high-risk group. Full article

Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been growing interest in the production of ingredients rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, such as green banana flours. This study evaluated the effect of consumption of mixed green banana pulp (PF) and peel (PeF) flours on the body weight gain, adiposity, lipid profile, and intestinal morphology of Wistar rats. Methods: Male young rats were divided into four groups (n = 8) that received a standard diet (SD), or one of the following three test diets: M1 (SD + 90% PF/10% PeF), M2 (SD + 80% PF/20% PeF), or P (SD + 100% PF) for 28 days. Results: Rats from M1, M2, and P groups showed reduced body weight gain and adiposity and had lower contents of total cholesterol, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and triglycerides. Animals from M1 and M2 groups had an increase in cecum weight, fecal moisture, acetic acid concentration, and crypt depth and reduced fecal pH. Moreover, consumption of the M1, M2, and P diets increased the expression of proteins involved in intestinal functionality. Significant negative correlations were observed between consumption of resistant starch and soluble dietary fiber, from the flours, and weight gain (r = −0.538 and r = −0.538, respectively), body adiposity (r = −0.780 and r = −0.767, respectively), total cholesterol (r = −0.789 and r = −0.800, respectively), and triglycerides (r = −0.790 and r = −0.786, respectively). Conclusions: Mixed green banana pulp and peel flour proved to be a viable alternative as a food ingredient that can promote weight loss, improve lipid profile and intestinal morphology, and minimize post-harvest losses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diatomaceous earth (DE), a natural substance rich in amorphous silica and recognized as a food additive, is gaining attention as a dietary silicon supplement. However, its bioavailability and impact on lipid digestion and absorption remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate silicon bioavailability after short-term DE supplementation and its effects on postprandial glycemia and triglyceridemia, the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins, and the modulation of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Methods: Female Wistar rats received daily oral supplementation of DE (equivalent to 2 or 4 mg silicon/kg body weight) for one week. Silicon digestibility, excretion, and hepatic accumulation were quantified. Postprandial glycemia and triglyceridemia were monitored. Lipid profile was analyzed by HPSEC in gastric and intestinal contents. Jejunal morphology and mucin-secreting cells were assessed histologically. Lipid metabolism markers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in both intestinal and hepatic tissues. Results: DE supplementation enhanced silicon absorption and increased hepatic levels. Fecal output and moisture content were also elevated, especially at the higher dose. DE significantly reduced postprandial triglyceridemia and consequently increased luminal triglyceride retention. These changes were associated with decreased jejunal levels of IFABP, ACAT2, and MTP, as well as reduced hepatic levels of MTP and LDLr, alongside increased levels of ABCG5/G8 and LXRα/β, indicating a partial blockage of lipid absorption and enhanced cholesterol efflux. The effects on the intestinal barrier were evidenced by villi shortening and an increase in mucin-producing cells. Conclusion: Food-grade DE is a bioavailable source of silicon with hypolipidemic potential, mainly by reducing intestinal lipid absorption. This is supported by lower postprandial triglycerides, increased luminal lipid retention, and decreased expression of lipid transport proteins. The study in healthy female rats underscores the importance of sex-specific responses and supports DE as a dietary strategy to improve lipid metabolism. Full article

The conservation of poultry biodiversity is a growing global priority, yet it necessarily relies on the scientific valorization of specific local breeds. This study aimed to characterize the lipid composition and cholesterol content of eggs from three native Sicilian chicken breeds (Cornuta, Valplatani, and Siciliana) reared under semi-extensive conditions, in order to evaluate their nutritional potential and support biodiversity preservation strategies. A total of 170 eggs from 11 farms were analyzed. Fatty acid composition and nutritional indices (atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, n-6/n-3 ratio, HH index) were determined according to ISO and AOAC standards. Results showed that Cornuta eggs exhibited the most favorable lipid profile, with the lowest saturated fatty acid (SFA) content (38.55%), the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio (7.35), and the best values for AI (0.52), TI (1.22), and HH (2.02), compared to Valplatani and Siciliana. Conversely, the lowest cholesterol content was found in Siciliana eggs (1463.58 mg/kg), significantly lower than Cornuta (1789 mg/kg; p < 0.05). Although no commercial hybrids were included, the literature data were used for contextual comparison. These findings suggest that native breeds may produce eggs with functional nutritional properties, supporting both healthier food choices and local genetic conservation. Moreover, this study provides a replicable framework for the nutritional valorization of underutilized poultry breeds, reinforcing the role of biodiversity in sustainable food systems. Full article

Carotid atherosclerotic stenosis (CAS) is a leading cause of ischemic stroke. Current understanding of plaque vulnerability remains largely confined to histopathological characterization. Consequently, identifying molecular determinants of plaque stability represents a major challenge to advance prevention strategies. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed using mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography on carotid plaques removed from patients with CAS undergoing endarterectomy. To identify factors influencing plaque stability, we compared 42 asymptomatic with 30 symptomatic CAS patients. Associations between each annotated metabolite in plaques and asymptomatic CAS status were assessed using logistic regression models. Asymptomatic patients exhibited lower plasmatic levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher HDL-cholesterol. Within the plaques, caffeine and its catabolites, paraxanthine and methylxanthine, were associated with plaque stability and were correlated with HDL-cholesterol. Additional plant-based diet biomarkers including N5-acetylornithine, gentisic acid, proline betaine, and homostachydrine were also associated with plaque stability. In contrast, N-methylpyridone carboxamides, reflecting niacin excess, involved in vascular inflammatory processes, were both associated with plaque vulnerability and also correlated with higher CRP. Our findings provide molecular evidence that plant-based diets, including coffee, promote carotid plaque stability, while excessive niacin intake, linked to processed foods, may be detrimental. Metabolomics offers new insights into food exposome-related vascular risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity is increasingly recognized as a global health concern due to its association with metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis. While probiotics offer promise in regulating gut microbiota and improving host metabolism, strain-specific effects remain underexplored, particularly for canine-derived probiotics. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a novel probiotic strain, Ligilactobacillus animalis LA-1, and evaluate its anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanisms using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. Methods: LA-1 was isolated from the feces of a healthy dog and assessed for probiotic potential in vitro, including gastrointestinal tolerance, bile salt hydrolase activity, cholesterol-lowering capacity, and fatty acid absorption. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either a standard chow diet or an HFD for 16 weeks, with HFD mice receiving oral LA-1 supplementation (2 × 10⁹ CFU/day). Multi-omics analyses, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) quantification, and untargeted liver metabolomics, were employed to investigate the effects of LA-1 on gut microbiota composition, metabolic pathways, and obesity-related phenotypes. Results: LA-1 supplementation significantly alleviated HFD-induced weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation, and adipose tissue hypertrophy, without affecting food intake. It improved serum lipid profiles, reduced liver injury markers, and partially restored gut microbiota composition, decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and enriching SCFA-producing genera. Total SCFA levels, particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate, increased following LA-1 treatment. Liver metabolomics revealed that LA-1 modulated pathways involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism, resulting in decreased levels of acetyl-CoA, triglycerides, and bile acids. Conclusions: L. animalis LA-1 exerts anti-obesity effects via gut microbiota modulation, enhanced SCFA production, and hepatic metabolic reprogramming. These findings highlight its potential as a targeted probiotic intervention for obesity and metabolic disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite the health benefits of fiber intake, most Americans do not meet the dietary recommendations for this nutrient. With barley, buckwheat and quinoa containing several nutrients, including fiber, the integration of these foods into the American diet could improve diet quality and health. The purpose of this study is to examine the consumption patterns of barley, buckwheat and quinoa and its association with diet and metabolic health markers. Methods: We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2018 data. Adults who had consumed barley, buckwheat and quinoa, as determined by food codes representing these foods, in at least one of the two 24 h recalls were categorized as consumers. Due to the very low prevalence of buckwheat consumption, the associations of consumption with diet and health markers were examined only for barley and quinoa. Results: The prevalence of barley, buckwheat and quinoa consumption among US adults were 0.36%, 0.04% and 1.07%, respectively. Compared with non-consumers, barley and quinoa consumers had significantly greater diet quality and higher intakes of potassium and fiber. While barley consumption was associated with a lower body mass index, waist circumference and glycohemoglobin, quinoa consumption was associated with a lower body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Conclusions: In this study, we found an overall low prevalence of the consumption of barley, buckwheat and quinoa among US adults. The consumers of barley and quinoa had better dietary intake compared with non-consumers. Although better metabolic health in consumers may be explained by their overall healthier dietary patterns, understanding the barriers and facilitators to the intake of these foods could inform efforts to improve diet quality and health. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major contributing risk factor. Although cholesterol-lowering drugs are widely available, concerns about several adverse side effects have increased the demand for natural alternatives, with the most common approaches involving the incorporation of foods rich in bioactive compounds into the diet. To explore this growing interest in food-based strategies for cardiovascular health, this study formulated and evaluated an aqueous peel extract of Persea americana to assess its potential role as a complementary approach to managing hypercholesterolemia. The extract was characterized, revealing the presence of various bioactive compounds, including pyridoxine-O-Hex, which was identified for the first time in a P. americana extract component. The safety profile of the extract was confirmed through in vivo assessment. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Additionally, permeability studies using Caco-2 cells, as a model of the gastrointestinal barrier, indicated that the extract effectively reduced cholesterol’s permeation. In summary, these findings suggest that P. americana peel extract may serve as a promising natural product for functional foods for cardiovascular health and hypercholesterolemia management. Full article

Background: Dyslipidemia affects over 30% of Chinese adults, with awareness rates below 20%. Promoting nutrition education programs in the general population is important, but few studies have investigated the specific strategies and their efficacy. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in a representative sample of community-dwelling adults in Lu’an City, central-eastern China. After recruitment and propensity score matching, the personalized and conventional nutrition education groups included 306 and 612 participants, respectively. We provided standardized nutrition education based on the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) for the conventional group, and personalized nutrition advice based on individual food intake and the guidelines for the personalized group. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipo-protein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) were measured at baseline and again after follow-up. Results: Three years after the intervention, the average levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG in both groups all increased. After adjusting for covariates, an increase in HDL-C was greater in the personalized group than in the convention group, while the increment in TG was less pronounced. LDL-C changes were similar between the groups. The beneficial effect of personalized nutrition education on HDL-C levels was more pronounced in women (p_interaction < 0.05). Similar results were observed among participants with dyslipidemias and after excluding all lipid-lowering medication users. Conclusions: We conducted personalized nutrition education through medical students’ community practice projects among Chinese community residents, revealing that personalized nutrition education based on dietary surveys could significantly improve blood lipid profiles in general residents and individuals with dyslipidemias compared to conventional nutrition education. Full article

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity levels on selected biochemical markers (glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, interleukin-6 [IL-6]), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cognitive functions, and additional macronutrient intake in postmenopausal women. Method: A total of 72 generally healthy women aged 55–73 from western Poland participated in the study. Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), resulting in two distinct groups: 56 women in the lower activity level group and 16 in the higher activity level group. We calculated body mass index (BMI), measured body composition and blood pressure, and conducted cognitive assessments, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), motor and psychomotor skills tests, the Clock Drawing Test, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Nutritional intake was evaluated using a detailed 3-day food record to analyze macronutrient consumption and total caloric intake. Results: A statistically significant difference in total blood cholesterol levels (p = 0.0277) was observed between the two groups, with the higher physical activity group showing elevated cholesterol levels. Although no other biochemical markers showed statistically significant differences, variations in BDNF, glucose, triglycerides, IL-6, and insulin levels were noted between groups. Moreover, correlations between these markers and cognitive performance, like motor and psychomotor speeds, varied depending on physical activity level. The analyzed dietary pattern of the studied group shows slight deviations from current nutritional recommendations. Conclusions: The findings suggest that physical activity level may influence certain biochemical markers and cognitive functions in postmenopausal women. While these results highlight the potential benefits of physical activity, further research is needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and to validate physical activity as an effective strategy for improving postmenopausal health. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest and safest diets for preventing chronic diseases. The primary objective of this study was to assess the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the occurrence of prediabetes in a representative population of Bialystok, Poland. Prediabetes is a condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range, indicating an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study participants were selected into healthy control (HC) and prediabetic (PreD) groups based on age and gender. Biochemical measurements included total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), fasting glucose (FG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, blood pressure, handgrip strength, anthropometric parameters, and body composition were measured. Information on patients’ social data, medical history, and lifestyle history was collected using questionnaires developed for this study. A standardized questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), was used to assess life satisfaction. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and dietary total polyphenol intake (DTPI) were determined using a 3-day nutritional interview and appropriate databases containing information on polyphenols and the antioxidant potential of food products. To assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet recommendations, a 9-item Mediterranean Diet Index (MDI) was used. Results: It was found that the mean MDI for the entire group was low (3.98 ± 1.74), and the HC was characterized by a significantly higher MDI compared to the PreD. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between MDI and HDL-C, whereas a negative correlation was found between MDI and FG, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), IL-6, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference, visceral fat mass, android/gynoid fat ratio. Conclusions: Abdominal obesity was shown to significantly reduce life satisfaction. In model 3, after adjusting for age, sex, dietary energy intake, alcohol consumption, and smoking, each additional MDI point indicated a 10% lower risk of prediabetes. Full article

This review highlights the latest research on dietary fibre (DF) applications in meat and meat analogues, providing insights into their role in shaping future food innovations. DFs provide significant long-term health benefits, such as better gut health, lower cholesterol levels, and possible protection from metabolic diseases. They also enhance the texture, juiciness, and overall quality of plant-based meat alternatives (PMAs) and traditional meat products. Among the most effective fibres, cereal-derived fibres, fruit- and vegetable-derived fibres, and legume-based fibres have been shown to improve water-holding capacity (WHC) and emulsification properties, enhancing mouthfeel and juiciness. New processing methods, such as enzymatic hydrolysis and extrusion, can change how fibres work. By combining various fibre sources with innovative processing methods, the food industry can create meat and PMA products that are not only healthier but also tastier and more sustainable. Full article