Search Results (294)

Bump feeding is a nutritional management strategy in swine production that involves increasing feed allowance and/or dietary nutrient density during the final weeks of gestation, usually from day 90 to farrowing, to support rapid fetal growth and prepare sows for lactation. This strategy is widely applied to improve piglet birth weight, neonatal viability, and subsequent reproductive performance. This review synthesizes current evidence on the effects of increased maternal feed intake during late gestation on sow body condition and feeding-related behavioral responses, and farrowing outcomes. Available studies suggest that increasing feed allowance during late gestation can influence litter characteristics, piglet survival at birth, and sow energy reserves, as reflected by changes in backfat thickness (BFT) and body condition score (BCS). The nutritional composition of bump-feeding diets, including dietary energy and amino acid balance, is critically evaluated in relation to pregnancy maintenance, farrowing duration, and early lactation performance. In addition, the roles of parity and feeding behavior during late gestation are examined, with particular emphasis on their associations with sow activity patterns, restlessness around parturition, and farrowing efficiency. Despite these reported effects, findings across studies remain inconsistent, particularly regarding the balance between improved reproductive outcomes and the risk of excessive fat deposition in sows. This review highlights key knowledge gaps and underscores the need for optimized, parity-specific bump-feeding strategies that integrate nutritional management with feeding behavior to enhance farrowing performance, piglet survival, sow welfare, and economic sustainability in modern pig production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Energy availability (EA), defined as the dietary energy remaining after exercise energy expenditure (EEE), is a central determinant of both health and performance in athletes. Chronic insufficient EA leads to low energy availability (LEA), which is an underlying mechanism of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). This narrative review critically explores the conceptual evolution of EA and LEA, summarizes current physiological evidence, and discusses methodological and practical challenges in their assessment and application in free-living athletes. Methods: Evidence from experimental and observational studies was reviewed to describe the hormonal, metabolic, and performance outcomes associated with LEA. Screening tools, including the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire (LEAM-Q), were also evaluated for their validity and applicability in different sports contexts. Results: LEA is associated with alterations in thyroid and reproductive hormones, which, in turn, contribute to reduced resting metabolic rate, lower bone mineral density, and delayed recovery. While screening questionnaires can help identify athletes at risk, their accuracy varies by sport and individual characteristics. Incorporating hormonal and metabolic biomarkers provides a more direct and sensitive method for detecting physiological stress. Measuring dietary intake, EEE, endocrine balance and body composition in real-world settings remains a major methodological challenge. Combining hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral indicators may improve the identification of athletes experiencing LEA. Conclusions: EA plays a central role in the interaction between nutrition, exercise, and athlete health, but methodological limitations in its assessment may compromise accurate diagnosis. Improving measurement techniques and adopting integrated monitoring strategies are essential to improve early detection, guide individualized nutrition, and prevent RED-related health and performance impairments. Full article

Background and Objectives: There is a lack of information on the dietary intake of long-term combined oral contraceptive users (COC-users) in relation to their body composition. The aim of the pilot study was to determine the food consumption of young women using COCs for >6 months and its relationship to body composition compared to non-users. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 healthy women (21.8 ± 1.7 years) were divided into COC non-users (n = 19) and users of a low (≤20 μg) ethinylestradiol (EE) dose (n = 18) and a medium (30–35 μg) EE dose (n = 8). Anthropometric data, body composition, physical activity levels, three-consecutive-days of dietary records, and serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D were assessed. Statistical methods included chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: There were no differences between COC-users and non-users in terms of physical activity, intake of micronutrients, body mass index, body fat percentage (BF%), or bone mineral density (BMD). COC-users consumed a higher percentage of energy from fats (p = 0.02) and had higher serum vitamin D levels (p < 0.01). BF% was negatively associated with BMD (coefficient −0.008; p = 0.027). Conclusions: The use of COCs for ˃6 months is not associated with FM or BMD, regardless of dietary differences. Further attention should be paid to possible associations between COCs use, dietary habits, and body composition (including BMD). Full article

Aims: Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) are associated with metabolic benefits, but their long-term effects remain uncertain, particularly in Asian populations with traditionally high carbohydrate intake. This study examined LCD patterns and their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults using nationally representative data from the 2022–2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Among 9617 adults aged ≥20 years with complete dietary and health data, LCD score was calculated from the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrates (reverse-scored), fats, and proteins, and participants were categorized into high-carbohydrate, moderate-carbohydrate, and low-carbohydrate groups. MetS was defined using an Adult Treatment Panel III and Korean criteria. Survey-weighted logistic regression was applied to assess associations between LCD score and MetS across sequentially adjusted models. Results: MetS prevalence differed significantly across LCD decile groups (LCD1: 9.6%, LCD2: 5.8%, LCD3: 9.7%; p < 0.001). In a minimally adjusted model, LCD decile 3 was associated with higher odds of MetS (OR, 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.27). However, this association was attenuated and became non-significant after further adjustment for key metabolic risk factors. Obesity, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all strongly associated with MetS (all p < 0.001), and income-related disparities were evident, with lower-income groups showing higher carbohydrate and lower fat and protein intakes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that LCD patterns are not independently associated with MetS once underlying metabolic factors are considered. Public health strategies in Korea would be emphasized by improving nutrient quality, promoting balanced macronutrient intake, and reducing socioeconomic inequalities in diet to mitigate metabolic risk among adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional intake (energy, protein, calcium, number of meals, number of dairy products) and other factors (physical activity, past fractures, body composition) with forearm bone parameters in adolescent boys with myelomeningocele (MMC). Methods: This study included 63 boys with MMC aged 11.9 ± 1.8 years, 30 active boys with MMC and 33 inactive boys with MMC. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in the distal (dis) and proximal (prox) parts of the forearm were measured by densitometry. Diet was assessed using an FFQ and 24 h dietary recalls. Energy, protein, and calcium intake were calculated using the Diet 6.0 software. Data were collected on past fractures and physical activity (PA min/day). Results: The active MMC group, compared to the inactive group, had significantly higher BMD dis and prox, BMC dis, and Z-scores (Hedges’ g: medium effect). Significant relationships between BMD dis were demonstrated with the number of dairy products (n/day) (F = 6.66; η² = 0.116) and protein intake (g/day) (F = 15.27; η² = 0.230). BMC dis was affected only by PA (min/day) (F = 9.80; η² = 0.161). The parameters affecting BMD prox were the number of dairy products (n/day) (F = 9.95; η² = 0.163) and protein (g/day) (F = 12.95; η² = 0.202). BMC prox was affected only by PA (min/day) (F = 4.39; η² = 0.079). Conclusions: Overall, bone health in boys with MMC appears to be primarily influenced by nutritional factors—particularly dairy intake and protein—as well as by physical activity. These results underscore the need for early nutritional screening and further research on additional bone-related dietary components to optimize nutritional recommendations for this population. Full article

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in the Arctic River Teno (Tana) and other North Atlantic rivers have declined at the same time as pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) have begun to spawn extensively in these rivers in odd-numbered years. In the River Teno, especially, the number of one-sea-year Atlantic salmon ascendants has decreased. In this short review, we assess, based on current information, how the abundance of pink salmon may weaken the survival of Atlantic salmon. Our hypothesis is based on recent evidence from Atlantic salmon in the Baltic Sea showing that the high marine lipid content in the diet of Atlantic salmon post-smolts impairs their growth and survival and is manifested in low numbers of ascendants and in poor thiamine (vitamin B1) status in both juvenile and spawning Baltic salmon. The high energy density of lipids increases the need for thiamine in the metabolism, and the high content of highly unsaturated fatty acids (n–3 HUFAs), like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n–3), in marine fish lipids increases the rate of lipid peroxidation, which consumes thiamine as it acts as an antioxidant against lipid peroxidation. The review presents information that could be used in planning possible future research on the topic. Full article

Background: Healthier between-meal snacks can improve diet quality in the US and globally. Objectives: To assess the impact on diet quality of replacing solid snacks with almonds or adding almonds (30 g) to the diet. Methods: Dietary data for 4333 children (4–19 y) and 10,925 adults (>19 y) came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2017–23). Nutrient composition data came from the Food and Nutrient Databases for Dietary Studies (FNDDS). Substitution Model 1 replaced all solid snacks with almonds on a per-calorie basis. Model 2 exempted “healthy” snacks. Model 3 added almonds to the observed diet. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020), Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF), Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), and Mean Excess Ratio (MER) were measures of diet quality. Results: Solid snacks provided 329 kcal/day (15.6% of dietary energy), of which 58 kcal came from healthy snacks (2.9%). The 4–13 y age group consumed the most energy from snacks. Diets with almonds replacing solid snacks were lower in added sugar, sodium, and saturated (solid) fat but higher in protein, fiber, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and magnesium. MAR dietary nutrient density scores were significantly higher, and MER scores were lower. Total HEI-2020 scores rose from 52.4 (observed) to 59.6 (Model 1) and to 60.6 in Model 2_100. The addition of almonds (30 g or 50 g) increased HEI-2020 values to 59.2 and to 61.4, respectively. Several HEI-2020 sub-scores increased as well. The greatest dietary benefits were obtained for children and young adults. Conclusions: Replacing solid snacks with small amounts of almonds led to higher quality modeled food patterns, especially for younger age groups. The DGA 2025–30 should address the inclusion of healthy energy-dense snacks into everyday diets. Full article

Background: Socioeconomic disparities may drive cancer inequities in Hispanic/Latino populations. We examined associations of perceived access to healthy foods (AHF) and food insecurity (FI) with diet and body mass index (BMI) changes in Latina breast cancer (BC) survivors. Methods: Latina BC survivors in a 12-month intervention trial aiming to increase fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity were analyzed. AHF was from a modified, validated neighborhood environment scale and dichotomized (low–medium vs. high). FI was defined as eating less and/or going hungry due to a lack of money. AHF and FI surveys were self-reported. Outcomes included dietary intake, diet quality, and BMI. Fruit/vegetable intake was log-transformed. Relationships between AHF and FI and changes in diet and BMI were evaluated using generalized estimating equations. Results: Of women with AHF data (n = 86), 58% reported low–medium access and 42% reported high access. Fruit/vegetable (FV) intake declined overall from baseline to 12 months, with greater reductions among low–medium AHF women (−32%, 95% CI: −51%, −7%) compared with high AHF women (−17%, 95% CI: −40%, +13%). Statistically significant 12-month decreases in total calories, carbohydrates, sugars, and fat occurred in low–medium AHF women but not high AHF women, and changes in total energy density, carbohydrates, sugars, and BMI at 12 months were statistically significantly different between women with low–medium AHF and women with high AHF, p ≤ 0.05. Among 157 women, 23% reported FI. Reductions in fruit/vegetable intake were larger in women with FI (−39%, 95% CI: −57%, −14%) than in women without FI (−10% reductions, 95% CI: −25%, +8%) and between-group differences were significant at both 6 and 12 months, p ≤ 0.05. Most diet measures decreased for both FI and non-FI women, with greater decreases among those with FI. Conclusions: Latina BC survivors with FI or perceived limited AHF experienced greater declines in indicators of healthy diets including FV intake. Future interventions should integrate strategies to measure AHF and FI to address disparate access to healthy food options. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a dominant component of the modern diet, paralleling the rise in obesity and chronic disease prevalence worldwide. This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence on how dietary processing and UPF consumption interacts with dietary quality, energy balance, and biological pathways to influence metabolic health. Methods: We performed a targeted literature search of peer-reviewed articles and authoritative reports examining UPF definition (via the NOVA classification), global consumption patterns, behavioral drivers of overconsumption, nutrient composition, and mechanistic links to metabolic dysfunction. Emphasis was placed on recent human and animal research relating UPFs to obesity, cardiometabolic outcomes, inflammation and gut microbiome alterations. Results: High UPF intake is consistently associated with reduced diet quality (higher saturated fat, sugar, sodium; lower fiber and micronutrients), increased energy density, faster eating rates and activation of reward pathways. These factors facilitate excessive energy intake and adiposity, promoting metabolic dysregulation, chronic low-grade inflammation, hormonal disturbances and gut microbiome shifts. While cross-sectional and cohort evidence is extensive, causal intervention trials and mechanistic human work remain limited. Conclusions: The accumulated evidence suggests that UPFs may influence chronic disease risk through their unbalanced nutrient profiles and through additional effects introduced by industrial processing. To translate these insights into public health strategies, future work should prioritize real-world intervention studies to reduce UPF consumption and examine resulting effects on energy balance, inflammation and gut health. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of matrix-dosed protease supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology, serum biochemistry, carcass traits, and economic return in broiler chickens. A total of 240 Cobb 500 chicks were assigned to six dietary treatments (T0–T5) with four replicates of 10 birds each for 33 days. Protease supplementation, particularly with protease F at 250 g/tonne (T5), significantly increased body weight at day 7 (163.0 ± 1.4 g; p = 0.002) and day 21 (854.0 ± 7.0 g; p = 0.014), and improved the feed conversion ratio at day 33 (1.54 ± 0.01; p = 0.002). Birds in the T5 group consistently exhibited the highest serum total protein (p < 0.001 on Day 21; p = 0.002 on Day 33), albumin (p < 0.001 on both days), and creatinine (p < 0.001 on Day 21; p = 0.006 on Day 33), along with reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p < 0.001 on Day 21; p = 0.002 on Day 33). Intestinal morphology was also enhanced, with villus height increasing to 874.0 ± 1.0 µm at day 21 and 931.0 ± 1.0 µm at day 33, accompanied by greater villus height-to-crypt depth ratios (11.23 ± 0.02 and 12.59 ± 0.01, respectively; p < 0.001). Moreover, apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, metabolizable energy, and amino acids were improved in T5 compared with the control and other treatments. Economic analysis showed the highest profit and return on investment (7.01%) in T5, followed by T4 and T2. These findings indicate that matrix-based protease supplementation enhances growth, nutrient absorption, and gut morphology while delivering substantial economic benefits, making it a cost-effective strategy for improving broiler productivity and profitability in commercial production systems. Full article

Cassava fiber (CF) is a novel dietary fiber extracted from cassava by-products. To investigate its anti-obesity mechanism, obesity was induced in mice through a high-fat diet (HFD). Dietary supplementation with 10% CF significantly reduced body weight, body fat, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose in mice. CF effectively ameliorated hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy, increased the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, enhanced mucus secretion by intestinal goblet cells, down-regulated the expression of ileal lipid absorption-related genes (NPC1L1, CD36, and FABP2), and up-regulated the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43, collectively improving intestinal health. Compared to HFD mice, CF altered the gut microbiota: it increased beneficial Actinobacteria (including Bifidobacterium and Blautia) and decreased Proteobacteria (including Desulfovibrio) (p < 0.05). Functional analysis showed that the HFD mice microbiota was enriched in genes linked to disease (e.g., lipid metabolism disorders, cancer, antibiotic resistance), whereas CF-enriched microbiota had genes for energy, carbohydrate, and pyruvate metabolism. Compared to microcrystalline cellulose, CF and MCC both alleviated HFD-induced obesity. In summary, cassava fiber helped prevent obesity in mice by modulating gut microbes, strengthening the gut barrier, and improving host metabolic balance. Full article

Background: Energy-dense non-essential snacks are subject to 8% excise tax in Mexico. Objectives: To model the impact on diet quality of (1) replacing energy-dense snacks with pistachios and (2) adding small amounts of pistachios to the diet. Methods: Data came from the Mexico National Health and Nutrition survey (ENSANUT, by its Spanish acronym) 2012 (n = 7132) and 2016 (n = 14,764). Dietary intakes were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Substitution analyses replaced energy-dense snack foods with equicaloric amounts of pistachios (Model 1) or with mixed nuts/seeds (Model 2). Additional analyses (Model 3) added small amounts of pistachios (10–28 g) to the daily diet. Added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat along with protein fiber, vitamins, and minerals were the main nutrients of interest. Dietary nutrient density was assessed using the Nutrient-Rich Food (NRF9.3) Index. Separate modeling analyses were performed for ENSANUT 2012 and 2016 and for children and adults. Results: Energy-dense foods, mostly sweet, accounted for about 20% of daily energy. Modeled diets with pistachios and mixed nuts/seeds were much lower in added sugars (<8% of dietary energy) and in sodium (<550 mg/day) and were higher in protein, fiber, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, potassium, and magnesium (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in dietary quality held across all socio-demographic strata. Adding small amounts of pistachios (10–28 g) to the diet (Model 3) increased calories but also led to better diets and higher NRF9.3 dietary nutrient density scores. Conclusions: Modeled diets with pistachios replacing energy-dense snack foods had less added sugars and sodium and more protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Adding small amounts of pistachios also led to better diets. Pistachios are a healthy snack and can be an integral component of healthy diets. Full article

Background/Objectives: Non-restorative sleep (NRS)—a subjective feeling of unrefreshing/insufficient rest despite adequate sleep duration—an important sleep-quality indicator is associated with depression and mortality. We examined whether insoluble dietary fiber intake is associated with NRS in Japanese adults, after adjusting for socioeconomic, lifestyle, and dietary factors. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from 5034 adult (≥20 years) respondents of the National Health and Nutrition Surveys (2014 and 2018), Japan, self-assessed NRS (coded as 1, absence as 0) was analyzed with insoluble fiber intake (g/1000 kcal) modeled as a continuous variable; logistic regression analyses with progressive adjustments included Model 1, adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index; Model 2, comprising socioeconomic and lifestyle factors; Model 3, adjusted for sleep duration; and Model 4, which included dietary energy, protein, fat, vitamin D, and magnesium. Results: Among 19.3% of participants with NRS, the median (interquartile range) insoluble dietary fiber intake was 5.45 (4.10–6.97) g/1000 kcal, with higher NRS prevalence among younger adults (<60 years), non-drinkers (no habitual alcohol consumption), and individuals with short sleep (<6 h). Higher insoluble dietary fiber intake was consistently associated with a lower NRS likelihood, before and after adjustment for potential confounders. In the fully adjusted model, younger age (<60 years), no habitual alcohol consumption, and short sleep (<6 h) were independently associated with greater odds of NRS. Conclusions: Higher insoluble dietary fiber density correlated with lower odds of NRS, indicating a significant association, rather than causation, that warrants longitudinal clarification of the temporal relationship between dietary fiber intake and perceived sleep restorativeness. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on the production performance of lactating dairy goats. Thirty first-time lactating Guanzhong dairy goats with identical kidding dates and comparable body weights (41.17 ± 3.05 kg) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) CON: basal diet and (2) RPM: basal diet + 7.5 g/day RPM. The duration of the experiment was 21 days. Compared with the CON group, the RPM group presented a significant increase in milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and feed efficiency; however, no significant difference was observed in dry feed intake (DMI). Moreover, milk fat, protein, lactose, and SNF production was greater in the PRM group than in the CON group. Compared with the CON group, the RPM group presented higher nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, and no significant differences in the other metabolites were detected. The concentrations of acetate, propionate, and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) in the feces of the RPM group were significantly greater than those in the CON group; however, no significant differences were detected in the concentrations of isobutyrate, butyrate, and valerate. Furthermore, genera such as Muribaculaceae, Bifidobacterium, and Christensenellaceae were significantly enriched in the feces of the RPM group. Concurrently, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that the RPM group was significantly enriched in pathways associated with amino acid synthesis, the immune system, and energy metabolism. In summary, dietary supplementation with RPM improved the lipid metabolism function of the liver, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Muribaculaceae and Bifidobacterium in the colon, and enriched microbial functions related to energy and amino acid metabolism, thereby enhancing colon fermentation and host metabolic status, ultimately improving the production performance of lactating dairy goats. These findings elucidate the positive effects of RPM on the production performance and metabolic health of dairy goats, potentially offering new perspectives and strategies for optimizing dairy production. Full article

Objectives: This experiment investigated the response of carcass composition, digestive function, hepatic lipid metabolism, intestinal microbiota, and serum metabolomics to excessive or restrictive dietary energy in Ningxiang pigs. Methods: A total of 36 Ningxiang pigs (210 ± 2 d, 43.26 ± 3.21 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments (6 pens of 2 piglets each) and fed a control diet (CON, digestive energy (DE) 13.02 MJ/kg,), excessive energy diet (EE, 15.22 MJ/kg), and restrictive energy diet (RE, DE 10.84 MJ/kg), respectively. Results: Results showed that EE significantly increased the apparent digestibility of crude protein and total energy (p < 0.01), as well as the activities of jejunum neutral protease and ileal lipase (p < 0.05). With the increase in energy level, the apparent digestibility of ash, dry matter, and ether extract significantly increased (p < 0.01). RE significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content, significantly decreased triglycerides (TG), free fatty acid (NEFA), and total cholesterol (TC) contents, and up-regulated lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression in the liver (p < 0.05). EE significantly increased the hepatosomatic index, the contents of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total bile acids (TBA), and significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of lipogenic genes acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1C (SREBP-1C) in the liver (p < 0.05). The abundance of p_Firmicutes was significantly increased and the abundance of p_Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in test groups, while the ratio of the two was significantly increased in the RE group (p < 0.05). EE also significantly increased the abundance of g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (p < 0.05). The identical serum differential metabolites between the EE and RE group belong to phosphatidylcholine (PC), mostly being up-regulated in the EE group and down-regulated in the RE group (p < 0.05), one of which was mapped to the pathway of glycerophospholipid metabolism (KEGG ID: C00157). The relative content of serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO, a microbial metabolite) was significantly decreased in the EE group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggest RE had no obvious negative effect on carcass traits of Ningxiang pigs. Apart from exacerbated body fat deposition, EE promoted fat accumulation in the liver by up-regulating the expression of lipogenic genes. Dietary energy changes affect hepatic bile acid metabolism, which may be mediated through the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway, as well as disturbances in the gut microbiota. Full article