Search Results (245)

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by reproductive and metabolic abnormality disorders. Dietary factors influence the body composition and hydration status, which may exacerbate PCOS symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between the habitual nutrient intake and bioelectrical impedance analysis parameters in Polish women with PCOS and healthy controls, in order to identify potential nutritional targets for a non-pharmacological intervention. Methods: This study involved 50 women aged 18–45 years (25 with PCOS and 25 healthy). Participants kept 7-day food diaries and their body composition was assessed using the SECA mBCA 515 analyzer. The nutrient intake was compared with EFSA recommendations. Results: Women with PCOS had a higher body weight, waist circumference and body mass index, visceral adipose tissue, and fat mass index, despite no difference in their total energy intake. They consumed more omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) than the control group. Vitamin D deficiency and irregular supplementation were common in both groups. Body composition parameters such as the phase angle and ECW/TBW ratio correlated with the diet quality—especially with protein; fiber; and vitamin B2, B12, and folate levels. Conclusions: The obtained results showed significant differences in body compositions and the presence of a relationship between the nutrient intake and bioimpedance parameters in women with PCOS. These results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive nutritional and body composition assessment in planning dietary interventions in this group of patients. Full article

Watermeal (Wolffia globosa) is an emerging sustainable feed ingredient, valued for its rapid growth, high protein content, and rich nutrient profile, offering great potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of edible cricket production systems through efficient resource use and reduced environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing commercial cricket feed with dried watermeal and to determine the optimal substitution level for the production performance of two-spotted crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). Seven dietary treatments were tested, namely 0% (control; T1), 10% (T2), 25% (T3), 50% (T4), 75% (T5), 90% (T6), and 100% (T7). Crickets were reared for four weeks in an open system with 6 replicates per treatment, with each containing 120 nymphs. Body weight, feed intake, and survival rate were recorded weekly, and a production index was calculated at the end of the trial. Results showed average growth rates ranging from 7.40 to 28.20 mg/day, feed conversion ratios (FCR) between 1.03 and 1.68, survival rates of 29.28% to 69.73%, and production index values from 24.00 to 128.30. A significant decline in production efficiency (p < 0.05) was observed at substitution levels of 75% and above, with the 100% watermeal group showing the lowest production efficiency (p < 0.05), likely due to nutrient imbalances and indigestible compounds. Segmented regression analysis identified 36.7% as the optimal level of watermeal supplementation. In terms of body composition, crickets fed diets containing up to 50% watermeal (10%, 25%, and 50%) showed crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and ash contents comparable to those fed the commercial diet. This finding suggests that dried watermeal can replace up to 50% of the commercial cricket feed without negatively affecting growth performance, survival, or nutritional quality, with 36.7% identified as the optimal replacement level for maximizing production efficiency. Full article

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of two dietary regimens, characterized by different forage-to-concentrate ratios, on feed intake, milk yield and composition, as well as economic and environmental sustainability in lactating buffalo cows. Group H was fed a high-forage diet, while Group L was fed a diet with a lower forage-to-concentrate ratio. Despite a lower energy value (Unit for Feed Lactation: UFL 0.89 vs. 0.91), the diet of group H met the animals’ nutritional requirements, with similar dry matter intake (DMI) and body condition scores observed in both groups. While there was no significant difference in milk yield, protein, and lactose, group H exhibited significantly higher milk fat content and an enhanced fatty acid profile, characterized by increased oleic acid, conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids have been linked to potential health benefits in humans, including anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects. From an economic perspective, the H group’s diet was found to be more cost-effective, resulting in EUR 0.46 savings per head per day and a higher yield of mozzarella cheese. From an environmental perspective, the high-forage diet reduced reliance on imported concentrates and irrigation-dependent crops, aligning with sustainable development goals. In conclusion, increasing the forage content in buffalo diets has been demonstrated to support animal performance, improve milk quality, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic returns for producers. Full article

In dairy cattle, abomasal ulcers are a serious but sometimes disregarded ailment that can have detrimental effects on health and cause financial losses. Due to inconclusive clinical symptoms, abomasal ulcers are typically misdiagnosed and treated improperly. Specialized diagnostic methods should be considered to ensure a correct diagnosis and the well-being of cattle. This report focuses on a 4-year-old Holstein-Friesian cow which began her third lactation two weeks before she started showing general clinical signs of an elevated fat–protein ratio in the milk and was diagnosed with an abomasum displacement. The clinical signs can also be mistaken for other conditions such as traumatic reticuloperitonitis and left dislocated abomasum. The patient was brought to the LUHS Large Animal Clinic, and after a short while, sudden death occurred. The autopsy concluded that death had occurred due to hypovolemic shock caused by abomasal ulcer perforation, which caused bleeding into the abomasum and intestines. Also, the type 3 ulcer caused severe peritonitis and anemia, and feed and fibrin could be seen on the outside of organs in the abdomen. Blood clots mixed with feed had formed in the inside of the abomasum and intestinal tract. Based on the work of previous scientific studies, it has been established that the occurrence of ulcers is more frequent in dairy cows during the first four to six weeks of lactation. And the most probable cause could be intensive feeding and dietary changes. Ulcers in the abomasum are very difficult to diagnose, because they require special diagnostic equipment such as an ultrasound or surgical interventions. Due to the similarity with other diseases, this pathological condition of the abomasum is most frequently only identified in post-mortem examinations. Full article

Background: Childhood and adolescent obesity often coexist with micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic alterations, particularly in marginalized communities. Objectives: This cross-sectional study evaluated the biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary characteristics of 55 children and adolescents (ages 4–13) from Tlaltizapán, Mexico, to identify the early metabolic risk factors associated with excess weight. Methods: Nutritional intake was assessed through six-day dietary recalls and analyzed for adequacy against the national reference values. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators—including the BMI-for-age Z-score, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), lipid profile, and plasma amino acid levels—were stratified by age and weight status. Results: Overall, 36.4% of participants were overweight or obese. Alarmingly, 89.4% of children and 94.1% of adolescents had low HDL levels, regardless of their BMIs. Several participants with a normal BMI showed elevated WHtR, triceps skinfold, and plasma branched-chain amino acids, suggesting hidden metabolic risks. The dietary analysis revealed an excess intake of sugars, proteins, and fats, alongside insufficient fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The adolescents had poorer adherence to dietary recommendations than children. Conclusions: These findings underscore the limitations of BMI alone and support the use of WHtR, skinfolds, and biochemical markers to detect preclinical obesity. Urgent, targeted nutritional strategies are needed in semi-rural areas to address the double burden of obesity and undernutrition. Full article

Contextualization: Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, physical activity, and healthy eating, are essential for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The 2021 update of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines highlights the need to investigate the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in patients who have suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and dietary 2021 ESC guidelines of individuals who have suffered AMI and to evaluate the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with the adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using baseline data from participants prior to enrollment in the DICA-NUTS multicenter clinical trial. The dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and 24 h dietary recall. The nutrient intake was compared with the nutritional recommendations of the 2021 ESC guidelines, and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet was analyzed using a Mediterranean diet score. Furthermore, the analyses of the factors associated with the Mediterranean diet score and 2021 ESC were performed. Analyses were conducted using Stata Data Analysis and Statistical Software version 15.0. Values were considered statistically significant when the p-value < 0.05. Results: Among 488 participants aged ≥ 40 years, moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet was observed obtaining an average of nine points, with a low intake of vegetables, fish, and cereals. The protein intake was adequate with 18% (interquartile range [IQR] 15.0–23.1) of the total energy value, and the saturated fat intake was high with 9.7% (IQR 7.3–12.7) of the total energy value, while the carbohydrate and total fat intake was adequate. According to the 2021 ESC guidelines, the fiber intake was low with more than 79% of the sample consuming less than 30 g per day. The multivariate analysis using the 2021 ESC dietary recommendations showed that older age (≥60 years) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.63; 95% confidential interval (CI) = 1.44–1.91], never smoking (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.17–1.65), and higher education (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.17–1.77) were correlated with an increased fruit and vegetable intake. Non-white, never-smokers, and former smokers were more likely to consume fish. The alcohol scores were higher in older age participants and women. The dairy scores increased with older age, while the cereal scores decreased. No significant association was found for legumes. Conclusions: According to the scores used, the diet of these individuals moderately reflects the Mediterranean characteristics. Analyzing the 2021 ESC dietary recommendations, the studied population was inadequate. This study found different factors associated with an adequate food intake in post-AMI patients. The highlight of this study was that older age is more likely to increase fruit, vegetable, and dairy intake. Full article

Acetate is naturally produced in the rumen through feed degradation and fermentation. It serves as a primary energy source for ruminants and as a key substrate for de novo fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland. The interaction of exogenous acetate with different animal and dietary factors is an area of growing interest, as it may have significant implications for milk fat synthesis. This study aimed to assess the effect of two diet fermentability levels on the short-term response of lactation to acetate supplementation in dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated multiparous European Holstein cows were randomly assigned to treatments in a crossover design that tested the effect of diet fermentability, acetate supply, and their interaction. Using corn silage as the only forage source and a constant forage-to-concentrate ratio, high-fermentability (HF) and low-fermentability (LF) diets were formulated. Acetate supply was investigated by infusing ruminally 10 moles of sodium acetate/d (ACE) or an equimolar infusion of control (CON). Therefore, the treatments were as follows: LF + CON; LF + ACE; HF + CON; and HF + ACE. No interactions between acetate and diet fermentability were found on performance variables. Acetate infusion decreased dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk protein yield and content but did not affect milk fat yield; however, it increased milk fat concentration, and this response tended to be more pronounced in the HF diet. Acetate infusions increased plasma β-hydroxybutyrate in the HF diet, but not in the LF diet, and increased plasma non-esterified fatty acid, which was likely a lipolysis response to reduced DMI and decreased energy balance. This study demonstrates that acetate availability can be a constraint on mammary lipogenesis, even with adequate dietary fiber. 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

The origin of feed ingredients, particularly corn, can influence nutrient composition and availability, thereby affecting broiler growth performance and overall production efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary inclusion of different corn origins: United States (local) (USA-L), United States (reimported) (USA-R), Argentina (ARG), and Brazil (BRA) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and processing yield from 1 to 35 d of age. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (YPM × Ross 708) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with each diet incorporating corn from a specific origin. Birds were housed in controlled environmental conditions and fed isocaloric, isoproteic diets formulated based on corn nutrient profiles from each origin. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 10, 21, and 35 d. On d 35, ileal digestibility of nutrients was assessed using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker, and processing yields were measured on d 36. Results indicated no impact of corn origin on BW or BWG during the grow-out. However, FI was greater in broilers fed with diets containing corn from ARG and BRA compared to corn from USA-L from 1 to 35 d (p = 0.012). Feed intake of birds fed diets with USA-R did not differ from diets with either BRA or USA-L corn. Feed conversion ratio remained unaffected at 10 and 21 d of age, but broilers fed diets with corn from USA-L and USA-R exhibited improved FCR at 35 d compared to those fed corn from BRA (p < 0.001). Processing weights and yields showed no differences among treatments; nonetheless, broilers fed corn from ARG had a higher chilled carcass weight than those fed corn from USA-R (p = 0.032). Nutrient digestibility analysis revealed no differences in crude protein, fat, calcium, and potassium digestibility, while phosphorus digestibility was significantly higher in broilers fed corn from ARG compared to corn from USA-L (p = 0.007). These findings suggest that corn origin minimally affected overall broiler growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, differences in FI, FCR, and nutrient digestibility may exist among different corn sources. Full article

Essential fatty acids are extremely important nutrients in the diet of fish, and the balance between arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is crucial for the healthy growth of fish. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic basal diets were given to 540 juvenile fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) (31.4 ± 1.5 g) for 8 weeks to investigate the effects of dietary ARA/EPA ratio on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism-related genes of juvenile H. otakii. The control group (A) had 7% fish oil added as the main fat source, while the experimental groups had 4% fish oil as the basic fat source, with varying proportions of ARA and EPA concentrates added to formulate five diets with varying ARA/EPA ratios (B 2.66; C 1.34; D 1.01; E 0.47; F 0.19). The experimental results revealed that adding ARA and EPA to the diet increased the percent weight gain (PWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of juvenile H. otakii, and the PWG and FCR were greatest under Group E dietary conditions. The specific activities (U/mg protein) of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver, as well as serum SOD and CAT were significantly higher in Groups D and E than those in other groups (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA, nmol/g protein) content in the liver and serum was significantly lower in Group E than that in other groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, groups D and E exhibited significant increases in the specific activities (U/mg protein) of intestinal trypsin, lipase, and amylase, as well as in the intestinal villus length (p < 0.05). The incorporation of ARA and EPA into the feed reduced the expression levels of fat synthesis genes such as fas, scd1, accα, and srebp1, as well as the expression of lipolysis genes atgl and hsl. However, it also increased the expression of the lipolytic genes cpt1 and ppara. The ARA/EPA ratios in the dietary were 0.47 and 1.01, respectively, which are appropriate for enhancing growth efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity, intestinal digestive enzyme activity and lipid metabolism regulation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary protein and carbohydrate affect postprandial glycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This paper aimed to determine the relationship between the types of dietary protein (Study 1) and carbohydrate (glycemic index; GI, Study 2) and postprandial glycemia. Methods: Two acute randomized crossover trials were conducted in adults with T1D comparing postprandial glycemia for test meals varying by protein type (n = 16 adults; 5 meals: egg, beef, chicken, salmon or whey (all 30 g protein), each served with fried rice (45 g carbohydrate) or GI (n = 8 adults, high or low GI bread, GI 52% vs. 76%) with peanut butter (19 g protein, 30 g fat). Insulin was dosed based on usual individualized insulin: carbohydrate ratio and capillary blood glucose levels (BGL) measured from 30 min pre- to 5 h postprandially in 15–30 min intervals. Results: Study 1: Postprandial glycemia varied over an almost 2-fold range, however responses were highly variable and there were no significant differences between sources (iAUCglucose Chicken: 203 ± 66 mmol·min/L, Egg: 263 ± 100 mmol·min/L, Beef: 309 ± 89 mmol·min/L, Salmon: 338 ± 83 mmol·min/L and Whey: 397 ± 115 mmol·min/L respectively, p > 0.05). Hypoglycemia (≤3.5 mmol/L) occurred at least once per protein type (chicken: 6/16 participants, egg 2/16, beef 3/16, salmon 1/16, whey 2/16). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the risk of hypoglycemia between protein sources (p > 0.05). Study 2: Postprandial glucose response curves were virtually identical for high GI and low GI, and the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for glucose was not statistically significant after 1 h (p = 0.185), 3 h (p = 0.538) or 5 h (p = 0.694) following the meal. Conclusions: Clinical practice guidelines and insulin dosing algorithms likely do not need to consider differences in protein sources or in GI in the context of a high fat, high protein meals, for individuals with T1D. Full article

Background/Objectives: Canada’s 2019 Food Guide (CFG) encourages the increased consumption of plant-based foods as dietary protein sources. However, the nutritional implications of replacing animal-based proteins with plant-based alternatives in children’s diets remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between protein food sources and nutrient intake in Canadian children aged 9–18 years. Methods: We analyzed data from 2324 children from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), using the Public-Use Microdata File (PUMF) containing 24 h dietary recalls. Participants were categorized into four groups based on the proportion of protein from plant sources: Group 1 (0–24.9%), Group 2 (25–49.9%), Group 3 (50–74.9%), and Group 4 (75–100%). Nutrient intakes were compared and assessed against the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intake (AI). Results: Groups 1 and 3 had less favorable macronutrient profiles than Group 2. A 3:1 animal-to-plant protein ratio (Group 2) aligned most closely with dietary recommendations. Groups 1 and 2 exceeded RDAs for protein, iron, vitamin B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and zinc by over 146% (about four SDs above the mean requirement), suggesting a low risk of inadequacy, although saturated fat intake was high. The intakes of vitamin D and folate were below 66% of the RDA, while calcium and magnesium were below 100% in some subgroups, with probabilities of inadequacy of 0.93 and 0.31, respectively. Group 4 (2.71%) was too small for reliable analysis. Conclusions: An approximate 3:1 ratio of animal-to-plant protein sources may represent an optimal balance for supporting nutrient intake and improving macronutrient profiles in the diets of Canadian children. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging is a natural, gradual, and irreversible process associated with disruptions in homeostasis, causing several unfavorable changes, including changes in body composition. Some studies show that higher water intake can be related to a healthier body composition, but studies in older adults are rare. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between water intake, dietary acid load, and body composition, and also to assess the interrelationship of these two factors with body composition in older women. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 195 independently living women aged 65–84. Body composition was assessed using fan-beamed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Potential renal acid load (PRAL) and water intake were evaluated using the 3-day food record method. Results: Higher water intake was associated with significantly lower android (p = 0.004), gynoid (p < 0.001), and total body fat mass (p = 0.005), as well as higher lean body mass (p = 0.021). Among the assessed anthropometric indicators, only for the appendicular lean mass (ALM) was there a significant difference between the “low-PRAL diet” compared to the “high-PRAL diet” (6.2 ± 0.8 vs. 6.0 ± 0.9 kg/m²; p = 0.045). A “low-PRAL diet” was characterized by a significantly lower energy value, lower protein intake, and a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio than a “high-PRAL diet”. Conclusions: A more acidifying diet pattern appeared to have an adverse effect on lean body mass in older women. The ratio of plant to animal protein may be crucial in this relationship. Full article

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of different dietary lipid levels on the growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition of juvenile kelp grouper Epinephelus moara. Six diets with varying lipid levels of 2.82%, 5.30%, 7.83%, 11.76%, 14.19%, and 16.32% (designated as CL1 to CL6) were carefully formulated. A cohort of 324 juvenile fish (initial body weight of 5.87 ± 0.09 g fish⁻¹) were randomly divided into six groups with three replicates in each group. The results showed that weight gain (WG) significantly improved as the dietary lipid level increased to 7.83%, followed by a decline with further increases. Fish fed the diet with 7.83% lipids also exhibited the highest feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio. Although daily nitrogen intake and daily energy intake varied, no significant differences in nitrogen retention and energy retention were detected among the groups. With the increase in dietary lipid levels, daily lipid intake and daily lipid gain significantly increased, but lipid retention showed a consistent decline. Additionally, the viscerosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio and the lipid content of the whole body, dorsal muscle, and liver increased significantly with increasing dietary lipid levels. The hepatic glycogen content inversely decreased with the elevation in dietary lipid levels. The lowest total cholesterol content in the serum was detected in the 16.32% dietary lipid treatment. According to the second-order polynomial regression analysis of WG and FE, a dietary lipid level of 6.56–9.31% was optimal for the growth performance and feed efficiency of juvenile kelp grouper. Full article

Edible insects are a significant component of traditional diets in Madagascar, where food insecurity and malnutrition persist. This study examines the production parameters and nutritional composition of four laboratory-farmed edible grasshopper species commonly consumed by Malagasy people with the aim of upscaling their farming to mitigate malnutrition. The grasshopper species include: vlei grasshopper (Paracinema tricolor), rice grasshopper (Oxya hyla), emerald-legged grasshopper (Eyprepocnemis smaragdipes), and Madagascan slant-faced grasshopper (Acrida madecassa). The study involved the assessment of production parameters (survival rate, developmental time, feed consumed, feed conversion ratio, biomass yield, fecundity, and hatchability). The study also involved analysis of the nutritional content (moisture, protein, fat, ash, fibre, carbohydrates, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins) to evaluate the potential dietary contribution of these grasshoppers. The result show P. tricolor had superior survival, faster development, low feed intake, and higher fecundity and hatchability when compared to other species of grasshoppers. Acrida madecassa showed the highest biomass yield and feed conversion ratio followed by P. tricolor. The results further show that all four species are rich in protein, essential fatty acids, and key minerals, particularly calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. P. tricolor exhibited the highest protein and fat content. Moreover, P. tricolor showed the highest ash content, suggesting a superior mineral profile. Acrida madecassa showed the highest fibre content, reflecting its richness in chitin. These findings provide valuable insights into the nutritional role of grasshoppers in Malagasy diets. Furthermore, they offer reference values for selecting and optimizing the nutrient composition of insect species that are safe and easy to rear, which could serve as a sustainable alternative to wild collection. Future research should explore the bioavailability of nutrients in these species and identify suitable practices to mass rear these species to improve food security in Madagascar. Full article