Search Results (1,549)

Visceral organ mass is a major determinant of maintenance energy requirements in cattle, suggesting that equations to predict visceral organ mass could increase the accuracy of estimates of energy requirements. The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantify the relationships of visceral organ mass with the chemical composition of the diet, as well as animal and management characteristics. A database of 170 treatment means from 38 studies was assembled from published literature. Mixed-effects models with animal, management, and diet characteristics as fixed effects and study as a random effect were selected based on the lowest corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) and evaluated via leave-one-trial-out cross-validation. Out of 16 organs, 15 had concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) values over 0.900, and cross-validated coefficient of determination (R²) values ranged from 0.728 to 0.967 across organs. Dry-matter intake, days on feed, and fiber-related diet characteristics (roughage level, neutral detergent fiber, and physically effective neutral detergent fiber) were the most consistently retained predictors, with crude protein and metabolizable energy concentrations being retained less frequently. These equations provide a quantitative basis for more accurate estimation of visceral organ mass in cattle. Full article

Background/Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is a complex multifactorial disorder driven by genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers, with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) acting as potential disruptors of immune homeostasis. This study aimed to characterize the patterns and temporality of UPF consumption in a pediatric population with CD to provide evidence-based insights that can optimize the nutritional quality of a gluten-free diet (GFD) beyond mere gluten avoidance. Methods: A total of 128 children aged 5–14 years were enrolled, comprising a baseline cohort of 48 children newly diagnosed with CD (pre-GFD), 88 patients who had followed a GFD for at least 6 months (post-GFD), including 44 participants from the pre-GFD cohort prospectively re-evaluated after 12 months and 44 additional patients with established GFD adherence and a control group of 36 healthy children (CTRL). Dietary intake was assessed using three-day 24 h recalls. Food processing levels were determined using the NOVA classification system, and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was evaluated via the KIDMED index. Results: At baseline, UPFs (NOVA 4) were the primary daily energy source for both celiac patients and controls, accounting for over 57% of total caloric intake, peaking during breakfast (~74%) and afternoon snacks (~81%). Longitudinal analysis showed that the nutritional profile and global UPF consumption remained remarkably stable after 12 months on a GFD, though a significant increase in vitamin B6 intake was observed (0.9 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5 mg; p = 0.034). However, meal-pattern shifts occurred over the 12 months: celiac children significantly reduced their daily intake of culinary ingredients (NOVA 2; p = 0.029) and processed foods (NOVA 3; p = 0.025). Compared to healthy controls, post-GFD patients exhibited significantly lower Vitamin D intakes (4.6 ± 9.4 vs. 6.2 ± 12.3 µg/day; p = 0.008), meeting only 30.8% of the reference intake. Both groups presented inadequate intakes of iron, calcium, folate, magnesium, and zinc. Conclusions: Pediatric celiac patients exhibit a high, deeply ingrained consumption of UPFs that mirrors healthy controls and persists 12 months after starting a GFD. While the GFD alters meal processing dynamics, it fails to resolve baseline micronutrient insufficiencies and is associated with lower dietary vitamin D intake, highlighting the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions that focus on whole food quality rather than just gluten elimination. Full article

The increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases globally has been attributed in part to poor lifestyle choices, including unhealthy dietary habits. Dietary polysaccharides, including resistant starch and non-starch polysaccharides, have gained increasing attention due to their potential role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this review was to evaluate the role of dietary polysaccharides in the regulation of blood glucose and lipid parameters. Method: A narrative review approach was adopted for this review. Searches were conducted through EBSCOHost and involved the following databases: Medline, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences collection, Academic Search Premier and APA PsycArticles. Searches were conducted on 14 April 2026 and covered all records available from database inception to the search date. Search terms were combined using Boolean operators (AND/OR). The reference list of articles was also searched for more articles. Results: Twenty-one studies from thirteen different countries were included in this review. Based on narrative synthesis, five themes were identified: the effects of dietary polysaccharides on glycaemia, insulin, lipids, energy intake and satiety/appetite. The findings demonstrated considerable heterogeneity across studies. While several studies reported improvements in fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, glycated haemoglobin and insulin responses following resistant starch and non-starch polysaccharide interventions, other studies found no significant effects on glycaemic control or insulin levels. Lipid outcomes were similarly inconsistent, although some studies reported reductions in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Effects on energy intake and satiety varied according to the type and physicochemical characteristics of the polysaccharide investigated. Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest that dietary polysaccharides may contribute to improvements in glucose control and lipid metabolism, although the magnitude and consistency of these effects vary across populations, intervention types and study designs. The most frequently reported beneficial findings related to blood glucose parameters, although substantial heterogeneity remained across studies. Further, well-designed studies, including randomised controlled trials with longer durations, are needed to fully establish the role of dietary polysaccharides in the control of blood glucose and lipid parameters. Full article

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is commonly calculated as the ratio of milk nitrogen output to nitrogen intake in dairy cows. However, because milk nitrogen output is intrinsically determined by milk production and nitrogen intake is largely driven by dry matter intake, conventional NUE is mathematically dependent on production level and feed intake. This dependency makes it difficult to distinguish apparent efficiency caused by higher milk yield from intrinsic biological efficiency in nitrogen utilization. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate NUE in dairy cows using a combined mathematical and metabolic framework based on residual NUE (rNUE) analysis. A total of 126 early-lactation Chinese Holstein cows were screened, and 16 high-NUE and 16 low-NUE cows were selected after matching for parity, days in milk, and dry matter intake. High-NUE cows had greater milk yield, milk nitrogen output, and NUE than low-NUE cows, despite similar nitrogen intake. They also exhibited higher ruminal microbial crude protein and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, a lower acetate-to-propionate ratio, and reduced circulating essential and total amino acid concentrations. Multiple regression analysis showed that energy-corrected milk and dry matter intake explained 71.4% of the variation in NUE. The residuals from this model were defined as rNUE, which was independent of milk production. After removing production-related effects, rNUE remained positively associated with ruminal microbial crude protein and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, and negatively associated with the acetate-to-propionate ratio and circulating amino acid pools. These findings indicate that conventional NUE in dairy cows is largely driven by production level, whereas residual-based modeling can identify a production-independent component associated with rumen nitrogen metabolism and amino acid utilization. The residual NUE approach provides a useful mathematical and metabolic framework for evaluating intrinsic NUE in dairy cows beyond milk production level. Full article

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods formulated through extensive industrial processing, with little or no natural food constituents, and include ingredients such as artificial colors, flavors, and other food additives to enhance shelf life and palatability. They are typically energy-dense and poor in essential nutrients, including products such as sugar-sweetened beverages, packaged snacks, processed meats, instant noodles and confectioneries. UPF intake has been associated with a wide range of metabolic and inflammatory diseases, especially obesity and adiposity. The transition to independent living and increased dietary autonomy among young adults, particularly university students, are associated with higher reliance on UPF. This narrative review aims to examine the global evidence on the association between UPF consumption and obesity and adiposity outcomes among young adults. Most reviewed studies demonstrated a consistent positive association between UPF consumption and increased obesity and adiposity risks among young adults. UPF consumption within this population is substantial, ranging between 25% and 50% of total energy intake (TEI). The association between UPF consumption and increased risk of obesity and adiposity can be explained through multiple biological and behavioral mechanisms, including high energy density and palatability, disruption of satiety signaling, gut microbiota alterations, and hormonal dysregulation. To reduce the long-term burden of obesity among young adults, public efforts should be directed to important health interventions, such as university awareness nutritional programs, front-of-pack labeling, and policy-level restrictions on UPF marketing. Full article

Coeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune enteropathy triggered by gluten consumption in genetically predisposed individuals. Given that lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only effective treatment, the nutritional quality of commercially available gluten-free (GF) products is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional content of selected GF products across multiple food categories available in the Greek market and compare them with their gluten-containing (GC) counterparts. In addition, the nutritional adequacy of a GFD for adults was assessed through an indicative 7-day dietary meal plan. A total of 228 food products (114 GF and 114 GC), categorized as charcuterie, starchy, bakery, confectionery, miscellaneous, meat-based, and plant-based, were included. Analysis of food label information revealed broadly comparable nutritional profiles with respect to energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, and sodium between GF and GC products. However, GF products contained less protein (7.31 ± 4.94 g vs. 9.86 ± 4.79 g, p < 0.001) and more dietary fibre (4.55 ± 3.05 g vs. 3.23 ± 2.21 g, p = 0.001). Analysis of the meal plan demonstrated that recommended intakes for all evaluated macronutrients and most micronutrients can be achieved while following a GFD with careful dietary planning. However, iron intake fell slightly below the recommended level for premenopausal women, while meeting vitamin D requirements remained challenging. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) levels and protease supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal score in weaned piglets. A total of 200 crossbred weaned piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]), with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.01 ± 1.14 kg, were used in a 31-day feeding trial. Piglets were assigned to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 10 replicates per treatment and five piglets per pen. The treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; TRT1, low-protein diet with CP reduced by 1%; TRT2, low-protein diet with CP reduced by 2%; and TRT3, TRT2 supplemented with 0.1 g/kg protease. Piglets fed TRT2 had lower BW on days 7, 19, and 31 (p < 0.05) and lower average daily gain (ADG) during each growth phase and the overall period compared with CON (p < 0.05). Protease supplementation partially restored BW and ADG. However, average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and energy (E), and fecal score were not affected by dietary treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, reducing dietary CP by 2% impaired growth performance in weaned piglets, whereas protease supplementation partially alleviated this negative effect without significantly altering nutrient digestibility or fecal score. Full article

Background and Objectives: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients, particularly in the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Dietary glycemic and insulinemic characteristics may contribute to metabolic disturbances associated with muscle deterioration, although evidence in HD populations remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the associations between dietary indices, sarcopenia, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes in diabetic (DM+) and non-diabetic (DM−) HD patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 92 maintenance HD patients (43 DM+ and 49 DM−). Dietary intake was assessed using three-day food records, and dietary insulin index (DII), dietary insulin load (DIL), dietary glycemic index (DGI), and dietary glycemic load (DGL) were calculated. Sarcopenia was evaluated using handgrip strength, bioelectrical impedance analysis, gait speed, and SARC-F. Anthropometric, biochemical, nutritional, and sarcopenia-related parameters were compared across tertiles of dietary indices. Results: Sarcopenia was identified in 32.6% of patients with diabetes and 36.7% of those without diabetes. Diabetic patients exhibited significantly lower handgrip strength, slower walking speed, longer walking time, and higher SARC-F scores (p < 0.01). Across DGL tertiles in DM+ patients, significant progressive increases were observed in body weight (p < 0.05), body mass index (p < 0.05), lean mass (p < 0.05), mid-upper arm circumference (p < 0.01), and triceps skinfold thickness (p < 0.01). Higher DIL and DGL tertiles were also associated with elevated serum phosphorus, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). DIL and DGL showed stronger associations with overall energy and nutrient intake compared with DII and DGI. However, no significant associations were identified between dietary indices and sarcopenia diagnosis or sarcopenia-related risk indicators after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusions: Dietary indices were associated with various anthropometric, biochemical, and nutritional parameters in HD patients, with more pronounced associations observed among patients with DM, suggesting a potential role of dietary quality in the nutritional and metabolic profile of this population. Full article

Background: Kidney disorders are strongly related to metabolic disturbances, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Excessive intake of sugar and saturated fats promotes lipid accumulation, cellular energy issues and inflammatory responses. Cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid, has recently gained attention for its metabolic, anti-inflammatory and potential protective properties. Methods: The present study investigated the effect of two weeks of CBG administration (last 14 days of the experiment) on fatty acid (FA) composition, FA metabolic pathways and FA transporters in rats subjected to a high-fat high-sucrose diet (HFHS) for 6 weeks. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, CBG, HFHS, and HFHS+CBG. Kidney tissue and urine samples were analyzed by gas–liquid chromatography (GLC) for lipid fractions and FA profiles, while protein expression of FA transporters and metabolic enzymes was assessed by immunoblotting. Polysaccharides and collagen fibers were visualized using Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) and AZAN staining, respectively. ELISA and colorimetric kits were used to measure urinary albumin and creatinine contents. Results: HFHS feeding altered renal lipid homeostasis, increasing saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA and MUFA, respectively) levels and affecting desaturation and elongation ratios. CBG supplementation affected renal lipid metabolism by lowering triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation, restoring polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in phospholipid (PL) and altering FA ratios, suggesting an improvement in lipid balance. CBG also increased the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and decreased the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), suggesting a shift toward enhanced FA oxidation and reduced lipogenesis. Conclusions: Overall, CBG exerted good effects on renal lipid metabolism and may mitigate early lipid-mediated injury associated with metabolic kidney disorders. 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

The effect of increasing levels of coconut oil (CO: 0, 100, 200, and 300 g/kg of supplement DM) on productive performance, feed intake, rumen fermentation, microbiota, and gene expression was evaluated in 24 calves (Bos indicus × Bos taurus; 180 ± 10 kg BW) on rotational grazing (Cynodon dactylon) in a completely randomized design (n = 6) for 112 days. Supplement intake (offer–refusal) and forage intake (external marker: chromium) were measured. On day 112, rumen fluid (fermentation profile, protozoa, and metagenomic analysis: 16S rRNA V3-V4) and total blood (DNA microarray: M22k) were collected. Genomic analyses were performed by comparing the control vs. the group with the best productive response. For statistical analysis, SAS PROC GLM (initial weight as a covariate), orthogonal polynomials, the Tukey test, and Spearman correlation were used, considering significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) and trend (p ≤ 0.1). The inclusion of 200 g CO/kg supplement DM showed the best average daily gain (p = 0.018; +0.139 kg/d) with the highest retained energy (p = 0.02; +0.631 Mcal/d) versus the control group. In the rumen, propionate increased (p ≤ 0.05), while protozoa decreased (p < 0.0001) and the methanogenic archaea tended to decrease (Methanobacteriaceae −44%, p = 0.08; Thermoplasmatales −35%, p = 0.06). At the transcriptional level, 19 hub genes were modulated by CO, suggesting a lower intracellular signaling (cAMP-PKA-CREB) associated with a lower stress condition and better energy metabolism regulation. In conclusion, 200 g CO/kg supplement DM is a viable strategy for improving the productive performance of livestock in tropical systems. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of free and protected acid protease on productive performance, milk composition, metabolic profile, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal environment in lactating Jersey cows. Fifteen multiparous cows (67 ± 7.5 days in milk; 27.5 ± 3.5 kg/day) were assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square (5 squares) design with 21-day periods. Treatments consisted of: control (no enzyme), free protease (4.4 g/day), and protected protease (4.4 g/day). The protected form was developed using alginate-based encapsulation to enhance enzyme stability under ruminal conditions. Protease inclusion did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield, or feed efficiency (p > 0.05). However, free protease increased lactation persistency (p = 0.05) and improved fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk yields (p ≤ 0.02), with intermediate responses observed for protected protease. Milk fat and protein contents were higher in enzyme-fed cows (p ≤ 0.05), while other compositional parameters remained unchanged. Apparent crude protein digestibility was greater in cows receiving free protease (p = 0.037), with no effects on dry matter or fiber digestibility. Protease intake increased total volatile fatty acid concentrations and major fermentation products (acetate, propionate, and butyrate; p ≤ 0.01), indicating enhanced ruminal fermentation. Blood metabolites showed increased total protein and globulin levels in cows fed free protease (p ≤ 0.05), suggesting improved protein metabolism. Microbiota analysis revealed no differences in alpha or beta diversity; however, specific microbial taxa and predicted metabolic pathways were modulated by treatments, particularly in post-ruminal compartments. In conclusion, exogenous protease, especially in free form, improved protein utilization and corrected milk production without disrupting microbial stability. These findings highlight the potential of protease as a nutritional strategy to enhance efficiency in dairy systems through targeted modulation of ruminal function and nutrient metabolism. Full article

Background: Pregnancy is a vital period during which maternal nutrition profoundly influences both maternal health and fetal development. Carotenoids, predominantly found in fruits and vegetables, are bioactive compounds that enhance antioxidant defenses and facilitate vitamin A metabolism throughout pregnancy. However, assessing carotenoids intake presents challenges due to the lack of dietary assessment tools capable of quantifying individual carotenoids, coupled with limited data from populations in Eastern Europe. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 621 pregnant women in Romania was conducted to estimate dietary carotenoids intake and investigate associations with dietary patterns and overall diet quality. Dietary data were obtained using the EPIC Food Frequency Questionnaire (EPIC-FFQ), adapted for Romanian populations. A dedicated carotenoid estimation model was developed utilizing the USDA Carotenoid Database. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify dietary patterns, and diet quality was evaluated using the Diet Quality Index during Pregnancy (DQI-P). Results: The findings revealed significant individual variability. The median intake was highest for β-carotene (2464 μg), and lycopene (1664 μg), followed by lutein and zeaxanthin (908 μg), α-carotene (615 μg), and β-cryptoxanthin (121 μg). The Vegetable-meal pattern exhibited the strongest positive correlation with carotenoids intake, whereas the Energy-dense pattern was primarily associated with vitamin E and tocopherols/tocotrienols, and the Mixed pattern with vitamins A and D. Higher DQI-P scores were consistently correlated with increased carotenoids consumption. Conclusions: Overall, maternal carotenoids intake during pregnancy was frequently insufficient and showed considerable variation among women. A diet rich in vegetables and higher overall diet quality were associated with elevated carotenoids intake levels. These findings enhance the understanding of dietary carotenoids intake among pregnant women in Eastern Europe. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of maternal overfeeding during mid-to-late gestation on maternal productivity, metabolic status, reproductive recovery, and calf performance in Hanwoo cattle using conventional statistics and machine learning (ML) approaches. A total of 243 pregnant cows were assigned to either a control group or an overfeeding group from gestation day 90 to parturition. The overfeeding treatment increased nutrient supply to approximately 140–145% of the control level. Maternal body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), serum metabolites, and reproductive traits were evaluated throughout gestation and postpartum, while calf growth, morphometrics, and metabolic traits were assessed at birth and weaning. Calves were further classified into growth- or meat-quality-oriented genotypes using SNP-based profiling. Overfeeding increased maternal BW gain and BCS during gestation and reduced circulating non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, indicating improved maternal energy status. However, overfed cows showed a longer interval to postpartum estrus return. Calf birth weight was not significantly affected by maternal overfeeding, whereas calf growth and morphometric traits at weaning were more strongly influenced by parity, sex, and genotype. Machine learning models identified gestational BW, metabolic indicators, calf feed intake, and genotype as major predictors of maternal and calf outcomes, with random forest and XGBoost showing superior predictive performance compared with linear models. These findings suggest that parity- and genotype-informed nutritional management combined with ML-based prediction may support precision feeding strategies in beef cattle production systems. Full article

Accurate prediction of dry matter intake (DMI) is essential for ration formulation, nutrient supply, and evaluation of production efficiency in lactating dairy cows. Several DMI prediction models are currently used, but most comparative studies have emphasized overall accuracy rather than whether model bias changes across biologically relevant production contexts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the context-dependent bias of widely used DMI prediction models in lactating dairy cows across classes of energy-corrected milk (ECM) and lactation stage. A literature-derived database was assembled from 135 studies consisting of 436 treatments from 6985 Holstein cows, reporting observed DMI and the variables required to implement five prediction models and evaluate their prediction error (PE): NRC2001, the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS), NASEM2021, Agroscope2021, and GfE2023. PE was calculated as predicted DMI minus observed DMI, such that positive values indicated overprediction and negative values indicated underprediction. Observations were classified according to ECM and days in milk (DIM). Mixed models were fitted separately for the ECM class and the lactation-stage class, with the study fitted as a random effect. PE differed among models, and the pattern of bias depended on both the ECM and the lactation-stage classes. The interaction between the ECM class and the model was significant, indicating that productive level modified model bias. The interaction between lactation-stage class and model was also significant and more pronounced, indicating marked changes in model bias across lactation stages. Across classes, NASEM2021 generally remained closest to zero, whereas GfE2023 and CNCPS showed more negative PE values in most contexts. Agroscope2021 showed a more context-sensitive pattern, and NRC2001 remained comparatively moderate across several classes. These findings indicate that the evaluation of DMI prediction models based only on global mean bias may conceal an important biological structure in PE. Context-specific evaluation, particularly across the lactation stage, may provide a more informative basis for selecting DMI prediction models for research and practical ration formulation. Full article