Search Results (3,693)

Aging is accompanied by progressive gastrointestinal structural and functional decline, increased intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and impaired mucosal immunity, collectively elevating susceptibility to infections, chronic inflammation, and multimorbidity. These age-related changes are further exacerbated by polypharmacy, metabolic disorders, and lifestyle factors, positioning the gastrointestinal tract as a central driver of systemic physiological decline. Gut-centered interventions have emerged as critical strategies to mitigate these vulnerabilities and support healthy aging. Dietary modulation, prebiotic and probiotic supplementation, and microbiota-targeted approaches have demonstrated efficacy in improving gut microbial diversity, enhancing short-chain fatty acid production, restoring epithelial integrity, and modulating immune signaling in older adults. Beyond nutritional strategies, non-nutritional interventions such as molecular hydrogen and medical ozone offer complementary mechanisms by selectively neutralizing reactive oxygen species, reducing pro-inflammatory signaling, modulating gut microbiota, and promoting mucosal repair. Hydrogen-based therapies, administered via hydrogen-rich water or inhalation, confer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects, while ozone therapy exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, enhances tissue oxygenation, and stimulates epithelial and vascular repair. Economic considerations further differentiate these modalities, with hydrogenated water positioned as a premium wellness product and ozonated water representing a cost-effective, scalable option for geriatric gastrointestinal care. Although preclinical and early clinical studies are promising, evidence in older adults remains limited, emphasizing the need for well-designed, age-specific trials to establish safety, dosing, and efficacy. Integrating dietary, microbiota-targeted, and emerging non-nutritional gut-centered interventions offers a multimodal framework to preserve gut integrity, immune competence, and functional health, potentially mitigating age-related decline and supporting overall health span in older populations. Full article

Background: Among many deleterious effects on the well-being of children and youth, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a surge in youth mental health distress. This, coupled with pre-existing prolonged wait times for mental health care, highlighted the need for accessible community-based mental health supports. The Healthy Living Project (HELP) is a virtual lifestyle change support program aimed at promoting positive lifestyle changes and improved mental well-being among youth with mental distress. A pilot feasibility study explored youth engagement with HELP e-resources, and preliminary mental health and lifestyle measures over a 3-month period. Methods: Youth were enrolled in a 3-month pilot of the HELP e-resource. Feasibility metrics (recruitment, retention, and platform engagement) were documented, while exploratory self-reported data on emotional and behavioral difficulties, youth quality of life, sedentary behavior (screen time), sleep hygiene, and physical activity were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Results: Twenty-three youth (mean age 15.7 years, SD 1.7) completed baseline assessments and started the intervention, with ten participants retained by the end of the study. Compared with non-completers (n = 13), study completers (n = 10) tended to report higher quality of life and healthier habits (lower screen time, improved sleep hygiene, and higher activity). Ongoing access to HELP over 3 months was associated with suggestive trends toward improvement in emotional and behavioral difficulties and sleep hygiene. Engaged participants who received screen time education tended to report lower screen times as compared to unengaged counterparts. Conclusions: This study provides early insights into the implementation and acceptability of HELP e-resources among youth experiencing mental distress, with suggestive trends toward potential benefit. Low recruitment and high attrition preclude definitive conclusions, and the findings should be interpreted as exploratory. Lessons from this pilot will inform the design of a subsequent trial to more rigorously evaluate feasibility and the potential impact of HELP on youth with mental distress. Full article

Background: Health literacy can be defined as the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health information in order to make informed health decisions in daily life. Despite its importance, little is known about health literacy in the domains of physical activity and nutrition among children with congenital heart disease. The aim of this study was to examine differences in health literacy related to physical activity and nutrition between children and adolescents with congenital heart disease and a healthy control group (Control). Methods: A total of 244 children and adolescents (age 8–18 years; mean age 13.4 ± 3.1 years, 53.3% girls) were enrolled, comprising 122 patients with congenital heart disease and 122 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were recruited during routine medical examinations at the German Heart Center, while controls were recruited from Munich schools. The Physical Activity Health Literacy Scale for Children (PAHL-C) and the Nutrition Health Literacy Scale for Children (NHL-C) were used to assess health literacy in the domains of physical activity and nutrition. Scores for both scales were calculated as additive sum scores and converted to a scale from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health literacy. Physical activity levels were measured via self-reported frequency of days per week in which children engaged in at least one hour of physical activity. Results: Children with congenital heart disease showed lower PAHL-C scores (Patients: 65.9 ± 18.0 vs. Control: 72.9 ± 14.9, p = 0.001) and lower NHL-C scores (Patients: 63.6 ± 19.0 vs. Control: 69.3 ± 14.8, p = 0.009) than healthy controls. Boys reported significantly higher self-reported physical activity levels (p = 0.001) and had significantly higher PAHL-C scores than girls (p < 0.001). Patients with congenital heart disease reported significantly less physical activity compared to controls (Patients: 4.2 ± 1.7 days/week vs. Control: 5.2 ± 1.8 days/week, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children with congenital heart disease demonstrate lower health literacy in the domains of physical activity and nutrition than their healthy counterparts and report being less active. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to address both physical activity and health literacy in children with congenital heart disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the transverse stiffness of selected soft tissues in the knee joint region on the previously injured and uninjured sides of female handball players and non-athlete women, in the lying and standing positions, and to investigate the relationship between stiffness, age, sporting practice, and clinical assessments of the knees. Methods: A total of 25 young female handball players (the SPORT group) and 27 healthy non-athletic individuals (the CONTROL group) were examined. The MyotonPRO device was used to measure the stiffness of the patellar tendon (PT), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles on both sides and in both positions. The function of the knee joints was clinically assessed using the Knee Outcome Survey—Sports Activities Scale and the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale. Results: ANOVA indicated a significant effect of group (p < 0.003) on the PT’s stiffness, and a significant effect of position (p < 0.0001) on the PT, RF, and BF muscle stiffness. The SPORT group demonstrated significantly higher PT transverse stiffness when lying down (p < 0.01), but not when sitting up (p > 0.05), compared to the CONTROL group. Significant negative correlations were found between PT stiffness and both clinical scales in the SPORT group (rho from −0.39 to −0.71, p < 0.05). Conclusions: In female handball players, only the patellar tendon transverse stiffness was higher than in the control group. While this higher stiffness could indicate an adaptive rebuilding process, it was negatively correlated with the clinical assessment of joint function, meaning poorer knee joint function. Full article

The gut microbiome is a modifiable factor in cancer survivorship. Diet represents the most practical intervention for modulating the gut microbiome. However, diet–microbiome relationships in prostate-cancer survivors remain poorly characterized. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of diet–microbiome associations in 79 prostate-cancer survivors (ages 62–81) enrolled in a randomized exercise intervention trial, 59.5% of whom still have active metastatic disease. Dietary intake was assessed using the Diet History Questionnaire (201 variables) and analyzed using three validated dietary pattern scores: Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS), Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), and the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet score. Gut microbiome composition was characterized via 16S rRNA sequencing. Dimensionality reduction strategies, including theory-driven diet scores and data-driven machine learning (Random Forest, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO)), were used. Statistical analyses included beta regression for alpha diversity, Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) for beta diversity (both Bray–Curtis and Sørensen metrics), and Microbiome Multivariable Associations with Linear Models (MaAsLin2) with negative binomial regression for taxa-level associations. All models tested interactions with exercise intervention, APOLIPOPROTEIN E (APOE) genotype, and testosterone levels. There was an interaction between MEDAS and exercise type on gut alpha diversity (Shannon: p = 0.0022), with stronger diet–diversity associations in strength training and Tai Chi groups than flexibility controls. All three diet-quality scores predicted beta diversity (HEI p = 0.002; MIND p = 0.025; MEDAS p = 0.034) but not Bray–Curtis (abundance-weighted) distance, suggesting diet shapes community membership rather than relative abundances. Taxa-level analysis revealed 129 genera with diet associations or diet × host factor interactions. Among 297 dietary variables tested for cognitive outcomes, only caffeine significantly predicted Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores after False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction (p = 0.0009, q = 0.014) through direct pathways beneficial to cognitive performance without notable gut microbiome modulation. In cancer survivors, dietary recommendations should be tailored to exercise habits, genetic background, and hormonal status. Full article

Research has demonstrated that incorporating nitrate into animal feed can effectively decrease methane production in ruminants, though its impact on carcass characteristics and meat attributes in Hu sheep requires further investigation. This experiment examined how a dietary inclusion of 3% calcium nitrate (CN) influenced slaughter parameters, meat properties, gut microbial populations, and host gene regulation in Hu sheep. The study involved sixty healthy male Hu sheep aged 120 days with comparable body weights (31.11 ± 3.39 kg), randomly allocated into two groups: a control group receiving standard feed (CON) and a CN-supplemented group. The trial lasted 60 days, including a 15-day adaptation period and a 45-day formal trial period. They were housed individually and fed twice daily (at 8:00 and 18:00). The findings revealed that CN supplementation notably reduced the water loss rate in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD), elevated meat color brightness, and enhanced the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly n-6 PUFA, along with the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio. Conversely, it reduced the levels of saturated fatty acids such as myristic acid (C14:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n9t). Additionally, the treatment boosted ruminal Ammoniacal nitrogen content and total short-chain fatty acid production, thereby contributing to energy metabolism in the animals. Microbiological examination demonstrated that CN supplementation led to a decrease in Fibrobacterota and Methanobrevibacter populations within the ruminal environment, while promoting the growth of Proteobacteria in the duodenal region. The gene expression profiling of digestive tract tissues showed an increased activity in nitrogen processing genes (including CA4) and oxidative phosphorylation pathways (such as ATP6), indicating an improved metabolic efficiency and acid–base homeostasis in the host animals. These findings demonstrate that CN-enriched diets enhance the carcass characteristics of Hu sheep by modifying intramuscular lipid profiles through gastrointestinal microbial community restructuring and metabolic pathway adjustments. Such modifications affect energy utilization and acid–base equilibrium, ultimately impacting muscle characteristics and adipose tissue distribution, presenting viable approaches for eco-friendly livestock farming practices. Full article

This review summarizes the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) as a common link between aging, neurodegeneration, and neuropathic pain. Aging is characterized by oxidative stress and constant inflammation, which coincides with reduced Nrf2 activity and weaker antioxidant responses, increasing vulnerability to diseases. In neurodegenerative disorders—including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—evidence indicates that impaired Nrf2 signaling contributes to oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, in neuropathic pain, similar mechanisms are involved, and Nrf2 could play a role as a potential analgesic target because of its role in regulating cellular defense pathways. We also review natural Nrf2 modulators (e.g., flavonoids, other polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids), discussing their benefits alongside common translational limitations such as poor solubility, low oral bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and potential safety issues, including possible pro-oxidant effects and chemoresistance. We also outline future directions that should prioritize improving delivery systems, addressing NRF2/KEAP1 gene variations, evaluating combinations with standard therapies, exploring preventive applications, and defining dosing, treatment duration, and long-term safety. Overall, current evidence indicates that Nrf2 modulation is a practical, cross-cutting approach relevant to healthy aging and disease management. Full article

As age progresses and the population increases, the prevalence of dementia also increases. Pharmacological interventions are used to treat cognitive decline. Alternative approaches to traditional pharmacology, such as dietary interventions, may help combat cognitive decline in aging populations. This review summarizes existing investigations using complementary and alternative approaches as mitigating interventions. We also briefly note other important modifiable factors to decrease the risk of cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Such approaches include nutrition and dietary interventions that show promising results for mitigating cognitive decline, as well as additional lifestyle modifying factors that are important to note (e.g., sleep, cardiovascular diseases, environmental factors, physical, social and leisure activities, cognitive stimulation, psychosocial factors, and sensory functioning) for their impact on cognition in aging. Despite the limited findings and support for complementary and alternative approaches in combating existing cognitive decline, findings suggest that such approaches may be most beneficial prior to the onset of cognitive impairment. Specific nutrition components, including flavonoids and omega fatty acids, may mitigate cognitive decline, and emerging evidence suggests that these nutrients may promote a healthy gut microbiota. Of the complementary and alternative approaches, adhering to specific diets, generally, has the most consistent support to combat cognitive decline. It is important to note that other non-nutritional or non-dietary modifiable lifestyle factors also show promising benefits in mitigating further cognitive decline. Future investigations and clinical trials with replication studies are needed to elucidate these complementary and alternative approaches as effective treatment options for clinicians. Full article

Background/Objectives: Modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly diet, are important for preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the evidence regarding this from prospective studies is limited in the Asian population. We therefore evaluated whether a diet-inclusive healthy lifestyle score (HLS) predicts incident T2D in a community-based cohort. Methods: We analyzed 7185 T2D-free adults from the KoGES Ansan–Ansung cohort, constructing the HLS (range: 0–5) based on five lifestyle factors: non-smoking, ≥30 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, low-risk alcohol consumption (≤40 g/day for men; ≤20 g/day for women), BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m², and a healthy diet, defined as a healthy plant-based diet index within the top 40th percentile. Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to examine the association between HLS and incident T2D risk. Results: During a median follow-up of 17.5 years, 1223 cases of T2D were identified. Compared to individuals with a score of 0 or 1, those with a score of 5 had a 56% lower risk of T2D after adjustment for potential confounders (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.32–0.62), and these associations remained consistent across subgroups stratified by age, sex, family history of T2D, hypertension, and residential area. However, the association was stronger among non-users of anti-diabetic medication than among users. Conclusions: Adherence to a healthier lifestyle, as indicated by a higher HLS, was significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing T2D among Korean adults. These findings underscore the importance of promoting integrated healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent T2D. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childhood overweight and obesity are influenced by family-level behaviors related to nutrition, physical activity, and daily routines. This study aimed to In contrast to screen time family nutrition and physical activity practices for overweight and obesity among children aged 6–17 years in Türkiye. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 214 children recruited from a community setting. Sociodemographic data and anthropometric measurements were collected, and family practices were assessed using the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Scale–Turkish version (FNPA-TR). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed separately for overweight and obesity outcomes. Results: Healthier beverage choices were the only significant predictor of overweight, reducing the odds by 62%. Obesity was predicted by three FNPA domains: family meal frequency, family eating habits, and screen time. Frequent family meals and healthier eating habits were associated with lower obesity risk, whereas higher screen exposure increased the likelihood of obesity. Conclusions: Beverage choices, family meal patterns, eating habits, and screen exposure emerged as key behavioral predictors of unhealthy weight status in children. These findings highlight key family-centered prevention targets for pediatric nursing and public health, including promoting healthy beverage consumption, strengthening structured family eating routines, and reducing screen exposure in children. Full article

Aging is accompanied by a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state known as “inflammaging,” largely driven by dysregulated signaling of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1 and TNF-α. The biological impact of these cytokines is modulated by the expression of their cellular receptors, which is influenced by genetic polymorphisms. However, the interplay between age, genetic variation, and cell-type-specific receptor expression remains incompletely characterized. This study aimed to determine the relative and absolute expression levels of IL-1 and TNF receptors on major immunocompetent cell populations in healthy donors of different age groups and to assess the influence of receptor gene polymorphisms on this expression. A cohort of 144 healthy donors was stratified into two age clusters using unsupervised clustering: a “young” group (18–31 years, n = 71) and an “older” group (32–59 years, n = 73). Membrane expression of TNFR1, TNFR2, IL-1R1, and IL-1R2 on T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and monocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry. The analysis included both the percentage of receptor-positive cells and the number of receptors per cell using absolute quantification with calibration beads. Genotyping for eight SNPs in the TNF1, TNFR2, IL1R1, and IL1R2 genes was performed via PCR-RFLP. The most pronounced age-related differences were observed in monocytes, in which the young cohort exhibited a significantly higher percentage of TNFR1- and TNFR2-positive monocytes, as well as a higher number of IL-1R1 receptors. In contrast, T-lymphocytes from the older cluster showed a higher percentage of TNFR2-positive cells. Genetic polymorphisms significantly modulated receptor expression in an age-dependent manner. For example, in the young cluster, polymorphisms primarily affected receptor levels on B-lymphocytes, whereas in the older cluster, the most significant associations were observed in monocytes. This study reveals significant, cell-specific alterations in the IL-1 and TNF receptor landscapes with age, with monocytes being particularly affected. The observed receptor downregulation in older adults is likely to reflect an active process of ligand-induced desensitization driven by chronic inflammation. Furthermore, genetic polymorphisms exert age-dependent effects on receptor expression, highlighting the dynamic interplay between genetics and immunosenescence. These findings provide a foundation for personalized strategies to mitigate inflammaging. Full article

Cognitive reserve (CR) is widely recognized as a protective factor that supports cognitive functioning across the lifespan. Recent research suggests a reciprocal relationship between CR and creative thinking—particularly divergent thinking (DT)—with DT potentially contributing to and benefiting from CR and remaining relatively preserved in older adulthood. This cross-sectional study, conducted in Italy between April and July 2025 using convenience sampling, examined whether CR predicts verbal and conceptual creativity in healthy older adults. One hundred participants (aged 65–92 years; M = 68.45, SD = 8.12) completed the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), the Test di Intelligenza Breve (TIB; Short Intelligence Test), and two creativity tasks. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Multiple regression analyses showed that overall CR significantly predicted all creativity outcomes, including verbal fluency (β = 0.316, p = 0.011) and flexibility (β = 0.336, p = 0.007), as well as conceptual fluency (β = 0.371, p = 0.003), flexibility (β = 0.381, p = 0.002), and originality (β = 0.338, p = 0.006). Education and leisure activities more strongly predicted verbal creativity, whereas occupational experience and leisure activities predominantly predicted conceptual creativity. These findings indicate that CR supports creative thinking in later life and highlight the importance of cognitively and socially enriched experiences across the lifespan. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolism is fundamental to all living organisms. It comprises a highly complex network of fine-tuned chemical reactions that sustain life but also generate by-products that damage cellular biomolecules, including DNA, thereby contributing to aging and disease. As metabolism can be largely modified by dietary alterations, it has the potential to positively or negatively affect health and disease. Interestingly, many aging-associated illnesses known to be influenced by diet also show a causal relation with DNA damage. As DNA keeps all instructions for life, and DNA lesions, if unrepaired, interfere with vital processes such as DNA replication and transcription, DNA damage may be an important mediator of the impact of nutrition on health and aging. Methods: Here, we discuss the genome-protective effects of various oral interventions in mice, aiming to elucidate which nutritional alterations lower DNA damage and promote overall health. Results: Our analysis covers a wide range of interventions with reported positive impacts on genomic stability, including modified diets (e.g., dietary restriction, probiotics, micronutrients, fatty acids, and hormones), NAD+ precursors (e.g., nicotinamide riboside), plant derivatives, and synthetic drugs. Among these, caloric and dietary restriction emerge as the most potent, generic modulators of DNA damage and repair processes, enhancing aspects of repair efficiency through metabolic recalibration and improved cellular resilience. Other interventions, like NAD+ precursors, activate partly similar pathways without necessitating reduced food intake. Conclusions: While many interventions show promise, their effects are often less pronounced or are process-specific compared to caloric or dietary restriction. Additionally, many substances lack comprehensive exploration of their genome-protective effects in mice, with often only a small number of studies examining their impact on genome stability. Moreover, the heterogeneity between studies limits direct comparison. However, the observed overlap in mechanistic effects between treatments lends credibility to their potential efficacy. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could pave the way for translating these findings into, e.g., combination treatments to promote healthy aging in humans. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study set out to better understand how posture, spinal level, gender and muscle activation influence the biomechanical properties of the lumbar erector spinae (LES) in healthy young adults. We aimed to measure how these factors influence LES tone, stiffness, and damping using a myotonometry device. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (14 males, 16 females; aged 20–25 years) were evaluated at bilateral L3–L5 levels in prone, unsupported sitting, and standing positions, both under relaxed conditions and during submaximal isometric lumbar extension. The myotonometer measured LES tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and damping (logarithmic decrement). For each outcome, a mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted with Gender as a between-subject factor and Posture, Level, and Action (relaxed vs. contracted) as within-subject factors (Bonferroni-adjusted α = 0.0167). Results: Posture produced the most significant and consistent effects on all properties—stiffness, tone, and damping (p < 0.0167)—with sitting and standing generally increasing stiffness and tone compared to prone, and sitting showing the highest values. Gender significantly impacted stiffness and tone (p < 0.0167), with males showing higher values. Spinal level also significantly influenced damping, stiffness, and tone (all p < 0.0167), with differences more apparent in females. Significant interactions included the influence of Posture × Gender on tone and damping (p < 0.0167), and of Posture × Action on stiffness and tone (p < 0.0167), alongside a strong three-way interaction for Level × Action × Posture across all outcomes, suggesting posture-related responses depend on activation state and spinal level. Conclusions: LES biomechanical properties are strongly affected by posture and further modulated by muscle activation, gender, and spinal level. These results support the creation of posture- and gender-specific reference values and underscore the value of dynamic, posture-specific myotonometer-based assessments for paraspinal muscle evaluation and clinical planning. Full article

Background: Physical literacy is a multidimensional construct that may be relevant for promoting active lifestyles and healthy development during adolescence. However, the association between perceived physical literacy (PPL) and body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) remains underexplored. Objective: To examine the association between PPL and DXA-derived body composition parameters in Spanish adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 56 adolescents (13.2 ± 1.27 years, 28.6% girls). PPL was assessed using the validated Spanish version of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (S-PPLI). Body composition was measured by DXA. Associations between PPL and body composition outcomes were examined using general linear models, adjusting for sex, age, and device-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. Results: Higher PPL was significantly associated with greater lean body mass (β = 0.81; p = 0.02), lean mass index (β = 0.22; p = 0.01), and fat-free mass (β = 0.85; p = 0.01), as well as with higher body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.24; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Higher PPL is associated with more favorable lean-related body composition outcomes in Spanish adolescents, whereas no associations were found with adiposity or bone parameters. These findings highlight PPL as a relevant correlation of lean body composition during adolescence. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn, and future longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted. Full article