Search Results (11)

Nowadays, the gluten-free diet (GFD) has become much more than the dietary treatment for celiac disease. Due to its presumed beneficial effects even in non-celiac subjects, it has become a new fashion statement and it is promoted by some healthcare professionals, social media and marketing strategists. On the other hand, regardless of a proper medical indication, a GFD may present side effects, such as poor palatability, high costs and socio-psychological adversities. Moreover, it can be an obstacle to correct clinical practice and may induce nutritional deficiency due to a low-quality diet. In addition, a GFD can trigger or exacerbate many irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like disorders in predisposed subjects: reactivity to dietary nickel, the increased consumption of FODMAP-rich foods and histamine intolerance seem to frequently play a relevant role. The possible intersections between high-risk foods in these categories of patients, as well as the possible overlaps among IBS-like disorders during GFD, are described. In conclusion, it is advisable to undergo a careful clinical evaluation by a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist (in some cases, also a psychotherapist) before starting and during a GFD, because both benefits and risks are possible. It is also important to take into account IBS-like disorders that can be exacerbated by a GFD and that are still underestimated today. Full article

Marine macroalgae are organisms rich in bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, and various minerals. Macroalgae are increasingly being added to the human diet precisely because they contain useful compounds that can also be used in the pharmaceutical industry. Previous research describes their addition to meat products, yogurt, bread, and baby food. However, data on the addition of algae to beer have been scarce. The goal of this work was to produce beer with the addition of brown macroalgae (Fucus virsoides) from the Adriatic Sea. In addition, the basic physical–chemical parameters (color, pH, ethanol, extract, and polyphenols) were determined. The most important premise is the transfer of selenium (Se) to beer, since Se is deficient in human food chain. The transfer of different metals, namely, S (sulfur), Mg (magnesium), P (phosphorus), K (potassium), Ca (calcium), Cr (chromium), Mn (manganese), Fe (iron), Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Cu (copper), Zn (zinc), As (arsenic), Se (selenium), Mo (molybdenum), Cd (cadmium), Hg (mercury), and Pb (lead), from algae to beer was determined using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP−MS). The results, however, were not satisfactory regarding metal transfer. In particular, Se was detected in beer, but other metals such as As, Cd, and Pb were not. Alga addition contributed to extract values, and the original extract reached 14.3 °P in wort with alga addition, as opposed to 12.8 °P in the control sample. Such high extract content, however, resulted in beer with low alcohol content, <4% v/v for both beers. This could be explained by the high levels of unfermentable extract. pH values showed statistical difference between samples, meaning that the addition of algae significantly affected the pH value of beer, reducing acidity by almost 5%. Full article

In a balanced diet, regular fish consumption provides positive outcomes for human health. On the other hand, the seafood supply chain faces a significant food safety risk due to the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the present study, to assess the risk for Italian consumers, the concentrations of five PTEs, namely lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury, nickel, and aluminum, were determined in the three most consumed preserved fish in Italy: tuna (Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis), mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). Samples were collected from the national market, and the instrumental analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analyzed PTEs were found in all the species that were investigated. However, after considering the target hazard quotient (THQ) and the hazard index (HI), it was observed that the three fish preserves did not pose any risk of chronic toxicity for the average consumer, even at the highest concentrations detected. However, for significant consumers, mercury detected in tuna samples represented almost 90% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) reported by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), representing a matter of concern for consumers, particularly regarding developmental neurotoxicity, whose HI exceeded 111%. The acute toxicity of nickel was also considered for significant consumers at the highest concentration detected, and the margin of exposure (MOE) calculated was above 7000, much higher than the value of 30 indicated by EFSA. Due to the lack of data on non-professional carcinogenicity or human intake through foods with low cancer risk, this toxicity was not considered in the analysis of PTEs. Full article

Endometriosis is a chronic, painful, estrogen-related inflammatory disease that affects approximately 10% of the female population. Endometriosis has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Nutrition may be involved in the development and severity of endometriosis. The purpose of this paper is to discuss in detail the nutritional recommendations for patients with endometriosis. This article discusses the importance of nutrients such as polyphenols, vitamins C, D and E, PUFAs, and iron in the development of endometriosis. Alternative diets, such as the Mediterranean, anti-inflammatory, vegetarian, low-nickel and low-FODMAP diets, have also been presented in the context of their potential beneficial effects on the course of endometriosis. Full article

Anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) to produce methane is a promising pathway for biomass energy recovery. However, a slow organic biodegradation rate and weak microbial cooperation between fermentation bacteria and methanogens lead to low methane production from WAS. Considering the reuse of conductive materials for the regulation of microbial communities, this study chose three kinds of high-mesh metal materials (nickel, copper, and stainless steel) to promote the anaerobic digestion process. All three kinds of metal mesh could effectively increase methane production, and the highest methane production was increased by 61%, reaching 77.52 mL gVSS⁻¹. The poor biocompatibility of the stainless steel mesh was the least effective in promoting methane production compared to the biocompatible copper mesh and nickel mesh. The microbiological analysis found that the metal mesh with good biocompatibility can effectively induce and promote the enrichment of key microorganisms in the process of synergistic methane production, and the direct electron transfer process (DIET) of microorganisms on the metal surface contributes to the further improvement of the methane production efficiency. Therefore, the application of metal conductive materials in sludge anaerobic fermentation is feasible to achieve the retention of syntrophic bacteria and methanogens in the system. Full article

A low-nickel (Ni) diet, a key treatment for Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS), is difficult in the long term and strongly impacts quality of life (QoL). Hydroponic agriculture could be an alternative to allow the reintroduction of tomato, an essential food in the global diet. In a first interventional, randomized, double-blind, single-center crossover study, we compared the possible effects of eating tomato puree deriving from hydroponic agriculture versus tomato puree from conventional cultivation, collecting data on subjective control of SNAS symptoms, adherence to treatment, and impact on QoL. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) a 12-week low-Ni diet plus 100% Italian Datterino tomato puree deriving from hydroponic technology; (2) a 12-week low-Ni diet plus 100% Italian Datterino tomato puree deriving from conventional cultivation. Then, after a 2-week washout period on the low-Ni diet, each patient crossed over to the other treatment. Patients reported lower symptom scores after eating Datterino tomato puree deriving from hydroponic technology; specifically, bloating (p = 0.0111, p = 0.0060), flatulence (p = 0.0090), abdominal cramps (p = 0.0207), constipation (p = 0.0395), and diarrhea (p = 0.0105). Overall, the adherence rate was high for both treatment arms. At baseline, QoL was poor, but significant improvement was observed after two treatments. In our study, precision medicine and precision agriculture merge in a holistic approach to the challenges of food allergies. Full article

Paraquat (PQ) has high acute toxicity, even at low concentrations. For most people, the main pathway of exposure to PQ is through the diet. Therefore, the development of simple and efficient methods for PQ testing is critical for ensuring food safety. In this study, a new electrochemical detection strategy for paraquat is proposed based on the specific binding of PQ to its nucleic acid aptamer. Firstly, the Zn/Fe bimetallic ZIF derived nanoporous carbon (Zn/Fe-ZIF-NPC) and nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCF-NPs) were sequentially modified onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). NiHCF-NPs served as the signal probes, while Zn/Fe-ZIF-NPC facilitated electron transfer and effectively enhanced the sensing signal of NiHCF-NPs. Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were then electrodeposited on the NiHCF-NPs/Zn/Fe-ZIF-NPC/GCE and then the thiolated aptamer was assembled on the AuNPs/NiHCF-NPs/Zn/Fe-ZIF-NPC/GCE via Au-S bonding. When incubated with PQ, the formation of PQ–aptamer complexes delayed the interfacial electron transport reaction of NiHCF-NPs, which caused a decrease in the current signals. As a result, simple and highly sensitive detection of PQ can be readily achieved by detecting the signal changes. A linear range was obtained from 0.001 to 100 mg/L with a detection limit as low as 0.34 μg/L. Due to the recognition specificity of the aptamer to its target molecule, the proposed method has excellent anti-interference ability. The prepared electrochemical aptasensor was successfully used for PQ assay in lettuce, cabbage and agriculture irrigation water samples with recoveries ranging from 96.20% to 104.02%, demonstrating the validity and practicality of the proposed method for PQ detection in real samples. Full article

Background: Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited patients’ access to hospital care. The aims of this study were to assess dietary nutritional status, quality of life (QoL), and adherence to dietary therapy before and after 30-day personalized diet therapy through telenutrition tools in patients with systemic nickel allergic syndrome (SNAS). Methods: Each SNAS patient underwent the following allergological procedures: (a) face-to-face visit (nutritional visit and QoL evaluation) with prescription of one out of five personalized and balanced dietary plans different for calorie intake, (b) video call visit for dietary evaluation and assessment of adherence to diet after 15 days, and (c) video call visit for dietary and QoL evaluation and assessment of adherence to diet therapy after 30 days (end of study). Results: We enrolled 20 SNAS patients. After 15 and 30 days, we found a statistically significant improvement in anthropometric findings after diet therapy, a significant adherence rate to low-nickel diet (60% and 80%, respectively), and an improvement in QoL with an increase in almost all psychometric indices. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that telenutrition can be a valid tool to monitor nutritional status and adherence to balanced low-Ni diet positively affecting QoL in SNAS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Background and Aim: Nickel (Ni)-rich foods can induce allergic contact mucositis (ACM) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms in predisposed subjects. Ni ACM has a high prevalence (>30%) in the general population and can be diagnosed by a Ni oral mucosa patch test (omPT). Many celiac disease (CD) patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) often show a recrudescence of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, although serological and histological remission has been achieved. Since a GFD often results in higher loads of ingested alimentary Ni (e.g., corn), we hypothesized that it would lead to a consequent intestinal sensitization to Ni in predisposed subjects. We wanted to (1) study Ni ACM prevalence in still symptomatic CD patients on a GFD and (2) study the effects of a low-Ni diet (LNiD) on their recurrent symptoms. Material and Methods: We recruited 102 consecutive CD patients (74 female, 28 male; age range 18–65 years, mean age 42.3 ± 7.4) on a GFD since at least 12 months, in current serological and histological remission (Marsh–Oberhuber type 0–I) who complained of relapsing gastrointestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms. Inclusion criteria: presence of at least three gastrointestinal symptoms with a score ≥5 on the modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaire. Exclusion criteria: IgE-mediated food allergy; history of past or current cancer; inflammatory bowel diseases; infectious diseases including Helicobacter pylori; lactose intolerance. All patients enrolled underwent Ni omPT and followed a LNiD for 3 months. A 24 symptoms questionnaire (GSRS modified according to the Salerno Experts’ Criteria, with 15 gastrointestinal and 9 extraintestinal symptoms) was administered at T0 (free diet), T1 (GFD, CD remission), T2 (recurrence of symptoms despite GFD), and T3 (GFD + LNiD) for comparisons. Comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Twenty patients (all female, age range 23–65 years, mean age 39.1 ± 2.9) out of 102 (19.6%) were finally included. All 20 patients enrolled (100%) showed positive Ni omPT, confirming an Ni ACM diagnosis. A correct GFD (T0 vs. T1) induced the improvement of 19 out of the total 24 (79.2%) symptoms, and 14 out of 24 (58.3%) were statistically significant (p-value < 0.0083 according to Bonferroni correction). Prolonged GFD (T1 vs. T2) revealed the worsening of 20 out of the total 24 (83.3%) symptoms, and 10 out of 24 (41.7%) were statistically significant. LNiD (T2 vs. T3) determined an improvement of 20 out of the total 24 (83.4%) symptoms, and in 10 out of 24 (41.7%) symptoms the improvement was statistically significant. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the recrudescence of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms observed in CD subjects during GFD may be due to the increase in alimentary Ni intake, once gluten contamination and persisting villous atrophy are excluded. Ni overload can induce Ni ACM, which can be diagnosed by a specific Ni omPT. Improvement of symptoms occurs after a proper LNiD. These encouraging data should be confirmed with larger studies. Full article

Background: Nickel (Ni) oral consumption may elicit systemic reactions in patients affected by systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS), including gastrointestinal symptoms, which in turn are associated with gut dysbiosis. We evaluated the effects of a low-Ni diet alone or in combination with the oral consumption of appropriate probiotics on Ni-sensitivity and urinary dysbiosis markers in SNAS patients. Methods: n = 51 patients with SNAS and concomitant intestinal dysbiosis were enrolled in the study. According to the urinary indican/skatole levels, quantified through a colorimetric and a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, respectively, patients were assigned to a dysbiosis type/grade and followed a low-Ni diet for three months. Along with the diet, 22 patients also consumed probiotics based on the dysbiosis type. In particular, a Lactobacilli- or Bifidobacteria-containing formulation was administered to patients with fermentative or putrefactive dysbiosis, respectively, while a broad-spectrum probiotic formulation containing both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria was administered to patients with mixed dysbiosis. After three months, patients were invited to repeat the Ni-stimulation and the dysbiosis tests. Results: The fermentative dysbiosis group represented the largest group followed by the mixed dysbiosis group, while only two patients had putrefactive dysbiosis. Overall, at three months of treatment in general (diet alone with or without probiotics), the Ni-sensitivity and dysbiosis levels were strongly ameliorated. The association of a low-Ni diet with a specific probiotic oral supplementation was significantly more effective in decreasing dysbiosis levels or reaching eubiosis than with diet alone. Conclusion: Our results, while confirming the benefits of a low-Ni diet in SNAS patients, strongly support that appropriate adjuvant treatment with probiotics significantly helps to improve intestinal dysbiosis or restore a healthy microbiota. Full article

Alimentary nickel (Ni) may result in allergic contact mucositis (ACM), whose prevalence is >30% and may present with IBS-like and extra-intestinal symptoms. These symptoms are also frequent in endometriosis, and Ni allergic contact dermatitis has already been observed in endometriosis. Therefore, intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms in endometriosis may depend on a Ni ACM, and a low-Ni diet could improve symptoms. We studied the prevalence of Ni ACM in endometriosis and focused on the effects of a low-Ni diet on gastrointestinal, extra-intestinal, and gynecological symptoms. We recruited 84 women with endometriosis, symptomatic for gastrointestinal disorders. Thirty-one out of 84 patients completed the study. They underwent Ni oral mucosa patch test (omPT), questionnaire for intestinal/extra-intestinal/gynecological symptoms, and a low-Ni diet. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline (T0) and after three months (T1). Twenty-eight out 31 (90.3%) patients showed Ni omPT positive results, with Ni ACM diagnosis, whereas three out of 31 (9.7%) patients showed negative Ni omPT. After three months of low-Ni diet, all gastrointestinal, extra-intestinal and gynecological symptoms showed a statistically significant reduction. Ni ACM has a high prevalence in endometriosis and a low-Ni diet may be recommended in this condition to reduce gastrointestinal, extra-intestinal and gynecological symptoms. Full article