Search Results (97)

Sweet sensing is a fundamental sensory experience that plays a critical role not only in food preference, reward and dietary behaviour but also in glucose metabolism. Sweet taste receptors (STRs), composed of a heterodimer of taste receptor type 1 member 2 (T1R2) and member 3 (T1R3), are now recognised as being widely distributed throughout the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. Preclinical studies suggest these receptors are central to nutrient and glucose sensing, detecting energy availability and triggering metabolic and behavioural responses to maintain energy balance. Both internal and external factors tightly regulate their signalling pathways, and dysfunction within these systems may contribute to the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has provided valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying sweet sensing by mapping brain responses to both lingual/oral and gastrointestinal sweet stimuli. This review highlights key findings from fMRI studies and explores how these neural responses are modulated by metabolic state and individual characteristics such as body mass index, habitual intake and metabolic health. By integrating current evidence, this review advances our understanding of the complex interplay between sweet sensing, brain responses, and health and identifies key gaps and directions for future research in nutritional neuroscience. Full article

The 8th revised edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle was released in 2016, with the recommendations provided in the publication being used extensively in both research and production settings. In the context of research needs identified in that publication, our objective was to review research on beef cattle nutrient requirements published since 2016 and identify knowledge gaps that should be addressed. Relative to energy requirements, the effects of environmental temperature and grazing activity, along with stress and disease, on maintenance requirements are inadequately characterized or defined. In addition, relationships between retained energy and protein should be more fully elucidated, and additional guidance on body weight at a target compositional endpoint is needed. Areas of continuing concern include accurately and precisely predicting microbial protein supply, predicting N recycling, and the metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance. Mineral and vitamin requirements are often challenging because of a lack of consistency in models used to determine requirements and potential effects of unique production settings on requirements. Based on recent research with feedlot cattle, zinc and chromium requirements should be examined more closely. Because predictions of dry matter intake are critical to supplying nutrients, additional development of prediction equations is needed, especially for beef cows and grazing beef cattle in general. Given considerable research in prediction of greenhouse gases, reevaluation of 2016 recommendations is warranted, along with a need for the updating of equations to predict excretions of N and P. Composition of feeds, particularly byproducts from ethanol production or other industrial streams, represents a knowledge gap, with obtaining reliable energy values of these feeds being a notable challenge. Nutritional models provide the means to integrate nutrient requirement recommendations into practice, and moving towards mechanistic models that take advantage of artificial intelligence and precision livestock farming technologies will be critical to developing future modeling systems. Full article

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease affecting global health. Its increasing prevalence, particularly among aging populations, remains a leading cause of disability. Besides conventional pharmacological and surgical treatments, dietary interventions are promising strategies to alleviate OA symptoms and progression. Unfortunately, scientific evidence does not support many commonly used, misleading ideas about nutrition in knee OA. Recent data highlight the detrimental effects of high-carbohydrate and high-fat diets, particularly those rich in refined sugars and saturated fats, which exacerbate systemic inflammation and contribute to cartilage degradation. Conversely, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and dietary fiber have shown anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties. A Mediterranean diet rich in these nutrients effectively prevents the development of OA and its comorbidities, including obesity and cardiovascular disease. The role of supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and vitamin D, is questioned due to the lack of evidence supporting their efficacy in treating knee OA. Despite dietary recommendations published annually, there is still a need to debunk many myths that are not confirmed by current evidence. The significant research gaps require more extensive, controlled studies to establish evidence-based dietary recommendations (particularly carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and antioxidant intake). This comprehensive review provides insight into the various indications for the impact of nutrition on knee OA, focusing on key nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, antioxidants, and selected micronutrients, providing the clinician with ready-to-implement nutritional modifications. Such an analysis may help clinicians and patients incorporate dietary strategies into treating knee OA, emphasizing the need for personalized, sustainable approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Food allergies represent a growing public health challenge, showing an alarming increase in prevalence over the past few decades. Children with multiple food allergies face not only allergic reaction risks but also nutritional gaps, affecting diet, nutrition, and growth. This review summarizes the impact on nutrient intake and growth, highlighting key challenges and strategies to improve clinical care. Methods: The literature search was conducted using a structured search strategy in PubMed up to 31 January, using MeSH terms with Boolean operators (AND, OR) to combine searches (food hypersensitivity AND growth, food hypersensitivity AND nutrition, food hypersensitivity AND micronutrient, food hypersensitivity AND vitamin, food hypersensitivity AND trace element, and soy hypersensitivity) for human studies meeting pre-defined PICOS criteria that simultaneously assessed the reproducibility and validity. Results: Nearly 2000 studies were identified in the literature search, with 31 articles selected for full-text evaluation and 11 articles included in the final review. Dietary restrictions imposed by the need to avoid multiple allergens can lead to a reduced intake of essential nutrients, particularly proteins, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Children with multiple FAs appear to be at an increased risk of impaired growth, as evidenced by the lower height-for-age, weight-for-age, head-circumference, and weight-for-length Z-scores compared to non-allergic peers. Conclusions: Evidence from the studies reviewed suggests that children with multiple FAs may be at increased risk for growth impairments and nutritional inadequacies, especially where dietary management does not adequately compensate for nutrient losses, and highlights that tailored dietary counseling is crucial. Full article

Background/Objectives: In 1998 choline was identified as an essential nutrient by the United States Institute of Medicine. Choline is known primarily for its roles in neurotransmitter production, cell membrane formation, and methyl and lipid metabolism. Since this discovery the relevance of choline to maternal, fetal, and infant health has been studied intensively. This narrative review provides a coherent update of the latest evidence for field clinicians and healthcare professionals. Methods: A PubMed/ScienceDirect search for human clinical evidence restricted to meta-analysis and systematic/review publications from the last 10 years was undertaken. Results: Meta-analysis and review publications highlight the importance of choline in supporting maternal health and fetal development during pregnancy by showing promising roles for choline in relation to neurological development, brain and liver function, reduced neural tube defect risk, and adverse pregnancy outcome risk. However, there are clear present-day gaps between habitual choline intakes and intake recommendations with the majority of pregnant and lactating women not meeting adequate intake recommendations for choline. This gap is anticipated to widen given transitions towards plant-based diets which tend to be lower in choline. Conclusions: Alongside folic acid recommendations, choline supplementation should be considered in dietary recommendations by clinicians during crucial life stages such as pregnancy and lactation when physiological demands for this critical nutrient substantially increase. Full article

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that humans cannot synthesize, making its intake crucial for health. Discovered nearly a century ago, vitamin C is widely recognized for its ability to prevent scurvy and has become one of the most commonly used supplements. Beyond its antioxidant activity, vitamin C is pivotal in regulating lipid metabolism, promoting angiogenesis, enhancing collagen synthesis, modulating remodeling, and stabilizing the extracellular matrix. While preclinical studies have shown promising results, clinical trials have yielded inconsistent findings, due to suboptimal study design, results misinterpretation, and misleading conclusions. This review provides a holistic overview of existing evidence on the pleiotropic role of vitamin C in cardiovascular diseases, identifying both the strengths and limitations of current research and highlighting gaps in understandings in vitamin C’s underlying mechanisms. By integrating molecular insights with clinical data and evaluating the pleiotropic role of vitamin C in cardiovascular disease management and prevention, this review aims to guide future research toward personalized, evidence-based therapeutic strategies in clinical practice. Full article

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complication that affects 20% of pregnancies worldwide. It is associated with adverse short- and long-term cardiometabolic outcomes for both mother and infant. Effective management of GDM involves lifestyle modifications, including medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and physical activity (PA), with the addition of insulin or metformin if glycaemic control remains inadequate. However, substantial gaps persist in the determination of optimal medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for women with GDM. Challenges in MNT include individual variation in glucose tolerance and changing maternal physiology and dietary requirements during pregnancy. Achieving optimal glycaemic control depends on careful macronutrient balance, particularly the distribution and quality of carbohydrate intake and sufficient protein and fat intake. Additionally, micronutrient deficiencies, such as inadequate vitamin D, calcium, and essential minerals, may exacerbate oxidative stress, inflammation, and glycaemic dysregulation, further impacting foetal growth and development. Cultural beliefs and dietary practices among pregnant women can also hinder adherence to recommended nutritional guidelines. Conditions like hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) affect ~1% to 2% of pregnant women can result in unintended energy and nutrient deficits. This special issue explores the current evidence and major barriers to optimising dietary therapy for women with GDM. It also identifies future research priorities to advance clinical practice, improve maternal and foetal outcomes, and address gaps in personalised nutrition interventions. Full article

Milk is the principal nutrient of newborn humans and a diagnostic feature of the order Mammalia. Its release is elicited as a reflex by infant sucking under the control of the hormone oxytocin. While it is recognized that breast milk optimally promotes infant longitudinal growth and development, this review explores facts and controversies regarding the extent to which the milks of several dairy animals and infant formula milk (IF) approximate special properties and bioactivities of breast milk. It also provides evidence that early exposure to undernutrition during the very rapid fetal and early infancy growth predominantly and permanently stunts longitudinal growth trajectory in both animals and humans and is often followed in later life by obesity and metabolic dysfunction, and sometimes also by precocious timing of sexual maturation. There is a knowledge gap as to whether there may be additional critical periods of nutritional vulnerability in human development, which is characterized by a relatively prolonged period of slow childhood growth bracketed by the rapid fetal–neonatal and pubertal growth spurts. It is also unclear whether any quantitative differences in caloric intake and supply during neonatal period may influence developmental fatness programming. A further knowledge gap exists regarding the role of infant microbiome composition and development in the possible epigenetic programming of longitudinal growth or fatness in later life. Extending the research of early developmental programming to the entire period of human growth from conception to the end of puberty, examining infant caloric intake and supply as possible factors modulating the epigenetic programming in favor of obesity, and examining the role of infant gut microbiome in developing infant’s capacity to process nutrients may provide a better understanding of the interaction between critical nutritional influences in the control of human longitudinal growth and later-life obesity. Full article

Background/Objective: Inadequate nutrient intake in childhood can have lasting detrimental developmental and health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify key nutrient intake gaps among US children. Method: Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2016 data, we compared nutrient intakes against dietary reference intakes (DRIs). Participants were grouped by age (in years): 0–0.5, 0.6–1, 1–4, 5–8, 9–14, and 15–19. Gender differences were assessed in the two older groups. Results: Linoleic acid, linolenic acid, vitamin D, and choline were the most consumed at lesser than DRIs in all age groups. Additionally, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, iron, and calcium were consumed at lesser than DRIs in 1–19 year olds. They also had an inadequate intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Children with nutrient intake gaps increased from infancy and toddlerhood to school-age period, with the inflection point at 5–8 years of age when parents have limited control on children’s nutrient intake. Above 9 years of age, females had greater nutrient intake gaps than males. Females in the 15–19-year-old segment especially had higher nutrient intake gaps (p < 0.05) for vitamin D, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B12, folate, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium compared to males. Selected laboratory biomarkers were used to verify the nutrient intake data. Conclusions: Key nutrient intake gaps were identified among different age groups of children in the US, which may have implications for future dietary interventions and target food formulations to help narrow these gaps. Full article

Background/Objective: Adequate nutrition is essential for patient recovery and overall health, yet hospital food services often fail to meet dietary guidelines. This study aimed to catch the gap between the dietary recommendation and the real intake. Methods: A total of 300 inpatients (100 per hospital type) were included in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted over two months. Nutritional intake was measured via weighed food records and actual intake was analyzed to calculate actual nutrient intake. Data were evaluated against dietary reference intakes (DRIs) and analyzed statistically via SPSS. One-way ANOVA and paired-sample t tests were used to identify significant differences between hospital categories and meal components. Results: The results revealed that private hospitals provided energy and macronutrient intakes closer to the recommended levels, with the total energy intake (2098.54 ± 97.33 kcal) exceeding the recommended level. Governmental and educational hospitals fell short, providing 1118.59 ± 68.21 kcal and 1285.91 ± 78.42 kcal, respectively. All hospital types served inadequate fiber, but private hospitals (23.18 ± 1.14 g) were closer to the recommendations. Micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent, particularly for vitamin D, vitamin E, and iron, across all hospital types. Conclusions: Nutritional intake varies significantly across Jordanian hospital categories, with private hospitals performing better than governmental and educational facilities do. Addressing these disparities through enhanced meal planning and monitoring is essential to improve patient health outcomes and reduce the risk of malnutrition. Full article

Considering the fact that even today in the 21st century, diet is the basis of the treatment in phenylketonuria (PKU), this review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of existing current data from the last 15 years on dietary treatment and its impact on nutritional status and quality of life to identify gaps in knowledge and offer insights into future directions for optimizing nutritional care in PKU. Dietary treatment for PKU has evolved over the years, and in order to optimize and standardize the care, European PKU experts developed guidelines useful for both professionals and patients and their parents. The current literature underscores the essential role of diet in both managing PKU and preventing obesity, but malnutrition in these children is a complex issue that necessitates a multifaceted approach. The literature emphasizes the crucial role of dietary adherence in managing PKU. Advancements in therapy offer the potential to reduce the challenges associated with dietary phenylalanine (Phe) restrictions. Maintaining adequate levels of essential nutrients in children with PKU and monitoring trace element intake and micronutrient levels are vital for preventing deficiencies and ensuring optimal growth and development. Overall, the literature highlights the importance of personalized treatment strategies. Conclusions. Effective management of PKU necessitates strict dietary control and personalized treatment to maintain optimal blood Phe levels. Continuous monito-ring, nutritional education, and adherence to dietary recommendations are critical components in achieving the best patient outcomes. Future studies should also explore innovative therapeutic modalities, including gene therapy and novel dietary strategies that consider the gut–brain axis, to enhance the quality of life and mental health for individuals with PKU. Full article

Background/Objectives: Numerous studies have highlighted the nutritional imbalances that are commonly observed in children and adolescents diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) who follow a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, the development and timeline of these nutritional deficiencies remain unclear. The aim of the present study is to investigate the short-term (≥6 months to <12 months) and long-term (≥12 months) association between adherence to a GFD and nutrient intake as well as micronutrient blood status in children and adolescents aged from 0 to 18 years with CD. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for observational studies published up to June 2024. Results: A total of 15 studies (case–control, cross-sectional, and prospective studies) with 2004 children and adolescents were included. Their quality was assessed using the ROBINS-E tool. Despite the lack of high-quality data and the heterogeneity of the methods used in the included studies, the results of the cross-sectional/case–control studies show that, in the short term, children and adolescents with CD consumed excessive amounts of protein and carbohydrates compared to controls. After long-term adherence to a GFD, significant changes in the diets of children and adolescents with CD persisted. Fat intake was higher, while protein intake remained excessive compared to controls. Based on prospective studies, vitamin C and iodine intake improved both in the short and long term after adherence to a GFD. However, most other nutrients either remain inadequate or continue to decline, indicating that it is difficult to meet nutrient requirements despite dietary adjustments. Conclusions: Gaps in adherence to dietary recommendations appear to be widespread in children and adolescents with CD, emphasizing the need for improved diet quality and regular monitoring. Full article

Background: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is witnessing a continuous rise in the incidence of breast cancer (BC). This region is characterized by distinct cultural and lifestyle habits. Despite the importance of diet as a modifiable risk factor for BC, its role in the development of BC within the MENA context has not been extensively studied. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize existing evidence regarding the effect of different dietary factors on BC risk among women from this region. Methods: We systematically reviewed the scientific literature for observational studies that examined the association between specific dietary factors and the risk of BC in MENA, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Our comprehensive search included databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, identified a total of 18,085 records, of which 65 met our inclusion criteria and were assessed for quality using the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tool. Results: The findings of the 65 included studies were categorized into food groups, nutrients, and dietary patterns. Studies in the MENA region have consistently shown that the consumption of fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood, and black tea are associated with a reduced BC risk. In contrast, the intake of milk and white bread is linked to an increased risk. Specific dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, a healthy plant-based diet, dietary antioxidant index, and overall healthy dietary patterns have shown a negative association with BC risk. Conversely, the dietary insulin index and load, dietary glycemic index, dietary inflammatory index, and unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with an increased risk of BC. For the remaining dietary factors, research was too limited or inconsistent to draw conclusions. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the significant role of dietary factors in modulating BC risk among women in the MENA region, an area that faces a notable gap in research on this topic. Further studies are essential to deepen our understanding and develop targeted dietary recommendations for BC prevention in this population. Full article

Background and Objectives: Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for the health, growth, and athletic performance of student-athletes. Adequate energy availability and sufficient intake of macro- and micronutrients support adolescent development, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and reduce the risk of disordered eating. These challenges are particularly relevant to student-athletes, who are vulnerable to nutrition misinformation and often exhibit limited nutrition knowledge. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the ‘Eat 2 Win’ nutrition education pilot program for high school student-athletes and assess changes in nutrition knowledge using the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire—Adolescents (NSKQ-a). Methods: Fifty-five high school student-athletes (14.1 ± 2.2 years; 53% male, 47% female) from the Bremer State High School Sports Academy participated in the ‘Eat 2 Win’ program. The curriculum was tailored to align with the nutritional needs of Australian high school student-athletes and included three interactive workshops on sports nutrition concepts, practical cooking classes, and online learning modules. Sessions were delivered onsite at the school over three consecutive weeks, once per week. Twenty-four participants (43.6%) completed all program components. Results: The program was feasible and well-accepted by participants. Nutrition knowledge, assessed in 16 participants using the NSKQ-a, revealing an overall knowledge increase of 9.7%, with sub-category improvements ranging from 3.1% to 34.4%. Conclusions: The ‘Eat 2 Win’ pilot program improved student-athletes’ nutrition knowledge, particularly in macronutrients and hydration. Participant feedback highlighted enjoyment and positive impacts. Targeted nutrition education programs like ‘Eat 2 Win’ can empower student-athletes to make informed dietary choices by addressing knowledge gaps, debunking nutrition myths, and fostering positive dietary behaviours. Future programs should emphasize energy intake, practical skills, and accessible, actionable information. Full article

This narrative review examines the dynamic interplay between carbohydrate intake and diabetes medications, highlighting their combined molecular and clinical effects on glycemic control. Carbohydrates, a primary energy source, significantly influence postprandial glucose regulation and necessitate careful coordination with pharmacological therapies, including insulin, metformin, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Low-glycemic-index (GI) foods enhance insulin sensitivity, stabilize glycemic variability, and optimize medication efficacy, while high-GI foods exacerbate glycemic excursions and insulin resistance. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers real-time insights to tailor dietary and pharmacological interventions, improving glycemic outcomes and reducing complications. Despite advancements, gaps persist in understanding nutrient–drug interactions, particularly with emerging antidiabetic agents. This review underscores the need for integrating carbohydrate-focused dietary strategies with pharmacotherapy to enhance diabetes management. Future research should prioritize clinical trials leveraging CGM technology to explore how glycemic index, glycemic load, and carbohydrate quality interact with newer diabetes medications. Such studies can refine evidence-based recommendations, support individualized care plans, and improve long-term outcomes. Addressing systemic barriers, such as limited access to dietitians and CGM technology in underserved regions, is critical for equitable care. Expanding the roles of community health workers and training healthcare providers in basic nutrition counseling can bridge gaps, promoting sustainable and inclusive diabetes management strategies. These efforts are essential for advancing personalized, effective, and equitable care for individuals with diabetes. Full article