Search Results (4,246)

As the direct biosynthetic precursor of creatine, guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) exerts a pivotal regulatory role in energy homeostasis and protein metabolism. Rabbit meat has garnered increasing global recognition as a healthy food source, characterized by its outstanding high-protein and low-fat nutritional profile. Accordingly, the optimization of rabbit meat quality has attracted growing attention from both consumers and animal production practitioners. In the present study, we evaluated the impacts of dietary GAA supplementation on meat quality traits, in vivo antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber characteristics, and fatty acid metabolism in New Zealand white rabbits. A total of 960 male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to two age groups: 40-day-old group and 60-day-old group (40 ± 2 days, 1.19 ± 0.09 kg; 60 ± 2 days, 1.82 ± 0.15 kg). Within each age group, rabbits were randomly allocated to a control diet or a diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg GAA (CON-40, GAA-40, CON-60, GAA-60). After a 45-day feeding period, two-way ANOVA revealed that GAA supplementation significantly reduced shear force (p < 0.01, diet main effect) and muscle fiber density (p < 0.01, diet main effect), with an age-dependent effect on shear force (age × diet interaction, p < 0.05). Moreover, GAA enhanced systemic antioxidant capacity, as indicated by increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05), while no significant effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected under the current experimental conditions. GAA also regulated the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes (FAS, HSL, ACC) in intramuscular and perirenal fat, indicating its regulatory effect on fatty acid metabolism. In conclusion, dietary GAA supplementation improves rabbit meat tenderness and antioxidant capacity, with no negative effects on growth performance. These findings confirm that GAA has the potential to serve as a nutritional strategy to improve rabbit meat quality, supporting the development of rabbit meat as a functional food for human consumption. Full article

The increasing prevalence of celiac disease underscores the need to develop nutritionally balanced, gluten-free snacks based on local raw materials. This study aimed to develop extruded gluten-free snacks based on corn, rice, buckwheat, and chickpea flours, enriched with a 5% blend of berry powders (sea buckthorn, blackcurrant, cranberry), and to evaluate their physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties. Snacks were produced via high-temperature short-time extrusion (120–160 °C). The results demonstrated that chickpea/corn formulations exhibited the highest initial protein content (13.87%), which remained robust after berry addition (9.14%), outperforming the starchy corn/rice control (7.61%). Enrichment significantly enhanced the functional profile: water-soluble antioxidants increased from 0.039 to 0.60–0.71 mg/g, and DPPH radical scavenging activity reached up to 61.8 ± 2.4%. Furthermore, the enriched snacks exhibited high retention of thermolabile compounds, including Vitamin C (up to 18.91 mg/100 g). Sensory evaluation confirmed excellent organoleptic acceptability without compromising texture. These findings quantitatively demonstrate that combining legume flours with berry powders enables the production of gluten-free extruded snacks with improved protein density, superior antioxidant potential, and moderate energy value (322–330 kcal/100 g), offering a functional alternative for specific dietary needs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity remains a global health concern, and personalized prevention strategies that consider genetic predispositions can enhance existing strategies. Research suggests that variation in circadian rhythm-related genes, or clock genes, may influence obesity risk, in part through effects on dietary behaviour. However, associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in clock genes and dietary outcomes remain understudied, particularly in children. Therefore, we investigated cross-sectional associations between clock gene SNPs and dietary outcomes using baseline data from 226 adults (138 females, 88 males) aged 26–50 y and 168 children (90 females, 78 males) aged 2–6 y from the Guelph Family Health Study. Methods: DNA was extracted from saliva and genotyped using the Illumina Global Diversity Array, and dietary intake was assessed using the Automated Self-Administered 24 h Dietary Assessment Tool. Nine SNPs representing 8 clock genes were selected based on prior associations with dietary and obesity-related outcomes. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to test associations, adjusted for multiple comparisons with the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) procedure. Results: Ten nominal associations were identified (p < 0.05), and 2 remained significant after FDR correction (P_adj < 0.05); among children, rs2314339-T (NR1D1) was associated with a lower percentage of energy from protein (β = −2.4%, P_adj = 0.003) and rs11605924-A (CRY2) with higher energy intake (β = 118.0 kcal, P_adj = 0.044). Conclusions: Findings suggest that clock gene SNPs may influence dietary habits from early childhood. Future longitudinal and functional studies are needed to clarify whether these variants can inform precision nutrition strategies for obesity prevention. Full article

Critically ill obese patients with gynecological cancer represent a high-risk population with complex nutritional needs. Although excess adiposity may suggest adequate energy reserves, it often conceals sarcopenia, micronutrient deficiencies, and functional malnutrition, contributing to impaired wound healing, immune dysfunction, prolonged mechanical ventilation, increased susceptibility to infections, and adverse oncologic outcomes. Obesity-associated inflammation, insulin resistance, and tumor-driven catabolism further exacerbate metabolic stress and complicate nutritional management in the intensive care setting. Accurate nutritional assessment requires a multimodal approach incorporating body composition analysis, functional measures, and laboratory parameters, as conventional indices such as body mass index may underestimate nutritional risk. Nutritional support should be individualized and may include early enteral nutrition to preserve gut integrity, supplemental or total parenteral nutrition when gastrointestinal function is compromised, high-protein regimens, and targeted micronutrient replacement. Immunonutrition, including arginine, glutamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides, has emerged as a promising strategy to modulate inflammation, enhance immune function, and support tissue repair. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, nutritional assessment, enteral and parenteral nutrition, and immunonutrition in obese critically ill patients with gynecological cancer. It highlights the challenges associated with sarcopenic obesity and hidden malnutrition while providing a clinically relevant overview for intensivists, gynecologic oncologists, surgeons, and nutrition specialists. Early recognition of nutritional risk and implementation of individualized multimodal nutritional strategies may improve recovery and clinical outcomes. However, high-quality ICU-specific studies remain limited, and further prospective research is needed to establish evidence-based nutritional protocols and evaluate their impact on survival, treatment tolerance, and quality of life in this vulnerable population. Full article

Leptin (LEP) is an adipocyte-derived cytokine that integrates nutritional status, metabolism, and reproduction in cattle, with particular relevance for modern high-producing dairy cows. In ruminants, LEP and its receptors are widely expressed in metabolic and reproductive tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, uterus, and placenta, where LEP modulates energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, and local tissue responses. Changes in circulating LEP concentrations during the transition period reflect changes in body fat reserve, insulin and GH-IGF-1 dynamics, thyroid hormones, and inflammation and contribute to coordinated metabolic adaptations supporting the onset of lactation. At the reproductive level, LEP influences the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, affects the pulsatility of luteinizing hormone (LH) under nutritional stress, and exerts direct effects on ovarian steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte competence, embryo development, and uterine immune function. New evidence also links LEP profiles to major peripartum disorders, including subclinical ketosis, insulin resistance, postpartum ovarian inactivity, and uterine inflammatory diseases, and emphasises its potential as part of a panel evaluating the risk of metabolic and reproductive disorders. Furthermore, polymorphisms within the bovine LEP gene and its signalling network have been associated with milk production, feed efficiency, body condition, and fertility traits, suggesting opportunities to incorporate markers into genomic selection schemes aimed at improving robustness and reproductive performance. This review summarises current knowledge on LEP biology in cattle, with an emphasis on dairy cows, and discusses perspectives on translating this information into practical tools for nutritional management, health monitoring, and genetic improvement in bovine production systems. Full article

Background: Malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition and overnutrition, is a common complication in children with cancer and is associated with impaired treatment tolerance, increased infection risk, altered pharmacokinetics, reduced quality of life, and poorer survival outcomes. Despite its importance, nutritional management in pediatric oncology lacks a unified, systematically organized clinical framework applicable to the full trajectory of the disease. Objective: This study aimed to develop expert consensus recommendations for nutritional intervention in pediatric oncology patients aged 4 to 18 years. Methods: A modified electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) process was conducted with a multidisciplinary expert panel of 22 specialists, including pediatric oncologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, clinical nutrition specialists, radiotherapy specialists, and pediatric surgeons. Statements were rated on a 9-point Likert scale across two anonymous rounds, with consensus predefined as ≥80% agreement. Results: Forty-one consensus recommendations were formulated across nine domains: nutritional screening and assessment, energy and protein requirements, micronutrient supplementation, physical activity, nutritional support escalation, refeeding syndrome prevention, treatment-specific management, survivorship, and palliative care. All recommendations achieved the predefined consensus threshold. Conclusions: This Delphi consensus provides a structured, multidisciplinary, and clinically actionable framework for nutritional management across the full trajectory of childhood cancer and is intended to reduce institutional variability and improve patient outcomes. Full article

Sports nutrition products are increasingly expected to deliver bioactive compounds that aid in recovery, reduce fatigue, and support physiological regulation, going beyond merely providing energy and nutrients. However, many bioactive compounds face challenges such as poor aqueous dispersibility, limited stability, low bioaccessibility, or inefficient absorption, which hinder their practical use in real food products. This review critically examines food-grade, gel-based delivery systems for bioactive compounds in sports nutrition from a design-driven perspective. It focuses on hydrogels, microgels, emulsion gels, protein gel matrices, and multicomponent gel architectures that prioritize structural stability, digestion-triggered responsiveness, and compatibility with food. Key design principles are discussed, including the need to maintain stability during processing and storage, balance protection with release, and tailor delivery structures to sports-specific constraints such as gastrointestinal tolerance, osmotic load, nutrient timing, and changes in digestion related to exercise. The review also analyzes the effectiveness of gel-based and hybrid systems in liquid, solid, and semi-solid sports nutrition products, emphasizing how the product format and consumption scenario can influence delivery performance. A design decision framework is proposed to align bioactive properties, food format, target release profile, and exercise-stage requirements with appropriate delivery architectures. Current challenges are also addressed, including difficulties in predicting structure–function relationships, limited robustness during scale-up processes, and inadequate functional evaluation. Overall, gel-based food delivery systems provide a promising solution for improving the stability, release behavior, and practical functionality of bioactives in sports nutrition. Full article

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is prevalent in hospitalized geriatric and neurological populations and constitutes a major driver of disease-related malnutrition. Conventional texture-modified diets frequently rely on diluting solid foods with liquid agents to achieve safe swallowing consistency, a process that reduces caloric and protein density per gram and creates a so-called volume paradox, whereby large meal volumes deliver inadequate nutrients. This retrospective observational study, conducted at the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS in Rome, compared nutritional intake in 208 hospitalized dysphagic adults receiving either a traditional homogenized standard diet (THSD; n = 58) or a density-enriched dysphagia-prepared diet (DPD; n = 150). Following propensity-score matching, total daily energy intake was significantly higher with the DPD compared to the THSD (1024 ± 307 kcal vs. 523 ± 161 kcal; p < 0.0001), as was total protein intake (37.3 ± 12.9 g vs. 26.2 ± 12.7 g; p < 0.0001). Clinically meaningful differences were observed across all meal components, including a more than twofold advantage in breakfast protein content (6.6 ± 1.7 g vs. 3.0 ± 1.5 g). Despite these improvements, total energy and protein intake remained below estimated daily requirements in both groups, highlighting the need for systematic nutritional monitoring alongside catering optimization. These findings support density-enrichment as a practical and safe strategy for improving nutritional adequacy in dysphagic inpatients, with implications for reducing reliance on oral nutritional supplements and mitigating disease-related malnutrition in clinical settings. Full article

As global trends continue to embrace environmentally friendly, plant-based diets, food systems that are nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, and economically viable in addressing protein–energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and food insecurity have increased. Although cereal–legume combinations are widely recognised to be highly nutritious, most studies have focused primarily on enhancing compositional efficiency and have overlooked their interactions with the food matrix and the processing-mediated transformations they undergo. This review combines recent findings examining cereal–legume food matrices as functional systems, with particular emphasis on nutritional complementarity, bioactive interactions, processing-induced modifications, and sensory acceptability. Studies indicate that cereals and legumes provide complementary amino acid profiles, dietary fibre, essential micronutrients, and phytochemicals within these composite matrices that influence digestibility, bioavailability, antioxidant activity, and glycaemic response. Processing methods, including fermentation, germination, roasting, and extrusion, modulate these interactions by releasing bound phenolics, reducing antinutritional factors, and altering starch–protein–phenolic complexes, thereby affecting health functionality and sensory quality. However, inadequately optimised processing can affect nutrient retention and consumer acceptability. Overall, this review emphasises the relevance of integrating food matrix science and processing optimisation for the production of functional, acceptable, and sustainable cereal–legume foods that promote product innovation, public health improvement, and the utilisation of underutilised crops for sustainable food systems. Full article

Background: Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)-derived pollen, pollen-containing anther, bee pollen, and honey are natural health products with both nutritional and functional value. Bee processing plays a key role in the dynamic transformation process of bee product formation. Existing research has mostly focused on static analyses of single product types and has not systematically elucidated the hierarchical differences in metabolites from plant pollen to bee products, the remodeling mechanism during bee processing, or the impact of geographical origin and agricultural practices on product metabolic profiles. These research gaps limit the precise development and quality control of rapeseed-derived bee products. Methods: This study employed UPLC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics to analyze differential metabolites among rapeseed pollen, pollen-containing anther, bee pollen, and honey and elucidated functional differences via KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Results: A total of 1308 metabolites were identified, primarily consisting of active components such as flavonoids and terpenoids. Origin-related differences caused by agricultural practices and companion plants were significant in raw pollen but were markedly attenuated by bee processing. Bee pollen showed increased levels of phospholipids and sugars along with reduced toxic substances, forming a safer and more balanced nutritional profile, making it suitable as a nutritional supplement. Honey was highly enriched in monosaccharides and disaccharides, combining flavor with functionality, and is suitable for the development of energy foods. Conclusions: Bee processing actively reshapes the pollen metabolome, attenuates geographical origin differences in raw materials, and enhances the safety and nutritional balance of bee products. Full article

Background: Nutritional therapy is central in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cancer, yet these conditions impose partially conflicting requirements. The 2024 KDIGO guideline recommends a controlled protein intake (~0.8 g/kg/day) to reduce metabolic burden in non-dialysis CKD patients, whereas the ESPEN (European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) guidelines support higher protein intake (≥1.0–1.5 g/kg/day) to prevent cancer-related malnutrition. Evidence guiding patients affected by both conditions is limited. We evaluated the effects of a Mediterranean-like controlled protein diet in onconephrological patients compared with CKD controls. Methods: In this retrospective study, 358 CKD patients (183 onconephrological, 175 controls) were followed at a tertiary center (2017–2024). Patients received a protein-controlled diet (0.6–1.0 g/kg/day) tailored to comorbidities and nutritional status. Nutritional assessment included bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry. Renal function was evaluated using creatinine and cystatin C, and measured GFR by iohexol clearance at baseline and 12 months. Results: Baseline body composition was comparable between groups. After intervention, serum urea significantly decreased in both groups, without a decline in measured or estimated GFR. Fat mass and central adiposity indices were reduced, while lean mass and phase angle remained stable. No evidence of protein–energy wasting or catabolic activation emerged. Longitudinal analyses showed no significant time × cancer interaction for renal function or most bioimpedance-derived body composition parameters. However, at extended follow-up, arm circumference and tricipital skinfold thickness showed significant time × cancer interactions, suggesting different longer-term peripheral anthropometric trajectories according to cancer status. Conclusions: In this retrospective real-world cohort, structured nephro-nutritional management with an individualized Mediterranean-like controlled protein prescription was associated with preserved renal function and no evidence of overt nutritional deterioration in onconephrological patients. These findings support the feasibility and apparent safety of this approach in selected patients, while highlighting the need for prospective studies with objective dietary adherence assessment and longer-term evaluation of cancer-related anthropometric trajectories. Full article

Sexual maturity in tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) consumes substantial metabolic energy, constraining somatic growth and limiting meat yield. Artificial triploid induction (sterility) may redirect energy toward somatic growth. Cold-shock induced triploids were compared with diploid controls using muscle and liver tissues, and the phenotype, histology, nutritional composition, hormone levels, as well as transcriptome profiles were assessed. After 5 months, triploids attained significantly greater body length and body weight, with larger muscle fiber diameter but lower fiber density. The triploids yielded lower ash content and higher amounts of total (TAA), essential (EAA), non-essential (NEAA), and delicious amino acids (DAA), as well as higher total fatty acids (TFA), total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). Growth-related hormones were elevated, including growth hormone (GH), testosterone (T), triiodothyronine (T₃), and thyroxine (T₄). Muscle transcriptome sequencing identified 231 differentially expressed genes, predominantly enriched in pathways related to cell growth regulation, metabolic processes, and energy conversion. These results provide reference data for breeding programs. Full article

Background: Adequate nutrition during young adulthood is essential for health promotion, optimal physiological function, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. However, evidence describing both nutrient adequacy and compliance with dietary recommendations in well-characterized samples of young adults remains limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe macronutrient and micronutrient adequacy and to quantify compliance with current dietary recommendations in young adults using an individualized energy-adjusted nutrient adequacy approach (NARm), and to explore sex differences to identify priority targets to inform tailored health promotion and public health nutrition strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 74 young adults aged 18–45 years participating in the NutAF project. Dietary intake was assessed using a 5-day dietary record, including three weekdays and two weekend days. Modified nutrient adequacy ratios (NARm), adjusted according to individualized total daily energy expenditure, were calculated for macronutrients and micronutrients. The prevalence of compliance with current dietary recommendations was also determined. Differences between men and women were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. Results: Protein and total lipid intake levels exceeded recommended values in most participants, whereas carbohydrate adequacy was below recommendations. Regarding micronutrients, adequate intake was observed for several nutrients; however, low adequacy and low compliance rates were identified for calcium, folate, vitamin D, and omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. No participants met the recommendations for vitamin D. No significant sex differences were observed for most nutrients. Conclusions: Despite intake levels above recommendations for some macronutrients, young adults included in this study exhibited inadequate intake and low compliance with current dietary recommendations for several key nutrients. No relevant sex differences were observed for most nutrients. These findings, obtained using an individualized energy-adjusted nutrient adequacy approach (NARm), underscore the need for targeted nutritional strategies, including nutrition education and micronutrient-focused interventions, aimed at improving dietary adequacy and supporting health promotion in this population. Full article

This study tested the hypothesis that dietary L. acidophilus would improve nutrient utilization in yellow-feathered broilers mainly through intestinal changes rather than a consistent increase in growth performance. A total of 195 one-day-old broilers were assigned to a control group (basal diet), a T1 group (basal diet with 10 g/kg L. acidophilus), or a T2 group (basal diet with 15 g/kg L. acidophilus), with five replicates of 13 birds per treatment over 63 days. The biological responses followed a clear pattern. First, supplementation did not significantly affect average daily feed intake, average daily gain, or feed-to-gain ratio at any growth stage or across the entire trial (days 1–63; p > 0.05), indicating limited direct effects on growth. Second, the main nutritional response occurred during days 22–42, when T1 increased the apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein, and gross energy compared to the control (p < 0.05). Third, intestinal responses aligned with localized gut modulation: both supplemented groups had higher culture-based Lactobacillus counts and lower E. coli counts in the cecum and ileum (p < 0.05), and T1 increased duodenal villus height (p < 0.05). In contrast, serum biochemical, immune, and antioxidant indices showed only isolated, phase-dependent changes and were not considered the primary response. Overall, moderate dietary supplementation with L. acidophilus enhanced nutrient utilization during mid-growth and was linked to targeted intestinal bacterial and morphological changes, but it did not consistently improve growth performance in yellow-feathered broilers. Full article

Lipids play a central role in poultry nutrition by modulating energy utilization, nutrient digestibility, and metabolic processes related to lipid absorption and deposition. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the main dietary lipid sources used in poultry nutrition and their effects on performance, lipid metabolism, and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Conventional lipid sources, including vegetable oils and animal fats, differ in fatty acid profile, degree of saturation, and digestibility, which directly influence metabolic efficiency and productive responses. In addition, the strategic use of lipid sources enables the modulation of fatty acid profiles in poultry products, particularly through the enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3. These effects are associated with mechanisms involving lipid digestion, absorption, and hepatic lipoprotein synthesis, which regulate fatty acid deposition in tissues and egg yolks. However, responses to dietary lipids are influenced by factors such as inclusion level, oxidative stability, and lipid composition. Overall, dietary lipid manipulation represents an effective strategy to optimize production efficiency and enhance the nutritional quality of poultry-derived foods. Full article