Search Results (5,613)

Brosimum alicastrum Swartz is a forest species with substantial potential for animal and human nutrition. However, its nutritional attributes and commercial applications are poorly disseminated and structurally underdeveloped. This study examines the relationship between scientific research and the commercialization of Brosimum alicastrum products in Mexico, integrating bibliometric analysis with a value network approach to identify market constraints and opportunities. Scientific publications indexed in Scopus from 1961 to 2024 were analyzed to characterize research trends, documented uses, and the geographic distribution of knowledge production. In parallel, companies commercializing Brosimum alicastrum-based products in Mexico were surveyed during 2024 using a value network approach (suppliers, customers, complementors, and competitors). A SWOT analysis was conducted to assess the structural strengths and vulnerabilities affecting market development. The results show that research in Mexico has primarily focused on the species’ properties as a functional food. At the same time, limited attention has been given to silviculture, commercialization strategies, and value-chain governance. Although Brosimum alicastrum products are currently positioned within premium market segments, business continuity is constrained by unstable supply systems that rely almost exclusively on seasonal wild collection from natural distribution areas. Both the value network and the SWOT analysis identified supply instability as the main factor limiting market expansion. Therefore, advancing research on the silviculture of Brosimum alicastrum is essential to support the establishment of managed production systems and commercial plantations capable of ensuring a stable, year-round supply of raw material. These developments would facilitate access to new market niches and enhance the biocultural and ethnobotanical value of Brosimum alicastrum as a functional and medicinal food resource within Mexico’s emerging bioeconomy. Full article

Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) processing generates significant amounts of underutilized by-products that represent a promising source of bioactive compounds. Renowned for its abundance of β-carotene and phenolic antioxidants, it has garnered increased attention in recent years due to its nutritional profile. Melon side-streams, such as peels, seeds, and residual pulp, have emerged as valuable sources for sustainable functional ingredient development. This work provides updated insights into the phytochemical composition and bioactive properties of cantaloupe melon, with emphasis on the recovery and valorization of its by-products through conventional and emerging eco-friendly extraction technologies. These strategies are also discussed within a biorefinery perspective aimed at improving biomass utilization and promoting the development of value-added functional ingredients. Additionally, this review addresses how such approaches contribute to circular economy principles, supporting more sustainable and resource-efficient food production models. Full article

Background: The first 1000 days of life represent a critical window for developmental programming, during which specific nutritional exposures, such as vitamin D levels, may influence long-term health trajectories. Vitamin D plays a central role in skeletal development, but increasing evidence also supports its possible involvement in immune, metabolic, and neurodevelopmental processes during early life. In this narrative review, we summarize current evidence on the biological functions of vitamin D across the first 1000 days, focusing on its roles in skeletal, immune, metabolic, and neurodevelopmental processes, and its potential role as a programming factor. Methods: We conducted our research using the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. We included systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and high-quality observational studies published from 2015 onward, focusing on pregnancy, neonatal life, and early childhood. Results: Vitamin D acts through placental, epigenetic, skeletal, immune, metabolic, and neurodevelopmental pathways that are particularly active during early development. Low maternal or early-life vitamin D status has been associated with adverse birth outcomes and impaired bone health. It has also been linked to increased susceptibility to infections and allergic diseases, altered metabolic trajectories, and mild neurodevelopmental differences. Evidence from supplementation trials remains heterogeneous, with benefits appearing more consistent in populations with baseline deficiency. Conclusions: Vitamin D fulfills several biological plausibility criteria for a potential early-life programming factor, although current human evidence remains heterogeneous. Full article

Background: Nutritional status and lifestyle factors are increasingly recognized as relevant modulators of women’s reproductive health. However, data remain limited on the relationship between body composition, dietary habits, and menstrual cycle characteristics in apparently healthy young women. This study aimed to assess nutritional status, body composition, and lifestyle behaviors in young women and to explore their associations with menstrual cycle regularity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 49 apparently healthy women aged 19–30 years. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary habits were evaluated through a simplified food frequency questionnaire, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the PREDIMED score. Physical activity was estimated using MET values based on the Compendium of Physical Activities. Menstrual cycle characteristics were collected via questionnaire. Group comparisons were performed between women with regular and irregular menstrual cycles. Results: The sample was predominantly normal-weight (mean BMI 22.36 ± 4.26 kg/m²). Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance parameters did not differ significantly between women with regular and irregular cycles. Women with irregular cycles showed higher resistance and extracellular water and lower phase angle and body cell mass, although differences were not statistically significant. A significant association was found for meat consumption, which was lower in women with irregular cycles (p = 0.007). No associations were observed for other dietary variables, physical activity, or meal frequency. Conclusions: Menstrual regularity in young women was not associated with major anthropometric differences but may be linked to subtle aspects of nutritional status and dietary habits. Lower meat consumption emerged as a potential dietary factor associated with menstrual irregularity. Although associations were modest, these findings support the relevance of nutritional and lifestyle factors in menstrual health. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these relationships. Full article

Type 1 diabetes is the most common autoimmune endocrine disorder in children and adolescents, with incidence rising worldwide. Its management demands comprehensive care encompassing glucose monitoring, insulin therapy, and individualized nutritional education to support glycemic control and overall health. Establishing normal eating patterns is pivotal not only for prandial euglycemia but also for reducing the risk of disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders that are more frequently observed in youth with diabetes. Because eating patterns and self-management capabilities vary by developmental stage, interventions must be tailored to the physical, psychological, and social context of each age group. Screening tools such as the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey—Revised (DEPS-R) enable timely identification of at-risk individuals. In this scoping review we present the data from the literature regarding the eating patterns and deviations from infancy to adolescence, report the complications and discuss the challenges and insights for their management. Full article

Background: Ketogenic dietary therapies (KDTs), characterized by substantial carbohydrate restriction and increased dietary fat intake, were originally developed for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy but have recently attracted broader scientific interest. In the context of population aging and the increasing prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia, their potential relevance for brain health has received growing attention. Experimental and emerging clinical evidence suggests that ketogenic metabolism may influence biological processes involved in brain aging, including cerebrovascular regulation, neuroinflammatory signaling, and cerebral energy metabolism. Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between ketogenic dietary therapies and brain health, with particular emphasis on cerebrovascular mechanisms, neuroinflammatory pathways, and neuroprotective processes relevant to aging. The review also briefly introduces the Semmelweis Study as an example of a translational research framework for evaluating nutrition-related interventions in real-world preventive settings. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using structured searches of major scientific databases to identify experimental and human studies investigating ketogenic dietary interventions, cerebrovascular mechanisms, and neuroprotective outcomes. Publications related to the Semmelweis Study were included solely to illustrate implementation-oriented research approaches and not as evidence supporting dietary efficacy. Results: Available evidence indicates that ketogenic dietary interventions may modulate several biological pathways relevant to brain health, including cerebral energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress regulation, and inflammatory signaling. However, the current evidence base is dominated by preclinical studies and short-term human investigations, and direct evidence linking ketogenic dietary therapies to long-term cerebrovascular or cognitive outcomes remains limited. Conclusions: Ketogenic dietary therapies represent metabolically distinct dietary strategies with potential relevance for cerebrovascular and neuroprotective mechanisms. Nevertheless, human evidence remains heterogeneous and insufficient to support broad clinical recommendations. Future research should prioritize well-designed long-term human studies with clearly defined metabolic, cerebrovascular, and cognitive endpoints. Translational research frameworks may facilitate the evaluation of feasibility, safety, and implementation of ketogenic interventions in aging populations. Full article

The yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) is an important aquaculture species, yet endocrine gene regulation during practical fasting and feeding schedules remains poorly understood. Here, we identified and characterized two duplicated proglucagon genes (Gcga and Gcgb) and examined tissue distribution of expression and transcriptional responses to feeding-related challenges. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Gcga and Gcgb cluster with teleost proglucagon paralogs and contain conserved peptide domains. Both genes were broadly expressed, with the strongest relative qRT-PCR signal detected in brain and fin, while other tissues (including intestine, gill, stomach, and liver) showed comparatively low but detectable expression. Because the liver is a central metabolic organ and displayed reproducible feeding-dependent regulation, we further quantified hepatic transcription under two paradigms. In a short-term starvation–refeeding trial, hepatic Gcga was significantly suppressed during fasting and rebounded after refeeding, whereas Gcgb showed a distinct, weaker response. In an acute peri-feeding assay, hepatic Gcga and Gcgb displayed rapid but differential regulation around meal time, and Gcgb expression differed between feeding and non-feeding groups. Together, these results support transcriptional divergence between the two proglucagon paralogs in nutritional regulation within a liver-focused metabolic-response model. Our findings provide baseline molecular information for A. latus and offer endocrine insights relevant to evaluating feeding strategies in aquaculture. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are increasingly considered neurometabolic disorders driven by early mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and synaptic alterations that precede clinical symptoms. This review summarises pre-clinical and experimental evidence suggesting that intermittent fasting (IF) may influence these early pathogenic processes by promoting metabolic switching, enhancing autophagy and mitochondrial quality control, and modulating neuroimmune pathways. We discuss recent advances in biomarker research supporting the early detection of neurodegenerative changes, including ultrasensitive analytical platforms that can identify neuronal, glial, and synaptic injury during preclinical stages. By integrating these biomarker developments with findings from human and experimental intermittent fasting studies, we highlight how high-sensitivity assays provide quantifiable insights into the neurometabolic effects of fasting. Furthermore, we discuss how precision nutrition strategies incorporating multimarker panels, phenotypic and epigenetic signatures, and longitudinal multi-omics profiling may facilitate personalised intermittent fasting protocols and improve monitoring of biological responses. Overall, these findings underscore the relevance of a clinical biochemistry perspective integrating advanced biomarker technologies to evaluate the neurometabolic effects of intermittent fasting as a potential early neuroprotective strategy for individuals at risk of neurodegeneration. Full article

Background: Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly characterized by restricted tongue mobility due to a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current concepts on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, functional implications, and management for ankyloglossia in newborns. Results: Ankyloglossia can compromise breastfeeding dynamics, manifesting as suboptimal latch, maternal nipple pain, and inefficient milk transfer, and may influence orofacial function if unrecognized. Because anatomical appearance alone does not reliably predict function, evaluation should prioritize structured functional assessments over purely morphological descriptors. Management should be individualized and stepwise, beginning with lactation support and positioning strategies, and progressing to frenotomy when clear functional limitation persists. In appropriately selected cases, timely intervention can improve feeding efficiency and caregiver comfort while minimizing disruptions to early bonding and nutrition. Post-procedure follow-up is important to confirm functional gains and address residual feeding mechanics. Conclusions: A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach aligns diagnosis and treatment with the infant’s functional needs and family goals, promoting safe, effective, and patient-centered care. Full article

This review classifies plant-derived functional ingredients in pet food according to phytochemical groups and application forms, including direct oral supplementation and incorporation into complete diets. Polyphenols and plant extracts exert prominent antioxidant (singular), anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and microbiome-regulating effects. Microalgae and omega-3 sources support lipid metabolism, cardiovascular function, and skin integrity. Cannabinoids demonstrate dose-dependent responses in dogs, while cats generally tolerate long-term administration and exhibit notable benefits in chronic pain management. Combinations of botanical extracts with complementary bioactives and fermented botanical preparations exhibit multi-target functionality, with dogs showing pronounced biochemical and microbiome modulation, whereas cats display more behavioral and functional improvements. Phytochemicals operate through integrated multi-level regulation, including activation of antioxidant enzymes, modulation of inflammatory cytokines and T-lymphocyte ratios, microbial metabolic shifts toward short-chain fatty acid production, and regulation of lipid metabolism. Dogs demonstrate marked effects on hepatic function, reproductive resilience, microbiome diversity, CD4+/CD8+ balance, and cholesterol control. In contrast, cats show greater benefits in inflammation reduction, pain relief, intestinal integrity, and long-term safety. These species-specific responses underscore the importance of precision formulation and highlight the emergence of plant-based “pharma-pet nutrition” integrating nutritional and biochemical strategies for targeted health promotion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breastfeeding represents a critical developmental window during which maternal biology, environmental exposures, and nutrition converge to influence infant gastrointestinal health and long-term developmental trajectories. From a One Health perspective, breastfeeding can be conceptualized not as a static nutritional act, but as a dynamic and modifiable biological system in which maternal factors shape early-life microbiota assembly and immune programming. This narrative review explores how microbiota-oriented strategies during breastfeeding may foster a favorable trajectory of infant health, potentially extending to transgenerational outcomes. Methods: This narrative review is structured around a ten-point decalogue addressing interconnected domains relevant to the maternal–milk–infant microbiota axis, including maternal diet, microbial diversity, environmental exposures, psychological stress and probiotic use. Current mechanistic and clinical evidence was examined to evaluate how these domains may modulate microbiota composition and function during breastfeeding. Attention was given to probiotic supplementation, including strain specificity, timing of administration, and clinical context, as well as to the broader implications of a One Health framework. Results: Available evidence suggests that maternal nutritional patterns, environmental and psychosocial exposures, and targeted microbiota-modulation strategies may influence the composition and functional properties of human milk and the developing infant microbiota. Probiotic use during breastfeeding appears to have strain-specific and context-dependent effects, with potential benefits in selected clinical scenarios. However, findings remain heterogeneous, and uncertainties persist regarding optimal strains, timing, and long-term outcomes. Conclusions: Breastfeeding can be understood as a dynamic biological interface shaped by maternal and environmental factors. Integrating microbiota-oriented strategies within a One Health framework may support infant gastrointestinal health and possibly contribute to longer-term developmental trajectories. Nevertheless, careful interpretation of the current evidence is warranted to avoid reductionist, supplement-centered approaches and to prevent maternal overmedicalization or blame. Full article

Background: Age-related cognitive deccline is a significant health issue in Spain, especially among adults over 60 years of age. Addressing this involves establishing intervention guidelines and identifying early diagnostic biomarkers. Objective: To evaluate changes in urine of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, concentration and cognitive performance after the implementation of the multicomponent CESPORT program (incorporating a Mediterranean Diet, nutritional education, and continuous support). Methods: This controlled trial included 76 older adults, divided into an experimental group (n = 58; mean age 66.9 years; 75.9% female) that participated in the CESPORT program, and a control group (n = 18; mean age 68.8 years; 72.2% female). Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Cognifit^® battery. Urinary BDNF concentrations were quantified via ELISA. Results: After adjusting for baseline scores via ANCOVA, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher post-intervention outcomes compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Substantial improvements with medium-to-large effect sizes were observed in global cognition, reasoning, attention, coordination and perception. Furthermore, urinary BDNF levels were significantly elevated in the experimental group. Positive correlations were found between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor concentrations and cognitive performance in multiple domains (p < 0.05), particularly regarding global status and reasoning. Conclusions: The multicomponent CESPORT intervention demonstrates a potential protective effect against age-related cognitive decline. Furthermore, urinary BDNF emerges as a promising, non-invasive early biomarker for cognitive health. Further research is warranted to validate these findings. Full article

Background: Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB), including compulsive skin picking, are observed in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). However, their functional significance remains unclear. AN is characterized by chronic energy restriction and altered interoceptive processing, which may contribute to persistent internal tension beyond overt eating symptoms. This study aimed to explore the functional meaning of compulsive skin picking as a potential behavioral marker of emotional and interoceptive dysregulation relevant to clinical assessment and treatment planning. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 33 hospitalized patients with AN who reported recurrent skin picking leading to tissue damage. Patients were undergoing structured nutritional rehabilitation. Individual semi-structured interviews were performed. Results: Patients with AN described a consistent emotional and physiological sequence preceding skin picking: increased internal tension followed by short-term relief and subsequent self-directed negative emotions. Episodes occurred in contexts of emotional overload, understimulation, reduced emotional awareness, and, in some cases, hunger- or meal-related stress. Participants described the behavior as partly intentional, serving to reduce tension, but at times occurring almost automatically. It was closely connected with eating-related anxiety and dissatisfaction with the body. Conclusions: The findings indicate that compulsive skin picking in AN may reflect underlying emotional and interoceptive instability, instead of being an unrelated co-occurring symptom. In the broader context of chronic energy restriction, such behaviors may reflect attempts to modulate internally generated physiological arousal. Incorporating routine assessment of BFRB into clinical practice could improve the identification of ongoing emotional instability and support more coordinated multidisciplinary care. Future studies combining qualitative insights with physiological measures would help clarify the mechanisms underlying this association. Full article

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive muscle weakness, impaired physical function, and reduced quality of life. Multimodal strategies combining rehabilitation and nutritional support that influence gut microbiota may help improve functional outcomes in adults at risk of sarcopenia. Objective: To evaluate whether a polyphenol-rich dietary recommendation associated with a nutritional supplement containing leucine, vitamin D3, and magnesium (SarcoDYN^®), in the context of a standardized rehabilitation program, provides superior improvements in functional and patient-reported outcomes compared with rehabilitation alone. Methods: This quasi-experimental, non-randomized retrospective study included 28 adults at risk of sarcopenia, divided into a study group (rehabilitation + polyphenol-rich diet + SarcoDYN^®) and a control group (rehabilitation only). Assessments were performed at baseline and after 3 months. Outcomes included SARC-F score, handgrip strength (dominant and non-dominant), sit-to-stand performance, perceived mobility, and perceived health status. Within- and between-group comparisons were conducted using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests, and Spearman correlation analysis explored associations between functional, strength, and perceptual variables. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in functional and patient-reported outcomes. At follow-up, the study group showed significantly better subjective outcomes, including lower SARC-F scores (U = 30.0, p = 0.002), higher perceived mobility (U = 40.0, p = 0.008), and higher perceived health status (U = 40.0, p = 0.008), compared with the control group. Objective post-intervention measures of handgrip strength and chair-rise performance did not differ significantly between groups. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between SARC-F score, muscle strength, functional mobility, and perceived health. Conclusions: The combined intervention consisting of a polyphenol-rich diet that influence gut microbiota and SarcoDYN^® supplementation, delivered alongside a structured rehabilitation program, was associated with better patient-reported mobility and health perception in adults at risk of sarcopenia. These findings should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating, and require confirmation in larger controlled studies. Full article

Climate change is intensifying winters in temperate regions, posing a serious threat to Apis mellifera health. The gut microbiome, a distinct community of core bacterial species, is central to overwintering success by supporting immune function, nutrient assimilation, and pathogen resistance, but is highly sensitive to environmental stressors such as cold temperatures and dietary shifts. Stress-induced perturbations can reshape the composition and relative abundance of the gut microbiome in honey bees, leading to adverse effects on host health, physiological functions, and overwinter survival. Cold temperatures and additional stressors further destabilize the microbiome, compounding these effects. This review is the first to synthesize current knowledge on how extrinsic factors, such as diet, antibiotics, and pathogens, and intrinsic factors, including age and strain, influence the composition and function of the honey bee gut microbiota during the overwintering period. Given the increasing severity of winter conditions under climate change, a deeper understanding of microbiome–host–environment interactions is essential for improving honey bee resilience. By integrating evidence on the microbiome’s roles in nutrient utilization, immune modulation, and pathogen defense, this review outlines a framework to guide future research aimed at sustaining pollinator health and nutrition in a changing global climate. Full article