Search Results (90)

Background: There is little information about the effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in combatting nutrient inadequacies in primary care, where most malnutrition exists. Aim: To examine the extent to which readymade ONS add or displace the nutrients consumed in the diet and their impact on combatting dietary inadequacies. Methods: 308 free-living people >50 years with medium + high risk of malnutrition (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) were randomised to receive readymade low volume (2.4 kcal/mL), liquid ONS plus dietary advice (ONS + DA) or dietary advice alone (DA). Intake was assessed at baseline (24 h recall) and 4-weekly for 12 weeks (3-day diet record). Total nutrient intake was benchmarked against UK and European dietary reference values (DRVs). The proportion of energy and nutrients from the ONS that added or displaced those from the diet (net addition/displacement) was calculated. Results: ONS + DA led to significantly greater total energy and nutritional intakes, with 25/29 nutrient intakes significantly higher than with DA alone. There were no significant differences in dietary energy and nutrient intakes from food between the groups. There was little or no displacement of nutrients from the diet, with over 90% of the energy and nutrients consumed in the ONS additive to the diet. ONS + DA more than halved the number of people with nutrient intakes that failed to meet DRVs and the number of nutrients per person that did not meet DRVs compared to DA alone. Conclusions: Supplementation with readymade, low volume (2.4 kcal/mL) liquid ONS overcomes most nutrient intake inadequacies in malnourished older people in primary care without significantly reducing intake from the diet. This makes ONS an effective way to improve nutritional intakes above dietary advice alone to improve the outcomes for the management of older people at risk of malnutrition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parenteral nutrition (PN) supports patients unable to receive nutrients via the gastrointestinal tract, but it lacks the health-promoting natural bioactive compounds found in a typical oral diet. This study aimed to develop a human serum albumin-based intravenous delivery system for lutein (an antioxidant carotenoid with vision-supportive and hepatoprotective properties) as a PN additive. Methods: An albumin–lutein nanosuspension (AlbLuteN) was synthesized using a modified nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab^TM) technology and characterized physicochemically. The nanoformulation was added to four commercial PN admixtures to assess the supplementation safety throughout the maximum infusion period. Visual inspection and measurements of fat globules larger than 5 µm (PFAT5) and the mean hydrodynamic diameter (Z-average), zeta potential, pH, osmolality, and lutein content were performed to detect potential interactions and evaluate the physicochemical stability. Results: AlbLuteN consisted of uniform particles (Z-average of 133.5 ± 2.8 nm) with a zeta potential of −28.1 ± 1.8 mV, lutein content of 4.76 ± 0.39%, and entrapment efficiency of 84.4 ± 6.3%. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the amorphous state of lutein in the nanosuspension. AlbLuteN was successfully incorporated into PN admixtures, without visible phase separation or significant changes in physicochemical parameters. The PFAT5 and Z-average values remained within pharmacopeial limits over 24 h. No substantial shifts in zeta potential, pH, or osmolality were observed. The lutein content remained stable, with losses below 3%. Conclusions: AlbLuteN can be safely added to representative PN admixtures without compromising their stability. This approach offers a novel strategy for intravenous lutein delivery and may contribute to improving the nutritional profile of PN. Full article

Background: There is limited knowledge about nutritional intake and energy needs during the post-intensive care unit (ICU) period and their relationship with clinical outcomes and physical recovery. Aims and Methods: Thus, this observational multicenter study (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Santa Maria”, Terni and “Madonna del Soccorso” General hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) aimed, firstly, to measure energy expenditure via indirect calorimetry (IC) (Q-NRG+^® Metabolic Monitor, Cosmed, Rome, Italy), derived respiratory quotient (R/Q1) and, malnutrition risk via Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test and body composition through bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA-Akern, Pontassieve, Italy); secondly, to assess their effect on energy needs, body composition and physical rehabilitation steps in critically ill adults after ICU discharge. The provision of nutrients (PIS test) was also recorded. Oral nutritional supplementation was used to reach the optimal nutritional intake. All patients followed a standardized rehabilitation program. Results: A total of 43 patients were enrolled from January 2024 until February 2025 at the beginning of their post-ICU period. The mean age was 65.7 ± 1.0 years, the mean BMI was 20.73 ± 0.8 kg/m² at the recovery ward, and 60.4% (n = 26) were male. The mean admission period was 19.5 ± 1.7 days. The resting energy expenditure (mREE) was 1591 ± 71.2 at the admission and 1.856 ± 62.7 kcal/kg/d at the discharge (p < 0.05). The median phase angle value was 4.33 ± 0.15 at the admission and 5.05 ± 0.17° at the discharge (p < 0.05); R/Q1 at the admission was 0.7 ± 0.1 and 1.086± 0.11 at the discharge (p < 0.05). Improved energy expenditure significantly correlated with R/Q1 and phase angle (r = 0.81 and r = 0.72, respectively). Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between improved metabolism and improved PIS test scores (r = 0.18). Improved metabolism and nutritional status showed a tendency to correlate with shorter post-ICU courses and earlier physical recovery, without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: Measurement of energy expenditure and caloric intake, along with the assessment of body composition is feasible and provides an objective tool to guide and possibly enhance the functional recovery in patients during the post-ICU period. Full article

Background: The use of in-feed antibiotics was banned in numerous countries within the animal production industry as a result of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the presence of residual antibiotics. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect host bacterial cells, are considered the natural predators of bacteria. Over the past two decades, bacteriophages have garnered increasing attention for their potential in controlling pathogenic bacteria in weaned piglets. Aims: The aim of this overview was to update the progress of bacteriophage application in weaned piglets. Methods: For the section on bacteriophage application in weaned piglets, a systematic search was performed to identify relevant articles published before June 2025 in databases such as Web of Science. Results: In this review, we provide a brief overview of bacteriophages, followed by a summary of the isolation of specific bacteriophages in weaned piglets. In addition, we have summarized the application progress of bacteriophages in weaned piglets, including the effects of oral administration or dietary supplementation with bacteriophages on growth performance, diarrhea characteristics, intestinal morphology, intestinal pH, nutrient digestibility, inflammatory response, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal microecology. Conclusions: This updated overview novelly highlights the potential of bacteriophages as anti-pathogenic agents in mitigating infections caused by pathogenic bacteria in weaned piglets. This review could provide a scientific basis for controlling pathogenic bacteria infections in weaned piglets in the post-antibiotic era. Full article

Background/Objectives: Supplementation with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a key nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) intermediate, exerts anti-aging, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic effects in animal experiments. However, previous studies have evaluated NMN supplementation using oral administration in drinking water or by intraperitoneal administration. No studies have reported whether NMN exerts beneficial effects when incorporated into the diet. The diet is a multicomponent mixture of many nutrients that may interact with each other, thus weakening the effects of NMN. In the present study, we evaluated whether dietary NMN intake protects obese diabetic db/db mice from obesity-related metabolic disorders, such as dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Methods: Five-week-old male db/db mice were randomly assigned to two groups and fed for four weeks either a control diet containing 7% corn oil and 0.1% cholesterol (CON group, n = 6) or a diet supplemented with 0.5% NMN (NMN group, n = 5). Results: After 4 weeks of feeding, dietary NMN intake alleviated obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic triglyceride accumulation in db/db mice. Respiratory gas analysis indicated that dietary NMN intake significantly enhanced energy expenditure by suppressing carbohydrate oxidation and increasing fat oxidation after 3 weeks of feeding. Additionally, the suppression of the increase in plasma triglyceride (TG) levels by dietary NMN intake was attributable to a reduction in hepatic TG levels through the suppression of fatty acid synthesis and the enhancement of fatty acid β-oxidation in the liver. Furthermore, the improvement in hepatic fatty acid metabolism induced by dietary NMN intake was partially responsible for the significant increase in plasma adiponectin and soluble T-cadherin levels. Conclusions: This is the first report to show that dietary NMN intake but not oral administration in drinking water or intraperitoneal administration alleviates body fat mass and hypertriglyceridemia by enhancing energy expenditure, with preferential promotion of fat oxidation, the enhancement of hepatic lipolysis, and the suppression of hepatic lipogenesis in db/db mice. Full article

Background/Objectives: The amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and acts as an autocrine and/or paracrine signaling molecule in various types of non-neuronal cells. On the other hand, GABA is a nutrient found in a variety of foods and is marketed as a health supplement based on a growing number of studies reporting health benefits in humans and recuperations in animal models of diseases. The present study sought to examine whether supplementation of GABA to young mice regulates their growth as well as glucose and lipid metabolism during physiological adolescence. Methods: Mice were supplemented with GABA over a 16-week period with subsequent anthropometric, metabolic, and endocrine measurements. Results: Results showed that 16-week oral supplementation of GABA increased food consumption and body length while attenuating weight gain in male mice but not females. In addition, GABA treatment lowered the index of body fat (Lee index) and increased the expression of lipolytic enzymes in adipose and liver tissues of male mice without affecting blood glucose levels. Remarkably, supplementation of GABA significantly increased the protein expression of growth hormone (GH) in the pituitary gland of both male and female mice. However, it only substantially increased GH levels in the sera of male mice but not females. Moreover, GABA significantly increased the expression of the GH secretagogue peptide ghrelin in the stomachs of male mice only. Conclusions: Together these novel findings suggest that long-term GABA supplementation fundamentally influences the growth and lipid metabolism of males during adolescent development by stimulating ghrelin–GH production and secretion. The mechanisms of GABA-induced sex-dependent upregulations of ghrelin and GH, as well as lipid metabolism in adolescence, await further studies. Full article

Background: Surgical patients often experience nutritional imbalances due to their underlying condition and the forthcoming surgical procedure. These imbalances can increase the risk of post-operative complications. To mitigate such risks, a comprehensive nutritional assessment—also known as morphofunctional assessment—should be conducted. This includes evaluating body composition (muscle and fat mass), muscle strength, and functional capacity. Methods: We conducted an observational, prospective, pre-post interventional study involving 138 patients undergoing major elective surgery. Each patient received a morphofunctional assessment and an individualized prehabilitation program, including nutritional supplementation, physical exercise, and comorbidity optimization for 21 days before surgery and one month afterward. Outcomes were assessed through bioimpedance (muscle mass), muscle ultrasound (QRF thickness), dynamometry (strength), and visceral fat ultrasound (fat reduction). Results: The patient’s morphofunctional assessment and subsequent nutritional and physical exercise optimization performed during the month before surgery in the prehabilitation consultation led to an increase in muscle mass (measured by bioimpedance analysis, p = 0.001), and muscle ultrasound, (QRF thickness: p < 0.001) and dinamometry (muscle strength: p = 0.014); a reduction in preperitoneal visceral fat thickness (reduction p < 0.001); and an improvement in the patients’ nutritional status, with a decrease in malnutrition rates (64.8% vs. 31.8%). As a result, post-operative complications were effectively prevented (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pre-operative patient optimization by means of a prehabilitation program led to increased muscle strength, improved muscle mass, reduced complication rates, and shorter hospital stays. In addition, patients maintained their quality of life and functional capacity following surgery. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBDs), including Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) are complex diseases with a multifactorial etiology, associated with genetic, dietetic, and other environmental risk factors. Children with IBD are at increased risk for nutritional inadequacies, resulting from decreased oral intake, restrictive dietary patterns, malabsorption, enhanced nutrient loss, surgery, and medications. Follow-up of IBD children should routinely include evaluation of specific nutritional deficits and dietetic and/or supplementation strategies should be implemented in case deficiencies are detected. This narrative review focuses on the prevalence, risk factors, detection strategy, and management of micronutrient deficiencies in pediatric IBD. Full article

Vitamin D3 (VD3) is an essential nutrient for human health that plays a key role in bone health and immune regulation. However, VD3 deficiency has become a common issue worldwide due to insufficient daily intake and inadequate conversion from sunlight exposure. The relatively poor aqueous solubility of VD3 is one of the major challenges in the development of oral supplements and functional foods, since it usually results in low oral absorption. In this study, a total of 11 potential binary systems were prepared by solvent evaporation. The binary amorphous system of VD3 and L-arginine (ARG) has been found to be the most promising binary system, since the VD3–ARG system can significantly improve the solubility of VD3, with an 80-fold enhancement relative to neat crystalline VD3. The amorphization of the VD3–ARG binary system was confirmed and the morphology was observed. Molecular interactions between VD3 and ARG were mainly attributed to hydrogen bonding, and three specific bonding sites were revealed. Furthermore, superior dissolution behavior was observed in the VD3–ARG binary amorphous system compared to the neat VD3. A significantly higher saturation level was achieved and the saturation maintained for the desired period. Overall, this study developed a promising formulation strategy to enhance the solubility of VD3, which can be further applied in functional foods for VD3 supplements. Full article

Observational studies have shown that human digestive function declines naturally with age. Oral enzyme supplementation is a candidate strategy to enhance macronutrient digestion in older adults. The objective of this study was to test the effects of a mixture of six microbial enzyme preparations (ENZ) on nutrient bioaccessibility from a mixed meal in an in vitro model of digestive senescence. The mixed meal included chicken meat, peas, and potatoes. The INFOGEST 2.0 static simulation of oro-gastric digestion was used to model human digestive physiology along with a consensus protocol to model aging. Analytical testing of gastric digesta included measurements of free amino nitrogen (FAN), amino acid (AA), fatty acid (FA), glycerol, maltose, and glucose concentrations. Peptide distribution profiles were evaluated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gel electrophoresis. After simulating digestion of the mixed meal, all nutrient bioaccessibility outcomes compared to pepsin-only controls, except glycerol, were further enhanced by ENZ in the aging condition compared to the standard condition (FAN: 77.1 vs. 39.3%; essential AA: 100.4 vs. 57.6%; total FA: 12.8- vs. 8.0-fold; maltose: 142.1 vs. 0.7%). SEC confirmed ENZ’s proteolytic capacity to generate more lower molecular weight peptides and free AAs in standard and aging conditions compared to pepsin alone. Gel electrophoresis confirmed proteolytic enhancement with ENZ. These data showcase ENZ’s hydrolytic activity toward macronutrients and suggest ENZ’s capacity to compensate for reduced pepsin activity in an aging-adapted oro-gastric digestion simulation. Full article

Enteral nutrition, commonly known as tube feeding, is a life-sustaining intervention for individuals who cannot meet their nutritional needs orally due to medical conditions affecting swallowing, digestion, or nutrient absorption. Since its introduction in the 1970s, home enteral nutrition (HEN) has enabled the safe delivery of complete or supplemental nutrition in community settings, enhancing both quality of life and healthcare outcomes. The HEN landscape in Australia is rapidly evolving, driven in part by the renewed interest in blended tube feeding (BTF). This narrative review explores the current state of HEN care and BTF support in Australia, focusing on prevalence, funding models, provider and client perspectives, clinical guidelines, and advocacy efforts. Full article

During the postpartum period, domestic ruminants suffer elevated endogenous cortisol levels, which are associated with an increased risk of uterine infections. Selenium is a trace mineral nutrient with beneficial impacts on animals. The study aimed to investigate whether selenium yeast (SeY) could attenuate Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced endometrial injury in goats with high cortisol background. Goats were examined after oral SeY administration for 21 days and were treated with glacial acetic acid, E. coli, and hydrocortisone to establish an endometritis model with high cortisol background. The results showed that endometrial injury caused by E. coli was aggravated under high cortisol background. Supplementation with SeY alleviated endometrial inflammation and serum LDH content. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and defensin beta 2 and the phosphorylation level of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-b (NF-κB) signaling pathways were decreased by SeY supplementation. Total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes activities were increased by SeY supplementation, but malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal content were decreased. Moreover, nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (NRF2) in the nucleus, heme oxygenase-1, and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 were increased by SeY supplementation. So, supplementation with SeY alleviated E. coli-induced endometritis in goats by activating the NRF2 pathway and inhibiting the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways under postpartum stress. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships between diet and geographic atrophy (GA) progression, both area-based and proximity-based, for dietary pattern, components, and micronutrients. Methods: In the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS) and AREDS2, an Alternative Mediterranean Diet Index (aMedi), its nine components, and individual micronutrient intakes were calculated. Mixed-model regression was performed for square root GA area, GA foveal proximity, and acuity. Results: The study populations comprised 657 (AREDS) and 1179 eyes (AREDS2). For area-based progression, a higher aMedi was associated with slower progression in AREDS2 and (in analyses excluding MUFA:SFA) AREDS. A higher intake was associated with slower progression for seven components (including vegetables and fruit at Bonferroni) and four components (including fruit and less red meat at Bonferroni), and seven and 15 nutrients, in AREDS1/2, respectively. For proximity-based progression, a higher aMedi was associated with slower progression in AREDS. A higher intake was associated with slower progression for three components (including vegetables at Bonferroni) and two components, and 10 and 8 nutrients, in AREDS1/2, respectively. With increasing oral supplementation, associations between proximity-based progression and aMedi/components/nutrients were weaker. In AREDS2 eyes with non-central GA, higher aMedi was associated with a slower acuity decline. Conclusions: A Mediterranean-type diet is associated with slower GA area-based progression and slower progression to the fovea, accompanied by a slower decline in acuity. The most important components and micronutrients for incidence, area-based progression, and foveal progression overlap only partially. For the latter two, they include vegetables, fruit, and less red meat. These findings suggest the benefits of targeted nutritional and supplementation strategies. Full article

The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of porcine pancreatic enzymes (Creon^® pancrelipase) in comparison to microbial-derived alpha amylase (MD amylase) on the small intestine wall structure, mucosal glycogen accumulation, and enterocyte turnover. The impact of enzyme supplementation on the small intestine was explored in 18 pigs with surgically induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Four healthy pigs served as the control group. EPI led to reduced villus length, crypt depth, and thickness of the mucosa and muscularis layers compared to those of healthy pigs. All these changes appeared to be reversible after enzyme supplementation. Brush border thickness was decreased in EPI and increased with both enzyme preparations, with MD amylase treatment leading to the highest values in the proximal jejunum. No EPI-induced changes were observed in the goblet cell (GC) population, but significant increases in GC number and area were observed following MD amylase treatment. Glycogen accumulation within the duodenal mucosa was significantly increased in EPI pigs. EPI was also shown to significantly increase apoptotic activity and decrease proliferative activity in comparison to healthy animals, while both enzyme preparations resulted in the complete recovery of both proliferative and apoptotic activity in all investigated intestinal segments. Creon^® influenced the morphology of the small intestine. However, supplementation of exogenous microbial amylase alone also affected gut morphology in a similar way to that of the complex host pancreatic enzymes offered orally. These data indicate that in addition to their role in digestion of nutrients in EPI, intraluminal pancreatic enzymes, especially amylase, contribute to gut health through maintenance of the intestinal wall architecture and physiological enterocyte turnover. Full article

Background: The restriction of access to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in self-medication. This study aims to examine mothers’ use of nutrient supplements with over-the-counter (OTC) medications for their children, including instances of self-medication for themselves. The study also explores maternal characteristics associated with this behavior, the specific medications used, and the reasons for use. Method: In this descriptive study, 450 mothers with children aged 2 to 6 years in Türkiye were recruited through social media platforms. Questions focused on whether mothers used supplements for themselves and their children, types of products, frequency, and reasons for use. Multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with OTC medication use for children. Result: Nearly half of the mothers reported administering OTC medications to their children. Factors associated with this practice included the child’s age (specifically 48–72 months), attendance at nursery, perceived underweight status, and regular health visits with a pediatrician. Additionally, mothers who frequently used medications without a doctor’s recommendation were 5.8 times more likely to give OTC drugs to their children. Maternal self-medication was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of OTC medication use for children (OR = 12.1). The most commonly used supplements included vitamin D, fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin C, immune boosters, zinc, probiotics, herbal teas, oral/nasal sprays, throat lozenges, and aspirin, with the primary purposes being prevention and treatment. Conclusions: The administration of OTC medications in young children, who rely heavily on maternal care should be more closely monitored to ensure their safety and well-being, especially during epidemics. Full article