Daily Food Research Articles

Aligning health, environment, and cost aspects of diets: Identifying sustainable dietary patterns in China

Considering the adverse effects of agricultural-food systems on both human health and the environment, this research aimed to identify sustainable diets, which are nutritious, culturally acceptable, affordable, and have low environmental impacts, based on self-reported diets in China. Dietary data was collected with a 3-day 24-h dietary recall and weight food record combined method among 10,324 subjects aged 18–64 year, who participated in the China Health Nutrition Survey 2011. Diet quality was assessed by the Chinese Healthy Eating Index 2016 (CHEI2016). Environmental impact was measured by greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), total water use (TWU), and land use (LU), and diet costs were calculated using market prices of community surveys. Reduced rank regression derived dietary patterns with 34 food groups as predictor variables, and used CHEI2016 score, dietary greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), total water use (TWU), land use (LU), and cost of the diet as response variables. Four dietary patterns were identified. Participants with the highest adherence (decile 10) to the “High animal-based food” pattern showed higher dietary GHGE (+57%), TWU (+51%), and LU (+54%) and dietary costs (+64%), compared to the average population's diets. The diet in decile 10 for the “High fruit, low ruminant meat” pattern displayed a 21% higher CHEI2016 score, and higher dietary environmental impact (GHGE +17%; TWU +22%; LU +19%) and dietary costs (+46%) than the average diets. Diets of participants who followed the “High fish, low beverages” pattern showed higher environmental impact (GHGE +39%; TWU +32%; LU +28%) and dietary costs (+19%), but the CHEI2016 score was similar (+0.1%). Finally, the “High wheat, low pork” pattern demonstrated lower environmental impacts (GHGE -17%, TWU -12%, LU -2%) and lower cost of the diet (−2%) but also lower CHEI2016 score (−1%) compared to average population. This study reveals the complex trade-offs between diet quality, environmental sustainability, and dietary costs of current dietary patterns. None of the four patterns achieved the desirable combination of high CHEI2016 scores, reduced environmental impact, and reduced dietary costs. The findings offer insights into sustainable diet choices within the current food system, suggesting dietary guidelines should consider environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Digital Intervention (Keep-On-Keep-Up Nutrition) to Improve Nutrition in Older Adults: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Digital health tools can support behavior change and allow interventions to be scalable at a minimal cost. Keep-on-Keep-up Nutrition (KOKU-Nut) is a free, tablet-based app that focuses on increasing physical activity and improving the dietary intake of older adults based on UK guidelines. The intervention targets an important research area identified as a research priority reported by the James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership for malnutrition. This study aims to assess the feasibility of using the digital health tool KOKU-Nut among community-dwelling older adults to inform a future randomized controlled trial. The secondary aims are to determine the acceptability, usability, preliminary effect sizes, and safety of the study and the intervention (KOKU-Nut). This is a feasibility randomized controlled trial. We plan to recruit a total of 36 community-dwelling older adults using purposive sampling. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group will be asked to engage with KOKU-Nut 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group will receive a leaflet promoting a healthy lifestyle. All study participants will complete questionnaires at baseline and the end of the 12 weeks. A sample of participants will be asked to participate in an optional interview. The study will collect a range of data including anthropometry (height and weight), dietary intake (3-day food diary), physical function (grip strength and 5-times sit-to-stand), perceived quality of life (EQ-5D), usability (System Usability Scale), and safety (adverse events). Data collection commenced in March 2024, and the results will be ready for publication by January 2025. Feasibility will be determined on the basis of participants' self-reported engagement with the intervention, and recruitment and retention rates and will be summarized descriptively. We will also consider the amount of missing data and assess how outcomes are related to group assignment. Acceptability will be measured using the modified treatment evaluation inventory and one-to-one semistructured interviews. Transcripts from the interviews will be analyzed using NVivo (version 12; QSR International) software using framework analysis to understand any barriers to the recruitment process, the suitability of the assessment measures, and the acceptability of the intervention and study design. The study aligns with guidelines developed by the Medical Research Council for developing a complex intervention by using qualitative and quantitative research to examine the barriers of the intervention and identify potential challenges around recruitment and retention. We anticipate that these results will inform the development of a future powered randomized controlled design trial to test the true effectiveness of KOKU-Nut. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05943366; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05943366. PRR1-10.2196/50922.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Dalam Pemenuhan Gizi Keluarga Melalui Inovasi "NaNgKap (Nugget Kangkung Ikan Kakap)"

Community Empowerment in Fulfilling Family Nutrition Through the Innovation "NaNgKap (Snapper Water Spinach Nuggets)" Abstract Background: Providing Supplementary Food (PMT) is a program implemented by the government for the toddler age group which is intended as an addition to the main daily food to overcome nutritional problems with a length of time of 90 days. Consuming snapper fish can increase growth in children because it contains omega-3 which plays an important role in growth, especially children's brain intelligence. Snapper fish can be developed to make nuggets which will encourage efforts to prevent stunting, where 100 grams of snapper fish contains 92 kcal of energy, 20 grams of protein, 20 mg of calcium. And the combination with eggs in the ingredients for making nuggets which are high in protein and calcium can help a person's growth. Objective: to provide knowledge about the benefits of balanced nutritional food that is good for consumption by children. Research Method: This community service was carried out at 13 Ulu on January 22 – February 9 2024. There were 15 participants in this community service activity. This activity stage is the implementation stage which is carried out in 3 (three) stages, namely meeting for the implementation and dividing the participants who will take part, preparing the materials needed for the implementation and finally carrying out a demonstration. Research Results: The results found an increase in public knowledge about the benefits of balanced nutritional food that is good for consumption by children. Conclusion: as an illustration, processed NaNgKap (Snapper Water Spinach Nuggets) for the community can have a positive influence, especially in increasing knowledge about fulfilling balanced nutrition for families and communities. Keywords: Nugget, Snapper, Balanced Nutrition

Sistem Pemberian Pakan Hamster Otomatis berbasis Mikrokontroler

This research aims to create an automatic hamster feeder system at night following the nocturnal nature of hamsters. The system will be given a command in the form of a message via the Telegram messaging application to fill the hamster's weight which will be calculated as a calculation of the hamster's daily feed portion. The nature of hamsters which are generally nocturnal, in contrast to humans who usually rest at night, makes it difficult for humans to feed their hamsters at night regularly. The daily portion of hamster food is around 0.11 times the hamster's body weight and this provision must be appropriate not to cause obesity in the hamster. Based on these circumstances, this research is proposed as a solution to this problem. After filling the hamster's weight information, the system will calculate the hamster's daily food weight and when the sensor catches that the hamster approaching the system, the system will immediately open the servo motor to pour the hamster food.

OVERVIEW OF FOOD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PATTERNS IN MODERN COMMUNITIES OF BOGOR CITY

The increasing level and lifestyle of society accompanied by the modernization of food industry technology has caused people to move away from natural foods and prefer fast food. Fast food is considered very practical, fast and easy to obtain so that it supports the lifestyle of modern society. This study aims to determine the description of food consumption behavior and healthy lifestyles in modern society in Bogor city. The method used was descriptive quantitative approach with data collection through interviews with questionnaires, the number of respondents was 200 people. Related to food consumption behavior, the results showed that most respondents, 62%, often consume fast food because it is practical and easy to obtain, 73.5% consume vegetables and fruit regularly and as many as 67.5% drink 8 glasses of water a day. Regarding a healthy lifestyle, 51% of respondents exercise regularly, 74% cook their own food, 76.5% rarely read labels when buying packaged food products, 54% have sufficient knowledge to distinguish healthy and unhealthy foods, 86% of respondents agree to pay attention to nutritional intake in daily consumption, and 76.5% rarely search for information related to healthy food. Despite exercising regularly and regularly consuming vegetables and fruits, frequent consumption of fast food can cause nutrition and health problems in the future. Self-education related to healthy food accompanied by concrete actions in daily food choices is needed to maintain health and quality of life.

Analysis of the relationship between actual nutrition and physical activity and smoking among russian and foreign students of a medical university

A significant contribution to the preservation and improvement of the population health is made by a healthy lifestyle, one of the components of which is rational nutrition. Considering severe stress experienced by students due to the changed social environment, the study of nutritional characteristics and the role of behavioral factors in eating behavior among medical students remains an extremely topical issue of modern preventive medicine. Material and methods. As a result of a cross-sectional study, 197 students of the Saratov Medical University were interviewed, 100 (51 %) of them were russian students, 97 (49 %) were citizens of Central African countries. The method of 24-hour reproduction of daily diet, program complex “Individual diet 5.0 professional version”, questionnaire were used. Results and discussions. The study showed an imbalance in macro- and micronutrients intake of the daily food ration, a violation in the diet, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, rare hot meals, dissatisfaction with the organization of meals in student canteens, frequent use of fast food by students regardless of their country of origin. The relationship of physical activity and smoking with the diet and the frequency of consumption of vegetables and fruits, low awareness of unbalanced nutrition as a risk factor for the development of alimentary-dependent diseases have been established. Conclusions. The nutritional behavior of russian and foreign students of Saratov Medical University does not meet all the principles of healthy eating recommended by WHO. Thus, it is necessary to improve the organization of catering in student canteens, taking into account the taste preferences of foreign students, the introduction of educational activities and healthy nutrition programs with the involvement of the students themselves in their preparation. The analysis of actual nutrition is a very important task, as it allows assessing the current socio-economic situation, as well as the effectiveness of educational programs in the framework of national projects on a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.

Gluten Free Casein Free Diet for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Review

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social and repetitive behaviour. As per WHO it is estimated that worldwide 1 in 160 children has ASD. Based on epidemiological studies conducted over the past 50 years, the prevalence of ASD appears to be increasing globally. Delayed speech, frequent repetition of set words and phrases, no social interactions, sensory changes etc. are the main symptoms of ASD. There is no known cure for ASD, but many different approaches are used to treat the symptoms of the disorders, for example, visual aids are used to improve communication, social stories interventions are used to teach appropriate social behaviour, and medication is used to ameliorate specific symptoms like aggression. Dietary intervention as a tool for maintaining and improving physical health and wellbeing for ASD is a widely researched and discussed topic. Studies have depicted that there is a link between diet, gut epithelial changes and altered immune response in the spectrum disorders exhibited by children with Autism. A gluten-free casein-free diet is also known as the GFCF diet. It is one of several alternative treatments for children with autism. When following this strict elimination diet, all foods containing and casein are removed from the child's daily food intake. Foods that contained proteins such as gluten and casein causes hypersensitivity to children with ASD. The children cannot digest these proteins properly. This result to increase the level of urinary small peptides. These peptides bind to opioid receptors and become biologically active, which results excess of opioid and leads to an increase of the behavioural difficulties seen in the children. Dietary interventions with the exclusion of gluten, casein or both is thought to have a positive effect on behavioural symptoms because of the elevated levels of peptides seen in the urinary analyses. Since the chemical structure of gluten and casein are very similar to each other, it is very likely that having a sensitivity to one of them means having a sensitivity to both, even though one could be worse than the other. This paper provide an overview of the gluten free casein free diet and its positive and negative results of Gluten free Casein free diet on the basis of reviewing case studies.

The Antioxidant Power of a Diet May Improve the Quality of Life of Young Women with Acne Vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris (AV) significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of young people, so it is important to look for factors that can improve their QoL. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary antioxidants measured using the new DAQI index and QoL measured using standardized tests. The DAQI included the following elements: antioxidant vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and the total antioxidant capacity of the diet. The study involved 165 young women with AV, mainly students. A self-report survey was used to collect basic data on their sociodemographic status, anthropometric information, and lifestyle. The energy value of the diet and the content of vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids with antioxidant activity in the diet were estimated using 3-day food diaries and the Diet 6.0 program. The antioxidant potential of the diet and the content of polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and selenium were calculated based on the consumption of individual food products and available databases. The results of this study showed that the QoL of the young women with AV was impaired. However, greater adherence to an antioxidant diet reduces the risk of AV impact on the QoL by approximately 30-32% and the risk of depression by 33%. The DAQI may be used as a new indicator of diet quality in acne vulgaris.

Paddy Rice (<i>Oryza sativum</i>) Production and Processing in Nigeria: A Review

Rice stands as a crucial staple in Nigeria, where its substantial population renders the country and the region as the largest rice consumers. The demand for rice has surged in recent times, transforming it into both a vital food supply chain and cash commodity crop for the developing world. Virtually ubiquitous applied in daily food menu’ of Nigerian diet, the high demand for milled rice in Nigeria is significantly increasing with the increasing population which was estimated at 5.2 million tonnes with an average national production of 3.3 million metric tonnes. These results showed a supply and demand gap average of 1.9 million metric tonnes which necessitating rice imports. While rice processing capacity in Nigeria reaches 2.8 million metric tonnes for paddy rice annually, which covers half of the annual requirement, survey indicates that quality of domestically processed rice is inferior to imported varieties, marked by broken rice, foreign matters, stones, dirt and debris. This led to diminished quality interest in local rice preferring the imported with international quality. An uncompetitive standing of domestic rice both local and global markets present a significant challenge to rice production in Nigerian industries. Consequently, this review aims to assess paddy rice production, processing, consumption, as well as postharvest handling and storage methods in Nigeria. The full mechanization of riceprocessing operations is advocated to reduce paddy rice handling time and minimize deterioration, a key factor contributing to subpar milled-rice quality. It is imperative for both the private and public sectors to intensify efforts toward local rice production to meet citizens' demands. Urgent investments into the production machinery, methods of processing, infrastructure and the policies set by the Nigerian Government and its agencies in rice processing chain are necessary to enhance the quality of processing paddy rice, which will ultimately elevate the quality of domestic rice products.

Enhancing pig growth and gut health with fermented Jatropha curcas cake: Impacts on microbiota, metabolites, and neurotransmitters

AbstractGiven the escalating global crisis in feed protein availability, Jatropha curcas L. cake has attracted significant interest as a viable alternative protein source in animal feed. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented Jatropha curcas L. cake (FJCC) as a protein feed in the diet of pigs. A total of 96 growing pigs with an average weight of 27.60 ± 1.59 kg were divided into three dietary groups with varying FJCC inclusion levels (0, 2.5, and 5%) for a 28 d trial. Results showed that the diet with 5% FJCC (FJCC5) demonstrated significant improvements in average daily gain (p = 0.009), feed‐to‐gain ratio (p = 0.036), nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology. Furthermore, the FJCC5 diet resulted in a decrease in pH values in different gut sections (jejunum p = 0.045, cecum p = 0.001, colon p = 0.012), and favorably altered the profile of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with increased butyric acid content (p = 0.005) and total SCFAs (p = 0.019). Additionally, this diet notably decreased IL‐6 levels in the jejunum (p = 0.008) and colon (=0.047), significantly reduced IL‐1 levels in the hypothalamus (p < 0.001), and lowered IL‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐10 levels in plasma (p < 0.05). Microbiota and metabolite profile analysis revealed an elevated abundance of beneficial microbes (p < 0.05) and key metabolites such as 4‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) (p = 0.003) and serotonin (5‐HT) (p = 0.022), linked to neuroactive ligand‐receptor interaction. Moreover, FJCC5 significantly boosted circulating neurotransmitter levels of 5‐HT (p = 0.006) and GABA (p = 0.002) in plasma and hypothalamus, with corresponding increases in precursor amino acids (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that FJCC, particularly at a 5% inclusion rate, can be an effective substitute for traditional protein sources like soybean meal, offering benefits beyond growth enhancement to gut health and potentially impacting the gut‐brain axis. This research underscores FJCC's potential as a valuable component in sustainable animal nutrition strategies.

To Assess the Cariogenicity of the Lunch Box Content of Schoolgoing Children of Karad: A Cross-sectional Study.

The present study was conducted to identify the main foods and beverages consumed at primary school and also to explore the information regarding cariogenic food consumption patterns of children in the school. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 150 schoolgoing children of age 6-9 years of an English medium school in Karad. Respondents were asked about the type of daily food consumption at breakfast, lunch, and dinner using a 24-hour diet chart, and the lunch box of children was viewed at the time of lunch break to assess for carbohydrate-rich diet. Majority of the students (58.6%) were boys, from class IV (25.4%) and class III (25.4%), and were between 20 and 25 kg (48%) and 116 and 130 cm (42%). It was observed that the most frequently consumed food in the lunch box was chapati/paratha and vegetables (45%) followed by poha/upma (28%) and biscuits (22%). Almost half of the students (46%) were in the category of "watch-out zone," that is, >15 sugar exposure. Most of the food consumed in school was homemade and was less cariogenic. Beverages were less consumed by the students in the school time. Since dental caries is a chronic infectious disease affecting more than two-thirds of all children and the incidence of caries is directly related to "form" or "physical consistency" of the sugar-containing foods, the content of lunch box should be considered a priority for health promotion efforts among children. Gugawad S, Patil SV, Devendrappa SN. To Assess the Cariogenicity of the Lunch Box Content of Schoolgoing Children of Karad: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(2):121-124.

Impact of macronutrients intake on glycemic homeostasis of preterm infants: evidence from continuous glucose monitoring

Nutritional intake could influence the blood glucose profile during early life of preterm infants. We investigated the impact of macronutrient intake on glycemic homeostasis using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). We analyzed macronutrient intake in infants born ≤ 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and/or with birth weight ≤ 1500 g. CGM was started within 48 h of birth and maintained for 5 days. Mild and severe hypoglycemia were defined as sensor glucose (SG) < 72 mg/dL and <47 mg/dL, respectively, while mild and severe hyperglycemia were SG > 144 mg/dL and >180 mg/dL. Data from 30 participants were included (age 29.9 weeks (29.1; 31.2), birthweight 1230.5 g (1040.0; 1458.6)). A reduced time in mild hypoglycemia was associated to higher amino acids intake (p = 0.011) while increased exposure to hyperglycemia was observed in the presence of higher lipids intake (p = 0.031). The birthweight was the strongest predictor of neonatal glucose profile with an inverse relationship between the time spent in hyperglycemia and birthweight (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Macronutrient intakes influence neonatal glucose profile as described by continuous glucose monitoring. CGM might contribute to adjust nutritional intakes in preterm infants.What is Known:• Parenteral nutrition may affect glucose profile during the first days of life of preterm infants.What is New:• Continuous glucose monitoring describes the relationship between daily parenteral nutrient intakes and time spent in hypo and hyperglycemic ranges.

Hepatic signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 signalling drives early-stage pancreatic cancer cachexia via suppressed ketogenesis.

Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often suffer from cachexia, a wasting syndrome that significantly reduces both quality of life and survival. Although advanced cachexia is associated with inflammatory signalling and elevated muscle catabolism, the early events driving wasting are poorly defined. During periods of nutritional scarcity, the body relies on hepatic ketogenesis to generate ketone bodies, and lipid metabolism via ketogenesis is thought to protect muscle from catabolizing during nutritional scarcity. We developed an orthotopic mouse model of early PDAC cachexia in 12-week-old C57BL/6J mice. Murine pancreatic cancer cells (KPC) were orthotopically implanted into the pancreas of wild-type, IL-6-/-, and hepatocyte STAT3-/- male and female mice. Mice were subject to fasting, 50% food restriction, ad libitum feeding or ketogenic diet interventions. We measured longitudinal body composition by EchoMRI, body mass and food intake. At the endpoint, we measured tissue mass, tissue gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, whole-body calorimetry, circulating hormone levels, faecal protein and lipid content, hepatic lipid content and ketogenic response to medium-chain fatty acid bolus. We assessed muscle atrophy in vivo and C2C12 myotube atrophy in vitro. Pre-cachectic PDAC mice did not preserve gastrocnemius muscle mass during 3-day food restriction (-13.1±7.7% relative to food-restricted sham, P=0.0117) and displayed impaired fatty acid oxidation during fasting, resulting in a hypoketotic state (ketogenic response to octanoate bolus, -83.0±17.3%, P=0.0328; Hmgcs2 expression, -28.3±7.6%, P=0.0004). PDAC human patients display impaired fasting ketones (-46.9±7.1%, P<0.0001) and elevated circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) (12.4±16.5-fold increase, P=0.0001). IL-6-/- PDAC mice had improved muscle mass (+35.0±3.9%, P=0.0031) and ketogenic response (+129.4±44.4%, P=0.0033) relative to wild-type PDAC mice. Hepatocyte-specific signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) deletion prevented muscle loss (+9.3±4.0%, P=0.009) and improved fasting ketone levels (+52.0±43.3%, P=0.018) in PDAC mice. Without affecting tumour growth, a carbohydrate-free diet improved tibialis anterior myofibre diameter (+16.5±3.5%, P=0.0089), circulating ketone bodies (+333.0±117.6%, P<0.0001) and Hmgcs2 expression (+106.5±36.1%, P<0.0001) in PDAC mice. Ketone supplementation protected muscle against PDAC-induced atrophy in vitro (+111.0±17.6%, P<0.0001 myofibre diameter). In early PDAC cachexia, muscle vulnerability to wasting is dependent on inflammation-driven metabolic reprogramming in the liver. PDAC suppresses lipid β-oxidation and impairs ketogenesis in the liver, which is reversed in genetically modified mouse models deficient in IL-6/STAT3 signalling or through ketogenic diet supplementation. This work establishes a direct link between skeletal muscle homeostasis and hepatic metabolism. Dietary and anti-inflammatory interventions that restore ketogenesis may be a viable preventative approach for pre-cachectic patients with pancreatic cancer.

The Effect of Maternal Overweight/Obesity on Serum and Breastmilk Leptin, and Its Associations with Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Health Indices, and Maternal Diet: The BLOOM Study.

In overweight and obese patients, elevated serum and breastmilk leptin concentrations are observed, with serum leptin also being likely affected by the diet. We analyzed serum and breastmilk leptin in normal weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) mothers, and evaluated its associations with (1) maternal anthropometric parameters; (2) markers of cardiometabolic health; and (3) the maternal diet. The BLOOM (Breastmilk and the Link to Overweight/Obesity and Maternal diet) study was conducted among 40 women (n = 20 OW/OB; n = 20, NW) who were exclusively or predominantly breastfeeding for 15.5 ± 1.2 (OW/OB group (0.99)) weeks. We collected 24 h breastmilk and fasting blood samples for leptin analysis by ELISA. Maternal dietary habits were evaluated using a 3-day dietary record and food frequency questionnaire, which were used to calculate the Polish-adapted Mediterranean Diet score. Maternal anthropometric measurements and DEXA scans were performed, and anthropometric and cardiometabolic indices were calculated. The OW mothers had 1.4 times higher serum levels, while OB mothers had 4.5 and 6.2 higher serum and breastmilk leptin levels, respectively, in comparison to the NW mothers. The FM% was correlated with serum and breastmilk leptin levels (r = 0.878, r = 0.638). Serum leptin was associated with markers of cardiometabolic health such as AIP, CMI, and VAI in the NW mothers, and with LAP in the OW/OB mothers. Higher energy, fructose intake and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were associated with serum leptin in the NW mothers (β = 0.323, 0.039-0.608; β = 0.318, 0.065-0.572; β = 0.279, 0.031-0.528); meanwhile, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet could protect against elevated breastmilk leptin concentrations in OW/OB mothers (β = -0.444, -0.839--0.050), even after adjustment for FM%. Our results suggest a potential association between maternal serum leptin concentrations and cardiometabolic health. In addition, we confirm the importance of healthy dietary patterns in the improvement of breastmilk composition.

Use of a precision feeding program during gestation improves the performance of high-producing sows

Current gestating sow feeding strategies are based on using a single diet regardless of parity or gestation stage. Precision feeding (PF) of the individual sows allows dynamic changes in amino acid and energy requirements throughout gestation. The hypothesis of the study was that meeting the daily predicted amino acid and energy demands of gestating sows using a mathematical model and automatic precision feeder to establish the nutrition programs, would improve reproductive and productive performance compared to conventional feeding programs. Seventy-five mixed-parity sows were distributed among 3 treatments. A treatment managed as flat curve (FLAT: 2.1 kg/d, 1 – 110 d), a high-low-high curve (HLH: 2.2 kg/d, 1 – 49 d; 2.0 kg/d, 50 – 84 d; 2.6 kg/d, 85 – 110 d), where sows received the same diet with 3.2 Mcal/kg of metabolizable energy (ME) and 0.7 g/kg of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine. For the PF treatment, feeding level and blend of 2 basal diets (3.0 Mcal/kg of ME; 8.0 and 2.0 g/kg of SID lysine for high and low lysine, respectively) was adjusted daily for each sow to accurately meet estimated amino acid and energy requirements based on live weight, gestation stage and parity. Sows fed PF were heavier on d 110 of gestation (P = 0.011) and tended to increase total number of born (P = 0.092) and born alive (P = 0.077). Sows fed PF showed a higher litter weight (P = 0.003) at birth, lower lactation feed intake (P = 0.010), higher milk yield (P = 0.043) and a larger litter size (P = 0.050). Precision feeding sows also presented an improved maternal transformation index (P = 0.013) when compared to HLH and FLAT. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the application of PF strategies based on daily nutrient adjustments is highly beneficial for high-producing sows to support the dynamic needs for nutrient availability for the sow´s body growth, mammary gland and fetal development.

Dose-dependent effects of enteral nutrition on the faecal microbiota and short chain fatty acids

IntroductionEnteral nutrition (EN) involves replacing all or part of a person’s habitual diet with a nutritional formula. The impact of varying doses of EN on the gut microbiome remains understudied. MethodsHealthy adults replaced all (100% EN) or part (85% EN, 50% EN and 20% EN) of their energy requirements with EN for 7 days. Faecal samples were collected before and on day 7 of interventions. Faecal pH, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) and 16S rRNA sequencing were performed. Dietary assessment was performed with 7-day food diaries. ResultsSixty-one participants (31 females; median (IQR) age: 24.7 (23.0-27.8) years) were recruited. A dose-dependent impact of EN on faecal microbiota, SCFAs, BCFAs) and pH was observed, with changes detectable at EN intakes of at least 50% of energy requirements. 100% and 85% EN reduced the abundance of fibre-fermenting taxa such as Agathobacter, Faecalibaterium, Succinivibrio and Acidaminococcus. In parallel, potentially harmful organisms like Eubacterium, Actinomyces, and Klebsiella increased. In the 50% EN group, adherence to a diet high in fish, vegetables, potatoes, non-alcoholic beverages, and fat spreads, and low in cereal products, milk, and meat negatively correlated with changes in microbiota structure (r=-0.75, P=0.025). This signal was not observed when using compositional tools for microbiota analysis. ConclusionsEN detrimentally influences the faecal microbiota and diet-related bacterial metabolites in a dose-dependent manner, particularly at doses of at least 50%. The findings of this study have implications for the dietary management and counselling of patients receiving high volume EN.

Addition of pyroligneous extract (wood vinegar) to the diet of growing and finishing pigs

The search for growth promoters from natural resources is essential for swine breeding. This study evaluated the effect of including different levels of eucalyptus wood vinegar (WV) in the swine diet on the performance, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the carcass, and diarrhea index. Twenty-four crossbred females (Pietrain, Landrace, and Large White lines) were used, with an average initial weight of 31.2 + 5.6 kg. The animals received feed and water ad libitum. The feed was composed of corn, soybean meal, vegetable oil, and commercial supplement (evimix), and the dietary experiments consisted of rising levels of pyroligneous extract (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%). At the end of the experimental period (72 days), when the animals had an average weight of 97.5 kg, the following performance parameters were measured: daily feed consumption (DFC), daily weight gain (DWG), food recovery (FR), and quantitative and qualitative carcass limits. The results demonstrated no linear or quadratic effect (P&lt;0.05) on the growth phase between treatments. However, considering the total period (growth phase + termination) of the animals in the 1% group, they presented a linear effect (P&lt;0.05) for DFC but no significant effect for DWG and FR. There was no difference (P&lt;0.05) between quantitative and qualitative carcass values. Evaluation of the diarrhea index showed that the WV did not change like the animals' feces. So, WV can be used up to 1.5% of the diet of these animals without causing damage to performance or carcass quality, in addition to shortening the time to slaughter by 10%.&#x0D;

Social vulnerability and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents

BackgroundSocial vulnerability can influence in the development of cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents (CRF). For this reason, the objective of our study was to evaluate the presence of CRF in adolescents, according to social vulnerability.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with 517 adolescents of both sexes, from 10 to 19 years of age, classified into 2 groups by social vulnerability, according to socioeconomic characteristics collected by means of questionnaires, where adolescents who did not have access to drinking water, sewage network, and adequate per capita income were classified as vulnerable. Anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure data were evaluated. Level of physical activity was assessed by an adapted questionnaire, and food intake was assessed by a 3-day food record. Independent T, Mann-Whitney, and χ2 tests were used, according to the scale of measurement of the variables, on the statistical program SPSS, version 25, at a significance level of 5%.ResultsAdolescents had median age of 14 (11 to 15) years; 58.4% were female; 32.4% were overweight, and 52.4% were physically inactive in leisure. Mean consumption of ultra-processed food was observed to account for 45.0% of calorie intake. Adolescents classified as vulnerable had lower weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference when compared to non-vulnerable adolescents. Both groups had cholesterol concentrations above the normal level. Non-vulnerable adolescents had higher triglyceride concentrations, higher alcohol consumption, and lower fiber intake compared to vulnerable adolescents.ConclusionsAdolescents with social vulnerability are less likely to have cardiovascular risk factors.

The GUTFIT Cohort: Identifying dietary intake of Chinese New Zealanders with functional constipation

Distinct pathophysiology has been identified with disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI), including functional constipation (FC)(1,2), yet the causes remain unclear. Identifying how modifiable factors (i.e., diet) differ depending on gastrointestinal health status is important to understand relationships between dietary intake, pathophysiology, and disease burden of FC. Given that dietary choices are culturally influenced, understanding ethnicity-specific diets of individuals with FC is key to informing appropriate symptom management and prevention strategies. Despite distinct genetic and cultural features of Chinese populations with increasing FC incidence(3), DGBI characteristics are primarily described in Caucasian populations(2). We therefore aimed to identify how dietary intake of Chinese individuals with FC differs to non-Chinese individuals with FC, relative to healthy controls. The Gastrointestinal Understanding of Functional Constipation In an Urban Chinese and Urban non-Chinese New Zealander Cohort (GUTFIT) study was a longitudinal case-control study using systems biology to investigate the multi-factorial aetiology of FC. Here we conducted a cross-sectional dietary intake assessment, comparing Chinese individuals with FC (Ch-FC) against three control groups: a) non-Chinese with FC (NCh-FC) b) Chinese without FC (Ch-CON) and c) non-Chinese without FC (NCh-CON). Recruitment from Auckland, New Zealand (NZ) identified Chinese individuals based on self-identification alongside both parents self-identifying as Chinese, and FC using the ROME IV criteria. Dietary intake was captured using 3-day food diaries recorded on consecutive days, including one weekend day. Nutrient analysis was performed by Foodworks 10 and statistical analysis with SPSS using a generalised linear model (ethnicity and FC status as fixed factors). Of 78 enrolled participants, 66 completed the study and 64 (39.4 ± 9.2 years) completed a 3-day food diary at the baseline assessment. More participants were female (84%) than male (16%). FC and ethnicity status allocated participants into 1 of 4 groups: Ch-FC (n = 11), Ch-CON (n = 18), NCh-FC (n = 16), NCh-CON (n = 19). Within NCh, ethnicities included NZ European (30%), non-Chinese Asian (11%), Other European (11%), and Latin American (2%). Fibre intake did not differ between Ch-FC and NCh-FC (ethnicity × FC status interaction p&gt;0.05) but was independently lower overall for FC than CON individuals (21.8 ± 8.7 versus 27.0 ± 9.7 g, p&lt;0.05) and overall for Ch than NCh (22.1 ± 8.0 versus 27.0 ± 10.4 g, p&lt;0.05). Carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes were not different across groups (p&gt;0.05 each, respectively). In the context of fibre and macronutrient intake, there is no difference between Ch-FC and NCh-FC. Therefore, fibre and macronutrients are unlikely to contribute to potential pathophysiological differences in FC between ethnic groups. A more detailed assessment of dietary intake concerning micronutrients, types of fibre, or food choices may be indicated to ascertain whether other dietary differences exist.

Positive relationship between plant diversity dietary patterns and disease activity in Australian adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Diet is implicated in the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, the role of diet in reducing inflammation and managing prevalent disease is unclear (1–3). Previous studies have analysed the relationship between dietary patterns and occurrence of flares or symptoms, but not disease activity or inflammation (4–5). It is important to explore the role of habitual diet in management of IBD to provide targeted dietary recommendations. We explored the relationship between dietary intake with disease activity and inflammation in an Australian adult cohort with and without IBD. We analysed dietary and clinical data from the Australian IBD Microbiome (AIM) study. AIM is a prospective longitudinal cohort study of adults and children with Crohn’s Disease (CD), Ulcerative colitis (UC) and healthy controls (HC). Habitual dietary intake of food groups, fibre, polyphenols and fermented foods was collected by merging dietary data from 3-day food records and food frequency questionnaires with PhenolExplorer and the Australian Fibre Categories Database. Dietary patterns were explored using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) in IBM SPSS Statistics (V29). Associations between dietary intake, clinical disease activity categorised as remission or active, and faecal calprotectin (FCAL) were explored in adult participants. A total of 412 participants (IBD = 223, HC = 189) were included. FCAL data was available for 211 participants (HC = 100, CD = 49, UC = 62). Median (IQR) FCAL at baseline was 20 (20) mg/kg for HC and 33 (127) mg/kg for IBD, indicating clinically irrelevant inflammation (FCAL &gt;50mg/kg = clinical inflammation). PCA identified 7 distinct dietary patterns for adults with IBD. A dietary pattern of high plant diversity was associated with active CD. In the total IBD cohort, low association to a 'Prudent’ pattern was positively associated with low FCAL, and high association to a 'Meat-eaters’ dietary pattern was positively associated with moderate FCAL. CA revealed 3 distinct clusters amongst participants with IBD. No significant difference between diet cluster and disease activity or FCAL was seen. There were no significant differences in intake of fibre or polyphenols between remission vs active disease in participants with IBD. A significant difference between total, soluble and insoluble fibre and FCAL categories was seen with a higher fibre intake associated with lower FCAL. Higher plant-diversity and 'Prudent’ dietary patterns are associated with active disease and higher FCAL in Australian adults with IBD. Reverse causality cannot be ruled out, with analysis of larger cohorts and clinical trial data needed to clarify this.