Diet Period Research Articles

Individual Postprandial Glycemic Responses to Diet in N-of-1 Trials: Westlake N-of-1 Trials for Macronutrient Intake (WE-MACNUTR)

ObjectivesWe aimed to use a novel ‘N-of-1’ study design to investigate the individual variability in postprandial glycemic response when eating diets with different macronutrient distributions among healthy adults. MethodsThirty apparently healthy young Chinese adults aged between 22 and 34 years were enrolled. Each participant was provided with high-fat, low-carbohydrate (HF-LC) and low-fat, high-carbohydrate (LF-HC) diets for six days wearing the continuous glucose monitor systems, respectively, in a randomized sequence, interspersed by a six-day wash-out period. Three cycles were conducted. The primary outcomes were the differences of maximum postprandial glucose (MPG), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), and area under the curve (AUC24) between intervention periods of LF-HC and HF-LC diets. A Bayesian model was used to determine responders with the posterior probability of any one of the three outcomes reaching a clinically meaningful difference. ResultsTwo participants abandoned at an early stage of the intervention, and the remaining 28 participants were included in the analysis set. The LF-HC diet, compared with the HF-LC diet, induced a higher MPG (n = 7) or MAGE (n = 5, with 3 overlapping with MPG) response among 9 individuals, who were identified as high-carb responders. On the other hand, the HF-LC diet, compared with the LF-HC diet, induced a higher MPG (n = 3) or MAGE (n = 4, with 1 overlapping with MPG) response among 6 individuals, who were identified as high-fat responders. ConclusionsThe present study supports N-of-1 trials’ feasibility for defining personalized nutritional advice modulating postprandial hyperglycemia and potentially preventing cardiometabolic diseases. Funding SourcesNational Natural Science Foundation of China.

Diet Quality on Weekends Versus Weekdays Overall and by Race/Ethnicity Among Mothers and Children From SNAP-Ed Eligible Households Across California

Abstract Objectives To examine Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores for dietary intake on weekends versus weekdays overall and by the race/ethnicity of mothers and their children from households eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Education Program-Education (SNAP-Ed). Methods Households with incomes ≤185% of the federal poverty level were randomly selected in 2018 and 2019. A study introduction letter in English or Spanish was sent to each household. Next, bilingual staff verified household eligibility by phone, and the youngest mother/caregiver of children and one child 5 to 11 years. During the subsequent interviews, bilingual staff administered the Automated Self-administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) in English or Spanish. The quantity and size of each reported food and beverage item was determined by asking mothers to reference pictures in a study-provided portion-size booklet or measuring cups or spoons. The procedures were replicated to obtain 24-hour dietary information for children. HEI-2015 scores were calculated based on established procedures from 13 components of dietary intake. In line with previous studies, “weekend” represented the 24-hour dietary recall period occurring on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. HEI-2015 scores were regressed for the complete samples, and Latinx, African American, and white mothers and children separately. Covariates were age, education for mothers, gender for children, and number of telephone recruitment attempts leading to and including the two completed interviews per household. Results Complete and paired data were available for 4,166 mothers and children. Mean HEI-2015 scores for mothers was 58.9 (95% CI = 57.8,60.0) and for children was 54.9 (95% CI = 54.0,55.8). For the complete samples, diet quality was poorer on weekends: mothers: B = −1.43 (95% CI = −2.30, −0.564); children: B = −1.58 (95% CI = −2.43, −0.736). However, within racial/ethnic group analyses revealed only Latinx mothers and children to have poorer weekend versus weekday diets. Conclusions Studies of Latinx mothers and their children should investigate reasons for poorer diets on weekends, and such factors should be incorporated into SNAP-Ed and other nutrition interventions directed at Latinx families. Funding Sources California Department of Social Services.

Herbs and Spices Modulate Gut Microbiota Composition: A Randomized, Crossover, Controlled-Feeding Study

Abstract Objectives The effect of culinary doses of herbs and spices, consumed as part of a well-defined dietary pattern, on gut microbiota composition has not been previously studied. The aim of this study was to examine gut microbial composition following an average American diet (carbohydrate: 50% kcal; protein: 17%; total fat: 33%; saturated fat: 11%; sodium: 3000 mg/d) containing herbs and spices at 0.5 (Low Spice Diet; LSD), 3.3 (Moderate Spice Diet; MSD) and 6.6 (High Spice Diet; HSD) g/day/2100 kcal in adults at-risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods Fifty-four adults (57% female; 45 ± 11 years, BMI 29.8 ± 2.9 kg/m2; waist circumference 102.8 ± 7.1 cm) were included in this three-period, randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding study. Each diet was provided for 4-weeks with a minimum 2-week wash-out period. At baseline and the end of each diet period subjects provided a fecal sample for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. QIIME2 was used for data filtration, sequence clustering, taxonomy assignment and statistical analysis. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analyses were used to determine enriched biomarker taxa following each diet. Results No between-diet differences in alpha diversity were observed based on Faith's Phylogenetic Diversity, Observed Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), and Pielou's Evenness (Kruskal-Walllis, P > 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis showed beta-diversity following the HSD significantly differed from baseline (PERMANOVA, P = 0.030). LEfSe pairwise analyses identified multiple taxa that were differentially abundant following the spice-containing diets vs. baseline. Compared to baseline, 34 taxa were enriched with the HSD, 22 taxa were enriched with the MSD and 20 taxa were enriched with the LSD. Members of the taxa enriched with the HSD are known short-chain fatty acid producers (Faecalibacterium and Butyricimonas). Conclusions The addition of herbs and spices at 0.5, 3.3, and 6.6 g/day/2100 kcal to an average American diet altered gut microbiota composition, and resulted in enrichment of short-chain fatty acid producers, after 4-weeks in adults at elevated risk for CVD. Funding Sources McCormick Science Institute; NCATS NIH (1UL1TR002014–01); Grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Precollege and Undergraduate Science Education Program to Juniata College supported the computational research.

A Culinary Dose of Herbs and Spices Improves 24-Hour Blood Pressure in Adults at Risk for Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Randomized, Crossover, Controlled-Feeding Study

Abstract Objectives Intake of a herb/spice containing meal attenuates post-prandial lipemia, hyperglycemia and oxidative stress, and improves endothelial function. No randomized controlled trials have examined the cardiometabolic effects of longer-term intake of mixed herbs and spices. We aimed to assess the effect of an average American diet containing herbs and spices at 0.5 (Low Spice Diet; LSD), 3.3 (Moderate Spice Diet; MSD) and 6.6 (High Spice Diet; HSD) g/day/2100 kcal on lipids/lipoproteins as well as other risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in at-risk adults. Methods A three-period, randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding study including 71 participants (55% female; 44 ± 11 years, BMI 29.7 ± 2.9 kg/m2; waist circumference 102.4 ± 7.3 cm) was conducted. Each diet was provided for 4-weeks with a minimum 2-week wash-out period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and the end of each diet period. On 2 separate days at each time point a fasting blood draw was taken for analysis of lipids/lipoproteins, glucose and insulin. A SphygmoCor XCEL was used for pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity assessment, and participants wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for a 24-hour period. Results No between-diet effects were observed for LDL-cholesterol, the primary outcome. Between-diet differences were observed for mean 24-hour systolic (P < 0.001) and diastolic (P < 0.001) blood pressure. The HSD lowered mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the MSD (−2.2 mmHg; 95% CI −0.7, −3.8; P = 0.002 and −1.6 mmHg; 95% CI −0.6, −2.5; P < 0.001, respectively) and LSD (−2.1 mmHg; 95% CI −3.6, −0.6; P = 0.004 and −1.7 mmHg; 95% CI −0.7, −2.7; P < 0.001, respectively); no differences were detected between the LSD and MSD. No between-diet effects were observed for clinic measured blood pressure, markers of glycemia, or vascular function. Conclusions In the context of a suboptimal U.S. style diet, addition of a culinary dose of mixed herbs and spices (6.6 g/day/2100kcal) improved 24-hour blood pressure after 4-weeks, compared to lower doses (0.5 and 3.3 g/day/2100 kcal), in adults at elevated risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Funding Sources McCormick Science Institute and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health (1UL1TR002014–01).

Effect of Pea Hull Fiber on Uremic Metabolites and Gut Microbiota Composition in Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis

ObjectivesThe objective was to determine the effects of pea hull fiber intake on serum uremic molecules and microbiota composition of individuals undergoing hemodialysis. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-control, crossover study was conducted with individuals undergoing hemodialysis. Following a 1-week baseline, participants consumed muffins with added pea hull fiber (15 g/d) and control muffins daily for 4 weeks in random order, separated by a 4-week washout. Blood and stool samples were collected during each period. Serum p-cresol sulfate (PCS), indoxyl sulfate (IS) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) were analyzed by LC–MS/MS and fecal microbiome profile by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. qPCR for taxa of interest (Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium, and Roseburia) was performed. QIIME 2 sample-classifier was used to discover a unique microbiota profile due to the consumption of pea hull fiber. ResultsOf the 18 participants randomized (50 ± 4 y; eGFR 6.6 ± 0.7 ml/min/1.73m2), 13 completed the study. No significant changes from baseline were observed in serum PCS (3256 ± 505 μmol/L), IS (166 ± 23 μmol/L) or TMAO (96 ± 12 μmol/L), or for the relative quantification of A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium, and Roseburia, taxa thought to be health enhancing. Taxa that most distinguished the microbiota composition during the pea hull fiber intervention from usual diet periods were enriched Gemmiger, Collinsella and depleted Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, Coprococcus and Mogibacteriaceae. Given that abundance of Collinsella has been inversely associated with dietary fiber, this finding was unexpected. ConclusionsIn dialysis patients, added pea hull fiber did not reduce the serum levels of targeted uremic molecules but did alter fecal microbiota composition. Future research in this patient population should explore the efficacy of alternate fiber sources or plant-based dietary patterns for reducing serum levels of uremic toxins. Funding SourcesSaskatchewan Pulse Growers.

Abstract P138: Diet Quality Improvements In Response To Evening Snacks That Differ By Carbohydrate And Fat Composition: A 6-week, Randomized, Crossover Trial In Participants With Impaired Fasting Glucose

Objectives: To examine the effect of consuming one ounce of peanuts (PNUT) as an evening snack on diet quality compared to an isocaloric lower fat higher carbohydrate snack (LFHC), in individuals with impaired fasting glucose IFG. Methods: Fifty-one individuals (48% female; 42 ± 15 y; BMI 28.3 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 ; glucose 100 ± 8 mg/dL; total cholesterol 189 ± 30 mg/dL; LDL-C 121 ± 26 mg/dL; HDL-C 53 ± 14 mg/dL; triglycerides 116 ± 73 mg/dL) were enrolled in this two-period, randomized, crossover trial. In random order, subjects consumed each snack in the evening (after dinner and before bedtime) for 6 weeks (PNUT: 164 kcal, 14 g fat, 2.2 g saturated fat, 6 g carbohydrate, 7 g protein, 2.4 g fiber; LFHC: 165 kcal, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 22 g carbohydrate, 7 g protein, 3.0 g fiber) with a 4 week compliance break. Subjects were instructed not to consume other caloric foods/beverages after dinner. Participants self-reported being adherent to the protocol on 88% of study days. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls (ASA24® Dietary Assessment Tool) conducted at the beginning and end of each diet period. The Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) was calculated using the NCI SAS code. Results: There was no between-condition difference in the HEI-2015 score for PNUT compared to LFHC (mean difference 3.2; 95% CI -1.1, 7.4). Individual mean component scores were significantly different following PNUT compared to LFHC (whole grains: -2.0 [95% CI -3.1, -1.0]; seafood and plant protein: 1.5 [95% CI 0.8, 2.3]; fatty acids: 2.0 [95% CI 0.8, 3.2]; and saturated fat 1.2 [95% CI 0.1, 2.4]). Following PNUT, consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (3 g; 95% CI 0.2, 6.6), total protein foods (2.0 oz-eq; 95% CI 0.5, 3.4) and vegetable oils (6.5 g; 95% CI 1.6, 11.5) were higher whereas whole grain (-0.9 oz-eq; 95% CI -1.2, -0.5) consumption was lower compared to LFHC. No other differences in dietary intake were observed. Conclusions: In individuals with IFG, consuming 28g of peanuts as an evening snack increased consumption of total protein foods, oils, and polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduced whole grains compared to the LFHC snack. Overall diet quality was not increased, but fatty acid and total protein food scores improved.

WHOLE-meal ancient wheat-based diet: Effect on metabolic parameters and microbiota

Background & AimsAncient wheat varieties are considered to be healthier than modern ones, but the data are not univocal. We investigated changes in hematochemical parameters and evaluated microbiota data before and after a set period on a diet containing a whole-meal ancient wheat mix. Patients and Methods29 cloistered nuns were recruited. The study comprised two consecutive 30-day periods; during the first one (T1), the nuns received wheat-based foods produced with refined “modern” flour (“Simeto”); during the second one (T2) received wheat-based foods produced with an unrefined flour mix composed of “ancient” cultivars. At entry to the study (T0) and at the end of T1 and T2 hematochemical parameters and fecal microbiota and metabolome were evaluated. ResultsAt the end of T2, there was a significant reduction in serum iron, ferritin, creatinine, sodium, potassium, magnesium, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol and folic acid. Furthermore, increased the abundance of cultivable enterococci, lactic acid bacteria and total anaerobes. The ability of the gut microbiome to metabolize carbohydrates increased after the period of diet containing ancient grain products. Several volatile organic compounds increased after the one month on the diet enriched with ancient grain products. ConclusionsOur data showed the beneficial effects deriving from a diet including ancient whole-meal/unrefined wheat flours.

The influence of xylanase on the fermentability, digestibility, and physicochemical properties of insoluble corn-based fiber along the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs.

In theory, supplementing xylanase in corn-based swine diets should improve nutrient and energy digestibility and fiber fermentability, but its efficacy is inconsistent. The experimental objective was to investigate the impact of xylanase on energy and nutrient digestibility, digesta viscosity, and fermentation when pigs are fed a diet high in insoluble fiber (>20% neutral detergent fiber; NDF) and given a 46-d dietary adaptation period. A total of 3 replicates of 20 growing gilts were blocked by initial body weight, individually housed, and assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a low-fiber control (LF) with 7.5% NDF, a 30% corn bran high-fiber control (HF; 21.9% NDF), HF + 100 mg xylanase/kg (HF + XY [Econase XT 25P; AB Vista, Marlborough, UK]) providing 16,000 birch xylan units/kg; and HF + 50 mg arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide (AXOS) product/kg (HF + AX [XOS 35A; Shandong Longlive Biotechnology, Shandong, China]) providing AXOS with 3–7 degrees of polymerization. Gilts were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 36-d. On d 36, pigs were housed in metabolism crates for a 10-d period, limit fed, and feces were collected. On d 46, pigs were euthanized and ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta were collected. Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model with block and replication as random effects, and treatment as a fixed effect. Compared with LF, HF reduced the apparent ileal digestibility (AID), apparent cecal digestibility (ACED), apparent colonic digestibility (ACOD), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), NDF, and hemicellulose (P < 0.01). Relative to HF, HF + XY improved the AID of GE, CP, and NDF (P < 0.05), and improved the ACED, ACOD, and ATTD of DM, GE, CP, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose (P < 0.05). Among treatments, pigs fed HF had increased hindgut DM disappearance (P = 0.031). Relative to HF, HF + XY improved cecal disappearance of DM (162 vs. 98 g; P = 0.008) and NDF (44 vs. 13 g; P < 0.01). Pigs fed xylanase had a greater proportion of acetate in cecal digesta and butyrate in colonic digesta among treatments (P < 0.05). Compared with LF, HF increased ileal, cecal, and colonic viscosity, but HF + XY decreased ileal viscosity compared with HF (P < 0.001). In conclusion, increased insoluble corn-based fiber decreases digestibility, reduces cecal fermentation, and increases digesta viscosity, but supplementing xylanase partially mitigated that effect.

The Effects of 7 Days of Feeding Pulse-Based Diets on Digestibility, Glycemic Response and Taurine Levels in Domestic Dogs.

Grain-based carbohydrate sources such as rice comprise 30–50% of commercial pet foods. Some pet foods however have removed the use of grains and have instead incorporated pulses, such as peas and lentils, resulting in grain-free diets. The hypothesis was dog diets with higher levels of dietary fiber will produce a low glycemic response due to decreased rates of digestion and lowered bioavailability of all macronutrients and increased fecal bile salt excretion. This in turn was hypothesized to produce lower plasma concentrations of cysteine, methionine and taurine after 7 days of feeding each test diet in dogs. Six diets were formulated at an inclusion level of 20% available carbohydrate, using white rice flour (grain) or whole pulse flours from smooth pea, fava bean, red lentil or 2 different wrinkled pea varieties (CDC 4,140–4 or Amigold) and fed to beagles in a randomized, cross-over, blinded design. After 7 days feeding each diet, fasting blood glucose was the lowest in the lentil (3.5 ± 0.1 mmol/L) and wrinkled pea (4,140–4; 3.6 ± 0.1 mmol/L) diet periods, while peak glucose levels was lowest after feeding the lentil diet (4.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L) compared to the rice diet. Total tract apparent digestibility of all macronutrients as well as taurine differed among diets yet plasma taurine was not outside normal range. Decreased macronutrient and amino acid digestibility was associated with increasing amylose and dietary fiber content but the specific causative agent could not be determined from this study. Surprisingly, digestibility decreases were not due to increased bile salt loss in the feces since increasing dietary fiber content led to decreased fecal bile salt levels. In conclusion, although pulse-based canine diets have beneficial low glycemic properties, after only 7 days, these pulse-based diets decrease macronutrient and amino acid digestibility. This is likely related at least in part to the lower animal protein content, but on a long-term basis could put domestic dogs at risk for low taurine and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Exhaled Breath Compounds after Whole Grain Diets.

Exhaled breath is a potential noninvasive matrix to give new information about metabolic effects of diets. In this pilot study, non-targeted analysis of exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was made by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) to explore compounds relating to whole grain (WG) diets. Nine healthy subjects participated in the dietary intervention with parallel crossover design, consisting of two high-fiber diets containing whole grain rye bread (WGR) or whole grain wheat bread (WGW) and 1-week control diets with refined wheat bread (WW) before both diet periods. Large interindividual differences were detected in the VOC composition. About 260 VOCs were detected from exhaled breath samples, in which 40 of the compounds were present in more than half of the samples. Various derivatives of benzoic acid and phenolic compounds, as well as some furanones existed in exhaled breath samples only after the WG diets, making them interesting compounds to study further.

A Four‐Week Urban Diet Impairs Vasodilation but Not Nutritional Physiology in Wild‐caught Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura)

Birds living in urban areas routinely consume anthropogenic foods, but the physiological consequences of this consumption are poorly understood. To address this question, we investigated the effects of an urban diet (UD) in wild, urban-caught mourning doves in a controlled environment. Since anthropogenic foods often contain a high proportion of refined carbohydrate and fat, we predicted that UD consumption alters body mass as well as plasma and tissue metabolites and impairs vasodilation. To test this prediction, we compared the nutritional physiology and peripheral vasodilation of doves fed an UD (1:1 ratio of bird seeds and French fries; n=7) with those of doves receiving a control diet (CON: bird seed diet; n=6) for four weeks. At the end of the dietary manipulation period, birds were euthanized and we dissected cranial tibial arteries to measure ex vivovasodilation in response to acetylcholine treatment after phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. We also collected cardiac blood as well as liver, pectoralis and gastrocnemius muscle samples to measure nutritional metabolite concentrations. The vasodilation of tibial arteries was impaired in UD compared to CON-fed birds (p=0.004), suggesting the potential for UD consumption to cause cardiovascular pathologies. Neither body mass, plasma osmolality, glucose, sodium, insulin, triglyceride, uric acid, liver glycogen and triglycerides, nor muscle glycogen differed between groups. The results suggest that short term consumption of a diet comprised of 50% anthropogenic foods is not associated with major metabolic perturbations in urban mourning doves.

The Female Athlete Triad/Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S).

In a healthy athlete, the caloric intake is sufficient for sports energy needs and body physiological functions, allowing a balance between energy availability, bone metabolism, and menstrual cycle. On the other hand, an imbalance caused by low energy availability due to a restrictive diet, eating disorders or long periods of energy expenditure leads to multisystemic deregulation favoring the essential functions of the body. This phenomenon, described as the female athlete triad, occurs in a considerable percentage of high-performance athletes, with harmful consequences for their future. The present review was carried out based on a critical analysis of the most recent publications available and aims to provide a global perception of the topic relative energy deficit in sport (RED-S). The objective is to promote the acquisition of more consolidated knowledge on an undervalued theme, enabling the acquisition of preventive strategies, early diagnosis and/or appropriate treatment.

Evaluation of energy values of high-fiber dietary ingredients with different solubility fed to growing pigs using the difference and regression methods.

The objective of this study was to compare the energy values of high-fiber dietary ingredients with different solubility (sugar beet pulp [SBP] and defatted rice bran [DFRB]) in growing pigs using the difference and the regression methods. A total of 21 barrows (initial BW, 40.5 ± 1.2 kg) were assigned to 3 blocks with BW as a blocking factor, and each block was assigned to a 7 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with 7 diets and two 13-d experimental periods. The 7 experimental diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 6 additional diets containing 10%, 20%, or 30% SBP or DFRB in the basal diet, respectively. Each of the experimental periods lasted 12 d, with a 7 d dietary adaptation period followed by 5-d total fecal and urine collection. Results showed that the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of the SBP determined by the difference method with different inclusion levels (10%, 20%, or 30%) were 2,712 and 2,628 kcal/kg, 2,683 and 2,580 kcal/kg, and 2,643 and 2,554 kcal/kg DM basis, respectively. The DE and ME in the DFRB evaluated by the difference method with 3 different inclusion levels were 2,407 and 2,243 kcal/kg, 2,687 and 2,598 kcal/kg, and 2,630 and 2,544 kcal/kg DM basis, respectively. Different inclusion levels had no effects on the energy values of each test ingredient estimated by the difference method. The DE and ME of the SBP and the DFRB estimated by the regression method were 2,562 and 2,472 kcal/kg and 2,685 and 2,606 kcal/kg DM basis, respectively. The energy values of each ingredient determined by the regression method were similar to the values estimated by the difference method with the 20% or 30% inclusion level. However, the energy values of the SBP and DFRB estimated by the difference method with the 10% inclusion level were inconsistent with the values determined by the regression method (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the regression method was a robust indirect method to evaluate the energy values for high-fiber ingredients with different solubility in growing pigs. If the number of experimental animals was limited, the difference method with a moderate inclusion level (at least 20%) of the test high-fiber ingredient in the basal diet could be applied to substitute the regression method.

A Four-Week Urban Diet Impairs Vasodilation but Not Nutritional Physiology in Wild-Caught Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura).

AbstractBirds living in urban areas routinely consume anthropogenic foods, but the physiological consequences of this consumption are poorly understood. To address this question, we investigated the effects of an urban diet (UD) in wild, urban-caught mourning doves in a controlled environment. Since anthropogenic foods often contain a high proportion of refined carbohydrate and fat, we predicted that UD consumption alters body mass as well as plasma and tissue metabolites and that it impairs vasodilation. To test this prediction, we compared body mass, various nutritional physiology parameters, and peripheral vasodilation of doves fed an UD (1∶1 ratio of bird seeds and french fries; [Formula: see text]) with those of doves receiving a control diet (CON, bird seed diet; [Formula: see text]) for 4 wk. At the end of the dietary manipulation period, birds were euthanized, and we dissected cranial tibial arteries to measure ex vivo vasodilation in response to acetylcholine treatment after phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. We also collected cardiac blood as well as liver, pectoralis, and gastrocnemius muscle samples to measure nutritional metabolite concentrations. Vasodilation of tibial arteries was impaired in UD- compared to CON-fed birds ([Formula: see text]), suggesting the potential for UD consumption to alter cardiovascular function. Body mass, plasma osmolality, glucose, sodium, insulin, triglyceride, uric acid, liver glycogen and triglycerides, and muscle glycogen did not differ between groups. The results suggest that short-term consumption of a diet composed of 50% anthropogenic foods is not associated with major metabolic perturbations in urban mourning doves.

Optical Characterization of Alternaria spp. Contaminated Wheat Grain and Its Influence in Early Broilers Nutrition on Oxidative Stress

The aim of this research was the visual characterization and investigating the effects of Alternaria spp. contaminated wheat grains in the starter stage of broilers nutrition on productive parameters and oxidative stress. The research was divided into two phases. Bunches of wheat in post-harvest period of year 2020 was collected from a various locality in Serbia and Albania. In the first phase, collected samples were visual characterized by Alternaria spp. presence by color measurement methods. Gained results are conferred in the range of the color properties of grain color properties of Alternaria toxins. Wheat grain samples were significantly different (p &lt; 0.05) in terms of all measured color parameters (L*, a*, b*). Classification of field fungi in analyzed wheat grain samples showed that the significant field fungi were Rhizopus spp., followed by Alternaria spp., and Fusarium spp. In the second phase, biological tests with chickens were carried out during the broiler chickens’ dietary starter period in the first 14th days of age. At the beginning of the experiment, a total of 180-day-old Ross 308 strain broilers were equally distributed into three dietary treatments, with four replicates each. Dietary treatments in the experiments were as follows: basal diet without visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat (A1), a basal diet with visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat from Serbia (A2), basal diet with visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat from Albania (A3). The trial with chickens lasted for 14 days. After the first experimental week, wheat infected with Alternaria spp. in treatment A2 and A3 expressed adverse effects. The highest body weight of chickens of 140.40 g was recorded in broilers on control treatment A1 with statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) compared to treatments A2 (137.32 g) and A3 (135.35 g). At the end of the second week of test period, a statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) difference in body weight of broiler chickens could be noticed. The highest body weight of 352.68 g was recorded in control treatment A1, with statistically significant differences compared to other Alternaria spp. treatments. The lowest body weight of chickens was recorded in treatment A3 (335.93 g). Results of feed consumption and feed conversion ratio showed some numerical differences between treatments but without any statistically significant differences (p &gt; 0.05). Alternaria spp. contaminated diet increased glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and decreased peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) serum levels, respectively. Built on the achieved results, it can be concluded that the wheat contaminated with Alternaria spp. in broilers nutrition negatively affected growth, decreased oxidative protection and interrupted chicken welfare in the first period of life.

Changes in physical activity during a one-year weight loss trial with liraglutide in participants with knee osteoarthritis: secondary analyses of a randomised trial

Changes in physical activity during a one-year weight loss trial with liraglutide in participants with knee osteoarthritis: secondary analyses of a randomised trial

The Alkaline Diet and the Warburg Effect

The changing diets accompanying our modern life style have increased the content of foods that form acidic metabolic waste residues in the body. Wastes from these metabolic processes are released into the interstitial fluids and the blood, slightly changing their pH temporarily. This link may in turn have an impact on the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).&#x0D; According to Warburg effect theory, an acidic cellular and circulatory environment may cause various specific health problems such as hypoxia and cancer, whereas an oxygen-rich optimum-alkaline environment could retain healthy cells. However, the mechanisms by which the diet may be influential on blood pH-related parameters and on health have remained largely unknown.&#x0D; This paper begins with a detailed presentation of the concepts, issues and the existing evidence regarding alkaline and acid forming diets, and summarizes the three main mechanisms by which the diet influences the acid-base balance in the body. It then presents the findings of a small exploratory study in which one author (HB) followed diets traditionally thought to produce alkaline or acidic residues. After each diet period of one month (with a two-month wash out period), pH, oxygen saturation, and carbon dioxide partial pressure were measured for arterial and for venous blood. &#x0D; The resulting data indicated that the diets followed changed blood pH-related parameters in the expected directions according to the acid-base theory of health. Increased intake of acid-forming foods resulted in a slightly lower pH level, but a significant reduction of oxygen saturation in the blood, whereas increased consumption of alkaline forming foods maintained the high oxygen saturation in the blood that, according to Warburg effect theory, may, if maintained, reduce the incidence of NCDs. Further cross-over research of this kind is needed, utilizing large samples and testing various dietary modifications.

The effects of birth weight and estimated breeding value for protein deposition on nitrogen efficiency in growing pigs.

The effects of birth weight (BiW; low BiW [LBW] vs. high BiW [HBW]) and estimated breeding value (EBV) for protein deposition (low EBV [LBV] vs. high EBV [HBV]) on N retention, N efficiency, and concentrations of metabolites in plasma and urine related to N efficiency in growing pigs were studied. At an age of 14 wk, 10 LBW–LBV (BiW: 1.07 ± 0.09 [SD] kg; EBV: −2.52 ± 3.97 g/d, compared with an average crossbred pig with a protein deposition of 165 g/d), 10 LBW–HBV (BiW: 1.02 ± 0.13 kg; EBV: 10.47 ± 4.26 g/d), 10 HBW–LBV (BiW: 1.80 ± 0.13 kg; EBV: −2.15 ± 2.28 g/d), and 10 HBW–HBV (BiW: 1.80 ± 0.15 kg; EBV: 11.18 ± 3.68 g/d) male growing pigs were allotted to the experiment. The pigs were individually housed in metabolism cages and were subjected to an N balance study in two sequential periods of 5 d, after an 11-d dietary adaptation period. Pigs were assigned to a protein adequate (A) or protein restricted (R, 70% of A) regime in a change-over design. Pigs were fed 2.8 times the energy requirements for maintenance. Nontargeted metabolomics analyses were performed in urine and blood plasma samples. The N retention (in g/d) was higher in the HBW than in the LBW pigs (P < 0.001). The N retention (in g/[kg metabolic body weight (BW0.75) · d]) and N efficiency, however, were not affected by the BiW of the pigs. The N retention (P = 0.04) and N efficiency (P = 0.04) were higher in HBV than in LVB pigs on the A regime but were not affected by EBV in pigs on the R regime. Restricting the dietary protein supply with 30% decreased the N retention (P < 0.001) but increased the N efficiency (P = 0.003). Nontargeted metabolomics showed that a hexose, free amino acids (AA), and lysophosphatidylcholines were the most important metabolites in plasma for the discrimination between HBV and LBV pigs, whereas metabolites of microbial origin contributed to the discrimination between HBV and LBV pigs in urine. This study shows that BiW does not affect N efficiency in the later life of pigs. Nitrogen efficiency and N retention were higher in HBV than in LBV pigs on the A regime but similar in HBV and LBV pigs on the R regime. In precision feeding concepts aiming to further optimize protein and AA efficiency in pigs, the variation in EBV for protein deposition of pigs should be considered as a factor determining N retention, growth performance, and N efficiency.

A Study to Assess the Knowledge on Food Practices among Postnatal Mothers

Introduction: Women need to receive special health and social support during postnatal time to preventproblems. Inadequate care might result in complications for the mother and her child. Nutrition plays animportant role in the course of the postpartum period. It is well documented that dietary modification duringthis period has a profound effect on the nutritional status of both the mother and the newborn. According torecent studies, Sueel Raj and Mishra (2008) examined the food consumption pattern and associated habitsof the Bhil tribe of Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. They found that no special foods are being consumedduring pregnancy. Sahoo and Panda (2005) while studying in the Balasore District of Odisha found thatsome sort of food restrictions during pregnancy. The general concept was that the restricted food itemswould cause cold and cough to the mother or would lead to abortion. Aim: To assess the knowledge on foodpractice among postnatal mothers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey research design was donefrom March 2019 - July 2019 in 30 postnatal mothers. Data was collected with structured questionnaire onknowledge on food practices among postnatal mothers. Questions are How much kcal required for PNCmother. Green vegetables helps in, Dairy product helps in, Protein helps in..etc. Descriptive statistics wererepresented in Frequency and percentage. Statistical tests used were One way ANOVA test and independentT –test and Chi square test. The level of significance was considered to be statistically significant whenthe p-value was ?0.05. Result: Distribution of postnatal mothers according to their age in years shows themajority (76%) of them belongs to the age of 20-30 years, Distribution of postnatal mothers according totypes of diet that majority of (73%) have vegetarian, 20%non vegetarian, 6% have taking mix diet. Themajority 16 (53%) women were having average level of knowledge , 14(46%) women were having goodlevel of knowledge .The minimum score was 4 and maximum score was 11, , the mean score was 7.80 andstandard deviation is 2.18 respectively Conclusion: This reveals that age group of 20-30years have moreknowledge, 16 (53%) women were having average level of knowledge , 14(46%) women were having goodlevel of knowledge

Effects of two consecutive mixed meals high in palmitic acid or stearic acid on 8-h postprandial lipemia and glycemia in healthy-weight and overweight men and postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

PurposePalmitic and stearic acids have different effects on fasting serum lipoproteins. However, the effects on postprandial lipemia and glycemia are less clear. Also, the effects of a second meal may differ from those of the first meal. Therefore, we studied the effects of two consecutive mixed meals high in palmitic acid- or stearic acid-rich fat blends on postprandial lipemia and glycemia.MethodsIn a randomized, crossover study, 32 participants followed 4-week diets rich in palmitic or stearic acids, At the end of each dietary period, participants consumed two consecutive meals each containing ± 50 g of the corresponding fat blend.ResultsPostprandial concentrations of triacylglycerol (diet-effect: − 0.18 mmol/L; p = 0.001) and apolipoprotein B48 (diet-effect: − 0.68 mg/L; p = 0.002) were lower after stearic-acid than after palmitic-acid intake. Consequently, total (iAUC0–8 h) and first meal (iAUC0–4 h) responses were lower after stearic-acid intake (p ≤ 0.01). Second meal responses (iAUC4–8 h) were not different. Postprandial changes between the diets in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and C-peptide differed significantly over time (p < 0.001 and p = 0.020 for diet*time effects, respectively), while those for glucose and insulin did not. The dAUC0–8 h, dAUC0–4 h, and dAUC4–8 h for NEFA were larger after stearic-acid intake (p ≤ 0.05). No differences were observed in the iAUCs of C-peptide, glucose, and insulin. However, second meal responses for glucose and insulin (iAUC4–8 h) tended to be lower after stearic-acid intake (p < 0.10).ConclusionConsumption of the stearic acid-rich meals lowered postprandial lipemia as compared with palmitic acid. After the second stearic acid-rich meal, concentrations of C-peptide peaked earlier and those of NEFA decreased more.Clinical trial registry This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02835651 on July 18, 2016.