Dietary Fat Intake Research Articles

Advancements in Understanding and Treating NAFLD: A Comprehensive Review of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Emerging Therapies

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), focusing on key factors influencing its pathogenesis and emerging therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the growing prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, emphasizing their multifactorial nature. The manuscript identifies various contributors to NAFLD development, including genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, while examining the intricate interplay between these factors and their impact on hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Genetic predisposition, dietary fat intake, and excessive fructose consumption are discussed as significant contributors to NAFLD progression. The article emphasizes the lack of a single therapeutic approach and underscores the need for combination strategies. Lifestyle interventions, particularly weight loss through diet and exercise, remain crucial, while pharmacological options like GLP-1 receptor agonists, obeticholic acid, lanifibranor, and resmetirom show promise but require further validation. Bariatric surgery and emerging endoscopic procedures offer potential in eligible patients. In sum, this article underscores the complexity of NAFLD and NASH, addresses key factors influencing pathogenesis, and discusses emerging therapies advocating for a multifaceted approach to this increasingly prevalent and clinically relevant condition.

A Comprehensive Review of Medovaha Srotodushti w.s.r Hyperlipidaemia

Hyperlipidaemia does not bear a precise reference in Ayurveda though the study of Ayurvedic literature bears some implicit allusions. This might be due to the fact that it is a metabolic disorder and not a full-fledged disease in itself. The term hyperlipidemia is not used in our classic. But we can correlate it with Medovaha Sroto Dushti. Hyperlipidaemia is term used to denote raised serum levels of cholesterol or triglycerides or both. Raised total cholesterol is a major cause of disease burden in both the developed and developing world as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke. CVDs accounts for one third of total deaths around the world, it is believed that CVDs will turn out to be the main cause of death and disability worldwide by the year 2020. Lack of exercise and Kaphavardhak Ahar Vihar are the two main causes of vitiation of Medovaha Srotas. Dietary low fat intake or nutrition supplementation is the key of lowering blood lipids as art for keeping hyperlipidaemia in control and manageable.

Exploring the interactive effects of oral contraceptive use and dietary fat intake on blood pressure, cardiovascular reactivity, and glucose tolerance in normotensive women.

Objective: To understand how dietary fat consumption and the use of oral contraceptives interact to affect blood pressure, cardiovascular reactivity, and glucose tolerance in normotensive women. Study Design: Cross-section study. Setting: Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Period: December 2022 to April 2023. Material & Methods: A total of 120 normotensive women aged between 18 and 35 years were recruited from local healthcare centers, clinics, and educational institutions. Demographic characteristics, oral contraceptive use, and dietary fat intake were assessed through self-reporting and validated food frequency questionnaires. Resting blood pressure measurements, cardiovascular reactivity during standardized stressors, and glucose tolerance through oral glucose tolerance tests were recorded. Results: The study found no significant associations between oral contraceptive use and blood pressure, cardiovascular reactivity, or glucose tolerance. Similarly, dietary fat intake did not significantly influence these health parameters. Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of personalized healthcare recommendations for women using oral contraceptives, considering individual variations and other lifestyle factors. Further research with larger, longitudinal studies is warranted to elucidate the potential long-term effects of these interactions and promote cardiovascular health for women worldwide.

Reduction of sugar, salt and fat content in foods over the period 2016-2021 in Spain: the National Food Reformulation Plan.

Population´s dietary intake of saturated fat, sodium, and sugars is higher than the current recommendations in Spain and most European countries. Nationwide food reformulation strategies have the potential to improve nutritional quality; however, evaluations are only available in a few countries and are difficult to compare. This study shows the degree of compliance with the nutrient reduction objectives included in a 4-year (2016-2020) Spanish food reformulation initiative. In 2016, baseline median nutrient content was established for 57 food subcategories. Agreed reduction (%) expressed as the median content to be reached by 2020 was set as the objective. In 2021, Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) collected mandatory nutritional information from 3118 products belonging to the food subcategories included in the PLAN. Median nutrient content was calculated and compared with baseline data established in 2016 and PLAN objectives. Median nutrient content reduction was observed in all food subcategories. Relative reductions (%) ranged from 0.6 to 60% for added sugars, 4.8 to 33.3% for salt, 4.5 to 78.3% for saturated fat, and 24.9 to 36% for total fat. PLAN objectives were achieved in all subcategories except for one. The number of products involved, belonging to the highly consumed food categories, shows the potential of national reformulation strategies to improve the nutritional quality of the diet. Compliance with nutrient reduction agreements was 99%; however, the variability of nutrient content within subcategories shows that there is room for further reduction in selected nutrients and food subcategories.

Association between Butter, Margarine, and Olive Oil Intake and Asthma Symptoms among School Children: Result from a Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study.

There are conflicting results about the association between dietary fat intake and asthma symptoms. Since few studies in the Middle East have been explored the relation between dietary fat consumption and risk of asthma, the present study was conducted to investigate the association between the consumption of butter, margarine, and olive oil and asthma risk in school children living in central Iran. In this cross-sectional study, out of 10,240 participants, asthma and its symptoms and dietary intake of butter, margarine, and olive oil of 7,667 children and adolescents were assessed using a validated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. The relationship between fat subtypes and asthma was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of asthma confirmed by a doctor in the study population was 4.22%. An inverse association was found between butter and margarine consumption once or twice a week and odds of current asthma and wheezing in the past 12 months (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28-0.96; OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.55-0.88, respectively); however, those with higher consumption did not have a higher chance for developing wheezing or asthma. We found that margarine and butter intake one or two times a week might have an inverse association with asthma and its symptoms among children. Prospective cohort studies are recommended to confirm these findings.

Effectiveness of anthocyanin-rich foods on bone remodeling biomarkers of middle-aged and older adults at risk of osteoporosis: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Current osteoporosis pharmacological treatment has undesirable side effects. There is increasing focus on naturally derived food substances that contain phytonutrients with antioxidant effects in promoting health and regulating immune response. This review aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of anthocyanin-rich foods on bone remodeling biomarkers in middle-aged and older adults (≥40 y old) at risk of osteoporosis. Randomized controlled trials were searched on 8 bibliographic databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Food Science and Technology Abstracts, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) is exhibited from osteoblastic cells that gathered osteoclasts to bone sites for bone resorption, accelerating bone loss. Anthocyanin-rich food consumption showed statistically nonsignificant effects, with no substantial heterogeneity on bone remodeling biomarkers. However, there was a significant increase in lumbar spine L1-L4 bone mineral density. Mild-to-small effects were seen to largely favor the consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods. Berries (d = -0.44) have a larger effect size of RANKL than plums (d = 0.18), with statistically significant subgroup differences. Random-effects meta-regression found body mass index, total attrition rate, total energy, and dietary carbohydrate and fat intake were significant covariates for the effect size of RANKL. All outcomes had low certainty of evidence. Anthocyanin-rich foods may improve bone health in middle-aged and older adults at risk of osteoporosis. This review contributes to the growing interest in nutrient-rich foods as a low-cost and modifiable alternative to promote human health and reduce disease burden. Future high-quality studies with larger sample sizes and longer treatment durations are required to fully understand the effect of anthocyanin-rich foods on bone health. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022367136.

526 Dietary fat intake is associated with greater bone mineral density and lean mass in adults with cystic fibrosis

526 Dietary fat intake is associated with greater bone mineral density and lean mass in adults with cystic fibrosis

Reassessing the Effects of Dietary Fat on Cardiovascular Disease in China: A Review of the Last Three Decades.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of global mortality, and is considered one of diseases with the most rapid growth rate in China. Numerous studies have indicated a closed relationship between an increased incidence of CVD and dietary factors. Dietary fat is one of the three primary nutrients of consumption; however, high fat dietary in causing CVD has been neglected in some official dietary guidelines. Our present review has analyzed the relationship between dietary fat consumption and CVD in China over the past 30 years (from 1990 to 2019). There is a significant correlation between CVD incidence and mortality for consumption of both vegetable oils and animal fats, per capita consumption, and the relative weight of dietary fat exceeding that of other food ingredients (e.g., salt, fruit, and marine food). For fatty acid species, the proportion of ω6 fatty acid consumption increased, causing a significant increase in the ratios of ω6/ω3 fatty acids, whereas the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid consumption decreased. Such changes have been considered a characteristic of dietary fat consumption in Chinese residents over the past 30 years, and are closely related to the incidence of CVD. Therefore, we suggest that the government should spread awareness regarding the consumption of dietary fat intake to prevent CVD and related health disorders. The public should be educated to avoid high fat diet and increase the intake of monounsaturated fatty acids and ω3 fatty acids.

Dietary fats and serum lipids in relation to the risk of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Although numerous epidemiological studies investigated the association between dietary fat intakes or serum lipid levels and ovarian cancer risk, a consistent and explicit conclusion for specific dietary fats or serum lipids that increase the risk of ovarian cancer is not available. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the key dietary fats and serum lipids that increased the risk of ovarian cancer. Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for observational studies. A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 18 cohort and 23 case-control studies (109,507 patients with ovarian cancer and 2,558,182 control/non-ovarian cancer participants). Higher dietary intakes of total fat (RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06-1.33, I2 = 60.3%), cholesterol (RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.03-1.26, I2 = 19.4%), saturated fat (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04-1.22, I2 = 13.4%), and animal fat (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01-1.43, I2 = 70.5%) were significantly associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. A higher level of serum triglycerides was accompanied by a higher risk of ovarian cancer (RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.02-1.72, I2 = 89.3%). This meta-analysis indicated that a higher daily intake of total fat, saturated fat, animal fat, and cholesterol and higher levels of serum triglycerides were significantly associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Association of dietary fatty acid intake with hypertension in children and adolescents: evidence from the NHANES 2005-2018.

This study aims to evaluate the association between dietary fatty acid intake and hypertension in children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data of children and adolescents aged 8-17 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018. Dietary intake of total fat and fatty acid was evaluated via two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between fatty acid intake and hypertension, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to gender, age, and body mass index Z-score. This study included 13,330 subjects, of which 11,614 were non-hypertensive and 1,716 were hypertensive. Higher intake of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.97, P = 0.018). No significant associations were found between the density of total saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, and PUFAs and the odds of hypertension (all P > 0.05). Increased intake of omega-3 (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.93, P = 0.002) and omega-6 (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.98, P = 0.025) PUFAs, octadecatrienoic acid (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.93, P = 0.003), and octadecadienoic acid (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.98, P = 0.025) was associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension, and individuals with higher omega-6/omega-3 ratio had significantly higher odds of hypertension (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17, P = 0.025). The density of omega-3 PUFAs (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78-0.95, P = 0.004) and octadecatrienoic acid (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.96, P = 0.006) was inversely associated with the odds of hypertension, and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio was positively associated with the odds of hypertension (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17, P = 0.012). Total PUFA intake was negatively associated with the odds of hypertension in children and adolescents. Higher intake of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs, octadecatrienoic acid, and octadecadienoic acid, as well as density of omega-3 PUFAs and octadecatrienoic acid, was associated with lower odds of hypertension.

Impact of long-term high dietary fat intake and regular exercise on serum TMAO and microbiome composition in female rats

BACKGROUD: Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) represents a gut metabolite and it's physiological concentration is proposed to be influenced by the abundance of precursor trimethylamine (TMA)-producing microbiota in the gut. OBJECTIVE: Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, modify the microbiome, but their long-term impact on plasma TMAO and TMA production in the gut is poorly understood. METHODS: Fecal microbiome composition was analyzed and correlated with TMAO serum concentrations in female Sprague-Dawley rats that received either a healthy normal or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 months. Half of the animals performed regular running exercise, the other half served as sedentary controls. RESULTS: HFD consumption induced an alteration of the fecal microbiome with increased alpha diversity on ASV levels. More importantly, HFD reduced the abundance of genera containing potential TMA producers, such as certain members of Clostridia and Lachnospiraceae. In line with this observation, serum TMAO concentrations were found to be lower with HFD and to correlate with the abundance of these genera. Regular exercise also induced changes in microbiome beta diversity but had no effect on serum TMAO in female rats. CONCLUSION: A diet containing high amounts of dietary fat reduced serum TMAO, probably through a reduced intestinal abundance of TMA-producing bacteria. In contrast, regular exercise altered beta diversity of the microbiome composition, but without significant effects on serum TMAO concentrations.

Free Fatty Acid Receptors (FFARs): Emerging Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus.

Free fatty acids (FFAs) present in our dietary fats not only act as vital nutrients but also function as signalling molecules and modulate key biological functions through their active involvement in a multitude of energy metabolism pathways. However, it has been reported that excessive intake of dietary fat contributes to the development of different types of Diabetes mellitus. Free fatty acid receptors are the key regulators of most metabolic disorders. Among them, diabetes mellitus is a severe growing disorder and found in every corner of the world. For various metabolic disorders, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus, these different free fatty acid receptors are being explored as drug targets. In the present review, various FFAs sensing G-protein coupled receptors (GPR) like GPR40 (FFAR1), GPR43 (FFAR2), GPR41 (FFAR3), GPR120 (FFAR4), and GPR84 are being explored as emerging novel therapeutic targets for antidiabetic drugs. Additionally, this review has covered pre-clinical discovery and development of different selective ligands targeted to these receptors starting from hit identification to lead optimization via chemical modification and the challenges and tactics selected by different medicinal chemists to improve potency, physicochemical properties, safety profiles, and pharmacokinetics of different FFAR agonists for making a potential drug candidate. Several molecules have been withdrawn in the clinical trials without reporting any reasons. We believe that this review will help the researchers to find a new direction in the discovery of new antidiabetic drugs.

A study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendation for weight management among adults: the MyGeneMyDiet® study.

Managing nutrition and lifestyle practices, nutrition phenotypes, and the genome forms the foundation of precision nutrition. Precision nutrition focuses on metabolic variability among individuals, and one approach to achieving its goals is to integrate gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendations in nutrition practice. However, scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of such recommendations is limited. This study will examine whether providing nutrition and lifestyle recommendations based on individual genotype can lead to better weight loss, along with reduction in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body fat percentage among overweight and obese adults. A parallel group, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Sixty-two overweight/obese individuals aged 19-59 years old will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the intervention (n = 31) or the control arm (n = 31). Participants in the intervention group will receive the MyGeneMyDiet® Recommendation for Weight Management, a gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendation that was developed based on existing evidence of the effects of FTO rs9939609 on body weight, BMI, and physical activity; UCP1 rs1800592 on calorie intake; and TCF7L2 rs7903146 on dietary fat intake. Participants in the control group will receive the standard recommendations for weight management. The primary outcomes will be the differences in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage between arms in both the active phase (6 months) and inactive phase (last 6 months) of the trial. Participants in both arms will be evaluated at baseline and in months 3, 6, 9, and 12. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first gene-based intervention that will adopt a phase of intensive nutrition counseling, followed by a simulation of a free-living state to determine adherence to a gene-based recommendation. This study will contribute to the future implementation of precision nutrition interventions by providing evidence on the effectiveness of a gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendation for weight loss. clinicaltrials.gov, identifier [NCT05098899].

Association between dietary glycemic index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Managing dietary glycemic index (GI) deserves further attention in the interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary GI and the odds of NAFLD in patients with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2021 and February 2022, including 200 participants with T2DM aged 18-70 years, of which 133 had NAFLD and 67 were in the non-NAFLD group. Cardiometabolic parameters were analyzed using standard biochemical kits and dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was applied to explore odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NAFLD according to tertiles of dietary GI. Highest vs. lowest tertile (< 57 vs. > 60.89) of energy-adjusted GI was not associated with the odds of having NAFLD (OR 1.25, 95% CI = 0.6-2.57; P-trend = 0.54) in the crude model. However, there was an OR of 3.24 (95% CI = 1.03-10.15) accompanied by a significant trend (P-trend = 0.04) after full control for potential confounders (age, gender, smoking status, duration of diabetes, physical activity, waist circumference, HbA1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, dietary intake of total carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, fat, and protein). High dietary GI is associated with increased odds of NAFLD in subjects with T2DM. However, interventional and longitudinal cohort studies are required to confirm these findings.

Dietary Protein Intake and Associated Risks for Atopic Dermatitis, Intrinsic Eczema, and Allergic Sensitization among Young Chinese Adults in Singapore/Malaysia: Key Findings from a Cross-sectional Study

Through an investigator-administered questionnaire that follows the standard protocol of the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood, data on symptomatic histories of eczema and dietary habits were collected from 11,494 young Chinese adults in Singapore/Malaysia. Allergic sensitization status was assessed through a skin prick test reactivity to common house dust mites. Using three dietary indices (dietary protein score, animal protein score, and plant protein score), the associations between atopic dermatitis, intrinsic eczema, allergic sensitization, and intake of various proteins were estimated. On average, most subjects frequently eat meat, vegetables, and rice in their diets. Through a multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and parental eczema, subjects with high dietary protein score (adjusted OR= 1.397; 95% confidence interval= 1.133-1.724; P < 0.003) and high animal protein score (adjusted OR= 1.353; 95% confidence interval= 1.106-1.682; P < 0.003) were associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis. Interestingly, synergy factor analysis revealed that a higher intake of plant proteins than animal proteins in diets significantly reduced overall associated risks of atopic dermatitis and allergic sensitization but not those of intrinsic eczema. Most importantly, these associations are independent of dietary fat intake. Taken together, frequent adherence to diets rich in plant proteins reduced associated risks of atopic dermatitis in Singapore/Malaysia Chinese adults.

Mi Vida Saludable: Content Validity and Reliability of The Preferences and Self-Efficacy of Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors Questionnaire for Latina Women (PSEDPALW) for Cancer Survivors.

The purpose of this study is to conduct validity and reliability testing of a new instrument, the Preferences and Self-Efficacy of Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors Questionnaire for Latina Women (PSEDPALW), which is for women who identify as Latina and are breast cancer survivors. PSEDPALW measures preferences and self-efficacy for four behaviors: physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, dietary fat (DF) intake, and added sugar (AS) intake (eight scales in total). Validity testing was conducted through an expert panel review and a cognitive interviewing focus group (n = 4). Reliability was tested via internal consistency reliability (n = 118) and test-retest reliability (n = 30). Validity testing was used to refine PSEDPALW. Reliability testing was conducted on three versions with 104, 47, and 41 items. PA scales had acceptable Cronbach's α (>0.70) but low ICC (NS). FV and DF scales had acceptable Cronbach's α (>0.70), with preferences for the shorter (47- and 41-item) versions (Cronbach's α < 0.70), and all scales had moderate ICC (p < 0.05, except the FV scale on the 104-item version (p = 0.07)). The AS preferences scale had Cronbach's α < 0.70, with self-efficacy > 0.70 for all versions and ICC moderate for all versions (p ≤ 0.01). PSEDPALW may be useful to assess diet and physical activity preferences and self-efficacy in theory-based diet and physical activity interventions in women who identify as Latina and are breast cancer survivors.

The effect of FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism on the association between colorectal cancer and different types of dietary fat intake: a case-control study

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Some dietary factors such as fat intake have been identified as the risk factors for CRC. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene rs9939609 polymorphism on the association between CRC and different types of dietary fats.MethodsThis case-control study was performed on 135 CRC cases and 294 healthy controls in Tehran, Iran. Data on demographic factors, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, the intake of different types of dietary fats, and FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism was collected from all participants. The association between cancer and dietary fat intake in individuals with different FTO genotypes was assessed using different models of logistic regression.ResultsOleic acid intake was higher in the case group compared to the control group in both people with TT (7.2±3.46 vs. 5.83±3.06 g/d, P=0.02) and AA/AT genotypes (8.7±6.23 vs. 5.57 ±3.2 g/d, P<0.001). Among carriers of AA/AT genotypes of FTO rs9939609 polymorphism, a positive association was found between CRC and higher intakes of oleic acid (OR=1.12, CI95% 1.03–1.21, P=0.01) and cholesterol (OR=1.01, CI95% 1.00–1.02; P=0.01) after adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, calorie intake, and body mass index.ConclusionHigher intakes of cholesterol and oleic acid were associated with a higher risk of CRC in FTO-risk allele carriers. The association of CRC and dietary fat may be influenced by the FTO genotype. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Adequacy of Nutrient Intake and Malnutrition Risk in Older Adults: Findings from the Diet and Healthy Aging Cohort Study.

There is a lack of data on the adequacy of nutrient intake and prevalence of malnutrition risk in Asian populations. The aim was to report on the nutrient intake and prevalence of malnutrition risk in a community sample of older adults in Singapore. Analysis was performed on 738 (n = 206 male, n = 532 male, aged 67.6 ± 6.0 years) adults 60 years and above. Intakes of macro- and micronutrients were evaluated against the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Nutrition Screening Initiative Determine Your Nutritional Health checklist. It was found that 90.5% older adults exceeded the sugar intake, 68.5% males and 57.1% females exceeded the intake limit for saturated fat, and 33% males had inadequate dietary fiber intake when compared to the RDAs. Inadequate dietary calcium intake was found in 49.5% males and 55.3% females. There were 22.3% of older adults at moderate to high malnutrition risk. Singaporean older adults need to reduce their dietary intakes of sugar and saturated fat and increase their intakes in dietary fiber and calcium. Current findings provide public health awareness on the importance of healthy eating and will facilitate decision making by health promotors to deliver targeted nutrition care programs.

CD36 genetic polymorphism and salivary cues are associated with oleic acid sensitivity and dietary fat intake.

There is a lack of research on the combined effects of genetic variations (specifically CD36 SNPs-rs1761667 and rs1527483), dietary food habits (vegetarian or not), and the salivary environment on obesity and taste sensitivity, especially in the Indian population. The current study aims to better understand the relationship between impaired taste perception, fat consumption, higher BMI and obesity development by examining the combined association between CD36 SNPs, oleic acid (OA) detection threshold, and food habits among Indian participants. Furthermore, the relationship between oral fatty acid (FAs) sensitivity and taste physiology factors linked to inflammation and salivary proteins was considered. Participants with the minor allele (AA/AG) of CD36 (in both rs1527483 and rs1761667) consumed more fat, particularly saturated FAs (p = 0.0351). Salivary lipopolysaccharide, which causes inflammation, was significantly greater in non-vegetarians with a higher BMI (p < 0.05), and it exhibited a negative correlation (r = -0.232 and p < 0.05) with Ki67 gene expression, a marker for taste progenitor cells. A positive correlation (r = 0.474, p = 0.04) between TLR4 mRNA levels and the OA detection threshold was also observed. Participants with BMI > 25 kg/m2 had substantially higher TNF-α and IL-6 receptor mRNA expression levels, but there were no significant differences between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups. However, salivary CA-VI, which has a buffering capability on the oral environment, was lower in non-vegetarian adults with BMI >25. Thus, it was shown that non-vegetarians with overweight and obesity in India were in at-risk groups for the CD36 SNP (AA/AG at rs1761667 and rs1527483) and had higher levels of inflammatory markers, which exacerbated alterations in food behaviour and physiological changes, indicating their relevance in the development of obesity.

Design and methods of the German monitoring of packaged food in the European context

Reformulation strategies to reduce the energy, salt, sugar, total fat, and saturated fat content of packaged food are one means to improve the food offer and facilitate healthier food choices. In Germany, the “National Reduction and Innovation Strategy for Sugar, Fats, and Salt”, which runs from 2019 to 2025, is guided by a yearly product monitoring of packaged food. The product monitoring focuses on food categories with a major contribution to dietary intake of sugar, total and saturated fat, and salt, and on products targeted at children. Nutrition labelling information taken from manufacturer's websites serves as the primary data source and is collected manually. Analyses include the current energy, salt, sugar, total fat, and saturated fat content as well as changes of energy and nutrient content over time on the level of food categories and subcategories. Monitoring results are presented on a yearly basis for the comprehensive product range and, for selected product categories, for top-selling products. Differences in data collection and evaluation methods and limited information about the approaches taken by others hamper the comparison with further national monitoring approaches in Europe. Ongoing research projects related to the German monitoring of packaged food seek to a) automate the German data collection and b) harmonize the monitoring across Europe.