Dietary Strategies Research Articles

Can Omega-3 prevent the accidence of stroke: a mendelian randomization study

BackgroundThe lipid-lowering effects of Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely reported, yet their impact on ischemic stroke remains controversial. Reports on the protective effects of unsaturated fatty acids, such as Omega-6 and Omega-7, as well as saturated fatty acids in cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and ischemic stroke, are less frequent.ObjectivesThis study aims to identify fatty acids associated with blood pressure and ischemic stroke through Mendelian randomization. Besides, it seeks to determine whether specific fatty acids can prevent ischemic stroke by managing blood pressure and revealing the specific mechanisms of this action.MethodsThis research involved downloading relevant data from websites and extracting SNPs that met the standard criteria as instrumental variables. Simultaneously, the ‘MR-PRESSO’ package and ‘Mendelian Randomization’ package were used to eliminate confounding SNPs that could bias the study results. Then, inverse variance weighting and the weighted median were employed as primary analysis methods, accompanied by sensitivity analysis to assess the validity of the causal relationships. Initially, multivariable Mendelian randomization was used to identify fatty acids linked to blood pressure and the incidence of ischemic stroke. The causal link between certain fatty acids and the initiation of ischemic stroke was then investigated using bidirectional and mediator Mendelian randomization techniques. Stepwise Regression and the Product of Coefficients Method in mediator Mendelian randomization were utilized to ascertain whether specific fatty acids reduce ischemic stroke risk by lowering blood pressure.ResultsMultivariable Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a potential inverse correlation between Omega-3 intake and both blood pressure and ischemic stroke. Consequently, Omega-3 was selected as the exposure, with blood pressure and ischemic stroke-related data as outcomes, for further bidirectional and mediation Mendelian Randomization analyses. Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization revealed that Omega-3 significantly influences DBP (P = 1.01e-04) and IS (P = 0.016). It also showed that DBP and SBP significantly affect LAS, SVS, CES, IS, and LS. Mediator Mendelian Randomization identified five established mediating pathways: Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Small vessel stroke, Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Cardioembolic stroke, Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Lacunar stroke, Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Large artery atherosclerosis stroke, and Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Ischemic stroke. Of these, four pathways are complete mediation, and one pathway is partial mediation.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that Omega-3 may indirectly reduce the incidence of ischemic stroke by lowering blood pressure. Thus, blood pressure modulation might be one of the mechanisms through which Omega-3 prevents ischemic stroke. In summary, incorporating an increased intake of Omega-3 in the diet can serve as one of the dietary intervention strategies for patients with hypertension. Additionally, it can act as an adjunctive therapy for the prevention of ischemic strokes and their complications.

Uncovering novel regulatory variants in carbohydrate metabolism: a comprehensive multi-omics study of glycemic traits in the Indian population.

Clinical biomarkers such as fasting glucose, HbA1c, and fasting insulin, which gauge glycemic status in the body, are highly influenced by diet. Indians are genetically predisposed to type 2 diabetes and their carbohydrate-centric diet further elevates the disease risk. Despite the combined influence of genetic and environmental risk factors, Indians have been inadequately explored in the studies of glycemic traits. Addressing this gap, we investigate the genetic architecture of glycemic traits at genome-wide level in 4927 Indians (without diabetes). Our analysis revealed numerous variants of sub-genome-wide significance, and their credibility was thoroughly assessed by integrating data from various levels. This identified key effector genes, ZNF470, DPP6, GXYLT2, PITPNM3, BEND7, and LORICRIN-PGLYRP3. While these genes were weakly linked with carbohydrate intake or glycemia earlier in other populations, our findings demonstrated a much stronger association in the Indian population. Associated genetic variants within these genes served as expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in various gut tissues essential for digestion. Additionally, majority of these gut eQTLs functioned as methylation quantitative trait loci (meth-QTLs) observed in peripheral blood samples from 223 Indians, elucidating the underlying mechanism of their regulation of target gene expression. Specific co-localized eQTLs-meth-QTLs altered the binding affinity of transcription factors targeting crucial genes involved in glucose metabolism. Our study identifies previously unreported genetic variants that strongly influence the diet-glycemia relationship. These findings set the stage for future research into personalized lifestyle interventions integrating genetic insights with tailored dietary strategies to mitigate disease risk based on individual genetic profiles.

Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that impacts women of reproductive age. In addition to reproductive and psychological complications, women with PCOS are also at a higher risk of developing metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While weight reduction can help manage these complications in overweight or obese women, many weight loss interventions have been ineffective due to weight stigma and its psychological impact on women with PCOS. Therefore, exploring alternative dietary strategies which do not focus on weight loss per se is of importance. In this regard, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of marine origin (n-3 PUFAs), which are known for their hypotriglyceridemic, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, have emerged as a potential therapy for prevention and reversal of metabolic complications in PCOS. Several clinical trials showed that n-3 PUFAs can improve components of metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS. In this review, we first summarize the available clinical evidence for different dietary patterns in improving PCOS complications. Next, we summarize the clinical evidence for n-3 PUFAs for alleviating metabolic complications in PCOS. Finally, we explore the mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs improve the metabolic disorders in PCOS in depth.

Improvement of glucose metabolism in middle-aged mice on a high-fat diet by whole-grain highland barley is related to low methionine levels

Methionine restriction (MR) is an effective dietary strategy to regulate energy metabolism and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, especially in the middle-aged and elderly population. However, the high methionine content of meat products makes this dietary strategy impossible to combine with protein supplementation and MR. Highland barley (HB), a low-methionine cereal, not only provides the body with protein but also has improved glucose metabolism and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility of HB as a source of methionine-restricted dietary protein and the potential mechanisms. Middle-aged C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (CON), a high-fat diet (HFD), a whole-grain HB high-fat diet (HBHF), or a HBHF + methionine diet (HBHFmet) for 25 weeks. The results showed that the HBHF could keep the body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipids, inflammation, and oxidative stress of HFD mice at normal levels. Compared with the HFD groups, HBHF inhibited pancreatic cell apoptosis and improved insulin secretion while improving hepatic and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism. However, these efficacies were attenuated in HBHFmet group mice. These findings suggest that HBHF has an MR strategy.

Polyphenols in foods: a potential strategy for preventing and managing the postprandial hyperglycemic response.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health risk worldwide, and effective management strategies are needed. Polyphenols exhibit diverse biological functions, are abundant in various plants, and influence carbohydrate digestion and absorption. This review provides a comprehensive overview of clinical evidence regarding the relationship between dietary polyphenols and the postprandial hyperglycemic response. Human intervention studies have demonstrated the benefits of polyphenol-rich foods in improving glucose and insulin metabolism, underscoring their role in preventing T2DM. These findings highlight the potential of polyphenol-rich foods for managing hyperglycemia and mitigating T2DM risk and provide insight into effective dietary strategies for glycemic control and overall health.

Role of L-carnitine in Cardiovascular Health: Literature Review.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Secondary preventive measures, like anti-platelet medications, B-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, have been found to dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, prolonged usage of these drugs has been linked to multiple adverse impacts. Hence, finding more efficient treatments, especially dietary strategies for long-term use in daily life, is advantageous for primary prevention and treatment. L-carnitine, a naturally occurring amino acid derivative normally synthesized in the liver and kidney, is believed to have a considerable influence on cardiovascular health. L-carnitine can enhance both contractile performance and structural integrity of the cardiac muscle by maintaining efficient energy production and reducing oxidative stress. This literature review aims to address several pressing questions regarding the role of L-carnitine in cardiovascular health: what are the physiological functions of L-carnitine, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health; how effective and safe is L-carnitine supplementation in the management of various cardiovascular diseases, primarily ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease; what are the underlying mechanisms through which L-carnitine exerts its cardioprotective effects; what controversies exist in the current research; and finally, what should be the future directions? Through this comprehensive analysis, the review aims to enrich our understanding of L-carnitine's role in cardiovascular health, providing a robust foundation for future academic and clinical endeavors. PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar have been used to search the following keywords: L-carnitine, cardiovascular health, mitochondrial function, and L-carnitine side effects. Then, using the existing search engine formats, some keyword combinations were used to find the related articles included and every possibility, including using every first keyword combination with another keyword, using every keyword in every place at each given box, etc. Around 308 articles were reviewed using this process, including systemic reviews, meta-analysis studies, randomized controlled trials, and literature review articles. Inthe end, after leaving the pure articles related to the topic as 35 articles, which are attached below with direct citation, the majority of them were very fresh articles, as recent as 2010, and back words, except just one paper related to the impact of L-carnitine post-myocardial infarction, as its data provided us with a positive and promising impact of L-carnitine in this field. L‑carnitine seems to have a pivotal role in cardiovascular health due to its energy metabolism, anti-oxidative stress, and endothelial role. The safety and effectiveness of L-carnitine administration remain an issue for scientific investigation. One of the major concerns is that the intestinal metabolism of L-carnitine generates trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a compound that has been linked with faster atherosclerosis progression.

Polyphenol-Rich Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Beneficially Impact Cholesterol, Glucose, and Serum and Gut Metabolites: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Polyphenol-rich Aronia fruits have great potential as a functional food with anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic biologic activities. However, clinical intervention trials investigating the impact of Aronia fruit consumption on human health are limited. A randomized, controlled, double-blinded, parallel intervention trial was conducted using 14 human subjects who ingested either 0 mL or 100 mL of Aronia juice daily for 30 days. Anthropometric measurements, fasting, and postprandial measures of glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation, 16S rRNA fecal microbial composition data, and mass spectrometry-acquired serum and fecal metabolomic data were collected before and after the intervention period. Data were analyzed using general linear models, ANOVA, and t-tests. Daily consumption of Aronia prevented a rise in cholesterol levels (β = -0.50, p = 0.03) and reduced postprandial glucose (β = -3.03, p < 0.01). No difference in microbial community composition by condition was identified at any taxonomic level, but a decrease (β = -18.2, p = 0.04) in microbial richness with Aronia was detected. Serum and fecal metabolomic profiles indicated shifts associated with central carbon and lipid metabolism and decreases in pro-inflammatory metabolites. Our study further informs the development of polyphenol-based dietary strategies to lower metabolic disease risk.

Molecular Mechanisms of Healthy Aging: The Role of Caloric Restriction, Intermittent Fasting, Mediterranean Diet, and Ketogenic Diet-A Scoping Review.

As the population ages, promoting healthy aging through targeted interventions becomes increasingly crucial. Growing evidence suggests that dietary interventions can significantly impact this process by modulating fundamental molecular pathways. This review focuses on the potential of targeted dietary strategies in promoting healthy aging and the mechanisms by which specific nutrients and dietary patterns influence key pathways involved in cellular repair, inflammation, and metabolic regulation. Caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, as well as the ketogenic diet showed promising effects on promoting healthy aging, possibly by modulating mTORC1 AMPK, an insulin signaling pathway. By understanding the intricate interplay between diet and molecular pathways, we can develop personalized dietary strategies that not only prevent age-related diseases, but also promote overall health and well-being throughout the aging process.

Effect of symbiotic microbiota and arginine on host plant selection by the tea green leafhopper in tea cultivation

The tea green leafhopper (TGLH), Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda, poses a significant challenge to tea cultivation in East Asia because of its ability to infest specific tea plant cultivars. Here, we investigated the complex interactions between TGLHs, various tea cultivars, and their symbiotic microbiota, especially the effect of arginine on host selection. A detailed two-year field study involving 16 tea cultivars, coupled with controlled laboratory and field experiments, was conducted to establish a clear link between TGLH infestation and the arginine content of tea plants. Metagenomic analysis revealed a predominance of bacterial taxa in TGLHs, primarily from the phylum Proteobacteria, with significant contributions from orders such as Pseudomonadales, Enterobacterales, and Flavobacteriales, which are crucial for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids but lack the argF gene necessary for arginine synthesis. The absence of the argF gene indicates the potential presence of microbial-mediated dietary adaptation strategies in TGLHs. Additionally, our research examines microbial diversity within TGLH populations and confirms the critical role that symbiotic bacteria play in influencing dietary preferences. The results of our study provide insights into the dynamic interplay between pests, plants, and microorganisms. Our findings are preliminary, and further research is needed to explore the potential applications of symbiotic bacteria in sustainable tea cultivation and integrated pest management strategies.

Dietary alpha-linolenic acid supplementation enhances semen quality, antioxidant capacity, and sperm survival in aging breeder roosters

Aging in breeder roosters is often accompanied by a decline in semen quality, negatively impacting reproductive performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on semen quality, antioxidant capacity, and sperm survival in aging breeder roosters. Roosters were divided into 4 groups and fed diets supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% ALA for 6 wk. Results indicated significant improvements in semen volume, sperm viability, and sperm density in ALA-supplemented groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). The 1% ALA group exhibited the most notable enhancements in sperm viability and density. Additionally, ALA supplementation increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ALA improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reduced early and late sperm apoptosis, with the 2% ALA group showing the highest MMP and the lowest ROS-positive rate (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary ALA supplementation enhances semen quality and antioxidant defenses, and mitigates oxidative stress, thus supporting the reproductive health of aging breeder roosters. This study underscores the potential of ALA as a dietary strategy to improve reproductive efficiency in poultry production.

Effects of coffee and tea consumption on glioma risk: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

BackgroundCoffee and tea are considered to have some effects on glioma as one of the most prevalent intracranial malignant tumors in adults. However, the precise effect of coffee and tea consumption on glioma is not obvious. This umbrella review aimed to evaluate the impact of tea and coffee consumption on glioma risk. MethodsThree online databases containing Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were thoroughly searched from the beginning to February 23, 2024 with no language constraints. Relying on I2 and Q statistics, a random-effect model or a fixed-effect model was applied. The PICO structure was followed as Population (Patients with glioma), Intervention (Coffee and tea consumption), Comparison (Standard treatment or placebo), and Outcome (Risk of glioma). ResultsTotally, seven meta-analyses and systematic reviews contain 23591 patients were included in this umbrella review. Coffee and tea consumption led to significant 15% and 16% reductions in glioma risk, respectively (RR= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.98; RR= 0.84; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.89). The results did not change after subgroup analyses. ConclusionThis umbrella review revealed that the coffee and tea consumption may decrease the glioma risk. Consumption of tea and coffee may be considered as dietary strategies against glioma. PROSPERO registration codeCRD42024521525

Impact of a ketogenic diet on intestinal microbiota, cardiometabolic, and glycemic control parameters in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract. A ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by high fat and low carbo-hydrate intake, has been proposed as a therapeutic option for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). One hundred individuals with T2DM were selected and divid-ed into a control group (CG) and an observation (OG) group, with 50 patients in each group, to investigate the effects of a KD on the intestinal flora, Gluca-gon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), and HbA1c levels in T2DM patients. Individuals in the CG were given standard treatment and diet, while patients in the OG were given a KD based on the CG. The blood glucose index, blood lipid index, HbA1c, GLP-1 levels, physical examination, and intestinal flora were compared in both groups. The FPG, HbA1c, two h PG, HOMA-IR TG, TC, and LDL -C levels in the two groups were reduced when compared to those before treatment (p&lt;0.05), and the decreases in the OG were more significant than in the CG (p&lt;0.05), while the levels of GLP-1 in the two groups were increased compared to those before treatment, those in the OG were significantly increased when compared to the CG (p&lt;0.05). After treatment, waist circumference, BMI, body mass, and the levels of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) of the two groups were reduced compared to indicators before treatment (p&lt;0.05), and those in the OG were even lower than those in the CG (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, these findings underscore the KD’s potential to act as an effica-cious dietary strategy in managing T2DM.

Dietary Strategies in the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review.

This study aims to gather information on effective dietary strategies for the prevention and treatment of hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescents. It discusses specific nutritional models such as the Diet Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet), traditional Asian diets, plant-based diets, the Southern European traditional Atlantic diet, and the Mediterranean diet, highlighting the benefits of these approaches. The manuscript also addresses dehydration resulting from insufficient fluid intake among children, as well as the consumption of inappropriate beverages, like soft drinks and energy drinks, which contributes to the development of HTN. Additionally, it examines the role of oxidative stress in the pathomechanism of HTN in children, particularly in relation to the antioxidant potential of food components such as selenium, magnesium, and selected vitamins. The relationship between sodium and potassium intake from food and the development of HTN in children is also explored. Finally, this study discusses public health strategies for the prevention of HTN in children. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases, such as PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and EBSCO. This search focused on locating English-language meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and observational studies from around the globe.

Rosa sterilis Juice Alleviated Breast Cancer by Triggering the Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway and Suppressing the Jak2/Stat3 Pathway.

Rosa sterilis (RS) is a characteristic fruit in southwestern China that has numerous health benefits; however, its pharmacological effect needs further clarification, especially with respect to the exploration of its potential anti-breast-cancer effect, as there are still knowledge gaps in this regard. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Rosa sterilis juice (RSJ) on breast cancer (BC) through in vitro cellular experiments and by establishing mouse 4T1 breast xenograft tumors. This study also had the aim of elucidating RSJ's underlying mechanisms. RSJ can inhibit cell proliferation, affect cell morphology, and impact the clone formation ability of BC; furthermore, it can promote apoptosis by triggering the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. In mouse 4T1 breast xenograft tumors, RSJ markedly inhibited tumor growth, relieved the pathological lesions, lowered the expression of Ki67, and regulated the expression of the apoptosis-associated protein. Moreover, we observed that RSJ can inhibit the Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Overall, our research reveals that RSJ can alleviate BC by triggering the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and suppressing the Jak2/Stat3 pathway, providing new dietary intervention strategies for BC.

Effects of pregnancy and lactation prebiotics supplementation on infant allergic disease: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIngestion of prebiotics during pregnancy and lactation may have immunomodulatory benefits for the developing fetal and infant immune system and provide a potential dietary strategy to reduce the risk of allergic diseases. ObjectiveThe aim of this trial was to determine whether maternal supplementation with dietary prebiotics reduces the risk of allergic outcomes in infants with hereditary risk. MethodsWe undertook a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in which pregnant women were allocated to consume prebiotics (14.2g daily of galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides in ratio 9:1) or placebo (8.7g daily maltodextrin) powder from <21 weeks gestation until 6-months postnatal during lactation. Eligible women had infants with a first-degree relative with a history of medically diagnosed allergic disease. The primary outcome was infant medically diagnosed eczema by 1-year of age, and secondary outcomes included allergen sensitization, food allergy, and recurrent wheeze by 1-year of age. Results652 women were randomized between June 2016 and November 2021 (n=329 prebiotics, n=323 placebo). There was no significant difference between groups in the percentage of infants with medically diagnosed eczema by 1-year of age (prebiotics 31.5% (103/327 infants) compared to placebo 32.6% (105/322 infants); adjusted relative risk 0.98 (95% CI 0.77, 1.23; p=0.84). Secondary outcomes and safety measures also did not significantly differ between groups. ConclusionWe found little evidence that maternal prebiotics supplementation during pregnancy and lactation reduces the risk of infant medically diagnosed eczema by 1-year of age in infants who are at hereditary risk of allergic disease.

Investigating the modulation of the endocannabinoid system by probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC513 in a zebrafish model of di-n-hexyl phthalate exposure

Environmental pollutants used as plasticizers in food packaging and in thousands of everyday products have become harmful for their impact on human health. Among them, phthalates, recognized as emerging endocrine disruptors (EDs) can induce toxic effects leading to different health disorders. Only few studies evaluated the effects of di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP) in in vivo models and no studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of DnHP on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), one of the majors signaling pathways involved in the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Due to the current relevance of probiotic bacteria as beneficial dietary interventions, the present study was aimed at evaluating the potential neuroprotective impact of daily administration of Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum IMC513 on zebrafish adults exposed to DnHP, with a focus on ECS modulation. Gene expression analysis revealed a promising protective role of probiotic through the restoration of ECS genes expression to the control level, in the brain of zebrafish daily exposed to DnHP. In addition, the levels of main endocannabinoids were also modulated. These findings confirm the potential ability of probiotics to interact at central level by modulating the ECS, suggesting the use of probiotics as innovative dietary strategy to counteract alterations by EDs exposure.

Interventions to improve glycaemic control in people living with, and at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide, affecting millions of individuals and posing significant public health challenges. Understanding the nature of type 2 diabetes, its causes, symptoms and treatments is crucial for managing and preventing its complications. Many different dietary strategies are used by individuals to treat and manage diabetes. This review provides an overview of popular dietary strategies that have evidence for improving long-term glycaemic control or achieving diabetes remission, as well as strategies that may be useful to reduce postprandial hyperglycaemia, which may be of use in the prevention of diabetes, but also as strategies for those already diagnosed but trying to manage their condition better. Recent clinical trials have provided evidence that in people living with type 2 diabetes who also live with overweight or obesity, using a total diet replacement weight loss programme results in significant and substantial weight loss, and as a result, many people can achieve remission from their diabetes. There has been considerable interest in whether similar effects can be achieved without reliance on formula foods, using real diet approaches. Reduced or low-carbohydrate diet approaches hold some promise, with observational or preliminary findings suggesting beneficial effects, but evidence from robust trials or systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials is still lacking. The Mediterranean dietary pattern, low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat, also has some potential, with evidence to suggest some people can lose weight and achieve remission using this approach, which may be easier to adhere to longer term than more intensive total diet replacement and low-carbohydrate strategies. Plant-based diets that advocate for the elimination of animal-based and/or animal-derived foods have increased in popularity. There is evidence from epidemiological studies that people who follow these diets have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and evidence from trials and systematic reviews of trials that changing to a dietary pattern lower in animal-based and animal-derived foods has benefits on glycaemic control and other markers of cardiovascular disease. While these approaches all provide food or nutrient prescriptions, approaches that incorporate periods of fasting do not provide rules on the types of foods that can or cannot be consumed, but rather provide time windows of when to eat. Evidence suggests that these approaches can be as effective in achieving energy restriction and weight loss as approaches that advocate continuous energy restriction, and there is evidence for benefits on glycaemic control independent of weight loss. Finally, popular dietary strategies that may be useful to use or combine to help prevent postprandial hyperglycaemia include reducing the glycaemic index or glycaemic load of the diet, high-fibre diets, eating foods in a meal in the order vegetables > protein > carbohydrates, preloading or combining acids such as vinegar or lemon juice with meals and engaging in low-intensity aerobic exercise immediately after meals.

Dietary and Lifestyle Strategies for Obesity.

The prevalence of obesity globally has tripled over the last half century, and currently affects around 650 million adults and 340 million children and adolescents (ages 5-19 years). Obesity contributes towards >50 co-morbidities and premature mortality. Obesity is a highly stigmatised condition that is associated with much mental and emotional distress and dysfunction. Thus, obesity is a major contributor to healthcare expenditure globally. Traditionally, the management of obesity stratifies into three major groups that include metabolic (bariatric) surgery, pharmacotherapies, and lifestyle (primarily dietary) strategies. Although listed as a separate category, dietary strategies for obesity remain a central component of any management plan, and often complement other surgical and pharmacotherapeutic options. Indeed, the effectiveness of any management approach for obesity relies upon successful behavioural changes, particularly relating to eating behaviours. In this concise review, we explore the foundational pillars of dietary strategies for obesity: sleep, listening, routine, de-stressing and optimisation of social conditions. We then discuss the importance of balancing dietary macronutrients (including dietary fibre, carbohydrates, protein and ultra-processed foods [UPFs]) as a key dietary strategy for obesity. Although we focus on general principles, we should provide bespoke dietary strategies for our patients, tailored to their individual needs. Rather than judging the utility of a diet based simply on its associated magnitude of weight loss, we should adopt a more holistic perspective in which a dietary strategy is valued for its overall health benefits, including the nurturing of our gut microbiota, to enable them to nurture and protect us.

A Narrative Review of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sarcopenia and Malnutrition in Patients with Heart Failure.

The prevalence of sarcopenia (loss of muscle strength, mass and function) in individuals with heart failure (HF) stands at a considerable level (approximately 20%), contributing to heightened mortality rates and diminished quality of life. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involve the presence of low-grade inflammation and a disturbance of the anabolic-catabolic protein balance. The nutritional assessment of patients with HF is a key aspect, and diverse diagnostic tools are employed based on patient profiles (outpatient, inpatient and nursing home). The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria serves as a consensus for diagnosing malnutrition. Given that edema can impact body mass index (BMI) in patients with HF, alternative body assessment technical methods, such as bioelectrical vector impedance (BiVA), BIA (without vector mode), computer tomography (CT) or clinical ultrasound (US), are useful. Scientific evidence supports the efficacy of both aerobic and resistance physical exercises in ameliorating and preventing muscle wasting associated with HF. Dietary strategies emphasize the importance of protein intake, while certain micronutrients like coenzyme Q10 or intravenous iron may offer benefits. This narrative review aims to present the current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of muscle loss in individuals with heart failure and its consequential impact on prognosis.

Reconstructing the social structure of kinship members in the Central Plains during the Late Shang and Western Zhou dynasties in China: A stable isotopic study on the Xisima site

AbstractKinship plays a role at the grassroots of social organization, especially in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which is an important research topic in China. However, the relationship between diet and the social status of kinship and kinship members has been little explored in previous studies. In this article, 52 skeletal bone collagen samples from humans and buried dogs from three different kinships in the Xisima cemetery in China were analysed by stable C and N isotope analysis to reveal dietary strategies, and thus explore subsistence patterns and social structure. Overall, the mean human δ13C was −8.4‰ ± 1.3‰ (n = 44), with a range of −10.0‰ to −7.4‰, and the mean δ15N was 9.0‰ ± 0.7‰ (n = 44), with a wide range of 7.9–11.1‰, which shows that C4 food dominates people’s diet, and that their diet was varied. There are differences in diet and rank among different kinships. Similar situations exist among kinship members based on platforms. Along with previous research, this study provides unprecedented dietary details of different social stratification from martyrs, common people and small nobles to high‐ranking nobles in order to better understand the hierarchical Shang and Zhou dynasties society based on kinship.