Favorable Health Effects Research Articles

Selective treatment of clinical mastitis: Assessment of the Net Cash Impact on Dairy Farms Under Diverse Scenarios. A European Perspective.

Selective treatment of clinical mastitis (STCM) potentially reduces antimicrobial use without negative implications on cow's milk production or health. However, this approach comes with additional costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the net cash impact (NCI) of implementing STCM compared with blanket treatment of clinical mastitis (BTCM) under different diagnostic-test turnaround times (24 h, 14 h, and 8 h) using a stochastic partial budget analysis with Monte Carlo simulation. The target population was European commercial dairy herds; therefore, the model inputs were primarily from European sources. Additionally, variables associated with dairy management programs were obtained from USDA sources, worldwide multisite clinical trials, and expert opinion. The output was calculated by subtracting the cost of STCM from the cost of BTCM and it represented the expected NCI if a herd switched from BTCM to STCM. Depending on the time-to-treatment efficiency and diagnostic-test turnaround time, the expected mean NCI, assuming that STCM has no impact on the cow's future health or production, ranged from +€8.7 to +€12.4 per case with 72.4% to 84.8% of the iterations being ≥ €0. Moreover, using the numerically favorable health and production effects of STCM reported in the literature, the expected mean NCI ranged from +€44.5 to +€48.1 per case with 93.6% to 95.4% of the iterations being ≥ €0. The variables with the greatest contribution to NCI variance were proportion of gram-positive cases (39.2% of the variance) and days out of the tank for treated cows (22.0%). However, if future cow's health and production were accounted for, culling risk (24.6%), recurrence risk (19.4%), and milk yield (10.6%) would have the greatest contribution to NCI. The sensitivity analysis indicated that farms with high clinical mastitis incidence, low proportion of gram-positive cases, large number of days out of the tank for treated cows, higher milking frequency or using automatic milking systems, not using the highest priced diagnostic tests, and having high antimicrobial treatment costs are the best candidates for STCM. Improving time-to-treatment efficiency, for example, by using a rapid diagnostic test, leads to a favorable NCI, while high daily milk yield and milk price enhances the NCI in already positive scenarios. Finally, the cash flow entirely depends on future cow's health and milk yield. In conclusion, results indicate that overall, STCM is a practice that positively impacts the NCI of many herds.

Analysis of maternal and child health spillover effects in PEPFAR countries

ObjectivesThis study examined whether the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding had effects beyond HIV, specifically on several measures of maternal and child health in low-income and...

Ginger Bioactives: A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits and Potential Food Applications.

Ginger is an herbaceous and flowering plant renowned for its rhizome, which is widely employed as both a spice and an herb. Since ancient times, ginger has been consumed in folk medicine and traditional cuisines for its favorable health effects. Different in vitro and in vivo studies have disclosed the advantageous physiological aspects of ginger, primarily due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-carcinogenic properties. These health-promoting features are linked to the variety of bioactive compounds that are present in ginger. Following the advancement in consumer awareness and the industrial demand for organic antioxidants and functional ingredients, the application of ginger and its derivatives has been broadly investigated in a wide range of food products. The prominent features transmitted by ginger into different food areas are antioxidant and nutraceutical values (bakery); flavor, acceptability, and techno-functional characteristics (dairy); hedonic and antimicrobial properties (beverages); oxidative stability, tenderization, and sensorial attributes (meat); and shelf life and sensorial properties (film, coating, and packaging). This review is focused on providing a comprehensive overview of the tendencies in the application of ginger and its derivatives in the food industry and concurrently briefly discusses the beneficial aspects and processing of ginger.

Anti-inflammatory effects of manuka honey on salivary cytokines (clinical study)

Background: Manuka honey (MH) is a mono-floral honey derived from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). MH is a highly recognized for its non-peroxide antibacterial activities, which are mostly related to its unique methylglyoxal content (MGO) in MH. The beneficial phytochemicals in MH is directly related to their favorable health effects, which include wound healing, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of MH on pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) in patients with gingivitis and compare it with chlorhexidine (CHX) and distilled water (DW). Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized, double blinded, and parallel clinical trial. Forty-five young participants aged (20–40) years were randomly selected and allocated into three groups: MH, CHX, and DW mouthwash groups. Each participant was given a random bottle. Five milliliters each of honey-based mouthwash formulation, CHX mouthwashes (0.2%) and DW were used twice daily for 21 days. All the participants were examined twice, once on the zero day (base line) and once after 21 days. Before and after each participant's mouthwash use IL-8 and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The results revealed a drop in the level of interleukin-8 in the manuka honey group which was statistically significant, but the decrease in the same biomarker in the chlorhexidine group was insignificant statistically. TNF-α levels were found to be insignificantly reduced in both the MH and CHX groups (P˃0.05). The DW group, on the other hand, obtained the opposite outcome in both biomarkers. Conclusion: Mouthwash containing MH had an anti-inflammatory impact, indicating an immunomodulatory action. These signs may be encouraging and promising for the use of MH in treating gingivitis.

The Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Shared Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are the first and second leading causes of death worldwide, respectively. Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of cancer is elevated in patients with CVD and vice versa. However, these conditions are usually regarded as separate events despite the presence of shared risk factors between both conditions, such as metabolic abnormalities and lifestyle. Cohort studies suggested that controlling for CVD risk factors may have an impact on cancer incidence. Therefore, it could be concluded that interventions that improve CVD and cancer shared risk factors may potentially be effective in preventing and treating both diseases. The ketogenic diet (KD), a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, has been widely prescribed in weight loss programs for metabolic abnormalities. Furthermore, recent research has investigated the effects of KD on the treatment of numerous diseases, including CVD and cancer, due to its role in promoting ketolysis, ketogenesis, and modifying many other metabolic pathways with potential favorable health effects. However, there is still great debate regarding prescribing KD in patients either with CVD or cancer. Considering the number of studies on this topic, there is a clear need to summarize potential mechanisms through which KD can improve cardiovascular health and control cell proliferation. In this review, we explained the history of KD, its types, and physiological effects and discussed how it could play a role in CVD and cancer treatment and prevention.

Application of Functional and Edible Coatings and Films as Promising Strategies for Developing Dairy Functional Products—A Review on Yoghurt Case

Edible coatings and films appear to be a very promising strategy for delivering bioactive compounds and probiotics in food systems when direct incorporation/inoculation is not an option. The production of dairy products has undergone radical modifications thanks to nanotechnology. Despite being a relatively new occurrence in the dairy sector, nanotechnology has quickly become a popular means of increasing the bioavailability and favorable health effects of a variety of bioactive components. The present review describes, in detail, the various processes being practiced worldwide for yoghurt preparation, microencapsulation, and nanotechnology-based approaches for preserving and/or enriching yoghurt with biologically, and its effect on health and in treating various diseases. In the case of yoghurt, as a perfect medium for functional ingredients supplementation, different gums (e.g., alginate, xanthan gum, and gum arabic), alone or in combination with maltodextrin, seem to be excellent coatings materials to encapsulate functional ingredients. Edible coatings and films are ideal carriers of bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, flavors, and probiotics, to improve the quality of dairy food products. Yoghurt is regarded as a functional superfood with a variety of health benefits, especially with a high importance for women’s health, as a probiotic. Consumption of yoghurt with certain types of probiotic strains which contain γ-linolenic acid or PUFA can help solve healthy problems or alleviate different symptoms, and this review will be shed light on the latest studies that have focused on the impact of functional yoghurt on women’s health. Recently, it has been discovered that fermented milk products effectively prevent influenza and COVID-19 viruses. Bioactive molecules from yoghurt are quite effective in treating various inflammations, including so-called “cytokine storms” (hypercytokinaemia) caused by COVID-19.

EPS-Producing Lactobacillus plantarum MC5 as a Compound Starter Improves Rheology, Texture, and Antioxidant Activity of Yogurt during Storage

This study evaluated the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum MC5 on the quality, antioxidant activity, and storage stability of yogurt, to determine its possible application as a starter in milk fermentation. Four groups of yogurt were made with different proportions of probiotic L. plantarum MC5 and commercial starters. The yogurt samples’ rheological properties, texture properties, antioxidant activity, storage stability, and exopolysaccharides (EPS) content during storage were determined. The results showed that 2:1 and 1:1 yogurt samples (supplemented with L. plantarum MC5) attained the highest EPS content (982.42 mg/L and 751.71 mg/L) during storage. The apparent viscosity, consistency, cohesiveness, and water holding capacity (WHC) of yogurt samples supplemented with L. plantarum MC5 were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Further evaluation of antioxidant activity revealed that yogurt samples containing MC5 starter significantly increased in DPPH, ABTS, OH, and ferric iron-reducing power. The study also found that adding MC5 can promote the growth of Streptococcus thermophilus. Therefore, yogurt containing L. plantarum MC5 had favorable rheological properties, texture, and health effects. The probiotic MC5 usage in milk fermentation showed adequate potential for industrial application.

A Cross-Sectional Audit of Sorghum in Selected Cereal Food Products in Australian Supermarkets.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) may play a role in mechanisms that elicit favourable health effects. In Australia, sorghum is successfully grown, but it is not widely consumed, and its presence in common food products is unknown. This study examined the utilisation of sorghum in common food products, specifically breakfast cereals and snack bars, in a cross-sectional study of five supermarkets in New South Wales, over a 7-day period in February 2020. Details relating to ingredients, food format, brand, and product name were recorded. Sorghum was present in 6.1% (23/379) of breakfast cereals in a variety of formats, such as extruded shapes, flour, and puffed grain. In 8.7% of these, sorghum was listed as the first ingredient (greatest contribution by weight). Sorghum was utilised in 2% (6/298) of snack bars mainly as puffed sorghum and was listed in the fourth or subsequent position in the ingredient lists for all. ‘Sorghum’ did not appear in the name of any products. In conclusion, this baseline study indicates that sorghum is present in a small proportion of breakfast cereals and snack bars, highlighting the opportunity for greater investment in sorghum food innovation and marketing that would encourage consumer recognition and expand the product range.

Optimization of Naringin and Naringenin Extraction from Citrus × paradisi L. Using Hydrolysis and Excipients as Adsorbent.

While flavanones exist in a variety of chemical forms, their favorable health effects are most prominent in their free form—aglycones. Their concentrations in grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi L.) extracts vary according to the extraction and hydrolysis methods used. The primary aim of this work was to maximize the yields of naringin and naringenin from various parts of fresh grapefruit fruits (flavedo, albedo, and segmental) using different extraction and hydrolysis methods. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the excipient—magnesium aluminometasilicate—and determine its influence on the qualitative composition of grapefruit extracts. Extracts were obtained by heat reflux extraction (HRE), ultrasound-assisted extraction with an ultrasonic homogenizer (UAE*), and ultrasound-assisted extraction with a bath (UAE). Ultrasound-assisted extraction using a bath (UAE) was modulated using acidic, thermal, and alkaline hydrolysis. The highest yield of naringin 8A (17.45 ± 0.872 mg/g) was obtained from an albedo sample under optimal conditions using ultrasound-assisted extraction; a high yield of naringenin 23-SHR (35.80 ± 1.79 µg/g) was produced using the heat reflux method from the segmental part. Meanwhile, ultrasonic combined with thermal hydrolysis significantly increased flavanone extraction from the albedo and segmental parts: naringin from sample 9-A (from 17.45 ± 0.872 mg/g to 25.05 ± 1.25 mg/g) and naringenin from sample 15-S (from 0 to 4.21 ± 0.55 µg/g). Additionally, magnesium aluminometasilicate demonstrated significant increases of naringenin from all treated grapefruit parts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of magnesium aluminometasilicate used as an adsorbent in flavanone extractions.

Bioactive diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol) in Turkish coffees: Impact of roasting

While the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee has been ascribed to the presence of diterpenes, they have also been shown to present favourable health effects. Boiled-type coffees show slightly higher levels of diterpenes than those made with other brewing methods. However, there is considerable controversy regarding the effect of roasting on the contents of the diterpenes cafestol and kahweol. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to measure the contents of these diterpenes in Turkish coffees, and to determine how they are influenced by roasting. The samples used were 16 roasted and ready-ground Turkish coffees sold in supermarkets in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The cafestol and kahweol contents of the coffee samples were analysed using liquid-liquid extraction followed by HPLC-DAD. The lipid contents of commercially roasted and ground Turkish coffee samples varied in the range of 14.32 ± 0.09 to 15.60 ± 0.09 g/100 g. The lipid contents of brewed Turkish coffee samples varied from 318 ± 2.00 to 571 ± 4.30 mg/100 mL. When compared within each commercial brand, dark roasted ground Turkish coffee samples had higher lipid contents. The average diterpene content in one cup of Turkish coffee sample was between 2.69 ± 0.28 and 13.58 ± 0.88 mg. The ranges of cafestol and kahweol contents in a cup were 1.4 ± 0.21 - 6.9 ± 0.65 mg and 1.28 ± 0.07 - 6.68 ± 0.28 mg, respectively. Within products of the same brand, the highest amount of oil was observed in dark roasted Turkish coffee beverages, and no significant differences were found in total diterpene, cafestol, and kahweol contents in coffee beverages among the different roasting levels. It is recommended that future studies perform more detailed investigations of the effect of roasting on the diterpene contents in Turkish coffees, and the impact of preparation parameters, as well as the presence of diterpene-derived compounds.

In-vitro and in-vivo supportive research on medicinal properties of Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive review

Cannabis sativa is an herbaceous plant which is mainly used as a remedy for neurological, digestive and immunological ailments in traditional medicine. Even though Cannabis is the most illicit plant around the world, its medicinal properties are beneficial in number of ways. Numerous beneficial effects of C. sativa have been demonstrated in multiple in-vitro and in-vivo studies from different parts of the world. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the literature and provide a summary on potential medicinal benefits of C. sativa. This systematic review was conducted by using the data bases; Science direct and PubMed for studies published from 1st of January 2015 to 31st of October 2020. In order to obtain further data, a manual search was also carried out from the reference lists of included articles. After removing the duplicate articles 77 total number of articles included in this present review. The beneficial health effects of C. sativa were anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. In addition, it revealed that C. sativa lower blood glucose, serum cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Apart from that, the use of Cannabis in other diseases such as irritable bowel disease, renal diseases, neurofibromatosis, and leucorrhea was also identified. The wide range of medicinal effects may be due to main active ingredients of Tetrahydro cannabinol, Cannabidiol, Cannabinol and Tetrahydro cannabivarin. Available in-vitro and invivo evidence suggested that C. sativa has many favorable health effects and further randomized controlled clinical trials will be needed to determine these effects thoroughly.

Epidemiology of myopia and the effect of orthokeratology on controlling the disease

Introduction and objective&#x0D; Myopia is a defect of vision, which makes it impossible to see remote objects clearly. The disease can also lead to serious ocular problems. Myopia affects about 30% of the world population and -according to the estimates- that percentage is about to increase up to 50% within the next 30 years. Orthokeratology is a relatively new method on non-surgical, reversible correction of myopia. Specially designed lenses, worn at night, affects the shape of the cornea, which results in proper vision during the day.&#x0D; Review methods&#x0D; The aim of the study was evaluation of effectiveness of wearing orthokeratology contact lenses based on a review of medical literature published on PubMed in the last 5 years.&#x0D; Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge&#x0D; Research results show that wearing orthokeratology lenses have beneficial effects. Reduction of axial length of the eyeball and curvature of the cornea were observed. Progression of myopia was five times slower in children study group and three times slower in adult study group compared to control groups. It was proved, that favourable health effects persist through the first eight years of treatment. Due to the fact, that cornea has a limited susceptibility, a decrease in efficiency occurs in the following years. Usually no undesirable side effects are reported, yet the possible side effects are mild and disappear after a short time.&#x0D; Summary&#x0D; According to the results of recent studies, we can assume that orthokeratology is a safe and effective method of inhibition of myopia progression. The method may be especially recommended to children, to people working in such conditions, that make wearing standard contact lenses impossible and to people not qualified for laser or surgical vision correction.

Suvarnaprashana-Concept or Factual Practice of Ayurveda

In antiquity, gold was perceived as an important medication with various favorable health effects. In an important book of Tao entitled Bauputz, the author, Hung Kir (283–363ad) stated: “ingest gold to live a gold-like longevity”. These days, gold leaf, flake, or dust can be found adorning or being added to a variety of dishes and drinks. However, its sole function is that of a decorative accent. Gold, in all of its various medicinal forms, is considered to be the most potent component of many distinct herbo-mineral combinations in Ayurvedamedicine. In pediatric populations, the usage of gold is recommended right from birth, in conjunction with honey and ghee; this process is known as Jatakarmain Ayurveda, while in the neonate and above age group, to promote health, strength, longevity, etc., Lehana is advised. Suvarnprashanis the name given to the practice of ingesting Suvarn Bhasma together with a mixture of Rasyana and Balyamedicines on a regular basis for an extended period of time. Regular use of Suvarnprashanfosters the child's overall growth. In addition to preventing infections, illnesses, and allergic reactions, it has a good influence on the child's immune system. Suvarnprashanmay accelerate the development of the brain, the central nervous system, and the generation of high-quality neurons, so that the future cognitive abilities of the child will be exceptional.

Ethanol and aqueous extracts characterization from guava (Psidium guajava L.) and avocado (Persea americana Mill.) residues

In Mexico, avocado and guava production generate agronomic residues that contain bioactive compounds as secondary metabolites produced in plants. Their consumption offer favourable health effects; therefore, the objective of the present research was to characterize the bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties in guava (Psidium guajava L.) and avocado (Persea americana Mill.) residues (pulp or epicarp and leaves) at different ethanol concentrations (T1 100%, T2 75%, T3 50% and T4 25%, v/v) and in aqueous extracts (T5). Avocado epicarp (56.17 mg of EAG g-1 dm) and guava leaves 50% extracts (45.13 mg of EAG g-1 dm) presented the highest total phenol content; consequently, as it was expected avocado epicarp (328.95 TEAC/g dm) and guava leaves 25% extracts (320.01 TEAC/g dm) shown the highest antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, the highest saponins values were at avocado (100.60 mg g-1 dm) and guava leaves (76.96 mg g-1 dm) 25% extracts. Then avocado epicarp and guava leaves extracts are suggested as a high potential for agro-industrial, pharmacological and chemical uses.

Curcumin and Its Potential Impact on Microbiota.

Curcumin is one of the most frequently researched herbal substances; however, it has been reported to have a poor bioavailability and fast metabolism, which has led to doubts about its effectiveness. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and has demonstrated favorable health effects. Nevertheless, well-reported in vivo pharmacological activities of curcumin are limited by its poor solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic profile. The bidirectional interactions between curcumin and gut microbiota play key roles in understanding the ambiguity between the bioavailability and biological activity of curcumin, including its wider health impact.

Potential favourable health effects of some dietary uncommon fatty acids

In addition to the major fatty acids widely studied, our diet contains many bioactive fatty acids less frequently investigated such as n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (n-3 DPA), natural trans fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids (CLAs), furan fatty acids (FuFAs), branched chain fatty acids (BCFAs) and fatty acid esters of hydroxyl fatty acids (FAHFAs). Many of them may have beneficial health effects, particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, inflammation and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. This review aims to give a brief overview of the current knowledge on these lipids. Thus, information about biosynthesis, food and tissue content, daily intake, biological and potential health effects of these fatty acids is provided.

Response Surface Optimization and Impact of Immobilized Enzymes Naringianse and Tannase on the Quality Parameters of Citrus maxima Juice

Pomelo has been reported as a rich source of flavanone glycoside with antioxidants and exhibits favorable health effects such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, antitumor, and anti-clotting activity. Despite all the beneficial health impacts of Citrus maxima, it still has lower commercial value because of its juice's bitterness due to the presence of naringin and tannic acid. Therefore, an attempt has been made for the cost-effective and economic debittering process using naringinase and tannase enzymes. The 17 experiments were planned according to RSM, BBD to analyze the effect of independent variables with three levels of each, i.e., Enzyme ratio ((Naringinase: tannase) (100:0, 50:50, 0:100)), incubation temperature (30°C, 40°C, 50°C) and incubation time (2, 3, 4 hrs) on physicochemical quality of Citrus maxima Juice. The study's result indicated that independent variables affected the responses (pH, TSS, TA, Naringin content, Tannin content, TPC, and Vitamin C content). Optimization was done using Design Expert 10.0.1 software to debitter and clarify citrus maxima juice by immobilized enzymes. The optimum values were found to be 54.55, 50°C, and 4 hrs. The values for pH, TSS, TA, Naringin content, Tannin content, TPC and Vitamin C content were found to be 3.17, 6.256 °Brix, 0.885 %citric acid , 220.549 μg/ml ,0.311mg/ml, 1256.721 mg GAE/L,30.309 mg/100ml respectively. From the study, it could be concluded that the maximum debittering and clarification of citrus maxima juice could be done under processing conditions, i.e., enzyme ratio 50:50, incubation temperature 50°C and incubation time 4 hrs.

Type 2 Diabetes and Mediterranean Diet in Older Adults: a Brief Review of the Evidence

Mediterranean diet is a traditional, plant-based dietary pattern extensively studied for its favorable health effects. In relation to type 2 diabetes (T2D), higher adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk for incidence of diabetes, better glycemic control, and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients. Interestingly, most of the studies on the relationship between T2D and adherence to the Mediterranean diet have focused on younger people, whereas the available evidence in older adults (≥ 60 years old) is limited. In this age group, the quality of the diet may be affected by factors that are associated with aging, including cognitive decline, whereas T2D has been associated with an elevated risk of cognitive deficits. More studies are needed in this age group in order to further investigate the potentially crucial role of T2D and glycemic control on cognition and their relationship with Mediterranean diet and to define the underlying mechanisms. In any case, healthcare professionals should educate older adults in adopting the basic principles of the Mediterranean diet or of other plant-based dietary patterns, as a diet promoting cognitive and cardiovascular health.

Corrigendum to: Is Tapping on Acupuncture Points an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies.

We published a meta-analysis of component trials of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) in this journal. EFT is an evidence-based method, validated in over 100 clinical trials, that uses fingertip tapping on acupressure points in conjunction with techniques from exposure and cognitive therapy. The meta-analysis examined six studies in which an active control, such as diaphragmatic breathing or sham acupoints, was used in place of tapping on actual acupoints. The purpose of the meta-analysis was to determine whether tapping was an inert or an active ingredient in EFTs observed treatment effects. Subsequent to publication, errors in the statistical analysis were identified, primarily incorrect standard deviation values, and our methodological approach was questioned by others. We therefore had the meta-analysis rerun by an independent senior statistician who compared pre- to follow-up results to determine the sustained effects of treatment. The cumulative fixed effects Hedge's g-value was found to be 0.73 (95% confidence interval = 0.42-1.04, p < 0.0001). The corresponding random effects Hedge's g-value is 0.74 (95% confidence interval = 0.34-1.13, p < 0.0001). We also reviewed and clarified our methodology. In conclusion, despite computational errors in our original publication, the present revised analysis supports the original conclusion that the acupressure component of the EFT protocol is an active ingredient that contributes to the method's favorable health effects.

The Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Skeletal Muscle Protein Turnover in Health, Disuse, and Disease.

Ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids is known to exert favorable health effects on a number of biological processes such as improved immune profile, enhanced cognition, and optimized neuromuscular function. Recently, data have emerged demonstrating a positive influence of omega-3 fatty acid intake on skeletal muscle. For instance, there are reports of clinically-relevant gains in muscle size and strength in healthy older persons with omega-3 fatty acid intake as well as evidence that omega-3 fatty acid ingestion alleviates the loss of muscle mass and prevents decrements in mitochondrial respiration during periods of muscle-disuse. Cancer cachexia that is characterized by a rapid involuntary loss of lean mass may also be attenuated by omega-3 fatty acid provision. The primary means by which omega-3 fatty acids positively impact skeletal muscle mass is via incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n−3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n−3) into membrane phospholipids of the sarcolemma and intracellular organelles. Enrichment of EPA and DHA in these membrane phospholipids is linked to enhanced rates of muscle protein synthesis, decreased expression of factors that regulate muscle protein breakdown, and improved mitochondrial respiration kinetics. However, exactly how incorporation of EPA and DHA into phospholipid membranes alters these processes remains unknown. In this review, we discuss the interaction between omega-3 fatty acid ingestion and skeletal muscle protein turnover in response to nutrient provision in younger and older adults. Additionally, we examine the role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in protecting muscle loss during muscle-disuse and in cancer cachexia, and critically evaluate the molecular mechanisms that underpin the phenotypic changes observed in skeletal muscle with omega-3 fatty acid intake.