Indices Of Metabolic Health Research Articles

Proteomic pathways to metabolic disease and type 2 diabetes in the pancreatic islet

SummaryPancreatic islets are essential for maintaining physiological blood glucose levels, and declining islet function is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. We employ mass spectrometry-based proteomics to systematically analyze islets from 9 genetic or diet-induced mouse models representing a broad cross-section of metabolic health. Quantifying the islet proteome to a depth of >11,500 proteins, this study represents the most detailed analysis of mouse islet proteins to date. Our data highlight that the majority of islet proteins are expressed in all strains and diets, but more than half of the proteins vary in expression levels, principally due to genetics. Associating these varied protein expression levels on an individual animal basis with individual phenotypic measures reveals islet mitochondrial function as a major positive indicator of metabolic health regardless of strain. This compendium of strain-specific and dietary changes to mouse islet proteomes represents a comprehensive resource for basic and translational islet cell biology.

Metabolic health measurements of shift workers in a national cross‐sectional study: Results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey

Shift work exposure may be a concern for a range of health effects, including metabolic health outcomes such as insulin resistance, high body weight, and abdominal obesity. We analyzed shift work and indicators of metabolic health (overweight/obesity defined by body mass index, self-reported changes in body mass index (BMI) in previous 1 and 10 years, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and insulin resistance assessed by the homeostasis model assessment 2 (HOMA-2-IR)) in the cross-sectional Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). We analyzed descriptive characteristics of shift workers (regular night, evening, and rotating shift) and used multivariable linear regression to examine the association between two definitions of shift work exposure and measures of metabolic health, adjusted for age, sex, daily energy expenditure, sleep, and poor dietary quality. 5470 anthropometry (2637 fasting) participants in CHMS Cycles 1 and 2 were included, of whom 16.5% worked regular evening, night, or rotating shifts. Shift workers were younger and slept longer hours than non-shift workers. Bivariate associations showed inverse relationships between shift work and BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and HOMA-2-IR. In adjusted analyses, BMI was inversely related to shift work, and other metabolic health outcomes showed no significant associations. Healthy worker effects (including self-selection of exposure) could explain inverse relationships, particularly as the cross-sectional design only allowed assessment of current exposure. Key strengths include the population-based design and measurement of metabolic health indicators. Results underscore the importance of consideration of the health of shift workers following departure from the exposed population.

Body Position Affects The Relationship Between Heart Rate Variability And Metabolic Health In Young Adults

Heart rate variability (HRV), the time-difference between heartbeats, is a convenient and inexpensive marker of autonomic function. Though previous studies have demonstrated associations between HRV and metabolic health, these findings have primarily come from single day laboratory measures, with little consideration for body position or lability in day-to-day HRV. PURPOSE: To examine relationships between self-recorded, multi-day, supine and standing HRV measures with indicators of metabolic health in young healthy adults. METHODS: Twenty-one men (24.4 ± 4.9 yrs) and 20 women (21.4 ± 2.7 yrs) recorded ultra-short (i.e., 60-s), post-waking HRV measures in supine and standing positions for seven days via a Bluetooth heart rate monitor and smartphone application. Following the HRV measurement period, participants reported to the laboratory in a fasted state during morning hours. Total body fat percentage (BF%) was evaluated via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and total cholesterol (TC) were assessed in fingerstick samples using a point of care device. Associations between 7-day average supine and standing natural logarithm of the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences (lnRMSSDavg), and their coefficients of variation (lnRMSSDcv), with BF%, FBG, and TC were assessed. RESULTS: Supine and standing lnRMSSDavg were 4.4 ± 0.4 and 3.5 ± 0.5 ms in men, and 4.1 ± 0.6 and 3.1 ± 0.5 ms in women, respectively. Supine and standing lnRMSSDcv were 8.1 ± 3.4 and 10.6 ± 5.4 % in men, and 9.8 ± 5.2 and 13.0 ± 4.4 % in women, respectively. FBG and TC were 86.8 ± 7.0 and 174.8 ± 49.7 mg/dl in men (20.9 ± 7.4% body fat), and 84.1 ± 9.7 and 148.2 ± 21.8 mg/dl in women (34.1 ± 7.2% body fat), respectively. Total BF% was associated (P < 0.05) with supine lnRMSSDavg in men (r = -0.47) and women (r = -0.50), as well as lnRMSSDcv in supine (r = 0.50) and standing (r = 0.45) positions in women. TC was associated with supine lnRMSSDavg in men only (r = -0.54; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Supine lnRMSSDavg appears to be most strongly related to BF% in young healthy men and women. Associations between supine and standing lnRMSSDcv and BF% that were only observed in women, and supine lnRMSSDavg and TC that were only observed in men, provide evidence in support of gender differences in relationships between HRV and metabolic health.

Neither Postabsorptive Resting Nor Postprandial Fat Oxidation Are Related to Peak Fat Oxidation in Men With Chronic Paraplegia

The peak rate of fat oxidation (PFO) achieved during a graded exercise test is an important indicator of metabolic health. In healthy individuals, there is a significant positive association between PFO and total daily fat oxidation (FO). However, conditions resulting in metabolic dysfunction may cause a disconnect between PFO and non-exercise FO. Ten adult men with chronic thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) completed a graded arm exercise test. On a separate day following an overnight fast (≥ 10 h), they rested for 60 min before ingesting a liquid mixed meal (600 kcal; 35% fat, 50% carbohydrate, 15% protein). Expired gases were collected and indirect calorimetry data used to determine FO at rest, before and after feeding, and during the graded exercise test. Participants had “good” cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak: 19.2 ± 5.2 ml/kg/min) based on normative reference values for SCI. There was a strong positive correlation between PFO (0.30 ± 0.08 g/min) and VO2peak (r = 0.86, p = 0.002). Additionally, postabsorptive FO at rest was significantly and positively correlated with postprandial peak FO (r = 0.77, p = 0.01). However, PFO was not significantly associated with postabsorptive FO at rest (0.08 ± 0.02 g/min; p = 0.97), postprandial peak FO (0.10 ± 0.03 g/min; p = 0.43), or incremental area under the curve postprandial FO (p = 0.22). It may be advantageous to assess both postabsorptive FO at rest and PFO in those with SCI to gain a more complete picture of their metabolic flexibility and long-term metabolic health.

Relationship of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time with Metabolic Health in Children and Adolescents Measured by Accelerometer: A Narrative Review.

The purpose of this study was to summarize the associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) with metabolic health and examine the effects of time reallocation on metabolic health in adolescents using accelerometer data. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochran Library, and Google Scholar, and 27 articles were reviewed. Recent research generally confirms the associations of PA and SED with metabolic health. High PA levels and low SED levels had a positive relationship with metabolic health. Moreover, reallocating 10 min of daily SED to PA was associated with better metabolic health indicators. These results were stronger for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than for light intensity PA. Thus, efforts to convert SED into PA of at least moderate intensity appear to be an effective strategy to prevent metabolic disease development in children and adolescents. However, some of the associations between PA and metabolic health indicators were inconsistent, depending on age, obesity degree, and PA intensity. Additionally, various accelerometer data collection and processing criteria impact the interpretation of the results. Therefore, consistent accelerometer data collection and analysis methods are needed in future studies. Further, intervention studies are required to verify the causality and effectiveness of the isotemporal substitution model.

Identification of leaky gut-related markers as indicators of metabolic health in Dutch adults: The Nutrition Questionnaires plus (NQplus) study.

Background and aimChronic inflammation is a primary risk factor for chronic metabolic disease and may be triggered by a “leaky gut.” Several biomarkers have been recognized to indicate intestinal permeability (i.e., leaky gut) and bacterial translocation. Nonetheless, which of these biomarkers exhibit the highest correlation with metabolic health parameters remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to explore the correlation between leaky gut-related markers and metabolic health.MethodsBased on waist circumference, plasma fasting glucose, plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and plasma LDL cholesterol, two groups of 40 subjects with the most extreme metabolic health profiles were selected from the NQplus cohort study (n = 2048), which was previously conducted by the Wageningen University’s Division of Human Nutrition. Eight potential leaky gut-related markers were selected from the literature and measured in serum or EDTA plasma samples of these selected individuals. These samples were also obtained from the NQplus cohort study.ResultsFrom the leaky gut markers, levels of zonulin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, soluble CD14, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein, and peptidoglycan were significantly higher in individuals with unhealthy metabolic profiles (p<0.05). No differences in EndoCAb IgM, EndoCAb IgA, and EndoCAb IgG were observed between healthy and unhealthy individuals. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that zonulin was substantially associated with metabolic health parameters such as BMI, blood glucose, triglyceride, GGT, and C-reactive protein levels. C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker, showed the most pronounced association with zonulin.ConclusionsBiomarkers that link a leaky gut and subsequent bacterial translocation to metabolic health were identified in this study. Especially zonulin may aid in monitoring a leaky gut and detecting individuals at risk for developing chronic metabolic diseases.

Acute Effect of Herbs and Spices Intake on Endothelial Function and Metabolic Markers in Overweight or Obese Adults

Abstract Objectives Herbs and Spices (H/S) contain an array of bioactive compounds with purported health benefits. This study investigated the effect of acute H/S intake on vascular and metabolic health indicators, including flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), glucose control and inflammatory markers over 24 h in overweight or obese individuals. Methods In this randomized, single-blinded, 4-arm, 24-h, crossover clinical trial, subjects (n = 25, age 37 ± 15 years, BMI 28.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2, mean ± SD) consumed a high-fat and high-carbohydrate (HFHC) challenge meal (about 810 kcal) without (control) or with three different combinations of commercially-available H/S: Italian herbs (rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley), cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice) on four separate days at least three days apart. Meals provided 35% of subjects energy to maintain weight and 1 g H/S per 135 kcal. FMD and blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 5.5, 7, and 24 h for endpoint analysis (additional blood samples at 0.5 and 1 h for insulin/glucose). Mixed-model analysis of repeated measures via PROC MIXED PC-SAS 9.4 was performed on primary and secondary outcome variables. FMD was the primary outcome. Results The addition of H/S in HFHC meals significantly reduced postprandial insulin concentrations over 7 h compared to control (P = 0.03) with no significant decrease in glucose (P = 0.17) compared to the control meal. A significant interaction between H/S and age (P = 0.003) suggested benefits of H/S on insulinemia in individuals 41–65 years. Preliminary analysis showed significant effects of test meal (P &amp;lt; 0.05) on plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6). FMD assessment revealed increased %FMD 24 h after H/S consumption compared to the control meal (P = 0.04), suggesting a possible effect of gut microbial-derived H/S bioactive metabolites, which is under study. Conclusions This study demonstrated the vascular and metabolic effects of meals differing in herbs and spices. Herbs and spices may improve vascular function after 24 h consumption and have different potencies on metabolic indices in different age groups in overweight or obese individuals. Funding Sources This project was funded by McCormick Science Institute.

The Influence of Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus, cv Montmorency) Concentrate Supplementation for 3 Months on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Tart Montmorency cherries (MC) have been shown to be rich in anthocyanins and other phytochemicals known to have anti-inflammatory properties and influence pathways that might improve cardiometabolic health. However, there is limited evidence for the longer-term use of tart cherries on these indices. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of MC concentrate on cardiometabolic health indices following a 3-month supplementation period. Methods: Fifty middle-aged adults (34 males and 16 females; mean ± SD age: 48 ± 6 years and BMI: 27.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2) completed a randomised, placebo-controlled parallel study in which they either received MC or an isocaloric placebo. Participants drank 30 mL of their allocated treatment twice per day for 3 months. Vascular function (blood pressure [BP], heart rate [HR], pulse wave velocity and analysis [PWV/A], and flow mediated dilation [FMD]) as well as indices of metabolic health (insulin, glucose, lipid profiles, and high sensitivity C reactive protein) were measured following an overnight fast before and after the 3 months. Results: No effect of the intervention between the groups was observed for vascular function or metabolic health variables following the intervention (p > 0.05). However, MC concentrate was shown to be safe and well-tolerated and, importantly, did not have any deleterious effects on these outcomes. In conclusion, MC has no influence on cardiometabolic indices in middle-aged adults.

Metabolic Markers Demonstrate the Heterogeneity of Myosteatosis in Community-Dwelling Older Black Men from the Health ABC Study.

Myosteatosis is a complex condition, associated with aging and diverse pathological conditions (e.g., diabetes), that contributes to mobility disability. Improved characterization of myosteatosis is required to develop targeted interventions to maintain muscle health in aging. We first determined the associations between plasma metabolites and intermuscular fat (IMF) in a cross-sectional analysis of 313 older Black men from Health ABC Study. Using partial correlation analysis, 34/350 metabolites were associated with IMF, the majority of which were lipids and organic acids. Next, we used Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), as an indicator of metabolic health to delineate the anthropometric, functional, and metabolic heterogeneity of myosteatosis in a case-control matching analysis. We categorized participants based on their IMF and HOMA-IR levels into: Low-IMF with Low- versus High-HOMA, as well as High-IMF with Low- versus High-HOMA. Among participants with similar levels of IMF, those who were metabolically unhealthy, i.e., with High HOMA-IR, had higher fat and lean mass, muscle strength, and had hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, and higher levels of plasma metabolites belonging to diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, fatty acid and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathways versus those with Low HOMA-IR. In summary, HOMA-IR delineates the heterogeneity of myosteatosis by distinguishing metabolically healthy versus unhealthy individuals.

Resistant Starch Type 2 from Wheat Reduces Postprandial Glycemic Response with Concurrent Alterations in Gut Microbiota Composition

The majority of research on the physiological effects of dietary resistant starch type 2 (RS2) has focused on sources derived from high-amylose maize. In this study, we conduct a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial investigating the effects of RS2 from wheat on glycemic response, an important indicator of metabolic health, and the gut microbiota. Overall, consumption of RS2-enriched wheat rolls for one week resulted in reduced postprandial glucose and insulin responses relative to conventional wheat when participants were provided with a standard breakfast meal containing the respective treatment rolls (RS2-enriched or conventional wheat). This was accompanied by an increase in the proportions of bacterial taxa Ruminococcus and Gemmiger in the fecal contents, reflecting the composition in the distal intestine. Additionally, fasting breath hydrogen and methane were increased during RS2-enriched wheat consumption. However, although changes in fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were not significant between control and RS-enriched wheat roll consumption, butyrate and total SCFAs were positively correlated with relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, Ruminoccocus, Roseburia, and Barnesiellaceae. These effects show that RS2-enriched wheat consumption results in a reduction in postprandial glycemia, altered gut microbial composition, and increased fermentation activity relative to wild-type wheat.

Daily Religious Coping Buffers the Stress-Affect Relationship and Benefits Overall Metabolic Health in Older Adults.

This study focuses on how daily religious coping mitigates daily stress, regulates emotional responses, and ultimately produces more optimal health outcomes. Participants were 267 community-dwelling older adults from the Later Life Cohort of the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (mean age=72; 63% female). Daily diary data (56 days) were used to assess the effects of daily perceived stress, daily religious coping, and their interaction on daily negative affect. Multi-level modeling (MLM) results suggested that religious coping regulated the effects of stress on negative affect (β=0.02; p<.01). The intraindividual variability in these day-level effects represent specific dynamic aspects of the individual, referred to as dynamic characteristics. These person-level dynamic characteristics derived from the MLM were correlated with indicators of metabolic health, and predicted healthier values. Most significantly, the stress buffering effects of Religious Coping predicted better metabolic health, as indicated by negative correlations with glucose tolerance (A1c; r = -0.32, p < .001) and the Obesity composite variable (r = -0.23, p = .01). Results demonstrate that the ability to use religious coping to regulate the effects of stress on negative affect may delay the onset of disorders associated with obesity and dysregulation in the metabolic system.

The multivariate physical activity signature associated with metabolic health in children and youth: An International Children’s Accelerometry Database (ICAD) analysis

There is solid evidence for an association between physical activity and metabolic health outcomes in children and youth, but for methodological reasons most studies describe the intensity spectrum using only a few summary measures. We aimed to determine the multivariate physical activity intensity signature associated with metabolic health in a large and diverse sample of children and youth, by investigating the association pattern for the entire physical intensity spectrum. We used pooled data from 11 studies and 11,853 participants aged 5.8–18.4 years included in the International Children's Accelerometry Database. We derived 14 accelerometry-derived (ActiGraph) physical activity variables covering the intensity spectrum (from 0–99 to ≥8000 counts per minute). To handle the multicollinearity among these variables, we used multivariate pattern analysis to establish the associations with indices of metabolic health (abdominal fatness, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, blood pressure). A composite metabolic health score was used as the main outcome variable. Associations with the composite metabolic health score were weak for sedentary time and light physical activity, but gradually strengthened with increasing time spent in moderate and vigorous intensities (up to 4000–5000 counts per minute). Association patterns were fairly consistent across sex and age groups, but varied across different metabolic health outcomes. This novel analytic approach suggests that vigorous intensity, rather than less intense activities or sedentary behavior, are related to metabolic health in children and youth.

Pasture allowance and duration: the effect of restriction on dry-matter intake, energy balance and indicators of metabolic health in early lactation dairy cows

Context Pasture allowance (PA) in early lactation is widely acknowledged to influence animal performance; however, climatic factors can limit grass growth in early spring, resulting in potential feed deficits on farm. Aim The present study determined whether PA restrictions imposed in early lactation impair energy balance and metabolic health of the cow. Methods One hundred and five cows were assigned to one of seven grazing treatments from 14 March to 4 July 2016 (16 weeks). The control-treatment cows were offered a PA to achieve a post-grazing sward height of 3.5 cm. The cows on the remaining treatments were offered a PA representing 60% of that offered to the control cows for a duration of 2 or 6 weeks from 14 March (mid-March; MMx2 and MMx6), 28 March (end-March; EMx2 and EMx6) or 11 April (mid-April; MAx2 and MAx6). Measurements were collected over the final 2-week period of the restriction for each individual restricted treatment and the control treatment. Key results Restricting PA in early lactation (34–88 days in milk) resulted in a mean reduction in dry-matter intake (DMI) of 25%; however, DMI as a proportion of the control treatment declined for EMx6 (75% of control DMI achieved) and MAx6 (65%) compared with the MMx6 (78%), which may be attributable to changes in the sward, as the plant changes from the vegetative to reproductive phase during this period. The reduction in milk production, relative to the control treatment, was similar among all restricted treatments (18%), resulting in a 1.1-kg reduction in milk output per 1-kg reduction in DMI. However, there was no effect of PA restriction or duration on body condition score, energy balance or blood metabolites, suggesting that the animals used in the current study made sufficient physiological adaptions to partition energy for the maintenance of body reserves. Conclusion In conclusion, short-term restrictions of PA up to 25% of DMI, for up to 6 weeks, can be used as a management strategy to cope with feed deficits in early lactation without impairing normal metabolic function of the early lactation dairy cow. Implications The results of the present study identified the ability of the early lactation dairy cow at grass to adapt to short-term deficits in pasture availability, without affecting the metabolic functioning of the animals

Intestinal Bacteroides Levels are Reduced by a Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentrate

Abstract Objectives Phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables have the potential to reduce inflammation and improve overall health. This study evaluated the effect of an encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrate (FVC) on the composition and abundances of intestinal microbiota in an overweight/obese, female population and the association with indicators of metabolic health and inflammatory status. Methods The study was performed as a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial with 57 asymptomatic, pre-menopausal, overweight/obese (BMI between 25 and 40 kg/m2) females between 25–50 years of age and working in the healthcare field. Blood and fecal samples were collected before and after eight and sixteen weeks of daily supplementation with FVC. Metabolic and immune parameters were measured, and the gut microbiome was analyzed by sequencing of the V4 region of the 16SrRNA gene. Results The FVC supplementation did not change serum cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and fasting glucose, or fasting cytokine levels for MCP1, MIP-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, and Leptin. Sequencing analysis revealed the most abundant phyla detected at baseline in this population were Firmicutes (75.75 ± 10.59%), Bacteroidetes (15.23 ± 12.5%), with Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia also present. The following genera was most abundant in the study population: Blautia (22 ± 12.86%), Roseburia (8.03 ± 7.34%), Coprococus (5.44 ± 4.0%), Faecalibatcerium (11.12 ± 8.12%) and Bacteroides (10.89 ± 9.56%). FCV supplementation did not result in significant taxonomic changes at the level of phyla, or alter alpha (Shannon Index) or beta diversity (Bray Curtis analysis). However, there was a consistent reduction in overall bacterial abundance in the FVC supplemented group. This reduction was primarily attributed to the decrease in the gram-negative, anaerobic genus, Bacteroides (P = 0.08). Conclusions An encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrate did not alter metabolic or inflammatory indicators in a healthy, overweight/obese female population, but resulted in a reduced abundance of the intestinal bacterial population, Bacteroides. Funding Sources NSA LLC/The Juice Plus+® Company.

Not the Root of the Problem-Hair Cortisol and Cortisone Do Not Mediate the Effect of Child Maltreatment on Body Mass Index.

BackgroundExperiencing maltreatment during childhood exerts substantial stress on the child and increases the risk for overweight and obesity later in life. The current study tests whether hair cortisol—a measure of chronic stress—and its metabolite cortisone mediate the relation between abuse and neglect on the one hand, and body mass index (BMI) on the other.MethodThe sample consisted of 249 participants aged 8 to 87 years (M = 36.13, SD = 19.33). We collected data on child abuse and neglect using questionnaires, measured cortisol and cortisone concentrations in hair, and BMI. In a structural model, the effects of abuse and neglect on hair cortisol, hair cortisone, and BMI were tested, as well as the covariance between hair cortisol and BMI, and hair cortisone and BMI.ResultsWithin the sample, 23% were overweight but not obese and 14% were obese. Higher levels of experienced abuse were related to higher cortisone concentrations in hair (β = 0.24, p < .001) and higher BMI (β = 0.17, p =.04). Neglect was not related to hair cortisol, hair cortisone, or BMI. Hair cortisol and cortisone did not mediate the association between maltreatment, and BMI. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate the same pattern of results in a subsample of adult participants currently not living with their parents. However, in younger participants who were still living with their parents, the associations between abuse and cortisone (β = 0.14, p =.35) and abuse and BMI (β = 0.02, p =.92) were no longer significant.ConclusionThese findings confirm that experiencing abuse is related to higher BMI but suggest that hair cortisol and cortisone are not the mechanism underlying the association between child maltreatment and BMI. This is the first study to show abuse may be associated to elevated concentrations of hair cortisone—evidence of long-term alterations in chronic stress levels. Future research may benefit from exploring the effects of maltreatment on weight gain in longitudinal designs, including measures of other potential mediators such as eating as a coping mechanism, and more direct indicators of metabolic health.

Food cravings: Associations with dietary intake and metabolic health

Food cravings are a desire for specific foods which, if uncontrolled may lead to excess energy intake and weight gain. However, information on the relation between food cravings, dietary intake, and indices of metabolic health is limited. This study used baseline data from females (n = 229; aged 40.9 ± 0.7 years; BMI 34.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2) who were dependents of active duty and retired military personnel, and enrolled in the Healthy Families Healthy Forces weight loss and maintenance study. Measures obtained included food cravings using the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (which provides a habitual and stable measure of food cravings), dietary composition and eating patterns from three 24-h dietary recalls and the Stanford 7-day Physical Activity Recall, body composition from anthropometric measures, cardiometabolic risk factors from blood measures, and demographic information from questionnaires. Linear, quantile, or logistic regression models were used to examine the association of total food craving scores on dietary intake, and indices of metabolic health. In individuals reporting plausible energy intake (n = 146; 2210 ± kcals/day) higher food craving scores were associated with a lower diet quality (P < 0.05), higher eating frequency (P = 0.02), longer daily eating interval (P < 0.05), and a lower likelihood of following a time restricted eating pattern (P = 0.02). Food cravings were also positively associated with BMI (P = 0.03) and waist circumference (P = 0.01), but not with measures of cardiometabolic risk (LDL, HDL, total cholesterol:HDL, triglycerides, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin and C-reactive protein concentrations, blood pressure, metabolic syndrome). Our findings of significant associations of food cravings with lower diet quality, poor eating patterns, and unfavorable body composition strongly support efforts of targeting cravings in behavioral programs for weight management.

Inter-individual variation in response to resistance training in cardiometabolic health indicators.

Previously collected data of men and women (39-73years, 135 trained, 73 non-trained controls) were pooled for analysis. Measurements were taken twice before training to estimate individual day-to-day variations and measurement errors (n=208). The individual responsiveness to the 21-week RT in cardiometabolic health indicators (ie, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), cholesterol and triglycerides) was determined. Body composition was estimated by bioimpedance and dietary intake according to 4-day food diaries. Metabolic responses to RT seemed to be highly individual, and both beneficial and unfavorable changes were observed. Large inter-individual variations in training response were not explained by a subject's age, sex, body composition, or nutritional status, with the exception of improvements in HDL-C, which were associated with simultaneous decreases in body fat in older women. The incidence of metabolic syndrome diminished following RT. This study showed that RT could improve some specific metabolic health indicators beyond normal day-to-day variations, especially in blood lipid profile. Further studies are needed to elucidate genetic and other mechanisms underlining the heterogeneity of RT responses. This knowledge may be useful in providing individually tailored exercise prescriptions as part of personalized preventative health care.

Symposium review: Nutrition strategies for improved health, production, and fertility during the transition period

Dairy cow nutritional programs are a major determinant of the profitability of dairy farms. Despite this, the sustainability of the dairy enterprise is beyond just cow nutrition. For almost 50 yr, the NC-2042 project (Management Systems to Improve the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Enterprises) has been addressing most of these components as individual research units and in integrated ways. This review has the objective to report the body of research developed by members of the group in connection with the existing literature on dietary formulation and feeding management during the dry period, peripartal period, and early postpartum (fresh) period. Peak disease incidence (shortly after parturition) corresponds with the time of greatest negative energy balance (NEB), the peak in blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, and the greatest acceleration of milk yield. Decreased fertility in the face of increasing milk production may be attributable to greater severity of postpartal NEB resulting from inadequate transition management or increased rates of disease. The depth and duration of NEB is highly related to dry matter intake. Periparturient diseases can result from adverse ruminal conditions caused by excessive grain in the precalving or fresh cow diet, perhaps aggravated by overcrowding, heat stress, or other stressors. Others have also implicated inflammatory responses in alterations of metabolism, occurrence of health problems, and impaired reproduction. Providing controlled-energy and negative dietary cation-anion difference diets prepartum may improve dairy cow performance during the transition period. A major area of concern in the fresh cow period is a sudden increase in dietary energy density leading to subacute ruminal acidosis, which can decrease dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients. Adequate physical form of the diet, derived from either forage neutral detergent fiber content or a mixing strategy of different ingredients in a total mixed ration, must be present to stimulate ruminal activity and chewing behavior. In conclusion, formulation and delivery of appropriate diets that limit total energy intake to requirements but also provide proper intakes of all other nutrients (including the most limiting amino acids Met and Lys) before calving can help lessen the extent of NEB after calving. Effects of such diets on indicators of metabolic health are generally positive, suggesting the potential to lessen effects of periparturient disease on fertility.

Intentional weight loss as a predictor of type 2 diabetes occurrence in a general population

AbstractObesity is a major risk factor of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accordingly, weight loss is being used to reduce this risk. Intervention studies have shown a T2D risk reduction due to weight loss in populations with an elevated risk. Data on the prediction of intentional weight loss (IWL) on diabetes occurrence at population level is, however, sparse. Since in observational studies IWL has been shown to predict later weight gain, possibly leading to adverse consequences, this study examined the prediction of IWL on T2D occurrence in a general population. Data from the representative Finnish Health 2000 Survey conducted in 2000–2001 was used. The study sample consisted of 1962 men and 2308 women, aged 30–69. Information on IWL during the previous year was collected with a questionnaire. Data for the covariates was collected with a health examination, interviews and questionnaires. Incident T2D cases during a 15-year follow-up were drawn from national health registers covering information on medication use, hospitalization, and cause of death. The Cox model was used to estimate strength of association between IWL and T2D occurrence. During the follow-up, 417 individuals developed a T2D. After adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and the components of metabolic syndrome, IWL predicted an increased risk of T2D occurrence (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.11–1.87) compared to individuals without IWL. Moreover, in interaction analyses, the risk in individuals with IWL compared to those without IWL was pronounced in younger age group and in those with the lowest quality diet. Furthermore, an elevated risk was consistently found in persons with IWL and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), also in combination with different aspects of poor health (i.e. mental health, self-perceived health, metabolic health). In the present cohort, IWL predicted an increased subsequent risk of developing T2D. This may be due to that in long-term at population level IWL causes an elevated risk of T2D e.g. by acting as a promotor for weight gain or by causing weight cycling resulting in unfavorable changes in metabolic health indicators. Alternatively, it cannot be excluded, that individuals reporting IWL already are at a greater risk of T2D and pursue IWL in response to that. Greater emphasis should be put on the initial prevention of weight gain and on the support on the weight maintenance after weight loss. Further cohort studies with repeated measurements on dieting behavior and changes in weight are needed.

The Presence of Urinary Ketones according to Metabolic Status and Obesity.

BackgroundRecently, new concepts about obesity and normal weight subtypes with metabolic conditions are rising and ketone bodies are emerging as a significant indicator of metabolic health. This study aimed to find a relationship between ketonuria and those subtypes.MethodsThe data of 19,036 subjects were analyzed in this cross-sectional study (2013–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, KNHANES). Based on body mass index and adult treatment panel III with modification of waist circumference, individuals were categorized into 4 groups: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Individuals were divided into 2 groups, positive and negative ketonuria groups, and the metabolic parameters were compared.ResultsThe metabolic indicators of the positive ketonuria group showed better results than those of the negative ketonuria group and the MHNW group showed the highest proportion of positive ketonuria. The MHNW group showed higher urinary ketones than the MUO group (odds ratio [OR], 0.391; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.254–0.601) in men. In women, OR of having ketonuria was 0.698 (95% CI, 0.486–1.002) in the MHO group and 0.467 (95% CI, 0.226–0.966) in the MUNW group compared to the MHNW group, respectively.ConclusionCompared to the MHNW group, the MUO group showed lower presence of ketonuria in men, and tendency to have less ketonuria in women.