Nutritional Considerations Research Articles

Nutritional Status of Under-Five Children in the Climate Vulnerable Area of Bangladesh

Children, due to their physiological and metabolic vulnerabilities, are particularly sensitive to climate-related changes. Factors such as heat waves, extreme weather events, temperature variations, increased precipitation, and drought directly impact food and nutrition. This cross-sectional study was aimed to assess the nutritional status of under-5 children in a flood-prone district in northern Bangladesh. A total of 207 children aged 24-59 months were conveniently selected for the study. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews and observations using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Demographic information, educational background, immunization status, breastfeeding practices, health history, and dietary intake were considered for assessing nutritional status. More than half (55.6%) of the children was in age group 48-59 months, and the male-female ratio was 1.25:1. Most of the (70%) children belonged to nuclear families and more female children (53.6%) had completed their primary education than male (44%). All children were immunized, where three-fifth (60.4%) of the mothers acknowledged breastfeeding after birth, and three-fourth (75.4%) had completed exclusive breastfeeding. The majority were not ill in the month preceding the data collection. Dietary assessment revealed that most of the (94%) children consumed rice in the morning as breakfast, 97% at midday as lunch, and 94% at night as dinner. Among the children all of them had experienced flooding (100%) and significant proportion had experienced river bank erosion (97.6%). According to measurements, 81.2% were normal by MUAC, 62.8% by height for age Z scores, 71% by weight for age Z scores, and 83.1% by weight for height Z scores. The study identified higher proportions of underweight and severe wasted cases in male children, severe stunted cases with mothers having primary education, and severe wasted cases in extended families. Although certain trends were observed, the relationships between nutritional status and variables such as gender, maternal education, family type, and duration of residence were not statistically significant. Given the potential long-term impact of malnutrition, early intervention, and prioritization of nutritional considerations during the under-five age group are imperative. Bangladesh Med J. 2023 May; 52(2): 29-39

Identifying Nutritional Considerations to Inform Safety Assessments of Foods Derived From Cellular Agriculture: A Scoping Review Protocol

Identifying Nutritional Considerations to Inform Safety Assessments of Foods Derived From Cellular Agriculture: A Scoping Review Protocol

Menstrual cycle disorders: a correlation with genetic alterations

The menstrual cycle is considered the fifth vital sign among women. The pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, and ovaries are endocrine glands that play a crucial role in governing the menstrual cycle. Endocrine ailments trigger periods of menstruation disturbances throughout a woman's reproductive life. The duration and volume of menstrual bleeding can serve as indicators of endocrine problems. Oligomenorrhea, which refers to monthly periods longer than 35 days, is the most prevalent menstrual disruption observed in endocrine illnesses such as thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, and diabetes, based on the existing evidence. The intricate endocrine pathways are crucial in regulating a woman's menstrual cycle.. Menstrual Irregularities are caused due to eating disorders, extreme weight loss or too much exercising, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Premature ovarian failure, Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Mensesare affected by various factors like junk food, obesity, skipping breakfast lack of physical activity etc. PCOS, Diabetes, Hyperprolactinemia, Hypothyroidism, Thyrotoxicosis, and Cushing’s syndrome are some menstrual disorders which occur due to genetic alterations. All these disorders can be primarily treated by Nutritional Considerations and herbal treatments. In order to achieve a regular menstrual cycle and overcome these diseases, nutritional supplements and lifestyle modifications must be prioritized.

Field isolates of Beauveria bassiana exhibit biological heterogeneity in multitrophic interactions of agricultural importance

Beauveria bassiana (Bb) is a widespread entomopathogenic fungus widely used in agriculture for crop protection. Other than pest control, fungi belonging to the B. bassiana complex represent an important microbial resource in agroecosystems, considering their multiple interactions with other microorganisms as antagonists of phytopathogens, or with plants as endophytic colonizers and growth promoters. Here, we characterised field collected or commercial isolates of B. bassiana relative to the environmental factors that affect their growth. We further compared the metabolome, the entomopathogenic potential and biocontrol activity of the tested isolates respectively on the insect pest Spodoptera littoralis or against the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Our analysis revealed that the B. bassiana complex is characterised by a high level of inter-isolate heterogeneity in terms of nutritional requirements, establishment of intra- or inter-kingdom interactions, and the nature of metabolites produced. Interestingly, certain B. bassiana isolates demonstrated a preference for low nutrient plant-derived media, which hints at their adaptation towards an endophytic lifestyle over a saprophytic one. In addition, there was a noticeable variation among different B. bassiana isolates in their capacity to kill S. littoralis larvae in a contact infection test, but not in an intrahaemocoelic injection experiment, suggesting a unique level of adaptability specific to the host. On the other hand, most B. bassiana isolates exhibited similar biocontrol efficacy against the soil-dwelling ascomycete F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, a pathogen responsible for vascular wilt disease in tomato plants, effectively averting wilting. Overall, we show that the effectiveness of B. bassiana isolates can greatly vary, emphasising the importance of isolate selection and nutritional adaptability consideration for their use in sustainable agriculture.

Nutritional considerations with antiobesity medications.

The improved efficacy and generally favorable safety profile of recently approved and emerging antiobesity medications (AOMs), which result in an average weight reduction of ≥15%, represent significant advancement in the treatment of obesity. This narrative review aims to provide practical evidence-based recommendations for nutritional assessment, management, and monitoring of patients treated with AOMs. Prior to treatment, clinicians can identify preexisting nutritional risk factors and counsel their patients on recommended intakes of protein, dietary fiber, micronutrients, and fluids. During treatment with AOMs, ongoing monitoring can facilitate early recognition and management of gastrointestinal symptoms or inadequate nutrient or fluid intake. Attention should also be paid to other factors that can impact response to treatment and quality of life, such as physical activity and social and emotional health. In the context of treatment with AOMs, clinicians can play an active role in supporting their patients with obesity to improve their health and well-being and promote optimal nutritional and medical outcomes.

Perioperative Nutritional Considerations In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Despite significant advances in medical therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in recent decades, surgical management remains common in the setting of both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). While the risk of colectomy for UC has declined in the biologic era, most patients with CD will undergo at least one intestinal resection in their lifetime. Preoperative nutritional status is a wellestablished determinant of surgical morbidity. Surgery elicits a metabolic stress response that is proportional to the extent of surgical injury. Adequate lean body and micronutrient stores are needed for healing of surgical incisions, and the individual must be metabolically capable of anabolism for tissue repair. Deficits at any point in this process may lead to complications including anastomotic failure, surgical site infections, delayed return of gastrointestinal (GI) function, and postoperative physical disability with prolonged length of hospital stay.

Nutrition status of elite Jiu-Jitsu athletes during training season

Optimizing high-intensity Jiu-Jitsu requires careful nutritional consideration, impacting body composition and performance. Balancing dietary intake with expenditure enhances athlete performance. This study, conducted with ten healthy Jiu-Jitsu athletes from the Jiu-Jitsu Association of Thailand, scrutinized their dietary intake compared to recommendations and its correlation with body composition to enhance performance and training adaptations. Participants completed three days of 24-hour dietary recalls. body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Across both genders, total energy intake is inadequate, with carbohydrate consumption falling significantly below the recommended levels (p < .05). Female athletes showed significant positive correlations between dietary intake and body composition, notably with protein intake and skeletal muscle mass percentage and the skeletal muscle mass index (r = .895, and .963, respectively, p < .05). Conversely, male athletes displayed no significant correlations, but a broader analysis across genders revealed a strong positive correlation between protein consumption and muscle mass (r = .685, p < .05). The study highlights inadequate dietary intake, particularly in carbohydrates, among Jiu-Jitsu athletes during training, potentially compromising competition performance due to insufficient energy sources. Addressing these nutritional deficiencies is crucial to optimizing performance and body composition, emphasizing the need for dietary practice improvements among Jiu-Jitsu athletes.

Characterizing Healthy Dietary Practices in Japan: Insights from a 2024 Nationwide Survey and Cluster Analysis.

The increasing burden of lifestyle-related diseases highlights the need to address unhealthy dietary habits. This study aims to explore the latest dietary patterns in Japan following the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on trends in health-promoting food choices. A web-based survey was conducted among 27,154 Japanese adults, selected via quota sampling to mirror national demographics. The study evaluated dietary diversity, measured through the Dietary Variety Score (Outcome 1), and the prioritization of nutritional and health considerations in food selection, assessed via a Likert scale (Outcome 2). Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) and Ordering Points To Identify the Clustering Structure (OPTICS) algorithms were used to delineate patterns in health-centric food selections. OPTICS clustering revealed four distinct clusters for each outcome. Cluster 3, with a diverse diet, comprised older, predominantly female individuals with higher well-being and lower social isolation compared to Cluster 4, which lacked distinct dietary patterns. Cluster 3 also engaged more in snacking, treat foods, home cooking, and frozen meals. Similarly, a divide emerged between those prioritizing dietary considerations (Cluster C) and those indifferent to such aspects (Cluster D). The findings underscore the need for holistic post-COVID-19 public health initiatives addressing socioeconomic and cultural barriers to healthier dietary practices.

Replacement of soy by mealworms for livestock feed - A comparative review between soy and mealworms considering environmental aspects

AbstractThe urgent need for sustainable alternatives to conventional livestock feed has prompted research into novel protein sources. This review paper systematically evaluates the prospect of replacing soy with mealworms in livestock feed, focusing on comprehensive comparisons of nutritional content and environmental considerations. The nutritional profiles of soy and mealworms are analyzed in terms of amino acid composition and digestibility. The total essential amino acids in mealworms are 26.02 g/100 g while in mealworms total EAA is 31.49 g/100 g. The protein content in mealworm is high (51.93 g/100 g) in comparison to soy meal (44.51 g/100 g). Environmental aspects, including deforestation, pesticide use, water consumption, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions, are scrutinized for both soy cultivation and mealworm farming.One kg of mealworm meal yields 141.3 MJ energy use, 3.8 kg CO2 equivalent for climate change, 25.6 g SO2 equivalent for acidification, 15.0 g PO4 equivalent for eutrophication, and 4.1 m2 land use. It's more potent per kg of protein than soybean or fish meal. Feasibility, scalability, and economic considerations are explored to understand the practical implications for livestock farmers. Consumer perception and regulatory frameworks are also addressed, highlighting potential challenges and strategies for acceptance. The paper concludes by synthesizing key findings and offering recommendations for stakeholders interested in the sustainable integration of mealworms into mainstream livestock agriculture. This comparative review provides a holistic understanding of the potential environmental benefits and challenges associated with replacing soy with mealworms in livestock feed. Graphical abstract

Exploring the Intersection of Bodybuilding and Ramadan: Strategies for Maintaining Muscle Mass and Performance During Fasting

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, involves fasting from dawn until sunset as a spiritual practice. For individuals engaged in bodybuilding and fitness pursuits, Ramadan presents unique challenges and opportunities. This article reviews the scientific literature on the effects of Ramadan fasting on muscle physiology and performance, as well as strategies for optimizing bodybuilding goals during this period. It examines nutritional and training considerations to help individuals maintain muscle mass, strength and performance while observing Ramadan.

Ramadan Fasting and Its Impact on Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Insights and Guidelines.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a religious practice observed by millions of Muslims worldwide, including those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This comprehensive review aims to reflect uponthe impacts of Ramadan fasting on CKD patients, excluding those on renal replacement therapy, through an analysis of clinical trials, observational studies, and expert reviews from diverse geographic and methodological backgrounds. It addresses renal function stability, broader health considerations, hydration and electrolyte balance, individual variability in fasting responses, clinical and biochemical effects, nutritional considerations, and metabolic effects. This review reveals that, with appropriate monitoring, dietary management, and individualized care plans, many CKD patients can safely participate in Ramadan fasting without adversely affecting their renal function or overall health. It emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach to patient education, pre-Ramadan assessment, and post-Ramadan follow-up. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of considering individual variability and comorbidities in fasting guidance and underscores the necessity of future research to develop robust, patient-centered fasting guidelines. This review aims to provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based recommendations to support CKD patients wishing to observe Ramadan fasting, ensuring patient safety and optimizing care outcomes.

Integrating health, nutrition, and environmental impacts of foods: a life cycle impact assessment and modelling analysis of foods in Canada

BackgroundGiven the urgency of transitioning towards sustainable nutrition, dietary shifts that provide co-benefits to human health and the environment are imperative. There is currently no database of the environmental impacts of foods that reflects Canada's unique geographical and agri-climatic context and regional inputs and emissions. To determine sustainable diets, harmonising nutritional considerations with environmental impacts is also essential for an equitable comparison of foods. We aimed to develop a Canadian Food Life Cycle Inventory database and a multidimensional index to enable a joint assessment of the health and environmental impacts of foods in Canada. MethodsThe Canadian Food Life Cycle Inventory database uses life cycle assessment methodology to evaluate environmental impacts. The datasets mirror Canada's food consumption patterns, averaging the spectrum of agricultural practices weighted by domestic production and import shares. The database is structured according to the nomenclature and categorisation of the Canadian Nutrient File. Environmental sustainability is assessed using a cradle-to-grave approach, including indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication, particulate matter, freshwater usage, land use, non-renewable energy consumption, and food loss and waste. Environmental impacts are quantified through an environmental impact score (EIS) assigned to each impact category for a given food. The EIS-nutrition (EIS-N) integrates the evaluation of nutritional quality with environmental impacts using Nutri-Score, a validated food nutrient-profiling tool. The EIS-N is modelled as a ratio of the EIS to the Nutri-Score values. FindingsPreliminary results show the greatest environmental impacts for animal-based foods, particularly beef, in agreement with current literature. Foods with greater nutritional quality also generally show greater environmental sustainability, with some exceptions for particular impact categories. InterpretationThe database and index have potential to serve as powerful tools to support researchers, policy makers, and consumers, harnessing big data to drive efficient food and climate solutions for systems transformation. FundingProvince of Ontario and University of Toronto, CIHR SMART Healthy Cities Training Platform, and University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Nutrition Assessment and Management in Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CeD) is the most common immune condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract; it is triggered by gluten and the only available treatment is a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). Therefore, for patients with CeD, adopting a GFD is not a lifestyle choice. The major problem is that a GFD is restrictive and, like all restrictive diets, it has the potential for adverse nutritional outcomes, especially if adopted for a long term. It is well known that GFD can be nutritionally inadequate and is frequently associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies; it is also associated with excessive sugar and fat intake, particularly when gluten-free substitutes are consumed. Consequently, people with CeD are affected by higher rates of overweight and obesity and metabolic complications, such as fatty liver and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, assessment of nutritional status and diet quality at diagnosis and while on a long-term GFD is key in the management of CeD. This narrative review addresses nutritional considerations in CeD and management of common challenges associated with a GFD.

'Dust you shall eat': The complex nutritional and functional considerations underlying a simple diet.

Animals assimilate macronutrients and mineral nutrients in specific quantities and ratios to maximise fitness. To achieve this, animals must ingest different foods that contain the needed nutrients or facilitate the digestion of those nutrients. We explored how these multidimensional considerations affect the desert isopods (Hemilepistus reaumuri) curious food selection, using field and laboratory experiments. Wild isopods consumed three-fold more macronutrient-poor biological soil crust (BSC) than plant litter. Isopods tightly regulated macronutrient and calcium intake, but not phosphorus when eating the two natural foods and when artificial calcium and phosphorus sources substituted the BSC. Despite the equivalent calcium ingestion, isopods performed better when eating BSC compared to artificial foods. Isopods that consumed BSC sterilised by gamma-radiation ate more but grew slower than isopods that ate live BSC, implying that ingested microorganisms facilitate litter digestion. Our work highlights the need to reveal the multifaceted considerations that affect food-selection when exploring trophic-interactions.

Optimizing Patient Outcomes in Orthognathic Surgery: A Proposed Nutritional Protocol for Weight Loss Control and Bone Formation

Objective: The primary objective of this research was to conduct a comprehensive literature review, offering an in-depth examination of the nutritional considerations associated with orthognathic surgery and suggest a perioperative nutritional protocol for enhanced recovery. Methods: To achieve this objective, the authors rigorously examined existing literature while adhering to the guidelines outlined in PRISMA-ScR. The scope of eligible studies encompassed various types, with the exclusion of case reports and reviews. The research applied specific inclusion criteria, concentrating on the nutritional aspects relevant to perioperative and/or postoperative phases of major maxillofacial surgery. Results: A total of 39 articles were identified that met the screening criteria. These articles were then used to generate a discussion and propose a protocol aimed at reducing body weight loss following major maxillofacial surgery and improving bone formation post-osteotomies. Conclusions: While the realm of maxillofacial surgery sees significant advancements in other fields, there exists a noticeable gap in addressing the nutritional status of surgical patients. This oversight can potentially lead to suboptimal postoperative outcomes. Recognizing the pivotal role of nutrition in enhancing surgical results, this paper emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal nutritional status among orthognathic surgery patients.

Nutritional aspects of prehabilitation in adults with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplant.

Malnutrition, sarcopenia (low muscle mass), and physical frailty have gained increasing recognition in candidates for liver transplant (LT) as these conditions can impact postoperative functional capacity. Multidimensional prehabilitation programs have been proposed as a safe intervention in adults awaiting LT but the nutritional pillar of prehabilitation has been understudied. This review summarizes the nutritional recommendations for prehabilitation for individuals with cirrhosis awaiting LT. Three major aspects of nutritional prehabilitation are discussed: (1) Assess: Evaluate nutritional status and assess for malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty to guide the nutritional prehabilitation intervention intensity, increasing across universal, targeted, and specialist levels; (2) Intervene: Prescribe a nutritional prehabilitation intervention to meet established nutrition guidelines in cirrhosis with a targeted focus on improving nutritional status and muscle health; (3) Reassess: Follow-up based on the required intensity of nutritional care with as needed intervention adjustment. Topics covered in the review include nutritional care levels for prehabilitation, energy prescriptions across body mass index strata, detailed considerations around protein intake (amount, distribution, and quality), carbohydrate and fat intake, other nutritional considerations, and the potential role of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. Future research is warranted to more accurately evaluate energy needs, evaluate emerging dietary supplementation strategies, and establish the role of nutraceuticals alongside food-based interventions. While the general principles of nutritional prehabilitation are ready for immediate application, future large-scale randomized controlled trials in this space will help to quantify the benefit that can be gained by transitioning the LT approach from passive "transplant waitlist time" to active "transplant preparation time."

Nutrition considerations for patients with persistent critical illness: A narrative review.

Critically ill patients experience high rates of malnutrition and significant muscle loss during their intensive care unit (ICU) admission, impacting recovery. Nutrition is likely to play an important role in mitigating the development and progression of malnutrition and muscle loss observed in ICU, yet definitive clinical trials of nutrition interventions in ICU have failed to show benefit. As improvements in the quality of medical care mean that sicker patients are able to survive the initial insult, combined with an aging and increasingly comorbid population, it is anticipated that ICU length of stay will continue to increase. This review aims to discuss nutrition considerations unique to critically ill patients who have persistent critical illness, defined as an ICU stay of >10 days. A discussion of nutrition concepts relevant to patients with persistent critical illness will include energy and protein metabolism, prescription, and delivery; monitoring of nutrition at the bedside; and the role of the healthcare team in optimizing nutrition support.

Givlo Food Donation

The development of a food donation application is a modern approach to address food wastage and connect donors with individuals in need. The application allows donors to provide details and connect with those who do not have enough food. The proposed system comprises two modules: donor and receiver, with features such as food mapping, donor registration, and food details display. The application aims to bring transparency, clarity, and swiftness to the donation process, mitigating prevailing issues. Despite the positive view of food donation, stakeholders recognize the complexity and barriers, including economic, safety, nutritional, and legal considerations. The project report emphasizes the importance of food donation in addressing food insecurity and reducing food waste, highlighting the need to incentivize businesses and support innovative models for food donation.

Metabolism of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Different Tissue Parts of Post-Harvest Chive (Allium schoenoprasum L.).

Chive (Allium schoenoprasum L.) has a strong antioxidant property as it contains abundant phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid. In the present study, we investigated the metabolism of phenolic compounds and the change in antioxidant activity in different tissue parts of post-harvest chives. The results showed that compared with the bottom white part (BW), the round green part (RG) exhibited significantly higher contents of phenolic compounds, increased enzyme activities and enhanced antioxidant activities, indicating that phenolic compounds were mainly synthesised in RG. The expression levels of genes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and 4-coumaroyl-CoA ligase and their corresponding enzyme activities rapidly decreased in RG, whereas they were maintained in BW, suggesting that senescence occurred more rapidly in RG than in BW. Our study provides a theoretical basis for further research into and development of different parts of Allium plants and offers a basis for consumers' nutritional considerations.

Nutritional Considerations of Irish Performance Dietitians and Nutritionists in Concussion Injury Management.

Sport-related concussion incidence has increased in many team-based sports, such as rugby, Gaelic (camogie, hurling, football), and hockey. Concussion disrupts athletes' brain function, causing an "energy crisis" that requires energy and nutrient support to restore function and heal. Performance dietitians and nutritionists play a role in supporting athletes' post-injury nutritional demands. This study aimed to investigate Irish performance dietitians' and nutritionists' knowledge and implementation of nutritional strategies to manage and support athletes' recovery following concussion. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen (n = 17) Irish performance dietitians and nutritionists recruited from the Sport and Exercise Nutrition register and other sporting body networks across Ireland. Participants practised or had practised with amateur and/or professional athletes within the last ten years. All interviews and their transcripts were thematically analysed to extract relevant insights. These data provided valuable insights revealing performance dietitians and nutritionists: (1) their awareness of concussion events and (2) their use of nutritional supports for concussion management. Furthermore, the research highlighted their implementation of 'novel nutritional protocols' specifically designed to support and manage athletes' concussion recovery. There was a clear contrast between participants who had an awareness and knowledge of the importance of nutrition for brain recovery after sport-related concussion(s) and those who did not. Participants presenting with a practical understanding mentioned re-emphasising certain foods and supplements they were already recommending to athletes in the event of a concussion. Performance dietitians and nutritionists were keeping up to date with nutrition research on concussions, but limited evidence has prevented them from implementing protocols in practice. Meanwhile, participants mentioned trialling/recommending nutritional protocols, such as carbohydrate reloading, reducing omega-6 intake, and acutely supplementing creatine, omega-3 fish oils high in Docosahexaenoic acid, and probiotics to support brain healing. Performance dietitians' and nutritionists' use of nutrition protocols with athletes following concussion was linked to their knowledge and the limited scientific evidence available. Nutrition implementation, therefore, may be overlooked or implemented with uncertainty, which could negatively affect athletes' recovery following sports-related concussions.