MALNUTRITION, WITH ITS 2 CONSTITUENTS of protein–energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, continues to be a major health burden in developing countries. It is globally the most important risk factor for illness and death, with hundreds of millions of pregnant women and young children particularly affected. Apart from marasmus and kwashiorkor (the 2 forms of protein– energy malnutrition), deficiencies in iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc are the main manifestations of malnutrition in developing countries. In these communities, a high prevalence of poor diet and infectious disease regularly unites into a vicious circle. Although treatment protocols for severe malnutrition have in recent years become more efficient, most patients (especially in rural areas) have little or no access to formal health services and are never seen in such settings. Interventions to prevent protein– energy malnutrition range from promoting breast-feeding to food supplementation schemes, whereas micronutrient deficiencies would best be addressed through food-based strategies such as dietary diversification through home gardens and small livestock. The fortification of salt with iodine has been a global success story, but other micronutrient supplementation schemes have yet to reach vulnerable populations sufficiently. To be effective, all such interventions require accompanying nutrition-education campaigns and health interventions. To achieve the hunger- and malnutrition-related Millennium Development Goals, we need to address poverty, which is clearly associated with the insecure supply of food and nutrition.
Maryam Rostamzadeh, Elham Khalili Sadrabad, Fateme Akrami Mohajeri
et al.
ABSTRACTDue to the high occupational exposure of miners to heavy metals, the concentration of arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc in raw and cooked foods consumed by mine workers and the risk assessment of the consumption of these foods were investigated. A total of 105 samples of raw and cooked foods and beverages were collected. Samples were oven‐dried, digested with microwave‐assisted nitric acid for the analysis of heavy metals using an ICP‐OES. The health risk assessment was performed through hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) calculations. The concentrations of all heavy metals measured in both raw foods and cooked foods were lower than the permissible limits as determined by FAO/WHO and Iranian national standards. The HQ and HI for all metals were less than one, signifying no health risk from dietary exposure. Heavy metal levels in food taken by miners fell within permissible limits, but periodic monitoring is necessary because of miners' occupational exposure to heavy metals.
Introducción: El primer año es un momento trascendente en el ciclo de vida. La nutrición, la lactancia materna y el componente lácteo en la dieta son fundamentales para prevenir excesos y deficiencias nutricionales. El objetivo principal fue evaluar la medida en que puede mejorarse la ingesta de nutrientes y la adecuación nutricional luego de reemplazar cualquier componente lácteo diferente a la leche humana por fórmula de seguimiento.
Metodología: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal basado en datos secundarios de la 2da Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición y Salud. La población analizada fueron 1850 niños entre 6 y 12 meses. Se caracterizó su patrón lácteo y se determinó la adecuación nutricional (ingesta versus requerimiento medio estimado) de 7 minerales y vitaminas (además de proteínas) antes (datos basales originales de la Encuesta) y después de reemplazar de manera teórica cualquier consumo de leche de vaca por cantidad equivalente de fórmula de seguimiento. Se aplicaron pruebas estadísticas para muestras relacionadas: prueba paramétrica T-Student y no paramétrica de Wilcoxon.
Resultados: El 38% de los niños consumía leche de vaca, de los cuales el 39,5% lo hacía de manera exclusiva. Ácidos grasos omega 3 y hierro fueron los nutrientes más deficitarios, seguidos de zinc y vitamina D, mientras que la ingesta de proteínas duplicaba su requerimiento en el 57% de los niños. En todos los nutrientes la prueba t mostró diferencia significativa bilateral; también la prueba de Wilcoxon (con valores de p tendiente a cero). Los cambios fueron significativos en cada nutriente considerado ya sea como aumento (micronutrientes) o como reducción de ingesta (proteínas).
Conclusiones: El reemplazo del consumo de leche de vaca por fórmula de seguimiento resulta en una disminución significativa de las deficiencias de nutrientes esenciales y del exceso de proteínas en la dieta de niños de entre 6 y 12 meses de edad, especialmente en aquellos cuyo consumo exclusivo es de leche de vaca.
Financiación: Subsidio de investigación en Nutrición Infantil por la empresa Nutricia-Bagó.
Nutrition. Foods and food supply, Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases
Bertalina Bertalina, Reni Indriyani, Sudarmi Sudarmi
et al.
Background: Seruit is an indigenous food in Lampung. The dish typically consists of a combination of seafood, vegetables, and spices that are stir-fried together to create a savory and aromatic dish beloved by locals and visitors alike. The key ingredient in seruit is the use of fresh seafood such as shrimp, squid, and fish.
Objectives: The study aimed to determine a formula based on acceptability and macronutrient content, especially proteins.
Methods: The study used a completely randomized experimental design. Seruit was a typical Lampung chili sauce, consisting of shrimp paste chili sauce supplemented with grilled snakehead fish meat. The seruit formulation used in this study consisted of a mixture of 30, 40, and 50 g of chili sauce and 70, 60, and 50 g of snakehead fish. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to analyze organoleptic. Proximate test was used to determine the content of water, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Results: The acceptability was conducted by 30 semi-trained panelists with the selected formula, namely F3 with a mixture of 50 g of snakehead fish with color indicators (3.50±1.09), aroma (3.72±0.88), taste (3.87±0.94), and texture (3.62±1.02). 100g of harpoon contains 19.67% water content, 1.18% ash content, 2.63% crude fiber, 12.36% protein, 3.17% fat, and 60.98% carbohydrates. Seruit with F3 formula was chosen by the panelists and is a high source of protein.
Conclusions: Seruit formula F3 with the addition of 50 g grilled snakehead fish is the selected formula and has potential as a local food source of protein that can be served in the daily diet according to a balanced nutritional diet.
Abstract Naturally available foods contain nutrients like vitamins (A, C, E, and D), zinc, calcium, magnesium, folate iron, omega fatty acids, selenium, and phytochemicals that have profound protective effects (boosting immunity) on human from diseases. The critical component of obtaining incredible health is to maintain proper diet with healthy food, proper sleep, and regular exercise. This review is drafted with an aim to lay out the importance of consuming immune boosting foods, present various nutritional compounds available and their mechanism in maintaining immunity, and briefly discuss some of the exotic immunity building food sources, nutrients present, health benefits, and its utilization. Some of the immune-boosting foods like almonds, spinach, citrus fruits, avocado, red bell pepper, pomegranate, kiwi, garlic, ginger, and passion fruit are deliberated to have positive impact on ameliorating cancer, diabetics, heart disease, skin, eyesight, bone health, blood pressure, brain development, anti-stress, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-aging, anti-allergenicity, antimalarial, anti-mutagenicity, and anti-inflammatory. This review on immune boosting foods further emphasizes on the need and proved the importance of consuming natural fruits, vegetables, nut, and meat products for strengthening the immune system. Thus, the consumption of immune boosting foods is mandatory for maintaining the health and protecting our body from harmful pathogen and degenerative diseases naturally. Novelty impact statement Exploring diet-health approach is very important in the domain of food for enhancing immune response and activation in humans. Natural food that has health and nutritional benefits has made a noteworthy influence on changing consumer's lifestyles. The immune-strengthening foods with proper dietary recommendation play a significant role to increase the immunity of people. Graphical Abstract
M. Deschasaux-Tanguy, N. Druesne-Pecollo, Y. Esseddik
et al.
Background: Since December 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has massively spread, with overwhelming of health care systems and numerous deaths worldwide. To remedy this, several countries, including France, have taken strict lockdown measures, requiring the closure of all but essential places. This unprecedented disruption of daily routines has a strong potential for disrupting nutritional behaviours. Nutrition being one of the main modifiable risk factors for chronic disease risk, this may have further consequences for public health. Our objective was therefore to describe nutritional behaviours during the lockdown period and to put them in light of individual characteristics. Methods: 37,252 French adults from the web-based NutriNet-Sante cohort filled lockdown-specific questionnaires in April-May 2020 (nutritional behaviours, body weight, physical activity, 24h-dietary records). Nutritional behaviours were compared before and during lockdown using Student paired t-tests and associated to individual characteristics using multivariable logistic or linear regression models. Clusters of nutritional behaviours were derived from multiple correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchical classification. Results: During the lockdown, trends for unfavourable nutritional behaviours were observed: weight gain (for 35%; +1.8kg on average), decreased physical activity (53%), increased sedentary time (63%), increased snacking, decreased consumption of fresh food products (especially fruit and fish), increased consumption of sweets, biscuits and cakes. Yet, opposite trends were also observed: weight loss (for 23%, -2kg on average), increased home-made cooking (40%), increased physical activity (19%). These behavioural trends related to sociodemographic and economic position, professional situation during the lockdown (teleworking or not), initial weight status, having children at home, anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as diet quality before the lockdown. Modifications of nutritional practices mainly related to routine change, food supply, emotional reasons but also to voluntary changes to adjust to the current situation. Conclusion: These results suggest that the lockdown led, in a substantial part of the population, to unhealthy nutritional behaviours that, if maintained in the long term, may increase the nutrition-related burden of disease and also impact immunity. Yet, the lockdown situation also created an opportunity for some people to improve their nutritional behaviours, with high stakes to understand the leverages to put these on a long-term footing.
ObjectiveTo isolate and identify a bacteriophage of Enterococcus faecalis and to analyze its biological characteristics.MethodsThe host bacteria was isolated from the process of yak slaughtering and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. The bacteriophage was isolated from the environmental sewage and was purified. The titer of bacteriophages was determined using the double-layer plate method. The morphology of bacteriophage was observed by transmission electron microscopy； the bacteriophage lysis profiles， optimal infection complex， and one-step growth curve were determined； the effects of pH， UV irradiation， temperature， and organic solvents on bacteriophages have been studied. Furthermore， the lytic activity of the bacteriophage against the host bacteria was determined.ResultsThe host bacteria were identified as E. faecalis by 16S rRNA sequencing. A bacteriophage named P45 was isolated from sewage to lyse E. faecalis. Electron microscopy showed that the bacteriophage was a tadpole-shaped long-tailed bacteriophage， which has a hexahedral head and its length is （200±5） nm. The bacteriophage had obvious lysis effect on four strains of E. faecalis. Bacteriophage’s optimal multiplicity of infection was 0.1. The results of one-step growth curve showed that the incubation period was 50 min， the lysis period was 190 min， and the burst size was 1 PFU/cell. This bacteriophage survived at pH=2 to 3，which titers were 1.05×102 PFU/mL and 1.85×103 PFU/mL. At 75 ℃， this bacteriophage was completely inactivated. Bacteriophage’s titer was decreased by UV irradiation， and it was not sensitive to organic solvents.ConclusionThis bacteriophage has a good lysis effect and has potential application on the prevention or control of E. faecalis contamination.
Food processing and manufacture, Nutrition. Foods and food supply
The French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol® is a proprietary product from Pinus pinaster Aiton. It complies with the quality specifications in the United States Pharmacopeia monograph “Pine extract” in the section of dietary supplements. Pycnogenol® is standardized to contain 65–75% procyanidins which are a variety of biopolymers consisting of catechin and epicatechin monomeric units. The effects of Pycnogenol® have been researched in a multitude of human studies. The basis for any in vivo activity is the bioavailability of constituents and metabolites of the extract. General principles of compound absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination as well as specific data from studies with Pycnogenol® are summarized and discussed in this review. Based on plasma concentration profiles it can be concluded that low molecular weight constituents of the extract, such as catechin, caffeic and ferulic acid, taxifolin are readily absorbed from the small intestine into systemic circulation. Procyanidin oligomers and polymers are subjected to gut microbial degradation in the large intestine yielding small bioavailable metabolites such as 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone. After intake of Pycnogenol®, constituents and metabolites have been also detected in blood cells, synovial fluid and saliva indicating a substantial distribution in compartments other than serum. In studies simultaneously investigating concentrations in different specimen, a preferential distribution of individual compounds has been observed, e.g., of ferulic acid and 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone into synovial fluid compared to serum. The main route of elimination of constituents and metabolites of the French pine bark extract is the renal excretion. The broad knowledge accumulated regarding the pharmacokinetics of compounds and metabolites of Pycnogenol® constitute a rational basis for effects characterized on a cellular level and observed in human clinical studies.
The Balanites fruits were used to develop a yellow sparkling indigenous wine, using the musts supplemented with sucrose at 5 % (BaW5), 10 % (BaW10), and 20 % (BaW20). The physicochemical parameters were assessed to monitor the changes during 6-day fermentation; and the physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological properties of the formulated wines were evaluated through 4-week ageing. During fermentation, total soluble solids, specific gravity and pH were negatively correlated to alcohol content (% v/v). Changes in physicochemical properties of aged wines were significant (p<0.05) and the sensory analysis suggested that wine formulated with 20 % sucrose was the best with the highest overall acceptability (7.1) through ageing. Although Coliforms were recovered in aged “bekleu” wine, the safety of samples was found “acceptable”. The mean values of soluble protein, amino acids and ash contents of aged indigenous wines (BaW) ranged from 60.38 to 81.54 mgCasE/100 mL, 23.75 to 41.00 mgAE/100 mL, and 4.38–6.58 %, respectively. Carotenoids (4.04–7.73 mg/100 mL) were only found in aged BaW; and the contents of total polyphenols (92.77–114.02 mgGAE/100 mL), flavonoids (25.73–37.37 mgQE/100 mL) and tannins (11.04–22.35 mgCE/100 mL) in the aged indigenous wines were higher than the aged commercial control wine (CoW). The aged BaW samples recorded the greatest antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays). The results above suggest that improving of the microbial quality could help to bonify the fascinating functional potential of aged “bekleu” wine.
Agriculture (General), Nutrition. Foods and food supply
BackgroundThe effect of viscous soluble dietary fiber on glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial, and the dose–response relationship of its effect on blood glucose and blood lipid level is still unclear.MethodsWe conducted comprehensive searches in several databases up to 17 January 2023. We conducted a dose–response analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the effect of viscous dietary fiber on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM.ResultsStatistical significance was observed in the decreases of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (mean difference) [MD = −0.47; 95%CI: (−0.66, −0.27)], fasting blood glucose (FBG) [MD = −0.93; 95%CI: (−1.46, −0.41)], total cholesterol (TC) [MD = −0.33; 95%CI: (−0.46, −0.21)], and low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol (LDL-C) [MD = −0.24; 95%CI: (−0.35, −0.13)]. Contrarily, no difference was observed regarding the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglyceride (TG). In addition, the effect on fasting insulin remains unclear. Results from the subgroup analyses showed that an intervention duration longer than 6 weeks had a significant effect on the HbA1c level; a treatment dosage higher than 8.3 g/day had a significant effect on the FBG level.ConclusionsSupplementation of viscous dietary fiber is beneficial to control blood glucose and blood lipid in T2DM.
Kapil Nichani, Steffen Uhlig, Manfred Stoyke
et al.
Through their suggestive name, non-targeted methods (NTMs) do not aim at a predefined “needle in the haystack.” Instead, they exploit all the constituents of the haystack. This new type of analytical method is increasingly finding applications in food and feed testing. However, the concepts, terms, and considerations related to this burgeoning field of analytical testing need to be propagated for the benefit of those associated with academic research, commercial development, or official control. This paper addresses frequently asked questions regarding terminology in connection with NTMs. The widespread development and adoption of these methods also necessitate the need to develop innovative approaches for NTM validation, i.e., evaluating the performance characteristics of a method to determine if it is fit-for-purpose. This work aims to provide a roadmap for approaching NTM validation. In doing so, the paper deliberates on the different considerations that influence the approach to validation and provides suggestions therefor.
Nutrition. Foods and food supply, Food processing and manufacture
BackgroundHomocysteine (Hcy) has been indicated to be involved in pathophysiology of post stroke depression (PSD). There is a lack of research to study the relationship between Hcy metabolism genes and PSD. Our study aims to investigate the relationship among Hcy metabolism genes, Hcy, and early-onset PSD.Materials and methodsWe recruited 212 patients with stroke and collected their peripheral blood sample, clinical data, and laboratory test on admission. 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR), and methionine synthase (MTR) genes were genotyped by high-resolution melt analysis. PSD was diagnosed by DSM-V at 2 weeks after stroke. Binary logistic regression and haplotype analysis were used to examine the association between Hcy metabolism genes and PSD. Mediation analysis was performed to clarify whether the SNPs exerted their effect on PSD by affecting the Hcy level.Results81 patients were diagnosed with PSD, and the incidence rate was 38.2%. Hcy level in PSD group was significantly higher than it in non-PSD group (p = 0.019). MTHFR rs1801133 AA genotype an A allele were associated with an elevated risk of PSD after adjustment for some confounding factors (OR = 4.021, 95% CI: 1.459∼11.080, p = 0.007 for AA genotype; OR = 1.808, 95% CI: 1.172∼2.788, p = 0.007 for A allele). Furthermore, the effect of MTHFR rs1801133 AA genotype on PSD was mediated by Hcy (OR = 1.569, 95% CI: 0.013∼3.350, p < 0.05).ConclusionMTHFR rs1801133 and Hcy were associated with PSD, and MTHFR rs1801133 may exert an effect on PSD via mediating Hcy level. This offers a new perspective for treating PSD and understanding the mechanism of PSD.
Background: Although reasonable to assume, it is not yet clear whether malnourished countries are at higher risk for severe or fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to identify the countries where prevalent malnutrition may be a driving factor for fatal disease after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.Methods: Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, country-level burden of malnutrition was quantified using four indicators: death rates for child growth failure (underweight, stunting, and/or wasting) and years lived with disability (YLD) attributed to iron and vitamin A deficiencies and high body mass index (BMI). Global mortality descriptors of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were extracted from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and case fatality ratios (CFRs) were calculated introducing a lag time of 10 weeks after the first death of a confirmed case. Bivariate analyses for 172 countries were carried out for malnutrition indicators and fatal COVID-19. Correlations between burden indicators were characterized by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (ρ) and visually by scatterplots. Restricted cubic splines and underlying negative binomial regressions adjusted for countries' age-structure, prevalent chronic comorbidities related to COVID-19, population density, and income group were used to explore non-linear relationships.Results: Stratified by the World Bank income group, a moderate positive association between YLD rates for iron deficiency and CFRs for COVID-19 was observed for low-income countries (ρ = 0.60, p = 0.027), whereas no clear indications for the association with child growth failure, vitamin A deficiency, or high BMI were found (ρ < 0.30). Countries ranking high on at least three malnutrition indicators and presenting also an elevated CFR for COVID-19 are sub-Saharan African countries, namely, Angola, Burkina Faso, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Sudan, and Tanzania, as well as Yemen and Guyana.Conclusions: Population-level malnutrition appears to be related to increased rates of fatal COVID-19 in areas with an elevated burden of undernutrition, such as countries in the Sahel strip. COVID-19 response plans in malnourished countries, vulnerable to fatal COVID-19, should incorporate food security, nutrition, and social protection as a priority component in order to reduce COVID-19 fatality.
Background: Adiposity is a major health-risk factor, and D-allulose has beneficial effects on adiposity-related metabolic disturbances. However, the modes of action underlying anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity are partly understood. Objective: This study investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of D-allulose involved in adipogenesis and activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. Design: In this study, 8-week-old male SD (Sprague Dawley) rats were divided into five groups (n = 8/group), (1) Control (chow diet, 3.5%); (2) 60% HFD; (3) 60% HFD supplemented with allulose powder (AP) at 0.4 g/kg; (4) 60% HFD supplemented with allulose liquid (AL) at 0.4 g/kg; (5) 60% HFD supplemented with glucose (AL) at 0.4 g/kg. All the group received the product through oral gavage for 6 weeks. Control and HFD groups were gavaged with double-distilled water. Results: Rats receiving AP and AL showed reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation in HFD-fed rats. Also, supplementation of AL/AP regulated the cytokine secretion and recovered biochemical parameters to alleviate metabolic dysfunction and hepatic injury. Additionally, AL/AP administration improved adipocyte differentiation via regulation of the PPARγ and C/EBPα signaling pathway and adipogenesis-related genes owing to the combined effect of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. Furthermore, AL/AP treatment mediated PGC-1α expression triggering mitochondrial genesis via activating the AMPK phosphorylation and SIRT1 deacetylation activity in adipose tissue. Conclusion: The anti-adiposity activity of D-allulose is observed on a marked alleviation in adipogenesis and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α deacetylation in the adipose tissue of HFD-fed rat.
Christopher J Cifelli, Nancy Auestad, Victor L Fulgoni
Abstract Objective: The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends increased consumption of the dairy group to three daily servings for ages 9+ years to help achieve adequate intakes of prominent shortfall nutrients. Identifying affordable, consumer-acceptable foods to replace dairy’s shortfall nutrients is important especially for people who avoid dairy. Design: Linear programming identified food combinations to replace dairy’s protein and shortfall nutrients. We examined cost, energy and dietary implications of replacing dairy with food combinations optimised for lowest cost, fewest kJ or the smallest amount of food by weight. Setting: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2014). Participants: Nationally representative sample of US population; 2 years and older (n 15 830). Results: Phase 1 (only dairy foods excluded): when optimised for lowest cost or fewest kJ, all non-dairy food replacements required large amounts (2·5–10 cups) of bottled/tap water. Phase 2 (dairy and unreasonable non-dairy foods excluded (e.g. baby foods; tap/bottled water): when intake of non-dairy foods was constrained to <90th percentile of current intake, the lowest cost food combination replacements for dairy cost 0·5 times more and provide 5·7 times more energy; the lowest energy food combinations cost 5·9 times more, provide 2·5 times more energy and require twice the amount of food by weight; and food combinations providing the smallest amount of food by weight cost 3·5 times more and provide five times more energy than dairy. Conclusions: Identifying affordable, consumer-acceptable foods that can replace dairy’s shortfall nutrients at both current and recommended dairy intakes remains a challenge.