The latest medical research on Nutrition

The research magnet gathers the latest research from around the web, based on your specialty area. Below you will find a sample of some of the most recent articles from reputable medical journals about nutrition gathered by our medical AI research bot.

The selection below is filtered by medical specialty. Registered users get access to the Plexa Intelligent Filtering System that personalises your dashboard to display only content that is relevant to you.

Want more personalised results?

Request Access

Sarcopenic obesity and the impact on bone health.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

Sarcopenic obesity is a newly identified pathological entity defined by an increase in body fat mass with an associated sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Recently, the concomitant presence of skeletal alteration with sarcopenic obesity has been described leading to a new clinical entity defined osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO). Many studies have tried to unravel the metabolic complex mechanism leading to this clinical entity in order to understand the pathophysiology of this complex condition with the aim of posing an early diagnosis to improve the therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this narrative review is to highlight and revise recent studies on this issue.

Recent research in the field of OSO has highlighted the role of nutrition and physical activity in the development and management of these conditions. While molecular and cellular pathways remain partially understood, there is a growing focus on lifestyle interventions as key factors in reducing the impact of OSO. These studies emphasize the need for early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic strategies to improve quality of life and decrease morbidity and mortality associated with OSO.

Although the pathophysiological pathways underlying OSO are not fully understood, the clinical implications underscore the need for expanded research in this field. This research is crucial for enabling early diagnosis and implementing effective therapeutic interventions, with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality and enhancing quality of life.

Evidence on docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid supplementation for preterm infants.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

For many decades, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation was tested in premature infants to achieve an intake equivalent to the average level in breast milk, but this approach has led to conflicting results in terms of development and health outcomes. Higher doses of DHA closer to fetal accumulation may be needed.

The efficacy of DHA supplementation for preterm infants at a dose equivalent to the estimated fetal accumulation rate is still under investigation, but this may be a promising approach, especially in conjunction with arachidonic acid supplementation. Current data suggest benefit for some outcomes, such as brain maturation, long-term cognitive function, and the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity. The possibility that supplementation with highly unsaturated oils increases the risk of neonatal morbidities should not be ruled out, but current meta-analyzes do not support a significant risk.

The published literature supports a DHA intake in preterm infants that is closer to the fetal accumulation rate than the average breast milk content. Supplementation with DHA at this level in combination with arachidonic acid is currently being investigated and appears promising.

Circulating factors in cancer cachexia: recent opportunities for translational research.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

To discuss the recent discoveries and limitations of the available literature on emerging circulating biomarkers of cancer cachexia.

Studies on circulating factors in cancer cachexia show promising alternatives for diagnosing the syndrome in a minimally invasive manner in the clinic setting, as well as potential targets for cancer cachexia treatment. Factors secreted by the tumor and the adipose tissue, such as extracellular vesicles and soluble proteins, respectively, have been shown to either directly induce wasting in vitro and in vivo or to be altered in the cachectic phenotype. The detection and characterization of circulating cells allows detection of the precachectic stage and the levels of the soluble immune checkpoint protein programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) are correlated with the presence of the hallmarks of cancer cachexia.

Structural, molecular, and metabolic alterations have been observed in various tissues, revealing the occurrence of sustained inter-compartment crosstalk in cachectic patients. Early diagnosis of cancer cachexia becomes crucial to avoid the establishment of refractory cachexia through the implementation of interventions that may attenuate systemic inflammation and muscle loss. More studies on human cancer cachexia are required in order to address the recently discovered cachexia-associated circulating factors' value as biomarkers of the syndrome.

Impact of iodine supply in infancy and childhood.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

To assess the most relevant articles on the impact of iodine supply in at-risk populations, namely infants and young children, pregnant and lactating women.

The 2022 Iodine Global Network Annual Report confirmed the dramatic decrease of severe iodine deficiency over the last 30 years, thanks to universal iodine iodization. However, mild to moderate deficiency is still present in many countries, where recent data showed a decrease of iodine intake and an impairment of iodine status. Unfortunately, there is yet no validated biomarker to classify the iodine status at the individual level. Available data show that there is no clear evidence to link mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency to adverse health outcomes in pregnant and lactating women as well as in infants and children. The description of a negative impact of maternal iodine excess on neurodevelopment of infants is of concern.

Optimization of salt iodization (e.g. careful increase in iodine concentration in salt, use by food industry in processed foods) combined with targeted, personalized supplementation under medical supervision if needed (e.g. low intake of iodine rich foods, vegan diet) seems currently preferable to blanket supplementation.

Carnosine/histidine-containing dipeptide supplementation improves depression and quality of life: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Nutrition Reviews

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42017075354.

To summarize the evidence on the effects of HCDs on mental health outcomes.

Data analysis was performed using STATA version 17. Random-effects models were used, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Quality appraisal was performed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2.0 tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

5507 studies were identified, with 20 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Eighteen studies comprising 776 participants were included in the meta-analysis. HCD supplementation (anserine/carnosine, l-carnosine, β-alanine) caused a significant reduction in depression scores measured with the Becks Depression Inventory (-0.79; 95% CI: -1.24, -0.35; moderate certainty on GRADE) when compared with placebo. An increase in quality-of-life scores measured with the 36-item Short-Form survey (SF-36) (0.65; 95% CI: 0.00, 1.30) and low certainty on GRADE in HCDs (anserine/carnosine, l-carnosine, β-alanine) when compared with placebo were found. However, the rest of the outcomes did not show a significant change between HCD supplementation and placebo. Although the number of studies included in the meta-analysis was modest, a significant mean reduction was observed in depression score as well as an increase in quality-of-life score for the HCD group when compared with placebo. Most of the studies included had small sample sizes with short follow-up periods and moderate to high risk of bias, highlighting the need for further, well-designed studies to improve the evidence base.

Large Neutral Amino Acids Moderate the Effects of Metabolic Syndrome on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults.

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism

Introduction Two large neutral amino acids (LNAA), tryptophan and tyrosine, are precursors to cerebral neurotransmitters and are involved in cognit...

A system dynamics approach to understand Dutch adolescents' sleep health using a causal loop diagram.

International Journal of Epidemiology

Healthy sleep is crucial for the physical and mental wellbeing of adolescents. However, many adolescents suffer from poor sleep health. Little is known about how to effectively improve adolescent sleep health as it is shaped by a complex adaptive system of many interacting factors. This study aims to provide insights into the system dynamics underlying adolescent sleep health and to identify impactful leverage points for sleep health promotion interventions.

Three rounds of single-actor workshops, applying Group Model Building techniques, were held with adolescents (n = 23, 12-15 years), parents (n = 14) and relevant professionals (n = 26). The workshops resulted in a multi-actor Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) visualizing the system dynamics underlying adolescent sleep health. This CLD was supplemented with evidence from the literature. Subsystems, feedback loops and underlying causal mechanisms were identified to understand overarching system dynamics. Potential leverage points for action were identified applying the Action Scales Model (ASM).

The resulting CLD comprised six subsystems around the following themes: (1) School environment; (2) Mental wellbeing; (3) Digital environment; (4) Family & Home environment; (5) Health behaviors & Leisure activities; (6) Personal system. Within and between these subsystems, 16 reinforcing and 7 balancing feedback loops were identified. Approximately 60 potential leverage points on different levels of the system were identified as well.

The multi-actor CLD and identified system dynamics illustrate the complexity of adolescent sleep health and supports the need for developing a coherent package of activities targeting different leverage points at all system levels to induce system change.

Thylakoid supplementation and hunger and fullness perception: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Nutrition Reviews

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023432429.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether thylakoid supplementation is effective in hunger/fullness changes.

The data were obtained using STATA version 13 (StataCorp). Effect sizes were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed to estimate whether the effects of thylakoid supplementation on hunger and fullness varied according to dose, intervention duration, baseline population age and body mass index, baseline hunger and fullness, total sample size, and study quality. Fractional polynomial modeling was carried out to estimate time- and dose-response meta-analysis of the association between thylakoid and satiety and fullness. The meta-analysis also suggests a significant association between the combination of thylakoids with meals and reduced hunger (WMD: -2.415 mm; 95% CI: -3.544, -1.287; P < 0.001) and increased fullness (WMD: +4.602 mm; 95% CI: 2.356, 6.848; P < 0.001). Further analysis showed that thylakoid supplementation with 2 doses of 5 g/day (P = 0.002) and 7.4 g/day (P = 0.021) is more effective in reducing the feeling of hunger during an intervention of less than 56 days (P < 0.001) and with a lower level of hunger (VAS <45 mm, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant increase in the perception of fullness was found at a duration of less than 84 days (P < 0.001) and baseline fullness of more than 45 mm (P < 0.001).

Supplementation with thylakoid shows favorable effects on reducing hunger and increasing fullness during a shorter intervention duration. Further trials are required to shed light on this relationship.

Genetic confounding in the association of early motor development with childhood and adolescent exercise behavior.

International Journal of Epidemiology

Early motor development has been found to be a predictor of exercise behavior in children and adolescents, but whether this reflects a causal effect or confounding by genetic or shared environmental factors remains to be established.

For 20,911 complete twin pairs from the Netherlands Twin Register a motor development score was obtained from maternal reports on the timing of five motor milestones. During a 12-year follow-up, subsamples of the mothers reported on the twins' ability to perform seven gross motor skills ability (N = 17,189 pairs), and weekly minutes of total metabolic equivalents of task (MET) spent on sports and exercise activities at age 7 (N = 3632 pairs), age 10 (N = 3735 pairs), age 12 (N = 7043 pairs), and age 14 (N = 3990 pairs). Multivariate phenotypic and genetic regression analyses were used to establish the predictive strength of the two motor development traits for future exercise behavior, the contribution of genetic and shared environmental factors to the variance in all traits, and the contribution of familial confounding to the phenotypic prediction.

Significant heritability (h2) and shared environmental (c2) effects were found for early motor development in boys and girls (h2 = 43-65%; c2 = 16-48%). For exercise behavior, genetic influences increased with age (boys: h2age7 = 22% to h2age14 = 51%; girls: h2age7 = 3% to h2age14 = 18%) paired to a parallel decrease in the influence of the shared environment (boys: c2age7 = 68% to c2age14 = 19%; girls: c2age7 = 80% to c2age14 = 48%). Early motor development explained 4.3% (p < 0.001) of the variance in future exercise behavior in boys but only 1.9% (p < 0.001) in girls. If the effect in boys was due to a causal effect of motor development on exercise behavior, all of the factors influencing motor development would, through the causal chain, also influence future exercise behavior. Instead, only the genetic parts of the regression of exercise behavior on motor development were significant. Shared and unique environmental parts of the regression were largely non-significant, which is at odds with the causal hypothesis.

No support was found for a direct causal effect in the association between rapid early motor development on future exercise behavior. In boys, early motor development appears to be an expression of the same genetic factors that underlie the heritability of childhood and early adolescent exercise behavior.

Systems approaches to scaling up: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of evidence for physical activity and other behavioural non-communicable disease risk factors.

International Journal of Epidemiology

PROSPERO (CRD42021287265).

Seven electronic databases were searched for studies published 2016-2021. Eligible studies targeted at least one of four NCD behavioural risk factors (physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet), or described evaluation of an intervention planned for or scaled up. Studies were categorised as having a (i) high, (ii) moderate, or (iii) no use of a systems approach. A narrative synthesis of how systems approaches had been operationalised in scale up, following PRISMA guidelines.

Twenty-one intervention studies were included. Only 19% (n = 4) of interventions explicitly used systems thinking to inform intervention design, implementation and scale up (targeting all four risk factors n = 2, diet n = 1, tobacco use n = 1). Five studies ('high use') planned and implemented scale up with an explicit focus on relations between system elements and used system changes to drive impact at scale. Seven studies ('moderate use') considered systems elements impacting scale-up processes or outcomes but did not require achieving system-level changes from the outset. Nine studies ('no use') were designed to work at multiple levels among multiple agencies in an intervention setting, but the complexity of the system and relations between system elements was not articulated. We synthesised reported barriers and facilitators to scaling up, and how studies within each group conceptualised and used systems approaches, and methods, frameworks and principles for scaling up.

In physical activity research, and NCD prevention more broadly, the use of systems approaches in scale up remains in its infancy. For researchers, practitioners and policymakers wishing to adopt systems approaches to intervention implementation at scale, guidance is needed on how to communicate and operationalise systems approaches in research and in practice.

The role of resveratrol in neurogenesis: a systematic review.

Nutrition Reviews

Resveratrol (RV) is a natural compound found in grapes, wine, berries, and peanuts and has potential health benefits-namely, neurogenesis improvement. Neurogenesis, which is the process through which new neurons or nerve cells are generated in the brain, occurs in the subventricular zone and hippocampus and is influenced by various factors. RV has been shown to increase neural stem cell proliferation and survival, improving cognitive function in hippocampus-dependent tasks. Thus, to provide a convergent and unbiased conclusion of the available evidence on the correlation between the RV and neurogenesis, a systematic review needs to be undertaken meticulously and with appropriate attention.

This study aimed to systematically review any potential connection between the RV and neurogenesis in animal models.

In the studies analyzed in this review, there is a definite correlation between RV and neurogenesis, meaning that RV intake, irrespective of the mechanisms thereof, can boost neurogenesis in both the subventricular zone and hippocampus.

This finding, albeit with some limitations, provides a plausible indication of RV's beneficial function in neurogenesis. Indeed, RV intake may result in neurogenesis benefits-namely, cognitive function, mood regulation, stress resilience, and neuroprotection, potentially preventing cognitive decline.

Nutritional therapy of older osteoporotic people with supplemental calcium and vitamin D: side effects, fracture rates, and survival - an internationalised meta-analysis.

asia pacific journal

Recent controversy over the bone benefits of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and the potential detrimental effects of excess calcium supplementation, has confused clinicians. To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vitamin D combined with calcium in preventing and treating osteoporotic symptoms in the elderly.

Databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vitamin D combined with calcium in the prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. After screening the literature, extracting data, and assessing the risk of bias in the included studies, the Meta-analysis was performed.

19 RCTs were included, including 69,234 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the mortality rate of the vitamin D combined with calcium group was not statistically significant compared with the control group; the calcium combined with vitamin D significantly reduced the incidence of fractures compared with the control group,Density and serum 25-hydroxyl concentration, adverse reactions of calcium combined with vitamin D were higher than those in the control group.

The combination of vitamin D and calcium has no difference in mortality rate, and it can prevent fractures in the elderly, and enhance bone density and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, but still need to pay attention to adverse reactions in the gastrointestinal tract.