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Owing to the fields of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics today we can think of devising approaches to optimize health, delay onset of diseases and reduce its severity according to our genetic blue print. However this requires a deep understanding of nutritional impact on expression of genes that may result in a specific phenotype. The extensive research and observational studies during last two decades reporting interactions between genes, diet and physical activity suggest a cross talk between various genetic and environmental factors and lifestyle interventions. Although considerable efforts have been made in unraveling the mechanisms of gene-diet interactions the scientific evidences behind developing commercial genetic tests for providing personalized nutrition recommendations are still scarce. In this scenario the current mini-review aims to provide useful insights into salient feature of nutrition based genetic research and its commercial application and the ethical issue and concerns related to its outcome. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Neurological disorders like Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease, spinal cord injury and stroke have some recurrent characteristics such as abnormal protein aggregation, oxidative stress induction, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, perturbation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and inflammation. To date, there are few effective treatments available and the drugs currently used to manage the symptoms have important side effects. Therefore, research studies are focusing on natural phytochemicals present in diet as bioactive molecules potentially useful against neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will discuss the neuroprotective role of palmitoylethanolamide, hydroxytyrosol, and Bacopa monnieri extracts against neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, thereby revealing their remarkable potential as novel therapeutic options for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially fatal syndrome, associated with a hyper-catabolic state as well as early and late complications that may lead to multi-organ failure and death. Clinical researches produced in recent years suggest that acute pancreatitis may benefit from early oral or enteral nutrition. Nevertheless, many clinicians still believe erroneously that fasting - particularly in the early phase - may reduce AP complications and mortality. The goal of our review is to demonstrate that such false belief may harm the patients and that the whole management paradigm must change, adopting a more rational, evidence-based approach. First, we will describe AP physiopathology and the clinical assessment of its severity. Then we will discuss evidence-based data supporting early oral or enteral nutrition in AP. Finally, we will offer some practice recommendations as regards nutritional support.