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The aims of this research were to evaluate the current nutritional status, dietary intake, and level of physical activity and assess the need for intervention. This was a cross-sectional study with 2724 participating children aged 6–9 years old. Nutritional status was assessed using nutrimetry, dietary intake with a 3-day food-recall questionnaire and physical activity with an ad hoc questionnaire. The nutricode with the highest prevalence was healthy weight/normal stature, with 51.3% of the sample. For the BMI for age Z-score, those in the overweight/obesity category represented 37.5% of the sample, while the thinness category included 7.6%. Intake of calories, proteins, sugar, lipids, SFA, MUFA, and cholesterol were significantly higher than recommended. The thinness groups consumed a significantly higher amount of excess calories while the overweight/obesity groups had the lowest mean excess calorie intake. Children in the thinness category presented the highest rates at both ends of the spectrum for sedentary activities. This study showed the high prevalence of malnutrition in schoolchildren. The results for the risk of thinness and overweight/obesity according to individual nutrient intake should be carefully interpreted. Lifestyle is a fundamental aspect to consider when combating malnutrition, especially at the level of dietary and physical activity habits, to combine various methods of intervention to improve nutritional status.

Air pollution significantly impacts cardiovascular health, yet pollution reduction strategies in cardiovascular disease prevention remain limited. Dietary flavonoids show promise in protecting cardiovascular health, but their potential to mitigate air-pollution-induced risks is unexplored. This study investigates this research gap. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature from 2014–2024 was searched across MedLine/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and MDPI databases. Of 463 identified studies, 53 were eligible for analysis based on PICO criteria. Findings revealed significant impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular health, including increased disease risks and mortality. Flavonoid intake demonstrated protective effects against these risks. Flavonoid mechanisms include improved endothelial function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, antiplatelet effects, cardioprotection, and enhanced lipid and glucose metabolism. Higher flavonoid intake was consistently associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. While reducing pollution remains crucial, promoting flavonoid-rich diets is a promising complementary strategy. Public health initiatives should raise awareness about these benefits. Further research on direct interactions between flavonoid intake and air pollution exposure is needed. Current evidence supports integrating dietary interventions into broader strategies to reduce air pollution’s cardiovascular impacts.

The aims of this research were to evaluate the current nutritional status, dietary intake, and level of physical activity and assess the need for intervention. This was a cross-sectional study with 2724 participating children aged 6–9 years old. Nutritional status was assessed using nutrimetry, dietary intake with a 3-day food-recall questionnaire and physical activity with an ad hoc questionnaire. The nutricode with the highest prevalence was healthy weight/normal stature, with 51.3% of the sample. For the BMI for age Z-score, those in the overweight/obesity category represented 37.5% of the sample, while the thinness category included 7.6%. Intake of calories, proteins, sugar, lipids, SFA, MUFA, and cholesterol were significantly higher than recommended. The thinness groups consumed a significantly higher amount of excess calories while the overweight/obesity groups had the lowest mean excess calorie intake. Children in the thinness category presented the highest rates at both ends of the spectrum for sedentary activities. This study showed the high prevalence of malnutrition in schoolchildren. The results for the risk of thinness and overweight/obesity according to individual nutrient intake should be carefully interpreted. Lifestyle is a fundamental aspect to consider when combating malnutrition, especially at the level of dietary and physical activity habits, to combine various methods of intervention to improve nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution significantly impacts cardiovascular health, yet pollution reduction strategies in cardiovascular disease prevention remain limited. Dietary flavonoids show promise in protecting cardiovascular health, but their potential to mitigate air-pollution-induced risks is unexplored. This study investigates this research gap. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature from 2014–2024 was searched across MedLine/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and MDPI databases. Of 463 identified studies, 53 were eligible for analysis based on PICO criteria. Findings revealed significant impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular health, including increased disease risks and mortality. Flavonoid intake demonstrated protective effects against these risks. Flavonoid mechanisms include improved endothelial function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, antiplatelet effects, cardioprotection, and enhanced lipid and glucose metabolism. Higher flavonoid intake was consistently associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. While reducing pollution remains crucial, promoting flavonoid-rich diets is a promising complementary strategy. Public health initiatives should raise awareness about these benefits. Further research on direct interactions between flavonoid intake and air pollution exposure is needed. Current evidence supports integrating dietary interventions into broader strategies to reduce air pollution's cardiovascular impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa is a plant commonly used for its medical properties. However, studies have shown contradictory results. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible association between the use of Moringa during pregnancy and breastfeeding in relation to the health status of both the mother and the baby. A search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases on the literature published during the period 2018–2023 was conducted up until March 2023. The population/exposure/comparison/outcome (PECO) approach was used to select studies on pregnant women, mother–child pairs, and the use of Moringa. Out of the 85 studies initially identified, 67 were excluded, leaving 18 for full-text evaluation. After assessment, 12 were finally included in the review. In the articles included in this work, Moringa is administered during pregnancy or in the postnatal period in the form of leaf powder (MOLP), as a leaf extract (MLE), as an ingredient associated with other supplements or in preparations. It appears to influence several variables during pregnancy and in the postnatal period such as the mother’s haematochemical profile, milk production, the child’s socio-personal development and the incidence of morbidity during the first 6 months of life. None of the studies analysed reported contraindications to the use of the supplement during pregnancy and lactation.

The World Health Organization estimates that one fifth of university students have experienced major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Nutrition may be one of the modifiable factors that influence the development of depression. Specifically, low omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D levels, both nutrients found in high quantities in fish, have been linked to depressive disorders. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among young Spanish university students, in addition to the pattern of fish consumption among students and the possible relationship between fish consumption and the presence of depression. Data were collected retrospectively from a nationally representative sample of 11,485 Spanish university students aged 18 years or older in 11 Spanish universities, from 2012 to 2022. The respondents were analyzed according to frequency of consumption and compliance with weekly recommendations for fish intake and the presence of depression. Regression models were also performed to determine students’ odds of depression as a function of compliance with recommendations according to selected sociodemographic variables. The prevalence of depression was 10.5%; it was more prevalent in women, older students and in those with both high and low BMIs. In addition, it was also more prevalent in those that lived outside the family home, with roommates and those who were employed. Sixty-seven percent of the students met the fish intake recommendations. The most common frequency of fish consumption was 1–2 times/week (44.2%), and the least frequent was 2.3% daily fish consumption. Students from northern universities were more likely to consume fish (68.4%) than those from southern universities (66.4%). Non-consumption of fish was found to increase the risk of depression (ORa = 1.45 (1.28–1.64); AF = 31.0% (21.9–39.0)), but it was the student’s own conditions that had the greatest influence on the development of the disorder. In summary, a lower consumption of fish seems to be associated with a higher incidence of depression in Spanish university students; however, other social factors of the student may influence the development of the disorder, and all of this should be taken into account for the development of prevention strategies.

The practices of colostrum avoidance and prelacteal feeding, which are common in many developing countries, including Ethiopia, are firmly rooted in ancient traditions. The main objective of this work is to identify the prevalence of colostrum avoidance and study its associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 2 years old in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study on the practice of colostrum avoidance/prelacteal feeding was conducted in a rural community with 114 mothers of children under 2 years old. Our results reflected that colostrum avoidance and prelacteal feeding were practiced by 56.1% of mothers. The percentage of women who started breastfeeding in the first hour after birth, as recommended by the WHO, was 2.6%. Of the women who practiced colostrum avoidance, 67.2% gave birth at home, and 65.6% were attended by relatives. The likelihood of avoiding colostrum increases in mothers who have a lower educational level, who did not receive health care at the time of delivery, who think that colostrum is dirty and dangerous and who did not receive information about breastfeeding from healthcare professionals. The knowledge emanating from this work may be useful in designing new breastfeeding education programs and/or interventions in Ethiopia and other developing countries.

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels

The association of obesity with changes in bone mass is not clear. Obese individuals tend to have an increased bone mineral density, but other studies have shown that obesity is a major risk factor for fractures. The mechanisms of bone response during a weight loss therapy as well as the possible osteoprotective effect of exercise should be analyzed. The aim of this study was to test the effects of a weight-loss program based on the combination of caloric restriction and/or a mixed training protocol on different parameters of bone morphology and functionality in a DIO rat model. Three stages were established over a 21-week period (obesity induction 0–12 w, weight loss intervention 12–15 w, weight maintenance intervention 15–21 w) in 88 male Sprague Dawley rats. Bone microarchitecture, total mineral and elemental composition, and bone metabolism parameters were assessed. Weight loss interventions were associated to healthy changes in body composition, decreasing body fat and increasing lean body mass. On the other hand, obesity was related to a higher content of bone resorption and inflammatory markers, which was decreased by the weight control interventions. Caloric restriction led to marked changes in trabecular microarchitecture, with a significant decrease in total volume but no changes in bone volume (BV). In addition, the intervention diet caused an increase in trabeculae number and a decrease in trabecular spacing. The training protocol increased the pore diameter and reversed the changes in cortical porosity and density of BV induced by the high protein diet at diaphysis level. Regarding the weight-maintenance stage, diminished SMI values indicate the presence of more plate-like spongiosa in sedentary and exercise groups. In conclusion, the lifestyle interventions of caloric restriction and mixed training protocol implemented as weight loss strategies have been effective to counteract some of the deleterious effects caused by a dietary induction of obesity, specifically in trabecular bone morphometric parameters as well as bone mineral content.

This paper reports the result of a realist review based on a theory of change that substitution of higher strength alcohol products with lower strength alcohol products leads to decreases in overall levels of alcohol consumption in populations and consumer groups. The paper summarizes the results of 128 publications across twelve different themes. European consumers are increasingly buying and drinking lower strength alcohol products over time, with some two fifths doing so to drink less alcohol. It tends to be younger more socially advantaged men, and existing heavier buyers and drinkers of alcohol, who take up lower strength alcohol products. Substitution leads to a lower number of grams of alcohol bought and drunk. Although based on limited studies, buying and drinking lower strength products do not appear to act as gateways to buying and drinking higher strength products. Producer companies are increasing the availability of lower strength alcohol products, particularly for beer, with extra costs of production offset by income from sales. Lower strength alcohol products tend to be marketed as compliments to, rather than substitutes of, existing alcohol consumption, with, to date, the impact of such marketing not evaluated. Production of lower strength alcohol products could impair the impact of existing alcohol policy through alibi marketing (using the brand of lower strength products to promote higher strength products), broadened normalization of drinking cultures, and pressure to weaken policies. In addition to increasing the availability of lower strength products and improved labelling, the key policy that favours substitution of higher strength alcohol products with lower strength products is an alcohol tax based on the dose of alcohol across all products.

Vitamin D has well-defined classical functions related to metabolism and bone health but also has non-classical effects that may influence pregnancy. Maternal morbidity remains a significant health care concern worldwide, despite efforts to improve maternal health. Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin D during pregnancy are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the evidence base is difficult to navigate. The primary purpose of this review is to map the evidence on the effects of deficiencies of vitamin D on pregnancy outcome and the dosage used in such studies. A systematic search was performed for studies on vitamin D status during pregnancy and maternal outcomes. A total of 50 studies came from PubMed, 15 studies came from Cochrane, and 150 studies came from Embase, for a total of 215 articles. After screening, 34 were identified as candidate studies for inclusion. Finally, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria, which originated from 15 countries. The studies included 14 original research studies and 13 review studies conducted between 2012 and 2021. This review was finally limited to the 14 original studies. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and the quality and strength of the evidence was evaluated using the Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology (SING). We found evidence that supports the idea that supplementary vitamin D for pregnant women is important for reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, early labor, and other complications. The data retrieved from this review are consistent with the hypothesis that adequate vitamin D levels might contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

Background: Malnourishment is a common complication in patients with Crohn’s disease. Methods: An observational, prospective study was conducted to assess the nutritional status, disease activity, and stool frequency at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment with a semi-elemental diet in patients with active Crohn’s disease. Results: A total of 144 patients with Crohn’s disease were included. The nutritional status improved after treatment, resulting in 76.1% of patients at low risk of malnourishment, 20.4% moderately malnourished, and 8.5% severely malnourished after 12 weeks of treatment. Nutritional status improvement was associated with the number of nutritional supplements. Mean albumin levels and body mass index (BMI) improved after 12 weeks of nutritional treatment (from 3.0 g/dL to 3.7 g/dL and from 20.2 kg/m2 to 21.1 kg/m2, respectively). A significant decrease in HBI was found after 12 weeks of nutritional treatment (from 10.2 to 3.7). The mean number of stools per day decreased with the 12 week semi-elemental diet (from 4.6 stools/day to 1.7 stools/day). Conclusion: In this observational study, the semi-elemental diet seemed effective in improving the nutritional status, disease activity, and stool frequency in patients with active Crohn’s disease.

Switching from higher strength to low- and no-alcohol products could result in consumers buying and drinking fewer grams of ethanol. We undertook a scoping review with systematic searches of English language publications between 1 January 2010 and 17 January 2021 using PubMed and Web of Science, covering production, consumption, and policy drivers related to low- and no-alcohol products. Seventy publications were included in our review. We found no publications comparing a life cycle assessment of health and environmental impacts between alcohol-free and regular-strength products. Three publications of low- and no-alcohol beers found only limited penetration of sales compared with higher strength beers. Two publications from only one jurisdiction (Great Britain) suggested that sales of no- and low-alcohol beers replaced rather than added to sales of higher strength beers. Eight publications indicated that taste, prior experiences, brand, health and wellbeing issues, price differentials, and overall decreases in the social stigma associated with drinking alcohol-free beverages were drivers of the purchase and consumption of low- and no-alcohol beers and wines. Three papers indicated confusion amongst consumers with respect to the labelling of low- and no-alcohol products. One paper indicated that the introduction of a minimum unit price in both Scotland and Wales favoured shifts in purchases from higher- to lower-strength beers. The evidence base for the potential beneficial health impact of low- and no-alcohol products is very limited and needs considerable expansion. At present, the evidence base could be considered inadequate to inform policy.

Intermittent fasting has become popular in recent years and is controversially presented as a possible therapeutic adjunct. A bibliographic review of the literature on intermittent fasting and obesity, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis was carried out. The scientific quality of the methodology and the results obtained were evaluated in pairs. Intermittent fasting has beneficial effects on the lipid profile, and it is associated with weight loss and a modification of the distribution of abdominal fat in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as an improvement in the control of glycemic levels. In patients with multiple sclerosis, the data available are too scarce to draw any firm conclusions, but it does appear that intermittent fasting may be a safe and feasible intervention. However, it is necessary to continue investigating its long-term effects since so far, the studies carried out are small and of short duration.

Alcohol is toxic to human health. In addition to providing nutritional information, labels on alcohol products can be used to communicate warnings on alcohol-related harms to consumers. This scoping review examined novel or enhanced health warning labels to assess the current state of the research and the key studied characteristics of labels, along with their impact on the studied outcomes. Four databases (Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL) were searched between January 2010 and April 2021, and 27 papers were included in the review. The results found that most studies were undertaken in English-speaking populations, with the majority conducted online or in the laboratory setting as opposed to the real world. Seventy percent of the papers included at least one cancer-related message, in most instances referring either to cancer in general or to bowel cancer. Evidence from the only real-world long-term labelling intervention demonstrated that alcohol health warning labels designed to be visible and contain novel and specific information have the potential to be part of an effective labelling strategy. Alcohol health warning labels should be seen as tools to raise awareness on alcohol-related risks, being part of wider alcohol policy approaches.

The objective of this study was to study the association between total sugar intake (TSI) levels of children aged 6−8 years old, nutrient intake and anthropometry. Food and beverage intakes were collected by a prospective three-day recall questionnaire. The 2237 children were distributed into three groups according to TSI percentiles. Mean TSI was 93.77 ± 25.72 g/day, 22%−25% of total caloric intake, with boys presenting an intake of 96.24 ± 24.34 g/day and girls 91.38 ± 26.78 g/day. Greater TSI was associated with higher body fat, parental education, energy intake, nutrients/1000 kcal, and lower weight z-scores, BMI z-scores, waist circumferences, and hip circumferences. Weight, height, and waist circumference had the highest R2 while body fat had the lowest. The percentage of total energy derived (%E) from protein decreased as the %E from TSI increased, while the opposite was true for carbohydrates and saccharides, while for fiber intake, the medium groups presented the highest intake/1000 kcal. For the remaining macronutrients studied, intake/1000 kcal decreased when the %E from TSI increased. Calcium, iodine, magnesium, vitamin B2, folate, and vitamin C intake increased as the %E from TSI increased, while the opposite was true for vitamin B12. Fiber, ω-6 PUFA, iodine, folate, vitamin D, and vitamin E intakes were insufficient across most of the sample. TSI levels in children were identified to exceed adult recommendations. It is not clear what the effect of up to an average of 21% of energy coming from total sugars has on childhood obesity and further research is needed in the pediatric population, however, opportunities exist to improve sugar intake patterns.

Innate immunity plays a determinant role in high fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance. This study compares the effects of immunonutritional bioactives from Chenopodium quinoa (WQ) or Salvia hispanica L. (Ch) when used to partially replace wheat flour (WB) into bread formulations. These flours were chosen to condition starch and lipid content in the products as well as because their immunonutritional activity. To be administered with different bread formulations, HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice were distributed in different groups: (i) wild type, (ii) displaying inherited disturbances in glucose homeostasis, and (iii) displaying dietary iron-mediated impairment of the innate immune TLR4/TRAM/TRIF pathway. We analyze the effects of the products on glycaemia and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), plasmatic triglycerides, intestinal and hepatic gene expression and variations of myeloid (MY), and lymphoid (LY) cells population in peripheral blood. Our results show that feeding animals with WQ and Ch formulations influenced the expression of lipogenic and coronary risk markers, thus attaining a better control of hepatic lipid accumulation. WQ and Ch products also improved glucose homeostasis compared to WB, normalizing the HOMA-IR in animals with an altered glucose and lipid metabolism. These positive effects were associated with positive variations in the peripheral myeloid cells population.

Diabetes is a disease with an inflammatory component that courses with an anemic state. Vanadium (V) is an antidiabetic agent that acts by stimulating insulin signaling. Hepcidin blocks the intestinal absorption of iron and the release of iron from its deposits. We aim to investigate the effect of V on hepcidin mRNA expression and its consequences on the hematological parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Control healthy rats, diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with 1 mgV/day were examined for five weeks. The mineral levels were measured in diet and serum samples. Hepcidin expression was quantified in liver samples. Inflammatory and hematological parameters were determined in serum or whole blood samples. The inflammatory status was higher in diabetic than in control rats, whereas the hematological parameters were lower in the diabetic rats than in the control rats. Hepcidin mRNA expression was significantly lower in the V-treated diabetic rats than in control and untreated diabetic rats. The inflammatory status remained at a similar level as the untreated diabetic group. However, the hematological profile improved after the V-treatment, reaching similar levels to those found in the control group. Serum iron level was higher in V-treated than in untreated diabetic rats. We conclude that V reduces gene expression of hepcidin in diabetic rats, improving the anemic state caused by diabetes.

Caffeic acid is one of the most abundant hydroxycinnamic acids in fruits, vegetables, and beverages. This phenolic compound reaches relevant concentrations in the colon (up to 126 µM) where it could come into contact with the intestinal cells and exert its anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this investigation was to study the capacity of caffeic acid, at plausible concentrations from an in vivo point of view, to modulate mechanisms related to intestinal inflammation. Consequently, we tested the effects of caffeic acid (50–10 µM) on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and prostaglandin (PG)E2, cytokines, and chemokines (IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 -MCP-1-, and IL-6) biosynthesis in IL-1β-treated human myofibroblasts of the colon, CCD-18Co. Furthermore, the capacity of caffeic acid to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, to hinder advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, as well as its antioxidant, reducing, and chelating activity were also investigated. Our results showed that (i) caffeic acid targets COX-2 and its product PGE2 as well as the biosynthesis of IL-8 in the IL-1β-treated cells and (ii) inhibits AGE formation, which could be related to (iii) the high chelating activity exerted. Low anti-ACE, antioxidant, and reducing capacity of caffeic acid was also observed. These effects of caffeic acid expands our knowledge on anti-inflammatory mechanisms against intestinal inflammation.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between different sleep parameters and energy and macronutrient intake in school-aged children. A total of 203 children 6 to 9 years of age participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements were taken first. Diet was assessed with 3-day food logs and sleep was measured with a questionnaire on sleep quality and a wrist actigraph worn for at least 7 days. A decrease of 165.45 kcal was observed per each additional hour of sleep during the week (β (95% CI) = −165.45 (−274.01, −56.88); p = 0.003). This relationship was also observed for fat (β (95% CI) = −11.14 (−18.44, −3.84); p = 0.003) and protein (β (95% CI) = −13.27 (−22.52, −4.02); p = 0.005). An increase in weekend sleep efficiencies for those under the recommended threshold of 85% also had a similar association with energy (β (95% CI) = −847.43 (−1566.77, 128.09); p = 0.021) and carbohydrate (β (95% CI) = −83.96 (−161.76, −6.15); p = 0.035)) intake. An increase in habitual sleep variability was related with a slight increase in protein intake (β (95% CI) = 0.32 (0.031, 0.62); p = 0.031). Children who slept less had a higher energy intake, especially from fat and protein and those who presented inefficient sleep had a higher carbohydrate intake. Strategies to enhance sleep quality and quantity combined with dietary recommendations could help to improve energy and macronutrient intake levels in children.

Iodine deficiency is one of the most important health problems in the world. It intervenes in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which carry out important functions, so that a deficit of this mineral causes alterations of different kinds such as those related to growth. The objective of the present study was to know the prevalence of iodine deficit in the diet of Valencian children from 6 to 8 years old and their relationship with anthropometry. The analysis of the dietary intake was carried out through questionnaires. Thirteen schools participated in the study. The sample studied consists of 661 school children belonging to the Valencian Community, between 6 and 8 years of age: 298 boys and 363 girls. 79.12% of the children did not meet recommended daily iodine intakes. When comparing the groups of girls and boys with an inadequate intake, in general, girls show worse nutritional adequacy. When comparing the groups of girls and boys with sufficient iodine intake, no statistically significant differences were observed. No immediate effects of iodine deficiency on children’s anthropometry were observed. Intake of dairy products, fish and iodized salt is recommended, since they can contribute to the diet the iodine required to avoid a deficiency.

In recent years, dietary products with quinoa and buckwheat have attracted attention mostly due to the high nutritive value of their protein fraction. However, their dietary effect on intestinal microbiota activity and related systemic responses are still poorly understood. Therefore, a 2 week study of twenty-eight growing male Wistar rats was conducted to investigate the effects of quinoa (QU) and buckwheat (BK) protein-rich flours on the growth parameters, intestinal microbial activity, plasma lipid profile, and inflammatory markers. The biological value of protein and body weight gain were considerably increased in the QU and BK groups compared with those in the soy protein isolate group. Moreover, both flours increased the microbial activity of α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, and α-galactosidase and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the caecum. The studied flours favourably reduced the plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. In rats fed a diet with QU, elevated levels of plasma interleukin 6 and alanine transaminase were observed. The effect of QU on inflammatory markers may be related to the increased expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the liver and to the decreased level of plasma albumin. In conclusion, quinoa and buckwheat protein-rich flours are valuable sources of proteins that favourably affect growth parameters, gut metabolism, and blood lipid profile in rats; however, only the buckwheat flour has no effect on inflammatory processes.

Complex interactions between immunonutritional agonist and high fat intake (HFD), the immune system and finally gut microbiota are important determinants of hepatocarcinoma (HCC) severity. The ability of immunonutritional agonists to modulate major aspects such as liver innate immunity and inflammation and alterations in major lipids profile as well as gut microbiota during HCC development is poorly understood. 1H NMR has been employed to assess imbalances in saturated fatty acids, MUFA and PUFA, which were associated to variations in iron homeostasis. These effects were dependent on the botanical nature (Chenopodium quinoa vs. Salvia hispanica L.) of the compounds. The results showed that immunonutritional agonists’ promoted resistance to hepatocarcinogenesis under pro-tumorigenic inflammation reflected, at a different extent, in increased proportions of F4/80+ cells in injured livers as well as positive trends of accumulated immune mediators (CD68/CD206 ratio) in intestinal tissue. Administration of all immunonutritional agonists caused similar variations of fecal microbiota, towards a lower obesity-inducing potential than animals only fed a HFD. Modulation of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes contents restored the induction of microbial metabolites to improve epithelial barrier function, showing an association with liver saturated fatty acids and the MUFA and PUFA fractions. Collectively, these data provide novel findings supporting beneficial immunometabolic effects targeting hepatocarcinogenesis, influencing innate immunity within the gut-liver axis, and providing novel insights into their immunomodulatory activity.

Several studies have shown that a low magnesium (Mg) intake in the diet is associated with greater cardiovascular risk and greater risk of diabetes. However, the results are not consistent in all populations. To minimize the biases derived from diet measurement, more objective biomarkers of magnesium status have been proposed. Although there is still no ideal biomarker for Mg, several studies have shown that plasma Mg concentrations could be a relatively acceptable biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment. However, further studies are required to better characterize this marker in different populations. Our aim was to analyze the association between plasma Mg concentrations (measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)) methods, and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals from a general Mediterranean population (aged 18–80 years). The influence of demographic and lifestyle variables, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet, on plasma Mg concentrations was analyzed. The mean Mg level of the population studied was 0.77 ± 0.08 mmol/L, the prevalence of hypomagnesemia (p > 0.05). We found a statistically significant association between plasma Mg concentrations and the prevalence of type-2 diabetes (0.77 ± 0.08 mmol/L in non-diabetics versus 0.73 ± 0.13 mmol/L in diabetics; p = 0.009). Despite the low prevalence of type-2 diabetes in this population (11.24% in subjects with hypomagnesemia versus 3.91%, in normomagnesemia; p = 0.005), hypomagnesemia was associated with greater odds of being diabetic in comparison with normomagnesemia (OR = 3.36; p = 0.016, even after adjustment for sex, age, obesity, and medications). On the other hand, no statistically significant association of plasma Mg concentrations with obesity, hypertension, fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol or uric acid was found. However, in contrast to what was initially expected, a statistically significant association was found between plasma Mg concentrations (basically in the highest quartile) and greater total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and LDL-cholesterol concentrations (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results contribute to increasing the evidence gathered by numerous studies on the inverse association between hypomagnesemia and type-2 diabetes, as well as to the observation, previously reported in some studies, of a direct association with hypercholesterolemia. This paradoxical link should be deeply investigated in further studies.

The World Health Organization estimates that one fifth of university students have experienced major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Nutrition may be one of the modifiable factors that influence the development of depression. Specifically, low omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D levels, both nutrients found in high quantities in fish, have been linked to depressive disorders. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among young Spanish university students, in addition to the pattern of fish consumption among students and the possible relationship between fish consumption and the presence of depression. Data were collected retrospectively from a nationally representative sample of 11,485 Spanish university students aged 18 years or older in 11 Spanish universities, from 2012 to 2022. The respondents were analyzed according to frequency of consumption and compliance with weekly recommendations for fish intake and the presence of depression. Regression models were also performed to determine students' odds of depression as a function of compliance with recommendations according to selected sociodemographic variables. The prevalence of depression was 10.5%; it was more prevalent in women, older students and in those with both high and low BMIs. In addition, it was also more prevalent in those that lived outside the family home, with roommates and those who were employed. Sixty-seven percent of the students met the fish intake recommendations. The most common frequency of fish consumption was 1–2 times/week (44.2%), and the least frequent was 2.3% daily fish consumption. Students from northern universities were more likely to consume fish (68.4%) than those from southern universities (66.4%). Non-consumption of fish was found to increase the risk of depression (ORa = 1.45 (1.28–1.64); AF = 31.0% (21.9–39.0)), but it was the student's own conditions that had the greatest influence on the development of the disorder. In summary, a lower consumption of fish seems to be associated with a higher incidence of depression in Spanish university students; however, other social factors of the student may influence the development of the disorder, and all of this should be taken into account for the development of prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa is a plant commonly used for its medical properties. However, studies have shown contradictory results. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible association between the use of Moringa during pregnancy and breastfeeding in relation to the health status of both the mother and the baby. A search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases on the literature published during the period 2018–2023 was conducted up until March 2023. The population/exposure/comparison/outcome (PECO) approach was used to select studies on pregnant women, mother–child pairs, and the use of Moringa. Out of the 85 studies initially identified, 67 were excluded, leaving 18 for full-text evaluation. After assessment, 12 were finally included in the review. In the articles included in this work, Moringa is administered during pregnancy or in the postnatal period in the form of leaf powder (MOLP), as a leaf extract (MLE), as an ingredient associated with other supplements or in preparations. It appears to influence several variables during pregnancy and in the postnatal period such as the mother's haematochemical profile, milk production, the child's socio-personal development and the incidence of morbidity during the first 6 months of life. None of the studies analysed reported contraindications to the use of the supplement during pregnancy and lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-derived food consumption has gained attention as potential intervention for the improvement of intestinal inflammatory diseases. Apple consumption has been shown to be effective at ameliorating intestinal inflammation symptoms. These beneficial effects have been related to (poly)phenols, including phloretin (Phlor) and its glycoside named phloridzin (Phldz). To deepen the modulatory effects of these molecules we studied: i) their influence on the synthesis of proinflammatory molecules (PGE2, IL-8, IL-6, MCP-1, and ICAM-1) in IL-1β-treated myofibroblasts of the colon CCD-18Co cell line, and ii) the inhibitory potential of the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The results showed that Phlor (10−50 μM) decreased the synthesis of PGE2 and IL-8 and the formation of AGEs by different mechanisms. It is concluded that Phlor and Phldz, compounds found exclusively in apples, are positively associated with potential beneficial effects of apple consumption.

β-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) is a major dietary pro-vitamin A carotenoid, found mainly in fruits and vegetables. Several studies showed the beneficial effects of BCX on different aspects of human health. In spite of the evidence, the molecular mechanisms of action of BCX need to be further investigated. The Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to analyze in vivo the activity of BCX on fat reduction and protection to oxidative stress. Dose-response assays provided evidence of the efficacy of BCX at very low dose (0.025 µg/mL) (p < 0.001) on these processes. Moreover, a comparative analysis with other carotenoids, such as lycopene and β-carotene, showed a stronger effect of BCX. Furthermore, a transcriptomic analysis of wild-type nematodes supplemented with BCX revealed upregulation of the energy metabolism, response to stress, and protein homeostasis as the main metabolic targets of this xanthophyll. Collectively, this study provides new in vivo evidence of the potential therapeutic use of BCX in the prevention of diseases related to metabolic syndrome and aging.

Calcium is an important nutrient for child development. The main objective of this study was to assess calcium intake and its adequacy with dietary reference intake (DRI) in Spanish children. The ANIVA (Antropometría y Nutrición Infantil de Valencia) study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. During two academic years 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, 1176 schoolchildren aged 6–9 years were selected from 14 primary schools in Valencia (Spain). Three-day food records were used to assess dietary intake, completed by parents/guardian. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were evaluated in all subjects. Nutritional intake was compared to estimated average requirements (EARs) and adequate intake (AI) values to determine nutritional adequacy. A percentage of 25.77% had inadequate calcium intake, and a significantly higher prevalence was observed in girls (p = 0.006). Adequate calcium intake showed a positive association with the height z-score (p = 0.032). When assessing dietary patterns, schoolchildren with adequate calcium intakes had better nutritional adequacy in all nutrients, except cholesterol (p = 0.086) and fluorine (p = 0.503). These results suggest a public health problem that must be addressed through nutrition education programs to increase intake of calcium-rich food and to correct the associated dietary pattern.