Search

Background The heritability of traits such as body mass index (BMI), a measure of obesity, is generally estimated using family and twin studies, and increasingly by molecular genetic approaches. These studies generally assume that genetic effects are uniform across all trait values, yet there is emerging evidence that this may not always be the case. Method/Subjects This paper analyzes twin data using a recently developed measure of heritability called the heritability curve. Under the assumption that trait values in twin pairs are governed by a flexible Gaussian mixture distribution, heritability curves may vary across trait values. The data consist of repeated measures of BMI on 1506 monozygotic (MZ) and 2843 like-sexed dizygotic (DZ) adult twin pairs, gathered from multiple surveys in older Finnish Twin Cohorts. Results The heritability curve and BMI value-specific MZ and DZ pairwise correlations were estimated, and these varied across the range of BMI. MZ correlations were highest at BMI values from 21 to 24, with a stronger decrease for women than for men at higher values. Models with additive and dominance effects fit best at low and high BMI values, while models with additive genetic and common environmental effects fit best in the normal range of BMI. Conclusions We demonstrate that twin and molecular genetic studies need to consider how genetic effects vary across trait values. Such variation may reconcile findings of traits with high heritability and major differences in mean values between countries or over time.

Background Many environmental factors are known to hinder breastfeeding, yet the role of the family living environment in this regard is still poorly understood. Objectives We used data from a large cohort to identify associations between neighborhood characteristics and breastfeeding behavior. Methods Our observational study included 11,038 children (0-2 years) from the Southwest Finland Birth Cohort. Participant information was obtained from the Medical Birth Register and municipal follow-up clinics. Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, greenness, and population density were measured for a period of 5 years prior to childbirth within the residential neighborhood on a 250 x 250-m grid. Any breastfeeding and breastfeeding at 6 months were the primary outcomes. Binary logistic regression models were adjusted for maternal health and socioeconomic factors. Results Adjusted analyses suggest that mothers living in less populated areas were less likely to display any breastfeeding (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.59) and breastfeeding at 6 months (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.40). Mothers living in highly disadvantaged neighborhoods were less likely to display any breastfeeding if the neighborhood was less populated (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.95) but more likely to breastfeed at 6 months if the neighborhood was highly populated (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.92, 7.29). Low greenness was associated with higher likelihood of any breastfeeding (OR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.53, 9.55) and breastfeeding at 6 months (OR: 4.41; 95% CI: 3.44, 5). Conclusions Our results suggest that neighborhood characteristics are associated with breastfeeding behavior in Finland. Unravelling breastfeeding decisions linked to the living environment could help identify interventions that will allow the appropriate support for all mothers and infants across different environmental challenges.

Background: Food systems worldwide have become industrialized over the past century with impacts on diets, nutrition and health. The trade-offs between affordability and higher-quality diets can be exemplified by industrially produced, refined wheat bread. There is substantial demand for designing healthier bread, and hostmicrobiota commensalism has emerged as a key factor in food product development aiming to deliver health benefits.Scope and approach: Based on pre-clinical and clinical studies, this review provides an overview of main strategies for designing healthy bread from the microbiota perspective. We also discuss how microbiota-based precision nutrition can be harnessed in the design of healthy bread tailored to specific individuals or populations.Key findings and conclusions: In addition to being an important source of dietary fiber and phytochemicals, bread is the largest contributor to the intake of common food additives in the countries consuming Western-like diets with ramifications in health and disease via the gut microbiota. Pre-clinical and small-scale clinical studies suggest that the use of alternative grains, supplementation of bread to induce functional properties and sourdough fermentation hold great potential in reducing the risk factors associated with diet-related non-communicable diseases by modulating the gut microbiota. Nevertheless, functional ingredients formulated in bread may need to be applied in a targeted and individual-specific manner to deliver expected benefits and avoid potentially detrimental consequences. Overall, we identify major knowledge gaps and research opportunities for developing gut-friendly breads with scientifically validated health benefits.

Background The LOVIT trial examined the effect of vitamin C on sepsis patients, and concluded that in adults with sepsis receiving vasopressor therapy in the ICU, those who received 4-day intravenous vitamin C had a higher risk of death or persistent organ dysfunction at 28 days than those who received placebo. The aim of this study was to determine whether the abrupt termination of vitamin C administration could explain the increased mortality in the vitamin C group. Methods We used Cox regression with two time periods to model the distribution of deaths over the first 11 days in the LOVIT trial. Results Compared with a uniform difference between vitamin C and placebo groups over the 11-day follow-up period, addition of a separate vitamin C effect starting from day 5 improved the fit of the Cox model (p = 0.026). There was no difference in mortality between the groups during the 4-day vitamin C administration with RR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.65–1.44). During the week after the sudden termination of vitamin C, there were 57 deaths in the vitamin C group, but only 32 deaths in the placebo group, with RR = 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2–2.9; p = 0.004). Conclusion The increased mortality in the vitamin C group in the LOVIT trial is not explained by ongoing vitamin C administration, but by the abrupt termination of vitamin C. The LOVIT trial findings should not be interpreted as evidence against vitamin C therapy for critically ill patients.

Purpose The aim was to study the associations between dietary intake of fatty acids in childhood and the risk of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods The prospective Finnish Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Study included children with genetic susceptibility to T1D born between 1996 and 2004. Participants were followed up every 3 to 12 months up to 6 years for diet, islet autoantibodies, and T1D. Dietary intake of several fatty acids at the age of 3 months to 6 years was assessed 1–8 times per participant with a 3-day food record. Joint models adjusted for energy intake, sex, HLA genotype and familial diabetes were used to investigate the associations of longitudinal intake of fatty acids and the development of islet autoimmunity and T1D. Results During the 6-year follow-up, 247 (4.4%) children of 5626 developed islet autoimmunity and 94 (1.7%) children of 5674 developed T1D. Higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.47, 0.82), arachidonic acid (0.69; 0.50, 0.94), total n-3 fatty acids (0.64; 0.48, 0.84), and long-chain n-3 fatty acids (0.14; 0.04, 0.43), was associated with a decreased risk of islet autoimmunity with and without energy adjustment. Higher intake of total fat (0.73; 0.53, 0.98), and saturated fatty acids (0.55; 0.33, 0.90) was associated with a decreased risk of T1D only when energy adjusted. Conclusion Intake of several fatty acids was associated with a decreased risk of islet autoimmunity or T1D among high-risk children. Our findings support the idea that dietary factors, including n-3 fatty acids, may play a role in the disease process of T1D.

This study presents the nutritional, physicochemical, and sensory characterization of a functional fermented African finger millet-based beverage, using a co-culture containing an exopolysaccharide-producer strain and a probiotic strain. First, the fermentation factors affecting the beverage were studied to ascertain required starter culture and cereal matrix which would support its production. Co-culturing Weissella confusa 2LABPT05 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v in finger millet showed the best fermentative performance. The fermented yoghurt-like beverage contained both strains above 108 CFU/mL and showed improved nutritional and physicochemical profiles, compared to the unfermented control: higher content in threonine, arginine, GABA and glutamine, increased protein digestibility, 25 % vs 64 %, a significant production of dextran, 0 % vs 16 %, and increased apparent viscosity, 12 mPa.s vs 35 mPa.s. The developed functional prototype is innovative, organoleptically acceptable, with high nutritional quality, and promising potential for targeting international markets and different population groups from children to the elderly.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Objective: We recently showed that measurement of the susceptibility of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) to aggregation is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. We now wished to compare effects of overfeeding different dietary macronutrients on LDL aggregation, proteoglycan-binding of plasma lipoproteins, and on the concentration of oxidized LDL in plasma, 3 in vitro parameters consistent with increased atherogenicity. Approach and Results: The participants (36 subjects; age, 48±10 years; body mass index, 30.9±6.2 kg/m2) were randomized to consume an extra 1000 kcal/day of either unsaturated fat, saturated fat, or simple sugars (CARB) for 3 weeks. We measured plasma proatherogenic properties (susceptibility of LDL to aggregation, proteoglycan-binding, oxidized LDL) and concentrations and composition of plasma lipoproteins using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and in LDL using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, before and after the overfeeding diets. LDL aggregation increased in the saturated fat but not the other groups. This change was associated with increased sphingolipid and saturated triacylglycerols in LDL and in plasma and reduction of clusterin on LDL particles. Proteoglycan binding of plasma lipoproteins decreased in the unsaturated fat group relative to the baseline diet. Lipoprotein properties remained unchanged in the CARB group. Conclusions: The type of fat during 3 weeks of overfeeding is an important determinant of the characteristics and functional properties of plasma lipoproteins in humans. Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier NCT02133144.

Background: Observed associations of high-protein diets with changes in insulin resistance are inconclusive.Objectives: We aimed to assess associations of changes in both reported and estimated protein (PRep; PEst) and energy intake (EIRep; EIEst) with changes in HOMA-IR, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and BMI (in kg/m2), in 1822 decreasing to 833 adults (week 156) with overweight and prediabetes, during the 3-y PREVIEW (PREVention of diabetes through lifestyle intervention and population studies In Europe and around the World) study on weight-loss maintenance. Eating behavior and measurement errors (MEs) of dietary intake were assessed. Thus, observational post hoc analyses were applied.Methods: Associations of changes in EIEst, EIRep, PEst, and PRep with changes in HOMA-IR, HbA1c, and BMI were determined by linear mixed-model analysis in 2 arms [high-protein-low-glycemic-index (GI) diet and moderate-protein-moderate-GI diet] of the PREVIEW study. EIEst was derived from energy requirement: total energy expenditure = basal metabolic rate × physical activity level; PEst from urinary nitrogen, and urea. MEs were calculated as [(EIEst - EIRep)/EIEst] × 100% and [(PRep - PEst)/PEst] × 100%. Eating behavior was determined using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, examining cognitive dietary restraint, disinhibition, and hunger.Results: Increases in PEst and PRep and decreases in EIEst and EIRep were associated with decreases in BMI, but not independently with decreases in HOMA-IR. Increases in PEst and PRep were associated with decreases in HbA1c. PRep and EIRep showed larger changes and stronger associations than PEst and EIEst. Mean ± SD MEs of EIRep and PRep were 38% ± 9% and 14% ± 4%, respectively; ME changes in EIRep and En% PRep were positively associated with changes in BMI and cognitive dietary restraint and inversely with disinhibition and hunger.Conclusions: During weight-loss maintenance in adults with prediabetes, increase in protein intake and decrease in energy intake were not associated with decrease in HOMA-IR beyond associations with decrease in BMI. Increases in PEst and PRep were associated with decrease in HbA1c.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01777893.

Purpose The EAT-Lancet reference diet is a healthy plant-based diet produced within planetary boundaries. To inform the food system transformation, we compared Finnish pre-schoolers’ food consumption with the reference diet’s food group targets. Methods Food record data for 3- to 6-year-old pre-schoolers were collected in the cross-sectional DAGIS survey. Ingredients of composite dishes were available in the data. In addition, we manually decomposed industrial products such as sausages and biscuits by estimating the shares of ingredients. We also estimated the consumption of added sugars and converted the consumption of dairy products into milk equivalents. We used usual intake modelling to estimate the mean consumption and the proportion of children who met the reference diet’s targets. We set the target amounts separately for 3- to 4-year-olds and 5- to 6-year-olds in grams by proportioning the published target amounts (assuming a 2500 kcal diet) to the children’s mean reported energy intake. Results For both age groups (3- to 4-year-olds, n = 460; 5- to 6-year-olds, n = 402), the daily mean consumption of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated oils was below targets, whereas the consumption of red meat, dairy foods, tubers, and added sugars was above targets. The consumption of fruit and fish was in line with targets. Conclusion To comply with the reference diet’s targets, major changes in the diets of Finnish children are needed. The key food groups targeted for higher consumption are whole grains and legumes and targeted for lower consumption red meat and dairy products.

AimThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in a head and neck cancer (HNC) population according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and to assess its relation to survival. The secondary aim was to compare GLIM criteria to Patient–Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG–SGA) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) methods.MethodsThe assessment was performed in a series of 65 curative patients with newly diagnosed HNC in a nutrition intervention study. Malnutrition was defined as PG-SGA classes BC and nutritional risk as NRS 2002 score ≥3 and was retrospectively diagnosed with GLIM criteria in prospectively collected data at diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, and kappa (κ) were analyzed. Predictive accuracy was assessed by calculating the area under curve (AUC) b y receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate association between malnutrition and overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS).ResultsGLIM-defined malnutrition was present in 37% (24/65) of patients. The GLIM showed 77% sensitivity and 84% specificity with agreement of κ = 0.60 and accuracy of AUC = 0.80 (p < 0.001) with PG-SGA and slightly higher sensitivity (83%) with NRS 2002 (κ = 0.58). Patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition had shorter OS (56 vs. 72 months, HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.07–4.77, p = 0.034) and DFS (37 vs. 66 months, HR 2.01, 95% CI 0.99–4.09, p = 0.054), than well-nourished patients. The adjusted HR was 2.53 (95% CI 1.14–5.47, p = 0.023) for OS and 2.10 (95% CI 0.98–4.48, p = 0.056) for DFS in patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition.ConclusionA substantial proportion of HNC patients were diagnosed with malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria and this showed a moderate agreement with NRS 2002- and PG–SGA-defined malnutrition. Even though the GLIM criteria had strong association with OS, its diagnostic value was poor. Therefore, the GLIM criteria seem potential for malnutrition diagnostics and outcome prediction in the HNC patient population. Furthermore, NRS 2002 score ≥3 indicates high nutritional risk in this patient group.

Objective:The shift towards plant-based diets with less meat and more legumes is a global target and requires an understanding of the consequences of dietary adequacy on the population level. Our aim was to model the impact of partial replacement of red and processed meat with legumes on nutrient intakes and population shares below dietary reference intakes.Design:Modelling study with three scenarios anchored in meat cut-offs: ≤ 70 g/d (Finnish dietary guideline); ≤ 50 g/d (Danish dietary guideline); ≤ 30 g/d (EAT-Lancet recommendation). In all subjects, the amount of meat in grams over the cut-off was replaced with the same amount of legumes. The SPADE method was used to model usual intake distributions. Meaningful differences in average intakes and in population shares below dietary reference intakes compared to the reference (FinDiet) were evaluated based on non-overlapping 95 % CI.Setting:Finnish national food consumption survey (FinDiet 2017).Subjects:Finnish adults (n1655) aged18–74 years (47 % men).Results:The scenarios introduced increases in the average intakes of fibre, folate, K, Mg, Cu and Fe, and decreases in intakes of saturated fat, niacin, vitamin B12, Se and Zn. Meaningful shifts of the usual intake distributions of fibre and folate towards improvement in intakes emerged already in ‘scenario 70 g’. Overall, distribution shifts towards a higher probability of inadequate intakes of the studied nutrients were not observed.Conclusions:These results support the public health message to partly replace meat with legumes and may benefit nutrition policy actions towards sustainable diets in the Nordic countries and beyond.

Funding Information: The PREVIEW project was funded by the following institutions: EU framework programme 7 (Grant number 312057); The Glycemic Index Foundation Australia through royalties to The University of Sydney; The NZ Health Research Council (14/191) and University of Auckland Faculty Research Development Fund; The Danish Agriculture & Food Council; The Danish Meat and Research Institute; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC) (UK); Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (UK); Juho Vainio Foundation (FIN); Academy of Finland (grant numbers: 272376, 314383, 266286); Finnish Medical Foundation; Gyllenberg Foundation; Novo Nordisk Foundation; Finnish Diabetes Research Foundation; University of Helsinki; Government Research Funds for Helsinki University Hospital (FIN). The Cambridge Weight Plan© donated all products for the 8-weeks low-energy diet period. Nutritics (Dublin) donated all dietary analyses software used by UNOTT. EJ has received personal grants for the preparation of this manuscript from Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation (FIN) and Emil Aaltonen Foundation (FIN). Preparation of this manuscript has also been funded by the Academy of Finland (grants 314135 and 309157 to HK). Open access publication was funded by Helsinki University Library. The funding sources had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, interpretation of the data, preparation of the manuscript or decision to publish the results. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s). Background: To better support participants to achieve long-lasting results within interventions aiming for weight loss and maintenance, more information is needed about the maintenance of behavioral changes. Therefore, we examined whether perceived stress predicts the maintenance of changes in eating behavior (flexible and rigid restraint of eating, disinhibition, and hunger). Methods: The present study was a secondary analysis of the PREVIEW intervention including participants with overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) at baseline and high risk of type 2 diabetes (n = 1311). Intervention included a 2-month low-energy diet phase and a 34-month subsequent weight maintenance phase. The first 6 months were considered an active behavior change stage and the remaining 2.5 years were considered a behavior maintenance stage. Eating behavior was measured using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and stress using the Perceived Stress Scale. The associations between stress and eating behavior were analyzed using linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements. Results: Perceived stress measured after the active behavior change stage (at 6 months) did not predict changes in eating behavior during the behavior maintenance stage. However, frequent high stress during this period was associated with greater lapse of improved flexible restraint (p = 0.026). The mean (SD) change in flexible restraint from 6 to 36 months was −1.1 (2.1) in participants with frequent stress and −0.7 (1.8) in participants without frequent stress (Cohen’s ds (95% CI) = 0.24 (0.04–0.43)). Higher perceived stress at 6 months was associated with less flexible restraint and more disinhibition and hunger throughout the behavior maintenance stage (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Perceived stress was associated with features of eating behavior that may impair successful weight loss maintenance. Future interventions should investigate, whether incorporating stress reduction techniques results in more effective treatment, particularly for participants experiencing a high stress level. publishersversion published

Objective: To assess whether supplementation with long chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, or infancy reduces the risk of developing asthma or atopic disease during childhood.Methods: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus up to 2021-09-20, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of supple-mental long chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, or infancy for the prevention of childhood asthma or allergy. Article selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2.0) were independently conducted by two assessors. The evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to the criteria of the World Cancer Research Fund and meta-analyzed.Results: A total of nine RCTs met inclusion criteria; six were conducted during pregnancy, two during infancy, and one during both pregnancy and infancy. Meta-analysis showed that long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of asthma/wheeze in the child (RR 0.62 [95% confidence interval 0.34-0.91], P = 0.005, I2 = 67.4%), but not other outcomes. Supplementation during lactation of infancy showed no effects on any outcome. The strength of evidence that long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy reduces risk of asthma/wheeze in the offspring was con-sidered limited - suggestive. No conclusion could be made for the effects of long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy for other atopic diseases, or for supplementation during lactation or infancy for any outcome. Conclusion: The intake of long chain n-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy may reduce the risk of asthma and/or wheeze in the offspring, but the strength of evidence is low. There is inconclusive evidence for the effects of long chain n-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy for other outcomes, as well as for sup-plementation during lactation or infancy.

Response to a Letter to the Editor

Open access funding provided by University of Helsinki including Helsinki University Central Hospital . Sí

BackgroundNutritional status in patients with cancer has a determining role in the evolution of the disease and tolerance to treatments. Severity of undernutrition impacts morbidity and mortality in cancer patients and can limit patient response to the optimal therapies if nutritional issues are not appropriately addressed and managed. Despite the importance of malnutrition for the clinical evolution of oncology patients, there is not yet a universally accepted standard method for evaluating malnutrition in such patients. The aim of this study was to stratify the nutritional status of inpatients at an Oncology Department.MethodsThis is an observational study with 561 cancer patients, assessed at admission to a Medical Oncology Department from November 2016 to February 2020. All patients were considered eligible. Non-compliant and/or comatose patients were excluded. Nutritional status was assessed using the PG-SGA, BMI classified with the WHO criteria, and calculation of the percentage of weight loss in the previous 3–6 months.ResultsA total of 561 patients (303 F: 258 M; mean age 65 ± 13 years) were included. One-third of the patients, n=191/561 (34%), lost 6% of their weight in the month prior to admission and 297/561 (53%) patients lost 10.2% of weight in the previous 6 months. Mean BMI was 24.1 ± 5.8 kg/m2; N = 280/561 (50%) patients had regular BMI according to the WHO criteria. N = 331/561 (59%) patients reported eating less in the month prior to admission. N = 303/561 (54%) had moderate/severe deficits of muscle and adipose compartments. The PG-SGA identified 499/561 (89%) patients as moderately/severely malnourished, of which 466/561 (83%) patients scored ≥9 points, meeting criteria for a critical need for nutritional support. Fifteen percent of patients scored >4 points, indicating a need for directed therapy for symptom control and only 1% scored ConclusionIn this oncological setting, a higher proportion of patients were nutritionally-at-risk or with moderate/severe malnutrition. The large majority of patients in this study presented with a critical need for nutritional intervention. These findings highlight the need for an integrated assessment of nutritional status at patient referral. This will allow early and timely nutrition care, which is recommended to prevent or reverse further deterioration of the condition and to optimize treatment administration.

The increase in digitalization, software applications, and computing power has widened the variety of tools with which to collect and analyze sensory data. As these changes continue to take place, examining new skills required among sensory professionals is needed. The aim with this study was to answer the following questions: (a) How did sensory professionals perceive the opportunities to utilize facial expression analysis in sensory evaluation work? (b) What skills did the sensory professionals describe they needed when utilizing facial expression analysis? Twenty‐two sensory professionals from various food companies and universities were interviewed by using semistructural thematic interviews to map development intentions from facial expression recognition data as well as to describe the established skills that were needed. Participants’ facial expressions were first elicited by an odor sample during a sensory evaluation task. The evaluation was video recorded to characterize a facial expression software response (FaceReader™). The participants were interviewed regarding their opinions of the data analysis the software produced. The study findings demonstrate how using facial expression analysis contains personal and field‐specific perspectives. Recognizability, associativity, reflectivity, reliability, and suitability were perceived as a personal perspective. From the field‐specific perspective, professionals considered the received data valuable only if they had skills to interpret and utilize it. There is a need for an increase in training not only in IT, mathematics, statistics, and problem‐solving, but also in skills related to self‐management and ethical responsibility., This research paper will provide an understanding of how to utilize facial expression data analysis. The study results should be considered when planning to take facial expression software to practical sensory evaluation work.

Author(s): Koponen, Kari K; Salosensaari, Aaro; Ruuskanen, Matti O; Havulinna, Aki S; Mannisto, Satu; Jousilahti, Pekka; Palmu, Joonatan; Salido, Rodolfo; Sanders, Karenina; Brennan, Caitriona; Humphrey, Gregory C; Sanders, Jon G; Meric, Guillaume; Cheng, Susan; Inouye, Michael; Jain, Mohit; Niiranen, Teemu J; Valsta, Liisa M; Knight, Rob; Salomaa, Veikko V | Abstract: BackgroundDiet has a major influence on the human gut microbiota, which has been linked to health and disease. However, epidemiological studies on associations of a healthy diet with the microbiota utilizing a whole-diet approach are still scant.ObjectivesTo assess associations between healthy food choices and human gut microbiota composition, and to determine the strength of association with functional potential.MethodsThis population-based study sample consisted of 4930 participants (ages 25-74; 53% women) in the FINRISK 2002 study. Intakes of recommended foods were assessed using a food propensity questionnaire, and responses were transformed into healthy food choices (HFC) scores. Microbial diversity (alpha diversity) and compositional differences (beta diversity) and their associations with the HFC score and its components were assessed using linear regression. Multiple permutational multivariate ANOVAs were run from whole-metagenome shallow shotgun-sequenced samples. Associations between specific taxa and HFC were analyzed using linear regression. Functional associations were derived from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes orthologies with linear regression models.ResultsBoth microbial alpha diversity (β/SD, 0.044; SE, 6.18n×n10-5; Pn=n2.21n×n10-3) and beta diversity (R2, 0.12; Pn≤n1.00n×n10-3) were associated with the HFC score. For alpha diversity, the strongest associations were observed for fiber-rich breads, poultry, fruits, and low-fat cheeses (all positive). For beta diversity, the most prominent associations were observed for vegetables, followed by berries and fruits. Genera with fiber-degrading and SCFA-producing capacities were positively associated with the HFC score. The HFC score was associated positively with functions such as SCFA metabolism and synthesis, and inversely with functions such as fatty acid biosynthesis and the sulfur relay system.ConclusionsOur results from a large, population-based survey confirm and extend findings of other, smaller-scale studies that plant- and fiber-rich dietary choices are associated with a more diverse and compositionally distinct microbiota, and with a greater potential to produce SCFAs.

Objective:To identify food purchase patterns and to assess their carbon footprint and expenditure.Design:Cross-sectional.Setting:Purchase patterns were identified by factor analysis from the annual purchases of 3435 product groups. The associations between purchase patterns and the total purchases’ carbon footprints (based on life-cycle assessment) and expenditure were analysed using linear regression and adjusted for nutritional energy content of the purchases.Participants:Loyalty card holders (n 22 860) of the largest food retailer in Finland.Results:Eight patterns explained 55 % of the variation in food purchases. The Animal-based pattern made the greatest contribution to the annual carbon footprint, followed by the Easy-cooking, and Ready-to-eat patterns. High-energy, Traditional and Plant-based patterns made the smallest contribution to the carbon footprint of the purchases. Animal-based, Ready-to-eat, Plant-based and High-energy patterns made the greatest contribution, whereas the Traditional and Easy-cooking patterns made the smallest contribution to food expenditure. Carbon footprint per euros spent increased with stronger adherence to the Traditional, Animal-based and Easy-cooking patterns.Conclusions:The Animal-based, Ready-to-eat and High-energy patterns were associated with relatively high expenditure on food, suggesting no economic barrier to a potential shift towards a plant-based diet for consumers adherent to those patterns. Strong adherence to the Traditional pattern resulted in a low energy-adjusted carbon footprint but high carbon footprint per euro. This suggests a preference for cheap nutritional energy rather than environment-conscious purchase behaviour. Whether a shift towards a plant-based pattern would be affordable for those with more traditional and cheaper purchase patterns requires more research.

Purpose To investigate if dairy, meat, and fish intakes associate with dementia and cognitive performance. Methods We included 2497 dementia-free men from Eastern Finland, aged 42–60 years in 1984–1989 at the baseline examinations. Data on cognitive tests [Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), trail making test (TMT), verbal fluency test (VFL), selective reminding test (SRT), and Russell’s adaptation of the visual reproduction test (VRT)] at the 4-year re-examinations were available for 482 men and on the ApoE phenotype for 1259 men. Data on dementia events were obtained by linkage to national health registers. Diet was assessed with baseline 4-day food records. Cox regression and analysis of covariance were used for analyses. Results During a mean 22-year follow-up, 337 men had a dementia diagnosis. Among the foods, only cheese intake associated with dementia risk (hazard ratio in the highest vs. the lowest quartile = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.52–0.99, P-trend = 0.05). In the cognitive tests, higher non-fermented dairy and milk intakes associated with worse verbal fluency (VFT). Higher processed red meat intake associated with worse verbal (SRT) and visual memory (VRT), whereas higher unprocessed red meat intake associated with better general cognitive functioning (MMSE) and processing speed and executive functioning (TMT). Higher fish intake associated with better verbal memory (SRT). Among APOE-ε4 carriers, especially non-fermented dairy intake associated with higher risk of dementia outcomes, and higher fish intake indicated better cognitive performance. Conclusion Although higher intake of some food groups associated with cognitive performance, we found little evidence for associations with dementia risk.

The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of four essential oils (oregano essential oil (OEO), tea tree essential oil (TTEO), wild orange essential oil (WOEO), and clove leaf essential oil (CLEO)) were determined. The in-vitro experiment indicated that CLEO had the highest total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity, and OEO displayed the highest antibacterial effect, so they were applied to maintain the quality of shrimp for further study. In-situ study, the total viable counts of shrimp were inhibited from 9.05 log CFU/g to 8.18 and 8.34 log CFU/g by 2% of OEO and CLEO treated alone on 10 d. The melanosis ratio was also retarded from 38.16% to 28.98% and 26.35% by the two essential oils. The inhibitory effects of OEO and CLEO on the increase of PPO activity, weight loss, and TCA-soluble peptides, and the decreasing tendency of whiteness, the contents of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins were also founded. The samples treated with 1% OEO + 1% CLEO had better quality than those treated alone. Therefore, the combination of OEO and CLEO had a synergistic effect, which displayed the highest efficiency to prevent the melanosis, bacterial growth, and protein hydrolysis of shrimp.

Objective: To identify, critically appraise, and synthesize evidence on the effect of quality of dietary fat intake and different classes of fatty acids on the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia in adults aged >= 50 years. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central of Controlled Trials, and Scopus for clinical trials and prospective cohort studies published until May 2021. Two reviewers independently screened retrieved literature, extracted relevant data, and performed risk of bias assessment. Classes of fatty acids included were saturated fatty acids (SFAs), trans fatty acids (TFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and their subtypes and sources. Given between-study heterogeneity, we did not perform meta-analyses but narratively described findings from the studies. Results: From 4,491 identified records, five articles (based on four prospective cohort studies) met the inclusion criteria. Three studies had an overall serious risk of bias, while one study had a moderate risk. Overall, we found no robust association between intake of any fatty acids type and the development of AD and dementia. For example, for SFA and TFA, there was contradictory associations reported on AD: one study found that each unit increase in energy-adjusted intake of SFA (risk ratio (RR) 0.83, 95%CI 0.70 0.98) and TFA (RR 0.80, 95%CI 0.65-0.97) was associated with a decreased risk of AD, but not dementia. For PUFA, one study found that higher quintile intake of marine-based n-3 PUFA was associated with a decreased risk of AD. The intake of other fatty acids was not associated with the outcomes. The certainty of the overall evidence was inconclusive. Conclusion: We found no clear association between the intake of various classes of fatty acids and the risk of AD and dementia in adults. More well-designed prospective studies are required to clarify these findings.

Background Disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances are associated with certain unhealthy food habits such as inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables. This study examined whether multiple socioeconomic measures are consistently associated with a variety of food habits. Methods We examined associations of 2 childhood and 6 adult socioeconomic measures with 8 recommended food habits among 19–39-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. The data were collected in 2017 via online and mailed surveys. Our sample consisted of 4621 employees (80% women). The analyses included adjusted binary logistic regression models. Results More advantaged socioeconomic circumstances were positively associated with the recommended consumption of vegetables, fruit or berries, dark bread, skimmed milk products, fish, and cooking oil, but not consistently with red or processed meat and fat spread. All socioeconomic measures were positively associated with having several (6–8) recommended food habits after gender and age adjustments. The strongest associations were found for participant’s education, occupational class, and current financial difficulties. These associations remained after adjustments of childhood and adult socioeconomic measures, although especially participant’s education attenuated the associations for occupational class. Conclusions The consistent associations between multiple childhood and adult socioeconomic measures and food habits found among employees highlight the need for improving food habits among people with disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances in particular. Financial barriers together with social aspects of adhering to healthy diets should be considered in future dietary interventions and policy actions.

CoMiSS((R)) was developed 7 years ago to increase the awareness of health care professionals towards the possibility that symptoms presented by infants could be related to cow's milk. While CoMiSS was conceived mostly on theoretical concepts, data is now available from 25 clinical trials. Based on this extensive research using the tool since 2015, we aim to propose an updated CoMiSS. The evidence was reviewed, debated and discussed by 10 experts, of whom seven were part of the original group. The panel concluded that the cut-off previously proposed to indicate the likelihood that symptoms may be cow's milk related should be lowered from >= 12 to >= 10. Data in healthy infants > 6 months are missing. Since the Brussels Infant and Toddlers Stool Scale (BITSS) was recently developed for non-toilet trained children, the Bristol Stool Scale was changed to the BITSS without changing the impact of stool characteristics on CoMiSS. Overall, CoMiSS raises awareness that symptoms might be cow's milk related. New studies are needed to determine if the change in cut-off and other small adaptions improve its sensitivity and specificity. Data for CoMiSS is still needed in presumed healthy infants between 6 and 12 months old. There may also be regional differences in CoMiSS, in healthy infants as well as in those with cow's milk allergy. Finally, we emphasize that CoMiSS is an awareness tool and not a diagnostic test.

When the amount of reactive oxygen species produced by human metabolism cannot be balanced by antioxidants, this phenomenon is commonly referred to as oxidative stress. It is hypothesised that diets with high amounts of plant food products may have a beneficial impact on oxidative stress status. However, few studies have examined whether a vegan diet is associated with lower oxidative stress compared to an omnivorous diet. The present cross-sectional study aimed to compare the levels of five oxidative stress biomarkers in vegans and omnivores. Data of 36 vegans and 36 omnivores from Germany and of 21 vegans and 18 omnivores from Finland were analysed. HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry or fluorescence detection and ELISA methods were used to measure the oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls and 3-nitrotyrosine in plasma and 8-hydroxy-2 '-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 alpha (8-iso-PGF2 alpha) in 24 h urine. Analyses of variance and covariance, considering potential confounders, were used. Vegans and omnivores showed no differences in MDA and protein carbonyl concentrations. In Finnish but not in German vegans, the concentrations of 3-nitrotyrosine were lower compared to those in omnivores (p = 0.047). In Germany, vegans showed lower excretion levels of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha than omnivores (p = 0.002) and with a trend also of 8-OHdG (p = 0.05). The sensitivity analysis suggests lower 8-iso-PGF2 alpha excretion levels in women compared to men, independently of the dietary group. The present study contributes to expanding our knowledge of the relationship between diet and oxidative stress and showed that 3-nitrotyrosine, 8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2 alpha tended to be lower in vegans. Furthermore, studies are recommended to validate the present findings.

Background & aims: Nutrient status may affect the risk of microbial infections and play a role in modulating the immune response against such infections. The aim of this study was to determine whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and serum fatty acids in infancy are associated with microbial infections by the age of 18 months. Methods: Altogether 576 newborn infants from Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk (TRIGR) born between 2002 and 2007 were included. The concentration of 25(OH)D vitamin and proportions of 26 fatty acids (presented as % of total fatty acids) were analyzed in cord blood serum and in sera taken at 6, 12, and 18 months of age. The cord blood samples and mean of 6–18-month values were used as exposures. Infections were detected by screening IgG antibodies against 10 microbes using enzyme immunoassay and antibodies against 6 coxsackievirus B serotypes by plaque neutralization assay in serum samples taken at 18 months of age. Results: A higher proportion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and especially long-chain n-3 PUFAs at birth and at the age of 6–18 months was associated with decreased risk of coxsackievirus B2 infection unadjusted and adjusted for region, case-control status, and maternal type 1 diabetes. Higher proportion of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5 n-3) at birth was associated with a decreased risk of respiratory syncytial virus infection. 25(OH)D vitamin concentration was not consistently associated with the risk of infections. When only infected children were included docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) and arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) proportions were positively associated with IgG antibody levels against influenza A virus. 25(OH)D vitamin concentration showed an inverse association with rotavirus IgG levels among children with rotavirus seropositivity. Conclusions: In young children with increased susceptibility to type 1 diabetes, long-chain n-3 PUFAs may influence the risk of viral infections and immune response against the infections. However, this association may depend on the type of virus suggesting virus-specific effects. publishedVersion

Achieving a sustainable and healthy diet requires increased replacement of red meat with more sustainable foods. There is a call for novel methodologies to assess the potential of different interventions and policies in enhancing the transition from the current to more sustainable choices. We aimed to characterize consumer clusters with similar preferences in protein sources, to compare the purchase prices of these foods, and to identify ongoing transitions from one protein source to another. Grocery purchase data with individual attributes on 29,437 consenting loyalty card holders were analyzed over 2.3 year period. We designed a sequence analysis to group participants to clusters with similar purchase preferences over the follow-up period and to estimate transition probabilities between preferences. We studied the determinants of prevalent purchase profiles by ordinal logistic models. We identified six participant profiles with similar preferences in four protein sources: red meat, poultry, fish, and plant-based foods. Red meat dominated the purchase preferences and showed the highest persistence over time. The majority (70%) of the participants demonstrated somewhat mixed purchase profiles. A step-by-step transition from red meat towards plant-based food preference seems most likely via poultry and fish. Overall, low income was not a barrier to a more sustainable purchase profile, while price may deter the purchase of fish. The most important resources in choosing more sustainable profiles were education and stage of family life. Societal incentives for sustainable food choices seem most crucial at transition stages of life course and for the less educated. Here, we also demonstrate that grocery purchase data offer a valuable tool for monitoring the progressive transition towards a healthy and sustainable food system.

In an interlaboratory study we compare different methods to determine the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution of six cereal beta-glucan isolates of nutritional importance. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with multi-angle light scattering (MALS), capillary viscometry, sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation and one asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4)-MALS method all yielded similar Mw values for mostly individual chains of dissolved beta-glucan molecules. SEC with post-column calcofluor detection underestimated the Mw of beta-glucan >500 × 103 g/mol. The beta-glucan molecules analysed by these methods were primarily in a random coil conformation as evidenced from individual Mark-Houwink-Kuhn-Sakurada (MHKS) scaling coefficients between 0.5 and 0.6 and Wales-Van Holde ratios between 1.4 and 1.7. In contrast, a second AF4-MALS method yielded much larger Mw values for these same samples indicating the presence and detection of beta-glucan aggregates. Storage of the six beta-glucan solutions in the dark at 4 °C for 4 years revealed them to be stable. This suggests an absence of storage-induced irreversible aggregation phenomena or chain-scission. Shear forces in SEC and the viscometer capillary and hydrostatic pressure in analytical ultracentrifugation probably led to the reversable dissociation of beta-glucan aggregates into molecularly dissolved species. Thus, all these methods yield true weight-average molecular weight values not biased by the presence of aggregates as was the case in one of the AF4 based methods employed.

Objective Food odors serve as powerful stimuli signaling the food quality and energy density and direct food-specific appetite and consumption. This study explored obesity-related brain activation in response to odors related to high- or low-energy-dense foods. Methods Seventeen participants with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2 ; 4 males and 13 females) and twenty-one with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2 ; 9 males and 12 females) underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan in which they received chocolate (high-energy-dense food) and cucumber (low-energy-dense food) odor stimuli. Participants' olfactory and gustatory functions were assessed by the "Sniffin' Sticks" and "Taste Strips" tests, respectively. Results Compared with normal-weight controls, participants with obesity had lower odor sensitivity (phenylethyl alcohol) and decreased odor discrimination ability. However, participants with obesity demonstrated greater brain activation in response to chocolate compared with cucumber odors in the bilateral inferior frontal operculum and cerebellar vermis, right ventral anterior insula extending to putamen, right middle temporal gyrus, and right supramarginal areas. Conclusions The present study provides preliminary evidence that obesity is associated with heightened brain activation of the reward and flavor processing areas in response to chocolate versus cucumber odors, possibly because of the higher energy density and reinforcing value of chocolate compared with cucumber.

The transition from childhood to adolescence is a sensitive period, triggering changes in health- and weight-related behaviours including eating habits which likely vary between girls and boys. We aimed to characterise the changes in the frequency of consumption of select sugary foods and drinks ('sweet treats') among 4237 Finnish girls and boys during a 2-year follow-up period. Additionally, we examined four subgroups: children whose weight or waist normalised as well as children whose weight or waist circumference increased during follow-up. An FFQ was completed at 11 center dot 1 (sd 0 center dot 9) and again at 13 center dot 4 (sd 1 center dot 1) years of age. A sum variable sweet treat index (STI, range 0-84) captured the weekly consumption frequencies of sweet treats. From baseline to follow-up, the mean STI decreased among girls from 7 center dot 1 (95 % CI 6 center dot 9, 7 center dot 3) to 6 center dot 0 (95 % CI 5 center dot 9, 6 center dot 2) (P < 0 center dot 001) and boys from 8 center dot 5 (95 % CI 8 center dot 3, 8 center dot 8) to 7 center dot 8 (95 % CI 7 center dot 6, 7 center dot 8) (P < 0 center dot 001), although both sexes increased their chocolate/sweets consumption: girls from 1 center dot 3 (95 % CI 1 center dot 3, 1 center dot 4) to 1 center dot 6 (95 % CI 1 center dot 5, 1 center dot 6) (P < 0 center dot 001) and boys from 1 center dot 4 (95 % CI 1 center dot 3, 1 center dot 4) to 1 center dot 6 (95 % CI 1 center dot 6, 1 center dot 7) (P < 0 center dot 001), and boys increased their soft drink consumption from 1 center dot 4 (95 % CI 1 center dot 3, 1 center dot 4) to 1 center dot 5 (95 % CI 1 center dot 4, 1 center dot 5) (P = 0 center dot 020). We found similar decreases in both the weight and waist subgroups. To conclude, the total frequency of consumption of sweet treats decreased during early adolescence. A similar trend across subgroups suggests that the frequency of consumption of sweet treats is unrelated to becoming overweight.

Summary Backgrounds & aims Intestinal microbiota may be causally involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to study the effect of short-term overfeeding on human gut microbiota in relation to baseline and overfeeding-induced liver steatosis. We also asked whether the baseline microbiota composition is associated to the overfeeding-induced increase in liver fat. Methods In a randomized trial, 38 overweight and obese subjects were assigned to consume an excess of 1000 kcal/day of diets rich in either saturated fat, unsaturated fat, or simple sugars for 3 weeks. Fasting blood samples and 1H-MR spectroscopy were used for extensive clinical phenotyping as previously reported (PMID: 29844096). Fecal samples were collected for the analysis of the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, imputed metagenomics and qPCR. Microbiota results were correlated with dietary intakes and clinical measurements before and during overfeeding. Results The overall community structure of the microbiota remained highly stable and personalized during overfeeding based on between-sample Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, but the relative abundances of individual taxa were altered in a diet-specific manner: overfeeding saturated fat increased Proteobacteria, while unsaturated fat increased butyrate producers. Sugar overfeeding increased Lactococcus and Escherichia coli. Imputed functions of the gut microbiota were not affected by overfeeding. Several taxa affected by overfeeding significantly correlated with the changes in host metabolic markers. The baseline levels of proteobacterial family Desulfovibrionaceae, and especially genus Bilophila, were significantly associated to overfeeding-induced liver fat increase independently of the diet arm. In general, limited overlap was observed between the overfeeding-induced microbiota changes and the liver fat-associated microbiota features at baseline. Conclusions Our work indicates that the human gut microbiota is resilient to short-term overfeeding on community level, but specific taxa are altered on diet composition-dependent manner. Generalizable microbiota signatures directly associated with liver steatosis could not be identified. Instead, the carriage of Bilophila was identified as a potential novel risk factor for diet-induced liver steatosis in humans. Clinical trial registry number: NCT02133144 listed on NIH website: ClinicalTrials.gov.

PurposeWe evaluated adherence to a gluten-free diet and associated factors in adult celiac disease patients diagnosed in childhood.MethodsComprehensive medical data on 955 pediatric celiac disease patients was collected and study questionnaires sent to 559 who were now adults. All variables were compared between strictly adherent and non-adherent patients.ResultsAltogether 237 adults (median age 27 years, 69% women) responded to the questionnaires a median of 18 (range 3–51) years after the childhood diagnosis. Altogether 78% were reportedly adherent and 22% non-adherent. The non-adherent patients had more concomitant type 1 diabetes (18% vs. 4%, p = 0.003), whereas the groups did not differ in demographic data or clinical and histological features at diagnosis, or in short-term dietary adherence. In adulthood, non-adherent patients found gluten-free diet more challenging (39% vs. 17%, p < 0.001) and had higher prevalence (39% vs. 19%, p = 0.004) and severity of symptoms. The main motivation factors for dietary adherence were attempts to avoid symptoms and complications, but these were considered less important and price of gluten-free products more important among non-adherent patients. Adherent and non-adherent patients did not differ in socioeconomic or lifestyle factors, comorbidities other than type 1 diabetes, self-reported general health, health concerns, follow-up, or in quality of life.ConclusionMost originally pediatric celiac disease patients reported strict dietary adherence in adulthood. However, particularly those with concomitant type 1 diabetes, persistent symptoms or financial issues may require attention during the transition from pediatric to adult care.

Background: Current evidence suggests that the composition of infant formula (IF) affects the gut microbiome, intestinal function, and immune responses during infancy. However, the impact of IF on circulating lipid profiles in infants is still poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate how extensively hydrolyzed IF impacts serum lipidome compared to conventional formula and (2) to associate changes in circulatory lipids with gastrointestinal biomarkers including intestinal permeability. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind controlled nutritional intervention study (n = 73), we applied mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to analyze serum lipids in infants who were fed extensively hydrolyzed formula (HF) or conventional, regular formula (RF). Serum samples were collected at 3, 9, and 12 months of age. Child’s growth (weight and length) and intestinal functional markers, including lactulose mannitol (LM) ratio, fecal calprotectin, and fecal beta-defensin, were also measured at given time points. At 3 months of age, stool samples were analyzed by shotgun metagenomics. Results: Concentrations of sphingomyelins were higher in the HF group as compared to the RF group. Triacylglycerols (TGs) containing saturated and monounsaturated fatty acyl chains were found in higher levels in the HF group at 3 months, but downregulated at 9 and 12 months of age. LM ratio was lower in the HF group at 9 months of age. In the RF group, the LM ratio was positively associated with ether-linked lipids. Such an association was, however, not observed in the HF group. Conclusion: Our study suggests that HF intervention changes the circulating lipidome, including those lipids previously found to be associated with progression to islet autoimmunity or overt T1D. Clinical Trial Registration: [Clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT01735123]. publishedVersion

The Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS (TM)) was developed as a clinical tool aimed at increasing the awareness of health care professionals for the presence and intensity of clinical manifestations possibly related to cow's milk (CM) intake. This review summarizes current evidence on CoMiSS. We found twenty-five original studies, one pooled analysis of three studies, and two reviews on CoMiSS. Infants exhibiting symptoms possibly related to CM, present with a higher median CoMiSS (6 to 13; 16 studies) than apparently healthy infants (median from 3 to 4; and mean 3.6-4.7; 5 studies). In children with cow's milk allergy (CMA), 11 studies found that a CoMiSS of >= 12 predicted a favorable response to a CM-free diet; however, sensitivity (20% to 77%) and specificity (54% to 92%) varied. The decrease of CoMiSS during a CM elimination diet was also predictive of a reaction to an oral food challenge to diagnose CMA. A low CoMiSS (

Introduction: The APOE ϵ4 allele predisposes to high cholesterol and increases the risk for lifestyle-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of this study was to analyse interrelationships of APOE genotypes with lipid metabolism and lifestyle factors in middle-aged Finns among whom the CVD risk factors are common. Methods: Participants (n = 211) were analysed for APOE ϵ genotypes, physiological parameters, and health- and diet-related plasma markers. Lifestyle choices were determined by a questionnaire. Results: APOE genotypes ϵ3/ϵ4 and ϵ4/ϵ4 (ϵ4 group) represented 34.1% of the participants. Genotype ϵ3/ϵ3 (ϵ3 group) frequency was 54.5%. Carriers of ϵ2 (ϵ2 group; ϵ2/ϵ2, ϵ2/ϵ3 and ϵ2/ϵ4) represented 11.4%; 1.9% were of the genotype ϵ2/ϵ4. LDL and total cholesterol levels were lower (p < 0.05) in the ϵ2 carriers than in the ϵ3 or ϵ4 groups, while the ϵ3 and ϵ4 groups did not differ. Proportions of plasma saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were higher (p < 0.01), and omega-6 fatty acids lower (p = 0.01) in the ϵ2 carriers compared with the ϵ4 group. The ϵ2 carriers had a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of 22:4n-6 and 22:5n-6 and a lower (p < 0.05) percentage of 24:5n-3 and 24:6n-3 than individuals without the ϵ2 allele. Conclusions: The plasma fatty-acid profiles in the ϵ2 group were characterized by higher SFA and lower omega-6 fatty-acid proportions. Their lower cholesterol values indicated a lower risk for CVD compared with the ϵ4 group. A novel finding was that the ϵ2 carriers had different proportions of 22:4n-6, 22:5n-6, 24:5n-3, and 24:6n-3 than individuals without the ϵ2 allele. The significance of the differences in fatty-acid composition remains to be studied. publishedVersion

Excess sugar consumption—common in youth—is associated with poor health. Evidence on the relationship between sugar consumption and the oral microbiome, however, remains scarce and inconclusive. We explored whether the diversity, composition, and functional capacities of saliva microbiota differ based on the consumption of select sugary foods and drinks (“sweet treats”). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized saliva microbiota from 11 to 13-year-old children who participated in the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin-HIT) cohort study. The sample comprised children in the lowest (n = 227) and highest (n = 226) tertiles of sweet treat consumption. We compared differences in the alpha diversity (Shannon, inverse Simpson, and Chao1 indices), beta diversity (principal coordinates analysis based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity), and abundance (differentially abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the genus level) between these low and high consumption groups. We performed PICRUSt2 to predict the metabolic pathways of microbial communities. No differences emerged in the alpha diversity between low and high sweet treat consumption, whereas the beta diversity differed between groups (p = 0.001). The abundance of several genera such as Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Selenomonas was higher in the high consumption group compared with the low consumption group following false discovery rate correction (p < 0.05). Children with high sweet treat consumption exhibited higher proportions of nitrate reduction IV and gondoate biosynthesis pathways compared with the low consumption group (p < 0.05). To conclude, sweet treat consumption shapes saliva microbiota. Children who consume a high level of sweet treats exhibited different compositions and metabolic pathways compared with children who consume low levels of sweet treats. Our findings reveal novel insights into the relationship between sugary diets and oral microbiota.

Purpose An optimal diet for lowering the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still to be defined, but may comprise of nutrient intakes, dietary patterns, diet quality, and eating frequency. This study was designed to investigate the contribution of diet in developing GDM in a comprehensive way. Methods The dietary intake of overweight or obese women, a risk group for GDM (n = 351), was assessed using 3-day food diaries and diet quality questionnaires in early pregnancy. Eating frequency and nutrient intakes were calculated, and dietary patterns identified using principal component analysis. The inflammatory potential of the diet was determined by calculating the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and energy-adjusted DII (E-DII™). GDM was diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 gestational weeks. Results Higher adherence to ‘healthier dietary pattern’ characterized by consumptions of vegetables and rye bread associated with a reduced risk of GDM (adjusted OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11–0.70). Higher E-DII score, indicating pro-inflammatory diet, was associated with a 27% higher risk of GDM (adjusted OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.08–1.49) for each E-DII point. In the evaluation of nutrient intakes, total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and trans fatty acids were higher and fiber lower in women developing GDM compared to women not developing GDM (all p p Conclusions The results emphasize the importance of an overall healthy diet and limitation of foods with SFAs, and other nutrients with a high inflammatory potential in reducing the risk of GDM. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01922791, August 14, 2013.

Correction: Volume13, Issue 8 Page: 4770-4770 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo90028a Published: APR 20 2022 Birch-derived glucuronoxylan (GX)-rich hemicellulose extract is an abundantly available by-product of the forest industry. It has multifunctional food stabilizing properties, and is rich in fiber and polyphenols. Here, we studied its effects on colonic metabolism and gut microbiota in healthy rats. Male and female Wistar rats (n = 42) were fed AIN-93G-based diets with 10% (w/w) of either cellulose (control), a polyphenol and GX-rich extract (GXpoly), or a highly purified GX-rich extract (pureGX) for four weeks. Both the GXpoly and pureGX diets resulted in changes on the gut microbiota, especially in a higher abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae than the cellulose containing diet (p < 0.001). This coincided with higher concentrations of microbial metabolites in the luminal contents of the GX-fed than control rats, such as total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (p < 0.001), acetate (p < 0.001), and N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) (p = 0.001). The difference in the concentration of NOCs was not seen when adjusted with fecal weight. GX supplementation supported the normal growth of the rats. Our results indicate that GXpoly and pureGX can favorably affect colonic metabolism and the gut microbiota. They have high potential to be used as prebiotic stabilizers to support more ecologically sustainable food production.

Both the liberation and stability of endogenous folate are relevant to the bioaccessibility of folate. Since folates are unstable, in addition to studying the natural folate content in foods, bioaccessibility should be considered. To understand folate changes during digestion, a mixture of standard folate compounds was subjected to a static in vitro gastrointestinal digestion assay. Next, different types of bread were analysed to study how food matrices influence folate bioaccessibility. Folates were identified and quantitated by a UHPLC-PDA/FL method. Folic acid and 10-formylfolic acid were stable throughout the digestion, and the conversions among formyl folates and 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate were triggered at the gastric phase. Tetrahydrofolate began to degrade during the oral phase and was lost completely during the gastric phase. During the intestinal phase, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate began to degrade and suffered a 60% loss. With bread matrices, folate conversions and the decrease of reduced folates were also common, but the extent of changes varied. Generally, rye breads had the highest (80–120%) bioaccessibility of folate, while oat breads had the lowest (31–102%). The high proportion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate could result in low bioaccessibility because of its relatively low stability during digestion in bread matrices. An increase in 10-formylfolic acid content was observed for all the breads, but 10-formyldihydrofolate seemed to be more stable in rye breads than in oat and wheat breads. The results showed that folates undergo significant changes during digestion and that food matrices could be modified to affect these changes towards better folate bioaccessibility.

Context Circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Objective We examined to what extent lifestyle intervention aiming to prevent T2D interacts with this association and how BCAA concentrations change during the intervention. Methods We computed trajectory clusters by k-means clustering of serum fasting BCAAs analyzed annually by mass spectrometry during a 4-year intervention. We investigated whether baseline BCAAs, BCAA trajectories, and BCAA change trajectories predicted T2D and whether BCAAs predicted T2D differently in the intervention (n = 198) and control group (n = 196). Results Elevated baseline BCAAs predicted the incidence of T2D in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05 per 10 μmol/L, P = 0.01), but not in the intervention group. BCAA concentration decreased during the first year in the whole cohort (mean −14.9 μmol/L, P Conclusion Lifestyle intervention modified the association of the baseline BCAA concentration and BCAA trajectories with the incidence of T2D. Our study adds to the accumulating evidence on the mechanisms behind the effect of lifestyle changes on the risk of T2D.

Background Integrated patterns of energy balance-related behaviours of preschool children in Asia are sparse, with few comparative analyses. Purpose Using cohorts in Singapore (GUSTO) and France (EDEN), we characterized lifestyle patterns of children and investigated their associations with family-focused contextual factors. Methods Ten behavioural variables related to child’s diet, walking, outdoor play and screen time were ascertained by parental questionnaires at age 5–6 years. Using principal component analysis, sex-specific lifestyle patterns were derived independently for 630 GUSTO and 989 EDEN children. Contextual variables were organised into distal (family socio-economics, demographics), intermediate (parental health, lifestyle habits) and proximal (parent-child interaction factors) levels of influence and analysed with hierarchical linear regression. Results Three broadly similar lifestyle patterns were identified in both cohorts: “discretionary consumption and high screen time”, “fruit, vegetables, and low screen time” and “high outdoor playtime and walking”. The latter two patterns showed small differences between cohorts and sexes. The “discretionary consumption and high screen time” pattern was consistently similar in both cohorts; distal associated factors were lower maternal education (EDEN boys), no younger siblings (GUSTO boys) and Malay/Indian ethnicity (GUSTO), while intermediate and proximal associated factors in both cohorts and sexes were poor maternal diets during pregnancy, parents allowing high child control over food intake, snacking between meals and having television on while eating. Conclusions Three similar lifestyle patterns were observed among preschool children in Singapore and France. There were more common associated proximal factors than distal ones. Cohort specific family-focused contextual factors likely reflect differences in social and cultural settings. Findings will aid development of strategies to improve child health.

The interest on the digestive fate of oleogels, i.e., substitutes for solid fats rich in liquid oil, have pushed re-searchers to use the widely adopted INFOGEST protocol for static in vitro digestion. However, this protocol was originally designed to simulate the digestibility of conventional foods and to accommodate the large fraction of oil in oleogels, researchers have deliberately modified the INFOGEST protocol, inadvertently leading to results difficult to be compared. In this study, we highlighted possible problems that may arise during oleogel simulated digestion such as under-or overestimation of oleogel lipolysis. The effect of oleogel amount, oleogelator type and concentration, and shear applied during digestion on the rate and extent of oleogel digestion was studied. The release of fatty acids during the application of INFOGEST protocol was monitored using the pH-stat method and compared to those analyzed by HPLC-ELSD. Oleogels' structural information was obtained using brightfield, polarized, and fluorescence microscopy, and DSC. We determined that lipolysis of ethylcellulose oleogels follow the "interaction with enzymes and bile salts " pattern, whereas that of wax oleogels follow the "disintegration of oleogel and interaction with enzymes and bile salts ". We also observed that the chemical composition of wax, crystal morphology, and crystal distribution do not alter the lipolysis of oil entrapped inside the wax crystals. We finally recommended a few minimal but fundamental modifications to the INFOGEST protocol to achieve more reliable results from the static in vitro digestion of oleogels and possibly other lipid-based systems.

BACKGROUND: n-3 and n-6 PUFAs have physiologic roles in sleep processes, but little is known regarding circulating n-3 and n-6 PUFA and sleep parameters. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess associations between biomarkers of n-3 and n-6 PUFA intake with self-reported sleep duration and difficulty falling sleeping in the Fatty Acids and Outcome Research Consortium. METHODS: Harmonized, de novo, individual-level analyses were performed and pooled across 12 cohorts. Participants were 35-96 y old and from 5 nations. Circulating measures included α-linolenic acid (ALA), EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), DHA, EPA + DPA + DHA, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid. Sleep duration (10 cohorts, n = 18,791) was categorized as short (≤6 h), 7-8 h (reference), or long (≥9 h). Difficulty falling asleep (8 cohorts, n = 12,500) was categorized as yes or no. Associations between PUFAs, sleep duration, and difficulty falling sleeping were assessed by cross-sectional multinomial logistic regression using standardized protocols and covariates. Cohort-specific multivariable-adjusted ORs per quintile of PUFAs were pooled with inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis. RESULTS: In pooled analysis adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and health status, participants with higher very long-chain n-3 PUFAs were less likely to have long sleep duration. In the top compared with the bottom quintiles, the multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for long sleep were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.95) for DHA and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.93) for EPA + DPA + DHA. Significant associations for ALA and n-6 PUFA with short sleep duration or difficulty falling sleeping were not identified. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with higher concentrations of very long-chain n-3 PUFAs were less likely to have long sleep duration. While objective biomarkers reduce recall bias and misclassification, the cross-sectional design limits assessment of the temporal nature of this relation. These novel findings across 12 cohorts highlight the need for experimental and biological assessments of very long-chain n-3 PUFAs and sleep duration.

Context and purpose There is an urgent need to develop vitamin D dietary recommendations for dark-skinned populations resident at high latitude. Using data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with vitamin D3-supplements/fortified foods, we undertook an individual participant data-level meta-regression (IPD) analysis of the response of wintertime serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) to total vitamin D intake among dark-skinned children and adults residing at ≥ 40° N and derived dietary requirement values for vitamin D. Methods IPD analysis using data from 677 dark-skinned participants (of Black or South Asian descent; ages 5-86 years) in 10 RCTs with vitamin D supplements/fortified foods identified via a systematic review and predefined eligibility criteria. Outcome measures were vitamin D intake estimates across a range of 25(OH)D thresholds. Results To maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 25 and 30 nmol/L in 97.5% of individuals, 23.9 and 27.3 µg/day of vitamin D, respectively, were required among South Asian and 24.1 and 33.2 µg/day, respectively, among Black participants. Overall, our age-stratified intake estimates did not exceed age-specific Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for vitamin D. The vitamin D intake required by dark-skinned individuals to maintain 97.5% of winter 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 50 nmol/L was 66.8 µg/day. This intake predicted that the upper 2.5% of individuals could potentially achieve serum 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 158 nmol/L, which has been linked to potential adverse effects in older adults in supplementation studies. Conclusions Our IPD-derived vitamin D intakes required to maintain 97.5% of winter 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 25, 30 and 50 nmol/L are substantially higher than the equivalent estimates for White individuals. These requirement estimates are also higher than those currently recommended internationally by several agencies, which are based predominantly on data from Whites and derived from standard meta-regression based on aggregate data. Much more work is needed in dark-skinned populations both in the dose-response relationship and risk characterisation for health outcomes. Trail registration PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Registration Number: CRD42018097260).

Objectives Anticholinergic burden defined by the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) has been associated with cognitive and functional decline. Associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to examine the association between anticholinergic burden and HRQoL among older people living in long-term care. Further, we investigated whether there is an interaction between ARS score and HRQoL in certain underlying conditions. Design and participants Cross-sectional study in 2017. Participants were older people residing in long-term care facilities (N=2474) in Helsinki. Measurements Data on anticholinergic burden was assessed by ARS score, nutritional status by Mini Nutritional Assessment, and HRQoL by the 15D instrument. Results Of the participants, 54% regularly used ARS-defined drugs, and 22% had ARS scores ≥2. Higher ARS scores were associated with better cognition, functioning, nutritional status and higher HRQoL. When viewing participants separately according to a diagnosis of dementia, nutritional status or level of dependency, HRQoL was lower among those having dementia, worse nutritional status, or being dependent on another person’s help (adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities). Significant differences within the groups according to ARS score were no longer observed. However, interactions between ARS score and dementia and dependency emerged. Conclusion In primary analysis there was an association between ARS score and HRQoL. However, this relationship disappeared after stratification by dementia, nutritional status and dependency. The reasons behind the interaction concerning dementia or dependency remain unclear and warrant further studies.

Background Obesity susceptibility genes are highly expressed in the brain suggesting that they might exert their influence on body weight through eating-related behaviors. Objectives To examine whether the genetic susceptibility to obesity is mediated by eating behavior patterns. Methods Participants were 3977 twins (33% monozygotic, 56% females), aged 31–37 y, from wave 5 of the FinnTwin16 study. They self-reported their height and weight, eating behaviors (15 items), diet quality, and self-measured their waist circumference (WC). For 1055 twins with genome-wide data, we constructed a polygenic risk score for BMI (PRSBMI) using almost 1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms. We used principal component analyses to identify eating behavior patterns, twin modeling to decompose correlations into genetic and environmental components, and structural equation modeling to test mediation models between the PRSBMI, eating behavior patterns, and obesity measures. Results We identified 4 moderately heritable (h2 = 36–48%) eating behavior patterns labeled “snacking,” “infrequent and unhealthy eating,” “avoidant eating,” and “emotional and external eating.” The highest phenotypic correlation with obesity measures was found for the snacking behavior pattern (r = 0.35 for BMI and r = 0.32 for WC; P < 0.001 for both), largely due to genetic factors in common (bivariate h2 > 70%). The snacking behavior pattern partially mediated the association between the PRSBMI and obesity measures (βindirect = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.09; P = 0.002 for BMI; and βindirect = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08; P = 0.003 for WC). Conclusions Eating behavior patterns share a common genetic liability with obesity measures and are moderately heritable. Genetic susceptibility to obesity can be partly mediated by an eating pattern characterized by frequent snacking. Obesity prevention efforts might therefore benefit from focusing on eating behavior change, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals.

Objectives This observational follow-up study investigated the associations of nutrition and body composition with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including pro-inflammatory biomarkers, in soldiers during a 6-month deployment. Material and Methods Thirty-five male soldiers were assessed at months 0, 3 and 6, and their parameters, i.e., M±SD, were as follows: age 30.0±8.7 years, height 179±6 cm, and BMI 24.2±2.5 kg/m 2 . Three-day food diaries were used for monitoring macronutrient intake. Body composition was estimated using bioimpedance. Fasting blood samples for lipids and pro-inflammatory biomarkers were collected, and blood pressure measurements were performed. Results Carbohydrate intake increased and protein intake decreased at month 3 (p = 0.034, p < 0.001), while body composition remained stable. Systolic blood pressure increased at month 6, while other CVD risk factors remained within the reference values. Fat mass and body fat percentage were associated positively with total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations at all measurement points. A negative association was found between the change in fiber intake vs. the change in total (r = –0.36, p = 0.033) and LDL cholesterol (r = –0.39, p = 0.019). Conclusions Lower fiber intake and a greater amount of body fat were associated with high total and LDL cholesterol concentrations. Nevertheless, the measured CVD risk factors remained within the reference values, except for the higher systolic blood pressure. A regular screening of body composition and a higher consumption of fiberrich foods may promote cardiometabolic health in soldiers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(4):457–66

Convincing evidence suggests that diets laden with added sugar, specifically sugar-sweetened beverages, associate with excess weight in children. The relationships between sugar consumption frequency and BMI remain less well studied. We, therefore, evaluated children's consumption frequency of selected sugary products (n8461; mean age 11 center dot 1 (sd0 center dot 9) years) selected from the Finnish Health in Teens cohort study. Using a sixteen-item FFQ including six sugary products (chocolate/sweets, biscuits/cookies, ice cream, sweet pastry, sugary juice drinks and sugary soft drinks), we calculated a Sweet Treat Index (STI) for the frequency of weekly sugary product consumption and categorised children based on quartiles (Q) into low (Q1, cut-off 10 center dot 5), and as thin, normal and overweight/obese based on the measured BMI. Through multinomial logistic regression analyses, we found that subjects with a high STI exhibited a higher risk of being thin (OR 1 center dot 20, 95 % CI 1 center dot 02, 1 center dot 41) and lower risk of being overweight (OR 0 center dot 79, 95 % CI 0 center dot 67, 0 center dot 92), while subjects with a low STI were at higher risk of being overweight (OR 1 center dot 32, 95 % CI 1 center dot 14, 1 center dot 53). High consumption frequencies of salty snacks, pizza and hamburgers most closely were associated with a high STI. Our findings suggest that consuming sugary products at a high frequency does not associate with being overweight. The relationship between a low consumption frequency and being overweight suggests that overweight children's consumption frequency of sugary products may be controlled, restricted or underreported.

Background & aims: Prognostic significance of metabolically healthy overweight and obesity (MHO) is under debate. However the relationship between MHO and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is less studied. We compared successful aging (longevity plus HRQoL) in men with MHO, metabolically healthy normal weight (MHN) and metabolically unhealthy overweight and obesity (MUO). Methods: In the Helsinki Businessmen Study longitudinal cohort, consisting of men born 1919 to 1934. In 1985/86, overweight (BMI >= 25 kg/m(2)) and metabolic health were determined in 1309 men (median age 60 years). HRQoL was assessed using RAND-36/SF-36 in 2000 and 2007, and all-cause mortality retrieved from registers up to 2018. The proportion of men reaching 90 years was also calculated. Results: Of the men, 469 (35.8%), 538 (41.1%), 276 (21.1%), and 26 (2.0%) were MHN, MHO, MUO and MUN, respectively. During the 32-year follow-up, 72.3% men died. With MHN as reference, adjusted hazard ratio with all-cause mortality was 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93 to 1.27) for MHO, and 1.18 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.47) for MUO. During follow-up, 273 men reached 90 years. With MHN as reference, adjusted odds ratio for MHO was 0.82 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.14) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.95) for MUO. Men in MHN group scored generally highest in RAND-36 HRQoL subscales in 2000 and 2007, of those significantly better in Physical functioning, Role physical, Role emotional, Bodily Pain, and General health sub-scales compared to MHO group in 2000. Conclusions: As compared to MHN, MHO in late midlife does not increase mortality, but impairs odds for successful aging. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.