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Reduced appetite with ageing is a key factor that may increase risk of undernutrition. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of innovative plant protein fibre (PPF) products within a personalised optimised diet (PD), a physical activity (PA) programme, and their combination on appetite, and other nutritional, functional and clinical outcomes in community-dwelling older adults in a multi-country randomised controlled intervention trial. One hundred and eighty community-dwelling adults (approximately sixty per trial centre in Germany, Ireland and Italy) aged 65 years and over will be recruited to participate in a 12-week, parallel-group, controlled trial. Participants will be randomised into one of four groups: 1, PD (incorporating two PPF products): 2, PA; 3, PD + PA; and 4, no intervention (control). The primary outcome is appetite measured by visual analogue scales and energy intake from an ad libitum test meal. Secondary outcomes include fasting and postprandial appetite-related gut hormones, Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire score, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, physical function and PA. In addition, self-efficacy, cognitive status, dietary restraint, depressive symptoms and compliance and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed. Metabolomic profiles, RMR, muscle motor unit properties and gut microbiome will also be assessed to explore potential underlying mechanisms. This multi-centre randomised controlled trial will advance knowledge on how PD (incorporating PPF products), PA and their combination influence appetite, nutritional status and related health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults and contribute to the prevention of undernutrition. Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov Registry NCT05608707 (registered on 2 November 2022). Protocol Version: NCT05608707 Version 4 (registered on 29 September 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the biological signals associated with appetite control is crucial for understanding the regulation of food intake. Biomarkers of appetite have been defined as physiological measures that relate to subjective appetite ratings, measured food intake, or both. Several metabolites including amino acids, lipids and glucose were proposed as key molecules associated with appetite control over 60 years ago, and along with bile acids are all among possible appetite biomarker candidates. Additional metabolites that have been associated with appetite include endocannabinoids, lactate, cortisol and β-hydroxybutyrate. However, although appetite is a complex integrative process, studies often investigated a limited number of markers in isolation. Metabolomics involves the study of small molecules or metabolites present in biological samples such as urine or blood, and may present a powerful approach to further the understanding of appetite control. Using multiple analytical techniques allows the characterisation of molecules, such as carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, bile acids and fatty acids. Metabolomics has proven successful in identifying markers of consumption of certain foods and biomarkers implicated in several diseases. However, it has been underexploited in appetite control or obesity. The aim of the present narrative review is to: (1) provide an overview of existing metabolites that have been identified in human biofluids and associated with appetite control; and (2) discuss the potential of metabolomics to deepen understanding of appetite control in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the bioavailability of milk protein-derived bioactive peptides. It mentions the potential benefits of milk protein-derived peptides in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. It notes the identification of various peptides in the gastrointestinal tract and bloodstream after milk-protein ingestion. It outlines the active components and the mechanistic pathways involved in the benefits of milk proteins for the prevention and management of diabetes.

Although a number of studies have examined the role of gastric emptying (GE) in obesity, the influences of habitual physical activity level, body composition and energy expenditure (EE) on GE have received very little consideration. In the present study, we compared GE in active and inactive males, and characterised relationships with body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) and EE. A total of forty-four males (active n 22, inactive n 22; BMI 21–36 kg/m2; percentage of fat mass 9–42 %) were studied, with GE of a standardised (1676 kJ) pancake meal being assessed by the [13C]octanoic acid breath test, body composition by air displacement plethysmography, RMR by indirect calorimetry, and activity EE (AEE) by accelerometry. The results showed that GE was faster in active compared with inactive males (mean half-time (t1/2): active 157 (sd 18) and inactive 179 (sd 21) min, P< 0·001). When data from both groups were pooled, GE t1/2 was associated with percentage of fat mass (r 0·39, P< 0·01) and AEE (r − 0·46, P< 0·01). After controlling for habitual physical activity status, the association between AEE and GE remained, but not that for percentage of fat mass and GE. BMI and RMR were not associated with GE. In summary, faster GE is considered to be a marker of a habitually active lifestyle in males, and is associated with a higher AEE level and a lower percentage of fat mass. The possibility that GE contributes to a gross physiological regulation (or dysregulation) of food intake with physical activity level deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aimed to investigate (1) the accuracy of resting metabolic rate (RMR) prediction equations in female rugby players on a group and individual level; and (2) whether individual differences in the accuracy of prediction equations is associated with muscle damage or energy availability. RMR was assessed in 14 female provincial and club rugby players (Age: 20–34 years, FFM: 47–63 kg, FM: 15–37%) training a minimum of twice per week. Participants attended the laboratory following an overnight fast and having avoided strenuous exercise for 24 hours. RMR was measured over 30 minutes by indirect calorimetry, and taken as the 10 minutes with the lowest variation. Body composition was assessed by air displacement plethysmography, muscle damage indicated by creatine kinase (CK) and risk of low energy availability assessed by the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire. Accuracy of RMR prediction equations relevant to the general population and athletes were assessed including the Harris Benedict (1919), Cunningham (1980) and Ten Haaf FFM (2014) based equations. Measured RMR was 1748 ± 146 kcal/day (range: 1474–2010 kcal/day). Predicted RMR determined by the Harris-Benedict equation (1601 ± 120 kcal/day) was significantly lower than measured RMR (p < 0.001), whereas predicted RMR using the Cunningham (1753 ± 146 kcal/day, p = 0.89) and the Ten Haaf (1781 ± 115 kcal/day, p = 0.33) equations did not differ from measured RMR. On an individual level, 50% (n = 7), 86% (n = 12) and 79% (n = 11) of participants fell within 10% of the measured RMR value when RMR was predicted by Harris-Benedict, Cunningham and Ten Haaf equations respectively. CK values were 182 ± 155U/L (range: 25–490U/L). When correlations of the whole group were studied, the difference between predicted and measured RMR was not associated with CK (r = 0.13). However, in the two individuals who fell outside the 10% range of that predicted by the Cunningham equation, one above and one below, CK values were 428U/L and 166U/L respectively. Muscle damage (as indicated by a high CK value) could therefore be one potential explanation for the higher measured RMR in the individual who was above the Cunningham predicted value. In this cohort of female rugby players, the Cunningham equation showed the best accuracy on a group and individual level, suggesting this may be the most suitable prediction equation for this population. Further studies with larger sample sizes and investigating underlying reasons for why RMR measured values may differ from predicted values are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein supplementation represents an attractive strategy to prevent skeletal muscle mass loss and function with aging. However, it could be counterproductive in older adults, due to adverse effects on appetite and energy intake (EI). Understanding the effects of protein supplementation on appetite and energy intake is therefore key when investigating the potential efficacy for use in improving health outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess the literature investigating the effects of protein supplementation on energy intake, and/or appetite in healthy older adults. PubMed and The Cochrane Library, as well as MEDLINE, CINAHL, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases were searched up to 21 March 2019 for published studies and theses. The review was limited to randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies in healthy adults over 60 years of age that reported effects of protein supplementation compared to control or pre-intervention on appetite and/or energy intake. The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Out of 5,429 articles screened, 90 full-texts were reviewed and twenty-six studies (11 acute, 15 longitudinal) included. Studies involved a total of 1439 participants (502 male, 881 females). Of the acute studies, 3 reported conditions in which appetite was suppressed, 5 studies reported no effect and one study reported a condition in which appetite ratings increased following a protein load versus control. Three studies reported conditions in which ad libitum test meal EI was suppressed following protein preload and 7 reported no difference. When examining total EI (accounting for protein supplement and test meal), 2 studies reported no difference and 8 reported conditions where total EI was increased with protein supplement compared to control. Longitudinal studies ranged from 2–26 weeks duration. Two studies reported effects on appetite, one showing hunger to be suppressed on higher (1.0g/kg/d) compared to lower protein diet, and another showing hunger in response to whey consumption increased, but fullness also increased.14 studies reported effects on EI, most commonly assessed by food diary, and all showed no effect of increased protein intake compared to control on daily EI. The systematic review indicates that while appetite may be suppressed under some conditions, the current literature supports protein supplementation in older adults, as it either has a positive effect or no effect on total EI in both short and longer-term studies. Therefore, protein supplementation may represent an effective solution to address protein deficiencies in older adults without compromising daily EI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]