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The Mediterranean diet (MD) has beneficial effects on the intestinal microbiota by the promotion of bacteria associated with a healthy gut. However, its impact on intestinal fungi, among others, is still unknown, and how it affects digestive symptoms and different biomarkers in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders has hardly been explored. The present study evaluated the effect of the MD on gut microbial diversity and structure and intestinal symptoms and biomarkers after 6 weeks of dietary intervention in 46 patients with GI disorders. Dysbiosis in fungal composition and diversity was observed, with a significantly lower abundance of Sordariomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Orbiliomycetes; a significantly higher abundance of Saccharomycetes; the Chytridiomycota and Mucoromycota phyla were significantly reduced; and the bacterial microbiota remained unchanged. In addition, various GI disorders decreased and associations between stool consistency and intestinal permeability were found with the bacterial genera Alistipes and Roseburia. Thus, the data suggest that MD can alter the fungal intestinal microbiota and improve GI disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydration status plays a key role in healthy ageing, and it is potentially affected by several factors, including drug consumption. However, research on this issue to date is scarce, especially in highly vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. We aimed to study the relationship linking hydration status, analysed by means of a validated questionnaire, 24 h urine analysis, body composition assessment, and drug consumption in a sample of old adults. A total of 144 elders were included in the study. Cardiovascular drug consumption was significantly associated with a lower water intake in men (β = −0.282, p = 0.029). Moreover, urinary analysis revealed that total drug intake as well as the consumption of diuretics and cardiovascular drugs were associated with poorer hydration status, whereas genito-urinary drugs were associated with an opposite effect, and these results were confirmed in terms of body composition. Hence, total drug consumption (β = −0.205), diuretic (β = −0.408), cardiovascular (β = −0.297), and genito-urinary drugs (β = 0.298) were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with total body water. The obtained results confirmed the impact of chronic treatment with certain drugs on hydration status. Nutritional interventions may be of great interest in certain population groups in order to prevent complications due to altered hydration status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As gluten may trigger gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs), its presence or absence in the diet can change the diversity and proportion of gut microbiota. The effects of gluten after six weeks of a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention with a gluten-free diet (GFD) were studied in participants with GIDs suffering from migraines and atopic dermatitis (n = 46). Clinical biomarkers, digestive symptoms, stool, the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire, and zonulin levels were analyzed. Next-generation sequencing was used to amplify the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of fungi. The GFD increased Chao1 fungal diversity after the intervention, while the fungal composition showed no changes. Bacterial diversity and composition remained stable, but a positive association between bacterial and fungal Chao1 diversity and a negative association between Dothideomycetes and Akkermansia were observed. GIDs decreased in both groups and migraines improved in the placebo group. Our findings may aid the development of GID treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Introduction: malnutrition is a global problem. In developed countries, malnutrition due to alterations in the population's eating habits or the presence of disease cannot be ignored, and affects hospitalized patients in particular. Objective: to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk upon admission to Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain). Methods: this was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study. From September 2017 to October 2018 all patients admitted to hospital who met the selection criteria were assessed for nutritional status using the NRS-2002® test. Anthropometric and clinical data were collected from patients at nutritional risk (NRS-2002® score ≥ 3). The malnutrition observed was diagnosed according to type and severity, and nutritional indications were given, which were recorded in the report to the clinician and in the discharge report. Results: a total of 476 patients took the NRS-2002® test, which detected risk of malnutrition upon admission in 137 (28.8 %; 95 % CI: 24.8 % to 33.0 %). Average BMI (SD) was 24.6 (5.4) kg/m2. The dietitian-nutritionist recommended nutritional supplementation for 78.4 % of patients, and coding of nutritional status (ICD-10) for 82.1 %. In the discharge report, more than 70 % of these recommendations were omitted. Conclusions: in all, 28.8 % of the patients analyzed were at risk of malnutrition or undernourished on admission. Hospital malnutrition continues to be a problem, so it is vitally important that screening methods be included at admission to allow early nutritional intervention in hospitalized patients, and that trained healthcare personnel be incorporated to this end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fasting may be effective for reducing weight and improving health. We analysed the effect of a Mediterranean diet intervention, with a 5-day semi-fast, on inflammation, blood lipids and carbohydrate metabolism in overweight type II (BMI>27-30) or obesity (BMI>30-40). Glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-/LDL-cholesterol, albumin, AST-GOT, ALT-SGTP, C-reactive protein, insulin, IGF-1, T3, T4 and TSH were monitored, during a 6-week period, in 42 subjects with overweight type-II/obesity, between the ages of 30-65. Glucose, triglycerides, insulin, AST, IGF-1 and T3 values were not significantly decreased (p>0.05) during fasting and non-fasting diets, while albumin and T4 increased in both groups. C-reactive protein decreased significantly when fasting but increased when not. Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and ALT (p<0.05) were significantly decreased after fasting. Significant differences (p>0.05) were found for total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and TSH in the Control group. Fasting resulted in greater insulin sensitivity and reduced levels of body fat, IGF-I, insulin, glucose, atherogenic lipids and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: metabolic syndrome comprises a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is associated with it. Objective: to evaluate the effect of supplementation with S-adenosyl-L-methionine + N-acetylcysteine + thioctic acid + vitamin B6 (MetioNac®) for 3 months on lipidic and biochemical parameters in subjects with metabolic syndrome and at risk of MAFLD. The reduction in body weight and the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also evaluated. Methods: patients with metabolic syndrome, at risk of MAFLD (FIB-4 < 1.30), and with an indication for weight reduction were recruited (n = 15). Control group followed a semipersonalized Mediterranean diet (MD) for weight reduction, according to the recommendations of the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO). Experimental group, in addition to the MD, took three capsules of MetioNac® supplement per day. Results: compared with the control group, subjects taking MetioNac® showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the levels of TG and VLDL-c, as well as in total cholesterol, LDL-c, and glucose levels. They also showed increased levels of HDL-c. Levels of AST and ALT decreased after the intervention with MetioNac®, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Weight loss was observed in both groups. Conclusion: supplementation with MetioNac® may be protective against hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and overweight among metabolic syndrome patients. Further studies on this issue are needed in a larger population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibromyalgia syndrome is defined as chronic widespread pain and tenderness. It is associated with fatigue, sleep disorder, functional somatic syndromes, mental and physical disorders, as well as disability and diminished quality of life. We aimed to analyse the effects of an olive tree-based supplement and a gluten-free, FODMAP and low histamine diet (IGUBAC-Diet®), with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, in women with fibromyalgia. A randomized, controlled, clinical trial, with 31 women (55.87±11.86 years) diagnosed with fibromyalgia was conducted in 2016. Chronic Pain Grade Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Fatigue Severity and Impact Scale were used. Anthropometric parameters and symptoms progression were measured before and after two months of treatment with olive tree-based supplement and IGUBAC-Diet®. Other secondary outcome measures include blood biochemical analysis. Patients improved Chronic Pain Grade Scale scores after intervention and all groups experienced a reduction in the perception of pain catastrophizing. Positive changes were found all groups for Fatigue Severity Scale, but not for Fatigue Impact Scale scores. Significant variations (p < 0.05) were observed in symptoms frequency. The olive tree-based food supplement and the gluten-free, FODMAP and low histamine diet had beneficial effects on the intensity of fibromyalgia symptoms. This short-time strategy may be used to improve fibromyalgia patient's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional constipation includes a set of gastrointestinal symptoms unexplainable by an identifiable underlying physical cause or pathology. The prevalence of this condition is high and there is a need to develop strategies to reduce it. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may be an alternative treatment for chronic functional constipation., Methods: To compare the efficacy of dietary supplementation on symptoms of patients who suffer from chronic functional constipation. An exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial was conducted with 74 patients diagnosed with chronic functional constipation who were divided into four treatment groups-Group A: probiotics; Group B: prebiotics; Group C: synbiotics; Group D: placebo. Each patient was treated for 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of treatment, data were collected by administering questionnaires and scales, including the Bristol stool scale, on gastrointestinal symptoms, bowel movements, and sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics., Results: Stool frequency increased in all four study groups, and greatest difference was observed in the synbiotics group (2.8 ± 1.3 vs. 5.9 ± 2.6; P  < 0.001). Stool consistency improved only in the active treatment groups. Based on the evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms, participants treated with prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics showed the greatest improvement in abdominal pain (8.28 ± 2.63 vs. 6.56 ± 2.62; P  = 0.009), gastroesophageal reflux (4.60 ± 2.66 vs. 3.45 ± 2.42; P  = 0.039) and constipation symptoms (13.00 ± 3.97 vs. 8.71 ± 3.35; P  = 0.003), respectively. As for quality of life, the main changes were observed in physical health domains, with a placebo effect., Conclusions: The present study provides evidence supporting the efficacy of dietary supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in patients with chronic functional constipation after 8 weeks of treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this study., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press and Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.)

Background and Aim: reduced intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) is useful to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, there is no consensus on which foods should be included in the FODMAP list as FODMAP profile characterization is lacking for many different foods. This study aimed to emphasize the need for a unified FODMAP list to prevent patient confusion. We hypothesized that FODMAP lists do not include all products that may contain high levels of FODMAPs., Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scielo, and Cochrane were searched to identify food composition tables, reviews, food analysis publications, laboratory analyses, and clinical trials containing FODMAP lists., Results: of 1,308 articles identified, 10 were selected; 22.6 % of the 204 foods listed were classified differently among studies. This included almonds, avocados, banana, broccoli, soft cheese, eggplant, and walnuts. Nutritional guidance may be taken from existing FODMAP-related literature, but the information given is not always consistent., Conclusion: Unvarying lists of low FODMAP foods should be compiled to provide patients with accurate information on FODMAP dieting.

Introduction: Introduction: malnutrition is a global problem. In developed countries, malnutrition due to alterations in the population's eating habits or the presence of disease cannot be ignored, and affects hospitalized patients in particular. Objective: to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk upon admission to Hospital General Nuestra Señora del Prado in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain). Methods: this was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study. From September 2017 to October 2018 all patients admitted to hospital who met the selection criteria were assessed for nutritional status using the NRS-2002® test. Anthropometric and clinical data were collected from patients at nutritional risk (NRS-2002® score ≥ 3). The malnutrition observed was diagnosed according to type and severity, and nutritional indications were given, which were recorded in the report to the clinician and in the discharge report. Results: a total of 476 patients took the NRS-2002® test, which detected risk of malnutrition upon admission in 137 (28.8 %; 95 % CI: 24.8 % to 33.0 %). Average BMI (SD) was 24.6 (5.4) kg/m2. The dietitian-nutritionist recommended nutritional supplementation for 78.4 % of patients, and coding of nutritional status (ICD-10) for 82.1 %. In the discharge report, more than 70 % of these recommendations were omitted. Conclusions: in all, 28.8 % of the patients analyzed were at risk of malnutrition or undernourished on admission. Hospital malnutrition continues to be a problem, so it is vitally important that screening methods be included at admission to allow early nutritional intervention in hospitalized patients, and that trained healthcare personnel be incorporated to this end.