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Background Enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred method to extend nutritional support and mitigate the chances of malnutrition in patients who are critically ill. In these patients, the risk of hyperglycemia is high and can result in poor clinical outcomes and delayed recovery. Hence, estimation of the glycemic index (GI) of supplements used in EN becomes important to reduce all such risks. Objective To estimate the GI of a nutritional supplement formulated for critically ill patients during hospitalization and after recovery. Methods Ten healthy participants (mean age: 25 years; mean body mass index: 21 kg/m2) were included in the study. The test food was a high protein energy dense supplement, that derived 25 g of available carbohydrates which was fed to all the participants. The reference food used was 27.5 g of glucose monohydrate drink. Capillary blood glucose was measured at fasting (0 min) and at an interval of 15 min till 120 min, after consuming the reference and test food, for estimating the GI. Glycemic index values were computed by using the method suggested by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the the World Health Organization (WHO). Results The mean GI of the test food was 39 ± 3 when calculated using the internationally recognized GI protocol. Conclusion The GI of the test food was found to be in the category of low GI.

Malnutrition is a global concern since it affects 130 million children under the age of 5 worldwide. The child’s immunity is brutally compromised, making them susceptible to various diseases and infections, leading to a high mortality rate. Multiple strategies have been implemented to strengthen immunity in children with compromised immunity, such as rendering a balanced diet, fortifying food, dietary supplements, and introducing potential natural dietary fibers to maintain good nutrition status, such as β-glucan. A class of biologically active polysaccharides, sourced from yeast, mushroom, bacteria, and cereals with versatile immunomodulatory benefits that potentially primes the host immune system, drives several metabolic health effects, increases infection resistance, shields against the damaging effects of stress, and maintains healthy energy levels. This review focuses on the capabilities, underlying mechanisms, immune-stimulating potency, and clinically meaningful shreds of evidence to substantiate the multiple health benefits of β-glucan in children. Although, more clinical studies are required, current findings confirms the various biological response modifying abilities of β-glucan that may notably aid in the development of a strong immune system in children for their overall health and wellbeing.

Background. Foods rich in protein and dietary fibre could potentially improve lipid profile in overweight or obese diabetic patients with dyslipidemia and, thereby, mitigate their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, the effect of providing high-protein high-fibre (HPHF) nutritional supplement in addition to standard care of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on lipid profile was evaluated. Methods. In this open-label, parallel-arm, prospective, randomized study, a total of 100 overweight/obese participants with T2DM were randomized to either an intervention group (25 g HPHF nutritional supplement given twice daily along with a standard care of T2DM) or a control group (standard care of T2DM) for 24 weeks. Change from baseline in lipid parameters such as total cholesterol (TChol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) was assessed between the intervention and control group at week 12 and week 24. Participant compliance was assessed using the dietary 24-hour recall. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the main effects on within- and between-group changes from baseline to end of 24 weeks. Results. Participants in the HPHF nutritional supplement group showed a statistically significant improvement in HDL-C levels by the end of 24 weeks ( p = 0.04 ) and a significant increase in protein and total dietary fibre intake ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.00 , respectively) compared to the control group. The TChol/HDL-C ratio was significantly lower ( p = 0.03 ) in the HPHF group from baseline to 24 weeks. Conclusion. Twice-daily consumption of a HPHF nutritional supplement significantly improved HDL-C levels. Inclusion of the HPHF supplement would be a useful effective aid for managing dyslipidemia in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM.

Background: The major nutritional challenges faced by individuals with diabetes in South Asia is adhering to dietary advocacy and providing optimal nutrition with adequate protein and dietary fibre as they usually consume very high carbohydrate diet. This is particularly a concern in vegetarians. Aim: The objective of the study was to assess the Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Response (GR) of two different flavors of a plant based nutritional supplement specially designed with high protein and fibre. The subjective satiety was also assessed. Methods: In all, fifteen overweight/obese subjects aged 18-45 years were recruited. After overnight fasting, blood samples were drawn at -5 and 0 minutes. Test and reference food providing available carbohydrates of 25g each was consumed by the participants. The capillary blood samples were drawn at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Participants underwent 3 days of reference food testing and 1 day of test food test in random order with 2 days of wash out period. The GI was assessed using validated ISO, 2010 protocol. Satiety index was measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The dietary intake of the subjects for previous day and the test day was measured by 24-hour dietary recall. The Incremental Area Under the Curve (IAUC) was calculated using the trapezoid rule. The study was registered in the clinical trial registry of India, CTRI/2018/04/012979. Results: The GI and GR of both flavors of the supplement was categorized as low GI. The GI and GR of Flavor 1 was 27.3±4.8 and 16.4 ±2.6 (Mean ± SEM) respectively. For Flavor 2 the GI and GR was 36.7±4.4 and 25.7 ± 2.3 (Mean ± SEM). For Flavor 1, 60% of participants reported feeling hungry only after 3 hours, showing good satiety. Conclusion: The plant based high fibre high protein supplement, along with regular meal could help in reducing the postprandial glycemic response and improve satiety. Disclosure V. Mohan: None. V. Parthasarthy: None. R. Jeevan: None. G. Viswanathan: None. K. Vasudevan: None. G. Nagamuthu: None. G. Rajagopal: None. P. Karthikeyan: None. S. Shanmugam: None. R. Anjana: None. R. Unnikrishnan: None. S. Vasudevan: None. A. Toppo: Employee; Self; Dr. Reddys Laboratories. S. Mehta: Employee; Self; Dr. Reddys Laboratories. S.A. Acharya: Employee; Self; Dr. Reddys Laboratories. R.M. Bhoite: Employee; Self; Dr. Reddys Laboratories.