Preventing diet induced disease: bioavailable nutrient-rich, low-energy-dense diets

Fish oil extracted from Coregonus peled improves obese phenotype and changes gut microbiota in a high-fat diet-induced mouse model of recurrent obesity

Recurrent obesity is rapidly emerging as a public health problem. Previous studies have confirmed that fish oil supplementation can alleviate obesity in mice; however, the effect of fish oil on recurrent obesity remains unclear. In the present study, the modulatory effects of fish oil extracted from Coregonus peled on the phenotypes and gut microbiota of recurrent obese mice were evaluated by MRI, OGTT, and bioinformatics analysis. We found that fish oil supplementation could significantly reduce the body weight gain, net weight gain, body fat distribution, and glucose tolerance. In addition, the composition and structure of gut microbiota were significantly shifted toward those of the control group by fish oil treatment. Moreover, the relative abundance of gut microbiota, such as Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidia, Lachnospiraceae, and Bifidobacterium, was markedly responding to the rapid dietary changes between fish oil and high-fat diet. Overall, our results confirmed that the alleviation of recurrent obesity using fish oil supplementation might be modulated by altering the hysteretic behavior and memory-like function of gut microbiota. We proposed that further studies are needed to elucidate the modulation mechanism.

A Review on Role of Microbiome in Obesity and Antiobesity Properties of Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics are now recognized for several health benefits and they have been recommended as a complementary therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders. Obesity is an altered health condition, which is a resultant of irregular energy intake and energy balance, changes in gut microbiota, and improper diet with the influence of genetic makeup and environmental factors. Several studies revealed the influence of probiotic supplementation on obesity-associated consequences in vitro, in vivo, and in human clinical studies. The current manuscript discussed the factors influencing the occurrence of obesity, the interplay between microbiome and obesity, the effect of the probiotic intervention on the health status of obese people, and possible mechanism of antiobesity activity of probiotics. The literature survey revealed that the antiobese activity of probiotics might be associated with their ability to alter the intestinal microbiota, remodeling of energy metabolism, alter the expression of genes related to thermogenesis, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism, and change the parasympathetic nerve activity. Further intense research is necessary to figure out the best probiotic or synbiotic mixture and optimum dosage and duration of the intervention to reduce obesity and prevent the recurring of obese condition.

Types of Carbohydrates Intake during Pregnancy and Frequency of a Small for Gestational Age Newborn: A Case-Control Study

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between consumption of different types of carbohydrates (CHO) during pregnancy and the risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) newborn. A retrospective matched case–control design was carried out with a total of 518 mother-offspring pairs. A total of 137 validated items were included in the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate crude odds ratios (cORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Having more than 75 g/day of brown bread showed an inverse association with SGA (aOR = 0.64, CI 0.43–0.96). In contrast, an intake of industrial sweets more than once a day (aOR = 2.70, CI 1.42–5.13), or even 2–6 times a week (aOR = 1.84, CI 1.20–2.82), increased the odds of having a SGA newborn. During pregnancy, the higher the increase of wholegrain cereal and bread, the lower the possibility of having a SGA newborn, but the opposite occurred with refined sugar products—just consuming industrial bakery products or pastries twice a week increased the odds of having an SGA infant. Case–control studies cannot verify causality and only show associations, which may reflect residual confusion due to the presence of unknown factors. It is possible that a high consumption of sugary foods is a marker of a generally poor lifestyle.

Re-embodying eating after surgery for oesophageal cancer: Patients' lived experiences of participating in an education and counselling nutritional intervention

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To provide in-depth insight into patients' lived experiences of participating in an education and counselling nutritional intervention after curative surgery for oesophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND

Surgery for oesophageal cancer carries a risk of malnutrition. The consequences of nutritional problems may lead to increased morbidity and mortality postoperatively and have consequences for convalescence, rehabilitation and quality of life.

DESIGN

Qualitative study based on a phenomenological approach. The theoretical framework was grounded in the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty.

METHODS

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 patients who participated in an education and counselling nutritional intervention after surgery for oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. Data were analysed according to the principles of Kvale and Brinkmann, and their three levels of interpretation were applied.

FINDINGS

The essence of experiencing the education and counselling nutritional intervention can be divided into three themes: embodied disorientation, living with increased attention to bodily functions and re-embodying eating.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients were living with increased attention to bodily functions and tried to find a balance between the task of eating and nutritional needs. Despite the embodied perceptions of alterations after oesophageal cancer surgery, the patients developed high levels of bodily awareness and skills in self-management. This process was characterised by reconnecting to the body and re-embodying eating. The intervention empowered the patients to regain some control of their own bodies in an effort to regain agency in their own lives.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

There is a need for systematic long-term follow-up after surgery for oesophageal cancer regarding nutrition. The findings of this study can inform future supportive nutrition care service development aimed at supporting patients to learn to eat sufficiently after oesophageal resection.

Obesity and microbiota: an example of an intricate relationship

It is widely accepted that metabolic disorders, such as obesity, are closely linked to lifestyle and diet. Recently, the central role played by the intestinal microbiota in human metabolism and in progression of metabolic disorders has become evident. In this context, animal studies and human trials have demonstrated that alterations of the intestinal microbiota towards enhanced energy harvest is a characteristic of the obese phenotype. Many publications, involving both animal studies and clinical trials, have reported on the successful exploitation of probiotics and prebiotics to treat obesity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these observed anti-obesity effects of probiotics and prebiotic therapies are still obscure. The aim of this mini-review is to discuss the intricate relationship of various factors, including diet, gut microbiota, and host genetics, that are believed to impact on the development of obesity, and to understand how modulation of the gut microbiota with dietary intervention may alleviate obesity-associated symptoms.

Preventative effect of Zingiber officinale on insulin resistance in a high-fat high-carbohydrate diet-fed rat model and its mechanism of action

Insulin resistance is a core component of metabolic syndrome and usually precedes the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We have examined the preventative effect of an ethanol extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale, Zingiberaceae) on insulin resistance in a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet-fed rat model of metabolic syndrome. The HFHC control rats displayed severe insulin resistance, whilst rats treated with ginger extract (200 mg/kg) during HFHC diet feeding showed a significant improvement of insulin sensitivity using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) after 10 weeks (p < 0.01). An in vitro mechanistic study showed that (S)-[6]-gingerol, the major pungent phenolic principle in ginger, dose-dependently (from 50 to 150 μM) increased AMPK α-subunit phosphorylation in L6 skeletal muscle cells. This was accompanied by a time-dependent marked increment of PGC-1α mRNA expression and mitochondrial content in L6 skeletal muscle cells. These results suggest that the protection from HFHC diet-induced insulin resistance by ginger is likely associated with the increased capacity of energy metabolism by its major active component (S)-[6]-gingerol.

Dietary habits and ageing in a sample of Italian older people

OBJECTIVES

To analyse dietary habits and explore the role of socioeconomic status in a sample of elderly Italians.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

306 elderly subjects aged 65 and over living in the Marche Region (Italy).

MEASUREMENTS

Assessment of dietary habits and life-style characteristics using a "Life-style questionnaire". Nutritional data collected by means of a 53-item "Frequency food questionnaire".

RESULTS

The study revealed differences in dietary patterns and food consumption. Age was negatively related to all food categories. Some socio-economic characteristics (level of education and economic status) were correlated with consumption of many foods, such ad Fish, Red Meat and Diary products. Between-the-sexes differences were also documented.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that the nutritional and dietary habits varied greatly within the sample investigated. The mapping of these dietary and nutritional patterns may be of value for future research in elderly populations, particularly those with low educational status and poor economic means. Conclusively, greater promotion of healthy dietary habits should be targeted towards elderly populations.

Gene expression profile change and associated physiological and pathological effects in mouse liver induced by fasting and refeeding

Food availability regulates basal metabolism and progression of many diseases, and liver plays an important role in these processes. The effects of food availability on digital gene expression profile, physiological and pathological functions in liver are yet to be further elucidated. In this study, we applied high-throughput sequencing technology to detect digital gene expression profile of mouse liver in fed, fasted and refed states. Totally 12162 genes were detected, and 2305 genes were significantly regulated by food availability. Biological process and pathway analysis showed that fasting mainly affected lipid and carboxylic acid metabolic processes in liver. Moreover, the genes regulated by fasting and refeeding in liver were mainly enriched in lipid metabolic process or fatty acid metabolism. Network analysis demonstrated that fasting mainly regulated Drug Metabolism, Small Molecule Biochemistry and Endocrine System Development and Function, and the networks including Lipid Metabolism, Small Molecule Biochemistry and Gene Expression were affected by refeeding. In addition, FunDo analysis showed that liver cancer and diabetes mellitus were most likely to be affected by food availability. This study provides the digital gene expression profile of mouse liver regulated by food availability, and demonstrates the main biological processes, pathways, gene networks and potential hepatic diseases regulated by fasting and refeeding. These results show that food availability mainly regulates hepatic lipid metabolism and is highly correlated with liver-related diseases including liver cancer and diabetes.

Food nanotechnology: water is the key to lowering the energy density of processed foods

It is crucial that emergent technologies create foods that help prevent the causal mechanisms of the diet induced disease epidemic. Food nanotechnology could create modem convenience foods that mimic and improve on the nutritional value of the most nutritious cooked wild foods for humans. Structuring a solid processed food similar to a celery stalk using self-assembled, water-filled, edible nanocells or nanotubes would substantially lower its energy density (<1.6 kcal g(-1)). Food technologists could harness the natural turgor force to produce a firm chocolate bar, biscuit or breakfast cereal with a good bite, without altering the appearance or taste of the product. Water carries flavour with few calories, and taste sensation per mouthful could be improved by processing food on the nanoscale to increase the surface area that is in contact with taste and smell receptors. The bioavailable nutrient content (including cofactors) of processed foods could be increased by existing bioactive nanoencapsulation. This would allow people to continue to consume modern convenience food on a mass scale, while simultaneously and significantly increasing nutrient intake and reducing energy intake per day. Thus, helping to reduce mental ill health, obesity and other postprandial insults.

FADS genetic variants and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in a homogeneous island population

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) orchestrate immunity and inflammation through their capacity to be converted to potent inflammatory mediators. We assessed associations of FADS gene cluster polymorphisms and fasting serum PUFA concentrations in a fully ascertained, geographically isolated founder population of European descent. Concentrations of 22 PUFAs were determined by gas chromatography, of which ten fatty acids and five ratios defining FADS1 and FADS2 activity were tested for genetic association against 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 224 individuals. A cluster of SNPs in tight linkage disequilibrium in the FADS1 gene (rs174537, rs174545, rs174546, rs174553, rs174556, rs174561, rs174568, and rs99780) were strongly associated with arachidonic acid (AA) (P = 5.8 x 10(-7) - 1.7 x 10(-8)) among other PUFAs, but the strongest associations were with the ratio measuring FADS1 activity in the omega-6 series (P = 2.11 x 10(-13) - 1.8 x 10(-20)). The minor allele across all SNPs was consistently associated with decreased omega-6 PUFAs, with the exception of dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid (DHGLA), where the minor allele was consistently associated with increased levels. Our findings in a geographically isolated population with a homogenous dietary environment suggest that variants in the Delta-5 desaturase enzymatic step likely regulate the efficiency of conversion of medium-chain PUFAs to potentially inflammatory PUFAs, such as AA.