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Jakobi B, Cimetti C, Mulder D, Vlaming P, Franke B, Hoogman M, Arias-Vasquez A. The Role of Diet and the Gut Microbiota in Reactive Aggression and Adult ADHD-An Exploratory Analysis. Nutrients 2024; 16:2174. [PMID: 39064617 PMCID: PMC11279949 DOI: 10.3390/nu16142174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, of-ten persistent into adulthood and accompanied by reactive aggression. Associations of diet and the gut-microbiome with ADHD as well as emotional behaviors suggest potential clinical rele-vance of both. However, studies on diet and the gut-microbiome in human reactive aggression are lacking, and should investigate the interaction between diet and the gut-microbiome leading to behavioral changes to assess their potential clinical relevance. In this study, we investigated the interaction of diet and gut-microbiota with adult ADHD and reactive aggression in 77 adults with ADHD and 76 neurotypical individuals. We studied the relationships of ADHD and reactive ag-gression with dietary patterns, bacterial community and taxonomic differences of 16S-sequenced fecal microbiome samples, and potential mediating effects of bacterial genus abundance on signifi-cant diet-behavior associations. The key findings include: (1) An association of high-energy intake with reactive aggeression scores (pFDR = 4.01 × 10-02); (2) Significant associations of several genera with either reactive aggression or ADHD diagnosis with no overlap; and (3) No significant mediation effects of the selected genera on the association of reactive aggression with the high-energy diet. Our results suggest that diet and the microbiome are linked to reactive aggression and/or ADHD individually, and highlight the need to further study the way diet and the gut-microbiome inter-act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babette Jakobi
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Cimetti
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Danique Mulder
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Priscilla Vlaming
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martine Hoogman
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Arias-Vasquez
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (B.J.); (C.C.); (D.M.); (P.V.); (B.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Logan AC, D'Adamo CR, Pizzorno JE, Prescott SL. "Food faddists and pseudoscientists!": Reflections on the history of resistance to ultra-processed foods. Explore (NY) 2024; 20:470-476. [PMID: 38176973 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The term 'ultra-processed food' emerged in the 1980s, mostly used in reference to highly-processed convenience foods and snacks, often energy-dense, poor in nutrients, and inclusive of various synthetic additives such as emulsifiers, colors, artificial sweeteners, and/or flavor enhancers. Concern over such foods was part of the growing holistic and environmental health movements of the 1970-80s; yet, those who raised alarm about the encroachment of ultra-processed foods were often labeled, especially by industry and their powerful allies, as 'food faddists' and 'pseudoscientists'. Today, the topic of ultra-processed foods is generating massive personal, public, and planetary health interest. However, other than discussing the history of the NOVA food classification system, a useful tool that has allowed researchers to more accurately separate foods based on processing, most lay media and academic articles are ahistorical. That is, there is a tendency to present the term ultra-processed food(s) as a relatively new entrance into the lexicon, and by default, the idea that health-related pushback on ultra-processed foods is a relatively new phenomenon. This omission overlooks decades of determined advocacy and clinical work, much of it by pioneers within the holistic medicine (now integrative, functional, and lifestyle medicine) movement. Here in this reflection paper, the authors will use historical research and reporting to fill in the historical gap and articulate the saliency of why it matters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
| | - Christopher R D'Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | | | - Susan L Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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Prescott SL, Logan AC, D’Adamo CR, Holton KF, Lowry CA, Marks J, Moodie R, Poland B. Nutritional Criminology: Why the Emerging Research on Ultra-Processed Food Matters to Health and Justice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:120. [PMID: 38397611 PMCID: PMC10888116 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
There is mounting concern over the potential harms associated with ultra-processed foods, including poor mental health and antisocial behavior. Cutting-edge research provides an enhanced understanding of biophysiological mechanisms, including microbiome pathways, and invites a historical reexamination of earlier work that investigated the relationship between nutrition and criminal behavior. Here, in this perspective article, we explore how this emergent research casts new light and greater significance on previous key observations. Despite expanding interest in the field dubbed 'nutritional psychiatry', there has been relatively little attention paid to its relevancy within criminology and the criminal justice system. Since public health practitioners, allied mental health professionals, and policymakers play key roles throughout criminal justice systems, a holistic perspective on both historical and emergent research is critical. While there are many questions to be resolved, the available evidence suggests that nutrition might be an underappreciated factor in prevention and treatment along the criminal justice spectrum. The intersection of nutrition and biopsychosocial health requires transdisciplinary discussions of power structures, industry influence, and marketing issues associated with widespread food and social inequalities. Some of these discussions are already occurring under the banner of 'food crime'. Given the vast societal implications, it is our contention that the subject of nutrition in the multidisciplinary field of criminology-referred to here as nutritional criminology-deserves increased scrutiny. Through combining historical findings and cutting-edge research, we aim to increase awareness of this topic among the broad readership of the journal, with the hopes of generating new hypotheses and collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
| | - Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kathleen F. Holton
- Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| | - John Marks
- Department of Criminal Justice, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, Alexandria, LA 71302, USA;
| | - Rob Moodie
- School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Blake Poland
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5R 0A3, Canada;
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Prescott SL, D’Adamo CR, Holton KF, Ortiz S, Overby N, Logan AC. Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6461. [PMID: 37569002 PMCID: PMC10419141 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Global food systems are a central issue for personal and planetary health in the Anthropocene. One aspect of major concern is the dramatic global spread of ultra-processed convenience foods in the last 75 years, which is linked with the rising human burden of disease and growing sustainability and environmental health challenges. However, there are also calls to radically transform global food systems, from animal to plant-derived protein sources, which may have unintended consequences. Commercial entities have moved toward this "great plant transition" with vigor. Whether motivated by profit or genuine environmental concern, this effort has facilitated the emergence of novel ultra-processed "plant-based" commercial products devoid of nutrients and fiber, and sometimes inclusive of high sugar, industrial fats, and synthetic additives. These and other ingredients combined into "plant-based" foods are often assumed to be healthy and lower in calorie content. However, the available evidence indicates that many of these products can potentially compromise health at all scales-of people, places, and planet. In this viewpoint, we summarize and reflect on the evidence and discussions presented at the Nova Network planetary health meeting on the "Future of Food", which had a particular focus on the encroachment of ultra-processed foods into the global food supply, including the plant-sourced animal protein alternatives (and the collective of ingredients therein) that are finding their way into global fast-food chains. We contend that while there has been much uncritical media attention given to the environmental impact of protein and macronutrient sources-meat vs. novel soy/pea protein burgers, etc.-the impact of the heavy industrial processing on both human and environmental health is significant but often overlooked, including effects on cognition and mental health. This calls for a more nuanced discourse that considers these complexities and refocuses priorities and value systems towards mutualistic solutions, with co-benefits for individuals, local communities, and global ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kathleen F. Holton
- Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Selena Ortiz
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Nina Overby
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Centre for Lifecourse Nutrition, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway;
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (C.R.D.); (A.C.L.)
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