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Calcaterra V, Cena H, Sottotetti F, Rossi V, Loperfido F, Zuccotti G. Breast and Formula Milk and Early Puberty Onset. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1686. [PMID: 37892349 PMCID: PMC10605833 DOI: 10.3390/children10101686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Nutrients have an enormous impact on many hormonal systems and aspects of health, and nutrition status is a crucial regulator of growth and pubertal development in children and adolescents. In this narrative review, we explore the connection between these feeding methods and the timing of puberty to provide a clearer understanding of how infant nutrition might contribute to the early development of puberty. Puberty is a key stage in the transition from childhood to adulthood and the timing of puberty represents a significant biological milestone of growth. Breast milk seems to have a pivotal role in puberty onset, mainly due to its dynamism, which shape indirectly the gut microbiota in early life, besides direct exposure of the baby to the milk microbiota through gut-breast axis. Concerning breast and formula milk and their effects on the onset of puberty, a protective role of the former occurs. As for the potential harmful effects of soy-based formulas and the isoflavones that they contain, the studies reported demonstrate conflicting opinions, underlining the need for further research on this topic. A healthy and well-nourished diet from the earliest stages of life has significant preventive potential for overall well-being, reducing the risk of many health problems later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Calcaterra
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (V.R.); (G.Z.)
| | - Hellas Cena
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.S.); (F.L.)
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, General Medicine, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Sottotetti
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.S.); (F.L.)
| | - Virginia Rossi
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (V.R.); (G.Z.)
| | - Federica Loperfido
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (F.S.); (F.L.)
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (V.R.); (G.Z.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
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Phytoestrogens and Health Effects. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020317. [PMID: 36678189 PMCID: PMC9864699 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytoestrogens are literally estrogenic substances of plant origin. Although these substances are useful for plants in many aspects, their estrogenic properties are essentially relevant to their predators. As such, phytoestrogens can be considered to be substances potentially dedicated to plant-predator interaction. Therefore, it is not surprising to note that the word phytoestrogen comes from the early discovery of estrogenic effects in grazing animals and humans. Here, several compounds whose activities have been discovered at nutritional concentrations in animals and humans are examined. The substances analyzed belong to several chemical families, i.e., the flavanones, the coumestans, the resorcylic acid lactones, the isoflavones, and the enterolignans. Following their definition and the evocation of their role in plants, their metabolic transformations and bioavailabilities are discussed. A point is then made regarding their health effects, which can either be beneficial or adverse depending on the subject studied, the sex, the age, and the physiological status. Toxicological information is given based on official data. The effects are first presented in humans. Animal models are evoked when no data are available in humans. The effects are presented with a constant reference to doses and plausible exposure.
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Calcaterra V, Verduci E, Magenes VC, Pascuzzi MC, Rossi V, Sangiorgio A, Bosetti A, Zuccotti G, Mameli C. The Role of Pediatric Nutrition as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Precocious Puberty. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:1353. [PMID: 34947884 PMCID: PMC8706413 DOI: 10.3390/life11121353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Puberty is a critical phase of growth and development characterized by a complex process regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Precocious puberty (PP) is defined as the appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered normal. The timing of puberty has important public health, clinical, and social implications. In fact, it is crucial in psychological and physical development and can impact future health. Nutritional status is considered as one of the most important factors modulating pubertal development. This narrative review presents an overview on the role of nutritional factors as determinants of the timing of sexual maturation, focusing on early-life and childhood nutrition. As reported, breast milk seems to have an important protective role against early puberty onset, mainly due to its positive influence on infant growth rate and childhood overweight prevention. The energy imbalance, macro/micronutrient food content, and dietary patterns may modulate the premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, inducing precocious activation of puberty. An increase in knowledge on the mechanism whereby nutrients may influence puberty will be useful in providing adequate nutritional recommendations to prevent PP and related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Calcaterra
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
- Pediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elvira Verduci
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Vittoria Carlotta Magenes
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Martina Chiara Pascuzzi
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Virginia Rossi
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Arianna Sangiorgio
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Alessandra Bosetti
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Mameli
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (V.C.); (V.C.M.); (M.C.P.); (V.R.); (A.S.); (A.B.); (G.Z.); (C.M.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
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