Search

Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease and a major public health concern due to its high prevalence and associated complications. Paradoxically, several studies have found that obesity might positively impact the prognosis of patients with certain existing chronic diseases, while some individuals with normal BMI may develop obesity-related complications. This phenomenon might be explained by differences in body composition, such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), total body fat (TBF), and fat-free mass (FFM). Indirect measures of body composition such as body circumferences, skinfold thicknesses, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices are useful clinically and in epidemiological studies but are often difficult to perform, time-consuming, or inaccurate. Biomedical imaging methods, i.e., computerized tomography scanners (CT scan), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide accurate assessments but are expensive and not readily available. Recent advancements in 3D optical image technology offer an innovative way to assess body circumferences and body composition, though most machines are costly and not widely available. Two-dimensional optical image technology might offer an interesting alternative, but its accuracy needs validation. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of 2D and 3D automated body scan devices in assessing body circumferences and body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow gait speed is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and higher rates of functional limitation and mortality in older adults, especially when combined with overweight or obesity. Aging is also associated with nutritional deficits. The aim of our study was to assess the potential association between dietary practice and gait speed performance in community-dwelling older adults with overweight and obesity. Participants underwent body composition measurement with the Tanita MC-780MA Bioimpedance Analyzer (BIA). Dietary patterns were assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire, and a dietary adequacy (DA) score system was constructed. The four-meter gait speed test was performed in order to assess gait speed. Of 222 participants, aged 67.6 ± 6.6 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 31.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2, 34.7% had reduced gait speed and lower DA compared to those with normal gait speed (2.99 ± 1.12 vs. 3.37 ± 1.07; p < 0.05). The DA score of participants with slower gait speed was more likely to fall below the median than that of participants with normal gait speed (70.1% vs. 51.7%; p < 0.05). Participants with slower gait speed were more likely to be nutritionally at risk of low DA (22.1% vs. 10.3%; p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for confounders, showed that the risk of having a slow gait speed was 75% lower among those with a higher DA score (OR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.11–0.53). Older adults with overweight or obesity in community dwellings might need to be supported with nutritional interventions that can improve their gait speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in modulating inflammatory and immune responses of their host. In recent years, the host-microbiota interface has gained relevance in understanding the development of many non-communicable chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, autoimmunity and neurodegeneration. Importantly, dietary fibre (DF) and associated compounds digested by the microbiota and their resulting metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), were significantly associated with health beneficial effects, such as via proposed anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, SCFA metabolic pathways are not fully understood. Major steps include production of SCFA by microbiota, uptake in the colonic epithelium, first-pass effects at the liver, followed by biodistribution and metabolism at the host's cellular level. As dietary patterns do not affect all individuals equally, the host genetic makeup may play a role in the metabolic fate of these metabolites, in addition to other factors that might influence the microbiota, such as age, birth through caesarean, medication intake, alcohol and tobacco consumption, pathogen exposure and physical activity. In this article, we review the metabolic pathways of DF, from intake to the intracellular metabolism of fibre-derived products, and identify possible sources of inter-individual variability related to genetic variation. Such variability may be indicative of the phenotypic flexibility in response to diet, and may be predictive of long-term adaptations to dietary factors, including maladaptation and tissue damage, which may develop into disease in individuals with specific predispositions, thus allowing for a better prediction of potential health effects following personalized intervention with DF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A balanced diet is an important lifestyle component and has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Objectives: To assess dietary intake of adult residents in Luxembourg taking part in two population-based cross-sectional studies (ORISCAV-LUX, 2007–2008 and ORISCAV-LUX 2, 2016–2017). Methods: Dietary intake of the study participants (1242 in 2007/08 and 1326 in 2016/17), 25–69 years old, were evaluated using food-frequency questionnaires (134 items in 2007/2008 and 174 items in 2016/2017) according to the French ANSES-CIQUAL food composition database. Both food-group- and nutrient-based analyses were conducted. Results: Dietary patterns in ORISCAV-LUX 2, 2016–2017, were characterized by an increase in the estimated marginal means (EMM) of the intake of energy, total fat, saturated fatty acids, alcohol, and decreased EMM of total carbohydrates, magnesium, and calcium compared to 2007/08. We also observed an increased EMM of the intake of protein-rich food items and ready-to-eat foods/fast foods, together with a decreased intake of grains, dairy products, and vegetables (all p-values <0.05, linear mixed models). The intake of most micronutrients was stable or slightly increased in ORISCAV-LUX 2 vs. ORISCAV-LUX, except for the drop in magnesium and calcium, and generally met recommendations, in particular, EFSA population reference intakes (PRI), except for vitamin D. Conclusions: Though most micronutrient recommendations were met, nutrient consumption in terms of high energy, total fat, and sodium, as well as low carbohydrates, were not aligned with recommendations for balanced eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apologize if the erroneous picture was conveyed that electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has no clinical application and cannot, due to technical limitations, be used to obtain valuable data on reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be linked to chronic diseases. 26927869 7 Mrakic-Sposta S., Gussoni M., Montorsi M., Porcelli S., Vezzoli A. Assessment of a Standardized ROS Production Profile in Humans by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. Common and Novel Markers for Measuring Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Ex Vivo in Research and Clinical Practice - Which to Use Regarding Disease Outcomes?. [Extracted from the article]

Many chronic conditions such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type-2 diabetes, obesity, peripheral/coronary artery disease and auto-immune diseases are associated with low-grade inflammation. Closely related to inflammation is oxidative stress (OS), which can be either causal or secondary to inflammation. While a low level of OS is physiological, chronically increased OS is deleterious. Therefore, valid biomarkers of these signalling pathways may enable detection and following progression of OS/inflammation as well as to evaluate treatment efficacy. Such biomarkers should be stable and obtainable through non-invasive methods and their determination should be affordable and easy. The most frequently used inflammatory markers include acute-phase proteins, essentially CRP, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen and procalcitonin, and cytokines, predominantly TNFα, interleukins 1β, 6, 8, 10 and 12 and their receptors and IFNγ. Some cytokines appear to be disease-specific. Conversely, OS—being ubiquitous—and its biomarkers appear less disease or tissue-specific. These include lipid peroxidation products, e.g., F2-isoprostanes and malondialdehyde, DNA breakdown products (e.g., 8-OH-dG), protein adducts (e.g., carbonylated proteins), or antioxidant status. More novel markers include also –omics related ones, as well as non-invasive, questionnaire-based measures, such as the dietary inflammatory-index (DII), but their link to biological responses may be variable. Nevertheless, many of these markers have been clearly related to a number of diseases. However, their use in clinical practice is often limited, due to lacking analytical or clinical validation, or technical challenges. In this review, we strive to highlight frequently employed and useful markers of inflammation-related OS, including novel promising markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) was announced as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Challenges arise concerning how to optimally support the immune system in the general population, especially under self-confinement. An optimal immune response depends on an adequate diet and nutrition in order to keep infection at bay. For example, sufficient protein intake is crucial for optimal antibody production. Low micronutrient status, such as of vitamin A or zinc, has been associated with increased infection risk. Frequently, poor nutrient status is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn can impact the immune system. Dietary constituents with especially high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity include vitamin C, vitamin E, and phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols. Several of these can interact with transcription factors such as NF-kB and Nrf-2, related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, respectively. Vitamin D in particular may perturb viral cellular infection via interacting with cell entry receptors (angiotensin converting enzyme 2), ACE2. Dietary fiber, fermented by the gut microbiota into short-chain fatty acids, has also been shown to produce anti-inflammatory effects. In this review, we highlight the importance of an optimal status of relevant nutrients to effectively reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby strengthening the immune system during the COVID-19 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]