BackgroundVarious special diets have become increasingly common. However, their prevalence and significance in patients with celiac disease (CeD) who already adhere to a gluten-free diet (GFD) are unclear.AimWe studied the abovementioned aspects in youth with CeD and controls.Methods210 patients and 212 controls, all adolescents and young adults with comparable age 16-30 years, completed an anonymous survey. Variables were compared between CeD patients with and without additional dietary restriction.ResultsOverall, 53% of CeD patients and 81% of controls were students and 41% vs. 18% working. One-third of patients and controls reported adhering to special diets, particularly a vegetarian/vegan diet (9%/14%), an allergy diet (8%/7%), and a diet for irritable bowel syndrome (7%/8%). Patients with and without an additional diet besides a GFD were comparable in terms of sex, current age, age at diagnosis, body mass index, student/employment status, physical activity, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco. However, those following only a GFD reported fewer gastrointestinal symptoms at diagnosis (58% vs. 75%, p = 0.021) and fewer challenges with school and workplace meals (27% vs. 39%, p = 0.020) than those with another restrictive diet. Altogether 11% reported difficulties combining GFD and other diet, but there were no differences in adherence (91% vs. 93%, p = 0.705), persistent symptoms, health concerns, or well-being.ConclusionOne-third of CeD patients followed additional special diets, similar to the controls. While additional restrictions may not necessarily compromise well-being or treatment success, including GFD adherence and symptom resolution, they posed challenges that underline the need to consider them in CeD management.
BackgroundDespite potential effects of cheese and low-fat dairy products, including cottage cheese, on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), evidence on high- and low-fat cheese consumption by fat content and type and its association with T2DM remains limited.AimIn this study, we explored associations between low- and high-fat fresh cheese consumption, including cottage and cream cheese, with T2DM and related biomarkers.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2331 participants from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and examined cheese intake (assessed via a food frequency questionnaire) in relation to T2DM status and biomarkers (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], fasting glucose, insulin, and vitamin D) using multivariate regression models adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary covariates.SummaryAlthough associations between cheese consumption and T2DM prevalence were attenuated after adjustment for dietary variables, cream cheese consumption showed a nonlinear association with outcomes, whereas low-fat cheese, including cottage cheese, was not significantly associated with T2DM. Cheese consumption was associated with favorable glycemic biomarker profiles and higher vitamin D levels in the multivariate models. Low-fat cheese consumption, including cottage cheese, inversely correlated with HbA1c and directly with vitamin D levels, whereas cream cheese showed a nonlinear pattern across intake frequencies. These findings suggest that associations with glycemic outcomes may differ by cheese type rather than fat content alone. However, due to the cross-sectional design and qualitative dietary assessment, causality cannot be inferred. Further studies are needed to clarify these relationships.
BackgroundThe Japanese diet is known for its nutritional benefits. However, its Westernization may have partially contributed to the increased incidence of lifestyle-related diseases in Japan. A previous study fed the senescence-accelerated mice with Japanese foods based on the weekly menus from the years 1960, 1975, 1990, and 2005. Mice fed with the 1975-type diet lived longer and maintained cognitive capacities better than mice fed with the other diets.AimWe analyzed the average nutritional intake in relation to cause-specific mortality rates in Japan from 1955 to 2023 to investigate whether the 1975-type Japanese diet has the optimal nutritional composition for healthy aging and longevity. We also compared the composition of food groups in the Japanese diet of 1960, 1975, 1990, and 2005.MethodsThe daily average nutritional intake data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan. The cause-specific mortality rate data were obtained from the Vital Statistics of Japan.SummaryIncreasing protein and fat consumption was positively correlated with malignant neoplasm- and cardiac disease-specific mortality rates, and negatively correlated with cerebrovascular disease-specific mortality rate. The macronutrient composition of the 1975-type Japanese diet may be within the optimal range to suppress these lifestyle-related diseases. It also increased fruit and vegetable consumption while maintaining the high consumption of traditional foods such as fish, soybeans, and algae, which are suggested to have health and cognitive benefits. Experimental, biochemical, and epidemiological evidence suggests the potential relevance of the 1975-type Japanese diet to healthy aging and longevity.
BackgroundExposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is linked to reduced fetal growth, yet little is known about potentially modifiable factors that may mitigate these harmful effects.AimIn this study, we assessed whether prenatal dietary factors, including folate, vitamin D, and dietary inflammation, may modify the inverse associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and birthweight for gestational age z-scores (BWZ).MethodsParticipants were a subset of the prospective Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort (N = 268, delivery dates between 2014 and 2018), which includes serum and dietary intake data. Serum collected at 8-14 weeks' gestation was analyzed for four PFAS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid) and total and free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire administered during early pregnancy was used to ascertain dietary folate equivalents (DFE) and dietary inflammatory index (DII) over the last three months. We used linear regression stratified by dichotomized dietary measures (DFE, total and free 25(OH)D, and DII) to assess effect modification of the association between individual PFAS and BWZ. Mixture effects were estimated using quantile-based g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression.SummaryA natural log increase in PFOS and PFOA was more strongly associated with lower BWZ only among participants with pro-inflammatory diets (DII ≥75th percentile) or low 25(OH)D (total 25(OH)D < 75th percentile). Similar patterns were observed in PFAS mixture analyses (e.g. ΨDII≥75thpercentile = -0.47, 95% CI = -0.77, -0.18, and ΨDII<75thpercentile = -0.08, 95% CI = -0.24, 0.07). Overall, maternal dietary factors may influence susceptibility to PFAS-related fetal growth effects.
BackgroundChildhood obesity is associated with significant impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), yet culturally adapted, weight-specific tools are lacking in French-speaking settings.AimThis study aimed to validate French versions of the Sizing Me Up (SMU) and Sizing Them Up (STU) questionnaires to assess obesity-related quality of life in children and adolescents from self- and parent-report perspectives.MethodsShortened French versions of the SMU and STU were developed, retaining three subscales common to both instruments (Emotional, Physical, and Teasing/Marginalization) based on theoretical and psychometric criteria. A clinical sample included 120 children and adolescents with obesity (aged 5-18 years) and their parents. Psychometric analyses included internal consistency, confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), sensitivity to body mass index (BMI) z-scores, measurement invariance across age and sex, and parent-child agreement.ResultsBoth instruments demonstrated good internal consistency and a stable three-factor structure. Associations were observed between the BMI z-score and the Physical domain, with modest effect sizes comparable to those of the generic PedsQL. Convergent validity was supported by correlations with corresponding PedsQL subscales. Measurement invariance held across age groups and for the SMU across sex, but the STU across sex did not achieve configural invariance. Procrustean analysis indicated moderate structural similarities between child and parent profiles, with moderate to good individual-level agreement, higher for physical than emotional domains.SummaryThe shortened French SMU and STU are reliable and valid tools for assessing HRQoL in pediatric obesity, supporting their use in clinical and research settings.
BackgroundDuring adolescence, nutritional literacy, eating behaviors, and body image play important roles in body weight management.AimThis study aimed at the relationships between nutritional literacy, eating behaviors, and body cathexis according to BMI in high school students.MethodsThis study was designed as a cross-sectional study including 568 students (73.6% female) aged 14-18 studying in four different high schools in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale, the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and the Body-Cathexis Scale.SummaryCritical nutrition literacy scores were significantly lower in overweight than underweight adolescents (p = 0.014). BMI showed a weak positive correlation with interactive nutrition literacy (r = 0.107, p < 0.001). External eating scores were lower in obese adolescents and negatively correlated with BMI (r = -0.149, p < 0.001), whereas restrained eating showed a moderate positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.437, p < 0.001). No significant association was found between BMI and emotional eating (r = 0.250, p = 0.905), and body cathexis scores were lower in obese adolescents. In multivariable regression analysis, restrained eating emerged as an independent positive predictor of BMI, whereas body cathexis and external eating were independently associated with lower BMI; nutrition literacy and emotional eating were not independent predictors. These findings suggest that interventions targeting eating behaviors and body satisfaction may be more effective for promoting healthy body weight in adolescents than strategies focusing solely on nutrition knowledge.
Background and AimOlder adults are susceptible to hospitalization-associated disability (HAD), particularly when nutritional status is impaired. This study aimed to examine the association between GLIM-defined malnutrition and HAD in hospitalized older adults and to descriptively compare HAD-related clinical characteristics according to HAD status within GLIM malnutrition and non-malnutrition groups.MethodsThis prospective observational cohort study used a multicenter database to identify 166 patients aged ≥70 years who were admitted to acute care wards between February 2023 and March 2025 and were independent in ADL before hospitalization. GLIM-defined malnutrition was assessed at admission and treated as the exposure. Patients were categorized into GLIM malnutrition and non-malnutrition groups and followed until discharge to determine the occurrence of HAD. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent HAD predictors.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 80 years; 103 were men and 63 were women. GLIM malnutrition was present in 67 (40%) patients. The occurrence of HAD during hospitalization was higher in patients with GLIM malnutrition than in those without GLIM malnutrition (48% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). Patients with malnutrition were older, frailer, and had lower body mass index. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that GLIM malnutrition was independently associated with HAD (odds ratio, 2.732; 95% confidence interval, 1.190-6.271; p = 0.018).SummaryGLIM-defined malnutrition is independently associated with HAD in older patients. Early nutritional assessment, targeted frailty prevention, and integrated prehospital care may help reduce the risk of HAD and improve recovery after discharge.
BackgroundThere is growing recognition of the positive role of mindful eating in improving eating behaviours and weight management.AimHowever, there is limited research that explored how mindful eating behaviour (i.e., regulated attention while eating) may moderate the association between binge eating (BE) and body mass index (BMI), which was the primary aim of the present research.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 146 participants were recruited through online opportunity sampling to complete an online survey administered via QuestionPro exploring BE, mindful eating behaviour, and BMI, and bivariate correlations and Hayes' PROCESS Macro were used to explore relationships and moderations.SummaryFindings suggested that there is a significant positive association between BE and BMI, which was moderated by mindful eating behaviour with a significant interaction effect (p < .001). Specifically, in individuals who scored low in mindful eating behaviour, there was a significant relationship between BE and BMI, while higher scores made this relationship non-significant. While mindful eating may not directly reduce the frequency of BE in all contexts, it serves as a factor that weakens the positive association between BE and BMI. The research, therefore, emphasised the potential of mindful eating behaviour as a targeted intervention for individuals at risk of weight-related health difficulties. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
BackgroundManaging type 2 diabetes becomes more difficult during fasting Ramadan. Alterations in meal timing, food choices, and medication schedules can increase the risk of glycemic complications. Although pre-Ramadan education is strongly recommended, there are still few culturally tailored interventions.AimThis study assessed the impact of a culturally appropriate pre-Ramadan nutritional education program on diabetes-related knowledge and practices for self-management.MethodsA one-group, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was carried out in Egypt. A sample of 53 adults with type 2 diabetes was included. A culturally suitable intervention based on the guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation and Diabetes and Ramadan Alliance was specified. Data collection at baseline, after Ramadan, 3 months, and 6 months was conducted using a structured assessment questionnaire.SummaryFemale participants were 64.2%, and the average age was 52.2 ± 7.8 years. The mean total knowledge score rose from 26.3 ± 8.4 at baseline to 35.2 ± 6.9 (p < 0.001) after 6 months. Ramadan-specific knowledge increased significantly, from 8.6 ± 3.3 to 11.0 ± 1.8 (p < 0.001), and nutritional knowledge scores rose from 7.2 ± 3.1 to 9.5 ± 2.9 (p < 0.001). Improvements in self-management practices were observed, including better identification of hypoglycemic symptoms (77.4-98.1%). Self-reported medication adherence rose from 41.5% to 71.7%. Among Egyptian adults with type 2 diabetes, a culturally tailored, Ramadan-focused diabetes education program greatly and sustainably boosted knowledge and self-management practices. Healthy fasting behaviors are improved by including religious and cultural contexts in diabetes education.
BackgroundObesity is increasingly recognized as a global metabolic disease, often accompanied by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which contributes to the development of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Kombucha, a fermented tea known for its health-promoting effects, has been associated with weight loss and lipid-lowering properties.AimThis study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of kombucha on ER stress in obese rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD).MethodsFifty male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, Kombucha, HFD, and HFD combined with Kombucha (HFD + Kombucha). Rats in the Kombucha and HFD + Kombucha groups received oral kombucha at a dose of 5 ml/kg daily for 5 weeks. Body weights were monitored weekly. At the end of the experimental period, liver tissues were collected for analysis of ER stress markers (p-inositol-requiring enzyme 1, activating transcription factor 6, p-JNK, p-eIF2a, GRP78) using western blotting. Serum samples were also analyzed for metabolic parameters.SummaryRats treated with kombucha exhibited less weight gain compared to those fed an HFD alone. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in the expression of ER stress markers, numerical reductions were noted in the kombucha-treated groups, suggesting a potential modulatory effect on ER stress rather than a definitive reduction. Kombucha may be associated with reduced weight gain and may have a potential role in ER stress modulation; however, these findings should be considered preliminary due to the lack of statistically significant differences. Importantly, the western blot findings do not support a definitive conclusion regarding ER stress attenuation. The absence of statistically significant differences in ER stress markers represents an important limitation of the study. Further studies involving larger cohorts and longer intervention periods are needed to confirm these findings.
BackgroundDehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) has been consistently linked to cardiovascular and skeletal health; however, the relationship between circulating antioxidant concentrations, including vitamins, and DHEAS levels in older adults has been insufficiently examined.AimTo assess associations between serum DHEAS and five antioxidants: β-cryptoxanthin, total lycopene, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and retinol.MethodsData from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS3) Biomarker Project (2017-2022) were analyzed in a cross-sectional design. Analyses evaluated associations between DHEAS, antioxidant levels, and demographic and metabolic characteristics, including age, sex, smoking history, creatinine, HbA1c, total cholesterol, body mass index, dietary quality, alcohol intake, physical activity, and sleep quality. Multivariable linear regression models adjusting for all antioxidants and potential confounders were conducted following square-root transformation of DHEAS.SummaryThe analytical sample comprised 747 participants (55.8% female) with a mean age of 66.0 years (SD = 9.64). In adjusted models, higher α-tocopherol concentrations were associated with lower DHEAS levels (β = -0.09; 95% CI: [-0.172 to -0.009], P < 0.031) whereas retinol demonstrated a positive association with DHEAS (β = 0.081; 95% CI: [0.009-0.154], P = 0.029). None of the other antioxidants had a significant association with serum DHEAS. Increasing age, female sex, and poorer sleep quality were significantly associated with lower DHEAS concentrations. In conclusion, in older adults, serum retinol levels are positively associated with DHEAS concentrations, whereas α-tocopherol shows an inverse association. Conversely, no significant associations were observed between serum DHEAS levels and β-cryptoxanthin, total lycopene, or γ-tocopherol.
BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are a key source of energy and sugars in the American diet.AimThis assessment examined trends in SSB and sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drink (ssCSD) consumption.MethodsIntake estimates were generated using NHANES 2003-2020 and August 2021-August 2023 and temporal trends were examined using linear and logistic regression.SummaryThe percentage of individuals ≥2 years consuming SSB or ssCSD declined significantly from 2003 to 2023. The percentage of youth consuming SSB or ssCSD dropped from 2003 to 2023 (76%-44% and 56% to 22%, respectively), as did the percentage of adults consuming SSB or ssCSD (52%-32% and 42%-22%, respectively). Per capita energy intake from SSB or ssCSD declined among youth (-135 and -96 kcal/day, respectively) and adults (-89 and -75 kcal/day, respectively). The downward trends in SSB or ssCSD consumption among the US population suggest trends consistent with dietary recommendations.
BackgroundPreconception health influences pregnancy outcomes, with poor nutrition and health-related behaviors linked to anemia, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Despite increasing attention to these adverse outcomes, evidence on preconception nutritional and behavioral interventions remains limited, fragmented, and inconsistently synthesized.ObjectivesTo synthesize evidence on the role of preconception nutritional supplementation and behavioral interventions in supporting maternal and neonatal health outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with the protocol registered in PROSPERO (#CRD42024592645). Studies published from the inception to October 1, 2024, were identified through six databases. A total of 24 studies met the eligibility criteria, which included randomized, non-randomized, and controlled before-after studies involving women aged 18-45 planning pregnancy or interconception period. Preconception interventions included nutritional supplementation (e.g., folic acid, calcium, multiple micronutrients) and behavioral/lifestyle strategies (e.g., counseling, diet, physical activity). Findings were analyzed separately by intervention type and outcome. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2 and ROBINS-I, and certainty of evidence was rated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).ResultsThe included studies suggested that lifestyle interventions reduced the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with Risk Ratio (RR): 0.76; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.60-0.95), lowered gestational weight gain (GWG) with Mean Deviation (MD): -3.88 kg; 95% CI: -10.53 to -4.75), and improved GWG adequacy (RR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.17-2.25). Nutritional supplementation were associated with reduced GDM risk (RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.43-0.71), increased birth weight by 72.26 g (95% CI: 47.40-97.12; I2 = 96%), reduced preeclampsia risk with calcium (RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.54-0.92), and lowered neurodevelopmental disorder risk with folic acid/multivitamin use (RR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.11-0.18). No pooled or synergistic association across intervention categories was estimated.ConclusionOutcome-specific evidence suggests that preconception nutritional and behavioral interventions are associated with improvements in selected maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, heterogeneity and limitations of underlying studies constrain causal inference, underscoring the need for rigorous longitudinal and integrated intervention research.
Background Malnutrition affects nearly half of patients in Canadian hospitals and is associated with increased complications, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality. Audits at an urban acute care hospital identified gaps in nutrition screening, oral intake monitoring, weight surveillance, and interdisciplinary coordination, highlighting the need for a structured, patient-centred nutrition care model. Aim To evaluate the patients eating and recovering (PEAR) model by assessing improvements in nutrition screening, oral intake monitoring, and weight surveillance; evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of delegating supportive nutrition care tasks to dietitian assistants (DAs); and determining its impact on interdisciplinary collaboration and staff satisfaction. Methods An interdisciplinary team, including patient partners, developed PEAR to clarify roles, improve workflows, and integrate a DA into nutrition care. The DA collaborated with nurses and allied health staff to conduct nutrition screening, monitor oral intake and weight, and support mealtime care, including tray setup, food preferences, dental care, and positioning. A descriptive pre- and post-implementation evaluation examined changes in nutrition care processes, workflow feasibility, and staff perceptions. Summary PEAR improved nutrition care processes. Nutrition screening increased from 9% to 49%, while monitoring of oral intake and weight became more consistent. The DA played a key role in identifying patients at risk of malnutrition and supporting reliable nutrition tracking. Staff reported clearer workflows, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and reduced workload pressures. PEAR also reduced food waste by 7.47 kg between pre- and post-implementation measurement days, demonstrating environmental and financial benefits while strengthening interdisciplinary nutrition care in an acute elderly care unit.
BackgroundSmoking is associated with appetite regulation and food cravings, yet its relationship with intuitive eating (IE), an internally guided, non-restrictive eating style, remains unclear.AimTo examine associations between smoking status, nicotine dependence, and IE among adults in primary care.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study in Western France (June-July 2023), adults (18-75 y) attending general practices completed a questionnaire on sociodemographics, smoking, physical activity/sedentary time, cannabis use, anthropometrics, and IE (French Intuitive Eating Scale-2, IES-2; total and three subscales). Participants were categorized as non-smokers, smokers with low dependence (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence [FTND] 0-4), or moderate-to-high dependence (FTND 5-10). Associations were tested using ANCOVA, adjusting for sex, BMI, and covariates selected a priori and by statistical criteria.SummaryAmong 466 participants (67.6% women; mean age 42.5 ± 14.1 years; mean BMI 25.5 ± 5.5 kg/m2), 101 (21.7%) were smokers, including 72 with low nicotine dependence and 29 with moderate-to-high dependence. Compared with non-smokers, smokers with low nicotine dependence had higher total IES-2 scores (β = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.03-0.37) and higher Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues scores (β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.05-0.46), whereas smokers with moderate-to-high dependence had higher Unconditional Permission to Eat scores (β = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.22-0.91). No differences were observed for Eating for Physical Rather Than Emotional Reasons. These findings suggest that intuitive eating and its dimensions differ according to nicotine dependence. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine how intuitive eating changes during smoking cessation, whether it predicts post-cessation weight gain, and which mechanisms underlie these associations.
Background Regular moderate exercise generates low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, excessive ROS production during exercise can harm the physiological functions of tissues, including skeletal muscle. This can lead to increased muscle soreness, impaired function and delayed recovery. Eccentric exercise induces mechanical muscle damage and triggers an acute inflammatory response. This response is characterised by fluid infiltration and recruitment of immune cells to clear damaged tissue, which also initiates the repair process. Dietary antioxidants were proposed to reduce oxidative stress and enhance recovery, while the potential of native Australian plants as functional recovery foods remains underexplored. Aim To determine whether 10 days of consumption of a strawberry sorbet containing Davidson plum (Davidsonia jerseyana ) powder enhances muscle recovery following a high-intensity interval training session in long-distance runners. The study is designed as a pilot double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial over a period of 3 weeks. Methods Endurance-trained participants will complete a running session after consuming either the active sorbet or a placebo sorbet for 7 days (pre-loading). Muscle recovery will be assessed using a visual analogue scale, countermovement jumps on dual force plates and a sit-and-reach test. Capillary blood samples will be analysed for muscle damage (creatine kinase). Physiological parameters including heart rate variability, blood pressure and anthropometrics will be recorded. Baseline cardiorespiratory fitness will be determined using a V˙O 2 max test. Summary This trial aims to determine whether a sorbet containing bioactive compounds from an Australian native plant can enhance recovery following intense exercise.
BackgroundExperimental evidence suggests that capsaicin supplementation improves calcium metabolism in skeletal muscle, suggesting an ergogenic potential. Previous studies, however, have numerous methodological biases.AimWe investigated the effect of acute capsaicin supplementation on countermovement jump (CMJ) height and strength endurance in trained individuals, addressing previous methodological limitations.MethodsSixteen young (24 ± 4 years; 73.9 ± 2.7 kg; 1.73 ± 0.06 m), advanced resistance-trained men underwent: (1) one-repetition maximum (1-RM) tests to fulfill eligibility and to determine the strength endurance test intensity; (2) strength endurance tests (4 sets, 70% 1-RM) in the 45° leg press; and (3) CMJ tests. After successive familiarizations, the participants performed strength endurance and CMJ tests with a ≥ 72 h inter-session interval, under three different conditions, in a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design: (1) Control (CON, no supplementation), (2) Placebo (PLA), and (3) Capsaicin (CAP, 12 mg). The capsules were ingested 40 min before the tests. Mixed models were used to analyze the intervention effect, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.SummaryNo significant differences were detected between the experimental conditions, neither for the total number of repetitions in the strength endurance test (CAP: 55 ± 15 vs PLA: 52 ± 16 vs CON: 54 ± 16; p = 0.854), nor for jump height in the CMJ test (CAP: 36.0 ± 3.3 cm vs PLA: 36.3 ± 3.6 cm vs CON: 36.2 ± 3.7 cm; p = 0.976). Neither positive nor negative expectancy effects (both p > 0.05) from capsaicin ingestion were detected on performance outcomes. We conclude that acute capsaicin supplementation does not represent an effective strategy to improve CMJ height or strength endurance in advanced resistance-trained individuals.
BackgroundDysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among young women and impairs their academic performance and quality of life. Zinc and vitamin E may influence menstrual pain via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways; however, data on habitual intake in Southeast Asia are limited.AimThis study aimed to describe the adequacy of zinc and vitamin E intake among Indonesian female medical students and explore their associations with dysmenorrhea severity.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 female medical students in Indonesia. Dietary zinc and vitamin E intakes were assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Intake adequacy was defined as ≥77% of the Indonesian Recommended Dietary Allowance. Dysmenorrhea severity was measured using the Working Ability, Location, Intensity, Days of Pain, Dysmenorrhea (WaLIDD) score and was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Associations were examined using Fisher's exact test, with exploratory quartile analyses to assess potential intake-severity patterns.ResultsZinc intake was adequate in almost all participants (98.1%), whereas vitamin E intake inadequacy was widespread (83.2%). Dysmenorrhea was highly prevalent, with 29.9% reporting mild symptoms, 55.1% moderate symptoms, and 15.0% severe symptoms. No significant associations were observed between zinc (P = 0.745) or vitamin E (P = 0.337) intake adequacy and dysmenorrhea severity, and quartile analyses showed no clear dose-response patterns.ConclusionVitamin E inadequacy was highly prevalent, whereas zinc intake was generally adequate among Indonesian female medical students. Although no significant associations with dysmenorrhea severity were observed, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further biomarker-based and longitudinal studies are warranted.
BackgroundWhile global nutrition policies increasingly promote plant-based diets for environmental sustainability, this approach may implicitly assume biological homogeneity and overlook interindividual genetic variability in nutrient metabolism.AimThis review evaluates potential molecular bottlenecks and genetic variations that may influence individual adaptation to plant-based dietary patterns, based on recent literature in nutrigenetics and micronutrient metabolism.MethodsPeer-reviewed literature published primarily between 2015 and 2025 was searched across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using nutrigenetics- and plant-based nutrition-related terms; Google Scholar was additionally consulted for supplementary citation tracking. Foundational studies were included where mechanistically relevant. Studies lacking genotypic data, in vitro models without clinical relevance, and non-English publications were excluded.SummaryCurrent evidence suggests that the conversion efficiency of plant-derived precursors into biologically active forms differs according to polymorphisms in genes including fatty acid desaturases (FADS1/FADS2), beta-carotene oxygenase-1 (BCO1), and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT). Moreover, phytate-mediated constraints and variations affecting mineral absorption-transmembrane serine protease 6 (TMPRSS6) and solute carrier family 39 member 4 (SLC39A4)-and vitamin B12 transport-fucosyltransferase-2 (FUT2) and transcobalamin-2 (TCN2)-may increase susceptibility to subclinical micronutrient insufficiencies in genetically predisposed individuals. Although many associations reach statistical significance, their clinical impact varies across populations and depends on the overall dietary context. These genetic influences are not deterministic and may potentially be mitigated through targeted dietary planning and personalized supplementation. Precision nutrition frameworks incorporating genetic variability may improve dietary personalization; however, future large-scale longitudinal trials are required before these findings can address consensus clinical guidelines.
BackgroundPlant cell wall's polysaccharides constitute a fundamental source of energy, influencing voluntary intake and digestibility of food, and also affecting peristalsis and health of the digestive tract in animals and people. Because herbivores are less prone to cancer than meat eaters, over the last decades, different teams have investigated the role of plant polysaccharides in immune system activation.AimIn this work, we examine this research seeking to understand if dietary carbohydrates from plant cell walls can be justifiably considered effective components for preventing breast cancer, specifically as it's the most common type of cancer for women.MethodsWe evaluate results from in vitro and in vivo experiments, observational studies (prospective cohort studies) conducted on people (nonvegetarian and vegetarian), and research studies on animals (monogastric herbivores and ruminants).SummarySpecific studies evaluating fiber intake and quality over long periods are scarce, inconclusive, or show mixed results regarding the plant cell polysaccharides present in the diet (structural and storage polysaccharides). We conclude that at the moment, there is not enough causal evidence to justify a recommendation that plant cell walls can be justifiably considered effective components for preventing breast cancer. Proposed steps to follow: a people prospective cohort study with special emphasis on retrieving information about fiber intake and composition of the ingested fiber to better elucidate a causal link in the prevention of breast cancer. Furthermore, a long-life, systematic study on mammalian herbivorous animals for addressing the link specifically between plant cell wall polysaccharides and breast cancer incidence.
