BACKGROUND: Building on our previous findings that Lycium barbarum ("goji" berry, wolfberry) extracts mitigate age-related bone loss and improve muscle endurance, a key translational question emerges regarding its practi...BACKGROUND: Building on our previous findings that Lycium barbarum ("goji" berry, wolfberry) extracts mitigate age-related bone loss and improve muscle endurance, a key translational question emerges regarding its practical consumption. This study therefore investigates whether a common daily intake mode-simply soaking a small amount in hot water as tea or eating dried fruits directly confers comparable bone and muscle protective effects. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether 3 different daily consumption regimens of L. barbarum confer bone and muscle protective effects comparable to a concentrated extract in aging mice. METHODS: Two-month-old adult mice were used as controls. In a natural aging model, 14-mo-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 5 treatment groups (n = 8): aging control, Lycium barbarum extract (LBE, a concentrated aqueous decoction), hot water infusion without residue (LBHWI, daily water-soaked 15 goji berries), infusion with residue (LBHWI + Res), and whole fruit ingestion. After 16 wk of oral gavage, bone (microcomputed tomography, calcein labeling) and muscle (grip endurance, fiber typing) parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis employed one-way analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test. RESULTS: LBE significantly increased bone mineral density by 43.5% (P < 0.05) and type IIa muscle fibers by 29.1% (P < 0.05) compared with aging controls. In vitro, LBE raised alkaline phosphatase activity from 0.034 to 0.047 nmoL/mg protein/min (P < 0.01) and upregulated Bglap expression 1.43-fold (P < 0.01). In contrast, none of the 3 daily consumption regimens (LBHWI, LBHWI + Res, whole fruit) improved any major in vivo endpoint (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of L. barbarum is highly dependent on its form of administration. These findings suggest that conventional dietary intake may be insufficient, whereas standardized extracts offer a potent, evidence-based strategy for supporting skeletal and muscle health during aging; how to eat L. barbarum indeed matters.
BACKGROUND: Energy deficits underlie many neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative diseases implicating mitochondria as a potential therapeutic target. Iron is necessary for neuronal energy output thro...BACKGROUND: Energy deficits underlie many neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative diseases implicating mitochondria as a potential therapeutic target. Iron is necessary for neuronal energy output through its direct role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Iron deficiency (ID) reduces mitochondrial energetic capacity in developing hippocampal neurons and causes simplified dendritic arbors and impaired learning and memory. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of ID on axonogenesis, which has not been previously explored. METHODS: We used an embryonic mouse mixed-sex primary hippocampal neuron culture model of developmental ID, using iron chelation with low micromolar deferoxamine (DFO) from 3 d in vitro (DIV) to 7 DIV compared with untreated control cultures. Mitochondrial respiration and dynamics, cytoskeletal and metabolic gene expression, and axonal and synaptic morphology were quantified and compared using t-test, analysis of variance, and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: Seven DIV DFO-treated neuron cultures (n = 4-17) demonstrated moderate ID with significantly decreased mRNA levels for genes involved in axon cytoskeletal development (Gda, Pfn2, and Nuak1; ∼20%-40% lower) and metabolic homeostasis (Ndufs1, Ddit4, and Slc2a3; ∼20%-25% lower). DFO significantly reduced total adenosine-5'-triphosphate production rate and measures of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by ∼25% to 50% compared with control cultures (n = 11-14). DFO significantly reduced the length of the primary axon and axonal branches by ∼20%, without affecting branch number (n = 100 neurons). Axonal mitochondrial motility was not altered by ID (n = 11-12 neurons), suggesting that impaired mitochondrial energetics, and not trafficking, is the predominate mitochondrial contribution to axon morphological deficits. Ultimately, at 18 DIV, DFO significantly reduced the density of postsynaptic density puncta, a measure of neuronal capacity for synapse formation, by 30% (n = 26-32 neurons). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide the first link between iron-dependent neuronal energy production and early axon structural development and highlight the importance of maintaining sufficient iron during the embryonic period of rapid axonal growth to prevent the persistent negative consequences of ID on neuronal structure.
BACKGROUND: Resveratrol (RES), a natural polyphenolic compound, has been reported to regulate cellular differentiation; however, its role in skeletal muscle development in ruminants remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This stud...BACKGROUND: Resveratrol (RES), a natural polyphenolic compound, has been reported to regulate cellular differentiation; however, its role in skeletal muscle development in ruminants remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which RES regulates myoblast differentiation in goats, with a focus on the role of PROX1 and its downstream signaling pathways. METHODS: Primary myoblasts isolated from a 3-mo-old fetal Nubian goat were used as an in vitro model and treated with 20 μmol/L RES, with untreated cells serving as controls. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes, and RT-qPCR, molecular docking, as well as gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to investigate the role of PROX1 in myogenic differentiation. For in vivo validation, 20 healthy castrated male Nubian goats (180 ± 3 d of age; n = 10/group) were fed either a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg RES for 120 d. Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected at the end of the experiment for subsequent analyses. Myogenic markers and signaling pathways were analyzed, and relative gene expression was calculated using the 2 method. RESULTS: RNA-seq identified 221 differentially expressed genes after RES treatment, among which PROX1 was significantly upregulated (Log2Fold Change = 1.7, ∼3.25-fold compared with control, P < 0.0001). Molecular docking analysis indicated a stable interaction between RES and PROX1. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that RES significantly increased PROX1 expression by ∼182% and 105%, respectively (P < 0.001). Functional analyses demonstrated that PROX1 overexpression promoted myogenic differentiation, increasing the mRNA expression levels of MyoD, MyoG, and MyHC to 2.70-, 1.75-, and 1.80-fold of control levels, respectively (P < 0.001), whereas MyoD protein expression increased by ∼80% (P < 0.001) and myotube formation was significantly enhanced (P < 0.001). In contrast, PROX1 knockdown markedly inhibited myogenic differentiation, reducing the mRNA expression of MyoD, MyoG, and MyHC by 75%, 48%, and 51%, respectively (P < 0.05), and decreasing MyoD protein expression by ∼53% (P < 0.001). Mechanistically, PROX1 promoted myogenic differentiation through suppression of the NOTCH1/HES1 signaling pathway (P < 0.05). Moreover, RES partially rescued the differentiation impairment induced by PROX1 deficiency through activation of PROX1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RES promotes myoblast differentiation in goats through PROX1 activation and modulation of NOTCH signaling. These findings identify a PROX1-associated regulatory mechanism in skeletal muscle development in goats.
BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle contraction can influence anabolic signaling in distant noncontracted muscle. However, whether unilateral contraction alters nutrient-stimulated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTOR...BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle contraction can influence anabolic signaling in distant noncontracted muscle. However, whether unilateral contraction alters nutrient-stimulated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in contralateral muscle remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether unilateral isometric contraction attenuates leucine-stimulated mTORC1 signaling and protein synthesis in contralateral noncontracted muscle in mice. METHODS: Ten-wk-old male C57BL/6J mice fed a standard chow diet (CE-2) were assigned to resting or unilateral isometric contraction conditions and received water or leucine (1.35 g/kg body weight) 2 h after contraction (n = 8/group). Gastrocnemius muscles were collected 3 h postcontraction. Regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1 (REDD1) protein abundance, mTORC1 signaling, protein synthesis, and serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations were measured. Data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Holm-adjusted post hoc tests. RESULTS: Unilateral contraction increased REDD1 protein abundance in contralateral noncontracted muscle, with a significant interaction between leucine and contraction (P = 0.0499). REDD1 protein abundance was higher in the isometric contraction groups than in the resting groups under water and leucine conditions. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between leucine and contraction for 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) phosphorylation (P = 0.046). Under resting conditions, leucine increased 4E-BP1 phosphorylation compared with water, whereas this response was attenuated under contraction conditions. Ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 phosphorylation was unchanged. Protein synthesis was increased by leucine (main effect, P < 0.001) and reduced by contraction (main effect, P < 0.001), with no significant interaction. Serum BCAA concentrations were increased by leucine (main effect, P < 0.001), with no effect of contraction or interaction. CONCLUSIONS: In male C57BL/6J mice, unilateral isometric contraction attenuated leucine-stimulated 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in contralateral noncontracted skeletal muscle. Protein synthesis was reduced by contraction independently of leucine treatment. These effects occurred without differences in circulating BCAA availability, suggesting altered anabolic signaling responsiveness to nutritional stimulation.
BACKGROUND: Studying the impact of dietary carbohydrates and fat on markers of one-carbon metabolism could provide important insight into distinct metabolic adaptations and how diets affect disease risk. OBJECTIVES: This...BACKGROUND: Studying the impact of dietary carbohydrates and fat on markers of one-carbon metabolism could provide important insight into distinct metabolic adaptations and how diets affect disease risk. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine changes in plasma one-carbon metabolites and B-vitamers on isocaloric diets differing in carbohydrate processing or amount. METHODS: A total of 193 individuals with obesity were randomly assigned to equal-energy and protein diets either with more processed, acellular carbohydrates [acellular, high-carbohydrate low-fat (A-HCLF), comparator arm], minimally processed cellular carbohydrates [cellular high-carbohydrate low-fat diet (C-HCLF)] [both designed with 45 energy percent (E%) carbohydrates and 38 E% fat], or a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet designed with 8 E% carbohydrate and ∼75 E% fat, including 30 E% saturated fat. To address secondary outcomes of the trial, we analyzed changes in plasma one-carbon metabolites and B-vitamers, and dietary B-vitamin intakes after 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo, using constrained linear mixed-effect modeling. RESULTS: After 3 mo, the relative change score after the LCHF diet was significantly different from the A-HCLF comparator for plasma α-hydroxybutyrate (LCHF/A-HCLF: +41.3%∗/-1.56%, P < 0.001; ∗: significant within-group change), methylmalonic acid (MMA) (-5.69%∗/+8.64%∗, P < 0.001), methionine (-7.81%∗/+1.44%, P = 0.001), nicotinamide (-19.7%∗/+14.0%, P = 0.007), 1-methylnicotinamide (mNAM) (-14.1%∗/+14.1%, P = 0.003), pyridoxal (-2.42%/+18.9%∗), 4-pyridoxic acid (-12.4%∗/+21.4%∗, P < 0.001), and cysteine (-3.00%∗/+1.10%). Between-group differences for most of these metabolites remained significant after 6 and 9 mo. Comparing C-HCLF with A-HCLF, significant differences in relative change scores were found for mNAM after 3 mo (C-HCLF/A-HCLF: -11.5%/+14.1%, P = 0.012) and 9 mo (-14.9%∗/+18.6%, P = 0.001). Plasma changes in one-carbon metabolites and B-vitamers showed weak correlations with dietary B-vitamins. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with A-HCLF, the LCHF diet was followed by significantly different changes in plasma α-hydroxybutyrate, MMA, methionine, nicotinamide, mNAM, pyridoxal, 4-pyridoxic acid, and cysteine. These shifts were largely independent of vitamin consumption and may rather reflect ketoadaptive mechanisms, including enhanced fatty acid oxidation and upregulated antioxidant defense. Carbohydrate quality had less impact on the one-carbon metabolites. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03401970 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03401970).
BACKGROUND: The gut-brain axis links the intestinal microbiota to emotional health, a critical concern in aging populations experiencing gut dysbiosis. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether supplementation wit...BACKGROUND: The gut-brain axis links the intestinal microbiota to emotional health, a critical concern in aging populations experiencing gut dysbiosis. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici PA53, through modulation of the gut microbiota, could improve emotional well-being in healthy older adults. METHODS: In an 8-wk randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 75 older adults (aged 55-70 y) received either a placebo (maltodextrin) or Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 (PA53) (maltodextrin + 30 billion colony-forming units/d). Fecal microbiota (16S ribosomal RNA sequencing) and serum biomarkers (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were assessed at baseline and week 8. Data were analyzed using t tests/nonparametric tests and permutational multivariate analysis of variance, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: After 8 wk, the Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 supplementation group (PA53 group) showed statistically significant improvements in happiness (Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness: 33.75 compared with 38.05, +12.7%, P < 0.05), gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale: 17.50 compared with 15.83, -9.5%, P < 0.001; Bristol Stool Scale: 2.50 compared with 3.20, +28%, P < 0.01), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: 5.62 compared with 4.33, -23.0%, P < 0.05). Although perceived stress scores in the PA53 group decreased from 38.21 to 36.94 (-3.3%), this within-group change lacked statistical significance, despite showing a significant between-group advantage over the placebo. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α decreased significantly (IL-6: from 135.6 ± 35.2 to 108.4 ± 26.0 pg/mL; TNF-α: from 65.8 ± 15.9 pg/mL), whereas IL-25 increased (from 48.8 ± 16.3 to 68.5 ± 14.9 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). PA53 intervention significantly altered the relative abundance of Bacillota (P < 0.05) and increased beneficial genera including Ruminococcus (from 1.1% to 2.2%), Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group, Blautia (from 7.6% to 11.4%), and Faecalibacterium (increased from 6.9% to 10.6%). CONCLUSIONS: PA53 supplementation illustrated beneficial effects on fecal microbiota and well-being in elderly individuals, suggesting its potential as a probiotic intervention.
Feinberg A, Austin TR, Vasconcelos AG
… +10 more, Brody JA, Wiggins KL, Lemaitre RN, Fretts AM, Hasson DC, Sotoodehnia N, Floyd JS, Rebholz CM, Psaty BM, Kim H
BACKGROUND: Limited biomarkers exist for whole grains and fiber intake. Large-scale proteomics can be used to identify objective biomarkers of whole grains and fiber intake. OBJECTIVES: We identified plasma proteins of w...BACKGROUND: Limited biomarkers exist for whole grains and fiber intake. Large-scale proteomics can be used to identify objective biomarkers of whole grains and fiber intake. OBJECTIVES: We identified plasma proteins of whole grains and fiber intake in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. METHODS: Whole grains and fiber intake were quantified from food frequency questionnaire responses in CHS (1989-1990, N = 2411). An aptamer-based technology (SomaLogic) quantified 4979 proteins in stored specimens collected in 1992-1993. Multivariable linear regression identified individual proteins significantly associated with whole grains or fiber intake at a false discovery rate of <0.05. Findings were externally replicated in the ARIC Study. Pathway overrepresentation analysis was conducted for diet-related proteins. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select a set of proteins associated with whole grains or fiber intake. Prediction statistics assessed the ability of diet-related proteins to predict whole grains and fiber intake beyond participant characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 68 and 26 proteins were associated with whole grains and fiber intake, respectively, in CHS, with 17 and 20 proteins for whole grains and fiber, respectively, replicated in the ARIC Study. Of these, 5 proteins (beta-glucuronidase, neuropeptide W, inhibin beta C chain, transcobalamin 1, and toll-like receptor 5) were associated with both whole grains and fiber intake. Ascorbate and aldarate metabolism were overrepresented for both whole grains and fiber-related proteins. A total of 13 proteins for whole grains and 19 proteins for fiber intake were selected from LASSO to improve the prediction of these dietary exposures beyond participant characteristics (range of differences in AUCs: 0.022-0.041, P for all tests < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We identified proteins and pathways that were robustly associated with whole grains and fiber intake in 2 studies. These proteins may serve as candidate biomarkers if validated in controlled feeding studies.
BACKGROUND: Serum urate (SU) concentrations are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and gout. Both genetic and lifestyle factors can alter SU. The role of genetics in modifying associat...BACKGROUND: Serum urate (SU) concentrations are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and gout. Both genetic and lifestyle factors can alter SU. The role of genetics in modifying associations between diet and SU is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: We examined if associations between dietary micronutrient intake and SU are modulated by genetic risk for high SU. METHODS: We utilized the United Kingdom Biobank, with 108,992 participants after exclusions. Micronutrient intake was measured by 24-h recall. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were generated to estimate genetic risk. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 30 known urate-risk genes were examined to identify micronutrient-gene interaction loci. Custom PRSs designed to lack a single gene locus allowed for contrasting individual genes with remaining genetic risk. Micronutrient-gene interactions were analyzed for SU using linear regression with an interaction term. Results were deemed significant at false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05. RESULTS: Significant interactions were observed between overall genetic risk and niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, folate, magnesium, total iron, nonheme iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and iodine (FDR < 0.05). Higher intakes of these micronutrients were associated with larger decreases in SU concentrations in subjects with higher genetic risk. These interactions were largely replicated with 1 SNP, SLC2A9 rs12498742. All interactions with the PRS, ceased after the SLC2A9 gene was removed, suggesting SLC2A9 as the primary locus of interaction. Analyses, stratified by the number of rs12498742 risk alleles, were indicative of effect modification for riboflavin, pantothenic acid, biotin, calcium, and magnesium and suggest that dietary intake of these micronutrients may be more impactful to those with higher genetic risk from SLC2A9 rs12498742. CONCLUSIONS: The urate-lowering potential of various micronutrients may be dependent on SLC2A9 rs12498742 genotype. Individuals with the highest genetic risk from SLC2A9 rs12498742 may benefit the most from dietary micronutrients associated with lower SU.
BACKGROUND: Vitamin B (B12) is an essential nutrient required for hematological and neurological function. Human gut microbes either synthesize B12 or use B12 consumed by hosts. Consequently, variation in gut microbiota...BACKGROUND: Vitamin B (B12) is an essential nutrient required for hematological and neurological function. Human gut microbes either synthesize B12 or use B12 consumed by hosts. Consequently, variation in gut microbiota may influence B12 status in humans. OBJECTIVES: The goal was to assess associations between gut microbiota and serum B12 and a functional biomarker of B12 status, methylmalonic acid (MMA). METHODS: In 90 adults (44 males/46 females; 20-75 y) living in Sydney, Australia, 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene V3-V4 amplicon sequencing was used to profile gut microbiota at the amplicon sequence variant (ASV) level. B12 was measured by automated chemiluminescence and MMA by high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry. Associations between tertiles of B12 and MMA and microbial alpha and beta diversity and overall microbiota composition were assessed. Microbial guilds were identified via coabundance analysis on ASVs. Multivariate linear regression and random forest regression were used to assess the associations between guilds and the B biomarkers, controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and fiber intake. RESULTS: Mean serum B12 and MMA were 389 ± 177 pmol/L and 210 ± 80 nmol/L, respectively. Gut microbial diversity and richness were significantly associated with B12 tertiles (Shannon index: P = 0.010; Faith's phylogenetic diversity: P = 0.048; ASV number: P = 0.022). No associations were observed between B12 tertiles and beta diversity or between MMA tertiles and alpha or beta diversity. Thirty guilds were identified, with 2 guilds and age included in the final model predictive of B12 (P = 0.03), and 3 different guilds and no covariates included in the final model predictive of MMA (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that different guilds are predictive of serum B12 compared with serum MMA. This suggests that some of the variance in serum MMA in adults is not specific to B12 status, which has ramifications for interpreting MMA as a marker of B12 status.
BACKGROUND: Urbanization catalyzes significant shifts in diets worldwide, yet its impact on adolescent diets and nutrition is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between urbanicity and diets and nu...BACKGROUND: Urbanization catalyzes significant shifts in diets worldwide, yet its impact on adolescent diets and nutrition is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between urbanicity and diets and nutritional status among Vietnamese adolescents and their mothers. METHODS: We assessed diets using a multipass 24-h recall (15% repeated) and collected anthropometric data in 2861 adolescents and their mothers (n = 2664) in rural, peri-urban and urban areas. We calculated the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS: total 0-49; healthy: 0-32; unhealthy: 0-17) and risk categories. We estimated usual intakes (National Cancer Institute's method) and the mean probability of adequacy (MPA) for 11 micronutrients. We compared outcomes across areas using regression models adjusted for school-level clustering. RESULTS: GDQS healthy was higher in the urban area (adolescents 7.5, mothers 9.5) than in the rural area (6.6 and 7.7). GDQS unhealthy was comparable across areas (∼11 in adolescents and mothers). Adolescent and maternal diets in the rural area were most likely to fall in the GDQS high-risk category (23% and 11%). MPA was low across all areas for both adolescents and mothers (≤40%). The prevalence of overweight/obesity was highest in urban areas among adolescents (29%) and similar across areas among mothers (15%-19%). CONCLUSIONS: Urbanicity was positively associated with healthier diets, largely due to greater healthy food consumption. Differences, however, were small, diet healthiness was low across all settings, and urban living was associated with higher risks of adolescent overweight/obesity. Innovative school and food environment interventions and policies are needed to promote greater consumption of healthy foods and limit unhealthy food intake among Vietnamese adolescents and their mothers, and to prevent and control rising overweight/obesity.
Emerging evidence identifies the gut microbiota as a key regulator of blood pressure (BP) through its role in metabolizing dietary substrates into bioactive compounds that influence vascular, immune, and neurohumoral pat...Emerging evidence identifies the gut microbiota as a key regulator of blood pressure (BP) through its role in metabolizing dietary substrates into bioactive compounds that influence vascular, immune, and neurohumoral pathways. This review synthesizes recent mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical evidence linking gut microbial dysbiosis to hypertension, with particular emphasis on nutrition-dependent microbial metabolism and its translational implications. Experimental studies demonstrate that depletion of short-chain fatty-acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and enrichment of proinflammatory and trimethylamine-producing taxa contribute to endothelial dysfunction, immune activation, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system dysregulation. Fecal microbiota transplantation and germ-free animal models provide causal evidence that hypertensive microbiota can directly elevate BP. Human multiomics and metabolomic studies further show that microbial functional capacity and metabolite production, rather than taxonomic composition alone, are strongly associated with hypertensive phenotypes and therapeutic responsiveness. Importantly, dietary interventions, including high-fiber diets, resistant starch, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, modulate microbial composition and enhance SCFA production, providing a mechanistic basis for their antihypertensive effects. Microbiota-drug interactions have also emerged as a novel determinant of antihypertensive treatment efficacy. Collectively, these findings support a metabolite-centered framework in which diet-microbiota interactions influence BP regulation. Targeting the gut microbiota through nutritional and microbiome-based strategies represents a promising adjunctive approach for hypertension prevention and personalized management. However, large-scale longitudinal and interventional human studies are needed to establish causality and optimize microbiota-targeted therapies.
Dietary bioactive compounds-including polyphenols, alkaloids, lignans, and amino acid-derived substrates-exert well-established effects on human health, but are constrained by poor bioavailability. Only 5%‒10% of ingeste...Dietary bioactive compounds-including polyphenols, alkaloids, lignans, and amino acid-derived substrates-exert well-established effects on human health, but are constrained by poor bioavailability. Only 5%‒10% of ingested polyphenols are absorbed in the proximal gastrointestinal tract; the remainder undergoes biotransformation by colonic microbiota into a diverse repertoire of bioactive metabolites. Accumulating evidence indicates that these microbially derived metabolites, rather than their parent compounds, are the primary mediators of systemic benefits, owing to superior bioavailability, metabolic stability, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, and greater specificity in modulating host metabolic and signaling pathways. Production of these metabolites varies markedly among individuals due to differences in gut microbiota composition, giving rise to distinct metabolic phenotypes-termed metabotypes-that strongly influence clinical and nutritional responsiveness. This review synthesizes recent advances in the microbial biotransformation of dietary polyphenols, amino acids, glucosinolates, and related substrates, and examines how these pathways influence metabolic, cardiometabolic, neurocognitive, and immune outcomes. We further evaluate emerging evidence supporting synergistic synbiotics-targeted combinations of probiotics with specific polyphenol or bioactive precursors-as a strategy to standardize and enhance the generation of beneficial microbial metabolites. These synbiotic strategies demonstrate the capacity to convert non-producers into producers, reduce interindividual variability in metabolite output, and improve clinically relevant outcomes in metabolic dysfunction, inflammation-driven disorders, and aging. Together, these findings position metabolite-guided synbiotics as a promising paradigm for precision nutrition. Integration of metagenomics, metabolomics, and computational modeling will enable individualized prediction of metabolite-production capacity and accelerate translation of microbiota-targeted interventions.
BACKGROUND: Obesity interventions often focus on weight and body mass index (BMI), overlooking changes in body composition. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide medicat...BACKGROUND: Obesity interventions often focus on weight and body mass index (BMI), overlooking changes in body composition. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide medications (GIP) have been increasingly used in obesity treatment; however, their effect on body composition is controversial. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differential effects of lifestyle modification with and without nutrition counseling and/or GLP-1 medications on body composition. METHODS: Retrospective data from World Trade Center Health Program patients who were prescribed GLP-1 medications and had documented body composition analyses were reviewed. Patients were categorized into 4 groups: GLP-1 with nutrition group, GLP-1group, nutrition group, and control group. The measures included fat mass, muscle mass, and visceral fat. Baseline and 1-y follow-up values were compared. RESULTS: The GLP-1 group experienced the greatest mean muscle mass loss (7.01 lbs), and the relationship between GLP-1 usage and muscle mass loss was statistically significant (P = 0.013). Both the GLP-1 with nutrition group and the nutrition-only group experienced less muscle mass loss on mean. Patients in the GLP-1 group achieved the greatest overall weight loss on average [16.83 lbs, standard deviation (SD) = 15.01]. The GLP-1 with nutrition group showed the greatest mean loss in fat mass (-10.77 lbs, SD = 26.93), and the nutrition-only group showed the greatest mean loss in visceral fat (1.35 points, SD = 2.98). CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 medication was independently and significantly associated with muscle mass loss, and those who took GLP-1 medications without nutritional therapy had the greatest mean loss in muscle mass. Compared with those who used GLP-1 medications alone, those who coupled nutritional therapy with GLP-1 medications experienced smaller reductions in muscle mass while also experiencing reductions in fat mass on average. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating nutrition counseling and body composition monitoring into obesity treatment.
BACKGROUND: Defining the minimum carbohydrate requirement is crucial for health and disease prevention. However, the estimated average requirement (EAR) for carbohydrates in adults was based on limited data that might no...BACKGROUND: Defining the minimum carbohydrate requirement is crucial for health and disease prevention. However, the estimated average requirement (EAR) for carbohydrates in adults was based on limited data that might not reflect physiological adaptations or individual differences. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess 1) the minimum dietary carbohydrate requirement in apparently healthy Chinese adults by identifying the highest carbohydrate intake that avoids nutritional ketosis, 2) the effect modification by sex and age, and 3) validate a novel ex vivo method to monitor the 24-h dynamics of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). METHODS: In this controlled feeding trial, 22 healthy adults first completed a 3-d very low-carbohydrate diet (20 g/d) to induce nutritional ketosis (fasting venous BHB ≥0.5 mmol/L). Carbohydrate intake was then progressively increased (40, 50, 70, 90, and 110 g/d) while maintaining constant protein and fat intakes. We measured circulating BHB levels via the reference-standard venous blood biochemistry and a novel ex vivo method for continuous ketone monitoring (CKM). Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the carbohydrate intake threshold corresponding to a BHB concentration of 0.5 mmol/L. RESULTS: During the study period, participants' resting metabolic rate remained unchanged, although a shift from carbohydrate to fat oxidation was confirmed during ketosis. A significant negative nonlinear relationship was observed between carbohydrate intake and BHB levels. The minimum carbohydrate requirements were ∼105 g/d for males and 93 g/d for females, as indicated by venous blood measures, and 88 g/d for males and 78 g/d for females via CKM. There was a strong agreement between the CKM and venous measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this controlled feeding study established the minimum carbohydrate requirement to avoid significant fat mobilization in healthy Chinese adults, revealing a marked sex difference, and validated the clinical utility of a novel ex vivo method for dynamic metabolic monitoring. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as ChiCTR2500102659. (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=272503).
BACKGROUND: Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may perceive different recommendations for breastfeeding from their pediatricians and the WIC staff. OBJECTIVE...BACKGROUND: Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may perceive different recommendations for breastfeeding from their pediatricians and the WIC staff. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine how the concordance between perceived pediatricians' and WIC staff's breastfeeding recommendations was associated with WIC participants' breastfeeding outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed 1344 participants in the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 and examined the concordance between pediatricians' and WIC staff's breastfeeding recommendations. Concordance was defined as mothers' perception of whether both pediatricians and WIC staff recommended exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 1 mo postpartum. The outcome variables were EBF at 1, 3, and 5 mo postpartum and any breastfeeding at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 mo postpartum. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine longitudinal disparities in breastfeeding between participants who received concordant recommendations and those who did not. RESULTS: A higher proportion of mothers reported that WIC staff recommended EBF (88.5%) than pediatricians (39.3%). Conversely, a lower proportion of mothers reported being advised by WIC staff that formula and breastfeeding were equivalent (7.0%) than by pediatricians (50.7%). The odds ratios of EBF among mothers with concordant recommendations were 2.83 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.06, 3.88], 2.00 (95% CI: 1.45, 2.76), and 2.12 (95% CI: 1.49, 3.00) at 1, 3, and 5 mo, respectively. Similar patterns were observed regarding any breastfeeding as well. CONCLUSIONS: Concordant breastfeeding recommendations from both WIC staff and pediatricians are associated with better breastfeeding outcomes, underscoring the need for greater alignment between care teams' breastfeeding guidance.
BACKGROUND: Agricultural phosphorus enrichment of freshwater ecosystems drives eutrophication and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) that contaminate drinking water, recreational sites, and food webs with cyanoto...BACKGROUND: Agricultural phosphorus enrichment of freshwater ecosystems drives eutrophication and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) that contaminate drinking water, recreational sites, and food webs with cyanotoxins. Translating this environmental science into clinical practice for primary care physicians remains limited. OBJECTIVES: This narrative review traced the causal chain from agricultural phosphorus transport and cyanobacterial bloom ecology through cyanotoxin-mediated health consequences. The goal is to give primary care physicians a practical, One Health-based resource for recognizing, managing, and counseling patients on cyanotoxin exposure. METHODS: A narrative, integrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar using terms related to phosphorus runoff, cyanobacterial HABs, cyanotoxin human health effects, and primary care environmental exposure. Peer-reviewed articles, key toxicology and epidemiology studies, and guidance documents from the World Health Organization, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were prioritized and selected based on their relevance to the intersection of phosphorus contamination and human health outcomes in primary care settings. No statistical analysis was performed because this is a qualitative synthesis of existing literature. RESULTS: The review found that phosphorus from agricultural fertilizers, livestock production, urban runoff, and legacy soil stores drives freshwater eutrophication and harmful algal bloom formation. Climate change is intensifying these processes through increased extreme precipitation and prolonged thermal stratification. Cyanotoxins enter human exposure pathways via drinking water, recreational contact, aerosol inhalation, and bioaccumulation in fish and irrigated crops. Children, pregnant individuals, rural communities on small water systems, and occupational groups such as fishers face disproportionate exposure risk. Broad regulatory gaps persist globally: although some regional bodies, such as the European Food Safety Authority, have issued risk assessments and provisional guidance, no internationally harmonized maximum permissible limits for cyanotoxins in food crops have been established. CONCLUSIONS: This narrative review demonstrates that phosphorus-driven HABs pose a growing multisystem health threat through contamination of water and food supplies with hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, and cytotoxic cyanotoxins. Primary care physicians, particularly those serving rural communities and communities disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards, must integrate environmental exposure history-taking into routine clinical practice to improve early recognition and reduce the health burden of cyanotoxin exposure.
BACKGROUND: Chronic malnutrition, commonly indexed using anthropometric indicators, is linked to deficits in multiple domains of children's development. Alterations to brain development have been found to partially expla...BACKGROUND: Chronic malnutrition, commonly indexed using anthropometric indicators, is linked to deficits in multiple domains of children's development. Alterations to brain development have been found to partially explain these links, yet the mechanisms and timing underlying these relations are not well understood. Electroencephalography (EEG) is well suited to examining early neural correlates of anthropometric indicators, but longitudinal evidence is limited. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the presence and timing of relations between physical growth and EEG resting-state power across early childhood in a population with high rates of chronic malnutrition. METHODS: Data were drawn from a longitudinal, observational study of 130 children (74 females) living in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Anthropometric measures, including height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and stunting status, were collected 14 times from 3 to 54 mo old. Resting-state EEG power data were collected at ∼6 mo, 2 y, and 5.5 y old. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate growth trajectories and examine relations between anthropometric indicators and EEG power. RESULTS: Findings revealed nonlinear changes in both HAZ and EEG over the first 5 years. HAZ scores decreased from 9 to 24 mo (b = -0.03, SE = 0.004, P < 0.001) but increased from 30 to 54 mo (b = 0.02, SE = 0.00, P < 0.001). Substantial variation in recovery status from stunting was seen. Exposure to stunting or static measures of HAZ was not associated with EEG power, but steeper positive trajectories of HAZ were related to higher EEG power (b = 1.07, SE = 0.40, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that both physical growth and EEG power development are dynamic over the first 5 years of life. The findings also highlight how longitudinal measures, including growth trajectories, can provide nuanced insights to complement static measures of anthropometry in Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND: Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) comprise 65% of United States household food purchases and are considered more convenient and economical than minimally processed foods (MPFs). While evidence links UPF consumption...BACKGROUND: Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) comprise 65% of United States household food purchases and are considered more convenient and economical than minimally processed foods (MPFs). While evidence links UPF consumption to adverse health outcomes, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee determined that there is only limited evidence of an association with adiposity. Nevertheless, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans now recommend avoiding highly processed foods. Previous theoretical work has shown that a menu containing >80% of energy from UPFs can achieve a high Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020, yet direct comparisons with ingredient-matched alternative menus are essential for understanding real-world trade-offs. OBJECTIVES: This study examined cost, convenience, diet quality, and shelf-stability in ingredient-matched theoretical menus varying in UPF content. METHODS: We compared three 7-d, ingredient-matched 2000-kcal menus varying in UPF content and convenience: 1) previously published high UPF menu (91% energy from UPFs); 2) MPF menu (19% UPFs); and 3) menu designed for convenience (CONV; 96% UPFs). Menus were analyzed for their HEI-2020, cost, shelf stability, and a meal inconvenience score. A weekly shopping simulation model estimated annual costs and waste for 4-person households. RESULTS: The MPF menu had the highest HEI score (88/100), followed by UPF (85/100) and CONV (74/100) menus. Annual costs were highest for MPF ($22,571), followed by UPF ($20,163) and CONV ($20,130), with food waste representing 17%, 16%, and 6% of expenditures, respectively. MPF and UPF menus had similarly high mean inconvenience scores (5.89 and 4.31, respectively; P = 0.148), both significantly higher than CONV (1.91; both P ≤ 0.03). Stability analysis showed the CONV menu offered the longest shelf life. CONCLUSIONS: The MPF menu has the highest diet quality but greatest food waste and preparation burden, while the convenience-optimized menu has lower waste and effort but compromise nutritional adequacy. These trade-offs warrant consideration in future investigations of dietary patterns.
BACKGROUND: Lifestyle patterns, such as following the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations, may modulate cancer risk through changes to me...BACKGROUND: Lifestyle patterns, such as following the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations, may modulate cancer risk through changes to metabolites, which reflect exposure to certain foods or changes in metabolism that impact biological processes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify multimetabolite scores of alignment with the Cancer Prevention Recommendations in 3 biospecimens collected from Interactive Diet and Activity Tracking (IDATA) in American Association of Retired Persons study participants. METHODS: Dietary, alcohol, physical activity, and anthropometric data were used to estimate alignment with the Cancer Prevention Recommendations using the standardized 2018 WCRF/AICR Score. Metabolites were measured in serum, first morning void (FMV), and 24-h urine by Metabolon, Inc., using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Partial Spearman correlations were used to estimate pairwise associations between 2018 WCRF/AICR Score and 852 metabolites in serum and 934 metabolites in urine. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression identified a subset of metabolites jointly associated with the score. Enrichment analysis identified associated metabolite superpathways and subpathways. RESULTS: IDATA study participants with complete data (n = 638) were included (mean age 63.1 y, 50% female). 2018 WCRF/AICR Score was associated with 399 metabolites in serum (r range: -0.32 to 0.36), 464 in 24-h (r range: -0.32 to 0.37), and 349 in FMV urine (r range: -0.29 to 0.31) (false discovery rate-adjusted P < 0.05). LASSO regression selected 36 metabolites in serum, 17 in 24-h and 17 in FMV urine. Identified metabolites spanned a range of chemical classes, including amino acid, vitamin and lipid metabolism, as well as food component and plant metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: Greater alignment with the Cancer Prevention Recommendations was associated with metabolites related to a range of cellular functions and pathways, providing insight into potential mechanisms. The identified multimetabolite scores may serve as objective indicators of a healthier lifestyle in studies of cancer and related outcomes. The IDATA study was approved by the National Cancer Institute Special Studies Institutional Review Board (IRB approval number 11CN155) and is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03268577.
Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites generated by fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium species pose substantial concerns to food safety, livestock health, and environmental integrity around the world....Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites generated by fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium species pose substantial concerns to food safety, livestock health, and environmental integrity around the world. This paper investigates the critical importance of a comprehensive One Health approach in addressing the widespread problem of mycotoxin contamination in the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. It investigates innovative management strategies to lower mycotoxin production and contamination, such as biocontrol agents, resistant crop types, and improved storage techniques. The review additionally discusses about ways to prevent pests and diseases from spreading based on integrated pest and crop management, as well as laws and rules that make it easier to control them. Most importantly, the article encourages for a One Health approach that motivates microbiologists, agronomists, veterinarians, public health officials, and lawmakers to work together to find long-lasting, cost-effective solutions. Future developments could include the use of omics technology, machine learning, integrating artificial intelligence, nanomaterials, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats Cas12a based biosensors, and blockchain for quick on-site mycotoxin detection, improving the clarity and accuracy of data, and educating and involving people to support best practices. This review brings together what we already know and points out where we need more information. It shows that we need new, collaborative ways to lower the risks of mycotoxins to protect global health, ensure food security, and promote environmentally friendly practices within a One Health framework.