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Topic Review
Dietary Fibers in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, progressive, immune-mediated diseases of the intestinal tract. The main subtypes of IBDs are Chron’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The etiology is still unclear, but there are genetic, environmental and host-related factors that contribute to the development of these diseases. Literature has shown that dietary therapy is the cornerstone of IBD treatment in terms of management of symptoms, relapse and care of the pathology. IBD patients show that microbiota dysbiosis and diet, especially dietary fiber, can modulate its composition. These patients are more at risk of energy protein malnutrition than the general population and are deficient in micronutrients. So far, no dietary component is considered responsible for IBD and there is not a specific therapeutic diet for it. 
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Functional Food Ingredients for Viral Diseases
A complex network of processes within the human immune system provides resistance to a variety of disease states. This defense forms innate and adaptive immunity, with specific immune components working together to combat infection. In addition to genetic variables, susceptibility to disease can be influenced by factors such as lifestyle, age and environmental factors. Certain food chemicals have been shown to modulate signaling and cell morphology. This has implications for pathophysiology. Eating some functional foods can increase the activity of immune cells and protect us from various diseases, including those caused by viruses as discussed below. 
  • 1.3K
  • 07 Feb 2023
Topic Review
The Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus (DM) comprises a range of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by defects in insulin release, insulin action, or both. DM is a widespread condition that affects a substantial portion of the global population, causing high morbidity and mortality rates. The main symptoms of diabetes include increased blood glucose, excessive thirst, frequent urination, impaired vision, hyperphagia, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Vitamin K2 in “Bone-Vascular Crosstalk”
Osteoporosis (OP) and vascular calcification (VC) represent relevant health problems that frequently coexist in the elderly population. Traditionally, they have been considered independent processes, and mainly age-related. However, an increasing number of studies have reported their possible direct correlation, commonly defined as “bone-vascular crosstalk”. Vitamin K2 (VitK2), a family of several natural isoforms also known as menaquinones (MK), has recently received particular attention for its role in maintaining calcium homeostasis.
  • 1.3K
  • 14 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Human and Donkey Milk
Whole milk is a good source of all the nutrients, and it also contains a sufficient number of vitamins to permit the regular growth of the neonate. Dairy cow milk can create allergy in infants less than 12 months old because of the high caseins and β-lactoglobulin content. In these circumstances, donkey milk can represent a good replacement for dairy cows’ milk in children affected by Cow Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) because of its close chemical composition with human milk, mainly due to its low protein and low mineral content. 
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Biological Mechanisms of Fresh Hass Avocado
Researchers identified four primary avocado health effects: (1) reducing cardiovascular disease risk in healthy overweight or obese adults with dyslipidemia by lowering non-HDL-C profiles, triglycerides, LDL oxidation, small atherogenic LDL particles and promoting postprandial vascular endothelial health for better peripheral blood flow; (2) lowering the risk of being overweight or obese, supporting weight loss, and reducing visceral fat tissue in overweight or obese women; (3) improving cognitive function in older normal-weight adults and in young to middle age overweight or obese adults especially in frontal cortex executive function; and (4) stimulating improved colonic microbiota health in overweight or obese adults by promoting healthier microflora and fecal metabolites.
  • 1.3K
  • 21 Dec 2021
Topic Review
One Health Tomato Probiotics
Based on the literature and knowledge on the “One Health” concept, a new term for probiotics: “One Health probiotics”, beneficial for the unity of people, animals, and the environment, is suggested. Strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, having an ability to ferment a broad spectrum of plant carbohydrates, probiotic effects in human, and animal health, as well as being found in dairy products, vegetables, sauerkraut, pickles, some cheeses, fermented sausages, fish products, and rhizospheric soil, might be suggested as one of the probable candidates for “One Health” probiotics (beneficial for the unity of people, animals, and the environment) for the utilization in agriculture, food processing, and healthcare.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Gluten Detection Methods
Celiac disease, wheat sensitivity, and allergy represent three different reactions, which may occur in genetically predisposed individuals on the ingestion of wheat and derived products with various manifestations. Improvements in the disease diagnostics and understanding of disease etiology unveiled that these disorders are widespread around the globe affecting about 7% of the population. The only known treatment so far is a life-long gluten-free diet, which is almost impossible to follow because of the contamination of allegedly “gluten-free” products. Accidental contamination of inherently gluten-free products could take place at any level from field to shelf because of the ubiquity of these proteins/grains. Gluten contamination of allegedly “gluten-free” products is a constant threat to celiac patients and a major health concern. Several detection procedures have been proposed to determine the level of contamination in products for celiac patients. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Gut-Microbial Metabolites and Probiotics in Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide prevalent metabolic disorder defined by high blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance (IR) and impaired insulin secretion. Disturbances of gut microbiota have been widely found in T2D patients and contribute to the development of IR.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Hormonal and Neuronal Regulation of Sugar Intake
Carbohydrates are important macronutrients in human and rodent diet patterns that play a key role in crucial metabolic pathways and provide the necessary energy for proper body functioning. Sugar homeostasis and intake require complex hormonal and nervous control to proper body energy balance. Added sugar in processed food results in metabolic, cardiovascular, and nervous disorders. The homeostasis of blood glucose or fructose levels requires strong interaction of not only the endocrine system (pancreatic hormones, stress hormones) but also communication of the nervous system. 
  • 1.3K
  • 04 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Collagen Hydrolysates
Collagen hydrolysates (CHs) are products with low molecular weight (MW) peptides, and are a result of industrialized processed collagen. Collagen extraction is often a by-product of the meat industry, with the main source for collagen-based products being bovine, although it can also be obtained from porcine and piscine sources. CHs have demonstrated positive results in clinical trials related to joint health, such as decreased joint pain, increased mobility, and structural joint improvements. The bioactivity of CHs is primarily attributed to their bioactive peptide (BAP) content. However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the digestion, bioavailability, and bioactivity of CH-derived BAPs, and how different CH products compare in that regard. 
  • 1.3K
  • 14 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Effects of Vitamin D on Satellite Cells
Vitamin D is a micronutrient that plays a role in the homeostasis of various body organs, including skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle growth and regeneration are critically affected by satellite cells, skeletal muscle stem cells. The discovery of vitamin D receptors on satellite cells supports the role of vitamin D in regulating satellite cell function. In vivo studies have shown the effect of vitamin D on skeletal muscle growth in early life, muscle homeostasis in aging, and skeletal muscle regeneration in conditions of muscle injury or chronic disease.
  • 1.3K
  • 10 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Exposome Hypothesis in Obesity Pandemic
The obesity epidemic shows no signs of abatement. Genetics and overnutrition together with a dramatic decline in physical activity are the alleged main causes for this pandemic. While they undoubtedly represent the main contributors to the obesity problem, they are not able to fully explain all cases and current trends. A body of knowledge related to exposure to as yet underappreciated obesogenic factors, which can be referred to as the “exposome”, merits detailed analysis. Contrarily to the genome, the “exposome” is subject to a great dynamism and variability, which unfolds throughout the individual’s lifetime. 
  • 1.3K
  • 21 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in Child Nutrition
Plant-based milk alternatives can be distinguished in two main categories, differing in production processes and regulation: plant-based formulas and plant-based drinks. They are now a widely accepted class of products on the international market. The various plant-based milk alternatives differ in nutritional characteristics due to their origin and manufacturing; more importantly, whereas formulas from plant and cow origin can be used interchangeably, plant-based drinks are nutritionally different from cow’s milk and can be consumed by children subsequently to the use of formula.
  • 1.2K
  • 19 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids have a role to play in sports performance! Optimal dose and duration for supplementation may differ between athletes and amateurs. Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) are receiving increasing attention in sports nutrition. While the usual focus is that of athletes, questions remain if the different training status between athletes and amateurs influences the response to EPA/DHA, and as to whether amateurs would benefit from EPA/DHA supplementation.
  • 1.2K
  • 16 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Dietary Nitrate and the Maintenance of Oral Health
Nitrate (NO3) is the oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrite (NO2). As soil content, NO3 is an essential substrate for all plant growth and provides, among other things, the nitrogen required for the synthesis of nitrogenous amino acids. It is taken up by the plant roots and originates either from the microbial decomposition of organic waste or from the activity of certain soil bacteria utilizing atmospheric nitrogen for the synthesis of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Since available nitrate is the limiting factor for plant growth, it is deliberately added to the soil in agricultural crop production in the form of nitrate-containing fertilizers. Although the role of the oral microbiota as a key element in the alternative formation of NO2 and NO from nitrate-rich foods has been known for many years, it is surprisingly only in recent years that the therapeutic and preventive prospects of a nitrate-rich diet have attracted the interest of dental researchers.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Role of Coenzyme Q
Coenzyme Q is a unique lipidic molecule highly conserved in evolution and essential to maintaining aerobic metabolism. It is endogenously synthesized in all cells by a very complex pathway involving a group of nuclear genes that share high homology among species. This pathway is tightly regulated at transcription and translation, but also by environment and energy requirements. Dysfunction in CoQ synthesis produces mitochondrial diseases that can partially reverted by CoQ supplementation. The main function of CoQ10 in human metabolism and antioxidant protection of membranes against oxidation and ferroptosis makes CoQ10 as an essential factor in many metabolic, chronic diseases and also in aging.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Hemp as a Functional Food in Vegetarian Nutrition
Many countries discriminate between recreational use (marijuana) and industrial and food use (hemp). The stalks of industrial hemp (low in psychotropic substances) have been used extensively for textile purposes while the seeds are nutritionally versatile. From hemp seeds, it is possible to obtain flours applicable in the bakery sector, oils rich in essential fatty acids, proteins with a high biological value and derivatives for fortification, supplementation and nutraceutical purposes. Hemp seed properties seem relevant for vegetarian diets, due to their high nutritional value and underestimated employment in the food sector. Hemp seed and their derivatives are a valuable source of protein, essential fatty acids and minerals that could provide additional benefit to vegetarian nutrition.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Vitamin K in Preventing Osteoarthritis
Cartilage calcification impairs the function of knee joints. Vitamin K can prevent cartilage calcification by regulating the carboxylation of matrix proteins, such as matrix gla protein. Prevention of calcium crystal formation also suppresses inflammation cytokines production by joint tissues. 
  • 1.2K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mastiha
Mastiha is a natural product of the Mediterranean basin with several health benefits due to its bioactive compounds, namely terpenes, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, arabino-galactanes proteins. It appears as a dried resinous exudate from stems and branches of the tree Pistacia lentiscus (Pistacia lentiscus L. var latifolius Coss or Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia).
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Sep 2021
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