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Topic Review
The Importance of Bifidobacterial Colonisation
There are several parallel mechanisms by which early life microbiome acquisition may proceed, including early exposure to maternal vaginal and fecal microbiota, transmission of skin associated microbes, and ingestion of microorganisms present in breast milk. The crucial role of vertical transmission from the maternal microbial reservoir during vaginal delivery is supported by the shared microbial strains observed among mothers and their babies and the distinctly different gut microbiome composition of caesarean-section born infants. The healthy infant colon is often dominated by members of the keystone genus Bifidobacterium that have evolved complex genetic pathways to metabolize different glycans present in human milk. In exchange for these host-derived nutrients, bifidobacteria's saccharolytic activity results in an anaerobic and acidic gut environment that is protective against enteropathogenic infection. Interference with early-life microbiota acquisition and development could result in adverse health outcomes. Compromised microbiota development, often characterized by decreased abundance of Bifidobacterium species has been reported in infants delivered prematurely, delivered by caesarean section, early life antibiotic exposure and in the case of early life allergies. Various microbiome modulation strategies such as probiotic, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics have been developed that are able to generate a bifidogenic shift and help to restore the microbiota development.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Nutritional Strategies in Prediabetes
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases with existence of one of two precursor states—impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). IFG is defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration of ≥6.1 but <7.0 mmol/L, whereas IGT is defined as an FPG concentration of <7.0 mmol/L and a 2-h post-load plasma glucose concentration of ≥7.8 but <11.1 mmol/L following an oral glucose challenge . A glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 5.7–6.4% has been included in the existing American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s criteria for high diabetes risk since 2010 .Prediabetes is broadly defined as blood glucose levels above normal but below that of diabetes . Prediabetes is typically an umbrella term encompassing IGT, IFG as well as elevated HbA1c levels—all of which are considered substantial risk factors for progression to overt diabetes.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Folate Deficiency in Obese-(pre)Pregnant Women
Preconception folic acid supplement use is a well-known method of primary prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). Obese women are at a higher risk for having a child with a NTD.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Gut–Brain Axis in Neuropsychological Disease Model of Obesity
Obesity is a multifactorial disorder in which various elements (genetic, host, and environment), play a definite role, even if none of them satisfactorily explains its etiology. A number of neurological comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, charges the global obesity burden, and evidence suggests the hypothesis that the brain could be the seat of the initial malfunction leading to obesity. The gut microbiome plays an important role in energy homeostasis regulating energy harvesting, fat deposition, as well as feeding behavior and appetite. Dietary patterns, like the Western diet, are known to be a major cause of the obesity epidemic, probably promoting a dysbiotic drift in the gut microbiota. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies in infants, and its prevalence has increased over recent years. Understanding the diagnostic features of CMA is essential in order to manage patients with this disorder, guide the use of an elimination diet, and find the best moment to start an oral food challenge (OFC) and liberalize the diet. To date, no shared tolerance markers for the diagnosis of food allergy have been identified, and OFC remains the gold standard. Recently, oral immunotherapy (OIT) has emerged as a new therapeutic strategy and has changed the natural history of CMA. Before this, patients had to strictly avoid the food allergen, resulting in a decline in quality of life and subsequent nutritional, social, and psychological impairments. Thanks to the introduction of OIT, the passive approach involving rigid exclusion has changed to a proactive one. Both the heterogeneity in the diagnostic process among the studies and the variability of OIT data limit the comprehension of the real epidemiology of CMA, and, consequentially, its natural history. Therefore, well-planned randomized controlled trials are needed to standardize CMA diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strategies.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Ramadan Fasting and Offspring Health
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, during which fasting is obligatory for all healthy individuals. Although pregnant women are exempt from this Islamic law, the majority nevertheless choose to fast. The association between Ramadan fasting and health outcomes of offspring is not supported by strong evidence. To further elucidate the effects of Ramadan fasting, larger prospective and retrospective studies with novel designs are needed. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Consensus on the Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is crucial for musculoskeletal health, as it plays an important role in the regulation of bone and mineral metabolism, and it can prevent and cure nutritional rickets and osteomalacia. In addition, vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in almost all human cells suggests, or even documents, a more widespread role of vitamin D for overall health, a notion that is supported by several experimental and epidemiological studies. While there still exist knowledge gaps and controversy regarding potential extra-skeletal effects of vitamin D, there is a wide consensus that the high worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is of concern and requires actions to improve this situation.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Endocrine Challenges with Continuous-Flow LVADs
Heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality worldwide. Advancement of mechanical circulatory support technology has led to the use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), reducing hospitalizations, and improving quality of life and outcomes in advanced HF. Recent studies have highlighted how metabolic and endocrine dysfunction may be a consequence of, or associated with, HF, and may represent a novel (still neglected) therapeutic target in the treatment of HF. On the other hand, it is not clear whether LVAD support, may impact the outcome by also improving organ perfusion as well as improving the neuro-hormonal state of the patients, reducing the endocrine dysfunction. Moreover, endocrine function is likely a major determinant of human homeostasis, and is a key issue in the recovery from critical illness. Care of the endocrine function may contribute to improving cardiac contractility, immune function, as well as infection control, and rehabilitation during and after a LVAD placement.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Athletes and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is having major economic and personal consequences for collegiate and professional sportsThe COVID-19 pandemic is having major economic and personal consequences for collegiate and professional sports. It is proposed that vitamin D supplementation be included as a method by which to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and progression to and severity of COVID-19. Evidence supporting this suggestion includes approximately 30 observational studies from several countries finding that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are inversely correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity, progression and risk of death of COVID-19. In addition, “quasi-experimental” studies in France found that COVID-19 patients receiving high-dose vitamin D supplements before or shortly after development of COVID-19 had significantly reduced risk of death. A pilot randomized controlled trial in Spain using high-dose 25(OH)D3 on COVID-19 patients found significant reductions in progression to the intensive care unit and death. Sports teams are already aware of the better athletic performance associated with higher 25(OH)D concentrations and vitamin D supplementation. Thus, supplementing with vitamin D by athletes and associated staff could add an extra measure of protection against COVID-19 as well as help maintain peak athletic ability. This review provides guidelines for supplementation.  
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Antioxidant Effects of Lycopene
Malaria is a disease that affects thousands of people around the world every year. Its pathogenesis is associated with the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and lower levels of micronutrients and antioxidants. Patients under drug treatment have high levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in the body tissues, which limits the use of these drugs. Therefore, several studies have suggested that RONS inhibition may represent an adjuvant therapeutic strategy in the treatment of these patients by increasing the antioxidant capacity of the host. In this sense, supplementation with antioxidant compounds such as zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, C, and E has been suggested as part of the treatment. Among dietary antioxidants, lycopene is the most powerful antioxidant among the main carotenoids. 
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Nutritional Therapy in Pediatric CD
The increase in incidences of pediatric Crohn’s Disease (CD) worldwide has been strongly linked with dietary shifts towards a Westernized diet, ultimately leading to altered gut microbiota and disturbance in intestinal immunity and the metabolome. Multiple clinical studies in children with CD have demonstrated the high efficacy of nutritional therapy with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) to induce remission with an excellent safety profile. However, EEN is poorly tolerated, limiting its compliance and clinical application. This has spiked an interest in the development of alternative and better-tolerated nutritional therapy strategies. Several nutritional therapies have now been designed not only to treat the nutritional deficiencies seen in children with active CD but also to correct dysbiosis and reduce intestinal inflammation.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Lycopene as Antioxidant for Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Nutrition is of utmost importance in chronic disease management and has often been described as the cornerstone of a variety of non-communicable diseases. In particular, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a prevalent and global public health crisis. Lycopene, a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, has been extensively studied for its biological activities and treatment efficiency in diabetes care. Epidemiological investigations indicate that lycopene has potential antioxidant properties, is capable of scavenging reactive species, and alleviates oxidative stress in T2DM patients.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the number one chronic liver disease worldwide and is estimated to affect nearly 40% of obese youth and up to 10% of the general pediatric population without any obvious signs or symptoms. Although the early stages of NAFLD are reversible with diet and lifestyle modifications, detecting such stages is hindered by a lack of non-invasive methods of risk assessment and diagnosis. This absence of non-invasive means of diagnosis is directly related to the scarcity of long-term prospective studies of pediatric NAFLD in children and adolescents. In the majority of pediatric NAFLD cases, the mechanisms driving the origin and rapid progression of NAFLD remain unknown. The progression from NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in youth is associated with unique histological features and possible immune processes and metabolic pathways that may reflect different mechanisms compared with adults. Recent data suggest that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are important new biomarkers underlying pathways of liver injury. Several factors may contribute to pediatric NAFLD development, including high-sugar diets, in utero exposures via epigenetic alterations, changes in the neonatal microbiome, and altered immune system development and mitochondrial function.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
(−)-Methyl-Oleocanthal, a New Oleocanthal Metabolite
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses of (−)-methyl-oleocanthal (met-OLE), a new metabolite of the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) phenolic oleocanthal (OLE), were explored in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine peritoneal macrophages. Possible signaling pathways and epigenetic modulation of histones were studied. Met-OLE inhibited LPS-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrite (NO) production and decreased the overexpression of the pro-inflammatory enzymes COX-2, mPGES-1 and iNOS in murine macrophages.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency with Calcifediol
Calcifediol (25-OH-vitamin D3) is the prohormone of the vitamin D endocrine system. It is used to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency. Calcifediol, as well as cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), is efficient and safe in the general population, although calcifediol has certain advantages over cholecalciferol, such as its rapid onset of action and greater potency. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 May 2022
Topic Review
Fiber in Health and Disease
The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex but is thought to be linked to an intricate interaction between the host's immune system, resident gut microbiome and environment, i.e., diet. One dietary component that has a major impact on IBD risk and disease management is fiber. Fiber also has a significant impact on beneficially shaping gut microbiota composition and functional capacity. 
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Vitamin D Signaling
The vitamin D metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is the natural, high-affinity ligand of the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR). In many tissues and cell types, VDR binds in a ligand-dependent fashion to thousands of genomic loci and modulates, via local chromatin changes, the expression of hundreds of primary target genes. Thus, the epigenome and transcriptome of VDR-expressing cells is directly affected by vitamin D. Vitamin D target genes encode for proteins with a large variety of physiological functions, ranging from the control of calcium homeostasis, innate and adaptive immunity, to cellular differentiation.
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Plant-Based Diet on GDM
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents a challenging pregnancy complication in which women present a state of glucose intolerance. GDM has been associated with various obstetric complications, such as polyhydramnios, preterm delivery, and increased cesarean delivery rate. Moreover, the fetus could suffer from congenital malformation, macrosomia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and intrauterine death.
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Brassicaceae-Derived Phytochemicals
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders, of unknown etiology, characterized by chronic inflammation within the gut. They are gradually becoming critical because of the increasing incidence worldwide and improved diagnosis. Due to the important side effects observed during conventional therapy, natural bioactive components are now under intense investigation for the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses. The Brassicaceae family comprises vegetables widely consumed all over the world. A growing body of literature has reported that extracts from the Brassicaceae family and their purified constituents have anti-inflammatory properties, which has generated interest from both the scientific community and clinicians.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Nutraceuticals for Improving Sleep Quality
Functional beverages can be a valuable component of the human diet with the ability to not only provide essential hydration but to deliver important bioactive compounds that can contribute to chronic disease treatment and prevention. One area of the functional beverage market that has seen an increase in demand in recent years are beverages that promote relaxation and sleep. Sleep is an essential biological process, with optimal sleep being defined as one of adequate duration, quality and timing. It is regulated by a number of neurotransmitters which are, in turn, regulated by dietary intake of essential bioactive compounds. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Oct 2022
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