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Topic Review
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Peer Reviewed Entry
Video Entry
Topic Review
Nutritional Composition in Tomatoes
Tomatoes are consumed worldwide as fresh vegetables because of their high contents of essential nutrients and antioxidant-rich phytochemicals. Tomatoes contain minerals, vitamins, proteins, essential amino acids (leucine, threonine, valine, histidine, lysine, arginine), monounsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotenoids) and phytoster-ols (β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol). Lycopene is the main dietary carotenoid in tomato and tomato-based food products and lycopene consumption by humans has been reported to protect against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive function and osteoporosis. Among the phenolic compounds present in tomato, quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, caffeic acid and lutein are the most common. Many of these compounds have antioxidant activities and are effective in protecting the human body against various oxidative stress-related diseases. Dietary tomatoes in-crease the body’s level of antioxidants, trapping reactive oxygen species and reducing oxidative damage to important biomolecules such as membrane lipids, enzymatic proteins and DNA, thereby ameliorating oxidative stress.
17.7K
04 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Taro Corms
Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is an ancient tuberous crop that is cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates as staple food source. The edible part of taro widely used for human consumption is known as corm. Taro corms contain valuable bioactive molecules effective against cancer and cancer-related risk factors, such as carcinogens and biological agents, several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative stress and inflammation, while controlling metabolic dysfunctions and boosting the immunological response. Such broad effects are achieved by the taro health-influencing compounds displaying antitumoral, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Although these health-promoting effects have been recognized since ancient times, as well as other valuable features of taro for food profit, such as hypo-allergenicity, gluten-free, and carbohydrates with medium-glycemic index, taro crop remains underexploited.
15.2K
29 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Adolescents Malnutrition
Adolescents are young individuals that are between the ages of 10 and 19 years old. Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in an individual intake of energy and/or nutrients
15.2K
16 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Obesity
Obesity is a challenging condition of excess body fat, caused by an imbalance in energy consumption and expenditure.
11.0K
18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine (N-(aminoiminomethyl)-N-methyl glycine) is a naturally occurring nitrogen-containing compound that plays an integral role in cellular metabolism. Creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation increases muscle phosphagen levels, improves repetitive high-intensity exercise performance, and promotes greater training adaptations. No significant side effects other than weight gain have been reported from CrM supplementation despite widespread use throughout the world.
9.8K
07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Vitamin B6 and Diabetes
Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient for the human health. It is involved in more that 150 metabolic reactions which regulate the metabolism of glucose, lipids, amino acids, DNA, and neurotransmitters. In addition, vitamin B6 is an antioxidant molecule able to counteracting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Epidemiological and experimental studies indicated the reduced levels of vitamin B6 can cause diabetes. In contrast other studies show that diabetes decreases vitamin B6 levels. Thus these findings lead to envisage the existence of a vicious circle at the basis of the relationship between vitamin B6 and diabetes. This entry reports the main evidence concerning the role of vitamin B6 in diabetes and examine the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.
8.3K
28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Iron-Containing Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptive use has been associated with decreased menstrual blood losses; thus, can independently reduce the risk of anemia and iron deficiency in women. Manufacturers have recently started to include supplemental iron in the non-hormonal placebo tablets of some contraceptives.
7.2K
15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Maternal Night-Time Eating During Pregnancy
This narrative review focuses on the contributing factors and health implications of night eating during pregnancy, based on evidence from cross-sectional studies and longitudinal cohorts. The modern lifestyle and presence of pregnancy symptoms contribute to night eating during pregnancy, which is likely to coexist and interact with multiple undesirable lifestyle behaviors. Unfavorable nutritional characteristics associated with night eating have the potential to induce aberrant circadian rhythms in pregnant women, resulting in adverse metabolic and pregnancy outcomes.
7.1K
21 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Insulin Signaling
The insulin signaling pathway begins with the binding of the peptide hormone insulin to its corresponding receptor, the insulin receptor. The insulin receptor is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that conformationally consists of two alpha and two beta subunit tetramers. The insulin receptor exhibiting kinase activity is responsible for its autophosphorylation at the tyrosine residue site upon insulin binding.
6.9K
28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Plant-Dominant Low-Protein Diet
Plant-dominant low-protein diet (LPD), also abbreviated as "PLADO" is a patient-centered LPD of 0.6–0.8 g/kg/day composed of >50% plant-based sources, administered by dietitians trained in providing nutrition care to patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD). PLADO's composition and meal plans can be designed and adjusted based on individualized needs and according to the principles of precision nutrition. The goal of PLADO is to slow kidney disease progression, to avoid or delay dialysis therapy initiation, and to ensure cardiovascular health and longevity. The ideal type of PLADO is a heart-healthy, safe, flexible, and feasible diet that could be the centerpiece of the conservative and preservative management of CKD.
6.4K
05 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Short-Chain Fatty Acids
The relationship between diet and the diversity and function of the intestinal microbiome and its importance for human health is currently the subject of many studies. The type and proportion of microorganisms found in the intestines can determine the energy balance of the host. Intestinal microorganisms perform many important functions, one of which is participation in metabolic processes, e.g., in the production of short-chain fatty acids—SCFAs (also called volatile fatty acids). These acids represent the main carbon flow from the diet to the host microbiome. Maintaining intestinal balance is necessary to maintain the host’s normal health and prevent many diseases. The results of many studies confirm the beneficial effect of probiotic microorganisms on the balance of the intestinal microbiome and produced metabolites, including SCFAs. The aim of this review is to summarize what is known on the effects of probiotics on the production of short-chain fatty acids by gut microbes. In addition, the mechanism of formation and properties of these metabolites is discussed and verified test results confirming the effectiveness of probiotics in human nutrition by modulating SCFAs production by intestinal microbiome is presented.
5.2K
30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Healthy Benefits of Natural Pigments
Natural pigments, including carotenoids, flavonoids and anthocyanidins, determine the attractive color of fruits. These natural pigments are essential secondary metabolites, which play multiple roles in the whole life cycle of plants and are characterized by powerful antioxidant activity. After decades of research and development, multiple benefits of these natural pigments to human health have been explored and recognized and have shown bright application prospects in food, medicine, cosmetics and other industries.
5.0K
17 May 2021
Topic Review
Stilbene Biosynthesis
Stilbenes are a small family of polyphenolic secondary metabolites that can be found in several distantly related plant species. These compounds act as phytoalexins, playing a crucial role in plant defense against phytopathogens, as well as being involved in the adaptation of plants to abiotic environmental factors. Among stilbenes, trans-resveratrol is certainly the most popular and extensively studied for its health properties. However, many other stilbenes, both monomeric and oligomeric, are currently under intensive investigation due to their biological role and bioactivity.
4.8K
14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Palmitoylethanolamide in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a naturally occurring saturated N-acylethanolamine that has proven to be effective in controlling inflammation, depression, epilepsy, and pain, possibly through a neuroprotective role against glutamate toxicity. Here, we systematically reviewed all human and animal studies examining PEA and its biobehavioral correlates in ASD. Studies indicate altered serum/brain levels of PEA and other endocannabinoids (ECBs)/acylethanolamines (AEs) in ASD. Altered PEA signaling response to social exposure and altered expression/activity of enzymes responsible for the synthesis and catalysis of ECBs/AEs, as well as downregulation of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) and cannabinoid receptor target GPR55 mRNA brain expression, have been reported. Stress and exposure to exogenous cannabinoids may modulate ECBs/AEs levels and expression of candidate genes for neuropsychiatric disorders, with implications for ASD. Limited research suggests that PEA supplementation reduces overall autism severity by improving language and social and nonsocial behaviors. Potential neurobiological underpinnings include modulation of immune response, neuroinflammation, neurotrophy, apoptosis, neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, mitochondrial function, and microbiota activity, possibly through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) activation.
4.4K
08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Traditional Mexican Diet
Grains, legumes, and vegetables were the most representative food groups in the traditional Mexican diet (TMexD), as these were mentioned in most (75%) of the studies, including all the subgroups evaluated. Additionally, maize (mostly as tortillas), beans, squash, tomato, chile, and onion are potentially fundamental elements of the TMexD, as these were the only individual foods cited in most studies, including all the subgroups evaluated. Indeed, maize (a grain), beans (a legume), and squash (a vegetable) have long represented the basic foods in Mexico, as they form part of the ancient agro-ecosystem known as Milpa. Other groups that were also mentioned in all the studies and subgroup analyses were maize products, fruits, beverages, fish and seafood, meats, sweets and sweeteners, and herbs and condiments. However, these were mentioned in different frequencies in the different subgroups assessed (i.e., in ≥75% of studies in some subgroups while in only 50% of studies in others).
4.2K
05 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Gymnema inodorum
Gymnema inodorum (GI) is an indigenous medicinal plant and functional food in Thailand that has recently helped to reduce plasma glucose levels in healthy humans. It is renowned for the medicinal properties of gymnemic acid and its ability to suppress glucose absorption. However, the effects of gymnemic acids on adipogenesis that contribute to the accumulation of adipose tissues associated with obesity remain unknown. The present study aimed to determine the effects of gymnemic acids derived from GI tea on adipogenesis. We purified and identified GiA-7 and stephanosides C and B from GI tea that inhibited adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. These compounds also suppressed the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparγ)-dependent genes, indicating that they inhibit lipid accumulation and the early stage of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Only GiA-7 induced the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) and pparγ coactivator 1 alpha (Pgc1α), suggesting that GiA-7 induces mitochondrial activity and beige-like adipocytes. This is the first finding of stephanosides C and B in Gymnema inodorum. Our results suggested that GiA-7 and stephanosides C and B from GI tea could help to prevent obesity.
3.9K
21 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Vitamin D in Dairy Products
The term Vitamin D was created in 1922, describing a vitamin able to promote calcium deposition. Vitamin D in nature is available as ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).
3.8K
05 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Activity of Natural Carboxylic Acids
Natural carboxylic acids described in this paper are plant-derived compounds having biological activity. The aim of this review is to summarize and evaluate the physicochemical properties of selected compounds naturally occurring in plants, their potential of microbiological and anticancer activity. In order to create targeted modifications of the structure enhancing its activity, it is; therefore, necessary to thoroughly understand the mechanisms of action of a given molecule under systemic conditions.
3.7K
03 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Southeast Asian Diet
There is a significant degree of dietary diversity across and within the various Southeast Asian countries. This is due to a myriad of factors such as a degree of past and present foreign influence, a history of maritime trade, and an abundance of local ingredients available in the region. Social stratification coupled with the many distinct ethnicities, cultures, religions further complicate meal practices by impacting the choice of foods, the structure of meals, as well as the patterns of eating behaviour. This level of variability can make it difficult for consumption patterns to be accurately defined and may reduce the effectiveness of population-wide nutrition surveillance.
3.6K
30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Paraprobiotics
Paraprobiotics are defined as “inactivated microbial cells (non-viable) that confer a health benefit to the consumer” and hold the ability to regulate the adaptive and innate immune systems, to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties, and to exert antagonistic effect against pathogens, thus confirming that viability of probiotics is not an absolute pre-requisite for promoting health effects.
3.6K
05 May 2021
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