Frontiers in Nutrition

BackgroundErgothioneine (ergothioneine) is a naturally occurring antioxidant with emerging evidence supporting its role in cellular protection and anti-aging. However, clinical data on its cosmetic benefits remain limited. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of daily oral supplementation with DR.ERGO(R) ergothioneine capsules on skin condition in healthy women reporting signs of skin aging. MethodsIn this 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 66 women aged 35-59 years were assigned to receive either DR.ERGO(R) ergothioneine (30 mg/day) or placebo. Skin parameters including melanin index, erythema index, glossiness, elasticity (R2, R5, R7), spot count, wrinkle count were evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. ResultsCompared to placebo, the DR.ERGO(R) ergothioneine group showed significantly greater improvements in melanin and erythema reduction, skin glossiness, elasticity, and wrinkle and spot reduction (all p < 0.01). No adverse events were reported. ConclusionContinuous oral intake of DR.ERGO(R) ergothioneine significantly improved skin aging parameters, with excellent safety and tolerability. These findings suggest DR.ERGO(R) ergothioneine may serve as an effective oral anti-aging agent.

BackgroundLiver function is foundational to human health. While numerous herbal extracts have individually been shown to improve liver function, there are relatively few studies on combinations of herbal ingredients that may have synergistic effects. In addition, capsule fatigue is a common problem when aiming to incorporate multiple ingredients to support liver health. With these gaps in mind, the goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a highly purified plant-based nutraceutical containing organic herbal extracts of turmeric, dandelion, milk thistle, and ginger on liver function parameters. MethodsA randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this nutraceutical liquid formula. Healthy adults were randomized 1:1 to receive the nutraceutical product or placebo (both 60 mL) twice daily for 180 days. The primary endpoint was change in liver function tests (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine phosphatase [ALP], gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]) from baseline to end of study. Safety was also evaluated. The primary endpoint was compared between study arms via analysis of covariance. ResultsIn total, 130 participants enrolled in the trial; 65 were randomized to each group. Mean improvements in ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT were significantly greater with the nutraceutical product than placebo (P[&le;]0.001). No adverse events were reported. DiscussionSupplementation with this liquid nutraceutical formula improved the liver enzyme profile of healthy individuals, suggesting that it may mitigate a trend toward higher liver enzyme levels over time in a convenient manner that fosters compliance. Clinical trial registrationClinical Trial Registry of India (https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php; CTRI/2023/06/068839)

IntroductionA few cases of serious side effects have been reported of Momordica charantia L. (MC). No comprehensive safety assessment has yet been performed based on human intake.This systematic review aims to evaluate the potential harm of Momordica charantia L. derived products using data from randomized controlled trials. MethodsDatabases Cochrane Library, Pubmed and EMBASE were searched until December 2020. The PRISMA harms checklist was followed. Data extraction was on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, adverse effects (AE), reasons for drop out related to the intervention and interaction with other treatment. Two authors independently extracted data and bias was evaluated based on the latest version of the Cochrane risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2). Additional safety data were requested from Health Regulatory Agencies, Herbal Medicine Associations and manufacturers. ResultsSeventeen trials met the inclusion criteria. The IRR was calculated for each study ranging from 0.30 (95% CI = 0.12 to 0.75) to 13.00 (95% CI = 0.73 to 230.76) of any adverse events. ConclusionsUnder a daily dosage of 6g of MC-derived products no evidence was seen of harms in humans. In case reports that showed serious harm, MC was used in a liquid form. The safety of traditional MC-based supplements appears more guaranteed when produced under strict quality standards.

BackgroundAllium vegetables (garlic and onion) are one of the flavorings in peoples daily diets. Observational studies suggest that intake of allium vegetables may be correlated with a lower incidence of digestive system cancers. However, the existence of a causal relationship is still controversial due to confounding factors and reverse causation. Therefore, we explored the causal relationship between intake of allium vegetables and digestive system cancers using Mendelian randomization approach. MethodsFirst, we performed Mendelian randomization analyses using inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger approaches, and demonstrated the reliability of the results in the sensitivity step. Second, Multivariable Mendelian randomization was applied to adjust for smoking and alcohol consumption. Third, we explored the molecular mechanisms behind the positive results through network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. ResultsThe study suggests that increased intake of garlic reduced gastric cancer risk. However, onion intake was not statistically associated with digestive system cancer. ConclusionGarlic may have a protective effect against gastric cancer.

Diamine oxidase (DAO) is a key enzyme for metabolizing dietary histamine in the gastrointestinal tract. DAO deficiency can lead to histamine intolerance (HIT), manifesting as migraines, gastrointestinal disturbances, and allergic reactions. DAO supplementation has been shown to enhance histamine breakdown, alleviating these symptoms. This randomized, double-blind, single ascending dose (SAD) Phase I clinical trial aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of DAO supplementation in healthy volunteers. Thirty participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive DAO or placebo. Single doses of 42 mg, 84 mg, or 210 mg of DAO extract (adiDAO(R) Veg) were administered under fasting conditions. Vital signs, laboratory parameters, and adverse events (AEs) were monitored, and a follow-up visit assessed post-administration safety. All participants completed the study without discontinuations. No serious adverse events or clinically significant changes in vital signs, ECGs, or laboratory parameters were observed. The study demonstrated that even doses significantly exceeding typical recommendations were well-tolerated, with no safety concerns identified. This trial confirms the safety of high-dose DAO supplementation, supporting its potential use in managing DAO deficiency and HIT. Future studies are recommended to explore the effects of chronic high-dose administration and alternative dosage forms to improve convenience.

BackgroundFasting has long been a ritual or practice in varied religions, and recently, has been noticed to reduce the risk factors of metabolic diseases. In China, varied populations performed a traditional Taoism fasting practice, which lasted for 21-day with <5% calorie intake. However, the safety and applicability of this procedure haven not been investigated. MethodsA total of 144 volunteered participants in six camps following the 21-day fasting (with <5% of normal diet) were investigated. 124 were examined for physical biomarkers and 53 of which also had biochemical markers. Another open label, non-comparative, phase 1/2 prospective cohort study enrolling 20 participants with metabolic diseases was also performed. The physical indices and biochemical biomarkers were collected at varied point of the fasting procedure. Statistical comparison and metagenomic analysis were performed. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03193177). FindingsOur preliminary retrospective cohort study showed that no severe adverse event (grade 3 or above) was reported, and all biomarkers fluctuated within the safe ranges, except for the urea acid. The 21-day fasting could significantly reduce BMI and blood pressures. The prospective cohort study of the metabolic diseased participants showed a significant reduction of BMI (3.3{+/-}1.0) and systolic blood pressure (28.7{+/-}17.8 mmHg) after the fasting procedure. The data also presented significant ameliorations on overweight (16/16), hypertension (11/11) and fatty liver (9/9). InterpretationThe 21-day fasting appeared safe and feasible for both healthy and unhealthy people. It could ameliorate the risk factors associated with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. FundingThis work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China and China Overseas-Educated Scholars Development Foundation. Research in contextO_ST_ABSEvidence before this studyC_ST_ABSFasting has long been a ritual or practice in varied religions. In modern science, it has been noticed that fasting or calorie-restricted diets could benefit for the prevention or treatment of metabolic disorder-associated diseases. In China, the fasting practice, called "Bigu" (literally: avoiding grains), is believed to be capable of prolonging life in Taoism and was also used for medical cure. Compared to the reported fasting practices, the Bigu regimen is a more restricted abstinence, in which the practicers usually experience a continuous 21-day practice with an extremely low-calorie intake (<5% of normal diet). In a rough estimation, there are dozens of Bigu practice camps and over ten thousand practicers per year in China. However, nearly all Bigu camps followed the traditional Taoist procedures but lacked medical and scientific evaluation, which made those practices either mysterious or superstitious to the public. Added value of this studyOur data showed that no severe adverse event was reported during the 21-day fasting procedure, and all biomarkers fluctuated within the safe ranges, except for the urea acid. The 21-day fasting could significantly reduce BMI and blood pressures. The data also presented significant ameliorations on overweight, hypertension and fatty liver. This 21-day fasting appeared safe and feasible for both healthy and unhealthy people. It could ameliorate the risk factors associated with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Implications of all the available evidenceThis preliminary cohort study showed that the long-term extreme fasting was safety to most people and exhibited promising therapeutic effects to hypertension, hyperlipidemia and fatty liver. However, a large cohort study of health-improving effects by long-term extreme fasting is needed.

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is prevalent in Pakistan, yet there is no consensus on the optimal range for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. Establishing reference ranges specific to the population is essential due to variations in age, sex, race, and diet. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) serves as a surrogate marker for vitamin D deficiency. This study aims to determine the reference range for plasma vitamin D in a healthy population in Peshawar, considering various demographic and biochemical factors. MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four union councils of District Peshawar. Participants (n=200) aged 18-54 years underwent serum vitamin D and PTH analysis using ELISA kits. Data on sun exposure, anthropometric measurements, and dietary habits were collected. ResultsThe majority of participants (92%) reported daily sun exposure of 15-30 minutes and had a mean BMI of 23.598{+/-}3.988 kg/m2. Only 28% of participants were vitamin D sufficient, while 72% were deficient. test results obtained for the reference values were 6.43-45.0 ng/mL for the percentile range of 2.5-97.5. ConclusionThe high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency underscores the need for governmental and educational interventions to promote awareness and address this issue. Additionally, tailored nutrition plans are crucial to mitigate vitamin D deficiency in the local population.

ObjectiveAccording to some studies, chronic pain imposes a significant burden on individuals and the economy, affecting more than 30% of the global population. However, the relationship between tea intake and chronic pain remains unclear. MethodsThis study employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to detect the causal relationship between tea intake and chronic pain. The tea intake was obtained from the UK Biobank. The Multisite chronic pain (MCP) was used as the primary outcome, while chronic widespread pain (CWP) served as the secondary outcome. To assess heterogeneity, we applied Cochrans Q statistic with IVW methods. Additionally, the MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO test were performed to detect potential pleiotropy. ResultsThe results showed that tea intake increased the risk of MCP. Specifically, an increase in tea intake was associated with a higher risk of MCP (OR = 1.088, 95%CI = 1.038-1.141, P < 0.001). However, no causal relationship was found between tea intake and CWP (OR = 1.006, 95%CI = 0.999-1.014, P > 0.05). Furthermore, no reverse causality was observed. ConclusionOur findings suggested that genetically predicted tea intake was a risk factor for chronic pain. These results may help shed light on the potential health impacts of tea take, providing further insights into its influence on chronic pain.

ScopeAntioxidants, including vitamin E (VE) and grape seed extract, as anti-aging supplementation have been widely used to improve human health. However, the role of gut microbiota in dietary antioxidant supplementation is debatable. This study aimed to assess the longitudinal impact of dietary supplementation with antioxidant compounds on body health and the gut microbiota. Methods and resultsOne hundred and twenty healthy individuals were randomly divided into a placebo group (amylodextrin) and three experimental groups ingesting different supplement (VE, grape seed extract, or mixed berry juice). Blood and fecal samples were collected during three intervention phases. We found that VE and mixed berry juice ameliorated blood cholesterol levels by reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in healthy volunteers. After the intervention, there was an increase in the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and bile acid metabolizers. Specifically, the abundances of Lachnospira sp. and Faecalibacterium spp. increased in the VE and berry juice groups. Interestingly, the gut microbiota of poor responders harbored a greater proportion of disease-associated bacterial species. ConclusionJuice and VE could promote health by lowering LDL-C, partly and indirectly by affecting gut bacteria with the ability to produce SCFAs or metabolize bile acids.

The study of the probiotic effect in the prevention or treatment of diseases has long attracted the attention of many researchers. Here, we collected close to 300 meta-analysis articles for 20 years, investigating the effect of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of diseases. The goal of this study is to provide an overview of all meta-analysis articles of the effects of probiotics on various human diseases. For this purpose, different online databases, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were searched with the keywords "probiotics" + "disease" + "meta-analysis" in the title, abstract, and keywords. Papers studied and categorized and investigated in order to present valuable insights for researchers in the field. Some of main categories are based on publication year, publishing journals, gender, age, effect type, disease type, contradicting reports and etc. According to the results, most meta-analyses indicated probiotics were 79% effective in preventing or treating the diseases. Some articles have also reported no positive effects, but there is not any paper in our study confirming the detrimental influence of probiotic effect on human health. For the future works, Cochrane reviews, meta-analysis including dozens of articles (as e.g. for NEC and AAD) may be investigated.

Very-long chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection. We conducted a pilot study in 100 patients to test the hypothesis that RBC EPA+DHA levels (the Omega-3 Index, O3I) would be inversely associated with risk for death by analyzing the O3I in banked blood samples drawn at hospital admission. To have adequate power (>80%) in this pilot study, we pre-specified a significance level of 0.10. Fourteen patients died, one of 25 in quartile 4 (Q4) (O3I [&ge;]5.7%) and 13 of 75 in Q1-3. After adjusting for age and sex, the odds ratio for death in patients with an O3I in Q4 vs Q1-3 was 0.25, p=0.07. Thus, we have suggestive evidence that the risk for death from COVID-19 was lower in those with the highest O3I levels. These preliminary findings need to be confirmed in larger studies.

Outcomes from the COSMOS trial have reinforced the notion of flavanols as important plant-derived bioactives contributing to cardiovascular health. As discussions continue on whether specific dietary reference values for flavanols are warranted, it is possible that existing dietary guidelines emphasizing fruits and vegetables already yield sufficient flavanol intake levels. If this were the case, developing flavanol specific dietary reference values might be unnecessary. This study therefore aimed at assessing whether adherence to dietary recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake and overall diet quality achieves flavanol intake levels of 500 mg/day, the amount proven to mediate cardiovascular benefits in the COSMOS trial. Flavanol intake was objectively evaluated using two validated and complementary biomarkers, 5-(3{square},4{square}-dihydroxyphenyl)-{gamma}-valerolactone metabolites (gVLMB) and structurally related (-)-epicatechin metabolites (SREMB), in two geographically distinct studies: COSMOS (US; n=6,509) and EPIC-Norfolk (UK; n=24,154). The results showed that higher fruit and vegetable intakes and diet quality (assessed via the alternative healthy eating index-aHEI) were associated with increased flavanol intake in COSMOS. Nevertheless, fewer than 25% of participants meeting dietary guidelines achieved an estimated flavanol intake of [&ge;]500 mg/day. Similar findings were observed in EPIC-Norfolk as well as through flavanol intake simulations considering fruits and vegetables commonly consumed in the US diet. In conclusion, adherence to existing dietary guidelines does not yield flavanol intake levels comparable to those shown to provide cardiovascular benefits in COSMOS. Thus, specific dietary reference values for flavanols may still be necessary if aiming to increase the intake of these dietary compounds. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=101 SRC="FIGDIR/small/26346949v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (39K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@24faeaorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d52a29org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c2ff33org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@100a384_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

BackgroundIt is known that cancer can cause loss of body weight and muscle protein wasting, which leads to a state of malnutrition, which in turn worsens the prognosis and health of the cancer patient. It has been suggested that the promoting mechanism of this state is systemic inflammation, for which reason several clinical trials have used omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as adjuvants to antineoplastic treatment, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory effects. However, few systematic reviews and meta-analyzes have analyzed the effects of omega-3s in patients with breast cancer. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess the effect of the supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on nutritional and clinical outcomes in patients with breast cancer receiving medical treatment. MethodsA systematic review will be conducted, starting with a search in PubMed, CENTRAL and EMBASE using search terms related to omega-3 fatty acids and breast cancer. We will include only randomized controlled trials that assess the effects of omega-3 in patients with breast cancer receiving medical treatment.. Data will be extracted in a spread sheet. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted by two reviewers independently and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCT will be used for assessment of risk of bias. Discrepancies will be reviewed with a third reviewer. ConclusionThis systematic review aims to provide an analysis on the outcomes of the usage of the intervention with omega-3 fatty acids on nutritional and clinical aspects in patients with breast cancer receiving medical treatment.

A gut microbiome-targeted diet can potentially mitigate chronic diseases like malnutrition. In a prospective 12-week intervention trial, we evaluated the effects of six different plant-based fermented pickles ([~]50g/day) on clinical, inflammatory, and gut-microbiome parameters in women (n=230) in a rural setting with a high prevalence of undernutrition. Blood was collected at two, whereas stool was collected at three timepoints. Among fecal biomarkers, myeloperoxidase (MPO), Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), and 16S rRNA sequencing were measured at baseline, 8th, and 12th weeks. Overall compliance rate was >70%. WBC and neutrophils significantly decreased among radish (p=0.002, p=0.01) and carrot (p=0.005, p=0.006) groups compared to controls. In lemon-chili groups, platelets significantly decreased (p<0.001) while MCV increased (p=0.02). In onion and lemon-chili groups, the alpha ([p]=0.001 and p=0.0005, respectively) and beta diversities (p=9e-04 and p=0.0223, respectively) were significantly increased. Post-intervention linear discriminant analysis (LDA) identified 25 bacterial taxa markers at 8th and 12th week, that included Eggerthellaceae and Oscillospiraceae, Erysipelatoclostridiaceae and Subdoligranumlum, predominantly in lemon-chili group. Correlation analysis revealed six taxa negatively associated with inflammatory markers such as CRP, LCN2, and platelets. Our study provides preliminary information about consumption of culturally acceptable fermented pickles exerting beneficial changes in hematological and gut microbiome profiles of women, post-intervention.

Plant-based diets (PBD) have been found to be environmentally sustainable as well as beneficial for health. Observational research showed that higher plant-based diet quality improves well-being in adult women, however this is unclear for older adults. This association may be due to anti-inflammatory properties of PBD. Older adults, often suffering from chronic inflammation, may therefore profit from a more PBD. Therefore, we investigated the relation between PBD and well-being in older adults of both genders and tested whether the effects are influenced by circulating high-senstivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. We used the data of the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study (n=6,635, mean age=65.2 years) and a subsample in which hsCRP was measured (n=2,251, mean age=65.2 years). We applied a plant-based diet index measuring adherence to a healthful (hPDI) and an unhealthful (uPDI) plant-based diet based on food frequency questionnaires. The RAND-36 questionnaire was applied as measure of quality of life, from which we derived physical (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS). Older adults with the highest adherence to a healthful plant-based diet had respectively 14% and 12% greater odds for high physical well-being and mental well-being. Meanwhile, higher adherence to uPDI was associated with respectively 19% and 14% lower odds for high physical and mental well-being. We observed an additive but no mediating effect of hsCRP on the association between plant-based diets and well-being. We conclude that in older men and women, adherence to a healthful plant-based diet and circulating levels of inflammation are independently associated with physical and mental well-being.

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in human populations and has been linked to immune dysfunction. Here we explored the effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on circulating cytokines in severely vitamin D deficient (blood 25(OH)D3 << 30 nmol/L) adolescents aged 12-15 from Mongolia. The study included 28 children receiving 800 IU daily cholecalciferol for 6 months spanning winter and spring, and 30 children receiving placebo during the same period. The levels of 25(OH)D3 were assessed at baseline, three and six months. Twenty-one cytokines were measured in serum at baseline and at six months. The median blood 25(OH)D3 concentration at baseline was 13.7 nmol/L (IQR=10.0-21.7). Supplementation tripled blood 25(OH)D3 levels (p<0.001) and reversed the direction of change for most cytokines (16/21, 86%). Supplementation was associated with elevated interleukin (IL)-6 (p=0.043). The placebo group had reduced MIP-1 (p=0.007) and IL-8 (p=0.034) at six months. These findings suggest that cholecalciferol supplementation and seasonality have a measurable impact on circulating cytokines in adolescents, identifying chemokines as potentially important biomarkers of vitamin D status in this population. ClinicalTrial.org ID: NCT01244204

IntroductionObesity is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases and is a growing global health concern and poor health outcomes have consistently been linked to body mass index (BMI). Small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) changes brought on by obesity may increase the likelihood of endothelium penetration and subsequent atherogenesis. Numerous tissues metabolic and secretory functions are altered by obesity, which may also increase the serum resistin level. MethodsPresent study included 300 participants with diffent BMI among them sdLDL and resistin was evaluated. HbA1c was analysed by whole blood of EDTA and the serum were thawed sample was used for lipid parameters (TG, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL and sdLDL) and vitamin B12 analysis as well as resistin level was analysed by ELISA. ResultsStudy observed higher HbA1c (%, p=0.0004), LDL (mg/dl) (<0.0001), TG (mg/dl) (<0.0001), Cholesterol (mg/dl) (<0.0001), VLDL (mg/dl) (<0.0001) in obese compared to overweight, normal BMI, except HDL. Smokers and hypertensive participants had higher sdLDL (p=0.03, p=0.0001) and resistin level (p=0.03, p<0.0001). Obese participants had high amount of sdLDL (p<0.0001, p<0.0001) and resistin level (p<0.0001, p<0.0001) compared to overweight and normal BMI. SdLDL and resistin were found to be positively correlated as well as correlation analysis of sdLDL and resistin level was observed to be significantly correlated with BMI, systolic, TG, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL while negative correlation with HDL level. ROC analysis showed that sdLDL and resistin could be used as prognostic factor for overweight/obesity at cutoff value of 18.55 mg/dl (sdLDL) and 750 pg/ml (resistin). It was also observed that the participant with normal BMI had 389.6 pmol/L while overweight participant had 300.6 pmol/L (p<0.0001) and obese had 291.0 pmol/L (p<0.0001). ConclusionStudy concluded that the obese participants had higher TG, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and lower HDL level. The most importantly, higher sdLDL level and resistin level was observed in obese participants as well as higher sdLDL and resistin could influence the higher lipid parameters (TG, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL) and lower HDL level. It was also observed that obese participants had lower vitamin B12 level and could lead to other metabolic error.

Dietary fatty acids and cholesterol content are proved, by many research studies, to be associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular health. Knowledge of the composition of these nutrients in food is essential for proper planning of health programs. The present study aimed at assessing the fatty acid profile, fatty acid nutritional quality, and cholesterol composition of 37 foods commonly consumed in the State of Kuwait and the potential impact of these foods on cardiovascular risk. Fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector into four types: saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids. Nutritional quality was calculated using the atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio, polyunsaturated fatty acid/ saturated fatty acid ratio, and n-3/n-6 fatty acids ratio. Determination of cholesterol was performed by gas chromatography. Saturated fatty acid levels ranged from 0.01-21.83, monounsaturated fatty acids 0.01-25.51, and 0.013-22.87 g/100 g edible portion of food. The predominant fatty acids identified in all studied foods were C18:2c (n-3), C16:0, and C18:1c, with values 0.45-56.52, 10.12-44.90, and 16.99-42.56% of total fatty acids, respectively. The trans fatty acid content was low in all foods. Cholesterol levels varied between traces (<0.05) and 454.79 mg/100 g edible portions of food. Results show that seafood, rice-based, seed-based, and vegetable-based foods had better nutritional quality in terms of the fatty acids content, as indicated by the polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid and n-3/n-6 ratios, low thrombogenicity indices, and high hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratios. Cholesterol and fatty acid data obtained in the present study will be of special interest for many studies, including nutrition-related health research, and will help policymakers in proper strategies for health programs.

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to determine the effects of prolonged fasting (10 days) in the vitamin D, B12 levels, body mass index (BMI), weight, hemoglobin, vitality and quality of life (QoL) compared to normal diet. MethodsThis randomized control trial included 52 participants (aged 19-74 years) randomized in to a fasting group (FG) or a normal diet group (NDG) with 26 participants in each group. The study was conducted at an in-patient setting where the FG were on a fasting diet (500 kCal/day) which included holy basil herbal tea, lemon honey juice and water (3 L). The NDG (1500 kCal/day) consumed routine diet that included Indian breads, pulses, steamed rice, vegetable salads and beverages. ResultsThe FG has shown significant increase in the Vitamin D levels (p=0.003, d=0.475), vitality (p=0.006, d=0.425), physical QoL (p<0.001, d=0.549), psychological QoL (p=0.002, d=0.488), environmental QoL (p=0.004, d=0.457) compared to NDG. No significant changes were observed in Vitamin B12, weight, BMI, hemoglobin and social QoL. A weak to moderate ({rho}= 0.330-0.483) positive correlation was observed between vitality scores and QoL domains, whereas BMI scores showed an inverse correlation ({rho}=-0.280) with vitamin D levels. DiscussionThe results suggest that prolonged fasting can improve the vitamin D levels, vitality and promote quality life compared to normal diet. Unlike previous studies FG does not differ from NDG with respect to weight and BMI. Nevertheless, fasting may be utilized as an effective tool to tackle vitamin d deficiency and associated health insufficiencies. Trial RegistryClinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2022/02/040446.

D-Glucosamine (GlcN), a monomer produced by the hydrolysis of chitosan, is a dietary supplement used worldwide to mitigate cartilage degeneration. Previous reports have shown that some dietary glucosamine migrates to the colon. However, the effect of glucosamine alone on colonic microbiota and bowel movements remains poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effect of glucosamine on the growth of 46 dominant human colonic bacterial species and 24 other important bacteria in vitro. Among the 70 gut bacterial species tested, the growth of 57 (81%) was significantly enhanced by 0.5% (w/v) GlcN, with the most prominent growth activity (>5-fold) observed in Anaerotruncus colihominis, Pseudoflavonifractor capillosus, and Roseburia hominis. These results indicate that a wide range of the tested gut bacteria can utilize GlcN, similar to the effect of conventional dietary fiber in improving bowel function. Next, we conducted an open-label, single-arm trial involving 29 healthy individuals to determine the effects of 1500 mg GlcN/day, a commonly used dose. Stool color significantly changed during the 2 weeks of GlcN intake from brown to ocher (p < 0.01), suggesting enhanced colonic fermentation. The stool odor and the sensation of incomplete evacuation improved significantly (p < 0.05). Numerical measurements of bowel movements revealed significant increases in stool volume, defecation frequency, and the number of days of defecation during GlcN intake (p < 0.001). Thus, dietary glucosamine may stimulate gut microbiota growth in the colon and promote bowel movements. This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (regd. no. UMIN000056757).