Nutritional Implications of Patients with Dysautonomia and Hypermobility Syndromes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDysautonomia and hypermobility syndrome are two distinct but often overlapping clinical conditions that are recognized for their complex multiorgan system afflictions. The purpose of this review is to investigate dietary strategies to reduce symptoms and augment quality of life in this growing patient population.Recent FindingsThere is increasing evidence supporting dietary modifications to include food rich in probiotics and prebiotics, along with fiber supplements to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms. Adequate salt and fluid intake may reduce orthostatic hypotension symptoms. Dietary supplements m...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - September 12, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Lifestyle Adjustments in Long-COVID Management: Potential Benefits of Plant-Based Diets
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe SARS-CoV-2-pandemic has caused mortality and morbidity at an unprecedented global scale. Many patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 continue to experience symptoms after the acute phase of infection and report fatigue, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression as well as arthralgia and muscle weakness. Summarized under the umbrella term “long-COVID,” these symptoms may last weeks to months and impose a substantial burden on affected individuals. Dietary approaches to tackle these complications have received comparably little attention. Although plant-based diets in particular were shown to ex...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - September 10, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Nutrition Therapy in Non-intubated Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure
ConclusionsThe nutrition management of these patients is better provided by a multidisciplinary team in a protocolized manner. (Source: Current Nutrition Reports)
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - August 31, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Neural Basis of Dysregulation of Palatability-Driven Appetite in Autism
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cognitive, speech- and anxiety-related impairments have been the focus of the majority of studies. One consistently reported ASD symptom that has rarely attracted attention is disordered appetite. The goal of this paper is to assess whether ASD-related dysregulation of food intake impacts consumption of palatable foods, including sugar.Recent FindingsAberrant neural processing at the reward system level is at least partially responsible for excessive intake of palatable tastants, including sugar. Impaired oxytocin (OT) signaling likely contributes to t...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - August 21, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Maternal Diet During Pregnancy and Lactation and Child Food Preferences, Dietary Patterns, and Weight Outcomes: a Review of Recent Research
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEfforts to promote children ’s preferences for healthy foods hold much potential for improving diet quality and preventing obesity. The purpose of this review was to summarize recent evidence for associations between maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation and child food preferences, dietary patterns, and weight outcome s.Recent FindingsRecent research illustrates greater maternal vegetable intakes during pregnancy and lactation predict greater child preferences for and intakes of vegetables. Recent randomized clinical trials to improve maternal weight outcomes during the perinatal period vi...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - August 12, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): Uses and Potential Health Benefits
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are obtained from various sources, which can be incorporated in the routine diet to maintain the health. They provide protection from several diseases like osteoarthritis, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Major focus is given to the PUFAs omega-3 ( ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids which are available in both terrestrial and in the marine environment. The main concern of this article is to review the key scientific reports in context with the human health consequences and advantages of the food sources of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids.Recent Findingsω-3 and ω-6...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - July 13, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Strengthening Knowledge to Practice on Effective Salt Reduction Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The objective of this review was to consolidate available published information on the implementation and evaluation of salt reduction interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).Recent FindingsTheScience of Salt database (made up of studies identified in a weekly Medline search) was used to retrieve articles related to the implementation of salt reduction interventions from June 2013 to February 2020. Studies that measured the effects of the interventions in LMICs, based on four outcome measures —salt intake; sodium levels in foods; knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours (KABs) towards salt; and blood pressu...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - July 5, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Food Insecurity and Cardiometabolic Conditions: a Review of Recent Research
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo understand recent literature that examines associations between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions and risk factors. We included original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the topic of food insecurity and cardiometabolic risk published from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Editorials, perspectives, and case reports were excluded. After the initial search, 3 reviewers selected studies for inclusion based on relevance and methods. Ultimately, fifty studies were included.Recent FindingsWe included 35 studies of adults (20 cross-sectional observational studies, 5 l...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - June 21, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Dietary Sodium 'Controversy' —Issues and Potential Solutions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHigh dietary sodium is estimated to be the leading dietary risk for death attributed to 1.8 million deaths in 2019. There are uniform recommendations to reduce sodium consumption based on evidence that increased dietary sodium is responsible for approximately a third of the prevalence of hypertension, and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials show that sodium reduction lowers blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and total mortality. Nevertheless, there is a perception that the beneficial effect of reducing dietary sodium is controversial. We provide experiential evidence relating to some...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - June 19, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
The Relationship Between Diet and Sleep in Older Adults: a Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOlder adults more frequently experience reduced sleep quality and quantity compared to younger adults. Diet is one modifiable lifestyle factor that may influence sleep outcomes in older adults. The purpose of this review is to synthesise the current literature investigating the impact of diet, including foods and nutrients, on the sleep quality and quantity of older adults.Recent FindingsOverall, the observational and intervention studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet, and the consumption of certain food items (e.g. milk), and nutrients (e.g. vitamin D and vitamin E) may influence (im...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - June 14, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
The Role of Parenteral Nutrition for Incurable Cancer: Bridging Expectations and Reality
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we examine the role for parenteral nutrition (PN) for nutritional support of patients with advanced, incurable cancer with an emphasis on bridging the divide between expectations and reality.Recent FindingsAs the rates of cancer have continued to rise worldwide, the utility of PN has continued to be studied. Due to multiple reasons, high-quality research studies have been scarce, and much of the data is based on observational studies. The recent trend appears to support the use of PN in carefully selected patients. Importantly, the effect on quality of life also should be considered...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - May 28, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Challenges in Feeding Children Posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review of Changes in Dietary Intake Combined with a Dietitian ’s Perspective
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo examine the evidence that the dietary quality of children changed between the period preceding the COVID-19 pandemic and the first year during the pandemic.Recent FindingsA systematic review of the evidence for dietary changes occurring as a result of the pandemic-related restrictions, in Part I of this article, yielded 38 original research articles. These articles had conflicting results, some describing improvements in overall quality and some describing deteriorations. As a whole the studies were characterized by a low study quality, and children were poorly represented. Taken together, these...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - May 15, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Keeping a Balance During the Pandemic: a Narrative Review on the Important Role of Micronutrients in Preventing Infection and Reducing Complications of COVID-19
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak has manifested into a major public health concern across the globe, affecting particularly the most vulnerable population groups. Currently, there are various clinical trials being conducted to develop effective treatments. It is estimated that it could take one or more years before these drugs pass all safety tests and concrete results with regard to their effectiveness become available. In addition, despite the recent development of vaccines (licensed for use under conditional licenses) and the commencement of COVID-19 vaccination programs in several countries, ...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - May 5, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Do taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages influence food purchases?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInterest in taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages as a public health tool has increased in recent years. This paper aimed to summarise recent evidence of the impact of taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages on food purchases, and discuss opportunities to advance knowledge and policy impact.Recent FindingsEvaluations of taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages have shown reductions in purchases of targeted unhealthy products and nutrients. Similarly, data from multiple sources demonstrate that as prices of unhealthy foods and beverages increase, purchase volume decreases. However, studies indicate po...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - April 30, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
To Detect and Reject, Parallel Roles for Taste and Immunity
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFrom single cells to entire organisms, biological entities are in constant communication with their surroundings, deciding what to ‘allow’ in, and what to reject. In very different ways, the immune and taste systems both fulfill this function, with growing evidence suggesting a relationship between the two, through shared signaling pathways, receptors, and feedback loops. The purpose of this review was to explore recent rep orts on taste and immunity in model animals and in humans to explore our understanding of the interplay between these systems.Recent FindingsAcute infections in the upper ai...
Source: Current Nutrition Reports - April 22, 2021 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research