Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) has been shown to have various health-promoting activities, including antidiabetic and hypoglycaemic effects. Improvement in insulin sensitivity and increase in glucose utilisation in peripheral tissues have been reported, but the effect on insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of bitter melon fruit on insulin secretion from β-cells and the underlying mechanism. The green fruit of bitter melon was freeze-dried and extracted with methanol. The bitter melon fruit extract (BMFE) was fractionated using ethyl acetate (fraction A), n-butanol (fraction B) and water (fraction C). Insulin secretory capacity from INS-1 rat insulinoma cell line and rat pancreatic islets, as well as glucose tolerance in rats by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), was measured using BMFE and fractions. ATP production in β-cells was also examined. BMFE augmented insulin secretion from INS-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The significant augmentation of insulin secretion was independent of the glucose dose. Fraction A (i.e. hydrophobic fraction), but not fractions B and C, augmented insulin secretion significantly at the same level as that by BMFE. This finding was also observed in pancreatic islets. In OGTT, BMFE and fraction A decreased blood glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels after glucose loading. The decrease in blood glucose levels was also observed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In addition, BMFE and fraction A increased the ATP content in β-cells. We concluded that hydrophobic components of BMFE increase ATP production and augment insulin secretion from β-cells, consequently decreasing blood glucose levels.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is severely impaired in persons receiving dialysis. Malnutrition has been associated with some measures of poor HRQoL in cross-sectional analyses in dialysis populations, but no studies have assessed the impact of malnutrition and dietary intake on change in multiple measures of HRQoL over time. We investigated the most important determinants of poor HRQoL and the predictors of change in HRQoL over time using several measures of HRQoL. We enrolled 119 haemodialysis and thirty-one peritoneal dialysis patients in this prospective study. Nutritional assessments (Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), anthropometry and 24-h dietary recalls) and HRQoL questionnaires (Short Form-36 (SF-36) mental (MCS) and physical component scores (PCS) and European QoL-5 Dimensions (EQ5D) health state (HSS) and visual analogue scores (VAS)) were performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Mean age was 64 (14) years. Malnutrition was present in 37 % of the population. At baseline, malnutrition assessed by SGA was the only factor independently (and negatively) associated with all four measures of HRQoL. No single factor was independently associated with decrease in all measures of HRQoL over 1 year. However, prevalence/development of malnutrition over 1 year was an independent predictor of 1-year decrease in EQ5D HSS, and 1-year decrease in fat intake independently predicted the 1-year decline in SF-36 MCS and PCS, and EQ5D VAS. These findings strengthen the importance of monitoring for malnutrition and providing nutritional advice to all persons on dialysis. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of nutritional interventions on HRQoL and other long-term outcomes.

Menopausal women are susceptible to osteoarthritis(OA) and memory impairment. We hypothesised that Alzheimer’s-like disease(AD) exacerbates OA and that intermittent fasting(IMF) with a high-protein(H-P) diet would enhance memory function and relieve OA symptoms in oestrogen-deficient animals induced AD and OA. The action mechanism was also explored. Ovariectomised Sprague–Dawley rats were fed high-fat(H-F) or H-P diets for 2 weeks, and then they had a hippocampal infusion of β-amyloid(25–35) for 4 weeks to induce AD and an injection of monoidoacetate(MIA) into the articular cartilage to induce OA. Non-AD groups had non-AD symptoms by hippocampal amyloid-β(35–25) infusion. IMF suppressed memory impairment in AD rats, especially those fed H-P diets. Compared with non-AD, AD exacerbated OA symptoms, including swelling, limping, slowed treadmill running speed, and uneven weight distribution in the left leg. The exacerbations were linked to increased inflammation and pain, but IMF and H-P lessened the exacerbation. Lean body mass(LBM) decreased with AD, but H-P protected against LBM loss. Histological examination of the knee joint revealed the degree of the cellular invasion into the middle zone, and the changes in the tidemark plateau were greatest in the AD-AL with H-F, while non-AD-IMF improved the cellular invasion to as much as non-AD-AL. H-P reduced the infiltration into the middle zone of the knee and promoted collagen production. In conclusion, AD exacerbated the articular cartilage deterioration and memory impairment, and IMF with H-P alleviated the memory impairment and osteoarthritic symptoms by decreasing hippocampal amyloid-β deposition and proinflammatory cytokine expressions and by increasing LBM.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the mixed evidence of almond consumption on HbA1c stems from testing people with different body fat distributions (BFD) associated with different risks of glucose intolerance. A 6-month randomised controlled trial in 134 adults was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to the almond (A) or control (C) group based on their BFD. Those in the almond group consumed 1·5 oz of almonds with their breakfast and as their afternoon snack daily. Those in the control group continued their habitual breakfast and afternoon snack routines. Body weight and composition were measured and blood samples were collected for determination of HbA1c, glycaemia and lipaemia at 0 and 6 months. Appetite ratings, energy intake and diet quality were collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 months. Participants consuming almonds ingested 816 (sem 364) kJ/d more than participants in the control group (P = 0·03), but this did not result in any differences in body weight (A: –0·3 (sem 0·4), C: –0·4 (sem 0·4); P > 0·3). Participants in the almond, high android subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) group had a greater reduction in android fat mass percentage (A: –1·0 (sem 0·6), C: 1·1 (sem 0·6); P = 0·04), preserved android lean mass percentage (A: 0·9 (sem 0·6), C: –1 (sem 0·6); P = 0·04) and tended to decrease android visceral adipose tissue mass (A: –13 (sem 53) g, C: 127 (sem 53) g; P = 0·08) compared with those in the control, high SAT group. There were no differences in HbA1c between groups (A: 5·4 (sem 0·04), C: 5·5 (sem 0·04); P > 0·05). Thus, BFD may not explain the mixed evidence on almond consumption and HbA1c. Long-term almond consumption has limited ability to improve cardiometabolic health in those who are overweight and obese but otherwise healthy.

Improvement of vitamin D status of the general population has been a challenge for policymakers. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate whether vitamin D-fortified products can be a suitable solution for tackling vitamin D deficiency. Our secondary objective was to determine the effect of some variables including age, latitude and BMI on efficacy of this strategy. MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched and 231 studies were found in a preliminary search. After screening of titles and abstracts, 23 studies were selected. Pooled data comparing fortification with vitamin D +/- Ca with control showed statistically significant effect on total 25(OH)D concentrations (2002 participants, mean difference (MD): 25·4 nmol/l, (95 % CI 19·5, 31·3)). The subgroup analysis by duration of intervention (less than 12 weeks v. more than 12 weeks) and type of vehicle (dairy product, juice, grain product, oil and combination of dairy and grain products), isoform of the vitamin (D3v. D2) and dose of the fortificant (≥ 1000 IU/d v. < 1000 IU/d) also indicated significant effect of fortification with vitamin D on serum 25(OH)D concentrations. In conclusion, the circulating 25(OH)D response to vitamin D-fortified food consumption is influenced by age, BMI and the baseline 25(OH)D concentrations. Notwithstanding, an average of 2 nmol/l increase in circulating 25(OH)D concentration for each 100 IU vitamin D intake per d is expected for general adult population. These findings can be informative for policymakers to tackle vitamin D deficiency through food fortification strategy.

Honey is known not only as a natural food but also as complementary medicine. According to the controversial evidence about the effects of honey on blood lipids, this meta-analysis was performed to investigate the potential effects of honey on lipid profiles. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane databases. All human controlled clinical trials (either with a parallel or a crossover design) published in English that reported changes in serum lipid markers (total cholesterol (TC), TAG, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio) following honey consumption were considered. Standardised mean differences and their respective 95 % CI were calculated to assess the changes in lipid profiles following honey consumption by random effects model. Statistical heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, publication bias and quality of the included studies were assessed, as well. The meta-analysis of twenty-three trials showed that honey had no significant effects on TC, TAG, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio. Significant heterogeneity was seen among the studies for all the studied factors (I 2 index > 50 %). Subgroup analysis based on the lipid profile status, types of honey and intervention duration revealed no significant effect on TC, TAG, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Quality of the evidences varied from very low to moderate according to various parameters. In conclusion, honey consumption did not affect serum lipid profiles (TC, TAG, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio).

COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a global health crisis. The gut microbiome critically affects the immune system, and some respiratory infections are associated with changes in the gut microbiome; here, we evaluated the role of nutritional and lifestyle habits that modulate gut microbiota on COVID-19 outcomes in a longitudinal cohort study that included 200 patients infected with COVID-19. Of these, 122 cases were mild and seventy-eight were moderate, according to WHO classification. After detailed explanation by a consultant in clinical nutrition, participants responded to a written questionnaire on daily sugar, prebiotic intake in food, sleeping hours, exercise duration and antibiotic prescription, during the past 1 year before infection. Daily consumption of prebiotic-containing foods, less sugar, regular exercise, adequate sleep and fewer antibiotic prescriptions led to a milder disease and rapid virus clearance. Additionally, data on these factors were compiled into a single score, the ESSAP score (Exercise, Sugar consumption, Sleeping hours, Antibiotics taken, and Prebiotics consumption; 0–11 points), median ESSAP score was 5 for both mild and moderate cases; however, the range was 4–8 in mild cases, but 1–6 in moderate (P = 0·001, OR: 4·2, 95 % CI 1·9, 9·1); our results showed a negative correlation between regular consumption of yogurt containing probiotics and disease severity (P = 0·007, OR: 1·6, 95 % CI 1·1, 2·1). Mild COVID-19 disease was associated with 10–20 min of daily exercise (P = 0·016), sleeping at least 8 h daily, prescribed antibiotics less than 5 times per year (P = 0·077) and ate plenty of prebiotic-containing food.

The importance of Zn for human health becomes obvious during Zn deficiency. Even mild insufficiencies of Zn cause alterations in haematopoiesis and immune functions, resulting in a proinflammatory phenotype and a disturbed redox metabolism. Although immune system malfunction has the most obvious effect, the functions of several tissue cell types are disturbed if Zn supply is limiting. Adhesion molecules and tight junction proteins decrease, while cell death increases, generating barrier dysfunction and possibly organ failure. Taken together, Zn deficiency both weakens the resistance of the human body towards pathogens and at the same time increases the danger of an overactive immune response that may cause tissue damage. The case numbers of Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) are still increasing, which is causing enormous problems for health systems and economies. There is an urgent need to reduce both the number of severe cases and the resulting deaths. While therapeutic options are still under investigation, and first vaccines have been approved, cost-effective ways to reduce the likelihood of or even prevent infection, and the transition from mild symptoms to more serious detrimental disease, are highly desirable. Nutritional supplementation might be an effective option to achieve these aims. In this review, we discuss known Zn deficiency effects in the context of an infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 and its currently known pathogenic mechanisms and elaborate on how severe pre-existing Zn deficiency may pre-dispose patients to a severe progression of COVID-19. First published clinical data on the association of Zn homoeostasis with COVID-19 and registered studies in progress are listed.

Due to the important roles of resistance training and protein consumption in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, we assessed the efficacy of post-exercise Icelandic yogurt consumption on lean mass, strength and skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males. Thirty healthy untrained older males (age = 68 ± 4 years) were randomly assigned to Icelandic yogurt (IR; n 15, 18 g of protein) or an iso-energetic placebo (PR; n 15, 0 g protein) immediately following resistance training (3×/week) for 8 weeks. Before and after training, lean mass, strength and skeletal muscle regulatory factors (insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), Activin A, myostatin (MST) and follistatin (FST)) were assessed. There were group × time interactions (P < 0·05) for body mass (IR: Δ 1, PR: Δ 0·7 kg), BMI (IR: Δ 0·3, PR: Δ 0·2 kg/m2), lean mass (IR: Δ 1·3, PR: Δ 0·6 kg), bench press (IR: Δ 4, PR: 2·3 kg), leg press (IR: Δ 4·2, PR: Δ 2·5 kg), IGF-1 (IR: Δ 0·5, Δ PR: 0·1 ng/ml), TGF-β (IR: Δ − 0·2, PR: Δ − 0·1 ng/ml), GDF15 (IR: Δ − 10·3, PR: Δ − 4·8 pg/ml), Activin A (IR: Δ − 9·8, PR: Δ − 2·9 pg/ml), MST (IR: Δ − 0·1, PR: Δ − 0·04 ng/ml) and FST (IR: Δ 0·09, PR: Δ 0·03 ng/ml), with Icelandic yogurt consumption resulting in greater changes compared with placebo. The addition of Icelandic yogurt consumption to a resistance training programme improved lean mass, strength and altered skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males compared with placebo. Therefore, Icelandic yogurt as a nutrient-dense source and cost-effective supplement enhances muscular gains mediated by resistance training and consequently may be used as a strategy for the prevention of sarcopenia.

The retention of human milk (HM) fat in nasogastric probes of infusion pumps can be observed during the feed of infants unable to suck at the mother’s breast. The lack of homogenisation of HM could contribute to the fat holding. Therefore, the present study evaluated (i) the influence of homogenisation on milk fat retaining in infant feeding probes and (ii) the in vivo effect of the homogenisation on lipid absorption by Wistar rats. The animals were fed with HM treated following two processing conditions, that is, pasteurised and homogenised–pasteurised. The animals were randomly subdivided into four experimental groups: water-fed (control), pasteurised milk, homogenised–pasteurised milk and pasteurised–skimmed milk. The results of food consumption, mass body gain, corporate metrics and plasma blood levels of total cholesterol did not show any difference (P < 0·05) among the three types of HM used in the experiments. The liver, intestine and intra-abdominal adipose tissue of the four groups of animals presented normal and healthy histology. The composition of fatty acids in the brain tissue of animals fed with homogenised HM increased when compared with the groups fed with non-homogenised HM. These values were 11·08 % higher for arachidonic acids, 6·59 % for DAH and 47·92 % for nervous acids. The ingestion of homogenised HM promoted higher absorption of milk nutrients. Therefore, the addition of the homogenisation stage in HM processing could be an alternative to reduce fat retention in probes and to improve the lipids’ absorption in the body.

Non-resolving inflammation is characteristic of tuberculosis (TB). Given their inflammation-resolving properties, n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) may support TB treatment. This research aimed to investigate the effects of n-3 LCPUFA on clinical and inflammatory outcomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice with either normal or low n-3 PUFA status before infection. Using a two-by-two design, uninfected mice were conditioned on either an n-3 PUFA-sufficient (n-3FAS) or -deficient (n-3FAD) diet for 6 weeks. One week post-infection, mice were randomised to either n-3 LCPUFA supplemented (n-3FAS/n-3+ and n-3FAD/n-3+) or continued on n-3FAS or n-3FAD diets for 3 weeks. Mice were euthanised and fatty acid status, lung bacterial load and pathology, cytokine, lipid mediator and immune cell phenotype analysed. n-3 LCPUFA supplementation in n-3FAS mice lowered lung bacterial loads (P = 0·003), T cells (P = 0·019), CD4+ T cells (P = 0·014) and interferon (IFN)-γ (P < 0·001) and promoted a pro-resolving lung lipid mediator profile. Compared with n-3FAS mice, the n-3FAD group had lower bacterial loads (P = 0·037), significantly higher immune cell recruitment and a more pro-inflammatory lipid mediator profile, however, significantly lower lung IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-17, and supplementation in the n-3FAD group provided no beneficial effect on lung bacterial load or inflammation. Our study provides the first evidence that n-3 LCPUFA supplementation has antibacterial and inflammation-resolving benefits in TB when provided 1 week after infection in the context of a sufficient n-3 PUFA status, whilst a low n-3 PUFA status may promote better bacterial control and lower lung inflammation not benefiting from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin with an array of biological functions. A number of proposed factors contribute to the vitamin’s plasma bioavailability and ability to exert optimal functionality. The aim of this review was to systematically assess plasma vitamin C levels post-surgery compared with pre-surgery/the magnitude and time frame of potential changes in concentration. We searched the PUBMED, SCOPUS, SciSearch and the Cochrane Library databases between 1970 and April 2020 for relevant research papers. Prospective studies, control groups and true placebo groups derived from controlled trials that reported means and standard deviations of plasma vitamin C concentrations pre- and postoperatively were included into the meta-analysis. Data were grouped into short-term (≤7 d) and long-term (>7 d) postoperative follow-up. Twenty-three of thirty-one studies involving 642 patients included in the systematic review were suitable for meta-analysis. Pooled data from the meta-analysis revealed a mean depletion of plasma vitamin C concentration of −17·99 µmol/l (39 % depletion) (CI −22·81, −13·17) (trial arms = 25, n 565, P < 0·001) during the first postoperative week and −18·80 µmol/l (21 % depletion) (CI −25·04, −12·56) (trial arms = 6, n 166, P < 0·001) 2–3 months postoperatively. Subgroup analyses revealed that these depletions occurred following different types of surgery; however, high heterogeneity was observed amongst trials assessing concentration change during the first postoperative week. Overall, our results warrant larger, long-term investigations of changes in postoperative plasma vitamin C concentrations and their potential effects on clinical symptomology.

In 2010, British Journal of Nutrition published a consensus review article entitled Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits(1). This was commissioned by International Life Sciences Institute, Europe and had twenty-one co-authors. The current article summarises how this review was planned and written. It deals with three questions regarding the context/background of the paper; what it told us and what happened next.

The hypothesis that coarse grain particles in breads reduce glycaemic response only if the particles remain intact during ingestion was tested. Three breads were formulated: (1) White bread (WB – reference), (2) 75 % of kibbled purple wheat in 25 % white bread matrix (PB) and (3) a 1:1 mixture of 37·5 % kibbled soya beans and 37·5 % of kibble purple wheat in 25 % white bread matrix (SPB). Each bread was ingested in three forms: unchewed (U), as customarily consumed (C) and homogenised (H). Twelve participants ingested 40 g available carbohydrate portions of each bread in each form, with post-prandial blood glucose measured over 120 min. Glycaemic responses to WB were the same regardless of its form when ingested. Unchewed PB had significantly less glycaemic effect than WB, whereas the C and H forms were similar to WB. Based on a glycaemic index (GI) of 70 for WB, the GI values for the C, U and H breads, respectively, were WB: 70·0, 70 and 70, PB: 75, 42 and 61, SPB: 57, 48 and 55 (%) (Least significant difference = 17·43, P < 0·05, bold numbers significantly different from WB). The similar glycaemic response to the H and C forms of the breads, and their difference from the U form, showed that the glycaemia-moderating effect of grain structure on starch digestion was lost during customary ingestion of bread. We conclude that the kibbled-grain structure may not effectively retard starch digestion in breads as normally consumed because it is largely eliminated by ingestive processes including chewing.

Several investigations revealed the association between ApoA2 concentration and lipid profile, inflammation and oxidative stress markers. Dietary habits also play a major role in the health status of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the interaction of ApoA2–256T > C with dietary indexes on ghrelin and leptin hormones together with biochemical markers among individuals with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 726 randomly selected individuals with T2DM. A validated FFQ was used to evaluate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I) and Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI). ApoA2–256T > C genotypes were detected by real-time-PCR. Ghrelin, leptin and biochemical markers were also assessed. ANCOVA was used for the interaction between the polymorphism and dietary indexes. A significant interaction was observed between ApoA2–256T > C and DQI-I on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Besides, the interaction of the SNP and DPI significantly affected hs-CRP and 8-isoprostane F2α (PGF2α) levels. CC in the second tertile of DPI had the lowest hs-CRP level, and it was elevated due to adhering to DQI-I (Pinteraction = 0·01 and 0·04, respectively). Moreover, T-allele (protective allele) carriers with the highest level of PGF2α and SOD activity were those in the second tertile of DPI and DQI-I, respectively (Pinteraction = 0·03 and 0·007, respectively). SOD activity, hs-CRP and PGF2α concentration may be modified in T-allele carriers and CC by the adherence to DPI and DQI-I, though additional studies are required to confirm these findings.

The present study reports the validity of multiple assessment methods for tracking changes in body composition over time and quantifies the influence of unstandardised pre-assessment procedures. Resistance-trained males underwent 6 weeks of structured resistance training alongside a hyperenergetic diet, with four total body composition evaluations. Pre-intervention, body composition was estimated in standardised (i.e. overnight fasted and rested) and unstandardised (i.e. no control over pre-assessment activities) conditions within a single day. The same assessments were repeated post-intervention, and body composition changes were estimated from all possible combinations of pre-intervention and post-intervention data. Assessment methods included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography, three-dimensional optical imaging, single- and multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, bioimpedance spectroscopy and multi-component models. Data were analysed using equivalence testing, Bland–Altman analysis, Friedman tests and validity metrics. Most methods demonstrated meaningful errors when unstandardised conditions were present pre- and/or post-intervention, resulting in blunted or exaggerated changes relative to true body composition changes. However, some methods – particularly DXA and select digital anthropometry techniques – were more robust to a lack of standardisation. In standardised conditions, methods exhibiting the highest overall agreement with the four-component model were other multi-component models, select bioimpedance technologies, DXA and select digital anthropometry techniques. Although specific methods varied, the present study broadly demonstrates the importance of controlling and documenting standardisation procedures prior to body composition assessments across distinct assessment technologies, particularly for longitudinal investigations. Additionally, there are meaningful differences in the ability of common methods to track longitudinal body composition changes.

The WHO recommends monitoring iodine status in all populations with median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) below 100 µg/l suggesting iodine deficiency. There are no data on the iodine intake among the population of the Faroe Islands. This study aimed to provide data on iodine nutrition in a representative sample of the general adult population from the Faroe Islands. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in 2011–2012 and measured iodine in urine from 491 participants (294/197 men/women) using the ceri/arsen method after alkaline ashing. Participants include about 100 subjects in each of four adult decades and included participants from both the capital city and villages. The median UIC was low within the recommended range 101 µg/l (range 21–1870 µg/l). No samples were in the range suggesting severe iodine deficiency, but half of the samples were in the range of just adequate or mildly insufficient iodine intake with UIC markedly lower in women than in men (86 v. 115 µg/l; P < 0·001). Intake of fish and whale meals affected the UIC. In conclusion, nearly half of the population had an iodine excretion in the range of borderline or mild iodine deficiency. The lowest iodine nutrition level among Faroese women is a concern as it may extend to pregnancy with increased demands on iodine nutrition. In addition, we found that large variations and the intermittently excessive iodine intakes warrant follow-up on thyroid function in the population of the Faroe Islands.