The Role of Bovine and Non-Bovine Milk in Cardiometabolic Health: Should We Raise the “Baa”?

Although causality is yet to be confirmed, a considerable volume of research has explored the relationships between cow milk consumption, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Contrastingly, it has not been comprehensively examined whether milk of non-bovine origin can provide cardiometabolic protection. This narrative review outlines the marked differences in macronutrient composition, particularly protein and lipid content, and discusses how whole milk product (and individual milk ingredients) from different species could impact cardiometabolic health. There is some data, although primarily from compositional analyses, animal studies, and acute clinical trials, that non-bovine milk (notably sheep and goat milk) could be a viable substitute to cow milk for the maintenance, or enhancement, of cardiometabolic health. With a high content of medium-chain triglycerides, conjugated linoleic acid, leucine, and essential minerals, sheep milk could assist in the prevention of metabolic-related disorders. Similarly, albeit with a lower content of such functional compounds relative to sheep milk, goat and buffalo milk could be plausible counterparts to cow milk. However, the evidence required to generate nutritional recommendations for ‘non-bovine milk’ is currently lacking. Longer-term randomised controlled trials must assess how the bioactive ingredients of different species’ milks collectively influence biomarkers of, and subsequently incidence of, cardiometabolic health.

Bias against Vitamin C in Mainstream Medicine: Examples from Trials of Vitamin C for Infections

Evidence has shown unambiguously that, in certain contexts, vitamin C is effective against the common cold. However, in mainstream medicine, the views on vitamin C and infections have been determined by eminence-based medicine rather than evidence-based medicine. The rejection of the demonstrated benefits of vitamin C is largely explained by three papers published in 1975—two published in JAMA and one in the American Journal of Medicine—all of which have been standard citations in textbooks of medicine and nutrition and in nutritional recommendations. Two of the papers were authored by Thomas Chalmers, an influential expert in clinical trials, and the third was authored by Paul Meier, a famous medical statistician. In this paper, we summarize several flaws in the three papers. In addition, we describe problems with two recent randomized trial reports published in JAMA which were presented in a way that misled readers. We also discuss shortcomings in three recent JAMA editorials on vitamin C. While most of our examples are from JAMA, it is not the only journal with apparent bias against vitamin C, but it illustrates the general views in mainstream medicine. We also consider potential explanations for the widespread bias against vitamin C.

Diet after bariatric surgery in practice

Summary: Bariatric-metabolic surgery is associated with many health benefi ts and improved quality of life. However, the resulting eff ect largely depends on the patient’s compliance and willingness and ability to adopt a new diet, which is associated with bariatric procedures. A whole team of experts plays an important role in preparing the patient for this change. Appropriately composed diet and adherence to the frequency and size of portions is essential in the prevention of nutritional defi ciencies. The bariatric food pyramid is a suitable helper for the implementation of nutritional recommendations. Key words: main nutrients – energy intake – bariatric food pyramid – bariatric plate

Dietary Intake in Early Pregnancy and Glycemia in Late Pregnancy among Women with Obesity

Women with obesity have increased risk for hyperglycemia during pregnancy, with negative health consequences for mother and child. We aimed to investigate adherence to nutritional recommendations in early pregnancy and to examine associations between early pregnancy dietary intake and late pregnancy glycemia among women with obesity. We included 120 women with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 who participated in one of two randomized controlled trials. The participants completed a food frequency questionnaire in early pregnancy (gestational weeks 12–22). Fasting and 120 min glucose tolerance after ingestion of 75 g glucose were assessed in late pregnancy (gestational weeks 32–37). About 90% of the participants reported early pregnancy diary intake within the recommendations. Average intakes of vitamin D, iron, and folate were below recommended levels. High intakes of dairy products and protein in early pregnancy were associated with lower fasting glucose in late pregnancy, whereas high intake of bread was associated with lower 120 min glucose. There were no clear associations between single dietary variables and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis in late pregnancy. In conclusion, some early pregnancy dietary variables were associated with late pregnancy glycemia. Potential causality of these findings should be investigated in future studies.

Assessment of the knowledge of nutritional recommendations and way of nutrition in vegetarians and vegans

Background. People following a vegetarian diet can obtain all the essential nutrients from a variety of foods. Among the nutrients, protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamins B12 and D3 require special attention. Objective. To assess the knowledge of dietary recommendations among different groups of vegetarians and the diet they follow. Material and methods. The study involved a total of 390 subjects (360 women and 30 men), aged 18–60 years, who were following different vegetarian diets. The study was conducted in November 2020 via Facebook using the Computerassisted web interviewing (CAWI) method. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous, and sample selection was intentional (participants were members of groups for vegetarians in Facebook). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi2 test, using Statistica 13.3 (at p=0.05). Results. To develop the results, the respondents were divided into 4 groups according to their diet: vegan, pescovegetarian, lactovegetarian, and people following other types of diets. The body mass index of nearly 2/3 of the respondents was within the normal range, and more than 80% of the respondents rated their health as good or very good. An analysis of the frequency of consumption of food products showed that, regardless of the type of vegetarian diet they followed, the participants adhered to the principles of proper nutrition. The respondents who rated their nutritional knowledge as very good were more likely to consume vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole-grain cereals, and rarely consumed sweet and salty snacks, alcoholic and energizing drinks, or fast food. Vegans more frequently consumed fruits, vegetables, legumes, vegetable fats, and vegetable substitutes for meat and dairy products compared to other vegetarians. In addition to plant products, pesco- and lactovegetarians included selected animal-derived products in their food rations, thus skillfully diversifying the diet. More than 80% of the vegetarians used dietary supplements, mainly vitamins D and B12. Conclusions. Regardless of the type of vegetarian diet followed, the participants seemed to be aware of how to balance their diet and the ingredients that should be supplemented, even though a vast majority of them did not consult a diet specialist.

The Role of Pediatric Nutrition as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Precocious Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase of growth and development characterized by a complex process regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Precocious puberty (PP) is defined as the appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered normal. The timing of puberty has important public health, clinical, and social implications. In fact, it is crucial in psychological and physical development and can impact future health. Nutritional status is considered as one of the most important factors modulating pubertal development. This narrative review presents an overview on the role of nutritional factors as determinants of the timing of sexual maturation, focusing on early-life and childhood nutrition. As reported, breast milk seems to have an important protective role against early puberty onset, mainly due to its positive influence on infant growth rate and childhood overweight prevention. The energy imbalance, macro/micronutrient food content, and dietary patterns may modulate the premature activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, inducing precocious activation of puberty. An increase in knowledge on the mechanism whereby nutrients may influence puberty will be useful in providing adequate nutritional recommendations to prevent PP and related complications.

The effect of the application of diets with varied proportions of arginine and lysine on biochemical and antioxidant status in turkeys

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of two proportions of arginine (95% and 105%) relative to lysine (Lys), where Lys content in the diet is in accordance with NRC (1994) recommendations or 10% higher, on the metabolism, antioxidant status, and growth performance of turkeys. The experiment had a 2x2 factorial design with two levels of Lys and Arg. The diets with a low level of Lys were according to the NRC (1994) requirements. In the diets with a high level of Lys, the content of Lys was increased by 10% relative to the low level Lys. The two Arg levels in the experimental diets were determined so as to provide 95% and 105% Arg relative to the content of dietary Lys. An increase in the amount of Lys in the diet of turkeys by 10% relative to NRC nutritional recommendations (1994) was not shown to improve growth performance, but had beneficial effects on the metabolism and antioxidant status of the birds, as evidenced by the improvement of hepatic indices (reduction of AST and ALT activity at 9th week of life) and renal indices (reduction of UREA at 9th week of life and reduction of TP and increase level of ALB levels at 16th week of life), as well as an increase in the level of glutathione with strong antioxidant properties at 16th week of life. In comparison to the lower level of Arg in the diet, an increase in the amount of this amino acid to 105% Lys did not improve growth performance, metabolism, or antioxidant status. An Arg level of 95% Lys can be used in a diet for turkeys containing 10% more Lys than the level recommended by the NRC (1994).

Development of Chocolates with Improved Lipid Profile by Replacing Cocoa Butter with an Oleogel

The reformulation of chocolates seeks to find innovative alternatives to cocoa butter (CB) that are more economical and adhere to nutritional recommendations to replace saturated fats with unsaturated ones. In this research, chocolates were elaborated by substituting CB with an oleogel (OG) formulated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as an entrapper of sunflower oil by using the foam-templated approach. Four different CB/OG blends were prepared and characterized as potential CB substitutes (100/0 control), at replacement levels of 30%, 50%, 70% and 100% (70/30, 50/50, 30/70 and 0/100 blends), and subsequently, CB/OG-based chocolates (CB/OG-Ch) were formulated (100/0-Ch, 70/30-Ch, 50/50-Ch, 30/70-Ch and 0/100-Ch). Both the CB/OG blends and the CB/OG-Ch counterparts were characterized by dynamic and stationary rheology, hardness, thermal parameters, microstructure, and oil-binding capacity; in addition, the lipid profile of the chocolates was analyzed, and a sensory analysis was performed. Increasing the OG proportion in the CB/OG blend weakens the rigidity and strength of the fat-crystal network conferred by the CB, and decreases both its viscoelasticity and thermal parameters, but the differences between all the different properties and parameters of the CB/OG-Ch samples diminished in presence of the other ingredients used in the chocolate formulation. Sensory analysis evidenced that it is possible to replace up to 70% of CB with the OG, although from a technological point of view a replacement level of 50% would seem more appropriate. As compared to 100/0-Ch, 50/50-Ch and 30/70-Ch involve saturated fat reductions of 55% and 37%, respectively.

Breastfed and Formula-Fed Infants: Need of a Different Complementary Feeding Model?

Suboptimal nutrient quality/quantity during complementary feeding (CF) can impact negatively on infants’ healthy growth, even with adequate energy intake. CF must supplement at best human milk (HM) or formulas, which show nutritional differences. Considering this, a differentiated CF is probably advisable to correctly satisfy the different nutritional needs. To assess whether current needs at 6–24 months of age can still be met by one single CF scheme or different schemes are needed for breastfed vs. formula/cow’s milk (CM) fed infants, protein, iron and calcium intakes were assessed from daily menus using the same type and amount of solid food, leaving same amounts of HM and follow-up formula at 9 and again 18 months of age, when unmodified CM was added. Depending on the child’s age, calcium- and iron-fortified cereals or common retail foods were used. The single feeding scheme keeps protein intake low but higher than recommended, in HM-fed children while in formula/CM-fed ones, it achieves much higher protein intakes. Iron Population Recommended Intake (PRI) and calcium Adequate Intakes (AI) are met at the two ages only when a formula is used; otherwise, calcium-fortified cereals are needed. ESPGHAN statements on the futility of proposing different CF schemes according to the milk type fed do not allow to fully meet the nutritional recommendations issued by major Agencies/Organizations/Societies for all children of these age groups.

Dynamics of Macronutrient Uptake and Removal by Modern Peanut Cultivars

The productive potential of new peanut cultivars has increased over the years in relation to old cultivars, especially when compared with ones with upright growth habit. Thus, the requirement for macronutrients for these new cultivars may also have increased, making the existing fertilizer recommendation tables obsolete, thus increasing the need for further studies measuring the real macronutrient requirements of these new peanut cultivars. Our study aimed to evaluate the growth patterns and the macronutrient absorption rate throughout the biological cycle of three modern runner peanut cultivars, as well as the potential for producing dry matter, pods, and kernels, and their respective macronutrient accumulations. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with split-plots and nine replications. The experimental plots consisted of three peanut cultivars (IAC Runner 886, IAC 505, and IAC OL3), and subplots consisted of nine plant samplings (14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 105, 126, and 147 days after emergence (DAE)). Our results showed that modern peanut cultivars presented nutrient accumulation around 30 to 40 days earlier than older cultivars, as well as increasing the uptake by K and Ca. IAC 505 absorbed higher amounts of macronutrients and resulted in greater dry matter production compared with IAC OL3 and IAC Runner 886. Our study demonstrated that the most appropriate time for plants to find greater availability of nutrients in the soil is 70 to 84 DAE, in addition to highlighting the need for updates on nutritional recommendations for higher yields of modern peanut cultivars.