The Impact of Almond and Walnut Consumption on the Human Fecal Metabolome

Abstract Objectives Metabolomic studies can be utilized to generate biomarkers of food intake. Undigested food components affect the fecal microbiota and metabolome. Accordingly, we aimed to identify fecal metabolites unique to almond and walnut consumption. Methods Untargeted metabolomic analyses were completed on 66 endpoint fecal samples from two separate 3-week randomized, controlled-feeding, crossover studies examining almond (n = 30) and walnut (n = 36) consumption in adults (25–75 yr). Control diets, representative of the typical American diet, were fed at weight maintenance with 0 g/day of nuts. During the treatment arms, the base diet was scaled down to allow isocaloric inclusion of 42 g/day of almonds or walnuts. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to determine statistically significant metabolites between treatment and control groups with Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate adjustments (reported as q-values). Results Of the 318 quantifiable fecal metabolites, 42 were significantly different when comparing the treatment groups to their respective controls after adjustment (q < 0.05). Of these 42 metabolites, 9 were significantly different in both the almond and walnut treatment samples. Two metabolites, palmitoleic acid and p-cresol, were unique to almonds—the relative concentration of palmitoleic acid was higher in the almond group compared to control and p-cresol was lower in almond compared to control. Walnut treatment samples contained 31 unique metabolites, including 15 fatty acyls, the majority of which were higher in the walnut group compared to control. Conclusions Higher concentrations of fecal fatty acyls in the almond and walnut groups compared to their respective controls support previous findings that the plant cell walls of nuts reduce digestibility, therefore, limiting accessibility of intact lipids. Overall, these results reveal promise in identifying fecal biomarkers of food intake for eventual use in personalized dietary recommendations. Ongoing analyses include utilizing machine learning models to further biomarker panel development through incorporation of baseline data and metagenomic analyses. Funding Sources This research was funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications Faculty Fellowship.

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Modelling the Association between Core and Discretionary Energy Intake in Adults with and without Obesity

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11030683 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 683 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mackenzie Fong ◽

Ang Li ◽

Andrew Hill ◽

Michelle Cunich ◽

Michael Skilton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Weight Control ◽

Weight Status ◽

Weight Maintenance ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Dietary Recommendations ◽

Food Diary ◽

Core Energy ◽

The Impact

Background: Many dietary recommendations for weight control rely on the assumption that greater core food intake will displace intake of energy-dense discretionary foods and beverages. However, there is little evidence to support these assumptions. This study examined the naturalistic relationship between daily core and discretionary energy intake, and with discretionary food and discretionary beverage intake, separately. The impact of weight status on these associations was also examined. Method: One hundred participants completed a four-day (non-consecutive) estimated food diary. Discretionary foods and beverages were identified by reference to the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Non-discretionary items were considered core items. Simultaneous-equation random effects models using disaggregated dietary data controlling for sociodemographic variables were used to determine the association between various dietary components. Result: Core energy intake correlated negatively with discretionary energy intake (cross-equation correlation, ρ = −0.49 (95% CI: −0.57, −0.39)). Its correlation with discretionary foods (−0.47 (−0.56, −0.37)) was stronger than that with discretionary beverages (−0.19 (−0.30, −0.07)) The correlation between core energy intake and discretionary energy intake was significantly stronger in participants who did not have obesity (−0.67 (−0.71, −0.50)) than those with obesity (−0.32 (−0.46, −0.17)) (p = 0.0002). Conclusions: Core and discretionary energy intake share an inverse and potentially bidirectional, relationship that appears to be stronger with discretionary foods than discretionary beverages. These relationships were significantly weaker in participants with obesity which may indicate less precise dietary compensation in these individuals. While strategies that promote greater intake of core foods may assist with weight maintenance in individuals of healthy weight, its impact in individuals with obesity may be limited. These strategies should be accompanied by direct messages to reduce commensurately the intake of discretionary items, with special attention paid to discretionary beverage consumption.

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ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF RAW WHITE KIDNEY BEANS (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. VAR. BELDIA) INDUCES OVERGROWTH OF FECAL COLIFORMS AND LACTOBACILLI IN WISTAR RATS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11s3.30036 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Nader Nciri ◽

Taesub Shin ◽

Namjun Cho

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

Male Rats ◽

Internal Organs ◽

Fecal Microflora ◽

Kidney Beans ◽

Bean Flour ◽

The Impact ◽

Fecal Score

Objective: The comprehensive dynamics of fecal microbiota in response to the ingestion of toxic bean lectins or phytohemagglutinins has not been well studied. The study aimed at evaluating the gavage effects of a raw Beldia bean variety on food intake, growth performance, gastrointestinal organs, and fecal microflora in Wistar rats.Methods: Twenty young adult male rats were randomly allotted into two groups of 10 rats each: Control rats were gavaged with 300 mg of a rodent pellet flour suspension and experimental rats were orogastrically fed a dose of 300 mg Beldia bean flour suspension (BBFS). Individual food intake, body weight, and fecal score were taken daily. To assess the impact on the gut flora, fecal samples were collected every day for 10 days. All animals were sacrificed on day 10, to obtain blood and internal organs samples.Results: The results revealed that the gavage of a BBFS to rats had no marked influence on average daily of food intake and weight gain. No significant differences were found in the weights of the small intestine, spleen, liver, and thymus of rats given raw Beldia diet. The counts of coliforms and lactobacilli on pooled fecal specimens of BBFS-fed rats were increased significantly compared to controls.Conclusion: In summary, the exposure to raw Beldia beans altered the fecal microbiota, without adverse effects on animals.

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Comparison of food recommendations varying in sustainability: Impact on dietary intake and motivation to follow recommendations

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105317718056 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 373-386

Author(s):

Martijn Veltkamp ◽

Doeschka J Anschutz ◽

Stef PJ Kremers ◽

Rob W Holland

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Dietary Recommendations ◽

Dietary Compliance ◽

Sustainable Diet ◽

The Impact

Food recommendations increasingly focus on sustainability in addition to nutritional value. By providing participants with standard versus sustainable (plant-based) dietary recommendations for 3 weeks, the present research tested the impact of recommendations on dietary compliance. Furthermore, predictors of food intake were tested across food categories. Participants in the sustainable diet condition complied less with recommendations as compared to those in the standard diet condition and were less motivated to continue complying after the intervention. Taste was the main predictor of intake across food categories. Together, this stresses the importance of considering factors stimulating consumers’ compliance when formulating food recommendations.

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Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Oxidative Status by β-Carotene in Late Pregnant Sows

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2020.612875 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Xupeng Yuan ◽

Jiahao Yan ◽

Ruizhi Hu ◽

Yanli Li ◽

Ying Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Control Group ◽

Metabolic Activities ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Β Carotene

Recent evidences suggest that gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating physiological and metabolic activities of pregnant sows, and β-carotene has a potentially positive effect on reproduction, but the impact of β-carotene on gut microbiota in pregnant sows remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanisms of β-carotene on the reproductive performance of sows from the aspect of gut microbiota. A total of 48 hybrid pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar parity were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 16) and fed with a basal diet or a diet containing 30 or 90 mg/kg of β-carotene from day 90 of gestation until parturition. Dietary supplementation of 30 or 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the number of live birth to 11.82 ± 1.54 and 12.29 ± 2.09, respectively, while the control group was 11.00 ± 1.41 (P = 0.201). Moreover, β-carotene increased significantly the serum nitric oxide (NO) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05). Characterization of fecal microbiota revealed that 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the diversity of the gut flora (P < 0.05). In particular, β-carotene decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes including Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-008, but enriched Proteobacteria including Bilophila and Sutterella, and Actinobacteria including Corynebacterium and Corynebacterium 1 which are related to NO synthesis. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-carotene may increase antioxidant enzyme activity and NO, an important vasodilator to promote the neonatal blood circulation, through regulating gut microbiota in sows.

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Adjustment of Whey:Casein Ratio from 20:80 to 60:40 in Milk Formulation Affects Food Intake and Brainstem and Hypothalamic Neuronal Activation and Gene Expression in Laboratory Mice

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030658 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 658

Author(s):

Erin L. Wood ◽

David G. Christian ◽

Mohammed Arafat ◽

Laura K. McColl ◽

Colin G. Prosser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Area Postrema ◽

Energy Levels ◽

Early Gene ◽

Hypothalamic Nucleus ◽

Laboratory Mice ◽

Neuronal Activation ◽

Short Term ◽

Animal Milk ◽

The Impact

Adjustment of protein content in milk formulations modifies protein and energy levels, ensures amino acid intake and affects satiety. The shift from the natural whey:casein ratio of ~20:80 in animal milk is oftentimes done to reflect the 60:40 ratio of human milk. Studies show that 20:80 versus 60:40 whey:casein milks differently affect glucose metabolism and hormone release; these data parallel animal model findings. It is unknown whether the adjustment from the 20:80 to 60:40 ratio affects appetite and brain processes related to food intake. In this set of studies, we focused on the impact of the 20:80 vs. 60:40 whey:casein content in milk on food intake and feeding-related brain processes in the adult organism. By utilising laboratory mice, we found that the 20:80 whey:casein milk formulation was consumed less avidly and was less preferred than the 60:40 formulation in short-term choice and no-choice feeding paradigms. The relative PCR analyses in the hypothalamus and brain stem revealed that the 20:80 whey:casein milk intake upregulated genes involved in early termination of feeding and in an interplay between reward and satiety, such as melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R), oxytocin (OXT), proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R). The 20:80 versus 60:40 whey:casein formulation intake differently affected brain neuronal activation (assessed through c-Fos, an immediate-early gene product) in the nucleus of the solitary tract, area postrema, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and supraoptic nucleus. We conclude that the shift from the 20:80 to 60:40 whey:casein ratio in milk affects short-term feeding and relevant brain processes.

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Insights into the Impact of Microbiota in the Treatment of NAFLD/NASH and Its Potential as a Biomarker for Prognosis and Diagnosis

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9020145 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 145

Author(s):

Julio Plaza-Díaz ◽

Patricio Solis-Urra ◽

Jerónimo Aragón-Vela ◽

Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽

Jorge Olivares-Arancibia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ◽

Liver Steatosis ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Current Treatment ◽

Immune Defense ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

The Impact

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing cause of chronic liver illness associated with obesity and metabolic disorders, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes mellitus. A more severe type of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is considered an ongoing global health threat and dramatically increases the risks of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several reports have demonstrated that liver steatosis is associated with the elevation of certain clinical and biochemical markers but with low predictive potential. In addition, current imaging methods are inaccurate and inadequate for quantification of liver steatosis and do not distinguish clearly between the microvesicular and the macrovesicular types. On the other hand, an unhealthy status usually presents an altered gut microbiota, associated with the loss of its functions. Indeed, NAFLD pathophysiology has been linked to lower microbial diversity and a weakened intestinal barrier, exposing the host to bacterial components and stimulating pathways of immune defense and inflammation via toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, this activation of inflammation in hepatocytes induces progression from simple steatosis to NASH. In the present review, we aim to: (a) summarize studies on both human and animals addressed to determine the impact of alterations in gut microbiota in NASH; (b) evaluate the potential role of such alterations as biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis of this disorder; and (c) discuss the involvement of microbiota in the current treatment for NAFLD/NASH (i.e., bariatric surgery, physical exercise and lifestyle, diet, probiotics and prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation).

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Depletion of acetate-producing bacteria from the gut microbiota facilitates cognitive impairment through the gut-brain neural mechanism in diabetic mice

Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s40168-021-01088-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hong Zheng ◽

Pengtao Xu ◽

Qiaoying Jiang ◽

Qingqing Xu ◽

Yafei Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Neural Mechanism ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Protective Role ◽

Fecal Microbiota Transplant ◽

Memory Impairments ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Modification of the gut microbiota has been reported to reduce the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). We hypothesized that the gut microbiota shifts might also have an effect on cognitive functions in T1D. Herein we used a non-absorbable antibiotic vancomycin to modify the gut microbiota in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D mice and studied the impact of microbial changes on cognitive performances in T1D mice and its potential gut-brain neural mechanism. Results We found that vancomycin exposure disrupted the gut microbiome, altered host metabolic phenotypes, and facilitated cognitive impairment in T1D mice. Long-term acetate deficiency due to depletion of acetate-producing bacteria resulted in the reduction of synaptophysin (SYP) in the hippocampus as well as learning and memory impairments. Exogenous acetate supplement or fecal microbiota transplant recovered hippocampal SYP level in vancomycin-treated T1D mice, and this effect was attenuated by vagal inhibition or vagotomy. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the protective role of microbiota metabolite acetate in cognitive functions and suggest long-term acetate deficiency as a risk factor of cognitive decline.

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Impact of Glucosamine Supplementation on Gut Health

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072180 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2180

Author(s):

Jessica M. Moon ◽

Peter Finnegan ◽

Richard A. Stecker ◽

Hanna Lee ◽

Kayla M. Ratliff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Bowel Habit ◽

Total Amino Acid ◽

Crossover Fashion ◽

Gut Health ◽

Double Blind ◽

Branched Chain ◽

The Impact

Glucosamine (GLU) is a natural compound found in cartilage, and supplementation with glucosamine has been shown to improve joint heath and has been linked to reduced mortality rates. GLU is poorly absorbed and may exhibit functional properties in the gut. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of glucosamine on gastrointestinal function as well as changes in fecal microbiota and metabolome. Healthy males (n = 6) and females (n = 5) (33.4 ± 7.7 years, 174.1 ± 12.0 cm, 76.5 ± 12.9 kg, 25.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2, n = 11) completed two supplementation protocols that each spanned three weeks separated by a washout period that lasted two weeks. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, participants ingested a daily dose of GLU hydrochloride (3000 mg GlucosaGreen®, TSI Group Ltd., USA) or maltodextrin placebo. Study participants completed bowel habit and gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaires in addition to providing a stool sample that was analyzed for fecal microbiota and metabolome at baseline and after the completion of each supplementation period. GLU significantly reduced stomach bloating and showed a trend towards reducing constipation and hard stools. Phylogenetic diversity (Faith’s PD) and proportions of Pseudomonadaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Bacillaceae were significantly reduced following GLU consumption. GLU supplementation significantly reduced individual, total branched-chain, and total amino acid excretion, with no glucosamine being detected in any of the fecal samples. GLU had no effect on fecal short-chain fatty acids levels. GLU supplementation provided functional gut health benefits and induced fecal microbiota and metabolome changes.

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Altered plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid profile in elite female water polo and football players

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h11-125 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 40-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Aleksandra Arsić ◽

Vesna Vučić ◽

Jasna Tepšić ◽

Sanja Mazić ◽

Marina Djelić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oleic Acid ◽

Stearic Acid ◽

Palmitoleic Acid ◽

Phospholipid Fatty Acid ◽

Study Groups ◽

Control Group ◽

Football Players ◽

Water Polo ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

The impact of chronic, intense exercise, such as in elite athletes, on phospholipids fatty acids (FA) composition has not been studied in women so far. This study aimed to investigate FA profiles in plasma and erythrocytes phospholipids in elite female water polo (N = 15) and football (N = 19) players in comparison with sedentary women. In spite of similar dietary patterns, as assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, plasma FA profile in the football players showed significantly higher proportions of stearic acid, oleic acid, and monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and significantly lower proportions of total and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) than in the water polo and control group. The water polo players had higher percentages of palmitoleic acid and arachidonic acid than the control subjects. Erythrocyte FA profile differed among groups. We found significantly higher proportion of oleic acid and MUFA in the football group than in the controls, and decreased stearic acid and elevated palmitic and palmitoleic acid in the water polo players than in the other 2 groups. Both groups of athletes had significantly lower percentages of n-6 dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, n-6 PUFA, and total PUFA compared with the controls. The estimated activities of elongase and desaturases in erythrocytes were also altered in the athletes. Our results indicate that long-term, intense physical training significantly affects FA status of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in women. The observed differences between the water polo and the football players suggest that the type of regular training may contribute to the altered metabolism of FA, although possible genetic differences among the 3 study groups cannot be ruled out.

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Impact of Ex-Closure in above and below Ground Carbon Stock Biomass

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12020130 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 130

Author(s):

Gedion Tsegay ◽

Xiang-Zhou Meng

Keyword(s):

Carbon Emissions ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Scientific Journal ◽

Resource Assessment ◽

Forest Loss ◽

Intergovernmental Panel ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food And Agriculture Organization ◽

Below Ground ◽

The Impact

Globally, there is a serious issue in carbon stock due to high deforestation and the loss of land, limited carbon storage pools in aboveground and underground forests in different regions, and increased carbon emissions to the atmosphere. This review paper highlights the impact of exclosures on above and below ground carbon stocks in biomass as a solution to globally curb carbon emissions. The data has been analyzed dependent on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Forest Resource Assessment report (FRA, 2020), and scientific journal publications mostly from the last decade, to show the research results of carbon stock and the impact of exclosures, particularly the challenges of deforestation and erosion of land and opportunities of area exclosures to provide a general outlook for policymakers. Overall, the world’s forest regions are declining, and although the forest loss rate has slowed, it has still not stopped sufficiently because the knowledge and practice of exclosures are limited. The global forest loss and carbon stock have decreased from 7.8 million ha/yr to 4.7 million ha/yr and from 668 gigatons to 662 gigatons respectively due to multiple factors that differ across the regions. However, a move toward natural rehabilitation and exclosures to reduce the emissions of Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) is needed. In the global production of carbon, the exclosure of forests plays an important role, in particular for permanent sinks of carbon.

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