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Neuro-Nutrition in Sports: Advances in Functional Neurology and Metabolic Care

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2025 | Viewed by 2229

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
2. Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Communications, UNIE, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Interests: nutrition; physical activity; executive functions; adolescents; psychology; psychophysiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
Interests: nutrition; physical activity; exercise science; exercise physiology; sports science; athletic performance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves deeply into the dynamic interplay between nutrition and functional neurology, emphasizing their combined potential to enhance athletic performance, mitigate metabolic disorders, and address eating disorders. By examining how dietary strategies and neurological processes influence each other, this Special Issue aims to uncover innovative approaches to optimizing both physical and mental performance in athletes.

It presents cutting-edge research on how brain function and metabolism respond to varying levels of physical and mental demands, shedding light on critical areas such as neuroinflammation, energy balance, and hormonal regulation. Additionally, it explores the role of tailored nutritional interventions in supporting cognitive resilience, emotional regulation, and recovery from the physical and psychological challenges faced by athletes. This comprehensive exploration highlights the importance of an integrative approach to sports science, bridging nutrition and neurology to improve overall health and performance in demanding athletic environments.

Dr. Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez
Dr. Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • functional neurology
  • nutrition
  • metabolism
  • eating disorders
  • energy balance
  • neuroinflammation
  • sports

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

35 pages, 1868 KiB  
Review
Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Neurological Health: A Critical Review
by Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, Laura Redondo-Flórez, Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez, Agustín Curiel-Regueros, Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz and José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050884 - 28 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: The global shift towards vegan and vegetarian diets has garnered attention for their ethical, environmental, and potential health benefits. These diets are often rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The global shift towards vegan and vegetarian diets has garnered attention for their ethical, environmental, and potential health benefits. These diets are often rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), suggesting a potential protective effect against systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, despite these benefits, concerns remain regarding their impact on neurological health due to the possible deficiencies of critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron. This review critically evaluates the influence of these dietary patterns on neurological outcomes, emphasizing their nutritional composition, potential deficiencies, and their interplay with inflammation and oxidative stress. Methods: A systematic review of the literature published between 2010 and 2023 was conducted, focusing on studies that explore the relationship between vegan and vegetarian diets and neurological health. Key nutrients such as vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc were analyzed alongside antinutritional factors and their effects on the nervous system. Results: Evidence suggests that vegan and vegetarian diets, when well planned, can be rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These findings indicate a potential role in reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. However, deficiencies in critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron have been consistently associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, the presence of antinutritional factors like phytates and oxalates may further impair nutrient absorption, necessitating careful dietary planning and supplementation. Conclusions: While plant-based diets provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, their neurological implications depend on nutrient adequacy. Proper planning, supplementation, and food preparation techniques are essential to mitigate risks and enhance cognitive health. Further research is needed to explore long-term neurological outcomes and optimize dietary strategies. Full article
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