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Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2021) | Viewed by 70366

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Dr. John Paul SanGiovanni

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BIO5 Institute, Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Interests: human nutrition; retinal health and disease; integrative omics; physiological imaging; model human microphysiological systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global health research and practice initiatives are now aimed at elucidating fundamental knowledge on variations in human nutrient sensing and signaling systems for the purposes of enhancing health, increasing health-spans, and reducing illness and disability in diverse populations. Central to this effort are creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications in rational, targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions guided by the precision nutrition and wellness paradigm.

In this issue of Nutrients, we welcome state-of-the-science original research reports and systematic reviews advancing knowledge linking the integrated roles of genetics, epigenetics, age and gender to actions of food and nutrients in pathogenesis and pathophysiology of common, chronic complex disease.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

National initiatives to support development of informative, feasible and sustainable advances in the field of precision nutrition;
Features of sound research designs necessary for biologically plausible and unequivocal inference in the field of precision nutrition;
Role of large-scale public-access resources in guiding sound inquiry in precision nutrition;

Role of ethnographic and epidemiologic analyses in advancing inquiry and inference precision nutrition;
Role of integrative omic analyses in advancing inquiry and inference precision nutrition;
Role of computational biochemistry and -biophysics in advancing inquiry and inference precision nutrition;

Normal aging and age-related pathophysiology in practice of precision nutrition.
Role of non-intrusive physiological imaging systems in accurate and precise exposure, process and outcome measurement in precision nutrition;
Measurement of nutrient sensing on ultra-structural scales;
Measurement of integrated systems driving nutrient-based signaling at cellular and ultra-structural
Role of model human systems in elucidating the influence of molecular variation on mechanisms driving nutrient sensing and signaling of physiological significance across the life-span;

Dr. John Paul SanGiovanni
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Precision nutrition
Integrative Omics
Physiological Imaging
Human Model Systems
Health-Span
Chronic disease

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Nutrient Intake and Hearing Loss According to the Income Level of Working-Aged Adults: A Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

by Juhyung Lee, Ji-Hyeon Lee, Chulyoung Yoon, Chanbeom Kwak, Jae-Joon Ahn, Tae-Hoon Kong and Young-Joon Seo

Nutrients 2022, 14(8), 1655; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081655 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

The relationship between hearing impairment and nutrition has been extensively investigated; however, few studies have focused on this topic in working-age adults by income level. Herein, we aimed to determine the differences in hearing impairment among working-age adults by income level and identify the nutritional factors that affect hearing loss in various socioeconomic groups. Seven-hundred-and-twenty participants had hearing impairment, while 10,130 had normal hearing. After adjustment for propensity score matching, income and smoking status were identified as significant variables. By assessing the relationship between hearing impairment and nutrient intake by income level using multiple regression analyses, significant nutrients differed for each income category. Carbohydrate and vitamin C levels were significant in the low-income group; protein, fat, and vitamin B1 levels were significant in the middle-income group; and carbohydrates were significant in the high-income group. Income was significantly associated with hearing impairment in working-age adults. The proportion of individuals with hearing impairment increased as income decreased. The association between hearing impairment and nutritional intake also differed by income level. Our findings may enable the establishment of health policies for preventing hearing impairment in working-age adults by income level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 2353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing the Fasting and Random-Fed Metabolome Response to an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Children and Adolescents: Implications of Sex, Obesity, and Insulin Resistance

by Jennifer L. LaBarre, Emily Hirschfeld, Tanu Soni, Maureen Kachman, Janis Wigginton, William Duren, Johanna Y. Fleischman, Alla Karnovsky, Charles F. Burant and Joyce M. Lee

Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3365; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103365 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3154

Abstract

As the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is occurring at a younger age, studying adolescent nutrient metabolism can provide insights on the development of T2D. Metabolic challenges, including an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) can assess the effects of perturbations in nutrient metabolism. Here, we present alterations in the global metabolome in response to an OGTT, classifying the influence of obesity and insulin resistance (IR) in adolescents that arrived at the clinic fasted and in a random-fed state. Participants were recruited as lean (n = 55, aged 8–17 years, BMI percentile 5–85%) and overweight and obese (OVOB, n = 228, aged 8–17 years, BMI percentile ≥ 85%). Untargeted metabolomics profiled 246 annotated metabolites in plasma at t0 and t60 min during the OGTT. Our results suggest that obesity and IR influence the switch from fatty acid (FA) to glucose oxidation in response to the OGTT. Obesity was associated with a blunted decline of acylcarnitines and fatty acid oxidation intermediates. In females, metabolites from the Fasted and Random-Fed OGTT were associated with HOMA-IR, including diacylglycerols, leucine/isoleucine, acylcarnitines, and phosphocholines. Our results indicate that at an early age, obesity and IR may influence the metabolome dynamics in response to a glucose challenge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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11 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet, Alcohol Consumption and Emotional Eating in Spanish University Students

by Miguel López-Moreno, Marta Garcés-Rimón, Marta Miguel and María Teresa Iglesias López

Nutrients 2021, 13(9), 3174; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093174 - 11 Sep 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4374

Abstract

(1) Introduction: The university period may increase the risk of different unhealthy habits, such as low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, high alcohol consumption and eating in response to specific emotions. The aim of this study was to detect early-risk alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence (ADS), the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and emotional eating in university students of the Madrid community. (2) Methods: For each individual, anthropometric parameters, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-Consumption (AUDIT-C), the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) were assessed. (3) Results: A total of 584 university students aged 20.5 (sex ratio = 0.39) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. In total, 63.6% of students showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, with no differences by sex (64.3% female versus 61.5% male, p = 0.19). According to the AUDIT questionnaire, 26.2% of participants were categorized as high-risk drinkers and 7.7% as ADS. About 38.6% of the students were categorized as eating very emotionally or eating emotionally, and 37.2% were categorized as low emotional eaters. A weak positive correlation was observed between the EEQ and BMI in female students (rho= 0.15, p = 0.03). (4) Conclusions: University students in our sample showed a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, an important high-risk alcohol consumption and low emotional eating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 1520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Composition of the Gut Microbiome Influences Production of Sulforaphane-Nitrile and Iberin-Nitrile from Glucosinolates in Broccoli Sprouts

by John A. Bouranis, Laura M. Beaver, Jaewoo Choi, Carmen P. Wong, Duo Jiang, Thomas J. Sharpton, Jan F. Stevens and Emily Ho

Nutrients 2021, 13(9), 3013; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093013 - 28 Aug 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4282

Abstract

Isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane and iberin, derived from glucosinolates (GLS) in cruciferous vegetables, are known to prevent and suppress cancer development. GLS can also be converted by bacteria to biologically inert nitriles, such as sulforaphane-nitrile (SFN-NIT) and iberin-nitrile (IBN-NIT), but the role of the gut microbiome in this process is relatively undescribed and SFN-NIT excretion in humans is unknown. An ex vivo fecal incubation model with in vitro digested broccoli sprouts and 16S sequencing was utilized to explore the role of the gut microbiome in SFN- and IBN-NIT production. SFN-NIT excretion was measured among human subjects following broccoli sprout consumption. The fecal culture model showed high inter-individual variability in nitrile production and identified two sub-populations of microbial communities among the fecal cultures, which coincided with a differing abundance of nitriles. The Clostridiaceae family was associated with high levels, while individuals with a low abundance of nitriles were more enriched with taxa from the Enterobacteriaceae family. High levels of inter-individual variation in urine SFN-NIT levels were also observed, with peak excretion of SFN-NIT at 24 h post broccoli sprout consumption. These results suggest that nitrile production from broccoli, as opposed to isothiocyanates, could be influenced by gut microbiome composition, potentially lowering efficacy of cruciferous vegetable interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 1308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Macular Pigment Reflectometry: Developing Clinical Protocols, Comparison with Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry and Individual Carotenoid Levels

by Pinakin Gunvant Davey, Richard B. Rosen and Dennis L. Gierhart

Nutrients 2021, 13(8), 2553; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082553 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3198

Abstract

The study was designed to: (1) Analyze and create protocols of obtaining measurements using the Macular Pigment Reflectometry (MPR). (2) To assess the agreement of MPOD measurements obtained using the heterochromatic flicker photometry (MPS II) and MPR. (3) To obtain the lutein and zeaxanthin optical density obtained using the MPR in the central one-degree of the macula. The measurements were performed using the MPR and heterochromatic flicker photometry. The MPR measurements were performed twice without pupillary dilation and twice following pupillary dilation. The MPR measurements were performed for a 40-s period and the spectrometer signal was parsed at different time points: 10–20, 10–30, 10–40, 20–30, 20–40, and 30–40 s. The MPR analyzes the high-resolution spectrometer signal and calculates MPOD, lutein optical density and zeaxanthin optical density automatically. The MPR-MPOD data was compared with MPPS II-MPOD results. The MPR-MPOD values are highly correlated and in good agreement with the MPS II-MPOD. Of the various parsing of the data, the data 10–30 interval was the best at obtaining the MPOD, lutein, and zeaxanthin values (8–12% coefficient of repeatability). The lutein to zeaxanthin ratio in the central one-degree of the macula was 1:2.40. Dilation was not needed to obtain the MPOD values but provided better repeatability of lutein and zeaxanthin optical density. MPR generates MPOD measurements that is in good agreement with MPS II. The device can produce lutein and zeaxanthin optical density which is not available from other clinical devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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22 pages, 824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Plant-Based Protein Functional Food in Preventing Acute Respiratory Disease: A Case Study

by Andrei V. Tarasov, Rofail S. Rakhmanov, Elena S. Bogomolova, Ludmila A. Perminova and Zhanna L. Malakhova

Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 2116; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13062116 - 20 Jun 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5963

Abstract

The Kaliningrad region is known for its specific climate, which can negatively affect the adaptive potential of the body. This manifests in an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and skin conditions. To prevent high morbidity, a plant protein product was included in the diet of first-year university students. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this food intervention in preventing the most common diseases among Kaliningrad students. Two groups of university students took part in the food trial. In the control group, catabolic processes prevailed in nutrient metabolism. Disadaptation manifested itself in the metabolism of proteins, vitamins, minerals, hematopoiesis and humoral immunity. Inflammation was indicated by α1- and α2-globulins, a weak immune response, and IgM and IgG. High oxidative stress and low antioxidative ability of blood serum were observed. The plant-based protein product (FP) helped preserve testosterone level and prevent an increase in catabolic reactions. Moreover, it had a positive effect on both red blood cell hematopoiesis (a smaller increase in the average volume of erythrocytes, the same average concentration and content of hemoglobin, an increased relative red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell hematopoiesis (a beneficial effect for the immune system: lymphocytes, the relative content of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils). The stimulation of humoral immunity was evidenced by beta- and gamma-globulins, an active immune response, the level of IgM and IgG, antioxidant protection, reduction of peroxides and an increase in antioxidant activity of blood serum. The 34-week observation showed a 1.7-fold decrease in the incidence of respiratory illnesses and a 5.7-fold decrease in skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. Acute respiratory infections were reduced 1.8-fold. There were no cases of community-acquired pneumonia in the treatment group, compared with 55.1‰ in the control group. The incidence of respiratory diseases was 3.3–10.6 times lower in the treatment group than in the control group in weeks 6–19. The findings testify to the prophylactic effect of functional food during social adaptation and acclimatization of students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resting Energy Expenditure Is Elevated in Asthma

by Jacob T. Mey, Brittany Matuska, Laura Peterson, Patrick Wyszynski, Michelle Koo, Jacqueline Sharp, Emily Pennington, Stephanie McCarroll, Sarah Micklewright, Peng Zhang, Mark Aronica, Kristin K. Hoddy, Catherine M. Champagne, Steven B. Heymsfield, Suzy A. A. Comhair, John P. Kirwan, Serpil C. Erzurum and Anny Mulya

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041065 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3649

Abstract

Background: Asthma physiology affects respiratory function and inflammation, factors that may contribute to elevated resting energy expenditure (REE) and altered body composition. Objective: We hypothesized that asthma would present with elevated REE compared to weight-matched healthy controls. Methods: Adults with asthma (n = 41) and healthy controls (n = 20) underwent indirect calorimetry to measure REE, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to measure body composition, and 3-day diet records. Clinical assessments included spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and a complete blood count. Results: Asthmatics had greater REE than controls amounting to an increase of ~100 kcals/day, even though body mass index (BMI) and body composition were similar between groups. Inclusion of asthma status and FENO in validated REE prediction equations led to improved estimates. Further, asthmatics had higher white blood cell (control vs. asthma (mean ± SD): 4.7 ± 1.1 vs. 5.9 ± 1.6, p < 0.01) and neutrophil (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 1.4, p = 0.02) counts that correlated with REE (both p < 0.01). Interestingly, despite higher REE, asthmatics reported consuming fewer calories (25.1 ± 7.5 vs. 20.3 ± 6.0 kcals/kg/day, p < 0.01) and carbohydrates than controls. Conclusion: REE is elevated in adults with mild asthma, suggesting there is an association between REE and the pathophysiology of asthma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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Review

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17 pages, 3504 KiB

Open AccessReview

Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations—A Systematic Review of the Literature

by Teresa Grohmann, Caroline Litts, Graham Horgan, Xuguang Zhang, Nigel Hoggard, Wendy Russell and Baukje de Roos

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051692 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6164

Abstract

Intervention with fruit extracts may lower glucose and lipid levels, as well as blood pressure. We reviewed the efficacy of bilberry and grape seed extracts to affect these outcomes across populations with varying health status, age and ethnicity, across intervention doses and durations, in 24 intervention studies with bilberry and blackcurrant (n = 4) and grape seed extract (n = 20). Bilberry and blackcurrant extract lowered average levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), at least in Chinese subjects, especially in those who were older, who were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and who were participating in longer-term studies. We also found good evidence that across studies and in subjects with hypercholesterolemia, T2DM or metabolic syndrome, intervention with bilberry and blackcurrant extract, and to some extent grape seed extract, significantly lowered total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels after four weeks. Intervention with grape seed extract may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Differential responsiveness in cholesterol and blood pressure outcomes between stratified populations could not be explained by age, dose or study duration. In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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24 pages, 985 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Precision Nutrition for Alzheimer’s Prevention in ApoE4 Carriers

by Nicholas G. Norwitz, Nabeel Saif, Ingrid Estrada Ariza and Richard S. Isaacson

Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041362 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 35390

Abstract

The ApoE4 allele is the most well-studied genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that is increasing in prevalence and remains without a cure. Precision nutrition targeting metabolic pathways altered by ApoE4 provides a tool for the potential prevention of disease. However, no long-term human studies have been conducted to determine effective nutritional protocols for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease in ApoE4 carriers. This may be because relatively little is yet known about the precise mechanisms by which the genetic variant confers an increased risk of dementia. Fortunately, recent research is beginning to shine a spotlight on these mechanisms. These new data open up the opportunity for speculation as to how carriers might ameliorate risk through lifestyle and nutrition. Herein, we review recent discoveries about how ApoE4 differentially impacts microglia and inflammatory pathways, astrocytes and lipid metabolism, pericytes and blood–brain barrier integrity, and insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. We use these data as a basis to speculate a precision nutrition approach for ApoE4 carriers, including a low-glycemic index diet with a ketogenic option, specific Mediterranean-style food choices, and a panel of seven nutritional supplements. Where possible, we integrate basic scientific mechanisms with human observational studies to create a more complete and convincing rationale for this precision nutrition approach. Until recent research discoveries can be translated into long-term human studies, a mechanism-informed practical clinical approach may be useful for clinicians and patients with ApoE4 to adopt a lifestyle and nutrition plan geared towards Alzheimer’s risk reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Nutrition: Better Strategies for Research and Practice Aimed at Prevention and Management of Complex, Common, Chronic Diseases)

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