Search Results (2,136)

Background/Objective: Transitioning towards plant-based dietary patterns is essential to improve health and reduce environmental impact. Hospitals represent a key setting to implement such dietary shifts, yet data on the availability of plant-based meals in healthcare institutions remain scarce. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across Dutch-speaking hospitals in Belgium to assess the meal plans and whether vegetarian or fully plant-based meal options were available for patients. Besides availability, the frequency and perceived barriers were assessed. Furthermore, the meal plans were analyzed to get an overview of the vegetarian and plant-based food options that were offered in different types of Belgian hospitals. Results: The availability of plant-based meal options was limited across hospitals. No meaningful differences were observed between general hospitals and other hospital types, including psychiatric, rehabilitation, and specialized hospitals. While plant-based fats and oils were widely available, key protein-rich plant foods such as legumes and minimally processed meat alternatives were rarely offered in all types of hospitals. Knowledge gaps among food service staff were observed, and structural barriers—including the need to accommodate diverse dietary requirements—were reported. Conclusions: Belgian hospitals currently underutilize the potential of vegetarian and plant-based nutrition to support patient health and sustainability goals. Strengthening institutional food environments by increasing the availability of nutritionally adequate plant-based meals represents a feasible and impactful strategy to align hospital practice with dietary guidelines and preventive healthcare priorities. Full article

GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists have significantly transformed the treatment of obesity, enabling clinically meaningful weight reduction and improvements in cardiometabolic parameters. However, clinical trial data indicate that cessation of therapy is associated with biologically driven weight regain and a partial loss of metabolic benefits. This phenomenon underscores the chronic nature of obesity and the limited durability of effects achieved through pharmacotherapy alone. Nevertheless, structured clinical frameworks describing how to maintain satiety and metabolic stability after GLP-1/GIP dose reduction or discontinuation remain limited. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the mechanisms underlying weight regain following dose reduction or discontinuation of GLP-1/GIP pharmacotherapy and to present strategies supporting long-term metabolic stabilisation. Weight regain is driven in part by persistent metabolic adaptations, including a reduction in resting energy expenditure (adaptive thermogenesis), alterations in the hunger–satiety axis (increased ghrelin, reduced leptin signalling), and potentially incomplete restoration of adipose tissue and liver-related metabolic function, although direct evidence in this specific setting remains limited. Weight loss is often accompanied by a reduction in fat-free mass, which further lowers energy expenditure and increases susceptibility to a positive energy balance after treatment cessation. It remains unclear whether pharmacological suppression of appetite results in sustained normalisation of endogenous satiety regulation after treatment cessation, and its effects on gut microbiota function remain uncertain. In clinical practice, key priorities include preserving muscle mass (adequate protein intake, resistance training), maintaining dietary nutrient density, stabilising postprandial glycaemia, and ensuring sufficient intake of fermentable fibre to support short-chain fatty acid production and gut–brain signalling. GLP-1/GIP pharmacotherapy should be viewed as a component of an integrated model of obesity treatment. We propose that long-term weight stabilisation may require a transition from pharmacologically induced satiety to satiety supported by diet quality, preserved fat-free mass, and metabolic stability. Further research is needed to define optimal post-treatment strategies and to identify patients in whom therapy can be safely reduced or discontinued. This transition should be regarded as a conceptual framework and forward-looking hypothesis requiring validation in prospective studies. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different inclusion levels of defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens: BSF) larval meal on growth performance, haematological and biochemical blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility in piglets. Forty-eight male piglets weaned at 28 days of age ((Landrace × Large White) × (Piétrain)) were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments. Each treatment included eight pens with two piglets per pen. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic, containing defatted BSF meal as a partial replacement for fishmeal and soybean meal: Control (0% BSF), BSF3% (3% inclusion), and BSF6% (6% inclusion). Over the whole experimental period, dietary treatment did not significantly affect final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, or feed conversion ratio, although feed intake differed during the 7–28-day period. Red and white blood cell parameters were not influenced by diet. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and organic matter increased at the 6% inclusion level, while crude protein and crude fat digestibility were not affected. These results indicate that defatted BSF meal can be used as a sustainable alternative protein source in piglet diets, maintaining growth performance and health status. Full article

Background/Objectives: High sodium intake is a leading dietary risk factor for stomach cancer, particularly in East Asia. In Japan, traditional dietary patterns contribute to elevated sodium consumption and a high burden of stomach cancer. This study aims to forecast disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for stomach cancer attributable to high sodium intake in Japan from 2022 to 2050, and to assess the impact of multiple sodium reduction policy scenarios. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal forecasting study using autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (ARIMAX) models based on Global Burden of Disease 2021 data (1990–2021). The Japanese population was stratified by sex and age groups (15–49, 50–69, and ≥70). Five future exposure scenarios were modelled: (1) reference (current trends), (2) best-case (50% reduction in sodium exposure by 2050), (3) optimal (30% reduction by 2032), (4) moderate (30% reduction by 2050), and (5) worst-case (highest exposure levels from recent years maintained). These scenarios were aligned with national and international sodium reduction targets, including the revised “Health Japan 21” (third term; 7 g/day by 2032) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) 5 g/day/30% reduction goals. Results: Under the reference scenario, age-standardised DALY rates are projected to decline by 31.4% (to 15.4 per 100,000) by 2050. The best-case scenario projects a 54.7% decline (to 10.1 per 100,000). Substantial demographic disparities persist: males and those aged ≥70 consistently show higher burdens. Notably, the 50–69 age group shows the greatest variation in 2050 projections across scenarios (17.1 to 73.5 per 100,000), indicating high policy sensitivity. Meanwhile, in the ≥70 group, DALY rates remain high regardless of scenario, especially among males (199.4 vs. 57.8 per 100,000 for females), reflecting cumulative lifetime exposure. Conclusions: Under modelled assumptions, sustained achievement of national sodium reduction targets could meaningfully reduce future stomach cancer DALYs in Japan, with the largest absolute gains in older adults but the largest relative gains in younger and middle-aged groups. Because stomach cancer aetiology is multifactorial and the projections rest on modelled associations and a continuity-of-trend assumption, these findings support strengthened, demographically targeted sodium reduction interventions as one complementary component of a broader, multi-risk factor approach to stomach cancer prevention. Full article

Histamine is a significant risk factor in brown fishmeal and negatively affects histamine-sensitive fish species. The present study aimed to explore the potential protective effects of dietary sanguinarine supplementation against the adverse impacts of excessive dietary histamine on growth and intestinal and hepatic health in American eels. Four experimental diets were formulated: the basal diet (control diet), the basal diet supplemented with 500 mg kg⁻¹ of histamine (HH diet), and the HH diet supplemented with 100 mg kg⁻¹ and 200 mg kg⁻¹ of sanguinarine (HH+SAN100 and HH+SAN200 diets, respectively). After a 10-week feeding trial, both sanguinarine supplementation diets alleviated HH-diet-induced growth retardation, reduced feed utilization, serum dyslipidemia, and hepatic and intestinal structural damage; decreased hepatic and intestinal antioxidant capacity; increased intestinal and hepatic malondialdehyde levels; inhibited intestinal lipase activities; elevated intestinal pro-inflammatory-related gene abundance; and lowered intestinal anti-inflammatory-related gene expression. Furthermore, the HH+SAN100 diet partially ameliorated HH-diet-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal metabolic disturbances. Collectively, these findings identify sanguinarine as a functional dietary additive that mitigates histamine-associated growth suppression and intestinal and hepatic injury in American eels, promoting the sustainable utilization of brown fishmeal in American eel culture. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments to implement lockdowns and social distancing measures to curb transmission, which, in South Africa, disrupted economic activity, reduced household income, and challenged the sustainability of household food access. This study assessed food accessibility, availability, dietary diversity, food security status, and coping strategies among households in the Tygerberg region during lockdowns. A cross-sectional design was employed using a researcher-administered questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and household data. Food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Household Food Security Survey Module, dietary diversity using a 24 h recall, and coping strategies through a standardized tool. Among the 432 households surveyed, 62% reported reduced income during lockdowns, while approximately 80% experienced food insecurity in the preceding 30 days and 72% over the past year. Dietary diversity was low in 47.3% of households, consuming fewer than seven food groups, and medium in 46.4%, consuming eight to eleven food groups. Common coping strategies included purchasing cheaper, less preferred foods, skipping meals, and reliance on social relief measures such as food parcels and the Social Relief of Distress grant. Overall, while food availability remained relatively stable, economic access emerged as the principal constraint, undermining dietary quality and household resilience and highlighting the need for income-responsive and socially sustainable food security interventions to strengthen urban food system resilience during prolonged socio-economic shocks. Full article

Background: Schools are widely recognized as key settings for promoting healthy eating behaviors and supporting childhood obesity prevention. In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to experiential and interactive nutrition education strategies designed to actively engage children and adolescents in food-related learning processes. These approaches move beyond traditional didactic teaching and include practical and participatory formats, such as cooking activities, school gardening, digital or app-based learning tools, workshops and educational camps, and game-based learning interventions. Objective: This narrative review aims to provide an overview of experiential school-based nutrition education interventions, describing the main types of programs implemented in school settings and summarizing their reported effects on nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Results: Across intervention studies and systematic reviews, hands-on and interactive educational models, including cooking classes, gardening programs, digital learning tools, workshops or camps, and board game-based interventions, frequently report improvements in nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward food, food-related skills, and self-efficacy. These programs seek to strengthen food literacy by combining experiential learning with educational content delivered within the school environment. Evidence regarding changes in dietary intake, diet quality, and anthropometric outcomes is more heterogeneous, with some studies reporting improvements in eating behaviors and others showing more modest or short-term effects. Program outcomes appear to be influenced by several contextual factors, including intervention duration, curriculum integration, teacher involvement, and the availability of resources supporting implementation. Conclusions: Experiential and interactive approaches represent an increasingly adopted strategy in school-based nutrition education. Their effectiveness appears to depend on the quality of implementation, the degree of integration within the school curriculum, and the broader educational context. Future research should further explore how different experiential formats can be optimally integrated into school systems to support the development of food literacy and sustainable healthy eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Full article

Intensive aquaculture of rice field eel (Monopterus albus) is constrained by oxidative stress induced by high-density culture resulting in growth inhibition, while prophylactic antibiotics pose escalating risks of drug resistance and food safety hazards. This study addresses the critical need for developing efficient, environmentally friendly functional feed additives as sustainable growth promoters in intensive aquaculture. To investigate the dietary berberine (BBR) effect on promoting growth performance, hepatic antioxidant capacity and metabolism in M. albus, four experimental groups were established: control (CON, 0 mg/kg) and berberine-supplemented groups (BBR25, 25 mg/kg; BBR50, 50 mg/kg; BBR100, 100 mg/kg). Growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, hepatic antioxidant capacity, and liver metabolomics (LC-MS) were evaluated after the 8-week feeding trial. BBR50 and BBR100 had significantly increased final weight, weight gain rate (WG), and survival rate (SR), while reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). Serum glucose (Glc), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were decreased (p < 0.05), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity were increased (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were upregulated (p < 0.05), whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) was downregulated (p < 0.05). Metabolomics identified 98 differential metabolites, with significant enrichment of metabolites associated with arachidonic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, arginine/proline metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and pathways related to mTOR signaling. Overall, dietary supplementation with 50 mg/kg BBR emerged as a practically favorable dose among the tested concentrations for promoting growth performance and feed utilization efficiency, whereas 100 mg/kg BBR was associated with lipid and amino acid metabolic alterations suggestive of metabolic reprogramming and antioxidant-related shifts, without conferring additional growth benefits. Full article

Background: Christensenella minuta (C. minuta) is a promising next-generation probiotic linked to reduced body weight, inhibition of obesogenic processes, and enhanced metabolic profiles. However, the extent and persistence of these effects, particularly under varying dietary conditions, remain uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of intrarectal administration of C. minuta on body weight regulation in vivo under different dietary patterns, with or without antibiotic pretreatment, both during the intervention and over the long term. Particular emphasis was placed on exploring the interactions between C. minuta supplementation, dietary background, caloric intake, and body weight gain. Methods: A total of 180 CD1 mice (both sexes equally) were allocated into nine experimental groups based on diet, with and without C. minuta supplementation, and with and without antibiotic pretreatment. The bacterial suspension was administered intrarectally once a week for three consecutive weeks in the treatment groups. Body weight was monitored weekly, and food intake was recorded biweekly over the 12-week study period. Visceral fat mass was measured postmortem. Results: Groups treated with C. minuta with antibiotic pretreatment exhibited significantly lower body weight gain than the control groups during the intervention phase in both sexes, irrespective of caloric intake and dietary pattern, indicating that the reduced weight gain was attributable to the effect of C. minuta. Regarding long-term effects following the cessation of administration, sexual dimorphism was observed: while no lasting impact was found in males, the body weight gain inhibiting effect of C. minuta treatment persisted in females. Furthermore, females treated with C. minuta exhibited the lowest levels of visceral fat among all groups. Caloric intake was not significantly associated with body weight gain at any time point in this study. Conclusions: C. minuta exerts a transient, caloric intake-independent inhibitory effect on body weight gain. The absence of sustained effects highlights the necessity for continuous or optimized administration protocols to ensure the attainment of long-term benefits in the future. The results of this study support the hypothesis that C. minuta can act as a modulator of host metabolism and body composition, underscoring the significance of treatment duration in this process. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of alternative feed formulations on the proximate composition and lipid quality of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in a long-term feeding trial (May 2022–September 2023). Three isoenergetic and isoproteic diets were tested in replicate tanks: a fishmeal-based control (CTRL), a processed animal protein–based diet (PAP), and a diet including insect meal and microalgae oil (ALT). Diet pellet sizes were adapted to the fishes’ developmental stage. Proximate composition and fatty acid profiles were assessed in feed and in fish fillets, with 20 fish analyzed per dietary treatment. The human health lipid indices of the fillets were calculated. Virtual diets were reconstructed to estimate theoretical fatty acid intake across growth, based on feed composition and consumption. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed distinct clustering by diet. Fillets from all diets met European Food Safety Authority criteria for being high in omega-3 fatty acids, with some variation in EPA and DHA concentrations among formulations. The ALT diet showed a 15% higher EPA+DHA content and the greatest fish lipid quality (FLQ) values, even having the lowest polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake from feed, partly due to its elevated lauric acid (C12:0) content, which may contribute to rapid energy mobilization and omega-3 preservation. PAP-fed fish showed the most balanced PUFA/SFA and n6/n3 ratios. These findings demonstrate the viability of sustainable feed alternatives for maintaining nutritional quality in gilthead sea bream, supporting aquaculture sustainability without compromising nutritional value. Full article

Matrine, a bioactive alkaloid from Sophora flavescens, has gained attention as a phytogenic additive due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Nevertheless, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is highly vulnerable to Streptococcus agalactiae infection under intensive aquaculture, leading to immune dysfunction and economic losses. This study aimed to evaluate the potential application of dietary matrine supplementation in enhancing tilapia health, growth performance, and resistance to bacterial infection. Fish were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: control, 0.1% matrine (low dose), 0.5% matrine (medium dose), and 1.0% matrine (high dose). Blood, liver, spleen, intestine, head kidney, and muscle were sampled on days 0, week 4, and week 8 for growth, immune, and oxidative stress analyses. Subsequently, fish were challenged with S. agalactiae to evaluate immune gene expression and liver histopathology across groups. The results showed that dietary matrine supplementation significantly improved growth performance and feed conversion efficiency, enhanced nonspecific immune responses, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Moreover, 0.5% and 1.0% matrine markedly reduced mortality and hepatic injury after bacterial challenge. These findings indicate that matrine acts as an effective natural immunomodulator and may contribute to hepato-intestinal health, and dietary supplementation at 1.0% represents the relatively favorable inclusion level under the present conditions for improving health status and supporting sustainable Nile tilapia aquaculture. Full article

Microalgae-based feeds are increasingly considered sustainable ingredients for animal nutrition, although their impact on skeletal muscle metabolism remains poorly understood. This study investigated the metabolic changes in piglet muscle in response to dietary Chlorella vulgaris, with or without supplementation with carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Forty-two weaned piglets were assigned to four dietary treatments: a control diet; 5% C. vulgaris (CH); CH supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio^® Excel AP (CH+R); and CH supplemented with 0.01% of a four-CAZyme mixture (CH+M). Muscle metabolomes were analysed using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Multivariate analysis showed a largely conserved muscle metabolomic profile across treatments, indicating that dietary treatment did not cause distinct metabolic shifts. However, univariate analysis identified significant differences in specific metabolites (p < 0.05). Piglets fed C. vulgaris-supplemented diets had higher concentrations of methionine, succinate, β-alanine, and betaine than the control group, whereas tyramine levels were lower (p < 0.05). Generally, dietary interventions resulted in minor metabolic changes in muscle tissue, affecting particular metabolites. There was no evidence of changes in overall muscle metabolism. Full article

Introduction: A healthy diet is crucial for healthy growth and development during childhood and adolescence. Although evidence in this field is expanding rapidly, the focus has been on disease-oriented nutrition rather than on nutrition for healthy children and adolescents; thus, we aimed to identify key research gaps to guide future studies and policy development. Methods: For this scoping review, we systematically searched systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, and position papers. The literature search covered publications from the last eight years to provide the latest information on pediatric nutrition. A basic critical appraisal was performed to assess the quality of the evidence. Results: We included 14 studies. Six major topics were identified as the most frequently reported: healthy dietary patterns, sustainable dietary patterns, macronutrients and micronutrients, sugar intake, beverages and sugary drinks, and dairy products. Conclusions: Current information on healthy diets for children and adolescents focuses mainly on dietary patterns. However, regionalized information is lacking, as few health agencies report on specific dietary modifications, especially in developing or transition countries. Full article

Coilia nasus, a nutritionally and economically valuable migratory fish, has long relied on natural bait for its cultivation. However, the inherent instability of natural bait supplies poses a major bottleneck for large-scale aquaculture, necessitating a transition to formulated diets. To elucidate the adaptive response mechanisms underlying this dietary transition, we conducted sampling at three critical stages of feed domestication. This research revealed that while dietary shifts led to moderate alterations in muscle lipid and protein content, overall growth performance remained largely unaffected. During domestication, we observed significant structural remodeling of the stomach, intestine, and liver, along with increased activities of trypsin and lipase. The intestinal microbiota shifted, with Firmicutes abundance increasing notably during the domestication process, although the natural bait group exhibited even higher Firmicutes abundance than the formulated-feed group. Multi-omics analysis of intestinal samples from key domestication stages revealed significant enrichment of lipid metabolism pathways. It suggests that changes in genes and metabolites may be associated with the adaptive response to formulated-feed, including alterations in membrane stability, lipid metabolism and inflammatory state. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the structural and molecular adaptations of the digestive system of C. nasus during formulated-feed domestication. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for optimizing feeding protocols and supporting the sustainable aquaculture of this species. Full article

The high consumption of citrus fruits generates large amounts of peel bioresidues, whose valorization represents an important strategy for sustainable agri-food systems. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional, chemical, and bioactive properties of flours obtained from orange (FL), tangerine (FT), lime (FLA), and lemon (FLO) peels, and to evaluate their potential as functional food ingredients. The flours were evaluated for proximate composition, organic acids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, free sugars, and bioactive properties. Lime flour showed the highest protein, ash, dietary fiber, and total phenolic contents, with hesperidin identified as the predominant compound. The corresponding extracts exhibited relevant antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activities, with lime flour presenting the strongest overall bioactive potential. Based on these results, lime flour was selected for application in a food model by partially replacing wheat flour (10% and 20%) in “Madalenas”, a traditional Portuguese muffin cake. The incorporation of lime flour improved product preservation compared with the control formulation and samples containing a synthetic preservative (potassium sorbate). These findings highlight the potential of citrus peel flours, particularly lime flour, as natural functional ingredients and sustainable alternatives for food formulations, contributing to waste valorization and circular economy approaches in the agri-food sector. Full article