Search Results (2,367)

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized cell types, which play an important role in maintaining homeostasis and tissue regeneration in humans. The effectiveness of MSCs depends largely on their immunomodulatory properties and ability to regenerate damaged tissues. Biological activity of MSCs is modulated by environmental factors, including dietary components such as vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals which influence their proliferation, aging, inflammatory response and resistance to oxidative stress. The article aims to highlight the importance of micronutrients and phytochemicals in modulating the MSCs’ performance and therapeutic potential, with a focus on the role of bioactive food components in regulating metabolism, regenerative efficacy and protective mechanisms of stem cells. Vitamins and trace elements are essential for antioxidant protection by eliminating reactive oxygen species, maintaining mitochondrial function and preserving cell viability under stressful conditions. Micronutrients and phytochemicals can modulate the immunomodulatory activity of MSCs by altering the cytokine secretion profile, reducing pro-inflammatory mediators while enhancing anti-inflammatory factors. However, both deficiency and excessively high concentrations of natural compounds can impair stem cell function. Interdisciplinary knowledge about the impact of micronutrients on the functioning of mesenchymal stem cells creates new opportunities in personalized medicine and nutrition. Understanding the mechanisms regulating MSCs activity under the influence of diet components may contribute to the development of individualized therapeutic strategies aimed at supporting tissue regeneration, delaying aging processes, and improving the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. This knowledge is applicable in the design of functional foods and dietary supplements, making it particularly valuable for specialists in personalized nutrition and functional food development. Full article

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), have become a growing global health concern in children and adolescents. Pediatric-onset IBD presents unique challenges compared with adult-onset forms, including more extensive disease, impaired growth, delayed puberty, and psychosocial difficulties. While biologic and targeted therapies have advanced disease control, nutritional interventions remain a central component of management. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recognized as the first-line therapy for inducing remission in pediatric CD, offering comparable efficacy to corticosteroids with additional benefits for mucosal healing, nutritional status, and growth. Modified dietary approaches, such as partial enteral nutrition and the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED), show promise for improving adherence and maintaining remission. However, dietary restrictions may lead to deficiencies and psychosocial stress, underscoring the importance of individualized, dietitian-supervised care. The role of nutrition in UC is less defined, but balanced, anti-inflammatory dietary patterns appear beneficial. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on nutritional strategies in pediatric IBD, highlighting their therapeutic potential, limitations, and integration with pharmacologic treatment within a multidisciplinary framework aimed at optimizing outcomes and quality of life. Full article

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency, hyperhomocysteinemia, and diabetes are emerging determinants of cardiovascular risk, particularly among women. Early detection and treatment represent an important public health opportunity to reduce the burden of disease and promote health equity. Objective: We aimed to quantify the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency, hyperhomocysteinemia, and diabetes, and to evaluate the potential impact of detecting and addressing these conditions on reducing CVD risk in adult Mexican women. Methods: We analyzed data from 1197 women aged 20–49 years from Mexico’s 2022–2023 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Serum vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine were quantified, and 10-year CVD risk was estimated using Framingham and Globorisk models. Population-attributable fractions and cost–benefit analyses were used to assess preventable CVD cases and the economic feasibility of nationwide vitamin B12 supplementation. Results: Nationwide, 37.2% of women have vitamin B12 deficiency, and 30.6% have borderline levels. In Southern Mexico, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is higher, reaching 52.4%. Elevated homocysteine levels were detected in 12.3% of women. The predicted number of preventable CVD cases ranged from 10,000 to 14,000, and the benefit–cost ratio exceeded 1, supporting economic feasibility. Conclusions: Vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia are very common among Mexican women and are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, especially in those aged 40 to 49. The analysis showed that implementing a national vitamin B12 supplementation strategy could be a cost-effective preventive measure, with a benefit–cost ratio ranging from 1.93 in the base case to 2.98 when broader societal savings are taken into account. These findings highlight the potential of targeted nutritional interventions to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in women. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiometabolic risk clustering (CMRC), the coexistence of multiple risk factors, markedly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. While obesity is central, the independent roles of vitamin D status and systemic inflammation remain unclear. This study examined determinants of CMRC in middle-aged Korean adults, focusing on vitamin D and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 2062 adults aged 40–64 years in the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. CMRC was defined as ≥3 of abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], CRP, lifestyle behaviors, and covariates were assessed. Complex-sample logistic regression identified factors associated with CMRC. Results: CMRC prevalence was 16.5%. Older age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06), current smoking (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.26–2.45), elevated CRP (1–3 mg/L: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04–1.87; ≥3 mg/L: OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.00–2.66), and obesity (OR = 8.29, 95% CI: 6.12–11.21) increased CMRC risk. Protective factors included male sex (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45–0.81), sufficient vitamin D (≥20 ng/mL: OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58–0.99), and meeting World Health Organization physical activity guidelines (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55–0.92). Conclusions: These survey-weighted associations may help identify at-risk mid-life adults at the population level and motivate longitudinal evaluation of vitamin D deficiency and inflammation in risk assessment and targeted prevention. Full article

Background: Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. While a lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the cornerstone of treatment, inadequate follow-up can lead to persistent symptoms, nutritional deficiencies, and long-term complications. Aim: This narrative review summarizes best practices in celiac disease follow-up, with emphasis on multidisciplinary, nutritional, clinical, and preventive care strategies to optimize long-term outcomes. Main Findings: High-quality follow-up requires coordinated care involving gastroenterologists, dietitians, primary care providers, and other specialists. Nutritional challenges of the GFD include high cost, limited fortification, suboptimal nutrient content, and increased risk of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Patients also face psychosocial and behavioral burdens such as anxiety, social isolation, and disordered eating. Evidence-based strategies for follow-up include structured clinical and serologic monitoring, laboratory assessments, bone health evaluation, cancer risk reduction, and preventive care. Novel tools such as gluten immunogenic peptide testing, digital health platforms, and artificial intelligence are emerging as adjuncts to clinical management. Implications: Structured, patient-centered follow-up that integrates medical, nutritional, and psychosocial dimensions is essential to achieving mucosal healing, maintaining long-term health, and improving quality of life in individuals with CeD. Full article

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive kidney cyst formation and eventual kidney failure. Emerging evidence suggests that plant-based diets may confer therapeutic benefits in patients with PKD by modulating mTOR and AMPK signaling, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, while improving metabolic and cardiovascular profiles. These diets, which are low in animal protein and rich in antioxidants, may help lower uric acid levels and support blood pressure control, thereby potentially reducing fibrosis. However, careful planning is required to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Well-designed clinical trials are warranted to validate their role in ADPKD management. Full article

Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are significant global health burdens, with microalbuminuria (MA) serving as a key early marker of renal damage and cardiovascular risk. While nutritional interventions are pivotal for management, the evidence for specific nutrients is often complex and inconsistent, creating challenges for clinical guidance. This review critically evaluates current evidence on the interaction among macronutrients, micronutrients, and established dietary approaches and their influence on the development and course of HTN and MA. Strong consensus is present regarding sodium restriction, increased intakes of potassium, and the implementation of dietary patterns like Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean diet to improve blood pressure and renal outcomes. Evidence favors protein moderation (approximately 0.8 g/kg/day), especially from plant sources, and emphasizes carbohydrate quality (e.g., high fiber, low glycemic index) over absolute quantity. The role of micronutrients is more nuanced; maintaining vitamin D sufficiency is protective, but intervention trials for many supplements, including B vitamins and antioxidant vitamins (C and E), have yielded inconsistent results. Several minerals, such as iron and selenium, exhibit a U-shaped risk curve where both deficiency and excess are detrimental, highlighting the risks of unselective supplementation. Ideal nutrition care prioritizes holistic dietary patterns over a focus on single nutrients. Clinical guidance should be founded on sodium reduction and potassium-rich foods, with personalized recommendations for protein and micronutrient supplementation based on an individual’s specific cardiovascular and renal profile. Future research must target nutrients with conflicting evidence to establish clear, evidence-based intake guidelines. Full article

Plasmalogens, as natural dietary lipids, are a unique class of glycerophospholipids with distinct structural and functional properties. They are unstable due to the vinyl ether linkage and the unsaturated fatty chains. Hence, plasmalogen changes are closely connected to their beneficial bioactivities and health-related applications. This narrative review focuses on their structural modifications, particularly oxidation of the vinyl-ether and sn-2 acyl chains, enzymatic degradation, and molecular remodeling. The oxidative susceptibility of plasmalogens renders them particularly vulnerable under inflammatory or oxidative stress, contributing to a measurable reduction in total plasmalogen content. Plasmalogen deficiency has been observed in various diseases and applied in clinical applications, including physiological and a variety of pathological conditions. Moreover, plasmalogens have been recognized as not only disease biomarkers but also therapeutic targets. In addition, recent findings in nutrition were discussed, aiming to find that underutilized animal byproducts and microbial lipids are promising new sources of plasmalogens. To conclude, it is crucial to establish practical dynamic monitoring systems of plasmalogens for health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Integrating biochemical pathways, clinical diagnosis, and nutritional interventions remains to be clarified. Full article

Diet influences brain health through many connected metabolic and molecular pathways, and these effects are stronger in obesity. This review links diet quality with cognitive decline and dementia risk. Ultra-processed, high-fat, high-sugar diets drive weight gain, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation. These changes trigger brain oxidative stress, reduce DNA repair, deplete NAD⁺, disturb sirtuin/PARP balance, and alter epigenetic marks. Gut dysbiosis and leaky gut add inflammatory signals, weaken the blood–brain barrier, and disrupt microglia. Mediterranean and MIND diets, rich in plants, fiber, polyphenols, and omega-3 fats, slow cognitive decline and lower dementia risk. Trials show extra benefit when diet improves alongside exercise and vascular risk control. Specific nutrients can help in certain settings. DHA and EPA support brain health in people with low omega-3 status or early disease. B-vitamins slow brain shrinkage in mild cognitive impairment when homocysteine is high. Vitamin D correction is beneficial when levels are low. A practical plan emphasizes healthy eating and good metabolic control. It includes screening for deficiencies and supporting the microbiome with fiber and fermented foods. Mechanism-based add-ons, such as NAD⁺ boosters, deserve testing in lifestyle-focused trials. Together, these measures may reduce diet-related brain risk across the life span. At the same time, artificial intelligence can integrate diet exposures, adiposity, metabolic markers, multi-omics, neuroimaging, and digital phenotyping. This can identify high-risk phenotypes, refine causal links along the diet–obesity–brain axis, and personalize nutrition-plus-lifestyle interventions. It can also highlight safety, equity, and privacy considerations. Translationally, a pattern-first strategy can support early screening and personalized risk reduction by integrating diet quality, adiposity, vascular risk, micronutrient status, and microbiome-responsive behaviors. AI can aid measurement and risk stratification when developed with privacy, equity, and interpretability safeguards, but clinical decisions should remain mechanism-aligned and trial-anchored. Full article

Introduction: Trace metals can negatively impact biological functions and brain development. Cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders in children are poorly documented in Haut-Katanga Province, an area with significant and multiple exposures to trace metals that can lead to the exacerbation of cognitive and behavioral disorders. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the behavior of schoolchildren linked to their cognitive performance in urban and rural environments. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on 52 schoolchildren aged 6 to 11 (22 from rural areas presumed less exposed to metals and 30 from Lubumbashi, DRC). This study employed NEPSY-II tests, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Tutor), ENA 2020 software and trace metal spectrometry assays. Statistical tests were carried out with SPSS-20 and Stata-18. Results: Our findings revealed a correlation between children’s malnutrition and low mother’s education. The “total difficulties score” was more prevalent in rural areas (73%) compared to urban settings (37%) p < 0.05), in contrast to the “negative impact of difficulties” (59% versus 57%, p > 0.05). Urban children demonstrated superior cognitive performance, particularly in “facial affect recognition” (8 versus 4, p = 0.013) and “inhibitory control” (6.5 versus 3, p = 0.032). As-U(urine), Cd-B(blood), Hg-B, Mo-U, Ni-U, Pb-U, Pb-B and Sb-U were elevated compared to references. In general, urban areas had higher metal levels than rural areas. Blood and urine metals showed a complex and significant relationship with behavioral difficulties or cognitive performance. Conclusions: The observed behavioral issues, cognitive performance deficits and their association with nutritional deficiencies and trace metal exposure suggest a multifactorial neurodevelopmental origin. These findings highlight the need for further research in the region. Full article

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) affects 25% of the global population, with detrimental effects on the health of women and children. Treatments with iron supplements offer temporary relief but often yield adverse effects, hindering patient adherence. Additionally, IDA is associated with oxidative stress, which becomes significantly exacerbated during iron supplementation. Our study aimed to address this challenge by developing a plant-based nutritional formula rich in bioavailable iron and antioxidants devoid of adverse effects. Chemical analysis of edible plants, focused on the content of iron and iron absorption inhibitors, guided formula development. In vivo studies on rats with IDA evaluated iron bioavailability from the formulated plant-based nutraceuticals. Results of animal studies showed significant improvements in IDA-associated blood parameters after 28 days of oral administration of the nutraceuticals. Additionally, the nutraceuticals did not impede the benefits of iron supplementation. These findings strongly indicate that plant-based nutraceuticals can serve as an effective source of bioavailable iron, potentially improving treatment adherence and at the same time aligning with ongoing WHO and UNICEF initiatives to enhance IDA management. Full article

Background/Objectives: People in the developed world tend to consume food that is rich in calories but lacks sufficient nutrients such as essential minerals, vitamins, and other health-promoting metabolites. At the same time, hunger and malnutrition are still problems in other countries. Therefore, various forms of micronutrient deficiencies and diseases caused by unbalanced nutrition are global issues. Methods: In order to elucidate the beneficial potential of alternative food sources, we employed state-of-the-art UHPLC-MS and ICP-MS technologies to perform comprehensive metabolome and metallome analyses of five edible European plants, some of which are known as underutilized crops: Achillea millefolium, Agastache rugosa, Cercis siliquastrum, Crithmum maritimum, and Mespilus germanica. Results: This study reveals valuable nutritional properties such as high levels of essential amino acids, sugars, organic acids, health-promoting secondary metabolites, and essential microelements that are important for human diet. The analyzed samples indicate that A. millefolium, C. siliquastrum, and M. germanica could be marked as a viable source of beneficial flavonoids. In turn, both leaves and fruits of A. rugosa had elevated abundances of organic acids, along with A. millefolium and C. siliquastrum. Similar results were observed for amino acids. Conclusions: Taken as a whole, the fruits of C. siliquastrum could be described as the best source for most of the identified compounds. The M. germanica samples were rich in mineral contents, with indications that they can supply 26% of the recommended daily intake per 100 g for K, 16% for Mg, 26% for Fe, 63% for Mn, and 89% for B. The leaves of C. maritimum and A. millefolium are also a good source of K and Mn. Interestingly, the sampled leaves of C. maritimum contained a very high amount of B, representing more than three times the reference nutrient value for 100 g of plant material. In conclusion, these underutilized species can be used to diversify the European food systems by enriching our diets with essential nutrients and health-promoting metabolites. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a resilient crop with high relevance in tropical and semi-arid regions, where nutritional deficiencies, particularly of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), limit yield. This study evaluated the potential of RGB imagery combined with machine learning to detect N and K deficiencies in sorghum at different phenological stages. The traditional models showed significant limitations in distinguishing nutritional status, especially at the early V4 stage, where accuracies remained below 40%. At the flowering stage, their performance improved for nitrogen detection, reaching up to 58% accuracy, but remained insufficient for potassium (below 30%). In stark contrast, the CNN demonstrated substantially superior performance, effectively identifying even subtle visual symptoms. For nitrogen deficiency, the CNN achieved high accuracies of 76% at the V4 stage and 87% at flowering. While potassium classification proved more challenging overall, the CNN still outperformed traditional models, reaching 55% accuracy at flowering. These results indicate that deep learning is a powerful and viable low-cost tool for the early and accurate diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies in sorghum, overcoming the limitations of conventional machine learning approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients, particularly those with neuromuscular disorders, is associated with increased perioperative risk due to respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular comorbidities, and nutritional deficiencies. This review aims to summarize current evidence-based approaches to anesthetic management in this vulnerable population. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted focusing on anesthetic strategies and multidisciplinary protocols used in the perioperative care of children with neuromuscular conditions undergoing scoliosis surgery. Emphasis was placed on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), blood conservation techniques, and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles. Results: Key management strategies include individualized preoperative risk assessment, use of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) to preserve IONM signal integrity, and the implementation of blood conservation methods such as antifibrinolytic therapy and intraoperative cell salvage. Additional perioperative considerations include maintaining normothermia, careful positioning, and multimodal analgesia. Postoperative care should incorporate structured respiratory support and early mobilization within the ERAS pathway to promote recovery and reduce complications. Conclusions: The perioperative care of pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing spinal surgery requires a multidisciplinary and individualized anesthetic approach. Adherence to evidence-based protocols, including TIVA, blood management strategies, and ERAS principles, is essential for minimizing perioperative complications and improving outcomes in this high-risk group. Full article

Micronutrient deficiencies are not always present in individuals independently and may occur in association with other deficiency processes. Objective: Verify the association between the nutritional status of iodine and that of iron, selenium, and zinc in population studies. Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in Medline, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases, without date and language restrictions, using English search terms and their synonyms. The search terms were joined by the Boolean operator AND while the respective synonyms were connected by OR following the PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 40 articles were included. The studies were published between 1993 and 2025, mostly involving both sexes and the main age groups were children and adolescents. Among the micronutrients analyzed, selenium stood out, being evaluated in 55.0% (n = 22) of the studies, followed by iron in 37.5% (n = 15) and zinc in 27.5% (n = 11). The most commonly used methods for assessing nutritional status were serum selenium, followed by urinary selenium. For iron, hemoglobin, ferritin, and serum iron were used in 73.3% (n = 11), 60.0% (n = 9), and 46.7% (n = 7) of the studies, respectively. For zinc, serum concentration was the most frequently used method; however, in one study, urinary zinc was evaluated. Overall, the nutritional status of iodine was associated with that of selenium, iron, and zinc, although this trend was not observed in some studies. Conclusions: The coexistence of deficiency processes in an individual still needs to be further elucidated. Combined strategies that effectively combat, prevent, and treat these micronutrient deficiencies must consider the possible interactions between them. Full article