Bioavailability and conversion of plant based sources of omega-3 fatty acids – a scoping review to update supplementation options for vegetarians and vegans

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids offer a plethora of health benefits with the majority of evidence showing beneficial effects from marine sources of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Emerging research examines the effects of n-3 dietary intakes on blood markers of vegetarians and vegans, but official guidance for plant based marine alternatives is yet to reach consensus. This scoping review provides an overview of trials investigating bioavailability of plant n-3 oils including EPA and DHA conversion. Searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL and clinical trial registers identified randomized controlled trials from January 2010 to September 2020. The ‘Omega-3 index’ (EPA + DHA (O3I)), was used to compare n-3 status, metabolic conversion and bioavailability. Two reviewers independently screened articles and extracted data on outcomes. From 639 identified articles, screening and eligibility checks gave 13 articles. High dose flaxseed or echium seed oil supplements, provided no increases to O3I and some studies showed reductions. However, microalgal oil supplementation increased O3I levels for all studies. Findings indicate preliminary advice for vegetarians and vegans is regular consumption of preformed EPA and DHA supplements may help maintain optimal O3I. Further studies should establish optimum EPA and DHA ratios and dosages in vegetarian and vegan populations

Summer Conference on ‘Nutrition at Key Stages of the Life Cycle’:Summer conference, Liverpool.

Nutritional requirements of individuals vary across the lifecycle, according to activity,age, and gender. To optimize human health, consideration of nutritional priorities at each stage is needed. This conference brought together multidisciplinary experts in maternal and child nutrition and health, cardiometabolic and plant-based nutrition, and dietitians involved in the care of vulnerable populations, plus nutritional metabolism, health, and ageing. The presentations highlighted the most important nutrition research in these areas, updating knowledge and suggesting how dietary advice and policy could be adapted to incorporate research findings. With the global increase in non-communicable disease (NCD) and nutrition being considered as a key modifiable risk factor for the prevention and management of NCD, this conference was much needed

The Effect of Dietary Carbohydrate and Fat Manipulation on the Metabolome and Markers of Glucose and Insulin Metabolism: A Randomised Parallel Trial.

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2022-09-01, epub 2022-09-07Publication status: PublishedHigh carbohydrate, lower fat (HCLF) diets are recommended to reduce cardiometabolic disease (CMD) but low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diets can be just as effective. The effect of LCHF on novel insulin resistance biomarkers and the metabolome has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an ad libitum 8-week LCHF diet compared with a HCLF diet on CMD markers, the metabolome, and insulin resistance markers. n = 16 adults were randomly assigned to either LCHF (n = 8, <50 g CHO p/day) or HCLF diet (n = 8) for 8 weeks. At weeks 0, 4 and 8, participants provided fasted blood samples, measures of body composition, blood pressure and dietary intake. Samples were analysed for markers of cardiometabolic disease and underwent non-targeted metabolomic profiling. Both a LCHF and HCLF diet significantly (p < 0.01) improved fasting insulin, HOMA IR, rQUICKI and leptin/adiponectin ratio (p < 0.05) levels. Metabolomic profiling detected 3489 metabolites with 78 metabolites being differentially regulated, for example, an upregulation in lipid metabolites following the LCHF diet may indicate an increase in lipid transport and oxidation, improving insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, both diets may reduce type 2 diabetes risk albeit, a LCHF diet may enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing lipid oxidation

The development of vegetarian omega-3 oil in water nanoemulsions suitable for integration into functional food products

Global trends show that habitual omega-3 intakes are short of recommended guidelines, particularly among vegetarians and vegans. The potential health implications of low long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC3PUFA) intakes coupled with concerns about sustainability of fish stocks call for innovative approaches to provide food based solutions to this problem. Nanoemulsions are systems with extremely small droplet sizes that could provide a solution whilst improving the bioavailability of LC3PUFA. Oil in water nanoemulsion systems were successfully created using ultrasound with oil loads of up to 50 vol % using vegetarian LC3PUFA oils. Nanoemulsions containing 50 vol % flaxseed and algae oil were created with mean droplet size measurements of 192 and 182nm respectively using combinations of the emulsifiers Tween 40 and lecithin. This technique could be applied to create vegetarian LC3PUFA nanoemulsions suitable for integration into enriched functional food products with the potential to increase LC3PUFA intakes and bioavailability

Association of dietary patterns with the gut microbiota in older, community-dwelling men.

BackgroundWhile the gut microbiota is relatively stable through adulthood, its composition is influenced by various host and environmental factors, including changes in health, gastrointestinal processes (e.g., transit time, gastric acidity), medication use, and diet. The association of habitual diet, in the form of a posteriori-derived dietary patterns, and microbiota composition has not been adequately studied, particularly in older men.ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate the association of dietary patterns with the composition and diversity of the gut bacterial microbiota in community-dwelling, older men.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 517 men who were participants in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study (≥65 y of age at baseline in 2000-2002) and who provided a stool sample and completed an FFQ at MrOS Visit 4 in 2014-2016. Dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis. 16S ribosomal RNA target gene sequencing was performed and taxonomy assignments were derived using the Greengenes database. Linear regression and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) considered variations in alpha and beta diversity by dietary pattern, and a model that implements a 0-inflated Gaussian distribution of mean group abundance for each taxa (metagenomeSeq) assessed taxonomic variations by dietary pattern.ResultsIn multivariable-adjusted models, greater adherence to the Western pattern was positively associated with families Mogibacteriaceae and Veillonellaceae and genera Alistipes, Anaerotruncus, CC-115, Collinsella, Coprobacillus, Desulfovibrio, Dorea, Eubacterium, and Ruminococcus, while greater adherence to the prudent pattern was positively associated with order Streptophyta, family Victivallaceae, and genera Cetobacterium, Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Paraprevotella, and Veillonella. The relative abundance of the dominant gut bacterial phyla, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, did not differ between participants with greater adherence to the Western pattern, compared with those with greater adherence to the prudent pattern. Dietary patterns were not associated with measures of alpha diversity, but beta diversity measures were significantly associated with both Western and prudent patterns.ConclusionsWe observed significant associations between dietary patterns and measures of gut microbial composition in this sample of community-dwelling, older men

The Effect of Carbohydrate Restriction on Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Based Metabolites: CALIBER, a Randomised Parallel Trial

Low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diets can be just as effective as high-carbohydrate, lower-fat (HCLF) diets for improving cardiovascular disease risk markers. Few studies have compared the effects of the UK HCLF dietary guidelines with an LCHF diet on lipids and lipoprotein metabolism using high-throughput NMR spectroscopy. This study aimed to explore the effect of an ad libitum 8-week LCHF diet compared to an HCLF diet on lipids and lipoprotein metabolism and CVD risk factors. For 8 weeks, n = 16 adults were randomly assigned to follow either an LCHF (n = 8, <50 g CHO p/day) or an HCLF diet (n = 8). Fasted blood samples at weeks 0, 4, and 8 were collected and analysed for lipids, lipoprotein subclasses, and energy-related metabolism markers via NMR spectroscopy. The LCHF diet increased (p < 0.05) very small VLDL, IDL, and large HDL cholesterol levels, whereas the HCLF diet increased (p < 0.05) IDL and large LDL cholesterol levels. Following the LCHF diet alone, triglycerides in VLDL and HDL lipoproteins significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, and HDL phospholipids significantly (p < 0.05) increased. Furthermore, the LCHF diet significantly (p < 0.05) increased the large and small HDL particle concentrations compared to the HCLF diet. In conclusion, the LCHF diet may reduce CVD risk factors by reducing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and improving HDL functionality

Development of a ParticipACTION App–Based Intervention for Improving Postsecondary Students’ 24-Hour Movement Guideline Behaviors: Protocol for the Application of Intervention Mapping

Background:The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for adults provide specific recommendations for levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep (ie, the movement behaviors) required for optimal health. Performance of the movement behaviors is associated with improved mental well-being. However, most postsecondary students do not meet the movement behavior recommendations within the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and experience increased stress and declining well-being, suggesting the need for an intervention targeting students’ movement behaviors.Objective:We aimed to develop and implement a theory-informed intervention intended to improve the movement behaviors and mental well-being of first-year postsecondary students.Methods:The Intervention Mapping protocol was applied in the development and implementation of the intervention. Intervention Mapping entailed performing a needs assessment, determining the intervention outcomes, selecting theory- and evidence-based change methods and applications, preparing and producing intervention plans and materials, developing the implementation plan, and finally developing an evaluation plan. The Theoretical Domains Framework and the Behavior Change Wheel were also used in conjunction with the Intervention Mapping protocol to ensure a solid theoretical basis for the intervention. This protocol led to the development and implementation of a 6-week, theory-informed ParticipACTION app–based intervention aimed at helping first-year postsecondary students improve their movement behaviors and mental well-being. The developed app content provided students with information on each of the movement behaviors and behavioral strategies (ie, goal setting, action planning, monitoring, and coping planning). The use of Intervention Mapping allowed for the continuous involvement of various multidisciplinary partners and end users, ensuring that the intervention design and implementation was appropriate for the target audience. The feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of the intervention will be examined in a subsequent proof-of-concept study at 2 Canadian university campuses.Results:Participant recruitment occurred during September 2021, and the intervention was conducted from October to December 2021. The deadline for completion of the postintervention questionnaire by participants was mid-December 2021. The analysis of data examining the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of the intervention began in January 2022, with the publication of the proof-of-concept evaluation expected in 2023.Conclusions:Intervention Mapping with the Theoretical Domains Framework and Behavior Change Wheel was a useful approach to combine evidence and theoretical concepts to guide the design and implementation of a ParticipACTION app–based intervention targeting postsecondary students’ movement behaviors and mental well-being. This process may serve as an example for other researchers developing multiple behavior change app–based interventions. Should the forthcoming evaluation demonstrate the intervention’s acceptability, feasibility, and potential impact, the intervention may provide a scalable method of improving postsecondary students’ movement behaviors and mental well-being

The Effect of Dietary Carbohydrate and Fat Manipulation on the Metabolome and Markers of Glucose and Insulin Metabolism: A Randomised Parallel Trial

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2022-07-22, accepted 2022-08-24, collection 2022-09, epub 2022-09-07Peer reviewed: TrueArticle version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: Liverpool John Moores UniversityHigh carbohydrate, lower fat (HCLF) diets are recommended to reduce cardiometabolic disease (CMD) but low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diets can be just as effective. The effect of LCHF on novel insulin resistance biomarkers and the metabolome has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an ad libitum 8-week LCHF diet compared with a HCLF diet on CMD markers, the metabolome, and insulin resistance markers. n = 16 adults were randomly assigned to either LCHF (n = 8, <50 g CHO p/day) or HCLF diet (n = 8) for 8 weeks. At weeks 0, 4 and 8, participants provided fasted blood samples, measures of body composition, blood pressure and dietary intake. Samples were analysed for markers of cardiometabolic disease and underwent non-targeted metabolomic profiling. Both a LCHF and HCLF diet significantly (p < 0.01) improved fasting insulin, HOMA IR, rQUICKI and leptin/adiponectin ratio (p < 0.05) levels. Metabolomic profiling detected 3489 metabolites with 78 metabolites being differentially regulated, for example, an upregulation in lipid metabolites following the LCHF diet may indicate an increase in lipid transport and oxidation, improving insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, both diets may reduce type 2 diabetes risk albeit, a LCHF diet may enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing lipid oxidation

MFA12 (MFA 2012)

Catalogue of a culminating student exhibition held at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum May 4-Aug. 6, 2012. Contents include Introduction / Buzz Spector -- Think, make, show and tell / Patricia Olynyk -- Ifeoma Ugonnwa Anyaeji -- J.E. Baker / Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt -- Natalie Baldeon / Emily Hanson -- As in a turning gear : E. Thurston Belmer / Rickey Laurentiis -- Lauren Cardenas / Nicholas Tamarkin -- Megan Sue Collins / Catherine Chiodo -- Adrian Cox -- Maya Durham / Dolly Laninga -- Erin Falker / Melissa Olson -- St. Louis dreamscape : Jieun Kim / Caitlin Tyler -- Howard Krohn -- Scape : Robert Long / Robert Whitehead -- Marie Bannerot McInerney / Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt -- Ghost : Nikki McMahan / Rickey Laurentiis -- Michael T. Meier -- Katie Millitzer -- Reid G. Norris / Ross Rader -- Kathleen Perniciaro / Melissa Olson -- Emily Squires / Nicholas Tamarkin -- Jamie Presson Wells -- Whitney Lorene Wood / Reid G. Norris -- Andrew Woodard -- Kelly K. Wright -- Contributors -- About the Sam Fox School.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/books/1003/thumbnail.jp