Ecologies, synergies, and biological systems shaping human milk composition—a report from “Breastmilk Ecology: Genesis of Infant Nutrition (BEGIN)” Working Group 2

Human milk is universally recognized as the preferred food for infants during the first 6 mo of life because it provides not only essential and conditionally essential nutrients in necessary amounts but also other biologically active components that are instrumental in protecting, communicating important information to support, and promoting optimal development and growth in infants. Despite decades of research, however, the multifaceted impacts of human milk consumption on infant health are far from understood on a biological or physiological basis. Reasons for this lack of comprehensive knowledge of human milk functions are numerous, including the fact that milk components tend to be studied in isolation, although there is reason to believe that they interact. In addition, milk composition can vary greatly within an individual as well as within and among populations. The objective of this working group within the Breastmilk Ecology: Genesis of Infant Nutrition (BEGIN) Project was to provide an overview of human milk composition, factors impacting its variation, and how its components may function to coordinately nourish, protect, and communicate complex information to the recipient infant. Moreover, we discuss the ways whereby milk components might interact such that the benefits of an intact milk matrix are greater than the sum of its parts. We then apply several examples to illustrate how milk is better thought of as a biological system rather than a more simplistic “mixture” of independent components to synergistically support optimal infant health

The Effect of Micronutrient and Single Amino Acid Supplementation on Coronavirus-related Outcomes: A Scoping Review

Effect of micronutrient or glutamine or alanine supplementation on coronavirus-related outcome

Adult Weight Management provided by a Dietitian or International Equivalent: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines the effect of interventions delivered by a dietitian on adult weight management

Nutrition Characteristics, Concerns, Counseling and Care in Individuals who are Transgender: An Evidence Scoping Review

This scoping review will describe the extent, range and nature of literature examining the dietary intake, nutrition-related characteristics and health disparities, validity and reliability of nutrition assessment methods, and the effect of nutrition interventions/exposures and hormone therapy on nutrition related outcomes, in individuals who are transgender

Medical Nutrition Therapy Provided by a Dietitian for Adults with Dyslipidemia

This systematic review examines the effect of medical nutrition therapy provided by a dietitian or international equivalent on lipid profile and other outcomes in adults with dyslipidemia