Nutrition
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The Balearic Islands, a well-known Spanish tourist destination for Europeans, is undergoing profound social events, which are reflected in the current food patterns of this population. The aim of this study was to assess 10-year trends (2000-2010) in compliance with the current Spanish nutritional objectives among the adult population of the Balearic Islands. ⋯ The percentage of compliers with the Spanish nutritional objectives has increased for 6 to 11 items over the 10-y period. A reduction in saturated fatty acid and cholesterol intake, and an increase in dietary fiber, carbohydrate, fruit, vegetables, folate, and calcium intake should be recommended.
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Studies have shown that the inability of adipose tissue to properly expand during the obese state or respond to insulin can lead to metabolic dysfunction. Artemisia is a diverse group of plants that has a history of medicinal use. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of ethanolic extracts of Artemisia scoparia (SCO) and Artemisia santolinifolia (SAN) to modulate adipocyte development in cultured adipocytes and white adipose tissue (WAT) function in vivo using a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. ⋯ Overall, these studies demonstrate that extracts from two Artemisia species can have metabolically favorable effects on adipocytes and WAT.
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Obesity is linked to insulin resistance, a primary component of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The problem of obesity-related insulin resistance is compounded when age-related skeletal muscle loss, called sarcopenia, occurs with obesity. Skeletal muscle loss results from elevated levels of protein degradation and prevention of obesity-related sarcopenic muscle loss will depend on strategies that target pathways involved in protein degradation. An extract from Artemisia dracunculus, termed PMI 5011, improves insulin signaling and increases skeletal muscle myofiber size in a rodent model of obesity-related insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of PMI 5011 on the ubiquitin-proteasome system, a central regulator of muscle protein degradation. ⋯ PMI 5011 alters the gene expression of ubiquitin-proteasome system enzymes that are essential regulators of skeletal muscle mass. This suggests that PMI 5011 has therapeutic potential in the treatment of obesity-linked sarcopenia by regulating ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated protein degradation.
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Malnutrition is a risk factor for pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to describe the energy and protein intakes of hospitalized patients at risk for pressure ulcers and to identify predictors of eating inadequately. ⋯ Renal patients are more likely to be eating inadequately, although any consumption of oral nutrition support seems to increase likelihood of eating adequately.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the overall antioxidant of Lactobacillus fermentum LF31 bacterium with prebiotic supplement in human colon cultured cells. ⋯ The L. fermentum used in the present study exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant capacity, increasing the total antioxidant potential.