Nutrition
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This study aimed to characterize the association of lifestyle and nutritional risk profiles with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in two subpopulations with differing AMD prevalence. ⋯ High adherence to a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity seem to be protective factors for AMD in a Portuguese population. The effect of the diet is likely driven by the increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
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Association between kindergarten and first-grade food insecurity and weight status in U.S. children.
The aim of this study was to determine if food insecurity is an independent risk factor for obesity in U.S. children. ⋯ Obesity is more prevalent among food-insecure children. First-grade food insecurity is an independent risk factor for longitudinal increases in BMI z-score. There are differences in the association between food insecurity and weight status between kindergarten and first grade.
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There is growing recognition of the role of diet on modulating the composition and metabolic activity of the human gut microbiota, which in turn influence health. Dietary ingredients and food additives have a substantial impact on the gut microbiota and hence affect human health. ⋯ The potency of microbiota-targeted biomarkers as a state-of-art tool for diagnosis of diseases was also discussed, and it would instruct individuals with healthy dietary consumption. Herein, recent advances in understanding the effect of diet on gut microbiota from an ecological perspective, and how these insights might promote health by guiding development of prebiotic and probiotic strategies and functional foods, were explored.
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This study explored the effects of different fiber fractions on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal development in a porcine model. ⋯ This study not only indicated how the gut digestive physiology adapted to different NSP fractions, but also provided novel (to our knowledge) information that could promote our understanding of the role of dietary fibers in maintaining gut health.
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Recent studies have demonstrated promising results regarding possible improvements in renal function after prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation. The aim of this review was to demonstrate whether such supplementation will improve renal profile indexes including glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), and urea. ⋯ This study showed a significant increase in UA and a decrease in urea and BUN. The use of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplements among those with compromised renal function or those at risk for renal failure should be limited until large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials prove the safety and efficacy of these supplements in improving renal function.