Nutrition
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Refeeding syndrome (RFS) broadly encompasses a severe electrolyte disturbance (principally low serum concentrations of intracellular ions such as phosphate, magnesium, and potassium) and metabolic abnormalities in undernourished patients undergoing refeeding whether orally, enterally, or parenterally. RFS reflects the change from catabolic to anabolic metabolism. RFS sometimes is undiagnosed and unfortunately some clinicians remain oblivious to its presence. ⋯ The presence of hypophosphatemia alone does not necessarily mean that RFS is present as there are many other causes for this, as discussed later in this article. RFS is increasingly being recognized in neonates and children. An optimal refeeding regimen for RFS is not universally agreed on due to the paucity of randomized controlled trials in the field.
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Quercetin bioavailability exhibits high interindividual variation for reasons that remain unclear. We conducted a 24-h pharmacokinetic study to investigate whether individual differences in circulating antioxidants, oxidative stress and inflammation, and intestinal permeability affect quercetin bioavailability. ⋯ These findings suggest that vitamin C status and plasma endotoxin may be associated with interindividual variations in quercetin bioavailability. Greater quercetin absorption and bioavailability may be associated with poor vitamin C status and increased intestinal permeability in healthy adults.
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In countries with traditionally low fish consumption such as Australia, foods enriched with ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFA) may play a role in meeting ω-3 LCPUFA intakes for optimal health. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of replacing bread, egg, milk, and yogurt with ω-3 LCPUFA enrichment of these foods on total ω-3 LCPUFA intake in Australian children's diets. ⋯ Replacement of four core foods with ω-3 enriched alternatives resulted in improved simulated ω-3 LCPUFA intakes in Australian children but not to optimal levels of intake. Increased fish consumption is still the most effective strategy for increasing ω-3 LCPUFA intake.
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Our previous study revealed that chronic consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) stimulates colon cancer progression in obesity-resistant BALB/c mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate the significant alteration of metabolites caused by tumor progression and an HFD in the serum and liver in the same mouse model. ⋯ The HFD- and tumor-related metabolite alterations of phospholipids, especially lysoPCs, in the liver and serum of obesity-resistant mice, suggesting that the lysoPCs are potential biomarkers for the chronic consumption of HFD in nonobese individuals.
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Obesity is associated with alterations in intestinal microbiota and immunity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus casei CRL 431 administration on intestinal and humoral immune response, clinical parameters, and gut microbiota was evaluated using a high-fat diet to induce obesity in a mouse model. ⋯ Administration of probiotics to obese hosts improved the gut microbiota and the mucosal immunity altered by obesity, down-regulated some biochemical parameters in blood associated with metabolic syndrome, and decreased liver steatosis. These results demonstrate the potential use of probiotics in obese individuals to decrease the body weight and to improve the biochemical and immunologic parameters altered by obesity.