Nutrition
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Muscle disuse is often observed after injury or during periods of illness, resulting in the loss of muscle mass and strength, with sometimes debilitating consequences. Although substantial advancements have been made in determining the mechanisms responsible for the etiology of muscle disuse atrophy in rodents, only in recent years have studies of any significant number focused on reaffirming these findings in humans. In this review, we discuss the processes responsible for disuse atrophy as based on current evidence and highlight where gaps in our knowledge persist. Furthermore, given the emphasis placed on resistance exercise and nutrition as potential therapeutic countermeasures, we consider recent advancements in the study of resistance exercise and nutrition in the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis and the associated implications when devising effective treatment strategies.
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Comparative Study
Malnutrition screening tools: comparison against two validated nutrition assessment methods in older medical inpatients.
Although several validated nutritional screening tools have been developed to "triage" inpatients for malnutrition diagnosis and intervention, there continues to be debate in the literature as to which tool/tools clinicians should use in practice. This study compared the accuracy of seven validated screening tools in older medical inpatients against two validated nutritional assessment methods. ⋯ Because all tools generally performed well, clinicians should consider choosing a screening tool that best aligns with their chosen nutritional assessment and is easiest to implement in practice. This study confirmed the importance of rescreening and monitoring food intake to allow the early identification and prevention of nutritional decline in patients with a poor intake during hospitalization.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Vitamin C status and perception of effort during exercise in obese adults adhering to a calorie-reduced diet.
Moderate energy restriction and exercise are recommended for effective weight loss. Obese individuals oxidize less fat and report a higher perceived exertion during exercise, characteristics that may negatively influence exercise behavior. Because vitamin C status has been linked to fatigability, we compared the effects of vitamin C supplementation on self-reported fatigue and on the respiratory exchange ratio and the Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale during moderate exercise in healthy obese adults adhering to a hypocaloric diet. ⋯ These data provide preliminary evidence that vitamin C status may influence fatigue, heart rate, and perceptions of exertion during moderate exercise in obese individuals.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Heme iron-based dietary intervention for improvement of iron status in young women.
Conventional iron deficiency treatment with pharmacologic iron doses often causes side effects. Heme iron has high bioavailability and a low capacity to cause gastrointestinal side effects. This study investigated the possibility of using heme iron in the form of blood-based crisp bread as a diet-based treatment program to improve the iron status of women of reproductive age. ⋯ Dietary-based treatment containing heme iron has few side effects and can be used efficiently to improve the iron status of women of reproductive age.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of weight loss from a high-calcium energy-reduced diet on biomarkers of inflammatory stress, fibrinolysis, and endothelial function in obese subjects.
Obesity is characterized by chronic subclinical inflammation, which is critical to endothelial dysfunction. Weight loss, induced by lifestyle interventions, is associated with a decline in biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. There is little evidence that high dietary calcium intake may reduce inflammation and improve endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of weight loss from a high-calcium energy-reduced diet on biomarkers of inflammation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial function in obese individuals. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that increased calcium intake during weight loss has no benefits with respect to biomarkers of inflammation, fibrinolysis, and endothelial function.