Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 fermented yogurt alleviated high-fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis via the gut microbiota-butyric acid-hepatic lipid metabolism axis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HF01 fermented yogurt (HF01-Y). Herein, obesity was induced in mice through a high-fat diet and the changes in the gut microbiota were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, combined with the expression levels of the liver AMPK signaling pathway to analyze the potential relationship between HF01-Y-mediated gut microbiota and obesity. The results showed that supplementation with HF01-Y improved obesity-related phenotypes in mice, including reduced body weight, improved serum lipid profiles, and decreased hepatic lipid droplet formation. In addition, HF01-Y altered the composition of the gut microbiota in obese mice, significantly upregulated norank_f__Muribaculaceae, unclassified_c__Clostridia, Blautia, unclassified_o__Bacteroidales, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, while downregulating unclassified_f__Desulfovibrionaceae, Colidextribacter, and unclassified_f__Oscillospiraceae. These alterations led to an increase of the cecum butyric acid content, which in turn indirectly promoted the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway, subsequently, inhibited fat synthesis, and promoted fatty acid oxidation related gene expression. Therefore, HF01-Y was likely to alleviate hepatic fat and relieve obesity by modulating the gut microbiota-butyric acid-hepatic lipid metabolism axis, ultimately promoting host health.

Weight loss induced by a hypocaloric diet with or without fish oil supplementation re-established iron and omega-3 fatty acid homeostasis in middle-aged women with obesity: A post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Middle-aged women with obesity are at increased risk of iron overload and iron disorder is known to disrupt n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid homeostasis. We evaluated relationships between pretreatment hemoglobin and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and tested whether pretreatment hemoglobin contributed to inter-individual variability in weight loss with special focus on changes in body weight, iron and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles. STUDY DESIGN: 117 middle and older aged women with obesity and more than two metabolic abnormalities were randomized to a 12-week hypocaloric diet without or with fish oil supplementation. Blood iron biomarker and erythrocyte membrane phospholipid profiles were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME: The absolute change from baseline to week 12 in serum iron and erythrocyte n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels according to pretreatment hemoglobin tertiles and fish oil supplementation. RESULTS: A Pearson correlation analysis showed that pretreatment hemoglobin levels were negatively correlated with linoleic acid (r = -0.231), α-linoleic acid (r = -0.279), and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (r = -0.217) (all p < 0.05). Dietary weight loss markedly enhanced erythrocyte membrane lipids of linoleic acid, α-linoleic acid, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid only in those women with the highest pretreatment hemoglobin levels (tertile 3) (all p < 0.05). Fish oil supplementation increased bioavailable iron in women with moderate pretreatment hemoglobin levels (tertile 2) (p < 0.05) and, to a lesser extent, prevented a reduction in circulating iron in those with the lowest hemoglobin levels (tertile 1). CONCLUSION: Dietary weight loss is an effective treatment program to manage obesity-related iron and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid disorders, particularly for middle-aged women with obesity and iron overload.

Comparison of nutrition care services for adult obesity at primary care in two different periods in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Dietitians are healthcare professionals with potential roles and impacts in primary care (PC) settings when applying knowledge and expertise to educate healthcare clients at all levels and treat chronic diseases. This study seeks to compare and evaluate the nutrition care services and practices in obesity management in primary care centres for two periods (2016 and 2019) in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Surveys with service self-reporting evaluation used responses from 18 and 27 centres in 2016 and 2019. Services evaluation used no reference to a standard, but 18 of the surveyed PC centres in 2019 were previously visited in 2016 to assess the provided nutrition care services for adult obesity in PC centres. The re-visit survey investigated improvements in services achieved in 2019 concerning services for adults with obesity. A chi-square test was used to compare the surveys' results in the two periods, which resulted in a significant difference in the provided nutrition care services for adult obesity between 2016 and 2019. RESULTS: Dietitians' employment has significantly changed (P < .0001) in 2019 compared to 2016. Dietitians were significantly noticed as the primary source of nutrition information after their integration into the services (P < .0001) in 2019. Services provided for adult obesity increased significantly (P value < .0001) in the second phase. However, there was no significant difference in serving adult groups between the two periods (P = .056). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating dietitians into the PC services significantly enhanced their role in supporting PC services for conditions relating to adult obesity, which allowed them to be the most important source of the delivered nutrition information to patients. The employment rate of PC dietitians accredited by the governing body is significantly increasing; the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties will need to monitor it to ensure that dietitians have the qualifications and skills to provide professional medical nutrition therapy to patients. Further research to evaluate the quality of PC dietetic practice and improvements in patient outcomes is required to strengthen the importance of integrating registered dietitians into the services.

Medical nutrition therapy in obesity management

Healthy eating is important for all Canadians, regardless of body size, weight or health condition. Key messages from Canada's Food Guide for Healthy Eating can be used as a foundation for nutrition and food-related education (Figure 1). Use evidence-based nutrition resources to give your patients nutrition and behaviour change advice that aligns with their values, preferences and social determinants of health. (Figure 1) There is no one-size-fits-all eating pattern for obesity management. Adults living with obesity may consider various nutrition intervention options that are client-centred and flexible. Evidence suggests this approach will better facilitate long-term adherence. (Table 1, Figure 2) Nutrition interventions for obesity management should focus on achieving health outcomes for chronic disease risk reduction and quality of life improvements, not just weight changes. 5 Table 2 outlines health-related outcomes to support patients/clients in obesity management. Nutrition interventions for obesity management should emphasize individualized eating patterns, food quality and a healthy relationship with food. Including mindfulness-based eating practices that may help lower food cravings, reduce reward-driven eating, improve body satisfaction and improve awareness of hunger and satiety. 6­11 Caloric restriction can achieve short-term reductions in weight (i.e.< 12 months) but has not shown to be sustainable long-term (i.e. > 12 months). Caloric restriction may affect neurobiological pathways that control appetite, hunger, cravings and body weight regulation that may result in increased food intake and weight gain.64-66 People living with obesity are at increased risk for micronutrient deficiencies including but not limited to vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies. Restrictive eating patterns and obesity treatments (e.g. medications, bariatric surgery) may also result in micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition. Assessment including biochemical values can help inform recommendations for food intake, vitamin/mineral supplements, and possible drug-nutrient interactions. Collaborate care with a registered dietitian who has experience in obesity management and medical nutrition therapy. 12 Dietitians can support people living with obesity who also have other chronic diseases, malnutrition, food insecurity or disordered patterns of eating. Future research should use nutrition-related outcomes and health behaviours in addition to weight and body composition outcomes. Characterization of population sample collections should use the updated definition of obesity as a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease characterized by the presence of adiposity that impairs health and social well-being rather than BMI exclusively. Qualitative data is needed to understand the lived experience of people with obesity.

Guidelines for medical nutrition treatment of overweight/obesity in China (2021).

Obesity has become a global "epidemic". At this stage, overweight / obesity has become a major public health problem that seriously affects not only adults but also children and adolescents worldwide. Medical nutritional therapy is the basic treatment for obesity and an indispensable measure for prevention and control at any stage in the course of obesity. Management of comorbidities and improving the quality of life of obese patients are also included in treatment aims. In recent years, there have been some guidelines on the nutrition management of overweight/obesity. However, the management of nutrition and lifestyle interventions must be compatible with specific regional dietary habits and social culture. To provide a clinical reference for the standardized treatment and management of overweight / obesity, guidelines for medical nutrition treatment of overweight/obesity in China (2021) were published, which cover the relationship of weight loss with different dietary patterns, meal replacement foods, biorhythms, intestinal microecology, metabolic surgery, and medical nutritional intervention, as well as weight loss in special populations. We hope the guidelines will improve the awareness of the importance of nutrition intervention in the treatment of metabolic disease, further regulate the principle and approach of medical nutrition therapy, and establish a workflow of standardized medical nutrition therapy for weight loss management so that more clinical nutrition professionals and medical staff can use it to provide better services for obese people.

Alleviation of Dyslipidemia via a Traditional Balanced Korean Diet Represented by a Low Glycemic and Low Cholesterol Diet in Obese Women in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

A traditional balanced Korean diet (K-diet) may improve energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism. To evaluate this, we conducted a randomized crossover clinical trial, involving participants aged 30-40 years, who were randomly assigned to two groups-a K-diet or westernized Korean control diet daily, with an estimated energy requirement (EER) of 1900 kcal. After a 4-week washout period, they switched the diet and followed it for 4 weeks. The carbohydrate, protein, and fat ratios based on energy intake were close to the target values for the K-diet (65:15:20) and control diet (60:15:25). The glycemic index of the control diet and the K-diet was 50.3 ± 3.6 and 68.1 ± 2.9, respectively, and daily cholesterol contents in the control diet and K-diet were 280 and 150 mg, respectively. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters involved in energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism were measured while plasma metabolites were determined using UPLC-QTOF-MS before and after the 4-week intervention. After the four-week intervention, both diets improved anthropometric and biochemical variables, but the K-diet significantly reduced them compared to the control diet. Serum total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in the K-diet group than in the control diet group. The waist circumference (p = 0.108) and insulin resistance index (QUICKI, p = 0.089) tended to be lower in the K-diet group than in the control diet group. Plasma metabolites indicated that participants in the K-diet group tended to reduce insulin resistance compared to those in the control diet group. Amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, tyrosine, tryptophan, and glutamate, and L-homocysteine concentrations were considerably lower in the K-diet group than in the control diet group (p < 0.05). Plasma glutathione concentrations, an index of antioxidant status, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations, were higher in the K-diet group than in the control diet group. In conclusion, a K-diet with adequate calories to meet EER alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing insulin resistance-related amino acids and increasing ketones in the circulation of obese women.

Curcumin and Weight Loss: Does It Work?

Obesity is a global health problem needing urgent research. Synthetic anti-obesity drugs show side effects and variable effectiveness. Thus, there is a tendency to use natural compounds for the management of obesity. There is a considerable body of knowledge, supported by rigorous experimental data, that natural polyphenols, including curcumin, can be an effective and safer alternative for managing obesity. Curcumin is a is an important compound present in Curcuma longa L. rhizome. It is a lipophilic molecule that rapidly permeates cell membrane. Curcumin has been used as a pharmacological traditional medicinal agent in Ayurvedic medicine for ∼6000 years. This plant metabolite doubtless effectiveness has been reported through increasingly detailed in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. Regarding its biological effects, multiple health-promoting, disease-preventing and even treatment attributes have been remarkably highlighted. This review documents the status of research on anti-obesity mechanisms and evaluates the effectiveness of curcumin for management of obesity. It summarizes different mechanisms of anti-obesity action, associated with the enzymes, energy expenditure, adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota and anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin. However, there is still a need for systematic and targeted clinical studies before curcumin can be used as the mainstream therapy for managing obesity.

(Wh)olistic (E)ndocannabinoidome-Microbiome-Axis Modulation through (N)utrition (WHEN) to Curb Obesity and Related Disorders.

The discovery of the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) is evolving gradually with yet to be elucidated functional lipid mediators and receptors. The diet modulates these bioactive lipids and the gut microbiome, both working in an entwined alliance. Mounting evidence suggests that, in different ways and with a certain specialisation, lipid signalling mediators such as N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), 2-monoacylglycerols (2-MAGs), and N-acyl-amino acids (NAAs), along with endocannabinoids (eCBs), can modulate physiological mechanisms underpinning appetite, food intake, macronutrient metabolism, pain sensation, blood pressure, mood, cognition, and immunity. This knowledge has been primarily utilised in pharmacology and medicine to develop many drugs targeting the fine and specific molecular pathways orchestrating eCB and eCBome activity. Conversely, the contribution of dietary NAEs, 2-MAGs and eCBs to the biological functions of these molecules has been little studied. In this review, we discuss the importance of (Wh) olistic (E)ndocannabinoidome-Microbiome-Axis Modulation through (N) utrition (WHEN), in the management of obesity and related disorders.

Evaluation of novel nutraceuticals based on the combination of oat beta-glucans and a green coffee phenolic extract to combat obesity and its comorbidities. A randomized, dose-response, parallel trial.

Obesity and its associated comorbidities are a major public health concern worldwide. Reduced energy intake and increased physical activity interventions have limited success in the long term. Nutraceuticals might be an alternative means to help lose weight and reduce obesity-associated cardiometabolic risk factors without changes in the habitual diet. The objective of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the efficiency of nutraceuticals based on the combination of a decaffeinated green coffee bean extract (GCBE) and two types of oat beta-glucans (BG) with different physiochemical properties on obesity related biomarkers in overweight/obese subjects. A randomized, dose-response, parallel, blind study was carried out in four groups of subjects (n = 15 each) who consumed for 6 weeks, twice a day, a nutraceutical containing 3 g d-1 or 5 g d-1 doses of 35% or 70% BG and a fixed amount of GCBE providing 600 mg d-1 of phenols. 35% BG showed a 10 and 100 times higher molecular weight and viscosity, respectively, compared to 70% BG. Food intake, anthropometry and different cardiometabolic markers were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. According to the general model of variance with repeated measure analysis, the intervention caused positive changes in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, haemoglobin A1c, insulin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), total body fat percentage (TBF%), visceral fat percentage, and waist and hip circumferences without differences among the treatments, except for SBP and TBF%. Looking into the rates of change [(end value - beginning value)/beginning value] of these parameters, 5 g - 70% BG was the treatment that lowered TBF% the most. In conclusion, 5 g - 70% BG may be more effective in helping to lose weight and additionally, it produced the least bloating according to participants' subjective perception.

Curcumin supplementation improves biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in conditions of obesity, type 2 diabetes and NAFLD: updating the status of clinical evidence.

Oxidative stress and inflammation remain the major complications implicated in the development and progression of metabolic complications, including obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In fact, due to their abundant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, there is a general interest in understanding the therapeutic effects of some major food-derived bioactive compounds like curcumin against diverse metabolic diseases. Hence, a systematic search, through prominent online databases such as MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar was done focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the impact of curcumin supplementation in individuals with diverse metabolic complications, including obesity, T2D and NAFLD. Summarized findings suggest that curcumin supplementation can significantly reduce blood glucose and triglycerides levels, including markers of liver function like alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in patients with T2D and NAFLD. Importantly, this effect was consistent with the reduction of predominant markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, such as the levels of malonaldehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in these patients. Although RCTs suggest that curcumin is beneficial in ameliorating some metabolic complications, future research is still necessary to enhance its absorption and bioavailability profile, while also optimizing the most effective therapeutic doses.

A protein-supplemented very-low-calorie diet does not mitigate reductions in lean mass and resting metabolic rate in subjects with overweight or obesity: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The European Food Safety Authority recently recommended an increase in the protein content of total diet replacement (TDR) products from 50 to 75 g/day. The rationale was to minimize reductions in lean mass (LM) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) that occur with weight loss, and thereby facilitate maintenance of lost weight. We sought to directly compare the efficacy of TDR regimens with the new vs the current protein requirement. METHODS: We randomized 108 adults with overweight or obesity (body mass index 28-40 kg/m2) to very-low-calorie diets (VLCD) with either 52 or 77 g/day protein for 8 weeks (total energy intake of 600 or 700 kcal/day, respectively). LM was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and RMR by indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: Attrition rate was 22% in both groups. Both VLCDs decreased body weight, fat mass, LM, and RMR (all P < 0.05). Significant time-by-group interactions were detected for weight and fat mass (both P < 0.05), with corresponding reductions being smaller in the higher-protein than the standard-protein VLCD, likely because of the added calories. On the other hand, reductions in LM (6% from baseline) and RMR (9-10% from baseline) did not differ between groups (P = 0.155 and P = 0.389, respectively), and the contribution of LM to total weight loss was identical (27 ± 2% of lost weight, P = 0.973). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the proposed increase in the protein content of TDR products does not attenuate reductions in LM and RMR in individuals with overweight and obesity who are treated with <800 kcal/day VLCDs for 2 months. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT04156165.

Therapeutic Role of Mango Peels in Management of Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress in Obese Females.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic and noncommunicable disease that affects 50% of world population. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are interconnected with the obesity and several metabolic disorders, gaining the attention of scientific community to combat this problem naturally. Among various fruits, mango as a yellow fruit is rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that act as antioxidants to protect against free radicals produced in the body. The present study was performed to explore in vivo antioxidant potential of mango peels against dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. The female volunteers (n = 31) between 25 and 45 years of age having a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0-29.9 (overweight) were included in this study, while participants with complications as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and liver diseases were excluded. The treatment group consumed 1 g mango peel powder for 84 days. The subjects were analyzed for biochemical analysis, antioxidant status, and anthropometric measurements at baseline and end of the study period. Further, at the end of study, the safety evaluation tests were also performed. The results showed that upon consumption of mango peel powder, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, and creatinine levels were decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was increased (P ≤ 0.05), while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) showed increased antioxidant status (P ≤ 0.05) which suggests that mango peels have a strong management potential against oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in obese subjects.

Coffee Bioactive N-Methylpyridinium Attenuates Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α-Mediated Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Human Adipocytes.

Although coffee consumption has been historically associated with negative health outcomes, recent evidence suggests a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes among regular coffee drinkers. Among the plethora of minor organic compounds assessed as potential mediators of coffee health benefits, trigonelline and its pyrolysis product N-methylpyridinium (NMP) were preliminary shown to promote glucose uptake and exert anti-adipogenic properties. Against this background, we aimed at characterizing the effects of trigonelline and NMP in inflamed and dysfunctional human adipocytes. Human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes were treated with NMP or, for comparison, trigonelline, for 5 h before stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. NMP at concentrations as low as 1 µmol/L reduced the stimulated expression of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including C-C Motif chemokine ligand (CCL)-2, C-X-C Motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)-10, and intercellular adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1, but left the induction of prostaglandin G/H synthase (PTGS)2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and colony stimulating factor (CSF)1 unaffected. Furthermore, NMP restored the downregulated expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ). These effects were functionally associated with downregulation of the adhesion of monocytes to inflamed adipocytes. Under the same conditions, NMP also reversed the TNF-α-mediated suppression of insulin-stimulated Ser473 Akt phosphorylation and attenuated the induction of TNF-α-stimulated lipolysis restoring cell fat content. In an attempt to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms of its action, we show that NMP restores the expression of the master regulator of adipocyte differentiation peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and downregulates activation of the pro-inflammatory mitogen-activated protein jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In conclusion, NMP reduces adipose dysfunction in pro-inflammatory activated adipocytes. These data suggest that bioactive NMP in coffee may improve the inflammatory and dysmetabolic milieu associated with obesity.

Which Diets Are Effective in Reducing Cardiovascular and Cancer Risk in Women with Obesity? An Integrative Review.

Women are more affected by obesity than men which increases their risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, it is important to understand the effectiveness of different types of diet in the context of women's health. This review aims to summarize the scientific evidence on the effects of different types of diet for women with obesity and their impact on CVD and cancer risk. This review included epidemiological and clinical studies on adult women and different types of diets, such as the Mediterranean (MED) diet, the Traditional Brazilian Diet, the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH), intermittent fasting (IF), calorie (energy) restriction, food re-education, low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) and a very low-carbohydrate diet (VLCD). Our main findings showed that although LCDs, VLCD and IF are difficult to adhere to over an extended period, they can be good options for achieving improvements in body weight and cardiometabolic parameters. MED, DASH and the Traditional Brazilian Diet are based on natural foods and reduced processed foods. These diets have been associated with better women's health outcomes, including lower risk of CVD and cancer and the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Melatonin Supplementation and Anthropometric Indices: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial.

Obesity, as the most common metabolic disorder in the world, is characterized by excess body fat. This study is aimed at determining the effects of melatonin supplementation on body weight, nody mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat mass percentage (BFMP) in people with overweight or obesity. Thirty eight overweight or class-I obese adult individuals were recruited in the study (8 men and 30 women). Participants prescribed a weight-loss diet and then randomly were allocated to melatonin or placebo groups. Participants received either a 3-milligram melatonin or placebo tablet per day for 12 weeks. In order to assess differences at the significance level of 0.05, repeated measure ANOVA and paired t-test were used. According to the results, a significant reduction was found in participants' body weight, WC, and BMI in both groups (p = 0.001). However, for the last six weeks, significant reductions of these parameters were observed only in the melatonin group (p = 0.01). The BFMP of participants in the melatonin group showed a significant reduction at the end of the study compared to the initial measurements (p = 0.008). Nevertheless, the results of the present study alone are not sufficient to conclude on the effects of melatonin consumption on anthropometric indices, and it seems that further studies are required in this regard.

Low-molecular alginate improved diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome through modulating the gut microbiota in BALB/c mice.

Alginate is the most abundant polysaccharide in brown seaweed, which is widely used as a food additive, but its high viscosity and gel property limit its applications in foods as a functional ingredient. In this study, low-molecular alginate from Laminaria japonica (L-LJA) was prepared, and its effect on obesity and metabolic syndrome was analyzed in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. L-LJA reduced weight gain, fat accumulation in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue, lipid abnormality and inflammation in HFD-fed mice accompanied with the improvement of gut microbiota. L-LJA modulated the structure of gut microbiota, increased some Bacteroidales members, and reduced some Clostridiales members in mice, which were positively correlated with the improvement of physiological status. Fecal transplant from L-LJA-fed mice reduced fat accumulation in body tissues and lipid abnormality in the serum and liver and increased short chain fatty acids production in HFD-fed mice, confirming that L-LJA-induced gut microbiota alteration played an important role in its bioactivity. L-LJA has better solubility and can be utilized in food systems in high dose, implying that it can be developed as a prebiotic agent to increase both economic value and nutritive value of alginate.

Punicic acid ameliorates obesity and liver steatosis by regulating gut microbiota composition in mice.

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of punicic acid (PUA, cis9,trans11,cis13-18 : 3) on obesity and liver steatosis in mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD), and to explore the possible mechanism. Mice were fed with either a HFD or a control diet for 8 weeks. Half of HFD-mice received daily supplementation of PUA. Supplementation with PUA ameliorated the liver steatosis and obesity in mice fed by HFD, as demonstrated by the decreased hepatic triglyceride accumulation, body weight gain and fat weight. A HFD increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, whereas supplementation with PUA effectively restored it. PUA supplementation counteracted the upregulation in family Desulfovibrionaceae and Helicobacteraceae, and the downregulation in Muribaculaceae and Bacteroidaceae induced by HFD. Correspondingly, the family of Desulfovibrionaceae was positively related, whereas Muribaculaceae was negatively related to the amount of epididymal and perirenal fat, and the level of liver triglyceride and total cholesterol. The family Helicobacteraceae was also positively related to the amount of epididymal and perirenal fat. Moreover, PUA supplementation counteracted the increase in the population of Anaerotruncus, Faecalibaculim, Mucispirillum, and the decrease in the population of Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Oscillibacter at the genus level induced by HFD. These results demonstrated that PUA can at least in part ameliorate obesity and liver steatosis in mice induced by HFD by regulating gut microbiota composition.

Beneficial Effects of a Specially Designed Home Meal Replacement on Cardiometabolic Parameters in Individuals with Obesity: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

We aimed to investigate if a home meal replacement (HMR), designed with a low ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid ratio, improves cardiometabolic parameters, including metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese individuals. We conducted a monocentric, controlled, randomized crossover trial. The HMR contains higher protein and fat content, lower carbohydrate content, and a lower ω6FA/ω3FA ratio than the regular diet. Sixty-four participants were randomized into two groups and switched to the other group following a 4-week intervention. While subjects in the HMR group were provided three HMRs daily, those in the control group were requested to maintain their regular dietary pattern. We conducted paired t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and McNemar tests before and after the intervention. Body mass index (BMI) and weight were lower in the HMR group after adjusting for age, sex, and total energy intake and significantly changed in the between-group differences. The waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, triglyceride-glucose index, and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were reduced in the HMR group (all p < 0.05). The percentage of subjects with MetS significantly decreased from 39.1% at baseline to 28.1% post-intervention (p = 0.035). Using the HMR for 4 weeks reduced the BMI, weight, and MetS prevalence in individuals with obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04552574).

Effects of Anthocyanin Supplementation on Reduction of Obesity Criteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Anthocyanins, water-soluble flavonoids that produce red-to-blue pigment in plants, have antioxidant properties and have been developed as a functional food to fight obesity. In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a systematic review with meta-analysis (SR-MA) was used to investigate these anti-obesity effects. Using search engines (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane-library, and CINAHL) and keywords (anthocyanins, BMI, WC, WHR, and inflammatory biomarkers), 11 out of 642 RCTs (28.3-500 mg/day of anthocyanins for 4 to 24 weeks) were included. The results showed a significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) (MD = -0.36, 95% CI = -0.58 to -0.13), but body weight (BW) and waist circumference (WC) did not change. Anthocyanins decreased BMI in the non-obese (non-OB) group in five RCTs (BMI ≤ 25; MD = -0.40 kg/m2; 95% CI = -0.64 to -0.16;) but did not affect BMI in the obese (OB) group. A subgroup analysis of six RCTs showed that fewer than 300 mg/day reduced BMI (MD = -0.37; 95% CI = -0.06 to -0.14), but ≥300 mg/day did not. A treatment duration of four weeks for four RCTs was sufficient to decrease the BMI (MD = -0.41; 95% CI = -0.66 to -0.16) as opposed to a longer treatment (6-8 or ≥12 weeks). An analysis of the effect of anthocyanins on the BMI showed a significant fall among those from the Middle East compared to those from Asia, Europe, South America, or Oceania. In conclusion, the anthocyanin supplementation of 300 mg/day or less for four weeks was sufficient to reduce the BMI and BW compared to the higher-dose and longer-treatment RCTs. However, further studies might be conducted regarding the dose- or period-dependent responses on various obese biomarkers.

Caloric Restriction Prevents Metabolic Dysfunction and the Changes in Hypothalamic Neuropeptides Associated with Obesity Independently of Dietary Fat Content in Rats.

Energy restriction is a first therapy in the treatment of obesity, but the underlying biological mechanisms have not been completely clarified. We analyzed the effects of restriction of high-fat diet (HFD) on weight loss, circulating gut hormone levels and expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides. Ten-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomly distributed into four groups: two fed ad libitum a normal diet (ND) (N group) or a HFD (H group) and two subjected to a 25% caloric restriction of ND (NR group) or HFD (HR group) for 9 weeks. A 25% restriction of HFD over 9 weeks leads to a 36% weight loss with regard to the group fed HFD ad libitum accompanied by normal values in adiposity index and food efficiency ratio (FER). This restriction also carried the normalization of NPY, AgRP and POMC hypothalamic mRNA expression, without changes in CART. Caloric restriction did not succeed in improving glucose homeostasis but reduced HFD-induced hyperinsulinemia. In conclusion, 25% restriction of HFD reduced adiposity and improved metabolism in experimental obesity, without changes in glycemia. Restriction of the HFD triggered the normalization of hypothalamic NPY, AgRP and POMC expression, as well as ghrelin and leptin levels.