Lifestyle factors as determinants of atherosclerotic cardiovascular health.

A sedentary lifestyle, low levels of physical activity and fitness, poor dietary patterns, and psychosocial stress are strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Conversely, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining optimal fitness levels, adhering to a heart-healthy dietary pattern, effectively managing body weight, ensuring adequate sleep, implementing stress-reduction strategies, and addressing psychosocial risk factors are associated with a reduced risk of ASCVD. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence from large observational studies and randomized controlled trials on lifestyle factors as determinants of ASCVD health. It also briefly reviews mechanistic insights into how factors such as low shear stress, increased reactive oxygen species production, chronic inflammation, platelets and coagulation activation, endothelial dysfunction, and sympathetic hyperactivity contribute to the initiation and exacerbation of ASCVD risk factors. These include obesity, hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, subsequently leading to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, ultimately resulting in chronic ASCVD or acute cardiovascular events. To bridge the translational gap between epidemiologic and trial-based evidence and clinical practice, practical recommendations are summarized to facilitate the translation of scientific knowledge into actionable interventions to promote ASCVD health. Acknowledged is the gap between the evidence-based knowledge and adoption within healthcare systems, which remains a crucial objective in advancing cardiovascular health at the population level.

One Avocado per Day as Part of Usual Intake Improves Diet Quality: Exploratory Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Few clinical trials have evaluated diet quality change as a predictor of intervention effectiveness. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 after a food-based intervention, and assess the associations between HEI-2015 change and intervention effects on cardiometabolic risk-related outcomes. Methods: The Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial was a 26-wk, multicenter, randomized, controlled parallel-arm study. Participants were 1008 individuals aged ≥25 y with abdominal obesity (females ≥ 35 inches; males ≥ 40 inches). The avocado-supplemented diet group was provided 1 avocado per day, and the habitual diet group maintained their usual diet. Change in diet quality was assessed using the HEI-2015 from a single 24-h recall conducted at 4 time points. Mixed models were used for analysis. Results: The avocado-supplemented diet group had a greater increase in the HEI-2015 (4.74 points; 95% CI: 2.93, 6.55) at 26 wk than the habitual diet group. Compared with the habitual diet group, the avocado-supplemented diet group had greater increases in the following HEI-2015 components from baseline: total vegetables (0.99 points; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.21), fatty acid ratio (2.25 points; 95% CI: 1.74, 2.77), sodium (1.03 points; 95% CI: 0.52, 1.55), refined grains (0.82 points; 95% CI: 0.32, 1.31), and added sugars (0.84 points; 95% CI: 0.49, 1.19). No differences in HEI-2015 improvements were observed by race, ethnicity, study site, body mass index, or age category. In the avocado-supplemented diet compared with the habitual diet group, the HEI-2015 increased in females (6.50 points; 95% CI: 4.39, 8.62) but not in males (0.02 points; 95% CI: -3.44, 3.48). Median HEI-2015 change was not associated with intervention-related changes in cardiometabolic disease risk factors. Conclusions: Intake of 1 avocado per day for 26 wk in adults with abdominal obesity increased adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Changes in diet quality did not predict changes in risk factors for cardiometabolic disease.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03528031 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03528031).

Monocyte transcriptomic profile following EPA and DHA supplementation in men and women with low-grade chronic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicate considerable variability in response to very long chain omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk. This inconsistency may be due to differential effects of EPA vs DHA and/or sex-specific responses. METHODS: Sixteen subjects (eight men and eight women) 50-75 y and with low-grade chronic inflammation participated in a randomized controlled crossover trial comparing 3 g/d EPA, 3 g/d DHA, and placebo (3 g/d high oleic acid sunflower oil). Blood monocytes were isolated at the end of each phase for RNA-sequencing. RESULTS: Sex dimorphism in monocyte gene expression was observed, therefore, data for men and women were analyzed separately. 1088 genes were differentially expressed in men and 997 in women (p < 0.05). In both men and women, EPA and DHA repressed genes involved in protein turnover and mitochondrial energy metabolism, relative to placebo. In men only, EPA and DHA upregulated genes related to wound healing and PPARα activation. In women only, EPA and DHA activated genes related to ER stress response. Relative to DHA, EPA resulted in lower expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes in men, and lower expression of genes involved in ER stress response in women. CONCLUSIONS: EPA and DHA supplementation elicited both similar and differential effects on monocyte transcriptome, some of which were sex specific. The observed variability in response to EPA and DHA in men and women could in part explain the conflicting results from previous cardiovascular clinical trials using omega-3 fatty acids.

Low-fat diet Redux at WHO.

Worldwide dietary guidelines in the late 20th century promoted a low-fat diet, based, in part, on the notion that dietary fat, the most energy dense macronutrient, causes excess weight gain. However, high-quality evidence accumulating since then refute a direct association between dietary fat and adiposity. Moreover, substitution of carbohydrates for unsaturated fat can increase insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disease, especially among populations with highly prevalent insulin resistance. In this context, the recent WHO conditional recommendation to carry forward the guidance to limit dietary fat to ≤30% seems ill advised and should be reconsidered.

Food Is Medicine: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association.

Unhealthy diets are a major impediment to achieving a healthier population in the United States. Although there is a relatively clear sense of what constitutes a healthy diet, most of the US population does not eat healthy food at rates consistent with the recommended clinical guidelines. An abundance of barriers, including food and nutrition insecurity, how food is marketed and advertised, access to and affordability of healthy foods, and behavioral challenges such as a focus on immediate versus delayed gratification, stand in the way of healthier dietary patterns for many Americans. Food Is Medicine may be defined as the provision of healthy food resources to prevent, manage, or treat specific clinical conditions in coordination with the health care sector. Although the field has promise, relatively few studies have been conducted with designs that provide strong evidence of associations between Food Is Medicine interventions and health outcomes or health costs. Much work needs to be done to create a stronger body of evidence that convincingly demonstrates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different types of Food Is Medicine interventions. An estimated 90% of the $4.3 trillion annual cost of health care in the United States is spent on medical care for chronic disease. For many of these diseases, diet is a major risk factor, so even modest improvements in diet could have a significant impact. This presidential advisory offers an overview of the state of the field of Food Is Medicine and a road map for a new research initiative that strategically approaches the outstanding questions in the field while prioritizing a human-centered design approach to achieve high rates of patient engagement and sustained behavior change. This will ideally happen in the context of broader efforts to use a health equity-centered approach to enhance the ways in which our food system and related policies support improvements in health.

Waist-to-height ratio associated cardiometabolic risk phenotype in children with overweight/obesity.

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight/obesity has been associated with an elevated risk of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disorders. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) may be a simple screening tool to quickly identify children at elevated risk for cardiometabolic disorders. The primary objective of the present study was to create sex-specific tertile cut points of WHtR and assess its association with Insulin resistance and elevated liver enzyme concentrations in children, factors using cross-sectional data from the randomized, controlled Family Weight Management Study. METHODS: Baseline data from 360 children (7-12 years, mean Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 85th percentile for age and sex) were used to calculate WHtR tertiles by sex, male: ≤ 0.55 (T1), > 0.55- ≤ 0.59 (T2), > 0.59 (T3); female: ≤ 0.56 (T1), > 0.56- ≤ 0.6 (T2), > 0.6 (T3). The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to categorize participants as insulin-resistant (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.6) and insulin-sensitive (HOMA-IR < 2.6). Liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were categorized as normal vs. elevated (AST of < 36.0 µkat/L or ≥ 36.0 µkat/L; ALT of < 30.0 µkat/L or ≥ 30.0 µkat/L; ALT > 26 µkat/L males, > 22 µkat/L females). We examined differences in baseline cardiometabolic risk factors by WHtR tertiles and sex-specific multivariable logistic regression models to predict HOMA-IR and elevation of liver enzymes. RESULTS: Study participants had a mean WHtR of 0.59 ([SD: 0.06]). Irrespective of sex, children in WHtR T3 had higher BMIz scores, blood pressure, triglycerides, 2-h glucose, fasting 2-h insulin, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations than those in T2 and T1. After adjusting for covariates, the odds of elevated HOMA-IR (> 2.6) were over five-fold higher among males in T3 versus T1 [OR, 95%CI: 5.83, 2.34-14.52] and T2 [OR, 95%CI: 4.81, 1.94-11.92] and females in T3 [OR, 95%CI: 5.06, 2.10-12.20] versus T1. The odds of elevated ALT values (≥ 30) were 2.9 [95%CI: 1.01-8.41] fold higher among females in T3 compared to T1. CONCLUSION: In public health settings, WHtR may be a practical screening tool in pediatric populations to identify children at risk of metabolic syndrome.

Associations of circulating proteins with lipoprotein profiles: proteomic analyses from the OmniHeart randomized trial and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

BACKGROUND: Within healthy dietary patterns, manipulation of the proportion of macronutrient can reduce CVD risk. However, the biological pathways underlying healthy diet-disease associations are poorly understood. Using an untargeted, large-scale proteomic profiling, we aimed to (1) identify proteins mediating the association between healthy dietary patterns varying in the proportion of macronutrient and lipoproteins, and (2) validate the associations between diet-related proteins and lipoproteins in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. METHODS: In 140 adults from the OmniHeart trial, a randomized, cross-over, controlled feeding study with 3 intervention periods (carbohydrate-rich; protein-rich; unsaturated fat-rich dietary patterns), 4,958 proteins were quantified at the end of each diet intervention period using an aptamer assay (SomaLogic). We assessed differences in log2-transformed proteins in 3 between-diet comparisons using paired t-tests, examined the associations between diet-related proteins and lipoproteins using linear regression, and identified proteins mediating these associations using a causal mediation analysis. Levels of diet-related proteins and lipoprotein associations were validated in the ARIC study (n = 11,201) using multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for important confounders. RESULTS: Three between-diet comparisons identified 497 significantly different proteins (protein-rich vs. carbohydrate-rich = 18; unsaturated fat-rich vs. carbohydrate-rich = 335; protein-rich vs. unsaturated fat-rich dietary patterns = 398). Of these, 9 proteins [apolipoprotein M, afamin, collagen alpha-3(VI) chain, chitinase-3-like protein 1, inhibin beta A chain, palmitoleoyl-protein carboxylesterase NOTUM, cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, guanylate-binding protein 2, COP9 signalosome complex subunit 7b] were positively associated with lipoproteins [high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (C) = 2; triglyceride = 5; non-HDL-C = 3; total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio = 1]. Another protein, sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1, was inversely associated with HDL-C and positively associated with total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio. The proportion of the association between diet and lipoproteins mediated by these 10 proteins ranged from 21 to 98%. All of the associations between diet-related proteins and lipoproteins were significant in the ARIC study, except for afamin. CONCLUSIONS: We identified proteins that mediate the association between healthy dietary patterns varying in macronutrients and lipoproteins in a randomized feeding study and an observational study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00051350 at clinicaltrials.gov.

Metabolomic Profiles Associated With Blood Pressure Reduction in Response to the DASH and DASH-Sodium Dietary Interventions.

BACKGROUND: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets reduced blood pressure (BP) in the DASH and DASH-Sodium trials, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We identified metabolites associated with systolic BP or diastolic BP (DBP) changes induced by dietary interventions (DASH versus control arms) in 2 randomized controlled feeding studies-the DASH and DASH-Sodium trials. METHODS: Metabolomic profiling was conducted in serum and urine samples collected at the end of diet interventions: DASH (n=219) and DASH-Sodium (n=395). Using multivariable linear regression models, associations were examined between metabolites and change in systolic BP and DBP. Tested for interactions between diet interventions and metabolites were the following comparisons: (1) DASH versus control diets in the DASH trial (serum), (2) DASH high-sodium versus control high-sodium diets in the DASH-Sodium trial (urine), and (3) DASH low-sodium versus control high-sodium diets in the DASH-Sodium trial (urine). RESULTS: Sixty-five significant interactions were identified (DASH trial [serum], 12; DASH high sodium [urine], 35; DASH low sodium [urine], 18) between metabolites and systolic BP or DBP. In the DASH trial, serum tryptophan betaine was associated with reductions in DBP in participants consuming the DASH diets but not control diets (P interaction, 0.023). In the DASH-Sodium trial, urine levels of N-methylglutamate and proline derivatives (eg, stachydrine, 3-hydroxystachydrine, N-methylproline, and N-methylhydroxyproline) were associated with reductions in systolic BP or DBP in participants consuming the DASH diets but not control diets (P interaction, <0.05 for all tests). CONCLUSIONS: We identified metabolites that were associated with BP lowering in response to dietary interventions. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT03403166; Unique identifier: NCT03403166 (DASH trial). URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT00000608; Unique identifier: NCT00000608 (DASH-Sodium trial).

Comparison of Plasma Metabolome Response to Diets Enriched in Soybean and Partially-Hydrogenated Soybean Oil in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Adults-A Pilot Study.

Partially-hydrogenated fat/trans fatty acid intake has been associated with adverse effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Comparatively unexplored is the effect of unmodified oil relative to partially-hydrogenated fat on the plasma metabolite profile and lipid-related pathways. To address this gap, we conducted secondary analyses using a subset of samples randomly selected from a controlled dietary intervention trial involving moderately hypercholesterolemic individuals. Participants (N = 10, 63 ± 8 y, BMI, 26.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2, LDL-C, 3.9 ± 0.5 mmol/L) were provided with diets enriched in soybean oil (SO) and partially-hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSO). Plasma metabolite concentrations were determined using an untargeted approach and pathway analysis using LIPIDMAPS. Data were assessed using a volcano plot, receiver operating characteristics curve, partial least square-discrimination analysis and Pearson correlations. Among the known metabolites higher in plasma after the PHSO diet than the SO diet, the majority were phospholipids (53%) and di- and triglycerides (DG/TG, 34%). Pathway analysis indicated upregulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis from DG and phosphatidylethanolamine. We identified seven metabolites (TG_56:9, TG_54:8, TG_54:7, TG_54:6, TG_48:5, DG_36:5 and benproperine) as potential biomarkers for PHSO intake. These data indicate that TG-related metabolites were the most affected lipid species, and glycerophospholipid biosynthesis was the most active pathway in response to PHSO compared to SO intake.

Identification of Protein Biomarkers of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet in Randomized Feeding Studies and Validation in an Observational Study.

Background The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is recommended for cardiovascular disease prevention. We aimed to identify protein biomarkers of the DASH diet using data from 2 randomized feeding studies and validate them in an observational study, the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study. Methods and Results Large-scale proteomic profiling was conducted in serum specimens (SomaLogic) collected at the end of 8-week and 4-week DASH diet interventions in multicenter, randomized controlled feeding studies of the DASH trial (N=215) and the DASH-Sodium trial (N=396), respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare the relative abundance of 7241 proteins between the DASH and control diet interventions. Estimates from the 2 trials were meta-analyzed using fixed-effects models. We validated significant proteins in the ARIC study (N=10 490) using the DASH diet score. At a false discovery rate <0.05, there were 71 proteins that were different between the DASH diet and control diet in the DASH and DASH-Sodium trials. Nineteen proteins were validated in the ARIC study. The 19 proteins collectively improved the prediction of the DASH diet intervention in the feeding studies (range of difference in C statistics, 0.267-0.313; P<0.001 for both tests) and the DASH diet score in the ARIC study (difference in C statistics, 0.017; P<0.001) beyond participant characteristics. Conclusions We identified 19 proteins robustly associated with the DASH diet in 3 studies, which may serve as biomarkers of the DASH diet. These results suggest potential pathways that are impacted by consumption of the DASH diet. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifiers: NCT03403166, NCT00000608.

Plasma Protein Biomarkers of Healthy Dietary Patterns: Results from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Molecular mechanisms underlying the benefits of healthy dietary patterns are poorly understood. Identifying protein biomarkers of dietary patterns can contribute to characterizing biological pathways influenced by food intake. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify protein biomarkers associated with four indexes of healthy dietary patterns: Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015); Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010); DASH diet; and alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED). METHODS: Analyses were conducted on 10,490 Black and White men and women aged 49-73 y from the ARIC study at visit 3 (1993-1995). Dietary intake data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire, and plasma proteins were quantified using an aptamer-based proteomics assay. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between 4955 proteins and dietary patterns. We performed pathway overrepresentation analysis for diet-related proteins. An independent study population from the Framingham Heart Study was used for replication analyses. RESULTS: In the multivariable-adjusted models, 282 out of 4955 proteins (5.7%) were significantly associated with at least one dietary pattern (HEI-2015: 137; AHEI-2010: 72; DASH: 254; aMED: 35; P value < 0.05/4955 = 1.01 × 10-5). There were 148 proteins that were associated with only one dietary pattern (HEI-2015: 22; AHEI-2010: 5; DASH: 121; aMED: 0), and 20 proteins were associated with all four dietary patterns. Five unique biological pathways were significantly enriched by diet-related proteins. Seven out of 20 proteins associated with all dietary patterns in the ARIC study were available for replication analyses, and 6 out of these 7 proteins were consistent in direction and significantly associated with at least 1 dietary pattern in the Framingham Heart Study (HEI-2015: 2; AHEI-2010: 4; DASH: 6; aMED: 4; P value < 0.05/7 = 7.14 × 10-3). CONCLUSIONS: A large-scale proteomic analysis identified plasma protein biomarkers that are representative of healthy dietary patterns among middle-aged and older US adult population. These protein biomarkers may be useful objective indicators of healthy dietary patterns.

Bitter- and Umami-Related Genes are Differentially Associated with Food Group Intakes: the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: As suboptimal diet quality remains the leading modifiable contributor to chronic disease risk, it is important to better understand the individual-level drivers of food choices. Recently, a genetic component of food choices was proposed based on variants (SNPs) in genes related to taste perception (taste-related SNPs). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the cumulative contribution of taste-related SNPs for basic tastes (bitter, sweet, umami, salt, and sour), summarized as "polygenic taste scores," to food group intakes among adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 6230 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age ± SD: 50 ± 14 y; 54% female). Polygenic taste scores were derived for tastes with ≥2 related SNPs identified in prior genome-wide association studies, and food group intakes (servings per week [sev/wk]) were tabulated from food frequency questionnaires. Associations were determined via linear mixed-effects models, using false discovery rates and bootstrap resampling to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Thirty-three taste-related SNPs (9 bitter, 19 sweet, 2 umami, 2 sour, 1 salt) were identified and used to derive polygenic taste scores for bitter, sweet, umami, and sour. Per additional allele for higher bitter perception, whole grain intakes were lower by 0.17 (95% CI: -0.28, -0.06) sev/wk, and for higher umami perception, total and red/orange vegetable intakes were lower by 0.73 (95% CI: -1.12, -0.34) and 0.25 (95% CI: -0.40, -0.10) sev/wk, respectively. Subsequent analyses at the SNP level identified four novel SNP-diet associations-two bitter-related SNPs with whole grains (rs10960174 and rs6782149) and one umami-related SNP with total and red/orange vegetables (rs7691456)-which may have been driving the identified associations. CONCLUSIONS: Taste-related genes for bitter and umami were differentially associated with food choices that may impact diet quality. Hence, a benefit could be derived from leveraging knowledge of taste-related genes when developing personalized risk reduction dietary guidance.

The Associations of Individual and Subclasses of Nonesterified Fatty Acids With Disability, and Mobility Limitation in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the associations between individual nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and disability and mobility limitation. METHODS: We studied 1 734 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), an ongoing population-based cohort study of community-living older American adults. We measured 35 individual NEFA species in fasting serum samples obtained at the 1996-1997 clinic visit. Using yearly assessments of activities of daily living and self-reported mobility, we identified participants with incident disability or mobility limitation during 15 years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the associations between per SD increment in the individual NEFAs and incident disability and mobility limitations with adjustment for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of total and a broad range of individual NEFA species were associated with risk of disability and mobility limitation (disability: HR per SD of total NEFA [SD = 174.70] = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04-1.18, p = .001; mobility limitation: HR per SD of total NEFA = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.16, p = .01). Among individual saturated NEFAs (SFAs), myristic (14:0) and palmitic (16:0) acids were significantly associated with higher risk of both disability and mobility limitations, but longer-chain FAs were not. Most individual monounsaturated (MUFA), n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and trans FAs were positively significantly associated with higher risks of both disability and mobility limitation. In contrast, most n-3 PUFA species were not associated with disability or mobility limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Higher risks of disability and mobility limitation were observed for proinflammatory intermediate-chain SFAs, MUFAs, n-6 PUFAs, and trans FAs. Our findings indicated no significant association for anti-inflammatory n-3 PUFAs.

Effect of Incorporating 1 Avocado Per Day Versus Habitual Diet on Visceral Adiposity: A Randomized Trial.

Background Excess visceral adiposity is associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Short-term well-controlled clinical trials suggest that regular avocado consumption favorably affects body weight, visceral adiposity, and satiety. Methods and Results The HAT Trial (Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial) was a multicenter, randomized, controlled parallel-arm trial designed to test whether consuming 1 large avocado per day for 6 months in a diverse group of free-living individuals (N=1008) with an elevated waist circumference compared with a habitual diet would decrease visceral adiposity as measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Secondary and additional end points related to risk factors associated with cardiometabolic disorders were assessed. The primary outcome, change in visceral adipose tissue volume during the intervention period, was not significantly different between the Avocado Supplemented and Habitual Diet Groups (estimated mean difference (0.017 L [-0.024 L, 0.058 L], P=0.405). No significant group differences were observed for the secondary outcomes of hepatic fat fraction, hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and components of the metabolic syndrome. Of the additional outcome measures, modest but nominally significant reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in the Avocado Supplemented compared with the Habitual Diet Group. Changes in the other additional and post hoc measures (body weight, body mass index, insulin, very low-density lipoprotein concentrations, and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio) were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusions Addition of 1 avocado per day to the habitual diet for 6 months in free-living individuals with elevated waist circumference did not reduce visceral adipose tissue volume and had minimal effect on risk factors associated with cardiometabolic disorders. Registration URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03528031.

Utilizing the Probation Office as an Opportunity to Screen for Cardiometabolic Outcomes: A Feasibility Study.

This cross-sectional study examined whether the probation office setting was feasible to screen adults on probation for cardiometabolic risk factors, measure risk profiles, and estimate the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. During June and August 2019, screening included blood pressure, anthropometrics, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and glucose. A survey included demographics, medical history, and current medication. The participation rate was 36% (N = 202). The screening identified 5% had hypercholesterolemia, 38% of men and 50% of women had low HDL cholesterol, 70% had overweight/obesity, 31% of men and 55% of women had elevated waist circumferences, and 26.7% had Stage 1 hypertension. Of individuals with a history of hypertension (n = 74), 77% had elevated blood pressure. Of those with a history of diabetes (n = 27), 22% had hyperglycemia, independent of whether they reported being prescribed medication. The screening identified 11% with Stage 2 hypertension, 27% with Stage 1 hypertension, 22% with elevated blood pressure, and 5% with hyperglycemia. Our findings suggest it is feasible to identify individuals at high risk for cardiometabolic disorders during routine probation office visits. These data can then be used to provide referrals for treatment to improve long-term health outcomes.

Plasma Metabolite Response to Simple, Refined and Unrefined Carbohydrate-Enriched Diets in Older Adults-Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Food intake data collected using subjective tools are prone to inaccuracies and biases. An objective assessment of food intake, such as metabolomic profiling, may offer a more accurate method if unique metabolites can be identified. To explore this option, we used samples generated from a randomized and controlled cross-over trial during which participants (N = 10; 65 ± 8 year, BMI, 29.8 ± 3.2 kg/m2) consumed each of the three diets enriched in different types of carbohydrate. Plasma metabolite concentrations were measured at the end of each diet phase using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Participants were provided, in random order, with diets enriched in three carbohydrate types (simple carbohydrate (SC), refined carbohydrate (RC) and unrefined carbohydrate (URC)) for 4.5 weeks per phase and separated by two-week washout periods. Data were analyzed using partial least square-discrimination analysis, receiver operating characteristics (ROC curve) and hierarchical analysis. Among the known metabolites, 3-methylhistidine, phenylethylamine, cysteine, betaine and pipecolic acid were identified as biomarkers in the URC diet compared to the RC diet, and the later three metabolites were differentiated and compared to SC diet. Hierarchical analysis indicated that the plasma metabolites at the end of each diet phase were more strongly clustered by the participant than the carbohydrate type. Hence, although differences in plasma metabolite concentrations were observed after participants consumed diets differing in carbohydrate type, individual variation was a stronger predictor of plasma metabolite concentrations than dietary carbohydrate type. These findings limited the potential of metabolic profiling to address this variable.

Perspective: Appraisal of the Evidence Base to Update DRI Values-Lessons from the Past, Thoughts for the Future.

Updating evidence-based nutrient guidance is challenging. One set of recommendations for which a robust evidence base is essential is the DRIs. In the past 10 y, DRI values for 4 essential nutrients have been re-evaluated in 2 groups: vitamin D and calcium, and sodium and potassium. To support the work of the committees tasked with evaluating the available evidence, the federal agencies that sponsor the DRI reviews contracted with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to perform systematic reviews on predefined questions for these nutrient groups. Our aims were to tabulate the studies included in these systematic reviews and then, within the context of prespecified outcomes, summarize the totality of the available evidence and identify areas for consideration to maximize the value of the end products for future DRI committees. For the outcomes of interest, the available studies did not tend to report age data consistent with the current DRI categories. For some life stage categories, particularly pregnancy and lactation, there is a dearth of data. A wide range of study interventions were used, making it challenging to combine data to accurately derive or re-evaluate DRI values. There is also an under-representation of data on race/ethnicity and overweight/obesity, which is of concern, given the shifting demographic in the US and Canadian populations. Moving forward, it may be advantageous to develop a process to prospectively target research funding for studies designed to generate data that will most closely support re-evaluation of DRI values.

Plasma Metabolite Profiles Following Consumption of Animal Protein and Soybean-Based Diet in Hypercholesterolemic Postmenopausal Women.

Subjective reporting of food intake can be unreliable. No objective method is available to distinguish between diets differing in protein type. To address this gap, a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled cross-over feeding trial was conducted. Assessed were fasting plasma metabolite profiles and their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs). Hypercholesterolemic post-menopausal women (N = 11) were provided with diets containing predominantly animal protein (AP) and soy protein (SP). Untargeted metabolomics were used to determine the plasma metabolite profiles at the end of each diet phase. Concentrations of identified metabolites (N = 829) were compared using paired t-tests adjusted for false discovery rate, partial least square-discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) and receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Among the identified metabolites, 58 differed significantly between the AP and SP diets; the majority were phospholipids (n = 36), then amino acids (n = 10), xenobiotics (n = 7), vitamin/vitamin-related (n = 3) and lipids (n = 2). Of the top 10 metabolites, amino acid-derived metabolites, phospholipids and xenobiotics comprised the main categories differing due to dietary protein type. ROC curves confirmed that the top 10 metabolites were potential discriminating biomarkers for AP- and SP-rich diets. In conclusion, amino acid-derived metabolites, phosphatidylethanolamine-derived metabolites and isoflavones were identified as potential metabolite biomarkers distinguishing between dietary protein type.