Prevalence and determinants of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Data on the prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults in Ireland are lacking. AIMS: To assess the prevalence and determinants of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults in Ireland. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis involved n = 308 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 y living in Ireland. Participants were recruited via recreational clubs and primary healthcare services. Sarcopenia was defined according to the 2019 European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria. Skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, strength was measured via handgrip dynamometry, and physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery. Detailed information was collected on demographics, health, and lifestyle. Dietary macronutrient intake was measured via a single 24 h recall. Binary logistic regression was used to examine potential demographic, health, lifestyle, and dietary determinants of sarcopenia (where both probable and confirmed sarcopenia were combined). RESULTS: The prevalence of EWGSOP2-defined probable sarcopenia was 20.8% and confirmed sarcopenia was 8.1% (5.8% had severe sarcopenia). Polypharmacy (OR 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3, 5.23), height (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91, 0.98), and Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (IADL) score (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59, 0.86) were independently associated with sarcopenia (probable and confirmed combined). There were no independent associations between energy-adjusted macronutrient intakes, as determined by 24 h recall, and sarcopenia. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia prevalence within this sample of community-dwelling older adults in Ireland is broadly similar to other European cohorts. Polypharmacy, lower height, and lower IADL score were independently associated with EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia.

Effects of a Long Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-rich Multi-ingredient Nutrition Supplement on Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults with Low Skeletal Muscle Mass.

Six months of supplementation with a multi-ingredient nutrition supplement was investigated in older adults with low skeletal muscle mass given the recently purported benefits of such approaches. Community-dwelling older adults (age, 74.9 ± 3.6 y; M/F, 18/19) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving daily consumption of either fruit juice placebo (PLA) or supplement (SUPP) in the form of a 200-mL carton of a juice-based emulsion of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) (3000 mg as 1500 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 1500 mg eicosapentaenoic acid), whey protein isolate (8 g), vitamin D3 (400 IU), and resveratrol (150 mg). Body composition, physical function, and circulating markers of metabolic health were assessed at baseline (PRE), and after 3 (MID) and 6 (POST) months of supplementation. Lean body mass (LBM) was unchanged in either group, but fat mass increased in SUPP by 1.41 (0.75, 2.07) kg at POST (+6.4%; p < .001; d = 0.20). Hand-grip strength was maintained in SUPP, but declined in PLA by 2.50 (0.81, 4.19) kg at POST (-6.8%; p = .002; d = 0.38). Short physical performance battery score was unchanged in PLA, but increased in SUPP by 1.13 (0.41, 1.84) above PRE at POST (p = .001; d = 0.47). Circulating markers of metabolic health were unchanged in response to the intervention in either PLA or SUPP. Long-term supplementation with an LC n-3 PUFA-rich multi-ingredient nutrition supplement demonstrates potential efficacy for improving physical function in older adults in the absence of exercise training and independent of a change in LBM.

Personalized Cardio-Metabolic Responses to an Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Intervention in Obese Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

SCOPE: Chronic inflammation and hypoadiponectinemia are characteristics of obesity-induced insulin resistance (IR). The effect of an anti-inflammatory nutrition supplement (AINS) on IR and adiponectin biology in overweight adolescents was investigated. The secondary objective was to examine the extent to which individuals' biomarker profiles, derived from baseline phenotypes, predicted response or not to the AINS. Additionally, the impact of DNA methylation on intervention efficacy was assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy overweight adolescents (13-18 years) were recruited to this randomized controlled crossover trial. Participants received an AINS (long chain n-3 PUFA, vitamin C, α-tocopherol, green tea extract, and lycopene) and placebo for 8 weeks each. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-IR, adiponectin, inflammatory profiles, and DNA methylation were assessed. HOMA-IR was unchanged in the total cohort. High-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin was maintained following the AINS while it decreased over time following the placebo intervention. HOMA-IR decreased in 40% of subjects (responders) following the AINS. Responders' pretreatment phenotype was characterized by higher HOMA-IR, total and LDL cholesterol, but similar BMI in comparison to nonresponders. HMW adiponectin response to the AINS was associated with bidirectional modulation of adipogenic gene methylation. CONCLUSION: The AINS modulated adiponectin biology, an early predictor of type 2 diabetes risk, was associated with bidirectional modulation of adipogenic gene methylation in weight-stable overweight adolescents. HOMA-IR decreased in a sub-cohort of adolescents with an adverse metabolic phenotype. Thus, suggesting that more stratified or personalized nutrition approaches may enhance efficacy of dietary interventions.

Whey Protein Supplementation and Higher Total Protein Intake Do Not Influence Bone Quantity in Overweight and Obese Adults Following a 36-Week Exercise and Diet Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists concerning the effects of higher total protein intake (TPro) on bone health, which may be associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). However, whey protein (WP) may induce bone formation because of its basic component, milk basic protein. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of WP supplementation, TPro, and change in TPro (postsupplementation - presupplementation) on BMD and bone mineral content (BMC; total body, lumbar spine, total femur, and femoral neck) in overweight and class I obese middle-aged adults following an exercise intervention. METHODS: This analysis used data from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 36-wk WP supplementation trial, wherein participants consumed a 1.7-MJ (400-kcal) supplement (0, 20, 40, or 60 g WP/d) along with their otherwise unrestricted diet while participating in a resistance and aerobic exercise intervention (3 d/wk). TPro was the summation of WP and habitual dietary intakes (4-d food record). Statistical analyses for WP were based on group and bone data [n = 186, 108 women; mean ± SD age: 49 ± 8 y; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2): 30.1 ± 2.8], whereas TPro was based on dietary and bone data (n = 113, 70 women; age 50 ± 8 y; BMI 30.1 ± 2.9). RESULTS: WP supplementation, regardless of dose, did not influence BMD or BMC following the intervention. By using a multiple linear regression model, TPro (expressed as g/d or g · kg-1 · d-1) and change in TPro (expressed as g/d) were not associated with responses over time in total or regional BMD or BMC. By using a cluster analysis approach [<1.0 (n = 41), 1.0-1.2 (n = 28), and ≥1.2 g · kg-1 · d-1 (n = 44)], TPro was also not associated with responses in total or regional BMD or BMC over time. CONCLUSION: WP supplementation and total dietary protein intake did not negatively or beneficially influence bone quantity in overweight and obese adults during a 9-mo exercise intervention. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00812409.

Fatty acids and chronic low grade inflammation associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome is a group of obesity associated metabolic conditions that result in increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Global increases in obesity rates have led to an increase in metabolic syndrome resulting in a demand for increased understanding of the mechanisms involved. This review examines the relationship between adipose tissue biology, lipid metabolism and chronic low grade inflammation relating to obesity and insulin resistance.

Impact of anti-inflammatory nutrients on obesity-associated metabolic-inflammation from childhood through to adulthood.

Obesity-related metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes and CVD share a number of pathological features, one of which is metabolic-inflammation. Metabolic-inflammation results from the infiltration of immune cells into the adipose tissue, driving a pro-inflammatory environment, which can induce IR. Furthermore, resolution of inflammation, an active process wherein the immune system counteracts pro-inflammatory states, may be dysregulated in obesity. Anti-inflammatory nutritional interventions have focused on attenuating this pro-inflammatory environment. Furthermore, with inherent variability among individuals, establishing at-risk populations who respond favourably to nutritional intervention strategies is important. This review will focus on chronic low-grade metabolic-inflammation, resolution of inflammation and the putative role anti-inflammatory nutrients have as a potential therapy. Finally, in the context of personalised nutrition, the approaches used in defining individuals who respond favourably to nutritional interventions will be highlighted. With increasing prevalence of obesity in younger people, age-dependent biological processes, preventative strategies and therapeutic options are important to help protect against development of obesity-associated co-morbidities.

Adipose tissue dysregulation and metabolic consequences in childhood and adolescent obesity: potential impact of dietary fat quality.

Evidence suggests that at a population level, childhood and adolescent obesity increase the long-term risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and CVD. At an individual level, however, the metabolic consequences of obesity in youth vary immensely. Despite comparable BMI, some adolescents develop impaired glucose tolerance while others maintain normal glucose homeostasis. It has been proposed that the variation in the capacity to store lipid in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) may partially discriminate metabolically healthy from unhealthy obesity. In positive energy balance, a decreased capacity to expand SAT may drive lipid accumulation to visceral adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle. This state of lipotoxicity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. The present review examines the differential adipose tissue development and function in children and adolescents who exhibit metabolic dysregulation compared with those who are protected. Additionally, the role of manipulating dietary fat quality to potentially prevent and treat metabolic dysfunction in obesity will be discussed. The findings of the present review highlight the need for further randomised controlled trials to establish the effect of dietary n-3 PUFA on the metabolic phenotype of obese children and adolescents. Furthermore, using a personalised nutrition approach to target interventions to those at risk of, or those with established metabolic dysregulation may optimise the efficacy of modifying dietary fat quality.

Dietary quality in a sample of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Ireland; a cross-sectional case control study.

BACKGROUND: A number of dietary quality indices (DQIs) have been developed to assess the quality of dietary intake. Analysis of the intake of individual nutrients does not reflect the complexity of dietary behaviours and their association with health and disease. The aim of this study was to determine the dietary quality of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a variety of validated DQIs. METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis of 111 Caucasian adults, 65 cases with T2DM were recruited from the Diabetes Day Care Services of St. Columcille's and St. Vincent's Hospitals, Dublin, Ireland. Forty-six controls did not have T2DM and were recruited from the general population. Data from 3-day estimated diet diaries were used to calculate 4 DQIs. RESULTS: Participants with T2DM had a significantly lower score for consumption of a Mediterranean dietary pattern compared to the control group, measured using the Mediterranean Diet Score (Range 0-9) and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (Range 0-9) (mean ± SD) (3.4 ± 1.3 vs 4.8 ± 1.8, P < 0.001 and 3.3 ± 1.5 vs 4.2 ± 1.8, P = 0.02 respectively). Participants with T2DM also had lower dietary quality than the control population as assessed by the Healthy Diet Indicator (Range 0-9) (T2DM; 2.6 ± 2.3, control; 3.3 ± 1.1, P = 0.001). No differences between the two groups were found when dietary quality was assessed using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index. Micronutrient intake was assessed using the Micronutrient Adequacy Score (Range 0-8) and participants with T2DM had a significantly lower score than the control group (T2DM; 1.6 ± 1.4, control; 2.3 ± 1.4, P = 0.009). When individual nutrient intakes were assessed, no significant differences were observed in macronutrient intake. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings demonstrate that T2DM was associated with a lower score when dietary quality was assessed using a number of validated indices.

Mechanisms of obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance: insights into the emerging role of nutritional strategies.

Obesity and associated chronic inflammation initiate a state of insulin resistance (IR). The secretion of chemoattractants such as MCP-1 and MIF and of cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, draw immune cells including dendritic cells, T cells, and macrophages into adipose tissue (AT). Dysfunctional AT lipid metabolism leads to increased circulating free fatty acids, initiating inflammatory signaling cascades in the population of infiltrating cells. A feedback loop of pro-inflammatory cytokines exacerbates this pathological state, driving further immune cell infiltration and cytokine secretion and disrupts the insulin signaling cascade. Disruption of normal AT function is causative of defects in hepatic and skeletal muscle glucose homeostasis, resulting in systemic IR and ultimately the development of type 2 diabetes. Pharmaceutical strategies that target the inflammatory milieu may have some potential; however there are a number of safety concerns surrounding such pharmaceutical approaches. Nutritional anti-inflammatory interventions could offer a more suitable long-term alternative; whilst they may be less potent than some pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory agents, this may be advantageous for long-term therapy. This review will investigate obese AT biology, initiation of the inflammatory, and insulin resistant environment; and the mechanisms through which dietary anti-inflammatory components/functional nutrients may be beneficial.