Association of dietary patterns with sarcopenia in adults aged 50 years and older.

PURPOSE: Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of dietary factors on the prevention of decreased muscle mass and function, limited research has examined the relationship between dietary patterns and sarcopenia. This study aimed to assess the associations between dietary patterns, and sarcopenia, muscle strength, and mass in adults following a Mediterranean diet residing in southern Italian cities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized data from an existing database, comprising 528 individuals aged 50 years or older who underwent health-screening tests at the Clinical Nutrition Unit of the "R.Dulbecco" University Hospital. Strength was assessed through handgrip strength, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary intake information was collected through a food frequency questionnaire linked to the MetaDieta 3.0.1 nutrient composition database. Principal Component Analysis, a statistical technique identifying underlying relationships among different nutrients, was employed to determine dietary patterns. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the odds ratio for sarcopenia or low handgrip strength in relation to the lowest tertile of dietary pattern adherence compared to the highest adherence. RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 61 ± 8 years. Four dietary patterns were identified, with only the Western and Mediterranean patterns showing correlations with handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. However, only the Mediterranean pattern exhibited a correlation with sarcopenia (r = - 0.17, p = 0.02). The highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern demonstrated significantly higher handgrip strength compared to the lowest tertile (III Tertile: 28.3 ± 0.5 kg vs I Tertile: 26.3 ± 0.5 kg; p = 0.01). Furthermore, even after adjustment, the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean pattern showed a significantly lower prevalence of sarcopenia than the lowest adherence tertile (4% vs 16%, p = 0.04). The lowest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with increased odds of having low muscle strength (OR = 2.38; p = 0.03; 95%CI = 1.05-5.37) and sarcopenia (OR = 9.69; p = 0.0295; %CI = 1.41-66.29). CONCLUSION: A high adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, characterized by increased consumption of legumes, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and limited amounts of meat, fish, and eggs, is positively associated with handgrip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. The highest adherence to this dietary model is associated with the lowest odds of low muscle strength and sarcopenia. Despite the changes brought about by urbanization in southern Italy compared to the past, our findings continue to affirm the superior benefits of the Mediterranean diet in postponing the onset of frailty among older adults when compared to other dietary patterns that are rich in animal foods.

Therapeutic Fasting in Reducing Chemotherapy Side Effects in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the available evidence regarding the effect of a variety of fasting-like regimens on preventing chemotherapy-related side effects. PubMed, Scopus and Embase were used to select the studies for this review, which concluded on 24 November 2022. All types of clinical trials and case series reporting chemotherapy toxicity associated with fasting regimens and any comparison were considered. A total of 283 records were identified, of which 274 were excluded, leaving only nine studies that met the inclusion criteria. Five of these trials were randomized. Overall, moderate to high-quality evidence showed that several fasting regimens did not provide benefits compared to a conventional diet or other comparators in reducing the risk of adverse events. The overall pooled estimate for a variety of fasting regime when compared to non-fasting, indicated no significant difference in the side effects (RR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.77-1.59; I2 = 10%, p = 0.60), including neutropenia alone (RR = 1.33; 95% CI: 0.90-1.97; I2 = 0%, p = 0.15). A sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. Based on our systematic review and meta-analysis, there is currently no evidence supporting the superiority of therapeutic fasting over non-fasting in preventing chemotherapy toxicity. The development of cancer treatment that do not entail toxicities remains imperative.

Preparing Patients for Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Procedures: Ensuring an Optimal Nutritional Status for Successful Results.

Aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices have attracted considerable consumer attention globally. However, possible complications vary and range from mild, self-resolving ecchymoses or edema to more persistent complications. The aim of this review is to identify the nutritional deficits or excesses associated with the major complications of reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, and mini-invasive aesthetic procedures. An additional goal is to provide a bundle of actions for professionals working in the industry in order to reduce the risks of aesthetic procedures and improve the clinical outcomes. Granulomas, hypertrophic scars and keloids, seromas, infections and xerosis, hyperpigmentation, petechiae, livedo reticularis, slower wound healing, and other poor outcomes are frequently associated with nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional status can markedly affect wound healing and tissue repair following surgical interventions, as well as the outcomes of aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices. Professionals working in this industry, therefore, need to consider the nutritional aspects of their patients to obtain the best results.

A new nutraceutical (Livogen Plus®) improves liver steatosis in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no approved medication for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease management. Pre-clinical and clinical studies showed that several bioactive molecules in plants or foods (i.e., curcumin complex, bergamot polyphenol fraction, artichoke leaf extract, black seed oil, concentrate fish oil, picroliv root, glutathione, S-adenosyl-L-methionine and other natural ingredients) have been associated with improved fatty liver disease. Starting from these evidences, our purpose was to evaluate the effects of a novel combination of abovementioned nutraceuticals as a treatment for adults with fatty liver disease. METHODS: A total of 140 participants with liver steatosis were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. The intervention group received six softgel capsules daily of a nutraceutical (namely Livogen Plus®) containing a combination of natural bioactive components for 12 weeks. The control group received six softgel capsules daily of a placebo containing maltodextrin for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change in liver fat content (CAP score). CAP score, by transient elastography, serum glucose, lipids, transaminases, and cytokines were measured at baseline and after intervention. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding variables (i.e., CAP score and triglyceride at baseline, and changes of serum γGT, and vegetable and animal proteins, cholesterol intake at the follow-up), we found a greater CAP score reduction in the nutraceutical group rather than placebo (- 34 ± 5 dB/m vs. - 20 ± 5 dB/m, respectively; p = 0.045). The CAP score reduction (%) was even greater in those with aged 60 or less, low baseline HDL-C, AST reduction as well as in men. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that a new combination of bioactive molecules as nutraceutical was safe and effective in reducing liver fat content over 12 weeks in individuals with hepatic steatosis. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN70887063. Registered 03 August 2021-retrospectively registered, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN70887063.