Cross-continental national nutrition surveys: a narrative review.

Many countries use national nutrition surveys (NNSs) to assess their population's health and nutrition needs. However, NNS aims, approaches, tools, and measurements vary among countries. To date, there has been no review evaluating the NNSs and their practices worldwide to help conduct future NSSs. Therefore, this narrative review was conducted to 1) explore and tabulate current NNSs in five continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and Australia) and 2) help lay the foundation for establishing clear guidelines for future NNSs. The NNSs were identified using two approaches. First, an electronic database search was conducted with key terms in PubMed database. Second, a general web-based search on the survey webpages of governmental organizations was conducted using the same key terms to identify eligible surveys. The review included general adult population (≥ 18 years) with a cross-sectional design, excluding NNSs related to household-only surveys, specific age groups, or insufficient sample sizes. A total of 41 NNSs were identified in 37 countries across four continents: Asia (n = 15), Europe (n = 21), North America (n = 3), and Australia (n = 2). Broad differences between the surveys were identified, including survey purposes and designs, definitions of geographic areas and target groups, and dietary assessments. Currently, there are 26 ongoing NNSs, while 15 have ended. Among the ongoing NNSs, the cycles of the surveys were either at regular intervals (n = 8) or irregular intervals (n = 8). Of the 41 surveys, 24-h dietary recalls were used in 27 surveys, while only 6 surveys used diet diaries and 8 surveys relied on FFQs. Some surveys (n = 17) utilized multiple tools to assess dietary intake. Most of the surveys that assessed biochemical status (n = 12) focused on blood glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipid status, whereas some surveys (n = 6) tested for vitamin and mineral status in blood and/or urine samples. The review identified key characteristics, time frames, sampling methods, and dietary and physical assessment methods obtained from different surveys worldwide. The information organized in this review will be important for researchers, policymakers, and public health programme developers in developing and improving NNS.

Predictive Factors for Critical Weight Loss in Saudi Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing (Chemo)Radiotherapy.

Weight loss is a significant health problem among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) that is attributable primarily to the tumor or tumor therapy. Critical weight loss (CWL) is defined as the unintentional loss of ≥5% of weight. Therefore, this study's goal was to investigate and determine the possible factors influencing CWL among patients with HNC who have received radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 patients who received radiotherapy or CCRT as either their primary, adjuvant, or combined treatment at the Oncology Center in King Abdullah Medical City. All patients were ≥18 years of age and diagnosed with HNC with no metastasis. The study results showed that 107 patients (61%) had CWL, while 68 (39%) did not. The following factors were significantly predictive of CWL with a multivariate regression analysis: pretreatment BMI (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17), oral cavity cancer (AOR = 10.36, 95% CI = 1.13-94.55), and male sex (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.39-7.11). In conclusion, weight loss is highly prevalent among HNC patients during treatment. Accordingly, pretreatment BMI, cancer in the oral cavity, and being male can be considered predictive factors for CWL.

Consequences of dietary cinnamon and ginger oils supplementation on blood biochemical parameters, oxidative status, and tissue histomorphology of growing Japanese quails.

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of various concentrations of ginger and cinnamon oils as antibiotic substitutes on some blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and histopathological profile of the liver and gut of growing Japanese. A total of 900 Japanese quails were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups. Each group had 5 replicates (30 chicks each). The first group received a basal diet and served as the control, while the second received a basal diet plus 0.5 g of colistin antibiotic/kg diet. The third and fourth groups were supplemented with 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL of ginger oil (GO)/kg diet, respectively. While the fifth and sixth groups received basal diet with 0.5 and 1.0 mL of cinnamon oil (CO)/kg diet, respectively. Results showed that adding herbal oils significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels compared to control and colistin groups. Various levels of GO and CO significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cholesterol levels compared to control birds. Compared to the control and antibiotic groups, Japanese quails supplemented with various levels of herbal oils (GO and CO) had more extraordinarily significant (P < 0.05) values for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR). Regarding histopathologic examination, the jejunum displayed a nearly empty lumen, a few fusions, and mild goblet cell metaplasia. On the other hand, the duodenum looked tall and had a few fusions of villi and remnants of removal in its lumina. It could be concluded that cinnamon and GO improved birds' blood biochemical parameters, electorate oxidative stress, and enhanced intestinal and hepatic histology of the treated quails. Also, the levels of 0.5 mL CO and 0.5 mL GO may be an acceptable substitute for antibiotics (colistin) in the diets of growing Japanese quail.

Growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with amylase and protease enzymes individually or combined.

Background: Feed additives that increase nutrient availability in feeds have gained a lot of interest. Aim: An experiment was conducted to determine whether amylase, protease, and their combined supplementation affected broiler performance. Methods: Two hundred eighty broiler chicks were selected and distributed randomly into 28 replicate pens with four treatment groups and seven replicates under a completely randomized design. A total of four diets were developed, having 0, 100, 100, and 100 + 100 g of control (AP0), amylase (A1), protease (P1), and amylase + protease (AP1)/ton of feed, respectively. Four replicates of each treatment were fed each diet. Each diet was randomly allotted to each group. Ad-libitum feeding was provided to the birds. The feeding program had starter and finisher diets. Upon completion of the experiment, three birds from each pen were slaughtered to analyze the carcass characteristics and organ weight. Results: Differences were insignificant between 100 g/ton of amylase supplementation and FI, body weight gain (BWG), or feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p > 0.05). Supplementation with 10 0g/ton of protease did not significantly affect FI, BWG, and FCR (p > 0.05). Similarly, 100 + 100 g/ton of amylase + protease addition had no significant effect on FI, BWG, and FCR (p > 0.05). None of the treatments significantly affected carcass weight, abdominal fat percentage, dressing percentage, drumstick, wings, breast, and thigh weights (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant effects (p > 0.05) on the weight of the heart, liver, gizzard, and spleen. Conclusion: In conclusion, amylase, protease, and their combined supplementation at a rate of 100 g/ton of feed did not influence BWG, FI, FCR, carcass characteristics, or organ weight.

Peppermint essential oil and its nano-emulsion: Potential against aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus in food and feed.

A facultative parasite called Aspergillus flavus contaminates several important food crops before and after harvest. In addition, the pathogen that causes aspergillosis infections in humans and animals is opportunistic. Aflatoxin, a secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus, is also carcinogenic and mutagenic, endangering human and animal health and affecting global food security. Peppermint essential oils and plant-derived natural products have recently shown promise in combating A. flavus infestations and aflatoxin contamination. This review discusses the antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic properties of peppermint essential oils. It then discusses how peppermint essential oils affect the growth of A. flavus and the biosynthesis of aflatoxins. Several cause physical, chemical, or biochemical changes to the cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria, and associated metabolic enzymes and genes. Finally, the prospects for using peppermint essential oils and natural plant-derived chemicals to develop novel antifungal agents and protect foods are highlighted. In addition to reducing the risk of aspergillosis infection, this review highlights the significant potential of plant-derived natural products and peppermint essential oils to protect food and feed from aflatoxin contamination and A. flavus infestation.

Does dietary linseed or canola oil affect lipid metabolism, immunity, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids content in quail eggs?

One of the most intriguing areas of research and innovation in the animal production and food sector recently has been designed-enriched products. These items are regarded as functional foods because they feature components that have advantageous physiological impacts on human health. In the production of poultry, designed eggs constitute a significant category of functional foods. The present study hypothesized that adding different kinds of oils to quail diets will help produce designer eggs rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids in addition to enhancing productive performance. So, this study examined how linseed (flaxseed) and canola oils with various levels can affect lipid metabolism, immune function, and the amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in Japanese quail eggs. This work was conducted using 3 different vegetable oils (sunflower, linseed, and canola oils) and 3 different antioxidant supplements (0, 250 mg vitamin E/kg feed, and 1,000 mg ginger/kg feed) in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment. When linseed or canola oil was added to the diet, the number of fatty acids in the egg yolks of Japanese quail layers fell by (12.7 and 18.9%) and (41.4 and 24.6%), respectively. The amounts of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in total eggs fell by 21.9 and 14.6% and 24.5 and 15.8%, respectively, at 20 wk of age. However, when linseed and canola oil were added to the diet, the sum n-3 PUFA content in the egg yolk of Japanese quail-laying hens was noticeably raised at 15 and 20 wk of age. At 15 and 20 wk of age, the same groups' total n-6 PUFA content considerably increased compared to the group that did not receive flaxseed. In conclusion, during the laying period of Japanese quail, linseed oil, canola oil, vitamin E, or ginger positively affected productivity, blood hematology, constituents, resistance, lipid digestion system, and antioxidative properties in serum and egg yolk.

The consumption of dietary supplements in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Objectives: People frequently utilize dietary supplements (DS), notably during the COVID-19 epidemic, despite the lack of data supporting their usefulness and safety in enhancing general health. This study aimed to measure the consumption of DS in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19. Previous studies focused on using dietary supplements for preventing or reducing mental health. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1572 participants aged 18-65, from all-over Saudi Arabia who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire to measure the consumption of supplements during the pandemic lockdown period. Also, it investigates the factor that effect supplements consumption. Results: Around 63% of the participants did not change their consumption patterns during the pandemic, while 16% consumed more and 21.4% consumed fewer supplements during the pandemic. The most commonly used supplements were iron; calcium, especially among pregnant women; omega-3, especially in people older than 65 years; and vitamin D. Females (81%; P < 0.002); age (94.7%; P < 0.002); married people (84%; P < 0.001); those with a higher educational level (83.9%; P = 0.02); those with a higher monthly income (86.1%; P = 0.006); and pregnant women (100%; P < 0.007) reported the highest rates of consumption. Conclusion: Dietary supplements have recently become popular in Saudi Arabia, but large differences remain between Saudis in their consumption of supplements. Additional research should be conducted to examine the level of knowledge of dietary supplements among Saudi population.

The efficacy of polyphenols as an antioxidant agent: An updated review.

Global production of the two major poultry products, meat and eggs, has increased quickly. This, in turn, indicates both the relatively low cost and the customers' desire for these secure and high-quality products. Natural feed additives have become increasingly popular to preserve and enhance the health and productivity of poultry and livestock. We consume a lot of polyphenols, which are a kind of micronutrient. These are phytochemicals with positive effects on cardiovascular, cognitive, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, anti-tumor, anti-pathogen, a catalyst for growth, and immunomodulating functions, among extra health advantages. Furthermore, high quantities of polyphenols have unknown and occasionally unfavorable impacts on the digestive tract health, nutrient assimilation, the activity of digestive enzymes, vitamin and mineral assimilation, the performance of the laying hens, and the quality of the eggs. This review clarifies the numerous sources, categories, biological functions, potential limitations on usage, and effects of polyphenols on poultry performance, egg composition, exterior and interior quality traits.

The effect of bariatric surgery on dietary Behaviour, dietary recommendation Adherence, and micronutrient deficiencies one year after surgery.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which might be augmented by low adherence to dietary guidelines and inappropriate dietary behaviours. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of BS on eating behaviour, prevalence of nutrient deficiency, level of commitment to diet, and lifestyle recommendations one-year post-BS. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients who underwent BS in 2019 and had follow-up for a year. Age, gender, and clinical data were collected from the hospital system and other information was obtained from questionnaires during phone interviews. A total of 160 patients participated in the study. At 12 months, a significant increase from the baseline values in plasma levels of vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, iron, corrected calcium, albumin, CRP, and MCV, as well as a significant decrease in BMI was observed. Adherence to dietary and lifestyle recommendations was moderate to high. Emotional, and restrained eating behaviours were moderate with 64.4%, and 77.5%, respectively. External eating was low at 58.1%. The study concluded that pre-and post-bariatric surgery nutrients should be closely monitored.

Growth performance, liver and kidney functions, blood hormonal profile, and economic efficiency of broilers fed different levels of threonine supplementation during feed restriction.

The objective of the existing investigation was to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of threonine amino acid at different levels during feed restriction on growth indices, liver and kidney function parameters, and some hormonal profiles along with economic indicators in broiler chickens. A total of 1,600 from 2 different breeds (800 Ross 308 and 800 Indian River) at 21-day-old age were incorporated. Chicks were randomly assigned into 2 main groups, control and feed-restricted (8 h/d), during the fourth week of age. Each main group was subdivided into 4 groups. The first group was fed a basal diet without adding extra threonine (100%), the second, third, and fourth groups were fed a basal diet with extra threonine levels of 110, 120, and 130%, respectively. Each subgroup consisted of 10 replicates of 10 birds. We noticed that the dietary inclusion of threonine at extra levels in the basal diets significantly enhanced final body weight, body weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio. This was mainly due to the enhanced levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Moreover, the lowest feed cost per kilogram body weight gain and improved return parameters were reported in control and feed-restricted birds fed higher levels of threonine than other groups. Also, a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and urea levels was observed in feed-restricted birds supplemented with 120 and 130% levels of threonine. Hence, we recommend supplementing threonine at levels of 120 and 130% in the diet of broilers to promote growth and profitability.

Effects of feeding maize hydroponic fodder on growth performance, nitrogen balance, nutrient digestibility, hematology, and blood metabolites of water buffalo calves.

Background: A hydroponic feeding system enables more effective utilization of the entire plant than typical grazing, which only consumes the plant's shoot. Aim: This study evaluated the effects of feeding maize hydroponic fodder on growth performance, nitrogen balance, nutrient digestibility, hematology, and blood metabolites of buffalo calves. Methods: Twelve water buffalo calves, weighing an average of 112 ± 1.18 kg and between 8 and 10 months old, were divided into three treatments, each with four calves. Each group received one of the treatment diets: T1: the basal diet (BD) at 100%; T2: the BD plus hydroponic feed meal (HFM) at 80%: 20%; and T3: the BD plus HFM at 60%: 40%. For 100 days, each animal was fed ad libitum; the first ten days were used for nutritional adaptation, and the final ten days were used for collection. In addition to their BD, each animal received 200 g/day of a normal concentrate mixture to meet their maintenance needs. The BD included Green Hay (Lucerne) 80% and Wheat straw 20%. Each animal's daily feed consumption was noted. Calves were weighed biweekly to track growth. Upon completion of the experiment, blood samples were obtained. Results: The amount of dry matter (DM) consumed by ruminants fed diets, including hydroponic fodder, was considerably higher (p < 0.05). Similar trends were seen in crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber intake. Ingesting of CP was highest in animals fed T3. Animals fed diets comprising BD 60% + HFM 40% had the highest levels of DM and CP digestibility. Animals fed the T3 diet (BD 60% + HFM 40%) showed the best feed conversion values (p ˂ 0.05). Blood metabolites like blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose showed non-significant variations in all experimental animals. In hematology, a similar trend was seen. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be said that supplementing the diet with more HFM helped growing buffalo calves gain weight, have a lower feed consumption ratio, and digest their food more efficiently.

Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Metabolic Syndrome, Framingham Risk Scores and Thyroid Function during One-Year Follow-Up: A Saudi Retrospective Study.

Bariatric surgery (BS) has been demonstrated to achieve sustained weight loss with significant metabolic improvement, including a reduction in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this retrospective study is to measure the effect of BS on the Framingham risk score (FRS) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Additionally, we determine the effect of BS on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) among euthyroid obese patients. A retrospective follow-up study was conducted at King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 160 patients underwent BS and completed one-year follow-up visits. Medical history, anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters were evaluated at baseline and 3−12 months after BS. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to diagnose MetS. There was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), glycated hemoglobin (Hba1c), TSH, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and total cholesterol (p < 0.001). A significant decrease was seen in MetS, BMI, FRS, SBP, DBP, Hba1c, LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver enzymes, with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein levels 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). At 12 months, the prevalence of MetS, DM, and HTN and the FRS significantly decreased from 72.5%, 43.1%, 78.1%, and 11.4 to 16.3%, 9.4%, 22.5%, and 5.4, respectively. In addition to achieving substantial weight loss, BS improves MetS prevalence and cardiovascular risk profiles.