Serum creatinine as an indicator of lean body mass in vegetarians and omnivores.

Growing numbers of Americans are adopting vegetarian or vegan diets. While risk for some chronic conditions may be lower when following these diets, concern remains over the ability to consume adequate amounts of various nutrients, notably, protein. Knowing that serum creatinine is a reliable marker of muscle mass, this study examined the relationships between serum creatinine, lean body mass (LBM), handgrip strength, and protein intake in healthy vegetarian (n = 55) and omnivorous (n = 27) adults. Significantly higher protein intakes (+31%), LBM (+7%), serum creatinine (+12%) and handgrip strength (+14%) were observed for the omnivore participants compared to vegetarian participants. Positive correlations (p < 0.001) were noted between creatinine and LBM (R2 = 0.42), creatinine and handgrip strength (R2 = 0.41), protein intake and LBM (R2 = 0.29), and handgrip strength and LBM (R2 = 0.69). These data show that serum creatinine concentrations were lower in vegetarian women and men in comparison to their omnivorous counterparts and that serum creatinine concentrations correlate with LBM and strength in healthy adults, regardless of diet.

Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants [shortened version] scores are associated with Healthy Eating Index-2010 scores and other indices of diet quality in healthy adult omnivores and vegetarians.

The Healthy Eating Index-2010 is a measure of diet quality as portrayed by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; however, computing the Healthy Eating Index score is time consuming and requires trained personnel. The Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants [shortened version] is a simple measure that quickly, in less than 10 min, assesses diet quality in a clinical or research setting. This research evaluated the degree of correlation between these two methods of scoring diet quality, as well as between these methods and other indicators of diet quality, including the nutrient density of the diet, the dietary potential renal acid load, urine pH, and plasma vitamin C concentrations. The research design was a secondary data analysis, and participants were healthy adults (n = 81) self-classified as omnivorous, vegetarian, or vegan. Confounding variables were identified and controlled using partial correlations. The two methods of scoring diet quality were significantly correlated (r = 0.227, p = 0.047). Both the Healthy Eating Index and the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants scoring methods were correlated to nutrient density of the diets (r = 0.474 and r = 0.472 respectively, p < 0.001) as well as to the dietary potential renal acid load and urinary pH (r ranging from 0.304-0.341, p ≤ 0.002). The Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants, but not the Healthy Eating Index, was significantly correlated to plasma vitamin C concentrations (r = 0.500, p < 0.001 and 0.192, p = 0.095 respectively). These results in combination with ease of use and low cost suggest that the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants measure is a useful tool for assessing diet quality.

Concept analysis of dietary biculturalism in Filipino immigrants within the context of cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND: Dietary biculturalism is an emerging phenomenon among the Filipino immigrant population. Determining the concept of dietary biculturalism on this specific population will unravel some of the obscurities of emerging dietary patterns within the context of cardiovascular risk. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to provide a concept analysis of dietary biculturalism within the health context of cardiovascular risk using Walker and Avant's method as an organizing framework. METHODS: A detailed literature review was performed on the basis of population specificity (Filipinos) use of dietary patterns as variable and theoretical literary models of acculturation. FINDINGS: The generalizability of published research on this issue is problematic since researchers have not addressed the unhealthy traditional foods component that one may consume in addition to the Western foods. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Nurse researchers should focus on the detrimental effects of unhealthy traditional foods that may be relevant in explaining some of the cardiovascular risk factors affecting this population. Nurses and practitioners should take care to query not only about the frequency of ethnic food consumption, but also types, and amounts among their Filipino patients.

Use of Novel High-Protein Functional Food Products as Part of a Calorie-Restricted Diet to Reduce Insulin Resistance and Increase Lean Body Mass in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Significant reductions in insulin resistance (IR) can be achieved by either calorie restriction or by the increase of lean mass. However, calorie restriction usually results in significant loss of lean mass. A 6-week randomized controlled feeding trial was conducted to determine if a calorie-restricted, high-protein diet (~125 g protein/day consumed evenly throughout the day) using novel functional foods would be more successful for reducing IR in comparison to a conventional diet (~80 g protein/day) with a similar level of calorie restriction. Healthy adults (age 20-75 years; body mass index, 20-42 kg/m²) with raised triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratios were randomly assigned to the control group (CON: test foods prepared using gluten-free commercial pasta and cereal) or to the high-protein group (HPR: test foods prepared using novel high-protein pasta and cereal both rich in wheat gluten). Mean weight loss did not differ between groups (-2.7 ± 2.6 and -3.2 ± 3.0 kg for CON (n = 11) and HPR (n = 10) respectively, p = 0.801); however, the 6-week change in fat-free mass (FFM) differed significantly between groups (-0.5 ± 1.5 and +1.5 ± 3.8 kg for CON and HPR respectively, p = 0.008). IR improved in HPR vs. CON participants (homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance [HOMAIR] change: -1.7 ± 1.4 and -0.7 ± 0.7 respectively; p = 0.020). The change in HOMA-IR was related to the change in FFM among participants (r = -0.511, p = 0.021). Thus, a high-protein diet using novel functional foods combined with modest calorie restriction was 140% more effective for reducing HOMA-IR in healthy adults compared to a lower protein, standard diet with an equal level of calorie restriction.

Plant-Based Nutraceutical Increases Plasma Catalase Activity in Healthy Participants: A Small Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Proof of Concept Trial.

Oxidative stress resulting from dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors is strongly associated with tissue damage and aging. It occurs when there is either an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (i.e., oxidants) or decreased bioavailability of antioxidants that can scavenge them. The objective of this 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled study was to assess the efficacy of a nutraceutical at augmenting antioxidant status. Healthy adults (25-45 y) were randomized to either a treatment group (Product B, n = 23) or a placebo group (control, n = 20). No significant effect of Product B was observed for anthropometric variables or markers of glucose and lipid regulation. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were likewise not altered following the 12-week intervention. Plasma catalase concentrations were significantly elevated following 12 weeks of Product B as compared to the control group (+6.1 vs. -10.3 nmol/min/mL, p = 0.038), whereas other measures of antioxidant capacity were not significantly different between the groups. Product B effectively augmented concentrations of the anti-aging antioxidant catalase in healthy adults.

Comparison of correlates of bone mineral density in individuals adhering to lacto-ovo, vegan, or omnivore diets: a cross-sectional investigation.

Vegetarian diets are associated with factors that may not support bone health, such as low body mass and low intakes of protein; yet, these diets are alkaline, a factor that favors bone mineral density (BMD). This study compared the correlates of BMD in young, non-obese adults consuming meat-based (n = 27), lacto-ovo vegetarian (n = 27), or vegan (n = 28) diets for ≥1 year. A 24 h diet recall, whole body DXA scan, 24 h urine specimen, and fasting blood sample were collected from participants. BMD did not differ significantly between groups. Protein intake was reduced ~30% in individuals consuming lacto-ovo and vegan diets as compared to those consuming meat-based diets (68 ± 24, 69 ± 29, and 97 ± 47 g/day respectively, p = 0.006); yet dietary protein was only associated with BMD for those following vegan diets. Urinary pH was more alkaline in the lacto-ovo and vegan groups versus omnivores (6.5 ± 0.4, 6.7 ± 0.4, and 6.2 ± 0.4 respectively, p = 0.003); yet urinary pH was associated with BMD in omnivores only. These data suggest that plant-based diets are not detrimental to bone in young adults. Moreover, diet prescriptions for bone health may vary among diet groups: increased fruit and vegetable intake for individuals with high meat intakes and increased plant protein intake for individuals who follow a vegetarian diet plan.