This accessibly written, comprehensive summary of research findings on the gut microbiome and its implications for health and disease–a topic of growing interest and concern–serves as an essential ...resource for teachers and students. Most people know that the digestive tract contains billions of helpful gut bacteria, but how does the gut microbiome affect our health? What exactly do these bacteria do, and what are the negative effects when these microorganisms are harmed by what we eat and do? What impacts might they have on conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, and autism? This book provides an accessible, holistic introduction to the study of the human gut microbiome and its effects on digestion and disease–one of the newest and most rapidly expanding fields in medicine today. The gut microbiome is known as "the forgotten organ" because it is not identified as part of the human body per se, yet it has an immense influence on many systems in the body. The Gut Microbiome: Exploring the Connection between Microbes, Diet, and Health explains what the microbiome is, the many functions it serves, how it can be either harmed or supported by our actions, and the role it may play in various diseases and in determining our overall health. The book examines the various potential causes of imbalance in the microbiome, such as diet and other lifestyle factors, and then identifies strategies for improving human health by protecting the gut microbiota. The science-based information is detailed but accessible to general readers or students without extensive background knowledge.
The literature indicates that pediatric malnutrition is more common than the number of times it is actually diagnosed. A new pediatric malnutrition definition is now available with criteria to make ...the diagnosis. If pediatric malnutrition is present, it should be diagnosed for financial, educational, and research purposes as well as the effects on patient development and mortality. These reasons extend beyond the health of an individual patient to potential impacts on society as a whole. When all of these reasons are examined and added, making the diagnosis of pediatric malnutrition becomes an obligation of the pediatric caregiver.
Nutritional support of surgical and critically ill patients has undergone significant advances since 1936 when Studley demonstrated a direct relationship between pre-operative weight loss and ...operative mortality. The advent of total parenteral nutrition followed by the extraordinary progress in parenteral and enteral feedings, in addition to the increased knowledge of cellular biology and biochemistry, have allowed clinicians to treat malnutrition and improve surgical patient's outcomes. We reviewed the literature for the current status of perioperative nutrition comparing parenteral nutrition with enteral nutrition. In a surgical patient with established malnutrition, nutritional support should begin at least 7-10 days prior to surgery. Those patients in whom eating is not anticipated beyond the first five days following surgery should receive the benefits of early enteral or parenteral feeding depending on whether the gut can be used. Compared to parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition is associated with fewer complications, a decrease in the length of hospital stay, and a favorable cost-benefit analysis. In addition, many patients may benefit from newer enteral formulations such as Immunonutrition as well as disease-specific formulations.
Polyphenols found in food is a potential modifiable factor in disease prevention, especially when it comes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol intake ...from fruits and vegetables (FV) in patients at King of Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its association with vascular risk biomarkers.BACKGROUNDPolyphenols found in food is a potential modifiable factor in disease prevention, especially when it comes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol intake from fruits and vegetables (FV) in patients at King of Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its association with vascular risk biomarkers.A cross-sectional study was done on 151 adult patients with at least one CVD risk factor. Data about demographics, smoking status, physical activity, height and weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), disease history, current disease (CD), and amount of polyphenol intake (mg/100 g) from rich polyphenol FV sources were collected.METHODSA cross-sectional study was done on 151 adult patients with at least one CVD risk factor. Data about demographics, smoking status, physical activity, height and weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), disease history, current disease (CD), and amount of polyphenol intake (mg/100 g) from rich polyphenol FV sources were collected.Of the participants, 127 (84.1%) were females, 49 (32.5%) had an age ranging from 45 to 54 years, and 110 (72.8%) were married. Of them, 54 (35.8%) had a bachelor's education, and 64 (42.4%) were employed. Moreover, 89 (59.3%) were physically inactive, 18 (11.9%) were smokers, 105 (69.5%) were obese, 116 (76.9%) had high WC, and 103 (68.2%), 109 (72.2%), and 90 (59.6%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia, respectively. The mean total polyphenol consumption/gm was significantly higher among older and married participants, and patients with HTN had a significantly lower mean total polyphenol consumption/gm. A significant positive correlation was found between the total polyphenol consumption/gm and participants' age.RESULTSOf the participants, 127 (84.1%) were females, 49 (32.5%) had an age ranging from 45 to 54 years, and 110 (72.8%) were married. Of them, 54 (35.8%) had a bachelor's education, and 64 (42.4%) were employed. Moreover, 89 (59.3%) were physically inactive, 18 (11.9%) were smokers, 105 (69.5%) were obese, 116 (76.9%) had high WC, and 103 (68.2%), 109 (72.2%), and 90 (59.6%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia, respectively. The mean total polyphenol consumption/gm was significantly higher among older and married participants, and patients with HTN had a significantly lower mean total polyphenol consumption/gm. A significant positive correlation was found between the total polyphenol consumption/gm and participants' age.The consumption of polyphenols was associated with age, marital status, and blood pressure. Polyphenols from FV may have a preventive effect against cardiovascular illnesses. Including a range of foods high in polyphenols in a balanced diet is still a potential way to support cardiovascular health.CONCLUSIONThe consumption of polyphenols was associated with age, marital status, and blood pressure. Polyphenols from FV may have a preventive effect against cardiovascular illnesses. Including a range of foods high in polyphenols in a balanced diet is still a potential way to support cardiovascular health.
The concept of precision nutrition highlights the customization of nutrition to specific needs, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is not sufficient for either optimal nutrition or optimal ...health. Precision nutrition encompasses a range of factors, from broad strata of age and sex categories to personal characteristics such as lifestyle to an individual's unique genotype. This breadth of scope requires us to consider how precision nutrition can be implemented in an inclusive and appropriate way for individuals and groups within real-life populations. In this narrative review, we explore the potential of precision nutrition through a life-stage approach that emphasizes age- and gender-specific nutritional needs as these change across the lifespan. Focusing on adult life stages, we delineated trends in age-related conditions and health needs among Korean adults based on national-level survey data (KNHANES 2019-2021). We also reviewed the intake of nutrients associated with these health needs to better understand how life-stage guided approaches to nutrition and supplementation could support optimal health. Looking beyond preventing deficiency or disease, we discuss how tailored supplementation of essential vitamins, minerals, and certain bioactive substances could promote healthy functioning. Finally, we discuss the complexities and challenges of developing multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS) to support life-stage appropriate nutrition while maximizing adherence. Future prospects include leveraging advancements in intelligent technologies and dietary assessments for tracking nutrient intake and health indicators and using these to optimize MVMS formulations in ways that are sensitive to a person's needs and priorities/preferences at different life stages. By adopting a life-stage guided approach to nutrition, we can better support health and well-being across the lifespan.The concept of precision nutrition highlights the customization of nutrition to specific needs, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is not sufficient for either optimal nutrition or optimal health. Precision nutrition encompasses a range of factors, from broad strata of age and sex categories to personal characteristics such as lifestyle to an individual's unique genotype. This breadth of scope requires us to consider how precision nutrition can be implemented in an inclusive and appropriate way for individuals and groups within real-life populations. In this narrative review, we explore the potential of precision nutrition through a life-stage approach that emphasizes age- and gender-specific nutritional needs as these change across the lifespan. Focusing on adult life stages, we delineated trends in age-related conditions and health needs among Korean adults based on national-level survey data (KNHANES 2019-2021). We also reviewed the intake of nutrients associated with these health needs to better understand how life-stage guided approaches to nutrition and supplementation could support optimal health. Looking beyond preventing deficiency or disease, we discuss how tailored supplementation of essential vitamins, minerals, and certain bioactive substances could promote healthy functioning. Finally, we discuss the complexities and challenges of developing multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS) to support life-stage appropriate nutrition while maximizing adherence. Future prospects include leveraging advancements in intelligent technologies and dietary assessments for tracking nutrient intake and health indicators and using these to optimize MVMS formulations in ways that are sensitive to a person's needs and priorities/preferences at different life stages. By adopting a life-stage guided approach to nutrition, we can better support health and well-being across the lifespan.