•Intakes of micronutrients in 12-wk KD in obese adults were less than reference ranges.•Serum mineral levels remained within reference ranges throughout the intervention.•Serum calcium level ...decreased and was negatively associated with ω-6 intake.•Total antioxidative potential of serum was unchanged during the diet.
A 12-wk ketogenic diet was found to have many beneficial effects in healthy obese adults, but it is not clear if the supply of micronutrients is adequate.
In 35 adult individuals with body mass index >30, the intakes of minerals and their serum levels were analyzed at baseline and at weeks 4 and 12 of the ketogenic diet intervention. The intake of vitamins and serum antioxidative potential were also investigated.
Throughout the diet the intakes of magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium were less than recommended values, but serum levels always remained within the reference range. Nevertheless, the level of calcium decreased significantly (from 2.52 ± 0.10 mmol/L at baseline to 2.36 ± 0.07 mmol/L at week 12, P < 0.001), which could be due to the omission of legumes and reduced dairy intake or because of the high fat intake alone. The levels of phosphate increased concomitantly. Calcium serum levels were negatively associated with ω-6 but not with ω-3 unsaturated fatty acid intake. The intakes of water-soluble vitamins were also too low. However, the antioxidative potential of serum did not change during intervention.
Careful choice of foods that will provide the necessary micronutrients is of utmost importance when consuming ketogenic diet. In the 12 wk study the decreased intakes were not reflected in serum values, but special attention to calcium should be advised if such diet is recommended for longer periods.
The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a model for good health, and is promoted worldwide as one of the healthiest dietary patterns. Despite the MD's health benefits, the literature suggests that ...adherence to the MD tends to be in decline in most populations worldwide, including those in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to investigate adherence to the MD, and its main sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, in the Slovenian population. Using a nationwide cross-sectional food consumption survey (SI.Menu), data were collected from a general questionnaire, from the 14-item MD adherence screener (14-MEDAS score), and from a questionnaire on the dietary habits of 850 adults and elderly people. The mean MEDAS score for the total study sample was 5.6 (SD 2.1), indicating a low adherence to the MD among the Slovenian population. The adherence to the MD was higher among women (OR = 1.534; 95% Cl 1.156-2.034), those with a university degree (OR = 1.527; 1.098-2.125; compared to those with no university degree), those who lived in a suburb or city (OR = 1.511; 1.016-2.249; OR = 1.568; 1.122-2.191; compared with those who lived in a village), non-smokers (OR = 1.561; 1.380-1.830; compared with smokers), and those who lived in the western part of Slovenia (OR = 1.558; 1.170-2.074; compared with those who lived in eastern Slovenia). Adherence to the MD in the Slovenian population is low, and is strongly related to educational level, gender, geographic region, place of residence, and smoking status. The frequency of the consumption of different food groups is also closely related.
The aim of the study is to show the differences between the measured and estimated values of resting energy expenditure and any changes occurring after the 6-month weight loss intervention program.
...We included 33 healthy adults aged 25-49 years with an average body mass index 29.1±2.7 kg/m 2 for female and 29.8±2.8 kg/m
for male. The measured resting energy expenditure was obtained by indirect calorimeter MedGem® Microlife and estimated resting energy expenditure by the Harris-Benedict equation, the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, the Owen equation, the Wright equation, and by the Tanita body composition analyser. All measurements and calculations were carried out before and after the 6-month intervention. Results were compared using paired t-tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
A comparison of the measured resting energy expenditure of female subjects with the estimated resting energy expenditure using the Harris-Benedict equation, the Mifflin-St Jeor equation and the Wright equation showed a statistically significant difference. A comparison of the measured resting energy expenditure of male subjects with the estimated resting energy expenditure using the Harris-Benedict equation and the Wright equation showed a statistically significant difference. There was a significant difference in the measured resting energy expenditure and estimated resting energy expenditure using Tanita.
We concluded that the most comparable equation for our sample was the Owen's equation. After losing weight, the measured resting energy expenditure has decreased, which must be taken into account in further diet therapy.
The purpose of the research was to evaluate the offer of seashell specialties in Slovene Istria restaurants, and to assess food safety knowledge (gained through formal and informal education) as well ...as to assess the behaviour of food handlers in preparing shell dishes. A self-administered questionnaire was designed that included four sections: a demographic section, a general section, a restaurant menu offer, and a food safety section related to preparation of seashell specialties. Seashell specialties were offered in 41 restaurants, of which the employed food handlers 24 attended formal education and 17 informal education. Seashells specialties and seashell menus are commonly part of the culinary and gastronomic specialties along the Slovene coast, with the most frequently offered main dish being 'Blue Mussels alla Busara'. Results the questionnaire indicated poor food safety knowledge and poor behaviour regardless of the (in)formal education of those who prepared the dishes. We propose that formal education for catering workers preparing shell dishes should be much more emphasized.
The ketogenic diet (KD) is being increasingly promoted as a strategy to fight obesity. Although the KD is effective for weight loss and weight control, comprehensive determination of its relationship ...with biochemical, physiological and psychological changes is still largely unexplored. We hypothesized that a 12-week KD (12KD) would significantly affect body weight, physical performance, cognitive function, eating behaviors, the metabolic and hormonal profile in obese adults, although differently in men and women. In an uncontrolled intervention, 35 sedentary obese adults (13 men, 25 women), aged 37 ± 7 years with a BMI 36.1 ± 5.6 kg/m2 underwent a 12KD between March 2017 and June 2017 at the University of Primorska. The 12KD resulted in decreased appetite, significant weight loss of participants (−18 ± 9 kg men vs. -11 ± 3 kg women; P < .001), decreased emotional and external eating (P < .001 for both), increased body image satisfaction (P < .001) and improved physical performance (P < .001). Biochemically, a significant drop in glucose (P = .026), and a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol (P = .031), CRP (P = .007), and BDNF (P = .035) were observed in the first 2 weeks; then, all listed parameters returned to baseline. On the other hand, a significant reduction in insulin (P < .001) and leptin levels (P < .001), and a significant increase in adiponectin (P = .008) and NPY (P = .009) were detected throughout the duration of the 12KD. Our results show the efficacy of the 12KD on weight loss, physical performance, cognitive function, eating behaviors and metabolic profile. However, the long-term effects of a KD on these outcomes needs to be further studied before general recommendations can be made.
Summary
Diet is an important factor in a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. However, with aging it is important to be aware that the diet, due to changed physiology, needs an accordingly adjusted ...and balanced daily regime. This article reviews the field of older population’s nutrition and presents: the most common nutritional disorders, causes, demographics and malnutrition measurement tools. Relevant scientific literature as well as professional Slovenian papers were identified through specific searches with topic-related keywords in EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science and COBISS databases. The results of the identified papers are subsequently discussed in a descriptive narrative. The reviewed literature shows noticeable trends of high proportions of malnutrition among older persons, both globally and in Slovenia: predominantly observed are overnutrition like overweight and obese, but as well, and often unnoticed, undernutrition. The latter is more worrying, as inadequate knowledge in health care institutions regarding nutritional screening tools and measures to prevent drastic forms of undernutrition, seem to facilitate these trends. Though there are many reasons for insufficient food intake in older people, the article formulates considerations that can feed appropriate education and awareness programs, and through correct screening point to timely identification of malnourished individuals and those with risk of malnutrition. The promotion and implementation of such considerations could prevent malnutrition among the older population, reduce the frequency of nutritional disorders and co-morbidities, and generally improve the nutritional status of the older population, thus, provide better quality of health later in life.
Lay Summary
Diet is an important factor in a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. However, with aging it is important to be aware that the diet, due to changed physiology, needs an accordingly adjusted and balanced daily regime. This article reviews the field of older population’s nutrition and presents: the most common nutritional disorders and causes with the limited demographics of malnutrition among the older populations, and several efficient malnutrition measurement tools. The global literature shows noticeable trends of high proportions of malnutrition among older persons, both globally and in Slovenia. Predominantly observed are overnutrition like overweight and obese, but as well, and often unnoticed, undernutrition. The latter is more worrying, as inadequate knowledge in health care institutions regarding nutritional screening tools and measures to prevent drastic forms of undernutrition, seem to facilitate these trends. The article formulates considerations to be implemented in appropriate education and awareness programs, to reduce the frequency of nutritional disorders and co-morbidities, and generally improve the nutritional status of the older population, thus, provide better quality of health later in life.
Nutrigenomics: interaction between certain genetic polymorphisms and a diet The boundary between health and disease is often defined by a complex equilibrium between two elements, genetics and ...lifestyle. The aim of nutrigenomics is to personalize nutrition and its effects on health by tailoring food to the individual genotype. The purpose of this review was to present the interaction between certain genetic polymorphisms and a diet, on the one hand, and increased cardiovascular or cancer risk, on the other. It is well-known that a large number of bioactive food components may provide protection against or increase risk for atherosclerosis and cancer processes. However, these findings are not yet applicable to the clinical environment. The results need to be replicated in various populations, and based on a higher-level scientific evidence. Moreover, the relatively simple scenarios used today (i.e.a single dietary component, a single nucleotide polymorphism and one risk factor) will have to be replaced by more realistic situations involving interactions between multiple genes, dietary components, and risk factors. In summary, well-standardized studies in larger populations will have to be undertaken in the future.
The Slovenian national food consumption survey in adolescents, adults and elderly was a part of the third Slovenian national dietary survey, named SI.Menu 2017/18, with the fieldwork taken place in ...2017‐2018. The methodology of the survey followed the EFSA EU Menu guidance and specifications in the contract. Individuals were randomly selected from the Slovenian Central Register of Population following a two‐stage stratified sampling procedure. Dietary survey sample was at population level representative of gender and age classes (10‐74 years old). The participation rate to the survey was 62 %. For 1319 individuals a fully completed data were collected of which 484 were adolescents, 387 adults and 450 elderly. Data collection period was divided into four quarters (3‐monthly samples) and equal distribution of all week and weekend days in order to incorporate seasonal effects and day‐to‐day variation in food consumption was employed. Information on food consumption was collected with two non‐consecutive 24‐hour dietary recalls (using the OPEN dietary software) by interviews. This was complemented with a food propensity questionnaire. In addition to food consumption data, information concerning eating habits, consumers habits, food allergy, using food supplements, on life‐style, physical activity, socio‐demographic and socio‐economic status, and health was collected. The food consumption data was also coded according to the FoodEx2 classification and will be included in the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database. Body mass and height were measured. In addition, body composition was also measured in adults and elderly by using impedance analyser. Data from the survey will be very valuable for national risk assessments, nutritional studies, assessment of changes in dietary patterns, and the development and evaluation of nutrition or health policies.
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