Individuals with coeliac disease (CeD) often experience gastrointestinal symptoms despite adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). While we recently showed that a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) successfully provided symptom relief in GFD-treated CeD patients, there have been concerns that the low FODMAP diet (LFD) could adversely affect the gut microbiota. Our main objective was therefore to investigate whether the LFD affects the faecal microbiota and related variables of gut health. In a randomised controlled trial GFD-treated CeD adults, having persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, were randomised to either consume a combined LFD and GFD (n 39) for 4 weeks or continue with GFD (controls, n 36). Compared with the control group, the LFD group displayed greater changes in the overall faecal microbiota profile (16S rRNA gene sequencing) from baseline to follow-up (within-subject β-diversity, P < 0·001), characterised by lower and higher follow-up abundances (%) of genus Anaerostipes (Pgroup < 0·001) and class Erysipelotrichia (Pgroup = 0·02), respectively. Compared with the control group, the LFD led to lower follow-up concentrations of faecal propionic and valeric acid (GC-FID) in participants with high concentrations at baseline (Pinteraction ≤ 0·009). No differences were found in faecal bacterial α-diversity (Pgroup ≥ 0·20) or in faecal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (ELISA), a biomarker of gut integrity and inflammation (Pgroup = 0·74), between the groups at follow-up. The modest effects of the LFD on the gut microbiota and related variables in the CeD patients of the present study are encouraging given the beneficial effects of the LFD strategy to treat functional GI symptoms (Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03678935).

Diarrhoea is common in enterally fed patients and can impact their nutritional and overall outcomes. This meta-analysis evaluates the potential benefits of fibre-supplemented (FS) feeds on incidence of diarrhoea and stool frequency in non-critically ill tube-fed adults. Databases including PubMed, Embase and CINAHL with full text were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCT) with adults on exclusive tube feeding, published until August 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used for quality assessment. Studies with published results on incidence of diarrhoea and stool frequency were analysed using RevMan 5. Thirteen RCT with 847 non-critically ill patients between 20 and 90 years old without diarrhoea at the onset of enteral feeding were included. Study duration ranged from 3 to 35 d. Nine papers investigated the incidence of diarrhoea where intervention group was given FS and control was given non-fibre-supplemented (NFS) enteral feeds. Those receiving FS feeds were significantly less likely to experience diarrhoea as compared with those using NFS feeds (OR 0·44; 95 % CI 0·20, 0·95; P = 0·04; I2 = 71 %). Combined analysis showed no differences in stool frequency in those receiving NFS feeds (SMD 0·32; 95 % CI −0·53, 1·16; P = 0·47; I2 = 90 %). Results should be interpreted with caution due to considerable heterogeneity between study population, assessment tool for diarrhoea, potential conflict of interest and short duration of studies. This meta-analysis shows that FS feeds can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea in non-critically ill adults; however, the effects of stool frequency remain debatable.

We previously reported that the addition of a specified mulberry fruit extract (MFE) to rice consistently reduces post-prandial glycaemic (PPG) and post-prandial insulinemic (PPI) responses. This research tested whether this effect generalises to a broad range of rice types, reflecting the wide variation in rice characteristics known to influence glycaemic responses. In a randomised, balanced, partial factorial crossover design, Sona Masoori (SM), Bora Saul (BS), Gobindobogh (Gb) and Banskati (Bn) rices were tested with and without 0·37 g MFE. Healthy, normal-weight Indian adults (N 120) each consumed four of the eight possible boiled rice meals, all containing about 50 g available carbohydrate. The primary outcome was the effect of MFE on PPG, expressed as the percentage change in the positive, incremental AUC over 2 h. The mean effect of MFE on PPG for all rice types combined was −11·4 % (P < 0·003). The reduction in PPG was in a qualitatively similar range for all rice types (–9·8 to −15·1 %), and this was statistically significant for Bn. MFE also reduced the corresponding PPI response to all rice types combined by a mean of 10·1 % (P < 0·001; range −6·1 to −13·4 %), and the reduction in PPI was statistically significant for SM, Gb and BS. In conclusion, addition of 0·37 g MFE modestly reduced PPG and PPI responses to rices in general, and the effects were statistically significant for specific rice types.

Food-based dietary guidelines have been the basis of public health recommendations for over half a century, but more recently, there has been a trend to classify the health properties of food not by its nutrient composition, but by the degree to which it has been processed. This concept has been supported by many association studies, narrative reviews and the findings from one randomised controlled feeding trial, which demonstrated the sustained effect of ultra-processed diets on increasing both energy intake and body weight. This has led to widespread speculation as to specific features of ultra-processed foods that promote increased energy intakes. Rising interest in the ultra-processed topic has led to proposals to include guidance and restrictions on the consumption of processed foods in national dietary guidelines, with some countries encouraging consumers to avoid highly processed foods completely, and only choose minimally processed foods. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the role of processed foods in human health when faced with the challenges of securing the food supply for a growing global population, that is, healthy, affordable and sustainable. There has also been criticism of the subjective nature of definitions used to differentiate foods by their degree of processing, and there is currently a lack of empirical data to support a clear mechanism by which highly processed foods promote greater energy intakes. Recommendations to avoid all highly processed foods are potentially harmful if they remove affordable sources of nutrients and will be impractical for most when an estimated two-thirds of current energy purchased are from processed or ultra-processed foods. The current review highlights some considerations when interpreting the dietary association studies that link processed food intake to health and offers a critique on some of the mechanisms proposed to explain the link between ultra-processed food and poor health. Recent research suggests a combination of higher energy density and faster meal eating rates are likely to influence meal size and energy intakes from processed foods and offers new perspectives on how to manage this in the future. In going beyond the ultra-processed debate, the aim is to summarise some important considerations when interpreting existing data and identify the important gaps for future research on the role of processed food in health.

On a global basis, 144 million people are stunted, and in Ethiopia, it remains a major public health problem. A limited number of studies have been conducted at the national level and in the study area to generate information on stunting at birth. The present study investigated the magnitude and predictors of stunting among newborns delivered at the Public Hospitals of Hawassa City, Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2021 among mothers and newborns (N 371). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with the mother in a waiting room after the delivery of the child at the hospital. Newborn length and weight were measured and converted to length-for-age Z-score using WHO standards. The prevalence of stunting at birth (35⋅6 %) and low birth weight (24⋅6 %) were high. In the adjusted model, factors significantly associated with stunting were birth interval <2 years, low birth weight, inadequate dietary diversity and food insecurity (P < 0⋅01) mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of mother <23 cm (P < 0⋅05). The high magnitude of stunting and low birth weight calls all stakeholders and nutrition actors to work on preventing maternal undernutrition and improving their dietary practice through nutrition education. It is also recommended to mitigate food insecurity with evidence-based interventions using a combination of measures. Additionally improving maternal health services including family spacing was recommended to reduce stunting and low birth weight among newborns in the study area.

The present study aimed to develop an isotope protocol to achieve equilibrium of 13CO2 in breath of cats during carbon oxidation studies using L-[1-13C]-Phenylalanine (L-[1-13C]-Phe), provided orally in repeated meals. One adult male cat was used in two experiments. In each experiment, three isotope protocols were tested in triplicate using the same cat. During carbon oxidation study days, the cat was offered thirteen small meals to achieve and maintain a physiological fed state. In experiment 1, the isotope protocols tested (A, B and C) had a similar priming dose of NaH13CO3 (0⋅176 mg/kg; offered in meal 6), but different priming [4⋅8 mg/kg (A) or 9⋅4 mg/kg (B and C); provided in meal 6] and constant [1⋅04 mg/kg (A and B) or 2⋅4 mg/kg (C); offered in meals 6–13] doses of L-[1-13C]-Phe. In experiment 2, the isotope protocols tested (D, E and F) had similar priming (4⋅8 mg/kg; provided in meal 5) and constant (1⋅04 mg/kg; provided in meals 5–13) doses of L-[1-13C]-Phe, but increasing priming doses of NaH13CO3 (D: 0⋅264, E: 0⋅352, F: 0⋅44 mg/kg; provided in meal 4). Breath samples were collected using respiration chambers (25-min intervals) and CO2 trapping to determine 13CO2:12CO2. Isotopic steady state was defined as the enrichment of 13CO2, above background samples, remaining constant in at least the last three samples. Treatment F resulted in the earliest achievement of 13CO2 steady state in the cat's breath. This feeding and isotope protocol can be used in future studies aiming to study amino acid metabolism in cats.

As interest in Australian native products continues to grow worldwide, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (First Peoples) are striving to be industry leaders in the production of their traditional foods that are being developed for commercial markets. To successfully gain market approval both within Australia and globally, food regulatory authorities require at least a documented history of safe use to indicate dietary safety. Moreover, many countries also require compositional analysis and safety data to further support their safe human consumption. However, safety data are lacking for many of these traditional food items and the history that surrounds their safe use has rarely been recorded in written form, but rather passed on through cultural practices and language. This review evaluates the suitability of current frameworks for assessing the dietary safety of traditional foods and highlights the food-safety regulatory hurdles currently felt by First Peoples and their businesses attempting to enter the Australian native foods industry. These issues also extend to the requirements of food regulatory authorities around the world, when assessing the market eligibility of traditional food items. Potential solutions to these problems are discussed, including new proposed processes that can be incorporated into the current food regulatory frameworks. Importantly, these proposed processes would allow the dietary risk assessment of traditional foods to be completed in a manner that better accommodates the stories, traditional knowledge and interests of First Peoples, while also meeting the safety data requirements set out by regulatory bodies both within Australia and around the world.

Se deficiency causes impaired growth of fish skeletal muscle due to the retarded hypertrophy of muscle fibres. However, the inner mechanisms remain unclear. According to our previous researches, we infer this phenomenon is associated with Se deficiency-induced high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could suppress the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway-mediated protein synthesis by inhibiting protein kinase B (Akt), an upstream protein of TORC1. To test this hypothesis, juvenile zebrafish (45 d post-fertilisation) were fed a basal Se-adequate diet or a basal Se-deficient diet or them supplemented with an antioxidant (DL-α-tocopherol acetate, designed as VE) or a TOR activator (MHY1485) for 30 d. Zebrafish fed Se-deficient diets exhibited a clear Se-deficient status in skeletal muscle, which was not influenced by dietary VE and MHY1485. Se deficiency significantly elevated ROS concentrations, inhibited Akt activity and TORC1 pathway, suppressed protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, and impaired hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibres. However, these negative effects of Se deficiency were partly (except that on ROS concentration) alleviated by dietary MHY1485 and completely alleviated by dietary VE. These data strongly support our speculation that Se deficiency-induced high concentration of ROS exerts a clear inhibiting effect on TORC1 pathway-mediated protein synthesis by regulating Akt activity, thereby restricting the hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibres in fish. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for Se deficiency-caused retardation of fish skeletal muscle growth, contributing to a better understanding of the nutritional necessity and regulatory mechanisms of Se in fish muscle physiology.

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is vital for both maternal and child health. Our objective was to explore if prenatal diet is associated with children’s height and body fat. Nutrient intake was assessed through a FFQ from 808 pregnant women and summarised to a nutrition index, ‘My Nutrition Index’ (MNI). The association with children’s height and body fat (bioimpedance) was assessed with linear regression models. Secondary analysis was performed with BMI, trunk fat and skinfolds. Overall, higher MNI score was associated with greater height (β = 0·47; (95 % CI 0·00, 0·94), among both sexes. Among boys, higher MNI was associated with 0·15 higher BMI z-scores, 0·12 body fat z-scores, 0·11 trunk fat z-scores, and larger triceps, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds (β = 0·05 and β = 0·06; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0·05). Among girls, the opposite associations were found with 0·12 lower trunk fat z-scores, and smaller subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds (β = −0·07 and β = −0·10; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0·05). For skinfold measures, this would represent a ± 1·0 millimetres difference. Unexpectedly, a prenatal diet in line with recommended nutrient intake was associated with higher measures of body fat for boys and opposite to girls at a pre-pubertal stage of development.

This study evaluated the association between maternal magnesium intake (MMI) and childhood wheezing incidence in 3-year-old offspring. We hypothesised that higher MMI imparts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that decrease childhood wheezing incidence in offspring. Data of 79 907 women (singleton pregnancy, ≥ 22 weeks) from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (enrolled between 2011 and 2014) were analysed. Participants were categorised into quintiles of MMI (< 148·00, 148·00–187·99, 188·00–228·99, 229·00–289·99 and ≥ 290·00 mg/d), quintiles of adjusted MMI for daily energy intake (aMMI) (< 0·107, 0·107–0·119, 0·120–0·132, 0·133–0·149 and ≥ 0·150 mg/kcal) and MMI levels either below or above the ideal value (< 310·00 or ≥ 310·00 mg/d). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate OR for the incidence of childhood wheezing in offspring among participants in each MMI category, with the lowest MMI group considered the reference group. Maternal demographic, socio-economic, medical and other nutrient intake backgrounds were considered potential confounding factors. The adjusted OR (aOR) for childhood wheezing in the offspring of women with the highest MMI was 1·09 (95 % CI, 1·00, 1·20), whereas that calculated based on aMMI categories and offspring of women with above-ideal MMI levels remained unchanged. The highest MMI was associated with slightly increased childhood wheezing incidence in the offspring. MMI during pregnancy had an insignificant clinical impact on this incidence; moreover, modifying MMI would not significantly improve childhood wheezing incidence in offspring. Therefore, further studies should clarify the association between other prenatal factors and childhood wheezing incidence in offspring.