The impact of leucine supplementation on body composition and glucose tolerance following energy restriction: an 8-week RCT in adults at risk of the metabolic syndrome.

Background: L-Leucine (Leu) supplementation may benefit fat-free mass (FFM) per se and glucose metabolism.

Objectives: To determine whether Leu supplementation during energy restriction blunted the loss of FFM, enhanced the loss of fat mass (FM) and improved glucose tolerance.

Design: Thirty-seven adults, aged 20-65 years, with increased waist circumference and at least one other metabolic syndrome (MetS) component, were selected.

Higher Overall Intakes Are the Defining Feature of Dietary Intakes in NAFLD and Compared to the General Population.

We aimed to compare the dietary intakes of Australian patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to general Australian population intake data and determine whether the intake of any nutrient or food group was able to predict the degree of steatosis. Dietary data from fifty adult patients with NAFLD were compared to intake data from the Australian Health Survey for energy, macronutrients, fat sub-types, alcohol, iron, folate, sugar, fibre, sodium and caffeine. Linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, physical activity and body mass index) were used to examine predictive relationships between hepatic steatosis (quantified via magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and dietary components.

A proinflammatory diet is associated with an increased likelihood of first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination in women.

Background: While a number of studies have examined associations between dietary factors and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), little is known about intakes of inflammation-modulating foods and nutrients and risk of MS.

Objectives: To test associations between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination (FCD) (267 cases, 507 controls) using data from the Ausimmune Study.

Methods: The 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study was a multicentre, matched, case-control study examining environmental risk factors for an FCD, a common precursor to MS.

Omega-3 Index, fish consumption, use of fish oil supplements and first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination.

Higher intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3PUFAs) have been associated with lower MS risk. We aimed to test associations between the Omega-3 Index, blood levels of n3PUFAs, fish oil supplement use, and fish consumption with a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination (FCD). Cases (n = 250) had a higher Omega-3 Index compared with a matched group of controls (n = 471) (average treatment effect (ATE)=0.

High-dose thiamine supplementation may reduce resting energy expenditure in individuals with hyperglycemia: a randomized, double - blind cross-over trial.

Background: Despite the crucial role of thiamine in glucose and energy metabolism pathways, there has been no published study examining the impact of thiamine on energy metabolism in humans.

Objective: To assess the effects of thiamine supplementation on resting energy expenditure (REE) in individuals with hyperglycemia.

Methods: Twelve hyperglycemic patients completed this double-blind, randomized trial, where all participants received both thiamine (300 mg/day) and matched placebo for 6 weeks in a cross-over manner.

Iodine-containing food practices of Western Australian pregnant women and ethnicity: An observational study.

Aims: The Australian Health Survey 2011 to 2013 indicated that Western Australian women had good iodine status, suggesting adequate consumption of iodine from food, however, little is known about pregnant women in this state. The aim was to investigate the iodine-containing food practices of Western Australian pregnant women.

Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at a public tertiary hospital in Perth, Western Australia, were invited to complete a questionnaire investigating consumption of key iodine food sources and knowledge of iodine-containing foods.

Higher fish consumption and lower risk of central nervous system demyelination.

Background/objectives: The evidence for diet as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) is inconclusive. We examined the associations between fish consumption and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), a common precursor to MS.

Methods: The 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study was a case-control study examining environmental risk factors for FCD, with participants recruited from four regions of Australia and matched on age, sex, and study region.

Higher Non-processed Red Meat Consumption Is Associated With a Reduced Risk of Central Nervous System Demyelination.

The evidence associating red meat consumption and risk of multiple sclerosis is inconclusive. We tested associations between red meat consumption and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), often presaging a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. We used food frequency questionnaire data from the 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study, an incident, matched, case-control study examining environmental risk factors for FCD.

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of adults participating in the 2011-2013 Australian Health Survey.

Vitamin D deficiency is recognised as a public health problem globally, and a high prevalence of deficiency has previously been reported in Australia. This study details the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Australian adults aged ≥25 years, using an internationally standardised method to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and identifies demographic and lifestyle factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. We used data from the 2011-2013 Australian Health Survey (n 5034 with complete information on potential predictors and serum 25(OH)D concentrations).

Nutritional outcomes with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: a before and after comparison of 'best practice guidelines' implementation.

Background And Objectives: Malnutrition is prevalent amongst people with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy and can result in reduced tolerance to treatment and increased hospital admissions. Current bestpractice guidelines recommend weekly dietetic review during radiotherapy and fortnightly review for six weeks following radiotherapy to minimize weight loss. The primary aim of this study was to compare percent weight loss during radiotherapy before and after the implementation of weekly dietetic review.

A healthy dietary pattern associates with a lower risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination.

Background: The evidence associating diet and risk of multiple sclerosis is inconclusive.

Objective: We investigated associations between dietary patterns and risk of a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination, a common precursor to multiple sclerosis.

Methods: We used data from the 2003-2006 Ausimmune Study, a case-control study examining environmental risk factors for a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination, with participants matched on age, sex and study region.

Vitamin D Content of Australian Native Food Plants and Australian-Grown Edible Seaweed.

Vitamin D has previously been quantified in some plants and algae, particularly in leaves of the Solanaceae family. We measured the vitamin D content of Australian native food plants and Australian-grown edible seaweed. Using liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, 13 samples (including leaf, fruit, and seed) were analyzed in duplicate for vitamin D₂, vitamin D₃, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₂, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃.

Dietary responses to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis: a qualitative study.

Background/objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease with no known cure and insufficient evidence to support a special therapeutic diet to alter symptom management or disease progression. Several studies have reported dietary changes made by people with MS, but there has been limited investigation into experiences surrounding diet in those recently diagnosed. This study explored responses to diet after a recent diagnosis of MS in people living in Western Australia.

Ad Libitum Mediterranean and Low-Fat Diets Both Significantly Reduce Hepatic Steatosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Although diet-induced weight loss is first-line treatment for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), long-term maintenance is difficult. The optimal diet for improvement in either NAFLD or associated cardiometabolic risk factors, regardless of weight loss, is unknown. We examined the effect of two ad libitum isocaloric diets (Mediterranean [MD] or low fat [LF]) on hepatic steatosis (HS) and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Reported Changes in Dietary Behavior Following a First Clinical Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Demyelination.

Background/objectives: Although the current evidence is insufficient to recommend a special diet for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), dietary advice for people with MS is prolific online and in the media. This study aimed to describe dietary changes made in the year following a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), a common precursor to MS.

Subjects/methods: We used follow-up data from the Ausimmune Study, a multicentre matched case-control study examining the environmental risk factors for a FCD.

Iodine-containing supplement use by pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Western Australia.

Background: Iodine requirements increase during pregnancy and although national recommendations for daily iodine supplementation (150 µg) exist, there is no research related to the uptake of these recommendations by pregnant women in Western Australia.

Aims: To investigate the use of iodine-containing supplements and associations with their use in a sample of Western Australian pregnant women.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in a public tertiary hospital for women and neonates in Perth during 2012 and 2013 (n = 425).

The Prevalence and Predictors of Dietary Supplement Use in the Australian Population.

Current dietary supplement use in Australia is not well described. We investigated the prevalence and predictors of supplement use in the Australian population ( = 19,257) using data from the 2014-2015 National Health Survey. We reported the prevalence of supplement use by sex and age group and investigated the independent predictors of supplement use in adults, adolescents, and children using multiple logistic regression models.

Vitamin D₃ and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D₃ Content of Retail White Fish and Eggs in Australia.

Dietary vitamin D may compensate for inadequate sun exposure; however, there have been few investigations into the vitamin D content of Australian foods. We measured vitamin D₃ and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃) in four species of white fish (barramundi, basa, hoki and king dory), and chicken eggs (cage and free-range), purchased from five Australian cities. Samples included local, imported and wild-caught fish, and eggs of varying size from producers with a range of hen stocking densities.

Feasibility of Assessing Diet with a Mobile Food Record for Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome.

Technology-based methods for assessing diet in those with disability remains largely unexplored. The aim was to assess the feasibility of assessing diet with an image-based mobile food record application (mFR) in 51 adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome (PANDs). Adherence was also assessed with the instruction to include a fiducial marker object in the before and after eating images.

In Pursuit of Vitamin D in Plants.

Vitamin D deficiency is a global concern. Much research has concentrated on the endogenous synthesis of vitamin D in human skin following exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280-315 nm). In many regions of the world there is insufficient UV-B radiation during winter months for adequate vitamin D production, and even when there is sufficient UV-B radiation, lifestyles and concerns about the risks of sun exposure may lead to insufficient exposure and to vitamin D deficiency.

Choline, Its Potential Role in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and the Case for Human and Bacterial Genes.

Our understanding of the impact of poor hepatic choline/phosphatidylcholine availability in promoting the steatosis characteristic of human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently advanced and possibly relates to phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine concentrations in various, membranes as well as cholesterol dysregulation. A role for choline/phosphatidylcholine availability in the progression of NAFLD to liver injury and serious hepatic consequences in some individuals requires further elucidation. There are many reasons for poor choline/phosphatidylcholine availability in the liver, including low intake, estrogen status, and genetic polymorphisms affecting, in particular, the pathway for hepatic de novo phosphatidylcholine synthesis.

Comparing different methods of human breast milk fortification using measured v. assumed macronutrient composition to target reference growth: a randomised controlled trial.

The variable content of human breast milk suggests that its routine fortification may result in sub-optimal nutritional intakes and growth. In a pragmatic trial, we randomised infants born below 30 weeks of gestation to either the intervention (Igp) of fortifying milk on measured composition according to birth weight criteria and postmenstrual age (PMA) or our routine practice (RPgp) of fortifying on assumed milk composition to target 3·8-4·4 g protein/kg per d and 545-629 kJ/kg per d. Milk composition was measured using the MIRIS® Human Milk Analyser.

Assessment of vascular function in individuals with hyperglycemia: a cross-sectional study of glucose - induced changes in digital volume pulse.

Background: Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and its progression may be accelerated in the presence of hyperglycemia, either fasting or postprandial. The current study assessed vascular function in subjects with pre-diabetes hyperglycemia, using digital volume pulse analysis technique.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study examining vascular function in the fasting and postprandial (glucose-induced) state in 44 adults, consisting of 17 subjects with pre-diabetic hyperglycemia and 27 normoglycemic volunteers.

Comparing the effects of sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D insufficiency, and immune and cardio-metabolic function: the Sun Exposure and Vitamin D Supplementation (SEDS) Study.

Background: Adults living in the sunny Australian climate are at high risk of skin cancer, but vitamin D deficiency (defined here as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration of less than 50 nmol/L) is also common. Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for a range of diseases. However, the optimal strategies to achieve and maintain vitamin D adequacy (sun exposure, vitamin D supplementation or both), and whether sun exposure itself has benefits over and above initiating synthesis of vitamin D, remain unclear.