In view of the increasing demand for plant-based protein alternatives, along with the increased protein requirements of older adults, the formulation of new food concepts based on protein-rich ingredients from legumes or pseudo-cereals seems a promising approach. Previous studies have found that solid-state fermentation can improve the nutritional value and digestibility of plant-based commodities; however, scarce evidence exists regarding the effect on prebiotic potential. This study aimed to compare the effect of fermented and unfermented quinoa and lentil flours on the colonic microbiota, as well as that of new food prototypes (gels and breads) made with the flours.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/objectives: Early life gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in shaping immunity, metabolism, and overall health outcomes. This is relevant in healthy infants but may be even more crucial in infants with chronic devastating diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). While the introduction of solid foods in healthy infants modifies the composition of colonic microbiota, less knowledge is available on those with CF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: The increase in the older adult population worldwide and the need to switch to vegetal-origin protein consumption for environmental sustainability point to legumes and pseudocereals as alternative ingredients in new food formulations. This study aimed to assess the impact of food structure and fungal fermentation on the digestibility of new food prototypes made with quinoa and/or lentil flours addressed to older adults. : Four gels and six breads were elaborated and subjected to mechanical analysis and simulated gastrointestinal in vitro digestion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScope: Human milk (HM) is rich in bioactive compounds and essential nutrients. While research has focused on lipids, minerals, immune markers, microbiota, and oligosaccharides, specific metabolites are less studied. This study uses targeted metabolomics to identify and quantify metabolites in HM and explores the impact of perinatal and dietary factors on the metabolomic profile.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) are more likely to have intestinal dysbiosis due to recurrent antibiotic therapy and the conventional hypercaloric diet administered to them. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of isolated prebiotic components and probiotic strains, and their combinations as potential synbiotics, on the intestinal microbiota of CF children. A static colonic fermentation model was used by colonizing vials with faecal inoculum, a culture medium, and the substrates to be tested.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Fat malabsorption in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to poor nutritional status and altered colonic microbiota. This study aimed at establishing the faecal lipid profile in children with CF, and exploring associations between the faecal lipidome and microbiota.
Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with children with CF and an age-matched control group.
A "high-fat, high-energy diet" is commonly recommended for children with cystic fibrosis (CF), leading to negative consequences on dietary patterns that could contribute to altered colonic microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess dietary intake and to identify possible associations with the composition of faecal microbiota in a cohort of children with CF. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, including a 3-day food record simultaneously with the collection of faecal samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Intestinal inflammation with contradictory data on faecal calprotectin (fCP) levels is documented in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to longitudinally evaluate fCP in a cohort of children with CF and their relationship with clinical variables.
Design: Prospective observational study to assess evolution of fCP levels, primary aimed at improving fat absorption.
Background: Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) present with gut dysbiosis, and current evidence impedes robust recommendations on the use of prebiotics. This study aimed at establishing the prebiotic potential of a commercial beta-glucan on the in vitro colonic microbiota of a child with CF compared to a healthy counterpart (H).
Methods: A dynamic simulator of colonic fermentation (twin-SHIME® model) was set up including the simulation of the proximal (PC) and distal colon (DC) of the CF and the H subjects by colonizing the bioreactors with faecal microbiota.
Cystic Fibrosis-related gut dysbiosis (CFRGD) has become a recognised complication in children with this condition, and current evidence remains insufficient to guide the selection of probiotic strains for supplementation treatments. The aim of this study was to characterise the effect of three probiotic strains on CFRGD by means of a dynamic in vitro simulation of the colonic fermentation (SHIME). The configuration of the system included three bioreactors colonised with the faecal inoculum of a child with cystic fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroalgae contain a diverse range of high-value compounds that can be utilized directly or fractionated to obtain components with even greater value-added potential. With the use of microalgae for food and medical purposes, there is a growing interest in their digestive properties and impact on human gut health. The extraction, separation, and purification of these components are key processes in the industrial application of microalgae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: low evidence on the dose of enzymatic supplements used in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is available.
Aim: assessing if fat, protein and starch absorption could be related to the dose of the enzymatic supplement, the intra-patient variability in the dose and macronutrient intake.
Methods: Four-day food records and 3-day faecal samples were prospectively collected in 69 children with cystic fibrosis.
The impact of Spirulina, Chlorella and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (P. tricornutum) microalgal extracts obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, microbial growth and in vitro gut microbiota composition was evaluated. PLE, compared to conventional extraction, led to a significant (p < 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDigestion and the absorption of food compounds are necessary steps before nutrients can exert a role in human health. The absorption and utilization of nutrients in the diet is an extremely complex dynamic process. Accurately grasping the digestion and absorption mechanisms of different nutrients or bioactive compounds can provide a better understanding regarding the relationship between health and nutrition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBreastfeeding is key for infant development and growth. Breast milk contains different bioactive compounds including antibodies. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of breast milk SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after maternal infection and vaccination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman milk (HM) is the gold standard for infant nutrition during the first months of life. Beyond its nutritional components, its complex bioactive composition includes microorganisms, their metabolites, and oligosaccharides, which also contribute to gut colonization and immune system maturation. There is growing evidence of the beneficial effects of bacteria present in HM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvaluating the usefulness of intestinal anti-transglutaminase IgA (anti-TG2 IgA) deposits detection as a complementary or decision-supporting tool in the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) in patients with low degree of enteropathy. Small intestinal biopsies (SIB) were performed from 2008 to 2017 in patients on suspicion of CD (positive CD serology and/or symptoms) referred to our Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit. We determined anti-TG2 IgA deposits by using double immunofluorescence in all the patients in whom Marsh 0 or Marsh 1 was detected in the conventional histological study and in a random selection of patients with clearly positive serology and histological Marsh 2-3 lesion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFermentation of plant-based substrates with edible fungi enhances the nutrient profile and digestibility, but it has been scarcely applied to edible seeds, which are rich in healthy lipids. In this study, chia and sesame seeds were solid-state fermented with , followed by drying and milling. Fermentation led to increased content of lipid and protein in both seeds' products, and a change in fatty acid profile in favor of increased polyunsaturated fatty acids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition during the first months of life since it is perfectly adapted to the neonatal nutritional requirements and supports infant growth and development. Human milk contains a complex nutritional and bioactive composition including microorganisms and oligosaccharides which would also contribute to the gut and immune system maturation. Despite the growing evidence, the factors contributing to milk microbes' variations and the potential functions on the infant's gut are still uncovered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-long genetic disease, causing increased energy needs and a healthy diet with a specific nutrient distribution. Nutritional status is an indicator of disease prognosis and survival. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a self-management mobile app in supporting patients with CF to achieve the dietary goals set by the CF nutrition guidelines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSalmon is the main dietary source of omega-3 lipids and contains high-biological value protein. However, processing techniques could affect macronutrient digestibility. Also, altered intestinal conditions, particularly given in pancreatic insufficiency, could threaten digestibility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLentils (Lens culinaris) present an excellent nutrient profile. However, the increasing displacement of legumes from the diet and the possible negative effects of the food matrix and antinutrient factors encourage the application of new strategies to improve nutrient digestibility and to produce food concepts that contribute to the increase of legume consumption. This study approached the solid-state fermentation of lentils with an edible fungus (Pleurotus ostreatus) in order to produce improved lentil flour.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite a large number of clinical trials aiming at evaluating the digital self-management of chronic diseases, there is little discussion about users' experiences with digital approaches. However, a good user experience is a critical factor for technology adoption. Understanding users' experiences can inform the design of approaches toward increased motivation for digital self-management.
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