Publications by authors named "M A Crimmins"

Article Synopsis
  • Maternal diet significantly impacts the profiles of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), carotenoids, and polyphenols, but individual variability exists due to non-dietary factors influencing these profiles.
  • A pilot study with 16 exclusively breastfeeding women explored the changes in human milk bioactives after following a 4-week meal plan based on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, focusing on the relationship with maternal secretor phenotype (FUT2).
  • Results showed that only women with the secretor phenotype experienced significant changes in certain HMOs and polyphenol metabolites, indicating a complex relationship between maternal diet and milk composition influenced by genetics.
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Introduction: Maternal obesity is associated with increased concentrations of human milk (HM) obesogenic hormones, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oligosaccharides (HMOs) that have been associated with infant growth and adiposity. The objective of this pilot study was to determine if adherence to a Mediterranean meal plan during lactation modulates macronutrients and bioactive molecules in human milk from mothers with obesity.

Methods: Sixteen healthy, exclusively breastfeeding women with obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m) enrolled between 4 and 5 months postpartum.

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The pituitary functions as a master endocrine gland that secretes hormones critical for regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes including reproduction, growth, metabolism and stress responses. The distinct hormone-producing cell lineages within the pituitary display remarkable levels of cell plasticity that allow remodeling of the relative proportions of each hormone-producing cell population to meet organismal demands. The molecular mechanisms governing pituitary cell plasticity have not been fully elucidated.

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Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal feeding method for infants. However, breastfeeding goals are often unmet, especially in mothers with excessive weight. Potential factors associated with unmet goals could be disparities in care for women with higher body mass index (BMI) or mental health symptomology.

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Article Synopsis
  • The goal of the gathering was to bring together experts from various fields to create a research plan focused on the relationship between processed food consumption and the risk of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in the U.S. !*
  • Attendees participated in discussions about the effects of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on health, exploring foundational knowledge, potential mechanisms, and gaps in current research during breakout sessions. !*
  • Six key research questions were developed to guide future studies, addressing topics like improving UPF classification, assessing intake, and understanding environmental influences on UPF consumption. !*
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