In recent years, many countries have significantly increased military spending, mainly due to geopolitical instability in several regions and the potential risk of armed conflicts spreading worldwide. In this context, understanding the nutritional needs of soldiers in different climates (warm, cold and high altitude) is important and directly impacts the performance and health of soldiers, especially in extreme environments. The amount of liquids, calories, and macro- and micronutrients contained in military rations must be determined considering the type of exercise, duration and environment. Military rations, in addition to being nutritionally adequate, must be practical, sustainable and easy to consume at any temperature and situation. Given these considerations, this study aimed to review scientific knowledge regarding the convenience, sensory attributes and nutritional components of military rations. Furthermore, this review studied the factors influencing soldiers’ appetite, gut microbiota and nutritional needs during training or combat in extreme environments (warm, cold and high altitude). This exploration further advances our understanding of contemporary nutritional strategies for military personnel, contributing to future research and highlighting areas that must be developed.

Pectin is composed of a group of complex polysaccharides that are naturally found in various plants and are associated with a range of beneficial health effects. Health outcomes from dietary pectin can vary depending on botanical origin, dietary dose and structure of pectin. The objective of this scoping review is to build a comprehensive overview of the current evidence available on intervention studies conducted in humans and to better understand the possible knowledge gaps in terms of structure–function relationships across the different health-related effects. PubMed and Embase databases were searched using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, yielding 141 references (from the initial 3704), representing 134 intervention studies performed between 1961 and 2022 that met inclusion criteria. Studies were divided into six categories, which included gut health, glycaemic response and appetite, fat metabolism, bioavailability of micronutrients, immune response and other topics. Review of these human intervention studies identified a variety of cohort characteristics and populations (life stage, health status, country), sources/types of pectin (i.e. citrus, sugarbeet, apple, other and non-defined), intervention timeframes (from one single intake to 168 d) and doses (0.1–50 g/d) that were tested for health outcomes in people. Gut health, post-prandial glucose regulation and maintenance of blood cholesterol represented the largest categories of studied outcomes. Further research to strengthen the structure–function relationships for pectin with health properties and associated outcomes is warranted and will benefit from a more precise description of physico-chemical characteristics and molecular compositions, such as degree of esterification, weight, degree of branching, viscosity, gel formation and solubility.

Globally, each year 1.3 million neonates acquire human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy, labour, and breastfeeding time. Replacing breastfeeding with recommended safe infant feeding practices significantly reduces the risk of transmission, nearly eliminating it. This study aimed to assess Human immunodeficiency virus exposed child feeding among 314 mothers with infants under 24 months old. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique, and data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses employed to identify determinants for safe infant feeding. During interviews, the mean age of women was 32.35 years (standard deviation±4.5), and infants were 10.8(±3.951) months. The overall safe infant feeding was 67.2% (95% CI: 61.7, 72.9), with a mean knowledge score. By the study’s end, 9 infants (2.89%) were confirmed to be infected with virus based on dried blood sample test. Maternal promoting factors for safe infant practice included infant age 25–35 years (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) =2.9) completing high school education (adjusted odd ratio = 9.2), having a good knowledge score for infant feeding (adjusted odd ratio = 8.2), and urban residency (adjusted odd ratio = 2.2). On the other hand, being married made it 83% less likely for safe infant feeding practices (adjusted odd ratio = 0.17) compared to those never in a union. Two in three mothers practiced safe infant feeding for their HIV-exposed infants, with a mean knowledge score of 70.3%. Therefore, healthcare providers give accurate information and counselling services to make informed decisions about infant safe feeding.

Vitamin D and cholesterol share the same intestinal transporters. Thus, it was hypothesized that dietary cholesterol adversely affects vitamin D uptake. The current studies investigated the influence of cholesterol on the availability of oral vitamin D. First, 42 wild-type mice received a diet with 25 µg/kg labelled vitamin D3 (vitamin D3-d3), supplemented with either 0% (control), 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0% or 2.0% cholesterol for four weeks to investigate vitamin D uptake. In a second study, 10 wild-type mice received diets containing 0% (control) or 1% cholesterol over four weeks to determine cholesterol-induced changes in bile acids. Finally, we investigated the impact of cholesterol versus bile acids on vitamin D uptake in Caco-2 cells. Surprisingly, dietary cholesterol intake was associated with 40% higher serum levels of vitamin D3-d3 and 2.3-fold higher vitamin D3-d3 concentrations in the liver compared to controls. The second study showed that cholesterol intake resulted in higher concentrations of faecal bile acids (control: 3.55 ± 1.71 mg/g dry matter; 1% dietary cholesterol: 8.95 ± 3.69 mg/g dry matter; P < 0.05) and changes in the bile acid profile with lower contents of muricholic acids (P < 0.1) and higher contents of taurodeoxycholic acid (P < 0.01) compared to controls. In-vitro analyses revealed that taurocholic acid (P < 0.001) but not cholesterol increased the cellular uptake of vitamin D by Caco-2 cells. To conclude, dietary cholesterol seems to improve the bioavailability of oral vitamin D by stimulating the release of bile acids and increasing the hydrophobicity of bile.

Selenium (Se) is a mineral with several biological functions, and studies have shown that its deficiency can be linked to many complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to systematically review the effects of Se supplementation in patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis (HD). This systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement. Clinical trials were searched in PubMed, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases from inception to July 2021 and updated in July 2024. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021231444). Two independent reviewers performed the study screening and data extraction, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Thirteen studies were included in this review. Only nine studies showed results on Se levels; in all, reduced Se levels were observed before supplementation. A positive effect of supplementation on plasma Se level was demonstrated. Of the ten studies analysed, six demonstrated positive effects on antioxidant and inflammatory markers. Only one study analysed immunological parameters, showing a positive impact. From two studies that analysed thyroid hormones, only one showed positive results. All studies were classified as high risk of bias. The findings suggest that Se supplementation significantly increases plasma Se levels in these patients; however, there are still not enough studies to clarify the effects of Se supplementation on the antioxidant and inflammatory markers, immune system and thyroid hormones. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of Se supplementation and to provide a recommendation for patients with CKD undergoing HD.

Dietary surveys are critical in evaluating dietary trends prevailing across the entire population. The aim of this study is to present the results of the latest research into the intakes of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients amongst the adult population in Lithuania from 2019 through 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted and dietary data was collected using a 24-h dietary recall method from a total of 2555 Lithuanian adults. Medians, 25th and 75th percentiles were calculated. The diet of Lithuanian adults was found insufficient as the energy intake from fats exceeded the recommended norms, while the energy intake from carbohydrates was below the lower range. The intakes of dietary fibre and most vitamins and minerals were insufficient. Men, compared to women, had a statistically higher total energy intake and energy intake from fats, and a higher intake of dietary fibre. Younger adults, compared to older ones, had statistically lower intakes of energy from fats, including saturated fats, and lower intakes of sodium chloride. Respondents with primary education, compared to those who had attained a higher degree of education, had a statistically lower intake of total energy and dietary fibre. Study showed that intakes of majority of nutrients in the diet of the adult Lithuanian population are not in compliance with the recommended daily intakes. Continuous nationally representative studies into food consumption and nutrient intake of the adult Lithuanian population must be carried out to assess the changes in the population’s diet and the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting healthy diets.

The aim of this study is to assess nutritional status and associated factors among infants and young children aged 6–23 months in Yeka sub-city, Ethiopia, 2021. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected health centres found in the Yeka sub-city from May 2021 to July 2021. In total, 396 systematically selected infants and young children aged 6–23 months attended the selected health centres were included in the study. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. A multinomial logistic regression model was used.

The overall magnitude of undernutrition and overnutrition among infants and young children were 24.7% and 5.5%, respectively. Dietary diversity score (DDS) ((adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 5.65; 95% CI = 2.301, 10.87; P value = 0.003), minimum meal frequency (MMF) (AOR = 5.435; 95% CI = 2.097, 11.09; P value = 0.0052), and diarrhoea (AOR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.007, 6.310; P value = 0.002) were statistically significantly associated factors for nutritional status among infants and young children. Malnutrition (undernutrition and overnutrition) is a public health problem among infants and young children in Yeka sub-city, Ethiopia. DDS, MMF, and diarrhoeal disease were associated with higher odds of undernutrition.

Folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin interact by functioning as cofactors within one-carbon metabolism (OCM), a network of interrelated cellular pathways essential for numerous biological processes, including the biosynthesis of DNA, amino acid interconversions and methylation reactions. The pathways of OCM are influenced by endocrine signals and genetic polymorphisms and are particularly responsive to relevant B-vitamin intakes. Physiological changes in healthy pregnancy, leading to a steady decline in B-vitamin status, add another layer of complexity to the regulation of OCM. Although significant advances have been made to improve our understanding of these pregnancy-related changes, no specific reference ranges yet exist for B-vitamin biomarkers in pregnancy to support normal fetal growth without depleting maternal stores. The lack of pregnancy-related criteria for adequacy of B-vitamin status is in turn a major limitation in identifying pregnant women most at risk of B-vitamin deficiency. Another challenge is that the evidence is very limited to provide a basis for establishing pregnancy-specific dietary recommendations for B-vitamins to support successful pregnancy outcomes. In terms of preventing adverse outcomes, periconceptional folic acid supplementation has a proven role, established more than 30 years ago, in protecting against neural tube defect-affected pregnancies and this has been the major focus of public health policy worldwide. This review evaluates the emerging evidence for the less well recognised role of B-vitamins in preventing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and the intergenerational effects of B-vitamins on offspring neurodevelopment and cognitive performance during childhood. We also consider the underlying biological mechanisms.

Previous investigations on protein associations with diet quality and obesity still have inconclusive findings, possibly due to how protein intake was expressed. This study aimed to compare how different ways of expressing total protein intake may influence its relationships with diet quality and obesity. Usual protein intake was estimated from the 2011–12 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 7637 adults, ≥19 years), expressed in grams (g/d), percent energy (%EI), and grams per actual kilogram body weight (g/kgBW/d). Diet quality was assessed using the 2013 Dietary Guidelines Index, and obesity measures included Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Sex-stratified multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed and adjusted for potential confounders. Total protein (g/d) was directly associated with diet quality (males, β = 0.15 (95% CI 0.12, 0.19); females, β = 0.25 (0.22, 0.29)), and this association was consistent across units. Protein intake (g/d) was directly associated with BMI (males, β = 0.07% (0.04%, 0.11%); females, β = 0.09% (0.04%, 0.15%)), and WC (males, β = 0.04 (0.01, 0.06); females, β = 0.05 (0.00, 0.09)). While in males, protein as %EI was associated with higher WC, no association was found in females. Adults with higher protein intake (g/d) had higher odds of overweight/obesity (males, OR = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01); females, OR = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01)), and central overweight/obesity (females, OR = 1.01 (1.00, 1.01)), but no significant association with females odds of overweight/obesity when protein was expressed in %EI. In conclusion, protein intake was positively associated with diet quality and obesity, yet these associations were stronger for women. The effect sizes also varied by measurement unit due to the different scales of those units.