Background: The relationship between sports participation and food preferences in adults, as well as the influence of gender, is still unclear.
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between sports participation and individual food preferences and to explore potential gender differences among sports participants in a large group of Italian adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 2665 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who lead normal lives and underwent a routine lifestyle and dietary assessment at a clinical centre specialising in nutrition, metabolic health, and lifestyle counselling in Rome.
J Funct Morphol Kinesiol
July 2025
Behavioural heterogeneity in obesity is increasingly recognised, but how specific dietary patterns, food preferences and physical activity vary between obesity classes remains poorly characterised. We analysed behavioural, dietary, and lifestyle data from 1366 adults attending a tertiary obesity clinic in Italy. Participants were stratified into five obesity classes defined by BMI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParishin C (PaC) is an active ingredient in Bl. that has neuroprotective effects. However, research on its role in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation is still limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Diabetes Metab Disord
December 2025
Diabetes mellitus is a global metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production, leading to chronic hyperglycemia and severe complications. Although pharmacological treatments exist, there is a growing interest in complementary therapies to improve glycaemic control and attenuate disease progression. Bovine colostrum, a nutrient-rich secretion produced after parturition, contains bioactive compounds such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), lactoferrin, cytokines and immunoglobulins, which have potential therapeutic effects on diabetes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Gender differences in dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviours may influence abdominal adiposity and cardiometabolic risk, but comprehensive analyses integrating these factors remain limited.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 1631 adults recruited from a centre specialising in nutrition and metabolic health. Food intake was assessed by 7-day food diaries and lifestyle behaviours were assessed by structured questionnaires.
This study examined the interplay between age, exercise, BMI, and cardiovascular health, addressing the growing global health concern of obesity and its link to heart disease. This research utilized data from an Italian dietary survey and the Dutch Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel. Statistical analyses included an ANOVA, linear regression, Mann-Whitney tests, regression with interaction terms, and stratified logistic regression to analyze the impact of age and exercise on BMI and cardiovascular risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Weekend eating habits are often different from those of weekdays, but their impact on body composition remains little explored. This study investigates gender and age differences in weekend eating behaviors and their association with fat mass percentage (FM%).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,596 participants at an obesity center in Italy.
Obesity is a major global health problem and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality through its association with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease and other chronic pathological conditions [...
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlucosinolates (GSLs) are sulfur-containing compounds predominantly found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts, and are recognized for their health-promoting properties. Upon consumption, GSLs undergo hydrolysis by the enzyme myrosinase, resulting in bioactive compounds like isothiocyanates and specific indole glucosinolate degradation products, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), which contribute to a range of health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. This review explores the structure, metabolism, and bioavailability of GSLs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Gender differences in eating habits and protein consumption patterns are determined by cultural, socio-economic, and behavioural factors. Men tend to consume more meat, while women prefer plant-based proteins; however, the impact of these choices on body composition remains unclear.
Objectives: This study explores gender differences in protein consumption and the influence of socioeconomic status on dietary choices, evaluating their potential association with body composition parameters, including fat mass (FM%) and fat-free mass (FFM%).
Background: Gender differences in dietary habits, physical activity and body composition are key determinants of health and disease risk. Although these differences are well documented, their variation across age groups remains poorly explored. This study examines gender-specific patterns in eating behaviours, sport preferences and body composition metrics, with the aim of providing evidence for tailored public health interventions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study analyzes the long-term outcomes of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS), focusing on weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and patient satisfaction. We evaluate different surgical techniques to identify their impact on these outcomes.
Methods: A five-year retrospective analysis was conducted on 249 patients who underwent MBS at a specialized center.
Background/objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the , leading to motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. The pathological hallmarks of PD include Lewy bodies and mechanisms like oxidative/nitrosative stress, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO), produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, plays a dual role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Gender differences in metabolic response to lifestyle interventions remain poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a six-month Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention combined with regular physical activity on metabolic parameters in overweight adults.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in an obesity clinic in Rome, Italy, involving overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) motivated to improve their lifestyle.
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that have a rapid growth cycle and carbon fixation ability. They have diverse cellular structures, ranging from prokaryotic cyanobacteria to more complex eukaryotic forms, which enable them to thrive in a variety of environments and support biomass production. They utilize both photosynthesis and heterotrophic pathways, indicating their ecological importance and potential for biotechnological applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMalnutrition, a significant risk factor for mortality and morbidity in the elderly, poses a huge threat in the geriatric population, showing a high prevalence, especially in people affected by chronic non-communicable age-related diseases [...
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBovine colostrum (BC), the first milk secreted by mammals after birth, is a trending alternative source for supplementing infants and children, offering benefits for gut and immune health. Its rich components, such as proteins, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and glycans, are used to fortify diets and support development. Preterm development is crucial, especially in the maturation of essential systems, and from 2010 to 2020, approximately 15% of all premature births occurred at less than 32 weeks of gestation worldwide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increase in elderly populations worldwide highlights the urgency of addressing age-related problems through effective nutritional management to enhance the well-being of the elderly and for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The trend towards an increasing elderly population brings with it an increase in conditions such as sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia and frailty, emphasising the importance of regular checks for malnutrition in the elderly and the implementation of personalised nutritional therapies. The importance of nutrition in addressing geriatric syndromes such as frailty, sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia, obesity and metabolic syndrome is highlighted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/objectives: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in intercellular communication by transferring miRNAs and other macromolecules between cells. Understanding how diet and exercise modulate the release and content of skeletal muscle (SM)-derived EVs could lead to novel therapeutic strategies to prevent age-related muscle decline and other chronic diseases, such as sarcopenia. This review aims to provide an overview of the role of EVs in muscle function and to explore how nutritional and physical interventions can optimise their release and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLactoferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein naturally found in mammalian secretions, predominantly in colostrum and milk. As a key component of dairy foods, lactoferrin enhances viral protection and boosts human health, owing to its fundamental properties including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory effects. Importantly, the antiviral effect of lactoferrin has been shown against a range of viruses causing serious infections and threatening human health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFrom ancient times to the present day, fermentation has been utilized not only for food preservation but also for enhancing the nutritional and functional properties of foods. This process is influenced by numerous factors, including the type of microorganisms used, substrate composition, pH, time, and temperature, all of which can significantly alter the characteristics of the final product. Depending on the parameters, fermentation enhances the bioactive content of the products and imparts the necessary properties, such as antioxidant characteristics, for the products to be considered functional.
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