Nutrition
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The growing interest in the possible role of antioxidant vitamins in many pathologies makes the methods of evaluating the intakes of these vitamins necessary. The food frequency questionnaire is the most widely used tool in epidemiologic studies and large-scale surveys to assess long-term nutritional exposure and to determine the usual intake of specific foods or nutrients. The aims of this study were to develop and investigate the validity and reproducibility of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) to evaluate the antioxidant vitamins intake in the Lebanese population and for use in clinical trials. ⋯ In this study, we described the development of an SQFFQ. Based on the results, we found the SQFFQ to be valid and reproducible to assess intake of antioxidant vitamins in Lebanese adults.
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The intestinal cell function can be modulated by the type and quantity of nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an excess of nutrients on intestinal morphofunctional features and a possible association of inflammation in a 70/30 Caco2/HT-29 intestinal in vitro co-culture. ⋯ These data support the suitability of our in vitro gut model for obesity studies at the molecular level and the necessity to standardize the medium frequency change in intestinal culture.
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Chia seed oil is the richest source of plant-based ω-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid, but its potential and mechanisms of action to treat obesity are unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of chia oil (ChOi) supplementation on body composition and insulin signaling in skeletal muscles of obese mice. ⋯ The molecular effects observed in muscle tissue together with changes in body composition may have contributed to the increased glucose tolerance and to the healthy phenotype presented by obese animals treated with ChOi.
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Previous studies have demonstrated that obesity is rare among those who consume the Japanese diet because of its lower caloric content compared with the American diet. Meanwhile, it has been reported that maternal caloric restriction, which induces antiobesity effects, during pregnancy and lactation increases the likelihood of a low birthweight infant, which increases the risks for obesity and diabetes later in life. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of maternal consumption of the Japanese diet during pregnancy and lactation on the risk for obesity and diabetes in the offspring later in life. ⋯ From these results, maternal consumption of the Japanese diet during pregnancy and lactation did not adversely affect the offspring, and continual intake of this diet reduced the risk for developing obesity and diabetes in the offspring later in life.