Metabolic profiling: A promising tool to understand the effects of dietary fat on cardiovascular risk
In this randomized controlled dietary intervention study among individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia, the concentration of atherogenic lipoprotein particles was reduced after replacing saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Many metabolites associated with cardiovascular disease risk were favorably altered in the experimental diet group compared to the control diet group. Several genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation were also favorably changed during intervention. Important biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk were likewise reduced in the experimental diet group compared to the control diet group. The results of this study support a beneficial dietary effect of replacing saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Few studies of this magnitude have been performed to profile metabolites known to be associated with cardiovascular risk. Metabolic profiling clearly has the potential to further our understanding of the effects of dietary fat on cardiovascular risk. 

Reference : Ulven S, Christensen JJ, Nygard O, Svardal A, Leder L, Ottestad I, Lysne V, Laupsa-Borge J, Ueland PM, Midttun O, Meyer K, McCann A, Andersen LF, Holven KB. Using metabolic profiling and gene expression analyses to explore molecular effects of replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat – a randomized controlled dietary intervention study . Amer J Clin Nutr 2019;109(5):1239-50.
For more information: To contact the corresponding author, Stine Ulven, please send an e-mail to smulven@medisin.uio.no .

Eating disorder prevalence: A systematic literature review
A literature search of English or French studies published between 2000 and 2018 was performed. Relevant studies were included in the systematic review on the prevalence of eating disorders. A total of 94 studies with accurate eating disorder diagnosis and 27 with broad eating disorder diagnoses were included in the final analyses. Prevalence data were summarized as lifetime prevalence, defined as the occurrence of eating disorders at any point in life before the interview, point prevalence, defined as the proportion subjects affected with eating disorders at a specific point in time, and by 12-months prevalence, defined as the proportion of subjects with eating disorders that occurred in the 12-months preceding the study interview. Weighted means, which assign some data points more weight than others, were computed. This study confirms that eating disorders tend to affect mainly women and are highly prevalent in adolescents. This review also highlights that the American continent tends to have higher prevalence for all eating disorders. 

Reference: Galmiche M, Pierre D, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP. Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000-2018 period: a systematic literature review. Amer J Clin Nutr 2019;109(5):1402-13.
For more information: To contact the corresponding author, Dechelotte Pierre, please send an e-mail to Pierre.Dechelotte@chu-rouen.fr.

Fortified human milk positively impacts growth in hospitalized preterm infants
This study tested the hypothesis that human milk diets contribute to slower weight gain and head growth vs. infant formula only. A second aspect of the study was to document how the relationship of human milk with growth has diminished over time. Weight gain and head growth were fastest in the infant formula only group. Weight gain and head growth were also faster in the mixed diet group vs. human milk only, and in the infant formula only vs. mixed diet group. Relative to the infant formula-only group, weight gain velocity improved over time in both human milk groups. It appears that the mixed diet group catches up in terms of weight gain relative to the infant formula only group. Differences in growth parameters diminished over the 10-year study period. Weight gain in the human milk only group also improved but continued to lag behind the other groups. Head growth improved in both human milk diet groups relative to the infant formula-only group. These results suggest that unfortified human milk does not meet the nutritional requirements of the growing preterm infant and support current recommendations for routine fortification until hospital discharge. However, further work is needed to determine the best approach to fortify human milk for optimal growth.

Reference: Belfort MB, Edwards, EM, Greenberg LT, Parker MG, Ehret DY, Horbar JD. Diet, weight gain, and head growth in hospitalized US very preterm infants: a 10-year observational study . Amer J Clin Nutr 2019;109(5):1373-79.
For more information: To contact the corresponding author, Mandy Brown Belfort, please send an e-mail to mbelfort@bwh.harvard.edu.

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