scholarly journals Fermented Foods: Definitions and Characteristics, Impact on the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Gastrointestinal Health and Disease

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirini Dimidi ◽  
Selina Rose Cox ◽  
Megan Rossi ◽  
Kevin Whelan
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Fermented Foods ◽  
Lactose Malabsorption ◽  
Gastrointestinal Health ◽  
Sourdough Bread ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Impact

Fermented foods are defined as foods or beverages produced through controlled microbial growth, and the conversion of food components through enzymatic action. In recent years, fermented foods have undergone a surge in popularity, mainly due to their proposed health benefits. The aim of this review is to define and characterise common fermented foods (kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, tempeh, natto, miso, kimchi, sourdough bread), their mechanisms of action (including impact on the microbiota), and the evidence for effects on gastrointestinal health and disease in humans. Putative mechanisms for the impact of fermented foods on health include the potential probiotic effect of their constituent microorganisms, the fermentation-derived production of bioactive peptides, biogenic amines, and conversion of phenolic compounds to biologically active compounds, as well as the reduction of anti-nutrients. Fermented foods that have been tested in at least one randomised controlled trial (RCT) for their gastrointestinal effects were kefir, sauerkraut, natto, and sourdough bread. Despite extensive in vitro studies, there are no RCTs investigating the impact of kombucha, miso, kimchi or tempeh in gastrointestinal health. The most widely investigated fermented food is kefir, with evidence from at least one RCT suggesting beneficial effects in both lactose malabsorption and Helicobacter pylori eradication. In summary, there is very limited clinical evidence for the effectiveness of most fermented foods in gastrointestinal health and disease. Given the convincing in vitro findings, clinical high-quality trials investigating the health benefits of fermented foods are warranted.

scholarly journals A Mini Review on Antidiabetic Properties of Fermented Foods

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagavathi Sivamaruthi ◽  
Periyanaina Kesika ◽  
Mani Prasanth ◽  
Chaiyavat Chaiyasut
Keyword(s):  
Functional Properties ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Fermented Foods ◽  
Gastrointestinal Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
The Government

In general, fermented foods (FFs) are considered as functional foods. Since the awareness about the health benefits of FFs has increased, the consumption of FF also improved significantly in recent decades. Diabetes is one of the leading threats of the health span of an individual. The present manuscript details the general methods of the production of FFs, and the results of various studies (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on the antidiabetic properties of FFs. The fermentation method and the active microbes involved in the process play a crucial role in the functional properties of FFs. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have been reported on the health-promoting properties of FFs, such as anti-inflammation, anticancer, antioxidant properties, improved cognitive function and gastrointestinal health, and the reduced presence of metabolic disorders. The studies on the functional properties of FFs by randomized controlled clinical trials using human volunteers are very limited for several reasons, including ethical reasons, safety concerns, approval from the government, etc. Several scientific teams are working on the development of complementary and alternative medicines to improve the treatment strategies for hyperglycemia.

scholarly journals The Potential Therapeutic Value of Medicinal Plants in the Management of Metabolic Disorders

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 2669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor T. Nyakudya ◽  
Thulani Tshabalala ◽  
Rachael Dangarembizi ◽  
Kennedy H. Erlwanger ◽  
Ashwell R. Ndhlala
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent, multifactorial and complex disease that is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes and other major cardiovascular complications. The rise in the global prevalence of MetS has been attributed to genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The adoption of sedentary lifestyles that are characterized by low physical activity and the consumption of high-energy diets contributes to MetS development. Current management criteria for MetS risk factors involve changes in lifestyle and the use of pharmacological agents that target specific biochemical pathways involved in the metabolism of nutrients. Pharmaceutical drugs are usually expensive and are associated with several undesirable side effects. Alternative management strategies of MetS risk factors involve the use of medicinal plants that are considered to have multiple therapeutic targets and are easily accessible. Medicinal plants contain several different biologically active compounds that provide health benefits. The impact of phytochemicals present in local medicinal plants on sustainable health and well-being of individuals has been studied for many years and found to involve a plethora of complex biochemical, metabolic, and physiological mechanisms. While some of these phytochemicals are the basis of mainstream prescribed drugs (e.g., metformin, reserpine, quinine, and salicin), there is a need to identify more medicinal plants that can be used for the management of components of MetS and to describe their possible mechanisms of action. In this review, we assess the potential health benefits of South African ethnomedicinal plants in protecting against the development of health outcomes associated with MetS. We aim to provide the state of the current knowledge on the use of medicinal plants and their therapeutically important phytochemicals by discussing the current trends, with critical examples from recent primary references of how medicinal plants are being used in South African rural and urban communities.

The Impact of Traditional Medicine-Based Lifestyle and Diet on Infertility Treatment in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-241
Author(s):  
Zeinab Alibeigi ◽  
Effat Jafari-Dehkordi ◽  
Soleiman Kheiri ◽  
Maryam Nemati ◽  
Gholamreza Mohammadi-Farsani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lifestyle Modifications ◽  
Mature Ovum ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle

The problem of infertility is growing rapidly in the world. Traditional medicine with thousands of years of history has claimed that it can treat some kinds of infertility using nutritional and lifestyle modifications and interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a traditional medicine-oriented diet and lifestyle on infertility treatment. Based on a clinical trial study, 180 infertile women who were 20–40 years old and candidates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group used diet and lifestyle recommendations based on Iranian traditional medicine for at least 3 months. The number of ova, mature ovum number, embryo number, embryo quality, and fertilization rate were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (for all items; p < 0.05). Overall pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the intervention group (35.2 vs. 12.4%; odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 1.8–8.3). The intervention group had a higher rate of getting spontaneous pregnancy than the control group (20.9 vs. 2.2%; OR, 11.5; 95% CI, 2.6–50.9). Chemical pregnancy was significantly higher in the intervention group (64 vs. 27.5%; OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.9–11.6). Diet and lifestyle modifications based on traditional medicine can contribute greatly to the infertility treatment. Thus, many infertility cases can be treated without the need to use advanced methods. In case of using assisted reproductive techniques, traditional medicine can enhance the efficiency of these methods.

scholarly journals Comparison of the impact of bovine milk β-casein variants on digestive comfort in females self-reporting dairy intolerance: a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber M Milan ◽  
Aahana Shrestha ◽  
Helga J Karlström ◽  
Jakob A Martinsson ◽  
Nils J Nilsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Abdominal Distension ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Breath Hydrogen ◽  
Lactose Malabsorption ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Conventional Milk

ABSTRACT Background Lactose malabsorption (LM) is a major cause of digestive discomfort from dairy products. Recently, a role for bovine β-casein A1 has been proposed. Objectives We examined whether there are distinct symptoms of digestive discomfort due to either lactose or differing bovine β-casein types. Methods Women (n = 40; age: 25.2 ± 0.5 y) with self-reported varying dairy tolerance underwent a 50-g lactose challenge. Based on postchallenge LM and digestive discomfort, participants were classified as either lactose intolerant (LI; n = 10, self-reported intolerant, diagnosed lactose intolerant), nonlactose dairy intolerant (NLDI; n = 20, self-reported intolerant, diagnosed lactose tolerant), or dairy tolerant (DT; n = 10, self-reported tolerant, diagnosed lactose tolerant). In a double-blinded randomized sequence, participants consumed 750 mL conventional milk (CON; containing A1 and A2 β-casein and lactose), a2 Milk (A2M; exclusively containing A2 β-casein with lactose), or lactose-free conventional milk (LF-CON; containing A1 and A2 β-casein without lactose). Subjective digestive symptoms and breath hydrogen (measuring LM) were recorded regularly over 3 h, and further ad hoc digestive symptoms over 12 h. Results LI subjects experienced prolonged digestive discomfort with CON milk. A2M reduced (P &lt; 0.05) some symptoms (nausea: A2M 8 ± 3 mm compared with CON 15 ± 3mm; fecal urgency: A2M 4 ± 1 compared with CON 10 ± 3 mm), and attenuated the rise in breath hydrogen over 3 h, relative to CON milk (A2M 59 ± 23 compared with CON 98 ± 25 ppm at 150 min; P &lt; 0.01). In contrast, NLDI subjects experienced rapid-onset, transient symptoms (abdominal distension, bloating, and flatulence) without increased breath hydrogen, irrespective of milk type. Conclusions In LI individuals, LM and digestive comfort with lactose-containing milks was improved with milk containing exclusively A2 β-casein. Furthermore, self-reported dairy intolerance without LM (NLDI) is characterized by early-onset digestive discomfort following milk ingestion, irrespective of lactose content or β-casein type. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12616001694404.

scholarly journals Prebiotic Potential of Culinary Spices Used to Support Digestion and Bioabsorption

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine T. Peterson ◽  
Dmitry A. Rodionov ◽  
Stanislav N. Iablokov ◽  
Meredith A. Pung ◽  
Deepak Chopra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Subjects ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Glycosyl Hydrolase ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Sugar Composition ◽  
The Impact

Although the impact of medicinal and culinary herbs on health and disease has been studied to varying extents, scarcely little is known about the impact of these herbs on gut microbiota and how such effects might contribute to their health benefits. We applied in vitro anaerobic cultivation of human fecal microbiota followed by 16S rRNA sequencing to study the modulatory effects of 4 culinary spices: Curcuma longa (turmeric), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Piper longum (pipli or long pepper), and Piper nigrum (black pepper). All herbs analyzed possessed substantial power to modulate fecal bacterial communities to include potential prebiotic and beneficial repressive effects. We additionally analyzed the sugar composition of each herb by mass spectrometry and conducted genome reconstruction of 11 relevant sugar utilization pathways, glycosyl hydrolase gene representation, and both butyrate and propionate biosynthesis potential to facilitate our ability to functionally interpret microbiota profiles. Results indicated that sugar composition is not predictive of the taxa responding to each herb; however, glycosyl hydrolase gene representation is strongly modulated by each herb, suggesting that polysaccharide substrates present in herbs provide selective potential on gut communities. Additionally, we conclude that catabolism of herbs by gut communities primarily involves sugar fermentation at the expense of amino acid metabolism. Among the herbs analyzed, only turmeric induced changes in community composition that are predicted to increase butyrate-producing taxa. Our data suggests that substrates present in culinary spices may drive beneficial alterations in gut communities thereby altering their collective metabolism to contribute to the salubrious effects on digestive efficiency and health. These results support the potential value of further investigations in human subjects to delineate whether the metabolism of these herbs contributes to documented and yet to be discovered health benefits.

scholarly journals Limited Hydrolysis of Polysialic Acid by Human Neuraminidase Enzymes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmanah D. Hunter ◽  
Christopher Cairo
Keyword(s):  
Polysialic Acid ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Sialic Acids ◽  
Degree Of Polymerization ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Substrate Tolerance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Unique Chemical

Regulation of sialic acids by human neuraminidase (hNEU) enzymes is important to many biological processes. Defining hNEU substrate tolerance can help to elucidate the roles of these enzymes in regulating sialosides in human health and disease. Polysialic acid (polySia) is a polyanion of α(2→8) linked sialic acids with roles in nervous, reproductive, and immune systems and is dysregulated in some malignancies and mental disorders. The unique chemical properties of this polymer, which include an enhanced susceptibility to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis, have hampered its study. Herein we describe the first<i> </i>systematic study of hNEU isoenzyme activity towards polysialic acid <i>in vitro.</i> The experimental design allowed us to study the impact of several factors that may influence polysialic acid degradation including pH, polymer size, and the relative ionic strength of the surrounding media. We report that short chains of polysialic acid (degree of polymerization, DP 3-8) were substrates of NEU3 and NEU4 at acidic pH, but not at neutral pH. No hNEU-catalyzed hydrolysis of longer polymers (DP 10-20) was detected. These findings suggest a neuraminidase-independent mechanism for polysialic acid turnover such as internalization and degradation in endosomes and lysosomes.

scholarly journals Nutritional properties of selected superfood extracts and their potential health benefits

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12525
Author(s):  
Jacqueline P. Barsby ◽  
James M. Cowley ◽  
Shalem Y. Leemaqz ◽  
Jessica A. Grieger ◽  
Daniel R. McKeating ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Nutritional Properties ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Gastrointestinal Health ◽  
Chia Seed

Background The term ‘superfoods’ is used to market foods considered to have significant health benefits. ‘Superfoods’ are claimed to prevent diseases as well as improving overall health, though the lack of explicit criteria means that any food can be labelled ‘super’ without support from scientific research. Typically, these ‘superfoods’ are rich in a particular nutrient for example antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional properties of a selection of superfood seeds: flax, chia, hulled sunflower and two types of processed hemp seeds and determine whether they may have potential health benefits. Methods We developed a simple aqueous extraction method for ground seeds and analysed their composition by mineral, protein and monosaccharide analyses. Cell viability assays were performed on Caco-2 and IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells using increasing doses of the prepared extracts. Results Increased cell viability was observed in both cell lines with increasing concentrations of the flax seed, chia seed or hulled sunflower extracts (P < 0.05). Compositional analyses revealed the presence of polysaccharides, proteins and essential minerals in the aqueous extracts and in vitro assays showed sunflower had the highest antioxidant activity. However, differences in extract composition and antioxidant properties could not be directly related to the observed increase in cell viability suggesting that other components in the extracts may be responsible. Future studies will further characterize these extracts and investigate whether they are beneficial for gastrointestinal health.

scholarly journals Probing the Impact of Ligand Binding on the Acyl-Homoserine Lactone-Hindered Transcription Factor EsaR of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii

2011 ◽  
Vol 193 (22) ◽  
pp. 6315-6322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Schu ◽  
Revathy Ramachandran ◽  
Jared S. Geissinger ◽  
Ann M. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pantoea Stewartii ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
The Impact

The quorum-sensing regulator EsaR fromPantoea stewartiisubsp.stewartiiis a LuxR homologue that is inactivated by acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL). In the corn pathogenP. stewartii, production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) is repressed by EsaR at low cell densities. However, at high cell densities when high concentrations of its cognate AHL signal are present, EsaR is inactivated and derepression of EPS production occurs. Thus, EsaR responds to AHL in a manner opposite to that of most LuxR family members. Depending on the position of its binding site within target promoters, EsaR serves as either a repressor or activator in the absence rather than in the presence of its AHL ligand. The effect of AHL on LuxR homologues has been difficult to studyin vitrobecause AHL is required for purification and stability. EsaR, however, can be purified without AHL enabling anin vitroanalysis of the response of the protein to ligand. Western immunoblots and pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that EsaR is stablein vivoin the absence or presence of AHL. Limitedin vitroproteolytic digestions of a biologically active His-MBP tagged version of EsaR highlighted intradomain and interdomain conformational changes that occur in the protein in response to AHL. Gel filtration chromatography of the full-length fusion protein and cross-linking of the N-terminal domain both suggest that this conformational change does not impact the multimeric state of the protein. These findings provide greater insight into the diverse mechanisms for AHL responsiveness found within the LuxR family.

Catalase: an old enzyme with a new role?

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 1006-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maire E. Percy
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Role ◽  
Electron Donors ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Intracellular Enzyme ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Erythrocyte Catalase ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Adrenergic Antagonist ◽  
Health And Disease

Although animal catalase has been studied for decades, its physiological role has remained perplexing. It has two enzymatic functions, not only catalyzing the breakdown of H2O2 into O2 and H2O, but also in the presence of low concentrations of H2O2 catalyzing the oxidation of electron donors such as ethanol or phenols. In this article, I have summarized some well-known properties of the enzyme and have also described several recently discovered features. Of particular interest is the finding that, although catalase has been regarded as an intracellular enzyme, there is published evidence for its association with the plasma membrane of the erythrocyte. Moreover, recent work from my laboratory indicates that in vitro at alkaline pH in the presence of Mg2+, the biologically active diphenols (β-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and the β-adrenergic agonists isoproterenol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) appear to function as electron donor substrates for human erythrocyte catalase and inhibit the production of O2 from H2O2 at micromolar concentrations. The β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol inhibits O2 production much less effectively and appears to competitively inhibit the reaction of catalase with epinephrine. These observations suggest an analogy between catalase and the β-adrenergic hormone receptor and raise many questions of interest to basic science, health, and disease.

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