J. Blumberg - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by J. Blumberg

Forum of Nutrition

Consideration of the new evidence for changed nutrient requirements associated with aging raises ... more Consideration of the new evidence for changed nutrient requirements associated with aging raises the important issue of defining appropriate criteria for the selection of recommended vitamin intakes. Many of the criteria currently employed to establish dietary standards lack the sensitivity to detect subtle nutrition-sensitive alterations in metabolism with significant consequences for the aging process or place little weight on the risk factors of chronic diseases common among the elderly. It now appears possible to determine optimal levels of physiologic function for older age groups and design the nutrient intakes to achieve them. Further, the allowances for vitamins can now focus on intakes which not only prevent deficiency states but are associated with maximal risk reduction of chronic disease and disability.

AGE, 1995

Increases in antioxidant defense capacity have been associated with increases in the health and l... more Increases in antioxidant defense capacity have been associated with increases in the health and life span of calorie restricted animals. Emory mice develop late-life cataract, a lesion associated with oxidative damage and loss of lens glutathione (GSH). The effect of calorie restriction on GSH in liver and kidney in this model has not been explored. GSH and oxidized GSH (GSSG) were measured by HPLC in liver and kidney of Emory mice fed a control diet (C; 85% calories of ad-lib fed mice) or 60% calorie intake of C (R; 40% calorie restriction relative to C mice)for up to 22 mo age. Liver GSH concentration increased significantly in C and R mice from 4.5 to 12 mo old with n~ difference observed between the two groups. At 22 mo of age, liver GSH was lower than that of 12 mo old in both groups. As compared with GSH at 12 mo old, this decrease was almost twice as greater in C (70%, p=0.001) than in R mice (36%, p=0.02), so that R mice had a significantly higher concentration of GSH in liver than C mice at 22 mo of age (R= 32.8+5.1, C= 22.1+8.3 imol GSH/g protein, p<0.01). Liver GSSG was similar in C and R mice at 12 mo of age (4.45+1.35 vs. 4.75+1.83 imol GSSG/g protein), but increased in R mice at 22 mo (R=5:43+1.48; C=3.22+1.02, p<0.01). Therefore, at 22 mo old, total liver glutathione (GSH+GSSG) was higher in R than in C mice. There was no significant difference in GSH, GSSG and total GSH in kidney from C and R mice at these ages. Thus, calorie restriction reduces the age-related loss of GSH antioxidant capacity in liver but not kidney of Emory mice.

Chilean journal of agricultural research, 2012

Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Molina] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) is a Chilean native species which p... more Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Molina] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) is a Chilean native species which produces small berries that are mainly collected from the wild. The health benefits of maqui fruit are attributed to their high polyphenol content as well as their wide variety of anthocyanins and flavonols. One of the main factors that affect the polyphenol content in fruit is the maturity stage at harvest. The objective of this study was to determine total phenol and total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity (by ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP] assay) of maqui fruits harvested at different fruit maturity stages from two wild populations located in Central Chile. Each maturity stage was determined by days from fruit set, berry size, and soluble solids. Total phenol content declined while total anthocyanin content increased from the green to light red stage. Nevertheless, both total phenol and anthocyanin content increased from the light red to dark purple stage. The highest anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity was found in the late maturity stage (dark purple). The results show that ripening in maqui fruit can be expected with 1100 growing degree-days (91 d after fruit set) in Central Chile. At this moment of harvest, fruits with 18-19 °Brix have the highest anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity (FRAP). This study constitutes the first advances in the understanding of maqui fruit ripening and corresponding antioxidant activity.

Nutrients

Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is asso... more Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mortality from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and all-cause mortality. However, there is limited data regarding their effects on indicators of cardiometabolic risk other than hypercholesterolemia, and little is known about the demonstrable health benefits of pecans (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch). We conducted a randomized, controlled feeding trial to compare the effects of a pecan-rich diet with an isocaloric control diet similar in total fat and fiber content, but absent nuts, on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in healthy middle-aged and older adults who are overweight or obese with central adiposity. After 4 weeks on a pecan-rich diet, changes in serum insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly greater than after the control diet (p < 0.05). Pecan consumption also lowered the risk of cardiometabolic disease as indicated by a composite score reflecting changes in clinically relevant markers. Thus, compared to the control diet, the pecan intervention had a concurrent and clinically significant effect on several relevant markers of cardiometabolic risk.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Nutrients

The health-promoting effects of phenolic compounds depend on their bioaccessibility from the food... more The health-promoting effects of phenolic compounds depend on their bioaccessibility from the food matrix and their consequent bioavailability. We carried out a randomized crossover pilot clinical trial to evaluate the matrix effect (raw flesh and juice) of 'Ataulfo' mango on the bioavailability of its phenolic compounds. Twelve healthy male subjects consumed a dose of mango flesh or juice. Blood was collected for six hours after consumption, and urine for 24 h. Plasma and urine phenolics were analyzed by electrochemical detection coupled to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-ECD). Five compounds were identified and quantified in plasma. Six phenolic compounds, plus a microbial metabolite (pyrogallol) were quantified in urine, suggesting colonic metabolism. The maximum plasma concentration (C max) occurred 2-4 h after consumption; excretion rates were maximum at 8-24 h. Mango flesh contributed to greater protocatechuic acid absorption (49%), mango juice contributed to higher chlorogenic acid absorption (62%). Our data suggests that the bioavailability and antioxidant capacity of mango phenolics is preserved, and may be increased when the flesh is processed into juice.

Antioxidants

Almond skins are a waste byproduct of blanched almond production. Polyphenols extracted from almo... more Almond skins are a waste byproduct of blanched almond production. Polyphenols extracted from almond skins possess antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we examined the pharmacokinetic profile of almond skin polyphenols (ASP) and their effect on measures of oxidative stress. In a randomized crossover trial, seven adults consumed two acute ASP doses (225 mg (low, L) or 450 mg (high, H) total phenols) in skim milk or milk alone. Plasma flavonoids, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), oxidized GSH (GSSG), and resistance of low- density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation were measured over 10 h. The H dose increased catechin and naringenin in plasma, with maximum concentrations of 44.3 and 19.3 ng/mL, respectively. The GSH/GSSG ratio at 3 h after the H doses was 212% of the baseline value, as compared to 82% after milk (p = 0.003). Both ASP doses upregulated GPx activity by 26–35% from the baseline at 15, 30, 45, and 120 min after consumption. The in vitro addition o...

The Journal of Nutrition

The antioxidant effect of dietary ßcarotene supplementation on the peroxidation potential of pla... more The antioxidant effect of dietary ßcarotene supplementation on the peroxidation potential of plasma was investigated in a randomized doubleblind, placebo-controlled study. Twelve healthy women (62-80 y) supplemented their usual daily diet with 90 mg of /3-carotene (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) capsules for 3 wk. Plasma concentrations of /3-carotene, a-and 7tocopherol, ascorbate, urate, bilirubin and in vitro production of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PC-OOH) and utilization of plasma antioxidants in the presence of 50 mmol/L 2,2'-azobis (2-aminopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical generator, at 37°C were measured before and after dietary treatment. Plasma (3-carotene increased from 0.76 ± 0.16 to 6.45 ± 1.16 pmol/L (P < 0.05) in supplemented but not placebo-treated subjects. The plasma concentrations of other antioxidants did not change significantly in either group. (¿-Carotene supplementation did not affect basal levels of plasma PC-OOH as measured by HPLC postcolumn chemiluminescence but did affect AAPH-induced production of PC-OOH. Before supplementation, the in duction period of plasma PC-OOH production was 2.4 ± 0.4 h, with levels reaching 5.39 ± 1.50 /tmol/L after 6 h of incubation. After supplementation, the induction period increased significantly to 4.2 ± 0.4 h (P < 0.01), with a lower PC-OOH production of 2.16 ± 0.90 /imol/L after 6 h (P < 0.05). In this system, plasma ascorbate concentrations were depleted first, followed by loss of bilirubin and a-tocopherol and then by the sequential loss of 7-tocopherol, urate and /3-carotene. These results indicate that /3-carotene supplementation increases the plasma antioxidant capacity of older women.

Scientific reports, Jan 2, 2018

The trend toward personalized approaches to health and medicine has resulted in a need to collect... more The trend toward personalized approaches to health and medicine has resulted in a need to collect high-dimensional datasets on individuals from a wide variety of populations, in order to generate customized intervention strategies. However, it is not always clear whether insights derived from studies in patient populations or in controlled trial settings are transferable to individuals in the general population. To address this issue, a longitudinal analysis was conducted on blood biomarker data from 1032 generally healthy individuals who used an automated, web-based personalized nutrition and lifestyle platform. The study had two main aims: to analyze correlations between biomarkers for biological insights, and to characterize the effectiveness of the platform in improving biomarker levels. First, a biomarker correlation network was constructed to generate biological hypotheses that are relevant to researchers and, potentially, to users of personalized wellness tools. The correlati...

Scientific Reports

between investigative team and funder, which provided support in the form of salaries, and was in... more between investigative team and funder, which provided support in the form of salaries, and was involved in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, and preparation of the manuscript. "

Nutrients, 2018

The global population, including the United States, is experiencing a demographic shift with the ... more The global population, including the United States, is experiencing a demographic shift with the proportion of older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) growing faster than any other age group. This demographic group is at higher risk for developing nutrition-related chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes as well as infections such as influenza and pneumonia. As a result, an emphasis on nutrition is instrumental for disease risk reduction. Unfortunately, inadequate nutrient status or deficiency, often termed hidden hunger, disproportionately affects older adults because of systematic healthcare, environmental, and biological challenges. This report summarizes the unique nutrition challenges facing the aging population and identifies strategies, interventions, and policies to address hidden hunger among the older adults, discussed at the scientific symposium "Hidden Hunger: Solutions for America's Aging Population", on March 23, 2018.

Nutrients, Jan 6, 2017

Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans... more Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 specifically identified vitamins A, C, D and E, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, choline and fiber as "underconsumed nutrients". Based on nationally representative data in 10,698 adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2009-2012, assessments were made of age-group differences in the impact of dietary supplements on nutrient intake and inadequacies. Compared to food alone, use of any dietary supplement plus food was associated with significantly ( < 0.01) higher intakes of 15-16 of 19 nutrients examined in all age groups; and significantly reduced rates of inadequacy for 10/17, 8/17 and 6/17 nutrients examined among individuals age ≥71, 51-70 and 19-50 years, respectively. Compared to the other age groups, older adults (≥71 years) had lower rates of inadequacy for iron and vitamins A, C, D and E, but higher rates for calcium. An ...

Nutrients, Jan 22, 2017

Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients, and the Dietary Guidelines for Ameri... more Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 identified vitamins A, C, D, and E, in addition to calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, choline, and fiber as "underconsumed nutrients". Based on nationally representative data on 10,698 adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2009-2012, assessments were made of socioeconomic differences, based on the Poverty Income Ratio (PIR), in terms of the association of dietary supplement use on nutrient intake and nutrient inadequacies. Compared to food alone, the use of any dietary supplement plus food was associated with significantly ( < 0.01) higher intakes of 15-16 of 19 nutrients examined in all socioeconomic groups; and significantly reduced rates of inadequacy for 10/17 nutrients in the subgroup PIR > 1.85 (not poor), but only 4-5/17 nutrients (calcium and vitamins A, C, D, E) for the poor and nearly poor subgroups (PIR < 1....

Clinical therapeutics, 2018

Evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements, in particular, multivitamin/multimineral supp... more Evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements, in particular, multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS), has been mixed, complicating the ability of health care professionals to recommend their use. To clarify the role that MVMS can play in supporting human health, a series of consensus statements was developed based on expert opinion. A panel of 14 international experts in nutritional science and health care was convened to develop consensus statements related to using MVMS in supporting optimal human health. The modified Delphi process included 2 rounds of remote voting and a final round of voting at a roundtable meeting where evidence summaries were presented and discussed. The level of agreement with each of 9 statements was rated on a 5-point Likert scale: agree strongly; agree with reservation; undecided; disagree; or disagree strongly. Consensus was predefined as ≥80% of the panel agreeing strongly or agreeing with reservation to a given statement. Consensus was reach...

Journal of the American Heart Association, Jan 29, 2017

Consumption of almonds or dark chocolate and cocoa has favorable effects on markers of coronary h... more Consumption of almonds or dark chocolate and cocoa has favorable effects on markers of coronary heart disease; however, the combined effects have not been evaluated in a well-controlled feeding study. The aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa and almonds on markers of coronary heart disease risk. A randomized controlled, 4-period, crossover, feeding trial was conducted in overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years. Forty-eight participants were randomized, and 31 participants completed the entire study. Each diet period was 4 weeks long, followed by a 2-week compliance break. Participants consumed each of 4 isocaloric, weight maintenance diets: (1) no treatment foods (average American diet), (2) 42.5 g/d of almonds (almond diet [ALD]), (3) 18 g/d of cocoa powder and 43 g/d of dark chocolate (chocolate diet [CHOC]), or (4) all 3 foods (CHOC+ALD). Compared with the average American diet, total choleste...

Stroke, Mar 25, 2018

Oxidative stress is an early response to cerebral ischemia and is likely to play an important rol... more Oxidative stress is an early response to cerebral ischemia and is likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury. We sought to evaluate whether hyperacute plasma concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage predict infarct growth (IG). We prospectively measured plasma F2-isoprostane (F2-isoP), urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguoanosine, plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, high sensitivity C reactive protein, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting within 9 hours of symptom onset. Patients with baseline diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging or computed tomographic scan were included to evaluate the final infarct volume. Baseline diffusion-weighted imaging volume and final infarct volume were analyzed using semiautomated volumetric method. IG volume was defined as the difference between fin...

Forum of Nutrition

Consideration of the new evidence for changed nutrient requirements associated with aging raises ... more Consideration of the new evidence for changed nutrient requirements associated with aging raises the important issue of defining appropriate criteria for the selection of recommended vitamin intakes. Many of the criteria currently employed to establish dietary standards lack the sensitivity to detect subtle nutrition-sensitive alterations in metabolism with significant consequences for the aging process or place little weight on the risk factors of chronic diseases common among the elderly. It now appears possible to determine optimal levels of physiologic function for older age groups and design the nutrient intakes to achieve them. Further, the allowances for vitamins can now focus on intakes which not only prevent deficiency states but are associated with maximal risk reduction of chronic disease and disability.

AGE, 1995

Increases in antioxidant defense capacity have been associated with increases in the health and l... more Increases in antioxidant defense capacity have been associated with increases in the health and life span of calorie restricted animals. Emory mice develop late-life cataract, a lesion associated with oxidative damage and loss of lens glutathione (GSH). The effect of calorie restriction on GSH in liver and kidney in this model has not been explored. GSH and oxidized GSH (GSSG) were measured by HPLC in liver and kidney of Emory mice fed a control diet (C; 85% calories of ad-lib fed mice) or 60% calorie intake of C (R; 40% calorie restriction relative to C mice)for up to 22 mo age. Liver GSH concentration increased significantly in C and R mice from 4.5 to 12 mo old with n~ difference observed between the two groups. At 22 mo of age, liver GSH was lower than that of 12 mo old in both groups. As compared with GSH at 12 mo old, this decrease was almost twice as greater in C (70%, p=0.001) than in R mice (36%, p=0.02), so that R mice had a significantly higher concentration of GSH in liver than C mice at 22 mo of age (R= 32.8+5.1, C= 22.1+8.3 imol GSH/g protein, p<0.01). Liver GSSG was similar in C and R mice at 12 mo of age (4.45+1.35 vs. 4.75+1.83 imol GSSG/g protein), but increased in R mice at 22 mo (R=5:43+1.48; C=3.22+1.02, p<0.01). Therefore, at 22 mo old, total liver glutathione (GSH+GSSG) was higher in R than in C mice. There was no significant difference in GSH, GSSG and total GSH in kidney from C and R mice at these ages. Thus, calorie restriction reduces the age-related loss of GSH antioxidant capacity in liver but not kidney of Emory mice.

Chilean journal of agricultural research, 2012

Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Molina] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) is a Chilean native species which p... more Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Molina] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) is a Chilean native species which produces small berries that are mainly collected from the wild. The health benefits of maqui fruit are attributed to their high polyphenol content as well as their wide variety of anthocyanins and flavonols. One of the main factors that affect the polyphenol content in fruit is the maturity stage at harvest. The objective of this study was to determine total phenol and total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity (by ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP] assay) of maqui fruits harvested at different fruit maturity stages from two wild populations located in Central Chile. Each maturity stage was determined by days from fruit set, berry size, and soluble solids. Total phenol content declined while total anthocyanin content increased from the green to light red stage. Nevertheless, both total phenol and anthocyanin content increased from the light red to dark purple stage. The highest anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity was found in the late maturity stage (dark purple). The results show that ripening in maqui fruit can be expected with 1100 growing degree-days (91 d after fruit set) in Central Chile. At this moment of harvest, fruits with 18-19 °Brix have the highest anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity (FRAP). This study constitutes the first advances in the understanding of maqui fruit ripening and corresponding antioxidant activity.

Nutrients

Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is asso... more Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mortality from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and all-cause mortality. However, there is limited data regarding their effects on indicators of cardiometabolic risk other than hypercholesterolemia, and little is known about the demonstrable health benefits of pecans (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch). We conducted a randomized, controlled feeding trial to compare the effects of a pecan-rich diet with an isocaloric control diet similar in total fat and fiber content, but absent nuts, on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in healthy middle-aged and older adults who are overweight or obese with central adiposity. After 4 weeks on a pecan-rich diet, changes in serum insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly greater than after the control diet (p < 0.05). Pecan consumption also lowered the risk of cardiometabolic disease as indicated by a composite score reflecting changes in clinically relevant markers. Thus, compared to the control diet, the pecan intervention had a concurrent and clinically significant effect on several relevant markers of cardiometabolic risk.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Nutrients

The health-promoting effects of phenolic compounds depend on their bioaccessibility from the food... more The health-promoting effects of phenolic compounds depend on their bioaccessibility from the food matrix and their consequent bioavailability. We carried out a randomized crossover pilot clinical trial to evaluate the matrix effect (raw flesh and juice) of 'Ataulfo' mango on the bioavailability of its phenolic compounds. Twelve healthy male subjects consumed a dose of mango flesh or juice. Blood was collected for six hours after consumption, and urine for 24 h. Plasma and urine phenolics were analyzed by electrochemical detection coupled to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-ECD). Five compounds were identified and quantified in plasma. Six phenolic compounds, plus a microbial metabolite (pyrogallol) were quantified in urine, suggesting colonic metabolism. The maximum plasma concentration (C max) occurred 2-4 h after consumption; excretion rates were maximum at 8-24 h. Mango flesh contributed to greater protocatechuic acid absorption (49%), mango juice contributed to higher chlorogenic acid absorption (62%). Our data suggests that the bioavailability and antioxidant capacity of mango phenolics is preserved, and may be increased when the flesh is processed into juice.

Antioxidants

Almond skins are a waste byproduct of blanched almond production. Polyphenols extracted from almo... more Almond skins are a waste byproduct of blanched almond production. Polyphenols extracted from almond skins possess antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we examined the pharmacokinetic profile of almond skin polyphenols (ASP) and their effect on measures of oxidative stress. In a randomized crossover trial, seven adults consumed two acute ASP doses (225 mg (low, L) or 450 mg (high, H) total phenols) in skim milk or milk alone. Plasma flavonoids, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), oxidized GSH (GSSG), and resistance of low- density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation were measured over 10 h. The H dose increased catechin and naringenin in plasma, with maximum concentrations of 44.3 and 19.3 ng/mL, respectively. The GSH/GSSG ratio at 3 h after the H doses was 212% of the baseline value, as compared to 82% after milk (p = 0.003). Both ASP doses upregulated GPx activity by 26–35% from the baseline at 15, 30, 45, and 120 min after consumption. The in vitro addition o...

The Journal of Nutrition

The antioxidant effect of dietary ßcarotene supplementation on the peroxidation potential of pla... more The antioxidant effect of dietary ßcarotene supplementation on the peroxidation potential of plasma was investigated in a randomized doubleblind, placebo-controlled study. Twelve healthy women (62-80 y) supplemented their usual daily diet with 90 mg of /3-carotene (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) capsules for 3 wk. Plasma concentrations of /3-carotene, a-and 7tocopherol, ascorbate, urate, bilirubin and in vitro production of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PC-OOH) and utilization of plasma antioxidants in the presence of 50 mmol/L 2,2'-azobis (2-aminopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical generator, at 37°C were measured before and after dietary treatment. Plasma (3-carotene increased from 0.76 ± 0.16 to 6.45 ± 1.16 pmol/L (P < 0.05) in supplemented but not placebo-treated subjects. The plasma concentrations of other antioxidants did not change significantly in either group. (¿-Carotene supplementation did not affect basal levels of plasma PC-OOH as measured by HPLC postcolumn chemiluminescence but did affect AAPH-induced production of PC-OOH. Before supplementation, the in duction period of plasma PC-OOH production was 2.4 ± 0.4 h, with levels reaching 5.39 ± 1.50 /tmol/L after 6 h of incubation. After supplementation, the induction period increased significantly to 4.2 ± 0.4 h (P < 0.01), with a lower PC-OOH production of 2.16 ± 0.90 /imol/L after 6 h (P < 0.05). In this system, plasma ascorbate concentrations were depleted first, followed by loss of bilirubin and a-tocopherol and then by the sequential loss of 7-tocopherol, urate and /3-carotene. These results indicate that /3-carotene supplementation increases the plasma antioxidant capacity of older women.

Scientific reports, Jan 2, 2018

The trend toward personalized approaches to health and medicine has resulted in a need to collect... more The trend toward personalized approaches to health and medicine has resulted in a need to collect high-dimensional datasets on individuals from a wide variety of populations, in order to generate customized intervention strategies. However, it is not always clear whether insights derived from studies in patient populations or in controlled trial settings are transferable to individuals in the general population. To address this issue, a longitudinal analysis was conducted on blood biomarker data from 1032 generally healthy individuals who used an automated, web-based personalized nutrition and lifestyle platform. The study had two main aims: to analyze correlations between biomarkers for biological insights, and to characterize the effectiveness of the platform in improving biomarker levels. First, a biomarker correlation network was constructed to generate biological hypotheses that are relevant to researchers and, potentially, to users of personalized wellness tools. The correlati...

Scientific Reports

between investigative team and funder, which provided support in the form of salaries, and was in... more between investigative team and funder, which provided support in the form of salaries, and was involved in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, and preparation of the manuscript. "

Nutrients, 2018

The global population, including the United States, is experiencing a demographic shift with the ... more The global population, including the United States, is experiencing a demographic shift with the proportion of older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) growing faster than any other age group. This demographic group is at higher risk for developing nutrition-related chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes as well as infections such as influenza and pneumonia. As a result, an emphasis on nutrition is instrumental for disease risk reduction. Unfortunately, inadequate nutrient status or deficiency, often termed hidden hunger, disproportionately affects older adults because of systematic healthcare, environmental, and biological challenges. This report summarizes the unique nutrition challenges facing the aging population and identifies strategies, interventions, and policies to address hidden hunger among the older adults, discussed at the scientific symposium "Hidden Hunger: Solutions for America's Aging Population", on March 23, 2018.

Nutrients, Jan 6, 2017

Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans... more Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 specifically identified vitamins A, C, D and E, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, choline and fiber as "underconsumed nutrients". Based on nationally representative data in 10,698 adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2009-2012, assessments were made of age-group differences in the impact of dietary supplements on nutrient intake and inadequacies. Compared to food alone, use of any dietary supplement plus food was associated with significantly ( < 0.01) higher intakes of 15-16 of 19 nutrients examined in all age groups; and significantly reduced rates of inadequacy for 10/17, 8/17 and 6/17 nutrients examined among individuals age ≥71, 51-70 and 19-50 years, respectively. Compared to the other age groups, older adults (≥71 years) had lower rates of inadequacy for iron and vitamins A, C, D and E, but higher rates for calcium. An ...

Nutrients, Jan 22, 2017

Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients, and the Dietary Guidelines for Ameri... more Many Americans have inadequate intakes of several nutrients, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 identified vitamins A, C, D, and E, in addition to calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, choline, and fiber as "underconsumed nutrients". Based on nationally representative data on 10,698 adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 2009-2012, assessments were made of socioeconomic differences, based on the Poverty Income Ratio (PIR), in terms of the association of dietary supplement use on nutrient intake and nutrient inadequacies. Compared to food alone, the use of any dietary supplement plus food was associated with significantly ( < 0.01) higher intakes of 15-16 of 19 nutrients examined in all socioeconomic groups; and significantly reduced rates of inadequacy for 10/17 nutrients in the subgroup PIR > 1.85 (not poor), but only 4-5/17 nutrients (calcium and vitamins A, C, D, E) for the poor and nearly poor subgroups (PIR < 1....

Clinical therapeutics, 2018

Evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements, in particular, multivitamin/multimineral supp... more Evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements, in particular, multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS), has been mixed, complicating the ability of health care professionals to recommend their use. To clarify the role that MVMS can play in supporting human health, a series of consensus statements was developed based on expert opinion. A panel of 14 international experts in nutritional science and health care was convened to develop consensus statements related to using MVMS in supporting optimal human health. The modified Delphi process included 2 rounds of remote voting and a final round of voting at a roundtable meeting where evidence summaries were presented and discussed. The level of agreement with each of 9 statements was rated on a 5-point Likert scale: agree strongly; agree with reservation; undecided; disagree; or disagree strongly. Consensus was predefined as ≥80% of the panel agreeing strongly or agreeing with reservation to a given statement. Consensus was reach...

Journal of the American Heart Association, Jan 29, 2017

Consumption of almonds or dark chocolate and cocoa has favorable effects on markers of coronary h... more Consumption of almonds or dark chocolate and cocoa has favorable effects on markers of coronary heart disease; however, the combined effects have not been evaluated in a well-controlled feeding study. The aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa and almonds on markers of coronary heart disease risk. A randomized controlled, 4-period, crossover, feeding trial was conducted in overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years. Forty-eight participants were randomized, and 31 participants completed the entire study. Each diet period was 4 weeks long, followed by a 2-week compliance break. Participants consumed each of 4 isocaloric, weight maintenance diets: (1) no treatment foods (average American diet), (2) 42.5 g/d of almonds (almond diet [ALD]), (3) 18 g/d of cocoa powder and 43 g/d of dark chocolate (chocolate diet [CHOC]), or (4) all 3 foods (CHOC+ALD). Compared with the average American diet, total choleste...

Stroke, Mar 25, 2018

Oxidative stress is an early response to cerebral ischemia and is likely to play an important rol... more Oxidative stress is an early response to cerebral ischemia and is likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury. We sought to evaluate whether hyperacute plasma concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage predict infarct growth (IG). We prospectively measured plasma F2-isoprostane (F2-isoP), urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguoanosine, plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, high sensitivity C reactive protein, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting within 9 hours of symptom onset. Patients with baseline diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging or computed tomographic scan were included to evaluate the final infarct volume. Baseline diffusion-weighted imaging volume and final infarct volume were analyzed using semiautomated volumetric method. IG volume was defined as the difference between fin...