Epidemiological studies have reported an association between obesity/metabolic syndrome (MetS) and male reproductive disorders. Endocrine dysfunctions, direct testicular damage, chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR) are involved in the occurrence of male obesity secondary hypogonadism (MOSH) which in turn alters the metabolic imbalance, creating a sort of vicious circle. Since IR and chronic inflammation state play a pivotal role in MOSH, low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diet protocols may be administered in obese men to improve their metabolic and hormonal profile. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been reported to determine positive effects on body weight, IR, cardio-metabolic risk, hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, and prostate with possible improvement of plasma androgens levels, sexual function (SF), and male fertility. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of KD on testicular function. Emerging evidence reports that very low-calorie KD (VLCKD) may revert MOSH by restoring HPT axis function and testosterone (T) levels. Moreover, VLCKD could improve SF, prostate health and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in overweight/obese male patients. VLCKD may also positively impact spermatogenesis although evidence is still poor. Future studies are warranted to clarify the effectiveness of KD on testicular and prostate gland function.

The Mediterranean dietary pattern, where extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) takes the central spot, is related to longer life expectancy and lower risk of a number of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular, diabetes, dementias, and cancer. Positive effect of olive oil on a broad spectrum of diseases, including diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), is usually attributed to its fatty acid content (e.g., oleic acid). Yet, in the last two decades researchers confirmed that, the phenolic compounds (e.g., oleuropein) also significantly alter on glycaemic regulation. Other unprocessed parts of olive plant (fruit and leaves) showed positive impact on glycaemic variability among individuals living with DMT2. The present review focuses on the available research findings on the effect of olive oil, fruits, and leaves on DMT2 treatment. Specifically, the focus is on polyphenols and fats of olive oil, fruits, and leaves with regard to their antidiabetic biological activities.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the leading global cause of mortality, underscoring the critical need for practical tools to assess CVD risk at an early stage. An accessible approach involves the evaluation of bloodwork alongside simple anthropometric measurements. This narrative review seeks to establish the appropriateness of common parameters used in the outpatient setting in assessing the risk of developing CVD. These parameters encompass bloodwork values employed to characterize insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, as well as anthropometric measurements used to describe issues related to overweight and fat distribution. A particular emphasis is placed on understanding how Mediterranean and ketogenic diets influence these parameters. In the realm of bloodwork, findings indicate that the triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) ratio serves as a valuable tool for assessing both IR and dyslipidemia. Less emphasis should be placed on total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) because the existing literature lacks consistency and fails to establish a clear, direct correlation between cholesterol levels, CVD, and mortality. On the other hand, numerous studies consistently demonstrate a direct correlation between CVD, mortality, and the levels of small-dense LDL (sdLDL), which represent the oxidized form of LDL. Regarding anthropometric parameters, the body mass index (BMI) falls short in value as it neglects to consider fat distribution and lean mass. More informative are anthropometric parameters that account for a single measure of fat mass and another for lean mass, such as the waist-height ratio (WHtR) or the waist-hip ratio (WHR). Both Mediterranean and ketogenic diets demonstrate improvements across major parameters used to evaluate CVD and mortality risk. The ketogenic diet, in particular, yields superior results in most aspects, except cholesterol levels. Further studies are recommended to refine dyslipidemia characterization and its connection to health outcomes.

Nitenpyram (NIT) and dinotefuran (DNF) are neonicotinoid pesticides commonly used in the production and storage of agricultural products, as well as in forests and gardens, for the purpose of protection from insect pests. Although they are safer for mammals, their toxic effects on pollinators, such as bees, and their long-term accumulation in water and soil, are important problems. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that their usage remains within certain specific limits and that their residues are quickly, precisely, and reliably monitored in various samples. In this review, electrochemical methods, which are voltammetry, amperometry, and potentiometry, for the determination of NIT and DNF in pure solutions, agricultural, and environmental samples by using various modified electrodes were reviewed. The results obtained from studies published since 2011 were compared, and the effectiveness of the selected methods was demonstrated. It was observed that the electrochemical methods, particularly voltammetry, used in the studies conducted for NIT and DNF yielded selective and sensitive results at detection limits at nmol L^–1 levels. These methods also exhibited high precision and accuracy without being affected by the matrix of the studied samples, such as soil, water, or agricultural products.

Vitamins are essential micronutrients for the functioning of the human body. Vitamins can be classified as water-soluble and fat-soluble, and are obtained through diet or supplementation. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. These compounds are very sensitive to external factors, including light, oxygen, pH, and temperature. Lack of compound stability, poor solubility, and low permeability can compromise the bioavailability and usefulness of fat-soluble vitamins. The methodology of encapsulation of vitamins is currently being widely studied in order to improve their transportation and usage. Proteins (including protein isolates and concentrates) and carbohydrates derived from legumes are very interesting materials to coat compounds, considering their functional properties, and the fact that they are beneficial for the environment and human health. This review describes in detail the current knowledge about the use of legume protein and carbohydrates as materials for the encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins. The functionality, health, and environmental advantages of legume fractions (particularly soy and pea fractions) as wall materials are also discussed. Future use of legume wastewater (soaking and cooking water derived from the treatment of legumes) as wall materials is evaluated as well. The study of encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins by leguminous fractions is mainly focused on soy and pea protein isolates and concentrates and can still be expanded, considering the numerous benefits of encapsulation they provide. Research on encapsulation using legume carbohydrates is scarce and may be interesting due to their high encapsulation efficiency and easy digestibility. Saponins, proteins, and carbohydrates present in legume wastewaters could offer useful properties to encapsulation processes, while benefiting the environment.

Plants play a key role in the treatment and prevention of diseases since ancient times. Eucalyptus has been traditionally used in the treatment of conditions related to the respiratory system, such as flu, colds, sore throats, bronchitis, as well as neuralgia, and stiffness. Eucalyptus camaldulensis has several phytoconstituents such as ellagitannins endowed with bioactivity, including antioxidant and inhibitory potential on various microorganisms causing foodborne diseases. Tellimagrandin I, pedunculagin, castalagin/vescalagin are among the most representative and have activity against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. These antioxidant ellagitannins may have potential application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The main industrial uses of E. camaldulensis are related to the production of wood, paper, and charcoal, with its leaves and branches considered by-products from these industrial activities. However, these plant by-products could be used to obtain bioactive compounds for the development of new and improved consumer goods. Therefore, the aim of this work was to review the main ellagitannins of E. camaldulensis and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities in foodborne microorganisms, as well as the relevance that these compounds may have in the food industry and related sectors.

Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder, is the most prevalent form of dementia with an increasingly growing incidence rate worldwide. As no effective therapeutic modalities are still available for the treatment of this serious disabling condition, lifestyle modifications, especially nutritional interventions, have been shown to be important in its prevention and symptomatic alleviation. In this short perspective article, an inverse association between the intake of sunflower seeds and the mortality from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is proposed, showing that in the countries with the highest consumption of sunflower seeds, the death rate from this neurodegenerative disorder is low. The bioactive ingredients of sunflower seeds and their possible neuroprotective mechanisms are further unraveled, highlighting the potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory and neurotrophic effects of tocopherols, unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols. Among the latter agents, β-sitosterol might be particularly important in combating Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing the levels of nerve growth factor and thereby promoting neurite formation. If future epidemiological studies will confirm the proposed inverse association between the intake of sunflower seeds and the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, it is easy to include appropriate sunflower seed products in the everyday diet to protect against the pathogenesis and progression of this neurodegenerative disorder, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Considering the rather long latency period before clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease, nutritional approaches with specific foods might be a promising strategy for fighting against dementia.

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Natural antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, and microelements, are predominant in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. The accretion interest of consumers in utilizing natural ingredients in food products, have accelerated the appeal for functional “natural” operations. Therefore, understanding how natural antioxidants especially nano-antioxidants, and their delivery systems when used in antioxidant polymers for food packaging are extracted from natural sources, would help prevent oxidation reactions. Given the increasing role of natural antioxidants in the daily lives of today’s communities, a continuous synthesis of relevant literature is pertinent. To supplement existing information, recent advances in nano-related natural antioxidants, their extraction methods and applications in the food industry are discussed in this current work. Insightfully positioning antioxidants within the nano-delivery systems, this current work reveals the potential nanotechnology provides in enhancing the absorption of antioxidants in human metabolic systems.

Infertility is a crucial and common health issue worldwide, that affects people both physiologically and psychosocially. The condition is described as the disease of the reproductive system of either male or female or both, incapability to instate a pregnancy after one year or more than twelve months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse or six months for women aged 35 years or more. Presently, the etiology of infertility is not well understood, many genetic factors, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions such as stress work, oxidative stress, unbalanced nutrition, and unhealthy dietary patterns have been implicated to interfere with reproductive safety in both the sex. The nutritional factors are known to be amenable to normal and healthy reproductive function in both males and females. According to many studies, increased energy intake, dietary behavioral change, and low physical activity are responsible for epidemic disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity that affect reproductive health as well, and clear evidence indicates that there is a connection between inappropriate nutrition and sperm quality. Endocrinal disruption, occupational stress, and lifestyle behavior are positively linked with the pathophysiology of infecundity. Imbalance intake of both macro and micronutrients negatively affects normal reproductive function. Changes in eating behavior, and unhealthy dietary patterns such as a higher intake of food prepared with saturated and trans fats, spicy and salty foods, and a lower intake of antioxidants including fruit and vegetables are associated with reproductive life. This narrative review summarized that many studies with more consumption of fruit, vegetables, whole cereals, meat, poultry, skim milk, and seafood and less consumption of fried, spicy, salty, sugary, processed cereals and meats are linked with good sperm count.