The most viewed articles in the last three months among those published since 2024.
Pressure injuries are common complications in patients with limited mobility, particularly those who are bedridden. These wounds not only cause pain and reduce quality of life but also lead to prolonged hospitalization, increased risk of infection, and higher healthcare costs. Among the various contributing factors, malnutrition plays a crucial role by impairing collagen synthesis, weakening immune function, and delaying tissue repair. Adequate nutritional support—particularly sufficient protein and energy intake—is therefore an essential component of comprehensive pressure injury management. We present the case of a paraplegic patient who developed a vulvar pressure injury. A structured, stepwise nutritional intervention was implemented, including adjustment of meal composition based on appetite, supplementation with high-protein oral nutritional supplements, vitamins and minerals, and the use of probiotics to manage diarrhea. As a result, the patient’s daily protein intake increased from less than 10 g to 80–90 g, accompanied by progressive wound improvement. Serial clinical assessments showed reduced slough, increased granulation tissue formation, and epithelialization. This case highlights the vital role of individualized nutritional management within a multidisciplinary approach to pressure injury care. Stepwise nutritional intervention, tailored to the patient’s tolerance and clinical status, contributed significantly to wound healing. Nutritional optimization should be considered an integral component of effective pressure injury treatment strategies.
This review offers a comprehensive analysis of food for special medical purposes (FSMPs)—specially formulated foods designed to support the dietary management of individuals with specific medical conditions. The regulatory frameworks governing FSMP differ significantly across key regions, including the European Union, North America (with a focus on the United States), and Asia (primarily China and India). FSMP is critical in addressing malnutrition, metabolic disorders (including inborn errors of metabolism), and chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological conditions. Recent advancements, such as the application of three-dimensional printing technology and the growing emphasis on personalized nutrition, are poised to revolutionize the FSMP industry. The global market for FSMP is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in China, driven by factors like aging populations and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Future trends suggest a shift toward more personalized, technologically advanced FSMP formulations. However, challenges such as high costs, limited accessibility, unclear regulations, and poor palatability must be addressed to maximize the potential of FSMP in enhancing patient care.
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This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of flaxseed supplementation on blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension based on the data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Three databases (PubMed [MEDLINE], Scopus, and ISI Web of Science) were searched from inception up to August 10, 2024. Relevant studies meeting our eligibility criteria were obtained. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The methodological quality of individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. A total of 5 studies were included and analyzed using STATA software version 12. The results show that there is a significant decrease in systolic BP (WMD, −8.64 mmHg; 95% CI, −15.41 to −1.87; p ≤ 0.001) and diastolic BP (WMD, −4.87 mmHg; 95% CI, −8.37 to −1.37; p = 0.006) of patients with hypertension as compared to control groups. This study supported that flaxseed supplementation had favorable effects on BP control in hypertensive patients. It may be a promising adjuvant therapy for patients with hypertension.
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This study aimed to identify major dietary patterns among Korean adolescents, examine their changes over the past 16 years, and evaluate differences by sex. Data were analyzed from 7,679 adolescents aged 12–18 years who participated in the 2007–2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and completed health, examination, and nutrition surveys. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall, and cluster analysis was performed based on the energy contribution of 26 food groups. Associations between dietary patterns and nutrient intake were examined using survey-weighted linear regression. Three dietary patterns were identified: Bread, Meat, & Dairy (33.1%); Rice-based Diet (45.5%); and Convenient Foods (21.3%). Among boys, the Rice-based Diet group showed the highest prevalence of obesity and the largest proportion of low-income households, whereas the Bread, Meat, & Dairy group exhibited higher rates of supplement use and high-income status (all p < 0.05). Among girls, the Convenient Foods group tended to be older and was more likely to skip breakfast, consume alcohol, eat out daily, and perceive themselves as overweight (all p < 0.05). Over the 16-year period, adherence to the Bread, Meat, & Dairy pattern increased, whereas adherence to the Rice-based Diet pattern declined in both sexes (p < 0.01). These findings highlight a shift toward Westernized dietary patterns among Korean adolescents. Accordingly, nutrition policies and interventions should adopt tailored strategies that account for both sex and socioeconomic differences to promote healthier eating habits and support long-term adolescent health.
Protein intake has been identified as a key modifiable factor in preventing and managing sarcopenia, a common age-related condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. This scoping review aimed to summarize the available literature on the association between protein intake and sarcopenia-related outcomes among Korean older adults and identify current research trends and gaps in this field. The review followed the 5-step methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley for scoping reviews and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist to ensure a comprehensive search strategy. Protein intake was assessed using various methods, including grams per day, grams per kilogram of body weight per day, and intake quartiles. Sarcopenia-related outcomes were categorized into 3 domains as follows: muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. Although most intervention studies demonstrated improvements in muscle mass following protein supplementation, findings on muscle strength and physical function were inconsistent. Cross-sectional studies generally reported better sarcopenia-related outcomes with higher protein intake, particularly when the intake was expressed relative to body weight or analyzed according to quartiles. However, heterogeneity in protein intake assessments and variations in sarcopenia definitions could have contributed to the inconsistent findings across studies. This review highlights the need for applying standardized approaches for protein intake measurement and sarcopenia diagnosis. Future studies should consider the quantity, quality, and timing of protein intake while also focusing on the implementation of integrated, multidisciplinary intervention strategies to promote healthy aging among Korean older adults.
Anxiety disorder is a prevalent psychiatric issue that affects 4.05% of the global population. As complementary and alternative medicine gains popularity, many individuals with anxiety symptoms seek herbal remedies. This systematic review aims to explore the sedative efficacy of chamomile as an herbal medicine for anxiety treatment. Our search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases until August 2023. Among 389 papers found, after removing duplicates and irrelevant papers, 10 clinical trials investigating the effect of oral consumption of chamomile on anxiety were included. Two researchers independently completed all steps, including the screening process and data extraction. Out of the 10 articles selected, 9 studies have concluded that chamomile is effective in reducing anxiety. Even though, the exact mechanism of chamomile’s anxiolytic action is not well understood, evidence suggests that its active compounds, including apigenin, may modulate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis by affecting neurotransmitter pathways. This systematic review showed that chamomile potentially has an anxiolytic effect. In addition, due to the side effects of drugs used to treat anxiety disorders, the use of chamomile seems to be effective and less dangerous.
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition often accompanied by metabolic and nutritional imbalances. Conventional dietary interventions, such as the gluten-free, casein-free diet, typically fail to consider individual genetic variations. Nutrigenomics, the study of gene-nutrient interactions, offers a promising framework for exploring personalized dietary interventions that may help address the metabolic and neurological complexities associated with ASD, although current evidence remains preliminary. This research note offers recommendations for integrating nutrigenomics into special education through a multidisciplinary approach that combines clinical nutrition, genetics, and educational practice via a 3-phase agenda. Stage 1 focuses on identifying behavioral subgroups within special education settings and using validated tools such as the Child Behavior Checklist Scale to analyze nutritional intake. Stage 2 involves the development and pilot-testing of behavior-specific nutrition protocols that are tailored to these subgroups, incorporating input from practice experts in nutrigenomics. Lastly, in Stage 3, a personalized nutrition model that incorporates genetic screening and metabolic profiling is constructed in collaboration with dietitians, educators, and caregivers. By bridging clinical and educational domains, this study seeks to establish nutrigenomics-based nutrition therapy as a viable and equitable intervention for improving health and developmental outcomes among students with ASD.
The health benefits of dietary fiber are widely recognized, but its impact on muscle health remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between dietary fiber intake and muscle strength through a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Korea National Health and Examination Survey (KNHANES). Data from a single 24-h dietary recall and handgrip strength tests of 10,883 younger adults aged 19 to 64 years and 3,961 older adults aged ≥ 65 years were analyzed. Low muscle strength was defined as handgrip strength < 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association of dietary fiber intake with muscle strength. Approximately 43% of Korean adults met the recommended intake of dietary fiber, and those with higher dietary fiber consumption also had higher total energy and protein intake. After adjusting for confounding variables, dietary fiber intake was found to be positively associated with maximal handgrip strength in younger women aged 19 to 64 years (β = 0.015; standard error [SE] = 0.006) and older men aged ≥ 65 years (β = 0.035; SE = 0.014). For older women aged ≥ 65 years, those in the lowest quartile of dietary fiber intake had a higher risk of low muscle strength than those in the highest quartile after adjustment of confounders (odds ratio 1.709; 95% confidence interval 1.130–2.585). These results suggest that adequate dietary fiber intake may reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older Korean women.
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This study provides the first national update on phase angle (PhA) as a biomarker of body composition, nutritional status, and health outcomes in Korean adults. Using data from 5,035 adults aged 20–80 years from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we analyzed age-related variations in PhA, body composition, metabolic diseases, and nutrient intake. The mean PhA declined from 5.57° in participants aged 20–39 to 4.23° in those aged 80+, corresponding with decreases in height and weight. Individuals with higher PhA exhibited significantly greater lean body mass and lower body fat; for example, among those aged 20–39, the high PhA group showed 56.02 kg of lean mass versus 40.71 kg in the low group (p < 0.001) and total body water of 41.07 L versus 29.84 L (p < 0.001). Regarding metabolic diseases, 35.2% of the high PhA group aged 20–39 had grade 1 obesity compared with 17.4% in the low group, with similar associations observed for diabetes and hypertension across age groups. Nutritional intake was also higher in the high PhA group, with mean energy intake of 2,180.84 versus 1,710.16 kcal (p < 0.001). Overall, PhA was positively associated with favorable body composition, nutritional intake, and metabolic profiles across all age groups, suggesting its potential as a comprehensive biomarker for assessing physiological health and guiding nutritional interventions in the Korean population.
Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease influenced by behavioral, environmental, genetic, and psychological factors. One primary determinant of childhood obesity is the presence of dietary factors commonly acquired through the shared home food environment, which parents can greatly influence. Thus, the present study examined the similarity in diet quality between children or adolescents with obesity and their mothers. We analyzed baseline data collected from the Intervention for Children and Adolescent obesity via Activity and Nutrition study. Seventy mother–offspring dyads were identified, which included children and adolescents with obesity aged 8–16 years and their mothers living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Food or nutrient intake and diet quality were evaluated from 3-day food records. Childhood obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 95th percentile based on the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. No significant difference was observed in the diet quality score between children with obesity and their mothers. However, correlation coefficients between mothers and their children’s total Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) score (r = 0.30) and subcategories, such as variety (r = 0.29), adequacy (r = 0.43), moderation (r = 0.45), and overall balance (r = 0.30), were positively correlated (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis of the influence of maternal diet quality on offspring diet quality revealed that the maternal DQI-I score influenced the offspring’s DQI-I score, consistent with our prediction. Further studies with larger and more representative samples are needed to confirm the applicability of our findings to all children and adolescent populations.
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Malnutrition is prevalent among older patients, leading to increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and diminished quality of life. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) facilitates the evaluation of multifaceted health issues, enabling individualized nutritional interventions. This case report describes nutritional management guided by CGA in a 75-year-old female hospitalized for severe hypernatremia with significant malnutrition and high-risk for refeeding syndrome. Upon admission, CGA identified multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, and complete dependence on caregivers for daily activities. Due to persistent refusal of oral intake, enteral nutrition (EN) was cautiously initiated at 25% of the target energy requirement, with close monitoring of electrolyte levels. Despite an initial decrease in phosphorus levels suggestive of refeeding syndrome, gradual advancement of nutritional support successfully stabilized her clinical condition. Following discharge, structured caregiver education was provided to support EN at home; however, suboptimal intake persisted due to gastrointestinal intolerance, resulting in weight loss. Post-discharge follow-ups identified feeding rate-related symptoms, necessitating formula adjustments and caregiver re-education. This case emphasizes the critical role of CGA in early malnutrition detection, individualized nutritional intervention, prevention of refeeding syndrome, and the importance of continuous post-discharge monitoring and caregiver education. Although the findings are limited by the single-case design, proactive CGA-based nutritional interventions remain crucial for optimizing clinical outcomes in older patients hospitalized due to acute medical problems. Further research involving larger samples and prolonged follow-up periods is required to validate the long-term benefits of CGA-based nutritional intervention.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of almond consumption on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). An electronic database search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from inception through October 2024. Summary effect size measurements were calculated using random effects model estimation and were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 258 articles were identified, and 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis of eleven RCTs, which involved a total of 544 participants, indicated that almonds significantly reduced levels of CRP (WMD, −0.28 mg/L; 95% CI, −0.52, −0.04; p = 0.02). However, we found no significant benefit of almond consumption in improving serum MDA levels, and due to the limited number of studies, the examination of MDA was conducted only qualitatively. This study supports the conclusion that almond consumption has favorable effects on CRP levels in individuals with CVD risk factors. More high-quality trials are needed to confirm these findings.
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Adequate nutrition reportedly can help reduce the degree of muscle loss and improve muscle quality in hospitalized patients recovering from trauma. This study investigated the association between nutritional intake and changes in muscle quality and quantity in these patients. The handgrip strength (HGS) and body composition of 52 patients admitted to the trauma ward were measured at 1-week intervals. According to their dietary intake, they were categorized into the hypocaloric nutrition group (HNG; < 70% of recommended caloric intake) and the isocaloric nutrition group (ING; ≥ 70% of recommended caloric intake). Within one week, body mass index (24.3 ± 4.4 kg/m2 vs. 23.4 ± 4.5 kg/m2), body fat percentage (24.1% ± 9.8% vs. 17.2% ± 9.2%), and skeletal muscle mass (28.6 ± 4.9 kg vs. 27.5 ± 4.3 kg) significantly decreased in the ING compared with those in the HNG. Although the skeletal muscle mass decreased, the ING’s left HGS significantly increased (26.6 ± 9.6 kg vs. 28.5 ± 10.1 kg). The ING also consumed a significantly greater amount of protein (beyond the recommended amount) than the HNG (72.6 ± 43.2 → 100.8 ± 27.0% vs. 58.6 ± 25.9 → 49.5 ± 20.1%; p = 0.039). In bioelectrical impedance vector analysis, the vectors of the ING shifted more within the normal range of the 75% tolerance ellipse than those of the HNG (23% vs. 10%). These results suggest that, although the muscle mass quantitatively decreased during trauma recovery, adequate nutritional support helps preserve muscle quality.
Nutrition fact labels (NFLs) are a simple way to help people improve their nutritional intake by making healthier food choices. This study aimed to evaluate NFL use and eating habit changes among quarantined and hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 and 2020 Korean Community Health Surveys (KCHSs). Data were collected from 229,099 subjects in 2019 and 229,269 subjects in 2020. In the 2020 KCHS, data from 1,073 COVID-19 patients were included. NFL use was divided into 4 categories based on a questionnaire: affect, read, aware, and never heard. Among COVID-19 patients, 32.15% reported that they had not heard of NFLs (never heard group) compared to 44.36% of the healthy population (p < 0.001). A total of 35.1% of COVID-19 patients who reported daily life change scores of 20 or less were in the affect group compared to 23.8% of healthy subjects. In the affect group, the proportion of respondents who reported increased consumption of delivered food was 38.7% in the COVID-19 group, which was 17.1% higher than that in the never heard group (Cramér’s V = 0.257; p < 0.001). Respondents with increased consumption of fast food/soda showed a higher ratio of having never heard of NFLs among healthy subjects (28.5%) than among COVID-19 patients (22.5%; p = 0.043). Confirmed COVID-19 infections and more unfavorable daily life changes due to COVID-19 led to increased nutritional information seeking and NFL use.
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