María L Miguel-Berges, Guiomar Masip, Luis A Moreno
{"title":"Sugars in children's diets: current sources, determinants and health impacts.","authors":"María L Miguel-Berges, Guiomar Masip, Luis A Moreno","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001210","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review synthesizes current evidence on free sugar intake among European children and adolescents, emphasizing recent trends in consumption, key determinants, associated health outcomes, and implications for preventive strategies.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Despite modest reductions in some countries, sugar consumption in youth continues to exceed international recommendations, particularly during adolescence. Longitudinal studies highlight persistent high intakes, with sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and confectionery as primary contributors. Socioeconomic disparities, parental behaviours, screen exposure, and individual traits significantly influence consumption. High sugar intake is linked to increased risk of adiposity, cardiometabolic disturbances, and dental caries, with early exposure potentially impacting long-term disease risk. Recent policy efforts, such as taxation and reformulation, show promise but remain inconsistently implemented across Europe.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Free sugar intake in childhood remains a critical nutritional concern in Europe. Evidence supports the need for multilevel approaches, including early-life interventions, updated guidelines, and policy measures targeting the broader food environment. Healthcare professionals play a key role in supporting families through nutrition education and consistent messaging. Coordinated action is essential to reduce sugar intake and prevent chronic diseases across the life course.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":" ","pages":"344-350"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146040528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bruno Remígio Cavalcante, Ryan Stanley Falck, Philipe de Souto Barreto, Yves Rolland
{"title":"Exercise training as a cornerstone intervention for sarcopenia: a review.","authors":"Bruno Remígio Cavalcante, Ryan Stanley Falck, Philipe de Souto Barreto, Yves Rolland","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001218","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001218","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>A loss of muscle mass and strength with aging may reflect a generalized and progressive disease known as sarcopenia. Mounting evidence shows that sarcopenia is associated with poor health outcomes in older adults. Currently, no specific drugs are approved for the treatment of sarcopenia. In this context, exercise training has emerged as a cornerstone non-pharmacological strategy to disease management. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the effects of exercise training on muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance in sarcopenic older adults published recently (from 2024 onward).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Overall, the literature consistently supports resistance training as the primary exercise modality to combat sarcopenia in older adults with formal diagnosis, with multicomponent programs (i.e., involving aerobic exercises and eventually other exercise types, such as balance) offering additional clinical benefits. Novel approaches, including home-based, technology-assisted, and remotely delivered interventions, combined with traditional exercise modalities further expand the range of feasible strategies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Important challenges remain in translating research findings into clinical practice. Continued advances in the definition and operationalization of sarcopenia, alongside well-designed and adequately powered clinical trials, will be essential to refine evidence-based exercise recommendations and to support their effective implementation in real-world settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":" ","pages":"270-276"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147354195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The gut microbiome and dietary interventions in cancer cachexia.","authors":"Rima Nasrah, R Thomas Jagoe","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000001211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The gut microbiome (GM) is altered in cancer cachexia, and it is possible that such GM changes may promote or sustain features of cancer cachexia including changes in host metabolism and anorexia. As a result, there is growing interest in GM-focused interventions to address cancer cachexia. In this review, the factors that likely contribute to changes in GM in cancer cachexia are highlighted. Also, this review presents recent data on GM-derived predictive biomarkers for response to dietary interventions in cachexia.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The importance of maintaining or increasing energy intake to combat cancer cachexia has become clearer in recent years. However, there is wide inter-individual variation in response to changes after dietary interventions. Two recent studies have reported GM features which predict response to different types of dietary interventions: enteral feeding in pancreatic cancer patients, and oral nutritional counselling promoting an energy and protein dense diet in a mixed cancer group attending a specialized cancer cachexia clinic. Each study reported that increased abundance of a specific GM taxon predicted a more favourable response to the dietary intervention used.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>GM features may prove to be important in identifying patients with cancer cachexia who are more or less likely to respond well to current dietary interventions. This has clear clinical implications and utility. Further studies will be needed to determine whether GM-targeted interventions can be developed to improve response to dietary interventions and the management of cachexia more generally.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":"29 3","pages":"263-269"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pediatric nutrition: from premature infants to adolescents.","authors":"Raanan Shamir, Berthold V Koletzko","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000001217","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":"29 3","pages":"287-290"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sawsan Abdul-Hamid, Wayne Fradley, Bethan E Phillips
{"title":"Nutritional rehabilitation strategies in abdominal surgery.","authors":"Sawsan Abdul-Hamid, Wayne Fradley, Bethan E Phillips","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001216","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001216","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Major abdominal surgery imposes significant physiological and psychological stress on patients and can lead to associated changes with consequent morbidity. Postoperative rehabilitation aims to minimise the impacts of surgical stress and facilitate convalescence and return to normal function. This review aims to highlight recent research in abdominal surgery rehabilitation with a focus on nutrition and adjuvant exercise and best practice guidelines.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Emerging interventions for restoration of normal gastrointestinal function postoperatively include the use of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation and probiotics. Oral nutritional supplements in the postoperative period mitigate body weight loss, and routine use is now recommended after colorectal operations. Where oral intake is insufficient, enteral or parenteral nutrition is indicated, with meta-analyses demonstrating potential benefit of early supplementary parenteral nutrition. Immunonutrition postoperatively has been shown to reduce surgical complications and to have benefits over and above standard nutritional therapy. The evidence for adjuvant contractile interventions in the postoperative period is marked by heterogeneity in patient populations and exercise type, and further evidence is required in this space.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The evidence base for postoperative rehabilitation is continually increasing, and recent international guidelines recommend several novel nutritional practices, notably the use of probiotics and immunonutrition.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":" ","pages":"238-245"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13048318/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146212440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nutrition recovery after critical illness: toward a personalized, multimodal approach.","authors":"Claire Dupuis, Jean Charles Preiser","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001197","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001197","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Although survival after critical illness has improved, many intensive care unit (ICU) survivors experience persistent muscle wasting, malnutrition and functional decline - all of which are key components of postintensive care syndrome (PICS). This review discusses the metabolic and nutritional challenges faced after ICU discharge, explaining why addressing these issues through personalized recovery strategies is both timely and clinically relevant.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent evidence shows that ICU survivors typically achieve 50-60% of their energy and protein requirements during the recovery phase, particularly after transfer from the ICU to the ward. As, the energy expenditure remains elevated, the energy imbalance may worsen after discharge from the ICU. Factors contributing to this imbalance include hypercatabolism, dysphagia, immobilization and hormonal disturbances. Emerging studies suggest that phased, personalized nutrition, guided by dietitians and supported by early mobilization and metabolic monitoring, can improve outcomes. Research has shown that personalized nutritional support reduces mortality and complications in hospitalized patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Optimizing nutrition from the ICU through to posthospital recovery is essential for restoring muscle mass, reducing disability and enhancing quality of life. Multimodal, personalized nutrition strategies combined with rehabilitation are the cornerstone of post-ICU recovery and should be a major focus of future clinical research and implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":" ","pages":"253-262"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145854862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emma Elisabeth Cappellato, Paola Costelli, Fabio Penna
{"title":"Mechanism-based nutritional approaches in cancer cachexia.","authors":"Emma Elisabeth Cappellato, Paola Costelli, Fabio Penna","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001207","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cancer cachexia is a complex multiorgan wasting syndrome that negatively impacts on cancer patient's survival and quality of life. Standard nutritional support is considered insufficient to counteract cachexia, and no approved nutritional approach or standard of care for cachexia exists so far. This review highlights recent reports focused on nutrition, aimed at sparing skeletal muscle and targeting molecular pathways underlying cachexia with specific supplements.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>In animal models of cancer cachexia, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) help restore skeletal muscle proteostasis. In combination with the alanine dipeptide, with strong proteinogenic potential, BCAAs enhance anabolic signaling and suppress proteolysis via mTOR. α-ketoisocaproate exerts additional protective effects against muscle loss by targeting the Akt/FoxO3a and myostatin signaling. Methionine and the derivative SAM improve muscle status via epigenetic control and REDD1 suppression. L-carnitine shows multitarget functions, including muscle proteostasis control, inflammation attenuation, and reduced muscle fibrosis. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids show anti-inflammatory properties, improve the nutritional status, and prevent adipose tissue browning.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Overall, recent findings in preclinical and partly in clinical studies indicate that nutrient-based interventions target complementary cancer cachexia alterations. It is likely that combinatorial approaches, integrating several specific nutrients, will provide an effective base for managing cancer patients during the long journey of the disease, building future interventions against cancer cachexia.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":" ","pages":"246-252"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145910965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Targeting muscle, mitochondria, and microbiome: nutritional and exercise strategies across wasting diseases and conditions.","authors":"Mariëlle P K J Engelen, Barbara S van der Meij","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001220","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000001220","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":"29 3","pages":"211-213"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Anabolic resistance in cancer cachexia: a role for sex and chemotherapy.","authors":"Tanner Jenkins, Quan Zhang, James A Carson","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001219","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000001219","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The purpose of this review is to highlight recently published research that can provide insight into how either sex or chemotherapeutics can impact cancer regulation of muscle anabolic resistance. Critical knowledge gaps are emphasized that are linked to cancer and treatment disruptions to muscle anabolic signaling. We speculate and propose a rationale for estrogen's protective effect against cancer-induced muscle anabolic resistance in females. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that many cancer treatments have the potential to exacerbate muscle anabolic resistance in both males and females. We present current evidence and speculate on how nutritional interventions could serve as key modulators of cancer-induced anabolic resistance in these conditions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recently published studies have reinforced that sex impacts the regulation of cancer cachexia in several established preclinical models, with males often developing more severe cachexia when compared to females. Importantly, recent research has established these sex differences at the transcriptomic level. Recent research has also strengthened the link between hypogonadism as a driver of cancer cachexia in preclinical models. Furthermore, chemotherapy has the potential to exacerbate muscle anabolic resistance.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>There is a growing body of literature that provides a strong rationale for further investigation into the impact of sex and chemotherapy on the cancer regulation of muscle anabolic resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":"29 3","pages":"277-286"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Alternative protein source to cover needs in early childhood.","authors":"Cristiana Berti, Silvia Bettocchi, Veronica D'Oria, Alessandra Mazzocchi","doi":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001205","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MCO.0000000000001205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review investigates protein intake in early childhood (2-5 years), with particular attention to the context of climate change. Specifically, it draws on recent evidence regarding different protein sources and their respective benefits and concerns for both human and planetary health.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>While high protein intake, particularly from animal sources, during early childhood may contribute to excessive weight gain, both the quantity and quality of protein may shape growth trajectories and low intake of total protein or indispensable amino acids may result in growth restriction. The relevance of protein quality and amino acid composition is increasingly recognized. Plant-based and insect-derived proteins are emerging as sustainable alternatives with promising nutrient profiles, though uncertainties persist regarding digestibility, allergenicity, and long-term effects. Early childhood offers a key opportunity to introduce these proteins, yet evidence on acceptance and integration in children aged 2-5 years is still limited. Sensory preferences, food neophobia, and parental attitudes are major determinants of children's willingness to try and regularly consume alternative proteins.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Meeting protein needs in early childhood requires balancing developmental demands with environmental sustainability. Alternative proteins may support this transition, but their nutritional adequacy, safety, and cultural acceptability must be ensured. Personalized nutrition strategies will be essential for guiding appropriate protein choices and promoting healthy growth during this formative period.</p>","PeriodicalId":10962,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care","volume":" ","pages":"306-312"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}