COSMED - The Metabolic Company’s Post

Our latest research article is now available. We aimed to describe the perceptions and experiences on nutrition of patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and identify the barriers and facilitators influencing their nutritional intake. Patients with CLTI perceive nutrition as a necessity for survival and function, but express limited risk perception regarding adequate nutritional intake and undernutrition. Limited nutritional advice was received. Our findings underscore the urgent need for patient-centered nutritional care. By increasing nutrition-related knowledge and motivation, we can work towards preventing or treating undernutrition and, in turn, potentially improve clinical outcomes for patients with CLTI. Special thanks to our great team Jan Geertzen Prof. dr. Rienk Dekker MD PhD Harriët Jager-Wittenaar Leonie Krops Jean-Paul de Vries Martijn Dijkstra and Pieter Dijkstra. https://lnkd.in/e3GEfSyz

It was my pleasure to share one of my publications in the nutrition science (Agreement between different nutritional assessments tools used for elderly hospitalized patients) Nutrition assessment enables early diagnosis of patients at risk of malnutrition and those who are already malnourished. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the agreement between Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) as tools for nutritional assessment against the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) among elderly hospitalized patients. One hundred and fifty hospitalized elderly patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All elderly hospitalized patients aged 65 years who were admitted into medical and surgical departments and signed the consent form were recruited for the study. Socio-demographic and socioeconomic data, medical and nutritional characteristics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurements, SGA, MNA, and GNRI were collected from all respondents. The study was approved by the local Helsinki Committee (PHRC/HC/721/20). According to SGA, MNA, and GNRI results, 52.7%, 20.7%, and 4% of hospitalized elderly patients were suffering from malnutrition, respectively. More than half of the respondents were obese. All measured anthropometric parameters in the malnutrition group in all nutritional assessment tools were significantly lower than the non-malnutrition group. With reference to the SGA; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the GNRI were 0.075, 1, 1, and 0.493, respectively, while those for the MNA were 0.354, 0.957, 0.903, and 0.571, respectively. The AUC of the GNRI was comparable to that of the MNA (0.711 and 0.860, respectively). Moreover, the optimal malnutrition cutoff value for the GNRI and MNA was 108.919 and 21.75, respectively. Results of this study indicated that elderly patients were suffering from different degrees of malnutrition and unfortunately they are undetected. GNRI and MNA show low sensitivity and NPV. Both the GNRI and MNA have a high Area Under the Curve (AUC), thus enabling the discovery of malnutrition in patients. The newly emerging cutoff points of GNRI and MNA for the Palestinian elderly indicated the highest sensitivity and specificity values than the original cutoff points. #Nutrition

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a currently incurable, congenital metabolic disorder that causes the systemic elevation of phenylalanine (Phe), which is neurotoxic and teratogenic and can lead to epilepsy. Management involves lifelong adherence to an unpalatable protein-restricted diet based on Phe-free amino acid mixtures, which also strongly affects life quality of the patients. As an alternative solution, a Phe-free protein (GSP105) was identified, which is well-suited for the food of PKU patients due to its neutral taste and smell as well as its solubility. First animal tests have shown a normalization of the Phe levels in the blood after incorporating GSP105 into the diet. Fraunhofer IME contributed to a recently published paper on the subject, in cooperation with the metaX Institute for Dietetics and the University of Zürich.   Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/epRFbzNW

Why Doctors are not good Nutritionists #Nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining health and preventing diseases. However, despite its importance, doctors often face challenges in providing comprehensive guidance regarding the nutritional needs of their patients leading to unsatisfaction. This essay explores the reasons why doctors may encounter difficulties in offering precise nutritional advice and suggests potential solutions to overcome these obstacles. Limited Nutrition Education: Medical education primarily focuses on disease diagnosis, treatment, and management, leaving minimal room for in-depth training in nutrition. Many doctors may lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to provide tailored nutritional recommendations to patients. Doctors often operate within tight schedules, with limited time available for each patient consultation. Addressing nutritional concerns comprehensively requires adequate time to assess dietary habits, discuss nutritional goals, and formulate personalized plans. Complexity of Nutritional Science: Nutrition science is vast and continually evolving, with new research findings frequently challenging existing beliefs and guidelines. Keeping abreast of the latest evidence-based nutritional recommendations amidst a demanding clinical workload can be daunting for doctors. Moreover, conflicting dietary advice from various sources further complicates the task of providing accurate guidance to patients. Individual Variability in Nutritional Requirements: Nutritional needs vary widely among individuals based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, medical history, lifestyle, and cultural preferences. Formulating a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition is impractical, requiring doctors to tailor recommendations according to each patient's unique circumstances. #Lack of #Reimbursement for Nutrition Counseling: In many healthcare systems, doctors are not adequately reimbursed for providing nutrition counseling to patients. Consequently, prioritizing nutritional guidance may not be financially viable for healthcare providers, especially in settings where time is equated with revenue. Potential Solutions: Enhanced Nutrition Education: Medical schools and continuing medical education programs should prioritize comprehensive nutrition training for healthcare professionals to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective nutritional counseling. Multidisciplinary Collaboration is a way forward. Utilization of Technology: Digital health platforms and mobile applications can assist doctors in delivering personalized nutritional guidance to patients, facilitating remote monitoring and support. Policy Changes: Healthcare policies should prioritize preventive care, including nutrition counseling, by incentivizing and reimbursing doctors for these services. This would encourage healthcare providers to allocate sufficient time and resources to address patients' nutritional needs proactively.

Transparency in reporting is key to trust in science. Here is an adaptation of the CONSORT guidelines for reporting RCTs that can be used to address the unique features of nutrition studies.

I am currently reading a book titled "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Nutritional Medicine Maybe Killing You". Although the title may seem unconventional, it was written by a medicine specialist, Dr. Ray D. Strand, M.D. Today, I read the chapter titled "Living Too Short; Dying Too Long". I highly recommend that all professional champions read this book. It will change your paradigm towards health and revolutionize your understanding of it. Here are few pointers for the understanding about health: 1. Historical Health Trends: Discuss how the causes of death have changed over the past century, highlighting the shift from infectious diseases to chronic degenerative diseases. 2. Impact of Medical Advances: Explore the role of medical advancements, such as antibiotics, in extending life expectancy. However, note that modern society has a high prevalence of chronic diseases. 3. Evaluation of Healthcare Systems: Compare the US healthcare system's spending and outcomes in terms of life expectancy with other industrialized nations. 4. Quality vs. Quantity of Life: Emphasize the importance of quality of life over mere life expectancy. Discuss the prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases and their impact on well-being. 5. Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: Provide statistics and examples of common chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring their widespread impact. 6. Failure of Traditional Medicine: Discuss the limitations of traditional medicine in effectively treating chronic degenerative diseases. Cite examples of ineffective treatments and patients' struggles. 7. Shift towards Preventive Medicine: Advocate for a shift towards preventive medicine. Highlight the importance of lifestyle changes and early intervention in maintaining health. 8. Components of a Healthy Lifestyle: Outline the threefold approach to preventive medicine: healthy diet, regular exercise, and high-quality nutritional supplements. Emphasize patient empowerment. 9. Benefits of Exercise and Diet: Discuss the numerous health benefits of exercise and a balanced diet, including weight management, disease prevention, and improved overall well-being. Happy reading!

🔬 Exciting insights on trace elements in clinical nutrition! 🧪 Dive into our paper from the ESPEN Micronutrient Special Interest Group on trace elements. A great contribution for Life-Long-Learning on clinical nutrition. 🚨 Did you know? Inflammation can significantly alter trace element status, complicating assessment in critically ill patients! 💡 Key takeaways for researchers and healthcare professionals: - Regular monitoring of trace element status is key but there is still needs for new functional status biomarkers - Consider the impact of acute phase response when interpreting blood micronutrient levels - Yes trace elements are key but a "system nutrient approach" integrating both macro- and micronutrient into nutritional management is needed to fulfill nutrient needs with adequacy and specificity. 🔗 Read the full article ! https://lnkd.in/e8hWsM2y #ClinicalNutrition #TraceElements #PatientCare

This course will explain the potential of enzymes as therapeutic agents and their application and impact on clinical outcomes. Upon completion, attendees will understand the mechanisms, synergies, indications and contraindications of natural and supplemental enzymes and gain a comprehensive understanding of utilising enzymes for therapeutic effects and health outcomes. The Intimidation Factor. Enzymes, despite their significant therapeutic potential, can present a daunting challenge for professionals due to several factors, including dosing complexities, expectations management, time frame considerations, and intricate interactions. However, this comprehensive academic course aims to alleviate these concerns and foster confidence among participants in choosing and utilising enzymes effectively while adeptly navigating the diverse landscape of enzyme products. This course will cover how enzymes function, so health professionals can more easily and confidently provide personalised dietary recommendations to optimise digestion, nutrient utilisation, intestinal health and detoxification while dampening inflammation. Enzymes break down complex molecules into smaller, more easily absorbable forms, allowing the body to extract essential nutrients from food. Studying enzymes helps a health professional identify potential enzyme deficiencies or imbalances that may contribute to digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, fatigue or pain. This knowledge enables them to recommend specific enzyme supplements or dietary modifications to support optimal digestion and overall health. By incorporating the study of enzymes into their practice, health practitioners can enhance their ability to address individualised nutritional needs and promote optimal well-being. Finally, practitioners will be able to confidently navigate presenting problems and immediately understand how to optimise and utilise enzymes, enzyme activators and enzyme co-factors to bring about swift, safe and effective resolution for the people they are helping. To book your place: https://buff.ly/3y8ZNVk

📃Scientific paper: The importance and effectiveness of nutritional counselling in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases in Poland Abstract: Background Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common diseases in humans. Their pathogenesis is complex, pushing patients to search different ways of alleviating their effects, one of which is diet change. The aim of this study was to assess the role of medical personnel in shaping eating habits in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease based on experiences declared by patients. Methods We examined 208 individuals, of which 205 were qualified for final investigation. We selected study participants using accidental sampling, based on their appearance in health care facilities, including the ones providing endocrinological advices. The relationships between the qualitative features were tested using the Chi-square test of independence, assuming the significance level of p < 0.05. In the case of the expected cardinality  < 10, the Chi-square test with correction for Yates continuity was used, while for the cardinality  < 5—the Fisher exact test. Results People with thyroid disease are statistically more likely to use dietitian advice than people without thyroid disease. The highest percentage of respondents decided to modify their nutrition due to their own initiative. In addition, patients with autoimmune thyroid disease are statistically more likely to consider changing their diet to improve their well-being. The connection between the source of advice and modification of eating behaviour was also noted. Conclusion Thanks to the joint effort of medical staf... Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/We8Iq

ANNOUNCEMENT!! We take pride in announcing that Squegg has been prominently featured in a recent study published in Clinical Nutrition Open Science. This groundbreaking research was motivated by the crucial role nutrition plays in maintaining and restoring muscle strength and functional status, and the need to identify those at risk of poor nutrition. The study, titled ‘Use of a novel bluetooth-connected device to measure handgrip strength: A practical tool to help healthcare professionals identify adults at nutritional risk’, was focused on identifying outpatients at risk for low muscle strength, specifically using handgrip strength (HGS) as a key quantitative measure. More than 3,000 outpatients, including older adults, post-hospitalization patients, and those with diabetes, general illness, or cancer, were part of the study. SQUEGG’s Role The study utilized the SQUEGG device, a smart handgrip dynamometer, alongside a custom companion app, the Muscle Strength Assessment Tool (MSAT), to measure HGS in both dominant and non-dominant hands of participants. The MSAT tool was developed in collaboration with Abbott Nutrition. Key Findings Prevalence of low grip strength: ➡️ Nearly a third of the 3036 adults sampled exhibited low HGS. ➡️ Women consistently showed 25%–35% lower dominant-hand HGS compared to men across all age groups. Healthcare Practitioners’ Feedback: ✅ 85% of HCPs agreed that the SQUEGG device + MSAT app helped them identify patients with low HGS. ✅ Nearly all (98%) recommended an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) to patients identified with low HGS. ✅ Prior to availability of Squegg + MSAT solution, only 50% of HCPs were previously performing HGS assessments, highlighting the impact of an efficient solution The SQUEGG device, coupled with the MSAT app, was found to be a valuable tool for healthcare practitioners, enabling them to identify patients with decreased muscle strength and recommend appropriate nutritional interventions. We are proud to see SQUEGG making a significant impact in the field of nutrition and muscle strength assessment, and we remain committed to supporting healthcare practitioners in their vital work. For more details, you can read the full study here. https://lnkd.in/gFB4QCFr