Dietary fat strongly affects human health by modulating gut microbiota composition and low-grade systemic inflammation. High-fat diets have been implicated in reduced gut microbiota richness, increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and several changes at family, genus and species levels. Saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and conjugated linolenic fatty acids share important pathways of immune system activation/inhibition with gut microbes, modulating obesogenic and proinflammatory profiles. Mechanisms that link dietary fat, gut microbiota and obesity are mediated by increased intestinal permeability, systemic endotoxemia, and the activity of the endocannabinoid system. Although the probiotic therapy could be a complementary strategy to improve gut microbiota composition, it did not show permanent effects to treat fat-induced dysbiosis. Based upon evidence to date, we believe that high-fat diets and SFA consumption should be avoided, and MUFA and omega-3 PUFA intake should be encouraged in order to regulate gut microbiota and inflammation, promoting body weight/fat control.

Vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) is a steroid hormone that has a range of physiological functions in skeletal and nonskeletal tissues, and can contribute to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In bone metabolism, vitamin D increases the plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus, regulates osteoblast and osteoclast the activity, and combats PTH hypersecretion, promoting bone formation and preventing/treating osteoporosis. This evidence is supported by most clinical studies, especially those that have included calcium and assessed the effects of vitamin D doses (≥800 IU/day) on bone mineral density. However, annual megadoses should be avoided as they impair bone health. Recent findings suggest that low serum vitamin D is the consequence (not the cause) of obesity and the results from randomized double-blind clinical trials are still scarce and inconclusive to establish the relationship between vitamin D, obesity, and T2DM. Nevertheless, there is evidence that vitamin D inhibits fat accumulation, increases insulin synthesis and preserves pancreatic islet cells, decreases insulin resistance and reduces hunger, favoring obesity and T2DM control. To date, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of vitamin D as a pathway to prevent and/or treat obesity and T2DM.

Obesity is a serious global health problem that is directly related to various morbidities manifestation. Intestinal dysbiosis has been implicated on obesity pathogenesis. Diet composition can alter gut microbiota, regardless of energy intake. Dietary fatty acids quality may affect gut microbiota composition, which in turn may affect host metabolic health. The mechanisms by which the different type of FFA modulate gut microbiota is yet poor elucidate and there is a lack of studies regard to this. Fatty acids may act in cell membrane, interfere with energy production, inhibit enzymatic activities, impair nutrient absorption and generate toxic compounds to cells, leading to growth inhibition or even bacterial death. The beneficial effect of the consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on microbiota, unlike n-6 PUFA and saturated fatty acids has been suggested. n-3 PUFA consumption promotes desirable changes on obese intestinal microbiota making it similar to that of normal weight individuals. More studies are needed to better understand the effect of CLA on microbiota and host health. Long term human controlled clinical trials must be conducted to allow us to understand the complex interaction between dietary fat, intestinal microbiota and obesity.

EVOO consumption reduced body fat and improved blood pressure. Our results indicate that EVOO should be included into energy-restricted programs for obesity treatment.

VCO consumption did not acutely change energy metabolism and cardiometabolic risk markers when added to a mixed breakfast but promoted less appetitive responses.

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Introduction. Many consumers buy organic foods because of their alleged greater nutritional benefits. However, studies investigating the effect of the agricultural farming system on minerals and toxic elements content are scarce. This study compared the content of minerals (P, Ca, Mg, Na and K) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Se, Zn, Mo, Ni, Cd and Al) of four organically and conventionally grown fruits in Brazil. Materials and methods. Mango (Mangifera indica L., var. Palmer), persimmon (Diospyros kaki L., var. Rama Forte), acerola (Malpighia punicifolia L., var. Olivier) and strawberry (Fragaria vesca L., var. Oso Grande) were produced by organic and conventional farming in the same geographic region, under the same climatic conditions and same type of soil. Mineral analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Results and discussion. Organic mango contained higher amounts of Mg and K, and Cr content was higher in conventionally grown mangos. Organic persimmon contained higher amounts of Cu and Zn, and Mg, P, Na, and K concentration was higher in conventional persimmon. Conventionally grown acerola contained higher amounts of Ca, Fe, Mn, Mo, Al, and Ni than the organic acerola. The concentrations of Mo and Al were higher in organic strawberry when compared to conventional strawberry. Conclusion. Organic farming did not result in a clear superiority of the mineral quality of fruit nor did it provide fruit free of toxic elements. Keywords: Brazil / mango / persimmon / acerola / strawberry / organic farming / conventional farming / micronutrients / toxic minerals Résumé-Comparaison de la composition en minéraux et oligoéléments de fruits produits par agriculture biologique et conventionnelle. Introduction. Nombreux sont les consommateurs qui achètent des aliments biologiques en raison des allégations sur leurs bénéfices nutritionnels présumés. Cependant, les études portant sur l'effet du système de culture sur le contenu en minéraux et éléments toxiques sont rares. Notre étude a comparé la composition en minéraux (P, Ca, Mg, Na et K) et oligoéléments (Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Se, Zn, Mo, Ni, Cd et Al) de quatre fruits produits au Brésil à partir d'agriculture biologique et conventionnelle. Matériel et méthodes. Mangues (Mangifera indica L., var. Palmer), kakis (Diospyros kaki L., var. Rama Fort), acerola (Malpighia punicifolia L., var. Olivier) et fraises (Fragaria vesca L., var. Oso Grande) ont été produits par culture biologique ou conventionnelle dans la même région géographique, dans les mêmes conditions climatiques et le même type de sol. L'analyse minérale a été conduite par spectrométrie d'émission atomique (ICP-AES). Résultats et discussion. Les mangues biologiques contenaient des quantités plus élevées de Mg et K et la teneur en Cr était plus forte pour les mangues conventionnelles. Les kakis biologiques contenaient des quantités plus importantes de Cu et Zn alors que les teneurs en Mg, P, Na et K étaient plus fortes pour les kakis conventionnels. L'acerola conven...