Based on the growing evidence of the therapeutic role of high-fat ketogenic dietary therapies (KDTs) for neurological diseases and on the protective effect of the Mediterranean diet (MD), it could be important to delineate a Mediterranean version of KDTs in order to maintain a high ketogenic ratio, and thus avoid side effects, especially in patients requiring long-term treatment. This narrative review aims to explore the existing literature on this topic and to elaborate recommendations for a Mediterranean version of the KDTs. It presents practical suggestions based on MD principles, which consist of key elements for the selection of foods (both from quantitative and qualitative prospective), and indications of the relative proportions and consumption frequency of the main food groups that constitute the Mediterranean version of the KDTs. We suggest the adoption of a Mediterranean version of ketogenic diets in order to benefit from the multiple protective effects of the MD. This translates to: (i) a preferential use of olive oil and vegetable fat sources in general; (ii) the limitation of foods rich in saturated fatty acids; (iii) the encouragement of high biological value protein sources; (iv) inserting fruit and vegetables at every meal possible, varying their choices according to seasonality.

The association between nutrition and endometriosis is controversial. This umbrella review aimed to investigate whether specific dietetic strategies are useful for reducing endometriosis risk/symptoms. Systematic reviews on diet therapies for endometriosis were analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis methodology, and an umbrella review was implemented using Jamovi software. The 10 included systematic reviews comprised observational studies (cohort, case–control, cross-sectional) and interventional trials (randomized, non-randomized). A mild (class IV, lowest strength on evidence quartile) protective effect on vegetables (RR 0.590; 95% CI 0.49–0.71 p < 0.001), cheese (OR 0.840; 95% CI 0.74–0.96 p = 0.011), total dairy (RR 0.874; 95% CI 0.81–0.95 p = 0.001), and high-fat dairy (RR 0.590; 95% CI 0.81–0.99 p = 0.025) was found. Butter (RR 1.266; 95% CI 1.03–1.55 p = 0.024) and high caffeine (>300 mg/day) (RR 1.303; 95% CI 1.05–1.62 p = 0.019) consumption increased the risk of endometriosis. Other food groups had low-quality evidence due to limited studies. A higher intake of vegetables and dairy products may reduce the risk and/or symptoms of endometriosis, while a high intake of caffeine and butter may increase the risk. However, the heterogeneity across studies is significant, and the overall quality of the findings is low. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct new research in this field, focusing on well-designed randomized trials.

Despite being recognized as a low‐cost food, rich in proteins and other nutrients, for years eggs have been the subject of controversy regarding a possible negative impact on human health linked to their frequent consumption and their cholesterol content. This narrative review describes the composition of eggs, the properties of individual nutrients, and the impact of their deficiency or excess on human health, and the development of several pathologies. The chemical–physical properties of the proteins and lipids contained in eggs and the environmental impact linked to their production are also considered. In addition to covering fundamental functions for the maintenance of cellular structures and functions, the nutrients present in eggs show in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulatory functions, which could be fundamental in protecting against pathologies such as tumors or neurodegenerative diseases. Recent clinical studies have also highlighted the lack of correlation between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease. The chemical–physical properties of the proteins and lipids present in eggs also make them fundamental in many food preparations. Eggs are an important source of energy, nutrients, and are particularly useful in the food industry. Egg production, especially in small‐scale poultry systems, is also environmentally sustainable.

INTRODUÇÃO: A prática de atividade física tem sido incentivada por vários organismos nacionais e internacionais visando a promoção de saúde. Entretanto não existe consenso acerca da influência e da intensidade ótima de atividade física durante a gestação, possivelmente devido a dificuldades de mensuração e classificação do nível de atividade física através de questionários. Não se identificou qualquer estudo de validação de questionário de atividade física em gestantes no Brasil. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar a reprodutibilidade e validade concorrente de um questionário de atividades físicas para gestantes. MÉTODOS: Em amostra de 68 gestantes, no segundo trimestre de gestação foi realizada entrevista para aplicação do questionário, que foi repetida com aproximadamente uma semana de intervalo e no puerpério. No período entre as duas primeiras entrevistas, as mulheres utilizaram monitor de freqüência cardíaca (n=38). RESULTADOS: As análises de reprodutibilidade foram adequadas com coeficientes de correlação intraclasse variando de 0,54 a 0,85. A análise das variáveis categóricas, com questões subjetivas e de autopercepção da atividade física, resultou em maior intervalo de coeficiente kappa com valores entre 0,29 e 0,76 entre a aplicação do questionário com uma semana de intervalo, e 0,08 a 0,70 comparado ao puerpério. As análises de validade conduziram a resultado satisfatório quanto à média das diferenças encontrada por intermédio do gráfico de Bland e Altman (1986) entre o questionário e o freqüencímetro. Entretanto, o intervalo da dispersão não se apresentou adequado, visto que variou em mais de sete horas para atividades leves e em quase onze horas por dia para atividades moderadas. As análises do presente estudo parecem assegurar a reprodutibilidade do questionário de atividade física para gestantes. No entanto, com relação à validação, a comparação com os resultados obtidos pelo freqüêncímetro não mostrou graus de concordância adequados.

The quality of a mother's diet is important to ensure child growth and development and keep women healthy. This systematic review aimed to identify the outcomes of a carbohydrate-restricted diet during lactation. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS were searched for studies published between 2012 and 2023; 16 studies were selected, all of them case reports or care series. The carbohydrate restriction described in the papers mainly was ketogenic, low-carb, low-carbohydrate and high-fat, and modified ketogenic diets. The main goal of women undertaking these diets was weight loss, with therapeutic purposes (monitored and supervised by health professionals) in only 2 cases: (1) ketogenic diet therapy for treatment of seizures in the infant and (2) to reduce symptoms of mother's gastroesophageal reflux. Most articles reported that lactating women were hospitalized, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, muscle weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fatigue. However, articles did not mention poor outcomes for the infants. Most of the studies in this review were published in the past 3 years, indicating a possible increase in cases of women practicing carbohydrate restriction during lactation for weight loss caused by body dissatisfaction. In conclusion, carbohydrate restriction during lactation may be harmful to the lactating woman and contribute to the state of lactational ketoacidosis, but infant outcomes are mainly a change in feeding patterns. Thus, education on food and nutrition is necessary for this population.