The developing fetus is dependent on the maternal nutritional environment. This study was conducted to determine the effects of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) applied during pregnancy and/or lactation on the expression levels of some lipid-related genes in rat models. Half of the pregnant rats (n: 6) were fed an HFD (energy from fat: 45%), while the other half (n: 6) were fed a control diet (CD) (energy from fat, 7.7%) during the pregnancy period. During lactation, dams in both groups were divided into two subgroups, with half fed the CD and the other half fed the HFD. Thus, four groups were obtained: CD-CD, CD-HFD, HFD-CD, and HFD-HFD. At the end of lactation, all mothers and half of the offspring were sacrificed. The remaining offspring were fed a CD for five weeks. The average birth weight of the CD group offspring was found to be lower than that of the HFD group (p < 0.05). The amount of adipose tissue was highest in CD-HFD (p < 0.05), while gene expression levels were similar between groups (p > 0.05), and the most degenerative histological changes were observed in the eight-week HFD-HFD (p < 0.05). This study suggests that maternal HFD during pregnancy and lactation may increase adiposity in offspring rats, especially during the weaning period.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most prevalent eye diseases among the ageing population worldwide. It is a leading cause of blindness in individuals over 55, particularly in industrialised Western countries. The prevalence of AMD increases with age, and genetic factors and environmental influences are believed to contribute to its development. Among the environmental factors, diet plays a significant role in AMD. This review explores the association between dietary components, dietary patterns and AMD. Various nutrients, non-nutrient substances and dietary models that have the potential to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation, which are underlying mechanisms of AMD, are discussed. Consuming fruits, vegetables, fish and seafood, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and low-glycaemic-index foods has been highlighted as beneficial for reducing the risk of AMD. Adhering to the Mediterranean diet, which encompasses these elements, can be recommended as a dietary pattern for AMD. Furthermore, the modulation of the gut microbiota through dietary interventions and probiotics has shown promise in managing AMD.

Maternal beslenme birçok bulaşıcı olmayan kronik hastalığın gelişiminde belirleyici bir rol oynamaktadır. Gebelik boyunca maternal beslenme durumu programlanmada değişikliklere neden olup yetişkin dönem hastalıklarının gelişimine katkıda bulunabilir. Plasenta yetmezliği, glukokortikoidlere maruz kalma, beslenme yetersizlikleri ya da fazlalıkları ve stres gibi çeşitli perinatal sorunlar ile birlikte maternal intestinal mikrobiyom fetusun/yavrunun gelişimini değiştirerek kronik bulaşıcı olmayan hastalıkların oluşmasında yatkınlığa yol açabilir. Aynı zamanda gebelik sürecince yapılan beslenme müdahaleleri, programlama sürecinin tersine çevrilerek bulaşıcı olmayan hastalıkların önlenmesini amaçlayan yeni stratejilerin oluşturabilmesi için çok değerlidir. Fetal gelişim sırasında gen ekspresyonu epigenetik mekanizmalardan etkilenebilir. Özellikle deoksiribonükleik asit metilasyonunda rol alan genlerin epigenetik modifikasyonları, histon modifikasyonları ve mikroRNA’lar hayatın sonraki dönemlerinde metabolik hastalıkların gelişimine katkıda bulunabilir. Bu derlemede epidemiyolojik çalışmalar ve hayvan modellerinden elde edilen veriler ışığında maternal beslenmenin fetal programlama üzerine etkilerinin altında yatan mekanizmalardan biri olan epigenetik mekanizmalar ele alınmıştır.

Purpose: This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ-15) to the Turkish population and to assess its validity and reproducibillity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included adults and older residing in Ankara, Turkey. The study process involved the translation of the BEVQ-15 from English into Turkish and its adaptation to the Turkish community. Adaptations to the original BEVQ-15 included separating the black tea and coffee category into distict categories, as well as herbal tea. Additionally, plain mineral water, flavored mineral water, kefir, and turnip juice were presented as individual categories. The adaptation of BEVQ-15 to Turkish preferences resulted in the BEVQ-21. Participants come to three visits, each two weeks apart. The BEVQ-21 was administered at visits 1 and 3, and a three day dietary record was returned during visit 2.. The BEVQ-21 was conducted at visit one (BEVQ-1) and visit three (BEVQ-2). Validity and reproducability statistical analyses were conducted using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Bland–Altman plots, and Spearman correlations. Results: Fifty-one participants completed all study visits. Minimal yet significant differences were identified between the two assessment tools (BEVQ-2 and DR) across various beverage categories, with mean differences ranging from 3 to 82 mL and 0 to 16 kcal. According to Bland–Altman plots between BEVQ-21 and dietary records, differences for water (mL), regular mineral water (mL), whole and flavored milk (mL and kcal), soft drinks (mL and kcal), black tea (mL), herbal teas (mL), and total beverage intake (mL) were found to be approximately consistent within the boundaries (p < 0.05). For reproducibility, sugary beverage and total beverage consumption were significantly associated between the first and second administration of the BEVQ-21 (r = 0.44–0.65, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The adapted BEVQ-21 for the Turkish population demonstrated validity and reproducibility for most types of beverage intake among adults in Turkey.

Şeker, hem enerji içeriği hem de tadı nedeniyle beynimizdeki ödül sistemini tetikleyen lezzetli bir besindir ve yiyecek bağımlılığına neden olan işlenmiş besinlerin ana yüzünü oluşturmaktadır. Şekerin beyindeki, genel etkileri ve özellikle de beynin ödül yolaklarında etkileri yoğun bir araştırma ve tartışma alanı olmuştur. Şeker tüketimi, mezokortikolimbik sistemi madde kullanımıyla benzer şekilde aktive eder. Şeker alımına bağlı olarak beyinde dopamin D1 reseptör bağlanmasında artış ve D2 reseptör bağlantısında azalma olmakta ve dopamin seviyelerinde oluşan bu değişiklik önce yoksunluğa, ardından devam eden şeker alımına yol açabilmektedir. Kanda yüksek şeker seviyeleri periferik olarak salınan iştah hormonlarının düzenlenmesinin yanı sıra, hipotalamik iştah peptitlerini de etkilemektedir. Beyin nörokimyasında şeker alımıyla oluşan bu değişiklikler büyüklük bakımından daha küçük olmasına rağmen madde kullanımı ile meydana gelen değişikliklere benzerdir. Şekerin insan sağlığı üzerinde yarattığı olumsuz sonuçlar göz önünde bulundurulduğunda oluşturabileceği bağımlılığın ciddi sonuçlar yaratacağı açıktır. Bu sebeplere dayanarak, şeker tüketiminin azaltılması adına, hem bireysel hem de toplum sağlığına yönelik, devletin ve endüstrinin birlikte hareket ettiği adımlar atılması önem taşımaktadır.

The global prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is steadily increasing, particularly among children and young adults. Health-related myths can significantly influence patients’ dietary behaviors and treatment adherence, thereby compromising disease management and metabolic outcomes. This cross-sectional study included 190 adolescents and young adults with T1DM attending a pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic. Data on demographics, BMI, HbA1c values, and nutrition-related myths were collected through face-to-face interviews. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and Spearman correlation coefficients, were performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of metabolic control status (p < 0.05). Participants had a mean diabetes duration of 7.5 ± 4.63 years, with a mean HbA1c of 7.9 ± 1.44%. Approximately 27.0% of adolescents and 20.0% of young adults were overweight or obese. Only 29.0% of individuals had good metabolic control (HbA1c <%7), while 71.0% had HbA1c ≥ 7. An increase in diabetes duration was found to elevate the risk of poor metabolic control by 1.107 times, whereas a higher total number of answers was associated with a 0.696-fold decrease in this risk (p < 0.05). Improved knowledge about nutrition myths is associated with better metabolic control among adolescents and young adults with T1DM. Structured education programs tailored to this population may contribute to improved glycemic outcomes. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential to effectively deliver educational content and reinforce evidence-based dietary practices.