Trimetazidine (TMZ), used for treating stable angina pectoris, has garnered attention in the realm of sports due to its potential performance-enhancing properties, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has classified TMZ on the S4 list of prohibited substances since 2014. The purpose of this narrative mini-review is to emphasize the biochemical aspects underlying the abusive use of TMZ among athletes as a metabolic modulator of cardiac energy metabolism. The myocardium’s ability to adapt its energy substrate utilization between glucose and fatty acids is crucial for maintaining cardiac function under various conditions, such as rest, moderate exercise, and intense effort. TMZ acts as a partial inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation by inhibiting 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (KAT), shifting energy production from long-chain fatty acids to glucose, reducing oxygen consumption, improving cardiac function, and enhancing exercise capacity. Furthermore, TMZ modulates pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity, promoting glucose oxidation while lowering lactate production, and ultimately stabilizing myocardial function. TMZs role in reducing oxidative stress is notable, as it activates antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In conclusion, TMZs biochemical mechanisms make it an attractive but controversial option for athletes seeking a competitive edge.

The growing consumption of processed foods, including meat-based and plant-based burgers (PBM), raises concerns about their long-term health effects. While PBM burgers are marketed as healthier alternatives, their biochemical and histological impacts remain unclear. This study investigates the effects of chronic meat-based and PBM burger consumption on metabolic and organ health, considering sex differences. Thirty-six Wistar rats (18 males and 18 females) were divided into three groups: control (standard chow), meat burger-fed, and PBM burger-fed. Improved chow was prepared using lyophilized burger powder. Over eight weeks, food intake, weight gain, and food efficiency ratio (FER) were monitored. Serum biochemical markers, including AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, lipid profile (TG, CHOL, HDL, LDL), and leptin, were analyzed, alongside histopathological evaluation of the liver, kidneys, and heart. PBM-fed rats exhibited significantly higher FER than the meat group (p < 0.05). AST and ALT levels were slightly elevated in meat-fed rats, while PBM-fed males had increased urea levels. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the meat group, but cholesterol levels did not differ significantly. Serum leptin was elevated in both experimental groups, suggesting leptin resistance. Histological findings showed mild hepatic inflammation and microvacuolar changes, with minor cardiac fibrosis. These findings highlight the need for further research on PBM’s long-term health effects.

Background: Lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been associated with histamine-producing gut dysbiosis, characterized by an overgrowth of histaminogenic bacteria and opportunistic fungi. This study examines the relationship between histaminogenic microbial imbalance, dietary factors, and LUTIs in women with IBS, emphasizing the potential nutritional contributions to microbiota modulation. Methods: A cohort of 188 women was evaluated by analyzing the intestinal microbiota associated with sporadic and recurrent lower urinary tract infections and irritable bowel syndrome, along with a questionnaire on risky eating behaviors. Results: Dysbiosis was associated with an overgrowth of histamine-producing bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Clostridium spp.) and Candida albicans, along with a depletion of protective taxa (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium). Dysbiosis, characterized by an increase in histamine-producing bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Clostridium spp.) and Candida albicans, together with a depletion of protective taxa (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium), has been associated with lower urinary tract infections and irritable bowel syndrome. Regarding the increase in histaminogenic flora, significant associations with dietary factors concerned only the frequent consumption of fast food. Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of histamine-driven dysbiosis in sustaining chronic inflammation and susceptibility to LUTIs and IBS, supporting microbiota modulation as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy.

Autonomous motivation may support healthy eating, whereas body-shape concerns may fuel controlled eating regulation; the two had not been examined jointly with Mediterranean diet adherence in Romanian adults. In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 224 predominantly female (87.1%), university-educated Romanian adults completed the Body Shape Questionnaire-16B (BSQ-16B), the Regulation of Eating Behaviors Scale (REBS), and a Romanian-adapted 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). The theory-derived expectations were not preregistered. Fit of the six-factor REBS structure improved substantially when cross-loadings between adjacent regulations were allowed, though discriminant validity remained limited; a bifactor analysis supported the BSQ-16B total score. BSQ-16B scores were associated with introjected (β = 0.65) and controlled regulation (β = 0.54) but not with autonomous styles or adherence (ρ = −0.03). Autonomous motivation was associated with adherence after adjustment (b = 0.63 points per standard deviation; 95% confidence interval 0.31–0.94), as was physical activity; in an exploratory subscale model, integrated regulation showed the strongest unique association. Body-shape concerns were coupled with internal pressure but showed little evidence of an association with MEDAS-assessed adherence, whereas autonomous regulation emerged as a relevant correlate. The findings are consistent with, but do not test, autonomy-supportive counseling.

Edible insects (EIs) have been suggested as a sustainable alternative to meat from traditional sources. However, despite EIs being consumed by humans since time immemorial, it is also true that, in many areas, especially in Western countries, there is some resistance and even neophobia to their acceptance as food. This work aimed to investigate the perceptions about EIs and validate a corresponding scale. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by means of a questionnaire survey on a sample of 3711 participants in six countries (Croatia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Portugal and Romania). Data were analysed by factor and cluster analyses, as well as other statistical tools. The results showed that, out of the initial 36 items in the questionnaire, 24 were validated in the scale of perceptions, distributed across six factors. Cluster analysis showed that the participants could be grouped according to three clusters (Traditionalists, Shoppers and Innovators). Statistical tests revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the clusters in practically all sociodemographic and consumption variables studied. Finally, a word analysis of the 2263 words indicated by the participants when thinking about EIs revealed that the most frequent words were ‘disgusting’, ‘protein’, and ‘nutritive’ in all three clusters. However, differences were observed after the fourth position in the list of most frequent words. In conclusion, these results indicate that perceptions of EIs were highly variable across countries of origin and other sociodemographic groups, and that, globally, participants exhibited some neophobia towards EIs. However, they recognised their value in terms of nutrition, particularly protein. This work evidences some relevant aspects that can be useful to adapt and define targeted policies to demystify the negative perceptions about EIs and improve consumer acceptance, thus contributing to more sustainable food systems.

Background/Objectives: Autonomous motivation is theorized to support healthy eating, whereas body-shape concerns may fuel controlled forms of eating regulation. Their joint relations with Mediterranean diet adherence remain unexamined, particularly outside Mediterranean regions. We tested whether body-shape concerns relate differently to eating-regulation styles than to dietary behavior, and which styles are independently associated with adherence. Methods: In this cross-sectional online study, 224 Romanian adults (87.1% women; 40.7 ± 10.0 years) completed the Body Shape Questionnaire-16B (BSQ-16B), the Regulation of Eating Behaviors Scale, and the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Analyses included Spearman correlations with false-discovery-rate control and hierarchical regression with HC3-robust standard errors. Results: BSQ-16B scores were associated with introjected (β = 0.65) and overall controlled regulation (β = 0.54), but with none of the autonomous styles (composite β = −0.004). BSQ-16B was unrelated to MEDAS (ρ = −0.03; ΔR² < 0.001), whereas autonomous motivation was independently associated with adherence (b = 0.63 points per SD; 95% CI 0.32–0.94); integrated regulation was the only independently associated subscale (secondary analysis). Results were robust across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Body-shape concerns were coupled with internal pressure but decoupled from dietary behavior; only autonomous regulation was associated with adherence, consistent with autonomy-supportive counseling approaches.