Caloric restriction (CR) or energy restriction, when carefully designed, monitored, and implemented in self-motivated and compliant individuals, proves to be a viable non-pharmacologic strategy for human weight control and obesity management. Beyond its role in weight management, CR has the potential to impede responses involved not only in the pathogenesis of various diseases but also in the aging process in adults, thereby being proposed to promote a healthier and longer life. The core objective of implementing caloric restriction is to establish a balance between energy intake and expenditure, typically involving a reduction in intake and an increase in expenditure—a negative balance at least initially. It may transition toward and maintain a more desired equilibrium over time. However, it is essential to note that CR may lead to a proportional reduction in micronutrient intake unless corresponding supplementation is provided. Historical human case reports on CR have consistently maintained adequate intakes (AI) or recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for essential micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Similarly, longevity studies involving non-human primates have upheld micronutrient consumption levels comparable to control groups or baseline measures. Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have also endorsed daily supplementation of multivitamins and minerals to meet micronutrient needs. However, aside from these human case reports, limited human trials, and primate experiments, there remains a notable gap in human research specifically addressing precise micronutrient requirements during CR. While adhering to AI or RDA for minerals and vitamins appears sensible in the current practice, it’s important to recognize that these guidelines are formulated for generally healthy populations under standard circumstances. The adequacy of these guidelines in the setting of prolonged and profound negative energy balance remains unclear. From perspectives of evidence-based medicine and precision nutrition, this field necessitates comprehensive exploration to uncover the intricacies of absorption, utilization, and metabolism and the requirement of each hydrophilic and lipophilic vitamin and mineral during these special periods. Such investigations are crucial to determine whether existing daily dietary recommendations for micronutrients are quantitatively inadequate, excessive, or appropriate when energy balance remains negative over extended durations.

Magnesium is an essential mineral required for energy metabolism, glucose regulation, cardiovascular function, bone integrity, and neural activity. Despite the vital physiological roles of magnesium, , dietary magnesium deficiency remains a widespread and underrecognized global public health concern. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults in the United States is approximately 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women, yet large proportions of the population fail to meet these levels with national nutrition surveys consistently documenting inadequate intake. For instance, 64.4% of Chinese adults consume less than the estimated average requirement (EAR) of 270 mg/day for both males and females. Globally, an estimated 2.4 billion people, or roughly 31% of the global population, fail to meet the recommended magnesium intake levels. This deficiency reflects multiple converging factors, including modern dietary patterns low in whole grains and vegetables, soil nutrient depletion from intensive agriculture, food processing losses, aged populations, chronic diseases, and socioeconomic disparities. The health implications are substantial, as magnesium deficiency is associated with elevated risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, bone loss, and neuropsychiatric conditions. This review synthesizes current evidence on the biological importance of magnesium, global intake patterns, and determinants of deficiency, and discusses strategic interventions (such as dietary diversification, food fortification, biofortification, supplementation, and public health policies) to enhance magnesium nutrition and reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases worldwide.

Background/Objectives: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a key driver of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of toddler-derived FMT against colitis and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Firstly, fecal microbiota from healthy toddlers was transplanted into antibiotic-pretreated mice, establishing stable colonization between days 14 and 21 post-transplantation. Results: In a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model, FMT significantly ameliorated colitis symptoms, including reduced disease activity index and restored colon length. Toddler-derived FMT improved the intestinal barrier by preserving goblet cell density and enhancing MUC2 expression. Meanwhile, colonic inflammation was alleviated by FMT, which suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced CD4⁺ T cell counts, and associated with downregulation of JAK/STAT-related transcripts. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that FMT remodeled the gut microbiota by enriching beneficial genera, including Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Blautia, and Akkermansia, which correlated positively with colon length and negatively with inflammatory markers. Conclusions: These findings provided a theoretical foundation that toddler-derived microbiota represents a potential donor source for FMT in IBD.