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The best diet for your brain
Dr. Mark Hyman is a practicing family physician and an internationally recognised leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is the founder and director of The UltraWellness Centre, the Head of Strategy and Innovation of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Functional Medicine, a thirteen-time New York Times bestselling author, and Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine.
2023
Abstract
A conversation with Max Lugavere exploring the best diet for brain health. Max believes that we have control over our cognitive destiny and that we need to challenge the narrative that our brain health will decline with age. They discuss the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND), and hone in on what Max considers to be ‘genius’ foods for the brain including healthy fats (especially avocados and extra virgin olive oil) and those not so beneficial such as processed foods and seed oils. They also discuss what could be considered controversial to some, such the consumption of red meat and dairy and how best to include these in the diet to optimise brain health.
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Avocado Consumption Alters Gastrointestinal Bacteria Abundance and Microbial Metabolite Concentrations among Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Thompson, SV, Bailey, MA, Taylor, AM, Kaczmarek, JL, Mysonhimer, AR, Edwards, CG, Reeser, GE, Burd, NA, Khan, NA, Holscher, HD
The Journal of nutrition. 2021;151(4):753-762
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Plain language summary
Conflicting reports exist on the role of gastrointestinal microorganisms in the development of obesity. The consumption of avocados has been associated with lower body weight, increased feelings of being full and lower blood lipid concentrations. This randomised controlled trial of 163 adults aimed to determine the effect of 12 weeks of daily avocado intake on the gut microbiota and the by-products they produce. The results showed that the regular consumption of avocados resulted in greater abundances of gut bacteria capable of fibre fermentation and altered the by-products produced. Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira and Alistipes bacteria were all increased. However it should be noted that the individuals in the avocado group were also given a meal plan higher in fibre. It was concluded that avocados can alter gut microbiota composition and metabolic function of the gut. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that nutrient dense foods may have the ability to alter metabolic functions in the gut, however further research is needed to determine whether avocado consumption is of benefit to those with obesity.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avocados are rich in dietary fiber and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), nutrients that have been independently connected to metabolic health benefits and the gastrointestinal microbiota. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the impact of avocado consumption on the gastrointestinal microbiota and microbial metabolites, secondary outcomes of the Persea americana for Total Health (PATH) study, and conduct exploratory analyses to assess relations between the fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and health markers. METHODS Adults [n = 163, 25-45 y, BMI (kg/m2) ≥ 25.0] were enrolled in the PATH study, a 12-wk investigator-blinded trial where participants were batch randomized to match the 2 groups by age, sex, visceral adiposity, and fasting glucose concentrations. Participants consumed isocaloric meals with or without avocado (175 g, men; 140 g, women) once daily for 12 wk. The fecal microbiota was assessed with 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V4 region) sequencing and analysis using DADA2 and QIIME2. Fecal fatty acid and bile acid concentrations were quantified using GC and LC-MS. Per-protocol (≥80% meal consumption) and intent-to-treat analyses were conducted using univariate ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests. Bivariate correlations were conducted between fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and health measures. RESULTS The avocado treatment increased ɑ diversity and enriched Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, and Alistipes between 26% and 65% compared with the control group. The avocado group had 18% greater fecal acetate, 70% greater stearic acid, and 98% greater palmitic acid concentrations than the control group, while the concentrations of the bile acids cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid were 91% and 57% lower, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Daily avocado consumption resulted in lower fecal bile acid concentrations, greater fecal fatty acid and SCFAs, and greater relative abundances of bacteria capable of fiber fermentation, providing evidence that this nutrient-dense food affects digestive physiology, as well as the composition and metabolic functions of the intestinal microbiota. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02740439.
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Avocado Intake, and Longitudinal Weight and Body Mass Index Changes in an Adult Cohort.
Heskey, C, Oda, K, Sabaté, J
Nutrients. 2019;11(3)
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There is increasing research aimed at reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide. Evidence suggests nutrient-dense, whole food choices may help reduce weight gain by increased fibre intake, reduced fat absorption and improved satiety levels, and avocados have recently been suggested to help reduce excess adiposity. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of habitual avocado intake on adult weight gain and changes in body mass index (BMI). This longitudinal study analysed data from the Adventist Health Study-2, which is comprised of approximately 96,000 members. Subjects were mailed a comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire that included self-reported weight, height and avocado consumption. Two follow-up questionnaires were sent out to collect self-reported weight, with follow-up time varying between 4-11 years. This study found avocado intake to be associated with a lower prevalence of overweight and attenuated weight gain in normal weight individuals over time. While avocado intake reduced the odds of becoming overweight or obese, when adjusted for BMI it was found baseline BMI had more of an impact on the odds of becoming overweight or obese than avocado intake. Based on these results, the authors suggest avocado consumption, as part of a healthy diet, may impact long-term changes in weight at the population level.
Abstract
Avocados contain nutrients and bioactive compounds that may help reduce the risk of becoming overweight/obese. We prospectively examined the effect of habitual avocado intake on changes in weight and body mass index (BMI). In the Adventist Health Study (AHS-2), a longitudinal cohort (~55,407; mean age ~56 years; U.S. and Canada), avocado intake (standard serving size 32 g/day) was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Self-reported height and weight were collected at baseline. Self-reported follow-up weight was collected with follow-up questionnaires between four and 11 years after baseline. Using the generalized least squares (GLS) approach, we analyzed repeated measures of weight in relation to avocado intake. Marginal logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the odds of becoming overweight/obese, comparing low (>0 to <32 g/day) and high (≥32 g/day) avocado intake to non-consumers (reference). Avocado consumers who were normal weight at baseline, gained significantly less weight than non-consumers. The odds (OR (95% CI)) of becoming overweight/obese between baseline and follow-up was 0.93 (0.85, 1.01), and 0.85 (0.60, 1.19) for low and high avocado consumers, respectively. Habitual consumption of avocados may reduce adult weight gain, but odds of overweight/obesity are attenuated by differences in initial BMI values.