Browsing by Author "Faria, Ana"
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- Gut microbiota modulation accounts for the neuroprotective properties of anthocyaninsPublication . Marques, Claudia; Fernandes, Iva; Meireles, Manuela; Faria, Ana; Spencer, Jeremy P. E.; Mateus, Nuno; Calhau, ConceicaoHigh-fat (HF) diets are thought to disrupt the profile of the gut microbiota in a manner that may contribute to the neuroinflammation and neurobehavioral changes observed in obesity. Accordingly, we hypothesize that by preventing HF-diet induced dysbiosis it is possible to prevent neuroinflammation and the consequent neurological disorders. Anthocyanins are flavonoids found in berries that exhibit anti-neuroinflammatory properties in the context of obesity. Here, we demonstrate that the blackberry anthocyanin-rich extract (BE) can modulate gut microbiota composition and counteract some of the features of HF-diet induced dysbiosis. In addition, we show that the modifications in gut microbial environment are partially linked with the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of BE. Through fecal metabolome analysis, we unravel the mechanism by which BE participates in the bilateral communication between the gut and the brain. BE alters host tryptophan metabolism, increasing the production of the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid. These findings strongly suggest that dietary manipulation of the gut microbiota with anthocyanins can attenuate the neurologic complications of obesity, thus expanding the classification of psychobiotics to anthocyanins.
- Neuroprotective effects of anthocyanins are mediated by gut microbiotaPublication . Marques, Claudia; Fernandes, Iva; Meireles, Manuela; Faria, Ana; Spencer, Jeremy; Mateus, Nuno; Calhau, ConceicaoThe microbes that collectively inhabit the gut, the gut microbiota, constitute the largest and most diverse community in the body. Besides having an important role in the regulation of host energy metabolism, the gut microbiota can also influence neurodevelopment, modulate behavior and contribute to the development of neurological disorders. High-fat (HF) diets are thought to disrupt the profile of the gut microbiota in a manner that may contribute to the neuroinflammation and neurobehavioral changes observed in obesity. Accordingly, we hypothesized that by preventing HF-diet induced dysbiosis it is possible to prevent neuroinflammation and the consequent neurological disorders.
- Nutrition education in portuguese medical students: impact on the attitudes and knowledgePublication . Mota, Inês Barreiros; Castela, Inês; Morais, Juliana; Anjos, Miguel; Costa, João Pedro; Dias, Marta; Fernandes, Ana; Leitão, Iara; Mohanlal, Urmilk; Campos, Elisa; Cascais, Maria João; Faria, Ana; Marques, Cláudia; Patarrão, Rita; Pestana, Diogo; Teixeira, Diana; Branco, Jaime Cunha; Calhau, ConceiçãoNutrition has been underrepresented in the curriculum of many medical schools and therefore physicians do not feel adequately prepared to provide dietary counselling. The aim of the present study is to determine the impact of a Nutrition and Metabolism curricular unit on nutrition attitudes, knowledge and confidence on future clinical practice of medical students.
- Sufficiency before efficiency: Consumers' profiling and barriers/facilitators of energy efficient behavioursPublication . Gaspar, Rui; Antunes, Dalila; Faria, Ana; Meiszner, AndreasEven if consumers have positive attitudes towards the environment and household energy conservation measures, and are seemingly motivated to implement them, there are factors that function as barriers to such behaviours. The literature is still insufficient in exploring variables with such negative influence and in identifying ways of shielding consumers against it. A first step towards the latter can be achieved through energy consumers' psychosocial profiles identification, i.e. configurations of consumer characteristics based on a set of psychosocial factors. To contribute in this regard, a nationwide survey of Portuguese householders aimed to identify: 1) psychosocial factors that may function as barriers or facilitators to energy conservation measures implementation; and 2) psychosocial consumer profiles defined based on facilitators, i.e. factors with a positive/facilitative influence over such implementation. Despite highly positive environmental and energy conservation attitudes, householders reported that what they did was "sufficient". This perceived "sufficiency" functioned as a justification for not "doing more" which, in addition to consumption estimation biases, seemingly constituted energy conservation barriers. Additionally, a k-means Cluster Analysis identified specific configurations of psychosocial factors consumer profiles that may function as energy conservation "facilitators. Applying procedures as exemplified in this study may therefore enable tailoring behaviour change interventions to the different identified energy consumer's profiles, in order to promote energy efficient household behaviours. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.