phytosterols and Nutrition-Disorders

Although most of us are more or less familiar with the term "cholesterol", the world of sterols is far more complicated and interesting. Apart from cholesterol, many non-cholesterol sterols can be found in human plasma and these sterols serve many important functions in human organism. They are either derived from endogenous biosynthesis of cholesterol or they come from dietary sources (phytosterols). The sole cholesterol molecule is used for keeping our cell membranes fit, for signalization purposes as well as a precursor for bile acids and steroid hormones. The compounds prior to cholesterol in its biosynthetic pathway were identified as vitamin D3 precursor, meiosis activating sterols and nowadays it seems that they could play a role in cholesterol homeostasis. The sterols from ingested vegetable sources, the phytosterols, are expelled from enterocytes and thus indirectly help our gut in coping with abundant cholesterol in the lumen. Higher plants synthesize many phytosterols, but in marine organisms, we can find other innumerous sterol molecules. The diversity of sterol molecules produced and resistance of their tetracyclic core to enzymatic activities implies crucial importance of sterols during the ontogenesis of multicellular organisms. First oxygen appeared on the Earth app. 2.7 billion years ago and since that time, every new life form took the advantage of oxygen needed also for build-up of sterol molecules. The last decades changed our view to the sterol molecules on almost at all levels of their appearance in human body. In the gut, the absorption of sterols was proven to be protein dependent and the quest for the transporter was successful. The general concepts of intracellular homeostasis of cholesterol have been described including the covalent interaction unbelievable so far - cholesterol and a protein. The clinical importance of non-cholesterol sterols rises with the effort to discover underlying facts about the causes of atherosclerosis. The compound in question, cholesterol, seems to be involved, but it sounds not to be crucial per se. The fact that the accumulation of phytosterols in sitosterolemia enhances the probability of early atherosclerosis onset further supports the hypothesis about some sterol (or steroid) compound being responsible on the molecular level for triggering the pathobiochemical cascade of events leading to atherosclerosis. Understanding the processes taking place in the enterocyte during the absorption of sterols

Topics: Animals; Cholesterol; Humans; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Nutrition Disorders; Phytosterols

The health, fitness and other advantages of youth sports participation are well recognised. However, there are considerable challenges for all stakeholders involved-especially youth athletes-in trying to maintain inclusive, sustainable and enjoyable participation and success for all levels of individual athletic achievement. In an effort to advance a more unified, evidence-informed approach to youth athlete development, the IOC critically evaluated the current state of science and practice of youth athlete development and presented recommendations for developing healthy, resilient and capable youth athletes, while providing opportunities for all levels of sport participation and success. The IOC further challenges all youth and other sport governing bodies to embrace and implement these recommended guiding principles.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adolescent Development; Aptitude; Athletic Injuries; Athletic Performance; Child; Chronic Disease; Clinical Competence; Diosgenin; Environment; Exercise; Fatigue; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Nutrition Disorders; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Abuse; Physical Education and Training; Physical Fitness; Phytosterols; Puberty; Sex Offenses; Sleep; Sports Medicine; Stress, Psychological; Youth Sports