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Title:
Repeated sauna therapy improves myocardial perfusion in patients with chronically occluded coronary artery-related ischemia
Authors:
Sobajima, Mitsuo; Nozawa, Takashi; Ihori, Hiroyuki; Shida, Takuya; Ohori, Takashi; Suzuki, Takayuki; Matsuki, Akira; Yasumura, Satoshi; Inoue, Hiroshi
Abstract:
Background: Repeated low-temperature sauna (Waon) therapy relieves ischemic symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We investigated whether Waon therapy could improve myocardial perfusion in patients with ischemia related to chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary arteries. Methods: Twenty-four patients who had ischemia in the CTO-related area were examined. The severity of ischemia was quantified by thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with adenosine. The Waon group (n = 16) was treated daily for three weeks with a 60 C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 min and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 min. The control group (n = 8) underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy twice with a three-week interval. Results: In the control group, neither summed stress score (SSS) nor summed difference score (SDS) of myocardial scintigraphy changed. However, Waon therapy improved both SSS (16 ± 7 to 9 ± 6, p \textless 0.01) and SDS (7 ± 4 to 3 ± 2, p \textless 0.01), and the improvement was greater in patients with higher SSS and SDS scores at the baseline. Waon therapy extended treadmill exercise time (430 ± 185 to 511 ± 192 s, p \textless 0.01) and improved flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (4.1 ± 1.3 to 5.9 ± 1.8%, p \textless 0.05), but tended to decrease the number of circulating CD34-positive bone marrow-derived cells. Conclusions: Waon therapy improves CTO-related myocardial ischemia in association with improvement of vascular endothelial function. This therapy could be a complementary and alternative tool in patients with severe coronary lesions not suitable for coronary intervention. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Published:
2013
Title:
Risk for obstructive sleep apnea in obese, nondiabetic adults varies with insulin resistance status
Authors:
Liu, Alice; Kushida, Clete A.; Reaven, Gerald M.
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly common sleep disorder, especially among obese adults. Early identification of adults at risk for OSA would be of substantial benefit; however, the magnitude of the obesity epidemic requires that screening be performed judiciously. The study's aim was to utilize questionnaires that assess OSA risk and symptoms to test the hypothesis that the most insulin-resistant subset of obese individuals is at highest risk for OSA.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nMETHODS: Nondiabetic, overweight to obese volunteers underwent direct quantification of insulin sensitivity by measuring steady-state plasma glucose concentrations during the insulin suppression test. Insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant individuals were administered the Berlin and STOP questionnaires to determine OSA risk status, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to evaluate daytime sleepiness. Fasting insulin and lipid/lipoprotein measurements were performed.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nRESULTS: Insulin-mediated glucose disposal differed threefold (p \textless 0.001) between equally obese, insulin-resistant (n = 22) and insulin-sensitive (n = 14) individuals, associated with higher fasting insulin and triglyceride and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations in insulin-resistant individuals. Fourteen (64 %) insulin-resistant as compared with 2 (14 %) insulin-sensitive individuals were found to be at high risk for OSA by both questionnaires (p \textless 0.01). Whereas half of insulin-resistant individuals met the ESS criteria for excessive daytime sleepiness, only one insulin-sensitive individual did (p = 0.011).$\backslash$n$\backslash$nCONCLUSIONS: High risk for OSA and excessive daytime sleepiness is prevalent among the insulin-resistant subgroup of obese individuals. Surrogate estimates of insulin resistance based on fasting insulin, triglycerides, and/or HDL-C can be used to help identify those obese adults who would benefit most from OSA screening and referral for polysomnography.
Published:
2013
Title:
Role of choline deficiency in the Fatty liver phenotype of mice fed a low protein, very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet
Authors:
Schugar, Rebecca C.; Huang, Xiaojing; Moll, Ashley R.; Brunt, Elizabeth M.; Crawford, Peter A.
Abstract:
Though widely employed for clinical intervention in obesity, metabolic syndrome, seizure disorders and other neurodegenerative diseases, the mechanisms through which low carbohydrate ketogenic diets exert their ameliorative effects still remain to be elucidated. Rodent models have been used to identify the metabolic and physiologic alterations provoked by ketogenic diets. A commonly used rodent ketogenic diet (Bio-Serv F3666) that is very high in fat (~94% kcal), very low in carbohydrate (~1% kcal), low in protein (~5% kcal), and choline restricted (~300 mg/kg) provokes robust ketosis and weight loss in mice, but through unknown mechanisms, also causes significant hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and cellular injury. To understand the independent and synergistic roles of protein restriction and choline deficiency on the pleiotropic effects of rodent ketogenic diets, we studied four custom diets that differ only in protein (5% kcal vs. 10% kcal) and choline contents (300 mg/kg vs. 5 g/kg). C57BL/6J mice maintained on the two 5% kcal protein diets induced the most significant ketoses, which was only partially diminished by choline replacement. Choline restriction in the setting of 10% kcal protein also caused moderate ketosis and hepatic fat accumulation, which were again attenuated when choline was replete. Key effects of the 5% kcal protein diet - weight loss, hepatic fat accumulation, and mitochondrial ultrastructural disarray and bioenergetic dysfunction - were mitigated by choline repletion. These studies indicate that synergistic effects of protein restriction and choline deficiency influence integrated metabolism and hepatic pathology in mice when nutritional fat content is very high, and support the consideration of dietary choline content in ketogenic diet studies in rodents to limit hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and fat accumulation.
Published:
2013
Title:
Role of choline deficiency in the Fatty liver phenotype of mice fed a low protein, very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet
Authors:
Schugar, Rebecca C.; Huang, Xiaojing; Moll, Ashley R.; Brunt, Elizabeth M.; Crawford, Peter A.
Abstract:
Though widely employed for clinical intervention in obesity, metabolic syndrome, seizure disorders and other neurodegenerative diseases, the mechanisms through which low carbohydrate ketogenic diets exert their ameliorative effects still remain to be elucidated. Rodent models have been used to identify the metabolic and physiologic alterations provoked by ketogenic diets. A commonly used rodent ketogenic diet (Bio-Serv F3666) that is very high in fat (~94% kcal), very low in carbohydrate (~1% kcal), low in protein (~5% kcal), and choline restricted (~300 mg/kg) provokes robust ketosis and weight loss in mice, but through unknown mechanisms, also causes significant hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and cellular injury. To understand the independent and synergistic roles of protein restriction and choline deficiency on the pleiotropic effects of rodent ketogenic diets, we studied four custom diets that differ only in protein (5% kcal vs. 10% kcal) and choline contents (300 mg/kg vs. 5 g/kg). C57BL/6J mice maintained on the two 5% kcal protein diets induced the most significant ketoses, which was only partially diminished by choline replacement. Choline restriction in the setting of 10% kcal protein also caused moderate ketosis and hepatic fat accumulation, which were again attenuated when choline was replete. Key effects of the 5% kcal protein diet - weight loss, hepatic fat accumulation, and mitochondrial ultrastructural disarray and bioenergetic dysfunction - were mitigated by choline repletion. These studies indicate that synergistic effects of protein restriction and choline deficiency influence integrated metabolism and hepatic pathology in mice when nutritional fat content is very high, and support the consideration of dietary choline content in ketogenic diet studies in rodents to limit hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and fat accumulation.
Published:
2013
Title:
Saturated fat is not the major issue
Authors:
Malhotra, Aseem
Abstract:
Scientists universally accept that trans fats—found in many fast foods, bakery products, and margarines—increase the risk of cardiovascular disease through inflammatory processes.1 But “saturated fat” is another story. The mantra that saturated fat must be removed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease has dominated dietary advice and guidelines for almost four decades. Yet scientific evidence shows that this advice has, paradoxically, increased our cardiovascular risks. Furthermore, the government's obsession with levels of total cholesterol, which has led to the overmedication of millions of people with statins, has diverted our attention from the more egregious risk factor of atherogenic dyslipidaemia
Published:
2013
Title:
Savoring power, consuming the times: the metaphors of food in medieval and Renaissance Italian literature
Authors:
Palma, Pina
Abstract:
Published:
2013
Title:
Shell mounds as the basis for understanding human-environment interactions in far north Queensland, Australia
Authors:
Shiner, J. S.; Fanning, P. C.; Holdaway, S. J.; Petchey, F.; Beresford, C.; Hoffman, E.; Larsen, B.
Abstract:
The Weipa shell mounds have a long history of archaeological research that has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the emergence of late Holocene coastal economies in northern Australia. However, much of this work has focused on broad comparisons of mounds between multiple locations rather than detailed studies of multiple mounds from single locations. This level of analysis is required to understand the record of both human occupation and environmental change and how these have given rise to the form of archaeological record visible in the present. In this paper we describe the results of a recent pilot study of four Anadara granosa -dominated shell mounds at Wathayn Outstation near Weipa in far north Queensland. We adopt a formational approach that investigates variability in shape, size, orientation, stratigraphy, shell fragmentation and diversity and mound chronology, as well as dating of the surfaces upon which the mounds have been constructed. Results indicate multiple periods of shell accumulation in each mound, separated by hiatuses. The mounds are the end product of a complex mix of processes that include how often and how intensively mounds were used and reused, together with the nature of the shell populations that people exploited and the post-depositional environmental changes that have occurred over the centuries the mounds have existed.
Published:
2013
Title:
Sleep Disorders and the Development of Insulin Resistance and Obesity
Authors:
Mesarwi, Omar; Polak, Jan; Jun, Jonathan; Polotsky, Vsevolod Y.
Abstract:
Normal sleep is characterized both by reduced glucose turnover by the brain and other metabolically active tissues, and by changes in glucose tolerance. Sleep duration has decreased over the last several decades; data suggest a link between short sleep duration and type 2 diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) results in intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, and also is associated with impaired glucose tolerance. Obesity is a major risk factor for OSA, but whether OSA leads to obesity is unclear. The quality and quantity of sleep may profoundly affect obesity and glucose tolerance, and should be routinely assessed by clinicians. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
Published:
2013
Title:
Small dense LDL is more susceptible to glycation than more buoyant LDL in Type 2 diabetes
Authors:
Younis, Nahla N.; Soran, Handrean; Pemberton, Philip; Charlton-Menys, Valentine; Elseweidy, Mohamed M.; Durrington, Paul N.
Abstract:
Glycation of apoB (apolipoprotein B) of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) increases its atherogenicity. Concentrations of both serum glyc-apoB (glycated apoB) and SD-LDL (small dense LDL) (syn LDL3; D=1.044-1.063 g/ml) are increased in diabetes and are closely correlated. We studied whether SD-LDL is more susceptible to glycation in vitro than more buoyant LDL in statin- and non-statin-treated Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serum SD-LDL apoB and glyc-apoB on statins was 20±2 (means±S.D.) and 3.6±0.41 compared with 47±3 and 5.89±0.68 mg/dl in those not receiving statins (P\textless0.001 and \textless0.01, respectively). There was a dose-dependent increase in glycation on incubation of LDL subfractions with glucose, which was accompanied by an increase in LPO (lipid peroxide) and electrophoretic mobility and a decrease in free amino groups. SD-LDL was more susceptible to these changes than more buoyant LDL. Both SD-LDL and more buoyant LDL from statin-treated patients were less susceptible to glycation. There were fewer free amino groups on LDL subfractions from statin-treated patients, which may contribute to this resistance. In conclusion, greater susceptibility of SD-LDL to glycation is likely to contribute to the raised levels of circulating glyc-apoB in diabetes. Statins are associated with lower levels of both SD-LDL and glyc-apoB.
Published:
2013
Title:
Soy isoflavones and breast cancer
Authors:
Wu, Anna H.; Lee, Eunjung; Vigen, Cheryl
Abstract:
The soybean and its products have been a staple in the Asian diet for centuries. Although intake of soy remains low in most Western populations, the use of soy isoflavone supplements has become commonplace, and an increasing number of food products contain soy ingredients. This review will present an updated summary of the observational results on soy isoflavones and risk of breast cancer development and outcome in patients with breast cancer. Results from soy intervention studies that have specifically examined the effects of soy on breast cell proliferation in breast tissues will be discussed. We will conclude by highlighting gaps in our knowledge on soy and breast cancer and issues that need to be addressed in future studies.
Published:
2013
Title:
Systematic review and meta-analysis of different dietary approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes1-3
Authors:
Ajala, Olubukola; English, Patrick; Pinkney, Jonathan
Abstract:
Background: There is evidence that reducing blood glucose concentrations, inducing weight loss, and improving the lipid profile reduces cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes. Objective: We assessed the effect of various diets on glycemic control, lipids, and weight loss. Design: We conducted searches of PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to August 2011. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with interventions that lasted ≥6 mo that compared low-carbohydrate, vegetarian, vegan, low–glycemic index (GI), high-fiber, Mediterranean, and high-protein diets with control diets including low-fat, high-GI, American Diabetes Association, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and low-protein diets. Results: A total of 20 RCTs were included (n = 3073 included in final analyses across 3460 randomly assigned individuals). The low-carbohydrate, low-GI, Mediterranean, and high-protein diets all led to a greater improvement in glycemic control [glycated hemoglobin reductions of −0.12% (P = 0.04), −0.14% (P = 0.008), −0.47% (P \textless 0.00001), and −0.28% (P \textless 0.00001), respectively] compared with their respective control diets, with the largest effect size seen in the Mediterranean diet. Low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets led to greater weight loss [−0.69 kg (P = 0.21) and −1.84 kg (P \textless 0.00001), respectively], with an increase in HDL seen in all diets except the high-protein diet. Conclusion: Low-carbohydrate, low-GI, Mediterranean, and high-protein diets are effective in improving various markers of cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes and should be considered in the overall strategy of diabetes management.
Published:
2013
Title:
Testing the efficacy of culturally adapted coping skills training for Chinese American immigrants with type 2 diabetes using community-based participatory research
Authors:
Chesla, Catherine A.; Chun, Kevin M.; Kwan, Christine M. L.; Mullan, Joseph T.; Kwong, Yulanda; Hsu, Lydia; Huang, Peggy; Strycker, Lisa A.; Shum, Tina; To, Diana; Kao, Rudy; Waters, Catherine M.
Abstract:
Chinese Americans demonstrate greater prevalence of diabetes than non-Hispanic whites and find standard diabetes care disregards their cultural health beliefs. Academic researchers and Chinatown agencies collaborated to culturally adapt and test an efficacious cognitive-behavioral intervention using community-based participatory research. Using a delayed-treatment repeated-measures design, 145 adult Chinese immigrants with Type 2 diabetes completed treatment. Immediate benefits of treatment were evident in the improvement (p
Published:
2013
Title:
The Ancient Idea of Vegetarianism
Authors:
Harden, Alastair
Abstract:
Modern notions and substrata of vegetarianism cannot be easily grafted onto ancient theories of diet, but the social, environmental and moral pathways which lead to these dietary choices have some broad antecedents in ancient literature (as do the negative stereotypes: see the passage of Euripides’s Hippolytus below, §52); the arguments of Porphyry in particular prefigure many modern arguments against eating meat. Meat eating was generally associated with sacrifice, although the question of whether ‘it was not allowed to Pagans to eat unsacrificed meat’1 cannot be satisfactorily answered by any ancient text.2 The potential for ethical distinction between different types of meat is also diminished by such generalizing statements: for the ancient Greeks and Romans there were important differences in status between flesh from animals which were hunted and trapped versus domestic pigs, sheep, goats and cattle; birds and fish were also widely caught and eaten (see Chapter 9). From the Hippocratic Corpus, the second of four essays entitled ‘On regimen’ (Peri diaitês) gives some idea of the range of meats available to the Classical gourmand, listing the digestive qualities of the flesh of cows and veal calves, goats and kids, sheep and lambs, pigs and piglets, donkeys, horses and foals, dogs and puppies, wild boars, hares, and foxes and hedgehogs, as well as several birds, fish and crustaceans (rather aptly, the work is widely considered the earliest classification of animals in Classical literature).3
Published:
2013
Title:
The Bovine Ruminal Fluid Metabolome
Authors:
Saleem, F.; Bouatra, S.; Guo, A.C.; Psychogios, N.; Mandal, R.; Dunn, S.M.; Ametaj, B.N.; Wishart, D.S.
Abstract:
The rumen is a unique organ that serves as the primary site for microbial fermentation of ingested plant material for domestic livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats. The chemical composition of ruminal fluid is thought to closely reflect the healthy/unhealthy interaction between rumen microflora and diet. Just as diet and feed quality is important for livestock production, rumen health is also critical to the growth and production of high quality milk and meat. Therefore a detailed understanding of the chemical composition of ruminal fluid and the influence of diet on its composition could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of farming and veterinary practices. Consequently we have undertaken an effort to comprehensively characterize the bovine ruminal fluid metabolome. In doing so, we combined NMR spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectroscopy (ICP-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), direct flow injection (DFI) mass spectrometry and lipidomics with computer-aided literature mining to identify and quantify essentially all of the metabolites in bovine ruminal fluid that can be routinely detected (with today's technology). The use of multiple metabolomics platforms and technologies allowed us to substantially enhance the level of metabolome coverage while critically assessing the relative strengths and weaknesses of these techniques. Tables containing the set of 246 ruminal fluid metabolites or metabolite species, their concentrations, related literature reference and links to their known diet associations for the bovine rumen metabolome are freely available at http://www. rumendb. ca. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Published:
2013
Title:
The beneficial effects of meditation: contribution of the anterior cingulate and locus coeruleus
Authors:
Craigmyle, Nancy A.
Abstract:
During functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of meditation the cortical salience detecting and executive networks become active during "awareness of mind wandering," "shifting," and "sustained attention." The anterior cingulate (AC) is activated during "awareness of mind wandering." The AC modulates both the peripheral sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the central locus coeruleus (LC) norepinephrine systems, which form the principal neuromodulatory system, regulating in multiple ways both neuronal and non-neuronal cells to maximize adaptation in changing environments. The LC is the primary source of central norepinephrine (C-NE) and nearly the exclusive source of cortical norepinephrine. Normally activated by novel or salient stimuli, the AC initially inhibits the SNS reflexively, lowering peripheral norepinephrine and activates the LC, increasing C-NE. Moderate levels of C-NE enhance working memory through alpha 2 adrenergic receptors, while higher levels of C-NE, acting on alpha 1 and beta receptors, enhance other executive network functions such as the stopping of ongoing behavior, attentional set-shifting, and sustained attention. The actions of the AC on both the central and peripheral noradrenergic systems are implicated in the beneficial effects of meditation. This paper will explore some of the known functions and interrelationships of the AC, SNS, and LC with respect to their possible relevance to meditation.
Published:
2013
Title:
The effects of pre versus post workout supplementation of creatine monohydrate on body composition and strength
Authors:
Antonio, Jose; Ciccone, Victoria
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Chronic supplementation with creatine monohydrate has been shown to promote increases in total intramuscular creatine, phosphocreatine, skeletal muscle mass, lean body mass and muscle fiber size. Furthermore, there is robust evidence that muscular strength and power will also increase after supplementing with creatine. However, it is not known if the timing of creatine supplementation will affect the adaptive response to exercise. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the difference between pre versus post exercise supplementation of creatine on measures of body composition and strength. METHODS: Nineteen healthy recreational male bodybuilders (mean ± SD; age: 23.1 ± 2.9; height: 166.0 ± 23.2 cm; weight: 80.18 ± 10.43 kg) participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: PRE-SUPP or POST-SUPP workout supplementation of creatine (5 grams). The PRE-SUPP group consumed 5 grams of creatine immediately before exercise. On the other hand, the POST-SUPP group consumed 5 grams immediately after exercise. Subjects trained on average five days per week for four weeks. Subjects consumed the supplement on the two non-training days at their convenience. Subjects performed a periodized, split-routine, bodybuilding workout five days per week (Chest-shoulders-triceps; Back-biceps, Legs, etc.). Body composition (Bod Pod®) and 1-RM bench press (BP) were determined. Diet logs were collected and analyzed (one random day per week; four total days analyzed). RESULTS: 2x2 ANOVA results - There was a significant time effect for fat-free mass (FFM) (F = 19.9; p = 0.001) and BP (F = 18.9; p
Published:
2013
Title:
The food industries of Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
Authors:
Oddy, Derek J; Drouard, Alain
Abstract:
Published:
2013
Title:
The impact of sleep deprivation on food desire in the human brain
Authors:
Greer, Stephanie M.; Goldstein, Andrea N.; Walker, Matthew P.
Abstract:
Epidemiological evidence supports a link between sleep loss and obesity. However, the detrimental impact of sleep deprivation on central brain mechanisms governing appetitive food desire remains unknown. Here we report that sleep deprivation significantly decreases activity in appetitive evaluation regions within the human frontal cortex and insular cortex during food desirability choices, combined with a converse amplification of activity within the amygdala. Moreover, this bi-directional change in the profile of brain activity is further associated with a significant increase in the desire for weight-gain promoting high-calorie foods following sleep deprivation, the extent of which is predicted by the subjective severity of sleep loss across participants. These findings provide an explanatory brain mechanism by which insufficient sleep may lead to the development/maintenance of obesity through diminished activity in higher-order cortical evaluation regions, combined with excess subcortical limbic responsivity, resulting in the selection of foods most capable of triggering weight-gain.
Published:
2013
Title:
The metamorphoses of fat: A history of obesity
Authors:
Vigarello, Georges; Delogu, C. Jon
Abstract:
Published:
2013
Title:
The renin angiotensin aldosterone system and insulin resistance in humans
Authors:
Underwood, Patricia C.; Adler, Gail K.
Abstract:
Alterations in the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) contribute to the underlying pathophysiology of insulin resistance in humans; however, individual differences in the treatment response of insulin resistance to RAAS blockade persist. Thus, understanding inter-individual differences in the relationship between the RAAS and insulin resistance may provide insights into improved personalized treatments and improved outcomes. The effects of the systemic RAAS on blood pressure regulation and glucose metabolism have been studied extensively; however, recent discoveries on the influence of local tissue RAAS in the skeletal muscle, heart, vasculature, adipocytes, and pancreas have led to an improved understanding of how activated tissue RAAS influences the development of insulin resistance and diabetes in humans. Angiotensin II (ANGII) is the predominant RAAS component contributing to insulin resistance; however, other players such as aldosterone, renin, and ACE2 are also involved. This review examines the role of local ANGII activity on insulin resistance development in skeletal muscle, adipocytes, and pancreas, followed by a discussion of the other RAAS components implicated in insulin resistance, including ACE2, Ang1-7, renin, and aldosterone.
Published:
2013
Title:
The role of iron-induced fibrin in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the protective role of magnesium
Authors:
Lipinski, B.; Pretorius, E.
Abstract:
Amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has recently been challenged by the increasing evidence for the role of vascular and hemostatic components that impair oxygen delivery to the brain. One such component is fibrin clots, which, when they become resistant to thrombolysis, can cause chronic inflammation. It is not known, however, why some cerebral thrombi are resistant to the fibrinolytic degradation, whereas fibrin clots formed at the site of vessel wall injuries are completely, although gradually, removed to ensure proper wound healing. This phenomenon can now be explained in terms of the iron-induced free radicals that generate fibrin-like polymers remarkably resistant to the proteolytic degradation. It should be noted that similar insoluble deposits are present in AD brains in the form of aggregates with Abeta peptides that are resistant to fibrinolytic degradation. In addition, iron-induced fibrin fibers can irreversibly trap red blood cells (RBCs) and in this way obstruct oxygen delivery to the brain and induce chronic hypoxia that may contribute to AD. The RBC-fibrin aggregates can be disaggregated by magnesium ions and can also be prevented by certain polyphenols that are known to have beneficial effects in AD. In conclusion, we argue that AD can be prevented by: (1) limiting the dietary supply of trivalent iron contained in red and processed meat; (2) increasing the intake of chlorophyll-derived magnesium; and (3) consumption of foods rich in polyphenolic substances and certain aliphatic and aromatic unsaturated compounds. These dietary components are present in the Mediterranean diet known to be associated with the lower incidence of AD and other degenerative diseases. © 2013 Lipinski and Pretorius.
Published:
2013
Title:
Tissue deposition and residue depletion of cyadox and its three major metabolites in pigs after oral administration
Authors:
Li, Y.; Zhao, N.; Zeng, Z.; Gu, X.; Fang, B.; Yang, F.; Zhang, B.; Ding, H.
Abstract:
Tissue deposition and residue depletion profiles of cyadox (Cyx) and its three major metabolites, including 1,4- bisdesoxycyadox (Cy1), 4-desoxycyadox (Cy2), and quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (QCA), in pigs after multiple oral administrations were determined. Thirty-five healthy adult pigs were randomly divided into seven groups and orally treated with Cyx at a dosage of 20 mg/kg of body weight for five consecutive days. Each group of five pigs was randomly slaughtered 12, 24, 72, 120, 168, 216, and 264 h after the last dosing, and tissue samples, including muscle, liver, kidney, and fat, were collected and analyzed via the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The concentration-time data of Cyx and its three metabolites (Cy1, Cy2, and QCA) were analyzed with WinNonlin. Results showed that metabolites of Cyx were quickly generated in swine tissues and the concentrations of QCA in kidney were higher than those of Cyx and other metabolites in all edible tissues. These results provide further insight into the metabolism of Cyx and confirmation of the residue marker and target tissue of Cyx in pigs. © 2013 American Chemical Society.
Published:
2013
Title:
Trends in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among U.S. adults: contributions of changes in dietary fat intake and use of cholesterol-lowering medications
Authors:
Ford, Earl S.; Capewell, Simon
Abstract:
DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Published:
2013
Title:
Type 2 Diabetes Risk among Asian Indians in the US: A Pilot Study
Authors:
Thomas, Annie; Ashcraft, Alyce
Abstract:
The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate type 2 diabetes risk among Asian Indians of Kerala ethnicity living in a West Texas County of the USA. The study used a descriptive correlational design with thirty-seven adult nondiabetic Asian Indian subjects between 20 and 70 years of age. The measurement included nonbiochemical indices of obesity, family history of type 2 diabetes, length of immigration in the US, history of hypertension, physical activity pattern, and fruit and vegetable intake. The majority of the subjects showed an increased nonbiochemical indices corresponding with overweight and obesity, placing them at risk for type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular complications. The physical activity pattern indicated a sedentary lifestyle. The decreased physical activity was associated with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage; length of residence in the US greater than 10 years was associated with increased body fat percentage and BMI; family history of type 2 diabetes was associated with an increase in body fat percentage. Fruit and vegetable intake pattern was not associated with a risk for type 2 diabetes. Further studies are recommended for risk surveillance among Asian Indian population living in the US.
Published:
2013
Title:
Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: Evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis
Authors:
Ramsden, Christopher E.; Zamora, Daisy; Leelarthaepin, Boonseng; Majchrzak-Hong, Sharon F.; Faurot, Keturah R.; Suchindran, Chirayath M.; Ringel, Amit; Davis, John M.; Hibbeln, Joseph R.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of replacing dietary saturated fat with omega 6 linoleic acid, for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death. DESIGN Evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study, a single blinded, parallel group, randomized controlled trial conducted in 1966-73; and an updated meta-analysis including these previously missing data. SETTING Ambulatory, coronary care clinic in Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS 458 men aged 30-59 years with a recent coronary event. INTERVENTIONS Replacement of dietary saturated fats (from animal fats, common margarines, and shortenings) with omega 6 linoleic acid (from safflower oil and safflower oil polyunsaturated margarine). Controls received no specific dietary instruction or study foods. All non-dietary aspects were designed to be equivalent in both groups. OUTCOME MEASURES All cause mortality (primary outcome), cardiovascular mortality, and mortality from coronary heart disease (secondary outcomes). We used an intention to treat, survival analysis approach to compare mortality outcomes by group. RESULTS The intervention group (n=221) had higher rates of death than controls (n=237) (all cause 17.6% v 11.8%, hazard ratio 1.62 (95% confidence interval 1.00 to 2.64), P=0.05; cardiovascular disease 17.2% v 11.0%, 1.70 (1.03 to 2.80), P=0.04; coronary heart disease 16.3% v 10.1%, 1.74 (1.04 to 2.92), P=0.04). Inclusion of these recovered data in an updated meta-analysis of linoleic acid intervention trials showed non-significant trends toward increased risks of death from coronary heart disease (hazard ratio 1.33 (0.99 to 1.79); P=0.06) and cardiovascular disease (1.27 (0.98 to 1.65); P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS Advice to substitute polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats is a key component of worldwide dietary guidelines for coronary heart disease risk reduction. However, clinical benefits of the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega 6 linoleic acid, have not been established. In this cohort, substituting dietary linoleic acid in place of saturated fats increased the rates of death from all causes, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease. An updated meta-analysis of linoleic acid intervention trials showed no evidence of cardiovascular benefit. These findings could have important implications for worldwide dietary advice to substitute omega 6 linoleic acid, or polyunsaturated fats in general, for saturated fats. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trials NCT01621087.
Published:
2013
Title:
Vascular proteomics
Authors:
Barderas, Maria G.; Vivanco, Fernando; Alvarez-Llamas, Gloria
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases constitute the largest of death in developed countries, being atherosclerosis the major contributor. Atherosclerosis is a process of chronic inflammation, characterized by the accumulation of lipids, cells, and fibrous elements in medium and large arteries. There is a continuum in atherosclerotic cardiovascular pathology that extends from the initial endothelial damage to diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The extent of inflammation, proteolysis, calcification, and neovascularization influences the development of advanced lesions (atheroma plaques) on the arteries. Plaque rupture and the ensuing thrombosis cause the acute complications of atherosclerosis, i.e., myocardial infarction and cerebral ischemia. Thus, identification of early biomarkers of plaque unstability and susceptibility to rupture is of capital importance in preventing acute events. In recent years proteomics has been successfully applied to study proteins involved in these pathological processes. Thus, proteomic studies have been carried out focusing on different elements such as vascular tissues (arteries), artery layers, cells looking at proteomes and secretomes, plasma/serum, exosomes, lipoproteins, and metabolites. This chapter will provide an overview of latest advances in proteomic studies of atherosclerosis and related vascular diseases.
Published:
2013
Title:
Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors:
Bueno, Nassib Bezerra; de Melo, Ingrid Sofia Vieira; de Oliveira, Suzana Lima; da Rocha Ataide, Terezinha
Abstract:
The role of very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets (VLCKD) in the long-term management of obesity is not well established. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether individuals assigned to a VLCKD (i.e. a diet with no more than 50 g carbohydrates/d) achieve better long-term body weight and cardiovascular risk factor management when compared with individuals assigned to a conventional low-fat diet (LFD; i.e. a restricted-energy diet with less than 30% of energy from fat). Through August 2012, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ScienceDirect,Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, ClinicalTrials.gov and grey literature databases were searched, using no date or language restrictions, for randomised controlled trials that assigned adults to a VLCKD or a LFD, with 12 months or more of follow-up. The primary outcome was bodyweight. The secondary outcomes were TAG, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure,glucose, insulin, HbA1c and C-reactive protein levels. A total of thirteen studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In the overall analysis,five outcomes revealed significant results. Individuals assigned to a VLCKD showed decreased body weight (weighted mean difference -0·91 (95% CI -1·65, -0·17) kg, 1415 patients), TAG (weighted mean difference -0·18 (95% CI -0·27, -0·08) mmol/l, 1258 patients)and diastolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference -1·43 (95% CI -2·49, -0·37) mmHg, 1298 patients) while increased HDL-C(weighted mean difference 0·09 (95% CI 0·06, 0·12) mmol/l, 1257 patients) and LDL-C (weighted mean difference 0·12 (95% CI 0·04,0·2) mmol/l, 1255 patients). Individuals assigned to a VLCKD achieve a greater weight loss than those assigned to a LFD in the longterm; hence, a VLCKD may be an alternative tool against obesity.
Published:
2013
Title:
World food: an encyclopedia of history, culture, and social influence from hunter-gatherers to the age of globalization
Authors:
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen
Abstract:
Published:
2013
Title:
Cholesterol Accumulation Regulates Expression of Macrophage Proteins Implicated in Proteolysis and Complement Activation
Authors:
Suzuki, Masashi; Becker, Lev; Pritchard, David K.; Gharib, Sina A.; Wijsman, Ellen M.; Bammler, Theo K.; Beyer, Richard P.; Vaisar, Tomas; Oram, John F.; Heinecke, Jay W.
Abstract:
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Diet and cardiovascular disease
Authors:
Verschuren, W. M. Monique
Abstract:
This paper describes the importance of diet in cardiovascular disease prevention. Different aspects of diet are discussed: nutrients, single foods/food groups and dietary patterns. The evidence regarding the impact of diet on intermediate risk factors (such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels) and the impact on cardiovascular endpoints are discussed.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Effects of two transport systems on lamb welfare and meat quality
Authors:
Miranda-de la Lama, G. C.; Salazar-Sotelo, M. I.; Perez-Linares, C.; Figueroa-Saavedra, F.; Villarroel, M.; Sanudo, C.; Maria, G. A.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of a direct transport system (DTS) versus transport with a logistic stopover system (TLS) on lamb welfare and meat quality at two seasons. A total of 96 lambs were sampled in a 2x2x2 factorial design, testing two transport systems and two seasons (summer and winter), with two replicates in each season. Significant interactions (P
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Energy intake and exercise as determinants of brain health and vulnerability to injury and disease
Authors:
Mattson, Mark P.
Abstract:
Evolution favored individuals with superior cognitive and physical abilities under conditions of limited food sources, and brain function can therefore be optimized by intermittent dietary energy restriction (ER) and exercise. Such energetic challenges engage adaptive cellular stress-response signaling pathways in neurons involving neurotrophic factors, protein chaperones, DNA-repair proteins, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. By suppressing adaptive cellular stress responses, overeating and a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, stroke, and depression. Intense concerted efforts of governments, families, schools, and physicians will be required to successfully implement brain-healthy lifestyles that incorporate ER and exercise. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Family history, body mass index, selected dietary factors, menstrual history, and risk of moderate to severe acne in adolescents and young adults
Authors:
Di Landro, Anna; Cazzaniga, Simone; Parazzini, Fabio; Ingordo, Vito; Cusano, Francesco; Atzori, Laura; Cutrì, Francesco Tripodi; Musumeci, Maria Letizia; Zinetti, Cornelia; Pezzarossa, Enrico; Bettoli, Vincenzo; Caproni, Marzia; Lo Scocco, Giovanni; Bonci, Angela; Bencini, Pierluca; Naldi, Luigi; GISED Acne Study Group
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Genetic and environmental components may contribute to acne causation. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the impact of family history, personal habits, dietary factors, and menstrual history on a new diagnosis of moderate to severe acne. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in dermatologic outpatient clinics in Italy. Cases (205) were consecutive those receiving a new diagnosis of moderate to severe acne. Control subjects (358) were people with no or mild acne, coming for a dermatologic consultation other than for acne. RESULTS: Moderate to severe acne was strongly associated with a family history of acne in first-degree relatives (odds ratio 3.41, 95% confidence interval 2.31-5.05). The risk was reduced in people with lower body mass index with a more pronounced effect in male compared with female individuals. No association with smoking emerged. The risk increased with increased milk consumption (odds ratio 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.22-2.59) in those consuming more than 3 portions per week. The association was more marked for skim than for whole milk. Consumption of fish was associated with a protective effect (odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.99). No association emerged between menstrual variables and acne risk. LIMITATIONS: Some degree of overmatching may arise from choosing dermatologic control subjects and from inclusion of mild acne in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Family history, body mass index, and diet may influence the risk of moderate to severe acne. The influence of environmental and dietetic factors in acne should be further explored.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Fatty acids in ADHD: plasma profiles in a placebo-controlled study of Omega 3/6 fatty acids in children and adolescents
Authors:
Johnson, Mats; Månsson, Jan-Eric; Ostlund, Sven; Fransson, Gunnar; Areskoug, Björn; Hjalmarsson, Kerstin; Landgren, Magnus; Kadesjö, Björn; Gillberg, Christopher
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess baseline levels and changes in plasma fatty acid profiles in children and adolescents with ADHD, in a placebo-controlled study with Omega 3/6 supplementation, and to compare with treatment response. Seventy-five children and adolescents aged 8-18 years with DSM-IV ADHD were randomized to 3 months of Omega 3/6 (Equazen eye q) or placebo, followed by 3 months of open phase Omega 3/6 for all. n-3, n-6, n-6/n-3 ratio, EPA and DHA in plasma were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Subjects with more than 25 % reduction in ADHD symptoms were classified as responders. At baseline, no significant differences in mean fatty acid levels were seen across active/placebo groups or responder/non-responder groups. The 0-3 month changes in all parameters were significantly greater in the active group (p < 0.01). Compared to non-responders, the 6-month responders had significantly greater n-3 increase at 3 months and decrease in n-6/n-3 ratio at 3 and 6 months (p
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids and risk of heart failure: a meta-analysis
Authors:
Djoussé, Luc; Akinkuolie, Akintunde O.; Wu, Jason H. Y.; Ding, Eric L.; Gaziano, J. Michael
Abstract:
BACKGROUND & AIMS: While marine omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a lower mortality in heart failure patients, data on omega-3 and incident heart failure are inconsistent. We systematically reviewed the evidence on the association of omega-3 fatty acids and fish intake with the incidence of heart failure in this meta-analysis. METHODS: We identified relevant studies by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to August 31, 2011 without restrictions and by reviewing reference lists from retrieved articles. RESULTS: A total of 176,441 subjects and 5480 incident cases of heart failure from 7 prospective studies were included in this analysis. Using random effect model, the pooled relative risk for heart failure comparing the highest to lowest category of fish intake was 0.85 (95% CI; 0.73-0.99), p = 0.04; corresponding value for marine omega-3 fatty acids was 0.86 (0.74-1.00), p = 0.05. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across studies of fish consumption (I(2) = 8%). In contrast, there was modest heterogeneity for omega-3 fatty acid analysis (I(2) = 44%). Lastly, there was no evidence for publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis is consistent with a lower risk of heart failure with intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids. These observational findings should be confirmed in a large randomized trial.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Food combinations for cholesterol lowering. [Review]
Authors:
Harland, Janice I.
Abstract:
Reducing elevated LDL-cholesterol is a key public health challenge. There is substantial evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCT) that a number of foods and food components can significantly reduce LDL-cholesterol. Data from RCT have been reviewed to determine whether effects are additive when two or more of these components are consumed together. Typically components, such as plant stanols and sterols, soya protein, beta-glucans and tree nuts, when consumed individually at their target rate, reduce LDL-cholesterol by 3-9 %. Improved dietary fat quality, achieved by replacing SFA with unsaturated fat, reduces LDL-cholesterol and can increase HDL-cholesterol, further improving blood lipid profile. It appears that the effect of combining these interventions is largely additive; however, compliance with multiple changes may reduce over time. Food combinations used in ten 'portfolio diet' studies have been reviewed. In clinical efficacy studies of about 1 month where all foods were provided, LDL-cholesterol is reduced by 22-30 %, whereas in community-based studies of >6 months' duration, where dietary advice is the basis of the intervention, reduction in LDL-cholesterol is about 15 %. Inclusion of MUFA into 'portfolio diets' increases HDL-cholesterol, in addition to LDL-cholesterol effects. Compliance with some of these dietary changes can be achieved more easily compared with others. By careful food component selection, appropriate to the individual, the effect of including only two components in the diet with good compliance could be a sustainable 10 % reduction in LDL-cholesterol; this is sufficient to make a substantial impact on cholesterol management and reduce the need for pharmaceutical intervention.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Nutritional quality and acceptability of a weekly vegetarian lunch in primary-school canteens in Ghent, Belgium: 'Thursday Veggie Day'
Authors:
De Keyzer, Willem; Van Caneghem, Sven; Heath, Anne-Louise M.; Vanaelst, Barbara; Verschraegen, Mia; De Henauw, Stefaan; Huybrechts, Inge
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To determine the nutritional adequacy and acceptability to children of vegetarian lunches served on 'Thursday Veggie Day' - a public health initiative in Ghent (Belgium) primary schools. DESIGN: A comparison of food leftovers from main courses on regular days and Thursdays was made using a visual plate waste method. The nutritional value of the vegetarian meat analogue and meat components of main courses served on five 'Thursday Veggie Days' and five comparable conventional main courses was evaluated using three criteria (maximum 30 % of energy from fat, maximum of one-third of fat as saturated fat and minimum 1.5 g of dietary fibre per 420 kJ). SETTING: Two canteens from primary schools in Ghent, Belgium, participating in the 'Thursday Veggie Day' campaign. SUBJECTS: Primary-school children aged between 6 and 12 years. RESULTS: In total, 1242 and 472 main course plate waste observations of conventional and vegetarian menus, respectively, were evaluated. There was no significant difference in plate waste between vegetarian (16.7 %) and conventional (17.3 %) main courses. Overall, the five vegetarian components were found to be nutritionally adequate with a mean score of 2.2 out of 3, compared with 0.4 for the meat component. However, three of the vegetarian components provided >30 % of energy from fat and, in one, the amount of saturated fat exceeded one-third of total fat. CONCLUSIONS: Vegetarian canteen meals offered as part of 'Thursday Veggie Day' appear to be nutritionally appropriate and as acceptable as conventional main courses to children in primary schools in Ghent.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Relationship between lipoprotein(a) concentrations and intima-media thickness: a healthy population study
Authors:
Calmarza, P.; Trejo, J. M.; Lapresta, C.; Lopez, P.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: High levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been linked to an increased risk of ischaemic cardiovascular events. We examined whether Lp(a) plasma levels are associated with early arteriosclerosis by measuring intima media thickness in an asymptomatic population of Burgos, Spain. METHODS: We determined lipids, lipoprotein(a) by a nephelometry method and the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the far wall of both common carotid arteries by B-mode ultrasound in a group of 172 asymptomatic subjects. RESULTS: No association was found in the population group between Lp(a) concentrations and left, right, or overall mean IMT by univariate or multivariate regression analysis. The median IMT was not significantly different in individuals with Lp(a) levels >300 mg/l and in individuals with Lp(a) levels
Published:
2012-12
Title:
The impact of substituting SFA in dairy products with MUFA or PUFA on CVD risk: evidence from human intervention studies. [Review]
Authors:
Livingstone, Katherine M.; Lovegrove, Julie A.; Givens, D. Ian
Abstract:
With the substantial economic and social burden of CVD, the need to modify diet and lifestyle factors to reduce risk has become increasingly important. Milk and dairy products, being one of the main contributors to SFA intake in the UK, are a potential target for dietary SFA reduction. Supplementation of the dairy cow's diet with a source of MUFA or PUFA may have beneficial effects on consumers' CVD risk by partially replacing milk SFA, thus reducing entry of SFA into the food chain. A total of nine chronic human intervention studies have used dairy products, modified through bovine feeding, to establish their effect on CVD risk markers. Of these studies, the majority utilised modified butter as their primary test product and used changes in blood cholesterol concentrations as their main risk marker. Of the eight studies that measured blood cholesterol, four reported a significant reduction in total and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) following chronic consumption of modified milk and dairy products. Data from one study suggested that a significant reduction in LDL-C could be achieved in both the healthy and hypercholesterolaemic population. Thus, evidence from these studies suggests that consumption of milk and dairy products with modified fatty acid composition, compared with milk and dairy products of typical milk fat composition, may be beneficial to CVD risk in healthy and hypercholesterolaemic individuals. However, current evidence is insufficient and further work is needed to investigate the complex role of milk and cheese in CVD risk and explore the use of novel markers of CVD risk.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
The influence of nutritional factors on the prognosis of multiple sclerosis
Authors:
von Geldern, Gloria; Mowry, Ellen M.
Abstract:
The effect of nutrition and dietary supplements on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a topic of great interest to both patients and clinicians. In particular, vitamin D status has been shown to influence both the incidence and the course of MS. High vitamin D levels are probably protective against the development of MS, although the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in slowing progression of MS remains to be established. The influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the development and course of MS has also long been under investigation. Small clinical trials suggest a modest reduction in the severity and duration of relapses in patients with MS receiving PUFA supplements. Other nutritional factors have been evaluated for their effect on MS disease progression, including milk proteins, gluten, probiotics, antioxidants (uric acid, vitamins A, C and E, lipoic acid), polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba extracts and curcumin. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of these dietary components on the relapse rate and progression of MS. This Review gives an overview of the literature on the nutritional factors most commonly implicated as having an effect on MS and discusses the biological rationale that is thought to underlie their influence.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Vegetarian diets, low-meat diets and health: a review
Authors:
McEvoy, Claire T.; Temple, Norman; Woodside, Jayne V.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiological evidence for vegetarian diets, low-meat dietary patterns and their association with health status in adults. DESIGN: Published literature review focusing primarily on prospective studies and meta-analyses examining the association between vegetarian diets and health outcomes. RESULTS: Both vegetarian diets and prudent diets allowing small amounts of red meat are associated with reduced risk of diseases, particularly CHD and type 2 diabetes. There is limited evidence of an association between vegetarian diets and cancer prevention. Evidence linking red meat intake, particularly processed meat, and increased risk of CHD, cancer and type 2 diabetes is convincing and provides indirect support for consumption of a plant-based diet. CONCLUSIONS: The health benefits of vegetarian diets are not unique. Prudent plant-based dietary patterns which also allow small intakes of red meat, fish and dairy products have demonstrated significant improvements in health status as well. At this time an optimal dietary intake for health status is unknown. Plant-based diets contain a host of food and nutrients known to have independent health benefits. While vegetarian diets have not shown any adverse effects on health, restrictive and monotonous vegetarian diets may result in nutrient deficiencies with deleterious effects on health. For this reason, appropriate advice is important to ensure a vegetarian diet is nutritionally adequate especially for vulnerable groups.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
Vegetarian diets, low-meat diets and health: a review
Authors:
McEvoy, Claire T.; Temple, Norman; Woodside, Jayne V.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiological evidence for vegetarian diets, low-meat dietary patterns and their association with health status in adults. DESIGN: Published literature review focusing primarily on prospective studies and meta-analyses examining the association between vegetarian diets and health outcomes. RESULTS: Both vegetarian diets and prudent diets allowing small amounts of red meat are associated with reduced risk of diseases, particularly CHD and type 2 diabetes. There is limited evidence of an association between vegetarian diets and cancer prevention. Evidence linking red meat intake, particularly processed meat, and increased risk of CHD, cancer and type 2 diabetes is convincing and provides indirect support for consumption of a plant-based diet. CONCLUSIONS: The health benefits of vegetarian diets are not unique. Prudent plant-based dietary patterns which also allow small intakes of red meat, fish and dairy products have demonstrated significant improvements in health status as well. At this time an optimal dietary intake for health status is unknown. Plant-based diets contain a host of food and nutrients known to have independent health benefits. While vegetarian diets have not shown any adverse effects on health, restrictive and monotonous vegetarian diets may result in nutrient deficiencies with deleterious effects on health. For this reason, appropriate advice is important to ensure a vegetarian diet is nutritionally adequate especially for vulnerable groups.
Published:
2012-12
Title:
A novel measure of dietary change in a prostate cancer dietary program incorporating mindfulness training
Authors:
Carmody, James F.; Olendzki, Barbara C.; Merriam, Philip A.; Liu, Qin; Qiao, Yongxia; Ma, Yunsheng
Abstract:
Diet may represent a modifiable prostate cancer risk factor, but a vegetable-based prostate-healthy diet is a major change for most men. We used a ratio of animal to vegetable proteins (A:V) to evaluate whether a comprehensive dietary change was self-sustaining following completion of 11 weekly dietary and cooking classes that integrated mindfulness training. Thirty-six men with recurring prostate cancer were randomized to the intervention or wait-list control. Assessments were at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Of 17 men randomized to the intervention, 14 completed the requirements. Nineteen were randomized to control and 17 completed requirements. Compared with controls, a significant postintervention (3 months) decrease in A:V in the intervention group (P=0.01) was self-maintained 3 months postintervention (P=0.049). At each assessment, A:V was correlated with lycopene, fiber, saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol, four dietary components linked to clinically relevant outcomes in prostate cancer. Change in A:V was also significantly correlated with changes in fiber, saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol intake. Participants reported regular mindfulness training practice, and there was a significant correlation between mindfulness training practice and changes in both initiation and maintenance of the change in A:V. These pilot results provide encouraging evidence for the feasibility of a dietary program that includes mindfulness training in supporting dietary change for men with recurrent prostate cancer and invite further study to explore the possible role of mindfulness training as a means of supporting both initiation of dietary changes and maintenance of those changes over time.
Published:
2012-11
Title:
Dolastatin 15, a mollusk linear peptide, and Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, prevent preneoplastic colonic lesions and induce apoptosis through inhibition of the regulatory transcription factor NF-κB and an inflammatory protein, iNOS
Authors:
Piplani, Honit; Vaish, Vivek; Sanyal, Sankar Nath
Abstract:
The marine ecosystem is a unique and enormously rich source of natural products with potential chemopreventive applications in cancer. In the present study, we explored the chemopreventive role and the molecular mechanism of Dolastatin, a linear peptide from an Indian Ocean mollusk, and Celecoxib, a well-established cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor in an individual as well as in a combination regimen in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in a rat model. After a 6-week treatment with DMH, morphological analysis revealed a marked occurrence of preneoplastic features in the colonic mucosa, whereas histologically well-characterized dysplasia and hyperplasia were observed in DMH-treated animals. Simultaneous administration of Celecoxib and Dolastatin reduced these features significantly. DMH treatment affected the number of apoptotic cells in colonic enterocytes, which reverted to the normal level with the use of Celecoxib and Dolastatin. Inflammation remains the dominant molecular mechanism in the development of multiple plaque lesions, the carcinogenic lesions in a DMH-induced process that may be mediated by COX-2. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis revealed a higher expression of COX-2 and nuclear factor-κB, the transcription factors responsible for proinflammatory proteins such as TNFα, and also the inducible nitric oxide synthase in the DMH group, which was further recovered significantly with the use of Celecoxib and Dolastatin. In-silico molecular docking analysis of Dolastatin as a ligand with various regulatory proteins suggests that although the peptide failed to dock to COX-2, it successfully did so with inducible nitric oxide synthase, thereby indicating the potential of this inflammatory protein as a molecular anticancer target in colon carcinogenesis.
Published:
2012-11
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