Nutrition
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The only known treatment of glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT-1 DS) is a ketogenic diet (KD), which provides the brain with an alternative fuel. Studies in children with intractable epilepsy have shown that a prolonged KD can induce a progressive loss of bone mineral content associated with poor bone health status, probably as a consequence of a chronic acidic environment. The aim of this study is to determine the long-term effects of a KD on body composition and bone mineral status of patients with GLUT-1 DS, is currently unknown. ⋯ Our data suggest that maintaining a KD for more than 5 y does not pose any major negative effects on body composition, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density in adults with GLUT-1 DS, a finding that is at variance with previous reports focusing on children with intractable epilepsy. Further studies with larger sizes are needed to confirm and expand our findings.
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Coleus aromaticus, commonly called country borage or Indian borage, is a perennial herb grown throughout the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, the leaves of the plant are used as a cure for cold, cough, and fever as well as to relieve pain from skin irritations. However, the appetite-enhancing potential of the herb was unexplored. Based on the encouraging results of animal studies, this study was taken up to establish the appetite-enhancing potential of Coleus aromaticus in humans by evaluating its ready-to-drink beverage. ⋯ The appetite-enhancing effect of the beverage was best when it contained the sensorily optimized level of karpurvalli juice and confirms the results obtained in animal study. To our knowledge, this is the first study validating the appetite-enhancing potential of the herb.
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Peptides derived from natural sources can act as immunomodulating agents and prevent infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunopotentiating and protective effects of a shark-derived protein hydrolysate (SPH) against an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli H10407 infection in a murine model. ⋯ Enzymatic protein degradation confers immunomodulating and protective potentials to shark proteins and the resulted peptides could be used as an alternative therapy to reduce the risk of bacterial infections and inflammatory-related diseases.
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Smell loss (hyposmia) inhibits flavor perception and influences food intake. To compensate for flavor loss, some patients with hyposmia appear to increase salt usage. The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported salt usage in patients with hyposmia with that in normal volunteers. ⋯ Salt usage is increased among some patients with hyposmia presumably to enhance flavor perception to compensate for diminished flavor perception related to loss of smell.