Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of polymorphisms in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and folate metabolizing genes on the concentration of serum nitrate, folate, and plasma total homocysteine after folic acid supplementation: a double-blind crossover study.
A number of studies have explored the effects of dietary nitrate on human health. Nitrate in the blood can be recycled to nitric oxide, which is an essential mediator involved in many important biochemical mechanisms. Nitric oxide is also formed in the body from l-arginine by nitric oxide synthase. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and genes involved in folate metabolism affect the concentration of serum nitrate, serum folate, and plasma total homocysteine in healthy individuals after folic acid supplementation. ⋯ Polymorphisms in eNOS and folate genes affect the concentration of serum folate and p-tHcy but do not have any effect on the concentration of NO3 in healthy individuals after folic acid supplementation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparative effectiveness of plant-based diets for weight loss: a randomized controlled trial of five different diets.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of plant-based diets on weight loss. ⋯ Vegan diets may result in greater weight loss than more modest recommendations.
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Review
Nutritional factors in the prevention and management of coronary artery disease and heart failure.
Nutritional factors such as magnesium, folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, L-arginine, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) appear to be significantly beneficial for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and in the prevention and arresting the progression of HF and cardiac arrhythmias. Additionally, ingestion of adequate amounts of protein and maintaining normal concentrations of plasma albumin seem to be essential for these patients. These nutrients closely interact with the metabolism of L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) system, essential fatty acids, and eicosanoids such that beneficial products such as NO, prostaglandin E1, prostacyclin, prostaglandin I3, lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins are generated and synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines is suppressed that results in platelet anti-aggregation, vasodilation, angiogenesis, and prevention of CAD, cardiac arrhythmias, and stabilization of HF. This implies that individuals at high risk for CAD, cardiac arrhythmias, and HF and those who have these diseases need to be screened for plasma levels of magnesium, folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, L-arginine, NO, various PUFAs, lipoxin A4, resolvins, protectins, asymmetrical dimethylarginine (an endogenous inhibitor of NO), albumin, and various eicosanoids and cytokines and correct their abnormalities to restore normal physiology.
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The aim of this study was to relate social desirability with eating behavior dimensions among higher education students in Portugal, and to assess the effect of social desirability on the association between pairs of eating behavior dimensions. ⋯ This study demonstrated that social desirability should be considered when assessing the dimensions of eating behavior, namely eating self-efficacy and dimensions related to overeating.