Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Switching to a 10-day Mediterranean-style diet improves mood and cardiovascular function in a controlled crossover study.
Even short-term adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet may benefit aspects of psychological functioning. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of switching to a 10-d Mediterranean-style diet on mood, cognition, and cardiovascular measures. ⋯ This Mediterranean-style diet has the potential to enhance aspects of mood, cognition, and cardiovascular function in a young, healthy adult sample.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of pistachio nut consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of regular consumption of pistachio nuts on glycemic, lipid, and oxidative stress parameters. The aim of this study was to determine its effect on vascular health, which has not been adequately studied so far. ⋯ The present study demonstrates that regular consumption of pistachio nuts not only improves glycemic and lipid parameters, but also results in improvements in vascular stiffness and endothelial function. Importantly, these improvements were seen in apparently healthy individuals and with a diet (including pistachios) and exercise regimen that every adult individual is expected to follow.
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For almost 50 y, the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has measured the caloric consumption, and body heights and weights of Americans. The aim of this study was to determine, based on that data, how macronutrient consumption patterns and the weight and body mass index in the US adult population have evolved since the 1960s. ⋯ Since 1971, the shift in macronutrient share from fat to carbohydrate is primarily due to an increase in absolute consumption of carbohydrate as opposed to a change in total fat consumption. General adherence to recommendations to reduce fat consumption has coincided with a substantial increase in obesity.
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Lycopene is a carotene and phytochemical known to protect against metabolic diseases. It is found in red fruits and vegetables, predominantly tomatoes. This study aimed to show the supplementation effect of tomato juice on indices associated with metabolic health and adipokine profiles in generally healthy people. ⋯ These results show that daily tomato juice supplementation reduces waist circumference, as well as serum cholesterol and inflammatory adipokine levels in young healthy women and that these effects are unrelated to body fat changes.
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An association between dietary acid load and cardiovascular disease risk has been reported in epidemiologic studies; however, there are no reports to our knowledge of this association in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary acid load, based on potential renal acid load (PRAL) and protein:potassium ratio (Pro:K) scores, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in individuals with DN. ⋯ We found that both PRAL and Pro:K were positively related to HbA1c in the setting of DN, whereas other biochemical and kidney-related markers varied with PRAL and Pro:K status. Future studies are warranted to clarify the clinical outcomes of dietary acid load in older populations as well as in patients with chronic kidney disease.