Nutrition
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Evidence for the combined association of the quality of dietary carbohydrates and fats during pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy, derived by the reduced-rank regression (RRR) model, associated with fiber density (g/1000 kcal) and the Thrombogenicity Index (TI) and to investigate their relationship with GDM. ⋯ These data highlight the joint importance of the quality of dietary carbohydrates and fats in the dietary patterns of pregnant women in relation to the risk for developing GDM.
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The aim of this study was to examine the effects of regular high-cocoa chocolate consumption on arterial stiffness and fat oxidation during light- to moderate-intensity exercise. ⋯ Four weeks of regular high-cocoa chocolate consumption reduced arterial stiffness after considering blood pressure in healthy young men and women. However, the habitual consumption of high-cocoa chocolate for 4 wk did not affect metabolic characteristics during light- to moderate-intensity exercise and body composition.
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The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, a chronic neurodegenerative condition, is increasing as is the need for effective treatments and preventions. The underlying pathology of Alzheimer's is not yet fully understood, so existing research has focused on understanding the prominent features of the disease. These include amyloid plaques, which accumulate in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease; impaired glucose metabolism; and neuronal cell death. ⋯ Research has begun to identify early underlying mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease that could be targeted by new prevention strategies. Glycation of the ApoE protein leads to impaired transportation of important lipids, including cholesterol, to the brain, resulting in lipid deficiencies that could explain progression to the later pathologies of the disease. In this review, we hypothesize that the ketogenic diet could be an effective treatment and prevention for Alzheimer's disease, but both ketone production and carbohydrate restriction may be needed to achieve this.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cranberry juice decreases disease activity in women with rheumatoid arthritis.
Studies have shown that cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects; however, to our knowledge, the effects of cranberry juice consumption have not been studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to verify the effect of cranberry juice consumption on several inflammatory biomarkers and on the disease activity of patients with RA. ⋯ The present study indicated that cranberry juice decreases disease activity and therefore has beneficial effects for RA patients, although larger and long-term studies are needed to definitively probe this effect and to clarify the mechanisms involved.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of early enteral bovine colostrum supplementation on intestinal permeability in critically ill patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
In this study we sought to investigate the effect of early enteral bovine colostrum supplementation on intestinal permeability in intensive care unit (ICU)-hospitalized patients. ⋯ Our results provide evidence that bovine colostrum supplementation may have beneficial effects on intestinal permeability and gastrointestinal complications in ICU-hospitalized patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact mechanism of action of these effects.