Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of probiotic yogurt on glycemic indexes and endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with metabolic syndrome.
The relationship between gut microflora and metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, low-grade chronic systemic inflammation, dyslipidemia, and altered glucose metabolism is now acknowledged. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of probiotic yogurt on glycemic indexes and endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with metabolic syndrome. ⋯ Consumption of probiotic yogurt improved fasting blood glucose and partly modified serum endothelial function markers. These results suggest that regular intake of probiotic yogurt may exert positive effects on the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
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Breastfeeding rates in many countries fall short of the World Health Organization's recommendations. It has been reported that exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is negatively associated with obesity; however, the association varies with ethnicity, and little information is available from Asia. We explored whether prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) were associated with initiation of EBF. ⋯ This study suggested that prepregnancy obesity is a risk factor for EBF initiation among Japanese women.
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Observational Study
Trimethylamine N-oxide, Mediterranean diet, and nutrition in healthy, normal-weight adults: also a matter of sex?
Sex exerts an important influence on food preferences. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is based on the common dietary characteristics and lifestyle behaviors of the Mediterranean countries. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a marker of gut dysbiosis linked to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk, is mainly dependent on dietary pattern and gut microbiota metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between levels of TMAO and adherence to the MD as a function of sex. ⋯ A clear sex difference was observed in the apparently novel association between levels of TMAO and MD in healthy adults. Although dietary intervention trials on large series population are mandatory, sex-specific cutpoints of adherence to MD might help identify individuals at high risk for high levels of TMAO who would benefit from personalized dietary interventions.
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Koreans experienced unexpected shortages of food and refugee life during the Korean War (1950-1953). In the present study, we used the Korean War as a natural experiment for early life malnutrition with the aim of evaluating the risk for metabolic syndrome in adulthood according to participant exposure status during the Korean War. ⋯ Fetal and early childhood experiences during the Korean War were associated with increased risk for some components of metabolic syndrome. The present study suggested that early life malnutrition due to the Korean War may be associated with metabolic syndrome in later life.