Nutrition
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Studies in children and pregnant women consistently showed pandemic proportions of micronutrient deficiencies in the Indian subcontinent. However, vitamin deficiencies in apparently healthy adults are seldom recognized, hence the aim of this exploratory study was to assess their subclinical vitamin status and dietary intakes. ⋯ The study demonstrated a high prevalence of multiple subclinical vitamin deficiencies, dietary inadequacies, and HHcys, which are possible risk factors for disease burden among apparently healthy adults.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Consumption of Brazil nuts with high selenium levels increased inflammation biomarkers in obese women: A randomized controlled trial.
Increased inflammatory response is an important factor in the pathophysiology of obesity. The mineral selenium (Se), of which one of the main food sources is the Brazil nut, has important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions through the action of selenoproteins. Thus, the evaluation of the influence of this micronutrient in this context is of great relevance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Brazil nut intake with high Se concentrations on inflammatory biomarkers and its relation to Se status in obese women. ⋯ Although there were no changes in plasma inflammatory biomarkers levels, a significant increase in gene expression may be an indication of a proinflammatory stimulus in obesity, induced by the consumption of Brazil nuts with high Se levels.
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Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21 is promptly induced by short fasting in animal models to regulate glucose and fat metabolism. Data on FGF21 in humans are inconsistent and FGF21 has not yet been investigated in old patients with cachexia, a complex syndrome characterized by inflammation and weight loss. The aim of this study was to explore the association of FGF21 with cachexia in old patients compared with their healthy counterparts. ⋯ Patients with cachexia exhibited the highest FGF21 levels. Clarification is needed to determine whether this is an adaptive response to nutrient deprivation in disease-related cachexia or whether the increased FGF21 values contribute to the catabolic state.
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Chlorella is a type of unicellular green algae that contains various nutrients. Habitual exercise and chlorella treatment can improve insulin resistance in obese or diabetic animal models. However, the additive effects of combined chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a combination of chlorella intake and aerobic exercise training would produce greater effects on improving glycemic control in rats with type 2 diabetes. ⋯ These results suggested that chlorella intake combined with aerobic exercise training had more pronounced effects on the improvement of glycemic control via further activation of muscle PI3K/Akt/GLUT4 signaling in rats with type 2 diabetes.
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The role of probiotic yogurt in the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia has attracted global attention. Mounting evidence has indicated that probiotics and prebiotics improve lipid metabolism by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in plasma of hypercholesterolemic patients. The present study aimed to develop synbiotic soy yogurt that had a greater cholesterol-lowering effect in hypercholesterolemic mice compared with control soy yogurt. ⋯ These results indicated that the synbiotic soy yogurts have beneficial effects against hypercholesteroemia and can be used as a therapeutic agent in hypercholesteremic patients.