Nutrition
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of garlic on plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.
Garlic can play an essential role in the prevention of atherosclerosis, but the research addressing the effect of garlic on the concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of garlic on plasma Lp(a) concentrations through systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials. ⋯ The present meta-analysis did not suggest a significant effect of garlic supplementation on the reduction of Lp(a) levels.
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Review Meta Analysis
Vitamin D and diabetic nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
There has been a long history documenting the use of different vitamin D derivatives as therapy for renal diseases. However, to our knowledge, there is no comprehensive assessment of the relation between vitamin D deficiency and risk for diabetic nephropathy (DN). Additionally, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on DN is still unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess these issues by pooling together the results from cross-sectional studies and clinical trials. ⋯ This meta-analysis showed the higher risk for nephropathy in vitamin D-deficient patients with diabetes. Pooling the results of available clinical trials after vitamin D supplementation did not support causality in this association.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of supplementation with green tea catechins on plasma C-reactive protein concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Promising experimental and clinical trials suggest that green tea decreases the inflammatory process in cardiometabolic diseases, but evidence from epidemiologic studies about the effects on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) seems inconsistent and ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of green tea supplementation on plasma CRP concentrations. ⋯ This meta-analysis of data from 11 RCT arms did not indicate a significant effect of supplementation with green tea catechins on plasma CRP concentrations. Furthermore, well-designed trials are necessary to validate these results.
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Meta Analysis
Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Vitamin E is often used in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, the magnitude of treatment response associated with vitamin E in improving liver function and histology in NAFLD/NASH has not, to our knowledge, been quantified systematically. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using vitamin E in the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. ⋯ Vitamin E significantly improved liver function and histologic changes in patients with NAFLD/NASH.
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Review Meta Analysis
Yogurt for treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication in individuals treated with antibiotics. The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of yogurt consumption for the prevention of AAD. ⋯ Given the simple nature of the intervention, the scarcity of data is noteworthy. No consistent effect of yogurt consumption for preventing AAD was shown. However, the data are limited and the included trials had methodological limitations. Results from large, rigorously designed RCTs are needed to assess the effect of yogurt consumption on AAD prevention.