Nutrition
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The aim of this study was to examine the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaf (VLE) and Phaseolus vulgaris L. seed coat (PCE) plant extracts, containing polyphenolic compounds, on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ) and high-fructose diet (HFD)-induced diabetes. ⋯ The set of results that was obtained in the present study reveals lipid-lowering and antioxidant action related to the administration of VLE and PCE in Wistar rats with diabetes, induced by STZ, in combination with a high-carbohydrate diet. VLE to a certain extent also reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic animals.
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Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as functional foods leads to the reduction of signs of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to measure and compare cardiovascular, liver, and metabolic parameters following chronic administration of the same dose of anthocyanins either from chokeberry (CB) or purple maize (PM) in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome. ⋯ CB and PM interventions gave similar responses, suggesting that anthocyanins are the bioactive molecules in the attenuation or reversal of metabolic syndrome by prevention of inflammation-induced damage.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Yeast-derived β-1,3/1,6 glucan, upper respiratory tract infection and innate immunity in older adults.
The aims of this study were to test whether yeast-derived β-1,3/1,6 glucan can prevent the occurrence or reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and modulate innate immune responses during winter months in community-dwelling older adults. ⋯ Daily oral β-1,3/1,6 glucan may protect against URTIs and reduce the duration of URTI symptoms in older individuals once infected. This may be linked to effects on innate immune function. Larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits of β-1,3/1,6 glucan on URTIs in this older population.
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Pain is a significant problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is associated with prostaglandins derived from the ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) arachidonic acid. The ω-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid have been shown to reduce inflammation, with some studies showing clinical improvements in RA. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of ω-3 PUFAs on arthritic pain. ⋯ ω-3 PUFAs may have a therapeutic role in decreasing pain associated with RA, with doses of 3 to 6 g/d appearing to have a greater effect. Due to the limitations identified in the RCTs included in this review, more research is needed to investigate ω-3 PUFAs in larger populations and over extended periods of time.