Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
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J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. · Jan 2019
Influence of Acute Mental Arithmetic Stress on Taste and Pungency.
Mental stress is a known risk factor for disease. This study investigated changes in sensations of taste and pungency before and after mental stress. Thirty healthy male university students rested for 20 min, performed mental arithmetic tasks for 10 min, and then underwent measurement of changes in their taste and ability to discern pungency. ⋯ The mental stress group experienced an increase in the pungency threshold and sensation of forearm skin pain with significantly high correlations obtained, whereas no correlation was found between these factors in the non-mental stress group. Acute mental stress increased the sensitivity to taste but decreased the sensitivity to the sensation of pungency on the tongue and pain on the skin. Sympathetic activity activated by stress may affect taste and the sensation of pungency.
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J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. · Jan 2018
Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Relationship with Nutritional State and Quality of Life in Patients with Digestive Diseases.
This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of sarcopenia, which is characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, and its relationship with nutritional state and quality of life (QOL) in patients with digestive diseases. This study enrolled 303 patients (187 men and 116 women with a median age of 70 y) having digestive diseases. Diseases were gastrointestinal in 99 patients, biliary/pancreatic in 93, and hepatic in 111. ⋯ Serum albumin and hemoglobin were also significantly lower in the sarcopenia patients. QOL was more impaired in physical component subscales in sarcopenia patients than non-sarcopenia ones. Patients with digestive diseases frequently suffer from sarcopenia and this is associated with worsening of nutritional state and QOL in these patients.
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J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. · Jan 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Effects of a Hypocaloric Diet on Diet-Induced Thermogenesis and Blood Hormone Response in Healthy Male Adults: A Pilot Study.
Calorie restriction is a common strategy for weight loss and management. Consumption of food and nutrients stimulates diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), as well as pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormone secretion that may regulate energy metabolism. Yet, little is known about the impact of hypocaloric diets on energy metabolism-related parameters. ⋯ Calorie restriction thus leads to hormonal responses and lower DIT in healthy adults. Extreme calorie restriction, however, led to greater thermogenic efficiency compared with moderate calorie restriction. The postprandial GIP response may be a good predictor of postprandial thermogenic efficiency.
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J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. · Jan 2016
Peripheral Vitamin C Levels in Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.
We previously reported lower lymphocyte vitamin C levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and in individuals with severe Parkinson's disease. Oxidative stress has been proposed to play a key role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between peripheral levels of vitamin C and the progression of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. ⋯ Thus, the associations were relatively weak based on the criteria. In contrast with type 2 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease, lymphocyte vitamin C levels in the peripheral blood may not directly reflect the progression of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the clinical importance of changes of peripheral vitamin C status in Alzheimer's disease.
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J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. · Jan 2015
Comparative Study Clinical TrialColloidal submicron-particle curcumin exhibits high absorption efficiency-a double-blind, 3-way crossover study.
Curcumin is a major constituent of the spice turmeric and has various biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as alcohol detoxification. However, because of its poor absorption efficiency, it is difficult for orally administered curcumin to reach blood levels sufficient to exert its bioactivities. To overcome this problem, several curcumin preparations with a drug-delivery system (DDS) have been developed to increase the bioavailability of curcumin after oral administration, and tested as functional foods and potential medical agents in humans. ⋯ The maximal plasma curcumin concentration (0-24 h) of Theracurmin was 10.7 to 5.6 times higher than those of BCM-95 and Meriva, respectively. Moreover, the area under the blood concentration-time curve at 0-24 h was found to be 11.0- and 4.6-fold higher with Theracurmin than BCM-95 and Meriva, respectively. These data indicate that Theracurmin exhibits a much higher absorption efficiency than other curcumin DDS preparations.