Human Nutrition and Metabolism最新文献

Assessment of the metabolic status of mixed populations is based on narrowly defined, standardized reference values. We performed a systematic review to collate data from 40 observational and case-controlled studies, in order to determine whether the screened randomized control studies lie within the normal range provided by internationally accepted guidelines. Forest plots show a significant increase in overall effect size compared to the computed reference ranges for several metabolic parameters. We conclude that all metabolic parameters need to be categorized in subgroups like age, gender and ethnicity for the precise assessment of metabolic status in a random, diverse population.

Background

Atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia are the primary cause of heart diseases and death in most developed countries. Herbs have the clinical ability to improve cardiovascular health. Green coffee (Coffee Arabica) and thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) have proved to have lowering effects on cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar levels and anthropometric measurements.

Objective(s)

The present study was conducted to assess the anti hyperlipidaemic effect of thyme infused green coffee on human subjects.

Materials and methods

An oral ingestion of thyme infused green coffee in hot water was given in the form of beverage for 90 days. Different biochemical indices were assessed to check the efficiency of thyme infused green coffee on human subjects.

Result

Repeated administration of the combination of thyme and green coffee showed statistically significant decrease in weight, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and triglycerides.

Conclusion

Marked variations in triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and anthropometric measurements of human subjects are indicative of effectiveness of thyme infused green coffee. Continuous intake of this combination may hence prove to be beneficial to the body.

Nutrition transition and globalization have affected the diet and body composition of all life stages including adolescents. This study aims to compare body weight status, psychological distress and disordered eating (DE), and to compare the association between BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and psychological distress with DE among Indonesian and Malaysian urban female adolescents. The adolescents’ weight and height were measured and a self-administered questionnaire was completed by each adolescent. A total of 713 girls (Indonesia = 47.8%, Malaysia = 52.2%), aged 12–19 years from Bekasi, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, participated in this study. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was not significantly different between Indonesian and Malaysian girls (18.2% vs 21.2%). Malaysian girls have a significantly higher prevalence of DE (23.9% vs 3.2%), depression (51.9% vs 26.1%), and stress (41.7% vs 29.6%) than Indonesian girls. However, the prevalence of anxiety in Indonesian girls was significantly higher compared to Malaysian girls (77.7% vs 66.4%). For Indonesian girls, BAZ and stress were significantly positive associated with DE, dieting, and bulimia and food preoccupation. For Malaysian girls, BAZ, anxiety and stress were significantly positive associated with DE. BAZ and stress were significantly positive associated with dieting. Depression and anxiety were significantly and positively associated with bulimia and food preoccupation. For both Indonesian and Malaysian girls, stress was significantly positive associated with oral control. Therefore, future intervention programme on promoting healthy eating among female adolescents should consider the psychological well-being component.

Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure children's growth, health, and development to their full potential. Geographical area may influence dietary intake and, hence, the population's nutritional status. This study aimed to assess dietary intake among children aged 6–59 months in the lowland and highland areas in the Kilosa District, Morogoro. A cross-sectional study involved 200 randomly selected households from the lowland and 141 in the highland areas. Socio-demographic characteristics, feeding practices, and 24-h dietary recall information were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. In assessing dietary intake, a single day 24-h dietary recall was used where a mother/care giver was asked to recall foods and beverages fed to the child in the 24 h prior to the interview. Mean daily nutrient intake (calorie, vitamin A, iron, calcium and zinc) were estimated using NutriSurvey version 2007 with food database from Tanzania Food composition table. Furthermore, Dietary Diversity Score was done by grouping the mentioned foods into the seven main food groups which are grains, roots and tubers; legumes and nuts; Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables; other fruits and vegetable; dairy products; and flesh foods and eggs. For each food group consumed, a score of one was assigned and a zero score for the non-consumed group. Inadequate intakes of vitamin A, calcium, and iron were observed more in younger children of age 6–12 months, where none of them met the RDA in both areas. There was a significant difference only in fat intake in children aged 12–36 months between the lowland and highland areas. Children who reside in the lowland area had a significantly more diversified diet. Nutrition education with promotion of home gardening and keeping small animals is necessary to ensure household food availability which subsequently will facilitate dietary diversification.

The available medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) are not sufficient to reverse the pathophysiological abnormalities and complications associated with the disease. Considering the undesirable side-effects linked to existing anti-diabetic drugs, there is a paradigm shift towards natural substances for the management and treatment of DM. Plant products such as secondary metabolites or bioactive phytoconstituents are a remarkable source of natural medicines used in ameliorating various diseases, including diabetes. This review article focuses on a natural compound esculin, a coumarin derivative, which possesses multiple biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, analgesic, diuretic, anti-coagulative, anti-apoptotic and anti-depressive. It could be a possible candidate as a therapeutic agent in ameliorating diabetes and its complications. Although studies related to the pharmacodynamics of esculin are limited and not fully understood, the anti-diabetic properties of esculin could be exploited as an alternative treatment for type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) either in combination therapy in integrative medicine or as a natural anti-diabetic medicine. However, comprehensive chemical and pharmacological studies are required to validate the available data on esculin from both in vivo and in vitro studies before it can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent in DM.

Background

The exponential increase in childhood obesity poses a global health problem including Malaysia. Increased snacking behaviours could be one of the contributing factors to unhealthy eating habits and excessive energy intake. This study aimed to investigate the influence of snacking pattern (portion, frequency, energy contribution) and preference on the energy intake and weight status among Malaysian Chinese children aged 7–12 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Methods

A total of 99 Chinese children (37 boys, 62 girls) with a mean age of 10.4 ± 1.5 years old were recruited from three local primary schools. Weight and height were measured. Snacking behaviours (frequency, portion size, and preference) were assessed using a questionnaire. Two days of 24-h dietary recall were used to assess the children's dietary intake.

Results

Most of the children (62.6%) had normal body weight status. Snacking contributed to 23.3% and 21.6% of total daily energy intake on weekdays and weekends respectively. The most preferred snacks were ice cream, yoghurt, and chocolate drinks, whereas the least preferred snacks were syrup, traditional kuih, and breads. There were no significant differences in snacking frequency and portion size by the amount of pocket money given for snacks (Pearson χ² = 1.52, p = 0.47; Pearson χ² = 3.19, p = 0.53, respectively).

Conclusion

Education regarding the right choice of snacks is important to ensure better diet quality to optimise children's growth.

Objective

To analyze serum concentrations of retinol, β-carotene and zinc in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy, considering different modalities of previous treatment and toxic effects.

Methods

longitudinal study in a cohort of women with breast cancer assessed in pre-treatment (T0), 7 (T2) and 120 (T3) days after radiation therapy. Patients were divided into 3 groups, according to treatment modality prior radiation: breast-conserving surgery (G1), chemotherapy (G2) and breast-conserving surgery and chemotherapy (G3). Serum concentrations of retinol, β-carotene and zinc was assessed. Presence and degree of toxicity were assessed according to the scale of the RTOG for and RTOG/EORTC for acute and late toxicity, respectively.

Results

230 patients were assessed, mean age of 63.6 (±9.3) years. There was significant reduction in the mean of all micronutrients studied when comparing T0 to T1. At T2, all nutrients increased when compared to T1. For acute toxicity, there was no difference in antioxidant levels according to the degree of toxicity for any of the groups, with the exception of G3, which presented lower serum zinc concentrations in women with a higher degree of acute toxicity. In late toxicity, G1 had lower serum concentrations of retinol and B-carotene, when compared to G2 and G3.

Conclusion

The significant reduction of all micronutrients after radiotherapy, regardless of the type of the previous treatment, reinforces the oxidative impact of radiation and draws attention to the importance of maintaining an adequate nutritional status of antioxidants to improve the prognosis.

We studied the effects of 24-h fasting on serum levels of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), creatine, and creatinine in 24 non-vegetarian healthy adults. Blood was taken before and following an intervention, with levels corrected for fasting-induced changes in plasma volume. Food abstention induced a significant decrease in serum GAA by 39.5% (p < 0.001), while creatinine levels increased by 14.7% (p < 0.01); the concentration of creatine remains unchanged. The reduction in GAA during fasting may indicate an increased demand for creatine production for this energy-demanding condition and/or potential kidney dysfunction which requires further exploration.

Aims

To investigate the associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, vitamin D intake, magnesium, and calcium with glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A total of 107 adult with T2DM, residing in the state of Sergipe/Brazil (latitude: 10°), were evaluated for serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, fasting glucose, %HbA1c, insulin, C-peptide, total cholesterol and fractions, homeostasis of beta-cell function (HOMA-B), insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S) and resistance (HOMA-IR), anthropometry, body composition, and usual food intake. The results were analyzed according to 25(OH)D status (insufficient/deficient <30 ng/mL; adequate ≥30 ng/mL). Mann–Whitney, chi-square, and binary logistic regression tests were performed. P-value<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The median age and time to T2DM diagnosis were 49 and 5 years, respectively. High inadequacy was observed in the dietary intake of vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium. Higher HOMA-B values were observed in the vitamin D adequate group (p = 0.032) and higher fasting serum glucose concentrations (p = 0.012) and %body fat (p = 0.048) in the insufficient/deficient group, which had a higher chance of elevated serum glucose (odds ratio [OR]:2.937; p = 0.020) and HOMA-IR (OR:2.496; p = 0.045).

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor glycemic control and insulin resistance, and these aspects are unrelated to inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium.

Introduction

More information on disordered eating must be accessible among male students. This study explored the disordered eating attitudes and behaviors among Somali male students who came to Bangladesh for further education.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in January–May 2017 among conveniently selected 356 Somali male students living in different regions of Bangladesh. A three-part self-administered questionnaire included a validated version of the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26). For descriptive analysis, frequencies and mean (±SD) were calculated. Chi-square tests were performed on categorical data to find the relationships between variables, and Student's t-test was made for comparison. Statistical tests were considered significant at a p-value of ≤0.05.

Results

The study included 356 male, unmarried Somali students aged 19–29 years old {mean (±SD), 24.23 (±2.58) years} who had a mean BMI [kg/m², 22.52 (±2.89)]. About 35% and 8% were overweight and obese, respectively. The total score of EAT-26, and the subscales scores were {mean (±SD), 24.38 (±9.4), 13.86 (±6.14), 3.91 (±2.45), and 6.62 (±4.21)} respectively. Most (70%) respondents were at risk of disordered eating. No statistical differences in mean income and BMI of the groups (at risk of disordered eating attitudes vs. not at risk of disordered eating attitudes) were evident. However, the male students who were at risk of disordered eating attitudes were significantly more prone to the subscales of dieting (16.11 ± 5.35 vs. 8.64 ± 4.46, p = 0.0001), bulimia and food preoccupation (4.14 ± 2.36 vs. 3.33 ± 2.59, p = 0.004), and oral control (8.46 ± 3.34 vs. 2.33 ± 2.56, p = 0.0001) than those students who were not at risk of disordered eating attitudes. Age, abnormal weight loss, overeating, and BMI were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with developing disordered eating attitudes.

Conclusions

The present study findings show that Somali male students who came to Bangladesh for higher education are at a greater risk of disordered eating attitudes. A further large study is essential among international students.