Journal of the American College of Nutrition
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Review Meta Analysis
Total fructose intake and risk of hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohorts.
Although most controlled feeding trials have failed to show an adverse effect of fructose on blood pressure, concerns continue to be raised regarding the role of fructose in hypertension. To quantify the association between fructose-containing sugar (high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and fructose) intake and incident hypertension, a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was undertaken. ⋯ Total fructose intake was not associated with an increased risk of hypertension in 3 large prospective cohorts of U.S. men and women.
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Clinical Trial
Improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity with a low-carbohydrate diet in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
The optimal diet for weight loss in type 2 diabetes remains controversial. This study examined a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet with detailed physiological assessments of insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ⋯ A low-carbohydrate diet was well tolerated and achieved weight loss over 24 weeks in subjects with diabetes. Glycemic control improved with a reduction in requirements for hypoglycemic agents.
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Multivitamin-multimineral (MVM) supplements are the most frequently used dietary supplements in the United States, with one third or more of the population using at least one daily. However, the health-related implications of MVM use are unclear. Thus, we systematically reviewed and summarized the prospective studies of MVM supplementation and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer incidence, to critically evaluate the current evidence on this topic. ⋯ Although between-study methodological variation was present, most relative risks hovered closely around or slightly below the null value. No clear patterns of associations by study country, gender, smoking status, or frequency of use were observed. Based upon the available scientific evidence to date, supplementation with MVMs does not appear to increase all-cause mortality, cancer incidence or mortality, or CVD incidence or mortality and may provide a modest protective benefit.
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High blood pressure, in relation to blood levels of adipokines such as adiponectin and leptin, is highly associated with an unhealthy lifestyle including sedentary behaviors, poor dietary habits such as excess sodium intake, and heavy drinking. Strategies to reduce blood pressure may benefit the levels of adipokines. ⋯ These results suggest that a short-term (12 weeks) lifestyle intervention had positive effects on blood pressure control and weight reduction in the subjects, but not on their blood levels of adipokines. It is interesting that blood level of baseline leptin was negatively associated with the changes in blood pressure after this short-term intervention.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Baker's yeast beta-glucan supplement reduces upper respiratory symptoms and improves mood state in stressed women.
Several studies have shown a baker's yeast beta-1,3/1,6-d-glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is effective in reducing the incidence of cold and flu symptoms. This study evaluated the effect of a specific beta-glucan supplement (Wellmune) on upper respiratory tract symptoms and psychological well-being in women with moderate levels of psychological stress. ⋯ These data show that daily dietary supplementation with Wellmune reduces upper respiratory symptoms and improves mood state in stressed subjects, and thus it may be a useful approach for maintaining immune protection against daily stressors.