Nutrition
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Fatigue can be caused by a deficiency of nutrition or immune function. The goal of this study was to identify the effects of porcine placenta extract (PPE) and its constituents, amino acids (glutamic acid, glycine, arginine, and proline), on protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)-induced fatigue. ⋯ These results demonstrate that PPE and its constituents regulate PEM-induced fatigue through improving levels of immunity and decreasing fatigue-related factors. PPE may be a potential agent for a recovery from fatigue.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Age-related macular degeneration: Effects of a short-term intervention with an oleaginous kale extract--a pilot study.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial degenerative disease of the retina, which accounts for slowly progressive visual impairment in the elderly. An increased dietary intake of xanthophylls is suggested to be inversely related to the risk of macular disease. ⋯ The distribution of the xanthophylls in the macula seems to be more dynamic than originally assumed.
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Review
Presentation and interpretation of food intake data: factors affecting comparability across studies.
Non-uniform, unclear, or incomplete presentation of food intake data limits interpretation, usefulness, and comparisons across studies. In this contribution, we discuss factors affecting uniform reporting of food intake across studies. The amount of food eaten can be reported as mean portion size, number of servings or total amount of food consumed per day; the absolute intake value for the specific study depends on the denominator used because food intake data can be presented as per capita intake or for consumers only. ⋯ Mixed dishes, reported as such or in terms of ingredients and items added during food preparation remain challenging. Comparable presentation of food consumption data is not always possible; presenting sufficient information will assist valid interpretation and optimal use of the presented data. A checklist was developed to strengthen the reporting of food intake data in science communication.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Serum adiponectin concentration in relation to macronutrient and food intake in young Japanese women.
Little is known about the relation of modifiable dietary factors to circulating adiponectin concentrations, particularly in young adults and non-Western populations. The aim of this study was to determine the association between macronutrient and food intake and serum adiponectin concentration in a group of young Japanese women. ⋯ In a group of young Japanese women, higher coffee intake was independently associated with higher serum adiponectin concentration.
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The discovery of visfatin has great potential to significantly enhance our understanding of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to explore the relation of visfatin concentrations to cardiovascular risk factors and serum adipocytokine concentrations in patients with impaired fasting glucose. ⋯ Only TNF-α is related in an independent way to serum visfatin levels.