Nutrition
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As the first, to our knowledge, nationwide study in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), this study aimed to investigate the association of serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels with cardiometabolic risk factors in a nationally representative sample of the pediatric population in Iran. The second objective was to provide the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and the percentiles of serum 25(OH)D in the study population. ⋯ We found a considerably high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the pediatric population of a sunny region. Our findings also revealed an association of hypovitaminosis D with many cardiometabolic risk factors from childhood; these associations were independent of obesity indexes. It is of special concern that the highly prevalent disorders of low 25(OH)D and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in children and adolescents of the MENA region had significant association. The clinical importance of our findings needs to be confirmed in longitudinal studies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
One-month of calcium supplementation does not affect iron bioavailability: a randomized controlled trial.
Calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) are essential minerals for normal growth and development. Although previous studies have shown that Ca inhibits acute Fe absorption, there is no evidence of the possible long- or medium-term effects of Ca supplementation on Fe bioavailability. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 34 d of Ca supplementation on heme Fe and non-heme Fe bioavailability in non-pregnant women of ages 33 to 47 y. ⋯ The administration of calcium supplements for 34 d does not affect iron bioavailability. This trial is registered with Controlled-trials.gov, number ISRCTN 89888123.
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Low bone mineral density (BMD), osteopenia, and osteoporosis are frequent complications of celiac disease (CD). The etiology of pathologic bone alterations in CD is multifactorial; however, two main mechanisms are involved: intestinal malabsorption and chronic inflammation. A strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is thought to be the only effective treatment for CD; but treating bone complications related to CD remains complex. ⋯ Currently, a question of whether GFD alone is an effective treatment to correct the bone alterations in patients with CD is under debate. This review presents factors contributing to pathologic bone derangement, recent research on the epidemiology of low BMD, osteoporosis, and fractures, and the treatment of bone problems in patients with CD. The roles of calcium and transport mechanisms are additionally presented.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Moderate replacement of carbohydrates by dietary fats affects features of metabolic syndrome: a randomized crossover clinical trial.
Earlier studies on the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have mostly focused on very low carbohydrate diets, whereas long-term adherence to such diets is difficult for apparently healthy people. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of moderate replacement of carbohydrates by dietary fats on insulin resistance and features of MetS among women. ⋯ Moderate replacement of carbohydrates by dietary fats was not associated with statistically different changes in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, or atherogenic dyslipidemia among individuals with the metabolic syndrome; however, it resulted in decreased diastolic blood pressure and lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.
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Review
Today's and yesterday's of pathophysiology: biochemistry of metabolic syndrome and animal models.
During the past 20 y, there has been much interest in sugars and especially fructose in relation to human health. Over the past decade, considerable scientific debate and controversy have arisen about the potential health effects of sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and fructose itself. ⋯ This review will first systematically present a definition of MetS, its history, prevalence, and comparative diagnostic criteria. We will then consider fructose and its effects on human health, the diet-induced obesity model (various fat contents), the hypercholesterolemic model, the diabetes model, the hypertensive model, the MetS or insulin resistance model, and biomarkers related to MetS, in light of contemporary data using multiple databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, and OVID).