Nutrition
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Breastfeeding rates in many countries fall short of the World Health Organization's recommendations. It has been reported that exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is negatively associated with obesity; however, the association varies with ethnicity, and little information is available from Asia. We explored whether prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) were associated with initiation of EBF. ⋯ This study suggested that prepregnancy obesity is a risk factor for EBF initiation among Japanese women.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Influence of enhanced bioavailable curcumin on obesity-associated cardiovascular disease risk factors and arterial function: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
This study aimed to determine whether an enhanced bioavailable curcumin formulation, CurQfen®, would improve circulating cardiovascular disease-related blood biomarkers and arterial function in young (age 18-35 y), obese (body mass index ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) men. ⋯ Our data provide evidence for an enhanced bioavailable curcumin to improve homocysteine and high-density lipoprotein concentrations, which may promote favorable cardiovascular health in young, obese men. Improvements in endothelial function or blood pressure were not observed with curcumin supplementation, thus further investigation is warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of probiotic yogurt on glycemic indexes and endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with metabolic syndrome.
The relationship between gut microflora and metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, low-grade chronic systemic inflammation, dyslipidemia, and altered glucose metabolism is now acknowledged. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of probiotic yogurt on glycemic indexes and endothelial dysfunction markers in patients with metabolic syndrome. ⋯ Consumption of probiotic yogurt improved fasting blood glucose and partly modified serum endothelial function markers. These results suggest that regular intake of probiotic yogurt may exert positive effects on the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
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Sex-specific differences in factors associated with aging and lifespan, such as sarcopenia and disease development, are increasingly recognized. The study aims to assess sex-specific aspects of the association between vitamin D insufficiency and low lean mass as well as between vitamin D insufficiency and the frailty phenotype. ⋯ We found notable sex-specific differences in the association of vitamin D insufficiency with low lean mass but not of vitamin D insufficiency with frailty. Vitamin D might play a relevant role in the loss of lean mass in men but not women and might be a biological marker of an unfavorable aging process associated with early development of frailty regardless of sex.
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There is minimal research on the effect of overall dietary patterns on the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the Korean population. The present study investigated the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD. ⋯ The traditional dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD, and the simple meal pattern was associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD in the Korean population. This finding supports the use of dietary patterns to predict the risk of NAFLD and potentially serve as a dietary prevention strategy in individuals who are at high risk of developing NAFLD.