Nutrition
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To our knowledge, no studies have examined the association between the empirically derived food-based dietary inflammatory index (FDII) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the FDII score and IBS in a large sample of Iranian adults. ⋯ Consumption of a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with increased risk for IBS, especially in women and in individuals with a BMI <25 kg/m2.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Supplementation with Bifidobacterium longum Bar33 and Lactobacillus helveticus Bar13 mixture improves immunity in elderly humans (over 75 years) and aged mice.
Aging induces several physiologic and immune changes. The usefulness of probiotics in ameliorating age-related disorders remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Bifidobacterium longum Bar33 and Lactobacillus helveticus Bar13 mixture in improving the physiologic status and immunity of older adults (over 75 years). Furthermore, the possible role of such mixture in ameliorating gut immunity in aged mice was investigated. ⋯ Results from the present study data indicated that B. longum Bar33 and L. helveticus Bar13 improve immune function at intestinal and peripheral sites in aging.
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Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21 is promptly induced by short fasting in animal models to regulate glucose and fat metabolism. Data on FGF21 in humans are inconsistent and FGF21 has not yet been investigated in old patients with cachexia, a complex syndrome characterized by inflammation and weight loss. The aim of this study was to explore the association of FGF21 with cachexia in old patients compared with their healthy counterparts. ⋯ Patients with cachexia exhibited the highest FGF21 levels. Clarification is needed to determine whether this is an adaptive response to nutrient deprivation in disease-related cachexia or whether the increased FGF21 values contribute to the catabolic state.
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Studies in children and pregnant women consistently showed pandemic proportions of micronutrient deficiencies in the Indian subcontinent. However, vitamin deficiencies in apparently healthy adults are seldom recognized, hence the aim of this exploratory study was to assess their subclinical vitamin status and dietary intakes. ⋯ The study demonstrated a high prevalence of multiple subclinical vitamin deficiencies, dietary inadequacies, and HHcys, which are possible risk factors for disease burden among apparently healthy adults.
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The aims of this study were threefold: first, to assess the dietary fatty acid (FA) intake and blood FA status in Malaysian patients on hemodialysis (HD); second, to examine the association between dietary FA intakes and blood FA profiles in patients on HD; and third, to determine whether blood FAs could serve as a biomarker of dietary fat intake quality in these patients. ⋯ TG and erythrocyte FAs serve as biomarkers of dietary PUFA intake in patients on HD. Elevation of circulating MUFA may be attributed to inadequate intake of PUFAs.