Nutrition
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Although intake of minerals has been suggested to be beneficial against depression, epidemiologic data from free-living settings are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the cross-sectional associations between the intake of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japanese employees. ⋯ Results suggest that higher dietary intake of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc is associated with lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japanese employees.
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Dietary diversity is recognized as a key indicator of dietary quality. However, its association with blood antioxidant levels has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the dietary diversity score (DDS) with blood antioxidant status in women who attend the sports clubs of a municipality in western Tehran, Iran. ⋯ DDS is associated with blood antioxidant markers. Increasing the dietary diversity might be associated with a reduction in oxidative stress.
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An association between dietary acid load and cardiovascular disease risk has been reported in epidemiologic studies; however, there are no reports to our knowledge of this association in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary acid load, based on potential renal acid load (PRAL) and protein:potassium ratio (Pro:K) scores, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in individuals with DN. ⋯ We found that both PRAL and Pro:K were positively related to HbA1c in the setting of DN, whereas other biochemical and kidney-related markers varied with PRAL and Pro:K status. Future studies are warranted to clarify the clinical outcomes of dietary acid load in older populations as well as in patients with chronic kidney disease.
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Lycopene is a carotene and phytochemical known to protect against metabolic diseases. It is found in red fruits and vegetables, predominantly tomatoes. This study aimed to show the supplementation effect of tomato juice on indices associated with metabolic health and adipokine profiles in generally healthy people. ⋯ These results show that daily tomato juice supplementation reduces waist circumference, as well as serum cholesterol and inflammatory adipokine levels in young healthy women and that these effects are unrelated to body fat changes.
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Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is associated with the progression of chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim in this study was to assess levels of serum retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) as well as liver vitamin A stores in the presence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. ⋯ Our findings suggest serum retinol and RBP are relevant as indicators of vitamin A nutritional status in the presence of CLD. Liver vitamin A store cannot be evaluated using the RDR test because CLD causes a reduction in RBP synthesis and interferes with the mobilization of endogenous vitamin A. Considering how the patients already showed a drop in RBP relative to retinol concentrations, it is reasonable to assume vitamin A supplementation may trigger harmful effects in CLD patients.