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Topic Review
Curcumin in Metal Induced Toxicity
Metal toxicity poses a potential global threat to the environment and living beings. Their numerous agricultural, medical, industrial, domestic, and technological applications result in widespread distribution in the environment which raises concern on the potential effects of metals in terms of health hazards and environmental pollution. Chelation therapy has been the preferred medical treatment for metal poisoning. The chelating agent bounds metal ions to form complex cyclic structures known as ‘chelates’ to intensify their excretion from the body. The main disadvantage of synthetic chelators is that the chelation process removes vital nutrients along with toxic metals. Natural compounds are widely available, economical, and have minimal adverse effects compared to classical chelators. Herbal preparations can bind to the metal, reduce its absorption in the intestines, and facilitate excretion from the body. 
  • 915
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
Arachidonic, Docosahexaenoic Acids and neurodevelopment
The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid,22:6n-3 (DHA), and arachidonic acid,20:4n-6 (ARA) are important nutrients required for fetal brain growth and development. The accumulation of DHA and ARA in the fetal brain predominantly occurs in the third trimester of a human pregnancy. The de novo synthesis of these LCPUFAs seems low in a growing fetus and placenta; the maternal intake of these fatty acids contributes a significant share for brain development.
  • 912
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Bioaccessibility of Cereal Polyphenols
Cereal bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, are known to possess a wide range of disease preventive properties that are attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, due to their low plasma concentrations after oral intake, there is controversy regarding their therapeutic benefits in vivo. Within the gastrointestinal tract, some cereal polyphenols are absorbed in the small intestine, with the majority accumulating and metabolised by the colonic microbiota.
  • 906
  • 10 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease
Emerging data have demonstrated a strong association between the gut microbiota and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as atherosclerosis, inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, platelet hyperactivity, and plasma lipid abnormalities. Several studies in humans and animal models have demonstrated an association between gut microbial metabolites such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids, and bile acid metabolites (amino acid breakdown products) with CVD. Human blood platelets are a critical contributor to the hemostatic process. Besides, these blood cells play a crucial role in developing atherosclerosis and, finally, contribute to cardiac events. Since the TMAO, and other metabolites of the gut microbiota, are associated with platelet hyperactivity, lipid disorders, and oxidative stress, the diet-gut microbiota interactions have become an important research area in the cardiovascular field. The gut microbiota and their metabolites may be targeted for the therapeutic benefit of CVD from a clinical perspective.
  • 905
  • 03 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Health Effects of Selected Supplement
Dietary supplements are products containing nutrients sold in various medicinal forms, and their widespread use may stem from the conviction that a preparation that looks like a drug must have therapeutic properties. The aim of this scoping review is to present what is known about the effects of using selected dietary supplements in the context of chronic diseases, as well as the risks associated with their use. The literature shows that the taking of vitamin and mineral supplements by healthy people neither lowers their risk of cardiovascular diseases nor prevents the development of malignancies. Many scientific societies recognize that omega-3 fatty acids lower blood triglycerides, but whether taking them prevents heart disease is less clear-cut. Taking weight loss supplements is not an effective method of fighting obesity. Often, some supplements are increasingly sold illegally, which is then also associated with the higher risk that they may be adulterated with banned substances, thus making them even more dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Supplements are necessary in cases of nutrient deficiency; however, even though prescription is not required, their use should be recommended and monitored by a physician. 
  • 905
  • 10 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Precision Nutrition and Cancer Relapse
Precision nutrition is an emerging science that relies on well-established factors such as genetic and epigenetic variation.  Advances in genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics are improving our understanding regarding cancer metabolic diversity, resulting in detailed classifications of tumors and raising the effectiveness of precision medicine. Likewise, the growing knowledge of interactions between nutrients and the expression of certain genes could lead to cancer therapies based on precision nutrition strategies. 
  • 898
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Old Patients' Cytokines and Appetite
There are few data on the longitudinal association of cytokine and appetite among older hospitalized patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of the changes of inflammatory cytokines on appetite in older hospitalized patients. A total of 191 patients (mean age 81.3 ± 6.6 years, 64% women) participated in this prospective longitudinal observational study. Appetite was evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System on admission and after seven days. Serum cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17, IL-18, IL-23 and IL-33, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, TNF-α and MCP-1 were measured both times. No significant differences in the mean serum levels of all the cytokines could be detected overtime in relation to appetite changes, except for IL-18. Appetite significantly deteriorated overtime in patients with increasing IL-18 levels and improved in those without significant changes in IL-18 levels. In a stepwise regression analysis, changes of IL-18 levels were the major independent predictor for the changes of patients’ appetite and explained 4% of the variance, whereas other cytokines and variables, such as age, sex, infection and disease, did not show any impact on appetite changes. We conclude that IL-18 seems to exert a significant impact on appetite in acutely ill older hospitalized patients and should, therefore, be considered as a potential target in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malnutrition.
  • 897
  • 17 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Molecular Pathways Affected by CR
The circadian rhythm plays a chief role in the adaptation of all bodily processes to internal and environmental changes on the daily basis. Next to light/dark phases, feeding patterns constitute the most essential element entraining daily oscillations, and therefore, timely and appropriate restrictive diets have a great capacity to restore the circadian rhythm. One of the restrictive nutritional approaches, caloric restriction (CR) achieves stunning results in extending health span and life span via coordinated changes in multiple biological functions from the molecular, cellular, to the whole–body levels. The main molecular pathways affected by CR include mTOR, insulin signaling, AMPK, and sirtuins. Members of the family of nuclear receptors, the three peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs), PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ take part in the modulation of these pathways. 
  • 896
  • 27 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Antioxidant Intervention and Aging Brain
Both physiological and pathological aging processes induce brain alterations especially affecting the speed of processing, working memory, conceptual reasoning and executive functions. As aging is partly contributed by free radical reactions, it has been proposed that exogenous antioxidants could have a positive impact on both aging and its associated manifestations.
  • 896
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Physical Activity, Diet, Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiota has been defined as the entire collection of microbes (bacteria, archaea, eukarya, and viruses) living as a complex ecosystem in our gastrointestinal tract, coevolved with humankind. Diet have a fundamental role in determining gut microbiota composition and diversity. 
  • 896
  • 16 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Diets that are high in added sugars and saturated fat have an impact on cognitive functioning, especially on memory. Cognitive task performance worsens with age. However, the frequency of consuming different types of foods (healthy versus unhealthy dietary patterns) moderates the effects of age on cognitive functioning.  Different indices of dietary patterns (both positive and negative) seem to be strong predictors of cognitive performance in the older adult group.   
  • 895
  • 29 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Effects of Black Raspberry Extract
Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been widely known to be able to prevent incidence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. Black rasbperry (BR) polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, have a variety of biological functions. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of excessive choline intake on serum lipid profile and inflammation in rats fed high-fat diet and to evaluate the protective effect of polyphenols including anthocyanins in BR.
  • 893
  • 24 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Infant and Young Child Feeding
Appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF, comprising of breastfeeding and complementary feeding) play important roles in optimal child growth and development. This is because appropriate breastfeeding is associated with a lower prevalence of childhood diarrhea , upper respiratory tract infection and obesity, and maternal diseases like diabetes mellitus. Additionally, appropriate complementary feeding is associated with a reduced risk of undernutrition (i.e., underweight, stunting, and/or wasting). Despite the benefits of appropriate IYCF, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) still report higher prevalence of inappropriate IYCF. In India, inappropriate IYCF practices have contributed to childhood malnutrition contributing to about 68% of the under five deaths and 83% of the neonatal deaths . Inappropriate IYCF was the underlying source for an estimated 0.9 million under-five deaths in 2016. Inappropriate IYCF are feeding behaviors that do not meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund (WHO/UNICEF) indicators for assessing IYCF practices. Core WHO/UNICEF recommendations include the initiation of breastfeeding for newborns within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of birth, and continued breastfeeding for up to two years and more, with nutritionally-balanced and safe complementary foods introduced to the infant when the child is six months old.
  • 893
  • 30 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Mediterranean Diet and Aging
Aging is physiologically characterized by a decrease in lean mass, bone mineral density and, to a lesser extent, fat mass. The onset of sarcopenia leads to weakness and a further decrease in physical activity. An insufficient protein intake, which we often observe in patients of advanced age, certainly accelerates the progression of sarcopenia. In addition, many other factors (e.g., insulin resistance, impaired protein digestion and absorption of amino acids) reduce the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis in the elderly, even if the protein intake is adequate. Inadequate intake of foods can also cause micronutrient deficiencies that contribute to the development of frailty. The Mediterranean diet is recognized to be a “healthy food” dietary pattern; high adherence to this dietary pattern is associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases and lower physical impairment in old age.
  • 892
  • 12 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Helicobacter pylori Infection, Clinical Features and Nutritional Aspects
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a 0.5–1 µm wide, 2–4 µm long, short helical, S-shaped Gram-negative microorganism. It is mostly found in the pyloric region of the stomach and causes chronic gastric infection. It is estimated that these bacteria infect more than half of the world’s population. The mode of transmission and infection of H. pylori is still not known exactly, but the faecal–oral and oral–oral routes via water or food consumption are thought to be a very common cause.
  • 889
  • 18 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Metabolic Syndrome According to the Circadian Rhythm
Physiological processes occur in accordance with a rhythm regulated by the endogenous biological clock. This clock is programmed at the molecular level and synchronized with the daily light–dark cycle, as well as activities such as feeding, exercise, and social interactions. It consists of the core clock genes, Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Protein Kaput (CLOCK) and Brain and Muscle Arnt-Like protein 1 (BMAL1), and their products, the period (PER) and cryptochrome (CRY) proteins, as well as an interlocked feedback loop which includes reverse-strand avian erythroblastic leukemia (ERBA) oncogene receptors (REV-ERBs) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptors (RORs). These genes are involved in the regulation of metabolic pathways and hormone release. Therefore, circadian rhythm disruption leads to development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS refers to a cluster of risk factors (RFs), which are not only associated with the development of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD), but also with increased all-cause mortality.
  • 888
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Enteral Nutrition in IBD Patients
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease mediated by the immune system and is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the possible treatments for this pathology is a change in the type of diet, of which enteral nutrition (EN) is one.
  • 886
  • 16 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Vitamins and Cancer
There is a large body of evidence suggesting a strong correlation between vitamin intake as well as vitamin blood concentrations with the occurrence of certain types of cancer. The direction of association between the concentration of a given vitamin and cancer risk is tumor specific.
  • 886
  • 19 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Ketogenic Diet and Cardiac Substrate Metabolism
The ketogenic diet (KD) is a carbohydrate-reduced diet that results in a substantial increase in the level of circulating ketone bodies. The KD has for decades been used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children and it is also used as an adjuvant treatment to obtain seizure control in adults with epilepsy.  The ketogen diet has been proposed as an effective intervention for type 2 diabetes and obesity since glycemic control is improved and sustained weight loss can be achieved. Interestingly, hyperketonemia is also associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects, possibly caused by improved cardiac energetics and reduced oxygen use. 
  • 886
  • 14 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Spirulina (Arthrospira)
Spirulina (Arthrospira) is a cyanobacteria considered to be a blue-green microalga that has historically been consumed by North Africans and Mexicans because of its nutritional value, containing 60–70% protein by dry weight and bioactive compounds (Neyrinck, Taminiau et al. 2017). The currently preferred name for the genus Spirulina is Arthrospira, while spirulina is referring generically to biomass preparations of the microalga. Arthrospira species are abundant in tropical and subtropical areas with carbonate and bicarbonate-rich alkaline water bodies (Richmond and Hu 2013). They contain high concentrations of antioxidants (β-carotene and phycocyanin), minerals (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn), vitamins (tocopherols), eight essential amino acids, PUFAs (especially γ-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n-6)), and phenolic compounds (Neyrinck, Taminiau et al. 2017). Nowadays, spirulina is used as a nutritional dietary supplement, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory activity, and its intake is recommended for individuals with pathologies and conditions such as arterial hypertension, IR and diabetes among others. 
  • 885
  • 04 Mar 2021
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