Recent uclabiolchem_nutritionbytes items

Are There Healthy Sweeteners: The Effects of Sugar Substitutes on the Gut Microbiome

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effects of sugar substitutes on the gut microbiome.

Methods: PUBMED was used to find articles that studied the gut microbiome after consumption of a sugar substitute in humans. Both observational and interventional studies were selected for this review.

Results: Starting with 31 articles found on PUBMED, 5 articles were included to be reviewed after 26 articles were excluded. Three natural sugar substitutes and four categories of artificial sweeteners were studied. Maltitol, lactitol, and isomalt were the natural sugar substitutes, and aspartame, acesulfame-K, non-caloric artificial sweeteners, and saccharin were the artificial sweeteners. The outcomes for Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Lactobacilli, Fusobacterium prausnitzii, and Enterobacteriaceae were addressed. Natural sugar substitutes were...

Daily Coffee: Safeguard Against Liver Injury?

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000

A growing body of epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that coffee may exhibit protective effects on the liver, and thus prevent or reduce the risk of liver damage. The aim of this research was to identify and review original investigations, which characterize the association between coffee consumption and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a common marker of liver injury. A literature search was conducted via an electronic search of the PubMed database between years 1993 and 2015. Twelve observational studies were identified, eleven of which demonstrated a significant inverse association between coffee intake and serum ALT. In contrast, three experimental studies from one week to 6 months in duration report a rise in serum ALT with coffee consumption. In summary, many current research findings appear to support that consistent and/or high coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of elevated serum ALT. Additional experimental research is warranted...

Orthodontic Appliance Effect on Nutrition

Tue, 9 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Orthodontic appliances have been used for many years to treat malocclusions and poor jaw relationships, but their effects on the nutritive intake of the patient have not been extensively documented. This paper aims to consolidate the findings of three studies on the effects of appliances on nutrition by Riordan DJ, Shirazi et al., and Al Jawad et al. Based on a review of these studies, nutrition intake is altered as well as ability to consume the nutrients. Studies showed that copper, manganese, and lipid levels were decreased notably while total fat, cholesterol, saturated fat, monosaturated fat, polysaturated fat, linoleic fat, linolenic fat levels increased. The message conveyed through all three studies is that appliances will acutely alter the patient’s diet. This review of the current literature highlights several of the key nutritional changes once orthodontic appliances have been applied to patients.

Ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in adult male rats reduces sperm count, testosterone, and disrupts testicular histology

Tue, 9 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used food additive with controversial side effects. Though neonatal administration of MSG has been shown to affect fertility via arcuate nucleus ablation, the body of work involving the effects of adult MSG administration on male rat fertility has yet to be collectively assessed.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: A PubMed search using terms “monosodium glutamate” in addition to “male fertility” or “male reproduction” or “sperm” or “testes” was performed. Inclusion criteria included: English language, adult administration of MSG, male reproductive outcomes, and control groups. Additional studies were identified via reference lists of relevant articles.

Results: Of 167 records originally identified, six studies remained after removal of duplicates and studies not meeting inclusion criteria. Data ranges included: cohort sizes of 24 – 32 animals,...

You Are What You Eat: RCTs show a low glycemic index diet improves facial acne

Tue, 9 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

An evidence-based literature review was conducted in order to identify human clinical trials that assess the effect of a low glycemic index diet on facial acne severity (Acne vulgaris). Of the twenty-one studies identified, three met the inclusion criteria of randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with a primary endpoint of changes in number and severity of acne lesions and were included for final analysis.7-9 During the trials, mean glycemic load in control groups ranged from 157 to 207, and mean glycemic load in intervention groups ranged from 102 to 130. In two studies, improvement in acne severity at the end of the trial between the control and intervention groups reached significance. In one trial, the difference between the two groups did not reach significance, however, the intervention group experienced a much greater magnitude of facial acne improvement than the control group. The results of this systematic review of RCTs strongly indicate that a low...

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Enriched Enteral Nutrition Improves Lean Body Mass in Esophageal, Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Tue, 9 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: Cachexia is a nutrient deficient condition affecting millions of cancer patients. Cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract, head and neck are often the most severely affected. Currently, there is no established therapy for cachexia, although several potential anti-cachectic agents are being explored. A meta-analysis was conducted to review the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) enriched enteral nutrition on lean body mass (LBM) in esophageal, head and neck cancer patients at risk for progression of cachexia.

METHODS: An evidence based review was conducted beginning with a Pubmed database literature search using the terms ‘EPA esophageal cancer’, ‘Eicosapentaenoic acid esophageal cachexia’, ‘Eicosapentaenoic acid esophageal’, ‘Eicosapentaenoic acid cachexia head and neck cancer’, and ‘EPA cachexia head and neck cancer’ for human clinical trials. The results were reviewed for relevance and the data from original research was...

Comparison and Effectiveness of Behavioral Cardiovascular Interventions in High Risk Latinos

Tue, 9 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Background:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Latinos. The use of promotoras, in conjunction with interpersonal and printed nutrition and exercise information can aid in healthy changes in Spanish speaking communities.⁸Designing and delivering culturally appropriate interventions are critical for behavioral and nutritional success of Latinos.

Objective:

This literature review will provide information of the evidence-based behavioral intervention strategies developed for and tested with Latinos in order to inform clinicians of options for supporting improved cardiovascular outcomes in high risk Latinos.

Methods:

A literature search was performed in Pubmed that generated 110 RCT initial studies, four of which met the inclusion criteria after assessment for eligibility based on the following criteria: behavioral lifestyle intervention study, more...

Nutrient Requirements in Dental Surgery Wound Healing – Does it Matter?

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Dental wound healing is a complex process that can be affected by several factors, including nutrition. Therefore, it is important to take into consideration the nutritional status of a patient prior to dental surgeries. There are several nutrients needed for adequate wound healing, which include macronutrients, vitamins and several trace minerals. The aim of this paper is to guide the dentist in understanding recommended nutritional doses, how they affect wound healing, and the potential need for nutritional supplementation in pre-operative dental patients to aid healing after invasive dental surgery.

Can Calcium Make you Skinny?

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

To assess the association between calcium intake and anthropomorphic measurements such as BMI and weight, a literature search was conducted to identify human clinical trials that compared calcium intake with body mass index (BMI) and related measures such as weight and percent body fat. Forty-four studies were identified. Of those, 12 were human experimental studies that met the criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. ^{5, 18-23, 25-27, 32, 35} Although observational studies uniformly propose an inverse correlation between calcium intake and weight, the clinical data fail to support these reports. Most clinical trials indicate no correlation, while several report a positive correlation. In the clinical trials, calcium intakes in control groups ranged from approximately 390-1000mg/d with the median intake being approximately 683mg/d. Intakes for calcium-supplemented groups ranged from approximately 942-1256 mg/d with the median being approximately 1176mg/d. The...

Excess consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sodium in children and adolescents

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sodium-rich foods are increasingly becoming commonplace in the diets of American children and adolescents. Aside from the well-characterized health outcomes such as obesity and diabetes, these foods pose direct risks in terms of increasing the likelihood of dental caries, elevated uric acid, and hypertension in children and adolescents as well as displacing foods necessary to healthy growth and development. The following two-part review examines consumption of sweetened beverages and sodium-rich foods in relationship to associations with immediate and long-term health effects, describes population subgroups that are especially susceptible, and proposes policy and individual-level prevention strategies.

Spice Up Your Lipids: The Effects of Curcumin on Lipids in Humans

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Curcumin has been lauded for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties in various research studies, but its effects on cholesterol levels are not as well-understood. This review paper aims to consolidate the findings from three recent investigations on curcumin's reputed hypolipidemic effect in humans by Pungcharoenkul, Alwi, and Baum. No consistent effect was noted in healthy subjects receiving a 500mg or 6,000mg daily dose of curcumin, in patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving a daily supplementation of 45-180mg curcumin, or in subjects with cognitive decline given 1,000mg or 4,000mg curcumin per day, as compared with controls. Two earlier studies generated enthusiasm regarding curcumin's ability to lower apo B/apo A ratio, serum cholesterol, and lipid peroxides in healthy humans, but those were flawed and less rigorous trials. Pungcharoenkul showed that daily curcumin dosages of 500mg and 6,000mg significantly decreased subjects' cholesterol levels,...

Effect of Maternal Dietary Vitamin D on Low Birthweight and Asthma

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Vitamin D is important in growth and development as well as immunity. Recently, research has shown that vitamin D can also play a significant role during pregnancy and affect infant and childhood outcomes. Based on a review of seven studies, dietary vitamin D during pregnancy may decrease the risk for low birthweight and childhood asthma in progeny. In regards to infant birthweight, increasing levels of dietary vitamin D intake during pregnancy is associated with higher birthweights. In addition, studies show that progeny of mothers with a higher dietary intake of vitamin D during pregnancy have a lower risk for asthma and wheezing symptoms. However, the lack of serum data and randomized controlled trials suggest the need for further research to validate these findings.

Little in a Land of Plenty: Food Insecurity Among Latinos in the U.S.

Thu, 3 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: To determine if there are common themes among the results of qualitative food insecurity studies of Latinos in the U.S. Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted via the PubMed database. The results from this search were filtered according to specific criteria and six qualitative studies were considered eligible for review. The results of each study were organized into themes, grouped into common categories and compared between studies. Results: The results of the reviewed studies may be organized into themes based upon (a) food availability, (b) types of food consumed, (c) food allocation in households with offspring, (d) emotional well-being, (e) sources of food and (f) economic strategies. These themes suggest that food availability occurs in a cyclic pattern based on income and employment. Fruits, vegetables and meats are typically too expensive for purchase and may lead to a reliance on staple foods. There is a strong desire among parents to protect...

Riboflavin: An Alternative Approach to Managing Migrane Attacks in the Adult Population

Thu, 3 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Riboflavin may serve as a clinically important nutritional supplement in treating migraine attacks. But despite its potential therapeutic utility, riboflavin’s effects on patients with migraines have only been documented in four studies. Based on the results of these studies, comparing riboflavin with placebo demonstrated statistically significant improvements in many variables, among which included reduction of attack frequency, severity, and duration. However, these improvements were only noted in the adult population (Age > 18). Studies conducted on the pediatric population showed the opposite trend, with no statistically significant differences found between the placebo and riboflavin groups. Thus, riboflavin appears to have therapeutic value only when administered to adult patients suffering from migraine attacks.

Vitamin C and Treating Coronary Artery Disease: More Hype than Hope?

Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Research over the years has shown that oxidative stress may be involved in the progression to coronary artery disease (CAD), suggesting a potential role for vitamin antioxidant therapy. Vitamin C was looked to as a potential treatment and epidemiological evidence seemed to indicate a protective cardiovascular effect. Data emerged from basic research that indicated that vitamin C positively regulated several components of the cardiovascular system, including restoration of antioxidant enzymes, improved arterial vasodilatation, reduction in inflammatory markers, and a better lipoprotein profile. Despite this initial optimism, subsequent analyses carried out in large clinical trials have shown that vitamin C supplementation has little therapeutic benefit. This paper reviews currently available evidence on the cardioprotective effect of vitamin C and the prospects for antioxidant treatment of CAD.

What is the Lipid Raising Cost of Ketogenic Diets in Epileptic Children?

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The use of a ketogenic diet to treat epilepsy is commonly used to treat intractable pediatric epilepsy. Several studies have assessed the efficacy of treating epilepsy in pediatric patients through a ketogenic diet and shown it effective in reducing seizures. Less attention has been given to the effects of the ketogenic diet on lipid levels in children. The purpose of this review is to compile evidence relating to increased lipid levels to make physicians aware of those risks when treating epilepsy with a ketogenic diet.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Parkinson’s Away

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Current knowledge on the mechanism of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has led to the development of extensive pharmacological and surgical interventions; nevertheless PD remains idiopathic and progressive. A series of recent studies suggests that low plasma level of uric acid is a risk factor for both the incidence and progression of the disease. A diet high in fructose has been correlated with the development of protective high uric acid plasma levels. While dietary intervention may be warranted to halt PD progression, the benefits will have to be weighed against the risks of high uric acids levels, which include gout and cardiovascular disease.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation – a Potential Treatment for Autism?

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Autism is a complex disorder with both genetic and environmental components. It is characterized by three distinctive behaviors: inappropriate or inadequate social interactions, impaired language and communication, and repetitive patterns of restricted activities and interests. The causes and cures of autism still remain a mystery at the present time. In recent years, increasing evidence has emerged indicating a possible association between omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies and the development of autism. Several clinical studies looked into omega-3 fatty acid supplementation as a potential treatment for autism. Their results indicated a beneficial role of omega-3 supplementation in reducing the autistic behaviors in children but not in adults. However, these findings were not yet strong enough to support a definitive recommendation regarding this practice. Therefore, more clinical studies are needed to further investigate the role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation...

Probiotics, beneficial bacteria, and inflammatory bowel disease – What do we actually know?

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Despite the common use of probiotics in bowel disorders, little is known about the mechanisms by which probiotics produce a beneficial effect. The clear identification of antigens and the immune cells that they interact with still remain to be discovered. The recent discovery of the anti-inflammatory effects of Bacteriodes fragilis has revealed a new concept of polysaccharide antigen presentation on antigen presenting cells. It has been found that polysaccharide A (PSA), produced by B. fragilis, interacts with antigen presenting cells and T-cells to modulate a potent anti-inflammatory response. The aim of this paper is to briefly summarize the mechanisms by which a specific probiotic organism, Lactobacilus rhamnosus GG, and the bacterium B. fragilis exert their beneficial effects while elucidating areas that need more study.

The Diet-Heart Hypothesis: a critical appraisal of the relationship between diet and coronary artery disease

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: The role of proper diet in cardiovascular health is one which has been heavily debated over the last century. In 1908, Ignatowski produced atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits with a diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat. He subsequently fed the rabbits cholesterol alone, which produced identical lesions (1). During the early 1950s, controlled feeding studies showed that saturated fatty acids and, to a smaller extent, dietary cholesterol increased serum cholesterol in human subjects (2). Later, epidemiologic studies found that increases in serum cholesterol predicted increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in humans. These findings led to the development of the ‘diet-heart hypothesis’, which assumes a primary role of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol in the causation of atherosclerosis and CAD. Currently, the relationship between high serum cholesterol and CAD is well established, however, the role of diet in both the prevention and treatment of CAD...

Are formula-fed infants of different ethnicities more likely to become overweight children?

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A number of health risks are associated with being overweight in childhood. Because early experiences with food shape later eating habits and metabolism, investigators have hypothesized that the type of infant feeding would have a great impact on later development of obesity. Based on a series of conflicting studies that have examined the link between bottle-feeding and childhood overweight, there seems to be a minor protective effect of breastfeeding, but it is unlikely that bottle-feeding plays an important role in an infant’s risk of developing into an overweight child.

Use of Opuntia Cactus as a Hypoglycemic Agent in Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Mexican American Patients

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The consumption of Opuntia cactus is a popular herbal remedy among Mexican American patients in their management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Animal and human studies have demonstrated the hypoglycemic properties of the Opuntia (prickly pear) cactus that are likely attributable to both its fiber content and specific hypoglycemic molecular agents. Reduction in serum glucose levels are best observed when the cactus cladodes are consumed in cooked form, alluding to heating as a necessary step in attaining its hypoglycemic properties. Additional health benefits include its ability to reduce hypercholesterolemia, optimize platelet function, and decrease oxidative tissue damage. Health care professionals should inquire about and support the use of this complementary therapy among Mexican American patients in their management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Effect of Beta-Carotene Intake on Lung Cancer Development

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, comprising nearly 30% of all cancer-related mortality. Investigation into nutritional supplementation with beta-carotene as a means of reducing lung cancer incidence remains an active and intriguing area of research. The present review summarizes the salient findings in the literature to date. Although a number of observational studies have suggested an association between carotenoid consumption and reduced lung cancer incidence, two major double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials have not yielded similar results. Not only did these studies fail to demonstrate a protective effect of beta-carotene in lung carcinogenesis, they indicated that beta-carotene supplementation may increase one’s risk of developing lung cancer. Potential reasons for such discrepancies between observational studies and these randomized trials are explored, along with hypotheses concerning the potential carcinogenic...

Competitive Foods Sales in Schools: Exploring New Interventions

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obese children in the United States draws concern for future risks of various chronic health conditions. Emerging research has focused on identifying causes for obesity among schoolchildren and developing effective interventions for obesity prevention. A primary focus is the availability and accessibility of non-nutritive foods provided in schools that compete with foods offered by the school lunch programs. These “competitive foods” elude the degree of nutritional regulation placed on items offered through the school lunch program. Consequently, competitive foods are generally higher in sugar and fat, and account for a significant amount of total calorie consumption in school cafeterias. Although early measures have attempted to reduce sales of competitive foods in schools, competitive food sales persist due to various factors such as shortened school lunch periods, profitable contracts between schools and outside vendors, and...

The Role of Vitamin E in the Treatment of Male Infertility

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Infertility affects 15% of couples and in 30% of these couples, the cause of infertility is associated with aberrations found in the male partner, termed male infertility. Many cases of male infertility were previously considered idiopathic but are now being attributed to oxidative damage resulting from increased levels of reactive oxygen species. A proposed treatment for this type of infertility is oral supplementation with the antioxidant, vitamin E. This review discusses the efficacy of this type of therapy. The current evidence for vitamin E supplementation as a treatment for male infertility seems to favor a beneficial role. However, the lack of large, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. While high levels of vitamin E supplementation cannot be recommended as a treatment for male infertility at this point, further research should be pursued and infertile males encouraged to maintain adequate dietary intakes of...

Splenda - A Safe and Sweet Alternative to Sugar