The Impact of Diet on Male Fertility

Introduction: Infertility is a reproductive health issue where the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse affects about 8 to 12% of couples of reproductive age. Factors such as diet, lifestyle, and exposure to toxins can negatively impact men's reproductive capacity, including semen parameters and gonadal function. The impact of diet on male fertility, including hormone levels and the process of spermatogenesis, is the subject of intense research. Aim of the Study: This study aims to review current scientific research on the impact of diet on male fertility to provide updated knowledge on this topic, essential for preventive and therapeutic actions in this field. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of scientific and medical literature was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The search terms included: impact of diet on male fertility, impact of diet on semen parameters, impact of diet on semen quality, male fertility, diet and male fertility, types of diets and fertility. Conclusion: Diet plays a crucial role in male fertility, affecting semen quality. It is recommended to consume meat in moderation, especially organic, and to increase the intake of fish rich in omega-3 while avoiding contaminants. Regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, and grains improves semen parameters, while limiting sweets, sugary drinks, and alcohol, as well as quitting smoking, is beneficial for reproductive health. Men planning fatherhood should also consider reducing cannabis use. Future research should focus on the impact of individual dietary factors on male fertility

Apple Cider Vinegar in the Combat Against Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity – An Overview of Recent Research

ABSTRACT Introduction Apple Cider Vinegar, primarily composed of acetic acid, is gaining more recognition for its possible health advantages, especially its anti-diabetic effects and its beneficial impact on weight loss. Aim of this study   The aim of this review is to discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of ACV on glycemic indices and weight management in diabetic and obese patients, explore the possibilities of preventing comorbidities, and assess the safety of ACV consumption. Materials and Methods Research was performed based on Pubmed and Google Scholar databases. The literature was reviewed using the keywords : Apple Cider Vinegar, Diabetes, Glucose, Obesity. Results Studies have confirmed that apple cider vinegar exhibits significant anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. It demonstrates dose- and time-dependent effects on reducing fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid parameters. It positively impacts weight loss, reducing waist and hip circumference, and enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin. Additionally, apple cider vinegar has been shown to potentiate the effects of metformin, with liquid consumption yielding better results than pill form. Conclusions Although initial findings are encouraging, additional research with a larger participant pool and an extended duration of vinegar consumption is necessary. The brevity of the study period restricts the observation of long-term effects, and a larger sample size would improve the applicability of the findings. Key words: apple cider vinegar; diabetes; glucose; obesit

Methods of Prevention and Mitigation of Autoimmune Diseases - A Review of The Literature

Introduction and purpose: Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body’s immune system is unable to distinguish between auto- and foreign antigens and mistakenly attacks its cells, tissues, and organs. In recent years it became major public health concern because of the increasing diagnosis rate. Currently, about 5% of the population in Western countries is affected by such diseases, more often in women population. The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, although most probably it results from a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental risk factors and immune dysregulation. Development of autoantigen-specific lymphocytes and autoantibodies might be decisive in starting the process of autoimmunity. Most common medication used in autoimmune diseases treatment are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs), glucocorticoids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Additionally, there is biological medication available for many of them. It is known that non-pharmacological interventions, such as specific diets, supplementation or physical exercise is useful to mitigate the disease or even to prevent the body from its onset. Materials and methods: The data for the article was found using the PubMed and Google Scholar websites. The key words used for the search included: ‘diet and autoimmunity’, ‘autoimmunity and estrogens’, ‘microbiota and autoimmunity’. Articles not written in English, conference abstracts only and duplicated papers were excluded. Conclusions: There is still no cure for autoimmune diseases, although various prevention and mitigation strategies can help manage these conditions and improve quality of life for affected individuals. However, for the use of some of them, evidence-based recommendations are not available. This review highlights current non-pharmacological therapeutic options.

The impact of overweight and obesity on the results of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, including robot-assisted repair - a literature review

Obesity is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. In turn, ventral hernias (including an inguinal hernias) are one of the most common cases in general surgery. Minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures) are becoming more and more popular in ventral hernia treatment compared to open procedures. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of body mass index (BMI) value on the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs, including inguinal hernia repairs. Numerous studies evaluating this relationship are available. In most studies, There were also no statistically significant differences in the rate of intraoperative complications, the median operative time, the median length of hospital stay, the rate of postoperative pain, the surgical site infection, the rate of postoperative complications, the median time to recurrence, and the rate of early and late recurrences between groups with different BMI values. Moreover, studies proved that laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in obese patients is more effective compared to the open repair. The analysis revealed that high BMI values do not have a statistically significant impact on the outcomes of laparoscopic repair, including robot-assisted laparoscopic repair, in patients with ventral hernias. However, it should be noted that the analyzed studies often have limitations. For this reason, it is essential to conduct multicenter studies and perform long-term evaluations of patients