Plum supplementation and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Plums are abundant in bioactive compounds which have been associated with numerous health benefits. In the present study, we aimed at examining the impact of plum supplementation on lipid profile of individuals. Electronic bibliographical databases were searched for relevant randomised clinical trials. Articles meeting our eligibility criteria were included for data extraction and final analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was estimated using a random-effect model. Of the total articles retrieved in the initial search, nine articles were found to be eligible to be included in the analysis. Our results show that plum supplementation significantly improves total cholesterols levels in the unhealthy individuals. Moreover, plum supplementation reduces the LDL-c levels in the pooled sample (WMD= −11⋅52 mg/dl; 95 % CI−21⋅93,−1⋅11,P = 0⋅03,I2 = 98⋅7 %) and also in some of the subgroups of individuals(dried plum, unhealthy subjects, duration more than 8 weeks). Moreover, it had a significant reducing effect on TC levels just in unhealthy subjects. Although plum supplementation did not have any significant impact on serum levels of TG nor HDL-c. Our results show that supplementation with plums is potentially effective in reducing serum total cholesterol and LDL-c

Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on lipid profile: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Numerous approaches have been assigned to treat dyslipidemia (DLP). Turmeric/curcumin have been widely investigated with this regard. In the current study, we explored the effect of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on lipid profile. Methods: Online databases were searched up to October 2022. The outcomes included triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), apolipoprotein B (Apo-B), and apolipoprotein A (Apo-A). We used the Cochrane quality assessment tool to evaluate the risk of bias. The effect sizes were estimated as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Out of 4182 articles retrieved from the initial search, 64 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included in the study. Between-study heterogeneity was significant. Meta-analysis showed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation exerts statistically significant improvements on blood levels of TC (WMD = −3.99 mg/dL; 95% CI = −5.33, −2.65), TG (WMD = −6.69 mg/dL; 95% CI = −7.93, −5.45), LDL-c (WMD = −4.89 mg/dL; 95% CI = −5.92, −3.87), and HDL-c (WMD = 1.80 mg/dL; 95% CI = 1.43, 2.17). However, turmeric/curcumin supplementation was not associated with improvements in blood levels of Apo-A or Apo-B. The studies did not thoroughly address the issues of potency, purity, or consumption with other foods. Conclusion: Turmeric/curcumin supplementation seems to be effective in improving blood levels of TC, TG, LDL-c, and HDL-c; but may not be capable of improving their pertinent apolipoproteins. Since the evidence was assessed to be low and very low concerning the outcomes, these findings should be dealt with caution

Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on liver function in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Liver conditions are major burdens upon health systems around the world. Turmeric /curcumin is believed to possess therapeutic features in ameliorating various metabolic disorders. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we examined the effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on some liver function tests (LFTs). Methods: We comprehensively searched online databases (i.e. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) from inception up to October 2022. Final outcomes included aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were reported. In case of between-study heterogeneity, subgroup analysis was conducted. Non-linear dose-response analysis was carried out to detect the potential effect of dosage and duration. The registration code is CRD42022374871. Results: Thirty-one RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Turmeric/curcumin supplementation significantly reduced blood levels of ALT (WMD = −4.09 U/L; 95 % CI = −6.49, −1.70) and AST (WMD = −3.81 U/L; 95 % CI = −5.71, −1.91), but not GGT (WMD: −12.78 U/L; 95 % CI: −28.20, 2.64). These improvements, though statistically significant, do not ensure clinical effectiveness. Conclusion: It seems that turmeric/curcumin supplementation might be effective in improving AST and ALT levels. However, further clinical trials are needed to examine its effect on GGT. Quality of the evidence across the studies was low for AST and ALT and very low for GGT. Therefore, more studies with high quality are needed to assess this intervention on hepatic health

The Relationship between Low Carbohydrate Diet Score and Mental Health in Overweight and Obese Women

Background and Objectives: There is a bilateral relationship between mental health and overweight and obesity. In various studies, the association between dietary carbohydrate and mental health, have been controversially reported. Therefore, for the first time, we investigated the association between low carbohydrate diet score (LCDS) and mental health in overweight and obese women.   Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 360 obese and overweight women aged between 18 and 50 years, who were resident in Tehran city, were selected. A 47-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), was used to collect the dietary intake over the past year. LCDS was also calculated for all individuals. The psychiatric health statue was evaluated using a 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaire. ANOVA and linear regression, were used to analyze the data.   Results: The results of the present study, showed that anxiety (p = 0.03), stress (p = 0.03), and depression (p= 0.02) had a significant inverse relationship with LCDS after adjusting for confounders (age, body mass index, physical activity, and total energy intake).   Conclusion: The current study revealed that lower amount of carbohydrate in diet is associated with mental health (anxiety, stress, and depression). Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings

Effect of flaxseed supplementation on markers of inflammation and endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: The rationale for the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of flaxseed supplementation on important adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines in adults. Methods: We conducted searches of published literature in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from inception until May 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated the effects of flaxseed supplementation on the circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were included in our analysis. Results were summarized using weighted mean differences (WMDs) by random-effects model. Results: Forty eligible RCTs, including 2520 participants were identified. The results of the meta‐analysis revealed flaxseed supplementation reduced the concentrations of CRP (WMD = −0.387 mg/L; 95% CI: −0.653, −0.121, p = 0.004), IL-6 (WMD = −0.154 pg/Ml; 95% CI: −0.299, −0.010, p = 0.036), and VCAM-1 (WMD = –22.809 ng/ml; 95% CI: −41.498, −4.120, p = 0.017) but had no significant effect on TNF-α (WMD = -0.077 pg/mL; 95% CI: −0.317, 0.163, p = 0.530), ICAM-1 (WMD = −8.610 ng/ml; 95% CI: −21.936, 4.716, p = 0.205), and E-selectin (WMD = −1.427 ng/ml; 95% CI: −4.074, 1.22, p = 0.291). Conclusions: These findings showed that flaxseed supplementation may improve some circulating concentrations of specific adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines. However, well-designed trials are needed to confirm the range of non-significant and/or equivocal findings

Dietary Antioxidant Capacity Indices are Negatively Correlated to LDL-Oxidation in Adults

Introduction. Former research studies have demonstrated controversial associations between dietary indices and oxidative stress biomarkers including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA). So, in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the association of dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC), oxidative balance score, and phytochemical index (PI) with ox-LDL/MDA in a healthy adult population of Shiraz, Iran. Methods. 236 individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. DTAC, OBS, and PI were calculated using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was previously validated in Iran. We measured ox-LDL and MDA in blood samples of the participants using commercially existing kits. Crude and adjusted models of linear regression were used to evaluate the relation of dietary indices with ox-LDL and MDA. Results. There was a significant association between ox-LDL and DTAC in both crude (β = −1.55; 95% CI: −2.53, −0.58; P-trend = 0.002) and adjusted (β = −1.65 95% CI: −2.66, −0.64; P-trend = 0.001) models. Also, a negative association was observed between ox-LDL and PI in the crude (β = −1.26 95% CI: −2.33, −0.29; P-trend = 0.01) and adjusted (β = −1.36 95% CI: −2.38, −0.34; P-trend = 0.01) models. Conclusion. Results of this study showed that DTAC and PI were inversely associated with ox-LDL as markers of lipid peroxidation. But no correlations were seen between MDA and dietary antioxidant indices