A modern look at ketogenic diets - indications and health risks

Introduction: The ketogenic diet (KD) is characterized by extremely high fat (F) intake and high carbohydrate (CH) restriction. It is currently used uncontrollably by the population to reduce body weight or body fat.Aim: This article is an attempt to present the biochemical basis of KD and to summarize data regarding both the indications for its use as well as its undesirable effects and contraindications. Special attention is paid to the safety profile of KD.Materials and Methods: Articles, scientific books and publications related to low-carbohydrate diets and KD were searched in the PubMed database and Google Scholar. Articles published in the last decade were included in the review. The search was conducted with a list of keywords: ketogenic diet, safety, obesity, health, mortality.Results: Studies of the effect of KD on obesity showed no difference in appetite control and weight loss compared to other isocaloric (but normal carbohydrate) diets. KDs have many contraindications and create health risks. A meta-analysis of cohort studies finds a link between intake of CHs and overall mortality. The lowest risk of death is observed with the consumption of CHs, providing 50-55% of daily energy intake. Mortality is highest with an intake of CHs below 30%. A relatively higher risk of death was found when CHs on the menu were replaced with animal sources of fats and protein, and lower when replaced with vegetable fats.Conclusion: When switching to KD, it is advisable to choose foods containing mostly unsaturated fats as a priority. It is desirable to avoid sources of saturated fatty acids and, in particular, hydrogenated oils rich in trans isomers of fatty acids. A healthier alternative to the classic KD could be the replacement of CHs with vegetable fats and proteins. This eating pattern can contribute to longevity and good health

Attitudes and behavior of consumers who choose foods according to the content of technological additives

Добавките в храни или така наречените адитиви („Е` номер) „...са вещества, които обикновено не се консумират самостоятелно като храна, a се добавят целенасочено към храната с технологична цел като например запазването й`. Според учени употребата на продукти с различни адитиви със сходно химично съдържание може да доведе до натрупване на вредни вещества в организма, които могат да имат ефект върху поведението на консумиращите ги - стомашни проблеми, алергии, гадене, замайване, главоболие, хи-перактивност. Всичко се определя от хранителното поведение на индивида. Целта на нашето проучване е да установим нагласите и поведението на потребителите при избор на храни, съдържащи добавки в храните („Е` номер). Анкетирани са 103 потребители, разпределени по пол, образование и възраст. Над половината от респондентите (60.2%) нямат ясна информация какво представляват т.нар. „Е` номера. Потребителите не обръщат внимание на изписаният състав върху етикетите на продуктите. Приоритетно поставят на масата си храни според вкусовите си предпочитания. Сигнализирането на произхода на вложените вещества (натурални или синтетични) със символ и/или цвят, отличаващ се от останали те изписани съставки на етикета, ще доведе до информиран избор на консуматорите.Food supplements or so-called additives („E` number) „... are substances that are not normally consumed as food, but are added intentionally to food for a technological purpose, such as its preservation`. According to some scientists, the use of products with different additives with similar chemical content may lead to accumulation of harmful substances in the body, which may have an effect on the behavior of the consumers: stomach problems, allergies, nausea, dizziness, headache, hyperactivity. Everything is determined by the individual‘s eating behavior. The aim of our study is to determine the attitudes and behavior of consumers when choosing foods containing food additives (E-number). Interviewed were 103 users distributed by gender, education, and age. More than half of the respondents (60.2%) have no clear information on what the so-called E-numbers are. Consumers ignore the composition on the labels of the products. They prioritize their meal according to their taste preferences. Signaling the origin of ingredients (natural or synthetic) by a symbol and/or color, distinct from the ones of the other ingredients written on the label, will lead to an informed choice of consumers.additive, food supplement, E-number, food choic

A case report of an early onset of anorexia nervosa

The early onset cases of anorexia nervosa, which occur in children between the ages of 8 and 14, pose a serious challenge to eating disorders professionals. The interdisciplinary approach to this eating disorder is a prerequisite for timely development of therapeutic strategy and individual approach to the complex needs of the child and family. This case report presents an early onset of anorexia nervosa in a 12-year-old outpatient girl. The history of the case is described, with the stages of awareness of the problem; seeking professional help; nutritional rehabilitation; psychiatric and psychological help that the child and the family receive. A plan for managing the clinical consequences of weight loss, risk assessment tools, as well as the possibilities of a family-oriented approach in providing psychological support are presented. The roles of the various specialists involved in the case and their collaborative work in progress are discussed

Profile of organic food consumers in Bulgaria

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The growing interest in organic products raises the question of who buys organic foods. The existing literature reveals the role of some sociodemographic factors (age, income).Aim: The aim of this article is to study the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of organic food consumers.Materials and Methods: From November 2020–April 2021, 150 consumers from Dobrich district were interviewed about their awareness and attitude to buy organic foods.The results of the study were statistically processed using Jamovi, version 2.2.5. The criterion χ 2 (Pearson's Chi-square) was used, with significance levels α = 0.05 and α = 0.1.Results: The largest relative share of regular consumers is that of individuals buying organic foods once a week. The analysis of the data shows that the relative share of women in the sample predominates.A statistically significant difference was found in nine of the tested hypotheses about the differences between men and women. The data show that more often women are the ones who buy food products, incl. organic foods.Conclusion: The profile of the consumers of organic foods is related to gender. The growing trend towards the consumption of organic food in the world, including in Bulgaria, is due to the potential health benefits, to which mostly women have an attitude

Caffeine consumption among workers exposed to noise and vibration

Introduction: There are controversies regarding the benefits and the risk of caffeine consumption. The ability of caffeine beverages to increase systolic blood pressure levels for several hours after consumption has been proven. Their health effects are associated with the richness of phytonutrients such as caffeine, chlorogenic and caffeine acids, and hydroxyhydogycinone.Aim: The aim of this article is to investigate the consumption of coffee among workers in noise and vibration.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of coffee consumption and working conditions was conducted with emphasis on exposure to noise and vibrations among people of working age from Northeastern Bulgaria.Results: A total of 502 respondents were interviewed between the age of 19 and 80. The average age of participants was 39 ± 0.5 years. A structured proprietary questionnaire was also developed, including questions about: coffee intake and working conditions. The results found regular coffee consumption in 82.5% of workers at high noise levels and in 82.1% of workers exposed to local vibrations. Non-consuming caffeinated beverages are only 9.4% of the people working in noisy environments and 12.8% of vibro-exposed ones.Conclusion: Careful attention should be given to the safety of coffee use as a boosting drink in the workplace when there is exposure to noise and vibration with regard to the possibility of combined unilateral adverse effects on bone density and peripheral nerve damage. The comprehensive approach to assessing the health effects of coffee consumption necessarily involves taking risk factors into account in terms of working conditions and lifestyle

Foodborne Bacteria: Potential Bioterrorism Agents

Bioterrorist attacks are usually associated with airborne infections because of their easy dissemination and maximal effect on the human population. However, foodborne pathogens represent potential bioterrorist weapons, as the consumption of safe food affects every individual in the society. Most of the foodborne microorganisms can be readily isolated from natural sources and can cause severe outbreaks with a number of hospitalized persons. Biological agents, which may contaminate food products, are bacteria, viruses, yeasts, parasites, or chemical substances with microbial origin. They cause more than 200 diseases—ranging from diarrhea to cancers. Typical symptoms of food poisoning are abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and others. Most isolated bacterial agents responsible for foodborne infections include bacteria from genera such as Salmonella, Shigella, Bacillus, Clostridium, Listeria, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, Enterobacter, and Yersinia. In this chapter, we discuss the bacterial species causing food poisoning in the context of a potential bioterrorist attack. We review in a concise manner their morphological and biochemical characteristics, as well as the treatment and possible prevention measures. Popular examples of attacks with food poisoning agents and their impact on the society are also given

Study of breastfeeding practices in Varna region

Правилното хранене на детето в неонаталния и кърмаческия период е предпоставка за нормално физическо и нервно-психическо развитие с възможни дълготрайни здравни ефекти. Цел: Целта на проведеното проучване е да се оценят практиките на кърмене във Варненска област. Материали и методи: През месеците май-септември 2013 г. е проведено транзверзално проучване за честотата и практиките на кърмене във Варненска област. Анкетирани на случаен принцип са 286 жени на средна възраст 33 год. ( 3,3) (от 18 до 42 год.) за начина на хранене на децата им от раждането до края на третата година. Данните са обработени статистически чрез вариационен и алтернативен анализ и сравнени с критерия на Стюдънт-Фишер при ниво на значимост p< 0,05. Резултати: Резултатите от нашето проучване показват, че бебетата са поставени на гърда средно на 17,7 ми час след раждането (от 1ви до 192 ри час). Родилите със секцио жени са започнали да кърмят средно на 26 ти час (1 ви - 192 ри) след раждането, докато родилите по нормален път - средно на 10 ти час (от 1ви до 72 ри час) (p< 0,05) . Жените с висше образование кърмят по-продължително в сравнение с тези със средно образование (9,19% vs 6,04%) (p< 0,05). Едва 4,5% от децата (n=4) са кърмени до 24 месеца. Обсъждане: Участниците в нашата анкета започват да кърмят късно след раждането. Продължителността на кърмене на децата е малка и не отговаря на съвременните препоръки на СЗО, но се наблюдават положителни тенденции в сравнение с предишни проучвания.Optimal nutrition of the child in the neonatal period and infancy is a prerequisite for normal physical and neuro-psychological development and for possible long-term health effects. Our study was aimed at revealing breastfeeding practices in the first couple of years of children`s life. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to assess the breastfeeding practices in Varna region. Materials and Methods: A transverse study of breastfeeding practices is conducted over a period of 5 months- May - September 2013 in Varna region. A total of 286 questionnaires are administered for the study period. Women (mean age of the respondents was 33 years 3.3) who have born their children with cesaerian section or had vaginal delivery are radomly recruited after obtaining informed consent for inclusion in the study. Questionnaires include questions regarding the nutrition of children from birth until the end of the third year. The data is processed statistically by means of variation and alternative analysis and compared with the criterion Student-Fisher at significance level

A Combined Form Of Eating Disorder During Pregnancy – A Case Report

Introduction: Eating disorders (EDs) are most common in women of childbearing age, incl. during pregnancy. The available data show that ED increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, as well as psychopathological and socio-emotional problems in the child’s development.Materials and Methods: We present a case from the practice of a medical specialist in nutrition and dietetics. The patient is a woman, pregnant at 26 GW with a combined form of ED (new-onset pregorexia on the background of long-term bigorexia). A set of clinical methods were used to assess the nutritional assessment: detailed nutritional history, dietary intake, clinical examination, anthropometry, and laboratory methods.Results and Interpretation: The therapeutic approach included motivating the patient to achieve adequate dietary carbohydrate intake and professional advice on choosing appropriate alternatives. The young woman agreed to meet with a specialist in cognitive behavioral therapy and managed to overcome the self-imposed dietary restrictions. Whole grains and some types of legumes were successfully included in her diet. Her pregnancy reached full term and she delivered a healthy child. This clinical case demonstrates that in some instances of ED there can be a lack of significant deviations in biochemical tests, which complicates the diagnostic process. Thus, a correct diagnosis requires a careful approach while taking the patient’s medical history and in-depth conversation about the patient's behavior and habits. Scientific data strongly suggests there are both short- and long-term negative health consequences for the children of mothers suffering from ED during pregnancy. It is important to offer professional advice to pregnant women with ED about the possible effects of their eating patterns on the health of the child

Critical Analysis of Intermittent Fasting

Introduction: Intermittent fasting (IF) is an alternative dietary pattern that imposes the complete or partial restriction of all sources of calories for a specific period in time. In-between these periods there is a restricted time window to consume calories in the form of food, drinks, etc. IF is one of the most popular regimens amongst dieters worldwide. Despite the popularity of this dietary pattern, there are plenty of misconceptions regarding both the benefits and health risks of IF.Review Results: Intermittent fasting does not appear to produce any metabolic advantages or disadvantages compared to other methods for calorie restriction despite the effects on hormones, meal skipping, and the effect of continuous fasting on energy expenditure. It is as effective as continuous energy restriction in improving body weight and cardiovascular risk factors. IF might also provide benefits against oxidative stress and inflammation. Its effect on autophagy is not yet investigated in humans. Despite the benefits for weight loss and metabolic health, certain population groups such as women with normal and low body weight might experience worsened glucose tolerance due to fasting. There is also a risk for hypotonia, hypoglycemia, menstrual problems, and others.Conclusion: IF is as effective as continuous calorie restriction and there do not appear to be any metabolic advantages or disadvantages related to fasting. Long-term adherence might be an issue for a significant percentage of dieters. Currently, there is a lack of evidence for the long-term safety and effectiveness of IF regimens