Sodium and potassium intake in healthy adults in Thessaloniki Greater Metropolitan Area—the salt intake in Northern Greece (SING) Study.

A reduction in population sodium (as salt) consumption is a global health priority, as well as one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. High potassium intake is also recommended to reduce cardiovascular disease. To establish effective policies for setting targets and monitoring effectiveness within each country, the current level of consumption should be known. Greece lacks data on actual sodium and potassium intake. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess dietary salt (using sodium as biomarker) and potassium intakes in a sample of healthy adults in northern Greece, and to determine whether adherence to a Mediterranean diet is related to different sodium intakes or sodium-to-potassium ratio. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Thessaloniki greater metropolitan area (northern Greece) (n = 252, aged 18–75 years, 45.2% males). Participants’ dietary sodium and potassium intakes were determined by 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretions. In addition, we estimated their adherence to Mediterranean diet by the use of an 11-item MedDietScore (range 0–55). The mean sodium excretion was 175 (SD 72) mmol/day, equivalent to 4220 (1745) mg of sodium or 10.7 (4.4) g of salt per day, and the potassium excretion was 65 (25) mmol/day, equivalent to 3303 (1247) mg per day. Men had higher sodium and potassium excretions compared to women. Only 5.6% of the sample had salt intake <5 g/day, which is the target intake recommended by the World Health Organization. Mean sodium-to-potassium excretion ratio was 2.82 (1.07). There was no significant difference in salt or potassium intake or their ratio across MedDietScore quartiles. No significant relationships were found between salt intake and adherence to a Mediterranean diet, suggesting that the perception of the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet does not hold when referring to salt consumption. These results suggest the need for a larger, nation-wide survey on salt intake in Greece and underline the importance of continuation of salt reduction initiatives in Greece

The Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Diet Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety and a Better Cognitive Performance in Middle Life.

Lifestyle choices significantly influence mental health in later life. In this study we investigated the effects of the Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting diet, which includes long-term regular abstinence from animal-based products for half the calendar year, on cognitive function and emotional wellbeing of healthy adults. Two groups of fasting and non-fasting individuals were evaluated regarding their cognitive performance and the presence of anxiety and depression using the Mini Mental Examination Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Data on physical activity, smoking, and vitamin levels were collected and correlated with mental health scoring. Negative binomial regression was performed to examine differences in the GDS scores between the two groups. Significantly lower levels of anxiety (7.48 ± 4.98 vs. 9.71 ± 5.25; p < 0.001) and depression (2.24 ± 1.77 vs. 3.5 ± 2.52; p < 0.001), along with better cognitive function (29.15 ± 0.79 vs. 28.64 ± 1.27; p < 0.001), were noticed in fasting compared to non-fasting individuals. GDS score was 31% lower (Incidence Rate Ratio: 0.69, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.56-0.85) in the fasting group compared to the control, while vitamin and ferrum levels did not differ. The COC fasting diet was found to have an independent positive impact on cognition and mood in middle-aged and elderly individuals

Body Composition, Fasting Blood Glucose and Lipidemic Indices Are Not Primarily Determined by the Nutritional Intake of Middle-Aged Endurance Trained Men&mdash;Another &ldquo;Athletes&rsquo; Paradox&rdquo;?

Systematic, regular high-volume endurance training induces significant metabolic adaptations in glucose and lipids metabolism, which seems to affect the negative impact of unhealthy nutrition, at least in animal models. The present study aimed to investigate the main determinants of body composition, blood glucose and lipids concentrations between middle-aged sedentary individuals (Sed) and well-trained endurance athletes (Run), both following an unhealthy high-fat diet. In thirty-five Sed (Age: 54.0 &plusmn; 6.6 yrs, Body Mass: 77.1 &plusmn; 10.5 kg, BMI: 31.3 &plusmn; 6.0 kg&middot;m&minus;2) and thirty-six Run (Age: 51.6 &plusmn; 5.2 yrs, Body Mass: 85.8 &plusmn; 3.4 kg, BMI: 23.2 &plusmn; 1.8 kg&middot;m&minus;2), body composition, nutritional intake, energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate (RMR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and blood glucose and lipids concentrations were evaluated. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that body composition, blood glucose and lipids&rsquo; concentrations in the Run group were primarily determined by the energy expenditure (B: &minus;0.879 to &minus;1.254), while in the Sed group, by their energy intake (B:&minus;0.754 to 0.724). In conclusion, it seems that in well-trained endurance middle-aged athletes, body composition, blood glucose, and lipids concentrations seem to be determined by their training-induced daily energy expenditure and not by their nutritional intake per se. At the same time, nutrition is the primary determinant in aged-matched sedentary individuals, even if they both follow high-fat diets

Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p 1, B2, B6, B12, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile

Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p &lt; 0.05). Fasters also had lower intakes of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile

Prevalence of Anti-Neu5Gc Antibodies in Patients with Hypothyroidism

Background. N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a sialic acid synthesized by animals, but not by humans or birds. However, it can be incorporated in human cells and can trigger immune response. In the present study, we detected anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in samples of the general population and of patients suffering from hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s disease, which is known to have autoimmune origin. Methods. Antibodies were measured using enzyme-immunosorbent techniques. Results. Serum anti-Neu5Gc IgG antibodies were higher in patients with hypothyroidism (mean: 14.8±15.9 μg/mL, median: 10.0 μg/mL, P=0.0003, Mann-Whitney) and even higher in the group with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (mean: 31.1±16.3 μg/mL, median: 27.2 μg/mL, P=0.0000, Mann-Whitney) compared to the general population (mean: 5.3±4.7  μg/mL, median : 4 μg/mL). All anti-TPO positive samples had anti-Neu5Gc antibody concentration higher than the mean value of the general population while anti-TPO concentration was increased as anti-Neu5Gc concentration increased. Low concentrations of IgA and IgM antibodies were measured in both general population and patient groups. Conclusion. The increased values of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in patients with hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s disease and the correlation of anti-TPO incidence with increased anti-Neu5Gc concentration raise the possibility of an association between anti-Neu5Gc antibody development and autoimmune hypothyroidism

Impact of Christian Orthodox Church Fasting on Metabolic Syndrome Components in Adults Aged 18–49 Years

Objective: Studies regarding health effects of religious fasting have been increased during the last decade. Our aim was to investigate the effects of Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting on metabolic syndrome in young adults. Methods: Participants were 224 men and women, of whom 111 had been following the COC fasting regime and 113 were non-fasters, all aged 18 to 49 years (mean age 29.23 ± 8.78 years). Anthropometric measurements, including the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, were performed on individuals, and they also completed food intake questionnaires, and provided blood samples for biochemical analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III and all variables were checked. Results: Fasters did not statistically differ in anthropometric measurements when comparing to non-fasters. Differences were found in terms of biochemical variables, and more specific in HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and total blood cholesterol, and in systemic and diastolic blood pressure, although non statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were only noticed in heart pulses and insulin levels, with fasters having lower heart pulses (69.44 ± 9.84 versus 72.63 ± 10.74) and greater mean values of insulin levels (4.16 ± 4.66 versus 3.12 ± 2.35). When analysis was carried to identify which variables were met for metabolic syndrome, it was found that fasters had statistically significant lower values of blood pressure when compared to non-fasters. In more details mean systolic blood pressure was 121.67 ± 12.21 versus 123.41 ± 11.73 for fasters and non-fasters respectively, and mean diastolic blood pressure was 75.77 ± 8.82 versus 78.27 ± 10.07 for fasters and non-fasters. Furthermore, the mean energy intake was higher in non-fasters (1698.25 ± 515.99 kcals) when compared to fasters (1590.24 ± 404.19 kcals) but not statistically significant different. Conclusions: Young adults aged 18 to 49 years who fast according to the COC fasting regimes do not have different metabolic syndrome prevalence when comparing to non-fasters, but there was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure with fasters having lower values

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food and Drink Products in a Greek Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Population

The positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on healthy living are widely known, while the health effects of religious fasting have received increased attention during the last decade. However, no study has focused on the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in such populations. Therefore, our aim was to investigate UPF intake and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Christian Orthodox church (COC) religious fasting population in Greece. In this cross-sectional study, 400 individuals who follow the Mediterranean diet were included, stratified as COC fasters and non-fasters. Dietary intake data were collected via three 24 h diet recalls and a monthly food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The NOVA food classification system was used to identify the level of processing and categorize all food items. Fasters consumed significantly less chicken, turkey, and beef and significantly more seafood, fish, snails, soy products, and fresh fruits, in terms of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, as well as significantly more fried potatoes and olives in terms of processed foods when compared with non-fasters. Regarding UPFs, a significantly lower intake of pork sausages, ketchup, and mustard as well as a significantly higher consumption of margarine and tarama dip were recorded in fasters compared with non-fasters. Fasters with MetS more frequently consumed UPFs (such as cheese pastries, biscuits, and cakes) than fasters without MetS (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Similarly, non-fasters with MetS had an increased intake of UPFs (such as Cypriot bread and Coco Pops breakfast cereals) than non-fasters without MetS. Future research should focus on UPF consumption and its associations with clinical outcomes in such populations, thus providing further data for the potential health effects of COC fasting