Effects of seaweed supplementation on blood glucose concentration, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological effects of seaweed supplementation on blood glucose levels, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects were randomized into either a control group or a seaweed supplementation group. Pills with equal parts of dry powdered sea tangle and sea mustard were provided to the seaweed supplementation group three times a day for 4 weeks. Total daily consumption of seaweed was 48 g. We found that total dietary fiber intake was 2.5 times higher in subjects receiving seaweed supplementation than in the control group. Accordingly, fasting blood glucose levels (p<0.01) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose measurements (p<0.05) were decreased significantly in those ingesting seaweed. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of triglycerides were decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased significantly in seaweed supplement group (p<0.05). However, the concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not affected by seaweed supplementation. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in erythrocytes was significantly lower with seaweed supplementation compared to controls (p<0.05). Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities with seaweed supplementation were higher than the controls (p<0.05), but superoxide dismutase activity was not affected. We, therefore, conclude that ingestion of seaweed influences glycemic control, lowers blood lipids, and increases antioxidant enzyme activities

RECEIVING A DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) IN PAKISTAN

For children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), early intervention can have a positive impact on their cognitive, social, and linguistic development outcomes if they are diagnosed at an early age (Fujiwara et al. 2011). Getting a diagnosis of ASD in a country with limited resources, such as Pakistan, can be difficult and time-consuming for families of children with the disorder. This is because of the lack of trained mental health professionals and a lack of general knowledge about autism spectrum disorders (Elsabbagh et al. 2012; Malhotra and Vikas, 2005; Sharan, 2008; Samadi, 2011; Tareen et al. 2008; WHO, 2005). This study is a subset of a wider investigation of the most effective means of knowledge transfer for Pakistani parents of children with ASD. Data was collected using a questionnaire, interviews, and a focus group. Results indicated that child's mean age at diagnosis was 4 years and 4 months (SD = 1.9), with a range of 6 months to 10 years. According to the study's findings, parents had numerous difficulties in obtaining an ASD diagnosis for their child. For up to seven years in some circumstances, parents were unable to receive a diagnosis that matched their child's symptoms