Why are western diet and western lifestyle pro-inflammatory risk factors of celiac disease?

The prevalence of celiac disease increased in recent years. In addition to the genetic and immunological factors, it appears that environmental determinants are also involved in the pathophysiology of celiac disease. Gastrointestinal infections impact the development of celiac disease. Current research does not directly confirm the protective effect of natural childbirth and breastfeeding on celiac disease. However, it seems that in genetically predisposed children, the amount of gluten introduced into the diet may have an impact on celiac disease development. Also western lifestyle, including western dietary patterns high in fat, sugar, and gliadin, potentially may increase the risk of celiac disease due to changes in intestinal microbiota, intestinal permeability, or mucosal inflammation. Further research is needed to expand the knowledge of the relationship between environmental factors and the development of celiac disease to define evidence-based preventive interventions against the development of celiac disease. The manuscript summarizes current knowledge on factors predisposing to the development of celiac disease including factors associated with the western lifestyle

Is the retinol-binding protein 4 a possible risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in obesity?

Although many preventive and treatment approaches have been proposed, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Current epidemiological data require the specification of new causative factors, as well as the development of improved diagnostic tools to provide better cardiovascular management. Excessive accumulation of adipose tissue among patients suffering from obesity not only constitutes one of the main risk factors of CVD development but also alters adipokines. Increased attention is devoted to bioactive adipokines, which are also produced by the adipose tissue. The retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been associated with numerous CVDs and is presumably associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. With this in mind, exploring the role of RBP4, particularly among patients with obesity, could be a promising direction and could lead to better CVD prevention and management in this patient group. In our review, we summarized the current knowledge about RBP4 and its association with essential aspects of cardiovascular disease—lipid profile, intima-media thickness, atherosclerotic process, and diet. We also discussed the RBP4 gene polymorphisms essential from a cardiovascular perspective.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Potencial risks consequenting on consumption of selected „superfoods” products

W ostatnich latach na popularności zyskała żywność określana mianem „superfoods”. Mimo braku jednolitej definicji, a tym samym nieistnienia konkretnej listy produktów, żywność zazwyczaj zostaje określona jako „super”, jeśli prezentuje niezwykle wysoką zawartość przeciwutleniaczy, witamin, białka, błonnika lub innych składników wpływających na poprawę zdrowia. W środkach masowego przekazu pojawiają się informacje na temat prozdrowotnych działań tej żywności, która, w opinii znacznej części społeczeństwa, stanowi remedium na wiele chorób. Jednak pomimo pozytywnego działania, spożywanie „superfoods” może nieść za sobą liczne zagrożenia. Reakcje alergiczne, interakcje z lekami oraz dolegliwości żołądkowo-jelitowe to jedne z wielu niepożądanych objawów po spożyciu produktów typu „superfoods”. W celu większej kontroli w 2007 roku Europejski Urząd ds. Bezpieczeństwa Żywności (European Food Safety Authority, EFSA) zakazał wprowadzania do obrotu produktów oznaczonych jako superfoods, jeśli nie posiadają one oświadczenia zdrowotnego popartego badaniami klinicznymi. Z uwagi na fakt, że jest to pojęcie stosunkowo nowe, zaleca się zachowanie ostrożności przy wyborze preparatów zawierających „superfoods” oraz ich rozsądną konsumpcję w umiarkowanych ilościach.In recent years, food called “superfoods” has gained popularity. Despite the lack of a uniform definition and thus the absence of a specific list of products, food is usually described as “super” if it presents an extremely high content of antioxidants, vitamins, protein, fiber or other ingredients that improve health. Information on the health benefits offered by this type of food appears in the mass media, which, in the opinion of a significant part of society, is a remedy for many diseases. However, despite the positive effects, eating “superfoods” can carry many risks. Allergic reactions, drug interactions and gastrointestinal disturbances are among the many undesirable effects after eating “superfoods”. For greater control, in 2007 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) banned the placing on the market of products labeled as superfoods if they do not have a health claim supported by clinical trials. Due to the fact that it is a relatively new concept, caution is recommended when choosing foods labelled as “superfoods”, as well as their reasonable consumption in moderate amounts

Diagnostyka i leczenie powikłań otyłości

Obesity is a problem affecting a growing number of people. This is not only aesthetic but also clinical problem, causing a number of diseases and disorders. P ar ticular attention should be paid to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia , hyper tension, non-alcoholic steatohepatic disease and impaired fertility. It seems important to recognize these diseases early and to include appropriate treatment, which in addition to pharmacotherapy should also include lifestyle changes, including modification of eating habits and increase of physical activity.Otyłość dotyka coraz większej liczby osób. Jest to problem nie tylko estetyczny, ale również kliniczny, powodujący wiele chorób i zaburzeń. Szczególną uwagę należy zwrócić na insulinooporność i cukrzycę typu 2, dyslipidemie, nadciśnienie tętnicze, niealkoholową stłuszczeniową chorobę wątroby oraz zaburzenia płodności. Istotne wydaje się wczesne rozpoznanie wspomnianych chorób i włączenie odpowiedniego leczenia, które oprócz farmakoterapii powinno obejmować również zmianę stylu życia, w tym modyfikację nawyków żywieniowych oraz zwiększenie aktywności fizycznej

Accumulation of Advanced Glycation End-Products in the Body and Dietary Habits

The formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) in tissues is a physiological process; however, excessive production and storage are pathological and lead to inflammation. A sedentary lifestyle, hypercaloric and high-fructose diet and increased intake of processed food elements contribute to excessive production of compounds, which are created in the non-enzymatic multi-stage glycation process. The AGE’s sources can be endogenous and exogenous, mainly due to processing food at high temperatures and low moisture, including grilling, roasting, and frying. Accumulation of AGE increases oxidative stress and initiates various disorders, leading to the progression of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and their complications. Inborn defensive mechanisms, recovery systems, and exogenous antioxidants (including polyphenols) protect from excessive AGE accumulation. Additionally, numerous products have anti-glycation properties, occurring mainly in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It confirms the role of diet in the prevention of civilization diseases

Milk and Dairy Products: Good or Bad for Human Bone? Practical Dietary Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects women twice as often as men. Additionally, it is estimated that 0.3 million and 1.7 million people have hip fractures in the USA and Europe, respectively. Having a proper peak bone mass and keeping it as long as possible is especially important for osteoporosis prevention. One of the most important calcium sources is milk and dairy products. Breast milk is the best infant food, but milk should not be avoided later in life to prevent losing bone mass. On the other hand, more and more people limit their milk consumption and consume other dairy or non-dairy products. For example, they are usually replaced with plant beverages, which should be consumed carefully in several age groups. Additionally, an important element of milk and dairy products, as well as plant beverages, are probiotics and prebiotics, which may modulate bone turnover. Dietary recommendations focused on milk, and dairy products are an important element for the prevention of osteoporosis

A Vicious Cycle of Osteosarcopenia in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases—Aetiology, Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Perspectives

Sarcopenia is a disorder characterized by a loss of muscle mass which leads to the reduction of muscle strength and a decrease in the quality and quantity of muscle. It was previously thought that sarcopenia was specific to ageing. However, sarcopenia may affect patients suffering from chronic diseases throughout their entire lives. A decreased mass of muscle and bone is common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since sarcopenia and osteoporosis are closely linked, they should be diagnosed as mutual consequences of IBD. Additionally, multidirectional treatment of sarcopenia and osteoporosis including nutrition, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy should include both disorders, referred to as osteosarcopenia

A Vicious Cycle of Osteosarcopenia in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases—Aetiology, Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Perspectives

Sarcopenia is a disorder characterized by a loss of muscle mass which leads to the reduction of muscle strength and a decrease in the quality and quantity of muscle. It was previously thought that sarcopenia was specific to ageing. However, sarcopenia may affect patients suffering from chronic diseases throughout their entire lives. A decreased mass of muscle and bone is common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since sarcopenia and osteoporosis are closely linked, they should be diagnosed as mutual consequences of IBD. Additionally, multidirectional treatment of sarcopenia and osteoporosis including nutrition, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy should include both disorders, referred to as osteosarcopenia

Does Folic Acid Protect Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease from Complications?

Folic acid, referred to as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble substance, which participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins. Similarly to B12 and B6, vitamin B9 is involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, which is associated with the MTHFR gene. The human body is not able to synthesize folic acid; thus, it must be supplemented with diet. The most common consequence of folic acid deficiency is anemia; however, some studies have also demonstrated the correlation between low bone mineral density, hyperhomocysteinemia, and folic acid deficiency. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently suffer from malabsorption and avoid certain products, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, which constitute the main sources of vitamin B9. Additionally, the use of sulfasalazine by patients may result in folic acid deficiency. Therefore, IBD patients present a higher risk of folic acid deficiency and require particular supervision with regard to anemia and osteoporosis prevention, which are common consequences of IBD

Does Gut-Microbiome Interaction Protect against Obesity and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders?

More research has recently focused on the role of the gut microbiota in the development or course of numerous diseases, including non-communicable diseases. As obesity remains prevalent, the question arises as to what microbial changes are associated with increased obesity prevalence and what kind of prevention and treatment approaches it could provide. Moreover, the influence of the gut-brain axis on obesity is also crucial, since it can affect metabolism and food intake. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota composition are called dysbiosis; however, in view of the current knowledge, it is difficult to conclude which microbial imbalances are adverse or beneficial. Increased numbers of pathological microorganisms were observed among patients with obesity and comorbidities associated with it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. Our review provides current knowledge regarding changes in the intestinal microbiota associated with obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities. Nevertheless, given that dietary patterns and nutrients are two of the factors affecting the intestinal microbiota, we also discuss the role of different dietary approaches, vitamins, and minerals in the shaping of the intestinal microbiota