The role of supplementation in the regulation of structural and functional central nervous system disorders among patients with Down syndrome

Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability in humans, which results from the presence of an extra chromosome 21. Significant progress has been made over the past years in expanding knowledge on molecular, structural and functional abnormalities in patients with Down syndrome. The obtained findings encouraged many scientists to attempt to use bioactive substances in in vivo and in vitro settings to inhibit central nervous system disorders. The use of supplements in the form of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) contributes to improved mitochondrial function in neurons, reduced DYRK1A overexpression and limited overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Certain doses of resveratrol improve mitochondrial function, increase hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation and, similarly to curcumin and pomegranate juice, inhibit premature ageing and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, it was observed that the use of choline supplements during pregnancy in healthy and trisomic experimental animals contributed to the stimulation of hippocampal neurogenesis, improved concentration, mood and cognitive functions in the offspring

Importance of glycemic index values of gluten-free products in the treatment of celiac disease and diabetes type 1

Celiakia i cukrzyca typu 1 to schorzenia obecnie nieuleczalne. Zanik objawów obu chorób jest uzyskiwany tylko dzięki ścisłemu przestrzeganiu zasad terapii. Cukrzyca typu 1 często występuje jako schorzenie współistniejące z celiakią i wtedy zachodzi konieczność jednoczesnej terapii obu schorzeń. Dieta bezglutenowa, która w celiakii jest terapią z wyboru, musi być w tej sytuacji dopasowana również do wymagań leczenia cukrzycy typu 1. Powinna być jak najbardziej zbliżona do diety podstawowej i odpowiednio zbilansowana pod względem zawartości wszystkich składników odżywczych. Wyniki badań nad wpływem diety bezglutenowej na wskaźniki stanu odżywienia i kontrolę metaboliczną pacjentów z celiakią lub współistniejącą cukrzycą typu 1 w większości przypadków wskazują na korzyści wynikające ze spożywania produktów o niskim indeksie glikemicznym (IG). Dlatego w celiakii i cukrzycy typu 1 zaleca się spożywanie produktów naturalnie bezglutenowych, pełnoziarnistych, grubych kasz gryczanej, amarantusowej, quinoa oraz ryżu basmati lub parboiled, a także nasion roślin strączkowych. Przetworzone produkty bezglutenowe, produkowane z rafinowanej mąki ryżowej i kukurydzianej, są znacznie uboższe w białko, błonnik, witaminy i składniki mineralne, a wartości ich IG są wysokie.Celiac disease and insulin dependent diabetes are both incurable diseases at the moment. The maintaining of health and avoiding of complications is possible only by strict adherences to therapy rules in both cases. Type 1 diabetes occurs frequently as a disease coexisting with celiac disease, and then there is a need of simultaneous treatment of both diseases. Gluten-free diet, which is the only therapy in celiac disease, must be in such situation well suited to the requirements of insulin-dependent diabetes therapy. It should be as similar as possible to the basic diet and properly balanced for all nutrients. The results of the impact of gluten-free diet on indicators of nutritional status and metabolic control of patients with celiac disease only, or both disorders, in the majority show the benefits of eating low-GI products. Therefore, the consumption of naturally glutenfree whole grains products: buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa and basmati rice or parboiled rice, and legumes is recommended. Gluten-free products, produced on the basis of refined rice flour and corn, are much lower in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and the value of their glycemic index is high

Dietary Intake of Antioxidant Vitamins in Diets of Amateur Adults Preparing For a Marathon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of antioxidant vitamins in the diet of amateurs preparing for a marathon. The study group consisted of 92 women (30.8 ±6.7 years old) and 66 men (33.2 ±6.6 years old). Assessment of the content of antioxidant vitamins in the diet of the subjects was made on the basis of the 3-day dietary records. The average content of vitamin A in the diets of women surveyed was 1,296.8 mg/day and 1,499.7 mg/day in the diets of men. The vitamin A content of less than 90% of the norm was observed in the diets of 2.2% women and 9.1% men. The average content of vitamin C in the diet amounted to 130.6 (women) and 111.4 (men) mg/day. Significantly more men than women (30% vs 13%) did not fulfill the norm for vitamin C. The average vitamin E content was higher in the diets of men than in women (15.2 vs 13.0 mg/day; p < 0.0001). The vitamin E content was insufficient compared to norms in the diets of 10% of women and 12% of men. The average content of vitamins A, C and E in the diet of the subjects significantly exceeded the recommendations. The largest proportion of diets, not meeting the stated norms for vitamin C were in the group of men

Dietary Intake of Minerals in Diets of Adults Preparing for Marathon

The aim of the study was to evaluate the mineral content in the diets of amateurs preparing for a marathon. The examined group consisted of 92 women (W), whose average age was 30.8 ±6.7 years and 66 men (M), whose average age was 33.2 ±6.6 years. The evaluation of the mineral content of the diets of the surveyed people was done using three-day dietary records which included one day of the weekend. The average daily sodium content in the diets of women was 1,952.2 ±729.2 mg, and in the diets of men it was 3,093.1 ±1,063.3 mg whereas potassium content was 3,361.6 ±798.5 mg and 3,900.3 ±982.3 mg respectively. The potassium content of less than 90% of fulfilling the norm was observed in the diets of 84.8% of women and 66.7% of men. The average content of calcium in the diets of women and men amounted to 887.5 ±278.8 mg and 1,162.6 ± 434.3 mg/day respectively. The diets of 30.4% of women and 16.7% of men had insufficient calcium content as compared to the norms. The average daily phosphorus and magnesium content was significantly higher in men than in women (1,374.6 ±348.6 vs 1,823.5 ±473.0 mg and 373.4 ±107.1 vs 423.6 ±108.8 mg). Magnesium intake was insufficient in the diets of 14.1% of women and 28.8% of men. The average daily content of iron, zinc and copper in the group of women was: 12.1 mg, 10.1 mg and 1.4 mg, while in the diets of men respectively 14.8 mg, 13.5 mg and 1.5 mg. The highest percentage of diets not fulfilling the norm was found for calcium and potassium in women, and potassium and magnesium for men

Epicardial, paracardial, and perivascular fat quantity, gene expressions, and serum cytokines in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes

INTRODUCTION Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common disorders that increase cardiovascular risk and lead to coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to assess the link between epicardial fat (EF) volume and paracardial fat (PF) volume, relative expressions of several genes in epicardial, paracardial, and perivascular fat and corresponding serum cytokines in patients with CAD in relation to DM. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 66 consecutive patients (33 with DM) with multivessel CAD were included. We obtained cardiac magnetic resonance, serum cytokines levels, and their relative mRNA expressions in EF, PF, and perivascular fat samples of the following: adrenomedullin (ADM), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), thrombospondin 1 (THSB1), and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). RESULTS There were no differences in the anthropometric parameters or fat depots, except for higher epicardial fat volume in patients with DM (mean [SD], 105.6 [38.5] ml vs 84 [29.2] ml; P = 0.02). Patients with DM exhibited a significantly increased RAGE expression in EF (median [Q1–Q3], 0.17 [0.06–1.48] AU vs 0.08 [0.02–0.24] AU, P = 0.03). Diabetes was also associated with increased expression of ADM in EF and PF and decreased expression of FGF21 compared with patients without DM. CONCLUSIONS Patients with multivessel CAD and DM revealed increased volume and more dysfunctional profile of gene expressions in EF and significantly decreased expression of cardioprotective FGF21

Evaluation of Supplement Use in Sport Climbers at Different Climbing Levels

The lack of specific recommendations on the use of supplements for sport climbers may be the reason for their misuse by athletes of this discipline. This study aimed to evaluate choices of dietary supplementation, the reasons for taking them, and the source of information on supplementation among sport climbers at different levels. In addition, how climbers subjectively evaluated the impact of their diets in supporting selected aspects of climbing training was evaluated. We enrolled 110 regular sport climbers (40 women and 70 men) from Wroclaw, Poland, who completed a validated questionnaire, assessing their use of dietary supplements, attitudes towards the influence of diet on sports performance, and climbing level. Their anthropometric measurements were also collected. Participants regarded diet as an important element of sports performance. Sport climbers indicated the Internet to be the main source of information on supplements. Health maintenance and improvement of recovery were the most frequently chosen reasons for taking dietary supplements. The most common supplements were isolated protein, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, and amino acid blends. However, participants rarely used supplements suggested as beneficial for sport climbing performance. Therefore, developing recommendations for supplementation in sport climbing and promoting this should be an elementary part of the preparation for climbing training

Dietary interventions in the treatment of metabolic syndrome as a cardiovascular disease risk-inducing factor. A review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a concept which refers to a simultaneous occurrence of clinically significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes as well as their vascular complications. The metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder, therefore its treatment should be multifactorial and intensive. MetS occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Each of MetS components is a well-known risk factor of atherosclerosis. Such modifications to the lifestyle as increasing physical activity, introducing a well-balanced diet and reducing the body mass are associated with reduced occurrence of MetS and its individual components. It is necessary to implement proper dietary processes, a physical training program and pharmacological treatment. The treatment of MetS should begin with weight loss, which affects the occurrence of abdominal obesity, as well as increased physical activity, leading to an increased tissue sensitivity to insulin. It is recommended to introduce a low-energy, individually balanced diet that will lead to a 7-10% weight loss over the course of 6-12 months. Patients are also advised to quit smoking and limit the consumption of salt and alcohol