Nitrate containing vegetables and dietary nitrate and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a case control study

Abstract Background Vegetables is the main sources of dietary nitrate. Studies suggested the potential link between nitrate content of vegetables and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. We aimed to assess the association between nitrate-containing vegetables (NCVs) with odds of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) in Iranian adults. Method This case-control study was performed on a total of 225 newly diagnosed NAFLD cases and 450 controls aged 20–60 years. Individuals’ dietary intakes were determined using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Results The mean ± SD age and BMI of participants were 38.1 ± 8.8 years and 26.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, the odds of NAFLD were decreased across tertiles of total NCVs [(adjusted OR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.10–0.40), (Ptrend <  0.001)] and low-nitrate vegetables [(adjusted OR: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.11–0.48), (Ptrend <  0.001)]. Our results showed that each one SD increments in nitrate content of vegetables (adjusted OR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.55–0.97) and nitrate content of fruits (adjusted OR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.36–0.97) was associated with reduced odds of NAFLD (P <  0.05). However, there was a positive association between each one SD increments in nitrate content of dairy products and meats and processed meats with odds of NAFLD (adjusted OR: 1.34, 95%CI: 1.03–1.74), (P <  0.05). Conclusion Our finding suggested that a higher intake of vegetable nitrate may be related to a decrease the odds of NAFLD

Effects of the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial

Background and aimsDietary regimens are crucial in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The effects of intermittent fasting (IF) have gained attention in this regard, but further research is warranted. Thus, we aimed to ascertain the overall effects of the 5:2 IF diet (5 days a week of normal food intake and 2 consecutive fasting days) in patients with NAFLD compared to a control group (usual diet).Methods and resultsA 12-week randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effects of the 5:2 IF diet on anthropometric indices, body composition, liver indices, serum lipids, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory markers in patients with NAFLD. The IF group (n = 21) decreased body weight (86.65 ± 12.57–82.94 ± 11.60 kg), body mass index (30.42 ± 2.27–29.13 ± 1.95 kg/m2), waist circumference (103.52 ± 6.42–100.52 ± 5.64 cm), fat mass (26.64 ± 5.43–23.85 ± 5.85 kg), fibrosis (6.97 ± 1.94–5.58 ± 1.07 kPa), steatosis scores/CAP (313.09 ± 25.45–289.95 ± 22.36 dB/m), alanine aminotransferase (41.42 ± 20.98–28.38 ± 15.21 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (34.19 ± 10.88–25.95 ± 7.26 U/L), triglycerides (171.23 ± 39.88–128.04 ± 34.88 mg/dl), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.95 ± 0.62 −2.40 ± 0.64 mg/L), and cytokeratin-18 (1.32 ± 0.06–1.19 ± 0.05 ng/ml) values compared to the baseline and the end of the control group (n = 23)—p ≤ 0.05 were considered as significant. However, the intervention did not change the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, insulin, HOMA-IR, and total antioxidant capacity.ConclusionAdhering to the 5:2 IF diet can reduce weight loss and related parameters (fat mass and anthropometric indicators of obesity), as well as hepatic steatosis, liver enzymes, triglycerides, and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with NAFLD

The effect of spirulina on type 2 diabetes:a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of spirulina on lipid profiles and glycemic related markers in type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to August 2020. All clinical trials which investigated the effect of spirulina supplementation on glycemic related markers and lipid profile among type 2 diabetes patients were included. Random effects modeling was utilized for pooling analysis to compensate for the between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Eight studies (9 arms) were included in the meta-analysis. We found a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (−17.88 mg/dl; 95% CI: −26.99, −8.78; I(2): 25%), triglyceride (−30.99 mg/dl; 95% CI: −45.20, −16.77; I(2): 50%), total-cholesterol (−18.47 mg/dl; 95% CI: −33.54, −3.39; I(2): 73%), LDL-C (−20.04 mg/dl; 95% CI: −34.06, −6.02; I(2): 75%), VLDL (−6.96 mg/dl; 95% CI: −9.71, −4.22; I(2): 33%), in addition to a significant increase in HDL-C (−6.96 mg/dl; 95% CI: −9.71, −4.22; I(2): 33%), after spirulina administration. No significant effect was observed on HbA1C or post prandial blood sugar following spirulina consumption. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that spirulina supplementation can elicit beneficial effects on fasting blood glucose and blood lipid profiles. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00760-z

Does propolis have any effect on rheumatoid arthritis? A review study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in its pathophysiology. Complementary therapies along with medications may be effective in the control of RA. Propolis is a natural substance extracted from beehives, which have confirmed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to review the possible effects of propolis on inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid profile in patients with RA. English articles in online databases such as PubMed‑Medline, AMED, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Pieces of evidence show that supplementation with propolis may have therapeutic effects on RA patients. Due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the affected joints of RA patients, propolis could inhibit the inflammatory cascades by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B pathway and reducing reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and interleukin-17 by increasing some antioxidants. Therefore, inflammation and pain reduce, helping improve and control RA in patients. Further investigations are required with larger sample sizes and different doses of propolis to demonstrate the definite effects of propolis on various aspects of RA

The influence of fasting and energy-restricted diets on leptin and adiponectin levels in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background &amp; aims: Fasting and energy-restricted diets have been evaluated in several studies as a means of improving cardiometabolic biomarkers related to body fat loss. However, further investigation is required to understand potential alterations of leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimate of the influence of fasting and energy-restricted diets on leptin and adiponectin levels in humans, as well as to detect potential sources of heterogeneity in the available literature. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, SCOPUS and Embase from inception until June 2019. All clinical trials investigating the effects of fasting and energy-restricted diets on leptin and adiponectin in adults were included. Results: Twelve studies containing 17 arms and a total of 495 individuals (intervention = 249, control = 246) reported changes in serum leptin concentrations, and 10 studies containing 12 arms with a total of 438 individuals (intervention = 222, control = 216) reported changes in serum adiponectin concentrations. The combined effect sizes suggested a significant effect of fasting and energy-restricted diets on leptin concentrations (WMD: ?3.690 ng/ml, 95% CI: ?5.190, ?2.190, p ? 0.001; I2 = 84.9%). However, no significant effect of fasting and energy-restricted diets on adiponectin concentrations was found (WMD: ?159.520 ng/ml, 95% CI: ?689.491, 370.451, p = 0.555; I2 = 74.2%). Stratified analyses showed that energy-restricted regimens significantly increased adiponectin (WMD: 554.129 ng/ml, 95% CI: 150.295, 957.964; I2 = 0.0%). In addition, subsequent subgroup analyses revealed that energy restriction, to ?50% normal required daily energy intake, resulted in significantly reduced concentrations of leptin (WMD: ?4.199 ng/ml, 95% CI: ?7.279, ?1.118; I2 = 83.9%) and significantly increased concentrations of adiponectin (WMD: 524.04 ng/ml, 95% CI: 115.618, 932.469: I2 = 0.0%). Conclusion: Fasting and energy-restricted diets elicit significant reductions in serum leptin concentrations. Increases in adiponectin may also be observed when energy intake is ?50% of normal requirements, although limited data preclude definitive conclusions on this point. 2020 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and MetabolismThis work was supported financially by the National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran (Grant Number: 1000328 ).Scopu