The association between dietary phytochemical index with depression and quality of life in iranian adolescent girls

Background: There is increasing evidence that the dietary intake of phytochemicals is inversely associated with severity of depression and positively associated with quality of life (QoL). The present study investigated the relationship between dietary phytochemical index (DPI) with depression and QoL scores in Iranian adolescent girls. Methods: A total of 733 adolescent girls from Mashhad and Sabzevar cities in northeastern Iran were entered into this cross-sectional study. Assessment of depression and QoL was performed utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and SF-12v2 questionnaire, respectively. Assessment of dietary intake was undertaken by a qualified dietitian, using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) containing 168 food items. To explore the association between DPI with QoL and depression, logistic regression was used in crude and adjusted models. Results: The participants in the fourth quartile of DPI compared with the first quartile had a 50% lower odds of depression (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.30-0.84, P = 0.009) This relation remained significant in all adjusted models. The adolescents in highest quartile of DPI compared with the first quartile had 38% lower odds of poor QoL (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.94, P = 0.02). This association remained significant in adjusted models I and II, but not after adjusting for all confounding variables (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.43-1.02, P = 0.06) (Model III). Conclusions: DPI was inversely associated with risk of depression. The association between DPI score and QoL remained unclear. Further prospective and interventional studies are required

Serum high sensitive C reactive protein is associated with dietary intakes in diabetic patients with and without hypertension: a cross-sectional study

Background: Serum C reactive protein (CRP) concentrations independently predict the development of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of dietary factors on serum CRP concentrations in diabetic patients has received limited attention. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary factors and serum CRP, measured using a high sensitivity (hs-)assay, among diabetic patients with and without hypertension and healthy subjects. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, diabetics with (n=325) and without hypertension (n=599) and healthy individuals (n=1220) were recruited in Mashhad, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hour recall. Biochemical parameters including serum hs-CRP were measured using standard protocols. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to predict whether serum hs-CRP concentration was associated with dietary constituents. Results: hs-CRP was significantly higher among hypertensive and non-hypertensive diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001). The dietary intake of zinc +6.4% and calcium -3.4%, and BMI +3.9% explained approximately 13.7% of the variation in serum hs-CRP among diabetic hypertensive patients. Approximately, 9.7% of the variation in serum hs-CRP in diabetic non-hypertensive patients could be explained by BMI, and intake of sodium, iron and cholesterol. In the healthy subjects approximately 4.4% of the total variation in serum hs-CRP concentration could be explained by cholesterol consumption and waist circumference. Conclusion: Serum hs-CRP concentrations were found to be a significant predictor for hypertensive and non-hypertensive diabetic subjects. There was a significant association between dietary factors include zinc, iron, sodium and cholesterol and serum hs-CRP whilst there was an inverse association between dietary calcium and serum hs-CRP in diabetic hypertensive individuals

Common polymorphisms in genes related to vitamin D metabolism affect the response of cognitive abilities to vitamin D supplementation

It is possible that vitamin D acts as a neurosteroid and that vitamin D deficiency may have an adverse impact on brain function and cognitive function. There are a few reports that have demonstrated an association between polymorphisms of genes involved in vitamin D metabolism and neurodegenerative disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between common, functional vitamin D–associated gene variants and cognitive abilities and to investigate the effect size of this polymorphism on cognitive capabilities associated with high-dose vitamin D supplementation. A total of 319 healthy adolescents received a high dose of vitamin D (50,000 IU)/week for 9 weeks. A questionnaire was used to assess cognitive abilities at baseline and after treatment. The genotypes of the CYP2R1-rs10766197 and GC-rs4588 variants were determined using TaqMan genotyping techniques. At baseline, total cognitive ability scores were higher in the AA group who were homozygous for the uncommon allele, compared with the other (AG and GG) genotypes of the CYP2R1-rs10766197 polymorphism (104.9 ± 27.8 vs. 79.1 ± 38.8 vs. 73.1 ± 25.6; p < 0.001, respectively). During the supplementation period, cognitive ability scores increased in individuals with the AG and GG genotypes, while individuals with a AA genotype did not show significant change in total score after intervention (p = 0.17). For GC SNP (rs4588), no major differences at baseline and trial-net change of cognitive tasks score were observed between the genotypes under three genetic models (pSNP = 0.67). Vitamin D supplements have trait-dependent effects on cognitive performance that suggests a causal role for vitamin D in cognitive performance. The rs10766197 variant, near the CYP2R1 gene locus, significantly modified the efficacy of high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation for its effects on improving cognitive abilities indicate that some subjects might require a higher dose to benefit from in terms of cognitive performance

Association between dietary behaviors and depression in adolescent girls

Background: The growing prevalence of depression has become a major public health problem. There is limited evidence regarding the relationship between dietary behaviors and depression. The present study was designed to evaluate the association between dietary behaviors and depression score. Methods: A total of 933 Iranian adolescent girls aged 12 to 18 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Depression severity score was assessed using a validated Persian version of Beck’s depression inventory. Dietary behaviors were pre-defined and assessed in ten domains using a standard questionnaire. To investigate the association between dietary behaviors and depression score, the linear regression analysis in crude and adjusted models was used. Results: 67.7% of participants had no or minimal depression symptoms and 32.3% of participants were categorized with mild-to-severe depression symptoms. There were significant inverse relationships between main meal consumption (Beta: -0.141; 95% CI: − 3.644 to − 1.000; P = 0.001), snack consumption (Beta: -0.100; 95% CI: − 2.400 to − 0.317; P = 0.002), regular meal consumption (Beta: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.13–0.42; P = 0.001) and food chewing (Beta: -0.152; 95% CI: − 2.279 to − 0.753; P = 0.03) with depression score. These associations remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables. In addition, frequency of intra-meal fluid intake (Beta: 0.096; 95% CI: 0.288 to 1.535; P = 0.004) and spicy foods consumption (Beta: 0.076; 95% CI: 0.098 to 1.508; P = 0.02) were directly associated with depression score in the crude model. These significant relations were disappeared in full adjusted model. No significant association was found between breakfast consumption, intake of fried foods, chewing ability, and tooth loss with depression score (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Significant associations were observed between specific eating behaviors with depression score. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings

High-dose vitamin D supplementation is associated with an improvement in several cardio-metabolic risk factors in adolescent girls: a nine-week follow up study

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent and important global health problem. Because of its role in growth and development, vitamin D status is likely to be particularly important in adolescent girls. Here we explored the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: We have examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardio-metabolic risk factors in 988 healthy adolescent girls in Iran. Fasting blood samples and anthropometric measurements were obtained at baseline and after supplementation with high dose vitamin D. All individuals took a capsule of 50000 IU vitamin D/ week for nine weeks. The study was completed by 940 participants. Results: the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 90% at baseline, reducing to16.3% after vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin supplementation was associated with a significant increase in serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D and calcium. There were significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, waist circumference, and serum fasting blood glucose, total- and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol after the nine-week period on vitamin D treatment, but no significant effects were observed on body mass index, systolic blood pressure, or serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride. Conclusion: vitamin D supplementation had beneficial effects on cardio-metabolic profile in adolescent girls

A variant in CYP2R1 predicts circulating vitamin D levels after supplementation with high-dose of vitamin D in healthy adolescent girls

Aim The determinants of serum vitamin D seems to be the environmental factors (dietary and supplementary intake and exposure to ultraviolet light) and genetic factors. We aimed to study the relationship between a vitamin D‐associated genetic polymorphism and serum 25(OH)D concentrations in healthy adolescent girls in Iran, and its effects on a high‐dose supplement of vitamin D. Material and method A total of 616 healthy adolescent girls with mean age 15 received 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly over 9 weeks. Serum vitamin D levels and other metabolic factors were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The genotyping of the CYP2R1 variant (rs10741657) was performed by TaqMan genotyping assays. Results Regardless of the genetic background, at baseline, 87% of adolescent girls were vitamin D deficient (serum 25(OH)D level < 50 nmol/l). High‐dose supplementation with VitD reduced the proportion of girls who were deficient substantially to about 24%. The genetic analysis revealed that although at baseline there was not a gene‐vitamin D association ( p trend = 0.1), the response to supplementation appeared to be modulated by this variant ( p trend < 0.001). However, other anthropometric and biochemical measures were not affected by this intervention, over this short period. Serum 25(OH)D was increased in all participants although the carriers of the minor A allele seemed to be better responders so that the percentages of the change serum vitamin D in the holder of AA and AG genotypes were 539.4 ± 443.1 and 443.7 ± 384.6, respectively, compared with those with common GG genotype (363.3 ± 354.0). Our regression analysis revealed that the probability of an increase in serum 25(OH)D in a participant with AA genotype was 2.5‐fold greater than those with a GG genotype (OR = 2.5 (1.4–4.4); p value = 0.002). Conclusion Based on our findings, it appears that the rs10741657 variant of the CYP2R1 gene modulates the response to high‐dose of vitamin D supplementation

Associations of vitamin D binding protein variants with the vitamin D-induced increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem that may be improved by vitamin D supplementation; however, the individual's response to the intervention varies. We aimed to investigate possible genetic factors that may modify the impact of environmental exposure on vitamin D status. The candidate gene variant we investigated was the Gc gene-rs4588 polymorphism at the vitamin D receptor (DBP) locus. Methods: A total of 619 healthy adolescent Iranian girls received 50000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly for 9 weeks. Serum 25(OH) D concentrations, metabolic profiles and dietary intake were measured at baseline and after 9 weeks of supplementation. The genotypes of the DBP variant (rs4588) were analyzed using the TaqMan genotyping assay. Results: Our results revealed that the rs4588 polymorphism might be associated with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D both at baseline (p value=0.03) and after intervention (p value=0.008). It seemed that the outcome of the intervention was gene-related so that the subjects with common AA genotype were a better responder to vitamin D supplementation (Changes (%) 469.5(427.1) in AA carriers vs. 335.8(530) in GG holders), and carriers of the less common GG genotype experienced a rise in blood glucose after 9 weeks (Changes (%) 0 (1.5)). Our findings also showed that the statistical interaction between this variant and supplementation was statistically significant (intervention effect p-value<0.001 and p-value SNP effect=0.03). The regression model also revealed that after adjusted for potential confounders, likelihood of affecting serum 25(OH)D in individuals who were homozygous for the uncommon allele G was less than those homozygous for the more common AA genotype (OR=4.407 (1.82-8.89); p=0.001). Conclusion: Serum vitamin 25(OH) D following vitamin 25(OH) D3 supplementation appears to be modified by genetic background. The Gc genetic variant, rs4588 encoding the vitamin D receptor seems to influence the response to vitamin D supplementation. Key words: Total 25(OH) D, Supplementation, Gc gene, rs4588

Effects of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors: A narrative review

Ramadan is considered as holy month of Muslims worldwide. During this month, most able-bodied Muslim adults refrain from foods, drinks, smoking, and medications from dawn until sunset. In Islamic rules, patients and those for whom fasting may have major health risks are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. There is still no consensus regarding the effects of Ramadan fasting, as a unique opportunity for lifestyle modifications, on cardiovascular risk factors in the Muslim population. The aim of this scientific literature review was to gather comprehensive results with regard to the effects of Ramadan fasting on major cardiovascular risk factors. This literature review focused on the effects of Ramadan fasting on four main factors, including body weight, blood glucose level, blood pressure, and plasma lipoproteins. According to the results, fasting during Ramadan is a good opportunity for patients and healthy subjects for control and prevent from diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and perhaps body fat mass as major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, however diabetic patients need to know about physical recommendations for fasting during. However, limitations of the conducted studies should be considered in specific populations while interpreting the results

Dietary intake of Zinc, serum levels of Zinc and risk of gastric cancer: A review of studies

Gastric cancer (GC) is considered as most fourth common cancer in the world. Findings from animal, experimental and epidemiologic studies indicate that diet plays an important role in the etiology of stomach cancer. Among dietary factors, Zinc status has received great attention in recent years. The purpose of the present study was to review the association of serum levels of Zinc, dietary intake of Zinc and GC risk. A complete search was performed about the association of Zinc status and risk of GC was in databases electronic through such as ISI web of science, PubMed, Scopus, IrMedx and SID. Our results of current review suggest that dietary intake of Zinc and serum levels of Zinc are lower in GC patient. In other word, high serum levels of Zinc may be protective in GC risk. However, it seems further studies in particular epidemiological studies with large scale setting are required to reach a definite conclusion

The association between lifelines diet score (LLDS) with depression and quality of life in Iranian adolescent girls

Abstract Background It has been proposed that a greater degree of adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of depression and a poor quality of life (QoL). The Lifelines diet score (LLDS) is a new, evidence-base scoring system to define the quality of diet. We designed a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between LLDS with depression and QoL in Iranian adolescent girls. Methods A total of 733 female adolescents were recruited from Mashhad and Sabzevar cities, Iran. Depression and QoL were assessed utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and SF-12v2 questionnaires, respectively. The LLDS was defined by dividing intakes of 12 food groups with negative or positive health effects into quintiles ranging 12 to 60 points. To explore the association between LLDS with QoL and depression, logistic regression was used in crude and adjusted models. Results The prevalence of depression and poor QoL was 24% and 49%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, adolescent girls in the highest quartile of LLDS compared with the participants in the lowest quartile had a 42% lower probability of reporting depressive symptoms (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35–0.97, P = 0.03). In addition, the participants in the highest quartile of LLDS had lower odds of poor QoL compared with the subjects in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42–0.92, P = 0.04). Conclusions There is an inverse relationship between LLDS with risk of depression and poor QoL. Prospective and interventional investigations are needed to reach a clear vision