ehsan hejazi

Due to the lack of definite therapy and prevention protocols for Covid-19, nutrition and exercise are considered preventative measures in dealing with the epidemic. Healthy diets, dietary supplements and exercises boost the immune system. These factors can be effective in improving functions of the immune system. The current study investigated immune-enhancing characteristics of exercises, dietary supplements (proteins, vitamins, minerals, oils, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), probiotics, ginseng, antioxidants and Chlorella vulgaris) and food additives (titanium dioxide, sodium nitrite, monosodium glutamate, tartrazine, sweeteners and emulsifiers). The current study investigated functions of dietary supplements and exercises in strengthening the immune system, as well as assessing roles of food additives in illness prevention, particularly Covid-19, when combined with a balanced nutrition strategy. Light exercises, healthy lifestyles and nutritional supplements have been shown to boost the immune system.

Recently, it has been suggested that people’s chronotype is involved in regulating food intake and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association between chronotypes with hormones related to appetite in adults in Tehran.

This cross -sectional study was conducted on 353 men and women aged 18 -60 years using convenience sampling in Tehran municipality community centers. Information on morningness -eveningness choronotype and physical activity (PA) level were collected by validated questionnaires. The data for anthropometric measurements and 3 -day food recalls were also collected. ELISA method was used to assess Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin serum level.

The prevalence of eveningness, intermediate, and morningness chronotypes was 11%, 47.6%, and 41.4%, respectively. The participants with eveningness type were significantly younger (P = 0.001). The percentage of men with eveningness type was significantly higher than women ( P = 0.001). The mean values of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, total calorie intake, protein, carbohydrate, fat, and calorie intake from each of the main meals and snacks, were not different among three chronotypes. Leptin and NPY did not show any significant association with chronotypes.

Individual’s chronotype was not associated with NPY and leptin serum level. Further studies on a population with more varied work shifts are suggested.

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Aflatoxins (AFs) including B1, B2, G1 and G2 in commercial cereal-based baby foods by HPLC-FLD method in Iran and related risk assessment in three baby age groups (6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 months) using Monte Carlo simulation approach. Results showed an occurrence ranging from 20% to 60% for B1, B2, and G2 aflatoxins, while AFG1 was not detected in any assessed samples. Exposure and risk assessment was estimated to be two groups (aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins). The highest estimated dietary exposure to both AFB1 and total AFs was estimated for 6-12 months aged babies, representing 5.81 ng/kg BW/day and 8.55 ng/kg BW/day, respectively. Overall, the margin of exposures to AFB1 and total AFs were lower than 10,000 in all age groups, indicating a health concern about AFB1 and total AFs exposure through cereal-based baby food consumption. High cancer risk for high consumers (P95) of baby food was also estimated in all age groups, calling for immediate intervention due to serious claims that AFB1, is a highly carcinogenic component, causes hepatocellular carcinoma. Risk ranking results indicated the presence of AFB1 is classified as high risk for babies who consume cereal-based foods, which demands the attention of risk managers to reduce or eliminate this risk for the most vulnerable sector of society, whose aged <24 months.