farkhondeh razmpour

Moringa (Moringa spp.) is a native shrub with a high nutritional value found in the mountains and hills of southeastern regions in Iran, extending from Hormozgan, Bashagard, to the border of Pakistan. This valuable plant has not been properly known and identified.

The study followed a field fashion using checklists, observation along with participation, and interviews, as well as articles and books. Data were collected, in the regions of Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchistan through in-person questions, research, and contact with the study population and elderly individuals, in the fall and winter of 2019. 40 checklists were collected from people living in the study areas. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, Mean and standard deviation were used to describe continuous variables and categorical variables were reported with number and percentage.

The age mean of the participants was 47.82 ± 14.91 years ranging from 23 to 80 years. In both regions, Moringa was used mostly as food (81%), and oil as a massaging alternative (19%). A total of 90.5% used the plant as a seasoning and food additive, oil, tea, and 9.5% used it as ointment and poultice to heal wounds. 85% dried consumption while 15% of the locals used it freshly.

The local uses of moringa plant were mostly as a seasoning and food additive, oil and tea. In less cases, it was used as ointment and poultice to heal wounds.

Although some studies have reported that flavonoids can be associated with anti-obesity effects, the putative effects of hesperidin, as a subgroup of flavonoids, on anthropometric parameters are inconclusive. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effect of hesperidin supplementation on anthropometric measures in adults.

A comprehensive literature search was performed until February 2022 in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The pooled results were obtained by a random-effects model.

A total of nine RCTs enrolling 493 participants were identified. Seven studies had illustrated the effect of hesperidin on weight, eight on body mass index (BMI), five on waist circumference (WC), two on waist to hip ratio (WHR), and two on hip circumference (HC). The results of the pooled analysis showed no significant changes in body weight (0.01 kg, 95% CI: -0.22, 0.24), BMI (-0.02 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.16, 0.13), and WC (-0.48 cm, 95% CI: -1.52, 0.55) after hesperidin supplementation compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Qualitative assessment of other anthropometric indices also showed no beneficial effect of hesperidin in reducing WHR and HC values; however, these findings are not conclusive because of the limited number of studies.

The present study provides no evidence that hesperidin supplementation is effective in improving anthropometric measures. More high-quality RCTs especially among overweight and obese individuals are needed to strengthen the evidence.

There is limited evidence regarding the risk factors and nutritional patterns in patients with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). This study aims to investigate the relationship between different dietary patterns and risk factors in patients with PCAD.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on PCAD patients, including men younger than 55 years and women younger than 65 years, who underwent coronary angiography in the Angiography Department of the Shahid Mohamadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Anthropometric and clinical examination, demographic questionnaires, and containing dietary intake and physical activity questionnaires were filled for all participants.

The most prevalent risk factors for obstructive PCAD in the 65 selected patients were family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) (73%), hypertension (52%), and overweight/obesity (50%). Daily consumption of hydrogenated fats (P = 0.008) and high-fat milk (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in obstructive PCAD patients compared to non-obstructive and non-PCAD patients. Daily consumption of fruits was significantly higher in non-obstructive and non-PCAD patients compared to obstructive PCAD patients (P = 0.039).

Family history of CAD, hypertension, and obesity were found to be the most common risk factors among obstructive PCAD patients.  According to the findings, increased consumption of high-fat milk and hydrogenated fats may increase the risk of PCAD, whereas, daily consumption of fruits may reduce the risk of PCAD.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a health problem growing in line with the rising prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents, which may be correlated with different metabolic abnormalities such as osteoporosis.

This study aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between NAFLD with body composition and bonemineral density (BMD) in obese and overweight adolescents.

This cross-sectional study encompassed 70 adolescents aged 11 - 18 years and was conducted during March 2016 and September 2016 in Mashhad, Iran. Anthropometric parameters and blood biomarkers were measured. Fat mass, fat-free mass, and BMD were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, and NAFLD was also assessed using Fibroscan. All statistical data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Multivariate linear regression assessed the relationship between liver fat content with bone-related indicators, andmultivariate logistic regression detected the relationship between body composition and NAFLD.

Total and trunk fat mass were significantly correlated with higher NAFLD even after controlling for intervening factors (total fat mass, OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.016 to 1.59, P = 0.036; trunk fat mass, OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.88, P = 0.045). Moreover, liver fat content was significantly correlated with lower BMD Z-score after adjusting for gender, BMI Z-score, ALT, fat mass index, total lean mass, and physical activity (β = -0.285, P = 0.048).

The findings of the present study suggest that excess adipose tissue is correlated with higher NAFLD. Moreover, liver steatosis may be correlated with decreased BMD Z-score in overweight/obese adolescents.

High blood pressure is known as a major risk factor for myocardial infarction and renal impairment. Various factors, including the pattern of food intake and physical activity, are effective in the incidence of hypertension.

This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between dietary factors and hypertension in Hormozgan Province, South of Iran.

This descriptive study was conducted on 5075 adults aged more than 18 years from Hormozgan in 2016. Samples were selected through cluster sampling and randomly. The subjects’ information, including demographic information, dietary intake, anthropometric status, and blood pressure, were collected.

The high blood pressure in men was higher than in women. There was a significant relationship between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and age, body mass index, wrist and waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. There was a statistically significant reverse relationship between hypertension and fruits intake, dairy products, fish, and decrease meat and nonalcoholic drink consumption.

Regarding the high prevalence of hypertension among people and its strong association with food intake, improving dietary patterns should be considered as an essential preventive action.

The present study aimed to determine the mean blood glucose during the first 24 h post-surgery and its relation with the source of calorie intake. The data of the current observational retrospective study was collected from hospital medical records. A total of 45 neonates suffering from atresia in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, who were candidates for open abdominal surgery from September to October 2016 were selected. Blood glucose within 24 h after the surgery were taken four times using a glucometer. Moreover, the mean blood glucose during this period was calculated. Independent Student's t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression model were performed to assess the association of post-operative blood glucose with calorie and macronutrient intakes. In one third of neonates, the mean blood glucose of the samples during the first day after the surgery was ≥180 mg/dl and the rest of them had mean blood glucose of 40-179 mg/dl. There was a significant relationship between blood glucose BG≥180 mg/dl and calorie (P=0.001), macronutrient (carbohydrate (P<0.001), and fat (P=0.04)) intakes. After adjustment of confounding variables, carbohydrate intake was found as an independent factor in increasing BG≥180 mg/dl during the first 24 h after the surgery (P=0.01). In addition, fat intake was observed as an effective factor in decreasing BG≥180 mg/dl during this time (P=0.04). The present study revealed that there was a significant relationship between mean blood glucose during the first 24 h after the surgery and intake of macronutrients (carbohydrate and fat).

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important health problem globally that characterized as a disease spectrum which includes simple steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The prevalence of NAFLD has significantly increased recently. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometric parameters and hepatic steatosis. This cross-sectional study was performed on 415 eligible participants. Anthropometric parameters were evaluated by standard methods and fat mass was measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed using FibroScan. Of the 415 participants, 308 (74.2%) had hepatic steatosis. Body mass index and waist circumference were significantly higher in patients with hepatic steatosis.  Hepatic steatosis had a significant and positive association with WC, body fat mass, and trunk fat mass. The trunk fat mass had the highest association with hepatic steatosis.   The present study demonstrated that anthropometric measurements are related to increase hepatic steatosis even after adjustment for age and weight.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be a severe health threat across the world, the prevalence of which has significantly increased in recent years. Considering the role of diet in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the present study aimed to evaluate and compare the dietary intakes of patients with NAFLD with healthy subjects.  This case-control study was conducted on 120 participants aged more than 18 years. The case group included 60 patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD based on Fibroscan assessment. The diet records of the subjects were analyzed using a three-day dietary record questionnaire.  After modulation based on energy intake, the total intakes of energy, fiber, vitamin D, and vitamin E were significantly lower in the patients with NAFLD compared to the control group. In addition, the level of trans-fatty acids after energy adjustment was significantly higher in NAFLD patients compared to the controls. However, analysis after the energy adjustment indicated no significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of protein, carbohydrate, saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes.  According to the results, the diet records of the patients with NAFLD and healthy subjects differed in terms of the intakes of energy, fiber, trans-fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Therefore, special attention must be paid to the dietary patterns of these individuals in order to improve their lifestyle and prevent the occurrence and progression of NAFLD.

Skin reflects the general health status and is not an exception in the process of aging. Intervention studies indicate that it is possible to delay skin aging and improve skin conditions through diet-based anti-aging strategies. The purpose of the current work was to review recent existing literature regarding the role of nutrition, for and against skin aging processes. This review provides updates on the effects of nutrition strategies on skin aging developed during 2008-2014. Databases such as the ISI web of science, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were investigated. The most important role of nutrition on skin aging is by restricting the generation or activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is considered as the main cause of extrinsic skin aging. Excess sugar in daily diet accelerates aging processes through the production of advanced glycation end products that inhibit proper repair of collagen fibers. Monounsaturated and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have inverse association with severe photoaging. Antioxidants such as vitamins C, A, E, carotenoids, flavonoids and botanical antioxidants such as resveratrol, curcumin and green tea polyphenols effectively decelerate this process. Zinc, selenium and copper are coenzymes of metallothioneins and glutathione that reduce intracellular oxidative stress and result in skin protection. The link between nutritional issues and skin aging is an interesting but conflicting subject that requires many interventional studies. Intracellular antioxidant mechanisms are the most effective protection against skin aging.