International Journal of Nutrition Sciences
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Dec 2019

The present studies showed that utilizing complementary and alternative medicine such as herbal remedies, and the use of beneficial gastrointestinal microorganisms, along with lifestyle modifications can contribute to the improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study was to summarize the results of the existing studies on the relationship between licorice and probiotic consumption with fatty liver disease. Databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, and Pubmed databases were searched to find relevant studies. Clinical and experimental trials were selected to be entered into this review article. The articles were evaluated for duplication, title, type of study, study population and variables. Of the 1177 retrieved articles, 17 were selected for full-text review and 5 for structured review. A review of these studies showed that glycyrrhizic acid as an active ingredient of licorice root significantly decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), and hepatic steatosis. Also clinical studies showed that consumption of probiotics significantly decreased the levels of (ALT), (AST), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL.C). The findings of this study indicated that the use of glycyrrhizic acid and probiotics contributed to the improvement of NAFLD through synergistic effects.

The present systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin C on the improvement of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Sciences) were systematically searched to find clinical trials evaluating the effects of vitamin C supplementation on COPD up to July 2019. After excluding irrelevant records, 3 studies were included. Two included studies demonstrated significant effect of vitamin C supplementation on COPD improvement, but another study did not. In conclusion, vitamin C might have positive effects on COPD patients. But more future studies are needed to reach a definite conclusion.

Burn is a life-threatening problem which can lead to alteration in the expression of several genes. A folk medicine topical ointment made from Perovskia abrotanoides (P. abrotanoides) was extensively used in northern region of Iran for burn wound healing properties. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the healing potency of P. abrotanoides ointment and the expression patterns of wound healing-related genes in rat experimental model of of burn. In an experimental study, scald burn was inflicted in 28 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by pouring 2.5 cc of boiling water into a firm rubber ring (2 cm diameter) on the dorsal surface of skin for 10 seconds. Rats were randomly divided into four groups and treated for 7 consecutive days: P. abrotanoides ointmenttreated group; a vehicle-treated group, which received the complete ointment without P. abrotanoides part; silver sulfadiazine-treated group; and the control group which received no treatment. Animals were sacrificed and a full thickness skin biopsy was taken from the burn site. Finally, the relative quantification of gene expression was performed using the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as target genes and β2-microglobulin (β2M) as a reference gene. VEGF was up-regulated during the first week of healing in P. abrotanoides ointment-treated group; however, the local expression of TGF-β was similar between the groups. P. abrotanoides ointment utilized in Iranian folk medicine can accelerate wound healing by producing VEGF.

Purple sweet potato jelly (Lpomea batatas L. Poir)  can potentially be rich in anthocyanin and fiber with antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties that may be beneficial to T2DM sufferers. This study aimed to find out the influence of purple sweet potato jelly on MDA and FBS in experimental T2DM of rats.  In an experimental research, 20 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 consisted of T2DM rats fed on standard diet (G1), while group 2, 3 and 4 were fed on standard diet of 7.47 g per 200 g  of body weight containing 1.35 g (G2), 2.7 g (G3) and 5.4 g (G4) of purple sweet potato jelly, respectively. The MDA and FBS levels were checked at day 0 and 14.  After 14th day of intervention, the mean MDA level changed to 0.28±0.84 in G1, -4.08±0.54 in G2, -5.81±0.45 in G3 and -6.56±0.50 nmol/ml in G4, while the MDA level in G1 was significantly different from other groups (P=0.001). The Mean FBS level changed to 3.95±0.68 in G1, -114.06±3.11 in G2, -129.96±4.23 in G3 and -136.78±3.94 mg/dL in G4, whereas the FBS level of G1 was significantly different from other groups (P=0.001).  Our findings revealed that purple sweet potato jelly when consumed for 14 days could significantly decrease MDA and FBS levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model. Therefore, purple sweet potato can be introduced in literature an alternative herbal medicine in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aging process that occurs in elderly makes the elderly more vulnerable to health threats, such as decreased cognitive abilities. Lifestyle is a factor that plays an important role in several diseases, such as smoking, lack of physical activity, and consuming unhealthy foods. The purpose of this study was to find the correlation of smoking habit, physical activities and fat intake with cognitive abilities in elderly. This study used a cross sectional design involving 182 elderly over the age of 60 years in six integrated services post (Posyandu) in Klaten Regency, Indonesia. Data of smoking habits and physical activities were obtained by interview and fat intake was determinated by food recall. Data of cognitive ability was obtained through interview using Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) questionnaire. Data were tested using Spearman correlation to determine the relationship between variables. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between smoking habit with cognitive ability in elderly (P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between physical activity and cognitive ability in elderly (P=0.001). There was no significant relationship between fat intake and cognitive ability in elderly (P=0.494). Low smoking habits and high physical activity was correlated to a better cognitive function in Indonesian elderly.

Health is an aspect that needs attention in the elderly. So many factors can affect health of the elderly, one of them is lifestyle. Poor lifestyle such as smoking can increase a person’s risk of disease. Smoking has a large impact on the elderly like reducing appetite and further lead to weight loss. This can result in the occurrence of underweight in the elderly. The aims of the study were to analyze the correlation between decreased appetite, nutritional status with smoking habits during elderly.

This was a cross-sectional study involving 182 elderly. Appetite was assessed by interview using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ). Nutritional status was obtained based on anthropometric measurements of body weight and height calculated by using the formula of Body Mass Index (BMI), and smoking habits obtained from interviews using a Smoking Questionnaire.

The appetite did not have a significant relationship with smoking habits, while the nutritional status had a significant relationship with smoking.

The elderly with good nutritional status tend to significantly have less smoking habits.

The elderly is an age group that is susceptible to nutritional problems, especially protein intake which tends to be less intake, so it affects the body mass index. Both of these problems directly or indirectly will also affect the quality of life of the elderly. This study aimed to determine the correlation between body mass index, protein intake and quality of life in the elderly. In a cross-sectional design, a sample of 165 elderlies aged≥60 years were enrolled and randomized from three community health centers of Karanganyar Regency. The body mass index (BMI), height, weight, protein intake data were obtained through interviews using 24-hour recall form. The quality of life data was prepared through interviews using the WQOOL-BREF questionnaire. There was a significant correlation between protein intake and quality of life; however, there was no correlation between body mass index and the quality of life. Protein intake was shown to have a significant relationship with quality of life in the elderly.

Mango fruit (Mangifera indica) is rich of phytoestrogens, polyphenols, calcium, iron and potassium which play an important role in bone and dental growth and development. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of M. indica on embryos in pregnant mice.

In an experimental study, 24 pregnant mice were equally divided into 3 groups of those receiving aqueous extract of the mango fruit, its alcoholic extract and the control group receiving just distilled water. Animals were sacrificed at 19th day of pregnancy and embryos were removed and fixed in 10% formalin for histological studies.

No abnormality and teratogenic effects were noticed in bone, cartilage, liver, spleen, kidney, digestive tract and spinal cord tissues.

Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of the mango fruit (M. Indica) can be administered safely during pregnancy without any complications in body tissues an in bone and dental growth and development.