International Journal of Nutrition Sciences
Volume:8 Issue: 3, Sep 2023

Animal studies in recent years have shown that a Western diet style (WD-style) which is high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates causes obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, results demonstrated that it can damage the structures that make up the nervous system. Accordingly, there is an evidence that systemic changes associated with the Western diet lead to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, microglia activation, and the development of neuroinflammation. These changes are then followed by synaptic transmission dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and finally memory and cognitive deterioration. This review summarizes research on the mechanisms that show Western diet consumption is associated with cognitive impairment, with emphasis on learning and memory functions that depend on the integrity of the hippocampus.

Obesity is associated with developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The present study investigated whether weight loss after bariatric surgery could improve symptoms and related hormones in women with morbid obesity. In a retrospective observational study, 50 women aged 18-40 years with body mass index (BMI)=42.3 kg/m2 who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were enrolled. Evaluation of anthropometric data, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), fasting plasmaglucose (FPG), and lipid profile were measured preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up Of 50 women, 32 (64%) women were diagnosed to have PCOS. The mean BMI at 1-year follow-up was 27.05 kg/m2. Hirsutism and irregular menstruation resolved entirely among 68.8% (11/16) and 100% (18/18) at 1-year follow-up. There was a significant decrease in total serum testosterone (2.1±0.2 to 0.9±0.1 ng/mL) and LH (8.5±3.36 to 5.02±2.4 mIU/mL) at 1-year follow-up, whether changes in levels of serum FSH, PRL were not significant. Bariatric surgery was effective in weight loss and improvement of PCOS symptoms and related hormones in women with morbid obesity. Thus, women with PCOS and morbid obesity should be eligible for bariatric surgery.

To quantify carbohydrates, various indicators such as glycemic load (GL) and glycemic index (GI) were introduced. In order to address the effect of dietary carbohydrate content on lipid profile, we investigated the relationship between dietary GI and GL with lipid profile in adults living in Shiraz, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 236 participants aged between 20 and 50 years were selected using cluster random sampling in Shiraz, Iran. For assessing the food intake, a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was utilized. Dietary GI and GL were calculated based on food items intake. Higher GI was associated with increased odds ratio (OR) of lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, OR: 2.51; p-trend=0.008), nonhigh-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL, OR: 2.34; p-trend=0.01) and LDL to HDL ratio (OR: 2.13; p-trend=0.02) in crude model. In adjusted model, direct association was observed between GI and total cholesterol (TC, OR: 2.40; p-trend=0.01), LDL-C (OR: 2.50; p-trend=0.01) and non-HDL-C (OR: 2.48; p-trend=0.01). Association was noted between higher GL with TC (OR: 2.50; p-trend=0.01), LDL-C (OR: 2.22; p-trend=0.02), non-HDL-C (OR: 2.49; p-trend=0.005) and LDL-C to HDL-C ratio (OR: 2.29; p-trend=0.01) in crude model. After adjusting for potential cofounder, association remained for TC (OR: 3.97; p-trend=0.01), LDL-C (OR: 4.39; p-trend=0.005) and non-HDL-C (OR: 3.72; p-trend=0.008). Dietary GI and GL may have an association with higher odds of abnormal lipid profile. It seems that a diet with a low GI and GL (which full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes) can play an effective role in favorable lipid profile.

Results of studies in Iran indicated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, making its rational use to be critical. So assessing people’s knowledge about the rational use of vitamin D and its safety is worthwhile to pursue. This study aimed to evaluate the level of consumers’ knowledge about vitamin D and its relationship with vitamin D serum levels in Tehran, Iran. A cross-sectional survey was designed to assess consumers’ knowledge and its association with demographic characteristics, lifestyle, habits and the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25(OH)D) level in 10 community pharmacies in Tehran, Iran. Totally, 384 individuals participated in this study, among whom 345 (89.8%) requested large doses of vitamin D. The average knowledge score was 23.67±7.76 out of 50. The average serum level of vitamin D was 49.01±32.01 ng/mL, showing that 117 (30.5%) subjects were in “insufficient”, 224 (58.1%) were in “sufficient”, and 44 (11.4%) were in “hypervitaminosis” levels. There was a significant inverse association between knowledge and age, weight, body mass index (BMI), educational level, vitamin D serum level, and monthly dose. Also, a significant inverse relationship was detected between knowledge in terms of toxicity and vitamin D level. Further, participants’ knowledge of “hypervitaminosis” was lower than those with “sufficient” level. More than 50% of consumers had a sufficient knowledge on vitamin D level, however the lack of knowledge about vitamin D was evident that could lead to misuse and hypervitaminosis, which were noticed in 11.4% of participants.

Dietary diversity indicates diet quality and can be linked to health and nutritional outcomes. Minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) is a proxy indicator for food security and micronutrients in diets of women aged 15-49. This study assessed dietary diversity and its determinants among semi-urban Bangladeshi women of reproductive age in Cumilla District. In a cross-sectional survey, 391 households (372 estimated sample size) were randomly enrolled. A semi-structured questionnaire collected demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary data. Within each household, a married woman (15-49 years) provided the data on nutrition knowledge and dietary practices. Dietary quality was assessed using the minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W). The average MDD-W score was 5.2±1.9. About 56.5% of women fulfilled adequate MDD-W. Regression analysis showed that the monthly household income and having knowledge about a balanced diet were the determinants of MDD-W. Women in households that had a monthly income of BDT 10,000 to 20,000 were 75% less likely (aOR 0⋅25, CI 0⋅11, 0⋅61) to meet the MDD-W than the households that had a monthly income more than BDT 30,000, while women who had knowledge about a balanced diet were 1.57 times more likely (aOR 1.57, CI 1.02, 2.44) of achieving the MDD-W than who had no knowledge about a balanced diet. It was shown that having knowledge about a balanced diet and higher household income increases the MDD-W.

Lactofermentation by probiotics would help valorize ENUS (edible neglected and underutilized species). Probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered as vectors of molecules of nutrition-health interest. This study has isolated and screened Lactobacillus plantarum strains with potential probiotic aptitudes from neglected edible vegetableand fruits of Côte D’ivoire. Three L. plantarum strains (Pa6, A6, and Pe3) isolated from Ivorian ENUS (passion fruit, garlic and parsley) were isolated and screened for potential probiotic aptitudes from neglected edible vegetable and fruits of Côte D’ivoire. The screening of three strains revealed that they presented interesting probiotic potentialities (hydrophobicity values higher than 65% and pH=2, 0.3% bile salt, antibiotic and intestinal microbial pathogens resistances, respectively). They also presented antioxidant (14.51±0.39-39.48±0.88%), anti-inflammatory (8.88±00.00% 78.61%±00.00%) and exopolysaccharide aptitudes, respectively. They synthetized degradinganti-nutritional- factor enzymes (phytase and tannase) and cell-walldegrading enzymes (amylase and cellulase). They fermented the indigestible sugar raffinose, survived at 6.5% NaCl for Pa6 and Pe3, pH=9 and 45°C for Pe3. These strains with such interesting technological properties would be suitable for industry in general, and particularly as starters for the controlled fermentation of Ivorian ENUS.

Prescription of sports activity is an effective strategy for treating metabolic disorders, including obesity. The study aimed to determine the effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on PLIN5 and UCP3 gene expressions in skeletal muscle of obese rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of control receiving standard diet (CSD=20) and those with high-fat diet (HFD=30) for obesity induction (10 weeks). Ten rats from each group were selected to evaluate obesity (target weight: 350±20 g and serum triglyceride). The rest of high-fat diet group were randomly dividedinto 2 subgroups of obese control (OC=10) and HIIT high-fat diet (HIITHFD=10) and 10 in control standard diet rats were applied as the control standard diet in exercise phase. The HIIT protocol on the treadmill included 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week (10-degree incline) with 20 bouts (2 minutes maximum speed), and 1-minute active recovery. PLIN5 andUCP3 gene expressions in the gastrocnemius muscle were measured by real time-PCR and plasma triglycerides by ELISA. The triglyceride (TG) level was higher in CSD compared to the HFD group. The weight, TG level and PLIN5, and UCP3 gene expressions significantly reduced in the experimental group compared to the CSD and OC groups. The values of energy intake, body weight, and PLIN5 and UCP3 gene expressions denoted to activated thermogenesis and fatty oxidation. Physical activity resulted in weight loss, and decreased gene expression to deal with this trend.