Eating disorders, body image dissatisfaction and their association with gluten-free diet adherence among patients with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Considering the higher prevalence of psychological problems in patients with Celiac disease (CD), the current study aims to assess the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and body image disturbance in patients with CD and examine the possible correlation between EDs, body image dissatisfaction and distortion, and gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence in these patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 217 patients with CD (18-55 years old) were recruited randomly from the CD registry database. EDs and body image issues were assessed using the 26-item Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (FRS), respectively. Adherence to GFD was evaluated by the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of EDs was 43.5%. Furthermore, the prevalence of body dissatisfaction and distortion was 65.9% and 41.1%, respectively. The logistic regression demonstrated a significant negative association between adherence to the GFD and EDs (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.11-3.91, P = 0.022). However, there was no significant association between following GFD and body image dissatisfaction (OR = 1.70, CI: 0.92-3.17, P = 0.090), and distortion (OR = 0.65, CI: 0.36-1.18, P = 0.163). CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of EDs in patients with CD and owing to the inverse association between EDs and GFD adherence, nutritionists should consider the psychological barriers in adhering to a GFD when consulting patients with CD.

The effects of ursolic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Ursolic acid (UA) has an important biological role in the fight against fat accumulation, insulin resistance, obesity and inflammation. Therefore, in the current review and meta-analysis work, we investigate the effects of UA (dosage range is 50.94 to 450 mg/day) on cardiometabolic risk factors. Materials & methods: After searching the studies up to February 2023, six articles were included in the study. Results: The pooled effect size showed that UA supplementation didn't significantly change body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein compared with control groups. Conclusion: UA supplementation had no significant effect on the cardiometabolic risk factors in adults.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant reason for morbidity and mortality. Ursolic acid (UA) has been shown to play important biological roles in the fight against fat accumulation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance via insulin-like growth factor 1, cancer, muscle atrophy, obesity and inflammation responsible for CVD. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted up to February 2023; six articles were included in the study and eleven cardiometabolic risk factors were identified. The pooled effect size showed that UA supplementation (dosage range is 50.94 to 450 mg/day) didn't significantly change body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein compared with control groups.

Schizophrenia, Curcumin and Minimizing Side Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs: Possible Mechanisms.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of psychosis; major symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. More recent theories focus on particular disorders of interneurons, dysfunctions in the immune system, abnormalities in the formation of myelin, and augmented oxidative stress that lead to alterations in brain structure. Decreased dopaminergic activity and increased phospholipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex might be involved in schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia have many side effects. Alternative therapy such as curcumin (CUR) can reduce the severity of symptoms without significant side effects. CUR has important therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial functions and protection of the nervous system. Also, the ability of CUR to pass the blood-brain barrier raises new hopes for neuroprotection. CUR can improve and prevent further probable neurological and behavioral disorders in patients with schizophrenia. It decreases the side effects of neuroleptics and retains lipid homeostasis. CUR increases the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and improves hyperkinetic movement disorders. CUR may act as an added counteraction mechanism to retain cell integrity and defense against free radical injury. Thus it appears to have therapeutic potential for improvement of schizophrenia. In this study, we review several properties of CUR and its ability to improve schizophrenia and minimize the side effects of antipsychotic drugs, and we explore the underlying mechanisms by which CUR affects schizophrenia and its symptoms.