Effects of Fasting on the Physiological and Psychological Responses in Middle-Aged Men.

Tracking changes in the body during fasting takes into account indicators of mental well-being and physiological parameters. The aim of the study was to measure psychological and physiological reactions, along with their mutual relations, caused by 8 days of water-only fasting. Fourteen men aged 35 to 60 participated in the study, divided into two groups, younger and elder. In addition to physiological parameters, psychological data were collected using four different tests. The obtained results confirmed reduction in body weight, systolic blood pressure, resting diastolic blood pressure and glucose level, and increase in resting heart rate, cortisol and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentration. However, no significant psychological changes were observed under the influence of fasting intervention. A significant interaction effect occurred for the state anxiety variable determined before and after the fasting intervention for both groups. Moreover, negative correlations between physiological (cortisol) and psychological factors of subjectively assessed stress were revealed. The only effect on cognitive ability was seen when responding to simple tasks. The study confirmed the beneficial effect of 8 days of water-only fasting on physiological variables without affecting mental well-being. The relatively high level of well-being after fasting intervention was independent of the physiological indicators of stress.

Body Loading during an Intensive Yoga Exercise Routine and a Cycle Ergometer Test.

The present study compared the effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic functions of the practice of an intensive yoga exercise routine called Dynamic Suryanamaskar (DSN) and a cycle ergometer test (CET) of increasing intensity. The study involved 18 middle-aged volunteers who had previously practiced DSN. The study was conducted in two series (i.e., as CET and DSN with similar intensity) until complete exhaustion. At rest (R), at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT), and at the maximum workload (ML), the variables characterizing cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic functions were determined. In addition, the subjective intensity of both efforts was determined using the Borg test. No functional differences were observed in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems at similar CET and DSN intensities. Respondents experienced less subjective workload during DSN than during CET (p < 0.001). Since DSN intensifies the activity of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems to a similar degree to CET both at VAT and ML, but causes less subjective fatigue, this yogic practice can be used as a laboratory exercise test and as an effective training medium.

Excessive Facial Wrinkling Is Associated with COPD Occurrence-Does COPD Damage Skin Beauty and Quality?

The aim of this study was to investigate facial wrinkling in COPD patients, its relationship with lung function parameters, and the differences in wrinkling between COPD patients and smokers without COPD. The study included 56 patients with COPD with smoking history and 84 controls. Wrinkle intensity was measured and classified using Daniell's grading system, and the total length of wrinkles was also estimated. The predominant grades of Daniell's scale were IV-V for COPD patients (89.3% of current and 75.0% of former smokers), III-V for controls who currently smoke (89.2%), and II-III for former (92.9%) and never smokers (100%) controls. These distributions were statistically significantly different, but current and former smokers with COPD and COPD former smokers and control current smokers did not differ. In terms of the total length of wrinkles, the COPD patients possessed significantly longer wrinkles than the control subgroups (all p-values were <0.004). Negative correlations between wrinkle length and lung parameters were found. This phenomenon seems to be independent of smoking, but the length of wrinkles is related to lung function parameters. It seems that not only smoking but also COPD damages skin beauty and quality.

Evaluation of transport properties of biomembranes by means of Peusner network thermodynamics.

PURPOSE: The R version of the Kedem-Katchalsky-Peusner (KKP) network equations is one of the basic research tools for membrane transport. For binary solutions of non-electrolytes containing a solvent and one solute, these equations include the Peusner resistance coefficients. The aim of the study was to assess the transport properties of biomembranes on the basis of the concentration characteristics of the coefficients: resistance, coupling, energy conversion efficiency and degraded and free energy fluxes. METHODS: The subject of the study were polymer biomembranes used as a membrane dressing (Bioprocess) and used in hemodialysis (Nephrophan, Ultra-flo) with the coefficients of hydraulic permeability (Lp), reflection () and diffusion permeability () for aqueous glucose solutions. The research method was the R version of the KKP network equations for binary solutions of non-electrolytes. RESULTS: We developed a procedure for evaluation the transport properties of membranes. This procedure requires the calculation of the dependence of the following coefficients: Peusner resistance, Kedem-Caplan-Peusner coupling, Caplan-Peusner energy conversion efficiency, Peusner coupling, and the dissipated energy and free energy fluxes on the mean glucose concentration. Results show that the values of the Peusner resistance coefficients, the Kedem-Caplan-Peusner coupling, the Caplan-Peusner energy conversion efficiency, and the Peusner coupling depend on the mutual relationship between the coefficients Lp, ,  and C. In turn, the value of the dissipated energy and free energy fluxes it is also determined by the values of the volume and diffusion fluxes. CONCLUSIONS: The presented procedure for evaluation transport properties of membranes can be helpful in explaining the mechanisms of membrane transport and conducting energy analyzes of membrane processes. Therefore, this procedure can be used for selection of a suitable membrane for practical (eg., industrial or medical) applications.

Effect of 8-Day Fasting on Leukocytes Expression of Genes and Proteins Involved in Iron Metabolism in Healthy Men.

The popularity of fasting and restricted food intake is increasing. While the body's adaptability to dietary insufficiency is crucial for health, molecular mechanisms of adaptive changes are not well understood. Here, we compared the effects of fasting and exercise on the expression of leukocyte genes and proteins involved in the storage, export, and acquisition of iron, an essential element with physiological roles. Healthy men participated in the study (age, 30-70 years; body weight, 60-100 kg; body mass index, 20-29.9 kg/m2). The participants performed an exercise test with a gradually increasing intensity until the individual maximum exercise capacity was reached, before and after 8-d fast. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 3 h after exercise. Gene expression was analyzed by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein levels were analyzed by immunobloting. Eight days of total starvation diet affected the body composition and decreased exercise capacity. Further, fasting decreased the expression of genes associated with iron storage and export, and increased the expression of genes involved in iron acquisition. Conversely, only PCBP2 protein increased after fasting; however, an upward trend was apparent for all proteins. In conclusion, the body adapts to starvation by adjusting iron economy.

Eight Days of Water-Only Fasting Promotes Favorable Changes in the Functioning of the Urogenital System of Middle-Aged Healthy Men.

The aim of this study was to determine whether, after 8 days of water-only fasting, there are changes in the efficiency of the lower urinary tract, the concentration of sex hormones, and the symptoms of prostate diseases in a group of middle-aged men (n = 14). For this purpose, before and after 8 days of water-only fasting (subjects drank ad libitum moderately mineralized water), and the following somatic and blood concentration measurements were made: total prostate specific antigen (PSA-T), free prostate specific antigen (PSA-F), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), prolactin (Pr), total testosterone (T-T), free testosterone (T-F), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), sex hormone globulin binding (SHGB), total cholesterol (Ch-T), ß-hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB). In addition, prostate volume (PV), volume of each testis (TV), total volume of both testes (TTV), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) values were determined. The results showed that after 8 days of water-only fasting, Qmax and IPSS improved but PV and TTV decreased significantly. There was also a decrease in blood levels of PSA-T, FSH, P, T-T, T-F, and DHEA, but SHGB concentration increased significantly. These results indicate that 8 days of water-only fasting improved lower urinary tract functions without negative health effects.

Body composition and nutrition of female athletes

Background: The somatic features of the athletes' bodies partially determine their sporting level and are conditioned to a large extent by the state of nutrition. Objective: The aim of this paper is to present nutritional status and its correlation with the somatic determinants of training athletes and physical education students. Material and methods: This study involved 12 weightlifting players (subgroup-WL), 15 soccer players (subgroup-SP), 12 table tennis players (subgroup-TT) and 12 female students of physical education (subgroup-C). In all subjects, the age and somatic variables were recorded and the daily intake of energy, water, proteins, fats and carbohydrates was determined by 24-h dietary recalls. Results: Although the analysis of variance did not show significant differences in somatic variables and nutrition data, post hoc analysis showed significant differences between some subgroups in terms of age, BMI, fat content (BF), fat-free mass (FFM) and the amount of water, protein and carbohydrates consumed during the day. It was also shown that somatic variables correlated with relatively expressed amounts of energy, proteins and carbohydrates consumed in individual subgroups, as well as in the whole group formed from all subgroups of studied women. In addition, there were significant correlations between somatic variables and the total amount of water consumed in the whole group and the total amount of protein consumed in subgroup C (p<0.05), as well as the total amount of fat consumed in subgroup WL. Conclusions: In summary, it was found that the examined women used an abnormal hypoenergetic diet with too low carbohydrate content in which were more useful relative than absolute amounts of consumed proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In this unfavorable situation, dietary education of the respondents seems to be necessary.

Three-Year Chronic Consumption of Low-Carbohydrate Diet Impairs Exercise Performance and Has a Small Unfavorable Effect on Lipid Profile in Middle-Aged Men.

The objective of this research was to determine whether chronic (average 3.58 ± 1.56 years) deliberate adherence to low carbohydrate diets (LCDs) is associated with selected markers of metabolism, risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), body mass and physical performance in apparently healthy middle-aged men (n = 12). The control group comprised age, body mass and height matched men using mixed diets (MDs). The diets used were registered for 7 days and analyzed in terms of the energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein contents. It was found that the diets used were isoenergetic, yet varied considerably in carbohydrate and fat content. The LCDs significantly intensified the ketogenesis process, increased resting blood total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and heart rate, (HR) and decreased respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in relation to MD subjects. An exercise trial revealed significant impairment of exercise in subjects following the LCDs. The results showed that in the case where the subjects of two investigated groups did not differ in their somatic variables, long-term adherence to the LCDs was associated with substantially reduced exercise performance in apparently healthy subjects, along with an association with a small unfavorable effect on their lipid profile.

A nutritional evaluation of dietary behaviour in various professional sports.

BACKGROUND: The types of physical exertion undertaken by weightlifters and race walkers markedly differ. This difference should also be reflected in their respective diets. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate and assess the diets of professional weightlifters and race walkers, along with a comparison to the diets of those students studying physical education (PE). Materials and Methods. Subjects were respectively 12 weightlifters, 12 race walkers and 12 physical education students whose body composition and nutrition were determined by weighing the foods that were both eaten and drunk. RESULTS: The study groups showed body differences, which may have arisen through dietary differences. Higher calorie diets were observed for race walkers according to body mass whilst weightlifters showed no difference with the other groups. Dietary intakes of protein, fat, and carbohydrates were however inappropriate for all groups. Vitamin and mineral intakes in weightlifters and students were within tolerable limits, but the rather aggressive taking of supplements by race walkers resulted in standard/recommended consumption levels being greatly exceeded in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: The diets of the study groups of weightlifters and race walkers need to be corrected. KEY WORDS: nutrition in sport, weightlifting, race walking, food supplementation.

Health benefits and risk associated with adopting a vegetarian diet.

A vegetarian diet may be adopted for various reasons that can include ecological, economic, religious, ethical and health considerations. In the latter case they arise from the desire to lose weight, in tackling obesity, improving physical fitness and/or in reducing the risk of acquiring certain diseases. It has been shown that properly applied vegetarian diet is the most effective way of reducing body mass (expressed as BMI), improving the plasma lipid profile and in decreasing the incidence of high arterial blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome and arteriosclerosis. In addition, improved insulin sensitivity together with lower rates of diabetes and cancer has been observed. Some studies have however found that a vegetarian diet may result in changes adversely affecting the body. These could include; hyperhomocysteinaemia, protein deficiency, anaemia, decreased creatinine content in muscles and menstrual disruption in women who undertake increased physical activity. Some of these changes may decrease the ability for performing activities that require physical effort. Nevertheless, on balance it can be reasonably concluded that the beneficial effects of a vegetarian diet significantly, by far, outweigh the adverse ones. It should also be noted that the term 'vegetarian diet' is not always clearly defined in the literature and it may include many dietary variations.

Effects of a brief Valsalva manoeuvre on hemodynamic response to strength exercises.

Strength training is a recommended measure against loss of strength and muscle mass because of age- or illness-induced inactivity. Strength exercises may impose heavy cardiovascular load by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. To increase strength efficiently, a heavy load has to be applied; this, however, leads to a spontaneous Valsalva manoeuvre, which additionally raises blood pressure. Avoidance of this manoeuvre is recommended. If the additional rise in arterial blood pressure caused by Valsalva manoeuvre is smaller than intrathoracic or intracranial pressures during this manoeuvre, Valsalva manoeuvre may actually protect arteries located in the thorax and in the brain by diminishing transmural pressure acting across these vessels. Effect of controlled breathing or brief Valsalva manoeuvre on arterial pressure at rest and during knee extension against 15-repetition maximum resistance was evaluated. In 12 healthy young men blood pressure was measured continuously and non-invasively, knee angle, speed of respiratory air or mouth pressure (MP) were continuously registered. Each combination of respiratory and exercise manoeuvres was repeated six times, for every of last three repetitions peak and trough systolic and diastolic pressure were determined. Strength exercises elevated peak pressures more than trough pressures, systolic more than diastolic. Valsalva manoeuvre increased only peak systolic and peak diastolic pressure. This increase was in average lesser than MP, thus rendering an argument in favour of protective role of brief Valsalva manoeuvre because of decline in transmural pressure acting on thoracic and possibly cerebral arteries. However, there was strong individual variability, and in few instances, arterial pressure increased because of brief Valsalva manoeuvre more than MP; thus in some subjects, the manoeuvre might enhance transmural pressure acting on thorax arteries.

Long-term consumption of a carbohydrate-restricted diet does not induce deleterious metabolic effects.

Carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted diets have been recommended for weight loss and to prevent obesity, but their long-term effects have not been fully elucidated. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of long-term (>1 year) consumption of a low-CHO high-fat diet ("The optimal diet," developed by Dr Kwasniewski referenced herein) on lipid profile, glycemic control, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy subjects. Of 31 "optimal" dieters enrolled in the study (17 women and 14 men, aged 51.7+/-16.6 years), 22 declared adherence to the diet for more than 3 years. Average energy intake and principal nutrients consumed were assessed from 6-day dietary records provided by the participants. In most dieters, concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate, free fatty acids, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol exceeded the upper limits of the reference ranges for nonstarved subjects. The metabolic profiles of most subjects were positive for several indicators, including relatively low concentrations of triacylglycerols, high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and normal ratios of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDL-C and total cholesterol/HDL-C. In most subjects, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, homocysteine, glycerol, and C-reactive protein were within reference ranges. Notably, in all but one subject, the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance remained below the threshold for diagnosis of insulin resistance. These results indicate that long-term (>1 year) compliance with a low-CHO high-fat "optimal diet" does not induce deleterious metabolic effects and does not increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, as evidenced by maintenance of adequate glycemic control and relatively low values for conventional cardiovascular risk factors.

[Accomplishment of the educational path "pro-healthy education" in the opinion of teachers of different subjects]. / Realizacja sciezki edukacyjnej "edukacja prozdrowotna" w opiniach nauczycieli róznych przedmiotów.

The purpose of the presented report is analysis of opinions of teachers of different subjects on supplementing knowledge, discussed topics, methods applied in health education and its environmental factors. In the years 2004-2006, a diagnostic survey was carried out among 289 teachers of different subjects employed in secondary and post-secondary schools in slaskie (Silesian), lubelskie (Lublin) and podkarpackie (sub-Carpathian) voivodeships /regions/. Analysis covered answers to questions concerning the atmosphere predominating in school when realizing health education and ways of carrying out the pro-health path. The obtained results show irregularities that take place in many schools: no coordinator of health education, unsatisfactory cooperation between school pedagogue and parents, as well as adverse conditions for carrying out recreational and sports classes. When listing institutions that might provide support realization of pro-health education, the respondents did not mention higher education institutions, regional disease control centres or methodological centres. The most frequently applied methods in realisation of discussion on health problems at school are verbal methods. Majority of teachers declare their willingness to participate in different forms of instruction in the field of health education.

Effects of a low carbohydrate diet and graded exercise during the follicular and luteal phases on the blood antioxidant status in healthy women.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a low-carbohydrate (L-CHO) diet and graded cycling exercise on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic blood antioxidant defence system in young eumenorrhoeic women. Seven healthy physical education students exercised incrementally until they were fatigued under four different phase-diet conditions of the menstrual cycle, i.e. twice either during the mid-follicular or the mid-luteal phase, in each case either after 3 days of eating a normal mixed diet (59% carbohydrate, 27% fat, 14% protein) or 3 days of eating an isoenergy L-CHO diet (5% carbohydrate, 52% fat, 43% protein). In venous blood samples obtained at rest, immediately post test and during recovery, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of reduced glutathione and selenium were determined. Plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of malondialdehyde, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), uric acid and activity of creatine kinase. The 3 days of the L-CHO diet, which had been preceded by glycogen-depleting exercise, resulted in a stimulation of the blood antioxidant defence system in young eumenorrhoeic women both at rest and during the graded cycling exercise to maximal oxygen uptake. It seems justified to presume that higher daily doses of haem iron, selenium and alpha-tocopherol provided by the L-CHO diet contributed to the enhancement of catalase activity, the rise in plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and selenium, which resulted in better protection of the cell membranes against damage from peroxides, as reflected by a limited release of creatine kinase into plasma. With the exception of the case of glutathione reductase, the phases of the menstrual cycle had only minor effects on the indices of the blood antioxidant defence system.

[Physical fitness of children after operation of ventricular septal defect of the heart]. / Wydolnosc fizyczna dzieci po operacji ubytku przegrody miedzykomorowej serca.

Physical fitness of 26 children aged 8-12 years, being 4-7 years after cardiosurgical correction of ventricular septal defect of the heart (VSD) was studied. The results were compared with the ones obtained in 23 healthy children of the same range of age. There were continuously registered in these children the gas exchange values with direct method using progressive exercise test. There were studied minute oxygen uptake, minute carbon dioxide production as well as minute ventilation. In the analysis of physical fitness the following parameters were used: total time of effort, maximal heart rate, maximal power, maximal oxygen pulse, restitution pulse ratio, maximal minute oxygen consumption and ventilatory anaerobi threshold (VAT) determined individually by V-slope method. Comparing both groups of children the statistically significant differences of the VAT values were observed. This evidences the lower physical fitness of children after cardiosurgical correction of VSD.