Fruits and vegetables dietary intake and its estimated consumption among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in health facilities in Northcentral Ethiopia: a multi-facility cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the significant role of fruit and vegetables (FAVs) in preventing a variety of chronic diseases and their potential to bolster immune responses and slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDS, there is a lack of studies on the dietary intake of FAVs among HIV-infected adults in Africa, including Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the magnitude of FAV intake and estimated consumption among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in northcentral Ethiopia. Methods: A multifacility cross-sectional study was conducted on the FAV intake among 865 HIV-infected adults receiving ART. A Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify factors associated with FAVs dietary intake. Results: The study indicated that 655 (76.34%; 95% CI: 73.38, 79.07) HIV-infected adults reported consuming FAVs less than once per day, with 838 (97.67%, 95% CI: 96.41, 98.49) and 676 (78.79%, 95% CI: 75.92, 81.40) HIV-infected adults reporting consuming fruits and vegetables less than once per day, respectively. The median (IQR) total FAV intake was 271.3 (IQR: 92.5, 439.5) g/day, with the median (IQR) intake of fruits being 248.1 (IQR: 100.0, 400.0) g/day and vegetables being 273.78 (IQR: 82.44, 348.33) g/day, respectively. We found that being divorced (APR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.12), employed as a daily laborer (APR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.36, 3.20), being employed (APR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.84), merchants (APR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.47), having children as caregivers (APR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.55), an advanced WHO clinical stage (APR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.32(1.03, 1.69), and receiving ART for more than 8 years (APR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.67) were found to be independent predictors of FAV dietary intake among HIV-infected adults. From the findings, we understood that farmers were less likely to consume FAVs compared to employed individuals, daily laborers, and merchants. Conclusion: The finding indicated a very low level of FAV dietary intake among HIV-infected adults receiving ART, falling well-below the minimum recommendation for physically active adults. Despite living in areas with surplus production and producing these items, farmers are less likely to consume FAV. The study emphasizes the importance of focusing on the early stage of ART treatment for patients and family therapy, including counseling and guidance on consuming healthy diets such as FAVs, to enhance the role of children as caregivers for their families. Additionally, there is a need for comprehensive nutritional counseling to improve FAV consumption, with a particular emphasis on educating individuals about portion size estimation for the consumption of FAVs.

Magnesium-Rich Diet Score is Inversely Associated with Incident Cardiovascular Disease: The Atherosclerosis in Communities (ARIC) Study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown inverse associations between serum magnesium (Mg) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but studies of dietary Mg have not been consistent. AIM: To examine the association of a Mg-rich diet score with risks of CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and ischemic stroke in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. METHODS: There were 15,022 Black and White adults without prevalent CVD at baseline (1987-89) included in this analysis. Diet was assessed at two visits 6 years apart using an interviewer-administered 66-item food frequency questionnaire. A Mg-rich diet score was created that included servings of whole grain products, nuts, vegetables, fruit, legumes, coffee, and tea. Cox proportional hazard regression evaluated associations of incident CVD, CHD and stroke across quintiles of Mg-rich diet score, adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors, and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Over >30 years of follow-up, there were 3,531 incident CVD events (2,562 CHD, 1,332 ischemic stroke). Participants who consumed more Mg-rich foods were older, female, White, had lower blood pressure, fewer were not current smokers, and more reported being physically active. A Mg-rich diet was inversely associated with incident CVD (HRQ5 vs Q1=0.87, 95%CI: 0.77-0.98, ptrend=0.02) CHD (HRQ5 vs Q1=0.82, 95%CI: 0.71-0.95, ptrend=0.01); however, the diet-stroke association was null (HRQ5 vs Q1=1.00, 95%CI: 0.82-1.22, ptrend=0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Consuming a diet including Mg-rich foods, such as whole grains, nuts, vegetables, fruits, legumes, coffee and tea, is associated with lower risk of CVD and CHD, but not ischemic stroke.

This study showed an inversely association between a magnesium-rich (mg-rich) diet score and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults aged 45-64 at baseline (1987-89) and followed for over 30 years. The mg-rich diet score was created by summing the reported number of daily servings consumed from whole grain products, fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, coffee and tea.A mg-rich diet score may be associated with lower risk of developing CVD and coronary heart disease, but not ischemic stroke.

Association of plant-based diet indexes with the metabolomic profile.

Plant-based diets have gained attention for their potential benefits on both human health and environmental sustainability. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of plant-based dietary patterns with the endogenous metabolites of healthy individuals and identify metabolites that may act as mediators of the associations between dietary intake and modifiable disease risk factors. Adherence to plant-based dietary patterns was assessed for 170 healthy adults using plant-based diet indexes (PDI). Individuals with higher healthful PDI had lower BMI and fasting glucose and higher HDL-C, while those with higher unhealthful PDI had higher BMI, triacylglycerol and fasting glucose and lower HDL-C. Unhealthful PDI was associated with higher levels of several amino acids and biogenic amines previously associated with cardiometabolic diseases and an opposite pattern was observed for healthful PDI. Furthermore, healthful PDI was associated with higher levels of glycerophosphocholines containing very long-chain fatty acids. Glutamate, isoleucine, proline, tyrosine, α-aminoadipate and kynurenine had a statistically significant mediation effect on the associations between PDI scores and LDL-C, HDL-C and fasting glucose. These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the role of plant-based diets in promoting metabolic health and shed light on the potential mechanisms explaining their beneficial health effects.

Antioxidants for Skin Health.

Antioxidants play a pivotal role in maintaining skin health and integrity, combating the deleterious effects of oxidative stress induced by environmental aggressors such as UV ra-diation, pollution, and lifestyle factors. This paper reviews the contributions of key antioxidants, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, green tea extract, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, Selenium, and Polyphenols, in skin health care. Vitamin C, known for its collagen synthesis promotion and photoprotection properties, alongside Vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, syn-ergistically works to neutralize free radicals and repair damaged skin cells. Vitamin A, in the form of retinol, plays a critical role in skin cell regeneration and the maintenance of skin integ-rity. Green tea extract, rich in Polyphenols, offers anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic prop-erties, making it a potent ingredient for skin protection. Coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body, aids in energy production for cell repair and regeneration, while Resveratrol, found in grapes and berries, provides anti-ageing benefits by enhancing skin's re-sistance to oxidative stress. Selenium, an essential mineral, contributes to the protection of skin cells from oxidative damage. The incorporation of these antioxidants in skincare products and dietary sources is discussed, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach in skincare re-gimes. The paper emphasizes the synergy between topical applications and dietary intake of antioxidants, advocating for a comprehensive strategy for promoting skin health and preventing age-related skin alterations. Method: For the review article, a variety of search engines and databases were used to identify relevant articles. Furthermore, for biomedical literature focusing on antioxidants and their ef-fects on skin health, PubMed was used. Moreover, to access a wide range of scholarly articles, including those related to dermatology and skincare, Google Scholar was used. Scopus provides comprehensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature across various scientific disciplines. Web of Science identifies high-impact articles and research on antioxidants in skincare. In addition, for accessing full-text articles on antioxidants and their applications in dermatology, Science Direct was used. The inclusion criteria for the review paper were as follows: only studies pub-lished in peer-reviewed journals were included to ensure the credibility and reliability of the information. Articles published in English were considered, to avoid language-related biases and ensure comprehension. Studies published within the last 10 years were included to provide the most current insights into antioxidant research in skincare. Articles must specifically focus on the role of antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, green tea extract, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, Selenium, Polyphenols) in skin health care. Both experimental studies (in vivo and in vitro) and clinical trials were included to provide a comprehensive overview of the antioxidant effects. Full-text articles were included to allow for thorough data extraction and analysis. The exclusion criteria for the review paper were as follows: Publications that were not peer-re-viewed, such as editorials, opinion pieces, and non-scholarly articles, were excluded. Articles published in languages other than English were excluded due to potential translation challenges and to maintain consistency. Studies that did not focus on the specified antioxidants or their impact on skin health were excluded. Duplicate publications were excluded to avoid redundancy in the review. Articles with insufficient or incomplete data were excluded to ensure the quality and reliability of the review findings.

Linking industrial emissions and dietary exposure to human burdens of polychlorinated naphthalenes.

Relationships between toxic pollutant emissions during industrial processes and toxic pollutant dietary intakes and adverse health burdens have not yet been quantitatively clarified. Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are typical industrial pollutants that are carcinogenic and of increasing concern. In this study, we established an interpretable machine learning model for quantifying the contributions of industrial emissions and dietary intakes of PCNs to health effects. We used the SHapley Additive exPlanations model to achieve individualized interpretability, enabling us to evaluate the specific contributions of individual feature values towards PCNs concentration levels. A strong relationship between PCN dietary intake and body burden was found using a robust large-scale PCN diet survey database for China containing the results of the analyses of 17,280 dietary samples and 4480 breast milk samples. Industrial emissions and dietary intake contributed 12 % and 52 %, respectively, of the PCN burden in breast milk. The model quantified the contributions of food consumption and industrial emissions to PCN exposure, which will be useful for performing accurate health risk assessments and developing reduction strategies of PCNs.

Changes in Fat Mass Index and Fat-Free Mass Index Vary Significantly by Age and Sex of the Patient, and by Type of Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The loss of fat-free mass after rapid weight loss following bariatric surgery shows BMI is inadequate for reporting weight loss, emphasizing the need for a more accurate body composition metric. This study assessed changes in fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and dietary intake over 6 months after one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) across age and sex groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 151 bariatric surgery candidates. Data on demographics, anthropometric, body composition, and food intake data were collected before and 6 months after surgery. SPSS version 22 was used for analysis, employing ANOVA and t-tests to assess group differences. RESULTS: Younger patients (≤ 35 years) had higher percent total and excess weight loss (%TWL and %EWL) across all bariatric surgeries, and those undergoing SG experienced more favorable changes in fat-free mass (FFM) and visceral fat compared to other procedures (P = 0.002). Males had higher percent change in fat mass index (%∆ FMI) and visceral fat than females with OAGB and RYGB (P < 0.05). Women undergoing SG and RYGB had a more significant decrease in energy intake compared to OAGB (P < 0.001), and the ≤ 35 and 35-44 age groups demonstrated lower reductions in energy intake following OAGB. CONCLUSION: Age, sex, and surgery type significantly affect bariatric surgery outcomes. Younger patients achieved greater weight-related improvements, while men undergoing RYGB experienced more substantial fat mass changes than women.

Effect of the Implementation of a Multiple-Behavior Self-Monitoring Intervention on Dietary Intake in Type 2 Diabetes: Secondary Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: An electronic diary embedded in a mobile device to monitor lifestyle can be as effective as traditional methods. However, the efficacy of self-monitoring multiple behaviors for dietary intake has not been well studied in people with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of using technology-assisted self-monitoring versus paper diaries on changes in dietary intake. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data collected from 39 people with type 2 diabetes as part of a 3-month pilot clinical trial. Changes in energy intake and the contribution of total fat intake and total carbohydrate intake to total calories (%) from baseline to after intervention (3 months) were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 26 (67%) of the 39 participants preferred mobile diaries over paper diaries. Participants in the mobile diary group showed slightly higher self-monitoring adherence. Linear mixed modeling results indicated a significant overall decrease in total energy intake (P=.005), dietary fat intake (P=.01), and carbohydrate intake (P=.08) from baseline to 3 months. No significant group differences were detected (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a 3-month, multiple-behavior, self-monitoring intervention in Diabetes Self-Management Education programs has resulted in successful reduction in dietary intake (energy, fat, and carbohydrate), whichever self-monitoring method is chosen by participants according to their preferences. Long-term studies are needed to confirm our findings on dietary intake and examine other behavioral and disease outcomes that require monitoring.

Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl compounds in commercially available baby food produced in different European countries - levels, dietary intake, and exposure assessment.

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in commercial baby food products from various European countries was investigated in this study. A total of 96 samples were collected and analyzed to assess PFASs levels, composition profiles, and potential dietary intake among infants. The results indicated detectable levels of PFASs in the sampled baby food products, with carboxylic acid prevalence over sulfonic acids. Among the various baby food groups studied, dry cereals exhibited the highest PFASs concentrations. This finding emphasizes the need for further monitoring and investigation of PFASs contamination in this specific food category. While the concentrations detected were generally low, they indicated the widespread presence of PFASs in various types of baby food. Furthermore, a preliminary exposure assessment was conducted on the basis of the measured PFASs concentrations, providing an initial insight into the potential exposure levels among infants from three months to three years old. Calculations based on two scenario types revealed the best-case scenario likely underestimating actual exposure, while the worst-case scenario occasionally exceeded the limits set by the governmental institutions. Further research is needed to understand the sources, pathways, and potential health effects of PFASs exposure in this vulnerable population.

Association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and dietary intake with overweight and obesity among U.S. children: findings from NHANES.

Childhood overweight/obesity is a serious problem that has not been adequately addressed. As a key factor affecting weight gain, the association between dietary intake with childhood overweight and obesity is still unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sociodemographic, lifestyle factors and dietary intake with overweight or obesity. We used data from a large cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The U.S. children aged 6-15 years with both weight data and dietary data were included. For univariate analysis of sociodemographic data, t tests was performed for continuous variables and chi-square tests was performed for discrete variables. Dietary intakes were described by median and quartile, and differences in dietary intake between children with normal weight and children with overweight or obesity were compared by rank sum tests. A modern statistical shrinkage technique, LASSO regression was used to examine the association between dietary intake and childhood obesity. Our study confirms that Hispanic ethnicity, increasing age, passive exposure to smoking, higher protein intake, and higher caffeine intake were positively associated with child overweight or obesity. Additionally, non-Hispanic White race, higher physical activity levels, higher household income, and higher vitamin A intake were negatively associated with child overweight or obesity.

Dietary patterns and risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and clinical outcomes in diagnosed patients: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Limited research exists on the association between dietary patterns (DP) and COPD risk or health-related outcomes. We reviewed existing literature to identify DP as a potential factor influencing COPD development and associated health outcomes in diagnosed individuals. METHODS: We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for this scoping review, conducting searches on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies meeting our inclusion criteria (P, population - adults from the general population with or without COPD diagnosis; C, concept - DP; C, context - any setting). Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, confirmed eligibility through full-text examination, extracted data using Redcap®, and assessed bias risk with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: We analyzed 24 studies with sample sizes ranging from 121 to 421,426 individuals aged 20 to 75. Eighty-three percent investigated the role of DP in the COPD etiology, while 16.7 % examined health-related COPD outcomes. Food frequency questionnaires predominated (75 %) in exploring 23 distinct DP. Sixty-seven percent employed a priori-defined DP, focusing on the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI), while 33.3 % utilized a posteriori-defined DP, mainly represented by the Prudent and Traditional DP. Sixty percent of the studies reported significant associations between DP and COPD risk/odds. However, studies examining DP and COPD patient outcomes produced varied results. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies focused on assessing COPD risk using a priori-defined DP, particularly emphasizing the Med Diet and HEI. Overall, the studies found that healthy DPs are associated with reduced risk of COPD and improved outcomes in diagnosed patients.

Plasma Antioxidant Capacity Is Related to Dietary Intake, Body Composition, and Stage of Reproductive Aging in Women.

BACKGROUND: women aging is a normal process of life; however, hormonal changes create an imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants and could be measured as the antioxidant capability (AC) of an organism. OBJECTIVE: to find the association between plasma AC levels, dietary intakes, and body composition in 18-64-year-old women living in the northeast of Mexico. METHODS: A total of n = 514 women (18-64 years old) were grouped according to STRAW criteria as reproductive, menopausal transition, and postmenopausal. Anthropometrics, body mass index (BMI), weight-hip ratio (WHR), and weight-height ratio WHtR were determined, and percentage of body fat was analyzed by bioelectrical impedance. Dietary intake of macronutrients and vitamins A, E, and C were analyzed by a 3-day food recall. The AC status in plasma was analyzed by the ORACFL assay. RESULTS: Plasma AC levels were higher in postmenopausal women (815 µmol TE/L), and menopausal transition women (806 µmol TE/L) than in reproductive women (633 µmol TE/L). BMI was overweight (>25 kg/m2) in all three groups. WHtR and WHR are above the healthy limit of 0.5 and 0.8, respectively for both menopausal transition and postmenopausal women. In reproductive women, negative relationships were calculated between plasma AC and age (Rho = -0.250, p = 0.007), BMI (Rho = -0.473, p < 0.001), WHtR (Rho = -0.563, p < 0.001), WHR (Rho = -0.499, p < 0.001), and % body fat (Rho = -0.396, p < 0.001). A negative association was determined between plasma AC and WHtR in reproductive women (B = -2.718, p = 0.026). No association resulted for those in menopausal transition, and a positive association was obtained between plasma AC and protein (B = 0.001, p = 0.024) and vitamin E (B = 0.003, p = 0.013) intakes in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: the antioxidant capability (AC) in plasma was lower in reproductive women, and anthropometric parameters marking decreased physical fitness were associated with decreased AC.

Effects of 8-h time-restricted eating on energy intake, dietary composition and quality in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanisms underlying the health benefits of time-restricted eating (TRE) are unclear, particularly in adolescents. OBJECTIVES: This secondary analysis examines the impact of 8-h TRE on energy intake, dietary composition and quality in adolescents with obesity, using data from a 12-week randomized, controlled pilot trial. METHODS: Participants (14-18 years with BMI >95th percentile) were assigned to either 8-h TRE with real-time or blinded continuous glucose monitoring or a control group with a 12+ h eating window. Dietary intake was analysed using the Nutrient Data System Recall 24-h Dietary Recall and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) for assessing diet quality. RESULTS: The study included 44 participants (32 TRE, 12 control), predominantly female and Hispanic/Latino. The TRE group showed a significant reduction in mean energy intake (-441 kcal/day), carbohydrates (-65 g/day), added sugar (-19 g/day) and fat (-19 g/day), while the control group had a similar reduction in energy intake (-437 kcal/day) and carbohydrates (-63 g/day), but no significant changes in added sugar or fat. The percent energy intake from protein increased more in the TRE group compared to the control. The TRE group experienced a significant improvement in diet quality, with a 6.3-point increase in HEI-2020 score; however, between-group comparisons were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between the TRE and control groups in energy intake, dietary composition or quality. Future research with larger sample sizes is needed to further evaluate the potential impact of TRE on dietary behaviours.

Disordered eating behavior and dietary intake prior to metabolic and bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Disordered eating is a concern for patients seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), but little is known about how these behaviors are reflected in typical dietary intake prior to surgery. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationships between disordered eating behavior and the content and context of typical dietary intake among patients seeking MBS using an innovative combination of rigorous self-report and interview assessments. SETTING: Participants were recruited from two academic medical centers in the United States. METHODS: Adults were enrolled prior to MBS. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) and then reported details of their dietary intake for three consecutive days using a validated 24-hour dietary recall system. RESULTS: Among the sample (n = 140), objective overeating (OOE) was prevalent and related to greater daily energy and macronutrient intake. Individuals engaging in recurrent OOE were also more likely to consume meals past 8 pm Findings failed to identify significant associations between other disordered eating behaviors, such as objective binge eating (OBE), and contextual factors related to dietary intake. CONCLUSIONS: The timing of eating may play a greater role in recurrent overeating than social and physical aspects of the environment. Individuals reporting frequent OOE before MBS may benefit from targeted education and intervention aimed at reducing OOE and subsequently promoting better adherence to dietary recommendations.

The Association between Dietary Intakes of Vitamins and Minerals with Tinnitus.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the phantom perception of sound in the ears or head which may result from inflammation of the auditory pathway. A healthy diet consisting of a range of vitamins and minerals may be protective against tinnitus. This study aims to determine the association between intakes of dietary vitamins and minerals and the prevalence and incidence of tinnitus over 10 years. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study of 2947 participants (aged ≥ 50 years), 935 (32%) cases of tinnitus were identified and included in prevalence analyses. The remaining 2012 participants were followed to establish 10-year incidence of tinnitus. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to determine intakes of dietary vitamins and minerals. RESULTS: No significant associations with tinnitus prevalence were found. However, iron and zinc were significantly associated with incident tinnitus. There was a 44% (multivariate-adjusted HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.07-1.93) increased risk of developing incident tinnitus over 10 years with lower zinc intakes and a 35% increased risk with lower iron intakes (multivariate-adjusted HR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.00-1.80). CONCLUSION: Higher intakes of zinc and iron were significantly associated with lower tinnitus risk. Due to a lack of comparable high-quality data, future research studies should include robust study designs.

Association between dietary intake of creatine and female reproductive health: Evidence from NHANES 2017-2020.

The hormonal changes in women influence creatine dynamics, emphasizing its potential importance during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and postmenopause. Yet, limited research explores creatine's impact on female reproductive health at the population level. Our study investigated the relationship between dietary creatine intake and reproductive health indices in US women using data from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We extracted a dataset containing females aged 12 years and above who provided details about their reproductive health and dietary habits. Daily creatine intake was quantified as a relative amount (mg per kg body mass) and did not include creatine from dietary supplements and pharmacological agents. A daily requirement for dietary creatine for healthy women was employed to classify respondents into two separate subpopulations: (1) suboptimal intake of creatine (<13 mg per kg body mass per day) or (2) recommended intake (dietary creatine ≥ 13 mg per kg body mass per day). A total of 4522 female participants from the NHANES study (age 44.5 ± 20.5 years) provided data on their reproductive health and dietary intake. The average daily creatine intake for the group was 10.5 ± 10.8 mg per kg body mass. The odds ratio for having irregular periods in women consuming ≥13 mg of creatine per kg body mass daily (recommended intake) compared to those with suboptimal intake was 0.75 (95% CI, from 0.66 to 0.86), indicating a significant association between higher intake of dietary creatine and lower risk of oligomenorrhea (p < .001). Moreover, women consuming less than 13 mg of creatine per kg body mass faced an increased risk of fetal macrosomia (OR 1.26; p = .04), pelvic infection (OR 1.68; p = .01), hysterectomy (OR 1.42; p < .001), oophorectomy (OR 1.54; p < .001), and receiving hormone replacement therapy (OR 1.26; p = .02). Consuming a creatine-rich diet has been linked to lower risks of reproductive issues in US women aged 12 and above. Those consuming ≥13 mg of creatine per kg body mass daily showed notably lower risks of irregular menstrual periods, obstetric conditions, and pelvic pathology. Further studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits.

Barriers to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Access in Adult Patients in the Mayo-La Crosse Family Medicine Residency Clinic.

INTRODUCTION:  Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the United States, with approximately 12.8% of American households experiencing this challenge in 2023, as reported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Wisconsin, a state with a notable agricultural heritage, the prevalence of food insecurity averaged 9.9% between 2019 and 2023. A growing body of research underscores the importance of consuming diets rich in fruits and vegetables for maintaining optimal health and mitigating the risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity. Fruits and vegetables are reservoirs of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, which collectively contribute to overall well-being. Despite the well-documented health benefits of fruits and vegetables, a considerable proportion of the population fails to meet the recommended daily intake of at least five servings. This disparity underscores the importance of exploring factors influencing dietary behaviors and identifying strategies to promote adherence to dietary guidelines. METHODS: Surveys were distributed by staff at the family medicine residency clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin, during routine visits in April and May 2023. Any patients ≥18 years old presenting to the Family Health Clinic (FHC) were eligible for inclusion. Patients were excluded if they were unable to read/answer survey questions due to intellectual/language/other barriers. Surveys included demographic data such as the participant's age, gender, race, income bracket, and primary mode of transportation. A total of 122 participants were then asked how many servings in a day they ate of 100% juice, fruits, beans, green vegetables, yellow/orange vegetables, and other vegetables, as well as about barriers to more fruit and vegetable consumption and a Likert scale about their attitudes toward fruit and vegetable consumption and interest in discussing it with a healthcare provider. Demographic characteristics were analyzed through graphical representation to elucidate trends and patterns among the surveyed population. We compared different demographics with the barriers to fruits and vegetables using bar graphs. RESULTS:  The primary barrier to fruit and vegetable intake varied by age group: "cost" for 18-30, "other" for 31-50, "cost" and "none" for 51-70, and "none" for over 70. For gender, "none" was most frequent for males while "cost" was for females. By income, "cost" was common for $0-20k and $20-50k, "none" for $50-100k, and "other" for >$100k. A Likert scale assessed interest in discussing healthy foods with healthcare providers. Most responses were "neutral," with "strongly agree" highest in 18-30 and "agree" in 31-50, 51-70, and over 70 age groups. CONCLUSIONS:  The purpose of this study was to ascertain barriers to fruit and vegetable access and identify patients' attitudes toward discussing healthy food choices with healthcare providers. There appears to be a correlation between decreasing income and increasing age and the likelihood of identifying cost as a barrier to fruit/vegetable intake. Barriers identified in our clinic included convenience/time constraints and cost. Many people in our survey also identified the lack of quality or good variety of fruits and vegetables at the store (availability) as a significant barrier to eating them.

Thiamine status and genes encoding intestinal thiamine transporters and transcription factors in obese subjects.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The inconsistent data on thiamine status in obese subjects necessitates an examination of genes associated with intestinal absorption of thiamine. We aimed to reveal thiamine status in obese subjects and examine the expression of SLC19A2/3 genes encoding thiamine transporters and Sp1 transcription factor. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-five adult obese subjects and 11 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Small intestine epithelial cells were used for quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the gene expression. The daily thiamine and energy intake were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Thiamine phosphate esters were hydrolyzed to free thiamine, and liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometry-based method was used to measure total thiamine in whole blood. Daily energy intake according to body weight and daily carbohydrate intake were not significantly different between groups after adjustment for sex. Although daily thiamine intake was significantly lower in the obesity group (p = 0.015), obese subjects had significantly higher whole blood thiamine levels than controls (44.96 ± 14.6 ng/mL and 33.05 ± 8.6 ng/mL, p = 0.002). There was a significant positive correlation between whole blood thiamine and BMI (r = 0.342, p = 0.020). SLC19A2 gene expression was lower in those with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 (p = 0.036). A significant positive correlation was found between SLC19A2 expression and whole blood thiamine level (r = 0.310, p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: A possible association between intestinal thiamine intake and total thiamine in whole blood was determined. The transcriptional changes of genes encoding the high-affinity membrane thiamine transporters, especially SLC19A2, probably play a role in this relationship.

Machine learning models identify micronutrient intake as predictors of undiagnosed hypertension among rural community-dwelling older adults in Thailand: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To develop a predictive model for undiagnosed hypertension (UHTN) in older adults based on five modifiable factors [eating behaviors, emotion, exercise, stopping smoking, and stopping drinking alcohol (3E2S) using machine learning (ML) algorithms. Methods: The supervised ML models [random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB)] with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) prioritization and conventional statistics (χ2 and binary logistic regression) were employed to predict UHTN from 5,288 health records of older adults from ten primary care hospitals in Thailand. Results: The χ2 analyses showed that age and eating behavior were the predicting features of UHTN occurrence. The binary logistic regression revealed that taking food supplements/vitamins, using seasoning powder, and eating bean products were related to normotensive and hypertensive classifications. The RF, XGB, and SVM accuracy were 0.90, 0.89, and 0.57, respectively. The SHAP identified the importance of salt intake and food/vitamin supplements. Vitamin B6, B12, and selenium in the UHTN were lower than in the normotensive group. Conclusion: ML indicates that salt intake, soybean consumption, and food/vitamin supplements are primary factors for UHTN classification in older adults.

Dairy products and hypertension: Cross-sectional and prospective associations.

BACKGROUND: The association between dairy intake and prevalence or incidence of hypertension remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between intake of different dairy products and prevalence and incidence of hypertension in a community-dwelling sample. METHODS: Three cross-sectional studies (2009-12, 2014-17 and 2018-21) and one prospective study (2009-12 to 2018-21) were conducted in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dietary intake was assessed via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dairy consumption was compared between participants with and without prevalent or incident hypertension. RESULTS: For the cross-sectional analyses, data from 4437 (2009-12, 54.0% women, 57.7 ± 10.5 years), 2925 (2014-17, 53.4% women, 62.5 ± 10.0 years), and 2144 (2018-21; 53.3% women, 65.5 ± 9.6 years) participants were used. No consistent differences between participants with and without hypertension were found for all dairy products (total dairy, milk, yogurt, cheese, low-fat dairy, and full-fat dairy) although participants with hypertension tended to consume less cheese (51 ± 1 vs. 55 ± 1, p = 0.014, 52 ± 1 vs. 56 ± 1, p = 0.053, and 54 ± 1 vs. 56 ± 1 g/day for 2009-12, 2014-17 and 2018-21, respectively). For the prospective study, data from 2303 participants (60.8% women, 53.9 ± 9.0 years) were used. Irrespective of the dairy product considered, no association was found between quartiles of dairy consumption and development of hypertension. Similar findings were obtained after stratifying on dietary quality. CONCLUSION: In this population-based study, no association was found between the consumption of different dairy products and the prevalence or incidence of hypertension.

Charting the microplastic menace: A bibliometric analysis of pollution in Malaysian mangroves and polypropylene bioaccumulation assessment in Anadara granosa.

According to a bibliometric analysis, studies on microplastic pollution in Malaysia are still incomprehensive. This study found microplastic contamination in sediment (97 particles/kg) and water (10,963 particles/m3) samples from Malaysian mangroves. Sediment from Matang and water from Kuala Selangor recorded the highest microplastic concentrations at 140 ± 5.13 particles/kg and 13,350 ± 37.95 particles/m3, respectively. Fragmented, blue, rayon and particles of <0.1 mm microplastic were the most abundant in sediment and water. In an experiment of polypropylene microplastic uptakes, Anadara granosa was found to uptake more 0.1 mm fiber particles. The uptake is strongly correlated to the presence of microplastics in sediment and water. The estimated dietary intake (EDI) indicates that a consumer could ingest 507 microplastic particles/year by consuming contaminated A. granosa. Therefore, mitigating measures are crucial to safeguard aquatic systems and humans from microplastic pollution.