Association between Baltic sea diet and healthy Nordic diet index with risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case-control study.

Recent evidence shows the beneficial effects of Baltic Sea diet score (BSDS) and healthy Nordic diet index (HNDI) on chronic diseases, however, there is no evidence to investigate them on the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between BSDS and HNDI with the risk of NAFLD. In this case-control study, 552 people in good health and 340 people with NAFLD over the age of 18 took part. The evaluation of BSDS and HNDI employed a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Binary logistic regression was used to determine how OBS and NAFLD are related. The mean BSDS and HNDI were 16.00 ± 2.49 and 11.99 ± 2.61, respectively. The final model's confounder adjustment revealed that greater HNDI adherence scores gave protection against the occurrence of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.98; P for trend = 0.043). In addition, those with the highest BSDS scores had significantly lower risks of developing NAFLD compared to subjects with the lowest scores (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.32-0.89; p for trend = 0.003). Our findings showed that following a healthy Nordic diet can significantly prevent the risk of developing NAFLD, and suggest that the highly nutritious components of the Nordic diet are beneficial for the prevention of NAFLD.

Diet quality and cardiovascular disease risk among breast cancer survivors in the Pathways Study.

BACKGROUND: Women with breast cancer are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with women without breast cancer. Whether higher diet quality at breast cancer diagnosis lowers this risk remains unknown. We set out to determine if higher diet quality at breast cancer diagnosis was related to lower risk of CVD and CVD-related death. METHODS: This analysis included 3415 participants from the Pathway Study, a prospective cohort of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2005 and 2013 and followed through December 31, 2021. Scores from 5 diet quality indices consistent with healthy eating were obtained at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. Scores were categorized into ascending quartiles of concordance for each diet quality index, and multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. P values were 2-sided. RESULTS: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet quality index was associated with lower risk of heart failure (HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.87; Ptrend = .03), arrhythmia (HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.62 to 0.94; Ptrend = .008), cardiac arrest (HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.96; Ptrend = .02), valvular heart disease (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.98; Ptrend = .046), venous thromboembolic disease (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.93; Ptrend = .01), and CVD-related death (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50 to 0.99; Ptrend = .04), when comparing the highest with lowest quartiles. Inverse associations were also found between the healthy plant-based dietary index and heart failure (HR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.94; Ptrend = .02), as well as the alternate Mediterranean dietary index and arrhythmia (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.93; Ptrend = .02). CONCLUSION: Among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, higher diet quality at diagnosis was associated with lower risk of CVD events and death.

Dietary inflammatory pattern and risk of hip fracture in the Nurses' Health Study.

Our immune system activity is impacted by what we eat and can influence fracture risk under certain conditions. In this article, we show that postmenopausal women with a pro-inflammatory dietary pattern have an increased risk of hip fracture. PURPOSE: The immune system influences bone homeostasis and can increase the risk of fracture under certain pro-inflammatory conditions. Immune system activity is impacted by dietary patterns. Using the empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP), we investigated whether postmenopausal women with a pro-inflammatory dietary pattern had an increased risk of hip fracture. METHODS: The study population consisted of postmenopausal women participating in the Nurses' Health Study from 1980 to 2014, who reported information on lifestyle and health, including hip fractures, on biennial questionnaires, while semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) were completed every fourth year. Hazard ratios (HR) for hip fracture were computed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: EDIP was calculated using intake information from the FFQ for 87,955 postmenopausal participants, of whom 2348 sustained a non-traumatic hip fracture during follow-up. After adjustment for confounders, there was a 7% increase in the risk of hip fracture per 1 SD increase in EDIP (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12), and the uppermost quintile had a 22% greater risk compared to the lowest (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.40). For the separate components of the EDIP, we found that higher intakes of low-energy beverages (diet sodas) were independently associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, while higher intakes of green leafy vegetables were associated with a reduced risk. CONCLUSION: A pro-inflammatory dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women.

Association between dietary inflammation index with anemia in Americans: a cross-sectional study with U.S. National health and nutrition examination survey.

OBJECTIVES: Dietary inflammatory index (DII) is utilized to determine the inflammatory effects of nutrients and foods on various diseases. Inflammation is a potential risk factor for anemia. We hypothesize that pro-inflammatory diets boost the incidence of anemia, as indicated by high DII. METHODS: 41, 360 Americans were included in this study from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) from 2003-2018. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between DII and anemia. RESULTS: After adjustment for all the covariates, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) between the risk of anemia and DII across tertile 3 were 1.2556 (95% CI 1.0621, 1.4843; P = 0.0077), and the trend test was statistically significant (P for trend = 0.009). Furthermore, in the subgroup analysis stratified by gender. The ORs (95% CI) between the risk of anemia and DII across tertile 2 and 3 were 1.8071 (95% CI 1.1754, 2.7783; P = 0.0070) and 2.1591 (95% CI 1.4009, 3.3278; P = 0.0005) in men after multivariable adjustment. However, in women, this association was only significantly different (P < 0.05) across tertile 3 in the crude model. In the subgroup analysis stratified by race, this association was significant (P < 0.05) between the risk of anemia and DII for Non-Hispanic Whites/Blacks after adjustment. DISCUSSION: Together, anemia was significantly associated with DII using logistic regression. In stratified analyses, higher DII scores were linked to an increased incidence of anemia in men, while no association was found in women after adjustment. Additionally, anemia may be associated with greater pro-inflammatory diets in Non-Hispanic Whites/Blacks. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we evaluate the potential relationship between DII and anemia using data from NHANES. This cross-sectional study confirmed the hypothesis that the higher DII was significantly associated with a higher risk of anemia in the U.S. population.

Investigating the Effects of Diet-Induced Prediabetes on Skeletal Muscle Strength in Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition preceded by prediabetes, is documented to compromise skeletal muscle health, consequently affecting skeletal muscle structure, strength, and glucose homeostasis. A disturbance in skeletal muscle functional capacity has been demonstrated to induce insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. However, the modifications in skeletal muscle function in the prediabetic state are not well elucidated. Hence, this study investigated the effects of diet-induced prediabetes on skeletal muscle strength in a prediabetic model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the two groups (n = 6 per group; six prediabetic (PD) and six non-pre-diabetic (NPD)). The PD group (n = 6) was induced with prediabetes for 20 weeks. The diet that was used to induce prediabetes consisted of fats (30% Kcal/g), proteins (15% Kcal/g), and carbohydrates (55% Kcal/g). In addition to the diet, the experimental animals (n = 6) were supplied with drinking water that was supplemented with 15% fructose. The control group (n = 6) was allowed access to normal rat chow, consisting of 35% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 15% fats, and 20% other components, as well as ordinary tap water. At the end of week 20, the experimental animals were diagnosed with prediabetes using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) prediabetes impaired fasting blood glucose criteria (5.6-6.9 mmol/L). Upon prediabetes diagnosis, the animals were subjected to a four-limb grip strength test to assess skeletal muscle strength at week 20. After the grip strength test was conducted, the animals were euthanized for blood and tissue collection to analyze glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma insulin, and insulin resistance using the homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the associations of skeletal muscle strength with HOMA-IR, plasma glucose, HbA1c, and MDA concentration. The results demonstrated increased HbA1c, FBG, insulin, HOMA-IR, and MDA concentrations in the PD group compared to the NPD group. Grip strength was reduced in the PD group compared to the NPD group. Grip strength was negatively correlated with HbA1c, plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, and MDA concentration in the PD group. These observations suggest that diet-induced prediabetes compromises muscle function, which may contribute to increased levels of sedentary behavior during prediabetes progression, and this may contribute to the development of hyperglycemia in T2DM.

Is Diet a Determining Factor in the Induction of Gingival Inflammation by Dental Plaque? A Secondary Analysis of Clinical Studies.

The aim was to determine the association between plaque and gingival inflammation reported by dietary interventions. Data of four clinical studies dealing with changed nutrition and gingival examination were reanalyzed with regard to gingival inflammation (GI), plaque (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Dietary changes basically involved avoiding sugar, white flour and sweetened drinks and focusing on whole foods for 4 weeks. The control groups were to maintain their usual diet. All participants had to reduce their oral hygiene efforts. Linear regression models taking the clustering of the data due to several studies into account were applied. In total, data of 92 participants (control groups: 39, test-groups 53) were reanalyzed. While both groups showed a slight increase in dental plaque, only the test groups showed a significant decrease in inflammatory parameters: GI (mean value difference End-Baseline (Δ): -0.31 (±SD 0.36)) and BOP (Δ: -15.39% (±16.07)), both p < 0.001. In the control groups, there was a constant relation between PI and GI, while the experimental group showed a decreasing relationship in GI/PI (p = 0.016), and even an inverted relationship BOP/PI under a changed diet (p = 0.031). In conclusion, diet seems to be a determining factor how the gingiva reacts towards dental plaque.

Exploring Gene-Diet Interactions for Mother-Child Health: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies.

BACKGROUND: Maternal-child health suggests the critical impact of maternal nutrition during the pre-conception and gestational periods, with some genetic variants also playing a significant role. Our systematic review provides an overview of epidemiological studies exploring the interactions between genetic variants, maternal dietary habits, and neonatal and/or maternal pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: From its inception until June 2023, we conducted a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. RESULTS: On a total of 29 epidemiological studies, 11 studies were conducted to explore the interplay between genetic variants and dietary factors, focusing on the risks associated with gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, recurrent spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss, iron deficiency anemia, and gestational weight gain. Concerning neonatal outcomes, six studies investigated the interplay between genetic variants, dietary factors, and anthropometric measures, while eight studies delved into abnormal embryonic development, two studies focused on preterm birth, and two studies explored other neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Deeply understanding gene-diet interactions could be useful in developing highly personalized approaches to maternal and child nutrition, as well as in exploring the potential implications in disease prevention and the promotion of the long-term well-being of both mothers and their offspring.

Exploring the association between dietary Inflammatory Index and chronic pain in US adults using NHANES 1999-2004.

Chronic pain, a substantial public health issue, may be influenced by dietary patterns through systemic inflammation. This cross-sectional study explored the association between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and chronic pain among 2581 American adults from NHANES data. The DII, ranging from - 4.98 to 4.69, reflects the inflammatory potential of the diet, with higher scores indicating greater pro-inflammatory capacity. Our findings showed no significant association between the continuous DII score and chronic pain prevalence. However, a nonlinear relationship emerged. When the DII was categorized, a significant association between higher DII scores (DII ≥ 2.5) and chronic pain prevalence was observed. The analysis uncovered a U-shaped pattern, with an inflection point at a DII score of - 0.9, indicating an association between both low and high levels of dietary inflammation are associated with higher pain prevalence. This nuanced interaction between dietary inflammation and chronic pain indicates the possibility of incorporating dietary modification into pain management strategies and underscores the need for further research into the long-term effects of diet on chronic pain.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is inversely associated with the osteosarcopenia in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Osteosarcopenia adversely affects the quality of life and physical health of older adults. We sought to explore the association between dietary patterns and osteosarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study from Northeast China, in which, we included older community adults aged 60 and above. Through face-to-face interviews, we collected dietary information from participants using a food frequency questionnaire. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain the dietary patterns of the participants. Through physical examination, we obtained the participants' information on osteosarcopenia, which was defined by the coexist of osteopenia and sarcopenia. We analysed the association between dietary patterns and dietary compositions with ostesarcopenia. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 9429 participants were included, and the prevalence of osteosarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults was 6.2%. PCA identified three main dietary patterns, and the lacto-ovo-vegetarian dietary pattern was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia. Compared to the lowest lacto-ovo-vegetarian quartile (Q1), the Q4 group (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.49-0.83) was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia. Through the weighted quantile sum regression model, we also found that the overall effect of the lacto-ovo-vegetarian dietary components was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37-0.92); the largest contributors were vegetables, fresh milk, eggs, and dairy products. CONCLUSION: Overall, we found that a lacto-ovo-vegetarian dietary pattern, particularly the consumption of vegetables, fresh milk, eggs, and dairy products, was inversely associated with osteosarcopenia in older adults. And this might provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of osteosarcopenia.

Effectiveness of personalized meal recommendation in improving dietary behaviors of Chinese community-dwelling elders: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate eating behaviors, particularly a lack of food diversity and poor diet quality, have a significant impact on the prognosis of certain chronic conditions and exacerbate these conditions in the community-dwelling elderly population. Current dietary interventions for the elderly have not adequately considered the nutritional needs associated with multiple chronic conditions and personal dietary preferences of elderly individuals. A personalized recommendation system has been recognized as a promising approach to address this gap. However, its effectiveness as a component of an elderly-targeted dietary intervention in real-world settings remains unknown. Additionally, it is unclear whether this intervention approach will be user-friendly for the elderly. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effectiveness of a personalized meal recommendation system designed to improve dietary behavior in community-dwelling elders. The implementation process in terms of System usability and satisfaction will also be assessed. METHODS: The trial has been designed as a 6-month, non-blinded, parallel two-arm trial. One hundred fifty community-dwelling elders who meet the eligibility criteria will be enrolled. Subjects will be allocated to either the intervention group, receiving personalized meal recommendations and access to corresponding food provided as one component of the intervention, as well as health education on elder nutrition topics, or the control group, which will receive nutritional health education lectures. Outcomes will be measured at three time points: baseline at 0 months, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcomes will include dietary diversity (DDS) and diet quality (CDGI-E) of enrolled community-dwelling elders, representing their dietary behavior improvement, along with dietary behavior adherence to recommended meals. Secondary outcomes will measure the perceived acceptability and usability of the personalized meal recommendation system for the intervention group. Exploratory outcomes will include changes in the nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of the community-dwelling elders. DISCUSSION: This study aims to examine the effectiveness, acceptability, and usability of a personalized meal recommendation system as a data-driven dietary intervention to benefit community-dwelling elders. The successful implementation will inform the future development and integration of digital health strategies in daily nutrition support for the elderly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300074912. Registered on August 20, 2023, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=127583.

Metabolic and ultrastructural renal changes in adult Wistar rats fed by a cafeteria diet.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, by quantitative and qualitative methods, the glomerular ultrastructure in Wistar rats fed a cafeteria diet. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups at 21 days of age: control (C, n = 10) and cafeteria diet (CAF, n = 8). The animals were followed up until 5 months of age, followed by euthanasia. The blood, kidneys, and fat deposits--epididymal, retroperitoneal, and subcutaneous--were extracted and analyzed. Data were analyzed by Student's t test, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The cafeteria diet promoted glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia (p < 0.0001), and deposition of retroperitoneal fat (p < 0.005). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the length of the foot process was similar in both groups. The quantitative analyses by transmission electron microscopy revealed that the cafeteria diet reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The intake of lipids and simple carbohydrates were found to be associated with alteration in the glomerular ultrastructure. However, more studies are needed to evaluate not only the effects of high-protein and high-fat diets on components of the glomerular filtration barrier, but also renal physiology.

Advanced glycation end products of dietary origin and their association with inflammation in diabetes - A minireview.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a diverse group of compounds that are formed as a result of the non-enzymatic reaction between a reducing sugar such as glucose and the free NH2 groups of an amino acid in a protein or other biomolecule. The chemical reaction, by which these products are generated, is known as the Maillard reaction and occurs as a part of the body's normal metabolism. Such a reaction is enhanced during diabetes due to hyperglycemia, but it can also occur during the preparation, processing, and preservation of certain foods. Therefore, AGEs can also be obtained from the diet (d-AGE) and contribute to an increase of the total serum pool of these compounds. They have been implicated in a wide variety of pathological processes, mainly because of their ability to induce inflammatory responses and oxidative stress increase. They are extensively accumulated as a part of the normal aging, especially in tissues rich in long half-life proteins, which can compromise the physiology of these tissues. d-AGEs are abundant in diets rich in processed fats and sugars. This review is addressed to the current knowledge on these products and their impact on the immunomodulation of various mechanisms that may contribute to exacerbation of the diabetes pathophysiology.

Association between dietary inflammation index and inflammatory bowel disease in adults: Results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2010.

Previous study has demonstrated that the Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) played a role in the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, the prevalence and risk factors for IBD are distinct across locations and groups, and therefore, the findings are debatable and warrant further investigation. A total of 4363 participants were calculated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009 to 2010, of whom 1.21% self-reported a history of IBD. DII values were performed as a good predictor of dietary inflammation based on data from two 24-h dietary reviews in the NHANES database. Comparing the multifarious effects along with variations of the whole population by grouping populations according to DII quartiles, dietary inflammation levels increased progressively from DII quartile 1(Q1) to quartile 4(Q4). The association between DII and IBD was tested with multi-variable logistic regression models, subgroup analyses and weighted generalized additive models. Participants in the Q4 group showed the highest levels of C-reactive protein and reduced haemoglobin and albumin levels. Logistic regression confirmed the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of IBD for DII were 0.99 (0.86, 1.15), 0.97 (0.84, 1.13) and 0.80 (0.66, 0.98) in models 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The negative correlation between DII and IBD among United States adults from the NHANES database became increasingly apparent as covariates were adjusted. Subgroup analyses and smoothed curve fitting confirmed the inverse results. The study revealed that DII was correlated with the overall physical well-being of participants. However, there was no significant association between DII and IBD.

Dietary inflammatory index in relation to the progression of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis: evaluation by elastography/Fibroscan.

One of the proposed mechanisms by which nutrition influences the progression of hepatic steatosis to fibrosis is inflammation. The study investigated how the inflammatory potential of the diet affects the risk of liver damage in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. This cross-sectional study included 170 outpatients with newly diagnosed NAFLD. This study used a device called Fibroscan® to measure the degree of liver fibrosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissue due to chronic inflammation. The study also used a tool called the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) to measure the inflammatory potential of the diet based on the intake of different foods and nutrients. In the findings of the study, patients with more severe fat accumulation in the liver (hepatic steatosis) had higher DII scores, meaning they had more inflammatory diets. The study also found that higher DII scores were associated with higher weight and body mass index (BMI). One standard deviation (SD) increase in DII scores was associated with a 0.29 kilopascal (95% CI: 0.10-0.44; P-value 0.001) increase in the mean liver stiffness, an indicator of liver fibrosis. The study concluded that patients with higher DII scores had a higher risk of developing liver fibrosis than those with lower DII scores, even after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio: 5.89; P-value: 0.001). The study suggested that eating less inflammatory foods may help prevent or slow down the progression of hepatic steatosis and liver in patients with NAFLD.

Influence of maternal cholesterol-enriched diet on chemical composition of teeth enamel in offspring of mice.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To determine the chemical composition of the tooth enamel of two-day-old mice from hypercholesterolemic mothers by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: Forty mature female mice were randomly assigned (n = 20/group) to either a standard chow vivarium diet (control group) or a cholesterol-enriched chow diet (experimental group). After fertilization, pregnancy and birth, on postnatal day 2, the incisor segments of 6 pups form each group were used for energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. RESULTS: Results: Influence of maternal hypercholesterolemic diet on tooth development and mineralization was examined, which revealed changes in enamel chemical composition. First, the results indicate the presence of seven elements (Na, Cl, Ca, P, Mg, S, Fe) in the enamel of both the hypercholesterolemic and normal offspring, but the content of element Ca2+ decreased, the content of elements P5+, Na+, Cl- tended to increase in pups from hypercholesterolemic mice. Second, the initial level of mineralization according to the atomic (%) Ca / P in hypercholesterolemic pups ratio was 1.26, comparing with normal pups where level of mineralization was 1.34. Taking into account that irreversible changes in the structure of the enamel were observed when the Ca / P ratio was below 1.33, we can suggest that the eruption of teeth with an imperfect structure could be because of maternal hypercholesterolemic diet. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that hypercholesterolemic diet during gestation and lactation leads to altered enamel mineralization in mice because of changes in chemical composition and may link to the early childhood caries.

Association between dietary inflammation index and asthma COPD overlap.

There are few studies on the relationship between dietary habits and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between dietary inflammation index (DII) score and ACO. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2020. The DII score was first calculated and the demographic characteristics of the grouping based on the DII quartile were assessed. The weighted logistic regression model was used to study the relationship between DII and ACO. Subgroup analysis was used to further explore the differences in different subgroups. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) plot was used to show the general trend of DII score and disease risk, and threshold effect analysis was used to determine the inflection point. In a comparison of baseline characteristics, the highest ACO prevalence was found in the fourth quartile array of people in DII. An adjusted weighted logistic regression model showed that DII was positively correlated with the incidence of ACO. Subgroup analysis showed that the association was more pronounced in women, non-Hispanics, people with cardiovascular disease, and people without diabetes. The RCS graph shows that overall, the risk of ACO increases with the increase of DII score. Threshold effect analysis showed that the inflection point was 3.779, and the risk was more significant after the DII score was greater than the inflection point value (OR 2.001, 95% CI 1.334-3.001, P < 0.001). Higher DII scores were positively associated with ACO risk. These results further support diet as an intervention strategy for ACO prevention and treatment.

Maternal dietary indexes are not linked to early childhood wheezing or atopic eczema.

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have investigated the association between maternal diet during pregnancy and wheezing or asthma in children. However, whether a specific dietary pattern during pregnancy protects children from wheezing or atopic diseases remains unclear. This study investigated the association between The Alternative Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P), the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), and the risk for wheezing and atopic eczema in children during the first year of life. METHODS: This study included 1330 mother-child pairs who attended the Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) study and had dietary information during the last trimester and information on children's health in the first year of life. AHEI-P and DII indicate a healthy diet and dietary inflammation potential during pregnancy. The AHEI-P and DII were compared with reported wheezing and doctor-diagnosed atopic eczema in children during the first year of life. RESULTS: Neither AHEI-P nor DII is associated with wheezing or atopic eczema in children when analyzed by continuous variables and by tertiles. The odds ratio (95% CI) for AHEI-P and wheezing was 0.99 (0.98-1.01), for AHEI-P and atopic eczema1.01 (0.99-1.02), for DII and wheezing 1.02 (0.95-1.09), and for DII and atopic eczema 0.97 (0.91-1.04). CONCLUSION: In this cohort study, AHEI-P and DII during pregnancy were not associated with wheezing or atopic eczema in the offspring during the first year of life.

Association between dietary phytochemical index and risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary intake of phytochemicals has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, but research on their relationship with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is limited. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between a Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and BPH risk in a Middle-Eastern population. METHODS: The study recruited 112 BPH patients and 112 age-matched healthy controls (40-75 years) from Al-Zahra Hospital Clinic in Isfahan, Iran between 2021 and 2022. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and DPI was calculated as the ratio of energy intake from phytochemical-rich foods to total daily energy intake. Logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In the crude model, participants in the highest DPI tertile had a 70% lower odds of BPH compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR:0.3, 95% CI 0.15-0.61, P-trend = 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, this inverse association remained significant (OR:0.23, 95% CI 0.15-0.63, P-trend = 0.001). Participants with higher DPI consumed more whole grains (p = 0.02), nuts (p < 0.001), legumes (p = 0.02), fruits (p < 0.001), vegetables (p < 0.001), olives and oilve products (p = 0.02), and tomato and its products (p < 0.001) in their diet compared to the lowest tertile. However, red meat (p = 0.03) and refined grains (p < 0.001) were consumed in higher amounts in the lowest tertile compared to the highest DPI tertile. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a protective association between DPI and BPH risk in the Middle-Eastern population. Encouraging higher intake of phytochemical-rich foods may help reduce the risk of BPH, highlighting the relevance of nutritional science in promoting prostate health.

Dietary Patterns Associated with Breast Cancer in the Middle East: A Scoping Review.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most predominant malignancy in Arab women in the Middle East, and yearly increases in occurrence by 37.5 and mortality rates by 15.2 for every 100,000 in 2019. This review explores the gap in research investigating the role of dietary patterns and BC in Middle Eastern countries. Furthermore, we analyze the evidence connecting these patterns to BC prevalence in the region, discussing implications for public health and preventive strategies. PubMed, ProQuest, and Cochrane databases were searched up to November 2023. Articles published in English from 2000 to 2023 were identified. Our search included dietary patterns (DP), their association with BC and specific to Middle Eastern Regions. The majority of existing research is concentrated in Iran, with limited illustration from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Jordan, and a notable absence of studies from other Middle Eastern countries. We found that dietary intervention is closely related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of BC. Most DPs such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, Mediterranean, Plant-based and Paleolithic diets are identified to decrease the probability of BC by being rich sources of fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals. However, there are few DPs that increase the risk of BC, because of the existence of foods such as unhealthy fats, low fiber, sugars, and fried foods in those patterns which contribute to increasing the risk factors associated with BC. This review highlights the intricate connection between DPs and the risk of BC in the Middle East, revealing potential protective effects and heightened risks linked to specific dietary elements.