Evaluation of the effects of the FODMAP diet and probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, quality of life and depression in women with IBS.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyols (FODMAP) diet therapy and probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, quality of life and depression in women diagnosed with IBS. METHODS: For the study, 52 female IBS patients between the ages of 20 and 55 were enrolled. Individuals were monitored for 6 weeks in two groups. A low-FODMAP diet was given to the first group and a low-FODMAP diet plus a probiotic supplement was given to the second group (Lactobacillus rhamnosus). Three-day food intake records were kept at the start of the study and continued up to its conclusion, with a weekly check-in in between. At the start and end of the trial, participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL) and IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS). The Bristol Stool Scale was also used by the subjects to record their daily stool densities. RESULTS: At the end of the study, it was determined that the daily intake of FODMAP (lactose [g] + oligosaccharides [g] + mannitol [g] + sorbitol [g]) decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.05). At the end of the study, it was determined that the IBS-SSS, anxiety and depression scores of the individuals in both groups decreased significantly and their IBS-QOL scores increased significantly (p < 0.05). However, the difference between these values between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A low-FODMAP diet has been demonstrated to benefit people by lessening the severity of their IBS symptoms and enhancing their quality of life. No evidence was found, however, to indicate that the FODMAP diet would be more beneficial on these metrics if additional probiotics were used. It should be emphasised that the reaction of probiotic strains may vary depending on the IBS subtype.

N-Nitrosamines: a potential hazard in processed meat products.

Nitrite, nitrate, and their salts are added to processed meat products to improve color, flavor, and shelf life and to lower the microbial burden. N-Nitrosamine compounds are formed when nitrosing agents (such as secondary nitrosamines) in meat products interact with nitrites and nitrates that have been added to the meat. With the consumption of such meat products, nitrosation reactions occur in the human body and N-nitrosamine formation occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the benefits nitrites and nitrates have on food, their tendency to create nitrosamines and an increase in the body's nitrous amine load presents health risks. The inclusion of nitrosamine compounds in possible and probable carcinogen classes according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer requires a re-examination of the literature review on processed meat products. This article evaluates the connections between various cancer types and nitrosamines found in processed meat products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Relationship Between Myostatin, Inflammatory Markers, and Sarcopenia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), investigate the relationship of the serum myostatin level with sarcopenia and inflammatory markers. METHODS: The study was conducted with four patient groups: renal transplantation (TX), stage 3-5 non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD), hemodialysis (HD), and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Laboratory parameters, serum myostatin, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 levels were studied. Body composition was estimated using a multifrequency bioimpedance analysis. Handgrip strength (HGS) was evaluated with a handgrip dynamometer. The HGS and appendicular skeletal muscle index measurements were used to determine sarcopenia presence. RESULTS: The study included 130 patients (72 [55%] male patients). The patient distribution in groups was as follows: 37 in HD, 28 in PD, 37 in renal TX, and 28 in NDD-CKD. The highest level of myostatin was measured in the HD group, and the lowest in the TX group (P < .001). The HGS measurement in the PD group was significantly lower than that in the TX group (P = .025). The myostatin was negatively correlated with HGS, albumin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and Kt/Vurea. However, myostatin had no correlation with inflammatory markers or appendicular skeletal muscle index. Sarcopenia was present in 37 (29%) patients: 15 (40%) in the HD group, nine (32%) in NDD-CKD, seven (25%) in PD, and six (16%) in TX. When the patients with and without sarcopenia were compared, only myostatin was higher in the former (P = .045). As a result of multivariate analysis, myostatin was the only independent factor which predicts sarcopenia (odds ratio: 1.002, 95% confidence interval: 1.001-1.005, P = .048). CONCLUSION: To prevent devastating events associated with sarcopenia in patients with CKD, renal transplantation seems to be the best treatment solution. For the early recognition of sarcopenia, the measurement of the serum myostatin level may be a promising diagnostic approach.

A Comparison of the Indirect Calorimetry and Different Energy Equations for the Determination of Resting Energy Expenditure of Patients With Renal Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the agreement between the resting energy expenditure (REE) obtained by indirect calorimetry and eight prediction equations in adult patients with renal transplantation and a newly developed REE prediction equation for use in patients with renal transplantation in the clinic. METHODS: A total of 51 patients (30 males and 21 females) were involved in the study. The REE was measured by indirect calorimetry and compared with the previous prediction equations. The agreement was assessed by the interclass correlation coefficient and by Bland-Altman plot analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in terms of age and body mass index between the genders. Differences between the predicted and measured REEs were maximum in the Bernstein equation (-478 kcal) and minimum in the Cunningham equation (-69 kcal). It was found that underprediction values varied from 27.5% (chronic kidney disease equation) to 98.0% (Bernstein equation). The highest overprediction value was found in the Schofield equation (17.7%). The Cunningham equation and the new equation had the lowest root mean square error (265 kcal/day). In this study, fat-free mass (FFM) was found to be the most significant variable in multiple regression analysis (r2: 0.55). The new specific equation based on FFM was generated as 424.2 + 24.7∗FFM (kg). Besides that, it was found that the new equation and Cunningham equation were distributed randomly according to Bland-Altman analysis. A supplementary new equation based on available anthropometric measurements was developed as -1996.8 + 19.1∗height (cm) + 7.2∗body weight (kg). CONCLUSION: This study showed that most of the predictive equations significantly underestimated REE. In patients with renal transplantation, if the REE is not measurable by indirect calorimetry, the use of the proposed equations will be more accurate.

A minireview of effects of green tea on energy expenditure.

In recent years, individuals have begun to tend more frequently to some natural and herbal products to be used alone or as a combination with diet and exercise for ensuring the weight loss. Green tea is the leading one of these products. In some studies, it is reported that the green tea causes an increase in thermogenesis and substrate with fat oxidation by affecting on the sympathetic nervous system. It is reported that green tea has two main components that are associated with energy expenditure. One of them is caffeine and the other is catechin content. Each of these two components has an impact on energy mechanism separately. In this minireview article, mechanisms of action and effects of caffeine and catechin, which are found in green tea composition, on energy expenditure are assessed.

Aging Processes Are Affected by Energy Balance: Focused on the Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Telomere Length.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The number and proportion of individuals aged 60 and over are increasing globally. The increase in the elderly population has important social and economic effects. Telomere length is an important marker for healthy aging. Here, we review the relevance between telomere length and energy balance by determining the effects of physical activity, nutrients, dietary patterns, and foods on healthy aging and telomere length with related studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence emphasizes the importance of telomere length and integrity for healthy aging. It also focuses on the importance of potential interventions such as physical activity and a healthy diet to improve this process. We suggest that ensuring energy balance with regular physical activity and healthy diets can contribute to the aging process by protecting telomere length. In addition, different methods in studies, short and inconsistent durations, different types of exercise, different diet patterns, and non-standard foods have led to conflicting results. More studies are needed to elucidate molecular-based mechanisms.

Is Propolis a Potential Anti-Obesogenic Agent for Obesity?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Propolis is a bee product that has been used for thousands of years. The chemical composition and biological activity of propolis, which has been investigated in the twentieth century, may vary according to location. Propolis polyphenols can induce thermogenesis in brown and beige fat tissue via the uncoupled protein-1 and creatinine kinase metabolic pathways. This review provides a comprehensive investigation of the structural and biological properties of propolis and provides insights into their promising potential strategies in body weight management. RECENT FINDINGS: By raising overall energy expenditure, it might lead to body weight management. Furthermore, the phenolic components artepillin C, quercetin, catechin, and chlorogenic acid found in its composition may have anti-obesogenic effect by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, enhancing browning in white adipose tissue, and triggering AMP-activated protein kinase activation and mitochondrial biogenesis. Propolis, a natural product, is effective in preventing obesity which is a contemporary pandemic.

Daily dietary energy and macronutrient intake and anthropometric measurements of the peritoneal dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study was planned to investigate the relation between dietary macronutrient status and anthropometric measurements in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 clinically stable patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were taken a dietary therapy according to the guidelines of the American Journal of Kidney Foundation for 12 weeks. The anthropometric measurements were taken by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. The daily macronutrient intakes of the patients were calculated by the food consumption records. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.3 ± 13.10 years [56.3 ± 7.41 years for males (n = 14) and 40.3 ± 12.84 years for females (n = 14)]. There were significant changes in fat percentage (%), total body water (TBW; %, L), extracellular water (ECW; %, L), basal metabolic rate over body weight (BMR/BW), and body fat mass index (BMFI) in males (p < 0.05), but there was no change in females (p > 0.05). The daily dietary energy and protein intakes were under the recommended level in the study period. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing PD frequently have low intakes of protein and energy. It is recommended that individuals undergoing PD periodically maintain 3-day dietary records followed by dietary interviews conducted by a dietitian.

Age-Related Changes in Circadian Rhythm and Association with Nutrition.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Considering the increase in life expectancy, there is a time-related decline in biological functions. Age-related changes are also observed in the circadian clock which directly leads to appropriate rhythms in the endocrine and metabolic pathways required for organism homeostasis. Circadian rhythms are affected by the sleep/wake cycle, environmental changes, and nutrition. The aim of this review is to show the relationship between age-related changes in circadian rhythms of physiological and molecular processes and nutritional differences in the elderly. RECENT FINDINGS: Nutrition is an environmental factor that is particularly effective on peripheral clocks. Age-related physiological changes have an impact on nutrient intake and circadian processes. Considering the known effects of amino acid and energy intakes on peripheral and circadian clocks, it is thought that the change in circadian clocks in aging may occur due to anorexia due to physiological changes.

Validity of the Graz Malnutrition Screening as an indicator of malnutrition in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: Hospital malnutrition is an important health problem for developed and developing countries, and screening tools are recommended in practice because they can be obtained quickly and easily to identify the risk of malnutrition. This study aimed to validate the use of the Graz Malnutrition Screening (GMS) in combination with different methods of nutrition assessment in the identification of malnutrition risk in hospitalized adult and older patients. METHODS: The study was performed with a total of 348 adult (64.4%) and older (35.6%) patients treated in the internal and surgical clinical units of Ankara Gazi Hospital between May and July 2019. A questionnaire including general information, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters was applied. The Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002), Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), and GMS were applied, and results were evaluated by comparison. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.0 years, and the mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 7.9 days. According to GMS, malnutrition risk was found in 47.7% of the patients. When NRS-2002 was taken as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of GMS were calculated as 95.16% and 78.57%, respectively, and Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.686. When SNAQ was taken as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of GMS were calculated as 91.59% and 75.11%, respectively, and Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.609. CONCLUSION: GMS can be used as a valid screening tool to identify malnutrition risk in both adult and older patients in the different hospital departments in Turkey.