Does probiotic supplementation improve quality of life in mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis patients in Jordan? A secondary outcome of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: Recent findings revealed a potential effect of a probiotic in improving quality of life (QoL) in ulcerative colitis (UC). In Jordan, there is scarce data about UC patients and QoL. METHODS: Twenty-four UC patients were included in the study and were randomly allocated into probiotic (3 × 1010 probiotic capsules containing nine Lactobacillus and five Bifidobacterium species) and placebo control groups (containing polysaccharide supplied in an identical bottle) 3 times daily/6 weeks. A short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ) was used to assess the change in the quality of life in both groups at the beginning and the end of the intervention; The study was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Patients treated with probiotics showed a higher score of social (6.92 ± 0.29, p = 0.019), bowel (6.31 ± 0.46, p = 0.001), emotional (6.47 ± 0.46, p < 0.001), and total SIBDQ scores (6.54 ± 0.29, p < 0.001) compared to the placebo group (5.75 ± 1.57, 4.72 ± 1.34, 4.42 ± 1.67 and 4.96 ± 1.27; respectively). Also, the probiotic group had significantly better scores in the systemic, social, bowel, emotional, and total SIBDQ scores in terms of pre- to post-treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of probiotic therapy containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species had significantly improved the quality of life among UC patients, this was shown by the improvement in the scores of the systemic domain, social domain, bowel domain, emotional domain, and total SIBDQ. This study is part of a registered study at ClinicalTrials.gov with the number NCT04223479.

Jordan's Population-Based Food Consumption Survey: Protocol for Design and Development.

BACKGROUND: One of the factors influencing health and well-being is dietary patterns. Data on food consumption are necessary for evaluating and developing community nutrition policies. Few studies on Jordanians' food consumption and dietary habits at various ages have been conducted, despite the increased prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases. This will be the first study focusing on Jordanians' food consumption patterns that includes children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aims to describe the design and methodology of the Jordan's Population-based Food Consumption Survey, 2021-2022, which was developed to collect data on food consumption, including energy, nutrients, and food group intake, from a representative sample of Jordanians and to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their relationship to food consumption. METHODS: Participants were selected by stratified random sampling, using the Estimated Population of the Kingdom by Governorate, Locality, Sex, and Households, 2020 as the sampling frame. The food consumption survey sample was at the population level, representing gender and age classes (8-85 years old). The data collection period was 6 months. Food consumption was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall (2 nonconsecutive days, 1 week apart) interviews representing weekdays and weekends. In addition to data on food consumption, information on the use of food supplements, sociodemographic and socioeconomic status, and health was gathered. Weight, height, and waist circumference were all measured. RESULTS: The survey included 632 households with 2145 participants, of which 243 (11.3%) were children, 374 (17.4%) were adolescents, 1428 (66.6%) were adults, and 99 (4.6%) were older adults. Three food consumption databases were used to stratify the mean 24-hour dietary recall food consumption into energy intake, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and food groups. BMI was calculated and classified as normal, overweight, or obese. Central obesity was classified as normal or abnormal based on the waist-to-height ratio. The survey results will be disseminated based on age, energy, nutrient, and food group consumption. The prevalence of overweight and obesity by age group will be presented, as well as a comparison to the situation in Eastern Mediterranean countries. CONCLUSIONS: The survey data will be helpful in nutritional studies, assessing changes in dietary patterns, and developing and evaluating nutrition or health policies. It will be a solid base for developing a future national surveillance system on food consumption patterns with comprehensive food consumption, physical activity, biochemical, and blood pressure data. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/41636.

Psoriasis Management Using Herbal Supplementation: A Retrospective Clinical Case Study.

Background: Currently, there is no effective long-term treatment for psoriasis by conventional medicine. Thus, several alternative treatments are currently used to attenuate the severity, including herbal and dietary supplements. Primary Study Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a mixture of traditional Jordanian herbal supplements on psoriasis treatment. Methods/Design: A retrospective case study was conducted at The Herbal Dynasty Medical Center, Jordan. Three psoriasis patients were selected to participate (2 males; 1 female); patients obtained their diagnosis by a physician. Participants were prescribed a specific dose of 2 capsules daily of the herbal supplement, which consisted of dandelion, olive leaf, nettle leaf, and turmeric, along with 2 capsules of milk thistle half an hour before breakfast. Participants were instructed to follow therapy protocol for 5 consecutive months. The psoriasis area and severity index score was calculated pretreatment and posttreatment. Results: The 3 psoriasis cases were diagnosed as mild, moderate, and severe at the study onset. The severity index scores were 3.2, 14, and 16.2, respectively, and improved posttreatment to 0, 0.8, and 2, respectively. Conclusion: Traditional herbal supplementation was shown to be beneficial for the treatment of psoriasis.

Remodeling Immune Response in A Celiac Disease Patient Using Herbal Supplementation: A Clinical Case-Study.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal serological response (autoimmune anti-tissue-Transglutaminase antibodies) triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. The only available effective management for those patients is a strict gluten-free diet. Aim: To investigate the improvement of CD after completing a traditional herbal supplementation and alternative medicine treatment. Case description, treatment, and results: A 23-year-old female presented with a confirmed CD diagnosis (positive anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA with infiltration of mixed inflammatory cell detected in small bowel biopsy). After 9 months of alternative treatment with traditional herbal supplementation (Taraxaf®, Ferrolina®, and Indomirol®), the clinical, laboratory, and endoscopy profile tests have shown an overall improvement with negative results for anti-tissue Transglutaminase IgA, and normal small bowel mucosal appearance. She was returned to an ordinary diet containing gluten. Conclusion: A traditional herbal supplementation with specific doses followed by a physician's instruction led to obvious improvement in this CD patient.

Hyperthyroidism treatment by alternative therapies based on cupping and dietary-herbal supplementation: a case report.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increasing production of thyroid hormone (TH) and decreasing of thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) secretion. The treatment of hyperthyroidism includes such as anti-thyroid drugs, radioiodine, and thyroidectomy have many side effects without complete curing results. We described a successful treatment of hyperthyroidism patient with dietary-herbal supplementation with wet cupping without any medicine. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-years female, blood analysis showed that she had low TSH (0.012 mlU/mL), and normal levels of T3 and T4. After completing 16 weeks on Carbimazole, TSH value still low (0.024 mlU/mL) and urticaria was appeared. She decided to stop Carbimazole and try alternative therapy choices. She received wet cupping and dietary-herbal supplementations (including royal jelly, green barley grass and Taraxaf®) for two months. Notably, TSH values was increased during-after intervention and urticaria was disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative therapy could be a beneficial choice for hyperthyroidism treatment without any side effects or complications under physician supervision.

Hyperthyroidism treatment by alternative therapies based on cupping and dietary-herbal supplementation: a case report.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increasing production of thyroid hormone (TH) and decreasing of thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) secretion. The treatment of hyperthyroidism includes such as anti-thyroid drugs, radioiodine, and thyroidectomy have many side effects without complete curing results. We described a successful treatment of hyperthyroidism patient with dietary-herbal supplementation with wet cupping without any medicine. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-years female, blood analysis showed that she had low TSH (0.012 mlU/mL), and normal levels of T3 and T4. After completing 16 weeks on Carbimazole, TSH value still low (0.024 mlU/mL) and urticaria was appeared. She decided to stop Carbimazole and try alternative therapy choices. She received wet cupping and dietary-herbal supplementations (including royal jelly, green barley grass and Taraxaf®) for two months. Notably, TSH values was increased during-after intervention and urticaria was disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative therapy could be a beneficial choice for hyperthyroidism treatment without any side effects or complications under physician supervision.