Association between dietary glycaemic load and selected demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors in a group of adult Poles in Lower Silesia - Results of the PURE Poland Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a strong association between the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and low socio-economic status (SES). It is interesting to consider whether high dietary glycaemic load (GL) is also associated with low SES or demographic factors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between dietary GL and demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors in a selected population of Polish adults in Lower Silesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 2,025 Polish adults (aged 35-70 years), enrolled in the 1st stage of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Nutritional data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was developed and validated for the Polish population in Lower Silesia. The overall GL of each diet was computed as a sum of GL values of consumed foods. RESULTS: Significantly higher GL and GL/1,000 kcal were observed in the diets of males compared to females and in the diets of rural compared to urban inhabitants. An adverse relationship between both GL and GL/1,000 kcal and level of education was found. The percentage of females, urban inhabitants, people with university education and not married decreased with quartiles of the overall dietary GL and GL/1,000 kcal. The percentage of former smokers, people who never used alcohol and people with low and moderate physical activity decreased with quartiles of GL and GL/1,000 kcal. Lower percentage of individuals aged 44-64 years was observed with quartiles of the overall dietary GL. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as: male gender, rural place of residence, low level of education and smoking determine the group of people that is the most exposed on the effects of improper nutrition, according to the low quality and/or high amount of carbohydrates defined by GL and GL per 1,000 kcal.

Role of diet-related factors in cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture

Cerebral aneurysms (CAs) are dilations of the wall of an artery in the brain filled with blood. The prevalence of unrupted CA in general population is estimated at approximately 3%. Ruptured aneurysms are the cause of 85% of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cases. The formation of cerebral aneurysms results from various factors, including chronic inflammation, hemodynamic stress and vascular wall remodeling. Reactive oxygen species may induce the endothelial dysfunction possibly through the activation of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B, which is a key regulator of the proinflammatory genes. Hypertension may additionally increase the hemodynamic stress and activate the local renin-angiotensin system. The aim of this review was to assess the role of selected diet-related factors in the formation and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. It appears that inadequate intake of dietary antioxidants, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypertension (including incidental elevated blood pressure) and alcohol consumption may increase the risk of intracranial aneurysms. Individuals at high risk of CA formation and/or rupture should consume adequate amounts of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids), B vitamins (vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate), flavonoids and n-3 fatty acids, limit alcohol and caffeine consumption and regularly control their blood pressure. Vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, nuts and fish, as well as herbs, spices and tea, should be the major components of the daily diet. Due to the synergistic effect of various dietary components on health, Mediterranean diet or Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, as they meet abovementioned requirements and have high anti-inflammatory potential, are thus recommended for the prevention of cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture.

Association between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome in the selected population of Polish adults-results of the PURE Poland Study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary pattern (DP) analysis is a statistical method used to evaluate the comprehensive effect of the diet on health. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between DPs derived in selected population of Lower Silesia and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components. METHODS: Study group consisted of 1634 individuals enrolled in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological Study Poland. Dietary intake was estimated using the data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire. DPs were identified using principal component analysis. MS prevalence was evaluated based on the criteria accepted by International Diabetes Federation, American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 2009. RESULTS: Three DPs were identified. The percentage of individuals with MS was lower in the upper quartile (Q) of the 'fruit & vegetables' DP in comparison with Q1 (40.4 vs. 48.9%). Inverse relationship was observed for 'Western' (Q4 vs. Q1: 50.7 vs. 40.8%) and 'traditional' DPs (51.0 vs. 38.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders, in Q4 of 'traditional' DP higher risk for central obesity was observed compared to Q1 (OR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.10-2.12). Individuals in Q3 of 'fruit & vegetables' DP had lower risk for raised blood pressure in comparison with the bottom Q (OR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.36-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: DP analysis allows to evaluate the synergistic effect of the diet on the MS prevalence. 'Fruit & vegetables' DP, in contrast to 'Western' and 'traditional' DPs, was negatively associated with the prevalence of MS and its components in the study group.

Association between dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk factors in a selected population of Lower Silesia (PURE Study Poland).

INTRODUCTION: Dietary pattern analysis is used to describe the dietary habits of a selected population. In many studies, dietary patterns (DPs) have been associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the study was to assess the association between dietary patterns identified in the population of Lower Silesia, Poland, with anthropometric and biochemical risk factors for CVD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 2,025 participants of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) Study. Dietary intake was evaluated based on data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). The relationship between DPs and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose level, was assessed. RESULTS: Three dietary patterns identified in the study explained 35.6% of total variance. The 'fruit, vegetables & dairy' DP, characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, raisins, milk and low-fat dairy, was associated with improved lipid profile and anthropometric measures, lower diastolic blood pressure and lower fasting glucose concentration. 'Traditional' and 'fat & sugar' DPs were unfavourably associated with most of the risk factors for CVD presented in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary patterns identified in this study were differently related to selected anthropometric and biochemical risk factors for CVD. 'Fruit, vegetables & dairy' DP was favourably associated with the biochemical and anthropometric CVD risk factors, and was characterized by higher nutritional value in comparison with 'traditional' and 'fat & sugar' DPs.

The use of antioxidant vitamin supplements among oncological patients.

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplementation is becoming more and more common among both healthy and unhealthy people. The use of supplements is often unjustified, though in some groups of patients it is a necessary management for providing the required vitamins and minerals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of using antioxidant vitamin supplements (A, C and E) among the patients of the oncology ward. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 78 patients aged 19-83 years. The dietary intake of vitamins as well as the intake of supplements was assessed based on the data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: It was observed that 46.2% of patients used some kind of a dietary supplement and 77.8% of them used antioxidant vitamins. Among those taking vitamin A, C or E supplements, 72.2% of women and 80% of men used multivitamins. It was reported that the average fulfillment of the recommended daily intake for vitamin A was 303 ±136%, for vitamin C it was 282 ±166% and for vitamin E it was 199 ±80%. More than 25% of the patients whose diets contained at least the same level of vitamins as dietary recommendations were using antioxidant vitamin supplements at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: Although the average dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins among the patients was not insufficient, the use of dietary supplements in different forms was common in our study. The results of other studies concerning the safety of using dietary supplements by cancer patients are not conclusive. Dietary supplementation in oncological patients should always be used after a medical consultation with a doctor and a dietician.

Comparison of nutritional value of "fruit and vegetables" and "western" dietary patterns identified in a group of cancer patients

Background: Dietary patterns (DPs) are defined as the amounts, types and combinations of various food products in habitual diets and the frequency of their consumption. Dietary pattern analysis is usually performed in order to assess the combined effect of consumed food products on health Objective: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the nutritional value of dietary patterns identified in a group of patients staying on the oncological ward Material and methods: The study group consisted of 100 patients (51 women and 49 men) aged 19-83 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) validated for the population of Lower Silesian Voivodeship Results: Factor analysis identified two main dietary patterns explaining 25.6% of variance. The "fruit and vegetables" DP consisted of vegetables, fruits, juices, unrefined grains and nuts, seeds and raisins. Instead, the "Western" DP was characterized by the consumption of high-fat and processed meat and poultry, fried fish, refined grains, honey and sugar, fats, sweets, beverages and chips. While higher scores for "fruit and vegetables" pattern were associated with increased intake of dietary fiber, antioxidant vitamins, folic acid and decreased glycemic load per 1000 kcal and sodium intake, for "Western" pattern observed relationships were opposite. Women were more likely to have higher factor scores for "fruit and vegetables" DP and lower factor scores for "Western" DP than men Conclusions: Dietary patterns identified in the study group differed in terms of nutritional value, in spite of similar macronutrient content in the diet. "Western" DP was characterized by lower nutritional value than "fruit and vegetables" dietary pattern.

Glycemic load and carbohydrates content in the diets of cancer patients

Background: Glycemic load (GL) is used to evaluate how various food products affect blood sugar level. According to some studies, high dietary GL may increase the risk of cancer development and recurrence. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess dietary glycemic load and intake of carbohydrates derived from various food products by patients staying on an oncological ward. Material and methods: The study group included 100 cancer patients aged 19-83 years (59.6 ± 11.3 years). GL, energy and nutrient intake was estimated based on the data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The correlations between dietary GL and consumption of 18 groups of products were assessed. Results: The average GL per 1000 kcal was 61.0 ± 8.6 g in the diets of men and 56.2 ± 9.5 g in the diets of women. High GL (>120 g) was observed in 76% of analyzed diets. The diets of men had higher GL, energy and sucrose content than the diets of women. Men, in comparison to women, consumed more refined grain products (144.1 ± 78.2 g vs. 95.5 ± 67.8 g), beverages (236.4 ± 344.7 g vs. 69.2 ± 173.0 g), honey and sugar (28.0 ± 22.2 g vs. 16.7 ± 18.0 g), dark chocolate (4.5 ± 4.5 g vs. 3.9 ± 6.7 g), sweets (66.1 ± 56.6 g vs. 38.8 ± 39.5 g) and soups (313.3 ± 105.3 g vs. 260.8 ± 160.3 g). Conclusions: Analyzed diets were characterized by high GL and simple sugars content. Men consumed more refined and sweetened products than women. The improvement of knowledge about proper nutrition is needed in studied group of cancer patients.