ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Naturally, in human body, there is a balance between free radicals and the antioxidant system. Yet, cigarette consumption in smokers increases free radicals and decreases antioxidants. A vast body of research showed that the ROS level of seminal fluid is reduced using oral antioxidant complements through enhancing the clearing capacity of free radicals. Thus, the present research aimed to explore the effect of vitamin complement consumption on changing male infertility indices among smokers. METHODS: In the present randomized clinical trial which was single-blinded, 50 infertile oligospermic and asthenospermic men participated. They were selected in a randomized convenient sampling method. Before the study began, a semen sample was taken from all participants for analysis. Subsequently, the patients received 30 mg of Q10 coenzyme, 8 mg of zinc, 100 mg of vitamin C, 12 mg of vitamin E, 400 mg of folic acid for a whole duration of 3 months on a daily basis (once a day) and 200 mg of selenium every other day after lunch. A second sample of seminal fluid was taken from patients and semen parameters were compared between the pre- and post-test. The relevant statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS.23. RESULTS: A comparison of pre-test and post-test results revealed that all sperm parameters including the volume, morphology, motion, count and progressive motility were significantly increased after the intervention (p ≥ 005). Moreover, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the pH and concentration of seminal fluid. CONCLUSION: The present research showed that consuming vitamin complements (30 mg of Q10, mg of zinc, 100 mg of vitamin C, 12 mg of vitamin E, 400 mg of folic acid) once a day as well as 200 mg of selenium every other day can effectively improve the qualitative parameters (pH and concentration) and quantitative parameters (volume, motion, morphology, count and progressive motility) in infertile male smokers.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence provides support for the role of diet in the prevention and control of mental disorders. However, since there is no study regarding the relationship between dietary diversity and stress or depression, we aimed to determine the relationship between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and stress and depression in women. METHODS: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 360 women aged 20-49 years attending health centers in the south of Tehran. The dietary intake and score of depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using a 24-h dietary recall and the 42-item depression, anxiety, stress scales questionnaire, respectively. The DDS was calculated based on the FAO 2013 guidelines. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, analysis of variance, Spearman correlation coefficient, and multivariable logistic regression tests. RESULTS: In total, 31.4 and 25.8% of the subjects suffered from depression and stress, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a one-unit increase in DDS was associated with a 39% reduction in the risk of severe depression. The DDS was not significantly associated with mild or moderate depression, and no significant relationship was observed between the DDS and stress. CONCLUSIONS: The DDS could be inversely associated with depression in women. Since we observed no significant relationship between stress and DDS, further studies are needed in this regard.
ABSTRACT
Evidence suggests that diet plays an important role in the development of mental disorders, especially anxiety. Dietary diversity score is an indicator for assessing diet quality. However, its association with anxiety has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the association of dietary diversity score with anxiety. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 women attending health centers in the south of Tehran in 2014. General information among others were collected. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Dietary intake and anxiety score were assessed using a 24-h dietary recall and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaires, respectively. Dietary diversity score was computed according to the guidelines of FAO. About 35% of the participants were found to exhibit anxiety. The dietary diversity score in 12.5% of the subjects were between 1 and 3 (low dietary diversity score) but 87.5% scored between 4 and 7 (high dietary diversity score). The adjusted mean of anxiety score in subjects with high dietary diversity score was significantly lower than those with low dietary diversity score. Dietary diversity score was found to be inversely associated with anxiety. However, the causality between anxiety and dietary diversity could not be determined.
