The effect of Mediterranean diet instructions on depression, anxiety, stress, and anthropometric indices: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

Evidence suggests that adopting a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), can positively affect mental health. To further explore this, a study was conducted to determine the impact of MD instruction over 12 weeks on depression, anxiety, stress, and anthropometric indices. The study is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with sixty participants who reported stress, anxiety, and depression conducted in Tabriz, Iran (2022-2023). They were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 30), which received MD instruction, or the control group (n = 30), which received standard healthy nutrition education. Both groups were asked to follow their respective nutrition education plans for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, depression, anxiety, and stress levels were measured using the DASS-21 questionnaire, and anthropometric indices were assessed. Initially, the unadjusted DASS-21 scores for depression, anxiety, and stress did not show significant differences between the two groups. However, after adjusting for baseline variables (model 2), all scores decreased significantly (the P-value for all scores was < 0.001). There was no significant difference in weight and BMI between the intervention and control groups. However, after adjusting the results based on baseline values (Model 2) and adherence to the program (Model 3), weight and BMI were significantly reduced in the MD group (P-values for both cases and both models were < 0.001). Overall, despite some significant findings, the results were not noticeable from a clinical perspective. The study provides some indications that following the Mediterranean diet may lead to improvements in weight and mental well-being.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine on ovulation and sex hormones profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases characterised by unusual levels of sex hormones and dysfunction of the ovaries. The infertility rate is high among patients with PCOS. Unusual hormonal status can lead to the inability of ovaries to release functional and mature follicles. Clinical trials on the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation on ovulation and sex hormones profile in women with PCOS have been controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential effects of NAC supplementation on ovulation and sex hormones profile. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central library international databases were searched till September 2021. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects approach in case of significant between-study heterogeneity. Eighteen studies, including 2185 participants, were included in the present meta-analysis. NAC significantly reduced total testosterone (TT) levels (standardised mean difference (SMD): −0·25 ng/ml; 95 % CI (−0·39, −0·10); 'P < 0·001', I2 = 53·9 %, P = 0·034) and increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (SMD: 0·39 mg/ml; 95 % CI (0·07, 0·71); P = 0·01, I2 = 70·9 %, P = 0·002). Oestrogen levels also increased after correcting publication bias. However, no significant effect was observed on the number of follicles, endometrial thickness, progesterone, serum luteinising hormone levels and sex hormone-binding globulin. The results indicated that NAC supplementation decreased TT levels and increased FSH levels. Overall, NAC supplementation might be effective in the improvement of reproductive system function in patients with PCOS.

Adherence to the MIND dietary pattern and sleep quality, sleep related outcomes and mental health in male adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies have investigated the association of the Mediterranean and DASH diets with psychological health as well as sleep related outcomes. However, only a few number of studies have examined the association of their newly proposed hybrid, Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) dietary pattern, with sleep quality and sleep related outcomes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 male health professions (mean age 38.67 years). Dietary information was collected using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The MIND score was computed based on major dietary components emphasized or minimized in this pattern. The higher the MIND score of a subject, the greater his adherence to the MIND pattern. Mental health was evaluated using the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Sleep-related outcomes (day-time sleepiness and insomnia) were also evaluated using standard questionnaires RESULTS: No significant associations were found between adherence to the MIND diet score and odds of stress, anxiety and depression either in the crude or multivariable-adjusted models (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, participants with the greatest adherence to the MIND diet had lower odds of poor sleep quality (OR for T3 vs. T1: 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.92), P-trend = 0.023). The results remained significant after full adjustment for confounding variables (P-trend = 0.042). Participants in the highest tertile of MIND diet had a 42% lower odds of daytime sleepiness in the crude and multivariable-adjusted model (P-trend < 0.05). Although no significant association was observed between adherence to the MIND diet and severity of insomnia in the crude model (P-trend = 0.055), the multivariable-adjusted model showed that the highest adherence to the MIND diet was associated with lower odds of insomnia (OR for T3 vs. T1: 0.54 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.93), P-trend = 0.031). CONCLUSION: While no significant associations were found between adherence to the MIND diet and stress, anxiety and depression, greater adherence to the MIND diet were associated with lower odds of poor sleep quality and sleep-related outcomes.

Predicting the 10-year risk of cardiovascular diseases and its relation to healthy diet indicator in Iranian military personnel.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies indicate increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among military personnel. Accordingly, identification of at-risk individuals and lifestyle modification such as improving diet quality can potentially inhibits the increasing trend of CVD mortality. The aim of this study was predicting the 10-year risk of CVD and its association with healthy diet indicator (HDI) among military personnel. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 400 male military personnel within the age range of 30-75 years were included. HDI score was calculated based on food frequency questionnaire, and the 10-year risk of CVD was evaluated using Framingham risk score (FRS). The FRS items include age, gender, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure, status of diabetes and smoking. Partial correlation test was employed to investigate the relationship between Framingham risk score and HDI score. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 38.67 ± 5.3 year and 25.28 ± 3.22 kg/m2, respectively. Prediction of FRS was as follows: 96.5% were low risk, 2% were moderate risk, and 1.5% were high risk. The mean HDI score of participants in this study was 5.98 ± 1.36. While HDI score did not show a significant correlation with FRS (r: - 0.009, p:0.860), increased dietary sodium intake had a significant positive correlation with FRS (r: 0.114, p:0.026). CONCLUSION: The most of participants (96.5%) had in low risk of CVD development in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the FRS showed no significant relationship with HDI score. Further researches are required to confirm the results of the present study.

Antioxidant therapy prevents ethylene glycol-induced renal calcium oxalate crystal deposition in Wistar rats.

PURPOSE: Renal epithelial cell injury by reactive oxygen species is a prerequisite step in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis, and there is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species is produced and oxidative stress (OS) is developed during idiopathic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. It appears that the administration of natural antioxidants has been used to protect against nephrolithiasis in human and experimental animals. METHODS: Calcium oxalate urolithiasis was induced experimentally by administration of 0.75 % v/v ethylene glycol in drinking water of male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g. Study was conducted in 4- and 8-week periods. In the 4-week period, Group 1 (control) was fed a standard commercial diet. Group 2 received the same diet with the addition of 0.75 % of ethylene glycol (EG). Group 3 received EG plus the diet, and water with additional antioxidant nutrients, and lemon juice as the dietary source of citrate (EG + AX). Group 4 was the same as Group 3, but with no EG in water. In the 8-week study protocol, Group 5 was fed the standard diet with EG in water for the first 28 days, followed with no EG. Group 6 (curative group) received the diet with EG for the first 28 days, followed by discontinuation of EG plus the addition of antioxidant nutrients. Group 7 was provided the diet with antioxidant nutrients for 8 weeks. Group 8 (preventive group) received the diet with antioxidant nutrients for 4 weeks, followed by antioxidant nutrients with EG for the next 4 weeks. Lime juice was given along the antioxidants. After treatment period, kidneys were removed and used for histopathological examination. RESULTS: In the 4-week study, the mean number of crystal deposits in Group 2 was significantly higher than that of animals in Group 3. After 8 weeks, animals given curative antioxidant supplementation within the second 4-week period developed fewer deposits in Group 6 as compared to Group 5 animals. In the other preventive AX loading Group 8, the number of crystal deposits was substantially less than that of either Group 2 or Group 5 animals (EG-treated rats). CONCLUSION: Results showed a beneficial effect on treating and superior renal protection for preventing stone deposition in the rat kidney. These results provide a scientific rationale for preventive and treatment roles of antioxidant nutrient complex in human kidney stone disease.