Evaluation of the Relationships Among Mindful Eating, Environmental Beliefs, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and Obesity in Children.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), mindful eating, environmental beliefs, and obesity in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 318 children (50.6% male, 49.4% female, 10.0 ± 0.73 years old). Data were obtained using survey and a face-to-face interview method. The questionnaire includes general information, anthropometric measurements, the New Ecological Paradigm Scale for Children (NEP), the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED), and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire for Children. RESULTS: According to the KIDMED classification, 52.5% of the children were in the group that needs improvement, 35.2% were in the low diet quality group, and 12.3% were in the optimal MD group. The Mindless score was higher in overweight/obese children compared to the normal body mass index (BMI) group (P < .05). Awareness, NEP, and KIDMED scores were the lowest in overweight/obese children (P < .05). In regression analysis, the father's age, KIDMED, and Awareness scores related to NEP scores positively (R2 : 0.545, P < .001). Also, children's body mass index-related KIDMED scores negatively, and awareness and NEP scores related KIDMED scores positively (R2 : 0.276, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our results show that higher adherence to the MD is associated with higher environmental beliefs. Children with higher mindful eating have higher environmental beliefs and adherence to the MD, and these scores are lower in obese children. Therefore, raising generations that adopt sustainable diet models and have high environmental awareness is necessary. This research provides significant findings for future clinical studies on children's body weight maintenance and sustainability. Cite this article as: Bozkurt O, Kocaadam-Bozkurt B, Koçyigit E. Evaluation of the relationships among mindful eating, environmental beliefs, adherence to the mediterranean diet, and obesity in children. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2024;59(1):98-105.

Potential role of camel, mare milk, and their products in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Milk and dairy products serve as a significant dietary component for people all over the world. Milk is a source of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, and water that support newborns' growth, development, and physiological processes. Milk contains various essential biological compounds that contribute to overall health and well-being. These compounds are crucial in immune system regulation, bone health, and gut microbiota. Milk and dairy products are primarily from cows, buffalos, goats, and sheep. Recently, there has been a notable increase in camel and mare milk consumption and its associated products due to an increasing attraction to ethnic cuisines and a greater awareness of food biodiversity. Camel and mare milk possess diverse nutritional and therapeutic properties, displaying potential functional foods. Camel milk has been linked to various health advantages, encompassing antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiallergic, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Camel milk has exhibited notable efficacy in mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for inflammatory disorders. Nevertheless, although extensively recorded, the potential health benefits of mare's milk have yet to be investigated, including its impact on inflammatory conditions. This article highlights the therapeutic potential of camel and mare milk and its derived products in treating inflammatory rheumatic disorders, specifically focusing on their anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory capabilities. These alternative types of milk, which do not come from cows, offer potential avenues for investigating innovative strategies to regulate and reduce inflammatory conditions.

A narrative review on dietary components and patterns and age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most prevalent eye diseases among the ageing population worldwide. It is a leading cause of blindness in individuals over 55, particularly in industrialised Western countries. The prevalence of AMD increases with age, and genetic factors and environmental influences are believed to contribute to its development. Among the environmental factors, diet plays a significant role in AMD. This review explores the association between dietary components, dietary patterns and AMD. Various nutrients, non-nutrient substances and dietary models that have the potential to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation, which are underlying mechanisms of AMD, are discussed. Consuming fruits, vegetables, fish and seafood, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and low-glycaemic-index foods has been highlighted as beneficial for reducing the risk of AMD. Adhering to the Mediterranean diet, which encompasses these elements, can be recommended as a dietary pattern for AMD. Furthermore, the modulation of the gut microbiota through dietary interventions and probiotics has shown promise in managing AMD.

Rheumatic diseases and gut microbiota publications in 2002-2022: a Scopus­based bibliometric analysis.

Rheumatic diseases (RDs) include a variety of autoimmune disorders defined by severe inflammation, primarily affecting the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Recent research has revealed the association between rheumatic diseases and gut microbiota, thereby providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quantity and quality of scientific research regarding the association between RDs and gut microbiota, as well as to elucidate the characteristics of worldwide research output in this field. The present bibliometric analysis was carried out using the Scopus database, using the keywords "rheumatology," "arthritis," and "gut microbiota." The study involved determining the number of articles, the number of active countries with journals, the identification of prolific authors, and the collection of citation data. Additionally, analyses of trends were conducted. 503 articles in all were reviewed. Collaboration networks were visualized using mapping techniques. The number of articles on RDs and gut microbiota exhibited a consistent pattern from 2002 to 2022 (p < 0.05). The five most productive countries were China (n = 128; 25.45%), the United States (n = 101; 20.07%), Italy (n = 40; 7.95%), the United Kingdom (n = 20; 3.98%), and Japan (n = 17; 3.38%). Israel, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal had the highest values regarding the number of articles per million population. Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom were the top three countries regarding average citation count. This bibliometric analysis evaluates and synthesizes global scientific output on RDs and gut microbiota. The literature on the association between rheumatic diseases and gut microbiota is growing. Supporting researchers in countries with limited involvement in this field will contribute to its growth.

Plant Toxic Proteins: Their Biological Activities, Mechanism of Action and Removal Strategies.

Plants evolve to synthesize various natural metabolites to protect themselves against threats, such as insects, predators, microorganisms, and environmental conditions (such as temperature, pH, humidity, salt, and drought). Plant-derived toxic proteins are often secondary metabolites generated by plants. These proteins, including ribosome-inactivating proteins, lectins, protease inhibitors, α-amylase inhibitors, canatoxin-like proteins and ureases, arcelins, antimicrobial peptides, and pore-forming toxins, are found in different plant parts, such as the roots, tubers, stems, fruits, buds, and foliage. Several investigations have been conducted to explore the potential applications of these plant proteins by analyzing their toxic effects and modes of action. In biomedical applications, such as crop protection, drug development, cancer therapy, and genetic engineering, toxic plant proteins have been utilized as potentially useful instruments due to their biological activities. However, these noxious metabolites can be detrimental to human health and cause problems when consumed in high amounts. This review focuses on different plant toxic proteins, their biological activities, and their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, possible usage and removal strategies for these proteins are discussed.

The roles of dietary lipids and lipidomics in gut-brain axis in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), one of the main types of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by dysfunctional pancreatic ß-cells and/or peripheral insulin resistance, resulting in impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. Genetic, metabolic, multiple lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors are known as related to high T2DM risk. Dietary lipids and lipid metabolism are significant metabolic modulators in T2DM and T2DM-related complications. Besides, accumulated evidence suggests that altered gut microbiota which plays an important role in the metabolic health of the host contributes significantly to T2DM involving impaired or improved glucose and lipid metabolism. At this point, dietary lipids may affect host physiology and health via interaction with the gut microbiota. Besides, increasing evidence in the literature suggests that lipidomics as novel parameters detected with holistic analytical techniques have important roles in the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM, through various mechanisms of action including gut-brain axis modulation. A better understanding of the roles of some nutrients and lipidomics in T2DM through gut microbiota interactions will help develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of T2DM. However, this issue has not yet been entirely discussed in the literature. The present review provides up-to-date knowledge on the roles of dietary lipids and lipidomics in gut-brain axis in T2DM and some nutritional strategies in T2DM considering lipids- lipidomics and gut microbiota interactions are given.

Relationships between serum and dietary magnesium, calcium, and metabolic parameters in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Magnesium and calcium are essential minerals in several enzymatic activities that modulate essential biological functions. Hypomagnesemia occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially those with poor metabolic control. Dietary magnesium and calcium intake play a protective role in the development of T2DM. This research aimed to investigate the association of dietary and serum magnesium and calcium with metabolic control parameters in diabetic women. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 80 women, including 40 patients diagnosed with T2DM and 40 healthy controls aged 35-60 years. Some anthropometric measurements of the individuals were taken, and their body mass index was calculated. In addition, some biochemical parameters, serum magnesium, and calcium were analyzed. A validated 96-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain dietary magnesium and calcium intake data. RESULTS: Serum magnesium levels were lower in subjects with diabetes than in controls, and there was a similar incidence of hypomagnesemia in T2DM patients and controls, but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In T2DM patients, there was a statistically significant inverse association between HbA1c and serum magnesium (p < 0.05). Dietary magnesium intake was inversely associated with HOMA-IR scores (p < 0.05) but had a positive association with serum magnesium levels in patients with T2DM (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the calcium/magnesium ratio between T2DM patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05). In a multiple linear regression analysis, dietary magnesium intake and HbA1c were found to be significantly related to altered serum magnesium in T2DM patients. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that lower serum magnesium levels were associated with higher HbA1c levels in subjects with T2DM. Increased dietary magnesium intake in T2DM may enhance HOMA-IR scores and serum magnesium levels.