Comparison of Eating Habits, Body Composition and Densitometric Parameters between Subjects with Normal Cognitive Function and Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Observational Study.

The role of nutrition in the ageing process of the brain is pivotal. Therefore, the study aimed to compare eating habits, body composition and densitometric parameters between subjects with normal cognitive function (NCF) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 95 subjects with NCF (74% of women) and 95 individuals with MCI (77% of women) aged 50-70 years were studied. Densitometric parameters were evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry methods. Eating habits were assessed using the food frequency questionnaire and 3-day diary records, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) intake was calculated. Significant differences between groups were detected for the %fat in the right arm (NCF vs. MCI: 38.4 (30.4-46.8) vs. 43.5 (35.5-49.2)%, p = 0.0407). Moreover, the MCI group had a significantly lower intake of calcium (p = 0.0010), phosphor (p = 0.0411), vitamins B2 (p = 0.0138) and B12 (p = 0.0024) compared to the NCF group, with both groups also differing in the frequency of butter (p = 0.0191) and fermented milk beverages (p = 0.0398) intake. Analysis restricted to women showed significant differences between groups in right arm %fat, VAT mass, calcium, vitamins B2, B12, butter and fermented milk products intake, while in men, differences were detected in the intake of calcium, iodine, vitamin B1, water and AGEs. In conclusion, subjects with NCF and MCI have comparable densitometric variables but differ significantly in some body composition parameters and the intake of some food groups and nutrients.

The Effect of Folic Acid Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness Markers in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Folic acid might improve endothelial function, but the results are inconclusive. This systematic review evaluated the effect of folic acid supplementation on endothelial parameters and arterial stiffness in adults. The study protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42021290195). The PubMed, Web of Sciences, Cochrane and Scopus databases were searched to identify English-language randomised controlled trials of the effect of folate supplementation on arterial stiffness and endothelial function markers in adults. There were significant differences between the effect of folic acid and placebo on flow-mediated dilation (random-effects model, standardized mean differences (SMD): 0.888, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.447, 1.329, p < 0.001) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (random-effects model, SMD: -1.364, 95% CI: -2.164, -0.563, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the central pulse wave velocity (fixed-effects model, SMD: -0.069, 95% CI: -0.264, 0.125, p = 0.485) and peripheral pulse wave velocity (fixed-effects model, SMD: -0.093, 95% CI: -0.263, 0.077, p = 0.284). In conclusion, folic acid might have a favourable effect on endothelial function but may not affect arterial stiffness. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Comparison of the Effect of Endurance, Strength and Endurance-Strength Training on Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis and the Lipid Profile of Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The most effective type of training to improve cardiometabolic parameters in overweight subjects is unknown. This meta-analysis compared the effect of endurance, strength and combined training on glucose, insulin metabolism and the lipid profile of overweight and obese adults. The Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomised trials assessing the effect of training intervention on fasting and 2 h glucose and insulin levels, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), C-peptide, total cholesterol (TC), low- (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Forty-six studies were included showing that endurance training more favourably reduced HbA1c (p = 0.044), and LDL-C (p = 0.021) than strength training. Endurance-strength training more effectively decreased glucose (p = 0.002), HbA1c (p = 0.032), HOMA (p = 0.002), TC (p = 0.039), LDL-C (p = 0.046), HDL (p = 0.036) and TG levels (p = 0.025) than strength training. Combined training significantly reduced the HOMA index (p = 0.009) and TG levels (p = 0.039) compared with endurance training. Endurance and endurance-strength training have a more favourable effect on glucose and insulin homeostasis and lipid profile than strength training in overweight and obese adults. However, the results from this meta-analysis should be interpreted cautiously due to significant heterogeneity among included studies.