Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Spring 2019

Obesity is considered to be a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study aimed to investigate the associations of neck circumference (NC) with cardiovascular diseases and MetS in adults.  This review was conducted via searching in databases such as Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using various keywords, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, neck circumference, waist circumference, obesity, metabolic syndrome components, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure. The search aimed to retrieve the articles published during 2000-July 2017. The inclusion criteria were adults aged more than 18 years, obesity-related parameters, and a clear demarcation of MetS in the adults.  In total, six eligible studies evaluating 5,041 adults aged 20-85 years were included in the analysis. NC showed high sensitivity in the detection of high body mass index and MetS demarcation. In addition, NC had a strong diagnostic precision for the recognition of overweight and obesity, while it could also predict MetS in adults and elderly individuals.  Neck circumference could be considered as a valid and reliable predictor of metabolic syndrome in adult population.

Obesity is a worldwide health concern, which has been on an alarming trend in Jordan. Obesity leads to several chronic disorders and adversely affects the figure. Furthermore, it is considered to be a severe health threat during adolescence and early adulthood. People in Jordan tend to consume the foods that are rapidly prepared, and such dietary habits are referred to as fad diets. Fad diets are defined as those lacking scientific evidence and promoting rapid weight loss within a short period. The present study aimed to assess the frequency of fad diets in the students and employees in Al-Balqa Applied University in Jordan and compare them with healthy diets.  This cross-sectional study was conducted on 386 healthy students and employees aged 18-55 years, who were selected randomly. Data were collected using a questionnaire to determine the frequency of fad diets. In addition, food menus were analyzed using the food exchange system and Super Tracker.  In total, 229 respondents (60.1%) followed a specific diet, 173 of whom (75.5%) were female, and 56 (24.5%) were male. Regardless of gender, 10 respondents (4.5%) adhered to a healthy diet, while 214 cases (95.5%) followed fad diets. The three most common fad diets were the high-protein diet (n=70; 31.3%), fruits and vegetables diets (n=49; 21.9%), and liquid diets (n=41; 18.3%). In terms of physical activity, 104 respondents (45.4%) who followed fad diets had physical activity, while 69 of the participants (30%) who followed a healthy diet had no physical activity. Moreover, the majority of the respondents (n=104; 45.6%) decided their diets by enquiring their family and friends, and 16 participants who adhered to diets (7.5%) used weigh loss pills in addition to their diet.  According to the results, the majority of the participants adhered to fad diets in order to lose weight. However, those who were unable to adopt such lifestyle modifications due to physical or economic constraints were inclined to use simple and rapid approaches for weight loss.

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of metabolic disorders, which may lead to type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Promotion of healthy lifestyle and use of herbal supplements with anthocyanin and phenols are recommended for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of combined aerobic and resistance exercises and pomegranate concentrate consumption on the levels of HbA1c and C-peptide in women with metabolic syndrome.  This study was conducted on 30 middle-aged women with metabolic syndrome, who were randomly assigned to two groups of exercise (E; n=15) and exercise with pomegranate concentrate (EPC; n=15). The exercise protocol was conducted at 60-80% intensity of the maximal heart rate and 60-80% of one-repetition maximum. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 at the significance level of P≤0.05.  HbA1C levels significantly reduced in the EPC group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the C-peptide and HbA1C levels (P>0.05). In addition, the within-group comparison indicated no significant changes in the C-peptide levels in the E and EPC groups (P>0.05).  According to the results, regular physical exercises along with the consumption of pomegranate concentrate could be effective in reducing HBA1c. Improving a number of metabolic syndrome indices (e.g., insulin resistance) could prevent the complications of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now an important cause of death all over the world and is a growing health concern. Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, have an undeniable effect on the prevention and treatment of CVD. Walnut has a unique profile and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may improve blood lipids and CVD risk factors.  A randomized clinical trial, in which 50 participants with a normal lipid profile were randomly divided into two groups. We added 40 gr of walnuts without skin per day for 4 weeks to the usual diet of the intervention group.  Paired T-test showed that calorie, protein and fat intake increased significantly in all of the cases, after the consumption of walnuts. At baseline, BMI in control and intervention groups was 21.66 ± 4.06 and 21.22± 4.03 respectively which did not have a significant difference before and after the intervention. We observed a significant decrease in serum LDL and TG concentration in walnut groups after the intervention.  The consumption of walnuts could result in decreased serum LDL and TG.

It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease. There are lot of changes in lifestyle and food consumption patterns during the muslim fasting of 30 days during month of Ramadan. This study focuses to find the oral hygiene practices and perceptions of fasting individuals.  A questionnaire based study was conducted on 305 individuals. Questionnaire consists of two parts Part A constituted of details about the demographic status of the participants, Part B consisted of 10 questions regarding their practices of oral hygiene and perceptions of oral health during the fasting period. Answers of the participants were evaluated the responses to each question were tabulated in Ms excel software and tabulated to the percentage strength.  The results show that participants keep a good oral health during Ramadan. Most of the participants brushes at least once or twice every day during Ramadan. Some patients complain about halitosis during Ramadan.   Good oral health is essential for the well being of the individual. No compromise should be made on regular oral hygiene maintains during fasting time.

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of chitosan Nano-gel/emulsion coating functionalized by Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil (ZCEO) and nisin on growth inhibition of Escherichia coli O157: H7 inoculated in beef samples during 16 days in cold storage condition (4˚C).  Beef sample was divided into six groups after inoculation of E. coli O157:H7. Treatments including control (no coating), chitosan 2%, sonicated chitosan 2%, Nano-emulsion of chitosan coating containing ZCEO (0.5%), Nano-gel of chitosan coating containing nisin (200 IU/g), Nano-emulsion of chitosan coating containingZCEO (0.5%) and nisin (200 IU/g) were stored at refrigeration temperature and bacterial count were performed on days: 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Result indicated a significant reduction in E. coli O157:H7 count in all treatments when compared to control group and the highest inhibitory activity was observed in chitosan Nano-emulsion coating containing ZCEO (0.5%) and nisin (200 IU/g).  Accordingly, it is suggested that chitosan Nano-emulsion coating with ZCEO and nisinpractically be applied in beef to increase its safety against pathogenic bacteria especially E. coli O157: H7.

Halvi is a traditional dairy product made from sheep milk in Mazandaran province, especially in the mountainous areas of Noor and Kojur. The fungus used in the preparation of Halvi is Auricularia auricula-judae. The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and microbiological properties of Halvi samples produced in various regions in Noor city, Iran.  In total, 42 Halvi samples were collected from various regions in Noor, including Chamestan (n=30), central Noor (n=8), and Baladeh (n=4), for the evaluation the chemical (protein, fat content, dry matter, ash, and pH) and microbiological analysis (aerobic plate count, coliform, molds and yeasts, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli).  The microbiological results indicated that the samples collected from Chamestan had the highest count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (6.4 log CFU/g). On the other hand, the samples collected from Chamestan and central Noor were more contaminated with coliform bacteria and yeast and mold compared to the samples collected from Baladeh. Moreover, S. aureus and E. coli were detected in 66.16% and 5.9% of the samples, respectively. The mean pH and protein, fat, ash, and dry matter content of the samples was 6.71, 6.84%, 8.87%, 1.42%, and 21.67%, respectively.  According to the results, contamination with the mentioned pathogens indicates stricter control and proper measures during the preparation of Halvi.