International Journal of Nutrition Sciences
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Jun 2019

Vascular calcification is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which can be evaluated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and Coronary Artery Calcification score (CAC. s). Vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an important inhibitor of calcification. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of high-dose vitamin k supplementation on vascular calcification. 

In this systematic review, a literature search in PubMed was undertaken with using the keywords “vitamin k1 supplementation” OR “phylomenadion supplementation” OR “vitamin k2 supplementation” OR “menaquinone supplementation” OR “vitamin k3 supplementation” OR “menadion supplementation” and “calcification”, and then qualified articles were used.

Vitamin K1 supplement was not associated with 
dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-uc MGP) level and PWV level. However, it was associated with less CAC progression. Vitim K2 supplement was correlated inversely with dp-uc MGP level and decrease in PWV but no difference CAC progression. 

Based on results that was obtained from this systematic review, we expressed conclusively that taking vitamin K supplements especially vitamin K2 can decrease inactive MGP levels and slow the progression of CAC in healthy older adults with pre-existing CAC and improve arterial stiffness.

Acne as a chronic inflammation involves pilosebaceous unit and is associated with hyperkeratosis and sebaceous hypersecretion. A high glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) diet may stimulate acne proliferative pathways affecting biochemical factors in acne. Although GI and GL have a prominent role in acne pathophysiology, few literatures assessed this association. This review was undertaken to summarize the published data regarding the effect of low glycemic load diet on acne lesions. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science direct, Google scholar up to January 2019. GI and GL are implicated in acne pathogenesis due to diet-induced hyperinsulinemia, stimulating a rise in IGF-1 concentrations and androgen hormones and as a result, amplifying acne-promoting pathways.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease that results in an imbalance in the body ability to use food efficiently caused by the pancreas failure to produce insulin or dysfunction of the body to use insulin properly. Type 2 DM can cause oxidative stress which results in changes in endogenous antioxidant activity and also an increase in oxidative biomolecular damage. This condition causes patients with type 2 DM to require large amounts of exogenous antioxidant intake to inhibit oxidative damage in the body. One of the medicinal plants that has antihyperglycemic activity and high antioxidants is papaya (Carica papaya Linn). Based on a review of several studies noted that papaya contains vitamin C, fiber saponins and flavonoids that can lower blood glucose levels. However, to prove this effect, further clinical trials are needed to be done.

Poor appetite is one of the nutritional problems of hemodialysis patients. We examined the effect of zinc supplementation on weight and dietary intakes in hemodialysis patients. In a single-blind randomized clinical trial, 61 hemodialysis patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups of zinc supplements (capsules containing 50 mg elemental zinc) and control (placebo capsules containing cornstarch). The intervention lasted for 60 days. Thirty-eight patients (17 in zinc supplements and 21 in theplacebo group) completed the study. Weight, blood pressure, biochemical parameters including serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, blood urine nitrogen, and creatinine were measured and 24-hour food recalls were obtained before and after the intervention. Weight of the subjects in the zinc group increased (2.4, 95% CI: -1.6 to 6.5 kg) and that of the control decreased (-0.85, 95% CI: -2.9 to 1.2 kg) during the intervention. Although none of these alterations was significant, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Changes in biochemical parameters and blood pressure were not significantly different between the two groups. The intake of protein (12.7% vs. 8.6% for zinc vs. control), carbohydrate (13.8% vs. 3.0% for zinc vs. control), and energy (8.9% vs. 4.7% for zinc vs. control) increased in both groups, although there was no significant difference between the groups. It was shown that zinc supplementation may increase weight gain and food intake in hemodialysis patients.

Nocturnal enuresis is known as a common urinary bladder complication in children. Recent studies associated some dietary components with nocturnal enuresis. To our knowledge, no study has designed to evaluate the relation between dietary components with urinary prostaglandin E2 in enuretic children.

We enrolled 135 children with nocturnal enuresis from children who referred to pediatric ward of Imam Reza Clinic in Shiraz, Iran. The samples were selected by the multistage cluster random sampling. Participant`s information (age, sex, number of wet-nights/week) were gathered through interview and body mass index (BMI) and waist-tohip ratio (WHR) were assessed through anthropometric measures also dietary fat, calcium, calorie, vitamin B12, folic acid, iron and some foods usually limited for enuretic children (e.g. milk and dairy products, eggs, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, chocolate) and carbonated beverages were measured through validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Fasting urine was also collected for measuring prostaglandin E2 level.

Our study showed that food components and energy intake were not correlated with urinary PGE2. Participants’ BMI and WHR were moderately correlated with PGE2 which were not significant. Of allergic foods, only cheese had significant correlation with urinary PGE2.

There were no significant correlations between dietary components and BMI and urinary prostaglandin E2. Cheese consumption caused lower PGE2 level probably by decreasing omega6 especially arachidonic acid level.

Nowadays, the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of different diseases especially during pregnancy is increasing. It was shown that some herbs have irreparable effects on fetal development and on pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris on fetal height and weight during pregnancy. One-hundred and twenty adult female mice were enrolled. After confirmation of pregnancy, they were divided to four groups evaluated during first, second and third week of pregnancy. The control group mice were pregnant without any intervention. The second, third and fourth group received 2000, 3500 and 5000 mg/kg of barberry, respectively. The fetal weight and height were measured in each group and compared. In the first, second and third week of gestation, 5000 mg/kg of barberry decreased the embryo’s weight and height in comparison to other groups. The high dose of barberry resulted in adverse effects on fetal growth especially in the last week of pregnancy. Therefore, it should be administered with caution during gestation period.

Unlike sleep deprivation, caffeine in coffee has been shown to yield positive effects on appetite, body weight, and risk of developing symptoms of metabolic syndrome. However, the combined effects of caffeinated coffee and sleep deprivation are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the simultaneous effects of coffee caffeine intake and sleep deprivation on leptin and ghrelin. This was a randomized clinical trial comprised three-day treatments with two-week washout interval. Forty-two healthy men, habitual caffeinated coffee consumers (1-3 cups/day) and good sleepers (based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: three nights of deprived sleep (4 hrs. in bed) plus 3×150 mL/cup of boiled water (BW treatment), decaffeinated coffee (DC treatment, without sugar, 99.9% caffeine-free), and caffeinated coffee (CC treatment, without sugar, 65 mg caffeine/cup). DC and CC treatments were blinded. At the end, fasting serum leptin and plasma ghrelin were measured and compared. No significant differences were found between the treatments in the leptin level but a significant difference was shown between the treatments in plasma ghrelin (P=0.048). Pairwise comparisons testshowed that the CC treatment led to lower plasma ghrelin as compared to the DC treatment (P=0.006). Caffeinated coffee with sleep deprivation simultaneously manipulated the level of ghrelin towards an anorexigenic effect (reduced plasma ghrelin). However, further investigations are required to supportcaffeinated coffee as an appetite/weight loss recommendation.

Indonesia has potential to be the biggest seaweed exporter in the world due to its fisheries potential. Brackish ponds are not merely used for cultivating fish and shrimp, but it is also used for seaweed cultivation. Thus, this study aimed to produce an innovative product that is staple food from Gracilaria Sp seaweed into analog rice, which can support pond formers in Sidoarjo. Optimization of analog rice process from Gracilaria used Response Surface Methodology with various Gracilaria seaweed concentration (X1%) third levels (60%, 65%, 70%). However, parameter response that has been observed is iodine level (Y1 ppm), food fiber level (Y2%), yield (Y3%), aroma value (Y4), taste value (Y5), and texture level (Y6). According to the organoleptic test, analog rice from Gracilaria seaweed which composed of 65.84% seaweed, modified cassava flour 31.16%, and vegetable oil and glycerin 3% had optimum way of taste, aroma, and texture. Food fiber of seaweed composition (65%), modified cassava flour (32%), and vegetable oil as well as glycerin (3%) was 2.39% bigger than rice food fiber standard (1.3%). The iodine composition in the form of analog rice from Gracilaria seaweed was 74.55 ppm (74550μg) more than the average standard of human iodine needs of 150 μg/day. Anolog rice made from Gracilaria Sp had good quality to consume.