Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Volume:10 Issue: 1, Winter 2022

To prevent the adverse effects of fetal malnutrition (FM), its management and early diagnosis by reliable tools are essential. The present study aimed to identify the rate of malnutrition in a referral maternity center in Iran using different systems for evaluating the nutritional status and determining a better index for FM.  

This cross-sectional study was performed on the neonates born in the maternity ward of Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran in 2020. FM was evaluated based on different parameters, including the CANSCORE index, body mass index (BMI), Ponderal index, and mid-arm circumference/head circumference (MAC/HC) index. After recording the measurements, birth weight and height were plotted on the intrauterine growth chart, and the infants were classified into groups of appropriate for gestational age (AGA), small for gestational age (SGA), and large for gestational age (LGA).  

Based on the fetal growth status index, 14.7% of the neonates were in the AGA group, and 95.3% were in the LGA group. Malnourishment was detected in 40.5% of the neonates based on the CANSCORE index, 8.3% based on the MAC/HC index, 6.9% based on the BMI, and 5.2% based on the Ponderal index. In addition, the CANSCORE index had a significant positive correlation with all the growth indices (except the MAC/HC index), and the Ponderal index was also significantly correlated with all the growth indices except height.

According to the results, the CANSCORE index could show growth status and FM more accurately compared to other anthropometric parameters that may underestimate FM. Furthermore, BMI is a highly sensitive indicator, and infants malnourished in terms of BMI should be examined based on the CANSCORE index to accurately identify FM.

Psoriasis Vulgaris (PV) is a chronic inflammatory dermatological disorder that affects skin, nails, and joints and has various systemic associations. The current case report is the first of its type to highlight the observations on manifestations of Psoriasis Vulgaris in an adolescent girl with Naturopathic diet, treatment, and Yoga Intervention.

An eighteen-year-old female who was diagnosed with Psoriasis Vulgaris at 9 years of age was administered Nature cure and Yoga for 16 weeks as an individualized diet and treatment protocol in an inpatient Nature Cure and Yoga Hospital in South India. Improvement in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score and reduction in body mass index (BMI) were observed.

The changes observed are found to be consistent over 1 year. This case report also demonstrates the beneficial effects of Naturopathic diet, treatment, and Yoga as an effective treatment modality in the management of Psoriasis Vulgaris for both physical and psychological levels.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on the quality of life of older Muslims is a challenging issue. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of Ramadan fasting on elderly Muslims’ quality of life.  This observational correlational study was carried out throughout the natural intervention of Ramadan fasting in 2016 during which the length of fasting days was about sixteen hours. A convenience sample of 100 people older than 60 years who referred to Rafsanjan Health Centers was recruited. The twelve-item Short Form Survey of Quality of Life was used for assessing participants’ quality of life at three measurement time (T) points including before (T1), one day after (T2), and one month after Ramadan (T3). Data was analyzed through the two-way repeated measures ANOVA, using SPSS (v.18) and P<0.05 was considered as significant.  There was a significant difference among the three measurement time points (T1=47.02±14.15, T2=50.76±17.06, T3=51.53±16.79) regarding the total sf-12 score of quality of life (P value < 0.0001).  Elderly Muslims’ quality of life can be improved through fasting.

Hospitalization is a stressful event that affects the nutritional status of adults and elderly. Inpatients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a vulnerable group facing an increased risk of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in Algerian inpatients with non-communicable diseases in a public hospital in Skikda (Algeria). This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey carried out during one month from the 15th November 2020 to the 10th December 2020, with inpatients with at least one NCD (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases). The assessment of their nutritional status was carried out using the Subjective Global Assessment tool (SGA). One hundred and five patients were included. One of two patients had at least one non communicable disease. In our study, the SGA allowed us to estimate the malnutrition prevalence at 44.76% (ranks B and C: moderate and severe malnutrition). Our study showed a length of stay (LOS) of 4.14±7.69days. The considerable prevalence of malnutrition was, in part, due to reduced food intake and short LOS. In order to detect and prevent malnutrition, the nutritional status assessment must be included in the routine of health care in Algeria.

The present study aimed to compare the effects of Ramadan fasting and dietary patterns on the blood pressure, fasting glucose level, and body mass index (BMI) of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), DM and HTN, and healthy subjects.   This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in Shaban, Ramadan, and Shawwal months in 2020 on 155 subjects who were divided into groups of HTN (G1; n=42), DM (G2; n=32), DM and HTN (G3; n=41), and healthy (G4; n=40). The subjects were interviewed three times during the study period to collect data on demographics, dietary habits, and physical activity. In addition, physical parameters (height and weight) and clinical parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood sugar) were measured in each visit. Data were collected three times in the last ten days of each month. Data analysis was performed using the repeated measures ANOVA. Mean weight and BMI reduced significantly from Shaban (V1) to Ramadan (V2). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also reduced significantly from V1 to V2. Moreover, the mean sleeping hours significantly decreased from V1 to V2. Considering Tarawih prayer as physical activity, a significant increase was observed in the mean metabolic energy turnover value from V1 to V2. Mean calorie, carbohydrate, and sodium intake also increased significantly from V1 to V2, while they reversed significantly to almost the same values in V3. Protein and cholesterol consumption decreased significantly from V1 to V2, while the value reversed significantly in V3. According to the results, Ramadan fasting could effectively control the blood pressure and glucose levels of the patients. Furthermore, physical activity increased significantly due to Tarawih prayers, and carbohydrate, sodium, and calorie intake increased as well. On the other hand, a reduction was denoted in protein and fat consumption. Glucose levels significantly decreased in the diabetic patients, and blood pressure significantly reduced in the hypertensive patients.

Fasting is one of the religious practices of Muslims during Ramadan. The  aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consume Leucine supplement before and after resistance exercise on protein metabolism indices in fasting male athletes.   In this study, 33 male bodybuilders were selected and randomly divided into three groups: resistance training(N=11), resistance training and supplementation group(N=11) and control group(N=11). Subjects received 0.1 g of leucine or placebo each day. Leucine intake was 0.1 g .kg-1.d-1 of body weight. Subjects poured leucine tablets in powder form into 1 g empty capsules and dextrose as a placebo was in the form of 1 g capsules, the same shape, size and color of 1 g leucine tablets. The training protocol of the two training groups was performed for eight weeks in 3sessions per week. Each training session lasted 40 minutes. 24hour before the first training session and 24hours after the last training session, 10 ml of blood was taken from the subjects' brachial vein. To analyze the data, the statistical method of analysis of covariance was used and to determine the differences between the groups, Bonferroni post hoc test and at a significant level in all tests, P≤0.05 was considered. The findings showed that leucine supplementation before and after resistance exercise on uric acid levels in fasting male athletes was not significantly different between the two groups (F=6.22, p=0.133). However, in the amount of urea (F=8.074, p=0.000), creatinine (F=6.106, p=0.001), amount of Hypoxanthine (F=11.511, p=0.002) and Xanthine oxidase(F=14.231,p=0.000) There was a significant difference between the three groups. Finally, it can be said that resistance training combined with leucine supplementation in fasting athletes can reduce protein catabolism due to exercise.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating factor of the central nervous system that leads to decreased balance and increased risk of falls. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of endurance training (T) with royal jelly (RJ) consumption on the motor balance of rats with MS. 

In this experimental study, 56 rats with MS (using complete Freund’s adjuvant) were divided in 7 groups of eight animals, including: 1) control (MS), 2) Sham (royal jelly solvent), 3) 50 mg/kg RJ, 4) 100 mg/kg RJ, 5) T, 6) T+RJ50, 7) T+RJ100. Rats in the royal jelly consumption groups received the prescribed doses of royal jelly peritoneally each day for 5 weeks. Also, rats in the endurance training groups performed endurance training on a rat treadmill for five weeks, five sessions per week, each session 30 minutes at a speed of 11 m/min. At the end of 48 hours after the last training session and royal jelly consumption, the motor balance of rats was measured using a rotarod device. Also, the weight of brain cerebellum tissue was measured by a digital scale. The one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s post hoc test were used to analyze the findings (P≥0.05). 

The duration of motor balance in the T, T + RJ50 and T + RJ100 groups was significantly higher than the MS group (P = 0.001); also, in the T + RJ50 and T + RJ100 groups, it was significantly higher than the RJ50 and RJ100 groups (P = 0.001). 

It appears that training and royal jelly consumption have an interactive effect on improving motor balance, and improving motor balance is training-dependent. Given the existence of effective physiological mechanisms, it seems necessary to conduct further studies by examining the pathological and physiological aspects.

Dioxins compounds are persistent organic contaminants that adversely affect human health and the environmental system. Although the occurrence and toxicity of dioxins congeners are reported worldwide, their status in Iran is very scarce, and no study has been conducted to understand the evidence for occurrence and toxicity of dioxins compounds in Iran yet. Therefore, This systematic review provided a comprehensive report on the levels, occurrence, and health outcome effects of dioxins and dioxin-like Polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in foodstuffs collected from different cities of Iran. We used The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to design this review, and six databases (Scopus, Scientific Information Database (SID), PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched from inception until January 2022. A total of 9 articles with data on 396 food samples were considered for the final report. The total toxicity equivalency quantity (TEQ) was ranged from 0.06 ± 0.02 to 15.72 ±16.38 and the mean total dioxin congeners levels in most of the samples were below the standard limits and the measured intake levels of dioxin congeners were in the safe level. Although most of the samples did not exceed the maximum allowable thresholds, 44% of studies reported that the concentration of dioxin compounds in most of their samples was above the thresholds defined by world health organization (WHO) (3 pg TEQ/g fat). Therefore, suitable policy actions and more attention are needed to control and reduce the emission of dioxin congeners and their associated risk factors.

The disability-adjusted life years (DALY) may provide a better indicator of the burden of disease than mortality. This study provides the estimates of both Years of Life Lost (YLL) and COVID-19 mortality in Mashhad.

This cross-sectional research was carried out in Mashhad, the second-most populous city in Iran. The mortality data in the population served by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) were extracted from the national mortality data system. In this system, all deaths in the whole of the country are recorded based on the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD10). The data in the current study comprised all cases of death recorded in the population under the auspices of MUMS from January 21st to April 19th 2019 and 2020 which were transferred to Stata software after sorting. The method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used for the estimation of YLL.

The YLL per 1000 caused by COVID-19 was 1.2 years and increased with age., and was higher in men (1.6 years) compared to women (0.9 years). The incidence of COVID-19 was higher in the urban area (9.8%) compared to rural areas (4.8%). During the study period, COVID-19 was the fourth most prevalent cause of death in Mashhad after cardiovascular disease (35.4%), cancer (12.9%) and respiratory disease (10.6%).

The YLL per 1000 caused by COVID-19 was 1.2 years, increased with age and was greater in males than in females.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the combined effect of high intensity interval training and intermittent fasting on vascular endothelial grow factor gene expression in cardiac muscle tissue of obese male rats.

  A total of 22 male Wistar rats perch overall high fat diet for 12 weeks. Afterward were random divided into 4 groups (1) control (CO), (2) HIIT (three session for six week, 80 to 95% MRT), (3) IF (three days for six week ,12h) , HIIT & IF( received both protocol for six week). The Real- Time -PCR was used to measure VEGF gene expression. For analysis data used one way ANOVA and LSD significant p<0/05.

Results showed that no significant different between groups on gene VEGF expression (p>0/52).

Calculation:

 Our result showed that in subjected obese, HIIT + IF and HIIT and IF not significant on VEGF gene expression in cardiac muscle tissue male rats.

Nutritional supplements and controlling the intensity of exercise are crucial to increasing muscle mass. However, the effect of these manipulations on the health of athletes may not be apparent. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effect of combined training (resistance-aerobic) with different intensities together with short-term supplementation of coenzyme Q10 on oxidative stress and muscle damage biomarkers.

45 male bodybuilders were divided into 3 groups, including: low, moderate, and high intensity combined training (n = 15). Research stages included initial blood sampling, 14 days of Q10 supplementation (400 mg/day), second blood sampling, a single bout of combined physical activity, and final blood sampling. In each group, first resistance training with different intensities of 55%, 70%, and 85% 1-RM was performed, and then aerobic training to consume 300 kcal at speeds of 8, 9.6, and 11.2 km / h was performed.

Q10 supplementation had no significant effect on baseline ​​levels of MDA, SOD, LDH, and CK (p≥0.05), but after performing low, moderate, and high intensity combined activities, a significant increase in the levels of MDA, SOD, LDH, and CK was found (p≤0.05).

Oxidative stress and muscle damage biomarkers increased in response to training intensity, but this increase was not significant in different intensities at fixed times. The individuals’ performance may have influenced the results of the present study. Given the lower aerobic capacity in male bodybuilders, the primary factor in increasing exercise pressure is exercise volume. Supplementation is also likely to be effective over long periods.

Improving adaptive responses to exercise through dietary interventions, especially sports supplements, has been considered. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of Leucine and L-arginine supplementation before and after resistance training on athletes' protein catabolism indices during Ramadan. 

In this study,40 male bodybuilders were selected and randomly divided into four groups of resistance training(n=10) and resistance training group and Leucine supplementation(n=10), resistance training group and L-arginine supplementation(n=10) and the control group(n=10). Leucine and L-arginine tablets were poured as powder into 1g empty capsules and placebo was in the form of 1g capsules, the same shape, size and color of 1g Leucine and L-arginine tablets. The amount of supplements was 0.1g per kg of body weight. The training protocol of the two training groups was performed for eight weeks in three sessions per week.To analyze the data, the statistical method of analysis of covariance was used and to determine the differences between the groups, Bonferroni post hoc test and at a significant level in all tests, P≤0.05 was considered. 

Statistical analysis did not show a significant difference between groups in uric acid variable(p=0.097). Also, the results showed that resistance training significantly decreased urea(p=0.001), creatinine(p=0.001) and increased hypoxanthine(p=0.000) and xanthine oxidase(p=0.000). Resistance training with Leucine and L-arginine supplementation increased there was a significant urea, creatinine and a significant decrease in hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase compared to the resistance training group. There was a significant difference between the two groups of supplements only in the amount of xanthine oxidase. In the resistance training group and Leucine supplementation, the amount of xanthine oxidase was significantly greater than in the resistance training group and L-arginine supplementation. 

Finally,resistance training with Leucine and L-arginine supplementation in fasting athletes could provide a platform for reducing protein catabolism due to exercise and it can be said that coaches and athletes to reduce catabolism due to exercise. During Ramadan, they can take Leucine and L-arginine supplements to increase performance and reduce damage.