Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Winter 2023

Aflatoxins are among the most important fungal mycotoxins with carcinogenic properties. Aflatoxin M1 can be transmitted to humans through milk and dairy products. This study proposed to appraise the fungal and aflatoxin M1 contaminations in sheep milk collcted from different farms in Mazandaran province.  During July to September 2020, 70 samples of raw milk from sheep were collected in disparate regions of Northern Iran. All of the samples were analyzed in order to presence of fungal agents by culturing the raw milk onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) as well as AFM1 by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.  Of the fungal agents identified, the most frequently moulds were related to Aspergillus spp. (38.8%), Cladosporium spp. (22.4%) and Penicillium spp. (13.9%); and yeasts dependent on Trichosporon spp. (47.1 %), Rhodotorula spp. (33.8%) and Candida spp. (14.7%). Of the 70 milk samples, all samples (100%) had AFM1 at condensation lower than the high level specified in European Union (EU) regulations, i.e., 50 ng/L.  The AFM1 contamination levels ranged from 1.15 to 48.50 ng/L with the average of 13.26 ± 4.87 ng/L. Contamination of sheep milk with mycotoxins, especially AFM1, can be a potential risk for the consumer; therefore, raw sheep milk should be checked for these toxins.

The simultaneous effect of endurance training (ET) and Royal Jelly (RJ) consumption on left ventricular oxidant-antioxidant markers as an important functional part of the heart is still not well known. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of ET and RJ on the levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the left ventricle of orectomized rats with diabetes (OVXD).  In this experimental study, 30 OVXD female rats aged 12-16 weeks and weighing 220-250 grams were divided into (1) OVXD control, (2) sham, (3) RJ, (4) ET and (5)ET+RJ groups. Also, 6 rats were included in the healthy control group (HC). Groups 4 and 5 trained five sessions a week with 55-75% of maximum running speed for eight weeks; Groups 3 and 5 received 100 mg/kg/day RJ by intraperitoneal injection.   GPx and MDA values in RJ, ET and ET+RJ groups were significantly higher than OVXD group (P≤0.01). SOD levels in RJ groups were significantly higher than OVXD group (P≤0.01). Also, GPx values in RJ group were significantly higher than ET group (P≤0.01).  It seems that ET and RJ can reduce lipid peroxidation in the left ventricle of the heart in OVXD rats. RJ administration either alone or simultaneously with ET can have antioxidant effects, but the effect of exercise depended on the duration of the exercise period. Therefore, RJ consumption along with sports exercise can be recommended in menopause and diabetes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise and eryngium billardieri extract consumption on insulin resistance and lipid profile in obese women with type 2 diabetes.  This quasi-experimental research used control group in pre- and post-tests. The subjects were 38 obese women with type 2 diabetes (Mean age 51.56± 5.21 years old and BMI 31.88 ± 2.57 kg/m2), who were randomly divided into four groups: control (C=9), Drug (Drug=10), Exercise (EX=9), and Exercise and drug (EX&Drug=10). The aerobic exercise protocol consisted of three exercise sessions per week for eight weeks. The Drug and Exercise and drug groups consumed 200ml of eryngium billardieri extract every day. Blood samples were collected 24h before and 48h after the last exercise to measure blood glucose, insulin, and lipid profile, including cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and VLDL. Statistical methods include the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Levene, covariance (ANCOVA), and Bonferroni test.  A significant decrease was observed in plasma glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL. There was a significant increase in HDL after aerobic exercise and consumption of eryngium extract in type 2 diabetes in Drug groups compared to the control group.  Based on the results, the effect of exercise and consumption of eryngium extract increased insulin sensitivity by improving insulin and GLUT4 function. In addition, lipid profile improvement was the positive effect of aerobic activity and consumption of eryngium extract by increasing the lipase enzyme activity and thus increasing the removal of adipose tissue.

 This study aimed to evaluate the changes in cardiac oxidative stress-antioxidants following the use of tribulus terrestris extract and crocin after exhaustive exercise in the heart tissue of elderly male rats.  In this study, elderly male Wistar rats with an average weight of 300 g and an age range of 14 to 18 months were used as the statistical population. A total of 56 rats were selected as a statistical sample and randomly divided into seven groups of 8, including control, exhausting exercise, exercise + crocin dose of 50 mg, exercise + crocin dose of 100 mg, exercise + thrush dose of 100 mg, exercise + thrush dose of 200 mg, exercise + tortoises were divided into 400 mg doses.  The results showed that GPX concentration in training groups with doses of 50 and 100 crocin was significantly higher than in the vulnerable training group (p<0.05). In addition, GPX concentration was significantly higher in the groups with 50 and 100 doses of crocin than in the exercise groups with 100 and 200 doses of thistle (p<0.05). GPX was significantly higher in the exercise group and crocin 100 than in the exercise group and thrush 400 (p<0.01). The results also showed that SOD concentration in training groups with doses of 50 and 100 crocin was significantly higher than  in the specific exercise group (p<0.01). SOD concentration was significantly higher in the exercise groups with 50 and 100 doses of crocin than in the groups with 100 and 200 doses of thistle (p<0.05). Also, SOD was significantly higher in the exercise group and crocin 100 than in the exercise group and thrush 400 (p<0.017).  Therefore, using of antioxidants is recommended to improve heart tissue function in the elderly.

Tyramine and Histamine, are two major biogenic amines that could be formed in different types of cheese.  Bunium persicum essential oil (BPEO) in different concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4% (v/v)) was added to milk. The amount of biogenic amines (tyramine and histamine) was specified by reverse phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) after extraction from the cheese. Different microbiological analyses (mesophilic lactobacilli, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, lactococci, enterococci, and yeasts) were performed during the ripening cheese.  The amounts of biogenic amines were lower in cheese samples containing 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% BPEO in comparison with control samples. Tyramine quantity increased from 8.90 mg/kg on started day up to 172.40 mg/kg on last day of ageing in the control group also the mean concentration of histamine was 6.31 mg/kg then reached to 41.16 mg/kg in the control samples  at the end of study period. The most microbiological decrease was detected in yeasts, and the minimum microbiological decrease was observed in Enterobacteriaceae population. All the cheese samples were acceptable to the panelists. The increase of BPEO concentrations in cheese samples caused a further reduction in biogenic amines quantity and microbial population. Cheddar cheese sample with 0.2% BPEO demonstrated the highest acceptability and quality among all the cheese samples.  The results of this study revealed Bunium persicum EO could be utilized as a reducing agent of biogenic amines, and a natural antimicrobial and flavoring agent in Cheddar cheese, for improving consumers' health.

The relation between the anthropometric status of household members and food insecurity is complicated and not clearly defined. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) and its association with maternal and child anthropometric indices and dietary intake in a low-income district located in the northeast of Iran.  This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 400 representative households. The participants were mothers of children aged ≤6 years. Food security with 18-item USDA questionnaire, anthropometric status of mothers and children was measured by measuring weight and height dietary intake with food frequency questionnaire.  Fifty-eight percent of households were food insecure. No correlation was denoted between food insecurity and anthropometric indices, except for maternal height (P=0.02). After adjustment for the other variables, food insecurity was inversely correlated with maternal age (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06-1.19), maternal education level (OR: 8.41; 95% CI: 1.89-37.46), the employment status of the spouse (OR: 4.28; 95% CI: 2.02-9.05), socioeconomic status (OR: 12.86; 95% CI: 4.84-34.16), and the number of children aged ≤6 years (OR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.16-6.80). The mean carbohydrate, fat, energy and folic acid consumption were observed to be lower in the food insecure mothers (P<0.05), while the mean intake of fruits was higher in the food-secure mothers (P<0.001).  Women in households with a low socioeconomic status were at an elevated risk of food insecurity and micronutrient deficiencies.

the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of nutrition-related complaints and malnutrition among liver transplant candidates in Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals in Iran from May to October 2021. Nutritional status of patients was evaluated by subjective global assessment (SGA) and food intake of patients was assessed by 3-day food record. Also anthropometric indices, including weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Forty-three patients were assessed. Men accounted for 58 % of patients, and mean BMI and mean age were 24.5±5 kg/m², and 48±14 years, respectively. Total prevalence of malnutrition before liver transplantation was 83.7%. In patients with malnutrition, nausea was significantly higher (P<0.05).  Low Energy intake was observed in 90.7%, while low protein intake was reported in 69.8% of patients before liver transplantation. Malnutrition, low calorie intake and low protein intake were prevalent among patients before liver transplantation.

This study aimed to review the synergistic effects of swimming training (ST) and cinnamon supplementation (Cin) on changing cardiac miR-133a and miR-21 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.  A total of 32 diabetic rats were selected as 1) ST+ Cin, 2) Cin, 3) ST and 4) diabetic control (DC) groups, and eight healthy rats were selected as the HC group. Groups 1 and 3 swam three sessions per week and 2-22 minutes each session for eight weeks. Groups 1 and 2 received 200mg/kg/day of aqueous Cin extract. qReal Time PCR method was used to measure the miR-21 and miR-133a gene expression in heart tissue.  MiR-133a and miR-21 gene expression in Cin, ST, and ST+Cin groups increased compared to the DC group (P=0.001), and miR-133a gene expression in the ST+Cin group enhanced compared to Cin and ST groups (P=0.001). MiR-21 gene expression in ST and ST+Cin groups increased compared to the Cin group. In addition, miR-21 gene expression in the ST+Cin group raised compared to the ST group (P=0.001).  Although exercises lead to cardiac adaptations by creating oxidative stress, cinnamon can increase miR-133a as a cardio-protective agent and modulate miR-21 as a marker of cardiac damage. Therefore, cinnamon should be used along with exercises in cases of diabetes and heart disease.

Ramadan is the ninth lunar month. During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This study aimed to describe the Persian cohort participants’ basic information and nutritional habits regarding Ramadan fasting. 

This cross-sectional study was conducted on Mashhad study population who completed the validated Ramadan fasting questionnaire. 

Total number of 8769 individuals (59.2% females, mean age of 57.44±8 years) participated in this study. There was a significant difference in fasting between men and women in society; 97% of women and 90.2% of men have fasted during their lifetime (P <0.001). In total, 63.2% of those who did not fast suffered from chronic diseases, 7.5% from acute conditions, 14.9% from weakness, and 14.5% from personal reasons. Almost 94% of the studied population did not experience any medical problems during fasting. Among these, severe hypoglycemia was the most reported during fasting (1.9%) followed by loss of consciousness in 1.5% of subjects, which was statistically different based on gender (1% of men and 1.7% of women, P=0/008). 

Based on the results, 94.3% of the studied population had a history of fasting, and women have fasted sooner and significantly higher than men during their lifetime. The main reasons for non-fasting were chronic disease in women and personal reasons in men. Almost 94% of the fasted population reported no medical problems during fasting. The most commonly reported problem during fasting was severe hypoglycemia.

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a nutrient-dense nut with a healthy nutritional profile and a long history of consumption in the Mediterranean diet and traditional medicine of different countries. Besides drug treatments, dietary modification is also an important and modifiable factor that can affect the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. This item may benefit metabolic syndrome management when considered in diet planning. This paper aimed to discuss the role of the pistachio in the management of metabolic syndrome.  PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched for data collection using related keywords.  A total of 113 articles were included in this review from 220 found documents. The most recent data published were investigated regarding the beneficial effects of pistachios on metabolic syndrome components, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. The profile of nutrients and most important phytochemicals of pistachio were presented. The main mechanisms of action of pistachio in metabolic syndrome are also discussed and summarized in some figures.  Based on the results, although pistachio has been less investigated than other nuts, considerable studies provide evidence of its beneficial effects on different components of metabolic syndrome.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on some female volleyball players’ physical fitness and skill indices.   This study was conducted on 49 female volleyball players with at least three years of regular participation in sports activities who participated voluntarily and objectively. Participants were divided into fasting and non-fasting groups. The participants performed muscular strength and power, agility, reaction time, skills, and perceived exertion tests during four sessions before fasting, two weeks after fasting, and two weeks following recovery.  T-test was used for data analysis.  The perceived exertion increased following one day [p=0.001] and two weeks of fasting [p=0.000], and agility decreased following two weeks of fasting [p=0.028], while other variables did not significantly change during repetitive measurements.  Some physical fitness indices decreased in athletes, and perceived exertion increased during fasting. Thus, athletic competitions are not recommended during Ramadan fasting.