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Nutrients Jun 2021The intake of food may be an initiator of adverse reactions. Food intolerance is an abnormal non-immunological response of the organism to the ingestion of food or its... (Review)
Review
The intake of food may be an initiator of adverse reactions. Food intolerance is an abnormal non-immunological response of the organism to the ingestion of food or its components in a dosage normally tolerated. Despite the fact that food intolerance is spread throughout the world, its diagnosing is still difficult. Histamine intolerance (HIT) is the term for that type of food intolerance which includes a set of undesirable reactions as a result of accumulated or ingested histamine. Manifestations may be caused by various pathophysiological mechanisms or a combination of them. The problem with a "diagnosis" of HIT is precisely the inconstancy and variety of the manifestations in the same individual following similar stimuli. The diagnosing of HIT therefore requires a complex time-demanding multidisciplinary approach, including the systematic elimination of disorders with a similar manifestation of symptoms. Among therapeutic approaches, the gold standard is a low-histamine diet. A good response to such a diet is considered to be confirmation of HIT. Alongside the dietary measures, DAO supplementation supporting the degradation of ingested histamine may be considered as subsidiary treatment for individuals with intestinal DAO deficiency. If antihistamines are indicated, the treatment should be conscious and time-limited, while 2nd or 3rd generation of H antihistamines should take precedence.
Topics: Diet Therapy; Food Hypersensitivity; Food Intolerance; Histamine; Humans
PubMed: 34209583
DOI: 10.3390/nu13072228 -
Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny 2020Alternative diets are used by cancer patients, especially among those who are not treated with conventional methods. Due to worrying data published by the World Health... (Review)
Review
Alternative diets are used by cancer patients, especially among those who are not treated with conventional methods. Due to worrying data published by the World Health Organisation and its Agenda, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Cancer Union, as well as epidemiological data from all over the world, it has been concluded that cancer will be the main cause of death in the world and that, therefore, the popularity of alternative diets among cancer patients may increase. The paper reviews the scientific literature and assesses the legitimacy and safety of selected alternative diets, as well as the description of research in terms of assumed anticancer efficacy in the following diets: ketogenic, Dr. Budwig and macrobiotic. The article also contains a summary of the analyzed scientific research and conclusions concerning the legitimacy of their use by cancer patients.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Complementary Therapies; Diet; Diet, Ketogenic; Diet, Macrobiotic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 32938166
DOI: 10.32394/rpzh.2020.0120 -
Journal of the American Heart... Oct 2020Background Nonpharmacologic interventions that modify lifestyle can lower blood pressure (BP) and have been assessed in numerous randomized controlled trials and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Background Nonpharmacologic interventions that modify lifestyle can lower blood pressure (BP) and have been assessed in numerous randomized controlled trials and pairwise meta-analyses. It is still unclear which intervention would be most efficacious. Methods and Results Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed to estimate the comparative effectiveness of different interventions for lowering BP. From 60 166 potentially relevant articles, 120 eligible articles (14 923 participants) with a median follow-up of 12 weeks, assessing 22 nonpharmacologic interventions, were included. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking probabilities and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) quality of evidence, for adults with prehypertension to established hypertension, high-quality evidence indicated that the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) was superior to usual care and all other nonpharmacologic interventions in lowering systolic BP (weighted mean difference, 6.97 mm Hg; 95% credible interval, 4.50-9.47) and diastolic BP (weighted mean difference, 3.54 mm Hg; 95% credible interval, 1.80-5.28). Compared with usual care, moderate- to high-quality evidence indicated that aerobic exercise, isometric training, low-sodium and high-potassium salt, comprehensive lifestyle modification, breathing-control, and meditation could lower systolic BP and diastolic BP. For patients with hypertension, moderate- to high-quality evidence suggested that the interventions listed (except comprehensive lifestyle modification) were associated with greater systolic BP and diastolic BP reduction than usual care; salt restriction was also effective in lowering both systolic BP and diastolic BP. Among overweight and obese participants, low-calorie diet and low-calorie diet plus exercise could lower more BP than exercise. Conclusions DASH might be the most effective intervention in lowering BP for adults with prehypertension to established hypertension. Aerobic exercise, isometric training, low-sodium and high-potassium salt, comprehensive lifestyle modification, salt restriction, breathing-control, meditation and low-calorie diet also have obvious effects on BP reduction.
Topics: Comparative Effectiveness Research; Diet Therapy; Diet, Sodium-Restricted; Exercise; Humans; Hypertension; Prehypertension; Risk Reduction Behavior
PubMed: 32975166
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.120.016804 -
High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular... Nov 2021Lifestyle improvement is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention and has a relevant effect on blood pressure control. During the last decades the attention of... (Review)
Review
Lifestyle improvement is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention and has a relevant effect on blood pressure control. During the last decades the attention of the researcher has focused on low-salt diets as the lifestyle modification most effective in blood pressure reduction. Current international guidelines thus suggest to stress the importance of the implementation of the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and of a low-salt Mediterranean diet to achieve the best results in term of blood pressure decrease. However, salt reduction in diet could be not the only nor the main determinant of blood pressure reduction under dietary treatment. DASH and low-salt Mediterranean diet are also characterized by a high intake of vegetables (NO and polyphenol sources), whole grains, some low-fat dairy products, and low intake of red meat, sugar, and trans-hydrogenated fats. Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet are also per se associated to a significant improvement in blood pressure levels. Moreover, these diets are particularly effective when associated with a significant weight loss. Furthermore, blood pressure can also be lowered by some nutraceuticals (beetroot, magnesium, vitamin C, catechin-rich beverages, lycopene, etc). The aim of this narrative review is to critically resume the most recent evidence supporting a complete approach to dietary counseling for hypertension prevention and management.
Topics: Diet, Mediterranean; Diet, Sodium-Restricted; Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension; Humans; Hypertension
PubMed: 34533781
DOI: 10.1007/s40292-021-00474-6 -
Stroke Nov 2021Lifestyle and diet affect cardiovascular risk, although there is currently no consensus about the best dietary model for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Lifestyle and diet affect cardiovascular risk, although there is currently no consensus about the best dietary model for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The CORDIOPREV study (Coronary Diet Intervention With Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Prevention) is an ongoing prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial in 1002 coronary heart disease patients, whose primary objective is to compare the effect of 2 healthy dietary patterns (low-fat rich in complex carbohydrates versus Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil) on the incidence of cardiovascular events. Here, we report the results of one secondary outcome of the CORDIOPREV study. Thus, to evaluate the efficacy of these diets in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Intima-media thickness of both common carotid arteries (IMT-CC) was ultrasonically assessed bilaterally. IMT-CC is a validated surrogate for the status and future cardiovascular disease risk.
METHODS
From the total participants, 939 completed IMT-CC evaluation at baseline and were randomized to follow a Mediterranean diet (35% fat, 22% monounsaturated fatty acids, <50% carbohydrates) or a low-fat diet (28% fat, 12% monounsaturated fatty acids, >55% carbohydrates) with IMT-CC measurements at 5 and 7 years. We also analyzed the carotid plaque number and height.
RESULTS
The Mediterranean diet decreased IMT-CC at 5 years (−0.027±0.008 mm; P<0.001), maintained at 7 years (−0.031±0.008 mm; P<0.001), compared to baseline. The low-fat diet did not modify IMT-CC. IMT-CC and carotid plaquemax height were higher decreased after the Mediterranean diet, compared to the low-fat diet, throughout follow-up. Baseline IMT-CC had the strongest association with the changes in IMT-CC after the dietary intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
Long-term consumption of a Mediterranean diet rich in extravirgin olive oil, if compared to a low-fat diet, was associated with decreased atherosclerosis progression, as shown by reduced IMT-CC and carotid plaque height. These findings reinforce the clinical benefits of the Mediterranean diet in the context of secondary cardiovascular prevention.
REGISTRATION
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00924937.
Topics: Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Coronary Artery Disease; Coronary Disease; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Diet, Mediterranean; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Secondary Prevention; Single-Blind Method
PubMed: 34372670
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.033214 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Nov 2019Dietary modifications, including caloric restriction, dietary restriction, various intervals of fasting, and even limiting the time when food is consumed can have a... (Review)
Review
Dietary modifications, including caloric restriction, dietary restriction, various intervals of fasting, and even limiting the time when food is consumed can have a pronounced impact on longevity. In addition, dietary modifications are powerful interventions to delay, prevent, or treat many aging-related diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Restricting amino acid and protein intake generally decreases aging-related comorbidities and thereby increases health and longevity. However, chronic dietary interventions are likely not feasible for most people due to low adherence to dietary protocols or resistance to drastic changes to lifestyle, and might even cause detrimental effects, possibly by negatively affecting the immune system and wound healing. The periodic use of low-protein, low-calorie fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) has the potential to promote health benefits, while minimizing the burden of chronic restriction. Protein restriction and FMDs together have the potential to play an important complementary role in medicine by promoting disease prevention and treatment, and by delaying the aging process at least in part by stimulating stem cell-based regeneration in periods of normal food intake after periodic FMD cycles. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize research on the impact of protein restriction on health and longevity in model organisms and to discuss the implementation of an FMD in mice and in human clinical trials and its effects on biomarkers of healthy aging. Taking into account the importance of sex on aging and diet, we include this information in all discussed studies. Whereas for some model organisms of aging, such as rodents, many studies are available, results are more limited for primates and/or humans.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Caloric Restriction; Diabetes Mellitus; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Dietary Proteins; Energy Intake; Fasting; Feeding Behavior; Female; Healthy Aging; Humans; Longevity; Male; Neoplasms
PubMed: 31728501
DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmz079 -
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and... Jan 2021Dementia (major neurocognitive disorder) is an increasingly common syndrome with a significant burden on patients, caregivers, the health-care system, and the society.... (Review)
Review
Dementia (major neurocognitive disorder) is an increasingly common syndrome with a significant burden on patients, caregivers, the health-care system, and the society. The prevalence of dementia will certainly continue to grow as the US population ages. Current treatments for dementia, though, are limited. One proposed nonpharmacologic approach for the delay or prevention of dementia is the use of a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet was originally employed to treat refractory epilepsy and has shown promise in many neurologic diseases. It has also gained recent popularity for its weight loss effects. Several preclinical studies have confirmed a benefit of ketosis on cognition and systemic inflammation. Given the renewed emphasis on neuroinflammation as a pathogenic contributor to cognitive decline, and the decreased systemic inflammation observed with the ketogenic diet, it is plausible that this diet may delay, ameliorate, or prevent progression of cognitive decline. Several small human studies have shown benefit on cognition in dementia with a ketogenic diet intervention. Future, large controlled studies are needed to confirm this benefit; however, the ketogenic diet has shown promise in regard to delay or mitigation of symptoms of cognitive decline.
Topics: Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Diet, Ketogenic; Humans; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31996078
DOI: 10.1177/0891988720901785 -
Cancer Genomics & Proteomics 2020Epidemiological and clinical studies support the association between nutrition and development or progression of different malignancies such as colon, breast, and... (Review)
Review
Epidemiological and clinical studies support the association between nutrition and development or progression of different malignancies such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer, defining these tumors as diet-associated cancer. The Mediterranean diet shows inverse associations with metabolic diseases, cardiovascular pathologies and various types of cancer. Many bioactive nutrients of the Mediterranean diet have been identified as factors protective against these types of pathologies. The epigenome has been identified as the primary goal of modulations in gene expression related to these molecular nutrients. In fact, they can modify the epigenome and can be incorporated into the 'epigenetic diet', which translates into a diet regimen that can be used therapeutically for health or preventative purposes. Most epigenetic changes are influenced by lifestyle and nutrition. Epigenetic therapy is a new area for the development of nutraceuticals whose absence of toxicity can represent a valid asset in cancer prevention strategies. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics and nutraceuticals have led to the identification of superfoods capable of favorably conditioning gene expression. In this review, we highlight the importance of nutraceuticals present in the Mediterranean diet as epigenetic modifiers both in the mechanisms of tumor onset and as protective agents.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Supplements; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Neoplasms; Nutrigenomics
PubMed: 32576579
DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20193 -
Journal of Alternative and... Feb 2021Broad-spectrum antibiotics are the first-line treatment for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). However, many antibiotics have a considerable side-effect...
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are the first-line treatment for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). However, many antibiotics have a considerable side-effect profile and SIBO commonly reoccurs after successful eradication with antibiotics. Alternative therapies such as probiotics, therapeutic diets, and herbal medicines have been used to individualize SIBO management, particularly in recalcitrant cases. The objective of this review is to evaluate the role of alternative therapies in SIBO treatment. EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register were systematically searched for clinical studies evaluating alternative therapies in the management of SIBO. Human studies in which an alternative intervention was used to treat SIBO were included. Alternative interventions were defined as an intervention that included a probiotic supplement, herbal preparation, or a dietary change. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized clinical trials with or without a control, and crossover studies were included. The following information was extracted from the selected studies: study type, study participants, SIBO subtype, intervention, comparison, outcome measures, relevant results, relevant side effects, and Jadad score. Eight studies met inclusion criteria. The studies evaluated probiotics ( = 5), therapeutic diet ( = 1), and herbal medicines ( = 2). Among these studies, there were four RCTs, two open-label single-arm studies, one randomized, double-blind crossover study, and one two-arm open-label study with crossover. Main results are summarized. There may be studies not captured by the defined search criteria. Additionally, studies used different methodologies in both breath testing and measurement of clinical symptoms, making it difficult to draw conclusions on SIBO eradication and symptom improvement across studies. Our findings suggest preliminary evidence for a role of alternative therapies in the treatment of SIBO. However, robust clinical trials are generally lacking. Existing studies tend to be small and lack standardized formulations of treatment. Breath testing protocols and clinical symptom measurement greatly varied between studies. Large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the best way to utilize alternative therapies in the treatment of SIBO.
Topics: Blind Loop Syndrome; Diet Therapy; Humans; Phytotherapy; Probiotics
PubMed: 33074705
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2020.0275 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Dec 2020Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder, which affects 5-17% of reproductive age women and is often associated with obesity and metabolic... (Review)
Review
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder, which affects 5-17% of reproductive age women and is often associated with obesity and metabolic impairment. Common treatment strategies are based on exercise, diet and nutrient supplementation since PCOS is often linked with obesity and metabolic impairment. Studies have recommended that nutrition is a key factor in the health maintenance of women with PCOS, however, little is known about the subject in the context of such a disease. This narrative review aims to identify dietary and nutritional aspects of PCOS and discuss the role of nutrients in management of polycystic ovary syndrome in view of clinical trials.
Topics: Caloric Restriction; Diet; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Diet, Ketogenic; Dietary Supplements; Female; Food Preferences; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Obesity; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PubMed: 32960105
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2020.1822797