This narrative review condenses the available evidence regarding the impact of nut consumption on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. It points out crucial research gaps and proposes a structure for future research directions. Conclusively, there is an indication that some nuts, including almonds and walnuts, may positively alter inflammation, whereas other varieties, such as Brazil nuts, may positively affect oxidative stress. For a comprehensive understanding of nut interventions, large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential, utilizing sufficient sample sizes and exploring diverse nut types, dosages, and duration of interventions, coupled with a detailed examination of relevant inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. Fortifying the existing knowledge base with robust evidence is essential, especially considering oxidative stress and inflammation's role as mediators in numerous non-communicable diseases (NCDs), thus promoting improvements in both personalized and public health nutrition initiatives.
Amyloid beta (A) plaques, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), are surrounded by neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which has been shown to potentially activate neuronal death and inhibit neurogenesis. SF2312 mw Ultimately, manipulating the dysregulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with AD. The botanical specimen, Kaempferia parviflora, as described by Wall. Baker (KP), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, displays promising health-promoting attributes, including in vitro and in vivo anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation effects with high safety; however, the contribution of KP to the suppression of A-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal differentiation remains underexplored. An investigation into KP extract's neuroprotective properties against A42 was conducted using both monoculture and co-culture models of mouse neuroectodermal (NE-4C) stem cells and BV-2 microglia cells. KP extract fractions, which contained 57-dimethoxyflavone, 57,4'-trimethoxyflavone, and 35,73',4'-pentamethoxyflavone, demonstrated a protective effect on neural stem cells (both undifferentiated and differentiated), mitigating microglia activation, A42-induced neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in both monoculture and co-culture systems involving microglia and neuronal stem cells. SF2312 mw KP extracts, quite surprisingly, blocked the A42-inhibited neurogenesis, potentially due to their content of methoxyflavone derivatives. Our research data demonstrated a promising therapeutic potential of KP against AD, through its ability to suppress neuroinflammation and oxidative stress stemming from exposure to A peptides.
A complex metabolic disorder, diabetes mellitus, is characterized by either insufficient insulin secretion or the body's diminished response to insulin, requiring nearly all individuals to rely on continuous glucose-lowering medication. Researchers perpetually analyze the key attributes that define the most desirable hypoglycemic medications, constantly striving to overcome the challenges posed by diabetes. Concerning the effectiveness of the medications, they ought to hold stable control over blood sugar levels, pose a minimal risk of inducing hypoglycemia, retain a neutral effect on body mass, enhance beta-cell function, and slow down the deterioration of the disease. The recent arrival of oral peptide medications, such as semaglutide, offers exciting prospects for those suffering from chronic diabetes. Protein, peptides, and phytochemicals, found in abundance in legumes, have contributed significantly to human health throughout recorded history. The past two decades have seen a gradual rise in documented cases of legume-based peptides displaying significant anti-diabetic properties. The hypoglycemic actions of these mechanisms have also been elucidated at established diabetes treatment sites, including the insulin receptor signaling pathway and associated pathways central to the progression of diabetes, alongside key enzymes like α-amylase, β-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4). This review analyzes the anti-diabetic activities and mechanisms exhibited by legume-derived peptides and analyzes the future applications of these peptide-based drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Premenstrual food cravings, which often contribute to the adverse cardiometabolic effects of obesity, may not have a clear relationship with progesterone and estradiol. Motivated by previous research indicating progesterone's protective effects on drug cravings and the considerable neurobiological overlap between food and drug cravings, this study investigated this question. Using daily ratings of premenstrual food cravings and other symptoms across two to three menstrual cycles, we enrolled 37 women who did not use illicit drugs or medications; these participants were then classified as PMDD or control subjects. Participants also furnished blood samples at eight clinic visits, encompassing the entire menstrual cycle. Using a validated method reliant on the peak luteinizing hormone serum level, we coordinated their mid-luteal progesterone and estradiol levels. This was subsequently followed by analysis of estradiol and progesterone using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Using a hierarchical modeling approach, which considered body mass index, progesterone demonstrated a substantial negative relationship with premenstrual food cravings (p = 0.0038), while estradiol had no observable effect. The association's appearance wasn't restricted to PMDD or control participants. Human and rodent studies on progesterone's impact on reward salience offer insights into the underlying mechanisms of premenstrual food cravings.
Studies of both humans and animals have found a relationship between maternal overnutrition and/or obesity and variations in neurobehavioral patterns observed in offspring. Nutritional state changes during the early life phase are met with adaptive responses, a hallmark of fetal programming. Throughout the last decade, studies have unveiled a connection between maternal overindulgence in highly pleasurable foods during fetal development and behavioral abnormalities in the offspring, strongly indicative of addiction. A mother's excessive consumption of nutrients during pregnancy can modify the reward-processing circuits in her child's brain, creating increased sensitivity to caloric foods later in life. Considering the growing evidence suggesting the central nervous system's essential role in regulating food intake, energy balance, and the pursuit of food, a defect in the reward circuitry could be a contributing factor to the addictive-like behaviors displayed by offspring. Nevertheless, the fundamental processes responsible for these modifications within the reward system during fetal growth, and their connection to a heightened chance of the child exhibiting addictive-like behaviors later in life, remain uncertain. In this review, we investigate the scientific evidence regarding the correlation between maternal overconsumption during gestation and the development of addictive-like behaviors in the offspring, considering eating disorders and obesity.
The Bon Sel social enterprise's approach to salt fortification and distribution, specifically targeting market segments, has noticeably increased iodine intake in Haiti in recent years. Nonetheless, the delivery of this salt to the far-flung communities was open to question. The cross-sectional study explored the iodine status in school-aged children (SAC) and women of reproductive age (WRA) in a remote region of the Central Plateau. Schools and churches served as recruitment venues for a total of 400 children (aged 9-13) and 322 women (aged 18-44), respectively. Spot urine samples were collected to measure urinary iodine (UIC) and urinary creatinine (UCC) concentrations, along with thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement from dried blood spots. SF2312 mw Estimates of their iodine intake were made, and dietary data was gathered. The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in subjects from SAC was 130 g/L (interquartile range 79-204, n = 399), differing from that in WRA, which was 115 g/L (interquartile range 73-173, n = 322). Among the participants, the median (interquartile range) Tg level in the SAC group (n=370) was 197 g/L (140-276 g/L), which contrasted with the WRA group (n=183) where the median was 122 g/L (79-190 g/L). Of notable interest, 10% of the SAC patients had Tg levels above 40 g/L. A daily iodine intake of 77 grams was estimated for SAC and 202 grams for WRA. The everyday use of bouillon stood in contrast to the infrequent consumption of iodized table salt; this is predicted to be a significant factor in obtaining dietary iodine. This remote region has experienced a substantial increase in iodine intake, according to the 2018 national survey, but the SAC community remains at risk. These findings provide evidence for the potential effectiveness of social business principles in tackling humanitarian challenges.
The correlation between children's breakfast habits and their mental health is, at this point, supported by a limited body of evidence. The current study sought to determine if a connection existed between the kinds of breakfast foods eaten and the mental health of children in Japan. A subset of 9- to 10-year-old participants from the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty (A-CHILD) study in Japan, habitually eating breakfast, were included in the study (n = 281). Daily breakfast items, meticulously tracked for seven days, were classified using the food categories found in the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, as reported by the children. Caregivers utilized the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire to assess the mental well-being of children. An average of six grain dishes, two milk products, and one fruit were consumed weekly. Using linear regression, a study found an inverse link between frequent consumption of rice or bread, and behavioral issues, adjusting for possible confounding variables. However, sweet breads or pastries, the predominant items in confectioneries, were not found to be connected with problematic behaviors. Non-sweet grain breakfasts may be a contributing factor to the prevention of behavioral issues in children.