Nutrition and Phytochemistry | Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group

Archive for the ‘Nutrition and Phytochemistry’ Category

Eight Subcellular Pathologies driving Chronic Metabolic Diseases – Methods for Mapping Bioelectronic Adjustable Measurements as potential new Therapeutics: Impact on Pharmaceuticals in Use

Posted in Acute Myocardial Infarction, Adaptive Immune Response to Biomaterials and Tissue Repair, Advanced Drug Manufacturing Technology, Amino acids, Apoptosis, Apoptosis, Artificial intelligence applications for cardiology, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine - Application for Diagnosis, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine - Applications in Therapeutics, Atherogenic Processes & Pathology, Autoimmune Inflammatory DIseases, Autologous Cell Therapy, Automated Cell Processing, Autophagosome, Autophagy, Autophagy-Modulating Proteins, “Antibody–enzyme conjugates”, Bio Instrumentation in Experimental Life Sciences Research, Biochemical pathways, Bioengineering & reverse engineering design, Biological Engineering, Biomarkers & Medical Diagnostics, Biomedical Measurement Science, Ca2+ triggered activation, Calcium Signaling, Calmodulin, Calmodulin Kinase and Contraction, Cancer - General, Cardiac muscle regeneration, Cardiovascular Pharmacogenomics, Cell Biology, Signaling & Cell Circuits, Cell death pathways, Cell Processing System in Cell Therapy Process Development, Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Chemical Biology and its relations to Metabolic Disease, children, Clinical & Translational, Clinical Genomics, Computational Histopathology, congestive heart failure, Cytokine Receptor Structure, Cytokines, Deep Learning in Pathology, Dehydrogenase, Developmental biology, Diabetes Mellitus, Diagnostic Immunology, Disease Biology, Disease Biology, Small Molecules in Development of Therapeutic Drugs, Drug Carrier Design, Drug Delivery Platform Technology, Drug Discovery Chemistry, drug repurposing, Endocrine Diseases, Endoplasmic reticulum, Enzyme Induction, Enzymes and isoenzymes, Epigenetics and Cardiovascular Risks, Epigenetics and Environmental Factors, Evolution of Biology Through Culture, Fatty acids, Frontiers in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disorders, Gastroenterology, Gene Regulation, Genome Biology, Genomic Analysis of EKG Electrophysiology Genomics, Genomic Endocrinology, Genomics Pharmacy, Glycobiology: Biopharmaceutical Production, Glycobiology: Biopharmaceutical Production, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics, Gut Microbiome and Obesity, HTN, HTN in Youth, Human Antibody Response, Human Circulating Antibody Repertoire, Human Immune System in Health and in Disease, Human Sensation and Cellular Transduction: Physiology and Therapeutics, Immuno-Oncology & Genomics, Immunodiagnostics, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Indigent Nutrition, inflammation independent of lipid levels, Inflammatory Pathophysiology, Innovation in Immunology Diagnostics, Inosine nucleotides, Intellectual Property, Innovations, Commercialization, Investment in technological breakthrough, Interviews with Scientific Leaders, Investment in Technological Breakthrough, ion-transporting enzyme, IP Development by LPBI Group Team, Kinase, Lipid metabolism, Lipidomics, Lipids, Liposome, Liver & Digestive Diseases Research, Machine learning in predicting type 2 diabetes, Materials Science & Engineering, Medical and Population Genetics, Meta-analysis of transcriptome data, Metabolism, Metabolomics, Methylation, Microbiologial genetics, microbiome, Microfuidics, Micronutrients, Microvesicle, Molecular Genetics & Pharmaceutical, Mutant Gene Expression, Myocardial adenine nucleotide metabolism, Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Metabolism, Myocardial metabolism, Myocardial ischemia, myocardial perfusion, Myocardial adenine nucleotide metabolism, Na-K transport, Na-K-ATPase, Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neurohumoral Transmission, Neurological Diseases, Nitric Oxide in Health and Disease, Nutrigenomics, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutrition Disorders, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, lipid metabolism, Obesity, Organic BioElectronics, Origins of Cardiovascular Disease, Pancreatic adenocarcinoma classifier, Patient-centered Medicine, Perioperative Statins at Noncardiac Surgery, Personalized and Precision Medicine & Genomic Research, Phagophore, Pharmaceutical Analytics, Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacotherapy and Cell Activity, Pharmacotherapy of Cardiovascular Disease, Phosphatase, Phosphorylase, Phosphorylation, Population Health Management, Population Health Management, Genetics & Pharmaceutical, Population Health Management, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Precision Cancer Medicine, Protection Against Autoimmune Disease, Protein-energy malnutrition, Proteins, Proteomics, Rare heart rhythm disorders and Long QT syndrome (LQTS), Regenerative Biology and Medicine, RNA Biology, S-nitrosylation, Sensors & Analytics, Signaling, Signaling & Cell Circuits, single cell sequencing, Skeletal muscle regeneration, Small Molecules in Development of Therapeutic Drugs, Statistical Methods for Research Evaluation, Stress Disorders, Stroke, Stroke, Systemic Inflammatory Diseases as CVD Risk, Systemic Inflammatory Response Related Disorders, Technology Transfer: Biotech and Pharmaceutical, therapeutics, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Microenvironment, Tolerance-inducing Autoimmune Disease Therapeutics, Transcriptomics, Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Translational Research, tyrosine decarboxylases, Ubiquitin, Ubiquitinylation, Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), Universal Immune Cell Therapies (uICT), Variation in human protein-coding regions, Vascular Diseases, Water Transporters on August 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Eight Subcellular Pathologies driving Chronic Metabolic Diseases – Methods for Mapping Bioelectronic Adjustable Measurements as potential new Therapeutics: Impact on Pharmaceuticals in Use

Curators:

Cardiovascular Expertise – Dr. Justin D. Pearlman, MD, PhD, FACC
Pharmacology and Oncology Expertise – Dr. Stephen J. Williams, PhD
Principal Investigator, initiator of the project – Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

THE VOICE of Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

In this curation we wish to present two breaking through goals:

Goal 1:

Exposition of a new direction of research leading to a more comprehensive understanding of Metabolic Dysfunctional Diseases that are implicated in effecting the emergence of the two leading causes of human mortality in the World in 2023: (a) Cardiovascular Diseases, and (b) Cancer

Goal 2:

Development of Methods for Mapping Bioelectronic Adjustable Measurements as potential new Therapeutics for these eight subcellular causes of chronic metabolic diseases. It is anticipated that it will have a potential impact on the future of Pharmaceuticals to be used, a change from the present time current treatment protocols for Metabolic Dysfunctional Diseases.

According to Dr. Robert Lustig, M.D, an American pediatric endocrinologist. He is Professor emeritus of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco, where he specialized in neuroendocrinology and childhood obesity, there are eight subcellular pathologies that drive chronic metabolic diseases.

These eight subcellular pathologies can’t be measured at present time.

In this curation we will attempt to explore methods of measurement for each of these eight pathologies by harnessing the promise of the emerging field known as Bioelectronics.

Unmeasurable eight subcellular pathologies that drive chronic metabolic diseases

Glycation
Oxidative Stress
Mitochondrial dysfunction [beta-oxidation Ac CoA malonyl fatty acid]
Insulin resistance/sensitive [more important than BMI], known as a driver to cancer development
Membrane instability
Inflammation in the gut [mucin layer and tight junctions]
Epigenetics/Methylation
Autophagy [AMPKbeta1 improvement in health span]

Diseases that are not Diseases: no drugs for them, only diet modification will help

Image source

Robert Lustig, M.D. on the Subcellular Processes That Belie Chronic Disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uoxuQo0I

Exercise will not undo Unhealthy Diet

Image source

Robert Lustig, M.D. on the Subcellular Processes That Belie Chronic Disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uoxuQo0I

These eight Subcellular Pathologies driving Chronic Metabolic Diseases are becoming our focus for exploration of the promise of Bioelectronics for two pursuits:

Will Bioelectronics be deemed helpful in measurement of each of the eight pathological processes that underlie and that drive the chronic metabolic syndrome(s) and disease(s)?
IF we will be able to suggest new measurements to currently unmeasurable health harming processes THEN we will attempt to conceptualize new therapeutic targets and new modalities for therapeutics delivery – WE ARE HOPEFUL

In the Bioelecronics domain we are inspired by the work of the following three research sources:

Biological and Biomedical Electrical Engineering (B2E2) at Cornell University, School of Engineering https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/bio-electrical-engineering-0
Bioelectronics Group at MIT https://bioelectronics.mit.edu/
The work of Michael Levin @Tufts, The Levin Lab

Michael Levin is an American developmental and synthetic biologist at Tufts University, where he is the Vannevar Bush Distinguished Professor. Levin is a director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University and Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology. Wikipedia

Born: 1969 (age 54 years), Moscow, Russia

Education: Harvard University (1992–1996), Tufts University (1988–1992)

Affiliation: University of Cape Town

Research interests: Allergy, Immunology, Cross Cultural Communication

Awards: Cozzarelli prize (2020)

Doctoral advisor: Clifford Tabin

Fields: Developmental biology, synthetic biology

SOURCE

https://www.google.com/search?q=Michael+Levin+%40Tufts&oq=Michael+Levin+%40Tufts&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.894128314j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Most recent 20 Publications by Michael Levin, PhD

SOURCE

https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/michael-levin-1/publications

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

The nonlinearity of regulation in biological networks

1 Dec 2023npj Systems Biology and Applications9(1)

Co-authorsManicka S, Johnson K, Levin M…

VIEW PDF

10.1038/S41540-023-00273-W

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Toward an ethics of autopoietic technology: Stress, care, and intelligence

1 Sep 2023BioSystems231

Co-authorsWitkowski O, Doctor T, Solomonova E…

VIEW PDF

10.1016/J.BIOSYSTEMS.2023.104964

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Closing the Loop on Morphogenesis: A Mathematical Model of Morphogenesis by Closed-Loop Reaction-Diffusion

14 Aug 2023Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology11:1087650

Co-authorsGrodstein J, McMillen P, Levin M

VIEW PDF

10.3389/FCELL.2023.1087650

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Correcting instructive electric potential patterns in multicellular systems: External actions and endogenous processes.

30 Jul 2023Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj1867(10):130440

Co-authorsCervera J, Levin M, Mafe S

VIEW MORE INFO

10.1016/J.BBAGEN.2023.130440

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Regulative development as a model for origin of life and artificial life studies

1 Jul 2023BioSystems229

Co-authorsFields C, Levin M

10.1016/J.BIOSYSTEMS.2023.104927

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

The Yin and Yang of Breast Cancer: Ion Channels as Determinants of Left–Right Functional Differences

1 Jul 2023International Journal of Molecular Sciences24(13)

Co-authorsMasuelli S, Real S, McMillen P…

VIEW PDF

10.3390/IJMS241311121

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Bioelectricidad en agregados multicelulares de células no excitables- modelos biofísicos

Jun 2023Revista Española de Física32(2)

Co-authorsCervera J, Levin M, Mafé S

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Bioelectricity: A Multifaceted Discipline, and a Multifaceted Issue!

1 Jun 2023Bioelectricity5(2):75

Co-authorsDjamgoz MBA, Levin M

10.1089/BIOE.2023.0022.EDITORIAL

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Control Flow in Active Inference Systems – Part I: Classical and Quantum Formulations of Active Inference

1 Jun 2023IEEE Transactions on Molecular, Biological, and Multi-Scale Communications9(2):235-245

Co-authorsFields C, Fabrocini F, Friston K…

10.1109/TMBMC.2023.3272150

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Control Flow in Active Inference Systems – Part II: Tensor Networks as General Models of Control Flow

1 Jun 2023IEEE Transactions on Molecular, Biological, and Multi-Scale Communications9(2):246-256

Co-authorsFields C, Fabrocini F, Friston K…

10.1109/TMBMC.2023.3272158

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Darwin’s agential materials: evolutionary implications of multiscale competency in developmental biology

1 Jun 2023Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences80(6)

Co-authorsLevin M

VIEW PDF

10.1007/S00018-023-04790-Z

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Morphoceuticals: Perspectives for discovery of drugs targeting anatomical control mechanisms in regenerative medicine, cancer and aging

1 Jun 2023Drug Discovery Today28(6)

Co-authorsPio-Lopez L, Levin M

VIEW PDF

10.1016/J.DRUDIS.2023.103585

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Morphoceuticals: Perspectives for discovery of drugs targeting anatomical control mechanisms in regenerative medicine, cancer and aging

Jun 2023DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY28(6):1-13

Co-authorsPio-Lopez L, Levin M

VIEW MORE INFO

10.1016/J.DRUDIS.2023.103585THIS

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Cellular signaling pathways as plastic, proto-cognitive systems: Implications for biomedicine

12 May 2023Patterns4(5)

Co-authorsMathews J, Chang A, Devlin L…

VIEW PDF

10.1016/J.PATTER.2023.100737

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Making and breaking symmetries in mind and life

14 Apr 2023Interface Focus13(3)

Co-authorsSafron A, Sakthivadivel DAR, Sheikhbahaee Z…

VIEW PDF

10.1098/RSFS.2023.0015

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

The scaling of goals from cellular to anatomical homeostasis: an evolutionary simulation, experiment and analysis

14 Apr 2023Interface Focus13(3)

Co-authorsPio-Lopez L, Bischof J, LaPalme JV…

VIEW PDF

10.1098/RSFS.2022.0072

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

The collective intelligence of evolution and development

Apr 2023Collective Intelligence2(2):263391372311683SAGE Publications

Co-authorsWatson R, Levin M

VIEW PDF

10.1177/26339137231168355

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Bioelectricity of non-excitable cells and multicellular pattern memories: Biophysical modeling

13 Mar 2023Physics Reports1004:1-31

Co-authorsCervera J, Levin M, Mafe S

10.1016/J.PHYSREP.2022.12.003

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

There’s Plenty of Room Right Here: Biological Systems as Evolved, Overloaded, Multi-Scale Machines

1 Mar 2023Biomimetics8(1)

Co-authorsBongard J, Levin M

VIEW PDF

10.3390/BIOMIMETICS8010110

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Transplantation of fragments from different planaria: A bioelectrical model for head regeneration

7 Feb 2023Journal of Theoretical Biology558

Co-authorsCervera J, Manzanares JA, Levin M…

VIEW PDF

10.1016/J.JTBI.2022.111356

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Bioelectric networks: the cognitive glue enabling evolutionary scaling from physiology to mind

1 Jan 2023Animal Cognition

Co-authorsLevin M

VIEW PDF

10.1007/S10071-023-01780-3

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Biological Robots: Perspectives on an Emerging Interdisciplinary Field

1 Jan 2023Soft Robotics

Co-authorsBlackiston D, Kriegman S, Bongard J…

10.1089/SORO.2022.0142

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Cellular Competency during Development Alters Evolutionary Dynamics in an Artificial Embryogeny Model

1 Jan 2023Entropy25(1)

Co-authorsShreesha L, Levin M

VIEW PDF

10.3390/E25010131

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Endless forms most beautiful 2.0: teleonomy and the bioengineering of chimaeric and synthetic organisms (July, blac073, 2022)

1 Jan 2023BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY138(1):141

Co-authorsClawson WP, Levin M

VIEW PDF

VIEW MORE INFO

10.1093/BIOLINNEAN/BLAC116

SCHOLARLY ARTICLE

Future medicine: from molecular pathways to the collective intelligence of the body

1 Jan 2023Trends in Molecular Medicine

Co-authorsLagasse E, Levin M

10.1016/J.MOLMED.2023.06.007

THE VOICE of Dr. Justin D. Pearlman, MD, PhD, FACC

PENDING

THE VOICE of Stephen J. Williams, PhD

Ten TakeAway Points of Dr. Lustig’s talk on role of diet on the incidence of Type II Diabetes

25% of US children have fatty liver
Type II diabetes can be manifested from fatty live with 151 million people worldwide affected moving up to 568 million in 7 years
A common myth is diabetes due to overweight condition driving the metabolic disease
There is a trend of ‘lean’ diabetes or diabetes in lean people, therefore body mass index not a reliable biomarker for risk for diabetes
Thirty percent of ‘obese’ people just have high subcutaneous fat. the visceral fat is more problematic
there are people who are ‘fat’ but insulin sensitive while have growth hormone receptor defects. Points to other issues related to metabolic state other than insulin and potentially the insulin like growth factors
At any BMI some patients are insulin sensitive while some resistant
Visceral fat accumulation may be more due to chronic stress condition
Fructose can decrease liver mitochondrial function
A methionine and choline deficient diet can lead to rapid NASH development

Read Full Post »

Cannabis smoking showed increased sperm count

Posted in Cell Biology, Cell Biology, Signaling & Cell Circuits, Chemical Biology and its relations to Metabolic Disease, Endocrine Diseases, Health Care System by Country, Plant extract, Population Health Management, Population Health Management, Genetics & Pharmaceutical, Population Health Management, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Reproductive Genomics, Reproductive Andrology, Embryology, Genomic Endocrinology, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Reproductive Genomics, Reproductive Biology & Bio Instrumentation, tagged Cannabis, fertility, Marijuana, smoking, sperm count, testosterone, weed on February 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Reporter and Curator: Dr. Sudipta Saha, Ph.D.

Research about marijuana and fertility is limited but some previous studies suggested that it might harm semen quality. Smoking of any type is also known to be a risk factor for male infertility. So, men who have smoked cannabis are expected to have worse measures of fertility but the data from a recent study suggested the opposite. The finding contradicts all conventional knowledge on how weed affects sperm. This may be because previous research typically focused on men with drug abuse history but this present study simply asked men if they had smoked more than two joints in their life.

Analysis of 1,143 semen samples from 662 men collected between 2000 and 2017 at the Fertility Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital showed that those who had smoked weed at some point in their life had a mean sperm concentration of 62.7 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of ejaculate, while men who avoided marijuana entirely had mean concentrations of 45.4 million/mL. Added to this only 5% of weed smokers had sperm concentrations below the 15 million/mL threshold the World Health Organization has set for a “normal” sperm count, versus 12% of men who never smoked marijuana.

The study has some imperfections such as the participants are not necessarily representative of the general population. They were predominantly college educated men with a mean age of 36, and were all seeking treatment at a fertility center. Further research is needed to support the findings. Two possibilities are put forward by the researchers as the reason behind such data. The first is that low levels of marijuana could have a positive effect on the endocannabinoid system, the neurotransmitters in the nervous system that bind to cannabinoid receptors, and are known to regulate fertility. The second is that may be weed-smokers are just bigger risk takers and men with higher testosterone levels and thus have better sperm count.

But, there’s certainly no medical recommendation to smoke weed as a fertility treatment but this study, at least, suggests that a little marijuana doesn’t hurt and might benefit sperm production in some way. But, the researchers specified that their finding does not necessarily mean that smoking cannabis increases the chances of fatherhood.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30726923

https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-02-06/cannabis-smoking-associated-with-higher-sperm-count-study-finds?__twitter_impression=true

https://qz.com/1543564/smoking-weed-linked-to-higher-sperm-count-in-a-harvard-study/

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2019/02/06/cannabis-smoking-associated-with-higher-sperm-count-study-finds/

http://time.com/5520421/smoking-marijuana-sperm-fertility/

https://www.health.com/infertility/marijuana-sperm-count

Read Full Post »

Micronutrients, Macronutrients and Dietary Patterns: Nutrition and Fertility

Posted in Minerals in Medicine, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, lipid metabolism, Obesity, Reproductive Andrology, Embryology, Genomic Endocrinology, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Reproductive Genomics on December 11, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Micronutrients, Macronutrients and Dietary Patterns: Nutrition and Fertility

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Folic acid. Folic acid is important for germ cell production and pregnancy. The recommended daily dose to prevent neural tube defects is 400-800 µg. Women who take folic acid-containing multivitamins are less likely to be anovulatory, and the time to achieve a pregnancy is reduced. Those who consume more than 800 µg of folic acid daily are more likely to conceive with assisted reproductive technology (ART) than those whose daily intake is less than 400 µg.

Vitamin D. Vitamin D may affect fertility through receptors found in the ovaries and endometrium. An extremely low vitamin D level (< 20 ng/mL) is associated with higher risk for spontaneous miscarriage risk. Some reports suggest that women with adequate vitamin D levels (> 30 ng/mL) are more likely to conceive after ART when compared with those whose vitamin D levels are insufficient (20-30 ng/mL), or deficient (< 20 ng/mL). These findings, however, are inconclusive.

Carbohydrates. Dietary carbohydrates affect glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, and by these mechanisms can affect reproduction. The impact is most pronounced among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In women with PCOS, a reduction in glycemic load improves insulin sensitivity as well as ovulatory function. Whole grains have antioxidant effects and also improve insulin sensitivity, thereby positively influencing reproduction.

Omega-3 supplements. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids lower the risk for endometriosis. Increased levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

Protein and dairy. Some reports suggest that dairy protein intake lowers ovarian reserve. Other reports suggest improved ART outcomes with increased dairy intake. Meat, fish, and dairy products, however, can also serve as vehicles for environmental contamination that may adversely affect the embryo. Fish, on the other hand, has been shown to exert positive effects on fertility.

Dietary approach. In general, a Mediterranean diet is favored (high intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, and olive oil) among women diagnosed with infertility.

Recommendations

A well-balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, is preferred for infertile women and should provide the required micro- and macronutrients. It remains common for patients consume a wide variety of vitamin, mineral, and micronutrient supplements daily.^[4] Supplements should not replace food sources of vitamins and trace elements because of differences in bioavailability (natural versus synthetic), and inaccuracy of label declarations may result in suboptimal intake of important nutrients.^[5,6] Furthermore, naturally occurring vitamins and micronutrients are more efficiently absorbed.

With respect to overall diet, women are advised to follow a caloric intake that won’t contribute to being overweight or obese. Obesity is on the rise among younger people, including children. Obese women have a lower chance of conceiving and are less likely to have an uncomplicated pregnancy.^[7] Proper weight can be maintained with an appropriate diet and regular exercise.

Finally, women must abstain from substances that are potentially harmful to pregnancy (eg, smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, high caffeine intake).

Causes of Infertility

ovulatory defect,
tubal occlusion,
low sperm counts), and many

Factors lower the chance of pregnancy

older age,
lower ovarian reserve,
endometriosis

Factors can’t be altered

age and
ovarian reserve

Modifiable Factors:

body weight and
lifestyle habits

REFERENCES

SOURCE

http://Peter Kovacs. Food and Fertility: What Should Women Consume When Trying to Conceive? – Medscape – Dec 06, 2018.

Read Full Post »

Live 11:00 AM- 12:00 Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle: A Symposium on Diet and Human Health : Opening Remarks October 19, 2018

Posted in Cancer - General, cancer metabolism, Cardiomyopathy, Cardiovascular and Vascular Systems, Cardiovascular Pharmacogenomics, Cardiovascular Research, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Human aging, Human Immune System in Health and in Disease, interventional oncology, Metabolomics, Minerals in Medicine, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutrition Disorders, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, Plant extract, Scientific & Biotech Conferences: Press Coverage, tagged application to nutrition, cancer prevention, cardiovascular and lung disease, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, essential micronutrients, healthcare, human health consequences, mediteranean diet, preventive healthcare on October 19, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Live 11:00 AM- 12:00 Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle: A Symposium on Diet and Human Health : Opening Remarks October 19, 2018

Reporter: Stephen J. Williams, Ph.D.

11:00 Welcome

Prof. Antonio Giordano, MD, PhD.

Director and President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, College of Science and Technology, Temple University

Welcome to this symposium on Italian lifestyle and health. This is similar to a symposium we had organized in New York. A year ago Bloomberg came out with a study on higher longevity of the italian population and this study was concluded that this increased longevity was due to the italian lifestyle and diet especially in the southern part of Italy, a region which is older than Rome (actually founded by Greeks and Estonians). However this symposium will delve into the components of this healthy Italian lifestyle which contributes to this longevity effect. Some of this work was done in collaboration with Temple University and sponsored by the Italian Consulate General in Philadelphia ( which sponsors programs in this area called Ciao Philadelphia).

Greetings: Fucsia Nissoli Fitzgerald, Deputy elected in the Foreign Circumscription – North and Central America Division

Speaking for the Consulate General is Francesca Cardurani-Meloni. I would like to talk briefly about the Italian cuisine and its evolution, from the influence of the North and South Italy, economic factors, and influence by other cultures. Italian cooking is about simplicity, cooking with what is in season and freshest. The meal is not about the food but about comfort around the table, and comparible to a cullinary heaven, about sharing with family and friends, and bringing the freshest ingredients to the table.

Consul General, Honorable Pier Attinio Forlano, General Consul of Italy in Philadelphia

11:30 The Impact of Environment and Life Style in Human Disease

Prof. Antonio Giordano MD, PhD.

To follow or Tweet on Twitter please use the following handles (@) and hashtags (#):

@ handles

# hashtags

#health

#nutrition

Please see related articles on Live Coverage of Previous Meetings on this Open Access Journal

Real Time Conference Coverage for Scientific and Business Media: Unique Twitter Hashtags and Handles per Conference Presentation/Session

LIVE – Real Time – 16th Annual Cancer Research Symposium, Koch Institute, Friday, June 16, 9AM – 5PM, Kresge Auditorium, MIT

Real Time Coverage and eProceedings of Presentations on 11/16 – 11/17, 2016, The 12th Annual Personalized Medicine Conference, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston

Tweets Impression Analytics, Re-Tweets, Tweets and Likes by @AVIVA1950 and @pharma_BI for 2018 BioIT, Boston, 5/15 – 5/17, 2018

BIO 2018! June 4-7, 2018 at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

LIVE 2018 The 21st Gabay Award to LORENZ STUDER, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, contributions in stem cell biology and patient-specific, cell-based therapy

HUBweek 2018, October 8-14, 2018, Greater Boston – “We The Future” – coming together, of breaking down barriers, of convening across disciplinary lines to shape our future

Read Full Post »

Omega-3 fats Supplements Effect on Cardiovascular Health: EPA and DHA has little or no effect on Mortality or Cardiovascular Health

Posted in Atherogenic Processes & Pathology, Cardiovascular Research, Frontiers in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disorders, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, lipid metabolism, Obesity, Plant extract, tagged (long-chain omega-3 (LCn3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), from plants (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on July 24, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Omega-3 fats Supplements Effect on Cardiovascular Health: EPA and DHA has little or no effect on Mortality or Cardiovascular Health

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Jul 18;7:CD003177. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3. [Epub ahead of print]

Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Abdelhamid AS¹, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, Biswas P, Thorpe GC, Moore HJ, Deane KH, AlAbdulghafoor FK, Summerbell CD, Worthington HV, Song F, Hooper L.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Researchers have suggested that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from oily fish (long-chain omega-3 (LCn3), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), as well as from plants (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)) benefit cardiovascular health. Guidelines recommend increasing omega-3-rich foods, and sometimes supplementation, but recent trials have not confirmed this.

OBJECTIVES:

To assess effects of increased intake of fish- and plant-based omega-3 for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CVD) events, adiposity and lipids.

SEARCH METHODS:

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase to April 2017, plus ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry to September 2016, with no language restrictions. We handsearched systematic review references and bibliographies and contacted authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that lasted at least 12 months and compared supplementation and/or advice to increase LCn3 or ALA intake versus usual or lower intake.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed validity. We performed separate random-effects meta-analysis for ALA and LCn3 interventions, and assessed dose-response relationships through meta-regression.

MAIN RESULTS:

We included 79 RCTs (112,059 participants) in this review update and found that 25 were at low summary risk of bias. Trials were of 12 to 72 months’ duration and included adults at varying cardiovascular risk, mainly in high-income countries. Most studies assessed LCn3 supplementation with capsules, but some used LCn3- or ALA-rich or enriched foods or dietary advice compared to placebo or usual diet.Meta-analysis and sensitivity analyses suggested little or no effect of increasing LCn3 on all-cause mortality (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.03, 92,653 participants; 8189 deaths in 39 trials, high-quality evidence), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.03, 67,772 participants; 4544 CVD deaths in 25 RCTs), cardiovascular events (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.04, 90,378 participants; 14,737 people experienced events in 38 trials, high-quality evidence), coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.09, 73,491 participants; 1596 CHD deaths in 21 RCTs), stroke (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.16, 89,358 participants; 1822 strokes in 28 trials) or arrhythmia (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.05, 53,796 participants; 3788 people experienced arrhythmia in 28 RCTs). There was a suggestion that LCn3 reduced CHD events (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.97, 84,301 participants; 5469 people experienced CHD events in 28 RCTs); however, this was not maintained in sensitivity analyses – LCn3 probably makes little or no difference to CHD event risk. All evidence was of moderate GRADE quality, except as noted.Increasing ALA intake probably makes little or no difference to all-cause mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.20, 19,327 participants; 459 deaths, 5 RCTs),cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.25, 18,619 participants; 219 cardiovascular deaths, 4 RCTs), and it may make little or no difference to CHD events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.22, 19,061 participants, 397 CHD events, 4 RCTs, low-quality evidence). However, increased ALA may slightly reduce risk of cardiovascular events (from 4.8% to 4.7%, RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.07, 19,327 participants; 884 CVD events, 5 RCTs, low-quality evidence), and probably reduces risk of CHD mortality (1.1% to 1.0%, RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.26, 18,353 participants; 193 CHD deaths, 3 RCTs), and arrhythmia (3.3% to 2.6%, RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.10, 4,837 participants; 141 events, 1 RCT). Effects on stroke are unclear.Sensitivity analysis retaining only trials at low summary risk of bias moved effect sizes towards the null (RR 1.0) for all LCn3 primary outcomes except arrhythmias, but for most ALA outcomes, effect sizes moved to suggest protection. LCn3 funnel plots suggested that adding in missing studies/results would move effect sizes towards null for most primary outcomes. There were no dose or duration effects in subgrouping or meta-regression.There was no evidence that increasing LCn3 or ALA altered serious adverse events, adiposity or lipids, although LCn3 slightly reduced triglycerides and increased HDL. ALA probably reduces HDL (high- or moderate-quality evidence).

AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS:

This is the most extensive systematic assessment of effects of omega-3 fats on cardiovascular health to date. Moderate- and high-quality evidence suggests that increasing EPA and DHA has little or no effect on mortality or cardiovascular health (evidence mainly from supplement trials). Previous suggestions of benefits from EPA and DHA supplements appear to spring from trials with higher risk of bias. Low-quality evidence suggests ALA may slightly reduce CVD event risk, CHD mortality and arrhythmia.

PMID:

30019766

DOI:

10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3

SOURCE

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30019766

Read Full Post »

Relation of Nutrition with Cardiovascular Health

Posted in Acute coronary syndrome, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Best evidence, Cardiac muscle regeneration, Cardiovascular Pharmacogenomics, Cardiovascular Research, Chemical Biology and its relations to Metabolic Disease, Nutrigenomics, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutrition Disorders, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, lipid metabolism, tagged Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular, health, lifestyle, Nutrition on June 3, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Reporter and Curator: Dr. Sudipta Saha, Ph.D.

A heart-healthy diet has been the basis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention and treatment for decades. The potential cardiovascular (CV) benefits of specific individual components of the “food-ome” (defined as the vast array of foods and their constituents) are still incompletely understood, and nutritional science continues to evolve.

The scientific evidence base in nutrition is still to be established properly. It is because of the complex interplay between nutrients and other healthy lifestyle behaviours associated with changes in dietary habits. However, several controversial dietary patterns, foods, and nutrients have received significant media exposure and are stuck by hype.

Decades of research have significantly advanced our understanding of the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of ASCVD. The totality of evidence includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies, and case series / reports as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Although a robust body of evidence from RCTs testing nutritional hypotheses is available, it is not feasible to obtain meaningful RCT data for all diet and health relationships.

Studying preventive diet effects on ASCVD outcomes requires many years because atherosclerosis develops over decades and may be cost-prohibitive for RCTs. Most RCTs are of relatively short duration and have limited sample sizes. Dietary RCTs are also limited by frequent lack of blinding to the intervention and confounding resulting from imperfect diet control (replacing 1 nutrient or food with another affects other aspects of the diet).

In addition, some diet and health relationships cannot be ethically evaluated. For example, it would be unethical to study the effects of certain nutrients (e.g., sodium, trans fat) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality because they increase major risk factors for CVD. Epidemiological studies have suggested associations among diet, ASCVD risk factors, and ASCVD events. Prospective cohort studies yield the strongest observational evidence because the measurement of dietary exposure precedes the development of the disease.

However, limitations of prospective observational studies include: imprecise exposure quantification; co-linearity among dietary exposures (e.g., dietary fiber tracks with magnesium and B vitamins); consumer bias, whereby consumption of a food or food category may be associated with non-dietary practices that are difficult to control (e.g., stress, sleep quality); residual confounding (some non-dietary risk factors are not measured); and effect modification (the dietary exposure varies according to individual/genetic characteristics).

It is important to highlight that many healthy nutrition behaviours occur with other healthy lifestyle behaviours (regular physical activity, adequate sleep, no smoking, among others), which may further confound results. Case-control studies are inexpensive, relatively easy to do, and can provide important insight about an association between an exposure and an outcome. However, the major limitation is how the study population is selected or how retrospective data are collected.

In nutrition studies that involve keeping a food diary or collecting food frequency information (i.e., recall or record), accurate memory and recording of food and nutrient intake over prolonged periods can be problematic and subject to error, especially before the diagnosis of disease.

The advent of mobile technology and food diaries may provide opportunities to improve accuracy of recording dietary intake and may lead to more robust evidence. Finally, nutrition science has been further complicated by the influences of funding from the private sector, which may have an influence on nutrition policies and practices.

So, the future health of the global population largely depends on a shift to healthier dietary patterns. Green leafy vegetables and antioxidant suppliments have significant cardio-protective properties when consumed daily. Plant-based proteins are significantly more heart-healthy compared to animal proteins.

However, in the search for the perfect dietary pattern and foods that provide miraculous benefits, consumers are vulnerable to unsubstantiated health benefit claims. As clinicians, it is important to stay abreast of the current scientific evidence to provide meaningful and effective nutrition guidance to patients for ASCVD risk reduction.

Available evidence supports CV benefits of nuts, olive oil and other liquid vegetable oils, plant-based diets and plant-based proteins, green leafy vegetables, and antioxidant-rich foods. Although juicing may be of benefit for individuals who would otherwise not consume adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, caution must be exercised to avoid excessive calorie intake. Juicing of fruits / vegetables with pulp removal increases calorie intake. Portion control is necessary to avoid weight gain and thus cardiovascular health.

There is currently no evidence to supplement regular intake of antioxidant dietary supplements. Gluten is an issue for those with gluten-related disorders, and it is important to be mindful of this in routine clinical practice; however, there is no evidence for CV or weight loss benefits, apart from the potential caloric restriction associated with a gluten free diet.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28254181

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109713060294?via%3Dihub

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/8/1161

http://refhub.elsevier.com/S0735-1097(17)30036-0/sref6

https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031709841&origin=inward&txGid=af40773f7926694c7f319d91efdcd40c

https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/hosp.2000.61.4.1875

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2548255

https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2018/05/31/supplements-offer-little-cv-benefit-and-some-are-linked-to-harm-in-j-am-coll-cardiol/

Read Full Post »

Supplements offer little CV benefit, and some are linked to harm in J AM Coll Cardiol

Posted in Frontiers in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disorders, Minerals in Medicine, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, lipid metabolism, Plant extract on May 31, 2018| Leave a Comment »

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Dr. Andrew M. Freeman, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson Street, J317, Denver, Colorado 80206. E-mail: andrew@docandrew.com.

TABLE 1 Clinical Recommendations for Specific Dietary Patterns, Foods, and Nutrients Nutrition/Food

Item Level of Evidence Available and Included in This Paper Recommendations for Patients Dietary pattern with added fats, fried food, eggs, organ and processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages (Southern diet pattern) Prospective studies Avoid Dietary cholesterol RCTs and prospective studies along with meta-analyses Limit Canola oil RCT meta-analyses show improvement in lipids but no prospective studies or RCTs for CVD outcomes In moderation Coconut oil RCT meta-analyses and observational studies on adverse lipid effects. No prospective studies or RCTs for CVD outcomes Avoid Sunflower oil No prospective studies or RCTs for CVD outcomes In moderation Olive oil RCTs supporting improved CVD outcomes In moderation Palm oil RCTs and observation studies showing worsened CVD outcomes Avoid Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables RCTs and observational studies showing improved CVD outcomes and improvements in blood lipids Frequent Antioxidant supplements RCTs and prospective and observational studies show potential harm Avoid Nuts RCT and large prospective and meta-analysis studies showing improved CVD outcomes In moderation Green leafy vegetables Large meta-analyses and variably sized observational studies as well as a large prospective study Frequent Protein from plant sources Large observational and prospective studies Frequent Gluten-containing foods Observational studies and RCTs Avoid if sensitive or allergic

CENTRAL ILLUSTRATION Evidence for Cardiovascular Health Impact of Foods Reviewed Summary of heart-harmful and heart-healthy foods/diets Coconut oil and palm oil are high in saturated fatty acids and raise cholesterol Extra-virgin olive oil reduces some CVD outcomes when Blueberries and strawberries (>3 servings/week) induce protective antioxidants 30 g serving of nuts/day. Portion control is necessary to avoid weight gain.† Green leafy vegetables have significant cardioprotective properties when consumed daily Plant-based proteins are significantly more heart-healthy compared to animal proteins Eggs have a serum cholesterol-raising effect Juicing of fruits/vegetables with pulp removal increases Southern diets caloric concentration* (added fats and oils, fried foods, eggs, organ and processed meats, sugar-sweetened drinks) High-dose antioxidant supplements Juicing of fruits/vegetables without pulp removal* Gluten-containing foods (for people without gluten-related disease) Evidence of harm; limit or avoid Evidence of benefit; recommended Inconclusive evidence; for harm or benefit Sunflower oil and other liquid vegetable oils consumed in moderate quantities Freeman, A.M. et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69(9):1172–87. This figure summarizes the foods discussed in this paper that should be consumed often, and others that should be avoided from a cardiovascular health perspective. *It is important to note that juicing becomes less of a benefit if calorie intake increases because of caloric concentration with pulp removal. †Moderate quantities are required to prevent caloric excess.

Source: J Am Coll Cardiol

Curated by: Emily Willingham, PhD

May 30, 2018

Takeaway

Antioxidants and niacin are tied to increased all-cause mortality, and other popular supplements offer little detectable cardiovascular (CV) benefit.

Folic acid and B6 and B12 might offer some stroke protection.

Why this matters

Supplements, including multivitamins, vitamins C and D, and calcium, remain hugely popular.

These authors evaluated supplement-related randomized controlled trials published before and since the US Preventive Services Task Force’s 2013 evidence review and 2014 recommendation statement.

Keyresults

4 most common supplements (vitamins D and C, calcium, multivitamins) had no effect on CV outcomes, all-cause mortality.

With folic acid

Modest stroke reduction (2 studies: relative risk [RR], 0.80; P=.003).

CV disease reduction (5 studies: RR, 0.83; P=.002).

Other supplements

B-complex: reduced stroke risk, 9/12 trials (RR, 0.90; P=.04).

Niacin: taken with statin, tied to 10% increased all-cause mortality (P=.05).

Antioxidants: increased all-cause mortality, 21 trials (RR, 1.06; P=.05; without selenium: RR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.04-1.13; P=.0002]).

No effect of vitamins A, B6, E, beta-carotene, minerals.

Study design

Meta-analysis, 179 randomized controlled trials (15 since 2013/2014).

Outcomes: all-cause/CV mortality, total CV disease risk/related outcomes.

Funding: Canada Research Chair Endorsement, others.

Limitations

No long-term cohort studies included.
Selected populations in clinical trials.
Supplement differences possible.

SOURCE

http://univadis.com/player/ykvkttzwr?m=1_20180531&partner=unl&rgid=5wrwznernxgefmacwqyebgmyb&ts=2018053100&o=tile_01_id

Nutrition: Articles of Note @PharmaceuticalIntelligence.com

Author and Curator: Larry H. Bernstein, MD, FCAP and Curator: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2016/03/28/nutrition-articles-of-note-pharmaceuticalintelligence-com/

Read Full Post »

Benefits of Fiber in Diet

Posted in Autoimmune Inflammatory DIseases, Cell Biology, Cell Biology, Signaling & Cell Circuits, Chemical Biology and its relations to Metabolic Disease, Gut Microbiome and Obesity, Human Immune System in Health and in Disease, Lipid metabolism, Metabolomics, Microbiology, Micronutrients, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutrition Disorders, Obesity, Population Health Management, Population Health Management, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Protein-energy malnutrition, Signaling & Cell Circuits, tagged Dietary fiber, enzyme, gut bacteria, inflammation, microbiome, Obesity on March 14, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Benefits of Fiber in Diet

Reporter and Curator: Dr. Sudipta Saha, Ph.D.

UPDATED on 1/15/2019

This is How Much Daily Fiber to Eat for Better Health – More appears better in meta-analysis — as in more than 30 g/day

by Ashley Lyles, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

January 14, 2019

In the systematic review, observational data showed a 15% to 30% decline in cardiovascular-related death, all-cause mortality, and incidence of stroke, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer among people who consumed the most dietary fiber compared to those consuming the lowest amounts.

Whole grain intake yielded similar findings.

Risk reduction associated with a range of critical outcomes was greatest when daily intake of dietary fibre was between 25 g and 29 g. Dose-response curves suggested that higher intakes of dietary fibre could confer even greater benefit to protect against cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal and breast cancer.

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(18)31809-9.pdf

Eating more dietary fiber was linked with lower risk of disease and death, a meta-analysis showed.

According to observational studies, risk was reduced most for a range of critical outcomes from all-cause mortality to stroke when daily fiber consumption was between 25 grams and 29 grams, reported Jim Mann, PhD, of University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, and colleagues in The Lancet.

By upping daily intake to 30 grams or more, people had even greater prevention of certain conditions: colorectal and breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, according to dose-response curves the authors created.

Quantitative guidelines relating to dietary fiber have not been available, the researchers said. With the GRADE method, they determined that there was moderate and low-to-moderate certainty of evidence for the benefits of dietary fiber consumption and whole grain consumption, respectively.

Included in the systematic review were 58 clinical trials and 185 prospective studies for a total of 4,635 adult participants with 135 million person-years of information (one trial in children was included, but analyzed separately from adults). Trials and prospective studies assessing weight loss, supplement use, and participants with a chronic disease were excluded.

Food is digested by bathing in enzymes that break down its molecules. Those molecular fragments then pass through the gut wall and are absorbed in our intestines. But our bodies make a limited range of enzymes, so that we cannot break down many of the tough compounds in plants. The term “dietary fiber” refers to those indigestible molecules. These dietary fibers are indigestible only to us. The gut is coated with a layer of mucus, on which sits a carpet of hundreds of species of bacteria, part of the human microbiome. Some of these microbes carry the enzymes needed to break down various kinds of dietary fibers.

Scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden are running experiments that are yielding some important new clues about fiber’s role in human health. Their research indicates that fiber doesn’t deliver many of its benefits directly to our bodies. Instead, the fiber we eat feeds billions of bacteria in our guts. Keeping them happy means our intestines and immune systems remain in good working order. The scientists have recently reported that the microbes are involved in the benefits obtained from the fruits-and-vegetables diet. Research proved that low fiber diet decreases the gut bacteria population by tenfold.

Along with changes to the microbiome there were also rapid changes observed in the experimental mice. Their intestines got smaller, and its mucus layer thinner. As a result, bacteria wound up much closer to the intestinal wall, and that encroachment triggered an immune reaction. After a few days on the low-fiber diet, mouse intestines developed chronic inflammation. After a few weeks, they started putting on fat and developing higher blood sugar levels. Inflammation can help fight infections, but if it becomes chronic, it can harm our bodies. Among other things, chronic inflammation may interfere with how the body uses the calories in food, storing more of it as fat rather than burning it for energy.

In a way fiber benefits human health is by giving, indirectly, another source of food. When bacteria finished harvesting the energy in the dietary fiber, they cast off the fragments as waste. That waste — in the form of short-chain fatty acids — is absorbed by intestinal cells, which use it as fuel. But the gut’s microbes do more than just make energy. They also send messages. Intestinal cells rely on chemical signals from the bacteria to work properly. The cells respond to the signals by multiplying and making a healthy supply of mucus. They also release bacteria-killing molecules. By generating these responses, gut bacteria help to maintain a peaceful coexistence with the immune system. They rest on the gut’s mucus layer at a safe distance from the intestinal wall. Any bacteria that wind up too close get wiped out by antimicrobial poisons.

A diet of fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, reduces the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Eating more fiber seems to lower people’s mortality rate, whatever be the cause. Researchers hope that they will learn more about how fiber influences the microbiome to use it as a way to treat disorders. Lowering inflammation with fiber may also help in the treatment of immune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. Fiber may also help reverse obesity. They found that fiber supplements helped obese people to lose weight. It’s possible that each type of fiber feeds a particular set of bacteria, which send their own important signals to our bodies.

References:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/science/food-fiber-microbiome-inflammation.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29276171

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29276170

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29486139

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983

https://nutritiouslife.com/eat-empowered/high-fiber-diet/

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/287742/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-eating-more-fiber/

http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/what-is-a-high-fiber-diet

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/high-fiber-foods.htm

https://www.gicare.com/diets/high-fiber-diet/

Read Full Post »

“Minerals in Medicine” – 40 Minerals that are crucial to Human Health and Biomedicine: Exhibit by NIH Clinical Center and The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History

Posted in Calcium, K, Mg++, Micronutrients, Minerals in Medicine, Na-K-ATPase, Nutrigenomics, Nutrition, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Nutrition Disorders, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, Nutritional Supplements: Atherogenesis, lipid metabolism, Origins of Cardiovascular Disease, Plant extract on September 14, 2016| Leave a Comment »

“Minerals in Medicine” – 40 Minerals that are crucial to Human Health and Biomedicine: Exhibit by NIH Clinical Center and The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Friday, September 9, 2016

NIH Clinical Center and The Smithsonian Institution partner to launch Minerals in Medicine Exhibition

What

The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, in partnership with The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, will open a special exhibition of more than 40 minerals that are crucial to human health and biomedicine. “Minerals in Medicine” is designed to enthrall and enlighten NIH Clinical Center’s patients, their loved ones, and the NIH community. Media are invited into America’s Research Hospital, the NIH Clinical Center, to experience this unique exhibition during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday September 12 at 4pm.

Beyond taking in the minerals’ arresting beauty, spectators can learn about their important role in keeping the human body healthy, and in enabling the creation of life-saving medicines and cutting edge medical equipment that is used in the NIH Clinical Center and healthcare facilities worldwide. The exhibition, which is on an eighteen-month loan from the National Museum of Natural History, includes specimens that were handpicked from the museum’s vast collection by NIH physicians in partnership with Smithsonian Institution geologists. Some of the minerals on display were obtained regionally as they are part of the Maryland and Virginia landscape.

Who

John I. Gallin, M.D., Director of the NIH Clinical Center
Jeffrey E. Post, Ph.D., Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Chair of the Department of Mineral Sciences and Curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection

When

Monday, September 12, 2016, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Where

NIH Clinical Center (Building 10), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892; 1^st Floor near Admissions

How

RSVP encouraged, but not required, to attend in person. NIH Visitors Map: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/maps/Pages/NIH-Visitor-Map.aspx

About the NIH Clinical Center: The NIH Clinical Center is the clinical research hospital for the National Institutes of Health. Through clinical research, clinician-investigators translate laboratory discoveries into better treatments, therapies and interventions to improve the nation’s health. More information: http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

SOURCE

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-center-smithsonian-institution-partner-launch-minerals-medicine-exhibition

Read Full Post »

Why This Is The Healthiest Beverage You Can Drink: A Harvard MD Explains

Posted in Metabolism, Nutrition and Phytochemistry, Plant extract on May 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Why This Is The Healthiest Beverage You Can Drink: A Harvard MD Explains

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Coffee is really good for you. I make that statement as a physician, and liver specialist. In fact, coffee actually may well be the healthiest beverage you can drink.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.mindbodygreen.com

See on Scoop.it – Cardiovascular Disease: PHARMACO-THERAPY

The health benefits of coffee: what science really shows

Few people consider coffee a health drink. In fact, most people don’t even know how effective coffee appears to be in preventing a variety of very serious illnesses, or, when they learn the facts, they remain quite dubious. They ask incredulously, “You’re saying coffee is probably better for me than tea? Coffee really can reduce the risk of developing a number of common cancers? It can decrease the risk of developing gallstones and tooth decay? It decreases the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver? It can even decrease the risk of developing dementia? Dr. Chopra, are you nuts?”

The facts are indisputable; coffee appears to offer a great variety of benefits, including substantial protection against liver cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, cognitive decline and dementia, gallstones, tooth decay, and a host of common cancers, including prostate, colon, endometrial, and skin cancer. There also is a lower rate of suicide among coffee drinkers.

But perhaps the single most startling conclusion that has emerged from the more than 19,000 studies concerning the impact of coffee on health is that people who drink a lot of coffee appear to live longer than people who drink little or no coffee. That’s an incredible statement, but there are several good studies that support it. For example, a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health review of 21 studies conducted between 1966 and 2013 that included almost one million participants concluded that people who drank as many as four cups of coffee daily reduced mortality by 16 percent.