A study on cardiovascular health in rural Northeast China, the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study, enrolled 3632 middle-aged or older individuals (average age 57.8, 55.2% male) without Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) during 2012-2013, subsequently tracking their health between 2015-2017. Participants exhibiting varying tea consumption patterns were categorized into these groups: non-habitual tea drinkers, infrequent tea drinkers, one to two times daily tea drinkers, and three times daily tea drinkers. The collected data highlighted a correlation between non-habitual tea consumption and the female demographic. Among individuals outside the Han ethnic group, as well as single individuals, concurrent smokers and drinkers, and those with a primary or lower educational background, tea consumption frequency was notably higher. The elevation in tea consumption was in parallel with baseline increases in body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the AST/ALT ratio. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that infrequent tea consumption was associated with a higher likelihood of low HDL-C levels (OR [95% CI]: 1268 [1015, 1584]), a larger waist circumference (OR [95% CI]: 1336 [1102, 1621]), and metabolic syndrome (OR [95% CI]: 1284 [1050, 1570]). Individuals who consumed tea one to two times daily experienced a statistically significant increase in the collective occurrence of elevated triglycerides [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) 1296 (1040, 1616)], a larger waist circumference [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) 1296 (1044, 1609)], and metabolic syndrome [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) 1376 (1030, 1760)], based on the results. A link between regular tea consumption and a higher occurrence of metabolic disorders and metabolic syndrome was established in our study. Our analysis might offer a clarification of the inconsistent connection seen between tea drinking and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) development in middle-aged and older rural Chinese individuals.
We investigated the potential health implications of boosting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels with nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a strategy for combating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), recognizing the promising role of NAD metabolism targeting in cancer treatment. Three in vivo tumor models were created, involving subcutaneous transplantations in Balb/c nude mice (xenograft), C57BL/6J mice (allograft), and hematogenous metastatic neoplasms in nude mice. A daily dose of NR (400 mg/kg bw) was delivered via gavage. Evaluating the effect of NR on the HCC process involved measuring both in-situ tumor growth and noninvasive bioluminescence. HepG2 cells undergoing in vitro treatment with transforming growth factor- (TGF-) were also concurrently subjected to the presence or absence of NR. NR supplementation's efficacy in alleviating malignancy-induced weight loss and lung metastasis was validated in nude mice, across both subcutaneous xenograft and hematogenous metastasis models. The incidence of bone and liver metastasis was lowered by NR supplementation in the hematogenous metastasis model. C57BL/6J mice receiving NR supplementation experienced a notable decrease in the size of their allografted tumors and an extended survival period. NR intervention, in test-tube experiments, was found to restrict the movement and intrusion of HepG2 cells, a response activated by TGF-beta. MALT inhibitor Our study's findings underscore the ability of NR supplementation to elevate NAD levels, thereby reducing HCC progression and metastasis, potentially constituting a viable therapeutic approach to suppress HCC development.
Costa Rica, a middle-income country in Central America, demonstrates a life expectancy similar to or potentially exceeding that of richer countries. The survival advantage, particularly pronounced among the elderly, manifests in one of the lowest mortality rates globally. Dietary influences might contribute to this extended lifespan. Our study among elderly Costa Ricans indicates that a traditional rural diet is associated with longer leukocyte telomere length, a predictor of aging. Our present investigation, utilizing data from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES), delves deeper into the contrasting dietary profiles of elderly (60+) residents in rural and urban settings. Usual diet was determined by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire. To compare micro- and macronutrient intake between rural and urban areas, we employed energy-adjusted regression models within the country. Carbohydrate consumption (with a lower glycemic index), fiber, dietary iron, and the use of palm oil for cooking were all higher among the elderly rural population compared with their urban counterparts. Conversely, senior citizens residing in urban environments exhibited a greater consumption of total fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, alcohol, and dietary calcium compared to their counterparts in rural settings. The dietary patterns observed in our study align with past research on middle-aged Costa Ricans, enriching our comprehension of the variances in nutritional intake between rural and urban areas within the country.
Potentially progressive, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which the presence of fat in over 5% of hepatocytes demonstrates the liver's expression of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Minimizing initial body weight by at least 5% to 7% leads to an enhanced metabolic profile that underpins non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Our study set out to determine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on a cohort of Italian outpatients with non-advanced NAFLD. At our center, we initially identified 43 patients who had three available time points: a first visit (T0), a pre-COVID visit (T1), and a post-COVID visit (T2). Behavioral interventions aimed at managing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) were introduced at the T0 visit. A validated psychological test battery (SRQ-20, EQ5D, SF-12, and STAI) and a NAFLD-specific questionnaire were presented to our cohort digitally during the lockdown. A total of 14 consenting patients completed these assessments. Subjects who lost over 5% of their initial weight by time point T1 (9, or 21%) continued to show weight loss benefits, with a reduction in both BMI and liver stiffness by T2. In contrast, the remaining subjects (34, or 79%) who had not achieved the 5% weight loss threshold at T1 experienced a worsening trend in BMI and visceral fat accumulation at T2. MALT inhibitor Of particular note, those in the later group reported experiencing psychological distress. Our findings, based on the gathered data, demonstrated that optimal counseling conditions effectively controlled the metabolic disruption causing NAFLD in our cohort of outpatient patients. Recognizing the importance of patient participation in NAFLD behavioral treatment, we champion the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach, including psychological support, for optimal results over time.
Hyperuricemia is a prominent risk factor recognized in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Precisely how a vegetarian diet impacts the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with hyperuricemia is a poorly understood area of research. Between September 5, 2005, and December 31, 2016, we performed a retrospective inclusion of clinically stable hyperuricemia patients who had health check-ups at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital. Participants were assessed for their dietary habits using a questionnaire, determining if they adhered to an omnivorous, lacto-ovo vegetarian, or vegan lifestyle. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) was diagnosed when the estimated glomerular filtration rate fell below 60 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meter of body surface area, or if proteinuria was detected. In a cross-sectional study, a total of 3618 individuals with hyperuricemia were studied, comprised of 225 vegans, 509 lacto-ovo vegetarians, and 2884 omnivores. Following adjustments for age and gender, vegans exhibited a substantially lower odds ratio (OR) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to omnivores (OR, 0.62; p = 0.0006). Despite adjusting for other potential factors, vegans maintained a significantly lower odds ratio (0.69) for chronic kidney disease (CKD), as evidenced by a p-value of 0.004. Hyperuricemic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) showed independent risk factors including age (per year), diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and very high uric acid levels, as substantiated by statistically significant p-values (p < 0.0001 for all but obesity, p = 0.002). Structural equation modeling identified a significant association between adopting a vegan diet and a lower odds ratio of chronic kidney disease (CKD); specifically, an odds ratio of 0.69 (p < 0.05). A 31% reduced risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked to a vegan diet in hyperuricemia patients. MALT inhibitor A vegan diet's potential exists in decreasing the manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in those with hyperuricemia.
The presence of numerous nutrients and phytochemicals in dried fruits and nuts could be associated with potential anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This review critically assesses the available data on dried fruits and nuts, focusing on their association with cancer incidence, mortality, survival, and their proposed anticancer mechanisms. Research on dried fruits and their influence on cancer outcomes is scarce; however, existing studies have indicated a negative correlation between total dried fruit consumption and cancer risk. A higher intake of nuts has been shown in prospective cohort studies to possibly correlate with a decreased risk of specific cancers such as colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers. The relative risks, per a 5-gram daily increase, were 0.75 (95% CI 0.60, 0.94), 0.97 (95% CI 0.95, 0.98), and 0.94 (95% CI 0.89, 0.99), respectively. The daily inclusion of 28 grams of nuts in one's diet has been observed to be associated with a 21% decrease in the mortality rate from cancer. There's also a potential correlation between frequent nut intake and improved survival in patients diagnosed with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer; however, further studies are crucial to confirm this relationship.