Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Year:2020 | Volume:8 | Issue:1|Papers Count:9

This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to attain specific data on the effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) administration on muscle injuries and the indices of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after exercise. Literature search was performed in databases such as Scopus, ISI, Web of Science, Scientific Information Database (SID), Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane library for the articles published until January 2017. The clinical trials examining the effects of BCAA administration on athletes were considered eligible. In total, 42 studies were evaluated in terms of eligibility, 26 of which were excluded from the meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, BCAA supplementation significantly reduced the levels of creatine kinase 24 hours post-exercise (mean difference:-129. 55 [95% CI:-237. 02--22. 07] IU/l; P=0. 018). However, BCAA administration could not decrease lactate dehydrogenase promptly (mean difference:-10. 11 [95% CI:-21. 76-1. 53] IU/l; P=0. 08) 24 hours post-exercise (mean difference:-14. 66 [95% CI:-32. 16-2. 83] IU/l; P=0. 10). Therefore, it could be concluded that BCAA consumption is inversely associated with DOMS at 24 hours (standardized mean difference [SMD] =-0. 43 [95% CI:-0. 71--0. 16]; P=0. 002), 48 hours (SMD=-0. 55 [95% CI:-0. 81--0. 29]; P<0. 0001), and 72 hours post-exercise (SMD=-0. 44 [95% CI:-0. 72--0. 16]; P=0. 002). Furthermore, the findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that BCAA supplementation could alleviate muscle damage within the first 24 hours after exercise, and it seems that the consumption of daily doses of BCAA is more effective in the recovery of athletes compared to the periodic doses.

Introduction: Nearly one billion adult Muslims across the world refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until dusk during the holy month of Ramadan. The duration of Islamic fasting varies depending on the coinciding season and geographical location. The present study aimed to review the health benefits of Islamic fasting. Methods: This review was carried out after searching in several databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Medline, PMC, Google Scholar and also the related articles. Results: Islamic fasting is along with many health benefits such as the reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and cancer. Although, some health problems have mentioned during Islamic fasting like dehydration, headaches. Conclusion: According to the results of this review, religious fasting positively influences the body weight and lipid and glucose levels, while exerting antioxidative effects, increasing longevity, and improving the renal and immune function. The health benefits of fasting could be reinforced through the balanced intake of various nutrients, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, cereals, and grains, as well as beverages such as water and milk, during Ramadan.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important health concern across the world, which is characterized as a disease spectrum encompassing simple steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. Recently, the prevalence of NAFLD has increased significantly. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between anthropometric parameters and hepatic steatosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 415 eligible participants. Anthropometric parameters were evaluated using standard methods, and the fat mass was measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed using fibroscan. Results: Among 415 participants, 308 cases (74. 2%) had hepatic steatosis. The body mass index and waist circumference were significantly higher in the patients with hepatic steatosis compared to the other subjects. In addition, hepatic steatosis had a significant, positive association with waist circumference, body fat mass, and trunk fat mass, with the trunk fat mass having the most significant association with hepatic steatosis. Conclusion: According to the results, some anthropometric parameters had associations with the increased prevalence of hepatic steatosis even after adjustment for age and body weight.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, peripheral polyarthritis associated with unclear etiology. RA often leads to joint deformity and cartilage destruction in the patients. The present study aimed to assess the effect of Islamic fasting on the severity of RA. Methods: This observational study was conducted on 28 patients with RA, who were randomly divided into two groups. The study was initiated two weeks before Ramadan and continued until one month after Ramadan in 2015. One group followed Islamic fasting during Ramadan, and the other group did not fast. The study groups were visited twice; the first visit was before Ramadan, and the second visit was after Ramadan. Data were recorded on the number of tender and swollen joints, disease activity score (DAS-28), visual analog scale (VAS) of the patients, VAS of the physicians, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: The mean number of the tender joints decreased from 1. 36± 1. 94 to 0. 42± 0. 85 (P=0. 02), and the mean number of the swollen joints decreased from 0. 79± 1. 05 to 0. 07± 0. 26 in the fasting group (P=0. 02). In addition, DAS-28 and VAS of the physicians reduced significantly in the fasting group only, while the VAS score of the patients showed no significant reduction in the study groups. The mean DAS-28 decreased from 2. 74± 1. 06 to 2. 18± 0. 64 in the fasting group (P=0. 003). Moreover, the mean DAS-28 decreased from 2. 71± 0. 8 to 2. 27± 1. 01 in the non-fasting group (P=0. 24). Conclusion: According to the results, Islamic fasting during the holy month of Ramadan could effectively decrease the severity of RA. However, further evidence is required to recommend this dietary intervention for patients with RA.

Introduction: Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula is a congenital malformation characterized by the interruption or obstruction of the esophagus. Neonates affected by EA may present with cyanosis during breastfeeding, sialorrhea, coughing, and respiratory difficulty. EA requires surgical treatment; otherwise, the condition could become life-threatening. Data is scarce regarding the long-term nutritional problems of children with EA. The present study aimed to assess the growth status and nutritional difficulties in children with EA. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 32 children with EA during 2007-2016. The nutritional status and feeding problems of the patients were assessed using a questionnaire. Results: The most common EA-associated complications were esophageal stricture (84. 4%), dysphagia (46. 9%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (37. 5%), and respiratory infections (25%). The majority of the patients had normal growth parameters, and 96. 9% experienced at least one complication or feeding problem associated with EA, including the need to drink water to swallow food (25%), coughing while feeding (34. 4%), vomiting (12. 5%), and abdominal pain (34. 4%). However, no significant associations were observed between feeding problems and growth parameters. Conclusion: Feeding problems are relatively common in children with EA. Therefore, nutritional consultations must be provided to these patients in order to prevent and mitigate these problems.

Introduction: Various studies have indicated that increased active oxygen species is associated with bone cell damage. The key role of physical exercise and vitamin D supplementation on bone health has been confirmed. The present study aimed to investigate the interactive effects of aerobic exercise with vitamin D supplementation on the bone resorption markers in the rats exposed to oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 60 adult male Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 10 groups of six, including H2O2 (1 mmol/kg), H2O2 (2 mmol/kg), H2O2 (1 mmol/kg) with vitamin D, H2O2 (1 mmol/kg) with endurance training, H2O2 (1 mmol/kg) with vitamin D and endurance training, H2O2 (2 mmol/kg) with vitamin D, H2O2 (2 mmol/kg) with endurance training, H2O2 (2 mmol/kg) with vitamin D and endurance training, sham (dimethyl-sulfoxide with normal saline), and control. The intervention was performed for eight weeks, and the levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP/5B) and N-telopeptides (NTx) were measured using the ELISA assay. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’ s post-hoc test at the significance level of P≤ 0. 05. Results: In the animals administered with 1 and 2 mmol/kg of H2O2, no significant effects were observed on the levels of NTx (P=0. 76 and P=0. 47, respectively) and TRACP/5B (P=0. 48). On the other hand, endurance training increased the NTx levels in the rats exposed to 2 mmol/kg of H2O2 (P=0. 04), while vitamin D had no significant effects on the levels of NTx (P=0. 32) and TRACP/5B (P=0. 92). In addition, endurance training with vitamin D supplementation had no interactive effects on increased NTx and TRACP/5B in the rats exposed to 1 mmol/kg (P=0. 67 and P=0. 99, respectively) and 2 mmol/kg of H2O2 (P=0. 16 and P=0. 47, respectively). Conclusion: According to the results, endurance training could significantly increase the NTx level in the rats exposed to the oxidative damage induced by 2 mg/kg of H2O2.

Introduction: Obesity is a multifactorial physical disorder. Regular physical exercise and crocin consumption have been reported to have beneficial effects on obesity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of swimming training with crocin consumption on the neurotrophic factors in the cardiac tissues of obese rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 28 obese Sprague-Dawley rats (fat: 24 g, protein: 24 g, carbohydrates: 41 g/100 g), which were selected randomly and divided into five groups of seven, including: control (normal saline), swimming training, crocin consumption, and swimming with crocin consumption. Groups two and four performed swimming training for eight weeks (three sessions per week, each session: 30-60 minutes). Groups three and four were intraperitoneally administered with crocin on a daily basis (25 mg/kg). Results: Eight weeks of swimming and swimming with crocin consumption increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cardiac tissues of the obese rats (P≤ 0. 05). In addition, crocin consumption significantly increased BDNF and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the cardiac tissues of the obese rats (P≤ 0. 05). However, no significant differences were observed in the gene expression levels of BDNF and NGF in the cardiac tissues of the animals with swimming and crocin consumption compared to the crocin consumption group (P≥ 0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, swimming alone, swimming with crocin consumption, and crocin consumption alone had similar effects on the increased level of BDNF in the cardiac tissues of obese rats. Furthermore, crocin consumption could significantly increase the expression of NGF in the cardiac tissues of obese rats.

Introduction: Nutrition is a modifiable risk factor, which plays a key role in the prevention or delayed onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study aimed to assess and compare the physical activity and dietary intake of fiber and sugar between patients with NAFLD and healthy individuals. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 225 patients with NFLD and 450 healthy controls. The physical activity and dietary intakes of the subjects were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Food Frequency questionnaire, respectively. In addition, the anthropometric indices of the subjects were determined, including weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21. 0. Results: The level of physical activity in the patients with NAFLD was lower compared to the controls (P<0. 05). Regarding insoluble dietary fiber, the consumption was significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group (P<0. 05). Moreover, the levels of fructose, galactose, total sugar, and glucose significantly increased in the case group (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, adherence to unhealthy diets with the high consumption of simple carbohydrates (e. g., glucose, fructose, and galactose) may be associated with the incidence of NAFLD. On the other hand, consumption of dietary fiber and insoluble fiber may exert protective effects against NAFLD.

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of pectin supplementation and 14 weeks of endurance training on the serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels and lipid profile of obese pregnant mice. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 female laboratory mice (mean weight: 30+5 g), which were purchased from Tehran Pasteur Institute, Iran and received a high-fat diet with canola oil. The animals were randomly divided into four groups of 10, including control, pectin intake, endurance training, and pectin intake with endurance training. Training was performed for11 weeks (five sessions per week) with the intensity of 30-65% MEA on the treadmill. After becoming pregnant, the exercise groups were trained on a treadmill for three weeks five days per week with the intensity of 20-60% MEA). In the pectin groups, 400 milligrams of pectin per every kilogram of the body weight was injected gavage during days 2-19 of pregnancy. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and least significant difference (LSD) test. Results: Maternal blood sampling was performed on day 19 of pregnancy to measure serum ANP, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, reduced carbohydrate (RC), and HDL levels. The ANP levels decreased in the pectin group, while it increased in the exercise and exercise with pectin groups (P=0. 056); however, the difference was not considered significant. Moreover, the serum levels of TC (P=0. 012), TG (P=0. 029), LDL (P=0. 049), LDL/HDL (P=0. 011), and RC (P=0. 043) significantly decreased in all the experimental groups (P=0. 05), while the HDL levels significantly increased in these groups.