Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Year:2021 | Volume:9 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

Introduction: Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the optimal tool for the assessment of the resting energy expenditure, as well as the reference standard for energy expenditure measurement. During the outbreak of coronavirus, performing respiratory tests such as IC has become challenging. The current guidance was designed to prevent the virus spread at calorimetry centers. Methods: This protocol was devised in accordance with the latest recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the related articles. Conclusion: Due to the specific features of COVID-19, unnecessary ICs should be avoided in the hotspots of the disease. If these tests must be performed, adherence to the validated infection control recommendations is critical.

Millions of Muslims observe fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and other days of the lunar calendar year across the world. During this period, the believers of Islam refrain from eating and drinking from the sunrise until the sunset. The absence of fluid intake during Ramadan fasting leads to dehydration, which may affect the renal health. Although ill individuals are exempted from Ramadan fasting, the majority of patients may prefer fasting during Ramadan. This review aimed to summarize the effects of Ramadan fasting in patients with various renal disorders, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis, and end-stage renal disease, as well as those received kidney transplant, and those receiving hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and intestinal dialysis. The literature review was conducted via searching in databases such as Medline, PubMed, PMC, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, Cochrane Library, and other reference lists. According to the findings, the restriction of water intake during Ramadan fasting could lead to acute tubular cell injury, and patients with CKD should consult healthcare professionals at least one month before Ramadan and should fast under close medical supervision [21]. In addition, the patients with renal colic who are willing to fast during Ramadan should be advised to consume adequate water during their non-fasting hours to reduce the potential risk of dehydration, while the patients receiving dialysis and kidney transplant who are willing to fast during Ramadan should be monitored closely. Overall, patients with renal disorders could fast safely during Ramadan under medical supervision.

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals associated with gluten intake. Currently, the only effective treatment for CD is life-lasting elimination of gluten from the diet, but adhering to it throughout life is burdensome. In addition, strict compliance with a gluten-free diet (GFD) does not lead to a complete restoration of intestinal microbiota. Although gluten is known to be a trigger in CD, various studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota is involved in gluten metabolism, regulation of intestinal barrier permeability, and modulation of the immune response. Therefore, the gut microbiota has an important role in the pathogenesis, progression, and clinical manifestations of CD. This evidence supports the hypothesis that probiotics act as a strategy to modulate the intestinal microbiota into an anti-inflammatory state. Probiotics such as some bacterial species of the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus can protect the epithelial cells from gliadin-induced damage and improve symptoms and quality of life in GFD-treated patients, as an adjunctive treatment. This narrative review aims to discuss the recent scientific evidence of the relationship between the intestinal microbiota changes in CD and to understand the role of probiotics in CD treatment.

Kidney transplantation is a preferred treatment and the 'last resort' in chronic kidney disease after end-stage renal disease. Considering the key role of nutrition in post-transplant recovery, the present study aimed to review the nutritional assessment and dietary requirements of kidney transplant patients. Relevant articles were retrieved via searching in databases such as PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science using various keywords and phrases, including kidney transplantation, end-stage disease, nutrition, dietary intake, nutritional assessment, and nutritional evaluation. According to the literature, medical nutrition therapy is essentially involved in the post-transplantation recovery of patients with kidney failure. Furthermore, it seems that nutritional and medical evaluation based on laboratory methods, vital signs, and anthropometric measurements are critical to improving the quality of nutritional interventions after kidney transplantation and may help decrease the risk of kidney transplant rejection. Therefore, the periodic evaluation and follow-up of these could yield beneficial outcomes.

Adult Muslims have a religious obligation to fast every day for 29-30 days in Ramadan. In fasting individuals, the level of cognition may be affected, which in turn influences the performance of individuals. The present study aimed to assess the possible adverse effects of Ramadan fasting on the cognitive functions of medical students in Morocco. The study was conducted on 41 male Muslim medical students, who took a neuropsychological test one week before, during (second and third weeks of Ramadan) and after Ramadan. In addition, the participants were assessed in terms of the sleep patterns, working hours, and meals. According to the findings, Ramadan fasting decreased the body weight and body mass index of the students. The tests were performed using a CogState computerized cognitive tasks battery, which examined the psychomotor function (processing speed), attention, visual learning and memory, working memory (executive function), and verbal learning and memory of the participants. The obtained results indicated no significant changes at the four test periods (P<0. 05). Despite the disturbances observed in the meals, working hours, and sleep duration, Ramadan fasting had no impact on the cognitive function of the medical students.

Introduction: Exercise and nutrition can be two factors influencing bone metabolism in old age. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with genistein (Ge) on serum levels of osteocalcin (OCN) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in female elderly rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 elderly female rats with a mean age of 18-24 months and mean weight of 220. 15 ± 15. 28 g were divided into five groups of eight rats including 1) control (C), 2) sham (Sh), 3) HIIT, 4) HIIT+Ge, and 5) Ge. During eight weeks, groups 3 and 4 performed HIIT for three sessions per week with an intensity of 90-95% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) in high-intensity intervals and 40-45% of VO2max in low-intensity intervals as well as groups 4 and 5 received 60 mg/kg/day Ge peritoneally. OCN and BALP were measured by the ELISA method. Results: HIIT significantly increased BALP (P=0. 001) and OCN (P=0. 04); Ge and HIIT + Ge significantly increased BALP (P=0. 001); although Ge had a more favorable effect on increasing BALP compared to HIIT (P=0. 001) HIIT had a more favorable effect on increasing OCN compare to Ge (P=0. 008). Conclusion: Although HIIT simultaneously with Ge consumption can increase serum BALP levels in female elderly rats the effects of HIIT and Ge alone on BALP and OCN are different from each other.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease may be a sort of amnesia with brain dysfunction that gradually degrades the patient's mental abilities. The purpose of this study was to research the effect of endurance training with royal jelly consumption on dopamine in the hippocampus tissue of Alzheimer's rats with trimethyltin. Methods: During this study, 30 rats underwent injection of 8 milligram / Kilograms trimethyltin chloride and were divided into groups of 6 rats: control, training, royal jelly consumption, and training with royal jelly consumption. 6 rats were included in the healthy control group to be evaluated the effects of Alzheimer's induction on dopamine levels. The training groups were active on the treadmill for 8 weeks. The royal jelly consumption groups received 100 milligram / Kilograms royal jelly per day peritoneally for 8 weeks. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’ s post hoc tests were used to analyze the findings. (P ≤ 0. 05). Results: Alzheimer's induction with trimethyltin toxin had a Significant Impact on reducing dopamine gene levels (P = 0. 04); royal jelly, training, and training with royal jelly consumption had a significant effect on increasing dopamine gene expression levels (P = 0. 001). Also, the effect of training with Royal Jelly was greater than training or royal jelly consumption alone. (P = 0. 001) Conclusions: Although training and royal jelly consumption improve dopamine gene expression levels in the hippocampus tissue of rats with Alzheimer's disease, the effects of training combined with royal jelly consumption appear to be greater than those of royal jelly consumption alone.

Introduction: Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, has special religious importance among Muslims. During this month, Muslim adults and adolescents (who have reached the age of adulthood according to the Islamic rules) fast. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders present with symptoms generally called GI discomforts such as heartburn, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome. This study aimed to assess the effects of Ramadan fasting on GI discomfort. Methods: One hundred fasting subjects were enrolled in the study. Personal information (age, gender, education level, and occupation) was collected from participants and they were assured that their information would remain confidential. Participants had to fill out a food questionnaire before and in the third week of Ramadan. Food patterns were identified by factor analysis. The relationship between dietary food patterns and GI symptoms was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Result: The results of logistic regression analyses of the association between dietary patterns and the development of GI discomforts in Ramadan represented that adherence to high fat and protein dietary patterns significantly reduced dyspepsia and diarrhea (P<0. 05) while adherence to relatively healthy dietary pattern caused a marginally significant reduction in constipation (P<0. 1). Conclusion: This study showed that total energy intake during Ramadan fasting did not differ compared to before the month while the dietary patterns changed significantly. The full-fat diet reduced hunger pain and constipation but increased diarrhea while a healthy diet reduced dyspepsia and diarrhea during fasting.

Introduction: The consumption of high-protein foods after resistance training increases training achievement, which may benefit diabetic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of milk consumption after resistance training on the glycemic control and irisin levels of type II diabetic (T2D) men. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 36 male patients with T2D, mean age of 53. 6± 4. 8 years and mean body mass index of 27. 1± 3. 6 kg/m2. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of control, resistance training (RT), and resistance training and milk consumption (RTM). Eight weeks of RT was performed in three sets of 12 maximum repetitions three days per week. The RTM group consumed 500 milliliters of low-fat milk after the exercise. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, irisin, weight, waist-to-hip ratio, muscle strength, and limb circumference were measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Compared to the RT group, the leg strength (mean± 95% CI:-49. 80± 31. 53; P<0. 001), arm circumference (mean± 95% CI:-3. 41± 1. 97; P<0. 001), and thigh circumference (mean± 95% CI:-5. 16± 2. 98; P<0. 001) improved significantly in the RTM group. However, no significant interaction effects were observed for the other variables between the RT and RTM groups. Conclusion: Despite more improvement in the muscle strength and circumference, the beneficial effects of RT were not augmented by additional post-exercise milk consumption in the male patients with T2D.

Introduction: Given the global prevalence of diabetes, scientists recommend supplementation with minerals and vitamins to control hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of separate and combined selenium and vitamin C supplementation on the glycemic markers of patients with type II diabetes. Methods: In total, 65 patients with type II diabetes were selected from the patients referring to the Hospital and clinics in Bushehr port, Iran. After matching the samples, the patients were randomly assigned to four groups. The patients in groups one, two, and three respectively received vitamin C (1, 000 mg), selenium (100 μ g), and combined selenium and vitamin C daily and at the same doses for three months. In addition, group four received placebo (500 mg). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In group three, HbA1c and FPG increased significantly compared to the other groups and the control group. Moreover, HbA1c and FPG decreased in groups one and two after the intervention compared to the baseline, which was not considered significant. Conclusion: According to the results, supplementation with vitamin C and selenium might induce insulin resistance in type II diabetic patients.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder refers to a wide range of nervous system disorders. Autistic patients often have a defective antioxidant defense system and manifest symptoms of impaired cognitive interaction. Camel milk has numerous beneficial nutrients and has been used in the treatment of autism. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of camel milk on the antioxidant activity and enzymes of autistic rats. Methods: Pregnant rats were intraperitoneally injected on embryonic day 12. 5 with valproic acid (VPA; 500 mg/kg) to induce an autistic state. In addition, 18 male offspring rats were injected with risperidone (0. 2 mg/kg) three times per week. Six of these cases were fed daily with raw camel milk (10 ml/kg), and six others were fed with pasteurized camel milk for 42 days. Social interaction and repetitive behaviors were measured using the Y-maze based on catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione (GSH) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at the outset and after the treatment period. Results: Behavioral symptoms (impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors) were evident after VPA administration. After receiving treatment, impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors significantly improved in the autistic rats (P<0. 01). In addition, VPA enhanced the oxidative stress status in the biochemical tests (P<0. 001), and camel milk increased CAT activity (P<0. 001), GSH level (P<0. 05), and SOD activity (P<0. 0001). Conclusion: According to the results, camel milk could recover the VPA-induced impairment of social interaction and repetitive behaviors in the autistic rats and improve the defects in their antioxidant defense system.

Introduction: Arsenic (As) is a toxic metal, which causes disorders in various tissues of the body, including the liver. Studies have shown that exercise and herbs such as Tribulus terrestris (T) have antioxidant effects on some diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training (ET) and T extract on oxidative stress and apoptosis markers in the liver tissues of rats exposed to As. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 49 rats, which were randomly assigned into seven groups of control, As, As with 5 mg/kg of T extract (As+T5), As with 10 mg/kg of T extract (As+T10), As with ET, As with ET and 5 mg/kg of T extract (As+ET+T5), and As with ET and 10 mg/kg of T extract (As+ET+T10). For eight weeks, study groups 2-6 consumed sodium arsenite (68 mg/l per day) dissolved in drinking water, and groups 5-7 ran on a treadmill five sessions per week (30 minutes per session) at the speed of 23 meters per minute. Results: Exposure to As significantly increased O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), cytochrome C, malondialdehyde (MDA), and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), while decreasing hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (P=0. 001). Training and T extract consumption reduced the concentration of MGMT, cytochrome C, MDA, and PAB, while increasing the hepatic ATP concentration (P=0. 001). The T extract at the dose of 10 mg/kg could increase the ATP concentration and decrease cytochrome C, MDA, and PAB more significantly in the liver tissues compared to the dose of 5 mg/kg (P=0. 001). In addition, the interactive effects of training and T extract consumption were significant on the reduction of MGMT, cytochrome C, MDA, and PAB concentrations and increasing the hepatic ATP concentration in the rats poisoned with As (P=0. 001). Conclusion: According to the results, endurance training with the consumption of Tribulus terrestris extract could inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis, thereby exerting protective effects on liver tissues against arsenic poisoning. Therefore, these interventions could effectively diminish the effects of arsenic induction on liver tissues.