ABSTRACT
Objective@#Recent studies have shown a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain and systemic symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. @*Methods@#This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on female students aged 18 to 32 years with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency (25 [OH]D <30 ng/mL). The participants (n=116) received either 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or placebo capsules on a weekly basis for eight consecutive weeks. The outcomes were pain intensity (scored 0 to 10), number of days with pain, number of consumed pain-relief medications (per day), and severity of systemic symptoms (fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea; total score of 0 to 12). @*Results@#Compared with baseline, our participants who received vitamin D experienced significant reductions in pain intensity (-1.0 and -1.5 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of days with pain (-1.0 day at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of consumed pain-relief medications (-1.0 at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), and systemic symptoms severity (-1.0 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001). No significant improvements were observed in the placebo group in terms of these outcomes. @*Conclusion@#Vitamin D supplementation in women with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency could improve systemic symptoms and reduce pain intensity, the number of days with pain, and the need for consuming pain-relief medications.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Recent studies have shown a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain and systemic symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. @*Methods@#This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on female students aged 18 to 32 years with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency (25 [OH]D <30 ng/mL). The participants (n=116) received either 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or placebo capsules on a weekly basis for eight consecutive weeks. The outcomes were pain intensity (scored 0 to 10), number of days with pain, number of consumed pain-relief medications (per day), and severity of systemic symptoms (fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea; total score of 0 to 12). @*Results@#Compared with baseline, our participants who received vitamin D experienced significant reductions in pain intensity (-1.0 and -1.5 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of days with pain (-1.0 day at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), the number of consumed pain-relief medications (-1.0 at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001), and systemic symptoms severity (-1.0 score at weeks 4 and 8, P<0.001). No significant improvements were observed in the placebo group in terms of these outcomes. @*Conclusion@#Vitamin D supplementation in women with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency could improve systemic symptoms and reduce pain intensity, the number of days with pain, and the need for consuming pain-relief medications.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Sarcopenia is explained as age-related reduction in muscle mass and performance. Some of the most important risk factors for sarcopenia include age, malnutrition, and sedentary life style. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of food intake and physical activity with body composition, muscle strength and muscle function in post -menopausal women
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 190 women aged 40-60 years were recruited from the staff working in Iran University of Medical Sciences. Variables consisting of muscle strength and muscle function, anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, and physical activity were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21
Results: There was a positive association between physical activity and handgrip strength [P=0.01], calorie intake and muscle function, protein intake and fat free mass percentage, total fat intake and fat mass percentage [in all associations, P<0.001]. In addition, a negative association was observed between carbohydrate intake and muscle function, as well as total fat intake and fat free mass percentage [in both associations, P<0.001]. There was not a significant relationship between the other variables [P>0.05]
Conclusions: It seems in this middle-aged women group, mild fat and carbohydrate restriction combined with mild or moderate physical activity may lead to reduction in fat mass, increased fat free mass, and improvement in muscle strength and muscle function
ABSTRACT
Studies have shown that patients with Spinal Cord Injury [SCI] are susceptible to various diseases including dislipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease [CVD]. In this study for the first time, we evaluated the relationship between dietary intake and metabolic variables of 162 patients. This cross sectional study was done in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All of the consumed food items and the variables were measured. Independent-sample t-test was used for comparison of dietary intake and serum profile. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate predicting variables of serum variables. Men as compared to women had higher triglycerides [TG] levels and lower HDL-C levels [p<0.05]. Patients with paraplegia compared to those with tetraplegia had significantly higher total cholesterol and LDL-C levels [p<0.001]. In regard to serum profile, there is a positive correlation between LDL-C levels and age [p<0.05]. Dietary intake of saturated fat showed positive correlation with FBS [p<0.05]. Moreover, there is a significant negative correlation between LDL-C levels and dietary intake of PUFA [p<0.05]. Body Mass Intake [BMI], cholesterol intake and level of trauma were positive predictors for serum cholesterol. Waist circumference, level of injury and cholesterol intake were positive predictors for serum LDL. Moreover, PUFA intake and education level were negative predictor for serum LDL. Despite low intake of saturated fat and cholesterol in older participants, serum LDL level was high. Male group had higher levels of TG. So, attention to dietary intake of patients with SCI and encouraging healthy dietary habits may have important effects on their health
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Spinal Cord Injuries/blood , Lipids/blood , Blood Glucose , Diet , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of apple consumption on lipid profile and oxidative stress indices among hyperlipidemic men. We performed an experimental study on 46 hyperlipidemic men [Total Cholesterol [TC]=200-240 mg/dl, Triglyceride[TG]=150-350mg/dl] aged 30-50 years who were randomly divided into two [apple and control] groups. The apple group [23 subjects] received 300 gr of whole apple per day [Golden delicious] for 8 weeks. Control group [23 subjects] had the regular dietary pattern for the same period of time. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after intervention [after 8 weeks] and analyzed for serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and plasma oxidative stress indices of Malondialdehyde [MDA] and Total Antioxidant Capacity [TAC] level. Before study, education level and family size were compared in both the groups. Before and after intervention, physical activity and dietary intake were compared between the two groups. Both total polyphenol and total fiber in the consumed apples were measured. Total polyphenol and total fiber were 485 mg/kg fresh apple and 4.03 gr/100 gr fresh apple, respectively. Chi square and t-tests with SPSS V.16 were used for data analysis. After 8 weeks, mean different TG concentrations increased significantly in apple group as compared to control group; however, no significant differences were observed in regards to TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, MDA and TAC level between the two groups. Consumption of Golden delicious apple may increase serum TG concentration in hyperlipidemic men. However, we need more studies to study the effect of Golden delicious apple on serum TC, LDL-C, HDL-C concentrations and plasma MDA and TAC indices