Nutritional intake and its impact on patients with epilepsy: an analytical cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports have proposed that diet might influence the occurrence of seizures. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to assess nutritional status in a sample of patients with epilepsy and to investigate the impact of nutrition on epilepsy control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with epilepsy participated in the study. To assess nutritional status, sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary food intake, and 24-hour food intake were evaluated. Patients answered questions using a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: In patients with epilepsy, there was insufficient intake of water, fiber, potassium, magnesium and some vitamins (C, E, B12, folate and niacin); suboptimal intake of calories, zinc, calcium, and some vitamins (A, B1 and B6); optimal intake of total fats; and over-intake of proteins, carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and vitamins D and B2. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with controlled versus uncontrolled seizures regarding frequency of vegetable intake and percentage of caloric intake from the recommended dietary allowance. Stepwise logistic regression indicated that those with low intake of vegetables had a 2.3 times higher likelihood of uncontrolled seizure occurrence compared to those with a high intake of vegetables per week. Also, those with optimal caloric intake were 80% less likely to have uncontrolled seizures than those with too much caloric intake. CONCLUSION: Macro- and micronutrient intake were unbalanced in patients with epilepsy. Patients who consumed too many calories and too few vegetables were more likely to have improper seizure control.

Ameliorating effect of olive oil on fertility of male rats fed on genetically modified soya bean.

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified soya bean (GMSB) is a commercialized food. It has been shown to have adverse effects on fertility in animal trials. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has many beneficial effects including anti-oxidant properties. The aim of this study is to elucidate if addition of EVOO ameliorates the adverse effects on reproductive organs of rats fed on GMSB containing diet. METHODS: Forty adult male albino rats (150-180 g) of Sprague Dawley strain were separated into four groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 - control group fed on basal ration, Group 2 - fed on basal ration mixed with EVOO (30%), Group 3 - fed on basal ration mixed with GMSB (15%), and Group 4 - fed on basal ration mixed with GMSB (15%) and EVOO (30%). This feeding regimen was administered for 65 days. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum zinc, vitamin E, and testosterone levels. Histopathological and weight changes in sex organs were evaluated. RESULTS: GMSB diet reduced weight of testis (0.66±0.06 vs. 1.7±0.06, p<0.001), epididymis (0.489±0.03 vs. 0.7±0.03, p<0.001), prostate (0.04±0.009 vs. 0.68±0.04, p<0.001), and seminal vesicles (0.057±0.01 vs. 0.8±0.04, p<0.001). GMSB diet adversely affected sperm count (406±7.1 vs. 610±7.8, p<0.001), motility (p<0.001), and abnormality (p<0.001). GMSB diet also reduced serum zinc (p<0.05), vitamin E (p<0.05), and testosterone (p<0.05) concentrations. EVOO diet had no detrimental effect. Addition of EVOO to GMSB diet increased the serum zinc (p<0.05), vitamin E (p<0.05), and testosterone (p<0.05) levels and also restored the weights of testis (1.35±0.16 vs. 0.66±0.06, p<0.01), epididymis (0.614±0.13 vs. 0.489±0.03, p<0.001), prostate (0.291±0.09 vs. 0.04±0.009, p<0.001), seminal vesicle (0.516±0.18 vs. 0.057±0.01, p<0.001) along with sperm count (516±3.1 vs. 406±7.1, p<0.01), motility (p<0.01), and abnormality (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: EVOO ameliorates the adverse effects of GMSB on reproductive organs in adult male albino rats. This protective action of EVOO justifies its use against the oxidative damage induced by GMSB in reproductive organs.

Association of physical activity and health status with intelligence quotient of high school students in Jeddah.

[Purpose] The present study investigated the relationships of physical activity and healthiness with the intelligence quotients of high school students in Jeddah. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 135 male and female students were randomly drawn from public and private secondary schools in Jeddah. A self-designed questionnaire was distributed to the students that included demographic, physical activity, and health status sections. Body mass index measurement and an intelligence quotient test were carried out for all students. In addition, samples of blood were collected to estimate hemoglobin and serum iron. [Results] The highest proportions of males and females (39.1% and 51% respectively) had an intelligence quotient score of more than 75%. Moreover, the findings revealed that about 35% of the students were categorized as overweight obesity, and there was aninverse correlation between body mass index and physical activity. Students who shared physical education classes and exercising at and outside school showed a positive correlation with high IQ scores. Regarding hemoglobin and iron levels, there were significant correlations between their levels in blood and IQ. [Conclusion] The intelligence quotient of adolescent students is positively associated with physical activity and health status.

The effect of extra virgin olive oil and soybean on DNA, cytogenicity and some antioxidant enzymes in rats.

We investigated the effect of extra virgin (EV) olive oil and genetically modified (GM) soybean on DNA, cytogenicity and some antioxidant enzymes in rodents. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study and divided into four groups. The control group of rodents was fed basal ration only. The second group was given basal ration mixed with EV olive oil (30%). The third group was fed basal ration mixed with GM (15%), and the fourth group survived on a combination of EV olive oil, GM and the basal ration for 65 consecutive days. On day 65, blood samples were collected from each rat for antioxidant enzyme analysis. In the group fed on basal ration mixed with GM soyabean (15%), there was a significant increase in serum level of lipid peroxidation, while glutathione transferase decreased significantly. Interestingly, GM soyabean increased not only the percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCE), but also the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes (PEC/NEC); however, the amount of DNA and NCE were significantly decreased. Importantly, the combination of EV olive oil and GM soyabean significantly altered the tested parameters towards normal levels. This may suggest an important role for EV olive oil on rodents' organs and warrants further investigation in humans.