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Background: In recent years, intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity in the health and wellness in the world. There are numerous types of IF, all of which involve fasting periods that last longer than an overnight fast and involve limited meal time-windows, with or without calorie restriction. The objective of this review is to summarize the current evidence for the effects of Ramadan and non-Ramadan IF on gut microbiome. Methods: We explored PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar according to the PRISMA criteria (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). Animal and human studies were screened and reviewed separately by two researchers. Results: Twenty-eight studies were selected after screening. Some of the studies were performed on animal models and some on humans. The results of these studies indicate a significant shift in the gut microbiota, especially an increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria following fasting diets. The results of some studies also showed an increase in the bacterial diversity, decrease inflammation and increased production of some metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in individuals or samples under fasting diets. Moreover, Ramadan fasting, as a kind of IF, improves health parameters through positive effects on some bacterial strains such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroide. However, some studies have reported adverse effects of fasting diets on the structure of the microbiome. Conclusion: In general, most studies have seen favorable results following adherence from the fasting diets on the intestinal microbiome. However, because more studies have been done on animal models, more human studies are needed to prove the results.
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PURPOSE: Considering the present controversies on the association between green coffee supplementation and cardio metabolic risk factors, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of green coffee supplementation on cardio metabolic risk factors. METHOD: A systematic literature search was performed throughout the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to October 2019. As a result, all randomized controlled trials over the effect of green coffee supplementation on fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), C - reactive protein (CRP), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in adults were examined. Data were extracted from the relevant studies and analyzed using the random-effect or pooled model and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: After excluding the irrelevant articles, 27 studies were included in the final analysis. Pooled results revealed that green coffee supplementation significantly reduced FBS (WMD = -2.28, 95% CI: -4.49 to -0.07, P = 0.043), insulin (WMD = -0.53, 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.14, P = 0.008), and triglyceride (WMD = -9.28, 95% CI: -14.93 to - 3.63, P = 0.001). Furthermore, green coffee supplementation increased the HDL levels (WMD = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.08 to 2.58, P = 0.037). However, the changes in HOMA-IR, LDL, and CRP levels were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicated that green coffee supplementation significantly decreased FBS, insulin, and triglyceride, but improved HDL. No statistically significant improvement was found in HOMA-IR, LDL, and CRP indices following the green coffee supplementation.
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BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the worldwide most chronic endocrine disorders. The disease can also lead to several other chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases and cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ginger powder on biochemical and anthropometric parameters in patients with MetS. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 37 patients with MetS. We supplemented the individuals with MetS with either 2 g per day ginger powder or placebo for 12 weeks. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, the levels of triglyceride (TG), FBS, and insulin resistance were significantly improved in the patients receiving ginger in compare to the placebo group (P < 0·05). Moreover, significant changes were observed in terms of weight, waist circumference, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and energy intake between the groups. CONCLUSION: In general, our findings demonstrated that the ginger supplementation offers beneficial effects on patients with MetS, at least, in part due to the modulatory effects on TG, FBS, and insulin resistance.
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BACKGROUND & AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence was conducted to obtain a conclusive result on the effects of glutamine supplementation on athletes. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data related to body mass, lean body mass, body fat percentage, Vo2 max, lymphocytes, leukocytes and neutrophil counts were extracted to determine the effects of GLN on performance outcomes. DATA SOURCES: The literature search was conducted across the databases Pubmed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, SID (Scientific Information Database) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, covering a period up to January 2017. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Clinical trials evaluating glutamine supplementation outcomes on athletes aged over 18 were included. RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were included in the systematic review, and 25 trials matched the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, glutamine has a significant effect on weight reduction (WMD = -1.36 [95% CI: -2.55 to -0.16], p = 0.02). Moreover, neutrophil numbers were reduced following glutamine intake at doses greater than 200 mg/kg body weight (WMD = -605.77 [95% CI: -1200.0 to 52.1]; P = 0.03). Also, supplementation by glutamine dipeptide resulted in higher blood glucose after exercise (WMD = 0.51 [95% CI: 0.18, 0.83] mmol/l; P = 0.002). There was no association between glutamine ingestion and other outcomes investigated. CONCLUSION: According to this meta-analysis, generally, glutamine supplementation has no effect on athletics immune system, aerobic performance, and body composition. However, the current study showed that glutamine resulted in greater weight reduction. In addition, the present study suggests that the efficacy of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil numbers could be affected by supplement type and dose.
