Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome.

There is accumulating evidence suggesting that inflammation is the bridging link between cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have shown a relationship between inflammatory markers and modifiable lifestyle factors including fitness, diet, exercise and smoking. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 195 patients with metabolic syndrome. Data on nutritional intake, physical activity level and smoking habits were collected through a questionnaire. Weight and body composition were determined and C-reactive protein and interluekin-6 concentrations were measured. C-reactive protein level had a significant association with body mass index (r = 0.18), adiposity (r = 0.23), smoking (r = 0.20), carbohydrate intake (r = 0.19) and saturated fatty acid (r = 0.20). Interluekin-6 concentration was significantly correlated with dietary carbohydrate (r = 0.15), saturated fatty acid (r = 0.15) and glycaemic load (r = 0.15). No association was observed between physical activity level and inflammatory markers.

Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome

There is accumulating evidence suggesting that inflammation is the bridging link between cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have shown a relationship between inflammatory markers and modifiable lifestyle factors including fitness, diet, exercise and smoking. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 195 patients with metabolic syndrome. Data on nutritional intake, physical activity level and smoking habits were collected through a questionnaire. Weight and body composition were determined and C-reactive protein and interluekin-6 concentrations were measured. C-reactive protein level had a significant association with body mass index [r = 0.18], adiposity [r = 0.23], smoking [r = 0.20], carbohydrate intake [r = 0.19] and saturated fatty acid [r = 0.20]. Interluekin-6 concentration was significantly correlated with dietary carbohydrate [r = 0.15], saturated fatty acid [r = 0.15] and glycaemic load [r = 0.15]. No association was observed between physical activity level and inflammatory markers

Determination of aflatoxin M(1) in breast milk samples in Tabriz-Iran.

The aim of this study was to examine the exposure of lactating mothers to aflatoxins using aflatoxin M(1) in breast milk as a biomarker for exposure and to detect its determining factors and possible effects on child growth. A 9% sample of 2022 lactating women who exclusively breastfed their infants, including 91 lactating women of urban areas of Tabriz city and 91 lactating women of its rural areas were recruited by a geographical clustered sampling method. Breast milk samples and information on food intake were collected from subjects using structured food-frequency questionnaire. Extraction of AFM(1) was performed with the ELISA test procedure. Aflatoxin M(1) was detected in breast milk of 20 out of 91 mothers (22%) in concentrations of 6.96 +/- 0.94 (pg/ml) in rural areas. Aflatoxin M(1) contamination was not present in samples of urban areas. The presence of aflatoxin M(1) was significantly associated with consumption of local milk (beta = 0.71, P < 0.001) and stunted growth in children (beta = -0.31, P < 0.015). These findings emphasize the need for developing strategies to reduce exposure to aflatoxin, possibly involving interventions targeted at reducing contamination of foods.

Effect of advice to increase carbohydrate and reduce fat intake on dietary profile and plasma lipid concentrations in healthy postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The current dietary guidelines advise an increase in carbohydrate intake. However, there is concern regarding the effect this may have on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, in particular in postmenopausal women, in light of the knowledge that raised triacylglycerol (TAG) may pose a stronger risk for CHD in this group. AIM: To evaluate the effect of advice to increase carbohydrate intake to 50% of energy intake as part of advice to follow current dietary guidelines on the dietary profile, including dietary glycaemic index (GI) and plasma lipids in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: Twelve healthy postmenopausal women (56 +/- 6.5 years) took part in the study. Habitual diet was assessed by a 7-day weighed intake. On the basis of the results, subjects were advised to increase their carbohydrate intake to comply with the current dietary guidelines. Subjects were asked to follow this diet for 4 weeks, in a free-living situation. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI; p < 0.05) after 4 weeks. There was a significant increase in fasting TAG concentrations after 1 week (p < 0.05), and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after 1 and 4 weeks. The subjects significantly increased their percentage of energy from carbohydrates and starch (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) after 1 week, and their percentage of energy from starch after 4 weeks (p < 0.05). Dietary GI was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after 1 and 4 weeks. Fruit and vegetable intake was significantly increased after 1 week (p < 0.01), as was fruit intake alone (p < 0.05), and there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the 'antioxidant power' as measured by the ferric reducing ability of plasma assay. CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women, following the UK dietary guidelines resulted in changes in the lipid profile that were more likely to favour an increased risk of CHD, as TAG concentrations were increased and HDL cholesterol concentrations were reduced. However, in addition, we found a significant reduction in BMI and a significant increase in the 'antioxidant power' of plasma, which should benefit health.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on serum lipid profiles in normal and hyperlipidemic subjects.

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