Clinical Evidence on the Potential Beneficial Effects of Diet and Dietary Supplements against COVID-19 Infection Risk and Symptoms' Severity.

BACKGROUND: Diet and dietary supplements aim to add trace elements, vitamins, and minerals to the body to improve human health and boost the immune system. In the previous few years, the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain has been threatening the health of individuals and public health more broadly, with rates of intensive care unit cases on the rise, while long-term COVID-19 complications are persisting until today. In the peculiar circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, in combination with disease prevention techniques, the strengthening of the immune system is considered particularly important to enable it to effectively respond to and eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogen in the event of infection. The purpose of the current literature review is to thoroughly summarize and critically analyze the current clinical data concerning the potential beneficial effects of diet and dietary supplements against COVID-19 infection risk and symptoms' severity. The micronutrients/supplements examined in this study in relation to COVID-19 infection are vitamins A, B, C, and D, zinc, selenium, magnesium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, resveratrol, beta-glucans, and probiotics. The potential effects of dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet against SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and symptoms' severity were also analyzed. Our literature review suggests that micro- and macronutrient supplementation and a healthy diet and lifestyle may provide support to immune system function, with beneficial effects both before and during SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, additional studies are recommended to draw safe conclusions and formulate dietary recommendations concerning dietary supplements and their possible effects on preventing and co-treating COVID-19 disease.

Clinical Evidence of Low-Carbohydrate Diets against Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus.

The popularity of low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) in the last few decades has motivated several research studies on their role in a variety of metabolic and non-morbid conditions. The available data of the results of these studies are put under the research perspective of the present literature review of clinical studies in search of the effects of LCDs on Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus. The electronic literature search was performed in the databases PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase. The literature search found seven studies that met the review's inclusion and exclusion criteria out of a total of 2637 studies. The included studies involved randomized controlled trials of at least 12 weeks' duration, in subjects with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, with dietary interventions. The results of the study on the effects of LCDs on obesity showed their effectiveness in reducing Body Mass Index and total body fat mass. In addition, LCDs appear to cause drops in blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides, and seem to improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values. Regarding the effectiveness of LCDs in Diabetes Mellitus, their effect on reducing insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose and HbA1c values are supported. In conclusion, the results suggest the critical role of LCDs to improve the health of people affected by obesity or diabetes.

Childhood overweight and obesity and abnormal birth anthropometric measures are associated with a higher prevalence of childhood asthma in preschool age.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood asthma is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world. Several perinatal and postnatal factors have been associated with increased risk of developing childhood asthma. The present study aims to assess whether childhood overweight and obesity and abnormal birth anthropometric measures affect the risk of developing childhood asthma in preschool age. METHODS: In this study, 5215 preschool children at the age of 2-5 years were enrolled after applying several inclusion and exclusion criteria and they examined whether they present asthma symptoms. Non-adjusted and adjusted statistical analysis was performed to assess whether perinatal and postnatal factors increase the risk of developing childhood asthma. RESULTS: A prevalence of 4.5% of childhood asthma was recorded. Among children diagnosed with asthma, 19.4% were affected by overweight and 13.9% were obese. Childhood overweight/obesity was indepedently associated with a 76% higher risk of childhood asthma than normal weight. Abnormal birth anthropometric measures, i.e. birth weight, length, and head circumference, were independently associated with higher odds (87%, 29%, and 23%, respectively) of childhood asthma than normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: This is a cross-sectional, nationally representative study which supported evidence that childhood overweight/obesity and abnormal birth anthropometric measures may independently increase the risk of childhood asthma in preschool age. Emergent health policies and strategies are recommended to promote a healthy lifestyle, preventing childhood obesity at the early stages of life.

Diabesity and Dietary Interventions: Evaluating the Impact of Mediterranean Diet and Other Types of Diets on Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Management.

BACKGROUND: Diabesity, the intersection of obesity and diabetes, presents a global health crisis with profound implications. Addressing diabesity requires multifaceted strategies, with diet playing a pivotal role. Over the last 15 years, clinical studies have intensified their exploration of various dietary approaches in diabesity management. This literature review aims to synthesize findings from clinical studies conducted in the last 15 years, shedding light on the efficacy, mechanisms, and nuances of different diet types in diabesity management with special focus on the Mediterranean diet (MD). METHODS: Thorough research of academic databases yielded a collection of relevant clinical studies. These studies encompassed a range of dietary strategies, including the MD, low-carbohydrate diets, plant-based diets, high-protein diets, low-fat regimens, and intermittent fasting. Key findings, methodologies, and outcomes were thoroughly extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: The last 15 years have witnessed considerable improvements in recognizing the role of human nutritional habits in diabesity management. The MD appears to be the most well-recognized diet, exerting favorable effects against both obesity and diabetes. Low-carbohydrate diets were found to enhance glycemic regulation and decrease insulin resistance. Plant-based diets demonstrated potential benefits in weight management and cardiometabolic health. High-protein, low-fat dietary models exhibited positive effects on satiety and body weight decline. Intermittent fasting regimens also exerted metabolic improvements and body weight decline. Personalization emerged as a crucial factor in dietary recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical studies from the last 15 years underscore the intricate relationship between diet types and diabesity management. The above results contribute to an increasing body of evidence, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary approaches and especially the MD. Healthcare providers can utilize this knowledge to offer personalized dietary recommendations for individuals with diabesity, potentially curbing the rise of these twin epidemics and improving the well-being of affected populations.

Clinical Evidence on the Potential Beneficial Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Cardiovascular Disease.

The 'gut microbiome'-the hundreds of trillions of bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract-serves several functions. The gut microbiome includes all the microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract and their genetic material. It helps digest indigestible foods and produces nutrients. Through the metabolism of sugars and proteins, it helps the intestinal barrier, the immune system, and metabolism. Some bacteria, such as those in the gut microbiome, cause disease, but others are essential to our health. These "good" microbes protect us from pathogens. Numerous studies have linked an unhealthy gut microbiome to obesity, insulin resistance, depression, and cardiometabolic risk factors. To maximize probiotic benefits in each case, knowledge of probiotic bacterial strains and how to consume them should be increased. This study aims to examine the benefits of probiotic and prebiotic organisms on cardiovascular health, specifically on heart disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. To complete the research, a literature review was conducted by gathering clinical studies and data. The clinical evidence demonstrates the beneficial effect of probiotics and prebiotic microorganisms on the gut microbiome, which has multiple benefits for overall health and especially for cardiovascular diseases.

Detection of dental plaque with disclosing agents in the context of preventive oral hygiene training programs.

No studies have evaluated the relationship between the detection points for dental bacterial plaque (DBP or biofilm) and gender, age, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), and oral health, hence the need to investigate and clarify their possible association. This study aimed to map out the occurrence of DBP, investigate and evaluate the factors affecting its localization, and design preventive interventions. The research was conducted on 588 public school children aged 4-18 years in a provincial area of Greece. The subjects' oral health status and anthropometric characteristics were examined by a dentist (A.F.) and a dietitian (E.P.), respectively. To identify DBP, chewable double-staining disclosing tablets were used. The results of the present study indicate the following: (1) Age and socioeconomic status seem to be associated with DBP development, particularly in the oral cavity. (2) Overweight schoolchildren show more DBP on the upper posterior occlusal and upper posterior buccal surfaces compared to normal-weight children. (3) Moderate caries disease is associated with DBP detection on almost all tooth surfaces and especially on the tongue and lower anterior labial surface. (4) Severe caries disease is most strongly associated with DBP in the upper posterior palatal, lower posterior buccal, and lower posterior lingual spaces, as well as on the tongue. (5) Sex is the only variable without a significant impact on DBP detection surfaces. In conclusion, DBP identification in specific areas of the mouth seems to be influenced by age, socioeconomic level, BMI, and oral health. Gender has no influence on DBP detection points. Disclosing agents can be used in oral health prevention programs, both for more effective guidance on the use of oral hygiene tools and for their evaluation.

Wine: An Aspiring Agent in Promoting Longevity and Preventing Chronic Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Moderate wine consumption is a characteristic of the Mediterranean diet. Studies around the world have shown a beneficial effect of moderate alcohol intake, especially wine, on health. This review aims to critically summarise the most recent studies that investigate the beneficial effects of moderate wine intake on human health. METHODS: The PubMed database was comprehensively searched to identify trials published from 2013 to 2018 that investigated the association between moderate wine consumption and health. RESULTS: The most recent studies confirm the valuable role of moderate wine consumption, especially red wine, in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cognitive decline, depression, and cancer. In the meantime, recent studies also highlight the beneficial role of red wine against oxidative stress and in favour of desirable gut bacteria. The beneficial role of red wine has been attributed to its phytochemical compounds, as highlighted by clinical trials, where the effect of red wine has been compared to white wine, non-alcoholic wine, other alcoholic drinks, and water. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate wine intake, at 1⁻2 glasses per day as part of the Mediterranean diet, has been positively associated with human health promotion, disease prevention, and disease prognosis.

Estimating the agreement between the metabolic rate calculated from prediction equations and from a portable indirect calorimetry device: an effort to develop a new equation for predicting resting metabolic rate.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have been performed over time in order to determine the reliability of metabolic rate prediction equations. PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement, in terms of bias, absolute bias and accuracy between metabolic rate prediction equations and measured metabolic rate using indirect calorimetry system (IC), investigating also the factors affecting this agreement. METHODS: The anthropometric features of 383 Caucasian participants of all Body Mass Index (BMI) classes were recorded and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) was measured by using the IC Fitmate portable device. The resulting values were compared with the predictive values of Harris & Benedict, Schofield, Owen, FAO-WHO-UNU, Mifflin and Harrington equations. RESULTS: A closer approximation in agreement was obtained using the Harrington equation (based on BMI, age and gender). The equations using variables, such as weight, height, age and gender demonstrated higher agreement than the equations using merely weight and gender. Higher educational level was associated with normal weight, while higher calorific ratio was found in the class of normal-weighted individuals. An inverse relationship between ΒΜΙ and RMR was also observed and a logarithmic equation for calculating RMR was created, which was differentiated in relation to BMI classes, using the weight and gender variables. CONCLUSION: A better measurement agreement between RMR prediction equations and IC may be achieved due to BMI consideration. The present findings contributed to a better understanding of the measured parameters, confirming the inverse relationship between BMI and RMR. Age group and gender variables may also exert significant role on the bias response of some RMR equations.