Higher dietary acid load is associated with the risk of hyperuricemia.

PURPOSE: Dietary acid load plays a key role in regulating serum uric acid levels. We hypothesized that dietary acid load indices would be positively associated with the odds of hyperuricemia. We aimed to test this hypothesis in a representative sample of Iranian adult population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 6145 participants aged 35-65 years were recruited from MASHAD cohort study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. Diet-based acid load was assessed as the potential renal acid load (PRAL), net endogenous acid production (NEAP), and dietary acid load (DAL). Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid greater than the 75th percentile. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between diet-based acid load scores and hyperuricemia. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 48.89 ± 8.09 years. Overall, 25.7% had hyperuricemia. According to the full-adjusted model, there was a significant association between higher tertile of PRAL, and DAL and hyperuricemia (Q3 PRAL; OR (95% CI): 1.23 (1.05-1.43), Q3 DAL; OR (95% CI): 1.22 (1.05-1.42)). Regarding NEAP, there was no significant association with hyperuricemia. We also found that dietary intake of total sugars, fiber, calcium, and magnesium was associated with the odds of hyperuricemia in our population. CONCLUSION: This study showed a significant positive association between two indicators of dietary acid load (PRAL, and DAL) and odds of hyperuricemia among Iranian adults.

The association of trace elements with premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), primary dysmenorrhea (PD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common complaints in women of reproductive age. Trace element status may be associated with the development of these disorders but the current data are unclear. The present study focused on the relationship between serum and dietary copper and zinc with some common physical and psychosomatic conditions among young females. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study comprised 448 adolescent girls who were classified into four groups: individuals with PMS (n = 67), PD (n = 161), both PMS and PD (n = 146), and normal (n = 74). IBS was diagnosed according to the Rome III questionnaire. Flame atomic absorption (Varian AA240FS) was used to measure serum zinc and copper. Food intake of micronutrients was estimated using a three-day dietary record. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the frequency of IBS across the four corresponding groups as the percentage of subjects. The prevalence of IBS was significantly higher in the PD group [PMS (13.6%), PD (19.9%), both PMS and PD (17.4%) and normal (8.1%); P value < 0.05]. There was no significant differences between the mean values for serum and dietary intake of zinc and copper among four groups (p value > 0.05). Although, the mean dietary zinc intake was significantly lower in subjects with IBS (6.7 ± 2.8 mg/day) versus those without IBS (7.9 ± 3.1 mg/ day, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Girls with IBS were found to have significantly higher rates of gynecological symptoms, including PD and PMS. The lower dietary intake of zinc in subjects with IBS indicate a need for greater attention towards dietary patterns in these individuals.