Dietary patterns and the risk of coronary heart disease among Jordanians: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dietary pattern and lifestyle have been reported to be significant risk factors in the development of coronary heart diseases (CHD). The contribution degree of these dietary risk factors in CHD development in non-westernized countries is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate several dietary choices and their potential association with CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case-control study was conducted at Prince Hamza Hospital, a referral center for coronary angiography in Amman, Jordan. Four-hundred patients referring for elective coronary angiography with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease were enrolled. Data was collected using interview-based questionnaires. Dietary patterns were derived using Principal Component Analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between dietary choices and CHD. Three dietary patterns were identified. The "Healthy Dietary Pattern", which presented a diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and low meat intake, was associated with a significant decrease in the odds of CHD (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.28-0.98). The "High-Fiber Pattern", which is mainly composed of legumes and bulgur, significantly reduced the odd of CHD (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.27-0.92) for the fourth quartile compared to the first one. No significant association was found between CHD and the "Western Dietary Pattern", which is loaded with refined grains, sweets and deserts, sugary drinks, and deep fried foods. CONCLUSIONS: The "Healthy Dietary Pattern" and the "High-Fiber Pattern" were associated with a decrease in odds of CHD among Jordanians.

The effect of marjoram (Origanum majorana) tea on the hormonal profile of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: In traditional medicine, marjoram herb (Origanum majorana) is locally reputed for its ability to restore hormonal balance and to regulate the menstrual cycle. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of marjoram tea on the hormonal profile of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were assigned to receive marjoram tea or a placebo tea twice daily for 1 month (intervention group: n = 14; placebo group: n = 11). The hormonal and metabolic parameters measured at baseline, as well as after the intervention, were: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, progesterone, oestradiol, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), fasting insulin and glucose, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and glucose to insulin ratio. RESULTS: Marjoram tea significantly reduced DHEA-S and fasting insulin levels (P < 0.05) by a mean (SD) of 1.4 (0.5) µmol L(-1) and 1.9 (0.8) µU mL(-1) , respectively. In comparison to the placebo group, the change was only significant for DHEA-S (P = 0.05) but not for insulin (P = 0.08). HOMA-IR was not reduced significantly in the intervention group (P = 0.06), although the change was significant compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the present study show the beneficial effects of marjoram tea on the hormonal profile of PCOS women because it was found to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the levels of adrenal androgens. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to investigate the active components and mechanisms contributing to such potential beneficial effects of marjoram herb.