Nutritional and Health Benefits of the Brown Seaweed Himanthalia elongata.

Himanthalia elongata is a brown seaweed containing several nutritional compounds and bioactive substances including antioxidants, dietary fibre, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, and macro- and trace- elements. A variety of bioactive compounds including phlorotannins, flavonoids, dietary fucoxanthin, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, polyphenols and carotenoids are also present in this seaweed. Multiple comparative studies were carried out between different seaweed species, wherein H. elongata was determined to exhibit high antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, fucose content and potassium concentrations compared to other species. H. elongata extracts have also shown promising anti-hyperglycaemic and neuroprotective activities. H. elongata is being studied for its potential industrial food applications. In new meat product formulations, it lowered sodium content, improved phytochemical and fiber content in beef patties, improved properties of meat gel/emulsion systems, firmer and tougher with improved water and fat binding properties. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional composition, bioactive properties, and food applications of H. elongata.

Nutritional Intervention Effectiveness on Slowing Time to Dialysis in Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue. Evidence of the effectiveness of nutritional intervention on slowing time to dialysis is limited in Arab countries. Therefore, this study aims to contribute to current research by providing new insights on the efficacy of personalized nutritional intervention in pre-dialysis patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 265 CKD patients (163 males and 108 females) who were admitted to the nephrology outpatient clinic at Salmaniya Medical Complex in Bahrain. The nutritional intervention group (NIG) receiving dietary advice by an expert renal dietitian consisted of 121 patients, while the non-nutritional intervention control group (non-NIG) that did not receive any nutritional support consisted of 150 patients. Patients were evaluated at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: The NIG had a significant increase in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared to the non-NIG that had a significant decrease (5.16 vs. -2.85 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.000), respectively). When adjusted for age and gender, the mean difference was greater (8.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.000). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine (-2.19 mmol/L and -25.31 µmol/L; p = 0.000, respectively). Moreover, the intervention had a positive impact on weight loss and body mass index (-1.84 kg and-0.69 kg/m2, respectively; p = 0.000) and lipid profile, with a significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (-0.17 mmol/L, p = 0.006 and -0.15 mmol/L, p = 0.026, respectively). Additional significant results from the NIG included reduced uric acid (-28.35 µmol/L, p = 0.006), serum phosphorus (-0.05 mol/L, p = 0.025), fasting blood glucose (-0.70 mmol/L, p = 0.016) and glycated hemoglobin (1.10 mmol/mol, p = 0.419). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that, in patients of CKD, nutritional intervention counselling plays a significant role in reducing the time needed for dialysis and improves nutritional-related biomarkers compared to patients not receiving this intervention.

Cheese Intake Exhibits an Alteration of Glycolipid Profile and Impacts on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver in Bahraini Older Adults.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial condition characterized by a complex interrelation between genetic and environmental factors that heighten the risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. It is hypothesized that diet may play an important role in the regulation of metabolic syndrome factors and influence the process. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the specific dietary patterns associated with metabolic syndrome markers and quantify the possible effects of dietary patterns among Bahrain older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 151 Bahraini patients diagnosed with MetS, 89 (58.7%) were females and 62 (41.3%) males. Results: The prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver was 89%. Statistically significant correlations were found between dairy products with low fat and SBP (r = 0.182, p < 0.001) body mass index (BMI) (r = −0.195; p < −0.01). Higher chicken consumption was associated with reduction of BMI (r = −0.273; p < −0.01). A higher consumption of ricotta and cheddar cheese (high in fat) was associated with higher levels of triglycerides (p < 0.01). Higher frequent consumption of rice (basmati) was associated with lower glucose levels (r = −0.200; p < −0.01). Fatty liver has been associated with high consumption of cream cheese (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In older Bahraini adults with metabolic syndrome, higher frequency of food consumption of full-fat cheese was linked with a derangement of lipid profile and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver. Positive effects on BMI have been recorded with higher-frequency consumption of basmati rice and chicken.

The Ketogenic Diet: Is It an Answer for Sarcopenic Obesity?

This review aims to define the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet (KD) for the management of sarcopenic obesity. As the combination of sarcopenia and obesity appears to have multiple negative metabolic effects, this narrative review discusses the effects of the ketogenic diet as a possible synergic intervention to decrease visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and fatty infiltration of the liver as well as modulate and improve the gut microbiota, inflammation and body composition. The results of this review support the evidence that the KD improves metabolic health and expands adipose tissue γδ T cells that are important for glycaemia control during obesity. The KD is also a therapeutic option for individuals with sarcopenic obesity due to its positive effect on VAT, adipose tissue, cytokines such as blood biochemistry, gut microbiota, and body composition. However, the long-term effect of a KD on these outcomes requires further investigations before general recommendations can be made.

Effect of very low-calorie ketogenic diet in combination with omega-3 on inflammation, satiety hormones, body composition, and metabolic markers. A pilot study in class I obese subjects.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of a VLCKD combined with omega-3 supplementation (VLCKD diet only lasted for some weeks, and it was followed by a non-ketogenic LCD for the rest of the study period) on body composition, visceral fat, satiety hormones, inflammatory and metabolic markers. METHODS: It has been performed a pilot open label study lasted 90 days, in a cohort of 12 women with class I obesity aged 18 to 65 years. Data on body composition (evaluated by Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry-DXA), visceral fat, satiety hormones, inflammatory and metabolic markers were recorded. RESULTS: This study showed a body weight reduction mean difference over time of -13.7 kg and the waist circumference mean difference decrease of -13.3 cm. Also, the fat mass (FM) decreased-9.1 kg and visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-0.41 kg. No effects on fat-free mass (FFM) have been reported. Improvements were observed in the satiety hormones, with increased ghrelin and decreased leptin, and also in the metabolic profiles. CONCLUSIONS: A VLCKD combined with omega-3 supplementation appears to be an effective strategy for promoting an high loss of FM with preservation of FFM in patients with class I obesity.

Is Probiotic Supplementation Useful for the Management of Body Weight and Other Anthropometric Measures in Adults Affected by Overweight and Obesity with Metabolic Related Diseases? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of probiotics in inducing body weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity with related metabolic diseases. The research was carried out on PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies reporting the effect on anthropometric measures (weight, body mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) after administration of various probiotic strains compared to placebo. Twenty randomized controlled trials, that included 1411 patients, were considered. The meta-analyzed mean differences (MD) for random effects showed no significant decrease in body weight after probiotic supplementation (-0.26 kg [-075, 0.23], p = 0.30), while a significant BMI decrease was found (-0.73 kg/m2 [-1.31, -0.16], p = 0.01). For WC and HC, the meta-analyzed MD for random effects showed a significant decrease (WC: -0.71 cm [-1.24; -0.19], p = 0.008 and HC: -0.73 cm [-1.16; -0.30], p = 0.0008). The risk of bias was also evaluated considering a high risk and a low risk according to PRISMA criteria. In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis highlight a positive trend of probiotics supplementation on the amelioration of anthropometric measures of overweight and obese patients with related metabolic diseases. However, further research is needed before recommending the use of probiotics as a therapeutic strategy for these patients. The focus of the future research should be to evaluate the efficacy of different probiotic strains, the quantities to be administered, and the duration of the intervention.

The effect of Berberine on weight loss in order to prevent obesity: A systematic review.

This study provides a critical overview of experimental studies in vitro, in humans, and in animals that evaluated the efficacy of Berberine and its effect on management of obesity and the related metabolic consequences. As a result of this review, we summarized the effects of Berberine in different models and the related mechanism of actions. In preclinical models, Berberine demonstrates that it affects gut microbiota by reducing diversity of microbes starting at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/day. Moreover, in animal models, Berberine explicates an action on glucose through the inhibition of α-glycosidase at a dose of 200 mh/kg/day. Berberine is also known to be effective against differentiation of adipocytes through a decrease in LXRs, PPARs, and SREBPs expression at 150 mg/kg/day. Other mechanism ascribed to Berberine are related to its inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis through the Phospheoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), Glucose-6-phosphate (G6Pase) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, Berberine (associated to Red Yeast Rice) is effective in decreasing lipid levels in rats, which consequently lowers the change of weight gain at dosage of 40 mg/kg to 380 mg/kg/day. All the above preclinical data are confirmed in human studies where Berberine can modulate the diversity of gut microbes at the dose of 500 mg/day. In addition, Berberine is found to have a beneficial impact on gene regulation for the absorption of cholesterol at a daily dose of 300 mg in humans, an amelioration on glucose accumulation at 1.0 g daily dose was also observed. For all these reasons, this review gives an important good account of the impact of Berberine in obesity treatment and prevention.

Effects of Hoodia Parviflora on satiety, abdominal obesity and weight in a group of overweight subjects: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effects of supplementation with Hoodia Parviflora (H. Parviflora) at 9 mg+200 mg of fructo-oligosaccharides on weight loss, body composition, hydration and satiety parameters. METHODS: A randomized blinded controlled trial was conducted in a sample of 30 overweight and obese patients (5 males and 25 females). Patients were randomly assigned in 2 groups: the intervention group, which received H. Parviflora twice a day for 4 weeks and the control group, which received a placebo. RESULTS: After a 4-week follow-up period, the study results showed an improvement of Δ=-1.632 kg (Confidence Interval [CI]95% -2.545; -0.719) and a statistically significant decrease in waist circumference (WC) compared with the placebo group -2.080 cm ([CI]95% -4.082; -0.078). The visual analogue scale reported an improvement of satiety sensation after day 5 (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows for the first time the simultaneous effect of H. Parviflora on weight loss, decreasing satiety, and improving fat mass, in particular Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT).

Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes in the Kingdom of Bahrain: Prevalence, Gender Distribution and Impact on Hepatic Biomarkers.

Background: Approximately 400 million people are infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) around the world, which makes it one of the world's major infectious diseases. The prevalence of HBV genotypes and predictive factors for risk are poorly known in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of HBV genotypes, its correlation with demographic factor sand impacts on hepatic biomarkers. Materials and Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 82 HBV positive patients (48 males, 34 females). The extraction of HBV DNA, PCR amplification, and genotyping were done to classify different genotypes (A, A/D, B, B/D, C, D, D/E, E). HBV genotypes association with gender, nationality, mode of transmission, and liver cirrhosis complication was determined by descriptive statistic and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). For liver function test, unpaired t-test and ANOVA were performed. Results: The predominant genotype among patients under study was genotype D (61%), followed by genotype A (10%), and lowest frequency was found for undetermined genotype (1%). In general, there was no significant association between the different genotypes and some demographical factors, serological investigations, and liver function test. The prevalence of HBV genotypes was higher in male patients as compared to female patients and higher in non-Bahraini than in Bahraini. Patients with the dominant genotype D showed higher than the normal maximum range for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (mean = 45.89) and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (mean = 63.36). Conclusions: The most common HBV genotype in Bahrain was genotype D, followed by genotype A. Further studies involving the sources of transmission and impact of hepatic biomarker in Bahrain are required to enhance the control measures of HBV infections.