Empirical dietary inflammatory index and lifestyle inflammation score relationship with obesity: A population-based cross-sectional study.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the empirical dietary inflammatory index (EDII) and lifestyle inflammatory score (LIS) with general and abdominal obesity in Iranian adults using data from the Yazd Health study (YaHS). This cross-sectional study was conducted using the information of participants of the YaHS study. The dietary assessment was conducted using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric measurements assessed by standard protocols. The inflammatory potential of diet and lifestyle were calculated using EDII and LIS scores. We also created a combinational index of EDII and LIS as an EDII-LIS score. General and abdominal obesity were defined based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) cut points, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of general and abdominal obesity across tertiles of EDII and LIS were estimated using logistic regression analyses, adjusted for potential confounders. A significant association was found between a higher EDII score and general obesity (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04-1.41, p trend: .016), however, there was no significant association between EDII and both definitions of abdominal obesity. Participants in the highest versus lowest tertile of LIS had higher odds of increased abdominal obesity (ORWC: 37.0, 95% CI: 28.8-47.5, p trend <.001, ORWHR: 3.30, 95% CI: 2.65-4.11, p trend <.001). In addition, there was also a direct relationship between the higher score of EDII-LIS and the increased likelihood of abdominal obesity (ORWC: 15.0, 95% CI: 12.3-18.3, p trend <.001, ORWHR: 2.68, 95% CI: 2.18-3.29, p trend <.001). Greater adherence to the EDII score was associated with a higher odds of general obesity, but not abdominal obesity. Also, individuals with a higher score of LIS and EDII-LIS are more prone to abdominal obesity.

Motivation System of Healthy and Safe Nutrition in Iranian Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Motivation determines the possibility of an individual's intention to accept health-related behaviors. Despite the important role of the motivational system in conducting healthy and safe nutrition behavior, this issue has not been adequately addressed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explain the healthy and safe nutrition motivation system among Iranian adolescent girls. METHOD: In this qualitative study, conventional content analysis was used and participants were selected using the purposive sampling method. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 42 adolescent girls in Shiraz, Iran. The interviews continued until data saturation was obtained. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman qualitative content analysis by MAX-Q-DA (version 10) software. RESULTS: The data analysis resulted in three main categories for the participants' motivational factors for healthy and safe nutrition: (1) maintaining health and social functions, (2) maintaining the family's mental and economic health, and (3) achieving goals and success in life. The first category included two subcategories: "desire to have an appropriate look and appearance" and "fear of diseases and their complications." The second category included two subcategories of "maintaining the family's mental health" and "maintaining the family's economic health." The third category consisted of two subcategories: "desire to form a family and be successful in life" and "achieving the future career goals." CONCLUSION: The motivation to maintain health and social functions, to maintain the family's mental and economic health, and to achieve goals and be successful in life has a powerful impact on the decisions and behaviors of adolescent girls to have safe and healthy nutrition. Therefore, recognizing the motivational system, as a key and determinative factor in developing the adolescents' intention to adopt health-related behaviors, is an effective step to design and develop successful interventions in promoting nutritional behaviors.

The relationship between sodium intake and some bone minerals and osteoporosis risk assessment instrument in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The results of the studies on the effects of sodium on bone metabolism have been inconsistent. There is no definitive answer to the question of whether sodium restriction can be associated with a lower incidence of osteoporosis. What reinforces the necessity of designing this study is the lack of findings with the approach of examining the effects of sodium on bone in our country. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 185 retired female teachers aged 45 to 70. Sodium intake was evaluated using two methods: A 24-hour recall and a 12-hour urine sample. To assess bone health, ORAI index was calculated for each individual. Urinary calcium, phosphorus, potassium and serum vitamin D and PTH were measured as laboratory variables. To compare the general characteristics of the participants across tertiles of urinary sodium, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for quantitative variables and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Phosphorous, calcium and potassium urinary excretion rate increased with the increase in urinary sodium (p<0.05). However, the changes in serum vitamin D, and PTH levels across tertiles of urinary sodium were not significant. Changes in urinary sodium levels were not significant (p=0.933) in ORAI groups (sorted by rating). The relationship between urinary calcium and sodium was apparent in low calcium intake (r=0.415, p<0.001), but not in higher calcium intake (r=0.144, p=0.177). CONCLUSION: Although urinary calcium and potassium increased with the increase in sodium intake, no relationship was found between sodium and ORAI.

The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Pro-Inflammatory Factors and Adiponectin in Mildly Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is considerable evidence that hypertension may increase the levels of cytokines via endothelial stimulation and may stimulate inflammatory reactions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation on pro-inflammatory factors and adiponectin in mildly hypertensive patients. METHODS: This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out during 2012 - 2013 in Yazd. Sixty mildly hypertensive patients were randomly divided into two groups: placebo (PG, n = 30) and coenzyme Q10 (QG, n = 30). The QG was given 1 capsule containing 100 mg Q10 per day. The PG was given 1 capsule of the same size and color as the Q10 capsules, but it contained 100 mg of lactose. Plasma pro-inflammatory factors (IL6, IL2, and TNF-α), adiponectin, and hs-CRP were determined before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The mean enhancement in adiponectin of QG was significantly higher than PG (from 21.1 ± 14.5 to 24.2 ± 15.5 ng/ml, P = 0.04). Significant declines in the median of IL6 (from 23 to 16 pg/ml, P = 0.001) and in the mean of hs-CRP were also observed in QG after intervention (from 3.53 ± 3.36 to 2.62 ± 2.51 mg/L, P = 0.03). In the two groups, no significant statistical changes were seen in the median of TNF-α and IL2. CONCLUSION: Daily supplementation of 100 mg coenzyme Q10 can be effective in decreasing some pro-inflammatory factors, such as IL6 and hs-CRP, and in increasing adiponectin.

The effect of ginger powder supplementation on insulin resistance and glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of some herbal products on insulin resistance. Regarding the scientific evidences existing about ginger, this research was therefore carried out to identify the effect of ginger supplementation on insulin resistance and glycemic indices in diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 88 participants affected by diabetes were randomly assigned into ginger (GG) and placebo (PG) groups. The GG received 3 one-gram capsules containing ginger powder whereas the PG received 3 one-gram microcrystalline-containing capsules daily for 8 weeks. HbA1c, fructosamine, fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), ß-cell function (ß%), insulin sensitivity (S%) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: FBS mean showed a decrease of 10.5% (p=0.003) in the GG whereas the mean had an increase of 21% in the PG (p=0.01). Variation in HbA1c mean was in line with that of FBS. Statistical difference was found in the two groups before and after the intervention in terms of median of fasting insulin level, S% and HOMA-IR (P<0.005). Moreover QUICKI mean increased significantly in the two groups, the mean difference, however, was significantly higher in the GG. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that daily consumption of 3 one-gram capsules of ginger powder for 8 weeks is useful for patients with type 2 diabetes due to FBS and HbA1c reduction and improvement of insulin resistance indices such as QUICKI index.