[Nutrients as inflammatory state modulators]. / Udzial skladnikow diety w modulacji procesow zapalnych.

The role of diet in reduction of the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome has been widely documented. There is evidence that the link between diet and this kind of diseases is low grade chronic inflammation induced by some nutrients. Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism which helps to avoid tissue injuries caused by biological, physical and chemical factors. Adequate inflammatory process is defined by intensity and duration. As a chronic state (silent inflammation, low grade chronic inflammation), it became an etiologic factor of chronic diseases. References indicate that consumption of some nutrients ? such as fatty acids, glucose, bioactive plant compounds, some vitamins and minerals - is related with enhancement or alleviation of inflammatory state. Including them in diet could help to decrease the risk of chronic diseases and health complications caused by them. The aim of this paper is to show modulation properties of diet due to chronic inflammatory state and short characteristic of chosen components with attributed pro- or anti-inflammatory activity. These properties could be used to formulate diet therapy which could help to reduce inflammatory state and minimalize the risk of chronic diseases.

[Probiotics and prebiotics as a bioactive component of functional food]. / Probiotyki i prebiotyki jako aktywny skladnik zywnosci funkcjonalnej.

The results of food science investigations have confirmed the relationship between the type of eaten food and health. Simultaneously, consumers are paying more and more attention to the kind of food they eat, as their awareness concerning the influence of proper food on health is increasing. On that base the conception of functional food has been created. This kind of food, besides being a source of essential macro- and micronutrients, exerts an additional positive influence on health. Probiotics and prebiotics containing products are a good example of functional food. These products provide not only essential nutrients but also microorganisms and polysaccharides, which are indigestible in the human alimentary tract, but exert a positive effect on human health. It may be a therapeutic or prophylactic effect due to specific affliction or may improve health in general. The paper - based on available literature - shows a positive influence of probiotics and prebiotics on human health, especially in the immunomodulation effect, an advantageous effect on the digestive system, antitumor activity and a possible therapeutic and prophylactic effect on cardiovascular diseases and obesity.

Dietary habits and body image perception among Polish adolescents and young adults - a population based study.

Patterns of nutritional behaviours shaped in childhood and during the period of adolescents are mostly continued in adult life, and on these patterns, to a great degree, depends the risk of development of many chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary habits and body image perception among Polish adolescents and young adults. The study group covered 14,511 adolescents/young adults: 10,081 children attending high schools and secondary schools, and 4,428 university students. More than 87% of schoolchildren and students admitted that that they snacked between meals everyday, and 1/3 of them mentioned that they consumed meals at night. As many as 41.40% of schoolchildren, and 46.70% of students experienced the feeling of overeating at least several times a week. Analysis of the respondents BMI showed that in the group of students there were considerably more respondents obese or overweight, compared to the group of schoolchildren. Fear of gaining weight was mentioned by 9.90% of respondents, including 6.90% of those with normal body structure, 1.40% with underweight or overweight, and 0.40% of those obese. As many as 54.60% of the total number of respondents described their body structure as remaining within the normal, 23.7% - as slim, 13.9% reported that they were overweight, 6% - thin, while 1.7% considered themselves as obese. A comprehensive analysis of the data available, including attempts at dieting or gaining weight, indicated that approximately ¾ of obese respondents had undertaken attempts in the past to reduce their body weight. The importance of physical activity and healthy eating habits should be given due attention not only to prevent obesity but also other eating disorder.

[Nutrigenomics - perspectives of personalized nutrition]. / Nutrigenetyka - perspektywy zywienia zindywidualizowanego.

Currently used dietary recommendations and requirements are generalized. It applies to both healthy and ailing individuals. These recommendations are meant to avert leading chronic illnesses such as: type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. In the future it might be possible to give dietary advice tailored to every - sick and healthy - individual. Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics are two fields derived from nutrition science and genetics. Their main goal is to elucidate the influence of interactions between genes and diet on individuals' health. This paper shows the examples of metabolic response changes according to diet and chosen gene polymorphisms. It will enable an effective prevention or management of chronic diseases by accurate diet and lifestyle matched to an individual's genetic makeup. It could be useful especially to define predisposition for type 2 diabetes mellitus in young children. It will be possible to change their diet and lifestyle so that they could avoid this chronic disease. There will also be a possibility to detect early the beginning of the illness and choose/select proper treatment. It is important because type 2 diabetes mellitus frequency is up to 90% of all cases of diabetes mellitus. It's often diagnosed too late and a lot of patients have already developed complications caused by this disease. Successful dietotherapy will also be available in such disease entities as dyslipidemias, hypertension and micro- , macronutrients and vitamins defficiences.