Modern and traditional cooking methods affect the antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content of Trachystemon Orientalis (L.) G. Don.

Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don is a medicinal plant with beneficial effects on human health. Its antioxidant and phenolic compound content is higher than most natural plants. This is the first study on the cooking of this consumed plant. This study investigated how different cooking methods and times affect the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound content of Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don. The Folin-Ciocalteu method (FCR), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), copper-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC). Phenolic compounds were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Microwave cooking, stir-frying and sous vide increased TPC and antioxidant activity (p<0.05). Steaming decreased TPC and antioxidant activity (p<0.05). It was determined that the best cooking method and time was stir-frying for 15 minutes (TPC, CUPRAC and FRAP values 45.18±3.91 mg GAE/g DW, 15559.39±106.90 mmol Troloks/g DW and 555.10±24.05 µmol Fe (II)/g DW, respectively). Raw Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don was detected with caffeic acid (31.53±0.25 mg/100 g DW). New phenolic compounds (protocatechuic acid and p-coumaric acid) were formed by boiling, stir-frying, microwaving, and sous vide methods. In conclusion, regarding antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of Trachystemon orientalis (L.) G. Don; the best cooking methods are microwave, stir-frying, and sous vide (p<0.05). The most wrong cooking method is steaming (p<0.05).

The Relationship of Food Literacy and Sustainable Consumption Behaviors with Anthropometric Measurements during the Covid-19 Pandemic Period: A Sample from Turkey.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of food literacy and sustainable consumption behaviors on nutritional status during the pandemic in Turkey. METHODS: The study was conducted between May and July 2021 with a questionnaire delivered in a digital environment (social media, Twitter/Facebook/Instagram) to 200 volunteer adults aged 20-65. With this questionnaire form, sociodemographic characteristics, general information, and consumer behaviors of the individuals were obtained. Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, and waist/height ratio) of the individuals were recorded online as self-report. The Self Perceived Food Literacy (SPFL) Scale was administered to measure nutritional literacy levels. To measure the sustainable consumption behaviors of the individuals, the Sustainable Consumption Behavior (SCB) Scale was administered. RESULTS: We found that 87.2% of women and 40% of men had heard of sustainable nutrition before (p < 0.001). The mean total score of SCB was statistically significantly higher in women than in men (3.1 ± 0.48 in women, 2.9 ± 0.69 in men, p < 0.05). The mean score of SPFL was 3.31 ± 0.275 in women, while it was 3.05 ± 0.395 in men. There was a statistically significant relationship between SPFL mean scores and gender (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant negative relationship between SPFL score and BMI, body weight, and waist/hip ratio. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the SCB and waist/hip ratio. Food literacy and sustainable consumption behaviors are associated with anthropometric measurements. Sustainable nutrition, sustainable consumption behaviors, and food literacy should be considered as a whole. Trainings should be increased to raise awareness of individuals about food literacy.

Nutritional Support in Older Patients with Esophageal Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most prevalent malignancy and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The proportion of older adults with EC has increased dramatically in recent decades due to increased life expectancy. Older patients with EC are at a highest risk of malnutrition and this predicts early death. In older patients with EC, dysphagia is a common symptom; additionally, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and physiological changes of aging such as decreased muscle mass and geriatric issues including altered cognition, mobility, and mood contribute to malnutrition. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the primary treatment for unresectable locally advanced EC patients, as it successfully reduces local recurrence and distant metastases while also extending survival. In older patients with EC, nutrition is an interventional condition, unlike many other geriatric risk factors. Optimizing nutritional support may reduce treatment toxicity and facilitate the completion of definitive or neoadjuvant CRT. The relevance of nutritional status and food intake is becoming more widely acknowledged, and it now encompasses the entire spectrum of EC treatment in older patients, from diagnosis to perioperative care to long-term care. This review aims to discuss the current research on nutritional support in older patients with esophageal cancer undergoing CRT.

The correlation of uric acid levels with biochemical parameters and dietary factors in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.

Diet may play an important role in the development of asymptomatic hyperuricemia (ASH) and gouty arthritis (GOUT). However, the association between dietary factors and hyperuricemia remains unclear. Serum uric acid levels are affected by dietary factors. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of uric acid levels with biochemical parameters and dietary factors in individuals with ASH and GOUT. This study was conducted in 145 individuals with ASH and GOUT. General characteristics of individuals were collected via face-to-face interviews. Food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain energy, macro- and micronutrients intakes. Biochemical parameters were obtained from patient files. The incidence of gout was higher in men comparing to women. Individuals in the GOUT group consumed more alcohol and higher serum levels of vitamin B12, C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride, and uric acid. Individuals in the GOUT group had higher intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, fructose, vitamin C, and vitamin B12. Triglyceride, uric acid, CRP, vitamin B12, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were found to be affected by high uric acid levels. Dietary factors can pose a risk for health problems in addition to GOUT and ASH, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Effects of Nutritional Knowledge of Informal Caregivers on Depression and Metabolic Outcomes of Hemodialysis Patients.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) makes significant changes in the life of patients and their families. A good family support has a positive effect on successful patients' adaptation to the treatment and compliance with dietary regimen. This study aimed to examine the effects of nutritional knowledge of informal caregivers on depression and metabolic outcomes of hemodialysis patients. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Baskent University Hemodialysis Center with 116 hemodialysis patients and their informal caregivers. Findings revealed that the caregivers who were the couple of the patients had the highest nutritional knowledge level than the other caregivers (p < .05). The postgraduate caregivers were more likely to have high nutritional knowledge level than the others (p < .05). The inflammation marker of the patients was significantly lower in the group of caregivers with higher level (T3 group) of nutritional knowledge than the others (p < .05). The mean CES-D scores were also more likely to be low in T3 group than in the others (p < .05). These findings highlight that the nutritional knowledge of caregivers of hemodialysis patients may have an additional benefit on patients' nutritional management and metabolic outcomes.

Effects of nutrition education given to persons with multiple sclerosis and their families on diet quality and anthropometric and biochemical measurements / Efeito da educação nutricional dada a pessoas com esclerose múltipla e suas famílias em relação a qualidade da dieta, medidas antropométricas e bioquímicas

ABSTRACT Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of nutrition education given to persons with multiple sclerosis and their families on anthropometric and biochemical measurements and diet quality. Methods: Data from 51 persons with multiple sclerosis were analysed in this intervention study. The study was conducted with 3 groups. The education group consisted of only persons with multiple sclerosis, the family education group consisted of persons with multiple sclerosis and a family member living with them, and the control group consisted of persons with multiple sclerosis who had not received an education. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements and dietary quality assessments were made before (T1) and immediately after education (T2) and also 3 months after education (follow-up, T3). Results: The distribution of family education group diet quality scores showed a significant increase from "poor" to "needs improvement" at T3 compared to T1. The upper middle arm circumference measurements of the female control group were decreased at T2 and T3 [from 29.0 (23-34) cm to 28.0 (22-31) cm and to 27.5 (22-31) cm]. Women in family education group, levels of serum haemoglobin and haematocrit were higher than in control group at T2 and T3. Also, men in family education group, levels of alanine aminotransferase were lower than those in education group at follow up. Levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in education group were higher than those control group at T1, T2, and T3. Conclusion: This study indicates that nutrition education affects some biochemical and anthropometric measurements in persons with multiple sclerosis. Diet quality improved when receiving education together with families.

RESUMO Objetivo: Objetivou-se investigar os efeitos da educação nutricional dada a pessoas com esclerose múltipla e seus familiares, avaliação de medidas antropométricas, bioquímicas e da qualidade da dieta. Métodos: Dados de 51 participantes com esclerose múltipla foram analisados neste estudo de intervenção. O estudo foi dividido em 3 grupos, sendo o primeiro composto por indivíduos que obtiveram educação nutricional, o segundo, composto por indivíduos mais um membro da família que morava com eles e obtiveram educação nutricional, e o terceiro, grupo controle, composto por indivíduos que não obtiveram educação nutricional. Medidas antropométricas, bioquímicas e avaliações da qualidade da dieta foram feitas antes (T1) imediatamente após a educação nutricional (T2) e também 3 meses após a educação nutricional (T3). Resultados: A distribuição dos escores de qualidade da dieta do grupo de educação familiar mostrou um aumento significativo de "ruim" para "precisa melhorar" no T3 em comparação ao T1. As medidas da circunferência do braço médio do grupo controle feminino foram menores em T2 e T3 [de 29,0 (23-34) cm para 28,0 (22-31) cm e para 27,5 (22-31) cm]. Nas mulheres do grupo família, os níveis séricos de hemoglobina e hematocrito foram maiores do que no grupo controle em T2 e T3. Também nos homens do grupo família, os níveis de alanina aminotransferasa foram mais baixos do que os do grupo educação no seguimento. Os níveis de CT e LDL-C no grupo educação foram superiores aos do grupo controle em T1, T2 e T3. Conclusão: Este estudo observou que a educação nutricional afeta algumas medidas bioquímicas antropométricas em pessoas com esclerose múltipla. A qualidade da dieta melhorou quando recebeu educação junto com as famílias.

Fetal programming: could intrauterin life affect health status in adulthood?

Intrauterine life is one of the most important periods of life. As the development of the fetus continues, the mechanisms that affect adult health also begin to mature. With the hypothesis denoted "fetal programming," it is thought that the presence of endocrinological disorders, toxins, infectious agents, the nutritional status of a mother, and nutrients related to placental functionality all have an effect on future life. Therefore, the fetus must adapt to the environment for survival. These adaptations may be involved the redistribution of metabolic, hormonal, or cardiac outputs in an effort to protect the brain, which is one of the important organs, as well as the slowing of growth to meet nutritional requirements. Unlike lifestyle changes or treatments received in adult life, the early developmental period tends to have a lasting effect on the structure and functionality of the body. In this review, fetal programming and the effects of fetal programming are discussed.