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Vegan Diets and Health - NED Infobite
BANT's scientific NED InfoBites are designed to provide key elements of the latest research using plain language. They provide quick overviews on particular health issues and nutrition topics for a speedy introduction to the science. Visually attractive and easily shareable with clients and social media followers.
2024
Abstract
With the interest in vegan diets growing from both a health and environmental point of view, it is worth a look at what the science says in this area. This NED Infobite includes a selection of scientific articles looking at the vitamin and mineral status of vegan diets and where deficiencies may occur. It also includes information on the impact of plant-based and vegetarian diets on inflammatory markers and blood pressure.
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Vegetarian and vegan diets and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Dybvik, JS, Svendsen, M, Aune, D
European journal of nutrition. 2023;62(1):51-69
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mainly due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. Plant-based diets are effective for improving CVD risk factors. This is further supported by the favourable cardiometabolic profile seen among vegetarians who predominantly exclude meat, fish and poultry from their diet, when compared to people consuming meat. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between vegetarian or vegan diets and risk of incidence and mortality from CVD, IHD and stroke, both overall and subtypes. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of thirteen prospective cohort studies. Results show a 15% and a 21% reduction in the relative risk of CVD and IHD, respectively, for vegetarians compared to nonvegetarians, but there wasn’t a clear association for total stroke or subtypes of stroke. Furthermore, an 18% reduction in the relative risk of IHD was observed among vegans when compared to nonvegetarians but the association lacked precision and no clear association was observed for CVD or stroke; however, there were few studies in the analyses of vegans. Authors conclude that their findings are consistent with existing guidelines recommending plant-based dietary patterns for CVD prevention. However, further studies are required to clarify the association between vegetarian diets and stroke risk, as well as the association between vegan diets and IHD.
Abstract
PURPOSE Vegetarian diets have been associated with reduced risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, results regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) overall and stroke are less clear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies on CVD, IHD and stroke risk among vegetarians or vegans versus nonvegetarians to clarify these associations. METHODS PubMed and Ovid Embase databases were searched through August 12, 2021. Prospective cohort studies reporting adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incidence or mortality from CVD, IHD and stroke, comparing vegetarians and vegans to nonvegetarians were included. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using ROBINS-I and the strength of evidence was assessed using World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) criteria. Summary RRs (95% CIs) were estimated using a random effects model. RESULTS Thirteen cohort studies (844,175 participants, 115,392 CVD, 30,377 IHD, and 14,419 stroke cases) were included. The summary RR for vegetarians vs. nonvegetarians was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79-0.92, I2 = 68%, n = 8) for CVD, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.88, I2 = 67%, n = 8) for IHD, 0.90 (95% CI: 0.77-1.05, I2 = 61%, n = 12) for total stroke, and for vegans vs. nonvegetarians was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68-1.00, I2 = 0%, n = 6) for IHD. RoB was moderate (n = 8) to serious (n = 5). The associations between vegetarian diets and CVD and IHD were considered probably causal using WCRF criteria. CONCLUSIONS Vegetarian diets are associated with reduced risk of CVD and IHD, but not stroke, but further studies are needed on stroke. These findings should be considered in dietary guidelines. REVIEW REGISTRATION No review protocol registered.
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Effects of Culinary Spices on Liking and Consumption of Protein Rich Foods in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
Peters, JC, Breen, JA, Pan, Z
Nutrients. 2023;15(5)
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Loss of muscle mass is an common consequence of aging. This can lead to frailty, osteoporosis and loss of physical function, diminishing the quality of life of older individuals. Adequate nutrition, including sufficient energy and protein intakes as well as exercise, can help slow the rate of muscle decline. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether protein intake at a single meal could meet or exceed the recommended per meal protein intake for community dwelling older persons to maintain muscle mass and function. This study is randomised, two-period, within subjects' crossover design trial. One hundred and nine community-dwelling male and female participants aged ≥60 years were enrolled in the study (52 for meat-derived meal treatment; 57 for plant-derived/vegetarian meal treatment. Results show that it is feasible to achieve protein intakes of ≥30 g/meal and 0.4 g/kg body weight/meal in community-dwelling older adults using high-quality meat-based foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Additionally, achieving this high level of protein intake from plant sources was more difficult and thus a selection of foods very high in protein density or fortified with complete protein would be required. Authors conclude that culinary spices can improve flavour intensity and liking of protein-rich foods, but do not necessarily improve protein intake.
Abstract
Insufficient protein intake is a common challenge among older adults, leading to loss of muscle mass, decreased function and reduced quality of life. A protein intake of 0.4 g/kg body weight/meal is recommended to help prevent muscle loss. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the protein intake of 0.4 g/kg body weight/meal could be achieved with typical foods and whether culinary spices could enhance protein intake. A lunch meal test was conducted in 100 community-dwelling volunteers; 50 were served a meat entrée and 50 were served a vegetarian entrée with or without added culinary spices. Food consumption, liking and perceived flavor intensity were assessed using a randomized, two-period, within subjects crossover design. Within the meat or vegetarian treatments, there were no differences in entrée or meal intakes between spiced and non-spiced meals. Participants fed meat consumed 0.41 g protein/kg body weight/meal, while the vegetarian intake was 0.25 g protein/kg body weight/meal. The addition of spice to the vegetarian entrée significantly increased liking and flavor intensity of both the entrée and the entire meal, while spice addition only increased flavor for the meat offering. Culinary spices may be a useful tool to improve the liking and flavor of high-quality protein sources among older adults, especially when used with plant-based foods, although improving liking and flavor alone are insufficient to increase protein intake.
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Prevalence of Female and Male Vegan and Non-Vegan Endurance Runners and the Potential Associations of Diet Type and BMI with Performance-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 1).
Wirnitzer, K, Tanous, D, Motevalli, M, Wirnitzer, G, Leitzmann, C, Pichler, R, Rosemann, T, Knechtle, B
Nutrients. 2022;14(18)
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Endurance running is a popular sport around the world and has increased in popularity by 57% in the last decade. Nutrition is an important variable to consider but recommendations on what athletes should eat are inconsistent among major sports and nutritional bodies. The popularity of plant-based diets is spreading fast and vegan/vegetarian diets are currently booming in recreational and competitive sports. There have been several studies looking at endurance performance and vegan/vegetarian diets but the results are inconclusive. It is therefore important to provide data to support training and nutritional strategies and to examine the associations between diet type and running-related characteristics in a large sample of vegan and non-vegan endurance runners. The purpose of this study is to investigate vegetarian and mixed diet type prevalence among distance runners at running events and associations with running-related patterns and performance. 2864 runners took part from around the world and completed an online questionnaire. The results show that vegan and vegetarian diets may be appropriate for participating in distance running activities. However, significant associations were identified between omnivore diet participants and best average time to finish across a range of disciplines. Findings from this investigation may provide beneficial evidence for sport scientists, trainers, coaches, and nutrition specialists when advising vegan and vegetarian distance runners, however more detailed research is needed.
Abstract
This study aims to investigate vegetarian and mixed diet type prevalences among distance runners at running events around the world and associations with running-related patterns and performance. Following a cross-sectional approach, linear regression analyses were carried out to identify potential associations among body mass index (BMI), diet type, and average best performance times of half-marathon and marathon events for males and females. From a sample of 3835 runners who completed an online questionnaire, 2864 all-distance runners (age: 37 years; 57% females) were included in inferential analyses and categorized into dietary subgroups according to self-reports: 994 vegans (34.7%), 598 vegetarians (20.9%), and 1272 omnivores (44.4%). Significant associations were identified between kind of diet and best average time to finish (i) half-marathons in females where vegans (p = 0.001) took longer than omnivores, (ii) half-marathons in males where vegans (p < 0.001) and vegetarians (p = 0.002) took longer than omnivores, and (iii) marathons in males where vegans (p < 0.001) and vegetarians (p = 0.043) averaged slower than omnivores. Increased units of BMI (+1.0) in males influenced best runtimes: 2.75 (3.22-2.27) min slower for HM and 5.5 (5.69-4.31) min slower for M. The present study did not take detailed confounders into account such as runner motives or training behaviors; however, the results may provide valuable insight for running event organizers, nutrition experts, coaches, and trainers advising runners who adhere to a general diet type regarding the basic question of who participates in running events around the world.
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of Fasting and Lifestyle Modification in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: Effects on Patient-Reported Outcomes.
Jeitler, M, Lauche, R, Hohmann, C, Choi, KA, Schneider, N, Steckhan, N, Rathjens, F, Anheyer, D, Paul, A, von Scheidt, C, et al
Nutrients. 2022;14(17)
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The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterized by the presence of at least three cardiovascular risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia. The aim of this study was to assess effects of fasting followed by the Mind-Body Medicine in Integrative and Complementary Medicine (MICOM) lifestyle modification intervention in patients with MetS on patient-reported outcomes, compared to a lifestyle modification intervention only. This study is a single-blind, bicentre, randomized controlled study. Patients (n=145) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into one of the 2 groups: fasting and lifestyle modification or the lifestyle modification. They started with 2 vegan days (max. 1200 kcal/day), followed by 5 days of fasting (max. 350 kcal/day), and a stepwise reintroduction of food. Then they participated in the 10-week MICOM comprehensive multimodal lifestyle modification intervention with weekly 6-h sessions. Results show that after the multimodal lifestyle modification intervention, there were improvements for all outcome measures, namely quality of life, anxiety, depression, stress, mood as well as self-efficacy, mindfulness, and self-compassion, which persisted at the follow-up after 24 weeks. Authors conclude that their findings show beneficial and clinically relevant effects of fasting and intensified lifestyle modification on quality of life and psychological parameters.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
For clients with Metabolic syndrome a 5-day fast consisting of max. 350 kcal/day, in conjunction with therapies that focus on improved emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioural factors may directly affect health and support improved mood.
Therapies include mindfulness and specific group training rooted in psycho-neuroendocrinology, and the use of formal meditation and gentle yoga exercises. As well as nutritional education included lectures, cooking workshops, as well as group support.
Bottom line: The use of complimentary therapies such as mindfulness, yoga and medication in conjunction with nutritional advice and may be effective to support improved mood in clients with Metabolic syndrome.
Evidence Category:
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A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterised by the presence of at least three cardiovascular risk factors such as abdominal obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.
The authors refer to epidemiological studies that have identified the role of psychological risk factors such as psychosocial stress, depression and anxiety in patients with MetS and cardiovascular disease.
This single-blind, bi-centre RCT assessed the effects of fasting followed by a comprehensive lifestyle modification program MICOM (Mind-Body Medicine in Integrative and Complementary Medicine) in 145 participants with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) (62.8% women; 59.7 ± 9.3 years) randomised to:
1. 5-day fasting followed by 10 weeks of lifestyle modification (F + LM; modified DASH diet, exercise, mindfulness; n = 73) or
2. 10 weeks of lifestyle modification only (LM; n = 72)
The study duration was 24 weeks occurring from April 2014 to December 2014, with the last follow-up assessment in December 2015. 73 Participants were randomised into an F + LM group and 72 participants into an LM group between the ages of 59 and 60.
Outcomes were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 12, and 24, for quality of life (Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, SF-36), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), stress (Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, CPSS), mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale, GSE), mindfulness (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS), and self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale, SCS).
At week 1, POMS depression and fatigue scores were significantly lower in F + LM compared to LM. At week 12, most self-report outcomes improved in both groups—only POMS vigour was significantly higher in F + LM than in LM. Most of the beneficial effects within the groups persisted at week 24.
Clinical practice applications:
This randomised controlled trial highlights fasting-induced mood-modulating effects in the short term (<24 months).
LM induced several positive effects on quality of life and psychological parameters in participants with MetS.
The compliance rate for this study was good and there were no adverse effects reported suggesting a potentially effective lifestyle modification intervention for adults with metabolic syndrome.
The authors did note the extent to which participants adhered to the program by using stress reduction techniques at home was not assessed.
Considerations for future research:
MBM lifestyle modification intervention led to an improvement of self-efficacy, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
Further studies to explore explanatory models for the effects of MBM are needed.
Mediating variables on mindfulness, self-efficacy, and compassion, and the effects on physical and psychological parameters, need to be examined more closely.
Future studies could use condition-specific questionnaires in addition to generic ones, which have previously been used to facilitate the comparison of the study results with those in the population.
Abstract
Lifestyle interventions can have a positive impact on quality of life and psychological parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this randomized controlled trial, 145 participants with MetS (62.8% women; 59.7 ± 9.3 years) were randomized to (1) 5-day fasting followed by 10 weeks of lifestyle modification (F + LM; modified DASH diet, exercise, mindfulness; n = 73) or (2) 10 weeks of lifestyle modification only (LM; n = 72). Outcomes were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 12, and 24, and included quality of life (Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, SF-36), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), stress (Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, CPSS), mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale, GSE), mindfulness (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS), and self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale, SCS). At week 1, POMS depression and fatigue scores were significantly lower in F + LM compared to LM. At week 12, most self-report outcomes improved in both groups-only POMS vigor was significantly higher in F + LM than in LM. Most of the beneficial effects within the groups persisted at week 24. Fasting can induce mood-modulating effects in the short term. LM induced several positive effects on quality of life and psychological parameters in patients with MetS.
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Plant-based dietary quality and depressive symptoms in Australian vegans and vegetarians: a cross-sectional study.
Lee, MF, Eather, R, Best, T
BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. 2021;4(2):479-486
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Poor diet and mood disorders are known leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Some studies suggest that plant-based diets are associated with improved mood and mental health. The aim of this study was to explore the association between vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns and depressive symptoms in adults by exploring the overall dietary quality of these patterns. This study is an online cross-sectional study which invited vegan and vegetarian adults aged between 18 and 44 years who live in Australia to complete an online survey through social media platforms. Results show that high plant-based diets quality was associated with decreased risk of depressive symptoms. However, this study also shows that following a plant-based diet does not necessarily mean the individual consumes a ‘healthy’ dietary pattern. Authors conclude that further studies are needed which should focus on the specific quality of vegan and vegetarian diets in relation to depression and mental well-being.
Abstract
Plant-based dietary patterns (vegan and vegetarian) are often considered 'healthy' and have been associated with broad health benefits, including decreased risk of obesity and ill health (cardiovascular disease, blood glucose and type II diabetes). However, the association between plant-based diets and mood disorders such as depression remains largely equivocal. This cross-sectional study of 219 adults aged 18-44 (M=31.22, SD=7.40) explored the associations between an estimate of overall plant-based diet quality and depression in vegans (n=165) and vegetarians (n=54). Overall plant-based diet quality was associated with depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians F(1, 215)=13.71, p<0.001 accounting for 6% of the variation in depressive symptoms. For those without depression, higher diet quality was protective against depressive symptoms F(1, 125)=6.49, p=0.012. Conversely, for those with depression no association with diet quality was found F(1, 89)=0.01, p=0.963. These findings suggest that a high-quality plant-based diet may be protective against depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians. In line with emerging research between food and mental health, higher-quality dietary patterns are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms. Given the rapidly increasing rate of vegan and vegetarian food products within Australia, understanding the potential mechanisms of effects through which a plant-based diet may influence depressive symptoms is required.
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Improvement of Inflammation and Pain after Three Months' Exclusion Diet in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.
Guagnano, MT, D'Angelo, C, Caniglia, D, Di Giovanni, P, Celletti, E, Sabatini, E, Speranza, L, Bucci, M, Cipollone, F, Paganelli, R
Nutrients. 2021;13(10)
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease typically affecting the synovial joints, in which autoimmunity drives dysregulated proinflammatory cytokine secretion. A decrease in dietary fibres and an increase in fat and sugar intake, which is typical in Western diets, contributes to gut microbial dysbiosis, leading to immune dysfunction. In fact, the changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota are thought to influence the pathogenesis and progression of RA. The aim of this diet was to investigate the effect of a diet deprived of meat, gluten, and lactose (excluding all dairy products and foods containing them) in patients with long-standing, well-controlled RA, in comparison with a control balanced diet including those items, followed for three months. This study is a randomised controlled study. All participants (n=40) were females with ages ranging between 31 and 72 years. They were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups and asked to follow a diet excluding meat, gluten and lactose (group A) or a balanced diet (group B). Results show that: - exclusion of meat, gluten and lactose, all of which reported as suspected of worsening of symptoms in RA, with the inclusion of fish, may carry additional health benefits to overweight patients compared with those obtained by a standard weight-reduction program (group B). - both diets, despite not affecting the disease activity, tended to reduce the arthritic pain perception and to improve the quality of life of the patients. - metabolic and inflammatory parameters showed a trend to normalise. - the immunological correlates of RA were not sensitive to either diet. Authors conclude that prevention of complications of RA might be better achieved by the exclusion diet. Thus, a diet prescription should be included in therapeutic plans for RA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease affecting the synovial joints and causing severe disability. Environmental and lifestyle factors, including diet, have been proposed to play a role in the onset and severity of RA. Dietary manipulation may help to manage the symptoms of RA by lowering inflammation and potentially decreasing pain. METHODS In 40 patients with long-standing RA with stable symptoms and treated with conventional (c-) and biological (b-) disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), the effect of a 3-month diet avoiding meat, gluten, and lactose (and all dairy products; privative diet) was evaluated in comparison with a control balanced diet including those foods. Both diets were designed to reduce weight since all patients were overweight or obese. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the diets, and RA was clinically assessed at Time 0 (T0), through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), for pain, and the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS 28) for RA activity. Patients were also administered the Short Form Health survey (SF-36) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). At T0, a blood sample was collected for laboratory tests and adipokines measurements, and anthropometric measurements were compared. These evaluations were repeated at the end of the 3 months' dietary regimens. RESULTS A significant decrease in VAS and the improvement of the overall state of physical and mental health, assessed through SF-36, was observed in patients assigned to the privative diet. Both dietary regimens resulted in the improvement of quality of life compared to baseline values; however, the change was significant only for the privative diet. With either diet, patients showed significant decreases in body weight and body mass index, with a reduction in waist and hips circumference and lower basal glucose and circulating leptin levels. A privative diet was also able to significantly reduce systolic (p = 0.003) and diastolic (p = 0.025) arterial pressure. The number of circulating leukocytes and neutrophils, and the level of hs-C-Reactive Protein also decreased after 3 months of the meat-, lactose-, and gluten-free diet. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that a privative diet can result in a better control of inflammation in RA patients under stable optimized drug treatment.
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Vegetarian and Vegan Diet in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review.
Nadal-Nicolás, Y, Miralles-Amorós, L, Martínez-Olcina, M, Sánchez-Ortega, M, Mora, J, Martínez-Rodríguez, A
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(9)
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease of unknown etiology without effective medical treatment that mostly affects women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mainly plant-based diets in patients with FM compared to omnivorous diets. A secondary aim was to examine the main effects of these diets on patients’ symptoms and the improvement in their quality of life. This study is a systemic review of six studies (n = 4 clinical trials and n = 2 observational cohort studies). The selected studies included 157 FM patients in both the intervention and control groups, and more than 117 were women. Results indicate that a mainly plant-based diet improves biochemical parameters and body inflammation; body weight, sleep quality, quality of life, pain at rest as well as other symptoms of FM and their impact on health. Authors conclude that even though their findings are promising further well-designed clinical trials are needed to consolidate these dietary recommendations in FM patient.
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease characterized by the presence of multiple symptoms such as chronic pain, which negatively influence the quality of life of sufferers, most of whom are women. Currently, there is no effective treatment to limit the impact of these symptoms. The aim of this research is to review the scientific evidence on the effect of following a vegetarian or vegan diet on fibromyalgia patients. A systematic review included the original articles that answered the research question. These articles were in 2021 in the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The research used the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. No time restriction was applied, and grey literature was not included. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the articles was carried out using the following different scales: STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology), PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), and MMAT (Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool) scales. A total of 88 studies were analyzed, of which 6 investigations were included in this systematic review (n = 4 clinical trials and n = 2 cohort studies). These investigations show significant improvements in biochemical parameters, quality of life, quality of sleep, pain at rest and general health status when following mainly plant-based dietary patterns. In conclusion, these findings are promising but interpretation of the findings is limited due to the methodological quality of the studies. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to consolidate these dietary recommendations in FM patients.
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What is the best diet for cardiovascular wellness? A comparison of different nutritional models.
Migliaccio, S, Brasacchio, C, Pivari, F, Salzano, C, Barrea, L, Muscogiuri, G, Savastano, S, Colao, A
International journal of obesity supplements. 2020;10(1):50-61
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in developed countries. There are many studies linking unhealthy nutrition and lifestyles to CVD, so there is a need to modify these factors. Different types of diet exist, or have been established, to optimise the approach such as the Mediterranean diet (MeDi), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (DASH), vegetarian diet, ketogenic diet, and Japanese diet. This review looks at the aspects of the diets. It evaluates the factors that increase CVD risk and the potential application and benefits of nutritional protocols. The diets are discussed along with factors such as energy excess, saturated fat intake, free sugars and refined starches intake, dietary fibre intake, fruit and vegetable intake, Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA): omega-3, Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), anthocyanins, vitamins and sedentary behaviour. The authors conclude that the MeDi has the best nutritional pattern. It includes whole grains, pulses, fiber and PUFAs without completely excluding food of animal origin such as meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, and limits alcohol consumption. The MeDi also includes conviviality and physical activity.
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent to date the leading cause of mortality in both genders in the developed countries. In this context, a strong need for CVD prevention is emerging through lifestyle modification and nutrition. In fact, several studies linked CVD with unhealthy nutrition, alcohol consumption, stress, and smoking, together with a low level of physical activity. Thus, the primary aim is to prevent and reduce CVD risk factors, such as impaired lipid and glycemic profiles, high blood pressure and obesity. Different types of diet have been, therefore, established to optimize the approach regarding this issue such as the Mediterranean diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (DASH), vegetarian diet, ketogenic diet, and Japanese diet. Depending on the diet type, recommendations generally emphasize subjects to increase vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and pulses consumption, but discourage or recommend eliminating red meat, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages, along with processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, fat, or low in dietary fiber. In particular, we evaluated and compared the peculiar aspects of these well-known dietary patterns and, thus, this review evaluates the critical factors that increase CVD risk and the potential application and benefits of nutritional protocols to ameliorate dietary and lifestyle patterns for CVD prevention.
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Nutritional Interventions in the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome.
Pagliai, G, Giangrandi, I, Dinu, M, Sofi, F, Colombini, B
Nutrients. 2020;12(9)
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition, often presenting with widespread body pain, joint stiffness, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal and cognitive complaints. Despite being common, the cause of FM is not well understood. In the absence of effective treatments, the current management of FM involves a multidisciplinary approach utilizing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Growing evidence suggests a role for nutrition as a complementary strategy for FM management. This brief review summarises the possible impact of nutritional supplements and dietary interventions on FM. Previous reviews concluded that vitamin and mineral deficiencies themselves are unlikely to be significant in the development of FM. Yet, a few interventional studies investigating the use of Vitamin D, magnesium, iron and probiotics showed promising results. To date, there is no or limited evidence for the use of Vitamin C, E, selected amino acids, botanical or antioxidant supplements. Food-wise the inclusion of quality olive oil and the grain Khorasan proved helpful on FM presentation, whilst findings around the role of dietary monosodium glutamate and aspartame seem mixed. Regarding diet patterns, gluten-free, low-calorie, vegetarian, vegan, raw food or Mediterranean diets were all associated with improvement of symptoms. Equally a FODMAP diet can aid FM associated digestive complaints due to the significant overlap of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with FM. The authors concluded that the clinical application of dietary supplements in the management of FM remains controversial. Yet, dietary interventions appear to be an effective tool in the management of FM. Since various diet interventions demonstrated benefits, dietary adequacy and weight loss may be most critical from a clinical perspective.
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifactorial syndrome of unknown etiology, characterized by widespread chronic pain and various somatic and psychological manifestations. The management of FM requires a multidisciplinary approach combining both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies. Among nonpharmacological strategies, growing evidence suggests a potential beneficial role for nutrition. This review summarizes the possible relationship between FM and nutrition, exploring the available evidence on the effect of dietary supplements and dietary interventions in these patients. Analysis of the literature has shown that the role of dietary supplements remains controversial, although clinical trials with vitamin D, magnesium, iron and probiotics' supplementation show promising results. With regard to dietary interventions, the administration of olive oil, the replacement diet with ancient grains, low-calorie diets, the low FODMAPs diet, the gluten-free diet, the monosodium glutamate and aspartame-free diet, vegetarian diets as well as the Mediterranean diet all appear to be effective in reducing the FM symptoms. These results may suggest that weight loss, together with the psychosomatic component of the disease, should be taken into account. Therefore, although dietary aspects appear to be a promising complementary approach to the treatment of FM, further research is needed to provide the most effective strategies for the management of FM.