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A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health?
Vigar, V, Myers, S, Oliver, C, Arellano, J, Robinson, S, Leifert, C
Nutrients. 2019;12(1)
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The demand for organic products has risen rapidly over the last decades. The reasons why consumers may favour organic over conventional products are varied. They may be for personal health and wellbeing, environmental considerations, animal welfare or perceived higher nutritional profile - which is true for some, but not all components. While the long-term safety of pesticide consumption through conventional food production has been questioned, organic foods clearly show lower levels of toxic metabolites, like heavy metals and synthetic fertilizer and pesticide residues. This systematic review aimed to assess the current evidence of organic diet consumption and human health compared to conventionally produced foods. Included were 35 papers on clinical trials and observational studies. The clinical trials studied pesticide and phytochemical excretion, antioxidant capacity, body composition, lipids and inflammatory markers. The observational studies were focused on fertility, foetal and childhood development, pregnancy, lactation and levels of pesticides in children and adults, as well as nutritional biomarkers and cancer risk in adults. An increased intake of organic produce in long-term studies appeared to reduce the incidence of infertility, birth defects, allergies, middle ear infection, pre-eclampsia, metabolic syndrome, high BMI, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Organic intake was also linked to reduced urinary levels of organophosphorus pesticides and herbicides. Yet, the author highlighted that organic consumers are more likely to be health conscious, physically active, eat a more plant-based diet, have higher education levels and income, and therefore are not representative of the general population. They also argue that the possible benefits from an organic diet may be partially due to the quality and composition of the diet rather than a direct effect of organic food consumption. Whereby a growing number of findings demonstrate the health benefits of organic food consumption, according to the authors, the current evidence does not yield a solid and definitive answer.
Abstract
The current review aims to systematically assess the evidence related to human health outcomes when an organic diet is consumed in comparison to its conventional counterpart. Relevant databases were searched for articles published to January 2019. Clinical trials and observational research studies were included where they provided comparative results on direct or indirect health outcomes. Thirty-five papers met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Few clinical trials assessed direct improvements in health outcomes associated with organic food consumption; most assessed either differences in pesticide exposure or other indirect measures. Significant positive outcomes were seen in longitudinal studies where increased organic intake was associated with reduced incidence of infertility, birth defects, allergic sensitisation, otitis media, pre-eclampsia, metabolic syndrome, high BMI, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The current evidence base does not allow a definitive statement on the health benefits of organic dietary intake. However, a growing number of important findings are being reported from observational research linking demonstrable health benefits with organic food consumption. Future clinical research should focus on using long-term whole-diet substitution with certified organic interventions as this approach is more likely to determine whether or not true measurable health benefits exist.
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Effects of Some Food Components on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Severity: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study.
Mirizzi, A, Franco, I, Leone, CM, Bonfiglio, C, Cozzolongo, R, Notarnicola, M, Giannuzzi, V, Tutino, V, De Nunzio, V, Bruno, I, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(11)
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive hepatic (liver) fat accumulation. Lifestyle interventions are the only known effective treatment for NAFLD. The aim of this study was to estimate associations between the consumption of some food group components with the grade of severity in NAFLD subjects. The study is a cross-sectional nutritional randomised clinical trial, which enrolled 136 subjects (79 males) with moderate or severe NAFLD. Results showed that some food group components were associated with a lower or a higher risk of developing severe NAFLD, and that, within the same food group, some components with a protective or promoter action are present. Authors conclude that their findings could help to elaborate personalised dietary counselling to treat NAFLD.
Abstract
Background: The high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) observed in Western countries is due to the concurrent epidemics of overweight/obesity and associated metabolic complications, both recognized risk factors. A Western dietary pattern has been associated with weight gain and obesity, and more recently with NAFLD. Methods: This is a baseline cross-sectional analysis of 136 subjects (79 males) enrolled consecutively in the NUTRIATT (NUTRItion and Ac-TiviTy) study. Study subjects had moderate or severe NAFLD diagnosed by using Fibroscan-CAP. Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to obtain information about food intake. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: The mean age was 49.58 (±10.18) with a mean BMI of 33.41 (±4.74). A significant inverse relationship was revealed between winter ice-cream intake and NAFLD severity (O.R. 0.65, 95% C.I. 0.95-0.99); chickpeas intake and NAFLD severity (O.R. 0.57, 95% C.I. 0.34-0.97), and not industrial aged-cheeses type (O.R. 0.85, 95% C.I. 0.74-0.98). A statistically significant positive association also emerged between rabbit meat (O.R. 1.23, 95% C.I. 1.01-1.49), industrial type aged cheeses (O.R. 1.17, 95% C.I. 1.01-1.35), milk-based desserts (no winter ice cream) (O.R. 1.11, 95% C.I. 1.01-1.21), fats (O.R. 1.12, 95% C.I. 1.01-1.25), and NAFLD severity. Conclusion: The fresh foods from non-intensive farming and high legume intake that characterize the Mediterranean diet would seem to be beneficial for patients with NAFLD.
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Dietary Fiber Intake (Supplemental or Dietary Pattern Rich in Fiber) and Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
Carvalho, CM, Gross, LA, de Azevedo, MJ, Viana, LV
Nutrients. 2019;11(2)
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Most of the financial burden of diabetes mellitus is related to management of its complications, and chronic kidney disease is the most expensive and debilitating. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary fibre (supplemental or dietary pattern rich in fibre) on diabetic kidney disease. The study is a systemic review that included seven interventional clinical trials that comprised 161 patients with diabetes with an age range of 20 to 74 years. The mean fibre intake in the intervention was 24 g/day and 16 g/day in the control group. Results indicate that only the vegetarian dietary pattern was associated with beneficial kidney outcomes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. There were no other dietary patterns that had favourable effects on kidney outcomes. Authors conclude that a vegetarian dietary pattern may have a beneficial effects on renal outcomes.
Abstract
Fiber intake is associated with better glycemic control being an important nonpharmacologicaltreatment for diabetes (DM). We hypothesize that a dietary fiber intake can bringbenefits to diabetic kidney disease (DKD), improving renal outcomes. This systematic review aimedto evaluate the effect of dietary fiber (supplemental or dietary pattern rich in fiber) on DKD. Wesearched six databases to identify clinical trials that reported fiber intake and renal outcomes(albuminuria, proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) dialysis) in patients with DM.From 1814 studies, 48 papers were fully evaluated. In the end, seven trials (161 patients, aged 58.3years, 49% females) were included. The studies were organized into three categories (vegetarian,Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and fiber supplement), two evaluatedsupplements and five dietary patterns. Vegetarian diet reduced albuminuria in three trials, two inpatients with type 1 DM and one in patients with type 2 DM; and one study demonstrated a change inthe eGFR in type 1 DM. The individual quality of the studies was low/uncertain. A vegetarian dietarypattern may have a beneficial effect on these renal outcomes. However, the individual effect of theintake of fiber on DKD not was possible to be evaluated.
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Weight Status and Alcohol Intake Modify the Association between Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk.
Deschasaux, M, Souberbielle, JC, Latino-Martel, P, Sutton, A, Charnaux, N, Druesne-Pecollo, N, Galan, P, Hercberg, S, Le Clerc, S, Kesse-Guyot, E, et al
The Journal of nutrition. 2016;146(3):576-85
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Experimental studies suggest that vitamin D may contribute to the prevention of breast cancer. However, population studies have been inconclusive, and it is possible that any relationship is dependent on other factors such as genetics or lifestyle. The objective of this study was to explore associations between blood vitamin D levels and breast cancer risk, along with 2 potential modifiers: body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) and alcohol intake. The nested case-control study involved 233 women with breast cancer and 466 healthy controls. Overall, no association was found between vitamin D levels and breast cancer risk. However, a higher blood vitamin D concentration was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer for women with a BMI under 22.4, whereas it was associated with an increased risk for women with a BMI 22.4 or over. A blood vitamin D concentration ≥ 10 ng/mL was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer for women with alcohol intakes ≥ 7.1 g/day, whereas no association was observed for women with alcohol intakes < 7.1g/day. The authors concluded that BMI and alcohol intake modified the association between vitamin D and breast cancer risk. These lifestyle factors could explain the inconclusive results of previous studies.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanistic hypotheses suggest that vitamin D may contribute to the prevention of breast cancer. However, epidemiologic evidence is inconsistent, suggesting a potential effect modification by individual factors. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to perform exploratory analyses on the prospective associations between the plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, polymorphisms of genes encoding for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D-binding protein (also known as gc-globulin or group-specific component, GC), and breast cancer risk, along with 2 potential modifiers: body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) and alcohol intake. METHODS A nested case-control study was set up in the SUpplémentation en VItamines et Minéraux Anti-oXydants (SU.VI.MAX) cohort (1994-2007), involving 233 women with breast cancer and 466 matched controls (mean ± SD age: 49 ± 6 y). The plasma total 25(OH)D concentration and gene polymorphisms were assessed on samples obtained at baseline. Conditional logistic regression models were computed. RESULTS A higher plasma 25(OH)D concentration was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer for women with a BMI < the median of 22.4 [OR quartile (Q)4 compared with Q1: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.89; P-trend = 0.01, P-interaction = 0.002], whereas it was associated with an increased risk for women with a BMI ≥ the median (OR Q4 compared with Q1: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.13, 5.28; P-trend = 0.02, P-interaction = 0.002). A plasma 25(OH)D concentration ≥ 10 ng/mL was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer for women with alcohol intakes ≥ the median of 7.1 g/d (OR ≥10 compared with <10 ng/mL: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.95; P = 0.03, P-interaction = 0.03). The genetic analyses were consistent with the results observed with plasma 25(OH)D. CONCLUSION In this prospective study, BMI and alcohol intake modified the association between vitamin D [plasma 25(OH)D and vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms] and breast cancer risk. These effect modifications suggest explanations for discrepancies in results of previous studies. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00272428.