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Probiotic Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function and Mood with Changes in Gut Microbiota in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial.
Kim, CS, Cha, L, Sim, M, Jung, S, Chun, WY, Baik, HW, Shin, DM
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 2021;76(1):32-40
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Aging is characterized by progressive decline in biological functions of the organism. Diet is one of the critical lifestyle factors for physical and mental well-being throughout the life span, including later life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics consumption on intestinal and brain health in elders over the age of 65. This study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. All participants, study coordinators, and researchers were blinded throughout the entire study. Sixty-three participants were randomized, with 31 and 32 subjects in the placebo and probiotics group, respectively. Results demonstrate that probiotics have system-wide effects on the gut–brain axis in healthy community-dwelling older adults by promoting cognitive and mental health and changing the gut microbial composition. Authors conclude that their findings provide evidence that probiotics have health-promoting properties as part of a healthy diet in the general population of independently living older adults.
Abstract
Probiotics have been proposed to ameliorate cognitive impairment and depressive disorder via the gut-brain axis in patients and experimental animal models. However, the beneficial role of probiotics in brain functions of healthy older adults remains unclear. Therefore, a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled multicenter trial was conducted to determine the effects of probiotics on cognition and mood in community-dwelling older adults. Sixty-three healthy elders (≥65 years) consumed either placebo or probiotics containing Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 and Bifidobacterium longum BORI for 12 weeks. The gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatics. Brain functions were measured using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease, Satisfaction with life scale, stress questionnaire, Geriatric depression scale, and Positive affect and negative affect schedule. Blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Relative abundance of inflammation-causing gut bacteria was significantly reduced at Week 12 in the probiotics group (p < .05). The probiotics group showed greater improvement in mental flexibility test and stress score than the placebo group (p < .05). Contrary to placebo, probiotics significantly increased serum BDNF level (p < .05). Notably, the gut microbes significantly shifted by probiotics (Eubacterium and Clostridiales) showed significant negative correlation with serum BDNF level only in the probiotics group (RS = -0.37, RS = -0.39, p < .05). In conclusion, probiotics promote mental flexibility and alleviate stress in healthy older adults, along with causing changes in gut microbiota. These results provide evidence supporting health-promoting properties of probiotics as a part of healthy diet in the older adults.
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Lifestyle and vascular risk effects on MRI-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: a cross-sectional study of middle-aged adults from the broader New York City area.
Mosconi, L, Walters, M, Sterling, J, Quinn, C, McHugh, P, Andrews, RE, Matthews, DC, Ganzer, C, Osorio, RS, Isaacson, RS, et al
BMJ open. 2018;8(3):e019362
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting nearly 34 million people worldwide. It has been estimated that one in every three cases of AD may be attributable to diet and lifestyle factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lifestyle and vascular-related risk factors for AD. Researchers studied the brain scans of 116 healthy adults aged 30-60 years. They collected information on factors related to lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity and intellectual enrichment. They also looked at markers for vascular risk such as body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and homocysteine, as well as cognitive function. The researchers found that a Mediterranean-style diet and good insulin sensitivity were both associated with a healthier brain structure. A better score for intellectual enrichment and lower BMI were both associated with better cognition. They concluded that adopting a Mediterranean-style diet and maintaining a healthy weight might reduce the risk of developing AD.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of lifestyle and vascular-related risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) on in vivo MRI-based brain atrophy in asymptomatic young to middle-aged adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional, observational. SETTING Broader New York City area. Two research centres affiliated with the Alzheimer's disease Core Center at New York University School of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS We studied 116 cognitively normal healthy research participants aged 30-60 years, who completed a three-dimensional T1-weighted volumetric MRI and had lifestyle (diet, physical activity and intellectual enrichment), vascular risk (overweight, hypertension, insulin resistance, elevated cholesterol and homocysteine) and cognition (memory, executive function, language) data. Estimates of cortical thickness for entorhinal (EC), posterior cingulate, orbitofrontal, inferior and middle temporal cortex were obtained by use of automated segmentation tools. We applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to evaluate the associations between lifestyle, vascular risk, brain and cognition. RESULTS Adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (MeDi) and insulin sensitivity were both positively associated with MRI-based cortical thickness (diet: βs≥0.26, insulin sensitivity βs≥0.58, P≤0.008). After accounting for vascular risk, EC in turn explained variance in memory (P≤0.001). None of the other lifestyle and vascular risk variables were associated with brain thickness. In addition, the path associations between intellectual enrichment and better cognition were significant (βs≥0.25 P≤0.001), as were those between overweight and lower cognition (βs≥-0.22, P≤0.01). CONCLUSIONS In cognitively normal middle-aged adults, MeDi and insulin sensitivity explained cortical thickness in key brain regions for AD, and EC thickness predicted memory performance in turn. Intellectual activity and overweight were associated with cognitive performance through different pathways. Our findings support further investigation of lifestyle and vascular risk factor modification against brain ageing and AD. More studies with larger samples are needed to replicate these research findings in more diverse, community-based settings.
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Impact of Experimentally Induced Cognitive Dietary Restraint on Eating Behavior Traits, Appetite Sensations, and Markers of Stress during Energy Restriction in Overweight/Obese Women.
Morin, I, Bégin, C, Maltais-Giguère, J, Bédard, A, Tchernof, A, Lemieux, S
Journal of obesity. 2018;2018:4259389
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The treatment of obesity has become a public health priority given the negative impact of this condition on physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of energy restriction alone or in combination with induced cognitive dietary restraint (CDR) on eating behaviour traits, appetite sensations, and markers of stress in overweight and obese premenopausal women. The study is a single-blinded randomised clinical study which recruited premenopausal women aged between 26 and 50 years. The participants were randomised to either an energy-restriction-plus-induced CDR condition (CDR+group) or an energy-restriction-without induced CDR condition (CDR−group). Results indicate that inducing CDR in a context of energy restriction had no further effects on eating behaviour traits, appetite sensations, and markers of stress in the short term as well as in the longer term than energy restriction alone. Authors conclude that increasing CDR has no negative impact on factors regulating energy balance in the context of energy restriction.
Abstract
Weight loss has been associated with changes in eating behaviors and appetite sensations that favor a regain in body weight. Since traditional weight loss approaches emphasize the importance of increasing cognitive dietary restraint (CDR) to achieve negative energy imbalance, it is difficult to untangle the respective contributions of energy restriction and increases in CDR on factors that can eventually lead to body weight regain. The present study aimed at comparing the effects of energy restriction alone or in combination with experimentally induced CDR on eating behavior traits, appetite sensations, and markers of stress in overweight and obese women. We hypothesized that the combination of energy restriction and induced CDR would lead to more prevalent food cravings, increased appetite sensations, and higher cortisol concentrations than when energy restriction is not coupled with induced CDR. A total of 60 premenopausal women (mean BMI: 32.0 kg/m2; mean age: 39.4 y) were provided with a low energy density diet corresponding to 85% of their energy needs during a 4-week fully controlled period. At the same time, women were randomized to either a condition inducing an increase in CDR (CDR+ group) or a condition in which CDR was not induced (CRD- group). Eating behavior traits (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and Food Craving Questionnaire), appetite sensations (after standardized breakfast), and markers of stress (Perceived Stress Scale; postawakening salivary cortisol) were measured before (T = 0 week) and after (T = 4 weeks) the 4-week energy restriction, as well as 3 months later. There was an increase in CDR in the CDR+ group while no such change was observed in the CDR- group (p=0.0037). No between-group differences were observed for disinhibition, hunger, cravings, appetite sensations, perceived stress, and cortisol concentrations. These results suggest that a slight increase in CDR has no negative impact on factors regulating energy balance in the context of energy restriction.
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Patient-Reported Outcome Measures 2 Years After Standard and Distal Gastric Bypass-a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Svanevik, M, Risstad, H, Karlsen, TI, Kristinsson, JA, Småstuen, MC, Kolotkin, RL, Søvik, TT, Sandbu, R, Mala, T, Hjelmesæth, J
Obesity surgery. 2018;28(3):606-614
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Bariatric surgery may induce weight loss, improvement of weight-associated comorbidities, and improved health and well-being. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of standard and distal Rou-en-Y gastric bypass on obesity-specific health related quality of life, weight-related symptoms, eating behaviour, anxiety and depression. The study is a double-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial. The participants’ age ranged from 18 to 60 years of age with a BMI of 50 to 60 kg/m2. Results indicated improvements in most patient-reported outcome measures after both surgeries, but no significant difference between groups after surgery in relation to obesity-specific health related quality of life, weight-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, or eating behaviour. Authors conclude that both surgeries lead to sustained weight loss and improved health related quality of life 2 years after surgery in patients with a BMI 50-60kg/m2.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The preferred surgical procedure for treating morbid obesity is debated. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are relevant for evaluation of the optimal bariatric procedure. METHODS A total of 113 patients with BMI from 50 to 60 were randomly assigned to standard (n = 57) or distal (n = 56) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Validated PROMS questionnaires were completed at baseline and 2 years after surgery. Data were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures and the results are expressed as estimated means and mean changes. RESULTS Obesity-related quality of life improved significantly after both procedures, without significant between-group differences (- 0.4 (95% CI = - 8.4, 7.2) points, p = 0.88, ES = 0.06). Both groups had significant reductions in the number of weight-related symptoms and symptom distress score, with a mean group difference (95% CI) of 1.4 (- 0.3, 3.3) symptoms and 5.0 (2.9. 12.8) symptom distress score points. There were no between-group differences for uncontrolled eating (22.0 (17.2-26.7) vs. 28.9 (23.3-34.5) points), cognitive restraint (57.4 (52.0-62.7) vs. 62.1 (57.9-66.2) points), and emotional eating (26.8 (20.5-33.1) vs. 32.6 (25.5-39.7) points). The prevalence of anxiety was 33% after standard and 25% after distal RYGB (p = 0.53), and for depression 12 and 9%, respectively (p = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS There were no statistically significant differences between standard and distal RYGB 2 years post surgery regarding weight loss, obesity-related quality of life, weight-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, or eating behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov number NCT00821197.
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The effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on eating behavior and diet delivered through face-to-face contact and a mobile app: a randomized controlled trial.
Järvelä-Reijonen, E, Karhunen, L, Sairanen, E, Muotka, J, Lindroos, S, Laitinen, J, Puttonen, S, Peuhkuri, K, Hallikainen, M, Pihlajamäki, J, et al
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2018;15(1):22
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Acceptance and commitment therapy is one promising method in changing behaviour towards a person’s own value and goals. It aims to strengthen positive psychological processes related to commitment, behaviour change, mindfulness, and acceptance, which can be applied to promote healthy behaviour pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy intervention delivered in two different ways i.e., via face-to-face group sessions and via mobile app, on reported eating behaviour and diet quality among adults with psychological distress and overweight or obesity. The study is a secondary analysis of the parallel-arm randomised controlled trial in which 3 different psychological interventions were studied. 219 individuals participated in the study with a mean body mass index of 31.3kg/m2, and a mean age of 49.5 years. Results indicate that acceptance and commitment therapy-based were able to change the reasons for eating from emotional or environmental triggers towards hunger and satiety cues, increase the acceptance of a variety of foods, and help the individual to perceive healthy eating more consistently. Authors conclude that acceptance and commitment therapy-based interventions delivered in the face-to-face group sessions or by the Mobile app showed beneficial effects on several aspects of eating behaviour.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internal motivation and good psychological capabilities are important factors in successful eating-related behavior change. Thus, we investigated whether general acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) affects reported eating behavior and diet quality and whether baseline perceived stress moderates the intervention effects. METHODS Secondary analysis of unblinded randomized controlled trial in three Finnish cities. Working-aged adults with psychological distress and overweight or obesity in three parallel groups: (1) ACT-based Face-to-face (n = 70; six group sessions led by a psychologist), (2) ACT-based Mobile (n = 78; one group session and mobile app), and (3) Control (n = 71; only the measurements). At baseline, the participants' (n = 219, 85% females) mean body mass index was 31.3 kg/m2 (SD = 2.9), and mean age was 49.5 years (SD = 7.4). The measurements conducted before the 8-week intervention period (baseline), 10 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention), and 36 weeks after the baseline (follow-up) included clinical measurements, questionnaires of eating behavior (IES-1, TFEQ-R18, HTAS, ecSI 2.0, REBS), diet quality (IDQ), alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), perceived stress (PSS), and 48-h dietary recall. Hierarchical linear modeling (Wald test) was used to analyze the differences in changes between groups. RESULTS Group x time interactions showed that the subcomponent of intuitive eating (IES-1), i.e., Eating for physical rather than emotional reasons, increased in both ACT-based groups (p = .019); the subcomponent of TFEQ-R18, i.e., Uncontrolled eating, decreased in the Face-to-face group (p = .020); the subcomponent of health and taste attitudes (HTAS), i.e., Using food as a reward, decreased in the Mobile group (p = .048); and both subcomponent of eating competence (ecSI 2.0), i.e., Food acceptance (p = .048), and two subcomponents of regulation of eating behavior (REBS), i.e., Integrated and Identified regulation (p = .003, p = .023, respectively), increased in the Face-to-face group. Baseline perceived stress did not moderate effects on these particular features of eating behavior from baseline to follow-up. No statistically significant effects were found for dietary measures. CONCLUSIONS ACT-based interventions, delivered in group sessions or by mobile app, showed beneficial effects on reported eating behavior. Beneficial effects on eating behavior were, however, not accompanied by parallel changes in diet, which suggests that ACT-based interventions should include nutritional counseling if changes in diet are targeted. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01738256 ), registered 17 August, 2012.
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Being 'fat' in today's world: a qualitative study of the lived experiences of people with obesity in Australia.
Thomas, SL, Hyde, J, Karunaratne, A, Herbert, D, Komesaroff, PA
Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy. 2008;11(4):321-30
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The obesity epidemic is one of the most pressing contemporary public health problems. The aim of this study was to develop a picture of both lived experiences of obesity and the impact of socio-cultural factors on obesity. The study adopted a qualitative research design (n=76) . A broad interview schedule was developed by the authors aimed at individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences of obesity. Results indicate that: (a) the experiences of obesity are diverse but there are common themes. (b) people living with obesity have heard the messages but find it difficult to act upon them. (c) interventions should be tailored to address both individual and community needs. (d) there should be a different approach towards obesity interventions. Authors conclude that interventions should respond directly to the social and cultural dimensions of communities and clusters of individuals.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop an in-depth picture of both lived experience of obesity and the impact of socio-cultural factors on people living with obesity. DESIGN Qualitative methodology, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with a community sample of obese adults (body mass index >or=30). Community sampling methods were supplemented with purposive sampling techniques to ensure a diverse range of individuals were included. RESULTS Seventy-six individuals (aged 16-72) were interviewed. Most had struggled with their weight for most of their lives (n=45). Almost all had experienced stigma and discrimination in childhood (n=36), as adolescents (n=41) or as adults (n=72). About half stated that they had been humiliated by health professionals because of their weight. Participants felt an individual responsibility to lose weight, and many tried extreme forms of dieting to do so. Participants described an increasing culture of 'blame' against people living with obesity perpetuated by media and public health messages. Eighty percent said that they hated or disliked the word obesity and would rather be called fat or overweight. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION There are four key conclusions: (i) the experiences of obesity are diverse, but there are common themes, (ii) people living with obesity have heard the messages but find it difficult to act upon them, (iii) interventions should be tailored to address both individual and community needs and (iv) we need to rethink how to approach obesity interventions to ensure that avoid recapitulating damaging social stereotypes and exacerbating social inequalities.
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Hormonal and psychobehavioral predictors of weight loss in response to a short-term weight reduction program in obese women.
Hainer, V, Hlavatá, K, Gojová, M, Kunešová, M, Wagenknecht, M, Kopský, V, Pařízková, J, Hill, M, Nedvídková, J
Physiological research. 2008;57 Suppl 1:S17-S27
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Among the many factors that influence weight loss and weight management, metabolic and hormonal parameters have been increasingly explored as important predictors. The aim of this study was to reveal potential psycho-behavioural and hormonal factors as predictors of weight loss. A group of 67 overweight women were enrolled in a 3-week weight management programme in which food intake and physical activity were under strict control. This study indicated that a short-term weight management programme induced favourable changes in anthropometric, psycho-behavioural and hormonal indices. Changes in several hormone concentrations were significantly associated with the reduction of anthropometric parameters, however psycho-behavioural factors did not contribute to weight change in the programme.
Abstract
Among the factors influencing weight loss and maintenance, psychobehavioral, nutritional, metabolic, hormonal and hereditary predictors play an important role. Psychobehavioral factors influence adherence to lifestyle changes and thus weight loss maintenance. The outcome of short-term weight reduction treatment is mainly affected by changes in energy and nutrient intake and physical activity and thus the impact of hormones can possibly be obscured. In order to reveal hormonal determinants of weight loss, a 4-week in-patient comprehensive weight reduction program was introduced in which food intake and physical activity were under the strict control. Women (n = 67, BMI: 32.4+/-4.4 kg; age: 48.7+/-12.2 years) who exhibited stable weight on a 7 MJ/day diet during the first week of weight management were given a hypocaloric diet yielding daily energy deficit 2.5 MJ over the subsequent 3-week period. This treatment resulted in a mean weight loss of 3.80+/-1.64 kg. Correlation analysis revealed that baseline concentrations of several hormones were significantly associated either with a higher (free triiodothyronine, C-peptide, growth hormone, pancreatic polypeptide) or with a lower (insulin-like growth factor-I, cortisol, adiponectin, neuropeptide Y) reduction of anthropometric parameters in response to weight management. In a backward stepwise regression model age, initial BMI together with baseline levels of growth hormone, peptide YY, neuropetide Y and C-reactive protein predicted 49.8 % of the variability in weight loss. Psychobehavioral factors (items of the Eating Inventory, Beck Depression score) did not contribute to weight change induced by a well-controlled short-term weight reduction program.