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Association of Coffee and Tea Intake with Bone Mineral Density and Hip Fracture: A Meta-Analysis.
Chen, CC, Shen, YM, Li, SB, Huang, SW, Kuo, YJ, Chen, YP
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2023;59(6)
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Osteoporosis is associated with severe complications, such as osteoporotic fracture and fracture-related functional disability. Risk factors for osteoporosis must be identified and validated at the earliest. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of coffee and tea intake with bone mass density (BMD) and hip fracture risk. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 106 studies. In total, 416,847 individuals (BMD related studies, 99,750 individuals; hip fracture–related studies, 408,562 individuals) were included in the final analysis. Results showed that the daily intake of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea, is not associated with BMD or hip fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. Authors concluded that their findings help reduce the inconsistency in the current literature. Furthermore, it may serve as a reference for future studies aimed at identifying the risk factor for osteoporosis.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and high bone fragility. Findings regarding the association of coffee and tea intake with osteoporosis have been inconsistent. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate whether coffee and tea intake is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and high hip fracture risk. Materials and Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched for relevant studies published before 2022. Studies on the effects of coffee/tea intake on hip fracture/BMD were included in our meta-analysis, whereas those focusing on specific disease groups and those with no relevant coffee/tea intake data were excluded. We assessed mean difference (MD; for BMD) and pooled hazard ratio (HR; for hip fracture) values with 95% confidence interval (CI) values. The cohort was divided into high- and low-intake groups considering the thresholds of 1 and 2 cups/day for tea and coffee, respectively. Results: Our meta-analysis included 20 studies comprising 508,312 individuals. The pooled MD was 0.020 for coffee (95% CI, -0.003 to 0.044) and 0.039 for tea (95% CI, -0.012 to 0.09), whereas the pooled HR was 1.008 for coffee (95% CI, 0.760 to 1.337) and 0.93 for tea (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.03). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis results suggest that daily coffee or tea consumption is not associated with BMD or hip fracture risk.
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Probiotic Lactobacillus casei: Effective for Managing Childhood Diarrhea by Altering Gut Microbiota and Attenuating Fecal Inflammatory Markers.
Lai, HH, Chiu, CH, Kong, MS, Chang, CJ, Chen, CC
Nutrients. 2019;11(5)
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Acute diarrhoea caused by pathogens may induce gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), bloody stool, or severe intra-abdominal infections that establish disease and increase the economic burden, especially among infantile and childhood populations. The aim of the study was to determine whether probiotics (Lactobacilluscasei) inhibited gastrointestinal infection and reduced the associated inflammatory response. The study is a prospective, randomized, case-controlled study which enrolled 81 children aged between 6 months and 6 years. The participants were divided into 2 groups (Lactobacilluscasei variety rhamnosus treatment and a no probiotic control). Study results indicate that probiotics can reduce the severity and duration of diarrhoea. Furthermore, probiotic colonisation improved bowel habits and reduced abdominal pain or colic and bloating. Authors conclude that the efficacy of probiotic preparations for the treatment of acute childhood diarrhoea is related to individual bacteria strains. Thus, the population and modulation of intestinal gut/probiotic bacteria can be restored through the reduction of intestinal inflammatory reactions.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and an economic burden for families. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of probiotics on clinical symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammatory markers during childhood diarrhea. METHODS Children (n = 81) aged six months to six years (mean age 2.31 years) hospitalized for acute diarrhea were randomized to receive probiotics (Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus; n = 42) or no probiotics (n = 39) orally twice daily for seven days. Feces samples were also collected to evaluate microbial content using a traditional agar plate and next-generation sequencing. Immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin, and calprotectin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared in different groups. Other clinical symptoms or signs, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloated abdomen, daily intake, appetite, and body weight were also assessed. RESULTS Data were collected from 81 individuals across three different time points. Total fecal IgA levels in fecal extracts of the probiotics group were higher than those in the control group, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05). Concentrations of fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin were significantly downregulated in patients with probiotic Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus (Lc) consumption compared to those of the control (p < 0.05). Probiotic Lc administration may be beneficial for gut-microbiota modulation, as shown by the data collected at one week after enrollment. Counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species were elevated in stool culture of the probiotic group. Appetite and oral intake, body-weight gain, abdominal pain, bloating, as well as bowel habits (diarrhea) were much better in children receiving probiotics compared with those in the control group. CONCLUSION Fecal IgA increased during acute diarrhea under Lc treatment; in contrast, fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin were downregulated during acute diarrhea under Lc treatment. Probiotic Lc may be a useful supplement for application in children during acute diarrhea to reduce clinical severity and intestinal inflammatory reaction.
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Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines.
Li, IC, Lee, LY, Tzeng, TT, Chen, WP, Chen, YP, Shiao, YJ, Chen, CC
Behavioural neurology. 2018;2018:5802634
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The individual compounds within culinary mushrooms has gained much interest and enthusiasm due to their potential health benefits when applied to specific illness or ailments. This particular paper reviews the effects of erinacine compound found in a particular mushroom named Hericium erinaceus (known as Lion’s Mane) and its health properties with regards to aging associated diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease, depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Animal studies reportedly show that erinacines stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor, which can prolongs the survival of neurons and reduce the consequence of neurodegenerative diseases. The studies discussed are encouraging to read and offer hope to those with a predisposition to or suffering from such diseases. However, more research in this field is required.
Abstract
Hericium erinaceus, an ideal culinary-medicinal mushroom, has become a well-established candidate in promoting positive brain and nerve health-related activities by inducing the nerve growth factor from its bioactive ingredient. Among its active compounds, only erinacine A has confirmed pharmacological actions in the central nervous system in rats. Hence, this review has summarized the available information on the neurohealth properties of H. erinaceus mycelia enriched with erinacines, which may contribute to further research on the therapeutic roles of these mycelia. The safety of this mushroom has also been discussed. Although it has been difficult to extrapolate the in vivo studies to clinical situations, preclinical studies have shown that there can be improvements in ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and depression if H. erinaceus mycelia enriched with erinacines are included in daily meals.