1.
Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Weight Status: A Systematic Review.
Tran, E, Dale, HF, Jensen, C, Lied, GA
Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy. 2020;13:3433-3448
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Being overweight or obese is a huge risk factor for many detrimental conditions. It is estimated that around one-third of the world’s population will be overweight or obese by 2025. Hence there is a need to look at dietary strategies in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity. Plant-based diets have always existed, however interest in the topic has increased recently and more research is being done on the health-related effects of different plant-based diets. There are many reasons why someone might convert to a plant-based diet, possible health benefits such as weight management are among the most common. The purpose of this review was to evaluate intervention studies assessing the effects of different plant-based diets on body mass index and weight. The results suggest that plant-based diets may improve weight status in some patient groups. It should be noted that only one study out of the 19 included in the review had normal weight, clinically healthy participants. The study populations for the rest were overweight, obese or had type 2 diabetes. Future research should aim to include a representative study population and apply study diets without dietary restrictions.
Abstract
There is an increasing number of people who convert to a plant-based diet. The desire for health benefits, including weight management, is often a contributing factor behind this dietary choice. The purpose of this review was to evaluate intervention studies assessing the effects of different plant-based diets on body mass index and weight. A literature search was conducted in PubMed until December 2019. Twenty-two publications from 19 studies were included. The majority of them were randomized controlled trials comparing a low-fat vegan diet to an omnivore diet in participants with overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or cardiovascular disease. All studies reported weight reductions, of which seven revealed significant differences, and four revealed non-significant differences between the intervention and the control groups. The results suggest that plant-based diets may improve weight status in some patient groups. Due to restrictions in fat intake in many studies, followed by reduced energy intake, the effects of the different interventions differ depending on the specific plant-based diets investigated. Future research should aim to include a representative study population and apply study diets without dietary restrictions.
2.
Comorbid Chronic Diseases are Strongly Correlated with Disease Severity among COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Liu, H, Chen, S, Liu, M, Nie, H, Lu, H
Aging and disease. 2020;11(3):668-678
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Symptomatic COVID-19 infection is accompanied by a cluster of flu-like symptoms and life-threatening severe illnesses including acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, myocarditis, and organ failure. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic evaluation and detailed estimate on the prevalence and effects of pre-existing chronic conditions in COVID-19 patients. This study is a systemic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies (with a total of 10948 COVID-19 patients) for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Results show that: - male participants were more susceptible to COVID-19. - both sexes exhibited clinical presentations similar in symptomatology. - diabetes and coronary artery disease/cardiovascular disease were prevalent in 10.0% and 8.0% of the patients, respectively. - pre-existing chronic diseases were strongly correlated with the increased disease severity and increased admittance to ICU. Authors conclude that patients with pre-existing chronic diseases may have a higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 and should be given close attention.
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide since December 2019. In order to explore the effects of comorbid chronic diseases on clinical outcomes of COVID-19, a search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CDC, and NIH databases to April 25, 2020. A total of 24 peer-reviewed articles, including 10948 COVID-19 cases were selected. We found diabetes was present in 10.0%, coronary artery disease/cardiovascular disease (CAD/CVD) was in 8.0%, and hypertension was in 20.0%, which were much higher than that of chronic pulmonary disease (3.0%). Specifically, preexisting chronic conditions are strongly correlated with disease severity [Odds ratio (OR) 3.50, 95% CI 1.78 to 6.90], and being admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.67 to 6.76); in addition, compared to COVID-19 patients with no preexisting chronic diseases, COVID-19 patients who present with either diabetes, hypertension, CAD/CVD, or chronic pulmonary disease have a higher risk of developing severe disease, with an OR of 2.61 (95% CI 1.93 to 3.52), 2.84 (95% CI 2.22 to 3.63), 4.18 (95% CI 2.87 to 6.09) and 3.83 (95% CI 2.15 to 6.80), respectively. Surprisingly, we found no correlation between chronic conditions and increased risk of mortality (OR 2.09, 95% CI 0.26 to16.67). Taken together, cardio-metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and CAD/CVD were more common than chronic pulmonary disease in COVID-19 patients, however, each comorbid disease was correlated with increased disease severity. After active treatment, increased risk of mortality in patients with preexisting chronic diseases may reduce.
3.
Non-Nutritive Sweeteners and Their Implications on the Development of Metabolic Syndrome.
Liauchonak, I, Qorri, B, Dawoud, F, Riat, Y, Szewczuk, MR
Nutrients. 2019;11(3)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and stevia are widely promoted as low-calorie alternatives to sugar and are known as non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS). Generally, they have been considered as a healthy option to replace sugars, but data is emerging that they may influence obesity and metabolic syndrome (METs) and contribute to the development of type II diabetes. These non-nutritive sweeteners can be thousands of times sweeter than sugar and have been widely adopted by the food industry to help reduce calories, and promote weight loss and diabetic products. It is believed that 25% of children and 41% of adults consume low-calorie sweeteners regularly, with the beverage industry relying heavily on them. However, it is now been shown that these sweeteners can cause imbalances to gut bacteria and interact with taste receptors and insulin signalling. These findings mean that artificial sweeteners may trigger the same hormonal response as sugar by releasing insulin and overtime lead to insulin resistance, obesity, and overall metabolic syndrome. Finally, there is evidence that our body develops a learned response to sweeteners which paradoxically leads to weight gain.
Abstract
Individuals widely use non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) in attempts to lower their overall daily caloric intake, lose weight, and sustain a healthy diet. There are insufficient scientific data that support the safety of consuming NNS. However, recent studies have suggested that NNS consumption can induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and promote glucose intolerance in healthy individuals that may result in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This sequence of events may result in changes in the gut microbiota composition through microRNA (miRNA)-mediated changes. The mechanism(s) by which miRNAs alter gene expression of different bacterial species provides a link between the consumption of NNS and the development of metabolic changes. Another potential mechanism that connects NNS to metabolic changes is the molecular crosstalk between the insulin receptor (IR) and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, we aim to highlight the role of NNS in obesity and discuss IR-GPCR crosstalk and miRNA-mediated changes, in the manipulation of the gut microbiota composition and T2DM pathogenesis.