scholarly journals The Ideal Diet for Humans to Sustainably Feed The Growing Population – Review, Meta-Analyses, and Policies for Change

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1135
Author(s):  
Galit Goldfarb ◽  
Yaron Sela
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Vegetarian Diet ◽  
Diabetes Risk ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Optimal Diet ◽  
High Fiber ◽  
Dairy Consumption ◽  
Mortality Probability ◽  
Meta Analyses

Introduction: As of now, no study has combined research from different sciences to determine the most suitable diet for humans. This issue is urgent due to the predicted population growth, the effect of this on the environment, and the deterioration of human health and associated costs. Methods: A literature review determined whether an optimal diet for humans exists and what such a diet is, followed by six meta-analyses. The standard criteria for conducting meta-analyses of observational studies were followed. A review of literature reporting Hazard Ratios with a 95% confidence interval for red meat intake, dairy intake, plant-based diet, fiber intake, and serum IGF-1 levels were extracted to calculate effect sizes. Results: Results calculated using NCSS software show that high meat consumption increases mortality probability by 18% on average and increases diabetes risk by 50%. Plant-based and high-fiber diets decrease mortality by 15% and 20% respectively (p < .001). Plant-based diets decreased diabetes risk by 27%, and dairy consumption (measured by increased IGF-1 levels) increased cancer probability by 48% (p < 0.01). A vegetarian or Mediterranean diet was not found to decrease the probability of heart disease. A vegetarian diet can be healthy or not, depending on the foods consumed. A Mediterranean diet with high quantities of meat and dairy products will not produce the health effects desired. The main limitations of the study were that observational studies were heterogeneous and limited by potential confounders. Discussion: The literature and meta-analyses point to an optimal diet for humans that has followed our species from the beginnings of humankind. The optimal diet is a whole food, high fiber, low-fat, 90+% plant-based diet. This diet allowed humans to become the most developed species on Earth. To ensure people’s nutritional needs are met healthily and sustainably, governmental dietary interventions are necessary.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of plant-based nutrition in the treatment of arterial hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1(97)) ◽  
pp. 132-137
Author(s):  
I. Rusnak ◽  
N. Slyvka ◽  
V. Kulachek ◽  
Y. Kulachek
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Vegetarian Diet ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
High Fiber ◽  
Fiber Diet ◽  
Treatment Of Hypertension ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
A Prospective Study

In the treatment of hypertension, an important role is played by the modification of the lifestyle of patients, especially the correction of their diet. Plant nutrition has the ability to improve blood pressure in such patients. However, a large number of types of vegetarian diets leave open the question of which of them is the best in the treatment of arterial hypertension.The aim of the study was to analyze the literature on the effectiveness of different plant-based diets in the treatment of hypertension and to determine whether the complete absence of animal products in a vegetarian diet is necessary to achieve a significant beneficial effect on blood pressure. The paper analyzes the data of many scientific studies and meta-analyses: the team of scientists from the University of Warwick; Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) research group; a prospective study of coronary risk in young adults (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults, CARDIA); analysis of three prospective cohorts - Nurses 'Health Study I (NHS I), Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II), and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS); calibration sub-study Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2). The most common plant-based diets and their effect on blood pressure were analyzed: high-fruit and vegetable diet, high-fiber diet, Nordic, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, Mediterranean, vegan and DASH diets. All scientists confirm a positive correlation between the consumption of animal meat and the risk of developing hypertension and/or difficulties in its treatment.Conclusion. The study of literature data allows us to conclude about the important role of plant foods in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. The best results in lowering blood pressure were demonstrated by diets with a complete absence of animal products.

scholarly journals Validity of observational evidence on putative risk and protective factors: appraisal of 3744 meta-analyses on 57 topics

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Perrine Janiaud ◽  
Arnav Agarwal ◽  
Ioanna Tzoulaki ◽  
Evropi Theodoratou ◽  
Konstantinos K. Tsilidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Prediction Interval ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Small Study ◽  
Study Heterogeneity ◽  
Large Heterogeneity ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
No Gold Standard

Abstract Background The validity of observational studies and their meta-analyses is contested. Here, we aimed to appraise thousands of meta-analyses of observational studies using a pre-specified set of quantitative criteria that assess the significance, amount, consistency, and bias of the evidence. We also aimed to compare results from meta-analyses of observational studies against meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Methods We retrieved from PubMed (last update, November 19, 2020) umbrella reviews including meta-analyses of observational studies assessing putative risk or protective factors, regardless of the nature of the exposure and health outcome. We extracted information on 7 quantitative criteria that reflect the level of statistical support, the amount of data, the consistency across different studies, and hints pointing to potential bias. These criteria were level of statistical significance (pre-categorized according to 10−6, 0.001, and 0.05 p-value thresholds), sample size, statistical significance for the largest study, 95% prediction intervals, between-study heterogeneity, and the results of tests for small study effects and for excess significance. Results 3744 associations (in 57 umbrella reviews) assessed by a median number of 7 (interquartile range 4 to 11) observational studies were eligible. Most associations were statistically significant at P < 0.05 (61.1%, 2289/3744). Only 2.6% of associations had P < 10−6, ≥1000 cases (or ≥20,000 participants for continuous factors), P < 0.05 in the largest study, 95% prediction interval excluding the null, and no large between-study heterogeneity, small study effects, or excess significance. Across the 57 topics, large heterogeneity was observed in the proportion of associations fulfilling various quantitative criteria. The quantitative criteria were mostly independent from one another. Across 62 associations assessed in both RCTs and in observational studies, 37.1% had effect estimates in opposite directions and 43.5% had effect estimates differing beyond chance in the two designs. Across 94 comparisons assessed in both MR and observational studies, such discrepancies occurred in 30.8% and 54.7%, respectively. Conclusions Acknowledging that no gold-standard exists to judge whether an observational association is genuine, statistically significant results are common in observational studies, but they are rarely convincing or corroborated by randomized evidence.

scholarly journals Impact of the Level of Adherence to Mediterranean Diet on the Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1514
Author(s):  
Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi ◽  
Lydia Chrysoula ◽  
Evangelia Kotzakioulafi ◽  
Xenophon Theodoridis ◽  
Michail Chourdakis
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Central Registry ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Impact

High adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with a lower prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The present study aimed to investigate the impact of MD adherence on parameters of MetS. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Central Registry of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Observational studies that recorded adherence to MD and components/measures of the MetS, such as waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), were included in this study. A total of 58 studies were included in our study. WC and TG were significantly lower in the high adherence MD group (SMD: −0.20, (95%CI: −0.40, −0.01), SMD: −0.27 (95%CI: −0.27, −0.11), respectively), while HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the same group (SMD: −0.28 (95%CI: 0.07, 0.50). There was no difference in FBG and SBP among the two groups (SMD: −0.21 (95%CI: −0.54, 0.12) & SMD: −0.15 (95%CI: −0.38, 0.07), respectively). MD may have a positive impact on all parameters of MetS. However, further research is needed in this field.

P063 A COMPREHENSIVE, MULTIOMIC DIET INTERVENTION STUDY COMPARING A LOW FAT, HIGH FIBER DIET TO AN IDEALIZED STANDARD AMERICAN DIET IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS PATIENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S8-S9
Author(s):  
Julia Fritsch ◽  
Alejandra Quintero ◽  
Judith Pignac-Kobinger ◽  
Luis Garces ◽  
Ana Santander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
High Fiber ◽  
Fiber Diet ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
High Fiber Diet

Abstract Background and Aims There is a lack of evidence-based dietary interventions in ulcerative colitis (UC) management. A diet high in fat and animal meat has been linked to an increased risk of UC. The aim of our study was to use a multilayered, multi-omic approach to comprehensively characterize the effect of a low fat, high fiber diet or a high fat diet in UC patients. Methods We enrolled patients with UC who were in remission or had mild disease with a flare within the last 18 months. We used a cross-over design in which patients received two dietary interventions: a low fat diet (LFD), containing 10% total calories from fat with an omega 6 to 3 ratio of below 3:1, and an idealized standard American diet (SAD), containing 35–40% total calories from fat with an omega 6 to 3 ratio of 20–30:1. Each diet was four weeks long with a two-week wash-out in between. The diet was catered and delivered to patients’ homes. Clinical symptoms, quality of life, and biochemical data were collected. Stool was collected for microbiome and metabolomic analyses. The primary endpoint was to determine adherence to a specified diet using catered meals; the secondary endpoint was to determine the clinical and subclinical effects of a low fat, high fiber diet or high fat diet in UC. Results Baseline diets varied widely but were generally lower in fiber as well as fruits and vegetables and higher in saturated fat than either of the study diets. There was a high rate of adherence to catered meals (SAD=86.68%, LFD=84.8%) with a 96.8% and 94.33% adherence to fat for SAD and LFD respectively. Patients that started in remission remained in remission (partial Mayo and sIBDQ). Following a LFD, patients saw a 20% improvement in their quality of life as measured by sIBDQ compared to their baseline. The effect of diet intervention on microbial diversity was reflected in the beta diversity with a significant increase in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii after LFD. CRP, sIBDQ, IL-6, and IL1β had a significant effect on overall gut microbiota composition as measured by Bray Curtis beta diversity (PERMANOVA)(P&lt;0.007, P&lt;0.001, P&lt;0.021, P&lt;0.048 respectively). The top taxa that contributes the most to this microbial variation from these clinical parameters was Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Patients following a SAD had an increase in lauric acid, myristic acid, and N-oleoyl-L-phenylalanine with an increase in omega-6 metabolism pathways. Patients following a LFD had higher glycine, alanine, and phenyllactic acid with omega 3 metabolism pathways increased after LFD. Conclusions A low fat, high fiber diet is well tolerated and did not increase biochemical markers of inflammation. Catered meals and collection of microbiome, metabolome and biochemical data may allow early stratification of diet responders.

scholarly journals Comparison of effects of different dietary interventions on cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease: protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e042997
Author(s):  
Lili Chen ◽  
Xinhua Xu ◽  
Huizhen Cao ◽  
Hong Li
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Meta Analyses

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and is characterised by cognitive impairment. Non-pharmacological treatments such as diet therapy have been widely investigated in studies on AD. Given the synergistic effects of nutrients present in foods, considering overall dietary composition rather than focusing on a single nutrient may be more useful for evaluating the relationship between diet and AD cognition. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of different dietary interventions (eg, ketogenic and Mediterranean diets) on cognitive function in patients with AD in a systematic review and pairwise and network meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials or clinical trials.Methods and analysisTwo reviewers will independently conduct searches of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Data will be extracted from selected studies and risk of bias will be assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and evidence quality will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. The primary outcome of interest is cognitive function in patients with AD; secondary outcomes include biochemical biomarkers of AD and oxidative stress and/or inflammatory biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma. For each outcome, random-effects pairwise and network meta-analyses will be carried out to determine the pooled relative effect of each intervention relative to every other intervention.Ethics and disseminationAs this study is based solely on published literature, no ethics approval is required. The research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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