scholarly journals DIETARY FACTORS AND COGNITIVE DECLINE

Author(s):  
P.J. Smith ◽  
J.A. Blumenthal

Cognitive decline is an increasingly important public health problem, with more than 100 million adults worldwide projected to develop dementia by 2050. Accordingly, there has been an increased interest in preventive strategies that diminish this risk. It has been recognized that lifestyle factors including dietary patterns, may be important in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Several dietary components have been examined, including antioxidants, fatty acids, and B vitamins. In addition, whole dietary eating plans, including the Mediterranean diet (MeDi), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, with and without weight loss, have become areas of increasing interest. Although prospective epidemiological studies have observed that antioxidants, fatty acids, and B vitamins are associated with better cognitive functioning, randomized clinical trials have generally failed to confirm the value of any specific dietary component in improving neurocognition. Several randomized trials have examined the impact of changing ‘whole’ diets on cognitive outcomes. The MeDi and DASH diets offer promising preliminary results, but data are limited and more research in this area is needed.

2000 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulysses Fagundes-Neto ◽  
Isabel Cristina Affonso Scaletsky

Diarrheal disease is still the most prevalent and important public health problem in developing countries, despite advances in knowledge, understanding, and management that have occurred over recent years. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. The impact of diarrheal diseases is more severe in the earliest periods of life, when taking into account both the numbers of episodes per year and hospital admission rates. This narrative review focuses on one of the major driving forces that attack the host, namely the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and the consequences that generate malnutrition in an early phase of life. EPEC serotypes form dense microcolonies on the surface of tissue-culture cells in a pattern known as localized adherence (LA). When EPEC strains adhere to epithelial cells in vitro or in vivo they cause characteristic changes known as Attaching and Effacement (A/E) lesions. Surface abnormalities of the small intestinal mucosa shown by scanning electron microscopy in infants with persistent diarrhea, although non-specific, are intense enough to justify the severity of the clinical aspects displayed in a very young phase in life. Decrease in number and height of microvilli, blunting of borders of enterocytes, loss of the glycocalyx, shortening of villi and presence of a mucus pseudomembrane coating the mucosal surface were the abnormalities observed in the majority of patients. These ultrastructural derangements may be due to an association of the enteric enteropathogenic agent that triggers the diarrheic process and the onset of food intolerance responsible for perpetuation of diarrhea. An aggressive therapeutic approach based on appropriate nutritional support, especially the utilization of human milk and/or lactose-free protein hydrolyzate-based formulas and the adequate correction of the fecal losses, is required to allow complete recovery from the damage caused by this devastating enteropathogenic agent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuya Oi ◽  
Steven Haas

Socioeconomic conditions in childhood predict cognitive functioning in later life. It is unclear whether poor childhood socioeconomic status (SES) also predicts the acceleration of cognitive decline. One proposed pathway is via cardiometabolic risk, which has been linked to both childhood SES and earlier onset of cognitive impairment. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examine the impact of childhood SES on cognitive trajectories over six years and test whether it operates through increased cardiometabolic risk and adult SES. We find that higher childhood SES leads to slower cognitive decline, partially due to lower levels of cardiometabolic risk. However, these pathways operate entirely through adult socioeconomic attainment. The results have important implications for future trends in cognitive population health within the context of growing social inequality and reduced social mobility.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2055
Author(s):  
Michael O. Wellington ◽  
Rochelle B. Thiessen ◽  
Andrew G. Van Kessel ◽  
Daniel A. Columbus

Dietary fibre (DF) and fermentable crude protein (fCP) are dietary factors which affect nutrient utilization and intestinal health in pigs. A nitrogen (N)-balance study was conducted to determine the impact of DF and fCP on threonine (Thr) requirement for protein deposition (PD) and indicators of intestinal health. A total of 160 growing pigs (25 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 20 dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with dietary fibre (low (LF) or high fibre (HF)], fCP [low (LfCP) or high fCP (HfCP)) and Thr (0.52, 0.60, 0.68, 0.76, or 0.82% standardized ileal digestible) as factors. Then, 4-day total urine and fecal collection was conducted, and pigs were euthanized for intestinal tissue and digesta sampling. Feeding high DF, regardless of fCP content, increased Thr requirement for PD (p < 0.05). High fCP, regardless of DF content, reduced Thr requirement for PD. Serum antioxidant capacity increased as dietary Thr level increased (p < 0.05). Cecal digesta short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) increased (p < 0.05) with HF and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) increased with HfCP and reduced with HF (p < 0.05). HfCP reduced (p < 0.05) mucin-2 (MUC2) expression in the colon of the HF but not the LF fed pigs and HF increased MUC2 in the LfCP but not the HfCP fed pigs. Feeding HF diet increased (p < 0.05) expression of zonula occludens-1 in the LfCP with no effect on HfCP fed pigs. Ammonia concentration in both cecum and colon increased (p < 0.05) in the HfCP fed pigs. Overall, high DF reduced the negative impact of HfCP on intestinal health, as indicated by alterations in SCFA and BCFA production and gut barrier gene expression. While increased dietary Thr content is required for PD in pigs fed high DF, feeding high fCP reduced Thr requirements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-300
Author(s):  
Francisco Patricio De Andrade Júnior ◽  
Januse Míllia Dantas de Araújo ◽  
Laisa Vilar Vilar Cordeiro ◽  
Egberto Santos Santos Carmo ◽  
Vanessa Santos de Arruda Barbosa ◽  
...  

Introduction: tuberculosis is a bacteriosis caused by the etiological agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which initially affects the lungs, however it can become extrapulmonary. Although this infection is an important public health problem in Brazil, epidemiological studies on this disease are scarce. Objective: thus, the present study aimed to elucidate the epidemiological profile of people affected by tuberculosis in Campina Grande – PB, between the years 2014 to 2018. Methodology: this is an epidemiological, retrospective, analytical and documentary study, in which data were collected from the Department of Informatics of the “Sistema Único de Saúde”. Results: Between 2014 and 2018, 795 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Campina Grande-PB, with 2018 having the highest number of cases (24.6%). The epidemiological profile of those affected was predominantly male, aged 20 to 39 years, with low schooling, mixed race and residents of the urban area. When associating sex with immunosuppressive factors, a statistically significant association was observed between, HIV, the state of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and alcoholism (p <0.05). Conclusion: in this way, the data of this research can guide the development of indicators and public policiesfor the most susceptible population.


Author(s):  
J. O. Akor ◽  
V. U. Obisike ◽  
E. A. Omudu ◽  
G. N. Imandeh

Intestinal and urinary parasitic infections remain an important public health problem in the tropics where poor hygiene and sanitation are a norm rather than an exception.  This study was designed to determine the prevalence and distribution of polyparasitic infections and to determine the impact of health education and treatments .Stool and urine samples from 350 participants were analyzed using macroscopic and microscopic direct stool examination of wet and Lugol’siodine preparations and Formal-ether concentration techniques and microscopic examination of simple centrifuged samples of urine. Out of the 350 participants, 101were infected with intestinal parasites with the male and female participants having 29 (66.0%), 41 (71.9%) prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica, 9 (20.5%), 8(14%) Eschericia coli, 2 (4.6), 6(10.5%) Trichomonas hominis and4 (9.1%), 2 (3.5%) Chilomastix mesnilli respectively. Out of the infected 101 participants, 14 of them had co-infection (polyparasitism). The result of polyparasitism in the Local Government is not significant (p>0.05).The overall infection before health education and treatment was high and least after health education and treatment 0(0%) (p<0.05). The results of this study indicated improper hygiene and sanitation conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Moradali Zareipour ◽  
Mousa Ghelichi Ghojogh ◽  
Masoumeh Mahdi-akhgar ◽  
Sarvin Abbasi ◽  
Nooshin Yoshany ◽  
...  

Background: High blood pressure is the most important public health problem in developed countries. It is one reason for early mortality and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases like stroke and kidney failure. This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention based on BASNEF in blood pressure control in 1395.Methods and Materials: This study was a quasi-experimental study on 160 patients in two groups (each n = 80) suffering from hypertension in urban health centers of Urmia. Data collection questionnaire included: demographic questions, knowledge base questions, self-control behaviors questions and structures of  BASNEF model. Validity and reliability were respectively 80% and 79%. Intervention group had taken three 45 minutes sessions using speeches, questions and answers, posters, booklets, pamphlets and whiteboard. Before training, information collected through questionnaires and after training questionnaires were completed again after 3 months. The data were analyzed in SPSS software with chi-square tests, Fisher, independent and paired sample t-test.Results: The average age of case and control group were  99.11 ± 01.56 and 75.12 ± 66.53 years. That there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.1). After intervention average systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in the intervention group from 43.157 to 24.147 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 21.93 to 52.87 mm Hg (P <0.05)Conclusion:  The training program using BASNEF model has provided better results in controlling blood pressure than conventional trainings.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Reay ◽  
M. A. Smith ◽  
L. M. Riby

A copious amount of scientific scrutiny has been dedicated to documenting typical and atypical human ageing, with a substantial body of work focusing upon the impact of lifestyle choices. One such lifestyle choice is that of diet and, in particular, micronutrient ingestion. Epidemiological studies have reported positive associations between B vitamin status and cognitive function, including negative associations between biological markers (i.e., homocysteine) of dysregulated one-carbon metabolism and cognitive function. This has led to a surge of randomised control trials (RCTs) investigations into B vitamin therapy. However, results have continuingly failed to show beneficial behavioural effects. Despite this, results reliably show treatment-related increases in B vitamin level and decreases in homocysteine level—both of which have been identified as risk factors for atypical ageing. In this paper we argue that it would be premature to conclude that B vitamin therapy has no potential and that more research is needed to systematically investigate the optimal dose, the therapeutic “window,” and individual differences in therapy responders and nonresponders. We start with a brief look at one-carbon metabolism and then consider the evidence from epidemiological studies and RCTs in relation to three specific B vitamins: folic acid (B9), pyridoxine (B6), and cobamides (B12).


10.28945/2823 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Campbell

With our ever-changing society there seems to be more pressures on young people. Recent epidemiological studies in Australia have found that adolescent mental health is an important public health problem (Sawyer et al., 2001). As many as one in five Australian children aged from 4 to 17 have significant mental health concerns (Zubrick, Silburn, Burton, & Blair, 2000). However, only one in four young people receive professional help (Sawyer, et al., 2001). Schools in Australia provide school counselors to assist students, yet many young people do not avail themselves of this service. However, young people do seek help from telephone help-lines (in 2002 almost 1.1 million phone calls were made to Kids Help Line) and from the Internet (Kids Help Line, 2003a). Perhaps more anonymous forms of counseling, such as cybercounseling, could deliver a more effective service within a school setting. The difficulties and benefits of school based webcounseling are discussed in terms of therapeutic, ethical and legal issues, as well as technical problems and recent research outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Garbin ◽  
N Yasuda ◽  
J Leslão

Abstract The Municipal Health Department of the city of Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil, has the Health Promotion and Violence Prevention Center focused on prevention, reception and protection of the rights of people in situations of violence. Articulation of the epidemiological, health and health surveillance actions of the worker with the psychosocial care network (in the field of mental health). What is the role of the Health Surveillance in the network of attention and protection for people in situations of violence? What is the health status of the places that shelter people in mental distress? How to intervene in situations of psychological violence at work? Violence is an important public health problem, considering the impact it has on the lives of people, families and communities. Violence is a complex, multifactorial phenomenon that can leave deep marks. From the users-guide were produced new arrangements in the production of care involving the surveillance teams, in intra and intersectoral interlocution, analyzing the situations, unfolding in the construction of other work processes and qualified interventions. In Diadema, the three health surveillance departments (Epidemiology, Reference Center in Occupational Health and the Health Surveillance department) developed strategies aimed at the qualification of comprehensive attention to people and integrating the Network of Psychosocial Care (RAPSI). The users in violence were treated with priority by the health services and the intervention was immediate. We observed that health services are more sensitive to dealing with cases of violence. The intervention requires the establishment of a network of attention and care for people in situations of violence. The interventions contributed to the prevention of violence and the promotion of health and the exchange of comprehensive care practices for people living in situations of violence and population segments at risk. Key messages The articulation of a network of protection for people in situations of violence exposes institutional violence and social vulnerabilities in order to intervene in the determinants. The compulsory notification of situations of interpersonal and self-harm inflicted violence is the basis for the action of care, prevention of violence and promotion of health.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (22) ◽  
pp. e2053-e2064
Author(s):  
Takanori Honda ◽  
Tomoyuki Ohara ◽  
Masakazu Shinohara ◽  
Jun Hata ◽  
Ryuji Toh ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe associations between trans fatty acids and dementia have been unclear. We investigated the prospective association between serum elaidic acid (trans 18:1 n-9) levels, as an objective biomarker for industrial trans fat, and incident dementia and its subtypes.MethodsIn total, 1,628 Japanese community residents aged 60 and older without dementia were followed prospectively from when they underwent a screening examination in 2002–2003 to November 2012 (median 10.3 years, interquartile range 7.2–10.4 years). Serum elaidic acid levels were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and divided into quartiles. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios for all-cause dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and vascular dementia by serum elaidic acid levels.ResultsDuring the follow-up, 377 participants developed some type of dementia (247 AD, 102 vascular dementia). Higher serum elaidic acid levels were significantly associated with greater risk of developing all-cause dementia (p for trend = 0.003) and AD (p for trend = 0.02) after adjustment for traditional risk factors. These associations remained significant after adjustment for dietary factors, including total energy intake and intakes of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (both p for trend <0.05). No significant associations were found between serum elaidic acid levels and vascular dementia.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that higher serum elaidic acid is a possible risk factor for the development of all-cause dementia and AD in later life. Public health policy to reduce industrially produced trans fatty acids may assist in the primary prevention of dementia.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document