Orthorexia nervosa and dieting in a non-clinical sample: a prospective study

Purpose Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is characterised by excessive attention to a dietary regimen perceived as healthy. A critical factor in the distinction between ON and other eating disorders (EDs) is the dichotomy of quality-versus-quantity of food intake. We investigated whether specific types of diet or dieting frequency are associated with orthorexic features, explored the overlap between ON and EDs symptoms, and examined which constructs are predictive of ON after 6 months. Methods A total of 1075 students (75.1% female, mean age 20.9) completed a set of questionnaires assessing Orthorexia, Eating Disorders, Obsessions and Compulsions, Anxiety and Depression; 358 individuals (79.9 female, mean age 20.9) agreed to participate in the study and completed the same questionnaires after 6 months. Different regression models were defined to investigate our hypothesis. Results Findings suggest that ON is associated with the number and type of diets followed over a lifetime. Moreover, participants with EDs, body dissatisfaction, or a dysfunctional idea of thinness are more likely to report a greater degree of ON features. After 6 months, the best predictors of ON characteristics are the same ON characteristics assessed at the first administration, with a significant role in the ideal of thinness. Conclusions ON is more frequent in individuals with a previous diagnosis of EDs and in individuals who followed a restrictive diet or a vegan/vegetarian one; the number of lifetime diets, beliefs, and behaviors related to the ideals of thinness or body dissatisfaction is common features of ON. Moreover, considering that having ON features in the past is the best ON predictor in the present, we can presume that ON is a construct stable over time. Level of evidence Level IV: Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies. (NB: Dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence).

Comparing the Effects of Gamification and Teach-Back Training Methods on Adherence to a Therapeutic Regimen in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) may fail to adhere to their treatment regimen for many reasons. Among these, one of the most important reasons for nonadherence is the inadequate training of such patients or training using inappropriate methods. Objective This study aimed to compare the effect of gamification and teach-back training methods on adherence to a therapeutic regimen in patients after CABGS. Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 123 patients undergoing CABGS in Tehran, Iran, in 2019. Training was provided to the teach-back group individually. In the gamification group, an app developed for the purpose was installed on each patient’s smartphone, with training given via this device. The control group received usual care, or routine training. Adherence to the therapeutic regimen was assessed using a questionnaire on adherence to a therapeutic regimen (physical activity and dietary regimen) and an adherence scale as a pretest and a 1-month posttest. Results One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for comparing the mean scores of teach-back and gamification training methods showed that the mean normalized scores for the dietary regimen (P<.001, F=71.80), movement regimen (P<.001, F=124.53), and medication regimen (P<.001, F=9.66) before and after intervention were significantly different between the teach-back, gamification, and control groups. In addition, the results of the Dunnett test showed that the teach-back and gamification groups were significantly different from the control group in all three treatment regimen methods. There was no statistically significant difference in adherence to the therapeutic regimen between the teach-back and control groups. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, the use of teach-back and gamification training approaches may be suggested for patients after CABGS to facilitate adherence to the therapeutic regimen. Trial Registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20111203008286N8; https://en.irct.ir/trial/41507

Time-restricted feeding induces Lactobacillus- and Akkermansia-specific functional changes in the rat fecal microbiota

Diet is a key factor influencing gut microbiota (GM) composition and functions, which in turn affect host health. Among dietary regimens, time-restricted (TR) feeding has been associated to numerous health benefits. The impact of TR feeding on the GM composition has been mostly explored by means of metagenomic sequencing. To date, however, little is known about the modulation of GM functions by this dietary regimen. Here, we analyzed the effects of TR feeding on GM functions by evaluating protein expression changes in a rat model through a metaproteomic approach. We observed that TR feeding has a relevant impact on GM functions, specifically leading to an increased abundance of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism and expressed by Lactobacillus spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila. Taken together, these results contribute to deepening our knowledge about the key relationship between diet, GM, and health.

MANAGEMENT OF CASE OF PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM ON THE PRINCIPLES OF DHATWAGNIMANDYA - A CASE REPORT

Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by thyroid hormone deficiency. It occurs due to hormonal imbalance & decreased metabolism. Clinical manifestations range from no signs or symptoms to life-threatening conditions. In Ayurveda, it corresponds to Dhatvagni Mandya. In this case report the patient presented with puffiness of the face, swelling in both the limbs, muscle (back) pain, loss of appetite, constipation and abnormal weight gain. According to symptomatic presentations, the case was diagnosed as Dhatvagni mandya. Clinical presentation and biochemical parameter i.e., Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) was 12.07uIU/ml which confirmed the case as Hypothyroidism in modern medicine. The multimodal Ayurvedic management approach incorporating ahara, vihara and aushadha was adopted. The case was treated on the line of principles of Agnimandya. Shaman Chikitsa (pacifying therapy) including internal administration of herbo-mineral formulations such as Arogyavardhini vati, Kanchnaar guggul, Punarnava mandur, Avipattikar churna, Swarna vanga along with a dietary regimen was prescribed to the patient. After 3 months’ treatment, significant symptomatic relief along with reduction of serum TSH level (3.05uIU/ml) without any adverse effects was observed in the patients. It can be inferred from the case that Ayurvedic intervention has enough potential to be employed and utilized in such endocrine disorders. Keywords- Ayurveda, Dhatawagni, Agni, Hypothyroidism, Kanchnar Guggul, Arogyavardhini vati.

The Contrasting Effects between Caffeine and Theobromine on Crystallization: How the Non-fluoride Dentifrice Was Developed

Caffeine and theobromine are members of the xanthine family. Coffee and soft drinks contain caffeine, whereas, in cacao, theobromine is the main ingredient. The mineral contents of the tooth which sucked the caffeine-containing dam’s milk were decreased. To determine if caffeine would affect enamel, dams were fed with a caffeine and pups were killed and first and second molars were extracted. Enamel was exposed to the acid solution and dissolved minerals from the enamel were measured. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium from the first molars of the caffeine group were significantly dissolved. To determine why minerals were released, enamel was separated. The crystallite size of the enamel from the caffeine group showed decreased. If the pups with the same dietary regimen, but given a cariogenic diet, the caffeine group should show a higher incidence of dental caries. The caffeine group revealed higher caries scores. An in vitro experiment to grow apatite crystals was conducted, adding the various members of the xanthine. Theobromine produced larger crystal sizes than caffeine. Theobromine was added to the maternal diet. Dissolution experiments revealed that these minerals were far less dissolved. Comparative studies of the various parameters between theobromine and fluoride were conducted. Theobromine was superior to fluoride in every aspect.

Gender-Specific Behaviour in Obesity Stages I-II: Imbalance of Aminothiol Status and Adipomyokine Profile in Subjects with Different Insulin Resistance Severity

The hyperproduction of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, which is paralleled by decreased levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mediators, is part of cellular mechanisms that contribute to the disruption of metabolic homeostasis in obesity. Whether gender-specific alterations and gender-restricted associations in these biomarkers underlie the increased cardiometabolic risk in men compared to women is unclear. We enrolled 31 women and 29 men, aged ≥50 and ≤70 years and with body mass index ≥ 30 and <40 kg/m2. We assessed the concentrations of aminothiols (cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione), expression of oxidant/antioxidant balance, adipomyokines (leptin, adiponectin, myostatin, and interleukin-6), markers of chronic inflammation, and vitamin D, an index of nutritional state, in plasma and serum samples by using HPLC, ELISA, and chemiluminescent immunoassay methods. We measured insulin resistance (IR) by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Despite comparable levels of visceral adiposity, IR, and a similar dietary regimen, men showed, with respect to women, higher oxidant concentrations and lower antioxidant levels, which paralleled IR severity. Myostatin levels correlated with prooxidant aminothiols among men only. Gender-specific alterations in aminothiol status and adipomyokine profile and the gender-restricted association between these biomarkers and metabolic derangement are consistent with an increased cardiometabolic risk in men compared to age-matched women with stage I-II obesity. Strict control of redox and inflammatory status, even addressing gender-specific nutritional targets, may be useful to prevent obesity-related metabolic alterations and comorbidities.

Conceptual Study of Garbhini Paricharya as per Harita Samhita

God has blessed the females with most valuable gift of motherhood. Ayurveda is the science which offers a specific routine to the pregnant woman and systematic supervision known as Garbhini Paricharya as pregnant woman’s diet and activities performed during the period of pregnancy reflect on the fetus. Hence in Ayurveda, our Acharyas have given great emphasis on Garbhini Paricharya or Antenatal care. Acharyas have thrown an immense light on the concept of type of diet, behaviour, conduct, medications during pregnancy that a pregnant woman should follow and avoid, known as Garbhini Paricharya. Basic objective of Garbhini Paricharya depicted in Ayurveda is to achieve a healthy progeny as well as to ensure the good health of mother and fetus during the period of pregnancy, during labor and in the postpartum period. In this paper we have described the monthly dietary regimen and lifestyle for whole nine months of pregnancy that is essential for the wellbeing of the growing fetus and pregnant woman according to Harita Samhita as well as the scientific aspects of the antenatal care. As antenatal care should be done in an integrated way i.e., as per modern science and as mentioned in Ayurvedic classics.

Effect of a Persian metabolic diet on the functional dyspepsia symptoms in patients with postprandial distress syndrome: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Objectives Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is associated with food indigestion. Efficacy of drugs used against PDS is limited whereas dietary modifications were shown to have important beneficial effects. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) sages suggested a dietary regimen known as Persian metabolic diet (PMD) for the management of PDS patients. In this study, the efficacy of PMD in alleviating the symptoms of PDS was explored. Methods This single-center, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial included 56 patients whom were randomly allocated to PMD group (29 participants) and Optional diet (OD) group (27 participants). They were instructed to follow the protocol for two weeks. Using a standard validated questionnaire, all outcomes were evaluated at baseline, end of the intervention period, and end of follow-up time. Results At the end of the intervention period, comparing the changes of severity scores between the groups showed a statistically significant difference in week 2 (p-value<0.001) and week 8 (p-value<0.001) follow-up comparing to the baseline. Similarly, at the end of the follow-up period, epigastric fullness, epigastric discomfort, and bloating were significantly improved in the PMD group (p<0.001). Conclusions This diet prepared based on Persian medicine seems to be effective in relieving the symptoms of patients with PDS.

Effect of adrenalectomy and glycemic status on caloric efficiency and adiposity in the congenic LA/Ntul//-cp (corpulent) rat

Obesity develops in the obese phenotype of the congenic LA/Ntul//-cp (corpulent) rat strain by 6 weeks of age.1 To gain insight into the contributors to the expression of obesity in the obese phenotype of this strain, groups [n=12-20 rats/phenotype] of congenic male lean and obese LA/Ntul//-cp (corpulent) rats were fed an ad libitum standardized Purina chow diet (CHOW) from 6 to 12 weeks or age, and subgroups (n=6 rats / subgroup) were overfed with a highly palatable cafeteria diet (CAFÉ) from 9 to 12 weeks of age (WOA). A subgroup of obese rats (n=6) were subjected to bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) at 6 WOA and followed the same dietary regimen and treatment schedule. BW of lean and obese animals were similar at 6 WOA and increased by 88% in lean phenotype and 281% in obese phenotype during the 6 weeks study, while in ADX obese rats, BW were similar at 6 and 9 WOA but BW increased to 2.5-fold above starting weights and 1.8-fold above 9-week weights between 9 and 12 WOA. The CAFE supplement was without significant effect on final body weights in the lean phenotypes, but was associated with significantly greater body weights at ages 9 and 12 WOA in the obese phenotype (p=<0.05) and in the obese-ADX at 12 WOA. CE (kcal/gram gain of BW per day) remained relatively constant in lean and obese-ADX rats throughout the study, but CE was more efficient in the obese phenotype at all ages studied and was more efficient with the CAFE supplement feeding regimen. Fasting I:G ratios at 12 weeks of age were 4.2-fold greater in obese than lean and were partially normalized in obese-ADX to 1.7-fold increase at 12 WOA. Relative adiposity of obese rats was 3.8-fold greater in obese than lean phenotype, with the greatest increase in the SQ depot. Resting VO2 (RMR) was lower in obese than lean rats at each age studied and was increased by ADX. Thermogenic interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) mass was greater in obese and obese-ADX than lean rats. The results of this study indicate that CE is associated with the predisposition for the expression and development of adiposity in the obese phenotype of this strain and is associated with an increased I:G ratio and IBAT mass that is consistent with insulin resistance and an impaired capacity for energy expenditure and became normalized on the Chow but not the CAFE diet following ADX. These observations implicate likely multiple metabolic factors that contribute to a greater efficiency of energy storage, utilization and or energy conservation in the obese than in the lean phenotype of this strain and which is partially corrected in the obese phenotype by ADX. The metabolic impact of added caloric intake was associated with an additive impact on the CE of weight gain and adiposity in the obese phenotype of this congenic rodent strain and was partially corrected via ADX

Proximate and Mineral Composition of Vegetable Salad without Dressing

Salad is a dish of raw vegetables with or without dressing. The study aimed to determine the vegetable salad's proximate, minerals, and daily percentage value without dressing to the dietary regimen. Vegetable salads without dressing were purchased and analysed to evaluate proximate and minerals analysis based on the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results revealed that vegetable salad without dressing contained 83.20 ± 0.10 moisture content, 16.80 ± 0.01 dry matter, 1.73 ± 0.14, 3.01 ± 0.40, 0.87 ± 0.01, 0.73 ± 0.00, and 10.50 ± 0.12g/100g as in crude lipid, crude protein, crude fibre, ash content, and carbohydrate respectively. Potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were 464 ± 3.56, 236 ± 2.45, 101 ± 1.63, 124 ± 1.63, 58 ± 0.81, 0.49 ± 0.06, 0.88 ± 0.01, 0.84 ± 0.02, and 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/100g respectively. The percent calorific values from carbohydrates, fat, and protein could help to reduce the risk of chronic disease. The salad is a good source of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper. The study showed that the salad is good for a healthy body, hypertensive and obese patients.