≥12 weeks of L-carnitine supplements reduce inflammation

Objectives:
Has L-carnitine supplementation positive effects on inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)?

Study design:
This review article included 13 RCTs.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found L-carnitine supplementation was significantly associated with lower levels of CRP in comparison to controls [WMD = -1.23 mg/L, 95% CI = -1.73 to -0.72 mg/dL, p  0.0001].

Vegetable-based diet reduces osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Objectives:
Several epidemiological investigations have assessed the association between vegetable-based diet intake (VDI) and risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, but the outcomes have been inconsistent. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does vegetable-based diet intake reduce risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women?

Study design:
This review article included 10 studies with a total of 14,247 women.

0.6-2 gram calcium supplement reduce gestational hypertension

Objectives:
Does calcium supplement with or without other drugs reduce risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension?

Study design:
This review article included 27 RCTs, with 28,492 pregnant women.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found calcium supplement significantly reduced risk of preeclampsia with 49% [RR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.40 to 0.64].

The investigators found calcium supplement significantly reduced risk of gestational hypertension with 30% [RR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.82].

Cashew consumption improves triglyceride levels

Objectives:
Preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the top priority in public health. Hyperlipidemia and hypertension are key contributors to cardiovascular disease which can be easily modified with dietary and lifestyle interventions. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does cashew consumption reduce blood lipids levels (i.e., triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and blood pressure?

Study design:

Kidney disease

Scientific studies on the relationship between diet/nutrients and kidney disease:
One swallow does not make a summer. A famous Dutch saying that could not be any more obvious. Just because one single scientific study about a certain topic makes certain claims, it does not necessarily mean it is true. On the other hand, a review article (a collection of scientific studies on a certain topic) of randomized, placebo-controlled double blind clinical trials (RCTs) will answer the following question:

Multiple micronutrient supplementation generates positive health outcomes for both infants and pregnant women

Objectives:
Recent evidence has encouraged low- and middle-income countries to consider transitioning from long-standing iron and folic acid supplementation (IFA) to multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) during pregnancy; however, global guidance is limited. Therefore, this review article (meta-analysis) has been conducted.

Dietary intakes of anthocyanins reduce hypertension

Objectives:
Dietary polyphenols, including flavonoids, have been the focus of major recent attentions due to their wide content in a variety of foods commonly consumed and the findings from numerous studies showing evidence of an association with positive outcomes on human health. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does dietary intake of flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins, isoflavones, flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavan-3-ols) reduce hypertension?

Study design: