This tab will answer the following nutritional question: How can nutrition contribute positively to my health?

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:
"Do taking dietary supplements make sense?" Yes for a positive conclusion and no for a negative conclusion.

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 cohort studies or case-control studies will answer the following question:
"Should I change my diet?".

Find scientific studies on vitamin A: type vitamin A in Search field.

Nutrition and health

Serum albumin concentrations are lower in patients with stable COPD

Objectives:
Are serum albumin concentrations lower in patients with stable COPD compared to non-COPD controls?

Study design:
This review article included 26 studies with a total of 2,554 COPD patients (74% males) and 2,055 non-COPD controls (63% males).
Overall, the mean age of participants across all studies was 61.7 years in COPD patients and 64.6 years in controls (patients without COPD).
Almost all (24 out of 26) were prospective cohort studies.

The Begg’s [p = 0.04] and Egger’s tests [p = 0.01] showed a significant publication bias; however, the trim-and-fill analysis found that no study was missing or should be added.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found pooled results showed that serum albumin concentrations were significantly lower in COPD patients [SMD = -0.50, 95% CI = -0.67 to -0.32, p 0.001, I2 = 85.7%, p 0.001] .
Sensitivity analysis showed that the effect size was not modified when any single study was in turn removed [effect size ranged between -0.44 and -0.52].

The investigators found no significant differences in SMD of serum albumin concentrations between COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) 50% and those with FEV1 > 50%.

The investigators concluded that serum albumin concentrations are lower in patients with stable COPD compared to non-COPD controls. This supports the presence of a deficit in systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant defense mechanisms in COPD.

Original title:
Serum Albumin Concentrations in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Zinellu E, Fois AG, […], Pirina P.

Link:
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/2/269/htm

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find here more information/studies about review article/significant and chronic diseases.

Melatonin supplements have positive effects on sleep quality in adults with metabolic disorders

Objectives:
Do melatonin supplements improve sleep quality as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in adults with various diseases?

Study design:
This review article included a total of 23 RCTs.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found that melatonin supplements had significant effects on sleep quality as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [WMD = -1.24, 95% CI = -1.77 to -0.71, p = 0.000, I2 = 80.7%, p = 0.000].

The investigators found subgroup analysis based on health status revealed melatonin supplements in subjects with respiratory diseases [WMD = -2.20, 95% CI = -2.97 to -1.44, p = 0.000], metabolic disorders [WMD = -2.74, 95% CI = -3.48 to -2.00, p = 0.000] and sleep disorders [WMD = -0.67, 95% CI = -0.98 to -0.37, p = 0.000] had significant effects on sleep quality.

The investigators concluded the treatment with exogenous melatonin (melatonin supplements) has positive effects on sleep quality as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in adults, particularly with respiratory diseases, metabolic disorders, primary sleep disorders; however, not with mental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases.

Original title:
Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by Fatemeh G, Sajjad M, […], Khadijeh M.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33417003/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find here more information/studies about RCTs/significant and chronic diseases.