Nutrition and health

Objectives:
Is supplementation of formula milk with LCPUFA (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) both safe and beneficial for full-term infants, while focusing on effects on visual function, neurodevelopment and physical growth?

Study design:
This review article included 15 RCTs (n = 1889).
9 studies assessed visual acuity, 6 of which used visual evoked potentials (VEP), 2 Teller cards and 1 both. 4 studies reported beneficial effects and the remaining 5 did not.
GRADE analysis of the outcomes indicated that the overall quality of evidence was low.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found a meta-analysis of 3 RCTs (n = 244) showed significant benefit for sweep VEP acuity at 12 months (log of the minimum angle of resolution) [MD = -0.15, 95% CI = -0.17 to -0.13, I2 = 0%, low-quality of evidence].
However, the meta-analysis of 3 other RCTs (n = 256) showed no benefit for visual acuity measured with Teller cards at 12 months (cycles/degree) [MD = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.12 to 0.11, I2 = 0%, low-quality of evidence].

The investigators found meta-analysis of 4 RCTs (n = 661) revealed no significant differences between LCPUFA and placebo groups in BSID Mental Developmental Index scores at 18 months [MD = 0.06, 95% CI = -2.01 to 2.14, I2 = 75%, low-quality of evidence] and no significant differences in BSID Psychomotor Development Index scores at 18 months [MD = 0.69, 95% CI = -0.78 to 2.16, I2 = 61%, low-quality of evidence].

There were also no significant differences between the two groups in BSID-II scores at one year and two years of age.

The investigators found meta-analysis of 5 RCTs (n = 521) showed that the supplemented group had lower weight (z scores) at one year of age [MD = -0.23, 95% CI = -0.40 to -0.06, I2 = 83%, low-quality of evidence] and that the two groups showed no significant differences with respect to length and head circumference (z scores).

The investigators found meta-analysis at 18 months and at two years revealed no significant differences between the two groups with respect to weight (kg), length (cm) and head circumference (cm).

The investigators concluded there are no beneficial effects or harms of LCPUFA supplementation on neurodevelopmental outcomes of formula-fed full-term infants and no consistent beneficial effects on visual acuity. Therefore, routine supplementation of full-term infant milk formula with LCPUFA cannot be recommended at this time.

Original title:
Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infants born at term by Jasani B, Simmer K, […], Rao SC.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28281303

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on pregnancy and LCPUFA right here.
 

Objectives:
Is a low maternal circulating 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) associated with an increased risk of preterm birth or spontaneous preterm birth and can vitamin D supplementation alone during pregnancy reduce risk of preterm birth?

Study design:
This review article included 6 RCTs and 18 observational studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found maternal circulating 25-OHD deficiency significantly increased risk of preterm birth with 25% [pooled OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.13-1.38]. However, maternal circulating 25-OHD insufficiency was not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth [pooled OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.89-1.35]. Not associated because OR of 1 was found in 95% CI of 0.89 to 1.35. OR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators found vitamin D supplementation alone during pregnancy significantly reduced risk of preterm birth with 43% [pooled RR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.36-0.91]. Significantly because RR of 1 was not found in 95% CI of 0.36 to 0.91. RR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators found maternal circulating 25-OHD 50 nmol/L significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth with 45% [pooled OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.20-1.75]. 

The investigators concluded a maternal circulating 25-OHD 50 nmol/L increases risk of spontaneous preterm birth and vitamin D supplementation alone during pregnancy reduces risk of preterm birth. However, extrapolation of the results must be done with caution and there is urgent need for larger, better-designed RCT to confirm this effect.

Original title:
Vitamin D and risk of preterm birth: Up-to-date meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies by Zhou SS, Tao YH, […], Tao FB.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28150405

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies about vitamin D, pregnancy, review article, significant and 95% CI right here.

Objectives:
Is there an association between serum non-ceruloplasmin copper and Alzheimer's disease risk?

Study design:
This review article included studies carried out from 1996 until March 2013.

Ten studies were analyzed in the meta-analysis for Non-Cp copper and % Non-Cp copper reaching a pooled total of 599 Alzheimer's disease subjects and 867 controls.
For Adj-Cp copper, 14 studies were analyzed with a pooled total of 879 Alzheimer's disease subjects and 1712 controls.
27 studies were considered for systemic total copper meta-analysis, with a pooled total of 1393 Alzheimer's disease subjects and 2159 controls.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found all copper indices analyzed were significantly higher in Alzheimer's disease subjects compared to healthy controls.

The investigators concluded serum non-ceruloplasmin copper is higher in Alzheimer's disease.

Original title:
Meta-analysis of serum non-ceruloplasmin copper in Alzheimer's disease by Squitti R, Simonelli I, […], Bush AI.

Link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24072069

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more studies/information on elderly and copper.

Objectives:
Does DHA, alone or combined with EPA, contribute to improved memory function in older adults with mild memory complaints?

Study design:
This review article included 15 intervention trials and 13 observational studies. Most intervention trials were conducted with subjects ≥ 45 years of age (n = 11). The majority of studies were conducted in subjects without cognitive complaints (n = 9) and ranged from 28-730 days in duration, averaging 4-6 months.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found episodic memory of subjects with mild memory complaints significantly improved in response to DHA supplementation, alone or in combination with EPA [p 0.004].

The investigators found regardless of cognitive status at baseline, >1 g/day DHA/EPA significantly improved episodic memory of subjects with mild memory complaints [p 0.04].

The investigators found there was a trend for episodic memory improvement in response to supplementation in subjects 45 years or older [p 0.058].

The investigators found DHA intake above the mean DHA level studied (580 mg/day) significantly improved episodic memory in all subjects [p 0.009] and in subjects with mild memory complaints [p 0.019]. Significant means that there is an association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators found observational studies supported a beneficial association between intake/blood levels of DHA/EPA and memory function in older adults.

The investigators concluded DHA (>580 mg/day), alone or combined with EPA (>1 g/day DHA/EPA), contributes to improved memory function in older adults (45 years or older) with mild memory complaints.

Original title:
Docosahexaenoic Acid and Adult Memory: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Yurko-Mauro K, Alexander DD and Van Elswyk ME.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4364972/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more studies/information on elderly and EPA&DHA.

This meal provides at least 580 mg DHA.
1 g/day DHA/EPA corresponds to meals providing 4 days of DHA&EPA.

Episodic memory is the type of long-term, declarative memory in which we store memories of personal experiences that are tied to particular times and places.
Some examples of episodic memory:

• Your skiing vacation last winter;
• The first time you traveled by airplane;
• Your first high school day.

Objectives:
Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in many epidemiological studies; although sometimes the results are inconsistent. Moreover, the strength of the favorable relation remains uncertain due to the differences in sample selections, methodological approaches, analytical techniques and outcome definitions. Therefore, this meta-analysis (review article) has been conducted.

Does an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables reduce risk of cognitive impairment and dementia?

Study design:
This review article included 5 cohort studies and 4 cross-sectional studies with a total of 31,104 participants and 4,583 incident cases of cognitive impairment and dementia.

There was no potential publication bias in the meta-analysis and the dose-response meta-analysis.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables was associated with a significant reduction of 20% in the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.71-0.89, I2 = 55.2%, p = 0.005].

The investigators found subgroup analyses showed an inverse association between fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in participants with mean age over 65 years [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.71-0.91] and combined sexes [OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.66-0.78]. However, studies from the United States and with full marks of study quality score did not show statistical significances.

The investigators found dose-response meta-analysis showed that an increment of 100g per day of fruit and vegetable consumption was related to a 13% [OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.77-0.99, I2 = 39.8%, p = 0.173] reduction in cognitive impairment and dementia risk.

The investigators concluded that an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, at least 100g per day of fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Original title:
Increased Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables Is Related to a Reduced Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Meta-Analysis by Jiang X, Huang J, [...], Zhang Z.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5293796/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on elderly and consumption of fruit and vegetables right here.
 

Objectives:
Data on the longitudinal association of walking pace with the risk of cognitive decline and dementia are inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, this meta-analysis (review) of prospective cohort studies has been conducted.

Does walking pace reduce risk of cognitive decline or dementia in elderly populations?

Study design:
This review article included 17 prospective cohort studies, including 10 studies reporting the RR of cognitive decline (9,949 participants and 2,547 events) and 10 presenting the RR of dementia (14,140 participants and 1,903 events).

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found for the lowest comparing to the highest category of walking pace, a significant increased risk of 89% [pooled RR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.54-2.31] for cognitive decline in elderly populations.

The investigators found for the lowest comparing to the highest category of walking pace, a significant increased risk of 66% [pooled RR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.43-1.92] for dementia in elderly populations.

The investigators found with every 1 dm/s (360 m/h) decrement in walking pace, the risk of dementia was significantly increased by 13% [RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.08-1.18].

The investigators concluded that slow or decreased walking pace is associated with elevated risk of cognitive decline and dementia in elderly populations.

Original title:
Walking Pace and the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Elderly Populations: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies by Quan M, Xun P, [...], He K.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27927757

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find here more information/studies about elderly and sport nutrition.

According to WHO in order to improve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, bone and functional health, reduce the risk of NCDs, depression and cognitive decline:

• Older adults (aged 65 and above) should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity.
• Aerobic activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration.
• For additional health benefits, older adults should increase their moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes per week, or engage in 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or an equivalent combination of moderate-and vigorous-intensity activity.
• Older adults, with poor mobility, should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls on 3 or more days per week.
• Muscle-strengthening activities, involving major muscle groups, should be done on 2 or more days a week.
• When older adults cannot do the recommended amounts of physical activity due to health conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow.