Nutrition and health

Objectives:
Is there a causal relationship between dairy products or calcium supplements and the reduction in fat mass and BMI among overweight or obese adults?

Study design:
This review article included 10 and 14 RCTs with ≥ 12 weeks interventions of calcium supplements and dairy products among overweight (BMI>25) or obese (BMI>30) adults aged ≥18.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found that dairy products significantly reduced fat mass among overweight or obese adults [SMD = -0.40, 95% CI = -0.77 to -0.02].
This reduction was also significant in the analysis of RCTs with low risk of bias scores.

The investigators found that dairy products significantly reduced BMI among overweight or obese adults [SMD = -0.46 kg/m², 95% CI = -0.67 to -0.26].
This reduction was also significant in the analysis of RCTs with low risk of bias scores.

The investigators found that calcium supplements significantly reduced fat mass among overweight or obese adults [SMD = -0.15, 95% CI = -0.28 to -0.02].
However, this reduction was not significant in the analysis of RCTs with low risk of bias scores.

The investigators concluded there is a causal relationship between dairy products without distinction of fat percentage and the reduction in fat mass and BMI among overweight or obese adults.

Original title:
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on calcium supplements and dairy products for changes in body weight and obesity indices by Hong JY, Lee JS, [...], Kim MK.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33292017/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on dairy product and calcium consumption and obesity/overweight right here.

Objectives:
Does pistachio supplementation reduce obesity risk?

Study design:
This review article included 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1,593 subjects.

The assigned pistachio intake was below 50 g/d in 3 studies.
Intervention times were shorter than 12 weeks in 4 studies.
There was no significant publication bias.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found compared to the control diet group, the pistachio supplementation regimen significantly decreased BMI [-0.18 kg/m², 95% CI = -0.26 to -0.11 kg/m², p 0.001, I2 = 29.8%, p = 0.180].

The investigators found compared to the control diet group, the pistachio supplementation regimen did not significantly change waist circumference [net change = 0.76 cm, 95% CI = -0.11 to 1.63 cm, p = 0.087, I2 = 7.0%, p = 0.340].

The investigators found compared to the control diet group, the pistachio supplementation regimen had no effect on body weight [net change = 0.22 kg, 95% CI = -0.50 to 0.07 kg, p = 0.141, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.962].

The investigators concluded compared to a controlled dietary intake, an adequate amount of pistachio supplementation lowers BMI without increasing body weight, which supports the view that pistachio consumption is beneficial for human health.

Original title:
The relationship between pistachio (Pistacia vera L) intake and adiposity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by Xia K, Yang T, […], Chen XZ.

Link:
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Fulltext/2020/08210/The_relationship_between_pistachio__Pistacia_vera.7.aspx

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on nut consumption and obesity/overweight right here.

Objectives:
Probiotics are being used increasingly in pregnant women, whereas the efficiency on pregnancy outcomes is yet lacking. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Have probiotic supplements during pregnancy positive effects on pregnancy outcomes, such as eczema, gestational age?

Study design:
This review article included 18 RCTs with a total of 4,356 pregnant women.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found probiotic supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased risk of atopic eczema with 32% [RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.81, p 0.001, without significant heterogeneity].

The investigators found probiotic supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased risk of eczema with 21% [RR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.91, p = 0.002, without significant heterogeneity].

The investigators found probiotic supplementation during pregnancy was associated with a prolonged gestational age [WMD = 0.09, 95 % CI = 0.04 to 0.15, p = 0.001 with insignificant heterogeneity].
However, probiotic supplementation during pregnancy had no significant effect on birth weight [p = 0.851].

The investigators found probiotic supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased risk of death with 66% [RR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.91, p = 0.031, without evidence of heterogeneity].

The investigators found probiotic supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) with 62% [RR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.11, p = 0.012, without evidence of heterogeneity].

The investigators concluded probiotic supplementation in pregnant women is beneficial for atopic eczema, eczema, gestational age, death and necrotising enterocolitis.

Original title:
Effect of probiotic supplementation in pregnant women: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials by Kuang L and Jiang Y.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31856928

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Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease that affects mostly the intestine of premature infants. The wall of the intestine is invaded by bacteria, which cause local infection and inflammation that can ultimately destroy the wall of the bowel (intestine). Such bowel wall destruction can lead to perforation of the intestine and spillage of stool into the infant’s abdomen, which can result in an overwhelming infection and death.
 

Objectives:
There are numerous trials reported the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on obesity measurements; while no summarised dose-response meta-analysis is available to address the effects of dose and duration of ALA supplementation on obesity measurements. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does alpha-lipoic acid supplementation improve obesity measurements including weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and fat mass (FM)?

Study design:
This review article included 18, 21 and 8 RCTs of ALA-weight, ALA-BMI, ALA-WC, respectively.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in two-class meta-analysis, alpha-lipoic acid supplementation significantly reduced weight [WMD = -2.29 kg, 95% CI = -2.98 to -1.60, p 0.01] and BMI [WMD = -0.49 g/m², 95% CI = -0.83 to -0.15, p = 0.005] but had no effect on waist circumference [WMD = -2.57 cm, 95% CI = -8.91 to 3.76, p = 0.426].

The investigators found while the dose-response meta-analysis revealed that the duration of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation was a significant factor affecting waist circumference reduction [p non-linearity = 0.047].
While no evidence of departure from linearity was observed for other variables; moreover, subgrouping also revealed that gender could be an important factor affecting the alpha-lipoic acid impact on waist circumference, which was significant among women [WMD = -4.099, 95%CI = -7.837 to -0.361, p = 0.032].

The investigators concluded that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation reduces BMI, weight in a two-class meta-analysis without evidence of departure from linearity in terms of dose or duration. While the association of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on waist circumference is dependent to the duration of the study. Although further trials evaluating the other obesity measurements specially central obesity will be helpful to infer a more reliable result.

Original title:
Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation significantly reduces the risk of obesity in an updated systematic review and dose response meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials by Vajdi M and Farhangi MA.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32091656

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on fat and obesity/overweight right here.

Objectives:
Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduce body weight and body mass index (BMI) of patients in randomized controlled clinical trial studies (RCTs)?

Study design:
This review article included 17 RCTs.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found results of random-effect size meta-analysis showed that supplementation with coenzyme Q10 had no significant decreasing effects on body weight [WMD = 0.28 kg, 95% CI = -0.91 to 1.47, p = 0.64] and BMI [WMD = -0.03, 95% CI = -0.4 to 0.34, p = 0.86] of study participants.
No significant because the calculated p-value of 0.64 was larger than the p-value of 0.05.
Subgroup analysis revealed that dosage of Q10 and trial duration could not differ the results of Q10 supplementation.

The investigators concluded that coenzyme Q10 supplementation has no decreasing effects on body weight and BMI.

Original title:
Effect of Q10 supplementation on body weight and body mass index: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials by Saboori S, Rad EY, […], Falahi E.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31336462

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Find more information/studies on RCTs/subgroup analysis, coenzyme Q10 and obesity/overweight right here.

Objectives:
Do higher gestational vitamin D levels (vitamin D levels of the mother during pregnancy) decrease risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in offspring?

Study design:
This review article included 4 case-control studies of moderate to low risk of bias.

Factors identified as determinants of heterogeneity were the definitions of vitamin D deficiency, the characteristics of study participants and the quality of the study.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found that higher levels of gestational vitamin D significantly reduced risk of multiple sclerosis in offspring with 37% [OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.47 to 0.84] in random effects models and in a stratified analysis based on study quality.

The investigators concluded higher levels of gestational vitamin D reduce risk of multiple sclerosis in offspring.

Original title:
Gestational vitamin D and offspring risk of multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Jasper EA, Nidey NL, […], Ryckman KK.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32014337

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

 

Objectives:
Micronutrients’ deficiency is a common phenomenon among a majority of the population residing in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) especially among women and children. Given the widespread prevalence of micronutrients’ deficiency in LMICs, iron-fortified foods could be of potential benefits for both the mother and the development of fetus. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does iron fortification increase hemoglobin (Hb) concentration during pregnancy and have iron fortification positive effects on specific maternal and pregnancy outcomes?

Study design:
This review article included 12 RCTs (n = 3,872).

The weighted mean difference (WMD) and relative risk (RR) were calculated using random-effects models. Sources of heterogeneity were explored through meta-regression.

The funnel plot was symmetrical, indicating that there was absence of any publication bias which was confirmed using Egger's weighted regression method [Egger test, ρ = 0.69].

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found the mean change in hemoglobin concentration was significantly higher in the group of mothers with iron fortification when compared with the control group [WMD = 4.45 g/L, 95% CI = 2.73 to 6.17 g/L, I2 = 83%, ρ 0.00001].

The investigators found in meta-regression analysis that the duration of feeding was positively associated with the effect size.

The investigators concluded iron fortification increases hemoglobin (Hb) concentration during pregnancy. Further research is required to explore the benefits of iron fortification on maternal and neonatal health outcomes during pregnancy.

Original title:
Meta-analysis Approach on Iron Fortification and Its Effect on Pregnancy and Its Outcome Through Randomized, Controlled Trials by Athe R, Dwivedi R, […], Banset U.  

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7114015/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies food fortification and iron right here.

Objectives:
Results regarding the association between fish intake and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are ambiguous. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does fish consumption reduce risk of metabolic syndrome?

Study design:
This review article included 10 cross-sectional studies and 6 cohort studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found fish consumption significantly reduced risk of metabolic syndrome with 20% [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.66 to 0.96, p = 0.017, I2 = 62.9%] in cohort studies.
However, this reduced risk was not significant in cross-sectional studies [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70 to 1.02, p = 0.085, I2 = 50.1%].
Significantly because OR of 1 was not found in the 95% CI of 0.6 to 0.96. OR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators found a significant non-linear association between fish intake levels and risk of metabolic syndrome [p for non-linearity = 0.010].

The investigators concluded that fish consumption reduces risk of metabolic syndrome when combining data from prospective cohort studies. Further studies are needed to confirm such an effect.

Original title:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between fish consumption and risk of metabolic syndrome by Karimi G, Heidari Z, [...], Haghighatdoost F.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32127332

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on fish consumption and obesity/overweight right here.

Objectives:
Omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E or D co-supplementation may be an important approach to improve metabolic status in gestational diabetes, but the results are conflicting. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Do omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E or D co-supplementation improve metabolic status in gestational diabetes?

Study design:
This review article included 4 RCTs.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E or D co-supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose level [MD = -10.47, 95% CI = -15.33 to -5.61, p  0.0001], homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance level [MD = -1.6, 95% CI= -2.44 to -0.77, p = 0.0002], malondialdehyde level [MD = -1.00, 95% CI = -1.05 to -0.95, p  0.00001] and triglycerides level [MD = 26.22, 95% CI = -38.94 to -13.51, p  0.0001].

The investigators found omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E or D co-supplementation was associated with a significantly increased antioxidant capacity level [MD = 173.51, 95% CI = 164.72-182.30, p  0.00001].

The investigators found omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E or D co-supplementation showed no effect on nitric oxide level [MD = 5.95, 95% CI = -7.48 to 19.37, p = 0.39] or total cholesterol level [MD = 1.63, 95% CI = -13.46 to 16.72, p = 0.83].

The investigators concluded omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E or D co-supplementation have a favourable effect on metabolic status in gestational diabetes.

Original title:
Influence of omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin co-supplementation on metabolic status in gestational diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies by Li F, Pei L, […], Ye H.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32145487

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on diabetes, pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin D and E right here.

Objectives:
The efficacy of n-3 fatty acids supplementation on the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia remains unclear. Therefore, this meta-analysis (systematic review) has been conducted.

Does n-3 fatty acids supplementation (EPA and/or DHA and/or ALA) decrease risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy?

Study design:
This review article included 14 RCTs.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found that n-3 fatty acids supplementation significantly reduced risk of preeclampsia with 18% [RR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70 to 0.97, p = 0.024. I2 = 19.0%].
However, n-3 fatty acids supplementation did not associated with a reduced risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension [RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.90 to 1.07, p = 0.652, I2 = 0%].

The investigators concluded n-3 fatty acids supplementation (EPA and/or DHA and/or ALA)  reduces risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Original title:
Efficacy of n-3 fatty acids supplementation on the prevention of pregnancy induced-hypertension or preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Bakouei F, Delavar MA, […], Taheri Z.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32039806

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on n-3 fatty acids, hypertension and pregnancy right here.