Nutrition and health

Objectives:
Is fish or omega-3 fatty acids consumption associated with a lower risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)?

Study design:
This review article included 8 prospective cohort studies.
The follow-up duration ranged from 0.5 to 19 years.
The sample size ranged from 595 to 80,263.
The fish and omega-3 fatty acids consumption was assessed by food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in all studies.
The diagnosis of venous thromboembolism was obtained in registered medical record (imaging or autopsy) and food was considered as the source of omega-3 fatty acids in all included studies.
Begg's rank-correlation test showed no evidence of publication bias.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found the overall multi-variable adjusted RR showed no significant relationship between fish consumption and the risk of venous thromboembolism [RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.93 to 1.11, p = 0.709, I2 = 33%, p = 0.176].
The sensitivity analysis showed only minimal changes in magnitude of the pooled RR when any study was excluded from the meta-analysis, suggesting that no individual study had excessive influence on these robust aggregate results.

The investigators found the overall multi-variable adjusted RR showed that omega-3 fatty acids consumption was associated with a lower risk of 11% for venous thromboembolism [RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80 to 0.98, p = 0.024, I2 = 0%, p = 0.469].
The sensitivity analysis showed only minimal changes in magnitude of the pooled RR when any study was excluded from the meta-analysis, suggesting that no individual study had excessive influence on these robust aggregate results.

The investigators found the overall multi-variable adjusted RR showed that omega-3 fatty acids consumption was associated with a lower risk of 55% for recurrent venous thromboembolism [RR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.81, p = 0.008, I2 = 26.4%, p = 0.244].
Significant because RR of 1 was not found in the 95% CI of 0.25 to 0.81. RR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators concluded omega-3 fatty acids consumption is associated with a lower risk of both venous thromboembolism and recurrent venous thromboembolism.

Original title:
Associations of Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Consumption With the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism. A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies by Zhang Y, Ding J, [...],Li Y.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7793732/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on omega-3 and fish consumption and cardiovascular diseases right here.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which a blood clot forms most often in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm (known as deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and travels in the circulation, lodging in the lungs (known as pulmonary embolism, PE).

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.

Objectives:
Undernutrition is one of the most common problems among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), contributing to premature death and the development of comorbidities within this population. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the impacts of these often inter-related conditions appear in a series of fragmented and inconclusive studies. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does undernutrition increase the risk of mortality and morbidity among adults living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)?

Study design:
This review article included 53 studies (cohort and cross-sectional studies) with a total of 367,680 adults living with HIV (76.2% females).
Publication year of the included studies ranged from 2006 to 2019.
The sample size of the included studies ranged from 71 in Kenya to 68,378 in Tanzania. Most were cohort studies (n = 47, 88.7%). About 63.8% of the included cohort studies had a follow-up period of less than 5 years for mortality and/or less than 2 years for morbidities.
NOS quality scores ranged from 5 to 9 for cohort studies and 8 to 10 for cross-sectional studies.
The mean quality score of the included studies was 7.34 [SD = 0.14].
There was no publication bias.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found a meta-analysis of 23 cohort studies (involving 125,790 individuals) indicated that undernutrition significantly [AHR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.8 to 2.4, I2 = 66.4%, p  0.001] increased the risk of mortality among adults living with HIV, while severely undernourished adults living with HIV were at higher risk of death [AHR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.9 to 2.8) as compared to mildly undernourished adults living with HIV.

The investigators found, furthermore, the pooled estimates of 10 cohort studies (involving 104,387 adults living with HIV) revealed that undernutrition significantly increased the risk of developing tuberculosis [AHR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.6 to 2.7, I2 = 75.2%, p  0.001] among adults living with HIV.

The investigators concluded that undernutrition has significant effects on mortality and morbidity among adults living with HIV. As the degree of undernutrition became more severe, mortality rate also increased. Therefore, these findings may be used to update the nutritional guidelines used for the management of people living with HIV (PLHIV), by different stakeholders, especially in limited-resource settings.

Original title:
Effects of undernutrition on mortality and morbidity among adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Alebel A, Demant D, […], Sibbritt D.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7780691/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on food fortification/malnutrition right here.

Objectives:
Although several epidemiological studies have investigated associations between poultry and fish consumption and pancreatic cancer (PC) risk, these findings have been inconsistent. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Do high dietary poultry or fish intakes increase risk of pancreatic cancer?

Study design:
This review article included 25 studies (cohort studies and case-control studies).

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found for the highest vs. lowest poultry intake category a significantly increased risk of 14% for pancreatic cancer [pooled RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.26] in cohort studies.
Significant because RR of 1 was not found in the 95% CI of 1.02 to 1.26. RR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators found there was no association between fish intake and pancreatic cancer risk [RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.93 to 1.07].
No association because RR of 1 was found in the 95% CI of 0.93 to 1.07. RR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators concluded that large amount of poultry intake increases pancreatic cancer risk, while fish intake is unlikely to be linked to pancreatic cancer risk. These findings require further investigation, particularly between poultry and pancreatic cancer.

Original title:
Poultry and Fish Intake and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Gao Y, Ma Y, […], Wang X.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33432844/

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

Objectives:
Does dietary acrylamide intake increase risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer?

Study design:
This review article included 14 prospective cohort studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found no significant association between dietary acrylamide intake and the risk of breast [RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.90 to 1.01], endometrial [RR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.19] and ovarian cancers [RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.84 to 1.24].
In addition, no significant association between dietary acrylamide intake and the risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers in different subgroup analyses by smoking status, menopausal status, BMI status and different types of breast cancer.

The investigators concluded there is no significant association between dietary acrylamide intake and the risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Original title:
Dietary acrylamide intake and risk of women's cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies by Benisi-Kohansal S, Salari-Moghaddam A, […], Esmaillzadeh A.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33413725/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on breast cancer right here.

Acrylamide is a chemical that naturally forms in starchy food products during high-temperature cooking processes, such as frying, roasting and baking. Acrylamide in food forms from sugars and an amino acid that are naturally present in food.
 

Objectives:
What is the effect of aerobic exercise performed in the fasted versus fed states on fat and carbohydrate metabolism in adults?

Study design:
This review article included 27 studies with a total of 273 participants.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found a significant increase in fat oxidation during aerobic exercise (duration ≤120 min) performed in the fasted state compared with fed state [WMD = -3.08 g, 95% CI = -5.38 to -0.79, I2 = 39.1%].

The investigators found the weighted mean difference of onesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations was not significantly different between states [WMD = 0.00 mmol/L, 95 % CI = -0.07 to 0.08, I2 = 72.7 %].

The investigators found, however, the weighted mean differences of glucose [WMD = 0.78 mmol/L, 95% CI = 0.43 to 1.14, I2 = 90.8%] and insulin concentrations [WMD = 104.5 pmol/L, 95% CI = 70.8 to 138.2, I2 = 94.5%] were significantly higher for aerobic exercise (duration ≤120 min) performed in the fed state.

The investigators concluded that aerobic exercise (duration ≤120 min) performed in the fasted state induces higher fat oxidation than aerobic exercise performed in the fed state.

Original title:
Effects of aerobic exercise performed in fasted v. fed state on fat and carbohydrate metabolism in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Vieira AF, Costa RR, […], Kruel LF.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27609363

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more studies/information on physical activity and energy right here.

Aerobic exercise is any exercise that raises the heart rate and increases respiration (breathing). Examples of aerobic exercise are:

• Cross-country skiing
• Cycling
• Dancing
• Fast walking
• Hiking
• Jogging or running
• Swimming
   

Objectives:
The association between elevated serum phosphorus concentration and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality yielded conflicting results. Therefore, this review article (meta-analysis) has been conducted.

Does an elevated serum phosphorus concentration increase cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population?

Study design:
This review article included 6 prospective cohort studies involving 120,269 subjects.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found when compared the highest with the reference concentration of serum phosphorus, a significant increased risk of 36% for cardiovascular mortality [pooled RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07-1.72]. Significant because RR of 1 was not found in the 95% CI of 1.07 to 1.72. RR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators found when compared the highest with the reference concentration of serum phosphorus, a significant increased risk of 33% for all-cause mortality [pooled RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.15-1.58]. Significant means that there is an association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators found stratified analyses revealed that elevated serum phosphorus significantly increased all-cause mortality risk with 33% among men [RR 1.33, 95% CI = 1.11-1.60], but not in women [RR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.89-1.33].

The investigators concluded elevated serum phosphorus concentration is independently associated with excessive risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population without chronic kidney disease. Serum phosphorus on all-cause mortality risk appears to be pronounced in men but exhibits no clear effect on women. However, gender difference of elevated serum phosphorus on mortality risk should be verified by more prospective cohort studies.

Original title:
Serum phosphorus, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population: A meta-analysis by Bai W, Li J and Liu J.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27475981

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

Objectives:
Reported associations between protein intake from different sources and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been inconsistent.Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Study design:
This review article included 11 prospective cohort studies with 505,624 participants and 37,918 type 2 diabetes cases (follow-up range: 5-24 years).

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found for the comparison of the highest with lowest categories of total protein intakes a significant higher risk of 9% for type 2 diabetes [RR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.13]. Significant means that there is an association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators found for the comparison of the highest with lowest categories of animal protein intakes a significant higher risk of 19% for type 2 diabetes [RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.28].

The investigators found for the comparison of the highest with lowest categories of plant protein intakes a non-significant reduced risk of 5% for type 2 diabetes [RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.02]. Non-significant means it cannot be said with a 95% confidence that a daily higher intake of plant protein really reduced risk of type 2 diabetes with 5%.

The investigators found for the comparison of the highest with lowest categories of plant protein intakes a significant reduced risk of 7% for type 2 diabetes among women [RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.85 to 1.00].

The investigators found for the comparison of the highest with lowest categories of plant protein intakes a significant reduced risk of 9% for type 2 diabetes among US populations [RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84 to 0.97].

The investigators concluded that a higher intake of total and animal protein are both associated with an increased risk of of type 2 diabetes. However, a higher intake of plant protein decreases risk of type 2 diabetes among women and US populations.

Original title:
Dietary protein intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study and a meta-analysis of prospective studies by Shang X, Scott D, […], Sanders KM.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27629053

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on diabetes and protein right here.

Objectives:
Micronutrient deficiencies impose a considerable burden of disease on many middle and low income countries. Several strategies have been shown to be effective in improving micronutrient deficiencies. However, the impact of fortified condiments as well as fortified noodles is less well documented. Therefore, this meta-analysis (review article) has been conducted.

What is the impact of micronutrient fortified condiments on hemoglobin, anemia and functional outcomes in children and adults (age: 5 to 50 years)?

Study design:
This review article included 14 RCTs comprising 8845 people with a mean age between 7.3 and 34 years. Mean follow-up was 0.88 years (range: 2.4 months to 2 years).

Only in 2 trials was multi-micronutrient fortification used, e.g. additional fortification with vitamin A, zinc and folate. In the other 12 studies, iron was the net difference in multi-micronutrient exposition between intervention and control groups.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in 12 RCTs that micronutrient fortification of condiments significantly increased hemoglobin concentrations by 0.74 g/dL [95% CI = 0.56 to 0.93].

The investigators found different types of iron preparations showed no differences in rise of hemoglobin concentrations (NaFeEDTA: 0.69 g/dL vs. 0.68 g/dL for other preparations).

The investigators found micronutrient fortification also led to a reduced risk of 41% for having anemia [risk ratio 0.59, 95% CI = 0.44 to 0.80].

The investigators found ferritin concentrations significantly increased with fortified condiments.

The investigators concluded the use of micronutrient fortified condiments can be a strategy to reduce anemia in children and adults due to micronutrient deficiencies beyond supplementation programs and fortification of staple food.

Original title:
Micronutrient Fortified Condiments and Noodles to Reduce Anemia in Children and Adults—A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis by Hess S, Tecklenburg L and Eichler K.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772051/

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

Objectives:
Does garlic supplementation reduce cardiovascular disease risk?

Study design:
This review article included original studies and previous review articles (meta-analyses).

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in 4 meta-analyses and 2 original studies that garlic supplementation significantly reduced blood pressure by 7-16 mmHg (systolic) and 5-9 mmHg (diastolic). Significant means that there is an association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators found in 8 meta-analyses that garlic supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol by 7.4-29.8 mg/dL.

The most consistent benefits were shown in studies that used aged garlic extract (AGE).

The investigators found a few small studies that used aged garlic extract also showed favourable effects on C-reactive protein (CRP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and coronary artery calcium (CAC).

Although garlic is generally safe, rare adverse reactions have been documented with limited causality established.

The investigators concluded garlic supplementation has the potential for cardiovascular protection based on risk factor reduction (hypertension and total cholesterol) and surrogate markers (C-reactive protein, pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcium) of atherosclerosis. Larger studies are warranted to evaluate these effects further.

Original title:
Garlic and Heart Disease by Varshney R and Budoff MJ.

Link:
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/146/2/416S.long

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Find more information/studies on garlic consumption and cardiovascular disease right here.

Objectives:
Zinc deficiency is a global nutritional problem, particularly in children and women residing in settings where diets are cereal based and monotonous. It has several negative health consequences. Fortification of staple foods with zinc may be an effective strategy for preventing zinc deficiency and improving zinc-related health outcomes. Therefore, this meta-analysis (review article) has been conducted.

What are the beneficial and adverse effects of fortification of staple foods with zinc on health-related outcomes and biomarkers of zinc status in the general population?

Study design:
This review article included 8 RCTs (709 participants); seven were from middle-income countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America where zinc deficiency is likely to be a public health problem.
The interventions lasted between one and nine months.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in 3 studies with 158 participants that foods fortified with zinc increased the serum or plasma zinc levels with 2.12 µmol/L in comparison to foods without added zinc [MD = 2.12 µmol/L, 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.00 µmol/L; low-quality evidence].

The investigators found in 2 studies with 397 participants that participants consuming foods fortified with zinc versus participants consuming the same food without zinc had similar risk of underweight [average risk ratio = 3.10, 95% CI = 0.52 to 18.38; low-quality evidence].

The investigators found in 2 studies with 397 participants that participants consuming foods fortified with zinc versus participants consuming the same food without zinc had similar risk of stunting [RR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.36 to 2.13; low-quality evidence].

The investigators found no significant difference in serum or plasma zinc levels in participants consuming foods fortified with zinc plus other micronutrients comparing with participants consuming the same foods with micronutrients but no added zinc [MD = 0.03 µmol/L, 95% CI = -0.67 to 0.72 µmol/L; 4 studies of  low-quality evidence with 250 participants].

The investigators found no adverse effect of fortification of foods with zinc on indicators of iron or copper status.

The investigators concluded fortification of foods with zinc may improve the serum zinc status of populations if zinc is the only micronutrient used for fortification. However, when zinc is added to food in combination with other micronutrients, it may make little or no difference to the serum zinc status. Effects of fortification of foods with zinc on other outcomes including zinc deficiency, children's growth, cognition, work capacity of adults or on haematological indicators are unknown. Given the small number of trials and participants in each trial, further investigation of these outcomes is required.

Original title:
Fortification of staple foods with zinc for improving zinc status and other health outcomes in the general population by Shah D, Sachdev HS, […], Peña-Rosas JP.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27281654

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

Objectives:
Anemia is a leading cause of maternal deaths and adverse pregnancy outcomes in developing countries. To present knowledge, no previous study has estimated the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of adverse pregnancy outcomes for maternal anemia. Therefore, this meta-analysis (review article) has been conducted.

Is there an association between maternal anemia and pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries?

Study design:
This review article included 24 prospective cohorts and 5 retrospective cohort studies.

The number of subjects per study ranged from 253 to 399,274 with a total of ∼0.72 million pregnant women with a mean age that ranged from 20 to 30 years.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found overall, 42.7% [95% CI = 37.0% to 48.4%] of women experienced anemia during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries.

The investigators found pregnant women with anemia had a significant higher risk of 31% for low birth weight [RR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.13-1.51].

The investigators found pregnant women with anemia had a significant higher risk of 63% for preterm birth [RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.33-2.01].

The investigators found pregnant women with anemia had a significant higher risk of 51% for perinatal mortality [RR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.30-1.76].

The investigators found pregnant women with anemia had a significant higher risk of 172% for neonatal mortality [RR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.19-6.25].

The investigators found South Asian, African and low-income countries had a higher pooled anemia prevalence than did other Asian and upper-middle-income countries.

The investigators found in low- and middle-income countries, 12% of low birth weight, 19% of preterm births and 18% of perinatal mortality were attributable to maternal anemia.

The investigators concluded maternal anemia is a risk factor for adverse birth and perinatal health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Significantly higher risk of low birth weight and preterm birth were observed in low-income countries and in South Asian countries despite the greater priority and larger investment on maternal and child health programs in recent decades.

Original title:
Maternal anemia and risk of adverse birth and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis by Rahman MM, Abe SK, […], Shibuya K.

Link:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/103/2/495.long

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