Search results

This systematic review aims to gain the studies regarding the effect of Nigella Sativa (N. sativa) on adipokines including leptin, adiponectin and resistin.

Search was carried out using databases Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar with no restriction on language or date until February 2023 and alert services were applied to identify any paper after the primary search.

Eighteen animal and human studies were eligible for the current systematic review. Leptin and resistin levels showed a downward tendency after consuming N. sativa and its ingredients [e.g. oil, thymoquinone (TQ) and thymol] as well as its extracts (e.g. water extract). Furthermore, considering 4 of 8 animal research studies and 2 of 5 human studies that evaluated adiponectin levels, a significant increase was observed after using N. sativa and its ingredients (e.g. oil, TQ and thymol).

The present paper collates evidence from animal and human studies regarding the effect of N. sativa on adipokines including leptin, adiponectin and resistin.

Metabolic syndrome contains metabolic disorders that have association with other chronic diseases. Melatonin is a bioactive compound which is found in plants and also produced in the body. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of melatonin supplement on metabolic syndrome components, also leptin and adiponectin blood concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome.

A double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 subjects with metabolic syndrome. Participants received 6 mg/day melatonin or placebo before bedtime for 12 weeks. At the beginning and end of treatment period, blood samples were collected and biochemical parameters were measured. In addition, blood pressure and anthropometric indices were examined before and after the supplementation. Independent sample t-test was used to compare changes in metabolic syndrome components between the two study groups.

Results showed a significant reduction in waist circumference (−1.54 vs −0.04 cm; p = 0.036), systolic blood pressure (−3.52 vs 0.79 mmHg; p = 0.020), diastolic blood pressure (−1.50 vs 1.73 mmHg; p = 0.014), serum leptin concentration (−2.54 vs 0.27ng/ml; p = 0.041) and an elevation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.19 vs −0.79 mg/dl; p = 0.038) in the melatonin group compared to the placebo.

If insulin concentration had been measured, it might have revealed better interpretation of melatonin effect on fasting blood glucose.

This study showed that melatonin as a nutritional supplement improved most metabolic syndrome components and concentration of leptin in the melatonin group compared to the placebo.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa ethanolic extract (HsE) on protein levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, adiponectin and leptin in adipose tissue, as well as on the lipid and glycemic profiles of high-fat/sugar diet-induced obese (DIO) rats.

Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats through a high-fat/sugar diet provided for eight weeks. Control rats received a standard diet. The high-fat/sugar DIO animals were subsequently randomized into DIO (n = 8) and DIO treated with HsE (DIO + HsE, n = 8, 150 mg/kg/day) by gavage, for additional eight weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and blood samples and epididymal adipose tissue were collected for biochemical analysis and adipokine protein level evaluation, respectively.

Compared to the DIO rats, HsE treatment decreased weight gain (50.6%) and mesenteric fat (42%), indicated as diminished visceral fat (22.5%). HsE did not affect the lipid profile and TNF-α levels in adipose tissue; however, it effectively prevented a 13% increase in fasting glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance. Compared with the C group, HsE normalized the adiponectin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratio and decreased the IL-6 (55%) and leptin (18.6%) levels in adipose tissue of obese rats.

HsE improves adipokine protein levels in high-fat/sugar DIO rats, demonstrating the clinical efficacy of HsE in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.

This study aims to identify the effect of strawberry supplementation on some metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative parameters in adults with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.

A systematic literature search was performed up to November 2020 using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Sciences and Scopus databases. The pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to analyze the data by random-effects model. I² statistics and Cochrane risk of bias tool were used for investigating heterogeneity and quality of included studies, respectively.

In total, 13 randomized controlled trials with 488 participants were included. Strawberry supplementation significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (MD = −2.1, 95% CI [−3.7, −0.42], P = 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.16, −0.30, −0.02, P = 0.03), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) (−0.76, −1.4, −0.05, P < 0.001) and CRP (−0.31, −0.43, −0.18, P = 0.04). Leptin levels were raised in control group compared with participants who had received strawberry (0.65, 0.09 and 1.2, P = 0.02). The results of subgroup analysis based on the follow-up duration and supplementation dose showed that consumption of strawberry for more than eight weeks and 50 g day⁻¹ can significantly decrease some other CV risk factors compared to control group. Further, both higher follow-up duration and supplementation dose were more effective in increasing leptin levels of control group compared to intervention group.

The use of some useful plant foods such as strawberries by the pharmaceutical industry and the community health sector can greatly help improve people’s CV and metabolic health.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of methyl donor supplementation on anthropometric indices, body composition, glycemic control, lipid profile, homocysteine and appetite regulatory hormones in overweight and obese subjects.

This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted on overweight and obese subjects in Shiraz, Iran, in 2018. The 25 participants in each intervention and control group were required to take methyl donor supplement and placebo, respectively, for eight weeks. A variety of measurements was collected at baseline and the end of the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software.

The results indicated a significant reduction in weight, body mass index, body fat and waist and hip circumference (p < 0.001 for all parameters) within both groups and a significant improvement in skeletal muscle (p = 0.005), fat-free mass (p = 0.006), visceral fat area (p < 0.001) and body cell mass (p = 0.004) in the intervention group. Also, the results showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding serum homocysteine concentration at the end of the intervention (p < 0.001).

The results demonstrated that methyl donor supplementation might have effects on the improvement of anthropometric indices, body composition, glycemic and lipid profile status and appetite regulatory hormones among obese and overweight individuals. These effects might be attributed to their roles in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and epigenetics regulation.

Public health messages are a constant reminder, informing us that we need to participate in more physical activity. Such messages when coupled with increased social pressures can mean that vulnerable women are at risk of over‐exercising. Research indicates that light‐to‐moderate physical activities are associated with most favourable health outcomes. Intense activities, however, may actually have detrimental effects, including suppression of reproductive function. The aim of this paper is to give a balanced overview discussing how physical activity can affect female health, with a particular focus on fertility.

The most up‐to‐date and pertinent studies within the literature have been included and summated in this review.

Statistics indicate that approimately half‐a‐million (443,116) women in the UK are infertile. Furthermore, many women experience some degree of subfertility, although a prevalence rate has not yet been established. Research indicates that reproductive abnormalities are more likely to be present in women at either ends of the energy spectrum (excessively high, or low energy intake). An inadequate energy intake coupled with intense levels of physical activity is known to suppress reproductive function in women. It has been reported that reproduction dysfunction may take place in as many as 6‐79 per cent women engaging in athletic activity.

This paper gives a concise, up‐to‐date informative overview on how physical activity can affect female fertility.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of green coffee extract on anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde on subjects with metabolic syndrome.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in Sheikh Al Raise Clinic from September 2016 to March 2017. The participants were randomly divided into green coffee group and placebo group. Green coffee group (n = 24) received green coffee extract (GCE), while placebo group (n = 24) took cellulose as a placebo, two capsules (400 mg) two times each day for eight weeks. The anthropometric index and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, chemerin and malondialdehyde were measured at the beginning of the study and after eight weeks of treatment with GCE. Blood samples were collected before and after eight weeks of supplementation.

Significant weight loss, from 84.80 ± 2.12 kg to 80.94 ± 2.10 kg (ptime = 0.030, pGC = 0.007), as well as decreases in body mass index (ptime = 0.034, pGC = 0.006) were detected in the green coffee group after eight weeks. Also, the green coffee group has significant lower (pgroup = 0.029, ptime = 0.013) malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the placebo group, and there was a significant difference between two groups at the insulin level and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ptime = 0.001, pgroup = 0.048), (ptime = 0.012, pgroup = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in lipid profile, fasting blood sugar and serum chemerin between two groups after eight weeks of supplementation.

This paper showed the statistical difference in body weight, malondialdehyde, insulin and insulin resistance after eight weeks of treatment. GCE might be associated to reduction in the carbohydrate absorption and the enhancement of lipid metabolism.

Although affecting most women during their fertile years, PMS remains a poorly understood condition. The purpose of this paper is to present some diet and lifestyle treatment options based on literature review findings tempered with the author's experience of treating this condition.

Findings from the literature over the last 20 years and the experience of treating women with this condition have resulted in the development of a phased approach to treat PMS.

The phased approach is outlined as such: for phase 1 ensure the diet is healthy and balanced. In phase 2 swap high Glycemic Index foods for lower GI ones and eat regular meals. For phase 3 try supplements with evidence of efficacy such as calcium and vitamin D. Finally, in phase 4 address lifestyle factors such as activity, stress and weight plus control chronic health conditions.

More research is needed in this area; future work should focus on the use of the lower GI diet and weight loss.

The four phased approach should be implemented before resorting to pharmacological intervention. Women may not need to follow all four phases and may find relief after just phase 1.

For PMS relief, women do not need to be following a diet that does not fit into a family situation; following the guidelines can have knock on health benefit on the rest of the family.

Unsubstantiated anecdotes are often the main source of help for PMS sufferers. This approach sets achievable phased targets based on sound science and practical experience.