High fruit intake was associated with lower incidence of type 2 diabetes
1. There was a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in patients with high fruit consumption compared to patients with high refined carbohydrates/low fruit & vegetable consumption.
2. There were no significant differences between males and females.
Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)
Diabetes affects a large population worldwide, with dietary intake identified as one of the most common modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Multiple studies have identified associations between different dietary patterns and incidence of T2DM. However, most studies have established dietary patterns a priori and compared the incidence of T2DM in patients with such dietary patterns versus a pre-established control diet. This study aimed to look at the association between computationally determined clusters of carbohydrate intake patterns with T2DM incidences.
This was a prospective cohort study of 26,662 adult participants living in Sweden. Participants with limited Swedish proficiency, mental disability, or diabetes at baseline were excluded. The primary exposure was carbohydrate intake, determined by a 3-part dietary history method: a 7-day food diary, a 168-item food frequency questionnaire, and a 60-minute interview. The incidence of T2DM was determined through a diabetes diagnosis by a physician or at least two HbA1c values >6.0% during the study follow-up period from 1996 -2016.
There were 5 distinct clusters of carbohydrate consumption identified within the analysis: 1) high vegetables/low added sugar, 2) high sugar-sweetened beverages, 3) high juices, 4) high fruit, and 5) high refined carbohydrates/low fruit & vegetables. The results demonstrated that there was a significantly lower risk of developing T2DM in patients in the high fruit cluster compared to the high refined carbohydrates/low fruit & vegetables cluster. Interestingly, the high fruit cluster had the highest mean age and lowest proportion of current smokers, which may have confounded the results given the known correlation between increased risk of T2DM and. Lastly, there was no interaction with sex identified for the clusters, suggesting that the associations were similar between genders. This study was limited by possible measurement error due to self-reported dietary data as well as generalizability to a non-Swedish population. Nonetheless, these results suggest more nuanced dietary recommendations in patients with T2DM may be beneficial.
Curcumin-piperine supplementation may lead to lower inflammation in post-stroke patients.
1. Supplementation with curcumin-piperine resulted in significantly reduced serum levels of inflammatory markers, total cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in post-stroke patients.
2. Curcumin-piperine supplementation did not lead to changes in quality-of-life indicators in post-stroke patients.
Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)
Stroke affects a large population worldwide and often has profound effects on patients’ quality of life afterward. In patients who have suffered a stroke, glucocorticoids have been sometimes used to reduce inflammation and are thought to lead to increased quality of life. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory and anti-ischemic compound that has been hypothesized to exert neuroprotective effects in patients post-stroke. This study examined the effects of supplementation with curcumin-piperine in various serum markers of inflammation in patients with ischemic stroke.
This was a randomized controlled trial of 56 adult, post-ischemic stroke patients from Iran. Patients with a diagnosis of stroke on imaging, who were non-pregnant, did not smoke or use alcohol, had not taken warfarin, antioxidants, or other supplements, and were without malignant diseases, cancer, fatty liver, diabetes, lung, and kidney disease were included. Patients who had a history of allergy to herbal products or recurrent strokes were excluded. Patients were 1:1 randomized to either receive 500mg curcumin + 5mg piperine or placebo tablets for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes measured were serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), thrombosis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, blood pressure, and quality of life.
The results demonstrated that curcumin-piperine supplementation resulted in significantly reduced serum levels of hs-CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, CIMT, weight, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic BP. However, there was no difference in quality-of-life indicators between the intervention and control groups. This study was limited by the strict inclusion criteria which excluded many post-stroke patients with comorbidities thereby likely limiting the generalizability of these results. Nonetheless, these results suggest the possible role of curcumin-piperine supplementation in post-stroke patients but require further mechanistic and larger-sized prospective studies.
Increased vitamin C intake was associated with decreased aortic calcification
1. Higher dietary vitamin C intake was correlated with a reduction in abdominal aortic calcification scores.
2. There was no association between vitamin C supplement intake and AAC score.
Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects a large population worldwide. Vascular calcification is one of the main risk factors for CVD, with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) occurring earlier than coronary artery calcification. Therefore, AAC scores have been thought to serve as a potential indicator for CVD incidence and mortality. Vitamin C has been implicated in CVD health given its anti-inflammatory effects but the relationship between vitamin C and AAC score has not been explored. This study aimed to explore the relationship between vitamin C and AAC.
This was a cross-sectional study that looked at 2297 US adults 40 years or older. Patients who were pregnant, or with missing data regarding blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol level, and alcohol consumption were excluded. The primary exposure was dietary vitamin C consumption, which was estimated using 2 rounds of 24-hour interview dietary recall. The primary outcome was AAC, which was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lateral spine and calculated using a 24-point scale (Kauppila) and an 8-point scale (Schousboe). Multiple regression models were used to evaluate the association of dietary vitamin C intake with AAC.
The results demonstrated that higher dietary vitamin C intake was correlated with a reduction in AAC score. However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin C supplement intake with AAC. This study was limited by possible recall bias in the measurement of dietary vitamin C intake. Nonetheless, these results suggest a possible beneficial role of dietary vitamin C intake in CVD health, and further prospective studies should be performed.
Image: PD
©2024 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.