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Abstract : The Dietary Intakes of Calcium and Bone Health Related Nutrients Among Individuals with and without Spinal Cord Injury
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Abstract: Objectives: The purposes of this observational study were to: 1) describe and compare the intakes of nutrients related to bone health among a group of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) versus a group of age, gender and weight matched non–SCI peers; and 2) contrast the participant’s nutrient intakes against current dietary reference intakes (DRIs). Methods: Consenting participants included: 87 individuals with SCI (C2-T10 AIS A-D) aged 18-68 years and 85 non-SCI individuals. Participants’ nutrient intakes were determined using a 24-hour dietary recall. Participants were grouped by gender, age (19-30yrs, 31-50yrs, 51-68yrs), and impairment (SCI and non-SCI). Additionally, the nutrient intakes were contrasted with the DRIsparameters.
Results: The range for mean calcium intakes across all age strata was 870-1087mg/day for SCI men and 848-1087mg/day for SCI women. The range for mean calcium intakes of the non-SCI participants were similar (men: 900-909mg/day; women: 796-1160mg/day). The majority of SCI and non-SCI men (64 - 86% of participants) in all age groups and SCI and non-SCI women in the 52-68 yrs group (72 and 73% of participants) did not meet the DRIs recommendation for calcium.. Additionally many participants did not meet the DRIs recommendation for magnesium (38-55%) and potassium (71-95%) regardless of gender and impairment. The majority (60-70%) of participants consumed excessive amounts of sodium with the exception of non-SCI women.
Conclusions: Dietary calcium intakes among SCI and non-SCI participants were not significantly different from each other. However, the dietary calcium intakes of both impairment groups were less than the recommended DRIs; SCI men and women are a target for nutritional interventions based on their calcium, magnesium potassium and sodium intakes. Keywords: Calcium, 24 hour recall, spinal cord injury, dietary assessment, osteoporosis. Download Full Article |
Abstract : Yoga, Mindful Eating, and Weight Management
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Abstract: Physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity are serious issues plaguing the American public. The extent to which regular yoga participation may be associated with the adoption and maintenance of health enhancing behaviors necessitates further investigation. Through a mixed method of inquiry, this study investigated the exercise and eating habits of adults who participate in yoga on a regular basis exploring facets of mindful eating, exercise habits, and body mass index. Survey packets were distributed across seven yoga studios and fitness facilities in central New Jersey; 87 adults with a mean age of 47 years self-selected to participate. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected including a Mindful Eating Questionnaire, a 7-Day Physical Activity Recall, height and weight, yoga tenure recorded in months/years of consistent yoga participation, and average daily fruit and vegetable intake. Results showed thatmindful eating was inversely correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI) and that 72% of the yoga participants had a BMI of 24.9 or less, placing them in the normal weight category. A significant difference existed in mindful eating score relative to yoga tenure and vegetable and fruit intake relative to yoga tenure. Participants reported a mean of 239 minutes of weekly exercise other than yoga participation. Qualitative data were collected throughtwo open-ended questions to ascertain the participants’ perceptions of yoga and their health-related behaviors; the data revealed that 87% of participants felt yoga enhanced their exercise adherence and 91% reported yoga promoted the adoption of positive health habits. The results suggest that yoga participation is associated with mindful eating and the adoption and maintenance of other positive health-related outcomes such as regular physical activity and weight management. Keywords: Physical inactivity, weight management, mindful eating, yoga, mind/body.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Plasma Total Homocysteine and its Relationship with Cardiovascular Disease
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Abstract: Aims:The specific aim of this review was to compile the first systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses from a range of studies that evaluates the evidence that elevated homocysteine may be a risk factor for CVD. Data Synthesis:379 entries were identified by initial screening using set criteria revealing eleven meta-analyses, one systematic review, two systematic reviews/meta-analyses and ten other studies, between 1994 and 2013.These studies compared homocysteine levels and its relationship with twelve different types of CVD chronic conditions. Final methodological quality assessment was conducted independently using the instrument AMSTAR for the systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The remaining studies were assessed using data extraction tools from JBI QARI, Appendix 2 & 4 packages. Conclusions:From the selected studies, 82.8% of the CVD conditions demonstrated that epidemiologic and clinical data strongly indicated that elevated homocysteine levels is a risk factor for primary CVD. 71.4% of the CVD conditions demonstrated that plasma tHcy can be employed as an independent biomarker. Despite 46.2% of the CVD conditions finding that reducing plasma tHcy lowers the risk of many CVD events, it remains unclear whether the reduction in plasma tHcy will reduce the risk of some CVD events; it is therefore considered prudent to take precautionary measures to aim for normal levels of homocysteine to avoid the risk of developing or exacerbating CVD. Moreover, it was shown that levels of homocysteine can be profoundly affected by diet, supplementation and lifestyle. The present study will help to clarify the present scientific understanding of this subject. Keywords: Hyperhomocysteinemia, cardiovascular disease, metabolism, diet, lifestyle.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Torbangun (Coleus amboinicus Lour) Extracts Affect Microbial and Fungus Activities
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Abstract: Coleus also known asTorbangun or Ati Ati plants leaves i.e. Coleusamboinicus Lourfrom Indonesia (CAL-I) and Coleus aromaticus (CAT-M), Pogostemon cablin (PC-M), Coleus blumei–red leaves (CBR-M), Coleus amboinicus– (CAL-M) Coleus blumei –purple leaves (CBP-M) from Malaysia were collected, freeze dried and extracted with aqueous methanol. The effect of the extract was assessed on microbial and fungal activities in relation to their phytochemicals and antioxidants concentrations. The total phenolic content was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method whilst antioxidant activity was assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The anti-microbial and anti-fungal activities were assessed by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and disc diffusion methods. The result indicates that the extracts are rich sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants from the listed plants. When the effect of the extracts was assessed on microbial and fungal activities it was observed that the effect was more pronounced on the gram-positive bacteria compared to gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, there was strong association between phytochemicalsand antioxidants concentration and with the microbial and fungal activities. However, it was not consistent for all types of strains. This studyshows thatTorbangun plants extracts are rich in phenolic contents therefore; it can be used as free radical scavengers and antimicrobial agent apart from other traditional uses. Keywords: Torbangun, coleus, phytochemical, antimicrobial, antifungal.Download Full Article |
