Osteoarthritis is the most common articular disease that can lead to chronic pain and severe disability. Curcumin—an effective ingredient in turmeric with anti inflammatory property—plays an important role in protecting the joints against destructive factors. Gingerols and piperine, are the effective ingredients of ginger and black pepper, which may potentially enhance and sustain the effect of curcumin in this direction. To determine the effect of cosupplementation with turmeric extract, black pepper, and ginger on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis, compared with Naproxen. Sixty patients with two different levels of knee osteoarthritis (Grade 2 and 3) were studied. Individuals were randomly assigned to receive daily turmeric extract, ginger, and black pepper together or Naproxen capsule for 4 weeks. PGE2 was evaluated by ELISA method. 24‐hr recall was also assessed. All of participants completed the study. PGE2 decreased significantly in both groups (p < .001), but there was no significant differences between groups. The results of this study indicated that intake of the selected herbs twice a day for 4 weeks may improve the PGE2 levels in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis similar to Naproxen drug.

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Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy will affect the outcomes for the mother and the newborn. Maternal diet was assessed in 150 pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy by a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were explored by Factor analysis, and association of patterns with maternal and neonatal outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), anemia and anthropometric indices were determined by analysis of variance and linear regression analysis. Three major dietary patterns were identified: 1) High Carbohydrate-Lower Fat (mean age, 27.67 ± 6.1; n = 34), 2) High Carbohydrate-Higher Fat (27.70 ± 4.1; n = 55), and 3) High Fiber (29.27 ± 5.8; n = 61). A significant difference was observed between maternal dietary patterns (p < 0.01) for GDM, while it was not significant for anemia. Also, the number of preterm and low birth weight (LBM) infants as well as mean weight, height and head circumference of the infants did not differ significantly between patterns, but there was a significant difference between the maternal dietary patterns about the number of macrosomic babies, which was higher in the second (n = 9) and third (n = 9) dietary patterns (p < 0.01). After adjusting for mothers' age, disease history, disease status, and energy intake, High Carbohydrate-Lower Fat dietary pattern was more associated with GDM than crude model (p = 0.01 vs. p = 0.02). The present study indicated a significant relationship between maternal dietary patterns before pregnancy and GDM and fetal macrosomia.

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Background & Aims There are some studies indicating the effects of probiotic-containing foods or supplements on viral diseases. We aimed to conduct a rapid review of probiotics with specific emphasis on their potential for early administration in patients at greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science up to February 2021 to identify interventional and observational studies documenting the effects of probiotics strains on interleukins, virus titers, and antibody production with a focus on probiotic-containing foods (PROSPERO Registration ID. CRD42020181453). Results From a total of 163 records, 21 studies were classified into three domains based on the efficacy of probiotics on 1) the level of interleukins (n=7), 2) virus titers (n=2), and 3) interferon (IFN) and antibody production (n=12). The suppuration of pro-inflammatory interleukins and type I INF production seemed to be the main anti-viral effect of probiotics. Nine studies also indicated the beneficial effects of probiotics and fermented foods on viral diseases. Conclusion Based on evidence, some probiotic strains may be useful in viral infections; randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.