The inflammatory process plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, and metabolic syndrome. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are widely tested inflammatory markers involved in the development of these diseases. Several studies indicate a relation between nutritional status and the concentrations of human high-sensitivity CRP and IL-6. Similarly, the role of diet in reducing inflammation and thereby modulating the risk of non-communicable diseases is supported by numerous studies. This review focuses on the effects of the selected nutrition models in humans on the concentrations of CRP and IL-6. It seems that the Mediterranean diet model is most effective in inhibiting inflammation. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension model and the plant nutrition model also have proven to be beneficial. The data on low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets are inconclusive. Comprehensive studies are necessary, taking into account the cumulative effect of dietary and other factors on the inflammatory process.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess the intake of vitamins and minerals from the food ration and levels recorded after synthetic supplementation in patients following a gluten-free diet. Material and methods. The study included a cohort of 25 individuals aged 20-54. Nutrient intakes were assessed based on a 24-hour diet recall interview and an original questionnaire prepared by the authors specifi cally for this study. Anthropometric measurements were recorded in order to assess the nutritional status of the patients. Results and discussion. A low energy intake and an excessive share of fat were observed in daily food rations of coeliac disease patients. Uptake of most minerals with the diet was too low, while that of vitamins too high. Most participants declared the administration of supplements, which greatly contributed to the coverage of requirements for these nutrients. Conclusions. It was observed that the administered supplementation was frequently unjustifi ed, which led to the allowances being considerably exceeded for many vitamins and minerals.

Introduction. Diet plays an important role in prevention of atherosclerosis. The objective of the study was to assess differences in the dietary intake and nutritional status in women and men in terms of atherogenesis risk. Material and methods. The study involved 41 women and 49 men aged 40+. The nutrient intake was assessed using 7-day dietary records. The nutritional status was estimated on the basis of antropometric measurements and biochemical blood parameters. The differences between diets and the nutritional status depending on sex was evaluated by oneway analysis of variance. The dependencies between the nutritional status and the diet factors were assessed using multiple regression. Results and discussion. It was found that a signifi cant proportion of the women and men were overweight or obese, had lipid disorders and impaired fasting glucose. Diets of women and men were poorly balanced. A signifi cant correlation between the level of energy from protein, as well as the energy supply and the LDL cholesterol concetration was found in the women. A positive correlation between energy from protein as well as total energy in the diet and body weight, was observed in women and men. Moreover, protein intake was positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference among the men. In the men, the level of serum triglycerides correlated with an increase in dietary cholesterol and a decrease in energy value. Conclusion. This study indicates that an inadequate diet among both men and women represents a real health danger of developing atherosclerotic plaque.

IntroductionDiet plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension. Appropriate diet makes it possible to maintain adequate body weight and improve biochemical blood parameters. The aim of the study was to assess nutritional status of arterial hypertension patients in terms of their diet.Material and methodsThe study involved 55 patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension aged 45-70 years. Diet was evaluated using a 24-hour 7-day diet recall interview. In the course of the diet recall interview arterial pressure was measured three times at regular times, after a 15-minute rest period, and the recorded values were averaged. Nutritional status was assessed based on anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference) and the resulting nutrition status indexes, i.e. BMI (body mass index), WHR (waist-hip ratio) as well as values of biochemical blood parameters.ConclusionsIt was found that a considerable proportion of patients are overweight or obese, have an inappropriate lipid profile and elevated blood glucose levels. Daily food rations (DFR) were inappropriately balanced. Daily food rations were deficient in energy, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, PUFA and folates. It was found that inadequate diet was correlated with nutritional status, lipid profile parameters and arterial blood pressure.

Most of chemical and nutritional plum properties presented in the literature relate to cultivars grown in warm climates. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of prune consumption on blood lipid profiles in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. It used plums originating from temperate climates, characterized by lower sugar and higher polyphenol content than fruits grown in areas with greater sunlight. The study was conducted using Prunus domestica cv. 'Valor' plums, dried using the pulsed fluid bed method at the temperature of 80°C. Subjects were given 100 g prunes daily for 6 weeks. During that time, biochemical and morphological blood indexes, anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were monitored. The intake of nutrients and energy value was determined based on 24-hour diet recall interviews. Consumption of prunes resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL fraction and the LDL/HDL atherogenicity index. Dried plums of temperate climate origin exhibit a health-promoting effect on individuals with a disturbed blood lipid profile.

W ostatnich dziesięcioleciach obserwowany jest znaczący wzrost produkcji oleju palmowego, szeroko wykorzystywanego w wielu gałęziach przemysłu, w tym: spożywczym, kosmetycznym i energetycznym. Surowiec ten pozyskiwany jest z owoców olejowca gwinejskiego (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), którego plantacje zakładane są główniena obszarach tropikalnych Azji Południowo-Wschodniej. W kolejnych latach prognozowany jest dalszy wzrost zapotrzebowania na olej palmowy. Tymczasem niejasny pozostaje wpływ plantacji olejowca gwinejskiego na środowisko naturalne, w tym m.in. na wylesianie obszarów tropikalnych i różnorodność biologiczną oraz spożywania oleju palmowego na zdrowie człowieka. W pracy podjęto zatem próbę kompleksowego omówienia wymienionych problemów. Ostateczna ocena oddziaływania produkcji olejowca gwinejskiego jest złożona, gdyż musi uwzględniać, nie tylko aspekty środowiskowe, ale i kwestie etyczne (jak globalny wzrost zapotrzebowania na żywność, czy zapewnienie źródeł utrzymania lokalnej społeczności). Natomiast rozpatrując wpływ spożywania oleju palmowego na zdrowie człowieka, należy wziąć uwagę, m.in. różnice w składzie i wartości odżywczej surowego, rafinowanego i poddanego procesom modyfikacji oleju palmowego.