BackgroundDietary pattern (DP) analysis is a statistical method used to evaluate the comprehensive effect of the diet on health. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between DPs derived in selected population of Lower Silesia and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components.MethodsStudy group consisted of 1634 individuals enrolled in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological Study Poland. Dietary intake was estimated using the data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire. DPs were identified using principal component analysis. MS prevalence was evaluated based on the criteria accepted by International Diabetes Federation, American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 2009.ResultsThree DPs were identified. The percentage of individuals with MS was lower in the upper quartile (Q) of the ‘fruit & vegetables’ DP in comparison with Q1 (40.4 vs. 48.9%). Inverse relationship was observed for ‘Western’ (Q4 vs. Q1: 50.7 vs. 40.8%) and ‘traditional’ DPs (51.0 vs. 38.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders, in Q4 of ‘traditional’ DP higher risk for central obesity was observed compared to Q1 (OR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.10–2.12). Individuals in Q3 of ‘fruit & vegetables’ DP had lower risk for raised blood pressure in comparison with the bottom Q (OR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.36–0.82).ConclusionsDP analysis allows to evaluate the synergistic effect of the diet on the MS prevalence. ‘Fruit & vegetables’ DP, in contrast to ‘Western’ and ‘traditional’ DPs, was negatively associated with the prevalence of MS and its components in the study group.

Introduction. Dietary pattern analysis is used to describe the dietary habits of a selected population. In many studies, dietary patterns (DPs) have been associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the study was to assess the association between dietary patterns identified in the population of Lower Silesia, Poland, with anthropometric and biochemical risk factors for CVD. Materials and method. The study group included 2,025 participants of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) Study. Dietary intake was evaluated based on data from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). The relationship between DPs and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose level, was assessed. Results. Three dietary patterns identified in the study explained 35.6% of total variance. The 'fruit, vegetables & dairy' DP, characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, raisins, milk and low-fat dairy, was associated with improved lipid profile and anthropometric measures, lower diastolic blood pressure and lower fasting glucose concentration. 'Traditional' and 'fat & sugar' DPs were unfavourably associated with most of the risk factors for CVD presented in this study. Conclusions. Dietary patterns identified in this study were differently related to selected anthropometric and biochemical risk factors for CVD. 'Fruit, vegetables & dairy' DP was favourably associated with the biochemical and anthropometric CVD risk factors, and was characterized by higher nutritional value in comparison with 'traditional' and 'fat & sugar' DPs.

Cerebral aneurysms (CAs) are dilations of the wall of an artery in the brain filled with blood. The prevalence of unrupted CA in general population is estimated at approximately 3%. Ruptured aneurysms are the cause of 85% of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cases. The formation of cerebral aneurysms results from various factors, including chronic inflammation, hemodynamic stress and vascular wall remodeling. Reactive oxygen species may induce the endothelial dysfunction possibly through the activation of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B, which is a key regulator of the proinflammatory genes. Hypertension may additionally increase the hemodynamic stress and activate the local renin-angiotensin system. The aim of this review was to assess the role of selected diet-related factors in the formation and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. It appears that inadequate intake of dietary antioxidants, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypertension (including incidental elevated blood pressure) and alcohol consumption may increase the risk of intracranial aneurysms. Individuals at high risk of CA formation and/or rupture should consume adequate amounts of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids), B vitamins (vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 and folate), flavonoids and n-3 fatty acids, limit alcohol and caffeine consumption and regularly control their blood pressure. Vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, nuts and fish, as well as herbs, spices and tea, should be the major components of the daily diet. Due to the synergistic effect of various dietary components on health, Mediterranean diet or Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, as they meet abovementioned requirements and have high anti-inflammatory potential, are thus recommended for the prevention of cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture. STRESZCZENIETętniaki mózgu to ograniczone poszerzenia światła naczynia krwionośnego wypełnione krwią. Występowanie tętniaków mózgu w ogólnej populacji wynosi około 3%, a pęknięcie tętniaka jest przyczyną 85% przypadków krwotoku do przestrzeni podpajęczynówkowej. Na powstanie tętniaka mózgu wpływa wiele czynników, w tym przewlekły stan zapalny, stres hemodynamiczny i przebudowa ścian naczyń mózgowych. Reaktywne formy tlenu mogą nasilać dysfunkcję śródbłonka m.in. poprzez aktywację jądrowego czynnika transkrypcyjnego NF-κB, który jest głównym regulatorem genów związanych z przebiegiem procesu zapalnego. Ponadto wysokie ciśnienie tętnicze krwi może nasilać stres hemodynamiczny oraz aktywować lokalny układ renina-angiotensyna-aldosteron. Celem artykułu był przegląd piśmiennictwa dotyczącego roli wybranych czynników związanych z dietą i z ryzykiem powstania i pęknięcia tętniaków mózgu. Wydaje się, że niewystarczająca podaż składników o działaniu antyoksydacyjnym, hiperhomocysteinemia, nadciśnienie tętnicze (w tym nagłe skoki ciśnienia tętniczego krwi) oraz spożycie alkoholu mogą zwiększać ryzyko rozwoju tętniaków mózgu. Osoby o podwyższonym ryzyku powstania i/lub pęknięcia tętniaka mózgu powinny więc stosować dietę o odpowiedniej zaw...

Although the average dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins among the patients was not insufficient, the use of dietary supplements in different forms was common in our study. The results of other studies concerning the safety of using dietary supplements by cancer patients are not conclusive. Dietary supplementation in oncological patients should always be used after a medical consultation with a doctor and a dietician.

Introduction. There is a strong association between the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and low socioeconomic status (SES). It is interesting to consider whether high dietary glycaemic load (GL) is also associated with low SES or demographic factors. Objective. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between dietary GL and demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in a selected population of Polish adults in Lower Silesia. Materials and method. The study group consisted of 2,025 Polish adults (aged 35-70 years), enrolled in the 1 st stage of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Nutritional data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was developed and validated for the Polish population in Lower Silesia. The overall GL of each diet was computed as a sum of GL values of consumed foods. Results. Significantly higher GL and GL/1,000 kcal were observed in the diets of males compared to females and in the diets of rural compared to urban inhabitants. An adverse relationship between both GL and GL/1,000 kcal and level of education was found. The percentage of females, urban inhabitants, people with university education and not married decreased with quartiles of the overall dietary GL and GL/1,000 kcal. The percentage of former smokers, people who never used alcohol and people with low and moderate physical activity decreased with quartiles of GL and GL/1,000 kcal. Lower percentage of individuals aged 44-64 years was observed with quartiles of the overall dietary GL. Conclusions. Factors such as: male gender, rural place of residence, low level of education and smoking determine the group of people that is the most exposed on the effects of improper nutrition, according to the low quality and/or high amount of carbohydrates defined by GL and GL per 1,000 kcal.

No abstract

No abstract