Approach: While the Western diet is proatherogenic, Paleolithic-style diet may be protective against Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). Results: Western diet is characterized with energy dense, refined, foods with a high glycemic index (e.g., refined starches; biscuits and bread) and unhealthy lipids (e.g., trans fats, saturated fat, omega-6 rich oils) poor in omega-3 fatty acids, phytochemicals and fibre. These diets are known to predispose inflammation and the epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). CVD, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancer and depression, are associated with increased production of Thromboxane A2 (TXA2), leucotrienes, prostacyclin, interleukins-1 and -6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive proteins in the tissues. Increased dietary intake of omega-6 fatty acids is known to enhance all these biomarkers which have adverse pro-inflammatory effects resulting in to CVDs. Functional food approaches including consumption of a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, canola oil, olive oil characterized with low omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the diet, as well as physical activity and meditation can modulate inflammation as well as body-mind interactions and may be protective against risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Inflammation appears to be an important unifying hypothesis. In the absence of inflammation in the tissues, total cholesterol and other lipids may have neutral effects in the arterial tissues and myocardium. Therefore, the tissue is possibly the main issue for treatment.
Problem statement:There was evidence that beta-1,3/1,6-glucans modulate inflammatory activity. In an open, non-controlled trial, purified beta-1,3/1,6-glucans were found to improve the clinical signs of dogs with undefined chronic skin disorders. Given the design of that study, further work was required on the efficacy of beta-1,3/1,6-glucans in the treatment of canine atopy. Approach: The influence of a purified preparation of beta-1,3/1,6-glucans (MacroGard®) on canine atopy was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Privately owned dogs were used and the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis were evaluated by the owners. For a period of 8 weeks, the dogs daily received a complete dry food without (n = 16) or with 800 ppm beta-1,3/1,6-glucans (n = 15). During the trial, all dogs were treated three times with the use of a flea remedy in order to exclude any influence of flea-bite allergy. To assess the severity of atopic dermatitis, the clinical signs scored were itching, redness, scaling, thickening and stripping of skin. Results: For all five clinical signs, the group-mean improvement, expressed as change of severity score over time, was greater in the test group than in the controls. Within each group, the changes for the five clinical signs were added up to arrive at an overall index of improvement of atopic dermatitis. The extra improvement caused by the ingestion of beta-1,3/1,6-glucans was 63%. The difference between the pooled group-mean changes of the scores for the control and test dogs was statistically significant (P<0.001). To correct for the differences in baseline scores, dose equivalents required for the observed change between baseline and final scores were calculated. It was found that the dose equivalents for the combined placebo and treatment effects seen in the test group were much greater than those required for the placebo effect in the control group. Conclusion: Beta-1,3/1,6-glucans can be considered safe and it is put forward that a dose of 800 ppm in a dry food is beneficial for dogs with atopic dermatitis.
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