Good glycemic control, which is vital for patients with type 2 diabetes, can be achieved via dietary intervention. Resistant starch (RS) is a type of carbohydrate that largely resists digestion in the small intestine. Instead, it is fermented by the gut microbiota that resides in the large intestine into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are found to have beneficial effects on human glucose metabolism. Here, an overview is provided of the classification of different types of RS, as well as the fermentation process of RS by the gut microbiota. The effects of RS consumption that contribute to glycemic control are then discussed with reference to animal and human studies. Although beneficial effects of RS consumption have been observed, results from animal and human studies are inconclusive regarding the mechanisms behind them. Additional research effort is necessary in order to have a better understanding of the effects of habitual RS consumption on glycemic control.
Background To summarize modifiable factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suggested by Mendelian randomization studies. Methods In this systematic review, we searched PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE, from inception to 15 November 2021, for Mendelian randomization studies in English. We selected studies that assessed associations of genetically predicted exposures with COVID-19-related outcomes (severity, hospitalization and susceptibility). Risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated based on the consideration of the three main assumptions for instrumental variable analyses. Results We identified 700 studies through systematic search, of which 50 Mendelian randomization studies were included. Included studies have explored a wide range of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle attributes, anthropometrics and biomarkers, predisposition to diseases and druggable targets in COVID-19 risk. Mendelian randomization studies suggested that increases in smoking, obesity and inflammatory factors were associated with higher risk of COVID-19. Predisposition to ischaemic stroke, combined bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder, chronic kidney disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was potentially associated with higher COVID-19 risk. Druggable targets, such as higher protein expression of histo-blood group ABO system transferase (ABO), interleukin (IL)-6 and lower protein expression of 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) were associated with higher risk of COVID-19. There was no strong genetic evidence supporting the role of vitamin D, glycaemic traits and predisposition to cardiometabolic diseases in COVID-19 risk. Conclusion This review summarizes modifiable factors for intervention (e.g. smoking, obesity and inflammatory factors) and proteomic signatures (e.g. OAS1 and IL-6) that could help identify drugs for treating COVID-19.
The dilution effect in micronutrient intake with increasing free sugar intake was evident in Australian children and adolescents. However, meeting the WHO cut-off was associated with limited improvement in micronutrient adequacy.
The health benefits of nuts reported throughout the literature are extensive and well established for reducing the risk of, and managing several chronic conditions including, but not limited to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cognition. Despite their comparable nutritional profile, seeds are often not assessed in clinical and epidemiological studies. Interestingly dietary guidelines and recommendations often refer to ‘nuts and seeds’ collectively, even though they are not consistently examined together in nutrition research when determining associated health benefits. The purpose of this review is to call for future nutrition research to consider combining nuts and seeds. This review provides the justification for this proposal by summarising current definitions for nuts and seeds and highlighting the similarities or dissimilarities in their nutrient compositions. Following this, we summarise current evidence on the health benefits of nuts and seeds, research gaps that should be addressed, and considerations for future research using both epidemiological and interventional study designs.
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