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Ramadan fasting is a religious fasting of Muslims and has many effects on health and disease. This study aim was to analyze Ramadan fasting research output during the past five years and identify research gaps in this field. A systematic search was performed in Web of Science, pubmed, Scopus, EMBASE and Cochrane databases by appropriate keywords. Documents published between January 2015 and January 2020 with English language were included. After removing duplicates, remained documents were screened and classified. Finally, after screening, 393 documents remained and were classified. Of these documents, 53 were review article and 338 original articles. More than 96% of studies were clinical study while basic science studies were too limited. Among the study topics, diabetes mellitus with 31% was the most common topic followed by metabolic disorders and nutrition, respectively. Ramadan fasting is an important religious issue that needs more attention. Research should be directed to clinical and basic studies in different health and disease conditions other than nutrition and metabolic disorders. • Ramadan fasting has many effects on health and disease. • Research gaps in Ramadan fasting studies is not known. • Comprehensive search was done in ISI, Pubmed, Scopus, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. • Most common topics were on diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, nutrition and kidney disease, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several cohort and case–control studies examined the association between fat mass (FM) and the risk of breast cancer; however, findings are conflicting. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review this association and conducted a meta-analysis, if possible. A systematic search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase databases was conducted for cohort and case–control studies, between January 2000 and 31 March 2018 with no language limitations. Multivariate adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each category of FM were pooled to examine the association. Finally, 12 papers were considered for quantitative synthesis. The pooled RR for the highest vs. the lowest FM (%) of cohort studies was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.33, 1.56; I2: 63.3%, p = 0.008). The overall effect size for adjusted case–control studies showed no significant association (1.49, 95% CI: 0.77, 2.90; I2: 93.2%; p = 0.001). After stratification by menopause, it was revealed that the association between FM and the risk of breast cancer in post menopausal women (2.29, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.68; I2: 92%, p = 0.0001) was significant, while there was no significant association in pre-menopausal women (0.68, 95% CI: 0.18, 2.58; I2: 81.3%; p = 0.02). Cohort studies showed that higher FM is positively associated with the risk for breast cancer. However, only case–control studies on post-menopausal women showed a positive link. Due to limited studies and high heterogeneity, findings should be interpreted with caution. More cohort studies are needed to clarify this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: There is some evidence regarding the positive effects of cinnamon on metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, they are conflicting. In the present study, we aimed to systematically review the effects of cinnamon on glycemic status and anthropometric indices in patients with T2DM.Methods: Five electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Sciences, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were searched until 31 February 2018 with no language limitation. Randomized clinical trials that examined the effects of cinnamon on at least fasting blood sugar (FBS) were included. Other glycemic parameters and anthropometric indices were also extracted. A random effects model with DerSimonian and Laird method was used for pooling the effect sizes.Results: Finally, 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Supplementation with cinnamon reduced FBS by -19.26 mg/dL (95% CI: -28.08, -10.45; I2:96.5%; p = 0.0001) compared to placebo. However, the effects of cinnamon on HbA1C (-0.24%; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.01; I2: 76.8%, p = 0.0001), body weight (-0.46, 95%CI: -1.87, 2.30; I2:0%; p = 0.79), body mass index (WMD: -0.05 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.52, 0.42; I2: 0%; p = 0.91), and waist circumference (WMD: -0.53 cm; 95% CI: -3.96, 2.81; I2: 0%; p = 0.66) were not significant. Additionally, cinnamon did not change the serum levels of insulin and insulin resistance significantly.Conclusion: Supplementation with cinnamon can reduce serum levels of glucose with no changes in other glycemic parameters and anthropometric indices. However, due to high heterogeneity findings should be interpreted with great caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although some earlier studies have indicated an association between dietary/urinary sodium and bone mass density (BMD), bone mass content (BMC), and the risk of osteoporosis (OS), findings are still conflicting. The aim of this study was to summarize the relation of dietary/urinary sodium with BMD, BMC, and the risk of OS.Methods: We conducted a systematic search up to April 2017 in PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science to find relevant studies. Articles with cross-sectional and cohort designs in which odds ratios (ORs), correlations (r), or beta coefficients were reported for the association between dietary/urinary sodium and OS, BMD, or BMC were included.Results: Pooling 11 effect sizes with a total of 39,065 people showed that higher sodium consumption significantly increased the risk of OS (OR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.41; p = 0.026), with high heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 68.0%; p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed significantly higher risk of OS in premenopausal women (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.69; p = 0.036), in participants with a mean age older than 50 years (OR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28; p = 0.005), in dietary sodium intake subgroup (OR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.19-1.77; p < 0.001), and in individuals with adjustment for energy (OR = 1.77; 95% CI, 1.38-2.27; p < 0.001). The correlation coefficients showed no significant association between urinary sodium and BMD (r = -0.46; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.18; p = 0.02).Conclusions: We found a positive association between sodium intake and the risk of OS, while no association was found with urinary sodium. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between sodium intake and BMD. Due to high heterogeneity in this research, more studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background & aims Previous studies have supported positive roles of antioxidant supplements on weight-loss. One antioxidant supplement is Alpha-lipoic acid. However, recommending ALA as an anti-obesity supplement remains controversial. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of ALA supplement on anthropometric indices among adult subjects. Methods We searched five electronic databases till September 2016. Placebo-controlled clinical trials were included. Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) was pooled using a random-effects model. Results Findings of 12 included trials indicated that ALA supplement reduced body weight (WMD: −0.69 kg; 95% CI: −1.27, −0.10; I 2 = 0%) and BMI (WMD: −0.38 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI: −0.53, −0.24; I 2 = 0%) significantly compared to the placebo group. However, its effects on Waist Circumference (WC) was not significant (WMD: −0.30 cm; 95% CI: −1.18, 0.58; I 2 = 17.8%). Stratification by health status indicated that ALA decreased WC in unhealthy subjects (WMD: −2.00 cm; 95% CI: −4.19, 0.19; I 2 = 1.3%) more than healthy individuals (0.03 cm; 95% CI: −0.69, 0.75; I 2 = 0%). Conclusions The present study revealed that supplementation with ALA slightly but significantly decreased body weight and BMI. Safe dosage for ALA is up to 1200 mg/day. However, it seems that ALA cannot be cost-effective. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of ALA on metabolic parameter in unhealthy obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important public health problems in the world. Lifestyle modification including dietary changes such as following the Dietary to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan is the first step to control HTN. The aim of the present study was to identify perceived barriers to following dietary recommendations in hypertensive patients in Zanjan, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 outpatients (161 women, 39 men) with essential HTN (systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥ 90 mmHg) were recruited from August to November 2012. A 29-item structured questionnaire was designed to assess perceived barriers to follow dietary recommendations. Validity and reliability were assessed by content validity index, content validity ratio, and Chronbach's alpha, respectively. An exploratory factor analysis with a principal component analysis extraction method and varimax rotation was performed to extract the underlying factors.Results: Mean age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 46.9 ± 5.5 years and 30.6 ± 3.6 kg/m2, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis extracted 6 interpretable factors with eigenvalue > 1. In order of importance, they were social and environmental barriers (eigenvalue = 2.489), social gathering (eigenvalue = 2.379), compliance with recommended diet and preference of other family members (eigenvalue = 2.127), palatability of the recommended diet (eigenvalue = 1.972), emotional statues and psychological factors (eigenvalue = 1.921), and cost (eigenvalue = 1.845). Mentioned factors explained 44% of the total variance.Conclusion: Patients with HTN in our study perceived some barriers to following the recommended diet. In nutritional counseling, considering these barriers may be effective in improving the dietary adherence level in hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Inflammation is one of the primary mechanisms in the development of metabolic complications. Although anti-inflammatory characteristics of Nigella sativa (NS) have been indicated in animal models, clinical trials related to the effects of NS on inflammatory parameters are relatively scarce. Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of NS oil combined with a calorie-restricted diet on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in obese women. Methods In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 90 volunteer obese (body mass index = 30–34.9 kg/m 2 ) women aged 25–50 years were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, an intervention group (n = 45) and a placebo group (n = 45). Each group received either: (1) a low-calorie diet with 3 g/day of NS oil or (2) a low-calorie diet with 3 g/day placebo for 8 weeks. Results A total of 84 females (intervention group = 43; placebo group = 41) completed the trial. Subjects in the intervention group did not report any side effects with the NS oil supplementation. NS oil decreased serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (−40.8% vs −16.1%, P = .04) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (−54.5% vs −21.4%, P = .01) compared to the placebo group. However, there were no significant changes in interleukin-6 levels (−8.6 vs −2.4%, P = .6) in the NS group compared to the placebo group. Conclusions NS oil supplementation combined with a calorie-restricted diet may modulate systemic inflammatory biomarkers in obese women. However, more studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of NS oil as an adjunct therapy to improve inflammatory parameters in obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ with a key role in metabolic regulation and hormonal signaling. This study determined the effects of Nigella sativa (NS) oil with a low-calorie diet on body composition and adipokine levels in obese women. Method In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial, 50 obese women were recruited. The participants were randomly divided into an NS oil group (n = 25) and a placebo group (n = 25), and each group received either a low-calorie diet with 3 g/day NS oil or a low-calorie diet with 3 g/day placebo for 8 weeks. Body composition and biochemical parameters were measured at the baseline and at the end of the trial. Results All 50 participants completed the trial. The participants reported no serious side effects, and the liver enzymes did not change significantly after the intervention. Mean BMI of the participants was 32.0 ± 1.5 kg/m 2 at the baseline. NS oil decreased body fat mass (−9.5 vs. −2.9%; p < 0.01) and insulin levels (−29.3 vs. −8.6%; p = 0.04) and increased adiponectin levels (87.5 vs. 39.4%; p = 0.03) in the NS oil group compared to the placebo group after 8 weeks. At the end of the study, changes in BMI, insulin sensitivity, and the nuclear receptor PPAR-γ were not significant. Conclusion NS oil supplementation combined with a low-calorie diet can modulate hormone secretion and body composition in obese women. However, more studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of NS oil as an adjunct therapy for obesity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of commonly used predictive formulas of resting metabolic rate (RMR) compared to measured RMR in normal and overweight young females.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 98 female university students aged 18-30 years with body mass index 18 to 30 kg/m(2) were recruited. Anthropometric indices and body compositions were measured. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry (FitMate, Cosmed, Rome, Italy) and estimated by 11 predictive formulas. The accuracy of the RMR formulas and mean percentage differences between estimated and measured values were calculated. Paired t test was used to compare estimated and measured RMRs.Result: There were no significant differences between measured and estimated RMR by the 4 commonly used formulas (Mifflin, Cunningham, and World Health Organization [WHO]/Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO]). Among all of the equations, the Mifflin formula showed the lowest bias (-2.97 ± 116.43 kcal/day) at the group level and was the most accurate formula (80.23%) in normal and overweight participants. The over- and underestimated values were about 14% and 5.5%, respectively. In normal and overweight females, Mifflin was the most accurate formula, with 75.51% and 84.61% accuracy, respectively.Conclusion: Given the current lack of a standardized formula that consistently delivers accurate results, the Mifflin formula can be recommended for estimating energy requirements in normal and overweight females in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine effects of Resistant Starch (RS2) on metabolic parameters and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 60 females with T2DM were divided into intervention (n = 28) and placebo groups (n = 32). They received 10 g/d RS2 or placebo for 8 weeks, respectively. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured at baseline and at the end of the trial. Paired t test, unpaired t-test and ANCOVA were used to compare the quantitative variables. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 13.0.Results: RS2 decreased HbA1c (-0.3%, -3.6%), TNF-α (-3.4 pg/mL, -18.9%), triglyceride (-33.4 mg/dL, -15.4%), and it increased HDL-c (+9.4 mg/dL, +24.6%) significantly compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Changes in FBS, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, hs-CRP and IL-6 were not significant in the RS2 group compared with the control group. RS2 can improve glycemic status, inflammatory markers and lipid profile in women with T2DM.Conclusions: Although findings of the present study indicated positive effects of RS2 on inflammation and metabolic parameters, more studies are needed to confirm efficacy of RS2 as an adjunct therapy in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review of animal studies aimed to identify anti-obesity medicinal herbs with prebiotic properties, and investigate their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic disorders. To obtain the relevant publications, four electronic databases were systematically searched up to June 2019. Out of 1949 publications, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria in this study. Apart from body weight, some cases (n = 11) had reported the effects of medicinal herbs on metabolic parameters, including lipid profile (n = 7) and glycemic status (n = 4). Although some medicinal herbs could be effective in modulating metabolic status and body weight, through making changes in the gut flora, further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of such herbs in clinical trials. • Garcinia brasiliensis , Grifolafrondosa , Ganodermalucidum , Eugenia Jambolana Lam., can increase the production of short chain fatty acids. • Green coffee, Pu-erh tea, Ganodermalucidum, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and Polygala tenuifolia can affect obesity. • Some herbs can reduce glucose level through changes in microbiota composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following an increase in free radicals, DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in human sperm may occur. Antioxidant components in medicinal herbs such as Nigella sativa (NS) have been indicated to improve spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systemic review summarizing the effects of NS on male infertility. A number of electronic databases were searched namely Pubmed, Science Direct, Google scholar and Springer from the period January 2000 until June 2014. Searching was limited to articles in the English language. Patents and abstracts from symposiums and congress were excluded because they contained insufficient information for evaluation and comparison with other studies. The outcome of this study indicated that NS can positively influence sperm parameters, semen, Leydig cells, reproductive organs and sexual hormones. The main potential mechanism is through the antioxidant properties of NS. Thymoquinone (TQ) and unsaturated fatty acids are the main antioxidant components of NS. NS and TQ derived from NS can improve male fertility parameters through promoting antioxidant defence. Although the findings of this review suggest that NS is a good candidate for male infertility treatment, there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for its use as an adjunct therapy in infertile men. More clinical trials are recommended to demonstrate the efficacy of NS on male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Licorice root is one of the most frequently used medicinal herbs. There is contradictory evidence about effects of the licorice on lipid profile. The aim of the present study was to compare effects of licorice extract concurrent with low-calorie diet with low calorie diet alone on the lipid profile and atherogenic indices in overweight and obese subjects. Methods In this double blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 64 overweight and obese subjects, aged 30–60 years old, were recruited from March to September 2013. They were randomly divided into intervention ( n = 32) and control ( n = 32) groups. Participants and research staff were masked to the treatment allocation by randomization. Both the groups received 1.5 g/day of dried licorice extract or placebo, respectively, concurrent with weight loss diet for 8 weeks. Lipid profile, weight and dietary intake were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Body mass index and atherogenic indices were calculated. Results Fifty-eight participants completed the trial. At baseline, there were no significant differences for lipid profile except for low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) level between the groups. After the intervention, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c levels, TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), LDL-c/HDL-c ratios and log of TG/HDL-c were significantly decreased ( p < 0.01 for all variables), but no changes were observed in TG and HDL-c levels. Conclusions It seems that supplementation with licorice extract used concurrently with a low calorie diet can efficiently improve the lipid profile in overweight and obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current evidence indicated beneficial effects of some medicinal herbs on metabolic parameters. Nigella sativa is an example of herbs which can ameliorate metabolic factors in diabetes mellitus. Despite several narrative review studies on medicinal properties of NS, it seems that there is no systematic review to summarize effects of NS on glucose homoeostasis and lipid profile in diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the aim of present study was to review effects of N. sativa on metabolic parameters in diabetes mellitus.Methods: Pubmed, Science Direct, Google scholar and Springer databases were searched from 1995 till January 2014. Key words were included: N. sativa, black seed, diabetes, glucose level, lipid and insulin. Searching was limited to articles with English language. Review articles, case reports, abstract in symposium and congress, studies on N. sativa mixed with other plants were excluded. Based on critically appraise, eligibility of included articles were evaluated.Results: Finally 19 eligible articles (2 human trials, 14 animal models and 3 in vivo/in vitro studies) were selected. They indicated that N. sativa can modulate hyperglycemia and lipid profile dysfunction with various potential mechanisms including its antioxidant characteristics and effects on insulin secretion, glucose absorption, gluconeogenesis and gene expression. Some studies compared effects of various types (extract, oil, powdered) of N. sativa with each other and they reported different characteristics with various types of black seed.Conclusion: N. sativa can improve glycemic status and lipid profile in diabetes models. However, more clinical trials are necessary to clarify beneficial effects of N. sativa, its effective type and dosage for diabetes management and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Supplementation with green tea may increase resting energy expenditure in adult individuals. • Supplementation with green tea may increase fat oxidation in adult individuals. • The effects of green tea on heart rate, carbohydrate oxidation, TEE, and RQ remains unclear. As there is no systematic review on the effects of green tea on energy expenditure (EE) and thermal energy expenditure (TEE), the authors aimed to systematically examine whether green tea can affect EE and TEE in adult subjects. Five electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library plus three Chinese databases were searched from 1999 to 30th Jun 2019 to find eligible clinical trials. Of 1016 publications, 6 clinical trials were included. In most studies, changes in EE following the consumption of green tea were not significant. However, fat oxidation increased in some studies after the intervention. No serious side effects were reported in any of the clinical trials following the supplementation with green tea. Green tea may increase EE and fat oxidation in adult individuals. However, the benefits of green tea for energy expenditure-related parameters including heart rate, carbohydrate oxidation, TEE, and RQ remain uncertain. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the effects of green tea on EE and related parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Although a considerable number of studies have illustrated the positive effects of fresh fruits on metabolic status, the impacts of fruits on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are inconsistent. In consideration of this issue, we aimed to systematically summarize the findings of cohort studies with respect to the link between fresh fruits and the risk of GDM.Method: We selected cohort studies with English language indexed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from 2000 to 31 January 2018. To examine the link between fresh fruits and the risk of GDM development, relative risk (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for the highest versus the lowest consumption of fruits were pooled using a random effect model and the DerSimonian and Laird method.Results: Out of 2522 publications, finally 5 cohort studies were obtained. No significant association between fruit consumption and GDM incidence was found (Pooled RR: 0.95; 95 % CI: 0.84, 1.08; I2: 90.3 %, p = 0001). In women who consumed higher amount of fruits before pregnancy, the risk of GDM was 5% lower than in those who consumed lower amount of fruits (0.95; 95 %CI: 0.91, 0.99, I2: 0%, p = 0.85). No link was obtained between fruit consumption during the pregnancy and GDM onset (1.18, 95 % CI: 0.48, 2.91; I2:94.6 %, p = 0.0001).Conclusion: In women who consumed greater fruits before pregnancy, the risk for GDM was 5 % lower than those consumed lower amounts of fruits, while there was no link between fruit consumption throughout the pregnancy and GDM onset. However, due to limited studies and considerable heterogeneity, the findings must be interpreted with great caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading causes of mortality across the world. Some earlier studies have revealed the beneficial effects of fenugreek on the risk factors for CVDs. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis is needed to clarify its effectiveness. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of fenugreek on several cardiometabolic risk factors in adult populations. Four electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from 2000 to 31 July 2019 to identify studies with English language. Controlled clinical trials on fenugreek reported at least one of cardiometabolic risk factors was included. Pooled effect sizes were reported as Weighted Mean Differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Trials were pooled using a random effect model with DerSimonian and Laird method. Finally, out of 2738 publications, 12 articles were included in the meta-analysis. We found that fenugreek seed vs. placebo can reduce FBS (WMD: -12.94 mg/dL, 95%CI: -21.39 mg/dL, -4.49; I2: 85.0%, p heterogeneity = 0.0001), HbA1c (WMD: -0.58%%, 95% CI: -0.99, -0.17%; I2:0%, p heterogeneity =0.61), total cholesterol (WMD:-9.13 mg/dL, 95% CI: -13.83, -4.43; I2:0, p heterogeneity = 0.48), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD:-11.11 mg/dL, 95% CI: -20.32, -1.90; I2:1.41%, p heterogeneity = 0.36). However, no significant changes were observed in other cardiometabolic parameters. Fenugreek seed as an adjuvant therapy may reduce serum levels of FBS, LDL-C and HbA1c. However, due to high heterogeneity in glycemic status, findings must be interpreted with great caution. More placebo-controlled clinical trials are warranted to further assess the effectiveness of fenugreek as a complementary therapy to control cardio-metabolic risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]