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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have received considerable attention in the field of mental health, in particular regarding the treatment of depression. This review presents an overview of current research on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders. The existing body of evidence demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have antidepressant effects that can be attributed to their modulation of neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter function, and neuroplasticity. Nevertheless, clinical trials of omega-3 supplementation have yielded inconsistent results. Some studies have demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms following omega-3 treatment, whereas others have shown minimal to no beneficial impact. A range of factors, encompassing dosage, the ratio of EPA to DHA, and baseline nutritional status, have been identified as having a potential impact on the noted results. Furthermore, it has been suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may act as an adjunctive treatment for those undergoing antidepressant treatment. Notwithstanding these encouraging findings, discrepancies in study designs and variability in individual responses underscore the necessity of further research in order to establish uniform, standardized guidelines for the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the management of depressive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning to a plant-based diet presents a number of complex ethical, environmental, and health-related considerations. This trend is not only reshaping consumer diets, but also steering the food industry towards the development of new plant-based products. The primary aim of this study was to examine and identify the sensory similarities and differences in soybean spreads consisting of vegetable purées—specifically, beetroot, pumpkin, broccoli, and carrot—with the addition of spices such as marjoram and cumin. The sensory assessment was conducted using the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA). Twenty-three descriptors were selected and defined following the profiling procedure. The sensory properties of soy-based spreads have been significantly altered by the addition of vegetable purées and spices. Adding vegetable purées reduced the intensity of soybean odour and flavour, lowered fatty notes, and resulted in a less dense texture, while enhancing vegetable odour and flavour. This also improved the moisture content and overall sensory quality of the spreads. Although spices did not notably enhance these sensory attributes, soy-based vegetable spreads remain an attractive option for unique vegetarian finger foods and lunch dishes, catering to diverse consumer preferences. The addition of vegetable purées and spices to spreads creates opportunities for innovative and flavourful plant-based options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015 the Polish Society of Dietetics initiated the publication of standards for dietary treatment in diverse diseases. The first developed publication was "Standards for the treatment of simple obesity in adults". Over the past few decades, the incidence of obesity increased in all regions of the world. Reduced physical activity, as well as increased consumption of ultra-processed, high-energy products, rich in animal fats and simple sugars are leading causes of excessive body weight. Other factors related to obesity are the increasing pace of life and the growing stress load, which lead to a number of eating disorders. In 2022, the WHO Regional Office published the newest report on obesity in Europe. It was concluded that the rates of overweight and obesity are reaching epidemic levels and are continuing to rise. None of the 53 member states is currently on track to meet the common goal of stopping the trend of rising obesity by 2025. The fact that 59% of adults and nearly 30% of children in Europe are overweight is alarming. The growing number of people with obesity is a significant burden on health care systems and budgets in European countries. Overweight and obesity are among the leading causes of death and disability in Europe, with recent estimates suggesting that they account for more than 1.2 million deaths annually, equivalent to more than 13% of the total mortality in Europe. Each person with obesity should undergo diagnostics to identify the cause of the problem and any diseases accompanying their obesity, and to plan comprehensive therapy. Treatment of obesity requires a team of specialists in various fields, including dietitians. The experts of the Polish Society of Dietetics hereby present recommendations being practical leads on dietary treatment of simple obesity in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial effect of experimental eye drops with bacteriophages in elimination of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dogs with bacterial conjunctivitis. The bacterial material was collected from dogs with independent clinical signs of bacterial conjunctivitis. Staphylococcus spp. were identified by phenotypic and genotypic methods (MALDI-TOF MS mass spectrometry). Antibiotic resistance was determined by the disc-diffusion method. Phage activity (Plaque forming units, PFU) was determined on double-layer agar plates. Phages with lytic titres > 108 PFU were used to prepare eye drops. The stability of the antibacterial titre was evaluated for preparations stored in sealed bottles as well as after opening and reclosing. Results: The tests confirmed the occurrence of Staphylococcus spp. strains as etiological agents of bacterial conjunctivitis in dogs. A high percentage of strains were resistant to more than three antibiotics. The experimental phage eye drops used in the study exhibited 100% efficacy in vitro against the tested Staphylococcus isolates. Particularly noteworthy is the long duration of activity and constant antibacterial lytic titre of ≥108 PFU/mL of two eye drop solutions, nos. 7 and 12, after the bottle had been opened (21 days) and after hermetically sealed packaging (28 days) at 4-8 °C. Conclusions: The results represent the first stage of research and require continuation in vivo. If positive effects are obtained in animals, the results can be used in applied research in humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsatisfactory therapeutic effects of currently used antidepressants force to search for new pharmacological treatment strategies. Recent research points to the relationship between depressive disorders and the adenosinergic system. Therefore, the main goal of our studies was to evaluate the effects of DMPX (3 mg/kg, i.p.), which possesses selectivity for adenosine A2A receptors versus A1 receptors, on the activity of imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), escitalopram (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), and reboxetine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) given in subtherapeutic doses. The studies carried out using the forced swim and tail suspension tests in mice showed that DMPX at a dose of 6 and 12 mg/kg exerts antidepressant-like effect and does not affect the locomotor activity. Co-administration of DMPX at a dose of 3 mg/kg with the studied antidepressant drugs caused the reduction of immobility time in both behavioral tests. The observed effect was not associated with an increase in the locomotor activity. To evaluate whether the observed effects were due to a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction, the levels of the antidepressants in blood and brain were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. It can be assumed that the interaction between DMPX and imipramine was exclusively pharmacodynamic in nature, whereas an increased antidepressant activity of escitalopram and reboxetine was at least partly related to its pharmacokinetic interaction with DMPX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis, a perennial plant in the family Lamiacae, known as lemon balm, is a popular herb with multiple therapeutic properties. Significant content of active compounds (including rosmarinic acid) is reported to be responsible for the broad health effects of lemon balm. Melissa officinalis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antidepressant activities. It can be used in the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and obesity as well as in ophthalmology, gynaecology, oncology, gastroenterology and cardiology. This review includes literature on the chemical composition of Melissa officinalis and the possibilities of its use in medicine as well as functional food. Furthermore, the side effects and the contraindications to the usage of this herb were summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plants described in this review are a source of natural high-intensity sweeteners, which can be used in food and by the pharmaceutical industry in the future. Most of the plants are still not approved for use, even though they are traditionally used in countries where they appear naturally. Ten of the herein described intense sweeteners are characterized by a much higher sweetness in relation to sucrose. The highest values were received for miraculin, obtained from Synsepalum dulcificum (400,000 times sweeter than sucrose, induced by citric acid); thaumatin (1,600 to 3,000 times sweeter), monatin (1,200 - 3,000) and pentadin (500 to 2,000 times sweeter). Some of these substances can also modify the taste, like changing sour into sweet taste (miraculin and neoculin). The most widely used sweeteners are steviol glycosides and thaumatin, which have been admitted for use as a sweetener in the European Union, while in the US, they have the GRAS status (thaumatin as a food enhancer). Mogroside obtained from Siraitia grosvenorii (called Luo Han Guo) is not approved for use in the EU, but was granted GRAS status in the US by the FDA. This gives a chance that it will soon be approved as a novel food or food additive in the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]