Search

Human immunity is an important aspect of health, and it is integral to defence mechanisms against infections and diseases. At the same time, nutrition plays a role in providing the body with essential nutrients, which not only form the body's basic building blocks but also influence the effectiveness of the immune system. The aim of this study was to review the available scientific research and literature in medicine, nutrition, and immunology to understand the effects of diet and nutrients on immune system function. A review of the scientific literature was conducted, analysing available evidence on the impact of diet on the immune system. The main dietary factors, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and the gut microbiota, which play an essential role in regulating and enhancing immunity, were presented in this study. The importance of adequate nutrition for the development and function of the immune system was discussed. The role of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins C and D, and zinc, in maintaining effective immunity was highlighted, and nutritional strategies supporting a healthy immune system were presented. Another important aspect was the analysis of the impact of the gut microbiota on immunity. Evidence was presented that diet can shape the composition of the gut microbiota, which directly impacts immune system function. Aspects of the Mediterranean diet and its effect on the immune system are presented. Adequate nutrition is crucial for shaping and modifying the human immune system. A diet rich in adequate nutrients and supporting a healthy gut microbiota can contribute to strengthening the immune system, which is important for preventing disease and maintaining health. Research into the impact of nutrition on the immune system is yielding new dietary strategies for preventing and treating immune-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breastfeeding is considered to be the best and optimal mode of infant feeding, providing health benefits for both the child and the mother. Maternal milk contains all the necessary nutrients, strengthens the baby's immune system, reduces the risk of cancer, allergies, and food intolerances, supports nervous system development, and provides emotional benefits for both baby and mother. The advantages of breastfeeding for mothers also include protection from lowered mood disorders, lowered risk of some types of cancer and cardio-metabolic disorders, and chronic inflammatory disorders. Modified milk feeding is available when breastfeeding is impossible or unwilling; however, it cannot offer as many vital nutritional and health benefits as human milk. Although breastfeeding is highly recommended by the World Health Organization and scientific associations as the best and optimal nutrition during the first months of life, some mothers still decide to choose infant formula as an acceptable and safe alternative. This is usually due to inadequate knowledge of breastfeeding benefits, poor family and professional support, or marketing of infant formula. In fact, infant formula is a good option but only when breastfeeding is unavailable. Therefore, it is important for mothers to make decisions about the type of feeding based on the actual state of knowledge regarding health benefits, medical counselling, individual needs, and other important circumstances. This paper provides an overview of the advantages of breastfeeding for infants and their mothers according to the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined whether cold water swimming for six consecutive months results in adaptive changes in body composition and insulin sensitivity. Thirty healthy subjects aged 50.2 ± 9.4 years were exposed to cold water at least twice a week. Body composition was determined and serum glucose and insulin served to calculate beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and resistance using HOMA2. Compared with control subjects, swimmers were overweight, and had greater percent body fat and beta cell function. Women had lower values of BMI, fat free mass, muscle mass, visceral adipose tissue level, and greater percent body fat than men. Increased insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin secretion and resistance from beginning to middle of swim season was observed in females and in lean subjects. Findings suggest that men and women differ in regard to body composition and response to repeated cold exposure. Cold water swimming may beneficially modulate insulin sensitivity in cold acclimated lean swimmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to assess the histomorphometrical and mechanical properties of ribs in patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent corrective surgery of scoliosis combined with thoracoplasty. Methods: The analyzed material encompasses 20 females between the ages of 12 and 18, whose pre-operative Cobb angle was 56.85 degrees on average. The participants were divided into two age groups, up to the age of 15 and above 15 years old, taking into account the anatomical location of the assessed rib fragments with a division into floating and false ribs. The analysis of mechanical parameters was carried out by means of the quasi-static 3-point bending test, and the histomorphometric evaluation of the examined rib fragments was carried out using high-resolution computed tomography. Results: The existence of explicit relationships between selected radiological parameters describing scoliosis and mechanical and histomorphometric parameters of the ribs has not been confirmed. Statistically significant correlations between age and rib stiffness, as well as between Young's modulus and stiffness depending on the anatomical location of the examined rib fragment, were confirmed. Conclusions: Mechanical and histomorphometric properties of bone tissue in patients with scoliosis are not explicitly associated with the radiological parameters characterizing scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adequate nutrition is vital in infants and toddlers to ensure optimal development, both somatic and mental. Aim of the study: To assess nutrition in children aged 13-36 months (toddlers), living in the Greater Poland region (Wielkopolska), according to their nutritional status and current nutritional recommendations. The relationship between anthropometric parameters (body mass and height) with nutritional status was also investigated in regard to WHO standards. Material and methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted along with an assessment of the daily dietary intake. There were n = 520 toddler subjects, aged 13-36 months, of whom n = 322 were girls and n = 188 were boys. The study was based on the subjects' present and previous nutritional behaviours in relation to current nutritional norms. Outcomes were also compared with centile charts prepared by the WHO. Data were statistically analysed using the SPSS-IBM software package, adopting p < 0.5 as being statistically significant. Results: Mothers breast fed their children in 78% of cases; however, such feeding was not exclusive in the first six months of life. Children were started on supplemented diets at various times during this period, at an average of 4.23 months. Overall, our study revealed poor dietary intake of milk, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D. The dietary balance between vegetables and fruit was inappropriate. Furthermore, daily fluid intakes were quite markedly inadequate. Toddlers' mainly drank either water or sweetened fizzy/sparkling drinks (soda-pop). According to the centile charts, 15% were underweight, 71% had normal BMIs, 5% were overweight, and 8% were obese. Conclusions: Promoting breast feeding should be treated as a public health priority because so few mothers exclusively do so in the first six months of their offspring's life. Nutrition in toddlers aged 13-36 months often differs from the recommended standard models, and thus medical-dietetic advice should always be designed to track and remedy this situation. Toddlers' diets therefore need to be modified whenever BMIs are abnormal so as to ensure that dietary intake has the required nutrient profiles necessary for adequate nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the authors of this study was to clarify the relationships among apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, blood pressure, lipid profile, serum leptin, and adiponectin in healthy postmenopausal women. The study was conducted between March 2011 and December 2012 on 266 participants aged 50–65 years from the Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Poland. Results showed that women had four combinations of genotypes: ɛ2/ɛ3, ɛ3/ɛ3, ɛ3/ɛ4, and ɛ4/ɛ4. Carriers of different genotypes did not differ in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and adiponectin levels. Mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were higher in ε4 carriers compared to non-carriers. Fasting serum leptin concentrations were higher in homozygotes ɛ4/ɛ4. Leptin correlated positively with BMI in all study groups and with LDL in ɛ2/ɛ3, ɛ3/ɛ3, and ɛ3/ɛ4. Adiponectin correlated negatively with triglycerides in ɛ2/ɛ3, ɛ3/ɛ3, and ɛ3/ɛ4 and positively with HDL in ɛ2/ɛ3 carriers. Adipokines were not associated with blood pressure. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated associations among leptin, ApoE ɛ4/ɛ4, BMI, and LDL, and among adiponectin, BMI, and triglycerides. In healthy postmenopausal women ɛ4/ɛ4 genotype was associated with lower leptin levels. Homozygosity ɛ4/ɛ4 was associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile and possibly dysregulation of leptin and adiponectin signaling in lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]