Publications by authors named "Aliki Kalmpourtzidou"

Many medicinal plant extracts have been proven to have significant health benefits. In contrast, research has shown that some medicinal plant extracts can be toxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic. Therefore, evaluation of the genotoxicity effects of plant extracts that are used as traditional medicine is essential to ensure they are safe for use and in the search for new medication.

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Multiple sclerosis disease (MS) is a 38.5 chronic neurological autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system, and its incidence is increasing globally. At present, there is no cure for this disease, and with its severity and disabling variety, it is important to search for possibilities that could help to slow its progression.

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Unhealthy dietary patterns are directly linked to the current Global Syndemic consisting of non-communicable diseases, undernutrition and climate change. The dietary shift towards healthier and more sustainable plant-based diets is essential. However, plant-based diets have wide intra differences; varying from vegan diets that totally exclude meat and animal products to traditional ones such as the Mediterranean diet and the new Nordic diet.

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Insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are relevant concerns in the elderly population; as the world's population ages, IR and CVD are two universal public health problems. While a link between IR a CVD has been established, the mediating mechanisms are uncertain and rigorous investigations are needed to fully elucidate them. The study aimed at assessing the relationship between epicardial fat (EF), an indicator of cardiovascular risk, and IR in Italian free-living elderly (n = 89).

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Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to report on circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and the prevalence of 25(OH)D concentrations below commonly used cut points for vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency in healthy populations worldwide.

Introduction: Vitamin D sufficiency is important for optimal bone health and has been identified as being protective against a range of adverse health outcomes. Poor vitamin D status is considered a global public health concern.

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Food production and therefore human diet are identified as important sources of environmental impact. Unhealthy and unsustainable diets with high intake of meat and low intake of plant-based products are predominant worldwide. On the other hand, a balance between health and sustainability is necessary, since diets that are environmentally sustainable could lack essential macro- and micronutrients and result in nutrient deficiencies, non-communicable diseases and malnutrition.

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With recent evidence suggesting that growth is no longer considered a major issue in children with food allergies (FA) on elimination diet, priority has shifted to diet quality to establish healthy eating patterns and prevent non-communicable diseases. The Diet Quality Index - International (DQI-I) could be useful for assessing the overall diet quality of FA-children. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of elimination diet on DQI-I in children with FA and the accuracy of DQI-I in reflecting nutrient intake.

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Although the trends of international reports show an increase in overweight and obesity, even in developing countries, there are still areas of the world, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, strongly affected by undernutrition. Specifically, in Madagascar, the percentage of stunted children under 5 is extremely high. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to increase the risk of all forms of malnutrition, especially in low-income countries, including Madagascar, with serious intergenerational repercussions.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on the health-related behaviors of 6,222 university students in health sciences across several countries, including Croatia, Italy, and Turkey, from April 2018 to March 2020.
  • It assessed factors like dietary habits, sleep patterns, physical activity, and perceived stress using validated questionnaires, revealing notable differences in these behaviors among students from different nations.
  • Key findings indicated a link between BMI, gender, smoking, and stress levels, highlighting that many students maintained less healthy habits than expected, stressing the need for improved lifestyle interventions for future healthcare professionals.
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Low vegetable intake is associated with higher incidence of noncommunicable diseases. Data on global vegetable intake excluding legumes and potatoes is currently lacking. A systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted to assess vegetable consumption and supply in adult populations and to compare these data to the existing recommendations (≥240 g/day according to World Health Organization).

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Aliki Kalmpourtzidou"

  • - Aliki Kalmpourtzidou's research primarily focuses on the intersection of nutrition, health, and sustainability, with recent studies exploring the effects of dietary patterns on chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis and insulin resistance in older adults.
  • - Her work emphasizes the need for healthier, plant-based diets as a response to global health issues, including non-communicable diseases, undernutrition, and the environmental impact of food systems.
  • - Kalmpourtzidou's findings highlight significant concerns regarding dietary quality and accessibility across different populations, advocating for interventions that balance health benefits with sustainability to address global malnutrition challenges.