Effects of a Low-Fat Vegan Diet on Gut Microbiota in Overweight Individuals and Relationships with Body Weight, Body Composition, and Insulin Sensitivity. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Diet modulates gut microbiota and plays an important role in human health. The aim of this study was to test the effect of a low-fat vegan diet on gut microbiota and its association with weight, body composition, and insulin resistance in overweight men and women. We enrolled 168 participants and randomly assigned them to a vegan ( = 84) or a control group ( = 84) for 16 weeks.

Viscous versus nonviscous soluble fiber supplements: mechanisms and evidence for fiber-specific health benefits.

Purpose: This review focuses on the health benefits of viscous versus nonviscous soluble fibers, why symptoms can occur with increased fiber consumption, and how to avoid symptoms to improve adherence with a high-fiber diet.

Data Sources: Review of scientific literature as well as evidence-based guidelines and resources.

Conclusions: While it is generally known that "fiber is good for you," it is less well known that specific health benefits are associated with specific fiber characteristics.

Colonoscopy issues related to women.

Colonoscopy is the preferred method of screening for colorectal cancer in women. The longer, more redundant female colon is frequently more difficult for the endoscopist to navigate and most studies show longer insertion times, lower completion rates, and more discomfort associated with the procedure in women, all of which may be exacerbated by hysterectomy. To improve female patients' compliance with colorectal cancer screening we need to understand the barriers to participation prevalent among women.

The frequency of peptic ulcer as a cause of upper-GI bleeding is exaggerated.

Background: Peptic ulcer disease is considered the cause of upper-GI bleeding in 50% of cases. A recent decline in the proportion of cases of upper-GI bleeding because of a peptic ulcer was noted by us. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of peptic ulcer in patients with upper-GI bleeding and the proportion of bleeding peptic ulcers with a non-bleeding visible vessel.

Colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease.

This article discusses the important role endoscopy plays in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease and how the procedure adds crucial information to the constellation of history, physical examination, radiographic findings, and laboratory values. Differentiation between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis has important ramifications for medical therapy, surgical options, and prognosis. This distinction can be accurately made in at least 85% of patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease.

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease consists of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, and is also known as regional enteritis, terminal ileitis, or granulomatous colitis. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectal involvement is present 95% of the time.