Bioavailability of Oral Curcumin in Systematic Reviews: A Methodological Study.

Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric that exhibits diverse biological activities. However, its poor bioavailability limits its therapeutic application, which has led to the development of various bioavailability-improved formulations. In this methodological study, we analyzed whether systematic reviews on curcumin considered the bioavailability of systemic oral curcumin formulations when synthesizing evidence from human clinical trials.

Functional biotransformation of phytoestrogens by gut microbiota with impact on cancer treatment.

The human gut is a host for trillions of microorganisms, divided into more than 3,000 heterogeneous species that is called the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota composition can be altered by many different endogenous and exogenous factors, especially diet and nutrition. A diet rich in phytoestrogens, a variable group of chemical compounds similar to 17-β-estradiol (E2), the essential female steroid sex hormone is potent to change the composition of gut microbiota.

Methods Used for Enhancing the Bioavailability of Oral Curcumin in Randomized Controlled Trials: A Meta-Research Study.

It is unknown how randomized controlled trials (RCTs) approach the problem related to curcumin bioavailability. We analyzed methods and reporting regarding the bioavailability of systemic oral curcumin used in RCTs. We searched PubMed on 12 September 2020, to find articles reporting RCTs that used curcumin as an intervention.

Optimization of MAE for the Separation of Nicotine and Phenolics from Tobacco Waste by Using the Response Surface Methodology Approach.

This study intends to valorize by-products of the industrial processing of tobacco to obtain nicotine and phenolics as value-added compounds. Three influential parameters of the microwave-assisted extraction-MAE (temperature, treatment time, and solvent/solid ratio) were studied for the optimization of the extraction protocol for tobacco leaves and three types of waste-scrap, dust, and midrib, respectively. Nicotine was the dominant bioactive compound in all extracts, ranging from 1.

Changes in dietary habits of patients with chronic pain represent contributing factors to decreased pain intensity and improved quality of life. Pilot study from Croatia.

Objectives: to assess the effectiveness of specifically designed nutrition education for the management of chronic pain and whether any change in dietary habits contribute to decrease in pain intensity. Objectives and methods: 40 patients were enrolled in the 4-week interventional observational study. Patients filled-in questionaires regarding their basic characteristics, pain intensity, quality of life, and dietary habits at baseline and post-intervention.

Traditional Herbal Medicines for Diabetes Used in Europe and Asia: Remedies From Croatia and Sri Lanka.

Diabetes is a global pandemic where alternative means of combating the disease have been the focus of research in recent years. Herbal remedies for diabetes have proven to be a valuable alternative therapy given the fact that many of the existing synthetic drugs are incapable of curbing the disease progression. This review article serves as an appraisal of highlighting the variety and diversity of herbal remedies that are present around the world by looking at only 2 countries-Croatia and Sri Lanka-located in Europe and Asia, respectively.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Some Bioactive Compounds from Tobacco Waste.

This is the first study on ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds from different types of tobacco industry wastes (scrap, dust, and midrib). The obtained results were compared with starting raw material (tobacco leaves) to see the changes in bioactive compounds during tobacco processing. Results suggested that tobacco waste extracts possess antioxidant activity and considerable amounts of targeted bioactive compounds (phenolics and solanesol).

Bioactive Profile of Various L. Preparations.

L., also known as the "Salvation Plant", has been long used and well-documented in traditional medicine around the globe. Its bioactive compounds, and especially its polyphenol profile, have been extensively researched and reviewed.

Efficacy and safety of oral and inhalation commercial beta-glucan products: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background & Aims: Beta-glucans are advertised as biologically active compounds, with various health claims. We aimed to summarize results about efficacy and safety of commercial oral and inhalation beta-glucan products on human health from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We conducted systematic review of RCTs.

Dietary intake of vitamin B in relation to diet and lifestyle characteristics in a population at high risk for colorectal cancer.

Objective: Besides irreplaceable role in health, vitamin B is proposed to have cytoprotective role in colorectal cancer (CRC). So far, studies are inconclusive on the role dietary intake of vitamin B has in CRC. The aim of this study was to determine whether total dietary intake of vitamin B and contribution from its food sources relates to a low-risk diet and lifestyle in a population at high risk for CRC.

Forestalling the Epidemics of Parkinson's Disease Through Plant-Based Remedies.

Parkinson's disease (PD) as the second leading neurodegenerative disease, imposes a heavy burden among individuals as well as economies worldwide. The main characteristics of PD is a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons resulting in the loss of motor function, the occurrence of non-motor symptoms, and cognitive decline. Similar to many other chronic diseases, complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) are very popular for the treatment of this disease.

Body Mass Index and the Literacy on Obesity in Relation to Media Following.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TV, magazines, radio, and internet following on body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related literacy among adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the subjects were recruited from an outpatient center in the city of Sombor, Serbia during Mar-Apr 2013. We collected data by a questionnaire from 657 (397 women; 59%) subjects, aged from 18 to 87 yr (Mean = 45; SD =14).

Antidiabetic Effects of and Its Other Therapeutic Properties.

Diabetes is a global pandemic which warrants urgent attention due to its rising prevalence and economic burden. Thus, many alternative therapies are being researched for antidiabetic properties, given the inefficacy of current medicinal treatments. From this perspective, or black chokeberry has been investigated for its therapeutic properties in many studies, especially for its ability to combat hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and the macrovascular complications of diabetes including cardiovascular disease.

Comparison of various techniques for the extraction of umbelliferone and herniarin in Matricaria chamomilla processing fractions.

Chamomile, a well-known medicinal plant, is a rich source of bioactive compounds, among which two coumarin derivatives, umbelliferone and herniarin, are often found in its extracts. Chamomile extracts have found a different uses in cosmetic industry, as well as umbelliferone itself, which is, due to its strong absorption of UV light, usually added to sunscreens, while herniarin (7-methoxycoumarin) is also known for its biological activity. Therefore, chamomile extracts with certain herniarin and umbelliferone content could be of interest for application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

COMPARISON OF DIET IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE WITH AND WITHOUT DIAGNOSED POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME - PILOT STUDY.

Introduction: This study was aimed at comparing diets, dietary patterns and lifestyle habits of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and controls in Croatia.

Material And Methods: In this pilot, matched pair study, the participants were women of reproductive age: 12 with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and 16 healthy (between the ages of 18 and 41 years). The following data sets were collected and a,nalysed:.

What Is the Real Public Health Significance of Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Croatia? A Population-Based Observational Study on Pregnant Women at Early Pregnancy from Eastern Croatia.

Aim: Studies imply that significance of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) for pregnancy outcomes is especially highlighted in the early pregnancy. Prevalence around the world varies widely, however, no data is available up to date for Croatia or neighbouring countries. Therefore, the objective was to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA among pregnant women from Croatia at the first trimester.

Cluster analysis as a prediction tool for pregnancy outcomes.

Considering specific physiology changes during gestation and thinking of pregnancy as a "critical window", classification of pregnant women at early pregnancy can be considered as crucial. The paper demonstrates the use of a method based on an approach from intelligent data mining, cluster analysis. Cluster analysis method is a statistical method which makes possible to group individuals based on sets of identifying variables.

Nutritional knowledge and dietary habits survey in high school population.

During adolescence, young people are in a sensitive transition period when they gradually take over the responsibility for their own eating habits, health attitudes and behaviours and create lifelong habits so it is essential that they adopt healthy habits according to dietary recommendations. Knowledge is one of the factors necessary for the changes in dietary habits. The'objective of this study was to gain insight in nutritional knowledge and dietary habits of adolescents.

The question is whether intake of folic acid from diet alone during pregnancy is sufficient.

Unlabelled: PREGNANCY AND FOLIC ACID: Pregnancy is the most important period in life of every woman, partially for the number of physiological adaptations she is going through, partially for the expectance of new life. In addition, pregnancy is the "critical window" for development later in childhood, as a period of foetal programming during which nutrition plays one of crucial roles. Despite the general belief that nutrition through pregnancy is adequate and characterized by better nutritional habits, a number of studies do not corroborate this belief.

Does individual dietary intervention have any impact on adolescents with cardiovascular health risks?

The study was aimed at assessing eating habits of adolescent population, diagnosed with one or more cardiovascular risks (CVR) before and two months after the individual dietary intervention. Food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and biochemical measurements with individual nutrition education were conducted on a group of 17 adolescents aged 14.5 years.

Urinary analysis reveals high deoxynivalenol exposure in pregnant women from Croatia.

In this pilot survey the levels of various mycotoxin biomarkers were determined in third trimester pregnant women from eastern Croatia. First void urine samples were collected and analysed using a "dilute and shoot" LC-ESI-MS/MS multi biomarker method. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and its metabolites: deoxynivalenol-15-glucuronide and deoxynivalenol-3-glucuronide were detected in 97.