Publications by authors named "Katarina Smiljanec"

Article Synopsis
  • The goal of the gathering was to bring together experts from various fields to create a research plan focused on the relationship between processed food consumption and the risk of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in the U.S. !*
  • Attendees participated in discussions about the effects of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on health, exploring foundational knowledge, potential mechanisms, and gaps in current research during breakout sessions. !*
  • Six key research questions were developed to guide future studies, addressing topics like improving UPF classification, assessing intake, and understanding environmental influences on UPF consumption. !*
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines how dietary sodium and potassium levels impact blood pressure (BP) and blood pressure variability (BPV) in healthy, non-obese adults, with a focus on potential differences between men and women.
  • The researchers found that women had lower BP overall but experienced a reduction in systolic BP when consuming a high potassium/high sodium diet compared to a moderate potassium/high sodium diet.
  • Although diet did not significantly affect BPV, men showed higher BPV than women regardless of the diet, suggesting sex differences in blood pressure responses to sodium and potassium intake.
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More than two-thirds of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths worldwide are attributable to dietary factors. Blood pressure variability (BPV), endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness are important CVD risk factors. Although studies show a link between consuming a healthy diet and lower BPV and stiffness and improved endothelial function, research in young, healthy adults is scarce.

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Vegetarians (VEG) are reported to have lower body weight, blood pressure (BP), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with omnivores (OMN), yet the mechanisms remain unclear. A vegetarian diet may protect the vascular endothelium, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and CVD. This cross-sectional study compared vascular function between OMN and VEG.

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Consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) replaces the intake of freshly prepared unprocessed/minimally processed food (MPF) and is positively associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this observational study was to investigate the relation between () UPF and () MPF with peripheral and central blood pressure (BP), wave reflection, and arterial stiffness. Habitual dietary intake, ambulatory BP, augmentation index (AIx), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed in 40 normotensive young adults (15 M/25 W; 27 ± 1 y; body mass index 23.

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Chronic high sodium intake is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease as it impairs vascular function through an increase in oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the acute effects of a high-sodium meal (HSM) and antioxidant (AO) cocktail on vascular function. We hypothesized that a HSM would impair endothelial function, and increase arterial stiffness and wave reflection, while ingestion of the AO cocktail would mitigate this response.

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The influence of dietary sodium and potassium on blood pressure (BP) has been extensively studied, however their impact on endothelial function, particularly any interactive effects, has received less attention. The purpose of this study was to determine if dietary potassium can offset the deleterious effect of high dietary sodium on endothelial function independent of BP. Thirty-three adults with salt-resistant BP (16 M and 17 F; 27 ± 1 year) completed seven days each of the following diets in a random order: a moderate potassium/low sodium diet (65 mmol potassium/50 mmol sodium; MK/LS), a moderate potassium/high sodium diet (65mmol potassium/300 mmol sodium; MK/HS) and a high potassium/high sodium (120 mmol potassium/300 mmol sodium; HK/HS).

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Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension (HTN). The gut microbiota is a highly dynamic organ mediating numerous physiological functions, which can be influenced by external factors such as diet. In particular, a major modifiable risk factor for HTN is dietary sodium intake.

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Background: Three-fourths of adults older than 55 years in the United States are overweight or obese. Prebiotics including inulin-type fructans may benefit with weight management.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the acute effects of pre-meal inulin consumption on energy intake (EI) and appetite in older adults.

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