Scientific evidence shows that dietary patterns are a key environmental determinant of mental health. Dietary constituents can modify epigenetic patterns and thus the gene expression of relevant genetic variants in various mental health conditions. In the present work, we describe some nutrigenomic effects of dietary fiber, phenolic compounds (plant secondary metabolites), and fatty acids on mental health outcomes, with emphasis on their possible interactions with genetic and epigenetic aspects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAging population is a global reality that forces public policies based on transdisciplinary research focused on older adults. This raises a series of issues, such as feasability, inequalities, inequities, vulnerability, access to the products generated, and ability to consent, among others. This essay's objective is to reflect on some of the questions that arise from this reality, review basic precepts of research ethics in human beings, and expose the challenges for updating the current guidelines for ethical biomedical research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Both perfectionism and social anxiety have been described in patients with eating disorders (ED) and medical students. Academic stress also can increase the risk of developing ED.
Aim: To analyze the dimensions of perfectionism, social anxiety, and academic stress associated with the risk of developing ED in female medical students.
This article describes and analyzes various aspects related to the neurobiology of disorganized attachment (DA), which is associated with personality, eating, affective, dissociative, and addictive disorders. We included primary studies in humans, published in PubMed from 2000 to 2022. Eight genetic and one epigenetic study were considered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, alters the viral immune response in the elderly, especially when frailty exists. Research findings have demonstrated an imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reduced production and diversification of T lymphocytes, and an alteration in immunovigilance and antibody synthesis. In this context, nutrition has a role in combating sarcopenia and frailty.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood choice impacts human health and planetary sustainability. The feeding patterns that reduce risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and various mortality causes are recognized as healthy eating habits. The average world population is far from reaching these habits due to the lack of access to healthy foods and a high prevalence of malnutrition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGender is a psychosocial construct referring to the socially built roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men and people with gender diversity, while sex is related to the biological attributes of a woman or a man. Even though the terms sex and gender are often used in a binary way, there is considerable diversity in the way individuals and groups understand, experiment and express them. This narrative review describes some relevant aspects of the subjective difference that exists and favors men over women in the fields of sciences and research, starting from a historical perspective in the light of feminist movements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedicines are an economic good and a fundamental component of public and private spending and health decision-making. Assurance of their quality, efficiency and safety is essential. However, the variety of products on the Chilean market, including innovative and generic productsthe latter accounted for by many products that are certified as bioequivalent while others are notresults in a potentially confusing scenario for consumers and health providers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death throughout the world. A major risk factor for CVD is platelet aggregation. Various plant extracts exhibit anti-aggregatory action in vitro.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSystematic literature reviews are one of the main methodologies used to substantiate the health properties of foods and food constituents purported to affect human physiology. This tool is based on scientific evidence obtained from correctly performed randomized controlled trials. Systematic reviews make it possible to conclude whether there is a causal relationship between food consumed and health effects observed, thus supporting the use of the term functional foods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe population of older adults is growing globally. This increase has led to an accumulation of chronic illnesses, so-called age-related diseases. Diet and nutrition are considered the main drivers of the global burden of diseases, and this situation applies especially to this population segment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe examined the ability of tomato pomace extract (by-product) to affect platelet aggregation in healthy humans (clinical pilot study). In phase 1 the tolerance of participants ( = 15; 5 per dose level) ingesting tomato pomace extract across three dose levels (1, 2.5, and 10 g) was evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe population is now living longer during the period classified as "elderly" (60 years and older), exhibiting multimorbidity associated to the lengthening of the average life span. The dietary intake of phenolic compounds (PC) may affect the physiology, disease development and progression during the aging process, reducing risk factors of age related diseases. The aim of this review is to briefly describe some of the possible effects of a series of PC on the reduction of risk factors of the onset of cardiovascular diseases, considering their potential mechanisms of action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Chilean National School Feeding Program (NSFP) delivers breakfast and lunch meals that supply 250 and 450 kcal, respectively, along the country. In the last decades, a significant increase of obesity has been observed in primary education children, and it involves risk factors of non-communicable diseases. The dietary intake of foods containing phenolic compounds (PC) exerts favorable effects on health by reducing risk factors of prevalent diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe hypothesize that the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay that follows the reaction of Fe(3+)-TPTZ at 593 nm underestimates the antioxidant capacity of fruits, since the standardized time of the reaction (4 min) is not enough to titrate all the reducing compounds available. We measured FRAP, total phenolics and anthocyanins content in a variety of Chilean berry fruits (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries) and apples (cv. Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Red Delicious and Royal Gala).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) possess health-promoting effects attributed to their supply of a wide variety of bioactive phenolics. Juice and skin fractions of 4 varieties of table grapes: Red Globe, Crimson Seedless, Autumn Royal, and Ribier were prepared to determine and compare their total phenolics content, antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC), anthocyanins, and specific phenolics (caffeic acid, gallic acid, resveratrol, and catechin) content, since a series of positive health benefits are expected from the intake of any of these fractions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF