Publications by authors named "Michail Chourdakis"

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the literature published over the past 18 months and present the latest findings on hydration in individuals with dementia.

Recent Findings: A systematic review identified sarcopenia, polypharmacy, delayed oral transit, and poor rinsing ability as markers of eating-drinking-swallowing difficulties in early-stage dementia. A cross-sectional study found a high prevalence of dehydration (57-68%) among dementia patients, associated with hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dysphagia, and cognitive decline.

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Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in vascular aging. Engaging in healthy dietary habits could enhance the functioning of blood vessels.

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The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the existing data on the health impacts, of the consumption of organically grown foods versus conventionally farmed alternatives, with specific focus on the postulated health superiority of organic foods. A systematic literature research was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were articles on adults (>18 years of age) consuming organic foods for ≥6 months, written in English language, and provision of comparative results between conventional and organic nutrition regarding health indices.

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Unlabelled: Introduction-Background: Data from experimental trials show that L. (saffron) is considered to improve glycemia, lipid profile, and blood pressure and reduce oxidative stress. So far, clinical trials have been conducted in individuals with metabolic syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DMT-2).

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Background: This study investigates the efficacy of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs) as a cost-effective tool for improving dietary choices among Greek consumers. The purpose of the study was to investigate Greek customers' preferences and comprehension of commonly used European FOPNL schemes.

Methods: The Hellenic Food Authority and the Agricultural University of Athens performed a representative online survey in March 2022, titled "The Role of Nutritional Labelling in Public Perception and Food Procurement.

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Article Synopsis
  • Understanding maternal micronutrient intake and dietary habits is essential for assessing the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women.
  • A study of 797 women showed GDM prevalence at 14.7%, with findings indicating that certain vitamins and minerals (biotin, folate, iron, etc.) were significantly higher in those diagnosed with GDM.
  • Results suggest that a higher mean adequacy ratio (MAR) during pregnancy increases GDM risk, notably, reducing MAR raised the risk by 68%, while no link was found between following the Mediterranean diet and GDM risk.
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Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder. Treatment options include pharmacotherapy as well as psychotherapy, with the latter recommended as a first-line option. However, the use of psychotherapeutic interventions poses several challenges.

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Introduction: The importance of micronutrient intake during the preconceptional and early pregnancy period for both maternal and fetal outcomes is well-known, however, relevant data are not available for Greek pregnant women. The aim of the present study is to delineate the nutritional status preceding conception among a representative cohort of Greek pregnant women.

Methods: This was a prospective study of pregnant women from routine care, recruited at 11-13 gestational weeks, between December 2020 and October 2022, at the 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials involving 515 participants was conducted to assess the effects of olive oil on biochemical and body measurements in NAFLD patients.
  • * Results showed no significant changes in liver enzyme levels or waist circumference with olive oil intake, but there was a notable reduction in body mass index, indicating a slight positive effect on body weight for individuals with NAFLD.
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Early vascular aging is related to various cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Healthful lifestyle practices and interventions, including dietary regimens and consistent aerobic exercise, exert favorable modulation on these processes, thereby diminishing the risk of cardiovascular disease with advancing age. The principal objective of this review was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and synthesis of the available literature regarding the effectiveness of different diets on vascular health, such as arterial stiffness and endothelial function.

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Article Synopsis
  • The early life theory emphasizes that the first 1000 days of a person's life are crucial for long-term health outcomes.
  • This period is seen as a time when significant physical and mental development occurs.
  • Interventions and positive experiences during these early days can lead to lasting benefits in health and well-being.
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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant health concern with adverse outcomes for both pregnant women and their offspring. Recognizing the need for early intervention, this study aimed to develop an early prediction model for GDM risk assessment during the first trimester. Utilizing a prospective cohort of 4917 pregnant women from the Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, the study sought to combine maternal characteristics, obstetric and medical history, and early pregnancy-specific biomarker concentrations into a predictive tool.

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Objectives: Binge spectrum disorders are prevalent worldwide. Psychiatric and medical comorbidities are common, and societal costs are significant. Evidence-based treatment remains underutilized.

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Objective: This study aimed to explore the potential impact of pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy maternal nutrition on the incidence of small-for-gestational-age neonates (SGA) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 at the 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece). Pregnant women from routine care were surveyed about their dietary habits during two distinct periods: six months prior to pregnancy (period A) and from the onset of pregnancy until the oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 gestational weeks (period B).

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(1) Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of a low glycemic index (LGI) and low glycemic load (LGL) diet on children with overweight and obesity, analyzing any changes in anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and glucometabolic parameters. (2) Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL), as well as clinical trial registries and reference lists of the included studies, were searched for eligible randomized control trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers performed the screening of the studies, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment.

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Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) show significantly faster progress in the stages of fibrosis compared to those with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) disease. The non-invasive diagnosis of NASH remains an unmet clinical need. Preliminary data have shown that sphingolipids, especially ceramides, fatty acids, and other lipid classes may be related to the presence of NASH and the histological activity of the disease.

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: the objective of our study was to systematically review the current literature and perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of the level of adherence to the DASH diet on blood pressure. : The identification of relevant studies, data extraction and critical appraisal of the included studies were performed independently by two reviewers. A random-effects model was employed to synthesize the available evidence using the standardized mean difference (SMD) as the appropriate effect size.

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Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder with high rates of psychiatric and medical comorbidity and substantial societal costs. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is considered the preferred treatment, but access can be problematic. Pharmacotherapy is more accessible but remains significantly underutilised.

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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the level of adherence to the DASH diet on hypertension risk by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was performed. Two independent investigators performed the study selection, data abstraction, and assessment of the included studies.

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Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT-2) presents with a growing incidence, and its complications contribute mainly to cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. DMT-2 prevention and early stage management include lifestyle modification by adopting healthy eating patterns and increasing physical activity levels. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with beneficial effects on human health and has been found effective for preventing and managing DMT-2.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates dietary interventions for reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the Mediterranean diet (MD) as a key focus due to previous observational studies linking it to cardiovascular health.
  • A thorough systematic search of RCTs involving adult populations was conducted, assessing various diets' effects on heart-related outcomes, ultimately analyzing data from 17 trials with over 83,000 participants.
  • Findings indicate that the MD significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular deaths and major heart events compared to control diets, suggesting its protective role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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