Culture-specific influences on body image and eating distress in a sample of urban Bulgarian women: the roles of faith and traditional fasting.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of local culture on body image and eating distress in a sample of urban Bulgarian women. Specifically, we focused on two affiliated factors unique to the Bulgarian context: faith and traditional fasting. Findings revealed that women could be divided into two groups who behaved differently based on the severity of their eating disorder symptomatology.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in human saliva: ELISA optimization and biological correlates.

In order to assess the physiological significance of human salivary brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), we have optimized a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We determined the range of salivary BDNF concentrations, the impact of saliva collection method, and the association of salivary BDNF with several biological characteristics. The ELISA had a detection limit of 62.

Tissue iron deficiency without anemia impairs adaptation in endurance capacity after aerobic training in previously untrained women.

Background: We previously showed that iron supplementation significantly improves iron status and maximal work capacity in previously untrained, marginally iron-deficient women with a baseline serum transferrin receptor concentration > 8.0 mg/L. However, the effect of transferrin receptor status on adaptation in endurance capacity after aerobic training in these subjects has not been fully explored.

Marginal iron deficiency without anemia impairs aerobic adaptation among previously untrained women.

Background: Iron deficiency without anemia has been shown to reduce both muscle-tissue oxidative capacity and endurance in animals. However, the consequences of iron deficiency in humans remain unclear.

Objective: We investigated the effects of iron supplementation on adaptation to aerobic training among marginally iron-depleted women.