Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide. Although fat has been hypothesized to be involved in breast cancer etiology, the results of available studies are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of the individual's percentage energy from dietary fat (Pfat) with dietary patterns (DPs), and occurrence of the peri- and postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). This case-control study obtained 420 women aged 40–79 years from north-eastern Poland, including 190 newly diagnosed BC cases. Dietary data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (62-item FFQ-6^®). The Quick Food Scan of the National Cancer Institute, and the Percentage Energy from Fat Screener scoring procedures were used to estimate Pfat. The odds of BC occurrence was three-times higher in the upper tertile of Pfat >32% (OR: 3.00; 95%Cl: 1.66–5.41; p<0.001; reference: bottom tertile <30%). The odds of Pfat >32% was higher in the upper tertile of the ‘Non-Healthy’ DP (OR: 11.02; 95%Cl: 5.17-23.50; p<0.001; reference: bottom tertile). The odds of Pfat >32% was lower in the higher level of the Polish-aMED^® score (5-8 points; OR: 0.19; 95%Cl: 0.11-0.33; p<0.001; reference: lower level 0-4 points), lower with a one-point increase of the ‘Prudent’ DP (OR: 0.80; 95%Cl: 0.64-0.99; p<0.05), and lower in the middle tertile of the ‘Dressings and sweetened-low-fat dairy’ DP (OR: 0.29; 95%Cl: 0.15-0.55; p<0.001; reference: bottom tertile). In conclusion, higher dietary fat intake may contribute to an increased occurrence of peri- and postmenopausal breast cancer. Given that dietary pattern characterized by the consumption of highly processed, high in sugar and animal fat foods was positively linked with dietary fat intake, it is important to avoid this unhealthy diet in breast cancer prevention. Instead, dietary patterns characterized by the frequent consumption of low-processed plant foods and fish, and moderate consumption of low-fat dairy should be recommended since this pro-healthy diet was inversely associated with dietary fat intake.

The aim of this review is to understand if Spirulina can significantly improve the CD4+ cell count in patients with HIV. PubMed was searched up to November 2021 for relevant trials, and seven studies were found to match our inclusion criteria. Overall, available evidence indicates that Spirulina might be useful to improve the CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in patients with HIV. A more pronounced effect is likely to be observed for a 10-gram daily dose of Spirulina, when this supplement is administered for 6 months, while smaller amounts given for shorter periods of time seem to be less effective. High-quality Spirulina-derived products are necessary to ensure the best clinical safety and avoid contaminants. Further studies on the topic are needed.

Background: Evidence suggests that turmeric or curcumin intake can improve antioxidant defense, blood pressure, ageing and gut microbiota. The effects of turmeric concentrate (curcumin) intake on cardiovascular risk factors and exercise induced oxidative stress were investigated. Methods: A randomized placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the effects of turmeric extract in healthy volunteers before and after a 30 min exercise bout. Participants (n=22) were given either 500mg turmeric concentrate (Curcumin C3, Jarrow Formulas, Los Angeles, CA, USA) or placebo supplements. Anthropometry, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), biomarkers of oxidative stress, perceived exertion and lipid peroxidation were assessed. Results: There were no significant differences in all baseline parameters between the placebo and the curcumin groups (p>0.05). In the curcumin group, blood pressure response to exercise following curcumin intake was blunted and the increase was not significant compared to basal values. In the last run, there was a significant difference (before-after) between curcumin and placebo groups (Δ in SBP: 7.3±6.8 vs 13.8±6.3 mmHg, p= 0.007, and Δ in DBP: 2.3±6.9 vs 8.0±6.8 mmHg, p=0.012). Final PWV scores were reduced significantly in the curcumin group (7.2±0.97 to 6.7±0.77 m/s, p=0.033) and this reduction was significant compared to the control (Δ of 0.56 vs 0.21 m/s, p=0.04). A significant increase was observed in urinary antioxidant power (p=0.031) and total polyphenol levels (p=0.022) post curcumin intervention, and those on the placebo did not show significant changes. The increase in exercise-induced MDA levels was blunted only in the curcumin group and before-after difference was significant compared to control (Δ of -0.81 vs +0.205 µmole/day, p=0.032). The distance ran by the participants taking curcumin was significantly longer (p=0.005) and compared to placebo before-after difference was significant (Δ of -0.69 vs +0.28 km, p=0.014). Conclusion: Our study suggests that turmeric concentrate intake can reduce blood pressure and improve antioxidant, anti-inflammatory status, and arterial compliance. Curcumin may improve exercise performance and ameliorates oxidative stress. Larger studies are warranted to validate these findings and test other cardiovascular risk factors.

The plant hormones cytokinins; play a major role in cell division and cell differentiation and affect organogenesis in plant cell cultures and contribute in many other physiological and developmental processes in plants . 60 years ago, was the first discovery of kinetin, the first known member of cytokinines. In market, kinetin is formulated as cosmetic anti-againg topical preparations, without defined dose or mechanism of actions, and till now no systemic formulations with specific dose and mechanism were produced. Some studies reported the effect of kinetin on different human diseases , such as its ability to prevent age-related changes in human skin by protecting the DNA in skin cells from damage (antioxidant effects) and decreasing skin water loss and its therapeutic potential in treatment of the human splicing disease familial dysautonomia in vitro. Our research with kinetin started from studying of its activity in the plants , followed by first screening for the systemic activity of kinetin in mammalian cells at the level of the in vitro study, where we showed for the first time that kinetin exerts anticytotoxic, antioxidant, antigenotoxic and antiapoptotic activities in different cell lines from different origins. The promising in vitro results transferred us to the in vivo stage of the investigations, where we examined the safety of the kinetin for the systemic administration in rats .

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors have been reported in Uganda, yet, the role of dietary factors of MetS, such as fruit and vegetable (FV) intake is rarely reported. Objective To examine the association between fruit and/or vegetable intake and MetS risk factors in Ugandan adults aged 18-69 years. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data from the 2014 Uganda non-communicable disease risk factor survey was analyzed. The mean intake of fruits and/or vegetables according to the number of MetS risk factors, and the odds ratios of each risk factor according to quartiles (Q) of fruits and/or vegetable servings were computed. Results Overall, 1,396 men and 1,736 women were analyzed. Mean age was 34.4 years, mean daily servings of total FV was 2.6±0.1, and 77.7% of participants were diagnosed with at least a MetS risk factor whereas 2.6% had ≥3 risk factors. Men with ≥3 risk factors consumed less vegetable servings compared to those with no risk factor (1.1±0.1 vs 1.4±0.1, p<0.001). Total FV, and vegetable intake were low in women with ≥3 risk factors than in those with none (total FV: 1.4±0.3 vs 2.2±0.3, p=0.003; vegetables: 1.1±0.1 vs 1.4±0.1, p=0.005). Regarding individual risk factors, higher total FV intake, and only fruit intake were unusually associated with higher odds of low HDL cholesterol in men (total FV: Q1->Q4, p for trend=0.025; fruits: Q1->Q4, p for trend=0.03). Increasing intake of total FV was inversely associated with abdominal obesity in women (Q1->Q4, p for trend=0.04). In addition, fruit, but not vegetable intake, non-significantly reduced the odds of abdominal obesity (p for trend=0.07) and high blood pressure (p for trend=0.06) in women. Conclusion We found low consumption of vegetables in both genders, and low consumption of total fruits and vegetables in women with ≥3 risk factors. In addition, total fruits and vegetable intake was inversely associated with abdominal obesity in women. However, the controversial finding that a high risk of low HDL cholesterol is linked to higher FV or fruit intake in men deserves further research. Results suggest a favorable role of fruits and vegetable intake in metabolic syndrome risk factors in this population.