Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 18, Issue 7, 2022

Background: Intravascular thrombosis and pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia are significantly associated with the severity of the disease. Vitamin K is known to balance the coagulation mechanisms and also prevent calcification and fibrosis of the extrahepatic soft tissues. This narrative review focuses on the role of vitamin K as a linking factor for thrombotic as well as pulmonary complications of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Article search was performed in databases of WHO, PubMed, Scopus and Clinical Trial Registry using appropriate keywords. Original articles included very few observational studies which showed a reduced level of vitamin K as well as activated extrahepatic vitamin K Dependent Proteins (VKDP) in COVID-19 patients when compared to healthy controls. Chronic treatment with vitamin K Antagonists did not reduce the risk of in-hospital death. Docking study was performed using Swiss dock, and it demonstrated a significant interaction between menaquinone and SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2 M^pro). Results and Discussion: Deficiency of vitamin K in COVID-19 can be due to excessive use of antagonists or defective ingestion or absorption. This triggers an imbalance in the normal coagulation- anticoagulation mechanism by channeling the available vitamin K to the liver, thereby causing a deficiency of the same in extrahepatic tissues, thus finally leading to thrombosis. This also prevents carboxylation and activation of extrahepatic VKDP required to prevent the calcification of soft tissues, thus leading to lung fibrosis. Conclusion: Supplementation of vitamin K should be considered as a potentially modifiable risk factor in severe COVID-19. Randomized control trials are highly recommended to provide clearer evidence on the same.

Background: One of the oldest known edible fruits, the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), is now widely consumed worldwide. Its fruits and seed are rich in many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, and the scientific interest in this plant has been constantly growing in recent years. Introduction: Pomegranate fruit and its juice have been shown to have health benefits relating to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are used in alternative medicine as adaptogens and ergogens, protecting against many neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, and skin disorders. Methods: Given the amount of evidence, this narrative review does not seek to supply a comprehensive summary of all study findings but rather focuses on human clinical trials related to the last five years. In this regard, we have performed a check in MEDLINE, and clinical trials presented in this time are summarized. Results: Pomegranate consumption as a table fruit or juice, which is high in polyphenols, is thus recommended in human diet for its health benefits.The consumption of pomegranate fruit symbolizes a promising therapeutic approach to avert many chronic syndromes. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for bigger, more thoroughly planned human clinical trials to continue research into the potential particular effects of pomegranate fruit, as well as to determine the ideal dose and duration of pomegranate juice supplementation.

Background: Medicinal plants and natural feed additives are the most important alternatives in animal production, especially in broiler production. Objective: In this mini-review article, some important medicinal herbs and plants with positive effects on organic broiler production have been highlighted. Methods: A literature search was conducted using Science Direct, Google, Google Scholar, Springer, Medline, and PubMed. Results: Medicinal plants such as ginger, ginkgo, thyme, ponderosa pine, soybean, forsythia, peppermint, Chinese star anise, astragalus, mistletoe, schisandra, cumin, capsicum, garlic, hooker chives, artichoke, Borreria latifolia, zataria, pomegranate, turmeric, lingzhi, Lippia javanica, neem, oriental chaff flower, mulberry leaf, goji berry, Aloe vera, pumpkin, grape, common nettle, marigold, coriandrum, Citrus sinensis, Alisma canaliculatum, Persian hogweed, Eucommiaulmoides, bamboo leaf extract, rosemary, Morina citrifolia, chestnut, green tea, wild mint, clove, sumac, satureja, ashwagandha, Lonicera japonica, Acacia, liquorice, Artemisia annua, milk thistle, cinnamon, black cumin, etc., have positive effects on organic broiler production. Conclusion: Herbal medicines lead to increased body weight due to a higher feed intake and a higher feed conversion ratio. They improve the antioxidant activity of broiler chickens based on their phenolic compound contents. The combination of medicinal herbal additives also has a positive impact on broiler production. Reducing hormones, growth promoters, and antibiotics, as well as addressing appropriate organic feed management and higher production, should be organized in organic broiler production with the use of herbal plants.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of pathologies that involve heart and blood vessel disorders and are considered the main cause of death in the world. Epidemiological studies have shown the association between low vitamin D (VD) levels and CVD. This vitamin, in addition to acting on bone metabolism, plays a role in modulating the cardiovascular system. Objective: The present study assesses the effects of VD levels on CVD through a systematic literature review. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the PICO strategy was used to prepare the guiding question, and articles were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases by two authors independently. To guarantee the quality of the evidence of the articles included in the review, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used. The literature review followed the PRISMA recommendations. Results: In this review, 22,757 articles were identified, but only 10 were considered eligible, of which 70 % are prospective cohorts and 30 % are retrospective cohorts. The study showed that low 25(OH)D levels correlate with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death from CVD, including in patients who had preexisting CVD. However, one article did not demonstrate this association. Conclusion: As a result, VD correlates with cardiovascular events and the risk of death.

Background: Reducing fat intake is a major focus of most dietary recommendations aiming to prevent chronic diseases. Thus, this study aimed to summarize community-based interventions for reducing fat consumption among healthy people. Materials and Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, in this systematic review and metaanalysis, databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were searched up to January 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies reporting the effect of community-based interventions to reduce fat intake in healthy populations were included. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Meta-analysis was performed using CMA2 software. Results: Our search strategy resulted in a total of 1,621 articles, 43 of which were included in the study after screening. Of the 43 included studies, 35 studies reported a significant decrease in fat intake using educational and multiple intervention methods. About 82 % of studies using the technology were effective in reducing fat intake. Moreover, studies specifically designed to change fat intake were more effective than multicomponent interventions. The meta-analysis of high-quality studies showed that the differences in total fat (-0.262 g/d) and saturated fat (-0.350 g/d) intake between the intervention and control groups were statistically significant (P <0.05). Conclusion: Based on the high-quality studies, educational and multiple interventions are suggested in the community settings to decrease fat intake. In addition, long-term and high frequency interventions focusing on reducing fat intake are desirable.

Background: Solving health issues needs accurate and significant information regarding food consumption. Recently, data analysis and communication have provided outstanding and robust approaches to fulfill the necessity of scientific information and help in decisionmaking in many fields. Many evidence has reported that with little information, better decisions could be achieved. Objective: This research aimed to develop the Decision Support System (DSS) for the daily dietary plan to practically help users in food consumption and health care. Materails and Methods: The system consists of 1,940 cuisine items, including Thai and English menus. In this system, the user can set the daily dietary plan by selecting menu items with foodspecific and total calories. Overall calories of selected menu items would be calculated automatically. The user can see the normal range of calories required based on gender with the help of the baseline (normal office person). Results: This system can help users to become familiar with a better daily dietary plan, food calories, and health care easily. Furthermore, experts (doctors) can improve their learning experiences by formulating and adjusting the Decision Support System (DSS) for patients in special need. The easiness and usefulness of this system are evaluated by 119 users using a Likert scale (1=least, 5=most). The result, on average, is noted to be 4.58. Conclusion: The Decision Support System (DSS) is developed for the daily dietary plan. The accessibility to the system is via personal computer (PC), smartphone, and tablet with an internet connection. For future work, this DSS can improve by connecting the platform with health care providers via sharing the data for more online support.

Aim: The aim of this research was to help stunted adolescents improve their nutritional status. Background: Stunting is a leading global nutritional problem, especially in developing countries such as Indonesia. This was a longitudinal panel study in the SMP Negeri 3 Pekanbaru Riau Province Junior High School in Indonesia. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of calcium and phosphorus supplementation via additional midmorning snacks for adolescents with stunting conditions. Methods: We included 36 participants, aged 12–15 years with a height-for-age Z-score of <-2 standard deviation. They underwent a one-month nutritional intervention during which selected snacks and high-calcium milk were given for midmorning snacks. The midmorning snack menu varied daily and included gado-gado (rice, boiled egg, potato, tempeh, tofu, long beans, cabbage & peanut sauce), fried vermicelli (vermicelli, omelet, cucumber & prawn crackers), batagor (tofu, cassava flour crackers, boiled egg & peanut sauce), lontong medan (rice, boiled egg, vermicelli, french fries, fried anchovy, green bean & carrots curry), sandwich (plain toast, omelet, cucumber, lettuce, tomato & chili sauce), chicken porridge (rice porridge, fried bread, shredded chicken & chicken broth), and fried rice teri (rice, anchovy, prawn crackers, cucumber, chili sauce & soy sauce). The total amount of energy from the meals and milk was 541.8 kcal (30 % of RDARecommended Dietary Allowance), 25 g of protein (50 % of RDA), 90 g of carbohydrate (30 % of RDA), and 600 mg of calcium (35 % of RDA). Meal and milk administration lasted 34 days in total. Data analysis and food intake consumption were conducted using the Pearson Product moments test. Results: The participants’ mean height-for-age Z-score before and after the nutritional intervention was -2.5 ± 0.4 (-3.2 - 2.0) and -2.3 ± 0.4 (-3.2 - 1.2), respectively. After the intervention, the rate of stunting was reduced up to 19.4%; the rate of calcium intake before the nutritional intervention was 50% below the recommended dietary allowance 27.3 ± 27.8 (3.3:100.0) %; the rate of phosphorus intake among the participants was sufficient. The rate of calcium intake after the nutritional intervention was 59.1 ± 19.0 (15.5 - 100.0) % due to which the nutritional quality of food before the intervention was still lacking, namely 52.7 ± 15.5 (28.4 - 86.3) after the nutrition intervention increased to 84.8 ± 20.3 (30.9 - 100.0); (r-value = 0.43; p-value = 0.01). Conclusion: The nutritional intervention increased calcium intake. The outcome of the nutritional intervention led to the improvement of nutritional status from stunting to the normal category. Other: The midmorning snack given to teenagers is a snack meal available in the school canteen that they can buy with pocket money. It is necessary to create awareness about the importance of consuming high calcium midmorning snacks for teenagers. The activity of consuming high-calcium midmorning snacks by adolescents can be continued independently. So far, teenagers do not use pocket money to buy midmorning snacks that are high in calcium, but they buy other types of snacks that are low in calcium, consisting of pastel, noodles, tofu, fritters, pao, tempeh, rice cake, and eclairs. So far, no nutritional intervention has significantly increased the nutritional status of stunted children to normal levels; however, this type of intervention may become a viable option in the future.