Isoflavones Essay

Hello Dr. Hultgren! Thank you for pointing out that my research question represents a longitudinal study. I mentioned in my initial post that a mixed methods research would be better, but I only presented a quantitative question. You made great suggestions of what to consider when asking a qualitative question for this particular study. Perhaps a sound qualitative question to inquire is: In adults 18 years and older who are consuming polyphenols, does ingestion of various types of these compounds give them better energy and performance levels compared to just consuming one particular polyphenol-rich dietary source (for example grapes over cocoa) right after ingesting it? Thank you

Dairy should not be a primary food group on the dietary guidelines set by the government because of its many negative effects on human health (given that people care about their health and the health of those around them). Dairy and other animal products are the only food sources which contain cholesterol. Arguments have been made saying that humans need to consume cholesterol in order to have a healthy balance of fats; these arguments fail to acknowledge that our bodies naturally produce all the cholesterol that it needs. And many studies have been conducted to support the theory that consumption of dietary cholesterol overloads arteries and can cause heart disease, artery disease, as well as sudden heart attacks. The Department of Community Health and Preventative Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School worked to interpret an international study based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. The overall conclusion was that “…dietary cholesterol levels are consistently related to CHD (coronary heart disease) mortality rates” (Stamler). A study conducted by Lena Ohlsson at the Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Nutrition within the prestigious Lund University in Sweden also linked dietary cholesterol and milk fat with artery disease and other metabolic disorders. In short, the abstract of her lab report said that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—“bad” cholesterol—was found to be directly associated with coronary artery

The dangers of the obesity epidemic are overwhelming and the percentage of the population which suffers from this condition is increasing exponentially with the increased use of HFCS. Especially in the United States, where almost a third of the adult population is obese, the problems with obesity are readily becoming more apparent. Researchers predict that about 30 serious medical conditions can arise due to obesity. Some of these complications are type II diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and arthritis. Problems can also extend to hypertension, birth defects, increased chances of various cancers, and impaired mobility.

The statement made earlier in this paper, “high levels of dietary cholesterol is the leading cause of heart disease and obesity” is troubling. Primarily due to what a statement of such simplicity represents. If dietary choices were so simple obesity and heart disease would not have gone unchecked for a generation of American’s who increased their consumption of both sugar, and unsaturated fats. Indeed, strict scientific review, and contextualized in-depth analysis are the only way to tease out accurate understandings in helping people make more informed decisions about what they

Although many individuals are uncertain about the increasing statistics associated with obesity, more than seventy percent of men and virtually sixty-two percent of women within the United States adult population are overweight or obese (Wilmore, Costill, & Kenney). Obesity refers to the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat. If an individual’s amount of body fat becomes too excessive, he/she is at a much greater risk of developing life-altering diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, type II diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, etc. (Wilmore, et al., 2008).

Obesity remains an extremely serious issue worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now dramatically increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continue to soar. CDC (2009) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According to NHANES over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (CDC, 2009). Treatment for this illness varies; it may include the incorporation of diet, exercise, behavior modification, medication, and surgery. Since there is no single cause of all overweight and obesity, there is no single way to prevent or treat overweight

In a study conducted in 1985 observing primates, it was determined that the major effect of dietary cholesterol is its LDL raising effects. High intakes of cholesterol increase the number of circulating LDL’s and it can also change its size and composition. [12] It was during this time period that the mechanisms by which SFA are thought to increase blood cholesterol concentrations came about. One mechanism for the increase in LDL cholesterol levels is the suppression of LDL receptor activity. Studies in tissue cultures have shown that increasing the cholesterol content of a cell will down-regulate synthesis of LDL receptors. [13] This will lead to an increase in concentration of blood cholesterol. Another cause for an increase in blood cholesterol concentration through intake of dietary SFA is the composition of the newly secreted lipoproteins. With a high saturated fat intake, the LDL’s become rich in cholesterol esters, leaving the triglycerides in the blood. [14] The use of non-human primates in

In 2000, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a health claim which states that consuming foods containing plant sterol and stanol esters along with other low cholesterol and saturated fat foods can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (Jones, Vanstone, Raeini-Sarjaz, & St-Onge, 2003). Today, many functional foods in the form of margarines, spread, yogurt, and others, have been enriched with phytosterols and advocated as being able to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Phytosterols have been known for its cholesterol-lowering effect by blocking absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. However, there are controversies surrounding the efficacy of phytosetrol that are enriched in foods in reducing cholesterol levels. Many studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched foods. Vásquez-Trespalacios and Romero-Palacio (2014) and Amundsen, Ose, Nenseter, and Ntanios (2002) have demonstrated the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched foods in reducing total and LDL-cholesterol levels. However, there are also many studies that show otherwise. For example, Jones et al. (2003) and Weingärtner et al. (2016) have shown that phytosterol-supplemented foods did not have any effect on total and LDL-cholesterol levels. The debate regarding the efficacy of phytosterol in functional foods is crucial as phytosterol-enriched foods can potentially be a solution to a continuous increase in population suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The

The use of isotretinoin for the treatment of severe acne has been extensively known over the past 30 years. Various adverse reactions to isotretinoin have been reported. Nevertheless, the effects of isotretinoin on the hemostasis are still not well known. There are conflicting reports about its effect on coagulation system. Dotson et al. Described the first case with an intensification of bleeding tendency in a patient with hemophilia, while isotretinoin treatment in 1992 (10); although in another case of hemophilia A using isotretinoin was reported by Bettoli et al. In 2004. Was reported to have had no exacerbating effect on bleeding (12) various studies have shown that hepatotoxicity could occur in about 10% and hyperlipidemia in 20–45% of the patients (13-16). Vigorous hematological changes were

Obesity is the next major epidemiologic challenge facing today's doctors, with the annual allocation of healthcare resources for the disease and related comorbidities projected to exceed $150 billion in the United States. The incidence of obesity has risen in the United States over the past 30 years; 60% of adults are currently either obese or overweight. Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of several diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Consumption of fast food, trans fatty acids (TFAs), and fructose—combined with increasing portion sizes and decreased physical activity—has been implicated as a potential contributing factor in the obesity crisis. The use of body mass index (BMI) alone is of limited utility

It was merely a decade ago that the obesity epidemic was thought to only be a minor problem and had only alarmed a small number of endocrinologists interested by the size of the situation (James, 2008). However today, the problem of obesity is vast with more awareness of its presence by doctors and individuals alike. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese (CDC, 2014)”. These numbers are outrageous and eye opening, leaving millions looking for a solution to this troubling epidemic. Obesity is not simply a cosmetic flaw as some might think, but is actually a very dangerous state of being for any individual to sustain long-term. Mentioned further in

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one factor that can erupt from obesity due to the main causes that it brings, like high blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol to a high count while lowering HDL. LDL is the “bad cholesterol”, and HDL is the “good cholesterol”. We need fats in our body for energy or ATP, in our body. If we get more LDL, it can really be a dangerous case, and

Metabolic syndrome represents a collage of health problems created from insulin resistance diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure (Darwin, 2015). Further, metabolic syndrome constitutes numerous health risks catapulting obesity and addiction. The food industry continues to make money on this health crisis, metabolic syndrome. Consequently, individuals can halt metabolic syndrome by avoiding processed foods. However, society has a real addiction to sugar, which continues to be ready available for the masses, while exercise and real food becomes more elite.

Five flavonoid classes, including anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavones, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, independently have an inverse relationship with CVD mortality(19). Similarly, a 18 years follow-up study indicate that a high dietary intake of anthocyanins, which may reduce the myocardial infarction(MI) risk in young female after multivariate adjustment(20). Blueberries combined with strawberries were found to decrease the risk of MI comparing with those rarely intake of these two fruits(20). Moreover, plenty of clinical studies investigating the effects of Vaccinium berries, used as a source of anthocyanins, focus on the changing of lipid profiles, vascular function, blood pressure, and nitric oxide after Vaccinium berries intervention.

An analysis, published in the July 23 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, demonstrated that a vegetarian diet made up of specific plant foods can lower cholesterol as effectively as drug treatment. This analysis was run by scientists at the University of Toronto and St. Michael 's Hospital, who compared a diet of known cholesterol-lowering, vegetarian foods to a standard cholesterol-lowering drug called lovastatin. Additionally, vegetarians have shown to lead a longer life than meat-eaters. According to a 30-year research, residents of Okinawa, Japan have the longest life expectancy in the world due to their low-calorie vegetarian diet composed of unrefined complex carbohydrates, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and soy. Despite the boundless proven health benefits, there are profuse concerns that vegetarians do not receive proper nutrition from their plant-sourced diet. This is a common myth, as all essential nutrients are found in plants. Even protein, the main mineral derived from meat, is obtained from foods such as nuts, seeds, grains, and soy. Lastly, a plant-eating lifestyle will ensure more energy and better mood. A 2012 inquiry randomly split participants into a three diets: all-meat allowed, fish-only, and vegetarian no-meat. After only two weeks, researchers discovered that people on the vegetarian diet were experiencing significantly more mood