There is a marked increase in our knowledge about the role of the nutritional factors in the global dimensions of the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Recent studies indicate that there is coexistence of nutritional deficiencies and appreciable over-nutrition in conjunction with physical inactivity, due to urbanization and industrialization. Dietary factors may predispose inflammatory dysfunctions in tissues predisposing to central obesity and overweight that are risk factors of NCDs. Mortality and burden of disease estimates for WHO Member States in 2008, clearly showed that the gratifying gains in cardiovascular health occurred in developed countries, in association with an epidemic of CVD in the developing world. Singh et al., proposed, modifying the previous hypothesis, that overweight comes first in conjunction with inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, increased angiotensin activity, vascular variability disorders and central obesity followed by glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. This sequence is followed by coronary artery disease (CAD), gallstones and cancers and finally dental caries, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases, degenerative diseases of the brain and psychological disorders, during transition from poverty to affluence. It seems that all the NCDs are mediated by inflammation due to interaction of biological systems with dietary factors, including deficiency of nutrient rich functional foods and excess of rapidly absorbed energy-rich foods. Epidemiological studies indicate that as people become rich, they begin to increase their intake of pro-inflammatory refined foods; dietary w-6 and trans fat, salt and sugar in the form of ready prepared refined foods, syrups, dairy products and fresh foods in place of grain and vegetable-based diet which have been found protective against NCDs. There is an increase in sedentary behavior due to adoption of sedentary occupations, which also enhances the inflammation, dyslipidemia and obesity. A Mediterraneanstyle diet rich in nutrients, moderate physical activity and moderation in alcohol intake appear to be protective against NCDs.

BackgroundPathologic subjective halitosis is known as a halitosis complaint without objective confirmation of halitosis by others or by halitometer measurements; it has been reported to be associated with social anxiety disorder. Olfactory reference syndrome is a preoccupation with the false belief that one emits a foul and offensive body odor. Generally, patients with olfactory reference syndrome are concerned with multiple body parts. However, the mouth is known to be the most common source of body odor for those with olfactory reference syndrome, which could imply that the two conditions share similar features. Therefore, we investigated potential causal relationships among pathologic subjective halitosis, olfactory reference syndrome, social anxiety, and preoccupations with body part odors.MethodsA total of 1360 female students (mean age 19.6 ± 1.1 years) answered a self-administered questionnaire regarding pathologic subjective halitosis, olfactory reference syndrome, social anxiety, and preoccupation with odors of body parts such as mouth, body, armpits, and feet. The scale for pathologic subjective halitosis followed that developed by Tsunoda et al.; participants were divided into three groups based on their scores (i.e., levels of pathologic subjective halitosis). A Bayesian network was used to analyze causal relationships between pathologic subjective halitosis, olfactory reference syndrome, social anxiety, and preoccupations with body part odors.ResultsWe found statistically significant differences in the results for olfactory reference syndrome and social anxiety among the various levels of pathologic subjective halitosis (P < 0.001). Residual analyses indicated that students with severe levels of pathologic subjective halitosis showed greater preoccupations with mouth and body odors (P < 0.05). Bayesian network analysis showed that social anxiety directly influenced pathologic subjective halitosis and olfactory reference syndrome. Preoccupations with mouth and body odors also influenced pathologic subjective halitosis.ConclusionsSocial anxiety may be a causal factor of pathologic subjective halitosis and olfactory reference syndrome.

Abstract:Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a major neurotrophin which may have promise to be a nutraceutical of this decade. It has a documented role in neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neuronal survival. BDNF can have beneficial effects on several cardio-metabolic and neuro-psychiatric disorders, indicating that it is important in brainbody interactions. Diet and lifestyle factors may also have an influence on BDNF levels. In this review, we examine the beneficial role of BDNF on risk factors of vascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus and anxiety disorders. Methods: Internet search and discussion with peer colleagues. Results: Majority of the BDNF (70-80%) is derived from dendrite of neurons but it is also present in other body tissues. BDNF controls the food intake and appetite as well as lipid and glucose metabolism. Sedentary behavior and tobacco intake may be associated with BDNF deficiency. Lower serum concentration of BDNF and higher vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were associated with increased risk of incident stroke/TIA. BDNF may serve as an intermediate biomarker for subclinical vascular disease and may also have biological potential to serve as a therapeutic target for primary and secondary prevention of vascular diseases, as well as clinical and subclinical vascular brain disease. BDNF deficiency has been observed in association with anxiety, depression, insomnia, dementia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases. The phenotypes associated with insulin resistance are at increased risk for developing cognitive decline and neuro-degeneration resulting in vascular dementia, and depression as well as diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, which are risk factors for CVDs. BDNF may be administered as nutraceutical due to its protective influence on BDNF concentrations, insulin receptors and hypothalamic dysfunction leading to beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk and neuropsychological dysfunction. It is proposed that omega-3 fatty acids and moderate physical activity may enhance BDNF release. Conclusions: It is possible that circulating BDNF deficiency is a risk factor for obesity, CVDs and diabetes as well as risk factor for neuropsychiatric diseases. BDNF administration may modify the risk of clinical and subclinical stroke, depression, and dementia as well as of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Background: Western diet appears to be a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes and cancer whereas dietary supplements of functional foods rich Mediterranean diets are inversely associated, among individuals and populations with underlying lack of general and health education. We have only scanty information about functional foods which may be considered as nutraceuticals. The prevalence of optimal functional food eating behavior pattern in the population is unknown. This study examines the prevalence of optimal functional foods eating behavior as a protective factor among victims dying due to NCDs to find out the accuracy of the verbal autopsy questionnaire. Subjects and Methods: Death records of 2,222 (1,385 men and 837 women) decedents, aged 25-64 years, out of 3,034 death records, were randomly selected and studied by verbal autopsy questionnaires. All the risk factors and protective factors were assessed by questionnaires which were completed with the help of the victim's spouse and a local treating doctor, by a trained scientist. The lack of knowledge on health education about the role of adverse effects of Western foods was assessed by the questionnaires. Functional food intake was considered in presence of fruit, vegetable and legume intake of minimum 250g/day (moderate) and ideally 400g/day consistent with WHO guidelines. Results: The prevalence of optimal prudent foods intake behavior; fruit, vegetable and legume (>250g/day) intake were observed among 51.4% (n=712) men and 50.4% (n=422) women. Western type food (>255g/day)intake was observed among 63.2% (n=875)men and 59.9% (n=502) women. The prevalence of optimal functional food intake was significantly greater among men compared to women (19.4 vs 14.6%, P<0.05). The consumption of functional food not fruits; grapes and apples, guava, stargoose berry and lemon and onion, garlic ginger was significantly greater among men as compared to women. Other functional foods such as soy products, mustard or olive oil, curd or yogurt, nuts and fish, tea and cocoa, spices; turmeric, cumin, coriander seeds and peppers intake showed no significant difference between two sexes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjustment of age and body weight, total functional foods intakes and fruit, vegetable, legume and nuts intake were significantly inversely associated with deaths due to NCDs, whereas Western type foods (red meat and eggs, refined foods) were positively associated with these causes of deaths, in both sexes. Total spices intake, mustard/olive oil intake and curd or yogurt intake, were inversely but weakly associated with causes of deaths due to NCDs, among both men and women. The prevalence of protective behavior pattern was observed among half of the victims, dying due to injury and accidents where such behaviors were uncommon among decedents dying due to NCDs. Conclusions: It is possible that protective health behavior about functional food intake can be accurately assessed by a ve...

The aim of this study was to examine differences in brain neural activation in response to monosodium glutamate (MSG), the representative component of umami, between patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and healthy women (HW) controls. We analyzed brain activity after ingestion of an MSG solution using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a group of women with BN (n = 18) and a group of HW participants (n = 18). Both groups also provided a subjective assessment of the MSG solution via a numerical rating scale. The BN group subjectively rated the MSG solution lower in pleasantness and liking than the control group, although no difference in subjective intensity was noted. The fMRI results demonstrated greater activation of the right insula in the BN group versus the control group. Compared with the HW controls, the BN patients demonstrated both altered taste perception-related brain activity and more negative hedonic scores in response to MSG stimuli. Different hedonic evaluation, expressed as the relative low pleasing taste of umami tastant and associated with altered insula function, may explain disturbed eating behaviors, including the imbalance in food choices, in BN patients.