Cognitive health and Mediterranean Diet: Just diet or lifestyle pattern?

Mediterranean diet is a term used to describe the traditional eating habits of people in Crete, South Italy and other Mediterranean countries. It is a predominantly plant-based diet, with olive oil being the main type of added fat. There are many observational studies exploring the potential association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cognitive decline. The present review focuses on longitudinal studies with repeated cognitive assessments. It also evaluates evidence on behaviors related to the Mediterranean way of living, that have been shown to be associated with cognition, namely social interaction, participation in leisure activities, including physical activities, and sleep quality. The synergistic association-effect of these lifestyle behaviors, including diet, is unknown. Lifestyle patterns may constitute a new research and public health perspective.     

Effects of lifestyle interventions on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

This review summarizes intervention studies that evaluated the effects of lifestyle behaviors on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Current diet and lifestyle recommendations beneficially affect HDL-C. Individual lifestyle interventions that increase HDL-C include: a healthful diet that is low (7-10% of calories) in saturated fat and sufficient in unsaturated fat (15-20% of calories), regular physical activity, attaining a healthy weight, with moderate alcohol consumption, and cessation of cigarette smoking. Combining a healthy diet with weight loss and physical activity can increase HDL-C 10% to 13%. When combined with interventions that beneficially affect other cardiovascular disease risk factors, this increase in HDL-C is expected to contribute to a overall reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.     

The impact of lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and those undergoing infertility treatment: a review

This evidence-based review focuses on the impact of potentially modifiable, non-communicable lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and the infertile population undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. The impact of several lifestyle factors including; age, weight, smoking, diet, exercise, psychological stress, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption and exposure to environmental pollutants are included in the review. The databases of Medline, PubMed and Cinahl were searched to identify relevant publications. There is strong evidence that age, weight and smoking impact on general health and adversely on reproductive performance. However there is a need for further research focusing specifically on the relationship between diet and various levels of exercise on reproductive performance. There are several other factors such as psychological stress, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption and exposure to environmental pollutants that have been implicated but the evidence is equivocal. It is concluded that lifestyle modification can assist couples to conceive spontaneously or optimize their chances of conception with ART treatment.     

Lifestyle predictors of healthy ageing in men

With ageing populations a major challenge is to maintain physical and cognitive function, quality of life and independence. The literature does not only indicate important gender differences in lifestyle behaviours, but also how these behaviours might affect health outcomes. The current review has a male perspective when exploring lifestyle predictors of healthy ageing, such as physical activity and sedentary behaviours, smoking, diet and alcohol consumption. This review shows that not only do men with healthy lifestyles survive longer, but also with good health and disability is postponed and compressed into fewer years at the end of life. It is also clear that physical activity and smoking in midlife and late adulthood impact and predict healthy ageing in men. However, healthy ageing has no clear phenotypic definition and more research is needed to establish the impact on dietary and sedentary behaviours on healthy ageing in men. Adoption of healthier lifestyles could result in postponement of age associated diseases and/or the slowing down of the ageing process. Consequently, this allows independent living for a longer period of time and would reduce the burden to social and health care sectors.     

体检者胃溃疡检出率及其影响因素分析

目的 调查体检者胃溃疡的检出情况及其发生的影响因素。方法 收集2018年1月~12月我院健康管理中心9125名体检者的体检资料,根据胃镜检查及/或病理检查结果将体检者分为胃溃疡组519例和非溃疡组8606例,比较两组一般资料（年龄、性别、教育程度、BMI、吸烟、饮酒、Hp感染状况、饮食、每日睡眠时间、体检季节）,采用Logistic回归模型分析胃溃疡发生的影响因素。结果 共9125名体检者,胃溃疡检出率5.69%。单因素分析结果显示,两组年龄、性别、教育程度、吸烟、饮酒人数、Hp感染状况、饮食、每日睡眠时间、体检季节比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,受教育程度是胃溃疡的保护因素,年龄、男性、吸烟、饮酒、饮食不规律、日睡眠时间＜8 h、Hp阳性、冬春季节是发生胃溃疡的风险因素（P＜0.05）。结论 9125名体检者胃溃疡检出率较低,受教育程度高是胃溃疡发生的保护因素,年龄增加、男性、吸烟/饮酒、Hp阳性,饮食不规律、日睡眠时间＜8 h、冬春季节均是增加胃溃疡发生风险的独立影响因素。     

Correlates of sleep problems among men: The Vietnam Era Twin Registry

The Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry includes 14 800 male twins born 1939–55 and in military service in 1964–75. A mailed health survey including the Jenkins Sleep Questionnaire was sent to 11 959 members and 8870 (74.2%) provided responses on the frequency of sleep problems in the previous month. Prevalence of those experiencing conditions at least 1 day per month was 67.2% for waking often, 61.5% for waking tired/worn out, 48.1% for trouble falling asleep and 48.6% for awakening early. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to estimate sleep problems from demographic, behaviour and lifestyle characteristics, and morbid conditions. Black (vs. white) race, older age, church/religious group participation, social support, employment, cigarette smoking, light physical activity, and strenuous physical activity were associated with lower risk of one or more sleep problems. Eleven morbid conditions with a prevalence of 1% or more, coffee consumption, heavy alcohol consumption, and Framingham Type A behaviour pattern were associated with a higher risk of sleep problems. These analyses suggest that sleep problems may be one of the mechanisms relating reduced quality of life to many physical and behavioural characteristics. Fortunately, a number of the risk factors associated with sleep problems are lifestyle characteristics which, if modified, may reduce sleep problems.     

不同生活方式对广州市城镇居民亚健康状况的影响

目的评价不同生活方式对广州市城镇居民亚健康状况的影响,探讨其亚健康的影响因素。方法采用分层随机抽样,用SHMS V1.0对广州地区2390名城镇居民的亚健康状况进行调查。结果单因素分析结果显示:SHMS V1.0得分在吸烟(t=-2.068),喝酒(F=1.269),吃早餐(F=26.075),睡眠时间(F=22.560),参加体育锻炼(F=52.896),伏案(F=11.503)分布上差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。多因素逐步回归结果显示:睡眠时间、吸烟、体育锻炼、喝酒、早餐习惯、熬夜是对城镇居民亚健康状况量表总分的主要影响因素,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论影响广州市城镇居民亚健康状况的生活方式主要有睡眠时间、吸烟、体育锻炼、喝酒、早餐习惯、熬夜、伏案等。     

The protective effect of mindfulness and compassion meditation practices on ageing: Hypotheses,models and experimental implementation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a major health and societal issue; there is no treatment to date and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease are not well understood. Yet, there is hope that AD risk factors and thus the number of AD cases can be significantly reduced by prevention measures based on lifestyle modifications as targeted by non-pharmacological preventive interventions. So far, these interventions have rarely targeted the psycho-affective risk factors related to depression, stress, anxiety, and feeling of loneliness, which are all prevalent in ageing. This paper presents the hypothesis that the regular practice of mindfulness meditation (MM) and loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) in the ageing population constitutes a lifestyle that is protective against AD. In this model, these practices can promote cognition, mental health, and well-being by strengthening attention control, metacognitive monitoring, emotion regulation and pro-social capacities. Training these capacities could reduce the risk of AD by upregulating beneficial age-related factors such as cognitive reserve, and down-regulating detrimental age-related factors, such as stress, or depression. As an illustration, we present the Medit-Ageing study (public name Silver Santé Study), an on-going European project that assesses the impact and mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions including meditation, in the ageing population.     

Socioeconomic Status and Health Behaviors in Adolescence: A Review of the Literature

Objective The goal of this review was to determine the direction of associations between SES and health behaviors during the period of adolescence. Method We searched the PsychInfo and Pubmed databases for studies that measured the association between SES and cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, diet, and physical activity in adolescents between 10- and 21-years old. Results Associations between SES and health behaviors conformed to two patterns. First, low SES was associated with poorer diets, less physical activity, and greater cigarette smoking. Second, there was no clear pattern of associations between SES and alcohol consumption or marijuana use. Conclusion Results from this review indicate that, although some associations between SES and health behaviors exist during adolescence, the associations are not as robust as those in adulthood. Efforts to curb poor diet, inactivity, and smoking behaviors should target low SES adolescents, whereas efforts to curb teen drinking and marijuana use may be useful across the SES spectrum.     

Non-pharmacological strategies to delay cognitive decline

Non-pharmacological preventive strategies to delay cognitive decline have become the focus of recent research. This review aims to discuss evidence supporting the use of physical and cognitive activity to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Both strategies are associated with better cognitive health in older adults. This positive effect seems stronger for middle-aged and older adults with normal cognition and less clear when cognitive impairment is present. Physical and cognitive activities have been linked to indirect and direct biological factors affecting brain health. Future research will need to explore details about type, intensity, duration and combination of interventions. An important aim is standardization between studies, as well as evidence of improved clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Identifying strategies that succeed at sustaining improved lifestyle is necessary, and the use of modern technology could play a crucial role in this regard. In the meantime advice on physical and cognitive activities should be included when health advice is given to middle-aged and older adults.     

Using the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative Data to conduct a genome‐wide association study of sleep duration

Sleep is critical to health and functionality, and several studies have investigated the inherited component of insomnia and other sleep disorders using genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). However, genome‐wide studies focused on sleep duration are less common. Here, we used data from participants in the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC) (n = 4,401) to examine putative associations between self‐reported sleep duration, demographic and lifestyle variables, and genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to better understand genetic contributions to variation in sleep duration. We employed stepwise ordered logistic regression to select our model and retained the following predictive variables: age, gender, weight, physical activity, physical activity at work, smoking status, alcohol consumption, ethnicity, and ancestry (as measured by principal components analysis) in our association testing. Several of our strongest candidate genes were previously identified in GWAS related to sleep duration (TSHZ2, ABCC9, FBXO15) and narcolepsy (NFATC2, SALL4). In addition, we have identified novel candidate genes for involvement in sleep duration including SORCS1 and ELOVL2. Our results demonstrate that the self‐reported data collected through the CPMC are robust, and our genome‐wide association analysis has identified novel candidate genes involved in sleep duration. More generally, this study contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of human sleep. © 2015 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The association of dietary patterns with cognition through the lens of neuroimaging—a Systematic review

Despite the reported benefits of diet on cognition in older adults, randomized controlled trials (RCT) testing the impact of dietary interventions on cognitive scores have yielded less promising results when cognition was assessed via neuropsychological tests. More recently, neuroimaging has been used to identify more subtle brain-related changes associated to cognition. Hence, employing a combination of neuroimaging techniques with neuropsychological tests could clarify this controversy.To determine the effect of diet on cognitive performance, we conducted a systematic review of PubMed and Scopus databases for all studies, on middle-aged and older adults, combining neuroimaging, neuropsychological tests, and data on dietary patterns. The inclusion criteria were met by 14 observational studies and no RCTs. The range of brain measures assessed varied from volumes to white matter integrity, functional connectivity, brain glucose metabolism and beta-amyloid deposition. Given the variability of methods used in assessing cognitive performance, diet and brain correlates, conducting a meta-analysis was not possible.Here the evidence suggests that, in observational studies, dietary patterns may be associated with brain correlates that have been shown to precede cognitive decline. As such, neuroimaging should be included in future RCTs to identify any benefits of diet on brain measures linked with cognitive health.     

The effect of age, gender, diet and lifestyle on DNA damage measured using micronucleus frequency in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Micronucleus (MN) frequency in cytokinesis-blocked peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) has become one of the best-established biomarkers for studying DNA damage occurring in vivo in humans. The application of this method in population biomonitoring studies requires a deep understanding of how lifestyle and common host variables may influence MN frequency in PBL. In this mini-review, an update is provided on results from studies reporting on the impact of age, gender, diet and lifestyle factors (e.g. exercise, alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs) on this biomarker. Evidence from these studies shows that each of these factors, either in isolation or in combination, can significantly influence MN frequency. Proper control for these factors is required to enable better measurement of the impact of other conditions, such as environmental exposure to genotoxins or a susceptible genetic background, on MN frequency in PBL.     

Lifestyle factors and cancer of the pancreas: a hypothetical mechanism

The interaction of a genetically determined protease inhibitor, the enzymes whose functions are modified by that inhibitor and lifestyle factors, such as cigarette smoking, high lipid diet and alcohol consumption, are considered key factors in a proposed protease-antiprotease imbalance mechanism for pancreatic oncogenesis. Epidemiologic and experimental laboratory evidence in support of the mechanism is presented along with a discussion of suggested research initiatives to further test the hypothesis.     

Diet, lifestyle, and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have examined individual dietary and lifestyle factors in relation to type 2 diabetes, but the combined effects of these factors are largely unknown. METHODS: We followed 84,941 female nurses from 1980 to 1996; these women were free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer at base line. Information about their diet and lifestyle was updated periodically. A low-risk group was defined according to a combination of five variables: a bodymass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) of less than 25; a diet high in cereal fiber and polyunsaturated fat and low in trans fat and glycemic load (which reflects the effect of diet on the blood glucose level); engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least half an hour per day; no current smoking; and the consumption of an average of at least half a drink of an alcoholic beverage per day. RESULTS: During 16 years of follow-up, we documented 3300 new cases of type 2 diabetes. Overweight or obesity was the single most important predictor of diabetes. Lack of exercise, a poor diet, current smoking, and abstinence from alcohol use were all associated with a significantly increased risk of diabetes, even after adjustment for the body-mass index. As compared with the rest of the cohort, women in the low-risk group (3.4 percent of the women) had a relative risk of diabetes of 0.09 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.05 to 0.17). A total of 91 percent of the cases of diabetes in this cohort (95 percent confidence interval, 83 to 95) could be attributed to habits and forms of behavior that did not conform to the low-risk pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that the vast majority of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented by the adoption of a healthier lifestyle.     

Effects of meditation practice on spontaneous eyeblink rate

A rapidly growing body of research suggests that meditation can change brain and cognitive functioning. Yet little is known about the neurochemical mechanisms underlying meditation‐related changes in cognition. Here, we investigated the effects of meditation on spontaneous eyeblink rates (sEBR), a noninvasive peripheral correlate of striatal dopamine activity. Previous studies have shown a relationship between sEBR and cognitive functions such as mind wandering, cognitive flexibility, and attention–functions that are also affected by meditation. We therefore expected that long‐term meditation practice would alter eyeblink activity. To test this, we recorded baseline sEBR and intereyeblink intervals (IEBI) in long‐term meditators (LTM) and meditation‐naive participants (MNP). We found that LTM not only blinked less frequently, but also showed a different eyeblink pattern than MNP. This pattern had good to high degree of consistency over three time points. Moreover, we examined the effects of an 8‐week course of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on sEBR and IEBI, compared to an active control group and a waitlist control group. No effect of short‐term meditation practice was found. Finally, we investigated whether different types of meditation differentially alter eyeblink activity by measuring sEBR and IEBI after a full day of two kinds of meditation practices in the LTM. No effect of meditation type was found. Taken together, these findings may suggest either that individual difference in dopaminergic neurotransmission is a self‐selection factor for meditation practice, or that long‐term, but not short‐term meditation practice induces stable changes in baseline striatal dopaminergic functioning.     

Attitudes and reported practices of Korean primary care physicians for health promotion

To examine attitudes and practice patterns of primary care physicians in health promotion and to probe factors associated with active involvement, a nationwide cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey of randomly sampled Korean family physicians and internists was performed. The areas of health promotion examined were; smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, exercise, and diet. Overall response rate was 38.0% and an interview survey of sub-samples of non-responders found no differences in socio-demographic characteristics or survey results versus original responders, except for the rate of collecting information on smoking and diet. Smoking cessation was considered important by 92% of responders, while other lifestyle factors were considered important by less than 70%. Approximately 80% of responders believed in effectiveness of lifestyle counseling, except for stress. The frequency of collecting information, providing counseling, and the level of preparedness to undertake counseling were higher for smoking and alcohol than for other factors. Beliefs in effectiveness of health promotion and preparedness to undertake counseling were positively associated with frequency of information collection and providing counseling, even after adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Efforts should be made to change the physicians perception of effectiveness and importance of health promotion, and to improve physician's preparedness to actively intervene.     

Prevalence and lifestyle determinants of the metabolic syndrome

Participants with the metabolic syndrome are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the role of lifestyle risk factors in the development of the metabolic syndrome with particular reference to physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption. We performed a cross sectional study of the prevalence of CVD risk factors and glucose intolerance, including type 2 diabetes involving a group of 1473 men and women were sampled from 17 general practice lists in the South of Ireland. A total of 1018 attended for screening, giving a response rate of 69%. Participants completed a detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire and provided fasting blood samples for analysis of glucose, insulin and lipids. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the current WHO criteria. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 21.0% (95% C.I. 18.7% to 24.1%). In multivariate analyses with the metabolic syndrome as the dependent variable we observed a significant, independent inverse association with physical activity level (OR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39-0.90 for medium and OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28-0.93) for high level of activity relative to the low level of activity group). Ex-drinkers had a higher prevalence of the syndrome in multivariate analysis relative to occasional drinkers, (OR = 2.38; 95% CI, 1.08-5.26). Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was not significantly associated with current alcohol consumption or with smoking status. These data highlight the importance of physical inactivity in the aetiology of the metabolic syndrome.     

Metabolism, mood and cognition in aging: the importance of lifestyle and dietary intervention

We are witnessing an unprecedented rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Until recently, study of the relation between metabolic dysregulation and higher brain function was limited. This paper summarizes the findings of a Spark workshop that focussed on the impact of obesity and diabetes on mood and cognition. Disturbances in peripheral glucose regulation are associated with cognitive impairment and depressed mood, especially in older adults. Multiple mechanisms and mediators underlie this association including insulin, glucose, neurotropic factors, glucocorticoids, inflammatory agents and reactive oxygen species. Importantly, prevention and even reversal of diabetes and obesity related cognitive impairment and depressive mood can be brought about by lifestyle modification. In particular, increasing physical fitness and moderating/changing food intake will have beneficial effects. Prevention of obesity and hyperglycemia by adopting a healthy lifestyle will contribute to the maintenance of functional integrity and mental health later in life.