OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dietary intake and lifestyle risk factors of 203 female college students in Seoul. METHODS: PMS was diagnosed using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), and dietary intake was accessed by a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of students were diagnosed with PMS; there were no significant differences with respect to age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of the students with and without PMS symptoms. Students with PMS recognized their PMS symptoms, experienced significantly more severe PMS symptoms, and received more treatment and had more stress compared with students without PMS. Interestingly, students with PMS had greater alcohol intake and consumed more animal calcium than students with PMS. However, the intake of other nutrients was not significantly different between students with and without PMS. CONCLUSION: Out data suggest that students with PMS should increase intake of animal calcium and find ways to reduce stress.
Animals ; Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Protein is the most important nutrient for the muscle synthesis and maintenance of muscle mass. However, there have been no studies comparing muscle mass indexes according to protein intake in obese patients. Thus, the present study investigated the hypothesis that high protein intake positively affected muscle mass indexes in obese patients. METHODS: Male (n=50) and female (n=30) obese patients were recruited. Each sex was divided into 2 groups according to their protein intake. Dietary intake, fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height², skeletal muscle index, total bone area, bone mineral count, bone mineral density, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, smoking, alcohol, and exercise were assessed. RESULTS: Fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height² were significantly higher in obese men in the higher protein intake group, while serum triglyceride was significantly lower in the same group. However, bone indexes and inflammatory cytokines according to protein intake were not significantly different in obese men. Fat-free mass, bone indexes, muscle indexes, blood lipid profiles, and inflammatory cytokines were not significantly different according to protein intake in obese women. CONCLUSION: In this population, increasing protein intake may positively affect fat-free mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height², and serum triglyceride in obese men. Therefore, additional studies may be necessary to identify the appropriate level of protein intake required to prevent a decrease in muscle mass, and increase muscle mass in obese patients.
Bone Density ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cytokines ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Male ; Miners ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

This paper examines the process and evidence used to create the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for Koreans. ALA (18:3n3) is an essential fatty acid, and EPA and DHA are known to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk and reduction of triglyceride levels. Various international organizations have suggested dietary recommendations for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including ALA, EPA, and DHA. A DRI for Koreans was established for the first time in 2020, specifically for the adequate intake (AI) of ALA and EPA + DHA. This recommendation was based on the average intake of ALA and EPA + DHA from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2017. For Korean infants, the AI of ALA and DHA was based on the fatty acid composition of maternal milk. Estimated average requirement and a tolerable upper intake level have not been set for n-3 PUFA due to insufficient evidence. In addition, the intake level of n-3 PUFA for prevention of chronic disease has also not been determined. Future studies and randomized controlled trials are required to establish the UL and to define the level for disease prevention.

Fish oil and shortening have been suggested to have opposite effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigated the effect of shortening and fish oil on CVD risk factors and aorta histopathology, and the association between risk factors and aorta histopathology. Male Wister rats (n=30) were fed an AIN-93G diet containing 20% fat in the form of fish oil, shortening, or soybean oil for 4 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG), and C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the fish oil than in soybean oil and shortening groups. HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly different (P<0.001) between groups. In addition, LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the fish oil and shortening groups than in the soybean oil group. Insulin and glucose concentrations did not differ among groups. Effect of dietary fat on tissue fatty acid composition significantly differed in abdominal fat and brain compared with RBC, heart, kidney and liver. The aortic wall was significantly (P=0.02) thinner in the fish oil group than in the soybean oil and shortening groups. The aortic wall thickness was positively correlated with TG and TC, but negatively with EPA + DHA levels of all tissues. These results suggested that fish oil had protective effects on aorta histopathology by hypolipidemic action in this rat model.
Abdominal Fat ; Animals ; Aorta ; Brain ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Dietary Fats ; Glucose ; Heart ; Humans ; Insulin ; Kidney ; Liver ; Male ; Rats ; Risk Factors ; Soybean Oil

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been shown to generally decrease levels of innate immune markers and inflammatory cytokines, but the specific associations between blood levels of PUFAs and those of innate immune markers have not been investigated. Thus, the present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that innate immune markers as well as cytokines are negatively associated with n-3 PUFAs but positively associated with n-6 PUFAs in healthy adults. MATERIALS/METHODS: One hundred sixty-five healthy Korean adults aged 25-70 years old were included in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Serum levels of n-3 PUFAs, such as 18:3n3, 20:5n3, 22:5n3, and 22:6n3 were negatively correlated with eosinophil and basophil counts and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 levels. Multivariate analysis also showed that serum levels of n-3 PUFAs were negatively associated with monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-12 levels. Additionally, the ratio of 20:4n6 to 20:5n3 was positively correlated with eosinophil counts and associated with TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels. However, NK cell activity was not associated with serum fatty acid composition. CONCLUSIONS: Innate immune markers such as eosinophil, monocyte, and basophil counts were inversely associated with serum levels of n-3 PUFAs, but were positively associated with the 20:4n6/20:5n3 ratio in this population.
Adult* ; Basophils ; Biomarkers* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cytokines ; Eosinophils ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-4 ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Monocytes ; Multivariate Analysis

Consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, but it is unclear whether their protective effects are due to antioxidant vitamins or folate and metabolically related B vitamins. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that intake of fruits and vegetables, which are major sources of antioxidant and vitamin B complex vitamins, reduces the risk of stroke. Cases consisted of patients diagnosed with first event of stroke (n = 69). Controls (n = 69) were age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched to cases. Multivariable-adjusted regression analysis showed that subjects who ate four to six servings of vegetable per day had a 32% reduction in the risk of stroke, and those with more than six servings per day had a reduction of 69% after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and family history of stroke. Intakes of total fat, plant fat, calcium, potassium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, niacin, and folate were significantly and negatively associated with the risk of stroke. Although the trend was not significant, stroke risk was reduced in the second quartile (1.21-2.66 servings per week) of fish intake. However, intake of fruits (average daily intake of 1.0 serving) and antioxidant vitamins such as carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E was not associated with the risk of stroke. In conclusion, our observational study suggests that intake of fat and vegetables, rich sources of vitamin B complex, calcium, and potassium may protect against stroke.
Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Carotenoids ; Folic Acid ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Niacin ; Plants ; Potassium ; Riboflavin ; Stroke ; Thiamine ; Vegetables ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin B Complex ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

This study investigated the hypothesis that a sorghum extract exerts anti-diabetic effects through a mechanism that improves insulin sensitivity via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) from adipose tissue. Seven C57BL/6 mice were fed an AIN-93M diet with fat consisting of 10% of total energy intake (LF) for 14 weeks, and 21 mice were fed a high-fat AIN diet with 60% of calories derived from fat (HF). From week 8, the HF diet-fed mice were orally administered either saline (HF group), 0.5% (0.5% SE group), or 1% sorghum extract (1% SE group) for 6 weeks (n = 7/group). Perirenal fat content was significantly lower in the 0.5% SE and 1% SE groups than that in the HF mice. Levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and the area under the curve for glucose were significantly lower in mice administered 0.5% SE and 1% SE than those in HF mice. Serum insulin level was significantly lower in mice administered 1% SE than that in HF mice or those given 0.5% SE. PPAR-gamma expression was significantly higher, whereas the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly lower in mice given 1% SE compared to those in the HF mice. Adiponectin expression was also significantly higher in mice given 0.5% SE and 1% SE than that in the HF mice. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of SE may be related with the regulation of PPAR-gamma-mediated metabolism in this mouse model.
Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Energy Intake ; Glucose ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Mice ; PPAR gamma ; Sorghum ; Triglycerides ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of red pericarp glutinous rice rich in polyphenols (Jakwangchalbyeo, red rice) on serum and hepatic levels of cholesterol and hepatic protein expression linked to synthesis and degradation of cholesterol in a hypercholesterolemic mice diet as compared with brown rice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5 each), which were fed different diets for a period of 12 weeks: American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93G diet, AIN-93G diet with 2% cholesterol, brown rice with 2% cholesterol, or red rice with 2% cholesterol. RESULT: Consumption of red rice resulted in a significant decrease in serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hepatic levels of triglyceride and total-cholesterol. Expression of acyl-coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2), sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was decreased, while expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (p-AMPK)/AMPK ratio, cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7a1), and sterol 12-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP8b1) was increased in mice fed red rice. Brown rice had similar effects on cholesterol metabolism, but the effect of red rice was significantly greater than that of brown rice. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggested that red rice had a hypocholesterolemic effect by lowering hepatic cholesterol synthesis through ACAT-2, HMG-CoA reductase, and SREBP-2, and by enhancing hepatic cholesterol degradation through CYP7a1 and CYP8b1 in mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet.
Adenosine Monophosphate ; Animals ; Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase ; Cholesterol* ; Coenzyme A ; Diet* ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Male ; Metabolism* ; Mice* ; Oxidoreductases ; Phenol* ; Polyphenols ; Protein Kinases ; Steroid 12-alpha-Hydroxylase ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary intake of nutrients and food in postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine postmenopausal women were recruited from 10 different hospitals in Seoul. The dietary intake of nutrients and foods was obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, including 102 foods based on the Korean food pattern. RESULTS: Postmenopausal Korean women consumed energy and most of the nutrients adequately, except vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and folate. Intake of vitamin D and calcium was 60% and 78%, respectively, of the Korean Dietary Reference Intake (KDRI). Elderly postmenopausal women > 65 years of age consumed significantly less nutrients, such as fat, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, calcium, potassium, iron, fruit, fish, and mushrooms. The intake of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and folate, was less than the KDRI in both groups of postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the intake of vitamin D, folate, calcium, and potassium was less than the KDRI in postmenopausal women and the nutritional status of elderly postmenopausal women was worse than younger postmenopausal women.
Agaricales ; Aged ; Calcium ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Fruit ; Humans ; Iron ; Nutritional Status ; Potassium ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B Complex ; Vitamin D ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary intake of nutrients and food in postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine postmenopausal women were recruited from 10 different hospitals in Seoul. The dietary intake of nutrients and foods was obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, including 102 foods based on the Korean food pattern. RESULTS: Postmenopausal Korean women consumed energy and most of the nutrients adequately, except vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and folate. Intake of vitamin D and calcium was 60% and 78%, respectively, of the Korean Dietary Reference Intake (KDRI). Elderly postmenopausal women > 65 years of age consumed significantly less nutrients, such as fat, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, calcium, potassium, iron, fruit, fish, and mushrooms. The intake of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and folate, was less than the KDRI in both groups of postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the intake of vitamin D, folate, calcium, and potassium was less than the KDRI in postmenopausal women and the nutritional status of elderly postmenopausal women was worse than younger postmenopausal women.
Agaricales ; Aged ; Calcium ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Fruit ; Humans ; Iron ; Nutritional Status ; Potassium ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B Complex ; Vitamin D ; Surveys and Questionnaires