The contribution of dietary glycemic index and glycemic load to the development of microvascular complications of diabetes

Causal insights into major risk factors for diabetic kidney disease: a comprehensive meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

This study aims to identify major risk factors for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and examine their causal relationships using meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study reviewed diabetic nephropathy literature up to September 2024, evaluating quality with NOS, AMSTAR 2, and JBI. It analyzed heterogeneity using the Baujat plot and leave-one-out method, and conducted meta-analysis with fixed- or random-effects models based on I2. Publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot and Egger's test. Mendelian randomization using GWAS SNPs explored causal links through IVW, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode, while pleiotropy and heterogeneity were checked with the MR-Egger intercept and Cochran's Q.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis identified several significant risk factors for DKD, including hypertension (relative risk [RR] = 6.33), comorbidities (RR = 4.96), poor glycemic control (RR = 3.27), non-adherence to treatment (RR = 3.30), an unhealthy diet (RR = 5.96), physical inactivity (RR = 5.60), and hyperuricemia (RR = 5.24). MR analysis further confirmed a causal relationship between high carbohydrate intake (odds ratio [OR] = 1.393, p = 0.043) and increased DKD risk, while vegetable consumption (OR = 0.816, p = 0.011) was identified as a protective factor. These findings reinforce the critical role of dietary and lifestyle interventions in DKD prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

By integrating meta-analysis with Mendelian randomization, this study provides robust evidence linking modifiable risk factors, particularly dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors, to DKD development. The findings highlight the need for early preventive strategies targeting glycemic control, hypertension, and dietary modifications to mitigate DKD progression.

From root to Recovery: The role of herbs in polycystic ovary syndrome management

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent complicated endocrine condition affecting women, caused by both hereditary and environmental factors. It often emerges during the reproductive years (15-35 years) and now affects 1 out of 10 women worldwide. PCOS is distinguished by high androgen levels, particularly testosterone, as well as the appearance of many ovarian cysts (more than 10), which result in anovulation, infertility, and irregular menstrual periods. Furthermore, PCOS is associated with a variety of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, hirsutism, acne, diabetes, insulin resistance, and poor glucose tolerance. PCOS treatment includes allopathic, Ayurvedic, and natural therapies, as well as lifestyle changes. In comparison to allopathic treatments, herbal medicines are recognized for their cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and favourable role in PCOS management/treatment. This literature review briefly examines PCOS diagnosis, symptoms, hormonal imbalance, causes, related risk factors, and management, with a particular emphasis on the role of herbal remedies in PCOS treatment. This review highlights several medicinal plants with potential therapeutic benefits for various health conditions. These herbs have demonstrated efficacy in managing ailments such as hypothyroidism, hyperplasia, obesity, diabetes, menorrhagia, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disorders, hyperlipidemia, hirsutism, infertility, and irregular menstrual cycles. The information was sourced from PubMed and multiple review articles. Various herbs, whether used individually, in combination, or as extracts, may help reduce risk factors associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and risk of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes: A cohort study

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and the incidence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 7525 individuals with T2D who were free of diabetic microvascular complications (including diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy) at baseline from the UK Biobank cohort. Dietary data were collected via a web-based 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. The EAT-Lancet diet index, ranging from 0 to 14 points, was constructed based on the EAT-Lancet reference diet. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the relationship between the EAT-Lancet diet index and the incidence of microvascular complications among individuals with T2D.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 12.58 years, 1217 participants developed diabetic microvascular complications. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants in the highest adherence group of the EAT-Lancet diet index had a significantly lower risk of developing microvascular complications (hazard ratio: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.88) compared to those in the lowest adherence group. Subtype analyses for incident diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy yielded consistent results. Additionally, each 1-point increase in the EAT-Lancet diet index was associated with an 8% lower risk of microvascular complications. These findings remained robust across several sensitivity analyses and nearly all subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate a significant inverse association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and the risk of microvascular complications in individuals with T2D.

Insights into chemical components, health-promoting effects, and processing impact of golden chanterelle mushroom Cantharellus cibarius

Cantharellus cibarius (CC) is a culinary mushroom with significant commercial potential due to its diverse components and bioactive functions. CC is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and aroma compounds while being low in fat and calories. Moreover, CC contains an abundance of bioactive substances including phenolic compounds, vitamin precursors, and indole derivatives. Numerous studies have claimed that CC has diverse functions such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunoregulation, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and prebiotic effects in in vivo or in vitro settings. In addition, a variety of thermal, physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods have been investigated for the processing and preservation of CC. Consequently, this study aims to present a comprehensive review of the chemical composition, health benefits, and processing techniques of CC. Furthermore, the issue of heavy metal accumulation in CC has been indicated and discussed. The study highlights the potential of CC as a functional food in the future while providing valuable insights for future research and identifying areas requiring further investigation.

Dietary approach for management of Type-2 diabetes: An overview of glycemic indices of commonly consumed foods in Nigeria

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on the increase, and Africa, particularly Nigeria is not left out. The management of the disease using a diabetes drug is often a hard choice to make for many. Information on the right food is inevitably important, as eating some type of food and avoiding or limiting some could help manage diabetes. Therefore, this study investigated glycemic indices of commonly consumed staples in Nigeria.

METHODS

Databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google scholars, African journal online and Nigerian journal online was used to search for relevant information. Keywords like: nutritional management, diabetes in Nigeria, quality of life, prevalence, glycemic index, foods and diabetes, macronutrients and diabetes, were used separately or combined to obtain the relevant information.

RESULTS

Findings from literature search revealed that the glycemic indices of many staples such as Rice dough (Tuwo shinkafa), maize dough (tuwo masara), millet dough (tuwo gero), yam/cassava flour (amala), pounded fermented cassava (fufu, akpu), garri (eba), african salad (abacha), pounded yam (ema, iyan), rice (shinkafa, isesi), beans (wake, ewa, Agwa), and plantain (Ojoko, Ogbagba, Ogede) that are consumed in different parts of Nigeria are high (75.0%-97.0%). However, available information revealed that less commonly consumed foods like, Maize pudding (igbangwu), dried beef floss (dambu), Fonio (acha), bean pudding (moi-moi) and Tom Brownvita (Turnbrown) exhibit lower glycemic indices (14.1%-52.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the few among several local foods in Nigeria that are low in glycemic indices that could be useful in the management of Type-2 diabetes. However, these foods may require further certification by appropriate authorities and agencies to enable persons with diabetes, particularly in Nigeria make informed choices on the right food to consume.