Abstract Background Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), alopecia, low quality of life, and acne are considered as complications of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We hypothesized that magnesium supplementation would yield beneficial effects on PCOS related complications. Objective To examine the effects of magnesium supplementation on AUB, alopecia, quality of life, and acne. Methods In this parallel randomized clinical trial, we randomly assigned 64 women with PCOS to the magnesium group ( n = 32) or placebo group ( n = 32) for 10 weeks. AUB, alopecia, quality of life, and acne were assessed by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics criterion, the Sinclair Scale, the Health Survey Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Global Acne Grading System, respectively. This randomized clinical trial was registered at IRCT.ir (IRCT20130903014551N9). Results Magnesium supplementation significantly improved the components of quality of life including physical functioning ( p = 0.011), role limitations due to physical health ( p = 0.012), role limitations due to emotional problems ( p < 0.001), energy/fatigue ( p = 0.005), emotional wellbeing ( p < 0.001), social functioning ( p = 0.002), general health ( p = 0.013), and total quality of life ( p < 0.001), compared with placebo. No significant effect was observed on acne, alopecia, and AUB. Conclusion Magnesium supplementation in women with PCOS had a significant positive effect on improving total quality of life. Trial registration This randomized clinical trial was registered at IRCT.ir on 2020–10-18 (Registration Code: IRCT20130903014551N9 ).
Background.A susceptor is a material that can absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it to heat more rapidly than food materials, effectively transforming a microwave oven into a conventional oven.This study used a new nano-composite ceramic as a microwave susceptor to bake cupcakes and investigated its effects on texture characteristics, as well as comparing this method with baking in a conventional oven and the use of a microwave without a susceptor.Materials and methods.The nano-composite susceptor was utilized to bake cupcakes at various operational power levels (150, 300, 450, and 600 W).The study examined the impact of using a susceptor on the rate of baking, temperature, and texture attributes.A comparison was made between the use of a microwave with a susceptor, the use of a microwave without a susceptor at the same power level, and conventional baking at various temperatures (140, 160, 180, and 200°C).Results.The susceptor has a higher rate of microwave absorption and heat conversion than cupcakes.Heat is primarily transmitted from the susceptor to the cupcake through conduction.A significant difference in detectable temperature between the sample and the susceptor resulted in accelerated heat transfer.This also yielded the highest rate of baking among the three methods.Moreover, the surface temperature of the cupcake increased with power during baking, and the final surface temperature of the cupcake baked using the microwave susceptor was similar to that of conventionally baked cupcakes.Baking using the susceptor led to a reduction in hardness and chewiness, and an increase in springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience.Furthermore, the cupcakes baked using the susceptor had hardness and chewiness values similar to conventionally baked ones.The use of a microwave susceptor led to an increase in crispiness compared to cupcakes baked without a susceptor, and the crispiness value was close to that obtained with conventional baking.Conclusions.The use of a microwave susceptor led to an improvement in cupcake texture, resulting in a texture that was close to that obtained with conventional baking.Overall, microwave baking with a susceptor is the most suitable baking method for cakes due to the high surface temperature, cohesiveness, and springiness obtained using this method, and also the minimal processing time, hardness, and chewiness.
Neuroprotective effects of curcumin have been shown in previous studies. This updated systematic review of clinical trials aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin on neurological disorders. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify clinical trials investigating the effects of curcumin/turmeric supplements alone, or in combination with other ingredients, on neurological diseases. Nineteen studies comprising 1,130 patients met the inclusion criteria. Generally, intervention and study outcomes were heterogeneous. In most of the studies, curcumin had a favorable effect on oxidative stress and inflammation. However, with the exception of AD, curcumin supplementation either alone, or in combination with other ingredients, had beneficial effects on clinical outcomes for the other aforementioned neurodegenerative diseases. For example, the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks, scores on the revised ALS functional rating scale, and the occurrence of motor complications in PD were all significantly improved with curcumin supplementation either alone or in combination with other ingredients. However, in three studies, several adverse side effects (mostly gastrointestinal in nature) were reported. Curcumin supplementation may have favorable effects on inflammatory status and clinical outcomes of patients with neurological disease, although the results were not consistent.
Policosanol is a mixture of long chain alcohols refined from sugar cane. Significant reductions in liver enzymes have been observed in some studies. However, the impact of policosanol on liver enzymes remained controversial. The current meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of policosanol supplementation on the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The literature was systematically searched for studies published up to November 2023 in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Scopus. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were included to evaluate the intervention effect of policosanol compared to placebo on ALT and AST. DerSimonian and Laird models were used to calculate effect sizes. Twenty-three trials including 2535 participants were included in the study. The combination of effect sizes, regarding the random-effects model, demonstrated significant changes in ALT serum levels after intervention (WMD: -1.48 U/L; 95% CI: -2.33 to -0.64; P = 0.001), and AST (WMD: -1.10 U/L; 95% CI: -1.70 to -0.51; P<0.001). Subgroup analysis of AST and ALT showed that this reduction effect was most often observed at the dose of 20 mg/d. The dose-response analysis represented a non-significant non-linear connection between the dosage and duration of policosanol intervention in ALT and AST serum reduction. Policosanol supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on liver enzymes as well as ALT and AST concentrations in adults. However, further long-term and well-designed RCTs with better quality are needed to further assess and confirm these results.
Research on the effects of propolis consumption on body composition, and blood pressure (BP) has produced inconsistent results. This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was carried out to compile the data from the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on how propolis supplementation affects body composition, and BP level in adults.
'%3e%3cg id='e'%3e%3cg id='c' fill='none' stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='2'%3e%3cpath id='b' d='M0 1h26M1 10V5h8v4h8V5h-5M4 9h2m20 0h-5V5h8m0-5v9h8V0m-4 0v9' transform='scale(1.4)'/%3e%3cpath id='a' d='M0 7h9m1 0h9' transform='scale(2.8)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' y='120'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23b' y='145.2'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg id='d'%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23c' x='56'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23c' x='112'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23c' x='168'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23d' x='168'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23e' x='392'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg fill='%23da0000' transform='matrix(45 0 0 45 315 180)'%3e%3cg id='f'%3e%3cpath d='M-.548.836A.912.912 0 0 0 .329-.722 1 1 0 0 1-.548.836'/%3e%3cpath d='M.618.661A.764.764 0 0 0 .422-.74 1 1 0 0 1 .618.661M0 1l-.05-1L0-.787a.31.31 0 0 0 .118.099V-.1l-.04.993zM-.02-.85 0-.831a.144.144 0 0 0 .252-.137A.136.136 0 0 1 0-.925'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23f' transform='scale(-1 1)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)