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Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: A critical review of the evidence
Abstract
Detox diets are popular dieting strategies that claim to facilitate toxin elimination and weight loss, thereby promoting health and well-being. The present review examines whether detox diets are necessary, what they involve, whether they are effective and whether they present any dangers. Although the detox industry is booming, there is very little clinical evidence to support the use of these diets. A handful of clinical studies have shown that commercial detox diets enhance liver detoxification and eliminate persistent organic pollutants from the body, although these studies are hampered by flawed methodologies and small sample sizes. There is preliminary evidence to suggest that certain foods such as coriander, nori and olestra have detoxification properties, although the majority of these studies have been performed in animals. To the best of our knowledge, no randomised controlled trials have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of commercial detox diets in humans. This is an area that deserves attention so that consumers can be informed of the potential benefits and risks of detox programmes.
© 2014 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.
... Detoxification is a type of alternative medicine treatment which aims to rid the body of unspecified toxins substances that proponent's claims accumulated in the body and have undesirable short term or long-term effects on individual health (Klein, 2015).Gavin (2019) states that detoxification implies following a specific diet or using special products or device that rid the body of toxins, thereby improving health and promoting weight loss. ...
... Beside affecting users mental health, use of machine have negative repercussions on physical health causing rising problems, hearing loss and neck strain. Detoxification is a type of alternative medicine treatment which aims to rid the body of unspecified toxins substances that proponent's claims accumulated in the body and have undesirable short term or long-term effects on individual health (Klein, 2015). ...
This research work was designed to examine the perceived effects of massage and detoxifying machines on the health of teachers in public secondary school in Kogi State. The study adopts ex-post-facto research design. The population of the study comprised of all secondary school teachers in Kogi state. A sample of one hundred teachers were randomly selected from ten (10) selected secondary schools in Kogi state. The study further investigated whether there is significant influence between the use of massage and detoxifying therapy on the health of teachers. A Structured questionnaire was developed and administered to the 100 respondents. The findings revealed that the use of massage therapy machines have significant influence on the health of the teacher of secondary schools in Kogi State. The study also shows that the use of detoxifying therapy machine will not significantly influence the health of secondary school teachers in Kogi State. It is therefore, recommended that the school health personnel should enlighten the teachers on the health benefits of massaging to improve the quality of the health of the teachers in the secondary schools in Kogi State. It is also recommended that, there should be an enlightenment campaign on the use of detoxifying therapy machine to avoid distress on the persons with pregnancy, metallic implants, seriously ill, diabetic on insulin, epileptic person among the secondary school teachers in Kogi State.
... Detoxification is a type of alternative medicine treatment which aims to rid the body of unspecified toxins substances that proponent's claims accumulated in the body and have undesirable short term or long-term effects on individual health (Klein, 2015).Gavin (2019) states that detoxification implies following a specific diet or using special products or device that rid the body of toxins, thereby improving health and promoting weight loss. ...
... Beside affecting users mental health, use of machine have negative repercussions on physical health causing rising problems, hearing loss and neck strain. Detoxification is a type of alternative medicine treatment which aims to rid the body of unspecified toxins substances that proponent's claims accumulated in the body and have undesirable short term or long-term effects on individual health (Klein, 2015). ...
... For over three decades, there has been increasing interest in the role of diet in modifying the effects of pollution on BMI and its comorbidities, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer (Gregg & Shaw, 2017). Detoxification diets have become popular dieting strategies that, to varying degrees, facilitate weight loss and toxin elimination and by inference, promote health and well-being (Kim et al., 2016;Klein & Kiat, 2015;Lamb et al., 2011;MacIntosh & Ball, 2000;Metagenics, 2015). While these studies have demonstrated subjective improvements in medical symptoms, improved cardiovascular function, improved hepatic functioning, enhanced phase 1 and phase 2 biotransformation pathways, and limited urinary excretion of heavy metals, there was no assessment of changes in gut or systemic inflammation. ...
Exposure to environmental pollutants increases the risk for metabolic dysfunction. Dietary and lifestyle interventions may reduce the risks associated with this toxicity. We conducted this 4-week, observational, clinical study to explore the safety and efficacy of a proprietary dietary program formulated to enhance cardiometabolic functioning, metabolic transformation, and gut health. Thirty-eight generally healthy overweight subjects were assigned a low-glycemic load, Mediterranean-style food plan with targeted nutraceutical supplementation and a physical activity regimen. Subjects expressed positive subjective health and symptom changes coincident with improvements in anthropomorphic variables, lipid profiles, glycemic measures, vascular biomarkers, cardio-vascular risk, systemic inflammation, hepatic function, urinary heavy metal excretion, and gut health. Thus combining targeted nutraceutical supplementation with a low-glycemic load food plan and exercise may represent a novel nutritional approach to improving the body's ability to modulate the toxicity of pollutants and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in generally healthy overweight persons.
... Dieting aims to facilitate toxin elimination and weight loss, thereby promoting healthy living and well-being [7]. Detoxing helps to ease these varied and unwanted symptoms, including bloating, fatigue, brain fog, acne, irregular bowel movements, or allergies worse than normal [8]. Detoxing has been demonstrated to help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and heal the gut, both of which are essential elements of well-being. ...
... The process of detoxification involves the mobilization, biotransformation, and elimination of toxicants of exogenous and endogenous origin through liver, kidneys along with extra renal excretion of toxins in sebum and sweat without using the external detoxification process (Genuis et al., 2011). Calorie restriction alters the neuro peptides expression in the hypothalamus; which reduces metabolic rate and stimulates appetite, resulting in a weight loss plateau (Klein et al., 2015). ...
... In the absence of a validated questionnaire, the steering committee developed a questionnaire taking into account existing data on food patterns in RMDs or in the general population [8][9][10]. Patients were asked if they were following or had followed one or more diets (and for how long) among the following diets: Mediterranean, lactose-free, cow's milk-free, gluten-free, vegetarian (no meat, fish or poultry), vegan (plant-based), detox/fasting (low glycemic and energy intake, interspersed with periods of normal eating) [18], and the so-called Seignalet diet popular in France for over 30 years, which is close to "hypotoxic and ancestral" diets [19]. Because of the length of the questionnaire, diets were not detailed in the survey. ...
... This technique can be considered as supplementary to diminish the poisoning effects of heavy metals if ingestion is the rout of exposure (De Smet et al., 1992). Klein and Kiat (2015) approved that there was a significantly reduction in the absorption of heavy metals by the regular consumption of herbal products; so it can be used as an alternativemedicine to relief the human body from the undesired toxins and prevent its accumulation to protect the individual health from its adverse short-term or longterm effects. ...
The present study examined the potential capacity of cement dust pollution on human health at Gharbanyyate district. The objective was prolonged to endorse specific herbal formulas (suggested solution) as supplements for decreasing the noxious consequences of the frequent heavy metals on human. Soil samples were collected from topsoil (0-30 cm) at various distance points around the cement factory and analyzed for some specific heavy metals. Control samples were taken opposite the wind direction 3200 m from the factory. This paper recognized certain divergent means by which these metals can be presented in the human body. An herbal assemblage (ABCOSTU; Arctium lappa, Berberis vulgaris, Coriandrum sativum, Olea europaea, Silybum marianum, Tribulus terrestris and Urtica dioica) was prepared in according to the kinds and categories of the different heavy metals concentrations. It was proved that soil pH fluctuated between 6.18 to 8.43 versus the controlled pH with value 6.11. The EC level as well as Cr and Cd significantly (p≤ 0.05) decreased with increasing distances from the factory. Assemblage of six continues months was applied and demonstrated a significant enhancement (p≤ 0.05) in the medical examined cases documented in the study areas. The study suggests a potential association between exposure to cement dust and an increased risk of some diseases including respiratory diseases as well stomach and rectal cancers. Instituting healthcare specialized sequences in these polluted areas are essential as an important portion in the plan of the sustainable development plan in order to rescue the affected rural communities.
... These diets provide extremely low calorie intake which can lead to increase in stress hormones levels such as cortisol. This can have a bad influence on a person who uses this diet because of appetite stimulation which can result in weight regain due to binge eating [64]. Many detox diets are liquid-based, low in calories, and deficient in nutrients which can lead to macro and micronutrients deficiencies or even malnutrition. ...
Introduction and purpose Obesity is a serious health problem nowadays and it is becoming more and more common. There are plenty of causes of obesity including bad eating habits, genetic factors, and psychological factors. A lot of obese people look for a way to lose weight. Fad diets are popular dietary strategies which are promoted as a quick way to lose weight. This article highlights some popular dietary strategies including low-carbohydrate diet, low-fat diet, Paleolithic Diet and Detox Diet. The aim of this paper is to analyse their effectiveness in the process of successful weight loss and their health impact. State of knowledge According to WHO in 2022 1 in 8 people in the world were obese. Fad diets are promoted as methods to improve health and as a quick way to lose weight. However, available research suggests a rather unfavorable impact on human health in the context of long-term adherence to these diets. Limited data suggests the beneficial long-term health impact of such diets. Moreover, dieting and weight cycling caused by the repetitive process of weight loss after dieting and weight regain afterwards may also play a role in the development of obesity. Conclusion Fad diets are not recommended as a long-term way of nutrition. The main limitation of these dietary strategies is their short-term effectiveness rather than long-term. Adherence to these diets is hard for patients. Because of their strict rules and food exclusions, the risk of weight regain is high. Moreover, they do not show many positive long-term health consequences and they are not superior to conventional healthy diets. What’s more, strict obedience to fad diets for extended periods of time may be detrimental to the dieter's health.
... This diet often consists of Neera syrup (a blend of maple and palm tree syrups) and lemon juice. The syrup has high contents of minerals and also the trace elements and the lemon detox provides high minerals and vitamins ratio than the other VLCDs [30]. The active weight loss ingredient in this diet is lemon juice which is a known diuretic and the mechanism may involve angiotensinrenin system (RAS). ...
Lemon is an important plant, which on the bases of its biological activities, used for medicine belongs to Rutaceae family and also known as a medicinal plant. Essential oils and other compounds present in lemon juice are at the main interest of biologists because of their various functionals. Lemon juice is the product of natural origin can be use as an alternative to synthesis products and play a vital role because of its biological activities. The results obtained from many studies reveal that the biological potentials of essential oil and other compounds of C. limon are probably due to the particular chemical composition of lemon juice mainly the high amounts of vitamin C. Therefore, this essential components could be used for various purposes based on their biological activities. The aim of this review article is to explore the vital importance of vitamin C and constituents of lemon juice and to evaluate its biological activities.
... Today, detox drinks are often part of popular weight-loss diet practices. [51] According to the label information, these beverages examined within the scope of the study consist of vegetable and/or fruit juices/purees and added antioxidants. Therefore, it is unsurprising that these beverages' average TAC value (4.1 ± 1.0 mmol TE/L) is close to 100% fruit juice. ...
Soft beverages are an important part of fluid intake; however, it should be the main target to choose the right beverages according to healthy nutrition. This study aimed to determine, evaluate, and create a database of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) contents of widely consumed soft beverages in local markets in Turkey. A total of 394 beverages, including 60 carbonated, 100 non-carbonated, 136 tea (teabags for cups and teapots and, shredded tea leaves), 75 coffee (instant and brewed), and 23 fermented beverages, with expiration dates at most half their shelf life, were analyzed. Shredded tea leaves and brewed coffees were prepared with different brewing techniques. TAC was analyzed on the MINDRAY-BS400 device using commercial kit ABTS (2,2’-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and results are presented as mmol Trolox Equivalent(TE)/L. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26. The mean TAC of all beverages was 3.7 ± 1.4 mmolTE/L (.120–5.535 mmolTE/L), with the highest content of tea and coffee (4.3 ± .6 mmol TE/L) and the lowest carbonated beverages (1.4 ± 1.5 mmolTE/L) (p < .05). The overall results showed that all soft beverages have antioxidant activity; however, the right choice of soft beverages might contribute to the dietary TAC and increase fluid intake.
... Studies on the cultivars of date seeds in the UAE have shown that these seeds contain minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium, lead, and cadmium [14]. Date seeds contain a small amount of selenium which plays a role as an antioxidant in human health and detoxifies the liver [15,16]. Selenium deficiency in the body may be associated with infertility in men and women [17]. ...
Date palm seed is a rich source of minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, and contains high levels of antioxidant compounds, making it a cost-effective and beneficial ingredient for formulating food products in the country. The current research was conducted to investigate the mineral contents in the seeds of 15 cultivated date palm cultivars in Khuzestan province including native cultivars (‘Fersi’, ‘Satmaran’, ‘Zahidi’, ‘Deiri’, ‘Belyani’, ‘Bereim’, ‘Barhee’, ‘Sowaidani’, ‘Asharsi’, ‘Hallawi’, ‘Owaidi’, and ‘Piarom’), and imported cultivars (‘Medjool’, ‘Deglet Noor’, and ‘Thoory’), at the Date Palm and Tropical Fruits Research Center of Iran. These cultivars were analyzed using a completely random design with three replications. The results showed, there are significant differences in the mineral contents, including Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Na, K, and Ca in the seeds of different date cultivars. K had the highest content in date palm seeds compared to other elements, followed by Ca, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. The highest levels of Fe and Mn elements were observed in the seed of the ‘Deiri’ cultivar, while the highest levels of Cu and K were found in the seeds of the ‘Medjool’ cultivar. The ‘Deglet Noor’ cultivar had the highest contents of Na and Ca in its seeds. Also, the highest concentration of zinc element was detected in the seed of the ‘Barhee’ cultivar. In different date seeds, the highest positive and significant correlation was observed between Ca% and Na%. Based on the cluster analysis results, regarding seed mineral contents, the examined date palm cultivars were classified into four main groups. Overall, the seeds of examined date palm cultivars, contained significant but highly variable amounts of minerals, and the use of seeds from the ‘Deiri’ and ‘Barhee’ (native cultivars) and ‘Medjool’ (imported cultivar) is recommended as important components in the production of functional food products in the country.
... Detoxification is a type of alternative-medicine which aims to free the body of unspecified toxins that have accumulated in the body and have undesirable short-term or long-term effects on individual health [1]. Modern research has shown that a wide range of plants can neutralize or detoxify toxins and protect the body from the toxic effects of drugs, chemicals and environmental pollution [2]. ...
Abstract
The primary goal of this study was to recommend specific herbal formulas as supplements in polluted human societies in order to reduce the harmful effects of prevailing heavy metals. The concentrations of various heavy metals in Abu Qir, Amreyya, and Abis districts were determined, as well as the various methods by which these metals were introduced into the body system. There are many ways by which heavy metals can be broadcasted into the body such as ingesting of foods, beverages, skin exposure and inhaled air. Based on the types of heavy metals and their concentrations, a herbal assemblage (ACOSTU) was created. The results of the herbal assembly application for six months showed a significant improvement in the medical examined cases recorded in the study areas. The study concluded that the implementation of health-care-specific programmes for people living in polluted areas is critical as part of a long-term development strategy to save endangered rural communities.
... This technique can be considered as supplementary to diminish the poisoning effects of heavy metals if ingestion is the rout of exposure (De Smet et al., 1992). Klein and Kiat (2015) approved that there was a significantly reduction in the absorption of heavy metals by the regular consumption of herbal products; so it can be used as an alternativemedicine to relief the human body from the undesired toxins and prevent its accumulation to protect the individual health from its adverse short-term or longterm effects. ...
The present study examined the potential capacity of cement dust pollution on human health at Gharbanyyate district. The objective was prolonged to endorse specific herbal formulas (suggested solution) as supplements for decreasing the noxious consequences of the frequent heavy metals on human. Soil samples were collected from topsoil (0-30 cm) at various distance points around the cement factory and analyzed for some specific heavy metals. Control samples were taken opposite the wind direction 3200 m from the factory. This paper recognized certain divergent means by which these metals can be presented in the human body. An herbal assemblage (ABCOSTU; Arctium lappa, Berberis vulgaris, Coriandrum sativum, Olea europaea, Silybum marianum, Tribulus terrestris and Urtica dioica) was prepared in according to the kinds and categories of the different heavy metals concentrations. It was proved that soil pH fluctuated between 6.18 to 8.43 versus the controlled pH with value 6.11. The EC level as well as Cr and Cd significantly (p≤ 0.05) decreased with increasing distances from the factory. Assemblage of six continues months was applied and demonstrated a significant enhancement (p≤ 0.05) in the medical examined cases documented in the study areas. The study suggests a potential association between exposure to cement dust and an increased risk of some diseases including respiratory diseases as well stomach and rectal cancers. Instituting healthcare specialized sequences in these polluted areas are essential as an important portion in the plan of the sustainable development plan in order to rescue the affected rural communities.
... As of right now, no research has been done to determine whether commercial detox diets are useful for shedding pounds [9]. Some say it's a fraud to think that purging your body of contaminants will leave your organs sparkling clean and ready to work. ...
Short-term dietary adjustments used as a detox health tonics in this study with which helps to eliminate excess toxins from the body while simultaneously increasing vitamin and mineral absorption through the consumption of natural juices, fruits, and vegetables. The aimed of the study was to formulate a detox health tonic diets for toxin elimination and observe its efficacy on health and nutrition. A total 45 people were recruited for this preliminary study and randomly divided into two groups in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial (30 individual included in case group and 15 individuals were in control group). All of the subjects in the case group consumed a curcumin-based diet for 12 weeks, while none of the subjects in the control group consumed any curcumin-based food mixes. It was clear that 100% opined that good taste and 93.3% of the subjects reported that it increased their appetite and interested to intake again. Following intervention, no patients in the case group were determined to be in severe pain, and nearly 93% reported either no discomfort or mild pain. After a three-month control trial, however, there was no discernible reduction in pain in the control group. The intervention group showed substantial declines in weight (p=0.013), body mass index (p=0.011) compared to baseline after consuming the detox diet for three months.
... However, adherence to the ketogenic diet has been associated with hypercalcemia and hyperlipidemia [15]. Detox was the third most frequently published diet; this plan claims to cleanse the body of toxins and promote weight loss, utilizing strategies such as juice fasts or use of laxatives [45]. Research is limited on its health consequences and effectiveness. ...
... In other studies, it was emphasized that the dandelion's leaf extract is able to prevent and treat liver disease (Hfaiedh, Brahmi, & Zourgui, 2016). Klein and Kiat (2014) discovered that toxins were removed from the body and liver, kidney, and colon functions improved in their experiment on 14 firefighters using Dr. Mehmet Öz's 48-hour weekend detox diet containing dandelion root tea. Several ethnobotanical studies have also found that the dandelion plant is beneficial in the treatment of liver abnormalities and in liver cleaning (Sarı, Özsoy, & Karahüseyin, 2020;Sigstedt et al., 2008). ...
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of the widely known wild edible plants. It has been used as a nutrient in traditional cuisines and ethnomedicine throughout history. The aim of the study is to evaluate the functional properties of the Dandelion plant, its effects on health and its use in traditional cuisines around the world, based on the literature. Numerous studies have revealed that dandelion has numerous health benefits, including protection against cancer as well as liver and cardiovascular disease. In traditional cuisine, its fresh leaves, flowers and roots are used in the preparation of various products. Its leaves are used in salads, soups, pastries, raw and cooked dishes, while its flowers and roots are used in desserts, beverages and food additives. Given the functional effects and traditional use of dandelion, its use in commercial kitchens can make an impressive difference and awareness.
... ▪ Chlorella species contains high metal-binding protein known as metallothioneins (commercialized into powder, tablets and liquid extracts) which are useful for detoxification (Klein and Kiat, 2015). Promotes mental health, prevent the progression of age-dependent cognitive impairment (Nakashima et al., 2009). ...
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been part of much worldwide cooperation in engineering design, nutrients production that contributes towards a better and more sustainable future. This review intends to uncover a potential renewable source that could significantly contribute to various goals under the SDGs. The prospects of algae tackling the socio-ecological, economic, and environmental issues faced globally are discussed, along with approaches of algae that can be utilized to achieve many of the SDGs are reviewed and discussed. Moreover, the recent trends in terms of engineering application that co-relate to novel algae-based technology has also been included. Apart from that, algae have high oil content which is suitable for producing affordable and clean energy, which can be used for biofuels or electricity generation. The promising characteristics of algae will lead to its global acceptance and utilization for sustainability to help create a better world.
... ALT is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in metabolism. It aids in the process that turns food into energy; the hair follicle requires high amounts of energy in the growing phase (Almohanna et al., 2019;Klein and Kiat, 2015). It seems that the hair loss may not be irrelevant to the impaired detoxification and mentioned enzymatic changes. ...
The development of a therapeutic system for hepatic fibrosis has become a research hotspot to date. Butein, a simple chalcone derivative, displays anti-fibrotic effects through different pathways. However, impurities, low solubility, and low concentration in the target tissue hinder therapy with herbal ingredients. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the vitamin A (VA) storage cells, as the main contributors to liver fibrogenesis, are not readily accessible to drugs owing to their anatomical location. Targeted delivery of therapeutics to the activated HSCs is therefore critical for successful treatment.
For these reasons, the current study aimed at increasing butein delivery to the liver. Hence, high purity butein was synthesized in three steps. A novel VA-Myrj52 ester conjugate was also synthesized using all-trans retinoic acid and a hydrophilic emulsifier (Myrj52) as a targeting agent. Next, butein was encapsulated inside the novel VA-modified solid lipid nanoparticles (VA-SLNs) and studied in vitro and in vivo.
According to our evaluations, negatively charged SLNs with a mean diameter of 150 nm and entrapment efficacy of 75% were successful in liver fibrosis amelioration.
Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of VA-SLNs in fibrotic rats, for four weeks long, reduced serum AST and ALT by 58% (P, 0.001) and 72% (P, 0.05), respectively, concerning the CCl4 group. Additionally, histologic damage score decline and normalization of tissue oxidative stress markers collectively confirmed the efficacy of formulations in hepatic fibrosis and kidney damage amelioration.
... Due to belief in its medicinal properties, it is used for potential health benefits (Allaith, 2008). PDM contain selenium, an antioxidant that can help the body cleanse and keep the organs in a good condition (Klein and Kiat, 2015). It has been discovered that carotenoids are a significant component of the phytochemicals found in the lipid parts of PDM (Al-Alawi et al., 2017). ...
Protein ingredients in aquafeed are one of the most important factors responsible for the development and sustainability of aquaculture. Currently, because of high costs and fluctuating production, some animal and plant protein sources are unable to satiate the increasing demand from the fish feed manufacturers. Aquatic animals’ nutritional requirements have been accorded particular focus with less costly feedstuff in aqua feed given extra weightage. There has been increasing attention in recent years on finding methods to recycle the animal and plant by-products for feed preparation. Due to its vital amino acid content as well as high protein composition, palm date meal (PDM) which is a renewable and sustainable resource is expected to be a viable raw material option for replacing protein ingredients (e.g., fish meal and soybean meal) or as a supplement in fish feed. PDM is an agro-industry by-product which left from dates as waste in several countries. This article reviewed the current research including the source, derivatives, and the potential of PDM as a possible alternative to the conventional plant and animal protein sources. Also, the added value of using PDM waste in aquafeed to reduce the feed cost, enhance this e growth rate of fish, improve the health and well-being of fish, and subsequently sustain the aquaculture industry. Therefore, this review paper will illuminate the possibility of PDM as a promising feed source and also the present knowledge and future perspectives about the application of PDM in aquaculture.
... Many CAMs have magical health beliefs as core beliefs and promulgate a range of non-evidence based instructions regarding food and health which obey universal laws of magic or magical thinking. For example, there is a widespread belief among CAM proponents, especially naturopaths, that toxins are stored in the body if cleansing or detoxification is not undertaken (Klein & Kiat, 2015). This ignores the scientific evidence that the body has evolved effective mechanisms for eliminating toxins via, for example, the kidneys and liver. ...
There are many people who choose alternative or unorthodox healthcare options that are not based on the best available evidence for efficacy and effectiveness. There has been a rejection of vaccination by sections of the population leading to suboptimal rates of vaccination, and increased rates of infectious diseases such as measles. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are also increasingly popular, despite the scarcity of clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of many of these therapies. The goal of this thesis is to explore unorthodox worldviews that predict vaccine scepticism and use of CAM in order to inform the future development of persuasive strategies to encourage participation in evidence-based interventions. Four studies were undertaken to achieve this goal including (1) the development of a standardised measure of CAM utilisation using data from an archived population survey of Australian adults; (2) an investigation of explanatory factors, including personality (openness to experience), cognitive style, and a range of unorthodox beliefs, for the relationship between CAM use and vaccination scepticism, using an archived population survey of Australian adults; (3) an examination of associations between geographic or area-level socio-demographic factors and uptake of vaccination among 5-year old children throughout Australia, using a public health focused ecological methodology, and (4) conducting an online priming experiment, to assess whether increasing the salience of concepts of contamination and purity will produce changes in reactions to a range of health interventions, including vaccination and CAM. Following are the key findings. The first study developed a brief, summative questionnaire measure of CAM utilisation called the R-I-CAM-Q, to address a gap in previous research which was lacking a psychometrically sound, and quantitative measure of CAM utilisation. The main findings of the second study, a cross-sectional survey, were that Pro-CAM attitudes, rather than CAM-use, best predict vaccination attitudes; and that anti-vaccination and pro-CAM attitudes both correlate with the presumed antecedents of magical beliefs about health. The geographic/area-based study revealed that communities with lower rates of vaccination had relatively less disadvantage, and had relatively greater education and occupational status, suggesting that privilege puts people at risk. The priming experiment showed no experimental effect of priming for contamination or purity/naturalness. Nevertheless, higher levels of sensitivity to disgust were associated with lower ratings of the effectiveness of MMR vaccination, tetanus injection, antibiotics, and surgery. The results of these studies into how unorthodox or alternative worldviews predict vaccination scepticism and use of CAM, can directly inform the future development of evidence-based health promotion strategies which encourage the uptake of best practice healthcare, including vaccination practices.
... There islittle evidence to support the potential role of detox, one of a handful of clinical studies has shown theeffective role of detox diets in humans by enhancing liver detoxification and eliminating persistent organic pollutants from the body. 6 Based on the results of this study, the authors will perform further in vitro and animal studies, aiming to accumulate significant data for the application of clinical trials. ...
The increasing of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, which could be one of the major causes of multidrug resistance infections, has again leading attention to natural substances and alternative treatments. The aim of this study was the evaluation of different anti-MRSA herbs and vegetables in a detox juices protocol (DP). The water used was sterilized by MMS and DMSO.This study from one patient with the age of 40 years who were suffered from different symptoms for a long period due to MRSA infection after making bypass surgery in March 2020. A year later the patient followed the DP for ten days duration. The sample was tested after ten days from achieving the detox protocol to compare the MRSA numbers before and after the detox protocol. The result suggests that DP could be promising solutions for the problem of antibiotic resistance due to their multiple compositions and complex mode of action.
... Malate shows similar levels in arracacha, cassava, and taro samples, and higher amounts in sweet potato and potato (Fig. 3). Since the inclusion of malate in diet can participate in the process of cellular detoxification, especially related to metal elimination, such as aluminum [22], its level can highlight some additional nutritional aspects of these tubers and roots beyond their carbohydrate content. In plants, malate can be produced by an alternative route, through PEP carboxylase, which can be used to replace different metabolites in the citric acid cycle (Fig. 4). ...
Common roots and tubers such as arracacha, Asterix potato, cassava, potato, sweet potato, taro, and yam are consumed by millions of people. These foods are an integral part of the diet in developing countries and are nutritionally important as energy reserves due to their carbohydrate content. Although many studies have been performed on these foods, comparative chemical profiles have been still poorly evaluated. In this work, we applied nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis associated with chemometrics to evaluate the chemical composition of extracts obtained in deuterated water from roots and tubers that are commercially consumed in Brazil and the rest of the world. From the 31 metabolites characterized in the extracts, 22 were quantified. Multivariate analyses showed 8 metabolites which were primary responsible for the distinction between samples, including choline, γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), glutamine, asparagine, isoleucine, fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Thus, our work shows important information on the chemical composition in addition to the mere carbohydrate content of these food matrices. This knowledge can provide information about food safety and beneficial nutritional values of the studied tubers and roots, which can be useful to consumers and the food industry.
... Indeed, the popularity of diet may be highly influenced not (only) due to scientifical soundness, but due to efficient marketing. In this respect, some examples are the Atkins diet, intermittent fasting, Weight Watchers, the gluten-free diet, detox diet, alkaline diet, Palaeolithic diet, vegan diet, and macrobiotic diet [17,18]. Moreover, other external factors may have an influence on diet. ...
We obtained data from Google Trends and Wikipedia in order to assess whether an analysis of Internet searches could provide information on the Internet users’ behaviour/interest in diets. Differences in seasonality, year and before/during COVID-19 pandemic were assessed. From Wikipedia, we extracted the number of times a page is viewed by users, aggregated on monthly and seasonal bases. We also used Google Trends to evaluate the frequency of the users’ web searches. The Mediterranean diet was the most frequently (33.9%), followed by the pescatarian diet (9.0%). Statistically, significant seasonal differences were found for the Mediterranean, vegetarian, Atkins, Scarsdale, and zone diets and pescetarianism. The most commonly searched diet and consequent diet-related queries on Google resulted to be: Dukan diet, Dukan and weight loss. Ketogenic, FODMAP and intermittent fasting diets were statistically more frequently searched during the pandemic compared with before. Our data show a different trend of searches based on the seasonality, year and the pandemic. These data could be useful for scientists, practitioners and policy makers because they can inform educational campaigns via the Internet, especially in periods when the population is more receptive.
... While a very few people adopt colon cleansing to detoxify their body, there are numerous proposals of detox programs combining fasting, specific foods to clean the body, and physical exercise. However, "commercial detox diets rarely identify the specific toxins they aim to remove or the mechanisms by which they eliminate them" (Klein and Kiat 2015). ...
... The different steps consist in a succession of enzymatic reactions which activate (mostly by redox reactions), conjugate and excrete xenobiotics. While some evidence is available to support the detoxifying properties of some plants in laboratory animals (21), limited evidence supports the claim for beneficial effects of detox diets because they are generally not tested with properly designed clinical trials in humans (22). Only one study describes toxic trace element detoxification caused by a switch to an organic plant based diet in a multi-armed randomized clinical trial (23). ...
Background: Dietary exposure to environmental pollutants in humans is an important public health concern. While long-term fasting interrupts the dietary exposure to these substances, fat mobilization as an energy source may also release bioaccumulated substances. This was, to our knowledge, only investigated in obese people decades ago. This study explored the effects of 10-days fasting on the excretion of heavy metals and glyphosate.
Methods: Urinary levels of arsenic, chromium, cobalt, lead, nickel, mercury and glyphosate were measured before and after 10 fasting days in 109 healthy subjects. Additionally, hair analysis was done before and ten weeks after fasting in 22 subjects.
Results: Fasting caused a decrease in body weight, and in urinary arsenic (by 72%) and nickel (by 15%) concentrations. A decrease in lead hair concentrations (by 30%) was documented. Urinary mercury levels were unchanged for chromium, cobalt and glyphosate, which were undetectable in most of the subjects. Additionally, fatigue, sleep disorders, headache and hunger were reduced. Body discomfort symptoms diminished four weeks after food reintroduction.
Conclusions: The results of this study provide the first insights into the changes in heavy metal excretion caused by long-term fasting. Further studies focusing on the kinetics of efflux between different compartments of the body are needed.
Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00016657, identifier: DRKS00016657.
... Detoxification is a type of alternative-medicine which aims to free the body of unspecified toxins that have accumulated in the body and have undesirable short-term or long-term effects on individual health [1]. Modern research has shown that a wide range of plants can neutralize or detoxify toxins and protect the body from the toxic effects of drugs, chemicals and environmental pollution [2]. ...
The main objective of the present study was to indorse specific herbal formula as supplements in polluted human societies to
minimize the harmful effect of the prevailing heavy metals. The concentration of different heavy metals in Abu Qir, Amreyya
and Abis districts was determined and the different methods by which these metals were introduced to the body system was
recognized. An herbal assemblage (ACOSTU) was prepared based on the types of heavy metals and their concentrations. The
results of the application of the herbal assembly for six sustained months showed a significant improvement in the medical
examined cases recorded in the study areas. The study concluded that initiation of health care specific programs for the human
living in polluted districts is urgently necessary as a part of a sustainable development plan to save endangered rural
communities.
... A recent review of detoxing diets including "detox teas" found that such regimes suffer from poor quality evidence and lacked randomized controlled trials investigating either efficacy or adverse outcomes [10]. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case report describing a possible association between "detox teas" and acute severe hyponatremia causing serious neurological symptoms. ...
A previously healthy 51-year-old woman presented to the ED with a one-week history of malaise, myalgia, unsteadiness, and an intermittent mild headache. Physical examination revealed neurological signs including a broad-based gait and bilateral low amplitude tremor. Laboratory testing of electrolytes revealed acute severe hyponatremia (115 mmol/L). Further, history-taking revealed increased urinary frequency following regular consumption of an over-the-counter detoxification tea product. The patient made a good recovery following admission to the intensive care unit. We identify similar cases in the literature and explore potential causal mechanisms. This case highlights the importance of enquiring about the use of supplementary health products when taking a history, and specifically identifies a growing number of reports of acute severe hyponatremia following the use of “detox teas”.
Detox diets, including intermittent fasting, ketogenic, Paleo, vegetarian, Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Whole30, are notable strategies for managing obesity and metabolic syndrome. This review evaluates these diets, highlighting their benefits and limitations. Intermittent fasting methods like 16/8 and 5:2 aid weight management and improve insulin sensitivity, while ketogenic diets induce rapid weight loss and enhance metabolic markers through ketosis. The Paleo diet supports weight loss and better blood glucose control by focusing on whole foods and avoiding processed items. Vegetarian and Mediterranean diets also aid weight management and metabolic health, with the former improving blood sugar control through high fiber and the latter offering anti-inflammatory benefits from healthy fats. The DASH diet reduces blood pressure and supports weight loss, and the Whole30 diet promotes weight loss and reduces inflammation by eliminating processed foods. Anti-inflammatory, plant-based, and vegan diets contribute to weight loss and metabolic health through high nutrient density and reduced processed food intake. Detox diets may offer temporary weight loss and metabolic benefits, but their restrictive nature often limits long-term sustainability and clinical feasibility. Effective use requires careful individualization and ongoing monitoring. Further research is needed to assess their long-term effects, safety, and impact on diverse populations. Advances in personalized nutrition could improve their effectiveness in managing obesity and metabolic syndrome. While promising, these diets require careful management to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
Tropical tuber and root crops are essential for food security,
nutrition, and coping with climate change. In the human diet, starchy
roots and crop tubers are crucial. Even within a similar geographic
area, there are several roots and tubers that contribute to a rich
biodiversity. As a result, in addition to adding variety to the diet, they
provide a wide range of positive nutritional and physiological benefits,
including antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypo-glycemic, immunomodulatory, and hypocholesterolemic effects. A wide range of
bioactive substances, including as glycoalkaloids, phenolic
compounds, bioactive proteins, phytic acids, and saponins, are thought
to be responsible for the reported effects. There is still much to learn
about the beneficial health and nutritional properties of several starchy
tuber crops. Various edible roots are also utilized as traditional
medicines in various Asian nations. Tubers can be used to make a
number of dishes and may also be employed in industrial settings. The
bioactivities of the constituent chemicals may be impacted by
processing. The use of tubers as functional foods as well as nutritional
supplements for disease risk mitigation and wellness has enormous
promise.
Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is one of the most common causes of acute liver injury. The current standard-of-care treatment for APAP hepatotoxicity, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, is highly effective when administered early after overdose, but loses efficacy in later-presenting patients. As a result, there is interest in the identification of new treatments for APAP overdose patients. Natural products are a promising source of new treatments because many are purported to have hepatoprotective effects. In fact, a great deal of research has been done to identify natural products that can protect against APAP-induced liver injury. However, serious concerns have been raised about the rigor and human relevance of these studies. Here, we systematically reviewed the APAP-natural product literature from 2013 to 2023 to determine the veracity of these concerns and the scope of the potential problem. The results substantiate the concerns that have been previously raised and point to concrete steps that can be taken to improve APAP-natural product research.
Lately, we've witnessed the emergence of obesity as a prominent concern for public health and the economy. This issue commands serious attention, impacting millions worldwide, particularly in the most developed nations. Practical approaches to tackling obesity involve tailored physical activity and dietary interventions overseen by qualified healthcare professionals. Nonetheless, some individuals opt for quicker routes, embracing dietary regimens that promise rapid and effortless weight reduction yet lack substantiated scientific backing. Given the potential hazards these approaches pose to well-being, this calls for immediate address, occasionally leading to unexpected and severe consequences. In this review, we aim to analyze the curiosities of popular diets embraced by adults from the 1960s to the present day, including the scientific justification that supports or contradicts their effectiveness.
False and misleading information is widespread across many areas of nutrition. This chapter briefly examines some examples including Dr. Oz and his TV show, unscientific weight-loss treatments, diets for treating illnesses based on a person’s blood group, approaches to the prevention and treatment of disease based on detoxification, and the use of stem cells for treatment of disease. This chapter also looks at nutritionist training programs that lack scientific credibility. Problems of food companies meddling in scientific research and conflict of interest in research are discussed.KeywordsFalse informationMisleading informationDr. OzBlood groupsDetoxificationStem cellsNutritionist training programFood industry and distorted researchConflict of interest
Medical Biomagnetism (MB) is an integrative technique developed by Isaac Goiz Durán. This technique involves the application of Static Magnetic Fields (SMF) on bioelectromagnetic dysfunctions called Biomagnetic Pairs (BMP). The technique identifies pH imbalances in anatomical areas of the body in order to correct them through the application of medium-intensity magnets. In this way, it influences the electrical and biochemical activity of the cell membrane aiming to restore metabolic balance benefiting the elimination of toxins through the body. It leads to prevent and recover Normal Energy Level (NEL) promoting homeostasis. We are increasingly exposed to large amounts of toxins from natural and processed foods, medications, environmental pollutants which overload our organ systems. The body is responsible for detoxifying naturally through cellular metabolism. However, when the body has supra-physiological levels of toxins, this system becomes weakened for this function presenting symptoms. The aim of this study is to present a protocol for MB detoxification of the human body, through descriptive, qualitative, and narrative literature review. A MB detoxification protocol was selected which can be applied by healthcare professionals, therapists, and self-applied as a possible complement to allopathic medicine deserving to be studied.
When experiencing mental health challenges, we all deserve treatments that actually work. Whether you are a healthcare consumer, student, or mental health professional, this book will help you recognize implausible, ineffective, and even harmful therapy practices while also considering recent controversies. Research-supported interventions are identified in this book and expanded upon in a companion volume. Chapters cover every major mental disorder and are written by experts in their respective fields. Pseudoscience in Therapy is of interest to students taking courses in psychotherapy, counseling, clinical psychology, and behavior therapy, as well as practitioners looking for a guide to proven therapeutic techniques.
İmmünite organizmanın hastalık etkenlerine karşı kendini savunmak için geliştirdiği mekanizmalar bütünüdür. İmmünite ve beslenme arasındaki etkileşim oldukça karmaşıktır. İmmün yanıtın her aşamasında birçok makro ve mikro besin ögesi ile biyoaktif bileşen kilit rol oynar. Yapılan çalışmalar neticesinde amino asitler, yağ asitleri, vitaminler ve mineraller gibi immün yanıtı etkileyen birçok besin ögesi saptanmıştır. Beslenme paternlerinin immünite üzerine etkisi doğal ve adaptif immün sistem, mukoza ve mikrobiyom düzeyinde olabilir. Yetersiz ve dengesiz beslenme sonucu vücuda enfeksiyon girişi kolaylaşır ve hastalık etkenlerine yanıt olarak gelişen immün mekanizmalar sekteye uğrar. Başta obezite olmak üzere çeşitli sağlık problemleri ve estetik kaygılar nedeniyle yaygınlığı artan popüler diyetler sağlık etkileri yönünden tartışılmaktadır. Özellikle, akdeniz diyeti ve aralıklı açlık gibi popüler diyetlerin immünite ile ilişkisi birçok araştırmaya konu olmuştur. Ancak, literatürde farklı popüler diyet türlerinin immün fonksiyon üzerine etkilerini derleyen makalelere rastlanmamıştır. Çalışmalar daha çok besin desteklerinin immünite ile ilişkisine odaklanmıştır. Bu çalışmada ketojenik diyet, vejetaryenizm/veganizm, glutensiz diyet, akdeniz diyeti, aralıklı açlık ve detoksifikasyon diyetleri gibi popüler diyet türlerinin immün fonksiyon üzerine etkileri güncel literatür ışığında gözden geçirilmiştir.
Purpose of review:
Gut health is an increasingly popular topic of discussion among scientists and the general population alike. As interest surrounding the gut microbiome grows, the accessibility to misinformation and unfounded gut health trends to youth is likely to emerge as a public health concern. The purpose of this review is to provide paediatricians with current information about the gut microbiome, as well as explanations and possible risks of the multitude of gut health trends that adolescents may be exposed to.
Recent findings:
The gut microbiome is implicated in overall health by playing roles in digestion, immunity and mental health. Novel microbiome-related therapies, such as faecal microbiota transplants, and the gut-brain link show the therapeutic potential of the gut microbiome. However, unproven dietary fads and trends on social media are rampant as well, such as ginger juice shots. In addition, paediatric supplements meant to target gut health are unregulated, yet are highly marketed. Improperly applying these trends and diets may result in risks of malnutrition and body image issues for impressionable children.
Summary:
Increased familiarity regarding the types of gut health trends and diets among young people will allow paediatricians to more effectively advise their patients about potential risks and good gut health practices. Paediatricians and caregivers serve as role models and educators with regard to children's perceptions and management of their gut and overall health.
Background
Adult education centers are an important part of health education worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate the courses offered by German adult education centers with regard to complementary medicine and nutrition.
Methods
A systematic web-based search was done for the websites of German adult education centers and courses were analyzed considering topics, scientific soundness, and qualification of instructors.
Results
Our search revealed 502 courses, 360 (71.7%) related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and 176 courses on nutrition (35.1%). CAM courses most often presented methods with a focus on traditional Eastern medicine with yoga and similar mind–body practices (41.9%), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM; 13.3%), and ayurvedic medicine (11.4%). Content concerning nutrition mainly included controversial fasting methods like alkaline fasting, detox diets, and therapeutic fasting (43.8%), as well as Eastern traditional diets from TCM and ayurveda (21.7%). Most of the courses were given by non-medical practitioners (NMPs; 36.4%), while only very few physicians were engaged.
Conclusion
There are substantial doubts on the scientific background of many courses offered for lay adult health education. Besides direct misinformation, many courses reinforce alternative and non-evidence-based notions in society. Adult education centers should reconsider the topics of their courses as well as the professional qualifications of the instructors.
Food toxins are regarded as a major source of health risks, serious illnesses susceptible to even death. These dangerous pathogens may lead to significant economic impact worldwide. The food production chain undergoes different stages like harvesting, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, and lastly preparation, and consumption. Therefore, each step is susceptible to risks of environmental contamination. Nowadays, the carbon quantum dots (CDs) are regarded as one of the most widely used hybrid carbon nanomaterials due to their different magical physical and chemical properties. The CDs have a size below 10 nm and show the fluorescent property. The CDs find vast applications in different fields like sensing, food safety, drug delivery, bioimaging, catalyst, energy conversion, etc. Compared to other available methods, the fluorescence detection techniques have low cost, easy handling, and safe operating system. There is a need for a review to compile the fluorescence properties of carbon nanodots used to detect food pathogens. This brief review is addressed in that direction and mostly focused on the synthesis of carbon dots-based fluorescence sensors for detecting pathogens and toxins in foods and beverages. The detailed mechanisms and origin of fluorescence properties of carbon quantum dots are also highlighted herewith.
Much false and misleading information is being continually disseminated across many areas of nutrition. This chapter presents some illustrative examples of the problem. The examples include a TV show by Dr. Oz, unscientific weight-loss treatments, diet and exercise programs that are based on a person’s blood group, and the prevention and treatment of disease based on detoxification. There are many training programs that claim to provide training in nutrition but lack scientific credibility. This chapter also examines the problems created when food companies exert improper influence over scientific research and the closely related problem of conflict of interest in research.
The menopause transition is the time period encompassing the change from cyclical bleeding and fertility to decreased and subsequent cessation of fertility marked by 12 months absence of menses. With 3.763 billion of the world’s population female, at any given time there are approximately 1.2 billion women in the menopause transition and the postmenopause stage of life worldwide (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS). This is both a natural transition in reproductive phases for the individual woman and, with modern development allowing more women to survive both childhood and childbearing, a relatively recent expected life stage for the majority of women in social groups. With a typical median age of final menstrual period ranging from 45 years to 55 years, a woman in the United States will live 30–40% of her life after the menopause transition (El Khoudary, Menopause practice: a clinician’s guide, 2019). In low resource countries, the stage of life during and after menopause is still measured in decades (Blurton-Jones, Demography and evolutionary ecology of Hadza hunter-gatherers, 2016). This chapter looks at the evolutionary role of menopause among all mammals, what we know of the history and the development of the science of menopause, the staging of menopause, and how the menopause experience varies among populations and individuals worldwide.
Over the past decades, any attempt at identifying a single, curative treatment for neurodegenerative conditions has failed. For example, over 200 drugs for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have all but come and gone without any significant contribution to better management of this devastating condition. Clearly this is not for the lack of effort or funding, but more likely it’s because we are looking at neurodegenerative diseases through wrong scientific prism. All of these conditions are driven by the complex interplay of factors where addressing only one is similar to fixing one leak on a 50-year-old roof that is riddled with holes; it’s a futile, short-sighted approach that will not effectively change how much water gets into the house. Moreover, it appears that while there are some pathological pathways where addressing the key elements may appear to fix the problem, often eventually “the fix” becomes ineffective over time. A good example of this is the use of acetylcholine breakdown inhibitors such as donepezil for AD – while they work for a period of time, eventually they stop working. Without targeting the root causes of these neurological diseases, the approach to disease management is limited to a Band-Aid approach to managing symptoms rather than a bottom-up approach that has the ability to change the course of the disease. With this in mind, nutritional approaches to neurodegenerative diseases are likely to have multifaceted effects on these diseases; some diseases positively impacted more than others.
For centuries, various feeding regimens have been proposed to live longer with a better health. However, in many cases, they have not been proven to have any positive effect, and they can even have negative ones. This chapter reviews the claims of various regimens (e.g. detox diets, fasting). It is doubtful that they could increase human lifespan and improve health, provided one adopts a balanced regime with no excessive intake and avoids junk food.
Obezite, küresel boyutta önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Hafif şişmanlık ve obezite; kardiyovasküler hastalıklar ve tip 2 diyabet başta olmak üzere kısa ve uzun süreli sağlık sorunlarına zemin hazırlayarak morbidite ve mortalite oranını arttırmaktadır. Dünyadaki birçok kişi vücut ağırlığını azaltmak veya korumak için çeşitli diyetler yapmaktadır. Ancak, insanlar daha hızlı zayıflamanın yolları ile daha yakından ilgilenmektedir. İnsanların estetik kaygılarını, daha az çaba ile daha iyi görünme ve daha iyi hissetme zaaflarını bilen kişilerce popüler diyetler ön plana çıkmaktadır. Bu derlemede, güncel literatür eşliğinde popüler diyet uygulamalarının kısa ve uzun dönemdeki vücut ağırlığı ve sağlık üzerine olası etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.
Adequate nutrition during adolescence is critical to support normal growth and development. Nutritional requirements during adolescence are higher than at any other time point during the lifespan outside of the first year of life, and depend more on sexual maturity rating than on chronological age. Poor nutritional intake during adolescence can lead to macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies, growth retardation and pubertal delay, menstrual irregularities and interference with peak bone mass acquisition. Adolescence is also a time when concerns about body image emerge, and experimentation with dieting, intermittent fasting and fad diets occurs. This article reviews the energy, macronutrient and micronutrient requirements during adolescence, discusses nutritional disorders that may develop during adolescence, and provides a summary of fad diets and their potential impact on adolescent health.
Arsenic and arsenic containing compounds are human carcinogens. Exposure to arsenic occurs occupationally in several industries, including mining, pesticide, pharmaceutical, glass and microelectronics, as well as environmentally from both industrial and natural sources. Inhalation is the principal route of arsenic exposure in occupational settings, while ingestion of contaminated drinking water is the predominant source of significant environmental exposure globally. Drinking water contamination by arsenic remains a major public health problem. Acute and chronic arsenic exposure via drinking water has been reported in many countries of the world, where a large proportion of drinking water is contaminated with high concentrations of arsenic. General health effects that are associated with arsenic exposure include cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease, developmental anomalies, neurologic and neurobehavioural disorders, diabetes, hearing loss, portal fibrosis, hematologic disorders (anemia, leukopenia and eosinophilia) and multiple cancers: significantly higher standardized mortality rates and cumulative mortality rates for cancers of the skin, lung, liver, urinary bladder, kidney, and colon in many areas of arsenic pollution. Although several epidemiological studies have documented the sources of exposure and the global impact of arsenic contamination, the mechanisms by which arsenic induces health effects, including cancer, are not well characterized. Further research is needed to provide a better understanding of the pathobiology of arsenic-induced diseases and to better define the toxicologic pathology of arsenic in various organ systems. In this review, we provide and discuss the underlying pathology and nature of arsenic-induced lesions. Such information is critical for understanding the magnitude of health effects associated with arsenic exposure throughout the world.
SUMMARY Following a request from the Commission, the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials (AFC) was asked to provide a scientific opinion on the safety of aluminium from all sources of dietary intake. In the event the estimated exposure for a particular sub-group(s) is found to exceed the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake, a detailed breakdown by exposure source should be provided. Aluminium occurs naturally in the environment and is also released due to anthropogenic activities such as mining and industrial uses, in the production of aluminium metal and other aluminium compounds. A variety of aluminium compounds are produced and used for different purposes, such as in water treatment, papermaking, fire retardant, fillers, food additives, colours and pharmaceuticals. Aluminium metal, mainly in the form of alloys with other metals, has many uses including in consumer appliances, food packaging and cookware.
Diet is a primary source of exposure for high-molecular-weight phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), but little is known about the efficacy of various interventions to reduce exposures. We conducted a randomized trial with 10 families to test the efficacy of a 5-day complete dietary replacement (Arm 1; n=21) versus written recommendations to reduce phthalate and BPA exposures (Arm 2; n=19). We measured phthalate and BPA concentrations in urine samples at baseline, intervention, and post-intervention periods. We used Wilcoxon paired signed-rank tests to assess change in concentrations across time and multi-level mixed effects regression models to assess differences between Arms 1 and 2. Urinary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolite concentrations increased unexpectedly from a median of 283.7 nmol/g at baseline to 7027.5 nmol/g during the intervention (P<0.0001) among Arm 1 participants, and no significant changes were observed for Arm 2 participants. We observed a statistically significant increase in total BPA concentration between baseline and intervention periods in Arm 1 but no significant changes in Arm 2. Arm 1 food ingredient testing for DEHP revealed concentrations of 21,400 ng/g in ground coriander and 673 ng/g in milk. Food contamination with DEHP led to unexpected increases in urinary phthalate concentrations in a trial intended to minimize exposure. In the absence of regulation to reduce phthalate and BPA concentrations in food production, it may be difficult to develop effective interventions that are feasible in the general population. An estimate of DEHP daily intake for children in the dietary replacement Arm was above the US Environmental Protection Agency oral reference dose and the European Food Safety Authority's tolerable daily intake, suggesting that food contamination can be a major source of DEHP exposure.
Abstract Phthalate diesters, widely used in flexible plastics and consumer products, have become prevalent contaminants in the environment. Human exposure is ubiquitous and higher phthalate metabolite concentrations documented in patients using medications with phthalate-containing slow release capsules raises concerns for potential health effects. Furthermore, animal studies suggest that phthalate exposure can modulate circulating hormone concentrations and thus may be able to adversely affect reproductive physiology and the development of estrogen sensitive target tissues. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the epidemiological and experimental animal literature examining the relationship between phthalate exposure and adverse female reproductive health outcomes. The epidemiological literature is sparse for most outcomes studied and plagued by small sample size, methodological weaknesses, and thus fails to support a conclusion of an adverse effect of phthalate exposure. Despite a paucity of experimental animal studies for several phthalates, we conclude that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that phthalates are reproductive toxicants. However, we note that the concentrations needed to induce adverse health effects are high compared to the concentrations measured in contemporary human biomonitoring studies. We propose that the current patchwork of studies, potential for additive effects and evidence of adverse effects of phthalate exposure in subsequent generations and at lower concentrations than in the parental generation support the need for further study.
Background/objectives:
The physiological changes that occur during fasting are not completely understood, regardless of the cause for fasting (for example, medical, lifestyle, religious, political or famine). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 48-h fast on heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol levels in healthy young female volunteers.
Subjects/methods:
A total of 16 young healthy female volunteers underwent 48 h of total fasting under 24-h medical surveillance. Psychological (subjective feeling of hunger) as well as physiological data (HRV, diurnal cortisol profiles) were measured upon admission (Day 1), and after 24 (Day 2) and 48 h (Day 3) of fasting.
Results:
There was a measured weight loss from Day 1 to Day 3 that resulted in significant body mass index (BMI) reduction across all subjects (P<0.001). The slope of the diurnal cortisol profile significantly shifted towards lower values from baseline to the end of experiment (P=0.002). HRV during resting showed a significant (P<.001) decrease in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSDs) from Day 1 to Day 3 of the experiment, with a small increase after 24 h that did not reach statistical significance. A 48 h of fasting also induced a significant (P<.001) decrease of mean interbeat intervals (IBIs), SDNN, RMSSD and log high-frequency (HF) power during head-up tilt testing.
Conclusions:
An acute (48 h) total fast induced parasympathetic withdrawal with simultaneous sympathetic activation. These changes appear to reflect stress. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the specificity of these changes to fasting.
Human metabolism of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was studied after a single oral dose of 48.1mg to a male volunteer. To avoid interference by background exposure the D4-ring-labelled DEHP analogue was dosed. Excretion of three metabolites, mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate (5OH-MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate (5oxo-MEHP) and mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP), was monitored for 44h in urine and for 8h in serum. Peak concentrations of all metabolites were found in serum after 2h and in urine after 2h (MEHP) and after 4h (5OH-MEHP and 5oxo-MEHP). While the major metabolite in serum was MEHP, the major metabolite in urine was 5OH-MEHP, followed by 5oxo-MEHP and MEHP. Excretion in urine followed a multi-phase elimination model. After an absorption and distribution phase of 4 to 8h, half-life times of excretion in the first elimination phase were approximately 2h with slightly higher half-life times for 5OH- and 5oxo-MEHP. Half-life times in the second phase—beginning 14 to 18h post dose—were 5h for MEHP and 10h for 5OH-MEHP and 5oxo-MEHP. In the time window 36 to 44h, no decrease in excreted concentrations of 5OH- and 5oxo-MEHP was observed. In the first elimination phase (8 to 14h post dose), mean excretion ratios of MEHP to 5oxo-MEHP and MEHP to 5OH-MEHP were 1 to 1.8 and 1 to 3.1. In the second elimination phase up to 24h post dose mean excretion ratios of MEHP to 5oxo-MEHP to 5OH-MEHP were 1 to 5.0 to 9.3. The excretion ratio of 5OH-MEHP to 5oxo-MEHP remained constant through time at 1.7 in the mean. After 44h, 47% of the DEHP dose was excreted in urine, comprising MEHP (7.3%), 5OH-MEHP (24.7%) and 5oxo-MEHP (14.9%).
The World Health Organization warns that chronic, noncommunicable diseases are rapidly becoming epidemic worldwide.
Escalating rates of neurocognitive, metabolic, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases cannot be ascribed only to genetics, lifestyle, and nutrition; early life and ongoing exposures, and bioaccumulated toxicants may also cause chronic disease. Contributors to ill health are summarized from
multiple perspectives—biological effects of classes of toxicants, mechanisms of toxicity, and a synthesis of toxic contributors to major diseases.
Healthcare practitioners have wide-ranging roles in addressing environmental factors in policy and public health and clinical practice.
Public health initiatives include risk recognition and chemical assessment then exposure reduction, remediation, monitoring, and avoidance.
The complex web of disease and environmental contributors is amenable to some straightforward clinical approaches addressing multiple toxicants.
Widely applicable strategies include nutrition and supplements to counter toxic effects and to support metabolism; as well as exercise and sweating,
and possibly medication to enhance excretion. Addressing environmental health and contributors to chronic disease has broad implications for society,
with large potential benefits from improved health and productivity.
The concept that alternative therapies can eliminate toxins and toxicants from the body, i.e. 'alternative detox' (AD) is popular.
Selected textbooks and articles on the subject of AD.
The principles of AD make no sense from a scientific perspective and there is no clinical evidence to support them.
The promotion of AD treatments provides income for some entrepreneurs but has the potential to cause harm to patients and consumers.
In alternative medicine, simplistic but incorrect concepts such as AD abound. AREAS TIMELY FOR RESEARCH: All therapeutic claims should be scientifically tested before being advertised-and AD cannot be an exception.
This study sought to assess the use of clinical detoxification therapies used by licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) in the United States.
This was a qualitative, descriptive, online survey of a convenience sample of NDs.
An online survey was conducted of NDs who were licensed in the United States. Responses were analyzed descriptively regarding the use of clinical detoxification therapies. Respondents were recruited from a membership list provided by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and from alumni e-mail lists of Council of Naturopathic Medical Education accredited naturopathic medical schools.
Surveys were sent out to 1442 e-mail addresses (261 were returned to sender); a total of 196 respondents completed the survey (16.6%). Ninety-two percent (92%) of respondents reported using clinical detoxification therapies. Over 75% of respondents utilized detoxification therapies primarily to treat patients for environmental exposures, general cleansing/preventive medicine, gastrointestinal disorders, and autoimmune disease. Regarding methods used, >75% reported using dietary measures, reducing environmental exposures, and using botanicals as detoxification therapies. Eighty-three percent (83%) of NDs surveyed reported using follow-up measurements to determine efficacy of detoxification therapies. The most common were patient symptom questionnaires (66%), patient medical histories (54%), and urinary provocative challenge testing (53%).
The majority of NDs responding to this survey reported routine use of clinical detoxification therapies to treat a range of medical conditions utilizing multiple therapeutic approaches. Although the majority of NDs reported using some follow-up measurements after detoxification therapy, few of these are an objective means to determine treatment efficacy. Further research is needed in the field of complementary and alternative medicine clinical detoxification to determine the safety and efficacy of these approaches.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons are lipophilic, toxic, and persistent in the environment and animal tissues. They enter the body in food and are stored in adipose tissue. Loss of body fat through caloric restriction mobilizes stored lipophilic xenobiotics and results in distribution to other tissues. We have studied the reversibility of this process in mice that followed a regimen of body weight cycling. Weight gain was followed by weight loss, a second gain, and a second loss ("yo-yo diet regimen"). We measured the distribution of orally gavaged [14C]hexachlorobenzene, which is sparingly metabolized. We found that weight cycling has different effects in different organs. Continued weight loss resulted in a threefold increase of 14C amount and concentration in the brain. After weight regain, 14C in the brain decreased but then increased again after a second weight loss. Weight loss resulted in an increase in the concentration of 14C in adipose tissue without changing the total amount in that tissue. Weight loss and regain resulted in an increase of 14C in the liver, which reflected an increase of fat in the liver. The regimen of weight gain and loss was repeated in mice gavaged with [14C]hexachlorobenzene, with one group receiving the nonabsorbable fat olestra in the diet. Combined dietary olestra and caloric restriction caused a 30-fold increase in the rate of excretion of 14C relative to an ad libitum diet or a reduced caloric diet alone. Distribution of 14C into the brain resulting from the restricted diet was reduced by 50% by dietary olestra.
Bisphenol A (BPA) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are high-production-volume chemicals used in plastics and resins for food packaging. They have been associated with endocrine disruption in animals and in some human studies. Human exposure sources have been estimated, but the relative contribution of dietary exposure to total intake has not been studied empirically.
To evaluate the contribution of food packaging to exposure, we measured urinary BPA and phthalate metabolites before, during, and after a "fresh foods" dietary intervention.
We selected 20 participants in five families based on self-reported use of canned and packaged foods. Participants ate their usual diet, followed by 3 days of "fresh foods" that were not canned or packaged in plastic, and then returned to their usual diet. We collected evening urine samples over 8 days in January 2010 and composited them into preintervention, during intervention, and postintervention samples. We used mixed-effects models for repeated measures and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to assess change in urinary levels across time.
Urine levels of BPA and DEHP metabolites decreased significantly during the fresh foods intervention [e.g., BPA geometric mean (GM), 3.7 ng/mL preintervention vs. 1.2 ng/mL during intervention; mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxy hexyl) phthalate GM, 57 ng/mL vs. 25 ng/mL]. The intervention reduced GM concentrations of BPA by 66% and DEHP metabolites by 53-56%. Maxima were reduced by 76% for BPA and 93-96% for DEHP metabolites.
BPA and DEHP exposures were substantially reduced when participants' diets were restricted to food with limited packaging.
Despite the fact that more than 5000 safety-related studies have been published on bisphenol A (BPA), there seems to be no resolution of the apparently deadlocked controversy as to whether exposure of the general population to BPA causes adverse effects due to its estrogenicity. Therefore, the Advisory Committee of the German Society of Toxicology reviewed the background and cutting-edge topics of this BPA controversy. The current tolerable daily intake value (TDI) of 0.05 mg/kg body weight [bw]/day, derived by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), is mainly based on body weight changes in two- and three-generation studies in mice and rats. Recently, these studies and the derivation of the TDI have been criticized. After having carefully considered all arguments, the Committee had to conclude that the criticism was scientifically not justified; moreover, recently published additional data further support the reliability of the two- and three-generation studies demonstrating a lack of estrogen-dependent effects at and below doses on which the current TDI is based. A frequently discussed topic is whether doses below 5 mg/kg bw/day may cause adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Meanwhile, it has become clear that positive results from some explorative studies have not been confirmed in subsequent studies with higher numbers of animals or a priori defined hypotheses. Particularly relevant are some recent studies with negative outcomes that addressed effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and the prostate in rodents for extrapolation to the human situation. The Committee came to the conclusion that rodent data can well be used as a basis for human risk evaluation. Currently published conjectures that rats are insensitive to estrogens compared to humans can be refuted. Data from toxicokinetics studies show that the half-life of BPA in adult human subjects is less than 2 hours and BPA is completely recovered in urine as BPA-conjugates. Tissue deconjugation of BPA-glucuronide and -sulfate may occur. Because of the extremely low quantities, it is only of minor relevance for BPA toxicity. Biomonitoring studies have been used to estimate human BPA exposure and show that the daily intake of BPA is far below the TDI for the general population. Further topics addressed in this article include reasons why some studies on BPA are not reproducible; the relevance of oral versus non-oral exposure routes; the degree to which newborns are at higher systemic BPA exposure; increased BPA exposure by infusions in intensive care units; mechanisms of action other than estrogen receptor activation; and the current regulatory status in Europe, as well as in the USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Overall, the Committee concluded that the current TDI for BPA is adequately justified and that the available evidence indicates that BPA exposure represents no noteworthy risk to the health of the human population, including newborns and babies.
In humans, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are stored primarily in adipose tissue. Their total body burden and their contribution to obesity-associated diseases remain unclear.
We characterized POP total body burden and their redistribution in obese individuals before and after drastic weight loss and compared these values with a variety of molecular, biological, and clinical parameters.
Seventy-one obese subjects were enrolled and underwent bariatric surgery. Blood and adipose tissue samples were obtained at different times from these individuals as well as from 18 lean women.
POP content (17 dioxins/furans and 18 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners) in different adipose tissue territories was similar, allowing us to assess total POP body burden from a single biopsy. Total POP body burden was 2 to 3 times higher in obese than in lean individuals. We also found increased expression of some POP target genes in obese adipose tissue. Drastic weight loss led to increased serum POPs and, within 6-12 months, to a significant 15% decrease in total polychlorinated biphenyl body burden. Importantly, serum POP levels were positively correlated with liver toxicity markers and lipid parameters, independently of age and body mass index.
POP content in adipose tissue and serum correlate with biological markers of obesity-related dysfunctions. Drastic weight loss leads to a redistribution of POPs and to a moderate decrease of their total body burden.
Long-term weight management by dieting has a high failure rate. Pharmacological targets have focused on appetite reduction, although less is understood as to the potential contributions of the stress state during dieting in long-term behavioral modification. In a mouse model of moderate caloric restriction in which a 10-15% weight loss similar to human dieting is produced, we examined physiological and behavioral stress measures. After 3 weeks of restriction, mice showed significant increases in immobile time in a tail suspension test and stress-induced corticosterone levels. Increased stress was associated with brain region-specific alterations of corticotropin-releasing factor expression and promoter methylation, changes that were not normalized with refeeding. Similar outcomes were produced by high-fat diet withdrawal, an additional component of human dieting. In examination of long-term behavioral consequences, previously restricted mice showed a significant increase in binge eating of a palatable high-fat food during stress exposure. Orexigenic hormones, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and orexin, were significantly elevated in response to the high-fat diet only in previously restricted mice. Furthermore, administration of the MCH receptor-1 antagonist GSK-856464 [4-(4-ethyl-5-methylsulfanyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine] significantly reduced total caloric intake in these mice during high-fat access. These results reveal reprogramming of key central pathways involved in regulating stress responsivity and orexigenic drives by moderate caloric restriction experience. In humans, such changes would be expected to reduce treatment success by promoting behaviors resulting in weight regain, and suggest that management of stress during dieting may be beneficial in long-term maintenance.
There is compelling evidence that various chemical agents are important determinants of myriad health afflictions--several xenobiotics have the potential to disrupt reproductive, developmental, and neurological processes and some agents in common use have carcinogenic, epigenetic, endocrine-disrupting, and immune-altering action. Some toxicants appear to have biological effect at miniscule levels and certain chemical compounds are persistent and bioaccumulative within the human body. Despite escalating public health measures to preclude further exposures, many people throughout the world have already accrued a significant body burden of toxicants, placing them at potential health risk. As a result, increasing discussion is underway about possible interventions to facilitate elimination of persistent toxicants from the human organism in order to obviate health affliction and to potentially ameliorate chronic degenerative illness. An overview of the clinical aspects of detoxification is presented with discussion of established and emerging interventions for the elimination of persistent xenobiotics. Potential therapies to circumvent enterohepatic recirculation and a case report highlighting a clinical outcome associated with detoxification are also presented for consideration.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of green algae Chlorella sp. on wastewaters sampled from four different points of the treatment process flow of a local municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWTP) and how well the algal growth removed nitrogen, phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and metal ions from the wastewaters. The four wastewaters were wastewater before primary settling (#1 wastewater), wastewater after primary settling (#2 wastewater), wastewater after activated sludge tank (#3 wastewater), and centrate (#4 wastewater), which is the wastewater generated in sludge centrifuge. The average specific growth rates in the exponential period were 0.412, 0.429, 0.343, and 0.948 day(-1) for wastewaters #1, #2, #3, and #4, respectively. The removal rates of NH4-N were 82.4%, 74.7%, and 78.3% for wastewaters #1, #2, and #4, respectively. For #3 wastewater, 62.5% of NO3-N, the major inorganic nitrogen form, was removed with 6.3-fold of NO2-N generated. From wastewaters #1, #2, and #4, 83.2%, 90.6%, and 85.6% phosphorus and 50.9%, 56.5%, and 83.0% COD were removed, respectively. Only 4.7% was removed in #3 wastewater and the COD in #3 wastewater increased slightly after algal growth, probably due to the excretion of small photosynthetic organic molecules by algae. Metal ions, especially Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Mn in centrate, were found to be removed very efficiently. The results of this study suggest that growing algae in nutrient-rich centrate offers a new option of applying algal process in MWTP to manage the nutrient load for the aeration tank to which the centrate is returned, serving the dual roles of nutrient reduction and valuable biofuel feedstock production.
Adipose-tissue concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), four other pesticides and 10 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners were significantly reduced by enhanced mobilization and excretion through the method developed by Hubbard. Electrical workers paired by age, sex and potential for polychlorinated biphenyl exposure were divided into treatment and control groups. Adipose-tissue concentrations were determined pre- and post-treatment, and 3 months post-treatment. Daily treatment was provided for 3 weeks, consisting of heat stress and niacin administration to enhance mobilization and polyunsaturated-oil administration to enhance excretion, with other components administered to provide protection from mobilized chemicals. Adjusted for re-exposure as represented in the control group, HCB body burdens were reduced by 30% at post-treatment and 28% 3 months post-treatment. Mean reduction of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners was 16% at post-treatment and 14% 3 months post-treatment. Analysis of variance indicates these reductions are statistically significant (f less than 0.001). Enhanced excretion appeared to keep pace with mobilization, as blood-serum levels in the treatment group did not increase during treatment. Post-treatment remission of symptoms associated with chemical exposure has been summarized according to reports from related studies.
There is a general perception that almost no one succeeds in long-term maintenance of weight loss. However, research has shown that ≈20% of overweight individuals are successful at long-term weight loss when defined as losing at least 10% of initial body weight and maintaining the loss for at least 1 y. The National Weight Control Registry provides information about the strategies used by successful weight loss maintainers to achieve and maintain long-term weight loss. National Weight Control Registry members have lost an average of 33 kg and maintained the loss for more than 5 y. To maintain their weight loss, members report engaging in high levels of physical activity (≈1 h/d), eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet, eating breakfast regularly, self-monitoring weight, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends. Moreover, weight loss maintenance may get easier over time; after individuals have successfully maintained their weight loss for 2–5 y, the chance of longer-term success greatly increases. Continued adherence to diet and exercise strategies, low levels of depression and disinhibition, and medical triggers for weight loss are also associated with long-term success. National Weight Control Registry members provide evidence that long-term weight loss maintenance is possible and help identify the specific approaches associated with long-term success.
p>Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmentally persistent substances that have been associated with human health effects. Their presence in food and feed available on the European market is monitored. A total of 13,797 samples were assessed for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) and 19,181 samples for non dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs). These samples were submitted between 1995 and 2010 by 26 European countries. At least one quantified congener of dioxins and DL-PCBs was found in almost all samples, whereas at least one NDL-PCB indicator was quantified in 68.4 % of the feed and 82.6 % of the food samples. “Meat from eels” and “Fish liver and derived products” contained the highest average contamination levels of both dioxins and PCBs. Levels of dioxins and DL-PCBs, and of NDL-PCBs were above the permitted maximum levels in respectively 10 % and 3 % of the food samples. Depending on the population group, defined as the combination of age class and the respective survey, average exposure to dioxins and DL-PCBs was estimated to be between 0.57 and 2.54 pg TEQWHO05/kg b.w. per day and the 95th percentile between 1.2 and 9.9 pg TEQWHO05/kg b.w. per day. Average exposure to NDL-PCB indicators was estimated to be between 4.3 and 25.7 ng/kg b.w. per day and the 95th percentile between 7.8 and 53.7 ng/kg b.w. per day. Fish, meat and dairy products appeared to be the highest contributing food groups to dietary exposure. Their relative importance depended on age and country of the consumer. A general decrease in dietary exposure of dioxins and DL-PCBs was observed between 2002-2004 and 2008-2010, estimated to be between 16.6 % and 79.3 % for the different population groups. A smaller decrease was observed for NDL-PCBs. Full compliance with legislative requirements for analysis and reporting would facilitate future Europe-wide risk assessments.</p
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was founded in Helsinki, Finland, on 1 June 2007 by the inception of the new chemicals regulation registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances. From 2009, ECHA has also been responsible for the classification, labeling, and packaging regulation that introduces the UN's Globally Harmonized System into the European Union. During 2013–14, the Agency will also take responsibility for two further regulations concerned with biocidal products and prior-informed consent of export and import of certain hazardous substances.
There is a general perception that almost no one succeeds in long-term maintenance of weight loss. However, research has shown that approximately 20% of overweight individuals are successful at long-term weight loss when defined as losing at least 10% of initial body weight and maintaining the loss for at least 1 y. The National Weight Control Registry provides information about the strategies used by successful weight loss maintainers to achieve and maintain long-term weight loss. National Weight Control Registry members have lost an average of 33 kg and maintained the loss for more than 5 y. To maintain their weight loss, members report engaging in high levels of physical activity ( approximately 1 h/d), eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet, eating breakfast regularly, self-monitoring weight, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends. Moreover, weight loss maintenance may get easier over time; after individuals have successfully maintained their weight loss for 2-5 y, the chance of longer-term success greatly increases. Continued adherence to diet and exercise strategies, low levels of depression and disinhibition, and medical triggers for weight loss are also associated with long-term success. National Weight Control Registry members provide evidence that long-term weight loss maintenance is possible and help identify the specific approaches associated with long-term success.
Detoxification refers to the safe discontinuation from a substance of dependence and is distinct from relapse prevention. Detoxification usually takes between a few days and a few weeks to complete, depending on the substance being misused, the severity of dependence and the support available to the user. Psychosocial therapies alongside pharmacological treatments are essential to improve outcome. The dependencies considered in this overview are detoxification from opioids (with methadone, buprenorphine, α2‐adrenoceptor agonists and adjunct medications), alcohol (with benzodiazepines, anti‐glutamatergics and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic drugs), stimulants and cannabis (with no clear recommended pharmacological treatments), benzodiazepines (with dose tapering) and nicotine (with nicotine replacement therapy, antidepressants and partial agonists). Evidence is limited by a lack of controlled trials robust enough for review bodies, and more research is required into optimal treatment doses and regimes, alone and in combination.
We investigated the dynamics of several organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) and their metabolites in an obese population during weight loss. Serum samples from obese individuals were taken before patients lost weight and after three, six and twelve months. Samples were also collected from a matched lean control population. Analyzed OHCs were polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their hydroxylated metabolites (HO-PCBs), pentachlorophenol (PCP), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Significantly lower concentrations of major PCBs, their metabolites and PCP were measured in obese individuals at the initial moment of their enrolling in the project. While dilution differences might be responsible for the lower concentrations in the neutral OHCs, we suggest that a lower CYP-mediated metabolic activity can partially explain the data for the HO-PCBs. Additionally, lower chlorinated substituted PCBs had a higher percentage contribution to the sum PCBs in obese individuals, while higher chlorinated PCBs had a higher contribution for the controls. Increasing serum levels for all OHCs were observed during weight loss. The release from adipose tissue seemed dependent of the octanol-water partition coefficient, since OHCs with higher logKow values displayed a higher release in serum. This also influenced the HO-PCBs profile after weight loss with lower chlorinated HO-PCBs increasingly gaining importance. Although weight loss is beneficial, it also influences the release of OHCs from adipose tissue and their metabolism. Therefore, the increase in the levels of compounds with endocrine effects might be of concern.
Patients with chemical sensitivity were treated in heat depuration physical therapy units and housed in living facilities, both of which were specially constructed so they were less chemically polluted. Rotary diets of less chemically contaminated water and food were consumed. Two hundred and ten chemically sensitive patients, 156 females and 54 males, aged 13 to 66 years, were placed on the programme. Eighty-six per cent of these improved their symptom scores. Sixty-two per cent, or 48 of 78 patients, had abnormal balance studies. Fifty-seven per cent, or 12 of 21, remeasured after treatment had improved. Fifty per cent or 106 of 210 patients, had autonomic nervous system disorders as measured by the Iriscorder, and 31% had improved after treatment. Sixty-three per cent decreased their levels of toxic chemicals. These results clearly show that heat depuration physical therapy appears to be efficacious in many patients with chemical sensitivity.
Due to a long history of extensive mercury mining and smelting activities, local residents in Wanshan, China, are suffering from elevated mercury exposure. The objective of the present study was to study the effects of oral supplementation with selenium-enriched yeast in these long-term mercury-exposed populations. One hundred and three volunteers from Wanshan area were recruited and 53 of them were supplemented with 100 μg of organic selenium daily as selenium-enriched yeast while 50 of them were supplemented with the nonselenium-enriched yeast for 3 months. The effects of selenium supplementation on urinary mercury, selenium, and oxidative stress-related biomarkers including malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine were assessed. This 3-month selenium supplementation trial indicated that organic selenium supplementation could increase mercury excretion and decrease urinary malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels in local residents.
We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with a fatal intoxication after accidental massive oral ingestion of manganese. The patient presented with lethargy, diffuse abdominal pain, vomiting, and profuse diarrhea after ingesting Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate) during a liver cleansing diet. Despite intensive care management with intubation, prone position ventilation, continuous venovenous hemofiltration, and multiple transfusions, he progressed to refractory shock with multiple organ dysfunction resulting in death within 72h. Similar patients arrived at several hospitals with identical epidemiology (all had ingested the same salt obtained in the same place). Clinical and forensic investigations (X-ray diffraction) discovered that the supplier had mistakenly prepared the salts with hydrated manganese sulfate instead of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. The results enabled the other patients to be successfully treated for hydrated manganese sulfate intoxication with life support in the intensive care unit and chelation therapy (EDTA). We describe the clinical presentation of acute manganese poisoning and alert professionals to the risk of an increasingly popular diet. This case demonstrates the importance of collaboration between clinicians, pathologists, and forensic scientists to resolve a difficult-to-diagnose case.
Toxic heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) accumulate in cultured fish from solid-form feed mixtures. In this paper, two natural ingredients, supposed to inhibit accumulation of heavy metals in the fish body, were investigated to develop a functional feed mixture for healthy fish. Three test diets: (i) ♯1, regular diet as negative control; (ii) ♯2, ♯1 + 2% lyophilized Chinese parsley Coriandrum sativum (CP); and (iii) ♯3, ♯1 + 3% chitosan (CT), were each fed to 50 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss once a day, at the constant rate of 1.0–1.2% of body weight for 12 weeks. No undesirable effect on fish growth was observed by an addition of either CP or CT to regular feed. Then, 10 mg Cd was added to 1 kg each of the three test diets and they were named as: (i) ♯4, ♯1 + Cd; (ii) ♯5, ♯2 + Cd; and (iii) ♯6, ♯3 + Cd, respectively. The fish given positive a control feed (diet ♯4) for 3 weeks accumulated Cd in the liver and kidney at approximately 0.52 mg/kg. However, Cd in ordinary muscle was found to be just above the detection limit. Upon accumulation of Cd, three groups of 50 fish were each fed test diets ♯4, ♯5, and ♯6 for 12 weeks at the same feed rate described above. The concentrations of Cd accumulated in the liver, kidney, and ordinary muscle of the fish were measured every 3 weeks. Contrary to the positive control fish fed diet ♯4, those fish fed test diets ♯5 and ♯6 accumulated 20–30% and 25–40% less Cd in the liver, respectively. Test diets were a little less effective for inhibition of Cd uptake in the kidney than that observed in the liver. These results suggest that addition of CP or CT to fish feed might be used to decrease toxic heavy metal accumulation in fish.
A low-energy, high-repetition-rate picosecond laser (40 µJ, 20 kHz, 258 nm) was used for multiphoton ionization (MPI) in gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry to quantitatively determine dioxins (DXNs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The sensitivity of the technique was compared with that obtained using a high-energy, low-repetition-rate femtosecond laser (86 µJ, 1 kHz, 261 nm). The limits of detection (LODs) for the picosecond laser were several femtograms for chlorinated DXNs with low numbers of chloro substituents, and were several times lower than values obtained using a femtosecond laser, although the LODs were increased, reaching values that were nearly identical to those for the femtosecond laser for octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (octaCDD) and octachlorodibenzofuran (octaCDF). The LODs were also measured for 16 PAHs specified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; the values for half of these compounds were at sub-femtogram levels. The procedure was used to analyze a surface-water sample collected from a river.
The hair-to-blood ratio and biological half-life of methylmercury in a one-compartment model seem to differ between past and recent studies. To reevaluate them, 27 healthy volunteers were exposed to methylmercury at the provisional tolerable weekly intake (3.4 µg/kg body weight/week) for adults through fish consumption for 14 weeks, followed by a 15-week washout period after the cessation of exposure. Blood was collected every 1 or 2 weeks, and hair was cut every 4 weeks. Total mercury (T-Hg) concentrations were analyzed in blood and hair. The T-Hg levels of blood and hair changed with time (p < 0.001). The mean concentrations increased from 6.7 ng/g at week 0 to 26.9 ng/g at week 14 in blood, and from 2.3 to 8.8 µg/g in hair. The mean hair-to-blood ratio after the adjustment for the time lag from blood to hair was 344 ± 54 (S.D.) for the entire period. The half-lives of T-Hg were calculated from raw data to be 94 ± 23 days for blood and 102 ± 31 days for hair, but the half-lives recalculated after subtracting the background levels from the raw data were 57 ± 18 and 64 ± 22 days, respectively. In conclusion, the hair-to-blood ratio of methylmercury, based on past studies, appears to be underestimated in light of recent studies. The crude half-life may be preferred rather than the recalculated one because of the practicability and uncertainties of the background level, though the latter half-life may approximate the conventional one.
With the introduction of iodized salt worldwide, more and more people are exposed to more than adequate iodine intake levels with median urinary iodine excretion (MUI 200-300 μg/l) or excessive iodine intake levels (MUI >300 μg/l). The objective of this study was to explore the associations between more than adequate iodine intake levels and the development of thyroid diseases (e.g. thyroid dysfunction, thyroid autoimmunity, and thyroid structure) in two Chinese populations.
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two areas in which people are exposed to different levels of iodine intake (Rongxing, MUI 261 μg/l; Chengshan, MUI 145 μg/l). A total of 3813 individuals were recruited by random sampling. Thyroid hormones, thyroid autoantibodies in serum, and iodine levels in urine were measured. B-mode ultrasonography of the thyroid was also performed for each participant.
The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly higher for subjects who live in Rongxing than those who live in Chengshan (5.03 vs 1.99%, P<0.001). The prevalence of positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and positive anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) was significantly higher for subjects in Rongxing than those in Chengshan (TPOAb: 10.64 vs 8.4%, P=0.02; TgAb: 10.27 vs 7.93%, P=0.01). The increase in thyroid antibodies was most pronounced in the high concentrations of TPOAb (TPOAb: ≥500 IU/ml) and low concentrations of TgAb (TgAb: 40-99 IU/ml) in Rongxing.
More than adequate iodine intake could be a public health concern in terms of thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in the Chinese populations.
At present, scientific knowledge on depuration rates of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is limited and the previous assumptions of considerable reduction of body burdens through breast-feeding have recently been challenged. We therefore studied elimination rates of important POPs in nine Norwegian primiparous mothers and one mother breast-feeding her second child by collecting breast-milk samples (n = 70) monthly from about two weeks to up to twelve months after birth. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in the breast-milk samples. Linear mixed effect models were established for selected compounds, and significant decreases in the range of 1.2−4.7% in breast-milk concentrations per month were observed for a wide range of PCBs and PBDEs. For the first time, depuration rates for perfluorooctylsulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are presented, being 3.8 and 7.8% per month, respectively (p < 0.05). The relative amount of the branched PFOS isomers in the breast-milk samples was 18% on average (range 6−36%, RSD 30%). There were no significant differences in isomer pattern between the mothers, or changes during the lactation period. After a year of nursing the breast-milk concentrations of PFCs, PBDEs, and PCBs were reduced by 15−94%.
To investigate the influence of Chlorella (Parachlorella beijerinckii) on the excretion and tissue accumulation of methylmercury (MeHg), we orally administered 5 mg/kg of MeHg chloride (4 mg Hg/kg) to female C57BL/6N mice (aged 10 weeks). The mice were housed in metabolism cages to collect urine and feces for 3 weeks with diets containing 0%, 5%, or 10% P. beijerinckii powder (BP) in a basal diet (CE-2). The lowered blood Hg levels in the 5% and 10% BP groups became significant compared to those of the control group (0% BP) as early as day 7. During the 21 days of testing, significant increases in the cumulative Hg eliminations into urine (5% BP) and feces (5% and 10% BP) were found in the BP groups. Twenty-one days after administration, the organ Hg levels in both BP groups tended to decrease compared to that of the control group. The reduction of Hg levels in the kidney and brain were significant, whereas that in the liver was not. Although tissue Hg levels are known to be closely related to glutathione (GSH) metabolism, no difference was found in GSH levels in the blood or organs between the control group and the 10% BP group. These results suggest that continuous BP intake accelerates the excretion of MeHg and subsequently decreases tissue Hg levels in mice, with no alteration of GSH metabolism. We should conduct further research to elucidate details regarding the mechanism of BP-induced enhancement of MeHg excretion.
Dietary selenium (Se) status is inversely related to vulnerability to methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity. Mercury exposures that are uniformly neurotoxic and lethal among animals fed low dietary Se are far less serious among those with normal Se intakes and are without observable consequences in those fed Se-enriched diets. Although these effects have been known since 1967, they have only lately become well understood. Recent studies have shown that Se-enriched diets not only prevent MeHg toxicity, but can also rapidly reverse some of its most severe symptoms. It is now understood that MeHg is a highly specific, irreversible inhibitor of Se-dependent enzymes (selenoenzymes). Selenoenzymes are required to prevent and reverse oxidative damage throughout the body, particularly in the brain and neuroendocrine tissues. Inhibition of selenoenzyme activities in these vulnerable tissues appears to be the proximal cause of the pathological effects known to accompany MeHg toxicity. Because Hg's binding affinities for Se are up to a million times higher than for sulfur, its second-best binding partner, MeHg inexorably sequesters Se, directly impairing selenoenzyme activities and their synthesis. This may explain why studies of maternal populations exposed to foods that contain Hg in molar excess of Se, such as shark or pilot whale meats, have found adverse child outcomes, but studies of populations exposed to MeHg by eating Se-rich ocean fish observe improved child IQs instead of harm. However, since the Se contents of freshwater fish are dependent on local soil Se status, fish with high MeHg from regions with poor Se availability may be cause for concern. Further studies of these relationships are needed to assist regulatory agencies in protecting and improving child health.
To test the hypothesis that dieting, or the restriction of caloric intake, is ineffective because it increases chronic psychological stress and cortisol production--two factors that are known to cause weight gain; and to examine the respective roles of the two main behaviors that comprise dieting--monitoring one's caloric intake and restricting one's caloric intake--on psychological and biological stress indicators.
In a 2 (monitoring vs. not) x 2 (restricting vs. not) fully crossed, controlled experiment, 121 female participants were assigned randomly to one of four dietary interventions for 3 weeks. The monitoring + restricting condition tracked their caloric intake and restricted their caloric intake (1200 kcal/day); the monitoring only condition tracked their caloric intake but ate normally; the restricting only condition was provided 1200 kcal/day of food but did not track their calories, and the control group ate normally and did not track their intake. Before and after the interventions, participants completed measures of perceived stress and 2 days of diurnal saliva sampling to test for cortisol.
Restricting calories increased the total output of cortisol, and monitoring calories increased perceived stress.
Dieting may be deleterious to psychological well-being and biological functioning, and changes in clinical recommendations may be in order.
Chlorella (Parachlorella beyerinckii CK-5), previously identified as Chlorella vulgaris CK-5, is a unicellular green algae that has for many years been used as a nutritional supplement. In order to investigate the effects of methylmercury (MeHg) detoxification by Chlorella, we examined the absorption and excretion of MeHg in mice. Female C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into three groups of five, and were housed in metabolism cages. Mice were orally administered MeHg chloride at doses of 5 mg (4 mg Hg)/kg body weight with or without 100 mg/mouse of P. beyerinckii powder (BP), and were assigned to either a MeHg group or MeHg + BP group, accordingly. Twenty-four hr after oral administration, feces and urine were collected, and blood, liver, and kidney samples were obtained. Total mercury contents in the samples obtained were determined using an atomic absorption method. The amounts of Hg excreted in feces and urine of the MeHg + BP group were increased nearly 1.9 and 2.2-fold compared with those of the MeHg group. On the other hand, blood and organ Hg levels were not significantly different between two groups. These results suggest that the intake of BP may induce the excretion of Hg both in feces and urine, although it does not affect MeHg absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of BP on the tissue mercury accumulation may become evident in a long-term experiment.
The effect of Parachlorella beyerinckii CK-5, previously identified as Chlorella vulgaris, on gastrointestinal absorption of lead was investigated in mice. Female ICR mice aged 7 weeks were orally administered lead acetate solution at doses of 20 mg and 40 mg of lead per mouse, with or without 100 mg of P. beyerinckii powder (BP). The mice were bred for 24 hours. The amount of lead excreted in feces within 24 hours, and the lead levels of the blood, liver and kidney were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The percentage of total fecal excretion in mice administered BP increased by 27.7% in 20 mg lead administered mice and 17.2% in 40 mg lead administered mice in comparison to control mice, respectively. On the other hand, the lead levels of the blood, liver and kidney of BPadministered mice at 24 hours after lead administration were 48-63% lower as compared with those of control mice. The lead adsorption ability of BP and the pepsin non-digestive residue of BP (dBP) were investigated in vitro. One hundred mg of BP and dBP could adsorb 10.6 mg and 6.0 mg of lead in a 20 mg per 10 mL of lead solution, respectively. The lead absorption abilities of BP and dBP were considered to contribute to the prevention of gastrointestinal absorption of lead and the promotion of the excretion of lead. These results suggested that BP treatment might be useful in animals and humans exposed to lead.
Acute or long-term energy deficit in lean or obese rodents or humans stimulates food intake or appetite and reduces metabolic rate or energy expenditure. These changes contribute to weight regain in post-obese animals and humans. Some studies show that the reduction in metabolic rate with energy deficit in overweight people is transient. Energy restriction has been shown in some but not all studies to reduce physical activity, and this may represent an additional energy-conserving adaptation. Energy restriction up-regulates expression of the orexigenic neuropeptide Y, agouti related peptide and opioids and down-regulates that of the anorexigenic alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone or its precursor pro-opioomelanocortin and the co-expressed cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Recapitulating these hypothalamic changes in sated animals mimics the effects of energy deficit, namely increased food intake, reduced physical activity and reduced metabolic rate, suggesting that these energy-conserving adaptations are at least partially mediated by the hypothalamus.
Phytochelatins, with the general structure of (gamma-Glu-Cys)n-Gly (n=2-11), are usually recognized as being strongly induced by metals in microalgae and play an important role in the detoxification of heavy metals in environment. However, there have been few studies on metallothionein (MT) synthesis in Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) exposed to heavy metals. The present study describes the growth inhibition of C. vulgaris exposed to different concentrations of cadmium and zinc, and the induction of metal-binding MT-like proteins in the cells. The amounts of metal-binding proteins, induced in the alga exposed to different conce