This study evaluated the correlation between vitamin D levels and thyroid function in a diabetic population (HbA1c > 6.5%) from southern Saudi Arabia, involving 2918 participants (54.9% of females and 45.1% of males). The results indicated that 18% were vitamin D deficient, 69.4% were vitamin D insufficient, and 12.7% were vitamin D sufficient. Gender-specific analyses revealed that 10% of females and 8% of males were vitamin D deficient. Among those with primary hypothyroidism, 0.9% were vitamin D deficient, while for subclinical hypothyroidism, 7.2% were vitamin D deficient. For primary hyperthyroidism, only 0.3% were vitamin D deficient, with no deficiencies in subclinical hyperthyroidism. A partial correlation analysis, controlling for age and gender, showed a significant negative correlation between vitamin D and thyroid hormone levels (r² = –0.328). Multinomial regression indicated that individuals with vitamin D deficiency had a 1.511 times higher risk of subclinical hypothyroidism. Those with vitamin D insufficiency showed an increased risk for both primary (Exp(B) = 1.189) and subclinical hypothyroidism (Exp(B) = 0.719). In conclusion, this study highlights a significant link between vitamin D levels and thyroid function in diabetics, with deficiency and insufficiency associated with higher risks of specific thyroid disorders.

This systematic review paper analyzes the regulatory pathways of the Indian and European Union (EU) nutraceuticals to compare frameworks in these two regions. The regulatory framework of India is dominated by the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, with health supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods having their specific regulations in the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purposes, Functional Food, and Novel Food) Regulations of 2016. In contrast, the EU’s approach is managed by many comprehensive regulations, such as the General Food Law Regulation 178/2002, the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46, and specific regulations on fortified foods, nutrition claims, and novel foods. This study emphasizes key regulations in both regions, particularly focusing on the respective legal requirements regarding registration, product approval, and labeling, and discusses registration procedures in India and the procedural complexities of nutraceuticals within the EU framework.

Physical debilitation and other health risks such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis often accompany decreased estrogen production in postmenopausal women. Phytoestrogens, natural compounds that functionally mimic estrogens, have emerged as a potential treatment method for hormonal dysregulation during menopause. Among these, chaga (Inonotus obliquus) extract has gained attention for its various health benefits, including anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the bone metabolic efficacy of lactic acid bacteria derived from I. obliquusin ovariectomized C57BL/6J female mice. The results demonstrated the estrogenic activity of probiotics derived from I. obliquus and its potential to alleviate osteoporosis symptoms by improving bone microstructure and density. Furthermore, probiotics derived from I. obliquus favored biochemical markers associated with a reduction in bone resorption. Additionally, effects on brain neurotransmitters and serum estradiol levels suggested its regulatory role in estrogen mimicry. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of probiotics derived from I. obliquus in managing menopausal symptoms and thus warrant potential human investigation in improving bone health in postmenopausal women.

This study investigated the effects of oral feeding readiness assessments on nutraceutical therapies in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Nutraceuticals are increasingly being used to promote newborn health. However, their effects on feeding transitions and developmental outcomes have not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study was conducted on 210 infants to explore the effect of nutraceutical therapies on the rate of successful eating transitions and the incidence of feeding-related problems. Data on age, gender, birth weight, delivery technique, and nutraceutical use were also collected. Successful transitions, delayed transitions, and complications such as aspiration and feeding intolerance were recorded. The findings indicated that infants who received nutraceutical therapies achieved a higher success rate in transitioning to feeding, with a statistically significant difference in outcomes compared to those who did not. Probiotics improved gastrointestinal well-being and decreased challenges during dietary changes. Omega-3 supplements and vitamin D exhibited favorable effects, aiding smooth transitions and reducing hospital readmissions. This study revealed that age and feeding technique significantly influenced the success of transitions. Incorporating nutraceuticals into feeding protocols can result in better outcomes in neonatal ICUs.

The recognition of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly growing worldwide. Positive attitudes toward using CAM may reflect an evidence-based understanding and awareness of its common uses and potential abuses, facilitating its sound integration into the society for positive results. This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge, practices, and barriers associated with the use of CAM among medical and nonmedical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2023 and July 2023 involving a sample group of medical and nonmedical students from King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. A total of 341 students completed the survey. Approximately 53.4% of the participants were medical and 46.6% were nonmedical students. Herbal medicine was the most used among medical students (21%) followed by aromatherapy (12%) and chiropractic (11%), while the most used CAM among nonmedical students was spiritual healing/Quran (19%). The prevalence of good knowledge is higher in medical students compared to nonmedical students in some CAM modalities. In addition, the results show that there are no significant differences in attitudes toward CAM among medical and nonmedical students. Respondents from both groups were keen on gaining more knowledge about all the CAM modalities. It is important to utilize the data from this study for enhancing curricula in university programs and promoting education and practice related to CAM.

The volatile components of Stropharia rugosoannulata and Tricholoma lobayense were analyzed by mass spectrometry, and the relative contents of each component were determined by the internal standard method. In Stropharia rugosoannulata, 58 volatile components were identified, including 10 alcohols, 14 esters, 9 aldehydes, 5 ketones, 1 phenol, 3 alkanes, 4 amines, 5 acids, 1 furan, 1 pyrazine, 1 olefin, 1 oxime, 1 pyrazole, and 2 other components. Among them, the most abundant volatile component was hexanal (1655.40 ng/g), followed by pentanoic acid (1503.10 ng/g) and phenylethyl alcohol (1215.94 ng/g). In Tricholoma lobayense, 68 volatile components were identified, including 17 aldehydes, 11 ketones, 8 acids, 10 esters, 5 alcohols, 1 phenol, 2 furans, 4 alkanes, 1 alkene, 1 oxime, 1 pyrazole, 1 amine, and 6 other components. Among them, the most abundant volatile component was benzaldehyde (2190.67 ng/g), followed by hexanal (1708.81 ng/g) and furan, 2-pentyl- (838.45 ng/g). There were 21 common volatile components between the two different edible fungi, including 7 aldehydes, 5 esters, 3 ketones, 2 alcohols, 2 acids, 1 oxime, and 1 furan.

It is unclear whether chrysophanol affects liver fibrosis via the regulation of ADAM17, a multifaceted enzyme involved in immune regulation, central nervous system function, and cancer development. This article underscores that the chrysophanol treatment reduced collagen deposition in thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis mice while downregulating ADAM17.

This research utilized a network meta-analysis to conduct a comparative analysis of the efficacy of six prevalent nutraceuticals purported to ameliorate sleep disorders. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted utilizing PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database to uncover the efficacy of vitamin D, traditional Chinese medicine containing Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) and saffron as the main ingredients, L-theanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, melatonin, and precursors of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide for mitigating sleep disorders which is evaluated by The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Through the literature selection process, 16 studies, involving a sample size of 1,038, are utilized in our network meta-analysis, conducted by using R software. The results reveal that, compared to placebo, vitamin D and traditional Chinese medicine demonstrate a significantly superior efficacy in reducing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. On the other hand, no significant difference in efficacy is observed from the treatment with L-theanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, melatonin, and precursors of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Therefore, this study advocates that treatment with vitamin D or traditional Chinese medicine may be more efficient in ameliorating sleep disorders.

This study evaluated the effects of a well-organized nutrition education program on the dietary habits and clinical outcomes of patients with orthopedic conditions. A nutrition education program was implemented for 140 participants, focusing on the significance of proteins, calcium, vitamin D, and anti-inflammatory foods in the process of recovery. Food frequency questionnaires and 24-h dietary recalls were used to evaluate dietary habits, and routine orthopedic examinations were performed to determine clinical outcomes. The nutrition education program remarkably enhanced the consumption of proteins, calcium, and vitamin D (P < 0.05), with substantial effect sizes indicating significant benefits relevant to clinical practice. The clinical results showed a reduction in the bone healing time and enhancements in muscle strength and overall progress in recovery (P < 0.05) after the program. Importantly, there was a significant improvement in nutrition knowledge after the program, as seen by the 94% increase from low to moderate or high levels and the 98% increase from moderate to high levels (P < 0.05). Hence, implementing the nutrition education program resulted in significant improvements in dietary behaviors and treatment outcomes among orthopedic patients, suggesting that inclusion of nutrition education in orthopedic treatment has a substantial impact on the recovery process.

Compared with acute cerebral infarction alone, the nutritional status of patients with acute cerebral infarction and dysphagia is significantly worse, which not only negatively impacts clinical treatment, but also contributes to the poor prognosis of patients. In traditional clinical treatment, more focus is placed on improving the neurological function of patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with dysphagia, often neglecting their nutritional status, leading to unsatisfactory prognosis. In this study, we explored the influence of enhanced recovery after surgery care on the neurological function and nutritional status of patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with dysphagia after thrombolytic therapy. It was found that the use of enhanced recovery after surgery care improved neurological function and nutritional status and reduced blood pressure and stress responses, while promoting the recovery of patients’ muscle strength. Therefore, enhanced recovery after surgery care has high application value in the future clinical treatment of acute cerebral infarction combined with dysphagia.