Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Coronary Heart Disease Risks: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

The study investigated the clinical benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) in preventing and treating coronary heart disease (CHD). Given the mixed opinions on the effectiveness of omega-3 FAs, this research focused on understanding its impact on different patient subgroups. The methodology involved analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with at least 1,000 patients, comparing omega-3 […]

Effect of omega-3 supplementation on lipid profile in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

This study aimed to understand if omega-3 supplementation can impact the lipid profile (like cholesterol and triglycerides) in children and adolescents, considering dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The research involved analyzing data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found in major databases up to March 2021. The analysis used the random-effect method, with […]

Potential Roles and Key Mechanisms of Hawthorn Extract against Various Liver Diseases

The study explores the health benefits of Hawthorn extract, particularly focusing on liver diseases. Hawthorn extracts are found to be beneficial against liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. These effects are attributed to their ability to regulate oxidative stress, apoptosis (programmed cell death), AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) signaling, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells […]

The effects of Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn) on metabolic syndrome: A review

The review provides a comprehensive overview of how Chinese hawthorn can be beneficial in managing and treating various aspects of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster of conditions including obesity, high blood sugar, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which collectively increase the risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The review highlights that Crataegus […]

Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus), a member of the Rosaceae family, is celebrated for its rich bioactive substance content, earning it the title of “nutritious fruit.” The plant is utilized globally in various forms, including dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceutical products. It is a trove of health-benefiting compounds, such as amino acids, minerals, pectin, vitamin C, chlorogenic […]

Perspective: Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFAS): A Critical Review and Rationale for Inclusion in the Essential Medicines List to Accelerate Anemia and Neural Tube Defects Reduction

This review explores the importance of including the WHO-recommended formulation of weekly iron and folic acid supplementation in the Model Essential Medicines List (MEML). This inclusion is key because it would help countries prioritize this formulation in their national supply management and procurement plans for medicines. The WHO’s guidelines on WIFAS acknowledge its effectiveness in […]

Effects of Supplementation with Folic Acid and Its Combinations with Other Nutrients on Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review

This review addresses a critical public health issue: the impact of folic acid, both alone and in combination with other nutrients, on cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease. Folic acid is essential, and its deficiency is linked to neurocognitive dysfunctions, often due to hyperhomocysteinemia—an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including cognitive impairment and […]

The Health Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation: Evidence from Human Studies

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of vitamin D in health, particularly focusing on older adults. Vitamin D is well-known for preventing and curing nutritional rickets in infants and children and is essential for bone health in older adults, with guidelines recommending serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations above 50 nmol/l. However, the […]