1. Please comment the each below with critical analysis and details covering the whole topic from 3 original research articles and 2 from any articles with impact factor above 3. One of the study needs to be epidemiological metaanalysis study. Word 800 or above
1. What lifestyle factors (including diet) would you expect to have negative or positive effects on the efficacy of phytochemicals in health and disease? Give specific examples and provide possible mechanistic explanations.
2. Please comment the each below with critical analysis and details from 3 original research articles and 2 from any articles with impact factor above 3. Word 800 or above?
Single, isolated and purified phytochemicals provide convenient means to provide specific benefits for a targeted effect. Continued epidemiological research suggests that a combination of certain phytochemicals in a justified manner can actually improve and strengthen such biological benefits. Many things can impact the efficacy of phytochemicals in health and disease including diet composition, physical activity, whether an individual smokes, environmental factors, age, race, genetic makeup and a host of other things. A particular topic that's not spoken very often about but I believe is very important is the fact that gut microbiota and genotype can greatly impact health benefits of dietary phytochemicals whether obtained through phytochemical rich foods or supplements. The human gut is populated by an array of bacterial species, which develop important metabolic and immune functions with a marked effect on the nutritional and health status of the host. The bioavailability and effects of polyphenols greatly depend on their transformation by components of the gut microbiota. Phytochemicals and their metabolic products may also inhibit pathogenic bacteria while stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria, exerting prebiotic-like effects. The intestinal microbiota is both a target for nutritional intervention and a factor influencing the biological activity of other food compounds acquired orally. For example in the study by Afsharmanesh and Sadaghi where male broiler chickens were fed kombuch tea as a phytochemical along with their dry mix, they had improved digestibility particularly protein digestibility, increased villus height/crypt depth ratio and villus height in the duodenum suggesting increased epithelial cell turnover.2 Although EGCG has many functions, it is mainly known for its therapeutic role in malignancies via inducing apoptosis and promoting cell growth & arrest by altering the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, activating killer caspases, and suppressing oncogenic transcription factors and pluripotency maintain factors. It has been demonstrated that EGCG blocks carcinogenesis by affecting a wide array of signal transduction pathways including JAK/STAT, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, Wnt and Notch.3 EGCG stimulates telomere fragmentation through inhibiting telomerase activity. Treatment by EGCG inhibits tumor incidence and multiplicity in different organ sites such as liver, stomach, skin, lung, mammary gland and colon.
1. Jayabalan R, Malbasa R, Loncar E, Vitas J, Sathishkumar M. A review of kombucha tea -microbiology, composition, fermentation, beneficial effects, toxicity and tea fungus. 2014;13:4
2. Afsharmanesh M, Sadaghi B. Effects of dietary alternatives (probiotic, green tea powder, and kombucha tea) as antimicrobial growth promoters on growth, ileal nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and immune response of broiler chickens. Comp Clin Pathol. 2014;23(3):717-724
3. Singh BN, Shankar S, Srivastava RK. Green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG): mechanism, perspectives and clinical applications. Biochem Pharmacol. 2011: 15;82(12) : 1807-1821
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3. Please comment the each below with critical analysis and details from 3 original research articles and 2 from any articles with impact factor above 3. Deadline-11/14/2016-will not be extended. Word 800 or above?
Genetics and lifestyle are two of the largest determinates of health and can have positive or negative effects.1 Lifestyle, while a large category, encompasses many subcategories describing how an individual lives and treats their body.1 In addition to diet and physical activity, housing, healthcare, education and employment are other factors that play into lifestyle and highlights how health is multi-factorial and quite complex.1 One analogy that describes the interaction between genetics and lifestyles is this: 'Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.' Of note, this analogy is accurate in most situations, but not all since there are some cases such as with childhood cancer and other congenital conditions where genetics play a larger role than lifestyle. Looking back at the importance of lifestyle for the general population, it is up to each individual to choose their lifestyle thus choosing their health.
Lifestyle factors that cause negative effects on health are often tied to chronic inflammation and oxidation.2,
3 Furthermore, chronic inflammation and oxidation causes damage to the body by being in a constant state of stress and repair.2 Excessive oral intake is one lifestyle factor that causes negative health effects.1, 2, 3 When one eats too much, specifically more energy than they expend, it contributes to weight gain which causes inflammation. Furthermore, foods high in refined carbohydrates/sugar and saturated fats are most commonly the cause of excessive oral intake and can affect various metabolic processes and overall health.3 Chronic inflammation and oxidation can be combated by attenuating to the cause, which in this case is to stop overeating and lose/maintain weight while consuming a balanced diet that includes phytonutrients. Phytonutrients, such as resveratrol, are believed to play a role in reducing inflammation and oxidation.4 Alcohol consumption is another lifestyle factor that can have negative effects.1, 2, 3 While moderate alcohol consumption is believed to be healthful and actually anti-inflammatory2, the amount the average person consumes is not healthful. Excessive alcohol intake displaces good nutrition and causes inflammation and oxidative stress.2 Lastly, smoking has negative impacts on health through oxidative stress which then requires additional phytonutrients to mend, specifically antioxidants.2 It has already been established that diet is a key to health and individuals who partake in these negative health behaviors are more likely to make poor nutrition choices. These negative health behaviors coupled with a poor diet equates to ill health once the body can no longer compensate.
On the other hand, lifestyle factors that have positive effects on health include diet, physical activity, weight management, stress management, sleep and consistency of habits.1, 2, 3 A diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and animal based proteins will supply necessary macro and micronutrients, including adequate fiber which supports health, as well as an array of phytonutrients.4, 5 Consuming two servings of fish each week will also provide a healthful amount of omega-3 fats which are known to have anti-inflammatory effects.4, 5 Physical activity comes into play with regard to weight management, stress management, and keeping the body in motion.4 When consuming a nutrient dense diet, being physically active, and managing stress, the body sleeps better which can also have profound positive effects on health.2 Tying it all together, in order to have lasting positive effects and to reduce inflammation and support overall health, consistency of these 'good' behaviors is key. While diet is not the only factor that can have positive and negative impacts on health, it may have one of the biggest since phytonutrients as well as the macro and micronutrients, we know much about, all play a role in achieving and sustaining good health.