Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases.

Eur J Nutr. 2012 Jun 9;

Authors: Boeing H, Bechthold A, Bub A, Ellinger S, Haller D, Kroke A, Leschik-Bonnet E, Müller MJ, Oberritter H, Schulze M, Stehle P, Watzl B

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vegetables and fruit provide a significant part of human nutrition, as they are important sources of nutrients, dietary fibre, and phytochemicals. However, it is uncertain whether the risk of certain chronic diseases can be reduced by increased consumption of vegetables or fruit by the general public, and what strength of evidence has to be allocated to such an association. METHODS: Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the studies available in the literature and the respective study results has been performed and evaluated regarding obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, osteoporosis, eye diseases, and dementia. For judgement, the strength of evidence for a risk association, the level of evidence, and the number of studies were considered, the quality of the studies and their estimated relevance based on study design and size. RESULTS: For hypertension, CHD, and stroke, there is convincing evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit reduces the risk of disease. There is probable evidence that the risk of cancer in general is inversely associated with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. In addition, there is possible evidence that an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit may prevent body weight gain. As overweight is the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, an increased consumption of vegetables and fruit therefore might indirectly reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Independent of overweight, there is probable evidence that there is no influence of increased consumption on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is possible evidence that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit lowers the risk of certain eye diseases, dementia and the risk of osteoporosis. Likewise, current data on asthma, COPD, and RA indicate that an increase in vegetable and fruit consumption may contribute to the prevention of these diseases. For IBD, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, there was insufficient evidence regarding an association with the consumption of vegetables and fruit. CONCLUSIONS: This critical review on the associations between the intake of vegetables and fruit and the risk of several chronic diseases shows that a high daily intake of these foods promotes health. Therefore, from a scientific point of view, national campaigns to increase vegetable and fruit consumption are justified. The promotion of vegetable and fruit consumption by nutrition and health policies is a preferable strategy to decrease the burden of several chronic diseases in Western societies.

PMID: 22684631 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Hand hygiene has been recognized as the most important intervention for preventing the transmission of pathogens in health care settings. Alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) play a key role in reducing the transmission of pathogens and preventing infections in acute care settings, especially as part of a comprehensive hand hygiene program. ABHRs are associated with reduced hospital-associated infection (HAI) rates, including respiratory tract infections, and those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, their use and impact in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), where the residents have increasingly higher acuity levels due to changing health care delivery systems, has been virtually unstudied. (Source: American Journal of Infection Control)

Mechanisms and Disease Associationsseries:Respiratory MedicineVitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem and many associations with diseases are being discovered. Recently, there has been an interest in the role that vitamin D plays in the inception and progression of lung disease. Vitamin D and the Lung: Mechanisms and Disease Associations delivers a concise, evidence-based review of the evidence for a role of vitamin D in various lung disorders. ... (Source: Springer Medicine titles)

Breastfeeding and lung function at school age: does maternal asthma modify the effect?

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Apr 15;185(8):874-80

Authors: Dogaru CM, Strippoli MP, Spycher BD, Frey U, Beardsmore CS, Silverman M, Kuehni CE

Abstract
RATIONALE: The evidence for an effect of breastfeeding on lung function is conflicting, in particular whether the effect is modified by maternal asthma.
OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between breastfeeding and school-age lung function.
METHODS: In the Leicestershire Cohort Studies we assessed duration of breastfeeding (not breastfed, ≤3 months, 4-6 months, and >6 months), other exposures, and respiratory symptoms by repeated questionnaires. Post-bronchodilator FVC, FEV(1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced midexpiratory flow (FEF(50)), and skin prick tests were measured at age 12 years. We performed multivariable linear regression and tested potential causal pathways (N = 1,458).
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the entire sample, FEF(50) was higher by 130 and 164 ml in children breastfed for 4 to 6 months and longer than 6 months, respectively, compared with those not breastfed (P = 0.048 and 0.041), with larger effects if the mother had asthma. FVC and FEV(1) were associated with breastfeeding only in children of mothers with asthma (P for interaction, 0.018 and 0.008): FVC was increased by 123 and 164 ml for those breastfed 4 to 6 months or longer than 6 months, respectively (P = 0.177 and 0.040) and FEV(1) was increased by 148 and 167 ml, respectively (P = 0.050 and 0.016). Results were unchanged after adjustment for respiratory infections in infancy and asthma and atopy in the child.
CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, breastfeeding for more than 4 months was associated with increased FEF(50) and, in children of mothers with asthma, with increased FEV(1) and FVC. It seems that the effect is not mediated via avoidance of early infections or atopy but rather through a direct effect on lung growth.

PMID: 22312015 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]