RECENT RESEARCH
Background : Respiratory diseases ( RD ) can challenge healthcare systems around the globe . Natural health products ( NHPs ) are popular complementary and alternative medicine options for health issues concerning non-fatal RD . Little is known about the characteristics of the users of RD-NHPs and about their NHP consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany .
Methods : A representative online survey was conducted in Germany in 2022 . 1707 participants were classified based on having used NHPs for RD within the previous 12 months , having used NHPs but not for RD within the previous 12 months and not having used NHPs . Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods as well as a multinomial logistic regression model .
Results : Users of RD-NHPs within the previous 12 months were more likely to be employed and to consult pharmacists more often for non-fatal health issues than individuals who did not take RD-NHPs . RD-NHP users were more likely to suffer from a Covid-19 infection and to have children living in the same household than other NHP users . Compared to non-NHP users , RD-NHP users were more likely to be female , highly educated and have stronger openness-tochange value orientations . Vaccinationrelated behavior was no indicator of RD- NHP usage . Most RD-NHP users took NHPs in self-medication . Few reported informing their practitioner about their self-medication . Drugstores were the most visited supply source for NHPs during the pandemic , followed by pharmacies . Common information sources regarding NHPs were the products themselves and pharmacists .
Conclusion : This study emphasized the important role of NHPs as a popular prevention and treatment option for RD . RD-NHPs were more likely used by individuals who were employed , who suffered from a RD and who consult pharmacists for non-fatal health issues . The importance of product information and pharmacies as information sources should be considered to make communication strategies about safe self-medication options with RD-NHPs more effective , which could help to reduce the burden of health facilities regarding non-fatal RD . To improve and develop future pandemic-control strategies , health professionals and policy makers should consider NHP usage behavior and provide critical information about chances and risks of self-medicated NHP consumption .
Nutrition
Woo J . Social Determinants of Maintaining Nutrition in Older Adults with Advanced Dementia , J Nutr Health Aging . 2023 ; 27 ( 6 ): 430- 431 . https :// doi . org / 10.1007 / s12603-023-1931-z
Dysphagia is recognised as part of the frailty syndrome , especially for those at the end of life . There is a tension in management between the need to optimize nutrition status as part of the management of oral frailty , and respecting the wishes of patients and / or family members in the form of advance care planning and advance directives regarding to artificial nutrition and hydration . Management will likely be influenced by many social determinants , rather than solely be based on evidence from clinical research
Andrews V , Zammit G , O ’ Leary F . Dietary pattern , food , and nutritional supplement effects on cognitive outcomes in mild cognitive impairment : A systematic review of previous reviews . Nutrition Reviews . 2023 ; 81 ( 11 ), 1462 – 1489 , https :// doi . org / 10.1093 / nutrit / nuad013
Context : Nutritional interventions may benefit cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment ( MCI ). However , evidence is yet to be synthesized in a way that can inform recommendations for clinical and public health settings .
Objective : To systematically review evidence on the effect of dietary patterns , foods , and nutritional supplements on cognitive decline in individuals with MCI .
Data Sources : Guided by the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 statement , the Medline , EMBASE , and CINAHL databases , the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports , Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects were searched ( publication years 2005 to 2020 ). Included studies were English-language systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies reporting on the effectiveness of nutritional interventions on cognition of individuals with MCI .
Data Extraction : Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on cognitive outcomes and adverse events . Review quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2 ( A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews – 2 ). Primary study overlap was managed following Cochrane Handbook guidelines .
Data Analysis : Of the 6677 records retrieved , 20 reviews were included , which , in turn , reported on 43 randomized controlled trials and 1 cohort study that , together , addressed 18 nutritional interventions . Most reviews were limited by quality and the small number of primary studies with small sample sizes . Reviews were mostly positive for B vitamins , omega-3 fatty acids , and probiotics ( including 12 , 11 and 4 primary studies , respectively ). Souvenaid and the Mediterranean diet reduced cognitive decline or Alzheimer ’ s disease progression in single trials with < 500 participants . Findings from studies with a small number of participants suggest vitamin D , a low-carbohydrate diet , medium-chain triglycerides , blueberries , grape juice , cocoa flavanols , and Brazil nuts may improve individual cognitive subdomains , but more studies are needed .
Conclusions : Few nutritional interventions were found to convincingly improve cognition of individuals with MCI . More high-quality research in MCI populations is required to determine if nutritional treatments improve cognition and / or reduce progression to dementia .
Systematic review registration : Open Science Framework protocol identifier DOI : 10.17605 / OSF . IO / BEP2S .
238 | vol29 | no4 | JATMS