Tạp chí Dinh dưỡng và Thực phẩm

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN QUERCETIN AND HEALTH FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF EPIGENETICS

Nguyễn Hoàng Nam — 2024-11-11

Background: Research on free radicals has attracted scientific and medical attention for decades, especially regarding aging, disease, and infectious and non-infectious diseases. Exposure to free radicals from daily pollution and unhealthy lifestyles accelerates bodily damage and aging. These factors are primary contributors to gene and chromatin dysregulation, leading to chronic diseases such as metabolic disorders, allergies, cancer, etc. Scope and approach: In the present literature, quercetin has been shown to have the ability to neutralize free radicals, reduce the formation of inflammatory cytokines, induce histamine release, and induce cell damage. It also inhibits the growth of some inflammatory bacteria in the body and reverses disease-related epigenetic changes. Furthermore, quercetin strengthens the immune system, promoting health and resilience against external threats. Its multifaceted role is discussed in light of recent epigenetic research. Key findings and conclusions: Quercetin's therapeutic potential via epigenetic mechanisms is significant, but further research is needed to fully understand its ability to reverse pathological epigenetic changes.

NUTRITIONAL ROLE OF RICE BRAN IN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Tiến sĩ Lâm Khắc Kỷ — 2025-01-09

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death globally, including in Vietnam. In recent years, there has been a rise in younger people developing cardiovascular diseases due to unhealthy lifestyles and diets. The rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, was traditionally used as animal feed. However, recent research has shown that rice bran contains valuable nutrients such as lipids (15-22%), carbohydrates (34.1-52.2%), fiber (7-14%), and protein (10-16%), as well as beneficial bioactive compounds like flavonoids, ferulic acid, policosanol, and feruloylated oligosaccharides. These components have demonstrated potential in preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases. This review presents the nutritional components of rice bran, available rice bran products on the market, and research on its impacts on cardiovascular health, suggesting its potential incorporation into food products to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk.

EFFECT OF TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLIDS AND pH ON SOME QUALITY PARAMETERS OF FERMENTED BEVERAGE FROM BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Nguyễn Ngọc Trang — 2024-12-05

Aims: To investigate the impacts of total soluble solids and pH on the physical and chemical composition, as well as the sensory quality of fermented blueberry beverage (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Methods: The study investigated the impact of pH levels (3.8, 4.0, and 4.2) and total soluble solids (18, 20, and 22°Brix) on beverage quality. Sensory quality was evaluated on appearance, color, aroma, and taste of obtained products. Results: The optimal fermentation occurred at 20°Brix and pH 4.0, yielding a beverage with high alcohol content (4%Vol.), low residual sugar (7.43%), total acidity (0.3%), and anthocyanin content (58.36mg%) after 4 days. Sensory evaluation of this treatment revealed high scores for appearance (4.54), color (4.46), aroma (4.43), and taste (4.66).This resulted in a product characterized by a balanced sweet-and-sour flavor, a vibrant red color, and a moderate ethanol content. Unlike wine, the ethanol level was not overly high, aligning well with current preferences for fermented beverages. Conclusion: Both pH and total soluble solids significantly affected beverage quality, identifying identifying 20°Brix and pH 4.0 as optimal fermentation conditions for blueberry beverages.

NUTRITION STATUS OF THYROID CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIOACTIVE IODINE ABLATION THERAPY

Hoàng Khắc Tuấn Anh — 2025-03-04

Aims: This study aims to determine the characteristics of patients indicated for I-131 treatment following complete thyroidectomy. The findings will assist Vietnamese nutritionists in developing appropriate guidelines and intervention methods. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Hanoi Oncology Hospital from April 2021 to December 2022. Body weight, height, arm and calf circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was assessed. The 24-hour dietary recall was assessed in comparison to patient’s energy and protein daily requirements. Results: Based on BMI, 15.3% of patients were overweight or obese, while 9.6% were malnourished. Arm and calf circumferences were effective indicators of malnutrition risk, similar to the PG-SGA. Despite 91.1% reporting no dietary changes, 40.3% experienced weight loss. Common symptoms included difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Dietary intake met 60.6 ± 24.6% of energy and 48.8 ± 20.6% of daily protein requirements. Conclusions: A predominant rate of overweight-obesity (33.1%) was found in the thyroid cancer patients. Their energy and protein intake were inadequate. Dietary counseling is recommended to ensure iodine restriction, adequate nutrition, and prevent weight gain after I-131 treatment.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STUNTING AND CALCIUM INTAKE IN CHILDREN WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

TS.BSCK2 NGUYEN Thi Thu Hau — 2024-09-15

Aims: To determine the association between stunting and calcium intake in children with nephrotic syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 pediatric patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome at the Department of Nephrology - Endocrinology, Children Hospital No.2, from April 25 to June 26, 2022. Stunting and height faltering were classified according to the height-for-age and sex standards of World Health Organization. Calcium intake from the diet and medications was collected through dietary logs, prescription reviews, and calculated using the Eiyokun software, based on the Vietnamese food composition table and the recommended calcium intake by the Vietnamese National Institute of Nutrition. Other data such as blood albumin levels, disease duration, and corticosteroid resistance status were collected from medical treatment records. Results: The prevalence of moderate stunting and severe stunting was 20.8% and 13.2%, respectively. The rate of height faltering was 30.2%. Fulfillment of the recommended daily calcium intake was 50.1% from diet alone and 75.5% after supplementation with medications. There was a significant association between stunting and calcium intake from diet at level >50% of the requirement (OR=0.28, p=0.001). Conclusion: Stunting and height faltering were commonly observed in children with nephrotic syndrome at Children Hospital No.2. Those with calcium intake exceeding 50% of the daily requirement had a lower prevalence of stunting. It is essential to educate and counsel both the family and the children on appropriate nutrition, emphasizing the importance of adequate calcium intake from daily dietary sources.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTENTION TO USE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AMONG STUDENTS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Trần Thị Hoà — 2024-12-28

Aims: To determine the factors affecting the intention to use alcoholic beverages of students in Ho Chi Minh City, thereby providing a basis for intervention programs to reduce this behavior. Method: Using qualitative methods through expert interviews and quantitative methods through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and linear regression, the study collected data from 252 students from universities and colleges in the city using the convenience sampling method. Results: There were four main factors affecting the intention to use alcoholic beverages: attitude about the benefits of using alcoholic beverages, social environment, attitude about the harms of alcoholic beverages, and availability of alcoholic beverages. Of which, attitude about the benefits of alcoholic beverages had the strongest influence (β = 0.371). Conclusion: The study recommends strengthening supervision, management, social activities and psychological support to reduce students' intention to use alcoholic beverages, contributing to raising awareness and limiting negative consequences.

SUBOPTIMAL HEALTH STATUS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG STUDENTS AT HANOI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY IN 2024

Lê Thị Thanh Trúc — 2025-01-16

Aims: Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) has been defined as a state of low-quality health, not quite illness but a risk factor for future disease. This study investigated SHS and its related factors among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Hanoi Medical University students using the SHSQ-25 tool from December 2023 to February 2024. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with SHS. Results: Forty-two percent of 513 students were in SHS. Females were 2.33 times more likely to be in SHS than males. Students with average academic performance were 1.92 times more likely to be in SHS than those with excellent performance. Electronic cigarette users had 3.16 times higher odds of SHS. Conclusion: Gender, academic performance, and electronic cigarette use were associated with SHS among medical students. To improve health, it is essential to reduce unhealthy lifestyles, especially electronic cigarette use, and enhance academic performance.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY AND DIET QUALITY AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN AN URBAN DISTRICT AT HO CHI MINH CITY

Đỗ Thành Tài — 2025-01-22

Aims: To determine the rate of overweight/obesity, and their correlation with diet quality among women aged 18-49 in an urban district at Ho Chi Minh City. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 284 women aged 18-49 living in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City from March to April 2024. Data were collected through direct interviews with participants using a semi-structured questionnaire and directly measured anthropometric indexes. Overweight and obese were evaluated by using BMI according to the IDI-WPRO standard. Results: The rate of overweight and obesity was 19,7% and 20,1%, respectively. Factors associated to overweight/obesity included age, religion, ethnicity, marital status, Global Dietary Recommendations (GDR) scores and GDR-Limit score. Conclusion: The trend of overweight and obesity was increasing in the urban and it was associated with diet quality scores. Therefore, a comprehensive nutritional assessment and dietary intervention are needed for reproductive-aged women, along with further studies to improve diet appropriately.

ASSOCIATION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES, NUTRITIONAL HABITS, AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME IN ELDERLY IN NGHE AN PROVINCE

ThS Nguyễn Hoàng Trung — 2025-01-06

Aims: To investigate the association of anthropometric indices, nutritional habits, and lifestyle factors with MetS (MetS) in elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 652 elderly residing in two communes of Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province, from September 2020 to October 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to investigate the association. Results: The strongest associated factors with MetS were increased total cholesterol (OR=25.6, p=0.001), smoking >10 cigarettes/day (OR=4.30, p=0.005), frequent consumption of salty foods (OR=3.20, p=0.012), and dyslipidemia (OR=2.45, p=0.01). The moderately associated factors were found to be smoking >10 years (OR=2.05, p=0.02), consumption of animal fat (OR=1.95, p=0.022), diabetes (OR=1.95, p=0.025). Inactive physical activity, consumption of sweets/sugar, consumption of animal organs, increased blood pressure, and other lipid profile were also factors associated with MetS (OR=1.10-1,85). Conclusion: There is a significant association of anthropometric indices, lipid profile, and dietary habits with MetS among the elderly.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS AT THE GENERAL HOSPITAL OF VINH CITY

Nguyễn Thị Anh Trúc — 2025-02-10

Aims: This study aimed to determine the nutritional status and quality of life among diabetic patients and assess the relationships between the two aspects. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 151 diabetic patients aged 40 years and older, being treated at the General Hospital of Vinh City from February to September 2024. Nutrition status was assessed using the body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), and the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) tool. Quality of life was assessed by EQ-5D-5L. Results: The rate of overweight/obesity was 45.03%. 80.13% of the participants were well-nourished according to SGA. 75.0% male and 95.2% female diabetic patients had a waist-hip-ratio higher than the recommended level . Mobility and pain/discomfort were the 2 dimensions in which most patients had to deal with. Median EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS scores were 0.7787 and 60, respectively. SGA and BMI categories were negatively associated with participants’ quality of life. Conclusion: Nutritional status is associated with quality of life among diabetic patients. Therefore, it is necessary to take great action to improve nutritional care for patients with the disease.

SARCOPENIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY

Phạm Đức Minh — 2025-02-14

Aims: This study aimed to explore the relationship between sarcopenia and clinical, biochemical factors in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing chemotherapy. Specifically, the study focused on the role of BMI in assessing sarcopenia risk in this patient population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 68 patients with HNC undergoing chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital. Inclusion criteria included confirmed diagnosis of HNC, active chemotherapy treatment, availability of clinical and biochemical data, and voluntary consent to participate. Data were collected on clinical factors (age, gender, BMI, ECOG status), Complete Blood Count and biochemical markers (lymphocytes, hemoglobin, albumin, potassium, sodium, chloride, creatinine, AST, ALT). Sarcopenia was assessed using the AWGS 2019 criteria. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between sarcopenia and clinical/biochemical variables. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.12 ± 12.25 years, with males comprising 76.5% of the cohort. The average BMI was 21.13 ± 3.44 kg/m². Sarcopenia prevalence was 51.5% overall, with rates of 100% in patients with BMI < 18.5, 54.1% in those with BMI 18.5–23, and 5.9% in BMI ≥ 23. Logistic regression revealed a significant inverse association between BMI and sarcopenia (p = 0.005, OR = 0.60), indicating that lower BMI strongly predicts sarcopenia. Other factors such as age, gender, and albumin levels showed no significant association. Conclusion: The study underscores that BMI, while unable to differentiate fat mass from lean mass, remains a practical and valuable tool for monitoring sarcopenia in HNC patients undergoing chemotherapy. Nutritional interventions to maintain an optimal BMI could mitigate sarcopenia risk, thereby improving treatment outcomes and overall prognosis in this vulnerable population.

NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PREVALENCE OF SARCOPENIA USING THE DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATION SCALES AMONG THE ELDERLY IN A RURAL COMMUNE IN THAI BINH PROVINCE

Phạm Thị Kiều Chinh — 2025-04-22

Aims: To describe the prevalence of sarcopenia using different classification scales among the elderly in Dong Hoang commune, Dong Hung district, Thai Binh province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 224 elderly individuals. The nutritional status of the participants was assessed and classified using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), body mass index (BMI), and physical activity levels (IPAQ-SF). Sarcopenia was diagnosed using AWGS, SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and Ishii criteria. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition, based on BMI and MNA criteria, was 12.9% and 19.6%, respectively. The highest sarcopenia rate was observed when using the Ishii criteria (49.1%), followed by SARC-CalF (42.4%), AWGS 2019 (39.3%), and SARC-F (33.5%). The sarcopenia prevalence was highest in the ≥ 80 age group. Chronic energy deficiency, low physical activity level, and MNA-based malnutrition were statistically significantly associated with sarcopenia (p<0.05). Conclusion: Sarcopenia is prevalent among the elderly and increases rapidly with age. Malnutrition, chronic energy deficiency, and low physical activity level are key factors associated with sarcopenia. Enhancing screening for early detection and implementing nutritional interventions, and physical activity promotion are essential to reducing the risk of sarcopenia in this population.