Increased usual physical activity is associated with a blunting of the triglyceride response to a high-fat meal

Physical activity diminished adverse associations of obesity with lipid metabolism in the population of rural regions of China

The interactive effects of obesity and physical inactivity on lipid metabolism and prevalent dyslipidemia are scarcely reported in rural regions. 39029 subjects were obtained from the Henan Rural Cohort, and their metabolic equivalents (METs) of physical activity (PA) were computed. Independent associations of the obesity indices and PA with either lipid indices or prevalent dyslipidemia were analyzed by generalized linear models, and additive effects of obesity and PA on prevalent dyslipidemia were further quantified. Each obesity index was positively associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein or prevalent dyslipidemia but negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein, whereas the opposite association of PA with either each lipid index or prevalent dyslipidemia was observed. Joint association of PA and each obesity index with each lipid index and prevalent dyslipidemia was observed. Furthermore, the association of each obesity index in association with each lipid index was attenuated by increased PA levels.

Age-dependent sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factors

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are a major cause of mortality worldwide, yet men and women present remarkable differences in disease prognosis, onset and manifestation. Here we characterize how sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factors vary with age by examining 45 phenotypes and 6 lifestyle factors in 146,021 participants of the Dutch population cohort Lifelines. We show that sex differences are present in 71% of the studied phenotypes. For 31% of these phenotypes, the phenotypic difference between sexes is dependent on age. CMD risk factors show various patterns of age-related sex differences, ranging from no difference for phenotypes such as body mass index (BMI) to strong age-modified sex differences for lipid levels. We also identify lifestyle factors that influence phenotypes in a sex- and age-dependent manner. These results highlight the importance of taking age into account when studying sex differences in CMDs.

Exercise to lower postprandial lipemia: why, when, what and how

We review recent findings on the ability of exercise to lower postprandial lipemia (PPL). Specifically, we answer why exercise is important in lowering PPL, when it is most effective to exercise to achieve this, what the preferred exercise is and how exercise reduces PPL. Most findings confirm the power of exercise to lower PPL, which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise is most effective when performed on the day preceding a high- or moderate-fat meal. This effect lasts up to approximately two days; therefore, one should exercise frequently to maintain this benefit. However, the time of exercise relative to a meal is not that important in real-life conditions, since one consumes several meals during the day; thus, an exercise bout will inevitably exert its lowering effect on PPL in one or more of the subsequent meals. Although moderate-intensity continuous exercise, high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE), resistance exercise and accumulation of short bouts of exercise throughout the day are all effective in lowering PPL, submaximal, high-volume interval exercise seems to be superior, provided it is tolerable. Finally, exercise reduces PPL by both lowering the rate of appearance and increasing the clearance of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins from the circulation.

The effect of triglycerides in the associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior and depression: An interaction and mediation analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies reported that there were associations between physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), triglycerides (TG) and depression. However, it is unclear whether there is an interaction and/or mediation effect of TG in the associations between PA, SB and depression. This study was to explore the effects of TG in the associations between PA, SB and depression, respectively.

METHODS

Our study included 7,728 adults (aged ≥20 years) participating in the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was a nationally representative survey. With higher TG as a mediator, a four-way decomposition method was used to decompose the total effects of insufficient PA and prolonged SB on depression, respectively.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant associations between moderate-to-vigorous recreational activity (MVRA), SB, TG and depression (all P < 0.05), respectively. With higher TG as a mediator, there were interaction and mediation effects in the association between SB and depression, and the excess relative risk (95% CI) of reference interaction effect (INT_ref) and the total mediation effect were 0.15(0.01,0.29) and 0.03(0.00,0.06), respectively. While insufficient MVRA attributed a proportion of 80.42% for the controlled direct effect (CDE) and 6.28% for total mediation effect. In addition, similar findings were observed in those with hypertension, overweight/obesity, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndromes.

LIMITATION

This was a cross-sectional study, and the ability to make causal inference was limited.

CONCLUSION

The controlled direct effect of MVRA, the mediation of TG, and the interaction between SB and TG played the vital roles in increasing the risk of depression.

Association between self-reported medical diagnosis of depression and metabolic syndrome in a population-based study: A propensity score-matched analysis

The aim was to compare the metabolic syndrome in adults with and without depression in Korea using the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving secondary data analysis. National survey data on the self-reported medical diagnosis of depression and metabolic syndrome were collected between 2013 and 2015 and released for research purposes in 2017. We conducted a propensity score-matched study that included adults (n = 494) with and without depression at a 1:1 ratio, to reduce the impact of potential confounding factors between groups. Depression was not significantly associated with changes in metabolic syndrome. However, participants with depression had significantly higher triglycerides than those without depression (p = .008), highlighting the importance of periodically checking triglycerides in depressed patients. Nurses need to check the subcomponents of metabolic syndrome in depressed patients periodically, especially regarding the management of triglycerides.

Global impact of physical inactivity and implications for public health nursing

Physicalinactivity has been a public health problem worldwide for more than a decade. Of those who are physically active, a substantial percentage engage solely in low or very low physical activity (PA) levels. In the last 3 decades, the prevalence of PA in the United States has decreased with approximately 80% of adults not meeting the recommended guidelines for aerobic and muscle strengthening PA. The PA levels of youth have dramatically decreased with 85% of adolescents reporting no PA. Regular PA participation can aid in preventing chronic diseases. A strong inverse dose-response relationship exists between PA and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, low cardiorespiratory fitness levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: the leading cause of death and disability globally. Conversely, high amounts of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA at levels 3-5 times recommended in guidelines reduce risk for all cause mortality. Socio-ecological determinants of PA are essential considerations for promoting across the life course. In health care and community settings, public health nurses have opportunities to promote PA through a socio-ecological approach across the life course of individuals and diverse populations.

Network of biomarkers and their mediation effects on the associations between regular exercise and the incidence of cardiovascular & metabolic diseases

This study aimed to understand the biological process related to the prevention of cardiovascular & metabolic diseases (CMD), including diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia via regular exercise. This study included 17,053 subjects aged 40–69 years in the Health Examinees Study from 2004 to 2012. Participation in regular exercise was investigated by questionnaires. Data on 42 biomarkers were collected from anthropometric measures and laboratory tests. We examined the associations between regular exercise and biomarkers using general linear models, between biomarkers and the risk of CMD using cox proportional hazard models, and the mediation effect of biomarkers using mediation analyses. Biomarker networks were constructed based on the significant differential correlations (p < 0.05) between the exercise and non-exercise groups in men and women, respectively. We observed significant mediators in 14 and 16 of the biomarkers in men and women, respectively. Triglyceride level was a noteworthy mediator in decreasing the risk of CMD with exercise, explaining 23.79% in men and 58.20% in women. The biomarker network showed comprehensive relationships and associations among exercise, biomarkers, and CMD. Body composition-related biomarkers were likely to play major roles in men, while obesity-related biomarkers seemed to be key factors in women.

Prevalence, control, and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol in the Amish

BACKGROUND

The burden of diabetes and cardiovascular risk is not uniform across the USA, with much of this disparity tracking differences in socioeconomic status, cultural practices and lifestyle. To further evaluate disparities in these disorders, we assessed the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia in an Old Order Amish community that is characterized by distinctive sociocultural practices that include a very cohesive social structure and limited use of modern technologies and medications. We compared prevalence of these conditions with that of the overall US population.

METHOD

We performed a community-wide survey in 5377 Amish individuals aged 18 years and older from the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Amish settlement that included a basic physical examination and fasting blood draw during the period 2010-2018. We then compared the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, defined using standard criteria, between the Amish and the European Caucasian subsample of the 2013-2014 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

RESULTS

Prevalence rates for diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were 3.3%, 12.7%, and 26.2% in the Amish compared with 13.2%, 37.8% and 35.7% in NHANES (p<0.001 for all). Among individuals with these disorders, Amish were less likely to be aware that they were affected, and among those aware, were less likely to be treated with a medication for their disorder.

CONCLUSION

There is substantially lower prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the Amish compared with non-Amish Caucasians in the USA. Possible factors contributing to this disparity include higher physical activity levels in the Amish or other protective sociocultural factors, a greater understanding of which could inform risk reduction interventions for these chronic diseases.

Lipid profile of regular kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) users in the community setting

Background and aim

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa Korth., is a tropical plant that has been reported to exhibit opioid-like effects. Although opioids have been demonstrated to alter the lipid profile of regular users, data on the lipid-altering effects of kratom are scarce. This study aimed to compare the fasting lipid profile of regular kratom users to that of healthy subjects who do not use kratom. It also determined the association between various characteristics of kratom users and the serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of regular kratom users.

Methods

A total of 200 participants (n = 100 kratom users and n = 100 healthy subjects who do not use kratom) were recruited for this analytical cross-sectional study. Data on sociodemographic status, kratom use characteristics, cigarette smoking, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), fasting serum lipid profile, and liver function were collected from all participants.

Results

The liver parameters of the study participants were within normal range. The serum total cholesterol and LDL of kratom users were significantly lower than those of healthy subjects who do not use kratom. There were no significant differences in the serum triglyceride and HDL levels. However, higher average daily frequency of kratom use and increasing age were associated with increased serum total cholesterol among kratom users. Other kratom use characteristics such as age of first kratom intake, duration of kratom use, and quantity of daily kratom intake were not associated with increased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest regular kratom consumption was not linked to elevated serum lipids, except when there is a higher frequency of daily kratom intake. However, the study was limited by the small sample size, and hence a more comprehensive study with larger sample size is warranted to confirm the findings.