Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type-2 and their association with intake of dairy and legume in Andean communities of Ecuador

Cardiometabolic diseases and associated risk factors in transitional rural communities in tropical coastal Ecuador

BACKGROUND

There is a growing epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases in low and middle-income countries, often attributed to urbanization, although there are limited data from marginalized rural populations. This study aimed to estimate prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases and associated risk factors in transitional rural communities.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of Montubio adults aged 18-94 years living in agricultural communities in a tropical coastal region of Ecuador. Data were collected by questionnaires and anthropometry, and fasting blood was analyzed for glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, and lipid profiles. Population-weighted prevalences of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome were estimated. Associations between potential risk factors and outcomes were estimated using multilevel regression techniques adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS

Out of 1,010 adults recruited, 931 were included in the analysis. Weighted prevalences were estimated for diabetes (20.4%, 95% CI 18.3-22.5%), hypertension (35.6%, 95% CI 29.0-42.1%), and metabolic syndrome (54.2%. 95% CI 47.0-61.5%) with higher prevalence observed in women. Hypertension prevalence increased with age while diabetes and metabolic syndrome peaked in the 6th and 7th decades of life, declining thereafter. Adiposity indicators were associated with diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

We observed an unexpectedly high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome in these marginalized agricultural communities. Transitional rural communities are increasingly vulnerable to the development of cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases. There is a need for targeted primary health strategies to reduce the burden of premature disability and death in these communities.

Pulse Consumption and Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review

Pulses-comprising the dry, edible seeds of leguminous plants-have long been lauded for their culinary flexibility and substantial nutritional advantages. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence on how pulses contribute to overall human health. Four electronic databases were searched for clinical and observational studies in English. We identified 30 articles (3 cross-sectional studies, 1 federated meta-analysis, 8 prospective cohort studies, 1 before-and-after study, and 17 randomized controlled trials) that met our inclusion criteria. Predominant among the pulses studied were lentils, chickpeas, common bean varieties (e.g., pinto, black, navy, red, kidney), black-eyed peas, cowpeas, and split peas. Consumption modalities varied; most studies examined mixed pulses, while five isolated individual types. In intervention studies, pulses were incorporated into diets by allotting a fixed pulse serving on top of a regular diet or by substituting red meat with pulses, offering a comparative analysis of dietary effects. The health outcomes evaluated were multifaceted, ranging from lipid profiles to blood pressure, cardiovascular disease risk and mortality, type 2 diabetes and glycemic control, metabolic syndrome indicators, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress biomarkers, and hormonal profiles. The most frequently assessed study outcomes included changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, waist circumference, and C-reactive protein or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. This review should serve as a call to action for the scientific community to build upon the existing evidence, enriching our understanding of the nutritional and health-promoting attributes of pulses.

Effects and mechanisms of anti-diabetic dietary natural products: an updated review

Diabetes is a global public health issue, characterized by an abnormal level of blood glucose. It can be classified into type 1, type 2, gestational, and other rare diabetes. Recent studies have reported that many dietary natural products exhibit anti-diabetic activity. In this narrative review, the effects and underlying mechanisms of dietary natural products on diabetes are summarized based on the results from epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies. Some fruits (e.g., grape, blueberry, and cherry), vegetables (e.g., bitter melon and Lycium barbarum leaves), grains (e.g., oat, rye, and brown rice), legumes (e.g., soybean and black bean), spices (e.g., cinnamon and turmeric) and medicinal herbs (e.g., Aloe vera leaf and Nigella sativa), and vitamin C and carotenoids could play important roles in the prevention and management of diabetes. Their underlying mechanisms include exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation effects, inhibiting carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, enhancing insulin action, alleviating insulin resistance, modulating the gut microbiota, and so on. This review can provide people with a comprehensive knowledge of anti-diabetic dietary natural products, and support their further development into functional food to prevent and manage diabetes.

Epidemiology of non-oncological high-impact chronic pain in Ecuadorian adults in 2022

Background: There are limited data on non-oncological high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in Ecuador; we report the epidemiological characteristics of HICP. Materials & methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included a random sample of adult individuals who had cell phones. Results & conclusion: The weighted prevalence of HICP was 9.0%: 12.3% for women and 5.6% for men (p = 0.001). HICP was more frequently localized in the lower back and affected the economically active population. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were more commonly used; however, 61% of patients indicated that the effectiveness of their management was low. Overall, HICP had a negative impact on daily life activities. The effectiveness of the current treatment was low and should include an integrated approach.

Comparison of Consumption of Pulses in Two Seasons of the Year in Chile

BACKGROUND

In Chile, the consumption of legumes at least two times per week is promoted. However, there is a low consumption of legumes. Therefore, our objective is to describe legume consumption in two different seasonal periods.

METHODS

Serial cross-sectional study: surveys were distributed during summer and winter using different digital platforms. Frequency of consumption, purchase access, and preparation type were investigated.

RESULTS

In total, 3280 adults were surveyed in summer and 3339 in winter. The mean age was 33 years. Totals of 97.7% and 97.5% of the population reported consuming legumes in both periods; consumption increased to 3 times per week during winter. In both periods, the main reason for their preference is that they are delicious and nutritious, followed by their use as a meat substitute; the main barriers to their consumption in both periods are that they are expensive (29% in summer and 27.8% in winter) and difficult to prepare.

CONCLUSION

A good consumption of legumes was observed, but with a higher frequency of consumption during winter, with an intake of ≥1 per day; additionally, differences were found in purchases according to season, although no differences were found in the method of preparation.

Legume-Derived Bioactive Peptides in Type 2 Diabetes: Opportunities and Challenges

Diabetes mellitus is a complex disorder characterized by insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance, which results in a lifelong dependence on glucose-lowering drugs for almost all patients. During the fight with diabetes, researchers are always thinking about what characteristics the ideal hypoglycemic drugs should have. From the point of view of the drugs, they should maintain effective control of blood sugar, have a very low risk of hypoglycemia, not increase or decrease body weight, improve β-cell function, and delay disease progression. Recently, the advent of oral peptide drugs, such as semaglutide, brings exciting hope to patients with chronic diabetes. Legumes, as an excellent source of protein, peptides, and phytochemicals, have played significant roles in human health throughout human history. Some legume-derived peptides with encouraging anti-diabetic potential have been gradually reported over the last two decades. Their hypoglycemic mechanisms have also been clarified at some classic diabetes treatment targets, such as the insulin receptor signaling pathway or other related pathways involved in the progress of diabetes, and key enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4). This review summarizes the anti-diabetic activities and mechanisms of peptides from legumes and discusses the prospects of these peptide-based drugs in type 2 diabetes (T2D) management.