A fibre rich diet is linked to a healthier cardiometabolic profile and may promote fatty acid oxidation to lower acylcarnitine accumulation. This study aimed to determine whether total dietary fibre i Show more
A fibre rich diet is linked to a healthier cardiometabolic profile and may promote fatty acid oxidation to lower acylcarnitine accumulation. This study aimed to determine whether total dietary fibre intake was related to cardiometabolic risk markers as well as acylcarnitine levels in apparently healthy adults, which concurrently may be related to blood pressure (BP). This study included 983 adults from the African-PREDICT study (aged 24 ± 3 years). Total fibre intake was determined using 24-hr dietary recalls, and 24-hr ambulatory BP was measured. Acylcarnitines were analysed in spot urine samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Lower dietary fibre intake was related to a higher waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) as well as higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, Apo-lipoprotein-B, C-reactive protein (CRP), free carnitine, and short-chain acylcarnitine (C2-, C4- and C5-carnitine) levels (all p trend <0.05). Concurrently, all traditional cardiometabolic risk markers (WC, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, Apo-B, and CRP) correlated positively with 24-hr BP. In multiple regression analyses, 24-hr SBP was associated with WC (β = 0.44; p < 0.001) and total energy intake (β = 0.096; p = 0.002), while 24-hr DBP was associated with WC (β = 0.283; p < 0.001), triglyceride levels (β = 0.085 p = 0.008), dietary fibre intake (β = -0.120; p < 0.001) and total energy intake (β = 0.128; p < 0.001). There was no relationship between acylcarnitine levels and 24-hr BP. We demonstrate that participants consuming a higher fibre diet had a more favourable metabolic profile than those consuming a low fibre diet, which was ultimately associated with lower BP. Show less
Ketamine-assisted therapy is emerging as a fast-acting intervention for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. However, individual response to treatment varies, and little is known about how pers Show more
Ketamine-assisted therapy is emerging as a fast-acting intervention for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. However, individual response to treatment varies, and little is known about how personality traits and trauma history influence outcomes. This study investigated whether distinct personality profiles emerge in a real-world sample of patients undergoing ketamine therapy and examined how these profiles, along with trauma history, relate to baseline symptoms and short-term treatment outcomes. A total of 184 patients seeking ketamine-assisted therapy at a Canadian clinic completed baseline assessments, including the Mini-IPIP (personality), PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), and WHOQOL-BREF (quality of life). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify personality-based subgroups. Paired-sample t-tests and ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences in symptom severity and change scores after treatment. Three personality profiles were identified: Easygoing Extraverts, Average, and Reserved Introverts. Reserved Introverts reported significantly higher baseline depression and anxiety than other profiles. While all profiles showed improvements in depression and anxiety one-week post-treatment, the personality profiles did not predict differential symptom change. However, participants with a trauma history showed greater reductions in depression and improvements in physical quality of life than those without. Personality traits relate to baseline mental health severity but not short-term response to ketamine. Trauma history may predict greater benefit from treatment. These findings support further integration of personality and trauma assessments into personalized care approaches. Show less