BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate effects of probiotics on inflammation, uremic toxins, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS: A literature search was conducted utilizing MEDLINE, EMBASE, and C...

Vitamin D has well-defined classical functions related to calcium metabolism and bone health but also has non-classical effects that may influence other aspects of health. There has been considerable recent interest in the role of vitamin D on outcomes related to pregnancy and young child health ...

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency during pregnancy is common in low-income countries and a growing number of intervention trials have examined the effects of supplementation during pregnancy on maternal, perinatal and infant health outcomes. We systematically reviewed the literature to identify trials is...

Changes in added sugar intake have been associated with corresponding changes in body weight. Potential mechanisms, particularly the impact of added sugar intake on appetite, warrant exploration. A systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials investigated the association between a...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dietary fibre intake and any potential dose-response association with coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Systematic review of available literature and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies using random effects models. DATA SOURCES: The Coc...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fiber intake is associated with reduced stroke risk in prospective studies, but no meta-analysis has been published to date. METHODS: Multiple electronic databases were searched for healthy participant studies reporting fiber intake and incidence of first hemorrhagic or is...

Coffee consumption has been linked to risk of colorectal cancer theoretically, but the findings were conflicting from observational studies. Results from the recent meta-analysis suggested a moderate favorable effect of coffee consumption on colorectal cancer risk, especially for colon cancer. Ho...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Calcium intake has been associated with stroke risk in a prior meta-analysis, however, newly published results are inconsistent. Dairy food benefits on stroke incidence may involve a calcium-related mechanism. We have therefore updated this meta-analysis with particular re...

BACKGROUND: Many studies have demonstrated that vitamin D has clinical benefits when used to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, most of these studies have insufficient samples or inconsistent results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect...

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms are risk factors for autism. We performed a systematic meta-analysis to explore the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and autism. A literature review of articles from Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Springer was conducted up to January 28...