Omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) intake is known to have a preventive effect on depressive symptoms in a general population. This study assessed the effects of n-3 FA intake on depressive symptoms and brain function in middle-aged women. Depressive symptoms were screened using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) assessment questionnaires, and n-3 FA intakes were assessed using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. We found that n-3 FA intakes were negatively associated with depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Psychiatrists diagnosed the presence of depressive disorders using the 5th edition of the Mental Disorder Diagnosis and Statistics Manual (DSM-5). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed to investigate the association between n-3 FA intake and brain functional connectivity. Functional connectivity of the right middle frontal cortex (default mode network) and the right middle temporal pole (frontoparietal network) was positively associated with depressive symptom scores and negatively associated with n-3 FA intakes. In conclusion, high n-3 FA intake decreases the risk of depressive symptoms and modifies the brain functional connectivity in middle-aged women.

Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones, but excessive iodine intake can lead to thyroid dysfunction. Traditionally, Korean mothers consume brown seaweed soup (miyeokguk), a high source of iodine, after childbirth. There is controversy regarding the effects of excessive postpartum iodine intake on the health of mothers and infants. Thus far, there have been no nationwide large-scale surveys regarding the status of iodine intake among postpartum women in Korea. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide survey of postpartum dietary iodine intake among Korean women. In total, 1054 Korean women aged ≥19 years, at less than 8 weeks postpartum, participated in this survey. Dietary data were collected using self-reported 2-day dietary records, along with before-and-after meal photos. To evaluate the correlation between dietary iodine and urinary iodine excretion (UIE), spot urine, and 24 h urine samples were collected from 98 and 29 participants, respectively. The mean daily iodine intake among all participants was 2945.6 μg, and it gradually decreased over time after childbirth. Dietary iodine intake was significantly correlated with 24 h UIE (r = 0.396, p < 0.05) and spot urine UIE (r = 0.312, p < 0.05). Follow-up studies are required to examine the influence of excessive postpartum iodine intake on thyroid health in mothers and their infants.

Background/Objectives: Aging is characterized by dysregulation of the immune system. A balanced diet and probiotic intake can play significant roles in preventing aging-related chronic degenerative diseases and promoting immune function in the elderly. This community-based intervention study investigated the effects of an eight-week intervention involving a balanced diet with or without probiotics on nutritional parameters and gut microbiota composition in Korean elderly individuals. Methods: A total of 48 participants were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: 24 received a balanced diet alone, and 24 received a balanced diet combined with probiotics. Results: The balanced diet showed beneficial impacts on nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers, including fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and gut microbiota, such as the Bacteroidaceae family and the genera Prevotella and Faecalibacterium. Additionally, providing probiotics alongside a balanced diet influenced the taxonomic profile and abundance of intestinal microbiota. Conclusions: Overall, the combination of a balanced diet and probiotics has beneficial effects on nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers as well as gut microbiota composition in elderly individuals. Future meticulously designed randomized controlled trials are required to further understand the health benefits and underlying mechanisms of balanced diets and probiotics in the Korean elderly.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between excessive postpartum iodine intake and the incidence of thyroid disease in mothers, as well as child growth and development. Methods: Of 1054 participants in the 2019 nationwide survey that assessed maternal postpartum iodine intake, 684 mothers participated in a follow-up study. Data on maternal thyroid disease incidence and child growth and development from infant or toddler health checkups were collected. Iodine and nutrient intake were assessed using three-day dietary records, and serum thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (free T4)) were measured. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using Poisson regression analysis. Results: Among the 684 participants, 23 (3.4%) were diagnosed with thyroid disease by a physician during the follow-up period. The incidence of maternal thyroid disease was not significantly associated with excessive iodine intake, even after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, excessive maternal iodine intake was not related to subclinical hypothyroidism in mothers or child growth and development. Conclusions: After a three-year follow-up, no relationship was observed between high postpartum iodine intake and the risk of thyroid disease. Large-scale longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the long-term effects of excessive postpartum iodine intake on maternal health and child growth and development.