Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management.

All nations which have undergone a nutrition transition have experienced increased frequency and falling latency of chronic degenerative diseases, which are largely driven by chronic inflammatory stress. Dietary supplementation is a valid strategy to reduce the risk and severity of such disorders. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator with extensively documented anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. It is well tolerated and devoid of side effects in animals and humans. PEA's actions on multiple molecular targets while modulating multiple inflammatory mediators provide therapeutic benefits in many applications, including immunity, brain health, allergy, pain modulation, joint health, sleep and recovery. PEA's poor oral bioavailability, a major obstacle in early research, has been overcome by advanced delivery systems now licensed as food supplements. This review summarizes the functionality of PEA, supporting its use as an important dietary supplement for lifestyle management.

[Low Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAP) diet in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: basic principles and methodology].

Fermentable oligo-, di-, monosacc harides, and polyols (FODMAP) are a large class of small nondigestible carbohydrates, which are poorly absorbed in the small bowel. The microscopic size, high osmotic activity, and the higher fermentation of unabsorbed FODMAPs by colonic bacteria lead to bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, low FODMAP diet appears to be promising treatment approach in the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this review, we analyzed available publications on efficacy and safety of low FODMAP diet in the treatment of IBS patients. Based on the current data we outlined basic principles and methodology of low FODMAP diet usage in clinical practice, and constructed the detailed list of low and high FODMAP products for designing a food regimen in patients with IBS.

Potential of Dietary HDAC2i in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors.

Breast cancer (BC) is a lethal malignancy with high morbidity and mortality but lacks effective treatments thus far. Despite the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (including PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors), durable and optimal clinical benefits still remain elusive for a considerable number of BC patients. To break through such a dilemma, novel ICI-based combination therapy has been explored for enhancing the therapeutic effect. Recent evidence has just pointed out that the HDAC2 inhibitor (HDAC2i), which has been proven to exhibit an anti-cancer effect, can act as a sensitizer for ICIs therapy. Simultaneously, dietary intervention, as a crucial supportive therapy, has been reported to provide ingredients containing HDAC2 inhibitory activity. Thus, the novel integration of dietary intervention with ICIs therapy may offer promising possibilities for improving treatment outcomes. In this study, we first conducted the differential expression and prognostic analyses of HDAC2 and BC patients using the GENT2 and Kaplan-Meier plotter platform. Then, we summarized the potential diet candidates for such an integrated therapeutic strategy. This article not only provides a whole new therapeutic strategy for an HDAC2i-containing diet combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for BC treatment, but also aims to ignite enthusiasm for exploring this field.

Phytotherapy and Dietotherapy of COVID-19-An Online Survey Results from Central Part of Balkan Peninsula.

Since the appearance of the novel coronavirus disease of 2019-COVID-19, various therapeutic approaches were attempted, with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) taking an important place. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of CAM with the purpose of prevention or treatment of COVID-19 during the pandemics. A prospective, cross-sectional study, in the form of an on-line survey was conducted. A total of 1704 responses were collected. Among the respondents, 2.76% declared currently and 22.12% previously having COVID-19. Approximately one quarter of interviewees (23.24%) declared themselves as phytotherapy users. The most frequently used medicinal plants were garlic, ginger and chamomile. The majority of respondents stated that they expected positive effects on immune and respiratory system. Medicinal plants were frequently used, on a daily basis. The main sources of information for applied self-medication were populistic thematic literature, followed by the Internet. Approximately one-third of phytotherapy users (35.25%) consulted with a medical professional before the application of phytotherapy. Regarding dietotherapy, 41.14% of respondents reported using non-herbal dietary supplements, while only 7.16% reported specific diet. The presented results suggest that CAM is recognized and readily used as a potential alternative and complementary regimen in the fight against COVID-19.

Exploring Drivers of Liking of Low-Phenylalanine Products in Subjects with Phenyilketonuria Using Check-All-That-Apply Method.

The aim of the present study was to apply the Check-all-that-apply (CATA) method in an ambulatory context involving subjects with phenylketonuria (PKU) to obtain a sensory description and to find the drivers of liking of low-phenylalanine products (Glycomacropeptide vs. L-amino acids formulas). 86 subjects with PKU (age range: 8⁻55 years) evaluated 8 samples: 4 L-amino acid formulas and 4 Glycomacropeptide (GMP) formulas, flavored with neutral, chocolate, strawberry and tomato aromas. Participants were asked to indicate which sensory attributes characterized each formulations and to score the overall liking. Significant differences were found regarding liking scores (F = 65.29; p < 0.001). GMP samples flavored with chocolate and strawberry, described as sweets, with a mild and natural taste and odor, were the most appreciated. Overall, GMP formulas obtained higher liking scores compared to L-amino acid formulas. Tomato flavored samples, described as bitter, salty, with artificial color, with strong taste and odor, obtained the lowest scores. In conclusion, CATA questionnaire seems to be a suitable method also in ambulatory context since this approach suggested that different foods and beverages with GMP could be developed to improve dietary treatment compliance of subjects with PKU from school age onwards.

Evaluation of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium in oral hospital diets.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Many trace elements are nutrients essential to humans, acting in the metabolism as constituents or as enzymatic co-factors. The iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium contents of hospital diets (regular, blend and soft) and of oral food complement (OFC) were determined, evaluating the adequacy of each element in relation to the nutritional recommendations (DRIs) and the percent contribution alone and with OFC. METHODS: Duplicate samples were taken of six daily meals and of the OFC on two non-consecutive days from a hospital in Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil) in May and September of 2010 and January of 2011. The elements were determined by ICP OES. RESULTS: Of the diets, the soft diet showed the highest elements content. Offering the OFC was insufficient to provide adequate levels of the trace elements. CONCLUSION: The oral hospital diets were inadequate in relation to the RDAs for the trace elements studied and the use of the OFCs was insufficient to compensate the values.

Nutritional care in peptic ulcer / Cuidados nutricionais na úlcera péptica

INTRODUCTION: Peptic ulcer is a lesion of the mucosal lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract characterized by an imbalance between aggressive and protective factors of the mucosa, having H. pylori as the main etiologic factor. Dietotherapy is important in the prevention and treatment of this disease. AIM: To update nutritional therapy in adults' peptic ulcer. METHODS: Exploratory review without restrictions with primary sources indexed in Scielo, PubMed, Medline, ISI, and Scopus databases. RESULTS: Dietotherapy, as well as caloric distribution, should be adjusted to the patient's needs aiming to normalize the nutritional status and promote healing. Recommended nutrients can be different in the acute phase and in the recovery phase, and there is a greater need of protein and some micronutrients, such as vitamin A, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C in the recovery phase. In addition, some studies have shown that vitamin C has a beneficial effect in eradication of H. pylori. Fibers and probiotics also play a important role in the treatment of peptic ulcer, because they reduce the side effects of antibiotics and help reduce treatment time. CONCLUSION: A balanced diet is vital in the treatment of peptic ulcer, once food can prevent, treat or even alleviate the symptoms involving this pathology. However, there are few papers that innovate dietotherapy; so additional studies addressing more specifically the dietotherapy for treatment of peptic ulcer are necessary. .

INTRODUÇÃO: A úlcera péptica é uma lesão que ocorre na mucosa do trato gastrointestinal, sendo caracterizada por um desequilíbrio entre fatores agressores e protetores da mucosa gástrica, tendo como principal fator etiológico o H. pylori. A dietoterapia é fundamental na prevenção e tratamento dessa patologia. OBJETIVO: Rever a terapia nutricional na úlcera péptica em adultos. MÉTODOS: A metodologia utilizada foi um estudo exploratório de revisão do conhecimento disponível na literatura científica. RESULTADOS: A dietoterapia bem como a distribuição calórica deve ser ajustada as necessidades do paciente com objetivo de normalizar o estado nutricional e promover a cicatrização. As recomendações de nutrientes podem ser diferenciadas nas fases aguda e de recuperação, havendo uma maior necessidade proteica e de alguns micronutrientes como vitamina A, zinco, selênio e vitamina C na fase de recuperação. Além disso, alguns estudos evidenciam que a vitamina C tem efeito benéfico na erradicação do H. pylori. As fibras e probióticos também possuem um importante papel no tratamento da úlcera péptica, reduzindo os efeitos colaterais dos antibióticos e auxiliando na redução do tempo de tratamento. CONCLUSÃO: Percebe-se que poucos são os trabalhos que evidenciam a terapia nutricional da úlcera e não há consenso sobre o tema. Com isso, mais estudos são necessários para abordar com maior especificidade o tratamento dietoterápico da úlcera péptica. Dieta equilibrada é fundamental no tratamento da úlcera péptica, uma vez que o alimento pode prevenir, tratar ou mesmo aliviar os sintomas que envolvem esta doença. No entanto, existem poucos trabalhos que inovam dietoterapia; assim, são necessários estudos adicionais abordando mais especificamente a dietoterapia para o tratamento de úlcera péptica. .