Beneficial effects of butyrate on brain functions: A view of epigenetic.

Brain functions are influenced by the presence, activity, and metabolism of the gut microbiota through the gut-microbiota-brain (GMB) axis. The consumption of a fiber-rich diet increases the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from bacterial fermentation in the colon. Among SCFAs, butyrate stands out because of its wide array of biological functions, such as ability to influence brain functions. Pharmacologically, sodium butyrate (NaB) regulates gene expression in the brain, where it has several beneficial effects ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to behavioral disorders through inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACis). In this context, we review the mechanisms of action of the two types of butyrate on brain functions, with an emphasis on the epigenetic approach. Both types of butyrate are potentially interesting for the prevention and adjuvant therapy of neurological and psychological disorders due to their neuroprotective functions. However, further studies are needed to investigate the possible neuroepigenetic effects of butyrate derived from bacterial fermentation.

Kefir and Intestinal Microbiota Modulation: Implications in Human Health.

In the last decades changes in the pattern of health and disease in Latin America and in the world has been observed, with an increase in cases of chronic non-communicable diseases. Changes in intestinal microbiota composition can contribute to the development of these diseases and be useful in their management. In this context, the consumption of fermented foods with probiotic properties, such as kefir, stands out due to its gut microbiota-modulating capacity. There is an increasing interest in the commercial use of kefir since it can be marketed as a natural beverage containing health-promoting bacteria and has been gaining international popularity in Latin America. Also the consumption of these drinks in Latin America seems to be even more relevant, given the socioeconomic situation of this population, which highlights the need for disease prevention at the expense of its treatment. In this narrative review, we discuss how kefir may work against obesity, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, cardiovascular disorders, immunity, and neurological disorders. Peptides, bioactive compounds and strains occurring in kefir, can modulate gut microbiota composition, low-grade inflammation and intestinal permeability, which consequently may generate health benefits. Kefir can also impact on the regulation of organism homeostasis, with a direct effect on the gut-brain axis, being a possible strategy for the prevention of metabolic diseases. Further studies are needed to standardize these bioactive compounds and better elucidate the mechanisms linking kefir and intestinal microbiota modulation. However, due to the benefits reported, low cost and ease of preparation, kefir seems to be a promising approach to prevent and manage microbiota-related diseases in Latin America and the rest of the world.

Perfil socioeconômico e insegurança alimentar e nutricional de famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família no município de Viçosa, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, em 2011: um estudo epidemiológico transversal / Socioeconomic profile and insecurity food of families beneficiaries of the Bolsa Familia Program in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 2011: a cross-sectional study

Objetivo: avaliar a associação entre indicadores socioeconômicos e insegurança alimentar de famílias beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF). Métodos: estudo transversal sobre 243 famílias com crianças de 2 a 6 anos, beneficiadas pelo PBF, residentes na zona urbana de Viçosa-MG, em 2011; utilizou-se questionário estruturado com informações socioeconômicas e demográficas; no diagnóstico de segurança alimentar, utilizou-se a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar (EBIA). Resultados: a prevalênciade insegurança alimentar foi de 72,8 por cento, sendo 14,8 por cento grave, 10,7 por cento moderada e 47,3 por cento leve; maiores prevalências de insegurança alimentar foram encontradas nos domicílios com quatro ou mais moradores (p=0,010), que tinham água tratada por filtração (p=0,023), mães com escolaridade inferior a dez anos (p<0,001), pertencentes a famílias classificadas no menor nível socioeconômico (p=0,002). Conclusão: a prevalência de insegurança alimentar foi alta, maior entre crianças de famílias maiores, compior nível socioeconômico e cujas mães tinham menor escolaridade.

Objective: to evaluate the association between socioeconomic indicators and food insecurity of families receiving the Bolsa Família Program (PBF). Methods: cross sectional study, conducted in 2011, with 243 families who had children aged 2-6 years old, benefited from the PBF, living in the urban area of Viçosa, MG. For data collection were used a structured questionnaire containing socioeconomic and demographic information and also the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Results: the prevalence of food insecurity was 72.8 per cent, being 14.8 per cent severe, 10.7 per cent moderate and 47.3 per cent mild. Higher prevalence of food insecurity were found in households with four or more residents (p=0.01); in families in which maternal education was less than 10 years (p<0.01) and in those classified as the lowest socioeconomic level (p=0.002). Conclusion: the prevalence of food insecurity was high, concentrated in larger families, with low socioeconomic and maternal education level.