RESUMO
Background: Folic acid (FA), which in its chemical form is pteroylglutamic acid, is the fully oxidised, water-soluble, monoglutamic form of vitamin B9. This compound is part of the folate group but with higher bioavailability, and it is found in vitamin supplements and fortified foods and drugs. Folate metabolism is complex and associated with various metabolic pathways, all of which confer protection on the cell and allow its survival. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic search of articles published in English and Spanish including controlled trials, cohort studies, systematic re-views, and meta-analyses were included, as well as key studies in animal models related to pharmacokinetic studies. Search terms encompassed: "folic acid", "folates", "5-metyltetrahydrofolate", "5-MTHF", "neural tube defects", "supplementation", "fortification", AND "homocysteine" Results: A crucial role demonstrated for FA is to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). However, more studies are definitely still needed to establish 5-MTHF as a safe and effective therapeutic approach comparable with FA. Moreover, there is a lack of clinical studies that evaluate the efficacy of 5-MTHF supplementation in the prevention of NTDs. The present evidence-based narrative review discusses differences between FA and 5-MTHF in terms of structure, metabolism, bioavailability, clinical efficacy, and safety. Conclusions: Despite the potential value of 5-MTHF as an alternative to FA, clinical studies would be urgently needed to support the efficacy, dosage, timing, and/or safety of its use as a supplement.
Assuntos
Suplementos Nutricionais , Ácido Fólico , Defeitos do Tubo Neural , Tetra-Hidrofolatos , Ácido Fólico/administração & dosagem , Humanos , Defeitos do Tubo Neural/prevenção & controle , Tetra-Hidrofolatos/administração & dosagem , Animais , Feminino , Gravidez , Medicina Baseada em EvidênciasRESUMO
Introduction: The incidence of hearing disorders is rising at an alarming rate, aggravated by increasing longevity, without sufficient social awareness and attention from public health officials. The etiology of hearing loss (HL) is multifactorial, including both genetic and environmental factors, such as noise, ototoxic drugs, and nutritional status. Therefore, it is necessary to expand knowledge about the relationship between the different factors involved as a first step towards prevention and potential repair of hearing damage before it becomes irreversible and significantly limits the quality of life. Our recent studies have demonstrated the interrelationship between nutrition and HL highlighting the strong need to implement prevention and nutritional intervention strategies aimed at promoting hearing health from the earliest stages of life.
Introducción: La incidencia de los trastornos auditivos está aumentando de forma alarmante, especialmente agravada por el aumento de la longevidad, sin que exista la suficiente conciencia social y atención por parte de los responsables de salud pública. La etiología de la pérdida auditiva es multifactorial: intervienen factores genéticos y ambientales, como el ruido, las sustancias ototóxicas y el estado nutricional. Por ello, es necesario ampliar el conocimiento acerca de la relación existente entre los diferentes factores como primer paso para la prevención y potencial reparación del daño auditivo antes de que llegue a ser irreversible y límite de manera significativa la calidad de vida en el adulto mayor. Nuestros recientes estudios han demostrado una interrelación entre la pérdida auditiva y la nutrición que pone de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar estrategias de prevención y de intervención nutricional dirigidas a promover la salud auditiva desde las primeras etapas de la vida.
Assuntos
Perda Auditiva , Estado Nutricional , Humanos , Perda Auditiva/etiologia , Perda Auditiva/prevenção & controleRESUMO
Hydration status plays a key role in healthy ageing, and it is potentially affected by several factors, including drug consumption. However, research on this issue to date is scarce, especially in highly vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. We aimed to study the relationship linking hydration status, analysed by means of a validated questionnaire, 24 h urine analysis, body composition assessment, and drug consumption in a sample of old adults. A total of 144 elders were included in the study. Cardiovascular drug consumption was significantly associated with a lower water intake in men (ß = -0.282, p = 0.029). Moreover, urinary analysis revealed that total drug intake as well as the consumption of diuretics and cardiovascular drugs were associated with poorer hydration status, whereas genito-urinary drugs were associated with an opposite effect, and these results were confirmed in terms of body composition. Hence, total drug consumption (ß = -0.205), diuretic (ß = -0.408), cardiovascular (ß = -0.297), and genito-urinary drugs (ß = 0.298) were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with total body water. The obtained results confirmed the impact of chronic treatment with certain drugs on hydration status. Nutritional interventions may be of great interest in certain population groups in order to prevent complications due to altered hydration status.
Assuntos
Composição Corporal , Diuréticos , Ingestão de Líquidos , Estado de Hidratação do Organismo , Humanos , Masculino , Idoso , Feminino , Diuréticos/administração & dosagem , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Água Corporal , Fármacos Cardiovasculares , Inquéritos e Questionários , Desidratação/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is crucial for ensuring the good health of mothers and babies. Despite the high energy and nutrient demands of breastfeeding, lactating women are often vulnerable from a nutritional perspective. The nutritional focus during breastfeeding tends to be on the newborn, often neglecting the mother's diet. Therefore, in the present narrative review, nutrient intakes were compared with the dietary reference values (DRVs) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as well as by the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). In the diets of lactating mothers, dietary inadequacies were observed in the intake of some vitamins, such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D, and in the intake of certain minerals like calcium, iron, and iodine; polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, primarily in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were also observed. On the other hand, the debate on the necessity of supplementation during lactation continues; the need for nutritional supplementation during lactation depends on many factors, such us mothers' eating habits. There seems to be a positive association between nutritional supplementation of the lactating mother and the concentration of certain nutrients in human milk. The present narrative review provides an update on the nutritional status (fatty acids and micronutrients) of breastfeeding mothers and the impact of diet and dietary supplementation on human milk composition.
Assuntos
Aleitamento Materno , Lactação , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Feminino , Humanos , Estado Nutricional , Dieta , Vitaminas , Suplementos Nutricionais , Vitamina A , MãesRESUMO
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most frequent and preventable occupational disease. Aviation pilots are a vulnerable population, as they spend many hours exposed to noise pollution in their working environment. Different studies suggest that certain dietary compounds may play a key role in the etiology and prevention of this pathology. We aimed to study the relationship linking auditory function, dietary intake, and some serum biomarkers in pilots, exposed to noise in the work environment. A total of 235 pilots, who undergo a periodic medical examination at the Centro de Instrucción de Medicina Aeroespacial (Madrid, SPAIN), were evaluated. Auditory function was assessed by tonal audiometry. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated by 24 h recall (DIALTM program). Serum homocysteine (Hcy) was determined in a Cobas 6000TM multi-analyzer while folate, vitamin B12, and D were analyzed in a Cobas e411TM. The prevalence of hearing loss (HL) was 64.3%. HL was significantly related to age (r = 0.588, p ≤ 0.001) and flight hours (r = 0.283, p ≤ 0.001). A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the relationship among HL, flight hours, serum folate, and Hcy serum levels. HL was significantly (p < 0.050) associated with flight hours (ß = 0.246), serum folate (ß = −0.143), and serum Hcy (ß = 0.227). Nutritional interventions would be of great interest to monitor and slow down the HL progression in populations exposed to noise pollution in their workplace.
Assuntos
Aviação , Estado Nutricional , Espanha/epidemiologia , Vitamina B 12 , Ácido Fólico , Audição , Biomarcadores , Acústica , Homocisteína , VitaminasRESUMO
At present, obesity and overweight are major public health concerns. Their classical determinants do not sufficiently explain the current situation and it is urgent to investigate other possible causes. In recent years, it has been suggested that water intake could have important implications for weight management. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of hydration status on body weight and composition in healthy adolescents from Spain. The study involved 372 subjects, aged 12-18 years. Water intake was assessed through the validated "hydration status questionnaire adolescent young". Anthropometric measurements were performed according to the recommendations of the International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment (ISAK) and body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Water intake normalized by body weight was positively correlated with body water content (boys (B): r = 0.316, p = 0.000; girls (G): r = 0.245, p = 0.000) and inversely with body mass index (BMI) (B: r = -0.515, p = 0.000; G: r = -0.385, p =0.000) and fat body mass (B: r = -0.306, p = 0.000; G: r = -0.250, p = 0.001). Moreover, according to BMI, overweight/obese individuals consumed less water than normal weight ones. In conclusion, higher water balance and intake seems to be related with a healthier body composition. In conclusion, higher water balance and intake is associated with a healthier body composition.
Assuntos
Composição Corporal/fisiologia , Água Corporal/fisiologia , Ingestão de Líquidos/fisiologia , Adolescente , Peso Corporal/fisiologia , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Sobrepeso/fisiopatologia , Espanha/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become an epidemic public health problem worldwide. In the last years, several investigations have suggested that water intake and retention could have important implications for both weight management and body composition. However, there is a lack of information about this issue globally, and mainly specifically in Spain. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between hydration status and body composition in a sample of healthy Spanish adults. The study involved 358 subjects, aged 18-39 years. The recently validated "hydration status questionnaire" was used to assess their water intake, elimination, and balance. Anthropometric measurements were performed according to the recommendations of the International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment (ISAK). Body composition variables were acquired by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Differences in anthropometric and body composition variables were assessed through the ANOVA test and considered significant at p < 0.05. Fluid intake was correlated with body water content. Inverse associations between water consumption, normalized by weight, with body weight, body fat mass, and waist circumference were found. Moreover, according to water balance, significant differences in body water content in females were observed. In conclusion, higher fluid intake seems to be related with a healthier body composition. Therefore, the improvement of water intake and water balance could be useful for overweight and obesity prevention, although further studies are needed to confirm the present findings.