Urate-lowering effect of calcium supplementation: Analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if the gout-protective effect of low-fat dairy products could be attributed to the urate-lowering effect of calcium. METHODS: This is a placebo-controlled trial in which thirty-five adult (aged 18-42 years) female low-calcium consumers (<800 mg/d) were randomized to one of three treatment groups: low calcium breakfast (control, ∼70 mg of calcium/d) -C or high-calcium breakfast (∼770 mg/d) from calcium citrate - CIT or from skim milk - SM, during 45 consecutive days. Breakfasts were matched for potential confounders and were provided as part of an energy-restricted normoprotein diet containing an additional 800 mg of calcium/d. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements (body fat assessment) and fasting blood samples (urate, ionic calcium, PTH, and 1,25-(OH)2-D3) were taken at baseline and the end of the experiment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/ (RBR-7Q2N33). RESULTS: Despite no significant changes in total body weight/fat, CIT and SM led to a significant reduction in serum urate and ionic calcium, but did not affect PTH and vitamin D concentrations compared to C. CIT and SM reduced baseline serum urate by ∼14% and ∼17%, respectively. There was a trend to a positive correlation between changes in serum urate and changes in ionic calcium on day 45 (r = 0.327, P = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium supplementation (770 mg/d from dairy or calcium citrate) reduced serum urate concentrations, suggesting that the gout-protective effect of low-fat dairy consumption is at least partly due to a urate-lowering effect of calcium.

Effects of blueberry and cranberry consumption on type 2 diabetes glycemic control: A systematic review.

The metabolic effects of cranberry and blueberry consumption on glycemic control have been evaluated in vitro and in animal models as well as in human studies, although findings have not been systematically reviewed yet. Therefore, a systematic review was carried out of relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in order to assess the effect of berries (blueberry and cranberry) consumption on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) glycemic control. Some evidences were also discussed on the anti-diabetic mechanisms exerted by berries polyphenols. Studies were identified by searching electronic databases: LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Three authors independently searched and extracted RCTs in which the effect of berries (cranberry or blueberry) consumption on T2DM glycemic control was assessed. A total of 7 RCTs, involving 270 adults with type 2 diabetes were included. Despite the heterogeneity of the administration forms (in natura, dried, extract, preparations - juice), dosage, duration of the intervention and type of population of the studies involving these two berries some studies highlight the potential benefit of berries, especially of blueberry, on glucose metabolism in T2DM subjects. Daily cranberry juice (240 mL) consumption for 12 weeks and blueberry extract or powder supplementation (9.1 to 9.8 mg of anthocyanins, respectively) for 8 to 12 weeks showed a beneficial effect on glucose control in T2DM subjects. Those results indicate a promising use of these berries in T2DM management; although more studies are required to better understand the mechanisms involved.

Perfil nutricional e fatores associados à desnutrição e ao óbito em pacientes com indicação de terapia nutricional / Nutritional profile and associated factors with malnutrition and death in patients with nutritional support indication

Objetivo: Analisar o perfil nutricional, demográfico e clínico de indivíduos hospitalizados com indicação de terapia nutricional, assim como verificar as variáveis que se relacionam à ocorrência de desnutrição e óbito. Método: Estudo transversal retrospectivo, realizado em um hospital filantrópico de Minas Gerais, com os dados dos pacientes adultos e idosos que receberam terapia nutricional enteral e/ou parenteral entre 2011 e 2014. Resultados: Foram analisados os dados de 688 indivíduos, com idade média de 69 anos (DP=17,5 anos). Dos pacientes avaliados, 55,5% apresentavam algum grau de desnutrição, segundo a Avaliação Subjetiva Global, sendo 22,5% desnutridos graves. A maioria (81,5%) atingiu a meta nutricional e 56,6% foram a óbito. Ter 60 anos ou mais, estar em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e o atendimento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde foram fatores que se associaram à maior frequência de desnutrição e ao óbito. Conclusão: É preocupante a frequência de indivíduos que já iniciam a terapia nutricional com algum grau de desnutrição, ressaltando-se a necessidade da intervenção nutricional precoce. Idosos e pacientes em UTI foram grupos potencialmente mais vulneráveis à desnutrição e ao óbito e, requerem, portanto, atenção especial.(AU)

Objective: To analyze the nutritional status, demographic and clinical profile of hospitalized patients with nutritional support indication, as well as check the variables that relate to the occurrence of malnutrition and death. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a philanthropic hospital in Minas Gerais, with data from adults and elderly patients who received enteral and/or parenteral nutrition between the years 2011 to 2014. Results: Data of 688 individuals were analyzed, with mean age of 69 years (SD: 17.5 years). Among the patients, 55.5% had some degree of malnutrition according to the Subjective Global Assessment, and 22.5% were severely malnourished. Most of patients (81.5%) reached the nutritional goal and 56.6% died. Be 60 years or older, be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the attendance by the Unified Health System were factors that were associated with higher frequency of malnutrition and death. Conclusion: It is worrying the high frequency of individuals who already begin to nutritional support with some degree of malnutrition, emphasizing the need for early nutritional intervention. Elderly and patients in ICU were potentially most vulnerable to malnutrition and death, and therefore require special attention.(AU)

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and type 2 diabetes: Impact on the glycemic control mechanism.

There is a growing mortality related to co-morbidities associated with diabetes mellitus. Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been associated with low cardiometabolic risk and reduction of inflammatory process. The objective of this paper is to review the impact of PUFA intake on glycemic control in diabetic patients as well as to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved. Medline/PubMed electronic database was searched to identify studies published within last five years regarding the effect of PUFA intake on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetics. The search terms used were "polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)," "PUFA," and "diabetes." We included only interventional studies that assessed the effects of PUFA intake on glucose metabolism - fasting glucose, serum insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR assessment- in type 2 diabetics. Initially, 48 articles were identified, of which one was not available and 41 did not match the inclusion criteria. Within the selected studies, three articles showed an improvement in fasting blood glucose, two showed an increase in fasting glycemia, and there was no effect of intervention in one article only. Based on the analyzed clinical interventional studies, supplementation of 0.42-5.2-g PUFA/day for at least eight weeks may become an alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly in Asian subjects.

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementations to control cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review / Efecto de la suplementación del ácido eicosapentaenoico y ácido docosahexaenoico para controlar el deterioro cognitivo en la demencia y enfermedad de alzheimer: una revisión sistemática

Introduction: there is a lack of consensus on the benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementations on cognition in dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) elderly. Objective: this study presents a systematic review of the results of randomized clinical trials about this topic. The adopted search criteria were randomized clinical trials involving elderly over 65 years of age with no limit to the year of publication of the study. Results: we identified 139 articles, and from the eligible ones a reverse search was conducted. The quality of the trials was assessed using the Jadad scale. Of the four selected studies, three were related to mild to moderate AD elderly, of both genders. Mini Mental State Examination, Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive, and Clinical Dementia Rate were the main tests used to assess cognitive performance. Conclusion: EPA and/or DHA supplementations did not affect scores obtained on the cognitive tests. However, supplementation with EPA and/or DHA improved verbal fluency and attention in patients who had only very mild dementia or AD or presented APOEε4 negative genotype. In case of advanced AD elderly patients, EPA and/or DHA supplementations did not reduce cognitive decline rates (AU)

Introducción: no existe consenso sobre los beneficios de la suplementación con ácido eicosapentaenoico (EPA) y ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA) sobre la cognición de las personas mayores con demencia y/o Alzheimer. Objetivo: esta revisión sistemática muestra los resultados de ensayos clínicos randomizados al respecto. Métodos: se realizó una búsqueda de ensayos clínicos randomizados llevados a cabo en personas mayores de 65 años, sin estabelecer límites en cuanto al año de publicación. Resultados: se identificaron 139 artículos y a partir de los artículos candidatos se llevó a cabo una búsqueda inversa. La calidad de los ensayos clínicos aleatorios se evaluó mediante la escala de Jadad. De los cuatro estudios seleccionados, tres valoraban ancianos, con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Alzheimer de leve a moderada, en ambos sexos. Mini Examen del Estado Mental, Enfermedad de Alzheimer, Escala de Evaluación Cognitiva y Tasa Clí- nica de Demencia fueron los principales test utilizados para estudiar el rendimiento cognitivo. Conclusión: la suplementación de EPA y/o DHA no afectó las puntuaciones en las pruebas cognitivas. Sin embargo, la suplementación con EPA y/o DHA mejoró la cognición en los dominios de fluidez y de atención verbales en pacientes que únicamente presentaban demencia leve o enfermedad de Alzheimer o el genotipo APOEε4 negativo. En los pacientes ancianos con enfermedad de Alzheimer avanzada, la suplementación con EPA y/o DHA no redujo las tasas de deterioro cognitivo (AU)

The effect of oilseed consumption on appetite and on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus / El efecto del consumo de semillas oleaginosas en el apetito y en el riesgo de desarrollar diabetes mellitus tipo 2

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has rapidly increased worldwide. Excess body fat is an important risk factor for the disease. Strategies have been indicated for the prevention and treatment of DM. Recent studies have associated the consumption of oilseeds resulting in a lower risk of developing obesity and diabetes. It is believed that this effect is associated with low glycemic index and the high fiber content, the unsaturated fatty acids and the magnesium oilseeds. However, the mechanisms involved in appetite and type 2 diabetes control have not been fully elucidated among researchers yet. Thus, the objective of the present article was to critically analyze the articles published on this subject aiming at identifying strategies which may be used in the dietary treatment of diabetes (AU)

La prevalencia de diabetes mellitus (DM) ha aumentado rápidamente en todo el mundo. Exceso de grasa corporal es un factor de riesgo importante para la enfermedad. Estrategias se han indicado para la prevención y el tratamiento de la DM. Estudios recientes han asociado el consumo de semillas oleaginosas que resulta en un menor riesgo de desarrollar obesidad y diabetes. Se cree que este efecto está asociado con bajo índice glucémico y el alto contenido de fibra, los ácidos grasos insaturados de las semillas oleaginosas y de magnesio. Sin embargo, los mecanismos implicados en el apetito y el control de la diabetes tipo 2 no han sido completamente aclarada entre los investigadores todavía. Así, el objetivo del presente artículo es analizar críticamente los artículos publicados en este tema con el objetivo de identificar las estrategias que pueden utilizarse en el tratamiento dietético de la diabetes (AU)

Effect of guar gum supplementation on lipidic and glycidic metabolic control and body mass index in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of guar gum supplementation in the metabolic control and body mass index (BMI) of type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 17 (12 women and 5 men) participants ingested 10 grams of fiber supplement daily for three months. Changes in BMI and the biochemical parameters (fasting glycemia, glycosilated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides) were evaluated at the beginning and the end of the study. RESULTS: No changes in mean BMI (p=0.770), mean fasting glycemia (p=0.09) or triglyceride levels were observed. However, significant increases in HbA1c levels were observed (p<0.001) following the ingestion of guar gum supplements. Posterior analysis indicated that the five participants that had the highest mean fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, showed a significant reduction in their fasting glycemic levels (p=0.03) at the end of the study. A significant (p<0.001) reduction in total cholesterol levels was observed after three months of guar gum supplementation. CONCLUSION: Guar gum supplementation (10g/day) in the diet of overweight type 2 diabetics, resulting in total fiber ingestion close to 20g per day, did not lead to a spontaneous reduction in body weight. The effect of guar gum on the glycidic metabolic control was inconclusive, but it was shown to be an effective dietetic strategy to reduce blood cholesterol levels.