Is a Gluten-Free Diet Enough to Maintain Correct Micronutrients Status in Young Patients with Celiac Disease?

The current study assesses whether the use of a gluten-free diet (GFD) is sufficient for maintaining correct iron status in children with celiac disease (CD). The study included 101 children. The celiac group (n = 68) included children with CD, with long (> 6 months) (n = 47) or recent (< 6 months) (n = 21) adherence to a GFD. The control group (n = 43) included healthy children. Dietary assessment was performed by a food frequency questionnaire and a 3-day food record. Celiac children had lower iron intake than controls, especially at the beginning of GFD (p < 0.01). The group CD-GFD >6 months showed a higher intake of cobalamin, meat derivatives and fish compared to that of CD-GFD <6 months (all, p < 0.05). The control group showed a higher consumption of folate, iron, magnesium, selenium and meat derivatives than that of children CD-GFD >6 months (all, p < 0.05). Control children also showed a higher consumption of folate and iron compared to that of children CD-GFD <6 months (both, p < 0.05). The diet of celiac children was nutritionally less balanced than that of the control. Participation of dietitians is necessary in the management of CD to guide the GFD as well as assess the inclusion of iron supplementation and other micronutrients that may be deficient.

Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Program During Pregnancy on Colostrum and Mature Human Milk Inflammatory Markers: Findings From the GESTAFIT Project.

BACKGROUND: Although exercise reduces systemic inflammation, information regarding its influence on human milk is scarce or inexistent. Research Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an exercise intervention during pregnancy on colostrum and mature human milk inflammatory markers. METHODS: The authors conducted a pseudorandomized controlled trial. The exercise group followed a concurrent aerobic and strength training, three 60-minutes sessions per week, from the 17th gestational week until delivery. For the specific aims of this study, only women able to produce enough milk were included for data analyses, resulting in 24 exercise and 23 control women. Colostrum and mature human milk proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (fractalkine, interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon [IFN]-γ, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) were measured using Luminex xMAP technology. RESULTS: The mothers who followed the exercise program had 36% lower IL-8 and 27% lower TNF-α concentrations in their colostrum than those in the control group ( p < .05 and p < .01, respectively). The colostrum from mothers who followed the exercise program also presented borderline significant 22% lower IL-6 ( p < .100). The mature milk from mothers who followed the exercise program had 30% greater fractalkine ( p = .05) and borderline significant 20% higher IL-10 ( p = .100). The exercise intervention did not affect IFN-γ concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: This concurrent exercise program promoted a less proinflammatory profile in human milk, especially in colostrum. Moreover, it might increase mature human milk fractalkine, which could induce a greater neurodevelopment and neuroprotection in the newborn. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02582567) on October 20, 2015.

Biodanza Reduces Acute Pain Severity in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Biodanza is a useful therapy for the fibromyalgia management; however, there is no evidence of its effectiveness on acute pain. The objectives of the present study were: to determine the changes of a 3-month Biodanza program on acute pain severity (before vs. after session) and cumulative pain severity in women with fibromyalgia; and to check the associations of acute pain severity reduction with presession pain severity, body fat percentage, and satisfaction with the session. This was a 3-month low-moderate intensity (rate of perceived exertion around 12, based on a 6-20 point scale) Biodanza intervention study (1 session/week). Twenty-seven women with fibromyalgia (54.2 ± 6.2 years) participated. Pain severity was assessed before and after each single session with a visual analog scale. There were immediate changes in all sessions (p = .001-.028), except in the first, second, and fourth sessions. An overall 16% decrease of acute pain severity before and after each session was noted (mean presession pain vs. postsession pain, 5.8 ± 2.1 vs. 4.9 ± 2.4; respectively). There was an independent association of pain severity reduction (presession-postsession) with presession pain severity (unstandardized coefficient B = .21 ± .05; standardized coefficient ß = .25; p < .001), body fat percentage (B = -.05 ± .02; ß = -.18; p = .003), and satisfaction with the session (B = .40 ± .15; ß = .16; p = .007). There was a significant cumulative effect decrease in postsession pain severity (p < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -.14, -.05) and presession-postsession pain severity (p = .007; 95% CI = .02, .12) along the 3-month intervention. No significant cumulative effect in presession pain severity was identified (p > .05). In conclusion, Biodanza is an alternative therapy that reduced acute pain severity in women with fibromyalgia. The intervention also yielded cumulative pain severity reduction, which were higher in those women with fibromyalgia presenting higher presession pain severity and lower body fat percentage. The satisfaction with the session was also a key factor positively associated with pain reduction.

Whey versus soy protein diets and renal status in rats.

Different dietary protein sources can promote different renal statuses. We examined the effects of whey protein (WP) and soy protein (SP) intake on plasma, urinary, and morphological renal parameters in rats. One hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 2 experimental groups fed with either WP or SP diets over 12 weeks. These diets were based on commercial WP or SP isolates. The urinary calcium content was higher in the WP diet compared to the SP diet group (P<.001) whereas the urinary citrate level was lower (P<.001). The urinary pH was more acidic in the WP diet group compared to the SP diet group (P<.001); however, no differences were observed between the groups for any of the renal morphological parameters analyzed (all, P>.05) or other plasma renal markers such as albumin or urea concentrations. The increase of acid and urinary calcium and the lower urinary citrate level observed in the WP diet group could increase the incidence of nephrolithiasis compared to the SP diet group. Despite the WP showed poorer acid-base profile, no significant morphological renal changes were observed. These results suggest that the use of SP instead of WP appears to promote a more alkaline plasma and urinary profile, with their consequent renal advantages.

Effectiveness of a tai-chi training and detraining on functional capacity, symptomatology and psychological outcomes in women with fibromyalgia.

Background. The purpose was to analyze the effects of Tai-Chi training in women with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods. Thirty-two women with FM (mean age, 51.4 ± 6.8 years) attended to Tai-Chi intervention 3 sessions weekly for 28 weeks. The outcome measures were: tenderness, body composition, functional capacity and psychological outcomes (Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36)). Results. Patients showed improvements on pain threshold, total number of tender points and algometer score (all P < 0.001). The intervention was effective on 6-min walk (P = 0.006), back scratch (P = 0.002), handgrip strength (P = 0.006), chair stand, chair sit & reach, 8 feet up & go and blind flamingo tests (all P < 0.001). Tai-Chi group improved the FIQ total score (P < 0.001) and six subscales: stiffness (P = 0.005), pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, anxiety, and depression (all P < 0.001). The intervention was also effective in six SF-36 subscales: bodily pain (P = 0.003), vitality (P = 0.018), physical functioning, physical role, general health, and mental health (all P < 0.001). Conclusions. A 28-week Tai-Chi intervention showed improvements on pain, functional capacity, symptomatology and psychological outcomes in female FM patients.

Land- and water-based exercise intervention in women with fibromyalgia: the al-Andalus physical activity randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The al-Andalus physical activity intervention study is a randomised control trial to investigate the effectiveness of a land- and water-based exercise intervention for reducing the overall impact of fibromyalgia (primary outcome), and for improving tenderness and pain-related measures, body composition, functional capacity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, fatigue, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, and cognitive function (secondary outcomes) in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS/DESIGN: One hundred eighty women with fibromyalgia (age range: 35-65 years) will be recruited from local associations of fibromyalgia patients in Andalucía (Southern Spain). Patients will be randomly assigned to a usual care (control) group (n = 60), a water-based exercise intervention group (n = 60) or a land-based exercise intervention group (n = 60). Participants in the usual care group will receive general physical activity guidelines and participants allocated in the intervention groups will attend three non-consecutive training sessions (60 min each) per week during 24 weeks. Both exercise interventions will consist of aerobic, muscular strength and flexibility exercises. We will also study the effect of a detraining period (i.e., 12 weeks with no exercise intervention) on the studied variables. DISCUSSION: Our study attempts to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia and improve patients' health status by implementing two types of exercise interventions. Results from this study will help to assess the efficacy of exercise interventions for the treatment of fibromyalgia. If the interventions would be effective, this study will provide low-cost and feasible alternatives for health professionals in the management of fibromyalgia. Results from the al-Andalus physical activity intervention will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well-being of women with fibromyalgia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01490281.

Multidisciplinary and biodanza intervention for the management of fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of a 16-week multidisciplinary (exercise plus psychological therapy) and biodanza intervention in women with fibromyalgia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight women with fibromyalgia were distributed to a 16-week multidisciplinary (3-times/week) intervention (n=21) or Biodanza (1-time/week) intervention (n=17). We assessed tender point, body composition, physical fitness and psychological outcomes (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Short-Form Health Survey 36 questionnaire (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory (VPMI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and General Self-Efficacy Scale). RESULTS: We observed a significant group*time interaction effect for the scales of SF-36 physical role (P=0.038) and social functioning (P=0.030) and for the passive coping scale in VPMI (P=0.043). Post hoc analysis revealed a significant improvement on social functioning (P=0.030) in the multidisciplinary group whereas it did not change in the Biodanza group. Post hoc analysis revealed a reduction in the use of passive coping (positive) (P less than 0.001) in the multidisciplinary group. There was no significant interaction or time effect in body composition and physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: 16 weeks of multidisciplinary intervention induced greater benefits than a Biodanza intervention for social functioning and the use of passive coping strategies in women with fibromyalgia.

Preliminary findings of a 4-month Tai Chi intervention on tenderness, functional capacity, symptomatology, and quality of life in men with fibromyalgia.

The study aimed to determine the effects of a 4-month Tai Chi intervention on tenderness, functional capacity, symptomatology, and quality of life in men with fibromyalgia. The effect of a 3-month detraining period was also analyzed. Six men with fibromyalgia (age 52.3 ± 9.3 years) followed a 4-month Tai Chi intervention. The outcome variables were tenderness, functional capacity (30-second chair stand, handgrip strength, chair sit and reach, back scratch, blind flamingo, 8 feet up and go, and 6-minute walk tests), and self-administered questionnaires. A significant improvement (p = .028) after the intervention period for the chair sit and reach test was found, such improvement was maintained after the detraining phase. Tenderness, symptomatology, and quality of life did not significantly change after the intervention period or the detraining phase. In summary, a 4-month Tai Chi intervention improved lower body flexibility in men with fibromyalgia. This improvement persisted after the detraining period.

Efficacy of Biodanza for treating women with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a 3-month Biodanza intervention in women with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN: This was a controlled trial. SETTING/LOCATION: The study was conducted at a university research laboratory and social center. SUBJECTS: The study comprised 59 women with FM recruited from a local association of patients with FM. Participants were allocated to the Biodanza intervention group (n = 27) or usual-care group (n = 32). INTERVENTION: The Biodanza intervention was carried out once a week for 3 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures included the following: Pain threshold, body composition (body-mass index and estimated body fat percentage), physical fitness (30-second chair stand, handgrip strength, chair sit and reach, back scratch, blind flamingo, 8 feet up and go, and 6-minute walk test) and psychologic outcomes (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ], Short-Form Health Survey 36, Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale). RESULTS: We observed a significant interaction effect (group*time) for pain threshold of several tender points (left [L] and right [R] side of the anterior cervical and supraspinatus, trapezius L and lateral epicondyle R, algometer score, tender points count), body fat percentage, and FIQ total score. In the intervention group, post hoc analysis revealed a significant improvement in pain threshold of the anterior cervical R and L and supraspinatus R and L tender points (all p < 0.05), algometer score (p = 0.008), tender point count (p = 0.002), body fat percentage (p = 0.001), and FIQ total score (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: A 3-month (one session per week) Biodanza intervention shows improvements on pain, body composition, and FM impact in female patients.