Extrapolating the Coffee and Caffeine (1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine) Effects on Exercise and Metabolism-A Concise Review.

The consumption of coffee and caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is part of many cultures worldwide. Their properties include serving as a neurostimulant aid, enhancing energy substrate levels, and improving general exercise performance. Both present therapeutic effects that can also be used to control chronic and metabolic diseases due to four mechanisms: adenosine receptor antagonism, increased catecholamine concentrations, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and a stimulator of calcium-release channels. Despite the individual genetic variabilities, distinct mechanisms have been demonstrated to improve physical performance, thermogenesis, lipolysis, insulin sensitivity, and hormonal modulation. Thus, coffee consumption and caffeine supplementation may enhance physical and mental performance and may improve metabolic variables, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Current data reveal vital aspects of coffee and caffeine consumption in specific populations, although further studies are needed to define clinical interventions with caffeine in obesity and chronic conditions.

Clinical Outcomes of the Deleterious Effects of Aluminum on Neuro-Cognition, Inflammation, and Health: A Review.

Introduction: In the scenario of metal toxicity, aluminum (Al) stands out as a ubiquitous type of metal that can be combined with other elements and form different compounds. Al is widely used daily as an adjuvant in vaccines, antacids, food additives (as components of AI-containing food additives), skin care products, cosmetics, and kitchenware, and can be an element or contaminant present in our daily life. Objective: To present a review of the main deleterious effects of Al on human health. Methods: The search was carried out from September 2022 to February 2023 in the Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases, using scientific articles from 2012 to 2023. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument, and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusions: A total of 115 files were search returned. Further, 95 articles were evaluated, and 44 were included in this review. Based on the results, measuring Al's relevance to health is essential in medicine. Several studies have demonstrated clinical outcomes and metabolic alterations with Al exposure. The tolerable weekly intake established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of 1 mg Al/kg body weight can be achieved through dietary exposure alone. Proven neurotoxicity in humans is the critical adverse effect of Al. A carcinogenic effect of Al has not been proven so far. Preventive medicine advocates that exposure to Al should be kept as low as possible. Chelating agents, such as calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and deferoxamine, are options for acute poisoning, and monomethysilanetriol supplementation may be a long-term strategy with chelation potential. Further studies are needed to assess the impacts of Al on human health.

Effects of Vitamin D on Cardiovascular Risk and Oxidative Stress.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D has been primarily studied as an important factor influencing bone and calcium metabolism. Metabolites of vitamin D are essential for whole-body calcium homeostasis, maintaining serum calcium levels within a narrow range by regulating this process in the bones and gut. Nevertheless, its deficiency is also related to increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MS), and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-with increased visceral adipose tissue and body mass index (BMI), as well as the frequently associated hypercholesterolemia. It has been reported that vitamin D levels are inversely related to cardiovascular (CV) risk in men and women. However, the effects of vitamin D on distinct outcomes in women and the dose of supplementation needed to improve clinical endpoints have not been established. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] reduces systemic inflammatory mediators in CVD and favors the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines from the immune system. In addition, 25(OH)D can be primarily converted into calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D]) in the kidneys through the action of the 1-α-hydroxylase enzyme. Calcitriol, through the downregulation mechanism of renin expression, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activity, and its interaction with the vitamin D receptor, can bring CV benefits. The calcitriol form also lowers parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels by indirectly causing a reduction in aldosterone and mineralocorticoid synthesis. Elevated plasma aldosterone is related to endothelial dysfunction and CVD in hypovitaminosis D status. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation may benefit certain risk groups, as it improves metabolic variables, reducing oxidative stress and CV outcomes. More studies are needed to define interventions with vitamin D in men and women.

Coenzyme Q10 for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Useful or Useless?

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become some of the most urgent and prevalent health problems in recent decades, side by side with the growing obesity crisis. The close relationship between T2DM and CVD has become clear: endothelial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress and inflammation resulting from hyperglycaemia are the key factors in the development of vascular complications of T2DM, leading to CVD. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a great candidate for the treatment of these diseases, acting precisely at the intersection between T2DM and CVD that is oxidative stress, due to its strong antioxidant activity and fundamental physiological role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. CoQ10 is a biologically active liposoluble compound comprising a quinone group and a side chain of 10 isoprenoid units, which is synthesized endogenously in the body from tyrosine and mevalonic acid. The main biochemical action of CoQ10 is as a cofactor in the electron transport chain that synthesizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP). As most cellular functions depend on an adequate supply of ATP, CoQ10 is essential for the health of virtually all human tissues and organs. CoQ10 supplementation has been used as an intensifier of mitochondrial function and an antioxidant with the aim of palliating or reducing oxidative damage that can worsen the physiological outcome of a wide range of diseases including T2DM and CVDs. CONCLUSION: Although there is not enough evidence to conclude it is effective for different therapeutic indications, CoQ10 supplementation is probably safe and well-tolerated, with few drug interactions and minor side effects. Many valuable advances have been made in the use of CoQ10 in clinical practice for patients with T2DM and a high risk of CVD. However, further research is needed to assess the real safety and benefit to indicate CoQ10 supplementation in patients with T2DM.