Cytokine distribution in mothers and breastfed children after omega-3 LCPUFAs supplementation during the last trimester of pregnancy and the lactation period: A randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal diet supplementation with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LC-PUFAs) during the last trimester of pregnancy and the breastfeeding period influences the levels of inflammatory cytokines in mother and infants. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This registered, double-blind randomized study included 46 pregnant women, who were randomly allocated to either an experimental group receiving 400mL/day of a fish oil-enriched dairy drink [320mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + 72mg eicoapentaenoic acid] (FO group, n = 24) or to a control group receiving 400mL/day of a non-supplemented dairy drink (CT group, n = 22), from week 28 of pregnancy until the fourth month of lactation. During the study, maternal dietary patterns were monitored by a nutritionist, who encouraged compliance with current recommendations of fatty acids intake. DHA concentrations and cytokine levels (GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ and TNF-α) were measured in maternal plasma at the moment of recruitment and in maternal (n = 46) and infant (n = 46) plasma at birth and 2.5 months after birth. RESULTS: Maternal plasmatic IL-4 levels were higher in FO than in CT subjects (p = 0.009). Additionally, a tendency was observed to higher IL-10 and IL-2 in the FO group. Plasmatic IL-6 however, was higher in CT mothers (p = 0.001). TNF-α was higher in CT infants at birth and 2.5 months after birth (p = 0.005). An analysis of possible relationships between DHA and the concentrations of different cytokines revealed negative correlation between maternal plasmatic IL-6 and DHA (higher plasmatic DHA corresponded to lower IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal dietary omega-3 LC-PUFAs supplementation during critical periods like pregnancy, lactation and early newborn development may influence the levels of certain inflammatory cytokines, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting an anti-inflammatory "environment".

[Estimation of vitamin supplements and minerals consumption dispensed through pharmacy offices in the province of Las Palmas]. / Estimación del consumo de suplementos vitamínicos y minerales dispensados a través de las oficinas de farmacia de la provincia de Las Palmas.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin supplements and minerals consumption (SPM) is increasing in occidental societies due to the growing concern about health by the population. OBJECTIVES: To have a initial approaching to the to SPM consumption in the Province of Las Palmas through 2000 and 2001. To identify SPM proportions that are dispensed as pharmaceutical specialities and those who are sold as parapharmacy products. Finally, to describe the evolution of this consumption throughout a year. METHOD: The information was obtained through the list of the whole pharmaceutical specialities and parapharmacy products through 2000 and 2001 who have at least a vitamin in its composition and/or a mineral. RESULTS: Usually, 297 pharmaceutical specialities and 216 parapharmacy products are currently being sold. Pharmaceutical specialities comprised 65.6% of the whole products sold and within them, vitamins were the most dispensed (41.5%). Regarding parapharmacy products, vitamins and minerals compounds were the products more sold (34.6%). Comparing to 2000, during 2001 there was a statistically significant increase in the consumption of parapharmacy products, remaining without changes the use of pharmaceutical specialities. CONCLUSION: On the basis of sold XX SPM consumption seems to be due mainly by pharmaceutical specialities rather than parapharmacy products. Nevertheless through 2001 there was an increase only in the parapharmacy products.

Estimación del consumo de suplementos vitamínicos y minerales dispensados a través de las oficinas de farmacia de la provincia de Las Palmas / Estimation of vitamin supplements and minerals consumption dispensed through pharmacy offices in the province of Las Palmas

Fundamento: El consumo de suplementos polivitamínicos y minerales (SPM) está aumentado en las sociedades occidentales como consecuencia de la preocupación de la población por la salud. Objetivos: Tener una primera aproximación al consumo de SPM en la provincia de Las Palmas en los 2000 y 2001. Identificar las proporciones de SPM que son dispensados como especialidades farmacéuticas y los que lo hacen como productos de parafarmacia. Describir cual es la tendencia evolutiva en el consumo de estos SPM en el período de un año. Método: La información se obtuvo de los listados de ventas de todas las especialidades farmacéuticas y productos de parafarmacia de los años 2000 y 2001, que contienen en su composición al menos una vitaminay/o un mineral. Resultados: habitualmente se dispensan 297 especialidades farmacéuticas y 216 productos de parafarmacia. Las especialidades farmacéuticas constituyeron el 65,6% de las ventas y entre ellas, las vitaminas resultaron ser las más dispensadas (41,5%). En las especialidades de parafarmacia, las más vendidas fueron los compuestos de vitaminas y minerales (34,6%). Con respecto al año 2000, en el año 2001 se produjo un aumento estadísticamente significativo en el consumo de productos de parafarmacia, permaneciendo estable el de las especialidades farmacéuticas. Conclusión: en base a las ventas realizadas, en la provincia de Las Palmas el consumo de SPM parece realizarse mayoritariamente por medio de especialidades farmacéuticas y en menor grado mediante productos de parafarmacia. Sin embargo, en el período 2000-2001, se observó un incremento del consumo sólo en los productos de parafarmacia

Background: Vitamin supplements and minerals consumption (SPM) is increasing in occidental societies due to the growing concern abouthealth by the population. Objectives: To have a initial approaching to the to SPM consumption in the Province of Las Palmas through 2000 and 2001. To identify SPM proportions that are dispensed as pharmaceutical specialities and those who are sold as parapharmacy products. Finally, to describe the evolution of this consumption throughout a year. Method: The information was obtained through the list of the whole pharmaceutical specialities and parapharmacy products through 200 and 2001 who have at least a vitamin in its composition and/or a mineral. Results: Usually, 297 pharmaceutical specialities and 216 parapharmacy products are currently being sold. Pharmaceutical specialities comprised 65.6% of the whole products sold and within them, vitamins were the most dispensed (41.5%). Regarding parapharmacy products, vitamins and minerals compounds were the products more sold (34.6%). Comparing to 2000, during 2001 there was a statistically significant increase in the consumption of parapharmacy products, remaining without changes the use of pharmaceutical specialities. Conclusion: On the basis of sold XX SPM consumption seems to bedue mainly by pharmaceutical specialities rather than parapharmacy products. Nevertheless through 2001 there was an increase only in theparapharmacy products

[Distribution of habits related to health in a female Canarian population]. / Distribución de hábitos relacionados con la salud en una población femenina canaria.

BACKGROUND: To compare several anthropometric variables, obesity and some life-style (tobacco, coffee and alcohol consumption and physical activity during leisure time) in women 45 years old and older. METHODS: From the 1991 electoral roll, we obtained a population of 1221 women aged more than 45 years living in the island of Gran Canaria. A questionnaire and a physical examination including weight and height with light clothes was performed in every woman. Obesity was defined according to the Quetelet index, and weight (in kg) divided by height (in m) at square. RESULTS: Rural women aged more than 45 years old are heavier, have a larger corporal surface, have a higher Quetelet index, smoke less and do greater activity during leisure time than urban women the same age. We found no differences either in alcohol or coffee consumption. CONCLUSIONS: There are statistically significant differences between women that live in rural and urban habitats. Anthropometric variables (weight, corporal surface, Quetelet index) show higher values in rural women than in urban ones. On the other hand, tobacco consumption and sadentarism have a higher prevalence in the urban women compared to rural ones.