[Folic acid supplementation and colorrectal adenoma recurrence: systematic review]. / Suplementación con ácido fólico y prevención de recurrencia de adenomas colorrectales: revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies show that folate levels may be associated with the development of adenomas and colorectal cancer, suggesting that folic acid supplementation may have a preventive effect. AIM: Systematic review of scientific evidence from randomized placebo-controlled clinical studies to identify the effects of folic acid supplementation on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medline via Pubmed systematic review of randomized clinical trials, double-blind and placebo-controlled and references, specifically to evaluate the effect of acid supplementation on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. RESULTS: Seven randomized clinical trials that met the inclusion criteria were selected and evaluated for analysis based on pre established criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The selected studies do not support that folic acid supplementation is beneficial in recurrence of colorectal adenomas. We observed in some studies differences in risk by type of folate suggesting to review the criteria and levels of supplementation in some population subgroups with higher risks.

[Effect of folate and related nutrients on cognitive function in older people; systematic review]. / Revisión sistemática del efecto de los folatos y otros nutrientes relacionados en la función cognitiva del adulto mayor.

BACKGROUND: Folate and other B complex vitamins play important roles in the synthesis of DNA, gene expression, homocysteine detoxification and synthesis of neurotransmitters necessary for the maintenance of cognitive function. AIM: Systematic literature review of benefit and/ risks of folate and related nutrients in cognitive function in older adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: "Medline via Pubmed systematic review" of selected articles from years 2010 and May 2011 and references of the selected articles looking specifically at serum and erythrocyte folate levels, and folate intake and cognitive function in older adults. RESULTS: Twelve cross-sectional studies, six cohort studies and six randomized double-blind clinical studies that met pre-established criteria were selected for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This review doesn't support a benefit from folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in the elderly. Whereas low folate serum levels may be related to increased risk of cognitive impairment and high levels associated with low levels of vitamin B12 can contribute a further deterioration, it is suggested as precautory measure to re-examine the present level of food fortification with folic acid to maximize benefits and limit potential risks.

Suplementación con ácido fólico y prevención de recurrencia de adenomas colorrectales; revisión sistemática / Folic acid supplementation and colorrectal adenoma recurrence; systematic review

Antecedentes: Estudios observacionales muestran que los niveles de folatos podrían estar asociados con el desarrollo de adenomas y cáncer colorrectal, sugiriendo que la suplementación de ácido fólico podría tener un efecto preventivo. Objetivo: Revisar sistemáticamente la evidencia científica proveniente de estudios clínicos randomizados con placebo y controlados que permitan conocer los efectos de la suplementación del ácido fólico sobre la recurrencia de adenomas colorrectales. Material y método: Revisión sistemática en Medline, vía Pubmed de estudios clínicos randomizados, con placebo y controlados a doble ciego y sus referencias, que evalúen específicamente el efecto de la suplementación de ácido sobre la recurrencia de adenomas colorrectales. Resultados: Siete estudios clínicos randomizados que cumplían los criterios de inclusión fueron seleccionados y evaluados. Conclusión: Los estudios seleccionados no permiten concluir que la suplementación de ácido fólico tenga un efecto beneficioso sobre la recurrencia de adenomas colorrectales. Se observa en algunos estudios diferencias de riesgo según tipo de folatos que sugieren revisar los criterios y niveles de suplementación en algunos subgrupos de población con mayores riesgos (AU)

Background: Observational studies show that folate levels may be associated with the development of adenomas and colorectal cancer, suggesting that folic acid supplementation may have a preventive effect. Aim: Systematic review of scientific evidence from randomized placebo-controlled clinical studies to identify the effects of folic acid supplementation on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. Material and methods: Medline via Pubmed systematic review of randomized clinical trials, double-blind and placebo-controlled and references, specifically to evaluate the effect of acid supplementation on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas Results: Seven randomized clinical trials that met the inclusion criteria were selected and evaluated for analysis based on pre established criteria. Conclusions: The selected studies do not support that folic acid supplementation is beneficial in recurrence of colorectal adenomas. We observed in some studies differences in risk by type of folate suggesting to review the criteria and levels of supplementation in some population subgroups with higher risks (AU)

Revisión sistemática del efecto de los folatos y otros nutrientes relacionados en la función cognitiva del adulto mayor / Effect of folate and related nutrients on cognitive function in older people; systematic review

Antecedentes: El folato junto a otras vitaminas del complejo B cumplen importantes funciones en la modulación de la expresión génica y síntesis del ADN, siendo necesarios para la detoxificación de la homocisteína y la síntesis de neurotransmisores imprescindibles para el mantenimiento de la función cognitiva. Objetivo: Revisar sistemáticamente la evidencia científica sobre beneficios y/o riesgos de los folatos y nutrientes relacionados en la función cognitiva del adulto mayor. Material y método: "Revisión sistemática en Medline, vía Pubmed", y en referencias de artículos seleccionados entre los años 2005-2011, considerando específicamente nivel de folatos séricos e intraeritrocitarios, ingesta de folatos y función cognitiva en el adulto mayor. Resultados: Se encontraron doce estudios transversales, seis estudios de cohorte, y seis estudios clínicos randomizados a doble ciego que cumplieron con los criteriospre-establecidos. Conclusión: Esta revisión no permite concluir que la suplementación de ácido fólico tenga un efecto positivo sobre la función cognitiva en el adulto mayor. Considerando que bajos niveles séricos de folatos podrían relacionarse con un mayor riesgo de deterioro cognitivo y que altos niveles asociados a un bajo nivel de vitamina B12sérica favorecería un mayor deterioro, se sugiere como medida precautoria revisar los niveles establecidos para fortificar alimentos con ácido fólico para limitar riesgos y maximizar beneficio (AU)

Background: Folate and other B complex vitamins play important roles in the synthesis of DNA, gene expression, homocysteine detoxification and synthesis of neurotransmitters necessary for the maintenance of cognitive function. Aim: Systematic literature review of benefit and/ risks of folate and related nutrients in cognitive function in older adults. Material and methods: "Medline via Pubmed systematic review" of selected articles from years 2010 and May 2011 and references of the selected articles looking specifically at serum and erythrocyte folate levels, and folate intake and cognitive function in older adults. Results: Twelve cross-sectional studies, six cohort studies and six randomized double-blind clinical studies that met preestablished criteria were selected for analysis. Conclusions: This review doesn’t support a benefit from folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in the elderly. Whereas low folate serum levels may be related to increased risk of cognitive impairment and high levels associated with low levels of vitamin B12cancontribute a further deterioration, it is suggested as precautory measure to re-examine the present level of food fortification with folic acid to maximize benefits and limit potential risks (AU)

Análisis de la publicidad de alimentos orientada a niños y adolescentes en canales chilenos de televisión abierta / Analysis of food advertising aimed at children and adolescents in Chilean open channel television

Fundamento: La obesidad infantil representa uno de los principales problemas de salud pública en Chile. Numerosos estudios muestran que la publicidad televisiva influye de forma directa en el consumo de alimentos de alta densidad energética en niños y adolescentes. Objetivo: Estudiar las características nutricionales de alimentos publicitados en los 5 canales chilenos de televisión abierta dirigidos a niños, e identificar el porcentaje de alimentos saludables y no saludables y conocer su exposición a alimentos de menor calidad nutricional para incorporar nuevas perspectivas en la educación alimentaria y nutricional. Método: Se grabaron 350 horas diurnas (09.00 a 20.00 horas) en los 5 canales de televisión abierta chilenos (julio y agosto de 2009). Del total de la publicidad emitida se seleccionaron anuncios de alimentos en general e infantiles. En la destinada a niños se analizó su contenido nutricional: grasas, grasas saturadas, sal y azúcares simples añadidos, considerando la metodología denominada "semáforo de alimentos" propuesta por la Agencia Nacional de Alimentos del Reino Unido (FSAB) y contenida en un Proyecto de Ley chileno destinado a identificar alimentos saludables. Resultados: Un 56,6% de la publicidad de alimentos estaba dirigida a niños; sólo un 12,8% correspondía a alimentos saludables. Un 8,5 y un 78,7% correspondían a alimentos medianamente saludables y no saludables, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Se observa un predominio de publicidad dirigida a niños asociada a alimentos y bebidas no saludables, sugiriendo la necesidad de regular su publicidad e incentivar a las empresas al desarrollo de alimentos con una mejor calidad nutricional(AU)

Introduction: Childhood obesity represents a major public health problem in Chile. Studies show that television advertising affects directly the consumption of energy-dense foods in children and adolescents. Objective: To study the nutritional characteristics of foods advertised on five Chilean television channels aimed at children in order to identify the percentage of healthy and unhealthy foods, to know their exposure to lower quality nutritional foods and to incorporate new perspectives on food and nutritional education. Method: 350 hours were recorded during the day (09:00 to 20:00 hours) in 5 Chilean television channels (July and August 2009). Of all the advertising were selected general and child food advertisements. They were analyzed by their nutritional contents: fat, saturated fat, salt and simple sugars added, considering the methodology called "light food" proposed by the National Food Agency of the United Kingdom (FSAB) and contained in a Chilean bill designed to identify healthy foods. Results: 56.6% of food advertising was targeted at children. Only 12.8% were healthy foods, 8.5 and 78.7% were respectively moderately and unhealthy. Conclusions: There is a predominance of advertising aimed at children associated with unhealthy foods, suggesting the need to regulate and to encourage food companies to develop products with enhanced nutritional quality(AU)