Low and no calorie sweeteners, diet and health: an updated overview / Edulcorantes bajos en calorías o sin calorías, dieta y salud: una visión actual

INTRODUCTION: currently, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the potential health benefits and risks associated with the use of low and/or no calorie sweeteners (LNCS). OBJECTIVE: in the present work, the objective was to briefly address the current role of LNCS consumption in the diet and its effects on health. METHODS: a brief narrative review of the most recent studies and policies available was carried out. RESULTS: a limited number of representative studies on the consumption of LNCS and their effect on health are presently available. However, these mostly indicate that the consumption of LNCS can be a useful tool along with other nutritional strategies in the treatment of overweight, obesity, diabetes and the prevention of caries when used appropriately in the context of a balanced diet and physical activity. Still, it is necessary to be cautious with the consumption of certain sweeteners since the effects of LNCS on the intestinal microbiota or its effect on premature deliveries, among others, have not been fully elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: it is essential to carry out further studies in order to clarify/establish the safety and value of sweeteners as food ingredients/additives in the medium/long term, in a model of increasing consumption as a consequence of the reformulation of many foods

INTRODUCCIÓN: en la actualidad, existe una gran controversia en torno a los beneficios y riesgos potenciales asociados al uso de los edulcorantes bajos en/o sin calorías (LNCS) en el modelo alimentario y su repercusión en la salud. OBJETIVO: en el presente trabajo, el objetivo fue abordar brevemente el papel actual del consumo de LNCS y sus efectos en la dieta y salud. MÉTODOS: se llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa de los estudios más recientes disponibles. RESULTADOS: se observa un número limitado de estudios representativos sobre el consumo de LNCS y su efecto en la dieta y la salud. No obstante, los estudios disponibles indican que su consumo puede constituir una herramienta útil junto con otras estrategias nutricionales en el tratamiento del sobrepeso, la obesidad, la diabetes y la prevención de las caries cuando se utilizan adecuadamente en el contexto de una dieta equilibrada y ejercicio. Sin embargo, hay que aplicar el principio de precaución con el consumo de ciertos edulcorantes, ya que los efectos de los LNCS en la microbiota intestinal o su efecto en los partos prematuros, entre otros, no han sido completamente dilucidados. CONCLUSIONES: resulta imprescindible realizar más estudios para poder aclarar/establecer la seguridad de los edulcorantes como ingredientes/aditivos alimentarios a medio/largo plazo, en un modelo de potencial consumo creciente como consecuencia de la emergente reformulación de muchos alimentos

Hydration status, drug interactions, and determinants in a Spanish elderly population: a pilot study

Proper hydration is essential to maintain optimal health and well-being at all stages of life, especially for the elderly. Side effects of certain drugs that affect hydration status may compromise the health of the ancients, who also constitute the most vulnerable group. No studies have been carried out, to our knowledge, at the intersection of drugs and hydration status. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic use of certain drugs (diuretics, corticoids and metformin) in the hydration status of the elderly. Results were obtained from a cross-sectional study with 96 volunteers (65-93 years) selected based on their pharmacological treatment. It included a validated food and drink frequency questionnaire and water removal, dehydration signs and symptoms assessment and urine analysis. All data were analysed by age and sex. Water balance decreased with advanced age, especially in men’s group. Results were confirmed by means of the evaluation of dehydration signs and symptoms and colorimetric and chemical analysis of urine. Correlations between consumption of corticoids and hydration status were found, with different signs depending on the administration route (Rho = 0.522 and Rho = - 0,522 for oral and pulmonary corticoids, respectively). Furthermore, correlations between diuretics (Rho = - 0.343, p < 0.05) and metformin (Rho = - 0.802, p < 0.01) consumption and different urine markers were determined. In conclusion, the predominant dehydration state of the volunteers of the study is affected by drugs consumption and their route of administration. Hence, there is an urgent need for monitorization of hydration status based on drugs consumption

Hydration status, drug interactions, and determinants in a Spanish elderly population: a pilot study.

Proper hydration is essential to maintain optimal health and well-being at all stages of life, especially for the elderly. Side effects of certain drugs that affect hydration status may compromise the health of the ancients, who also constitute the most vulnerable group. No studies have been carried out, to our knowledge, at the intersection of drugs and hydration status. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic use of certain drugs (diuretics, corticoids and metformin) in the hydration status of the elderly. Results were obtained from a cross-sectional study with 96 volunteers (65-93 years) selected based on their pharmacological treatment. It included a validated food and drink frequency questionnaire and water removal, dehydration signs and symptoms assessment and urine analysis. All data were analysed by age and sex. Water balance decreased with advanced age, especially in men's group. Results were confirmed by means of the evaluation of dehydration signs and symptoms and colorimetric and chemical analysis of urine. Correlations between consumption of corticoids and hydration status were found, with different signs depending on the administration route (Rho = 0.522 and Rho = - 0,522 for oral and pulmonary corticoids, respectively). Furthermore, correlations between diuretics (Rho = - 0.343, p < 0.05) and metformin (Rho = - 0.802, p < 0.01) consumption and different urine markers were determined. In conclusion, the predominant dehydration state of the volunteers of the study is affected by drugs consumption and their route of administration. Hence, there is an urgent need for monitorization of hydration status based on drugs consumption.

Valores de presión arterial obtenidos en población adolescente de la Comunidad de Madrid: Tablas basadas en el estudio MEPAFAC / Blood pressure values in adolescents in the Community of Madrid: Tables based on the MEPAFAC Study

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es un factor de riesgo cardiovascular modificable y su detección en edades tempranas podrá permitir el diseño de estrategias para reducir el riesgo vascular en edades adultas. Objetivos: Aportar valores de medida de presión arterial (PA) obtenidos con aparatos oscilométricos y fuera de la consulta médica. Material y métodos: La PA fue medida con aparato oscilométrico validado, siguiendo el documento de consenso de la Sociedad Europea de Hipertensión. También se midieron la talla y el peso. Para relacionar los valores percentilados (90-95-99) de PA sistólica (PAS) y la PA diastólica PAD) con edad, sexo y talla se optó por utilizar la talla agrupada: T150 (≤150 cm), T160 (151-160 cm), T170 (161-170 cm) y T180 (≥171 cm). Resultados: Se incluyeron 2.758 adolescentes de entre 12 y 17 años. La PA aumenta con la edad, con diferencias de hasta 11 mmHg en chicos vs. 3 mmHg en chicas para PAS y de 3vs. 1 mmHg para PAD. En PAS elevada, para los más jóvenes, la diferencia en función de la altura es de 15mmHg en chicos vs. 8 mmHg en chicas, sin existir aumento significativo en los más mayores en ningún género. La PAD elevada varía en función de la talla: 10 mmHg en los chicos pequeños y 3 mmHg en los mayores, mientras que en las chicas la variación es de 3mmHg para todas las edades. Conclusiones: Los valores de PAS/PAD en los adolescentes aumentan con la edad y, sobre todo, con la altura: las cifras llegan a ser muy similares en los más altos, independientemente de la edad

Introduction: High blood pressure (HBP) is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and its detection at early ages may allow strategies to be designed to reduce cardiovascular risk in adulthood. Objectives: To provide blood pressure (BP) values in a sample of adolescents using an electronic oscillometric device. Material and methods: BP was measured according the European Society of Hypertension guidelines using an oscillometric device. Height and weight were also measured. Four height groups were used in order to associate the 90, 95, and 99 percentiles with systolic BP (pSBP) and diastolic BP percentiles (pDBP) for sex and age: H150 (≤ 150cm), H160 (151-160 cm), H170 (161-170 cm), and H180 (≥171 cm). Results: Data from 2,758 students aged 12-17 years were included in the analysis. BP increases with age, with differences of up to 11 mmHg in boys vs. 3 mmHg in girls for SBP and 3 mmHg vs. 1mmHg for DBP. In high SBP, for the younger adolescents, the difference related to height was 15 mmHg in boys vs. 8 mmHg in girls, with no significant increase in the older ones in either gender. The high BDP varied depending on the height, 10 mmHg in younger boys and 3 mmHg in older ones, while in girls the variation was 3mmHg for all ages. Conclusions: SBP/DBP in adolescents increases with age and also with height, giving similar figures in the taller ones, regardless of age

[Blood pressure values in adolescents in the Community of Madrid: Tables based on the MEPAFAC Study]. / Valores de presión arterial obtenidos en población adolescente de la Comunidad de Madrid: Tablas basadas en el estudio MEPAFAC.

INTRODUCTION: High blood pressure (HBP) is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and its detection at early ages may allow strategies to be designed to reduce cardiovascular risk in adulthood. OBJECTIVES: To provide blood pressure (BP) values in a sample of adolescents using an electronic oscillometric device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BP was measured according the European Society of Hypertension guidelines using an oscillometric device. Height and weight were also measured. Four height groups were used in order to associate the 90, 95, and 99 percentiles with systolic BP (pSBP) and diastolic BP percentiles (pDBP) for sex and age: H150 (≤ 150cm), H160(151-160cm), H170(161-170cm), and H180(≥171cm). RESULTS: Data from 2,758 students aged 12-17 years were included in the analysis. BP increases with age, with differences of up to 11mmHg in boys vs. 3mmHg in girls for SBP and 3mmHg vs. 1mmHg for DBP. In high SBP, for the younger adolescents, the difference related to height was 15mmHg in boys vs. 8mmHg in girls, with no significant increase in the older ones in either gender. The high BDP varied depending on the height, 10mmHg in younger boys and 3mmHg in older ones, while in girls the variation was 3mmHg for all ages. CONCLUSIONS: SBP/DBP in adolescents increases with age and also with height, giving similar figures in the taller ones, regardless of age.

Moderate or supranormal folic acid supplementation does not exert a protective effect for homocysteinemia and methylation markers in growing rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Folic acid (FA) deficiency/supplementation effects seem to be dependent on age group and/or physiological status. The aim was to evaluate changes associated with rapid growth in relation to methionine metabolism in rats. METHODS: Four groups (n = 10 each) of male Sprague Dawley rats (5 weeks old) were on diets that varied in their FA content: 0 mg FA/kg diet (deficient), 2 mg FA/kg diet (control), 8 mg FA/kg diet (moderate supplementation), 40 mg FA/kg diet (supranormal supplementation). Animals were fed ad libitum for 30 days. Biomarkers of methionine metabolism and antioxidant status were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum total homocysteine concentration increased (p < 0.01) in FA deficient animals, with no differences between the supplemented groups. The hepatic 'methylation ratio' (S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine) of the FA content groups reached similar values, which were significantly higher compared to the deficient group. The brain 'methylation ratio', however, remained unmodified independently of FA content in the diet. FA deficiency induced hepatic DNA hypomethylation, and supranormal FA supplementation exerted the most protective effect (p < 0.01). Serum folate levels increased according to FA dietary level, whereas no differences were seen for vitamin B(12) and vitamin B(6). CONCLUSIONS: FA deficiency compromises methionine metabolism whereas supplementation does not show an additional positive effect compared to the control diet in growing animals.