Genotype Prevalence of Lactose Deficiency, Vitamin D Deficiency, and the Vitamin D Receptor in a Chilean Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort: Insights from an Observational Study.

Lactose intolerance (LI) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted an observational study in 192 Chilean IBD patients to investigate the prevalence of a specific gene variant (LCT-13910 CC genotype) associated with LI and the prevalence of VDD/Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene variants. Blood samples were analyzed using Illumina's Infinium Global Screening Array. The LCT-13910 CC genotype was found in 61% of IBD patients, similar to Chilean Hispanic controls and lower than Chilean Amerindian controls. The frequency of the LCT-13910-C allele in Chilean IBD patients (0.79) was comparable to the general population and higher than Europeans (0.49). Regarding VDR and VDD variants, in our study, the rs12785878-GG variant was associated with an increased risk of IBD (OR = 2.64, CI = 1.61-4.32; p-value = 0.001). Sixty-one percent of the Chilean IBD cohort have a genetic predisposition to lactose malabsorption, and a significant proportion exhibit genetic variants associated with VDD/VDR. Screening for LI and VDD is crucial in this Latin American IBD population.

Polyphenols and their anti-obesity role mediated by the gut microbiota: a comprehensive review.

Obesity is a global public health problem that results in chronic pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The treatment approach based on energy restriction and promotion of physical activity is ineffective in the long term. Due to the high prevalence of this pathology, complementary treatments such as brown adipose tissue activation (BAT) and white adipose tissue browning (WAT) have been proposed. Dietary polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites that can stimulate browning and thermogenesis of adipose tissue. They have also been shown to prevent body weight gain, and decrease systemic inflammation produced by high-fat diets. Ingested dietary polyphenols that reach the colon are metabolized by the gut microbiota (GM), regulating its composition and generating a great array of metabolites. GM is involved in the production of short chain fatty acids and secondary bile salts that regulate energetic metabolism. The alteration in the composition of GM observed in metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes can be attenuated by polyphenols. Recent studies support the hypothesis that GM would mediate WAT browning and BAT thermogenesis activation induced by polyphenol administration. Together, these results indicate that GM in the presence of polyphenols plays a fundamental role in the control of obesity possible through BAT activation.

Sistema de porciones de intercambio de alimentos en Chile y el mundo: historia, usos y consideraciones / Food portion exchange lists in Chile and the world: history, uses and considerations

El sistema de porciones de intercambio es una metodología sencilla y rápida que se utiliza para entregar indicaciones alimentarias a usuarios sanos y con patologías. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para actualizar conceptos y evaluar la vigencia de su uso y sus aplicaciones. El sistema es ampliamente usado en diferentes países, incluyendo Chile, existiendo distintos tipos de listas de alimentos y preparaciones según la metodología de la definición de las porciones, o bien según diversidad y número de alimentos presentes. Su uso es mayormente con fines asistenciales, siendo también útil en educación comunitaria y docencia. En Chile, los listados de porciones intercambiables fueron publicados el año 1999 y no se han actualizado hasta la fecha. Razones como el cambio en el perfil epidemiológico, mayor acceso a la información y la diversificación de alimentos en la dieta, hace necesario una revisión in extenso de los listados nacionales, con el fin de incorporar mayor diversidad de alimentos y preparaciones típicas a tan masiva y necesaria herramienta técnica, que es fundamental para el profesional Nutricionista y un aporte a la salud y a la cultura de los países.

The food portion exchange list is a simple and fast methodology that is used to give dietary indications to healthy and sick users. A review was carried out to update concepts and evaluate the current state of the exchange list used and their application. The system is widely used in different countries, including Chile, there are different types of foods or preparations exchange lists that use different methodologies for the definition of portions, according to the diversity and number of foods present. Its use is mainly for healthcare purposes, being also useful in community education and college teaching. In Chile, the food portion exchange lists were published in 1999 and have not been updated since. Reasons such as the change in the epidemiological profile, greater access to information and the diversification of foods in the diet, make necessary an in-depth review of the national lists, in order to incorporate a greater diversity of foods and typical preparations. Exchange lists are a necessary technical tool fundamental for nutrition professionals and contribute to the health and culture of countries.