A utilização de fitoterápicos no tratamento da obesidade / Phytoterapic medicines for obesity treatment

A obesidade é considerada um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública no mundo. É um fator que predispõe outras enfermidades e está relacionada ao aumento da taxa de morbidade e mortalidade. Para o tratamento da obesidade são empregados vários métodos, dentre eles o uso da fitoterapia. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as evidências científicas sobre a utilização do Phaseolus vulgaris, Cynara scolymus e Camelia sinensis no tratamento da obesidade. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa da literatura, desenvolvida por meio de levantamento bibliográfico de artigos científicos que relacionavam os fitoterápicos com a obesidade, e publicados nos últimos 10 anos. Foi possível observar que estes fitoterápicos podem ser alternativas para tratamento da obesidade. O Phaseolus vulgaris parece proporcionar importante redução de peso devido à redução da absorção dos carboidratos. A Cynara scolymus possui frutooligossacarideos e a inulina, que alteram o trânsito intestinal e ocasionam uma rápida eliminação do bolo fecal, e, consequentemente, reduz a absorção dos lipídeos que, em excesso, contribuem para a obesidade. A Camelia sinensis aumenta a termogênese e a oxidação lipídica, o que promove gasto energético e o emagrecimento. O tratamento da obesidade pode abranger diferentes alternativas terapêuticas, ressaltando sempre a importância da utilização de fitoterápicos indicados apenas por profissionais habilitados, a fim de se alcançar resultados desejáveis e evitar efeitos adversos

Obesity is considered one of the biggest public health problems in the world. It is a factor that predisposes other diseases and it is related to the increase of the rate of morbidity and mortality. Several methods are employed to treat obesity, among them the use of herbal medicine. The present study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on the use of Phaseolus vulgaris, Cynara scolymus and Camelia sinensis in the treatment of obesity. This is a narrative review of the literature, developed through a bibliographical survey of scientific articles that related phytotherapeutics to obesity, and published in the last 10 years. It was possible to observe that these phytotherapics may be alternatives for the treatment of obesity. Phaseolus vulgaris appears to provide significant weight reduction due to reduced absorption of carbohydrates. Cynara scolymus has fructooligosaccharides and inulin, which alter intestinal transit and cause a rapid elimination of faecal cake, and consequently reduces the absorption of lipids that in excess contribute to obesity. Camelia sinensis increases thermogenesis and lipid oxidation, which promotes energy expenditure and weight loss. The treatment of obesity can cover different therapeutic alternatives, always emphasizing the importance of the use of phytotherapics indicated only by qualified professionals, in order to achieve desirable results and avoid adverse effects

Exposure to specific herbal products during pregnancy and the risk of low birth weight.

CONTEXT: Despite the fact that herbal products (HP) are used frequently during gestation worldwide, studies indicate that they may not be free of danger for fetuses. Evidence about the safety of HP use during pregnancy and their impact on pregnancy outcomes is currently lacking. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy (≥15 weeks of gestation [WG]) and more specifically, between use of chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), flax (Linum usitatissimum), peppermint (M. balsamea), or green tea (Camellia sinensis) (alone or in combination with other HPs) and the risk of low birth weight (LBW). DESIGN: We evaluated data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry, which was created by the linkage of 3 administrative databases in Quebec, and a self-administered questionnaire mailed to subjects. Participants 8505 women were randomly selected from the registry. Overall, 38.5% of women (n = 3273) returned their questionnaires, and 3183 were included in the study (8 were excluded because of missing values on birth weight or giving birth to twins or triplets). Outcome measures We performed a case-control analysis. Cases were defined as women who delivered a newborn <2500g and controls as women who delivered a newborn ≥2500g. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Amongst the selected 3183 participants, 424 (13.32%) were cases. After adjusting for potential confounders, no statistically significant associations were found between the use of any HP during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of LBW, or between the use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea (alone or in combination with other HPs) during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of LBW. CONCLUSION: HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and more specifically, use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea alone or in combination with other HPs did not significantly increase the risk of LBW.