Nutrition
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In critically ill patients, the optimal procedure to monitor upper gastrointestinal function is controversial. Several authors have proposed gastric residual volume (GRV) as a tool to guide enteral nutrition. The aim of this contribution is to briefly discuss corresponding studies. ⋯ For mechanically ventilated patients with a medical diagnosis at admission to the intensive care unit, monitoring of GRV appears unnecessary to guide nutrition. Surgical patients might profit, however, from a low GRV threshold (200 mL).
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Several studies assessed the effect of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) on energy intake in children but findings are not consistent in this regard. The aim of this study is to summarize and assess the evidence for the effect of GI and GL on energy intake by conducting a meta-analysis on published randomized clinical trials. ⋯ Consuming LGI diet (not LGL) has favorable effect on reducing energy intake and obesity, subsequently.
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Approximately 45% of the elderly population suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD). The onset and the course of CKD can be ameliorated to a significant degree by several interventions, such as lowering blood pressure and serum lipid levels and achieving optimal glucose control in diabetes. ⋯ However, in the elderly, feasibility and compliance to LPD could be difficult and its effects are uncertain. In this contribution, we discuss the usefulness and the barriers of LPD regimen in the elderly.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute effects of beer on endothelial function and hemodynamics: a single-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers.
Moderate consumption of beer is associated with lower cardiovascular (CV) risk. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of beer consumption on CV risk. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we studied the acute effects of the constituents of beer (alcohol and antioxidants), on established predictors of CV risk: endothelial function, aortic stiffness, pressure wave reflections and aortic pressure. ⋯ Beer acutely improves parameters of arterial function and structure, in healthy non-smokers. This benefit seems to be mediated by the additive or synergistic effects of alcohol and antioxidants and merits further investigation.