Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Zinc supplementation improves glucose homeostasis in patients with β-thalassemia major complicated with diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial.
The development of abnormal glucose tolerance in β-thalassemia major (β-TM) is associated with alterations in the oxidant-antioxidant status. Zinc is an antioxidant and an essential element for insulin synthesis, storage, and secretion. This randomized controlled trial assessed the effect of oral zinc supplementation on glucose homeostasis in pediatric β-TM patients complicated with diabetes mellitus (DM). ⋯ Zinc supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in β-TM patients with DM reduced iron burden, decreased hyperglycemia, increased insulin secretion, and improved glycemic control without any adverse effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Adherence to diet low in fermentable carbohydrates and traditional diet for irritable bowel syndrome.
Dietary interventions in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include a traditional IBS diet following the guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to these diets, food groups difficult to replace, and dietary determinants of symptom improvement. ⋯ In both the low FODMAP and traditional IBS diet, certain food groups were difficult to replace. Because adherence may predict symptom improvement, close dietary guidance might enhance the efficacy of both diets.
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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction with fibrosis of skin and internal organs. Integrity of the endothelial cell is important to its physiologic function such as production of angiogenetic factors. The aim of this study was to assess whether phase angle (PhA) is altered in patients with SSc and whether its values correlate with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and digital microvascular damage. ⋯ The evaluation of VEGF with PhA, NVC, and DUs could be useful to estimate cellular and microvascular damage in patients with SSc.
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Observational Study
Validation and improvement of the predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in advanced gastrointestinal cancer.
The usual predictive equations for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) seem to be associated with significant inaccuracy in patients with advanced cancer. Recently, our group developed a predictive equation for patients with advanced head and neck cancer, showing a better accuracy when compared with indirect calorimetry. The aim of this study was to validate this predictive equation and, if necessary, to elaborate a new predictive equation for patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. ⋯ A new equation considering phase angle and body composition can improve the accuracy of the predictive equation.
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Consumption of antioxidant-rich foods has been associated with a reduced risk for stroke. However, antioxidant supplementation is not recommended owing to controversial findings reported in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to better understand the effect of dietary antioxidants by investigating the effect of dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC), reflecting the antioxidant potential of the whole diet, on the risk for stroke. ⋯ Higher dietary NEAC was not associated with any type of stroke in young and middle-aged Swedish women.