Nutrition
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Caffeine is a popular and widely consumed sporting ergogenic aid. Over the years, the effects of different caffeine doses have been researched, with the general consensus being that 3 to 6 mg/kg of caffeine represents the optimal dose for most people. Recently, there has been increased attention placed on lower (≤3 mg/kg) caffeine doses, with some research suggesting these doses are also ergogenic. ⋯ Although low caffeine doses do appear to bestow ergogenic effects, these effects have not been adequately compared with the currently accepted best practice dose of 3 to 6 mg/kg. This methodological oversight limits the practical conclusions we can extract from the research into the efficacy of lower doses of caffeine, as the relative ergogenic benefits between low and recommended doses remains unclear. Here, we examine existing research with a critical eye, and provide recommendations both for those looking to use caffeine to enhance their performance, and those conducting research into caffeine and sport.
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Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited muscle disorder characterized by slowly progressive weakness due to muscle degeneration. The Muscular Impairment Rating Scale (MIRS) is validated to assess clinical muscle severity of patients with DM1, although the scale is not sensitive enough to assess disease progression in time intervals fit for clinical trials. The aim of this study was to analyze bioelectrical whole body and arm segmental parameters in patients with DM1 to explore a correlation between bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters and disease stage. ⋯ Results from the study support the use of BIA as a suitable procedure for staging DM1 muscle involvement and as a measure of muscle disease outcome, in clinical practice and in clinical trial design of therapeutic drugs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized, 6-wk trial of a low FODMAP diet in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet (LFD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ⋯ A short-term, LFD is safe for patients with IBD, and is associated with an amelioration of fecal inflammatory markers and quality of life even in patients with mainly quiescent disease.
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Acid-base status, which can be affected by dietary acid load (DAL), has been associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Given the limited published literature on DAL, the aim of this study was to examine the association between DAL and risk factors for CVD and prevalence of MetS in young women. ⋯ Compared with women with a low DAL score, women with a higher DAL score had higher weight, waist circumference, and triglyceride concentrations.
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The aims of this study were to develop and validate a resting energy expenditure (REE) predictive equation in a cohort of patients on dialysis and to test the accuracy of two previously developed specific equations to estimate REE of these patients. ⋯ The new equations developed showed good accuracy and can be valuable to estimate energy needs of patients on dialysis. Byham-Gray's and Vilar's equations presented low to moderate performance to estimate REE of the patients on dialysis.