Nutrition
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Early nutritional support and physiotherapy improved long-term self-sufficiency in acutely ill older patients.
An acute disease is regularly associated with inflammation, decreased food intake, and low physical activity; the consequence is loss of muscle mass. However, the restoration of muscle tissue is problematic, especially in older patients. Loss of muscle mass leads to further decrease of physical activity which leads, together with recurring disease, to the progressive muscle mass loss accompanied by loss of self-sufficiency. Early nutrition support and physical activity could reverse this situation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether an active approach based on early nutritional therapy and exercise would influence the development of sarcopenia and impaired self-sufficiency during acute illness. ⋯ The early nutritional intervention together with early rehabilitation preserves muscle mass and independence in ill older patients hospitalized because of acute disease.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of oral administration of orodispersible levo-carnosine on quality of life and exercise performance in patients with chronic heart failure.
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by several micronutrient deficits. Amino acid supplementation may have a positive effect on nutritional and metabolic status in patients with CHF. Levo-carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is expressed at a high concentration in myocardium and muscle. Preliminary studies with L-carnosine in healthy individuals have suggested a potential role in improving exercise performance. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to test the oral supplementation of L-carnosine and its effects on quality of life and exercise performance in patients with stable CHF. ⋯ This study suggests that L-carnosine, added to conventional therapy, has beneficial effects on exercise performance and quality of life in stable CHF. More data are necessary to evaluate its effects on left-ventricular ejection fraction and prognosis in CHF.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effect of zinc on liver cirrhosis with hyperammonemia: a preliminary randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial.
To our knowledge, no randomized study has shown whether zinc replacement therapy is effective for hyperammonemia in liver cirrhosis; therefore, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine efficacy and safety of the zinc replacement therapy. ⋯ Although this study is preliminary and includes a small sample, it is, to our knowledge, the first randomized controlled trial to show that zinc supplementation for 3 mo seems effective and safe for treating hyperammonemia in liver cirrhosis. Studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm our findings.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation modulates the Th1/Th2 balance after exercise performed at a simulated altitude of 4500 m.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate or glutamine supplementation, or a combination of the two, on the immune system and inflammatory parameters after exercise in simulated hypoxic conditions at 4500 m. ⋯ Carbohydrate or glutamine supplementation shifts the T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance toward Th1 responses after exercise at a simulated altitude of 4500 m. The nutritional strategies increased in IL-6, suggesting an important anti-inflammatory effect.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Erythrocyte saturated fatty acids and systemic inflammation in adults.
The role of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in chronic disease remains controversial; inflammation is one pathway by which SFAs influence the risk for chronic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid SFAs and systemic inflammation. ⋯ RBC SFAs, which represent longer-term dietary intake, are positively associated with inflammation. In particular, palmitic acid was associated with IL-6, and stearic acid was associated with CRP after multivariable adjustment.