Nutrition
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Heart failure is a multifaceted pathophysiologic syndrome, with prevalent dysfunction of other vital organs and systems. The role of the liver in this disease has been little investigated, although up to 80% of patients with heart failure present with some form of liver dysfunction. In addition to its multiple metabolic functions, the liver has a crucial role in the removal of circulating endotoxins and in regulating immune responses and iron homeostasis. ⋯ However, the antioxidant capacity of the liver seems to be inadequate because there is evidence for selenium deficiency in patients with heart failure. The aim of this article was to summarize the various aspects of liver dysfunction in heart failure and to highlight the role of liver-derived factors in the development of specific nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional strategies opposing these deficiencies might present promising additive treatments of heart failure.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Serum and macular responses to multiple xanthophyll supplements in patients with early age-related macular degeneration.
This randomized controlled trial examined serum and macular (in vivo measured macular pigment optical density [MPOD]) responses to supplemental lutein and zeaxanthin in Chinese subjects with early age-related macular degeneration. ⋯ Xanthophyll supplementation significantly increased serum concentrations and MPOD in patients with early age-related macular degeneration, and a higher lutein supplementation (20 mg/d) might be more effective in increasing these two biochemical markers in Chinese patients without significant side effects.
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The present study assessed whether compliance with the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines is related to habitual fatty acid (FA) intake and blood lipid parameters. ⋯ Although compliance with the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines was not always associated with a favorable FA intake pattern, a significant favorable association with some serum biomarkers was observed. This outcome underlines the importance of considering dietary habits instead of single-nutrient intakes.
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To evaluate the association between visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors and to compare the ultrasonographic measurements of abdominal visceral fat with abdominal circumference (AC). ⋯ Ultrasonographic measurements of visceral fat were correlated with cardiovascular risk factors, but this association was also demonstrable with AC measurements. Our results suggest that the measurement of visceral fat by ultrasound is unnecessary for the diagnosis of cardiovascular risk in well-nourished or obese adolescents.
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Comparative Study
Differences in direct pharmacologic effects and antioxidative properties of mature breast milk and infant formulas.
Early-onset and exclusive breast-feeding provides a significant health benefit to infants compared with infant formulas. The aim of this study was to compare mature breast milk with standard infant formulas by examining their effects on non-vascular smooth muscle contraction and their antioxidative properties. ⋯ Human milk exerts direct pharmacologic relaxation effects and provides better antioxidant protection compared with infant formulas because of the presence of specific enzymatic components, such as human superoxide dismutase. We propose that these effects should be advantageous to an infant's gastrointestinal tract by supporting the normal work of the smooth musculature and maintaining redox homeostasis and may represent one of the mechanisms by which breast-feeding benefits health.