Bruna Zavarize Reis

Brazil nuts: Nutritional composition, health benefits and safety aspects

Brazil nuts are among the richest selenium food sources, and studies have considered this Amazonian nut as an alternative for selenium supplementation. Besides selenium, Brazil nuts present relevant content of other micronutrients such as magnesium, copper, and zinc. The nutritional composition of nuts, also characterized by adequate fatty acid profile and high content of protein and bioactive compounds, has many health benefits. In the present review, we examine the nutritional composition of Brazil nuts, comparing it with other nuts, and describe the relevance of possible contaminants and metal toxicants observed in this nut for human health. Furthermore, we report different trials available in the literature, which demonstrate positive outcomes such as modulation of the lipid serum profile, enhancement of the antioxidant system and improvement of anti-inflammatory response. These effects have been assessed under different conditions, such as cognitive impairment, dyslipidemia, cancer, and renal failure.

Intervenção nutricional educativa como ferramenta eficaz para mudança de hábitos alimentares e peso corporal entre praticantes de atividade física

The scope of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two methods of educational nutritional intervention together with women who practice regular physical activities by fostering the adoption of healthy eating habits. The study population consisted of 52 women aged between 19 and 59 who frequented the Academia da Cidade Program in Aracaju in the State of Sergipe. The study was a randomized comparison of two intervention groups and was of the pre-test/post-test variety. The educational activities were based on two protocols - one less intensive (P1 Group) and one more intensive (P2 Group) - over a period of two months. The variables analyzed were nutritional knowledge, anthropometric measurements and changes in eating habits. The changes identified were improvement in eating habits and reduction in weight and Body Mass Index for the P2 group. The modifications identified referred mainly to increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, reduction of fat in cooking, reduction in the volume of food eaten per meal and increased meal frequency. In relation to nutritional knowledge, only 2 of the 12 questions showed significant changes. The most intensive method proved effective in changing dietary habits leading to weight loss.

Nutrimiromics: Role of microRNAs and Nutrition in Modulating Inflammation and Chronic Diseases

Nutrimiromics studies the influence of the diet on the modification of gene expression due to epigenetic processes related to microRNAs (miRNAs), which may affect the risk for the development of chronic diseases. miRNAs are a class of non-coding endogenous RNA molecules that are usually involved in post-transcriptional gene silencing by inducing mRNA degradation or translational repression by binding to a target messenger RNA. They can be controlled by environmental and dietary factors, particularly by isolated nutrients or bioactive compounds, indicating that diet manipulation may hold promise as a therapeutic approach in modulating the risk of chronic diseases. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the influence of nutrients and bioactive compounds on the expression of miRNAs related to inflammation and chronic disease in several models (cell culture, animal models, and human trials).

Índice de qualidade da dieta de mulheres usuárias de um programa de atividade física regular "Academia da Cidade", Aracajú, SE

Foram coletados dados sociodemograficos, antropometricos e dieteticos de 169 mulheres. O Indice de Qualidadeda Dieta foi obtido a partir da media de aplicacao de dois recordatorios de 24 horas. Os dados do Indice deQualidade da Dieta total e de seus componentes foram analisados de acordo com o indice de massa corporal(obesos e nao obesos) e a faixa etaria (adultos jovens e adultos velhos). Foram realizadas analise estatisticaForam coletados dados sociodemograficos, antropometricos e dieteticos de 169 mulheres. O Indice de Qualidadeda Dieta foi obtido a partir da media de aplicacao de dois recordatorios de 24 horas. Os dados do Indice deQualidade da Dieta total e de seus componentes foram analisados de acordo com o indice de massa corporal(obesos e nao obesos) e a faixa etaria (adultos jovens e adultos velhos). Foram realizadas analise estatistica

Erythrocyte SOD1 activity, but not SOD1 polymorphisms, is associated with ICU mortality in patients with septic shock

Abstract The objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) polymorphisms on erythrocyte SOD1 activity and the mortality of patients with septic shock. We prospectively evaluated 175 patients aged over 18 years with septic shock upon ICU admission. However, 38 patients were excluded. Thus, 137 patients were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken within the first 24 h of the patients admission to determine erythrocyte SOD1 activity and nine SOD1 gene polymorphisms. The mean patient age was 63 ± 16 years, 58% were men, and ICU mortality rate was 66%. The patients who died were older and more severely ill, with higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, as well as higher lactate, urea, and protein carbonyl levels. In the logistic regression model, erythrocyte SOD1 activity was associated with ICU mortality. This relationship was also maintained in the highest tertile of SOD1 activity (odds ratio [OR]: 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00–0.78; p = 0.037). Only SNP rs2070424 of the SOD1 gene influenced erythrocyte SOD1 activity. For patients with the AA allele, the activity of SOD1 was lower in relation to G‐carriers (A/G+G/G genotype) (p = 0.019). None of the nine SOD1 SNPs were associated with ICU mortality. In conclusion, the SNP rs2070424 of the SOD1 gene interferes with erythrocyte SOD1 activity, and higher activity of SOD1 was associated with decreased mortality in patients with septic shock. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsSOD1 activity was associated with mortality in patients with septic shock.The SNP rs2070424 of the SOD1 gene interferes with erythrocyte SOD1 activity.None of the nine SOD1 SNPs was associated with ICU mortality.

Micronutrients Deficiencies in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly involves synovial joints and affects up to2% of adults worldwide. Poor nutrient status in RA patients has been reported and some drug therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prescribed to alleviate RA symptoms, may increase the requirement for some nutrients and reduce their absorption. The importance of micronutrients in this disease is related to their cofactor role in immune system functions and in different metabolic processes in articular tissues. Dietary interventions can assist with the management of disease symptoms that accompany RA, such as pain, tender swollen joints, stiffness, and associated disability and disease progression. This paper reviews the scientific evidence for the role of diet and nutrient supplementation in the management of RA, by alleviating symptoms or decreasing progression of the disease.

DIET COMPOSITION IS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY IN ACTIVE WOMEN

El objetivo de este estudio fue avaluar la contribucion de la composicion de la dieta en el sobrepeso de mujeres que practican actividad fisica, basado en el supuesto de que el alto consumo de energia y lipidos y el bajo consumo de carbohidratos y fibras son factores preponderantes en la etiologia de la obesidad de esta poblacion. Se utilizo un analisis transversal en 165 mujeres adultas que practicaban, por lo menos, 150 minutos de actividad fisica moderada por semana. Las variables de resultado fueron el indice de masa corporal (IMC) y la circunferencia de la cintura (CC). Las personas se clasificaron en grupos segun el IMC - obesos (IMC ≥ 30 kg/m2) y no obesos (IMC < 30 kg/m2) - y de acuerdo con CC - con riesgo ≥ 88 cm y sin riesgo <88 cm. La ingestion dietetica se evaluo con una encuesta de recordatorio de 24 horas. Para hacer la comparacion de las medias de consumo de los grupos se utilizo el analisis de varianza (ANOVA). Se observo que 69,1% de las mujeres presentaban sobrepeso/obesidad. Las mujeres obesas consumian significativamente mas energia y colesterol y menos carbohidratos (p <0,05) y menos consumo de fibras (p <0,10), lo que no sucede en las mujeres no obesas. Ademas, las mujeres con mayor CC consumian significativamente mas energia (p <0,05) y presentaron una tendencia para menor consumo de carbohidratos y fibras (p <0,10), lo que no sucede en las mujeres con menor CC. Los resultados mostraron que, aunque estas mujeres eran fisicamente activas, tenian un IMC medio de sobrepeso, lo que indica que los habitos alimentarios estan altamente correlacionadas con este factor. Se sugiere que el bajo consumo de carbohidratos y fibras y el alto consumo de energia y colesterol han contribuido expresivamente para la obesidad entre las mujeres.