Francesca Monteferrario

The Effect of Melatonin, Magnesium, and Zinc on Primary Insomnia in Long-Term Care Facility Residents in Italy: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether nightly administration of melatonin, magnesium, and zinc improves primary insomnia in long‐term care facility residents.

Novel Insights on Nutrient Management of Sarcopenia in Elderly

Sarcopenia is defined as a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength. The more rationale approach to delay the progression of sarcopenia is based on the combination of proper nutrition, possibly associated with the use of dietary supplements and a regular exercise program. We performed a narrative literature review to evaluate the till-now evidence regarding (1) the metabolic and nutritional correlates of sarcopenia; (2) the optimum diet therapy for the treatment of these abnormalities. This review included 67 eligible studies. In addition to the well recognized link between adequate intake of proteins/amino acids and sarcopenia, the recent literature underlines that in sarcopenic elderly subjects there is an unbalance in vitamin D synthesis and in omega-6/omega-3 PUFA ratio. Given the detrimental effect of these metabolic abnormalities, a change in the lifestyle must be the cornerstone in the treatment of sarcopenia. The optimum diet therapy for the sarcopenia treatment must aim at achieving specific metabolic goals, which must be reached through accession of the elderly to specific personalized dietary program aimed at achieving and/or maintaining muscle mass; increasing their intake of fish (4 times/week) or taking omega-3 PUFA supplements; taking vitamin D supplementation, if there are low serum levels.

Satiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulation

Objective:To test the effect on satiety of a formulation comprising plant extracts naturally containing 5-hydroxytryptophan, delivered as sublingual spray (5HTP-Nat Exts), administered five times a day for 2 months.Design:Two-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Subjects:A total of 27 healthy, adult overweight women were randomly assigned to the treatment (14) or the placebo group (13).Measurements:Visual analog scales were used to assess appetite sensations every day. Moreover, the study evaluated the bioavailability of 5-hydroxytryptophan following sublingual delivery over 8 weeks, by comparing 24-h urinary excretion of 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), determined at baseline and after 2 months. Other secondary end points of the study were to compare body composition, depressive symptoms, severity of binge eating and quality of life. Finally, the study tested whether a single administration of 5HTP-Nat Exts in fasting state has an effect on amino-acid profile and on appetite ratings and whether 5HTP-Nat Exts administered before a fixed test meal has any effect on satiety.Results:The group using the 5HTP-Nat Exts experienced a significantly greater increase in their sensation of satiety over an 8-week timeframe and in fasting state following administration of 5HTP-Nat Exts than the placebo group did (AUC=305.2 (52.8) vs 236.6 (59.4), mean difference −68.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) −116.2 to −21.2), P=0.007; mean difference in Haber score change 2.5 (95% CI 0.62–3.12, P=0.007)). A difference was observed between the groups for the mean change in 5-HIAA. All the amino acids evaluated after a single administration of 5HTP-Nat Exts were found to be similar. Differences were found for the mean change in body mass index, skinfold thicknesses and hip circumference. The other parameters were found to be similar.Conclusion:All these findings suggest that 5HTP-Nat Exts may be safely used to treat the problem of appetite control in overweight women during a weight loss program.

[Update on the therapeutic qualities of the rice bran in the treatment of dyslipidemia and chemo-prevention].

Rice (Oryza Sativa) bran, comprising 10% of the total rice grain, is a by-product of the rice milling industry with world production of about 50-60 million metric tons per year. Rice bran is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids, protein, carbohydrates and other critical minerals and nutrients. In addition to being an excellent source of nutrients, rice bran is reported to be rich in phytonutrients that provide health benefits associated with blood sugar control, cholesterol metabolism, prostate health and chemoprevention. This paper focus on these phytonutrients and their effect on health.

Review sul ruolo della melatonina nella prevenzione del cancro e nella gestione delle comorbilità cancro-correlate, quali i disturbi del ritmo sonno-veglia e del tono dell’umore

SommarioLa melatonina regolarizza i ritmi circadiani sonno-veglia, il tono dell’umore e sembra avere un ruolo protettivo sul rischio di carcinogenesi. Questo ormone viene utilizzato nella terapia dei disturbi del sonno e del tono dell’umore che spesso colpiscono sia i pazienti oncologici, sia gli anziani, sia chi svolge un lavoro notturno. Nella presente review vengono riportati i principali lavori scientifici in vitro, nel modello animale e nell’uomo in merito a questi argomenti.