Rebeca Monroy-Torres

Arsenic in Mexican Children Exposed to Contaminated Well Water

This cross-sectional study measures the arsenic level in school children exposed to contaminated well water in a rural area in México. Arsenic was measured in hair by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Overall, 110 children were included (average 10 years-old). Among 55 exposed children, mean arsenic level on hair was 1.3 mg/kg (range <0.006–5.9). All unexposed children had undetectable arsenic levels. The high level of arsenic in water was associated to the level in hair. However, exposed children drank less well water at school or at home than unexposed children, suggesting that the use of contaminated water to cook beans, broths or soups may be the source of arsenic exposure.

Intake of Vitamin C, Probiotics, Flavonoids and Nutritional Status in Pregnant Women with Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infections are the most common infections seen in medical practice and a frequent complication in pregnancy. Diet and nutritional status, especially regarding the consumption of certain antioxidants, has a particularly strong relationship with urinary function and health. The aim of this study was to describe the intake of vitamin C, probi- otics and flavonoids, and assess the nutritional status of pregnant women with urinary tract infection. A descriptive trans- versal study was conducted with a pilot sample of 18 pregnant women over 18 years of age, with Urinary Tract Infection, presenting in any quarter of the pregnancy, and blood counts in their medical records. Body mass index and weight gain were measured. Intakes of vitamin C, flavonoids and probiotics were analyzed based on the frequency of consumption of respective food sources. Dietary quality and quantity were analyzed according to report of the frequency of food con- sumption and in a 24-hour recall (p<0.05). Most patients consumed foods rich in vitamin C. Consumption of flavonoids, probiotics and water was low. Energy and macronutrient intake was below the recommendations. Nutritional status de- creased by 50% compared to pre-pregnancy nutritional status, and anemia was present in the 50% of cases. These findings may lead to defining programs for nutritional and dietary monitoring which could improve the health and nutritional prognosis for women and newborns, and prevent obstetric complications from Urinary Tract Infection.

The Influence of Diet to Control the Metabolism in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the intolerance to carbohydrates, first recognized during pregnancy. The prevalence of GDM has been increasing in the world and it affects more than 200,000 women every year. This chapter emphasizes and discusses the role of the dietary and nutritional aspects of the GDM. First, we will do a general review about the transitional changes in food that are experienced worldwide, their phases-dietary habits, industrialization, globalization, culture, the media as television, video games which have led to changes in the eating patterns and how this diet style promotes a metabolic disease, wich will be supported with Mexican evidence. Second, we will do a general literature review of the most important nutritional and dietetic recommendations, findings, calculation and prescription of a correct diet (Distribution of: proteins, lipids and carbohydrates), in combination with counseling nutritional importance. Next, we will compare two recommended diets for GDM with the evidence we got from our research. Moreover, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the glucemyc index and how a low and moderate one allows the control of blood glucose. The glycemic index is defined as the area under the curve of glucose response after eating a recomended amount of carbohydrates from a test food after a control food (white bread or glucose), and these had been considered part of the control of blood glucose. Besides, we present the methods for collecting diet information as a complement to improve the follow up and the adherence to GDM. Other important aspects to discuss are the importance of the preventive and promotional strategies in the medical nutrition therapy, physical activity, benefits, risk and the type of exercise for GDM, education, psychological support, insuline and drugs . The prevention and promotion should consider economical and social aspects because pregnant women use to change their food consumption because of economical influence. The health costs and long management of GDM mothers have a wide range of possible complications. These recommendations should result in adequate weight gain for the fetus and the woman. A deficit in the weight gain is associated with intrauterine growth restriction for the fetus. Dietary control is defined as a part of the comprehensive treatment of GDM and the diets low in carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins have demonstrated to reduce hyperglycemia and to prevent macrosomia compared with diets high in carbohydrates carbon.