Evolution and Therapy of Brain by Foods Containing Unsaturated Fatty Acids

About 6 million years ago, our ancestors had experienced a tremendous brain growth, widely viewed as a “major adaptive shift” in human evolution. Half of human brain composition is fat and 20% of its dry weight is long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). Consequently, improvements in consumption of dietary fat were necessary condition for promoting encephalization. Dietary fat quantity and quality have been subjected to tremendous change over the past 10,000 years with the introduction of industrially produced trans fatty acids and reduced intakes of ω‐3 fatty acids. The absolute human brain size reached its peak of approximately 90,000 years ago and has decreased by 11% since 35,000 years ago, most of it (8%) coming in the last 10,000 years. The shortfall in consumption of animal foods since the late Paleolithic and mainly consequent shortfall in consumption of preformed LCPUFA would be the plausible hypothesis for the brain size decreasing. Genetically, we are still adapted to the East African ecosystem on which our genome evolved, with some adaptations since the Out‐of‐Africa Diaspora. Dietary fat quantity and quality change has caused a conflict with our slowly adapting genome and this mismatch is likely to be at the basis of “typically Western” diseases. Many recommendations for the intakes of EPA + DHA have been issued, notably for prevention. However, the ultimate goal might be to return to the fat quality of our ancient diet on which our genes have evolved during the past million years of evolution

Comparison of Predictive Equations for Resting Energy Expenditure in Overweight and Obese Adults

Objective. To compare values from predictive equations of resting energy expenditure (REE) with indirect calorimetry (IC) in overweight and obese adults. Methods. Eighty-two participants aged 30 to 60 years old were retrospectively analyzed. The persons had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. REE was estimated by IC and other five equations of the literature (Harris and Benedict, WHO1, WHO2, Owen, Mifflin). Results. All equations had different values when compared to those of IC. The best values were found by Harris and Benedict, WHO1, and WHO2, with high values of intraclass correlation coefficient and low values of mean difference. Furthermore, WHO1 and WHO2 showed lower systematic error and random. Conclusion. No predictive equations had the same values of REE as compared to those of indirect calorimetry, and those which least underestimated REE were the equations of WHO1, WHO2, and Harris and Benedict. The next step would be to validate the new equation proposed

The supplementation of L-carnitine does not promote alterations in the resting metabolic rate and in the use of energetic substrates in physically active individuals

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da suplementação de L-carnitina, por 30 dias, sobre a taxa metabólica de repouso (TMR) e oxidação de ácidos graxos livres (AGL), em repouso e exercício. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Vinte e um voluntários ativos (40 a 58 anos) com sobrepeso foram randomizados em dois grupos: suplementado (GS; N = 11; 1,8 g/dia de L-carnitina) e placebo (GP; N = 10; maltodextrina). Foi feita avaliação da ingestão calórica, antropometria, determinação da TMR, VO2máx, quociente respiratório e AGL plasmáticos. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa na ingestão (-244,66 vs. -126,00 kcal/dia), composição corporal (-0,07 vs. -0,17 kg/m²), TMR (0,06 vs. -0,02 kcal/ dia), quociente respiratório em repouso (3,69 vs. -1,01) e exercício (0,01 vs. -0,01) e VO2máx (0,50 vs. 1,25 mL/kg/min) para o grupo GS em relação ao GP. Houve aumento dos AGL em repouso no GP (0,27), porém sem diferenças no exercício para os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve efeito da L-carnitina em nenhuma das variáveis analisadas no estudo.PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation, over thirty days, on the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and oxidation of free fatty acids (FFA) under rested or exercised conditions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one overweight active volunteers (40 to 58 years old) were randomized into two groups: supplemented (GS; N = 11; 1,8 g/day of L-carnitine) or placebo (GP; N = 10; maltodextrin). Caloric intake, anthropometry, RMR, VO2max, respiratory exchange ratio and plasma FFA were measured. RESULTS: No significant changes were found in the caloric intake (-244,66 vs. -126,00 kcal/day), body composition (-0.07 vs. -0.17 kg/m²), RMR (0.06 vs. -0.02 kcal/day), respiratory exchange ratio at rest (3.69 vs. -1.01) and exercise (0.01 vs. -0.01) or VO2max (0.50 vs. 1.25 mL/kg/min) between GS and GP. Plasma FFA levels were increased under resting conditions only in the GP group (0.27), but no significant changes were observed before or after physical activity in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with L-carnitine caused no changes in the variables analyzed in this study

Feeding practices and physical inactivity contributions to childhood overweight

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature in order to show how current feeding and physical activity practices may contribute to childhood overweight. DATA SOURCE: Ovid Journals, Highwire and SciELO, selecting original and review articles from 1997 to 2007, published in English and Portuguese. DATA SYNTHESIS: The periodic assessment of children nutritional status is important to diagnose their current health status and to predict their adult life prognosis. In Brazil, the prevalence of childhood obesity is progressively increasing in all social classes and its frequency varies from five to 18%, according to the region assessed. The association between the health, demographic and behavioral transition and the change in feeding practices can explain the increasing prevalence of childhood overweight. The current food consumption with high fat, sugar and sodium intake and low intake of whole cereals, fruits and vegetables associated to physical inactivity due to the excessive use of computers, electronic games and television may play a role in childhood obesity. This life style can be explained by changing family habits and school environment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest considerable influence of environmental factors, mainly nutritional habits and physical inactivity, on the increasing prevalence of childhood overweight.OBJETIVO: Revisar estudos que abordam as práticas alimentares atuais e o padrão de atividade física como contribuintes do excesso de peso na infância. FONTES DE DADOS: Ovid Journals, Highwire e SciELO, com seleção de artigos originais e de revisão nos últimos dez anos (1997 a 2007), na língua portuguesa e inglesa. SÍNTESE DE DADOS: O acompanhamento do estado nutricional de crianças permite diagnosticar seu estado de saúde atual, bem como predizer parcialmente seu prognóstico na vida adulta. A prevalência de obesidade infantil, no Brasil, apresenta aumento progressivo em todas as classes sociais e sua freqüência varia entre cinco a 18%, dependendo da região estudada. A associação da transição epidemiológica, demográfica e comportamental e a alteração do hábito alimentar são apontadas como fatores causais do aumento progressivo da obesidade infantil. Práticas alimentares caracterizadas por elevado teor de lipídios, sacarose e sódio e por reduzido consumo de cereais integrais, frutas e hortaliças associadas à inatividade física decorrente do uso de computadores, jogos eletrônicos e televisores influenciam parte considerável de crianças. Este estilo de vida reflete os hábitos familiares e pode ser influenciado pelo ambiente escolar no qual a criança está inserida. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados sugerem influência considerável dos fatores ambientais, principalmente hábitos alimentares e inatividade física, no crescente aumento da prevalência de excesso de peso na população pediátrica.Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Medicina de BotucatuUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroUnesp FMB Departamento de PediatriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de FisiologiaUnesp FMBUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de FisiologiaSciEL

Níveis séricos de vitamina "A" em pré-escolares de um bairro pobre de Manaus - AM

The nutritional status of vitamim A was studied in 240 children of both sexes between the ages of three and seven years who lived in a poor residential area of Manaus (Amazonas), Brazil. Biochemical analyses of serum retinol and β-carotene were carried out and the dietary intake was determined by means of questionnaires. Thirty - six percent and 65% of the children had serum retinol an β-caroten levels, respectively, below the normal levels, which, according to the ICNND criteria, suggests a public heath problem. The man dietaru a intake dietary vitamin A intake was only 62,6% of the US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).O estado nutricional relacionado ã vitamina A foi estudado em 240 crianças de ambos os sexos com idade entre 3 a 7 anos incompletos, residentes em um bairro pobre de Manaus-AM. Foram realizadas dosagens bioquímicas de retinol e β-caroteno no soro e inquérito alimentar. Constatou-se níveis séricos de retinol e β-caroteno abaixo do normal em 36% e 61% respectivamente, os quais, pelos critérios do Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense (ICNND), sugerem problema de Saúde Pública. Quanto adequação de consumo de vitamina "A" foi de apenas 62,6%, segundo as recomendações da National Academy of Sciences (RDA-Dose Recomendada Diária)

Dietary, Anthropometric, and Biochemical Determinants of Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol in Free-Living Adults

The level of high-density lipoprotein is thought to be critical in inhibiting lesion formation as well as reducing the lipid load of preexisting atherosclerotic lesions. With the aim of determining the main determinants of plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) in free-living adults, 997 individuals (52.3 ± 10 years, 67% females) were selected for a descriptive cross-sectional study. The used data corresponded to the baseline obtained from participants clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program. Covariables of clinical, anthropometry, food intake, aerobic fitness, and plasma biochemistry were analyzed against plasma HDL-c either as continuous or categorized variables. After adjustments for age, gender, and BMI the excess of abdominal fat along with high carbohydrate-energy intake and altered plasma triglycerides were the stronger predictors of reduced plasma HDL-c. In conclusion lifestyle interventions aiming to normalize abdominal fatness and plasma triglycerides are recommended to restore normal levels of HDL-c in these free-living adults

Ergogenic effects of caffeine on performance

The caffeine is a substance that doesn't present nutricional value being classified as an alkaloid with pharmacological effects of stimulating action on central nervous system (CNS). However, this substance has been considered a nutritional aid by being present in several drinks consumed daily, such as coffee, coke, teas, and some soft drinks with guarana in its composition. The use of this substance has became quite common in the sports through the years, particularly for athletes that dispute resistance competition. The possibility of improvement of the physical performance put this alkaloid in the list of prohibited substances for the International Olympic Committee (COI), which established the limit of 12 caffeine pg/ml in the urine as parameter for doping detection. Some studies have been demonstrating that those levels can be reached with the ingestion of approximately 9 mg/kg of body weight of caffeine. Though, more recent studies have been evidencing improvement in the athletic performance with ingestion of just 3 to 6 mg/kg for body weight of caffeine. Such observations seem to place in risk the tolerable limit specified by COI, what could favor the improvement of the performance by the users. These facts demonstrate the need of more investigations on the ergogenic effect of the amount of caffeine ingestion and possibly of revision on the tolerable levels to be ingestedA cafeína é uma substância que não apresenta valor nutricional, sendo classificada como um alcalóide farmacologicamente ativo, estimulante do sistema nervoso central (SNC). No entanto, esta substância tem sido considerada um ergogênico nutricional por estar presente em várias bebidas consumidas diariamente, tais como o café, o chocolate, o mate, e algumas bebidas suaves à base de guaraná. O seu uso tem-se tornado bastante comum no meio esportivo, principalmente nos últimos anos, particularmente por atletas que disputam provas de resistência. A possibilidade de melhora do desempenho físico fez com que este alcalóide entrasse na lista de substâncias proibidas pelo Comitê Olímpico Internacional (COI), o qual estabeleceu o limite de 12 jig/ml de cafeína na urina como parâmetro para detecção de “doping” Alguns estudos têm demonstrado que esses níveis podem ser alcançados com a ingestão de aproximadamente 9 mg de cafeína por quilograma de peso corporal. Todavia, estudos mais recentes têm evidenciado melhora no desempenho atlético com a ingestão de apenas 3 a 6 mg de cafeína por quilograma de peso corporal. Tais observações parecem colocar em risco o limite tolerável estipulado pelo COI, o que poderia favorecer a melhoria do rendimento por parte dos usuários. Esses fatos demonstram a necessidade de maiores investigações sobre o efeito ergogênico de diferentes dosagens de cafeína e, possivelmente, de revisão dos níveis de ingestão tolerávei

Metabolic syndrome and dietary components are associated with coronary artery disease risk score in free-living adults: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among the main causes of death in developed countries, and diet and lifestyle can influence CAD incidence.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To evaluate the association of coronary artery disease risk score with dietary, anthropometric and biochemical components in adults clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>362 adults (96 men, 266 women, 53.9 ± 9.4 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria by presenting all the required data. The Framingham score was calculated and the IV Brazilian Guideline on Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Atherosclerosis was adopted for classification of the CAD risks. Anthropometric assessments included waist circumference (WC), body fat and calculated BMI (kg/m²) and muscle-mass index (MMI kg/m²). Dietary intake was estimated through 24 h dietary recall. Fasting blood was used for biochemical analysis. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) was diagnosed using NCEP-ATPIII (2001) criteria. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of CAD risks according to the altered components of MS, dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical components.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For a sample with a BMI 28.5 ± 5.0 kg/m²the association with lower risk (<10% CAD) were lower age (<60 years old), and plasma values of uric acid. The presence of MS within low, intermediary, and high CAD risk categories was 30.8%, 55.5%, and 69.8%, respectively. The independent risk factors associated with CAD risk score was MS and uric acid, and the protective factors were recommended intake of saturated fat and fiber and muscle mass index.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Recommended intake of saturated fat and dietary fiber, together with proper muscle mass, are inversely associated with CAD risk score. On the other hand, the presence of MS and high plasma uric acid are associated with CAD risk score.</p