The relationship between melatonin and sleep quality and its weight loss benefits

Melatonin is an endogenous substance easily found in the body. It is conceptualized as a hormone, derived from serotonin, synthesized by the pineal gland during the night period. As a hormone, melatonin has several functions, such as immunomodulation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor, however its most compliant function is the control of the circadian rhythm, in addition to regularizing seasonality. Sleep is one of the primordial needs of the human being, after a period of physical and mental activities, it has a fundamental role to relax and re-establish the organism for a new cycle of activities. Thus, melatonin acts as a metabolism regulator influencing the quality of life, and its effectiveness in inducing sleep has led pharmaceutical companies to launch its synthetic version, widely sold as a supplement in some countries such as the United States and Europe. To analyze the importance of melatonin in the regulation of sleep, as well as to characterize its functions in the body that contribute to weight control. The work methodology consisted of a literature review, carried out through previously published research studies. Based on the literary subsidies that supported this research, it is concluded that the benefits achieved with the use of melatonin encompass the alignment of the sleep cycle and contribute to weight control, which may influence weight loss, as well as in other areas of the body

Dysbiosis and obesity: implications of the gut microbiota

Introduction: Obesity has been considered a public health crisis, contributing as a risk factor for several important chronic diseases and even death. Considering this fact, it is noteworthy that there is a fundamental relationship between the intestine and health, and this organ is considered by modern medicine as our second brain in the concept of intestinal permeability. Within the evaluation of the food process, effective nutritional absorption can be altered due to imbalances, such as malabsorption, drug-nutrient interaction, changes in mucosal permeability, and, consequently, an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis is characterized by these negative changes that occur in the intestine. In this sense, the present systematic review study sought to answer: What influences can the microbiota composition have on the metabolic syndrome and obesity process? Objective: To elucidate the relationship between the presence of intestinal dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of obesity. Methods: This is a bibliographic review work where the MEDLINE, PubMed, and SciELO databases were consulted using the following descriptors: Human gut microbiota, obesity, dysbiosis. Results and Conclusion: Based on the literature that supports this theme, it was possible to observe that in the obese population there is an increase in bacteria of the genus Firmicutes and a decrease in the genus Bacteriodetes, with the blocking of factors and proteins that regulate the homeostasis of the absorption of lipids and fatty acids being observed thus being able to alter the energy metabolism leading to a greater accumulation of adipose tissue

Permeable gut syndrome, gluten, and autoimmune disease: an integrative review

oai:ojs2.ijn.zotarellifilhoscientificworks.com:article/4Introduction: Leaky Bowel Syndrome or intestinal permeability is a gastrointestinal condition that affects many people. A leaky gut is a trigger for many changes like food allergies and intolerances, autoimmune diseases, colitis, Crohn's and celiac disease, inflammatory diseases, depression, insulin resistance and even cancer have been linked. Objective: To analyze basic information for a better understanding of this topic, from the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, as the diseases that are associated with it, how the immune system responds to these injuries, the quality, and importance of proteins, and the consequence of this disorder to the body human. Methods: Conducted an integrative literature review. The Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Scielo databases were consulted. Results: The intestine is naturally permeable to many small molecules, so it can absorb vital nutrients. Regulating intestinal permeability is one of the most basic functions of the cells that make up the intestinal wall. But one factor calls our attention, what is the role of gluten in the development of this disease and the worsening of symptoms? Insensitive people, gluten can cause cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break the tight junctions of intestinal tissue. Other factors—such as infections, toxins, stress, and age—can also cause these joints to come apart. Once strong joints break, you have a leaky gut. Gluten, therefore, is the number one cause of this process. A person with a leaky intestine tends to be highly allergic and intolerant to foods and substances, and may or may not manifest intestinal discomfort such as gas and bloating. Conclusion: Based on the literature that supports this theme, it is considered that gluten is a possible villain in the intestinal tract and is related to many autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, as an interventional measure, it is necessary to reduce some carbohydrate-rich foods and the maintenance of the body's balance with specific diets and physical activities

The benefits of glutamine in the treatment of patients with cancer

The subject of this study is the benefits of immunonutrition or immunomodulation, based on the concept that malnutrition impairs immune function. It is a therapeutic approach in an artificial form of food with the function of rebuilding cells for the immune response, which involves specific amino acids such as arginine, glutamine, and fiber. In this sense, it is intended to deal specifically with glutamine, which is a “conditionally essential” amino acid, as its concentration in plasma can decrease by up to 50% during stress, causing a deficiency condition. In the treatment of cancer patients, glutamine constitutes an immunomodulatory nutrient, being a fundamental substrate for the cells of the immune system, stimulating the multiplication of lymphocytes, the differentiation of B cells, the production of interleukin 1, and the phagocytosis of macrophages. The high use of glutamine by lymphocytes and macrophages suggests that the provision of this amino acid is of paramount importance for the functioning of these cells and also for the proper functioning of the immune response. Important in viral infections and in combating tumor cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells are dependent on adequate glutamine stores for their proliferation. It also exerts a local immunostimulating effect, increasing intestinal T cells, and is a precursor of an important intracellular antioxidant, glutathione. This is bibliographical research, of a qualitative nature, carried out through specialized scientific articles on the chosen topic

Mediterranean diet in the treatment of metabolic syndrome: nutritional therapy and life perspective

Metabolic syndrome is the association of chronic diseases related to diet and physical activity. Also recognized as a complex entity that associates well-established cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes, among others, such as central fat deposition and insulin resistance. Currently, Metabolic Syndrome has gained worrisome dimensions within clinical practice, becoming one of the greatest challenges at the beginning of this century. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet recognized for its combination of tasty taste and nutritional benefits, in addition to its culture of the link between health and longevity, is a strategy in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. Although there is no consensus on the most adequate nutritional strategy to treat Metabolic Syndrome (MS), in such a way that there is a reduction in cardiovascular risk, recent studies show the effectiveness of adopting healthy lifestyles capable of reversing this trend. To address the role of diet in MS treatment, with the main focus on the interaction of benefits of different nutritional interventions in MS remission, contributing to the integration of current evidence in the pre-existing context. In view of the studies carried out in this research, it was found that the Mediterranean diet has shown benefits in the secondary prevention of this syndrome, although the underlying mechanisms are not completely clear. In this sense, it is important to revitalize and apply this diet in the future in terms of preventive and therapeutic guidelines