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Background <£ Aim: n-3 fatty acid intake has been associated with inflammatory benefits in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Functionalising meat may be of great interest. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of functional meat containing n-3 and rosemary extract on inflammatory and oxidative status markers in subjects with risk for CVD. Methods and results: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was undertaken to compare the effects on the above markers of consuming functional or control meat products. 43 volunteers with at least two lipid profile variables showing risk for CVD were randomly assigned to receive functional meat (FM) or control meat (CM) over 12-weeks with a 4-week wash-out interval before crossover. Functional effects were assessed by examining lipid profile, CRP, PAI-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, fibrinogen (inflammatory markers), and TEARS, FRAP and 8-iso-PGF2a (oxidative status markers). 33 subjects (24 women) aged 50.7±8.8 years completed the study. In FM treatment, PAI-1, fibrinogen and 8-iso-PGF2a decreased significantly after 12 weeks, while FRAP significantly increased. In contrast, in CM treatment, a significant increase was seen in PAI-1, while FRAP significantly declined. Significant differences were also seen between the FM and CM treatments after 12 weeks in terms of the change observed in PAI-1, FRAP and 8-iso-PGF2a values. No significant differences were seen in anthropometric variables nor were adverse effects reported. Conclusion: The consumption of FM containing n-3 and rosemary extract improved oxidative and inflammatory status of people with at least two lipid profile variables showing risk for CVD. The inclusion of such functional meat in a balanced diet might be a healthy lifestyle option. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0199088. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: to assess the prevalence of excess weight and obesity in Spanish adults and to know the current situation and its evolution in the last years. Material and methods: The study involved 418 subjects (196 men and 222 women) from 18 to 60 years, who were selected to constitute a representative sample of the Spanish population as a whole. Sanitary, socioeconomic and anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference and percentage of body fat by bioimpedance) data was collected. Body Mass Index and waist-height ratio were calculated. Results: The prevalence of excess weight was 34.2%, 43.9% in men and 25.7% in women, and the prevalence of obesity was 13.6% (it was similar in men and women). 47.8% of the population had excess body weight and 70.2% excess body fat; these parameters were higher in men than in women and they increased with age. 22.2% of the population had central obesity (taking waist circumference as a reference) and 54.7% had central obesity and high cardiovascular risk (because waist/height was = 0.5); both parameters were higher in men than in women. Conclusion: Excess weight and obesity prevalence among the Spanish population is very high, and more than the half of the population is at risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the situation is worse than a few years ago, so it is necessary to continue working to decrease the prevalence of excess weight and obesity among the Spanish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is controversy about the adequacy of calcium intake to that recommended in Spanish schoolchildren. Some studies indicate that the intake is inadequate in a variable percentage of children, while others insist on the danger of an excessive intake in a huge percentage of this population. Aim: To assess calcium intake and food sources of this nutrient in a representative sample of Spanish children and to judge the adequacy of its contribution to the coverage of recommended intakes. Methods: 903 schoolchildren (7 to 11 years) from 10 Spanish provinces (Tarragona, Caceres, Burgos, Guadalajara, Valencia, Salamanca, Cordoba, Vizcaya, Lugo and Madrid) were studied. They constituted a representative sample of the Spanish schoolchildren population. The energy and nutrient intake was determined using a 'Food record questionnaire' for 3 days, including a Sunday. Calcium intake was compared with the recommended intakes (RI) for the mineral. Weight and height were recorded and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Results: In the studied group (55.3% girls and 44.7% of children), 30.7% had an excess body weight (23.3% overweight and 7.4% obesity). Calcium intake was 859.9 ± 249.2 mg / day (79.5% of the recommendations). 76.7% of children had intakes below 100% of those recommended and 40.1% below of 67% of RI. The ratios calcium/phosphorus (0.74 ± 0.21) and calcium/protein (10.1 ± 2.8) and the index of nutritional quality for calcium (0.78 ± 0.29) were lower than recommended in 91.6%, 99.8% and 81.1% of children, respectively. Dietary calcium came from dairy products (64.7%), dietetic products and infant formulae (7.6%), cereals (7.3%), vegetables (3.5%), fruits (3.4%), pre-cooked meals (3.3%), meats (2.8%), fishes (2.8%) and pulses (2.2%), with no differences by gender. Conclusion: Calcium intake was lower than recommended in 76.7% of the children and 40.1% had insufficient intake (< 67% of RI). Having in mind that the main calcium source was dairy products (64.7%), increase consumption of this food group is recommended, especially in the 37.1% of children who did not reach the 2 recommended servings per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the relationship between thirst and dehydration in terminal patients at end of life is limited and the current bibliography agree with this controversy. Due to the lacking of scientific evidences the decision to rehydrate of these patients is based on the usual clinical practice. Objectives: to evaluate the hydration status of oncological patients with palliative care by Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Method: this scientific initiative will evaluate the hydration status of 50 oncological patients admitted with palliative care at University Hospital La Paz by BIA, excluding those who according with their Palliative- Pronostic-Score (PaP-Score) get a 30-day survival probability <30%. It is a descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study. The main variable will be the phase angle and as secondary variables: evaluation of the nutritional status by Subjective-Global-Assessment (SGA), corporal composition (BIA) and functional capability (dynamometry). Besides it will evaluate: PaP-Score, Palliative-Performance-Scale (PPS), disability (Barthel-Test), cognitive function (Pfeffer-Test), dehydration symptoms and biochemical parameters. Results: preliminary results of statistical analysis will be exposed once they achieve the estimated sample size (confidence level 95%, differences' average 0.610, DS 2,200). Conclusions: the study of the oncological with palliative care patient's hydration status provides scientific evidence to implementation of action protocols to properly rehydrate those patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]