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Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia in the elderly, and it is characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms related to neuroanatomical and biochemical changes in the cerebral cortex. Drug treatment has little efficacy in more advanced stages of the disease, which leads to the search for adjuvant therapeutic resources. The endocannabinoid system has emerged with great scientific prominence as a therapeutic target in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease since its components are highly associated with the pathophysiology of the disease. This study aims to update the literature about scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. SciELO, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were consulted, using the following keywords: "Cannabis sativa"; "Cannabidiol"; "Endocannabinoid system"; "Cannabinoid"; "Alzheimer's disease". Eighty-seven (87) articles were considered, among literature reviews, experimental studies, and randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials. Modulation of the endocannabinoid system showed high therapeutic potential, as it was able to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by reducing neuroinflammation, the accumulation of β-amyloid protein, and hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein. Such neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids favor neurogenesis, attenuation of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and improvement of memory, behavior and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the fourth review article in the series that aims to break the paradigms related to the possible harm caused by saturated fats and cholesterol in human health. Topics are presented on the excessive intake of carbohydrates (sugars), considered to cause organic imbalances and obesity, which lead to metabolic diseases - such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and liver steatosis - and worsen with the metabolic syndrome and its comorbidities. Traditionally, obesity has always been seen as a state of caloric imbalance, when the intake of calories, especially fat, exceeded its expenditure or its "burning". However, new biochemical and physiological understandings, mainly from the last decade, suggest that obesity is a state of hormonal imbalance, caused by excess carbohydrate consumption and, possibly, triggers another condition, called "bloated organism", due to chronic inflammations. All sugars tend to cause organic imbalance. However, fructose is consider the most harmful food molecule in this group, because, due to its metabolism, it stimulates the production of fat that settles directly in the liver, in addition to the production of toxic pro-inflammatory metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the third review article in the series that aims to break the paradigms related to the possible harm caused by saturated fats and cholesterol in human health. Scientific data on omega-6, omega-3, trans fats and the phenomenon of lipid peroxidation are presented and discussed, as well as their influence on chronic inflammation. It has been wrongly established, in the last decades, that saturated fats and cholesterol are the causes of cardiovascular and associated diseases. A new scientific theory, however, argues that these diseases are actually the result of oxidation of fats and lipoprotein fractions. At the same time, technological development, promoted to make it possible to increase food production and thereby guarantee its stability, caused a change in the original molecules of these substances and in the balance of their intake, to which the human organism was adapted for millennia. When consumed in excess, these modified molecules, therefore, cause low-grade chronic inflammation, which over time results in loss of homeostasis and impaired health, triggering diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the second article in the series that aims to break the paradigms related to the alleged harm caused by saturated fats and cholesterol to health. These substances are actually present in human biochemistry and physiology, a fact that makes them essential for homeostasis. In case of ingestion deficit, they are produced endogenously, as they participate in numerous organic reactions, including structuring, fluidity and permeabilization of cell membranes, brain plasticity, nerve protection and communication, hormone formation, bile acid synthesis, and vitamin transport. It also prevents the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies. The assumption that saturated fats and cholesterol are harmful to health, therefore, is unfounded, which requires understanding their real importance. Scientifically, it is proven that its deficit causes metabolic deficiencies and homeostatic imbalance, significantly compromising health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic Historical records report the use of cannabis for pain treatments since around 3000 B.C. However, only in the 1960’s, the active components of Cannabis (CBD, THC, among others 100) were described by scientists and, finally, in 1980, the first Cannabinoid endogenous, anandamide (AEA), was identified, which reiterated the significances of the cannabinoid receptor and its endogenous binders in the control of a wide variety of biological activities. The Sanskrit name "Anandamide" ("Ananda" means bliss), is given to N-arachidonoylethanolamine, for its cannabinomimetic effects. Subsequently, another endogenous cannabinoid compound known as 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was identified. Considering that these compounds are endogenous and cannabinomimetics, acting on cannabinoid receptors, they were termed as endocannabinoids (EC), which together with enzymes of synthesis and degradation, compose the endocannabinoid system (SEC). Nowadays, among the therapeutic options aimed at the best quality of life of patients, the use of cannabinoids, as adjuvant in the treatment, has gained great prominence in scientific studies that evidence its therapeutic potential in pain and chronic pain. PURPOSE: This article aims to review the compassionate use of cannabinoids in the control of chronic pain. METHODS: Bibliographic review on the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic pain. We’ve selected 50 articles: reviews, double-blind randomized controlled clinical trials, cohorts, studies with patients and rats, book chapters and governmental and international released documents (FDA, WHO), in the main databases available (PubMed, Google Scholar). LITERATURE REVIEW and DISCUSSION: The positive relationships between the use of cannabinoids and the control of symptoms observed in patients in treatment of chronic diseases and in other forms of symptoms were verified in controlled studies and laboratory cohorts. Tolerance and side effects of cannabinoids are considerably lower when compared to opioids and no deaths from cannabis overdose were reported. CONCLUSION: This current review has confirmed the beneficial and less deleterious effect of cannabinoids in adjuvant pain and inflammation treatments, among other symptoms related to the treatment of various pathologies that are associated with chronic pain. Evidence based plant medications should be widely encouraged to be researched and developed due to its low cost of production and vast availability. The pain control of the adjuvant therapy with cannabinoids leads to an improvement in the quality of life of patients, caretakers and their families. It is necessary governmental, private and society motivation for the development of research and innovations that benefit and focus on the patient and improve their quality of life while looking at the patient as a complete and integral human being as in the definitions of Health by World Health Associations (WHO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Used mainly by the meat industry, nitrates and nitrites are the oldest and most important food additives. With wide applications and functionalities, these components act as preservatives, antioxidants and color and flavor agents, besides promoting physical-chemical and microbiological stability to the products. Companies and consumers, for years, are benefited by the varied action of these ingredients. If on the one hand the advantages are highlighted, on the other hand there is a controversy, rooted since the 1970s, that nitrates and nitrites can cause health damage, possibly reacting with secondary amines of the proteins, forming, under certain conditions, carcinogenic nitrosamines. This argument, however, has been scientifically challenged by the lack of confirmation. In the last two decades, research has shown that being commonly found in nature makes nitrates and nitrites an integral part of plant and animal physiology. Since then, these substances have come to be recognized as bioactive molecules, indispensable in physiological and biochemical functions, with therapeutic applications. This review introduces new concepts about these ingredients that, while facing controversy, play an important role in food safety and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data available in numerous books and scientific studies recognized worldwide - some of them presented and discussed in this article - include coconut oil in the category today classified as super functional food. Despite its benefits, it is a food still underutilized due to the lack of consumer knowledge, including, in this case, medical professionals, who, for the most part, do not receive training focused on the nutritional area. It is also in this context that Brazilian medical associations - considered as references in the specialties they represent - that, instead of having a deep knowledge about the subject in question, publish information without foundation, capable of leaving the general population confused and insecure about the use of this food. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to highlight, in a didactic way and with maximum depth, the real benefits of Cocos nucifera, based on scientific evidence to prove this fact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data available in numerous books and scientific studies recognized worldwide - some of them presented and discussed in this article - include coconut oil in the category today classified as super functional food. Despite its benefits, it is a food still underutilized due to the lack of consumer knowledge, including, in this case, medical professionals, who, for the most part, do not receive training focused on the nutritional area. It is also in this context that Brazilian medical associations - considered as references in the specialties they represent - that, instead of having a deep knowledge about the subject in question, publish information without foundation, capable of leaving the general population confused and insecure about the use of this food. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to highlight, in a didactic way and with maximum depth, the real benefits of Cocos nucifera, based on scientific evidence to prove this fact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A randomized clinical trial was conducted in twelve individuals to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a mattress with magnet elements and far-infrared emitting units, measured in the reduction of migraine attacks, insomnia, cramps and improvement in the circulation of the lower limbs. The evaluation was randomized using a placebo mattress (no therapeutic properties) and an active mattress (with numerous magnets and far-infrared emitting units). After 45 days of use of the therapeutic mattress, the effect with regard to migraine attacks was determined through a sensory evaluation and compared to the beginning of the study and the sleep quality was evaluated, using PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). According to the results obtained in the sensory evaluation by clinical efficacy, the active mattress showed a tendency to be more effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches, when compared to the placebo mattress, without statistical significance (P>0.05). This is probably due to the relatively small number (n=12) of study participants. In the evaluation of the mattresses, a significant improvement in sleep quality was identified and when the therapeutic was compared to the placebo mattress, the superior efficacy of the therapeutic mattress was statistically significant. With PSQI>10, the initial was a mean of 33, falling to 8 (eight) in the placebo group and to 0 (zero) in the group that used the therapeutic mattress (P<0.05), 45 days after the evaluation. This demonstrates that the use of the therapeutic mattress (magnets + far-infrared emitting units) has a tendency to decrease the frequency and intensity of migraine headache attacks and definitely provides a beneficial effect on improving sleep quality. This improvement in sleep can bring important clinical repercussions both in the quality of life and in the prevention and treatment of chronic degenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A randomized clinical trial was conducted in twelve individuals to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a mattress with magnet elements and far-infrared emitting units, measured in the reduction of migraine attacks, insomnia, cramps and Improvement in the circulation of the lower limbs. The evaluation was randomized using a placebo mattress (no therapeutic properties) and an active mattress (with numerous magnets and far infrared emitting units). After 45 days of use of the therapeutic mattress, the effect with regard to migraine attacks was determined through a sensory evaluation and compared to the beginning of the study and the sleep quality was evaluated, using PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). According to the results obtained in the sensory evaluation by clinical efficacy, the active mattress showed a tendency to be more effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches, when compared to the placebo mattress, without statistical significance (P>0.05). This is probably due to the relatively small number (n=12) of study participants. In the evaluation of the mattresses, a significant improvement in sleep quality was identified and when the therapeutic was compared to the placebo mattress, the superior efficacy of the therapeutic mattress was statistically significant. With PSQI>10, the initial was a mean of 33, falling to 8 (eight) in the placebo group and to 0 (zero) in the group that used the therapeutic mattress (P<0.05), after 45 days of evaluation. This demonstrates that the use of the therapeutic mattress (magnetos + long-infrared emitting units) has a tendency to decrease the frequency and intensity of migraine headache attacks and definitely provides a beneficial effect on improving sleep quality. This improvement in sleep can bring important clinical repercussions both in the quality of life and in the prevention and treatment of chronic degenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbolically, the egg has multiple meanings - rebirth, fertility, universality, creation of life, luck, happiness. However, the power is concentrated to the egg its greatest benefit with nutrients that promote health and quality of life. The interest for this culinary delicacy dates back about 3,200 BC, a period associated with the beginning of the domestication of chickens. Over the years, it has succeeded in banquets of the Mesopotamian era, gaining several preparation versions, due to its versatility. Specifically in the Americas, the finding is that the poultry were brought to the mainland in the second voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1493. The first chickens - belonging to Asian strains - are therefore of current laying hens relatives. During the 1920s and 1930s, eggs were produced in yards, often sold by farmers to local markets, to meet the needs of their families. Lucrative, the commercialization of eggs generated buildings of sheds, capable of housing lots with up to 400 chickens. In the 1960s, technological advances and new equipment allowed small farms to start producing on a large scale, thereby increasing their intake. At the same time that egg consumption was popularized, scientific studies on the risks of cholesteol for health emerged. Consolidated at mealtime - by adding nutritional value, affordability and market availability, the egg was suddenly placed on the list of great diet villains after the American Heart Association (AHA) campaign, beginning in 1968. In recent years, however, the egg has recovered its former status, with the dissemination of new scientific evidence, demystifying the belief that causes increases in cholesterol. Unlike the image of harmful food, the egg today can and should be consumed, because besides being rich in macro and micronutrients, it promotes - among other benefits - satiety, an important factor in the management of body weight and correlated diseases. This review, therefore, aims to present the benefits of egg ingestion - supported by the literary review of the best available scientific articles on the subject -, demystifying prejudices and highlighting their innumerable contributions to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]