Avaliação do potencial alcalinizante das águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis em território brasileiro / Alkalizing potential evaluation of commercially available mineral waters in Brazil

OBJECTIVE:To characterize the profile of commercially available mineral waters in Brazil (from national and international sources) by calculating the potential renal acid load (PRAL). METHODS: We evaluated 308 commercially available mineral waters in the five Brazilian macro regions. The content of sulfate, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium from mineral waters were obtained to calculate the PRAL, using Remers & Manz formula, adapted for mineral waters. RESULTS: From the 308 mineral waters collected, 256 were included in this analysis. We found a great variability in the composition of mineral waters according to the source and country of origin. All the components analyzed were present in greater quantities in the mineral waters from international sources and differed significantly from the values found in the mineral waters from Brazilian sources, with the exception of potassium and sodium (Mg: 1,9 vs 6,8, p=0,0008; Ca: 5,78 vs 32,9, p=0,001; SO4: 0,9 vs 13, p<0,0001; Cl: 1,49 vs 12, p=0,0019, mineral waters from Brazilian sources versus international sources, respectively). The PRAL value of mineral waters from Brazilian sources was also statistically different (-0,39 vs -1,39; p=0,0025). The potential basifying / acidifying effects of the mineral water evaluated by PRAL did not correlate with the pH value. The magnesium and bicarbonate content were the major predictors of a negative PRAL - the higher the content thereof, lower the PRAL. CONCLUSION: The mineral waters from Brazilian sources have a low grade of mineralization and the vast majority (n=201) have a PRAL value considered neutral

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil de águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis em território brasileiro (provenientes de fontes nacionais e internacionais) através do cálculo do potencial de carga ácida renal (PRAL). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 308 águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis nas cinco macrorregiões brasileiras. O conteúdo de sulfato, cloreto, sódio, potássio, magnésio e cálcio das águas minerais foram obtidos para cálculo do PRAL, que foi realizado através da fórmula de Remer e Manz, adaptada para águas minerais. RESULTADOS: Das 308 águas minerais coletadas, foram incluídas 256 nesta análise. Foi encontrada uma grande variabilidade na composição das águas minerais de acordo com a fonte de extração e país de origem. Todos os componentes analisados apresentaram-se em maior quantidade nas águas minerais de fontes internacionais e diferiram significantemente dos valores encontrados nas águas minerais de fontes brasileiras, com exceção do potássio e sódio (Mg: 1,9 vs 6,8, p=0,0008; Ca: 5,78 vs 32,9, p=0,001; SO4: 0,9 vs 13, p<0,0001; Cl: 1,49 vs 12, p=0,0019, fontes brasileiras versus fontes internacionais, respectivamente). O valor de PRAL das águas minerais de fontes brasileiras também foi diferente (-0,39 vs -1,39; p=0,0025). O potencial alcalinizante/ acidificante das águas minerais avaliado pelo PRAL não esteve correlacionado com o valor de pH. O magnésio e bicarbonato apresentaram-se como os principais preditores negativos do PRAL ­ quanto maior o teor destes, menor o PRAL. CONCLUSÃO: As águas minerais de fontes brasileiras possuem baixo grau de mineralização e a maioria (n=201) com valor de PRAL considerado neutro

To study the use of mineral water and mineral mud in Nha Trang for treating diverse diseases of bone joint and skin

In Nha Trang, 60 patients with skin diseases (30 proriasis and 30 other chronical dermatitis) had had a bath in mud. Muddy bath had got an effect analgous to other common treatment with good rate of 43.3% of psoriasis, 30% chronical skin diseases and 80% of itch after 2 weeks of treatment. For joint diseases, the variation of severity before and after treatment had had an increase of good and rather good results, the symptoms of joint pain were recessive, the motive function of joint was improved.