Health Risk Assessment in Mexican Children Exposed to Fluoride from Sweetened Beverages.

The primary source of fluoride exposure is groundwater, but evidence suggests that beverages and food are additional fluoride sources. Intake of these products at an early age affects the optimal functioning of soft organs. An increase in sweetened beverage consumption by the pediatric population has been reported, suggesting an increase in fluoride exposure. The objectives of this study were to determine the fluoride concentrations in beverages and analyze the risk to human health from fluoride exposure to sweetened beverages consumed by children. Eighty-two sugar-sweetened beverages produced in different Mexican states were analyzed. The fluoride determination was carried out with an ion-selective electrode. The highest fluoride concentration was 1.92 mg/L; 73.2% of beverages showed fluoride values above permitted limits. Low-cost beverages had the highest fluoride values, suggesting that the water used for their production does not comply with fluorine regulations. According to the risk assessment in children from 3 to 6 years, the daily consumption of juices and sodas with concentrations that exceeded the normative of 0.7 mg/L could represent a risk to dental fluorosis development. It is crucial to control fluoride and regulate its concentrations in beverages for children to ensure food safety, especially in areas of endemic hydrofluorosis.

La seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en una comunidad indígena de México / Food and nutritional security in an indigenous community of Mexico

FUNDAMENTOS: la seguridad alimentaria involucra diversos factores, desde enfermedades metabólicas hasta técnicas de agricultura sustentable que aseguran la producción de alimentos inocuos. MÉTODOS: se analizaron seis estudios relacionados con la salud y nutrición de la población realizados entre 2014 a 2017 en comunidad indígena de San Luis Potosí. RESULTADOS: se identificó la participación de 292 hogares, las madres se dedican al hogar y los padres son jornaleros, el ingreso promedio mensual por familia es de $1522,7 y el gasto en alimentos de $804,3. Todos los grupos de edad presentan malnutrición, tienen dieta poco diversa alta en carbohidratos. Presentan estrategias para obtener alimentos como regalos de terceros, intercambio o pedir dinero prestado. Los hogares se encuentran en inseguridad alimentaria, sufren de experiencias de hambre y ayunos prolongados. CONCLUSIONES: la comunidad indígena es vulnerable a presentar inseguridad alimentaria y nutricional por su bajo ingreso económico. Es importante garantizar la autosuficiencia alimentaria familiar y promover en consumo de dietas variadas basadas en la producción de alimentos locales

BACKGROUND: Food security involve different factors, since metabolic diseases to sustainable agriculture techniques that ensure the production of safe food. METHODS: Six studies related to the health and nutrition carried out between 2014 and 2017 in an indigenous community of San Luis Potosí were analyzed. RESULTS: Was identified the participation of 292 households, women are dedicated to homework and man are day laborers, the average monthly income was in $1522,7 and the food expenditure in $804,3 per family. All age groups presented malnutrition, have a little diverse diet high in carbohydrates. Present strategies to obtain food as gifts from third parties, exchange or borrow money. Households are in food insecurity, suffer hunger experiences andprolonged fast. CONCLUSIONS: The indigenous community is vulnerable to food and nutritional insecurity due to its low economic income. It is important to guarantee family food self-sufficiency and promote the consumption of varied diets based on local food production

Effects of Heliopsis longipes ethanolic extract on mouse spermatozoa in vitro.

CONTEXT: Heliopsis longipes (A. Gray) Blake (Asteraceae), a plant native to Mexico, is used in traditional medicine as analgesic and microbicide. The main component in the H. longipes ethanolic extract (HLEE) is affinin, as determined by HPLC/UV-visible and NMR measurement. To date, there is no documented evidence on the spermicidal activity of this extract. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess in vitro the effectiveness of HLEE as spermicide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The spermicidal activity of HLEE was evaluated by the Sander-Cramer assay. Spermatozoa were incubated for 20 s with HLEE in concentrations ranging from 75 to 2000 µg/mL to determine the minimum effective concentration (MEC) value. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) of HLEE was estimated by assaying serial dilutions from the MEC. Additionally, sperms were incubated with 125, 250, or 500 µg/mL of HLEE to evaluate the viability and the integrity of sperm membrane. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. RESULTS: HLEE caused an inhibition of 100% in spermatozoa motility at a MEC value of 2000 µg/mL; the EC50 value was 125 µg/mL. Additionally, exposure to HLEE at 125, 250, or 500 µg/mL for 30 min decreased sperm viability to 27%, 8%, and 2% of the control value, respectively, and significantly increased the percentage of sperms with structurally disorganized membrane. HLEE also increased significantly the level of lipid peroxidation in sperms with respect to controls. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the spermicidal activity of HLEE in vitro and suggest that this action is caused by oxidative damage and alterations in the spermatozoal membrane.