Understanding the link between gut microbiota, dietary intake, and nutritional status in children with autism and typical development.

Background: Gut microbiota plays a potential role in human health and different disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, we analyzed gut bacteria composition in children with ASD and typical development (TD), and its relationship with nutritional status and dietary intake. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 3- to 12-year-old children (ASD = 30, TD = 28). Dietary intake (applying food frequency questionnaires) and body mass index-for-age (expressed in z-score) were determined. Children were divided into normal weight and excess weight (risk of overweight + overweight + obesity), and the ASD group was categorized into gluten- and casein-free diet (ASD-diet) or no diet (ASD-no diet). The relative abundance of gut bacteria was analyzed in fecal samples by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Children with excess weight had lower Roseburia than normal weight. Fewer Bifidobacterium longum and higher Clostridium glycolicum were found in the ASD group compared with TD one. Participants with excess weight and ASD had lower Roseburia and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and higher Eubacterium ventricosum and Flavonifractor plautii than the TD group with the same nutritional status. Positive and negative associations were found between the bacteria genus and species, and the intake of dairy, vegetable drinks, cereals with and without gluten, food source of proteins, fish, food source of fat, and coconut oil, in unadjusted models and after adjustment for age, diet/no diet, ASD/TD. Conclusion: Significant differences in microbial community composition were found between children with ASD and TD, considering their nutritional status and dietary intake.

Dietary Intake, Nutritional Status and Sensory Profile in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typical Development.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may consume a restricted diet, whether due to sensory sensitivities or an adherence to a gluten and casein free (GCF) diet. Our objective was to analyze dietary intake, nutritional status, and sensory profile in children with and without ASD. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in 65 children (3−12 years, ASD = 35, typical development (TD) = 30). Short Sensory Profile and food frequency questionnaires were applied. All participants were categorized into normal weight and excess weight, typical sensory performance (TP), and probable + definite difference (PD + DD); and ASD group into GCF dieters (ASD-diet) and non-dieters (ASD-no diet). Children with ASD had a higher intake (gr or ml/d) of vegetable drinks (p = 0.001), gluten-free cereals (p = 0.003), and a lower intake of fish (p < 0.001) than TD ones. The ASD group showed a lower score in total sensory profile score (p < 0.001) than TD group. In the ASD group, those who had PD + DD in their sensory profile consumed fewer dairies (p = 0.019), and more cereals (p = 0.036) and protein foods (p = 0.034) than those with TP. These findings confirm the need to consider the neurodevelopment, sensory profile, and type of diet to improve the ASD child's nutrition. Further long-term research is needed to explore their impact on health.

Hydration Status: Influence of Exercise and Diet Quality.

Physical activity, adherence to a healthy diet, and healthy beverage pattern are considered essential components of a healthy lifestyle. We aimed to evaluate the associations between physical exercise, diet quality, and total fluid intake, along with fluid recommendations compliance in a sample of adults. Data on fluid intake from different types of beverages were collected in a cross-sectional study, in 1161 men and women between 18 and 65 years of age, using a fluid-specific diary. Exercise was evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire, and quality of diet was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI). Mean volume of water consumed was 1497.5 mL for men, 1309.5 mL for women. A total of 37.4% did not follow the recommendations of the European Food Safety Agency for total water intake. There was a statistically significant difference (P = .002) between total water intake and follow-up of recommendations, as well as for sex (P < .001). Mean HEI-2010 score was 65.21. There were no statistically significant differences (P = .301) in HEI index among better or worse hydration. Sport variables had influence on milliliters of water consumed (P < .001). Participants who engaged in more physical exercise exhibit a healthier pattern of fluid intake. Healthy individuals with the highest scores for HEI-2010 did not present the healthiest beverage patterns.

[Not Available]. / Programación nutricional del gusto y la tolerancia al picante.

Introducción: la tradición de la comida picante desempeña un papel muy importante en el gusto por este tipo de comida y su tolerancia. Las preferencias alimentarias muestran influencia genética y ambiental.Objetivos: estudiar la tolerancia y el gusto por el picante de tres poblaciones, y la influencia hereditaria y del ambiente.Métodos:se realizó una encuesta a 522 sujetos, de tres continentes (Asia, Europa y Latinoamérica) en tres idiomas (español, inglés y chino) a través de Internet. Se realizaron preguntas acerca de la tolerancia al picante, el gusto por los alimentos picantes, su uso, la edad de comienzo de consumo, el gusto del padre y de la madre y si ella lo consumía durante el embarazo y/o lactancia.Resultados: existe diferencia entre el gusto por el picante del hijo y el sexo (p < 0,001), la tolerancia (p < 0,001) y, solo en el sexo femenino, el gusto de la madre por el picante (p < 0,001), su consumo durante el embarazo (p < 0,001) y la lactancia (p = 0,005) y el gusto del padre por el picante (p = 0,003). Existe correlación entre el continente de residencia (p = 0,007) y de nacimiento (p = 0,012) y la tolerancia a los alimentos picantes.Conclusión: la influencia de los progenitores, el género y la composición corporal se relacionaron con gustos y tolerancias diferentes.

[Bad results obtained from the current public health policies and recommendations of hydration].

INTRODUCTION: Achieving an adequate intake of water is crucial within a balanced diet. For that purpose, dietary guidelines for healthy eating and drinking are an important consideration and need to be updated and disseminated to the population. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the liquid intake habits of a Mediterranean and Latin American population (Spain-Portugal and Mexico-Uruguay) and if they support the current recommendations of hydration by the EFSA. METHODS: A record of fluid intake was obtained from 1168 participants from 4 countries above; and then compared with current consensus about hydration 1600 mL/day (female) and 2000 mL/day (male). RESULTS: The average fluid intake slightly surpassed the recommended: mean of 2049 mL/day (2,223 mL in males, 1,938 mL in females). Portugal stood out due to its lower intake (mean of 1,365 mL/day). Water contributed the largest part to total fluid intake (37%) in all countries (mean of 1365 mL/day). Hot beverages (18%) and milk and derivates (17%) follow water in highest consumption. The 20% of males and only 0.3% of females knew recommendations of hydration, while 63.3% of males and 62% of females followed them. Only 8.4% of people who follow the recommendations know them. CONCLUSION: The people studied surpassed the recommendation, although majority they didn´t know it. Future research should examine actual beverage consumption patterns and evaluate if the current consensuses are correctly adapted to the population needs. Hydration's policies should be transmitted to the population for their knowledge and adequate compliance.

Programación nutricional del gusto y la tolerancia al picante / Nutritional programming of taste and tolerance to spicy

Introducción: la tradición de la comida picante desempeña un papel muy importante en el gusto por este tipo de comida y su tolerancia. Las preferencias alimentarias muestran influencia genética y ambiental. Objetivos: estudiar la tolerancia y el gusto por el picante de tres poblaciones, y la influencia hereditaria y del ambiente. Métodos: se realizó una encuesta a 522 sujetos, de tres continentes (Asia, Europa y Latinoamérica) en tres idiomas (español, inglés y chino) a través de Internet. Se realizaron preguntas acerca de la tolerancia al picante, el gusto por los alimentos picantes, su uso, la edad de comienzo de consumo, el gusto del padre y de la madre y si ella lo consumía durante el embarazo y/o lactancia. Resultados: existe diferencia entre el gusto por el picante del hijo y el sexo (p < 0,001), la tolerancia (p < 0,001) y, solo en el sexo femenino, el gusto de la madre por el picante (p < 0,001), su consumo durante el embarazo (p < 0,001) y la lactancia (p = 0,005) y el gusto del padre por el picante (p = 0,003). Existe correlación entre el continente de residencia (p = 0,007) y de nacimiento (p = 0,012) y la tolerancia a los alimentos picantes. Conclusión: la influencia de los progenitores, el género y la composición corporal se relacionaron con gustos y tolerancias diferente (AU)

Introduction: Tradition and assiduity with which spicy foods are consumed play a very important role in the taste and tolerance of spicy. Objectives: We sought to study whether the taste for spicy is inherited from generation to generation, or if it is learned by culture and what factors make it happen or not (tastes of the father and mother, family food culture, introduction of spicy food during pregnancy and lactation, genetics, etc). Methods: A survey was conducted in 515 participants from three continents, in three languages (Spanish, English and Chinese) to fill on internet. Questions referred to their taste for spicy foods and their tolerance, spicy foods used, at what age they began to consume it, if their father or mother likes spicy food, and if their mother consumed it during pregnancy and/or lactation. Results: There is statistically significant difference between the taste for spicy and sex (p < 0.001), tolerance (p < 0.001), and only in females, the mothers taste for spicy (p < 0.001) consumption during pregnancy (p < 0.001) and breastfeeding (p = 0.005) and the fathers taste for spicy (p = 0.003). There is a correlation between the continent of residence (p = 0.007) and birth (p = 0.012) and tolerance to spicy foods. Conclusion: The influence of parents, gender and body composition were related to different tastes and tolerances (AU)

Bad results obtained from the current public health policies and recommendations of hydration / Malos resultados obtenidos a partir de las actuales políticas de salud pública y recomendaciones de hidratación

Introduction: Achieving an adequate intake of water is crucial within a balanced diet. For that purpose, dietary guidelines for healthy eating and drinking are an important consideration and need to be updated and disseminated to the population. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the liquid intake habits of a Mediterranean and Latin American population (Spain-Portugal and Mexico-Uruguay) and if they support the current recommendations of hydration by the EFSA. Methods: A record of fluid intake was obtained from 1,168 participants from 4 countries above; and then compared with current consensus about hydration 1,600 mL/day (female) and 2,000 mL/day (male). Results: The average fluid intake slightly surpassed the recommended: mean of 2,049 mL/day (2,223 mL in males, 1,938 mL in females). Portugal stood out due to its lower intake (mean of 1,365 mL/day). Water contributed the largest part to total fluid intake (37%) in all countries (mean of 1,365 mL/day). Hot beverages (18%) and milk and derivates (17%) follow water in highest consumption. The 20% of males and only 0.3% of females knew recommendations of hydration, while 63.3% of males and 62% of females followed them. Only 8.4% of people who follow the recommendations know them. Conclusion: The people studied surpassed the recommendation, although the majority did not realize. Future research should examine actual beverage consumption patterns and evaluate if the current consensuses are correctly adapted to the population needs. Hydration’s policies should be transmitted to the population for their knowledge and adequate compliance (AU)

Introducción: el consumo adecuado de agua es crucial dentro de una dieta equilibrada. Para ello, las directrices dietéticas para una alimentación saludable e hidratación son una consideración importante y necesitan ser actualizadas y difundidas a toda la población. Objetivo: el objetivo fue evaluar los hábitos de ingesta de líquidos de una población mediterránea y latinoamericana (España-Portugal y México-Uruguay) y si cumplen con las recomendaciones actuales de hidratación por parte de la EFSA. Métodos: se obtuvo un registro de la ingesta de líquidos de 1.168 participantes de los 4 países ya mencionados; y luego se comparó con el consenso actual sobre hidratación 1.600 ml/día (mujeres) y 2.000 ml/día (hombres). Resultados: la ingesta de líquidos promedio superó ligeramente la recomendada: media de 2.016 ml/día (2.149 ml en hombres, 1.884 ml en mujeres). Portugal destacó debido a su menor consumo (media de 1.365 ml/día). El agua aportó la mayor parte de la ingesta total de líquidos (37%) en todos los países (media de 1.365 ml/día). Las bebidas calientes (18%) y la leche y derivados (17%) siguieron al agua en mayor consumo. El 20% de los hombres y solo el 0,3% de las mujeres conocían las recomendaciones de hidratación, mientras que el 63,3% de los hombres y el 62% de las mujeres las seguía. Solo el 8,4% de la gente que las seguía conocía a la vez las recomendaciones. Conclusión: las personas estudiadas superaron las recomendaciones, aunque la mayoría no las conocía. Investigaciones futuras deberían examinar los patrones actuales de consumo de bebidas y evaluar si los consensos actuales se adaptan correctamente a las necesidades de la población. Las políticas de hidratación deben ser transmitidas a la población para su conocimiento y cumplimiento adecuado (AU)

Role of ApoA1 on High-Density Lipoprotein: an intervention with plant sterols in patients with hypercholesterolemia / Papel de Apo A1 en lipoproteínas de alta densidad: Una intervención con esteroles vegetales en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia

Background: Numerous studies have shown an inverse association between cholesterolïs concentration associated with High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiovascular risk. The present study intends to investigate the possible relation between Apolipoprotein A (ApoA1) and HDL-C as a new strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk. Aim: was determine the effect of ApoA1 in cholesterol's metabolism through its influence on HDL-C in young adult population. Methods: One clinical trial, controlled, randomized, double-blind, providing a commercial milk, «Naturcol», with sterols for 3 weeks (n = 19) and placebo (n = 16). A questionnaire Ad Hoc was designed and a complete anthropometric study was made. SPSS 21.0 was used to analyse the data. Results: Significant differences were observed between sterol milk and placebo in a single marker, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). A linear dispersion of data between HDL-C and ApoA1 was found, both at the beginning and end of the intervention (Person Correlation = 0.846 and 0.903, respectively). High dependency measures by linear regression (R2= 0.715 and 0.816, respectively) were observed. Conclusion: A significant relation between HDL-C and ApoA1 was proven. Taking into account the importance that HDL-C levels seem to have on cardiovascular health, ApoA1 is presented as an important clinical marker to improve heart function as well as to reduce cardiovascular risk (AU)

Antecedentes: Numerosos estudios han demostrado una asociación inversa entre la concentración de colesterol asociado a lipoproteínas de alta densidad de colesterol (HDL-c) y el riesgo cardiovascular. El presente estudio investigo la posible relación entre la apolipoproteína A (ApoA1) y el HDL-C como una nueva estrategia para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular. Objetivo: determinar el efecto de ApoA1 en el metabolismo del colesterol a través de su influencia sobre el HDL-c en la población adulta joven. Métodos: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, doble ciego, proporcionando una leche comercial con esteroles, «Naturcol», durante 3 semanas (n = 19) y placebo (n = 16). Se diseñó un cuestionario Ad Hoc y se realizó un estudio antropométrico completo. Se utilizó el programa SPSS 21.0 para analizar los datos estadísticos. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la leche de esterol y el placebo únicamente en un solo marcador, en las lipoproteínas de baja densidad del colesterol (LDL-c). Se encontró una dispersión lineal de datos entre HDL-C y ApoA1, tanto al principio y al final de la intervención (correlación de Person = 0,846 y 0,903, respectivamente). Se observó alta dependencia en la regresión lineal (R2 = 0,715 y 0,816, respectivamente). Conclusión: Una relación significativa entre el HDL-c y ApoA1 fue comprobada. Teniendo en cuenta la importancia que los niveles de HDL-c parecen tener en la salud cardiovascular, la ApoA1 se presenta como un importante marcador clínico para mejorar la función del corazón, así como para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular (AU)

Role of ApoA1 on high-density lipoprotein: an intervention with plant sterols in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown an inverse association between cholesterol´s concentration associated with High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiovascular risk. The present study intends to investigate the possible relation between Apolipoprotein A (ApoA1) and HDL-C as a new strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk. AIM: was determine the effect of ApoA1 in cholesterol ´s metabolism through its influence on HDL-C in young adult population. METHODS: One clinical trial, controlled, randomized, double-blind, providing a commercial milk, "Naturcol", with sterols for 3 weeks (n = 19) and placebo (n = 16). A questionnaire Ad Hoc was designed and a complete anthropometric study was made. SPSS 21.0 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between sterol milk and placebo in a single marker, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). A linear dispersion of data between HDL-C and ApoA1 was found, both at the beginning and end of the intervention (Person Correlation = 0.846 and 0.903, respectively). High dependency measures by linear regression (R2= 0.715 and 0.816, respectively) were observed. CONCLUSION: A significant relation between HDL-C and ApoA1 was proven. Taking into account the importance that HDL-C levels seem to have on cardiovascular health, ApoA1 is presented as an important clinical marker to improve heart function as well as to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Antecedentes: Numerosos estudios han demostrado una asociación inversa entre la concentración de colesterol asociado a lipoproteínas de alta densidad de colesterol (HDL-c) y el riesgo cardiovascular. El presente estudio investigo la posible relación entre la apolipoproteína A (ApoA1) y el HDL-C como una nueva estrategia para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular. Objetivo: determinar el efecto de ApoA1 en el metabolismo del colesterol a través de su influencia sobre el HDL-c en la población adulta joven. Métodos: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, doble ciego, proporcionando una leche comercial con esteroles, "Naturcol", durante 3 semanas (n = 19) y placebo (n = 16). Se diseñó un cuestionario Ad Hoc y se realizó un estudio antropométrico completo. Se utilizó el programa SPSS 21.0 para analizar los datos estadísticos. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la leche de esterol y el placebo únicamente en un solo marcador, en las lipoproteínas de baja densidad del colesterol (LDL-c). Se encontró una dispersión lineal de datos entre HDL-C y ApoA1, tanto al principio y al final de la intervención (correlación de Person = 0,846 y 0,903, respectivamente). Se observó alta dependencia en la regresión lineal (R2 = 0,715 y 0,816, respectivamente). Conclusión: Una relación significativa entre el HDL-c y ApoA1 fue comprobada. Teniendo en cuenta la importancia que los niveles de HDL-c parecen tener en la salud cardiovascular, la ApoA1 se presenta como un importante marcador clínico para mejorar la función del corazón, así como para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular.