Tobacco cessation in patients with multiple chronic conditions: nutritional strategies as an additional tool in treatment

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impacts of a nutritional education intervention for patients with multiple chronic conditions during smoking cessation. Methods The non-probabilistic sample comprised 18 adults and seniors of both sexes recruited from a smoking cessation treatment group. At the beginning of treatment, smoking history, degree of dependence, and stage of motivation were assessed. Degree of craving was evaluated weekly for the 1st month. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments were conducted at baseline, at 1 month, and at 3 months. Dietary intake was assessed with the "How is your diet?" questionnaire. The nutritional intervention was delivered in three sessions. The themes covered were energy balance and physical activity, healthy eating, and the importance of fruit and vegetables in the diet. Statistical analysis was conducted with the Shapiro Wilk test of normality, the paired t test, and the Wilcoxon or Mann-Whitney U tests (significance ≤ 0.05). Results Most people (55.6%) in the intervention group had a high degree of smoking dependence, while the frequency in the control group was 22.2%. Degree of craving decreased significantly after 1 month of treatment (p = 0.017). After 3 months, both groups had a positive variation in mean body weight, although below 3%. In both groups, the average percentage of weight gain was less than 3%, suggesting that delivery of the nutritional education sessions and the nutritionist's use of the protocol proposed by the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) helped to control weight gain. Blood glucose and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) both increased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.15 and p = 0.50, respectively). Conclusion Greater proximity and more frequent intervention by a nutritionist assists and encourages healthy eating practices during the smoking cessation process, which can benefit individuals' control of chronic diseases over the long term.

Nutrição em rede: um relato de experiência de lives produzidas por um Grupo de Educação Tutorial durante a pandemia de covid-19 / Network nutrition: an experience report of lives produced by a Tutorial Education Group during the covid-19 pandemic / Nutrición en red: un relato de experiencia de directos producidos por un Grupo de Educación Tutorial durante la pandemia del covid-19

Devido às complexidades do período de pandemia de covid-19, houve um aumento do acesso às redes sociais para a busca de informações científicas. Este trabalho visa apresentar as adaptações de uma atividade de ensino, através de relato de experiência, promovido pelo Grupo de Educação Tutorial (GET) do Curso de Nutrição da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Foram ciclos de palestras com atualizações científicas e vivência prática, utilizando a rede social Instagram em formato de lives, sendo o conteúdo transmitido como entrevista, em dois blocos, totalizando seis lives com aproximadamente 55 minutos cada. O público interagiu com o palestrante, ao expressar opinião e encaminhar dúvidas através do recurso de comentários. Houve sucesso na participação dos alunos, fato confirmado pelo número de visualizações, uma vez que o total foi superior quando comparado às edições presenciais. A internet viabilizou encontros de pessoas, mesmo distantes, possibilitando o acesso a profissionais de outras cidades e transmitindo informações através da rede social

Due to the complexities of the covid-19 pandemic period, there has been an increase in access to social net-works to search for scientific information. This work aims to present the adaptations of a teaching activity, through an experience report, promoted by the Tutorial Education Group, of the Nutrition Course from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. There were lecture cycles with scientific updates and practical experience, using the social network Instagram in the format of lives, with the content being transmitted as an interview, in two blocks, totaling six lives with approximately 55 minutes each. The audience interacted with the speaker, expressing their opinion and doubts through the comment section. There was success in student participation, which can be confirmed by the number of online views, since this was higher when compared to the face-to-face editions. The internet made it possible for people to meet, even if they were far away, allowing access to professionals from other cities and transmitting information through the social network

Debido a las complejidades del período de la pandemia de covid-19, se ha incrementado el acceso a las redes sociales para buscar información científica. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar las adaptaciones de una actividad docente, a través de un relato de experiencia, promovida por el Grupo de Educación Tutorial (GET) del Curso de Nutrición de la Universidad Federal de Juiz de Fora. Se realizaron ciclos de conferencias con actualización científica y experiencia práctica, utilizando la red social Instagram en formato de directos, siendo el contenido transmitido como entrevista, en dos bloques que suman seis directos con aproximada-mente 55 minutos cada una. El público interactuó con el ponente, expresando su opinión y dudas a través de la función de comentarios. Hubo éxito en la participación de los estudiantes, lo que se puede confirmar con el número de visualizaciones en línea, ya que fue mayor en comparación con las ediciones presenciales. Internet hizo posible que las personas se encontraran, aunque estuvieran lejos, permitiendo el acceso a profesionales de otras ciudades y transmitiendo información a través de la red social

Dark chocolate (70% cocoa) reduces craving in smokers with severe cardiovascular comorbidities without interference in anthropometric measures / Chocolate amargo (70% cacau) reduz fissura em tabagistas com comorbidades cardiovasculares graves sem interferir nas medidas antropométricas

ABSTRACT Objective: Analyze craving in smokers with cardiovascular comorbidities submitted to a nutritional approach. Methods: Two groups were randomized and submitted to clinical intervention (n = 32): Group 1 (G1, n = 15): ingested 40 g of chocolate containing 70% cocoa/day and behavioral intervention for smoking cessation for one month; Group 2 (G2, n = 17): control group, only behavioral intervention. Questionnaire of Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief) - Brazil version measured total craving and its factors. Anthropometric measurements verified the nutritional interference of the procedure and the serum assessment verified the interference of inflammatory processes related to smoking. The study was registered on the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-83jr3. Results: After one month, compared to the initial evaluation, the G1 reduced the craving evaluated by the QSU-Brief and its Factors 1 and 2. Total QSU-Brief: 44.27 ± 15.82 x 27.00 ± 18.03 (p = 0.008); Factor 1: 21.90 ± 7.70 x 12.90 ± 8.87 (p = 0.006); Factor 2: 11.90 ± 6.30 x 7.00 ± 6.63 (0.007). G2 showed a reduction in total QSU-Brief and Factor 1, but not in Factor 2. QSU-Brief total 28.17 ± 17.24 x 19.52 ± 9.50 (p = 0.049); Factor 1: 14.47 ± 8.74 x 9.23 ± 6.11 (p = 0.046). Serum levels of cortisol, leptin, serotonin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and insulin did not show differences (p > 0.05). No anthropometric differences were found. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that daily consumption of chocolate for one month (70%) reduced craving in smokers at the beginning of treatment. Chocolate potentiated the well-known effect of behavioral counseling on Factor 1 (pleasurable drug effects) and also interfered with factor 2 (unpleasant withdrawal effects).

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o craving em fumantes com comorbidades cardiovasculares submetidos a uma abordagem nutricional. Métodos: Intervenção clínica (n = 32) com dois grupos randomizados: Grupo 1 (G1, n = 15): recebendo 40 g de chocolate contendo 70% de cacau/dia e intervenção comportamental para cessação do tabagismo por um mês; Grupo 2 (G2, n = 17): grupo controle, recebendo apenas intervenção comportamental pelo mesmo período. O Questionnaire of Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief) - versão Brasil foi utilizado para avaliar o craving. As medidas antropométricas verificaram a interferência nutricional do procedimento e a avaliação sérica, a interferência de processos inflamatórios relacionados ao tabagismo. O estudo foi registrado no Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC), RBR-83jr3. Resultados: Um mês depois, comparado à avaliação inicial, o G1 reduziu o craving total e seus fatores (1 e 2). QSU-Brief total: 44,27 ± 15,82 x 27,00 ± 18,03 (p = 0,008); Fator 1: 21,90 ± 7,70 x 12,90 ± 8,87 (p = 0,006); Fator 2: 11,90 ± 6,30 x 7,00 ± 6,63 (0,007). G2: redução no QSU-Brief total e Fator 1, mas não no Fator 2. QSU-Brief total 28,17 ± 17,24 x 19,52 ± 9,50 (p = 0,049); Fator 1: 14,47 ± 8,74 x 9,23 ± 6,11 (p = 0,046). Níveis séricos de cortisol, leptina, serotonina, proteína C-reativa (PCR) e insulina não apresentaram diferenças (p > 0,05). Não foram encontradas diferenças antropométricas significativas. Conclusão: Os resultados demonstram que o consumo diário de chocolate por um mês (70%) reduziu o craving em fumantes no início do tratamento. O chocolate potencializou o conhecido efeito do aconselhamento comportamental sobre o Fator 1 (efeitos prazerosos da droga) e também interferiu no fator 2 (efeitos desagradáveis da abstinência).

The action of phytochemicals present in cocoa in the prevention of vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Background: Chronic non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), have caused many deaths worldwide. Atherosclerotic plaque formation is common in individuals with CVDs. Thus, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutritional strategies can be used to prevent or inhibit this process. Due to its higher concentrations of cocoa, dark chocolate is considered a functional food due to the presence and action of phytochemical compounds, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. However, the recommended amounts of these compounds to prevent atherosclerosis have not yet been fully elucidated. Aim: The aim of the studywas to review the effects of cocoa and dark chocolate intake on the prevention of cardiovascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Methods: This narrative review was based on a search of PubMed and Lilacs. The search was conducted from September 2021 to February 2022 using the following keywords: flavonoids, cocoa, atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The inclusion criteria were original articles, meta-analyses, and experimental and clinical studies published between 2002 and 2022 in English, focusing on the subject addressed. The exclusion criteria were the title and abstract reading and duplication of articles in the databases. Results: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of phytochemicals in cocoa and dark chocolate are related to the modulation of nitric oxide through activation/phosphorylation and acting as a vasodilator. Furthermore, these phytochemicals reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species and activate antioxidant enzymes. The anti-inflammatory activities are related to the modulation of nuclear factor kappa B in the reduction of inflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as in the reduction of adhesion molecules in the wall of the vases. Conclusion: The main phytochemicals present in cocoa and dark chocolates are catechins and their epicatechin isomers, which are responsible for improving inflammatory, metabolic, and antioxidant profiles. Its consumption can be encouraged, but with caution, owing to the caloric supply and forms of chocolate production, as these factors can reduce the presence of flavonoids in its composition. Relevance for Patients: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of the phytochemicals in cocoa and dark chocolate are responsible for modulating nitric oxide via activation/phosphorylation and acting as a vasodilator. Reducing the formation of reactive oxygen species, as well as activating antioxidant enzymes. As for the anti-inflammatory activities, they modulate the nuclear factor kappa B, reducing inflammatory markers, thus improving the antioxidant and inflammatory profile of these patients.

Tobacco cessation in patients with multiple chronic conditions: nutritional strategies as an additional tool in treatment.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the impacts of the nutritional education intervention for patients with multiples chronic conditions during smoking cessation. METHODS: The non-probabilistic sample consisted of adult and elderly 18 individuals of both sexes, participants in a group for smoking cessation treatment. At the beginning of treatment, smoking history, degree of dependence and stage of motivation were evaluated. Craving degree was evaluated weekly during the first month. Anthropometric and biochemical evaluations were conducted at baseline, after 1 month and 3 months. Dietary intake was assessed by the "How is your diet?" questionnaire. There were three moments of nutritional intervention. The themes covered were "Energy balance and physical activity", "Healthy eating" and the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet, respectively. Statistical analysis with Shapiro Wilk normality test, paired T-Test or Wilcoxon and U-Mann Whitney (Significance ≤0.05). RESULTS: In the intervention group, most people had a high degree of smoking dependence (55.6%), while in the control group the frequency were 22.2%. Craving degree decreased significantly after 1 month of treatment (p= 0.017). After 3 months, the groups presented mean body weight positive variation, however below 3%. In both groups the average percentage of weight gain was below 3%, reinforcing that the holding of the nutrition session and performance of the nutritionist within the protocol proposed by the INCA helped in the control of weight gain. Blood glucose and HOMA-IR in the intervention group showed a significant increase (p= 0.15 and p= 0.50, respectively). CONCLUSION: Greater proximity and more frequent action taken by the nutritionist assists and encourages healthy eating practices during smoking cessation process, which can benefit individuals control of chronic diseases in the long term.