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If you do not get enough sleep, you are likely to eat more. The indication comes from a study that appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, whose results reinforce previous evidence that sleep affects the neurophysiological mechanisms that regulate feelings of hunger and energy balance. The new investigation, which involved 22 healthy individuals (average age: 22 /- 3 years; BMI: 22.30 /- 1.83 kg/m²), involved two sessions lasting 48 hours. During the first night of each session, the participants slept for eight hours (from midnight to 8) or four hours (from 2 to 6). Bread with butter and jam for breakfast, a buffet lunch and a free dinner menu were then made available to participants who were able to eat without any restrictions. At this point, the following were measured: physical activity, feeling of hunger and fullness, desire for specific foods and feeling of sleepiness. Compared to those who slept eight hours, those with only four hours of sleep had a calorie intake 22% higher a day after the restriction, and were hungrier at both breakfast and dinner. Although sleep deprivation led to an increase in physical activity, the most marked difference compared to those who slept longer involved increased feelings of sleepiness. “Measurements of long-term energy expenditure will help to clarify whether lack of sleep can be considered a risk factor for obesity” the authors conclude.
(source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar 31.)
Regular consumption of fish, nuts, olive oil and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a decreased risk of macular degeneration from aging. There is increasing evidence of the benefits of a regular intake of fish and PUFA in the diet on the risk of this eye condition, especially in those with a low omega-3/omega-6 ratio, but so far the evidence of an association between macular degeneration and total fats or other types of lipids, such as saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids has not been constant.
(source: Arch Ophthalmol. 2009; 127: 656-65 e 674-80)
A study has been conducted to quantify the load of cardiovascular disease that can be prevented through wider adherence to dietary recommendations on the assumption of key nutrients such as saturated and trans fatty acids, fruit, vegetables and fish. Based on their findings, a wider adherence to the recommended daily amounts of these nutrients could lead to a reduction of 20-30% in the load arising from cardiovascular diseases, as well as leading to an increase of one year in the life expectancy of subjects aged 40. The individual contribution of each nutrient shown taken individually is highest for fish, followed by fruit, vegetables and fatty acids. Only fish and fruit, however, contribute to reducing the risk of a stroke.
(source: Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil online 2009)
It is known that nutrition affects the immune system, and could therefore modulate resistance to infection. The influence of a fermented food concentrate containing fruit, nuts and vegetables rich in polyphenols on the immune system of healthy volunteers was assessed. Promising physiological effects on the regulation of the innate immune system and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant parameters were produced.
(source: Nutrition online 2009)
Fibre, peppermint and antispasmodic drugs are effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Traditionally, these patients were recommended to increase their daily intake of fibre, due to its potential beneficial effects on intestinal transit time, but when this strategy failed, patients had to resort to various kinds of muscle relaxants and antispasmodic drugs in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms, in particular pain and bloating. More recently, peppermint, which has proven antispasmodic properties and has been used in the treatment of this disease, has become available. Based on evidence in literature, all these strategies are still effective, but with the advent of new and more expensive drugs, they are often forgotten. Further extensive studies on the use of these three agents in patients with irritable bowel syndrome are required, but in the meantime, the guidelines on the management of the disease should be modified, taking this data into account. It is important to remember to take into account the physical, psychological and social characteristics of individual patients in order to plan an integrated and personalised approach to treatment.
(source: BMJ online pubblicato il 14/11/2008)
