Viscosity rather than quantity of dietary fibre predicts cholesterol-lowering effect in healthy individuals.

The well-documented lipid-lowering effects of fibre may be related to its viscosity, a phenomenon that has been understudied, especially when fibre is given against the background of a typical North American (NA) diet. In this three-arm experiment, we compared the lipid-lowering effect of low-viscosity wheat bran (WB), medium-viscosity psyllium (PSY) and a high-viscosity viscous fibre blend (VFB), as part of a fibre intervention aimed at increasing fibre intake to recommended levels within the context of a NA diet in apparently healthy individuals. Using a randomised cross-over design, twenty-three participants (twelve males and eleven females; age 35 (SD 12) years; LDL-cholesterol (C) 2.

Pharmacologic treatment of pediatric obesity.

Question There is a large population of overweight and obese children in my clinic. What medications for treatment of obesity are effective and can be used in children? Answer Orlistat is the only medication indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obesity in adolescents. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in adolescents aged 12 years and older.

Palivizumab for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Question: Palivizumab, a specific monoclonal antibody for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is available for prevention of pediatric respiratory tract infections. What are the indications for its use and can it be used for treatment of RSV infections?

Answer: Most infants should not be considered for RSV prophylaxis with palivizumab. The drug is approved for use for different indications in different Canadian provinces.

Pediatric vasoocclusive crisis and weather conditions.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated associations of frequency of vasoocclusive crisis with weather conditions in adults, although relationships have been inconsistent.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine if there is an association between weather conditions and pediatric emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and day and severity of pain precipitation for vasoocclusive crisis (VOC).

Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed at a large tertiary care pediatric center.

Ketogenic diet for treatment of epilepsy.

Question: Families of children with epilepsy now ask about the ketogenic diet at clinic visits. Is it effective and safe to use for treatment of epilepsy?

Answer: The ketogenic diet can be considered an option for children with intractable epilepsy who use multiple antiepileptic drugs. It is a treatment of choice for seizures associated with glucose transporter protein deficiency syndrome (ie, De Vivo disease) and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency.

Vitamin use among children attending a Canadian pediatric emergency department.

Increasing use of vitamins has been documented worldwide in children and adolescents, and potential for vitamin-drug interactions exists. The aim of this study was to identify vitamin use by children visiting a pediatric emergency department (ED). A survey of parents and/or patients 0-18 years was conducted at a large pediatric ED in Canada.

Pharmacotherapy and weight-loss supplements for treatment of paediatric obesity.

Childhood obesity has become the most common paediatric disorder in the developed world. Treatment of obesity in children may include lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and weight-loss supplements. The outcome of lifestyle interventions, which classically include dietary modifications, increased activity and behavioural modifications, remains insufficient and the adjuvant role of pharmacological agents has been proposed.

Safety considerations and potential interactions of vitamins: should vitamins be considered drugs?

Objective: To examine adverse effects, adverse events, and potential interactions of vitamins in light of their current prevalence of use, and to discuss whether vitamins should be considered over-the-counter drugs or natural health products/dietary supplements.

Data Sources: We performed a MEDLINE/PubMed search, explored 4 online databases (Medline Plus, Drug Digest, Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, and the database of the University of Maryland), and examined reference lists of included studies published from 1966 through October 2009.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: The studies were reviewed, with an emphasis on randomized controlled clinical trials.

Fiber facts: benefits and recommendations for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

In randomized controlled trials, viscous soluble fibers have demonstrated acute and long-term metabolic improvements in type 2 diabetes, such as reductions in hemoglobin A1c, fasting and post-prandial glycemia, insulinemia, and cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, they may be helpful in weight control through promoting feelings of fullness. Increasing consumption of foods containing fiber or use of fiber supplements could play an important role in managing diabetes with positive outcomes on vascular complications and reduced cardio-vascular disease risk.

Comparable postprandial glucose reductions with viscous fiber blend enriched biscuits in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus: acute randomized controlled clinical trial.

Aim: To compare the blood glucose-lowering effect of a highly viscous fiber blend (VFB) added to a starchy snack on postprandial glycemia between healthy participants and participants with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Ten healthy participants (4 men and 6 women, aged 28+/-2.6 years, body mass index [BMI], 24.

Using cereal to increase dietary fiber intake to the recommended level and the effect of fiber on bowel function in healthy persons consuming North American diets.

Background: Dietary fiber intake remains low despite increasing evidence for its health benefits, including laxation.

Objective: We aimed to assess the effects of increasing fiber intake on bowel habits and gastrointestinal tolerance in healthy persons consuming a typical Canadian or US diet.

Design: Under a randomized crossover design, 23 free-living participants consumed a typical Canadian or US diet (35% fat, 12 g fiber/d) and received 25.

Supplementation of conventional therapy with the novel grain Salba (Salvia hispanica L.) improves major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether addition of Salba (Salvia hispanica L.), a novel whole grain that is rich in fiber, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and minerals to conventional treatment is associated with improvement in major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Using a single-blind cross-over design, subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 37 +/- 4 g/day of Salba or wheat bran for 12 weeks while maintaining their conventional diabetes therapies.