Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a basic food of the Mediterranean diet and an important source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic substances. The culinary techniques to which the oil is subjected before consumption cause the migration of these compounds, hence the importance of studying their stability before and after culinary treatment. We determined the behaviour of the phenols present in EVOO and its total antioxidant capacity before and after the use of various culinary techniques such as deep frying, boiling (in a water/oil mixture (W/O) and sauteing, observing that the study parameters varied according to the variety of oil and the culinary technique used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent years have seen a rise in the popularity of the consumption of sports-related supplements. However, the hypothesis is raised that it is necessary to analyze the quality aspects of these supplements in relation to the information provided on the label, to avoid associated risks and obtain the greatest possible benefit from their consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study has been to carry out an analysis or screening of the protein supplements that are currently marketed in Spain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman life expectancy has increased over the past 50 years due to scientific and medical advances and higher food availability. However, overweight and obesity affect more than 50% of adults and 15% of infants and adolescents. There has also been a marked increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in recent decades, which has been associated with a reduction in nocturnal pineal production of melatonin with aging and an increased risk of coronary diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and death.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this study was to analyze serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Cu/Zn ratios in 116 hemodialysis patients (HPs) over a 2-year longitudinal study at four time points (6-month intervals). The relation exerted on these values by 26 biochemical and nutritional indexes, the age and drug consumption of the patients, and the etiology of their disease were also evaluated. A healthy control group (n = 50) was also studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe use of melatonin, a neurohormone present in plants, represents an exciting approach for the maintenance of optimum health conditions. Melatonin administration ameliorates glucose homeostasis in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin in diabetes in relation to the levels and regulation of plasma chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), and magnesium (Mg) in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and Zucker lean (ZL) rats.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To study the antioxidant activity of melatonin in diabetes in relation to the regulation and levels of plasma copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and lean (ZL) rats.
Methods: At 6 wk of age, both ZDF (n = 30) and ZL (n = 30) animals were subdivided into three groups: control (C) (n = 10), vehicle (V) (n = 10), and melatonin-treated (M) (10 mg/kg/d; n = 10) rats for a 6-wk period. At the end of treatment period, plasma mineral levels were measured by flame (Cu, Zn, and Fe), electrothermal (Mn), and hydride generation (Se) atomic absorption spectrometry.