Publications by authors named "Serafina Fernandez"
Epidemiological studies on the association between diet and cognitive function suggested a possible role of dietary fatty acids in cognitive decline. The aim of the present study was to examine whether intake of different types of fatty acids is associated with cognitive status. A cohort of 304 (127 men and 177 women) institutionalized elderly people, with a mean age of 75.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although a relationship between diet and mortality is well recognized, there is little information on the extent to which different food sources contribute to survival in elderly people.
Objective: To examine the effect of individual food groups on mortality in institutionalized elderly people from Asturias (Northern Spain) after 6 years of follow-up.
Method: The dietary intake of 288 elderly people aged 60-85 years was assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).
Although total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) has been extensively studied as a risk factor of CVD, longitudinal evidence on its association with mortality is scarce, especially among the elderly. The study cohort consisted of 215 subjects (eighty-eight male and 127 female), aged 60 years or older, recruited in fourteen elderly care institutions from Asturias (Spain). All participants were free of major chronic pathology and took no vitamin and/or mineral supplements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Selenium is of fundamental importance to human health. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of selenium (intake and serum levels) on subjective indicators of quality of life in older people, such as self-perceived health, chewing ability and physical activity.
Methods: The sample was a cohort of 227 elderly people (93 men and 134 women) residing in 14 nursing homes in Asturias (Spain).
Article Synopsis
- Oxidative stress may contribute to aging and increased risk of death, so a study was conducted on 154 non-smoking elderly individuals in Spain to assess oxidative status and its relation to mortality.
- Baseline levels of various antioxidants and lipid peroxidation markers were measured, with an average survival time of 4.3 years, during which 20.1% of participants died.
- The study found that higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were linked to increased mortality, while higher levels of antioxidants like alpha-tocopherol and SOD were associated with better survival rates, suggesting that lower oxidative stress and better antioxidant protection could reduce the risk of dying.
Background/aims: It is becoming apparent that the essential trace element selenium plays a critical role in the maintenance of optimal health status. The objective of this study was to identify the food groups that most contributed to selenium intake and its serum levels in elderly people.
Methods: Dietary intake was assessed in 205 institutionalized elderly by means of a 1-year food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).
Article Synopsis
- Oxidative stress is thought to link elevated plasma homocysteine levels (p-tHcy) with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but this study found no evidence supporting that claim in elderly individuals.
- The researchers measured various antioxidants and markers of lipid peroxidation in 123 healthy elderly subjects, but found no significant differences between those with high and low p-tHcy levels.
- Results indicate that hyperhomocysteinemia did not increase lipid peroxidation or lead to an adaptive response in antioxidant systems, highlighting the need for further research to explore the relationship between homocysteine and atherosclerosis.
Objective: Total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population and elderly subjects are at high risk of elevated homocysteine because of an impaired vitamin status. The aim of the present study was to determine the independent and interactive association of adequate folate and cobalamin (intake and serum levels) with tHcy in elderly subjects who were not taking vitamin supplementation.
Design And Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a sample of 140 elderly recruited from seven nursing homes in Asturias (Northern Spain).
Article Synopsis
- Low selenium levels in humans have been linked to various diseases, and a study has found a direct link between selenium intake and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels in animals.
- Researchers conducted a study to explore the relationship between blood selenium levels and tHcy in humans, finding that higher serum selenium correlated with lower tHcy levels, explaining about 5.8% of tHcy variance.
- The study also indicated that individuals with the highest selenium levels had a 63% lower risk of elevated tHcy, and the relationship between protein intake and tHcy in men was influenced by selenium levels.
Plasma iron is associated with lipid peroxidation in an elderly population.
J Trace Elem Med Biol
September 2004
Epidemiological evidence has raised concern that a moderate elevation in body iron stores may increase oxidative stress and risk of heart disease. We examined the cross-sectional association between plasma iron and factors that could affect its levels (antioxidant enzymes, diet), with the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Participants were 162 non-smoking institutionalised elderly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between dietary intake and lipid peroxidation.
Design: Cross-sectional population analysis from an ongoing prospective study. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as a marker of lipid peroxidation.
The role of 17beta-estradiol in the early steps of insulin action is only partially known, although its effect on glucose homeostasis has been reported. In this paper, we attempt to prove the influence of 17beta-estradiol on the insulin receptor of ovariectomized rats treated with different hormonal doses. Our results show that high doses of estradiol impair insulin sensitivity while low doses improve it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Oxidative stress is linked to a higher risk of diseases like cancer and heart disease, with antioxidants playing a crucial role in reducing this risk.
- A study of 160 elderly nonsmokers found that higher levels of erythrocyte-superoxide-dismutase (E-SOD) and various carotenoids significantly decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating reduced oxidative damage.
- The research highlights that antioxidants work better together rather than alone, especially when lycopene is included, suggesting a cooperative effect among lipid-soluble antioxidants in combatting oxidative stress.