Clinical nutrition : official journal of the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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Review Meta Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations.
The impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations has not been conclusively studied. Therefore the aim of the meta-analysis was to assess the effect of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. ⋯ This meta-analysis showed a significant effect of supplementation with Spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and elevating those of HDL-C.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of the novel functional fibre, polyglycoplex (PGX), on body weight and metabolic parameters: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Hundreds of dietary supplements are marketed as weight loss pills, but the evidence for effectiveness for most is unproven. The objective of this review was to critically appraise and evaluate the evidence from published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of polyglycoplex (PGX), a novel functional fibre, on body weight and metabolic parameters. ⋯ The evidence from available RCTs does not indicate that PGX intake causes reductions in body weight. PGX may cause reductions in total and LDL cholesterol. Few trials examining the effects of PGX have been conducted; they are characterized by small sample sizes, deficiencies in reporting quality, and are funded by a single manufacturer. Future clinical trials evaluating its effect should be adequately powered and better reported.
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Review Meta Analysis
Yogurt for treating acute gastroenteritis in children: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
In May 2014, the updated guidelines for the management of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were published. The use of yogurt in the nutritional management of AGE was not addressed, although it is frequently used in many countries for this purpose. We aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of yogurt consumption for the management of AGE in children. ⋯ The consumption of yogurt had a positive effect on weight gain, but no consistent effect on AGE outcomes in hospitalized children. Given the limited data and the methodological limitations of the included trials, the evidence should be viewed with caution. The effect of yogurt consumption in the ambulatory setting is unknown.
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Review Meta Analysis
Antioxidant therapy for patients with chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive, inflammatory disease of pancreas characterized by significant abdominal pain, malabsorption, and diabetes mellitus. Antioxidant therapy has been proposed as an effective treatment for painful chronic pancreatitis. We performed a meta-analysis of trials in which antioxidant therapy was compared with placebo in chronic pancreatitis. ⋯ Based on current evidence, oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis, and administration of antioxidants to patients with painful chronic pancreatitis is effective in relieving pain. Antioxidant supplements may be advocated as one medical therapy for chronic pancreatitis patients with low antioxidant capacity in their blood.
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A recent meta-analysis showed that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in parenteral nutrition (PN) regimens is associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in infection rate, and length of hospital stay (LOS) in medical and surgical patients admitted to the ICU and in surgical patients not admitted to the ICU. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of omega-3 fatty acids to standard PN regimens in four European countries (Italy, France, Germany and the UK) from the healthcare provider perspective. ⋯ These results suggest that the supplementation of PN regimens with omega-3 fatty acids would be cost effective in Italian, French, German and UK hospitals.