1.
Oats in the diet of children with celiac disease: preliminary results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter Italian study.
Gatti, S, Caporelli, N, Galeazzi, T, Francavilla, R, Barbato, M, Roggero, P, Malamisura, B, Iacono, G, Budelli, A, Gesuita, R, et al
Nutrients. 2013;5(11):4653-64
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Plain language summary
Coeliac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder triggered by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Currently the only available treatment for CD is a gluten-free diet (GFD). The inclusion of oats in a GFD is still debated although several clinical trials have demonstrated that most patients have no adverse side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and tolerance of gluten-free oats in children with CD. Intestinal symptoms, serological markers and intestinal permeability were monitored for 15 months. The study included 171 participants aged 4-14 who have been diagnosed with CD and on a GFD for at least two years. The findings of this study showed that prolonged intake of oats did not result in any negative clinical changes in children with CD. Based on this study, the authors’ conclusions support that gluten-free oats are safe and well tolerated when administered for a 6-month period of time.
Abstract
A gluten-free diet (GFD) is currently the only available treatment for patients with celiac disease (CD). Several clinical trials have demonstrated that most celiac patients can tolerate a medium-high quantity of oats without any negative clinical effects; however, the inclusion of oats in GFD is still a matter of debate. In this study, Italian children with CD were enrolled in a 15-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial. Participants were randomized in two groups following either A-B treatment (6 months of diet "A", 3 months of standard GFD, 6 months of diet "B"), or B-A treatment (6 months of diet "B", 3 months of standard GFD, 6 months of diet "A"). A and B diets included gluten-free (GF) products (flour, pasta, biscuits, cakes and crisp toasts) with either purified oats or placebo. Clinical data (Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rate Scale [GSRS] score) and intestinal permeability tests (IPT), were measured through the study period. Although the study is still blinded, no significant differences were found in GSRS score or the urinary lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio between the two groups after 6 months of treatment. These preliminary results suggest that the addition of non-contaminated oats from selected varieties in the treatment of children with CD does not determine changes in intestinal permeability and gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet.
Estruch, R, Ros, E, Salas-Salvadó, J, Covas, MI, Corella, D, Arós, F, Gómez-Gracia, E, Ruiz-Gutiérrez, V, Fiol, M, Lapetra, J, et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2013;368(14):1279-90
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The traditional Mediterranean diet has been shown to have cardiovascular protective effects based on previous observational cohort studies and a secondary prevention trial. While the mechanism for the beneficial effects of this diet have not been established, small trials have suggested that it fosters favourable changes in the pathways involved in cardio-metabolic disease. The aim of this randomised trial was to test the efficacy of two variations of the Mediterranean diet on reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events. These diets included Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or mixed nuts, and a control diet (advised to reduce dietary fat). The study included 7,447 participants aged 55-80 and participants were followed for an average of 4.8 years. Both groups showed good adherence to the diets. The findings of this study showed that among persons at high cardiovascular risk, both variations of the Mediterranean diet resulted to a significant risk reduction of cardiovascular events, notably stroke. Based on this study, the authors’ conclusions support the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational cohort studies and a secondary prevention trial have shown an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular risk. We conducted a randomized trial of this diet pattern for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events. METHODS In a multicenter trial in Spain, we randomly assigned participants who were at high cardiovascular risk, but with no cardiovascular disease at enrollment, to one of three diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts, or a control diet (advice to reduce dietary fat). Participants received quarterly individual and group educational sessions and, depending on group assignment, free provision of extra-virgin olive oil, mixed nuts, or small nonfood gifts. The primary end point was the rate of major cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes). On the basis of the results of an interim analysis, the trial was stopped after a median follow-up of 4.8 years. RESULTS A total of 7447 persons were enrolled (age range, 55 to 80 years); 57% were women. The two Mediterranean-diet groups had good adherence to the intervention, according to self-reported intake and biomarker analyses. A primary end-point event occurred in 288 participants. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios were 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.92) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.96) for the group assigned to a Mediterranean diet with extra-virgin olive oil (96 events) and the group assigned to a Mediterranean diet with nuts (83 events), respectively, versus the control group (109 events). No diet-related adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS Among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events. (Funded by the Spanish government's Instituto de Salud Carlos III and others; Controlled-Trials.com number, ISRCTN35739639.).