Covilha

Researchers are exploring the effects of kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, on individuals who are overweight or have class 1 obesity. This study aims to understand how kombucha, including its live microbiota, influences metabolic factors like glucose, insulin, and lipid levels, as well as gut microbiota diversity and liver function. The trial is a randomized controlled pilot study assessing these impacts through clinical and biological measures. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups one group drinks 33 cl of live kombucha daily, another drinks 33 cl of pasteurized kombucha daily, and a third group drinks 33 cl of sparkling water as a control. Each intervention lasts for 4 weeks, and the study includes dietary supplementation with the assigned beverage. The trial involves a triple-blind design to reduce bias. During the study, participants undergo assessments of their gut microbiota through fecal samples, fasting glucose and insulin levels, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Questionnaires about gastrointestinal symptoms and stool consistency are also completed. The trial aims to measure changes over the 4-week period to evaluate kombuchas potential effects on metabolism, microbiota, and liver health.

Researchers are investigating how a sleep behavioral intervention combined with standard obesity treatment affects adolescents aged 13 to 17 who have overweight or obesity with poor sleep quality. The study aims to better understand how improving sleep may help reduce body fat and improve related health risks like insulin resistance and hypertension. This trial compares usual obesity treatment alone to usual treatment plus a sleep-focused behavioral therapy delivered by psychologists. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the control group receiving standard obesity care or the intervention group receiving standard care plus seven cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions over six months. These sessions focus on improving sleep hygiene, self-monitoring, stimulus control, cognitive therapy, and relaxation techniques. Medical visits occur every two months during the six-month intervention and every three months during a six-month follow-up period. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including body measurements BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, sleep evaluations using actigraphy and ambulatory sleep studies, blood tests for metabolic markers, and questionnaires on sleep, eating habits, physical activity, emotional well-being, and quality of life. The primary outcome is changes in BMI z-score and body composition at six months. Secondary outcomes include cardiometabolic risk factors, hormonal levels, and emotional measures, with safety and progress monitored throughout the 12-month study period.

This research investigates the effects of different volumes of resistance training on various health aspects in people with mild cognitive impairment, including cognitive function, oxidative stress, immune response, lipid levels, blood sugar control, liver and muscle function, blood pressure, and physical performance. The study includes both an acute evaluation of single exercise sessions and a longer-term analysis of an eight-week training program. Researchers aim to understand how one or three sets of resistance exercises impact these measures in this population. Participants will take part in two main study phases. First, a cross-over study will have them perform two types of resistance training sessions one week apart one session with one set of exercises and another with three sets. After this, participants will be randomly assigned to groups performing eight weeks of resistance training, either with one set or three sets per exercise, twice weekly with adequate rest between sessions. A separate control group will maintain usual activities without exercise. The exercise routines include warm-up walking, leg press, chest press, sit-to-stand exercises, medicine ball throws, and treadmill walking. Throughout the study, various tests will be conducted before, immediately after, and 72 hours following exercise sessions to assess blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, muscle strength, and physical function. Cognitive assessments and blood tests will be done before and after the eight-week training to measure changes in brain function, inflammation, oxidative stress, blood lipids, blood sugar control, muscle damage, and physical fitness. The study expects to observe changes in these outcomes to better understand the effects of resistance training on individuals with mild cognitive impairment.