Abstract
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients in hemodialysis treatment and were frequently associated with low intake of dietary fibers and liquids, oral iron supplementation, phosphate binders, and low level of physical activity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of baru almond oil in comparison with mineral oil supplementation on bowel habits of hemodialysis patients. Thirty-five patients on hemodialysis (57% men, 49.9 ± 12.4 years) were enrolled in a 12-week single-blind clinical trial. Patients were allocated (1 : 2) by sex and age into (1) the mineral group: 10 capsules per day of mineral oil (500 mg each) or (2) the baru almond oil group: 10 capsules per day of baru almond oil (500 mg each). Bowel habits were assessed by the Rome IV criteria, Bristol scale, and self-perception of constipation. Food consumption, physical activity level, and time spent sitting were also evaluated at the baseline and at the end of the study. After 12 weeks of supplementation, the baru almond oil group showed reduced Rome IV score (6.1 ± 5.5 vs 2.8 ± 4.3, p=0.04) and the straining on the evacuation score (1.2 ± 1.4 vs 0.4 ± 0.7; p=0.04), while the mineral group did not show any change in the parameters. The frequency of self-perception of constipation was lower in the baru almond oil group after intervention (45.0% vs 15.0%, p=0.04). Baru almond oil improved bowel habit and the straining on evacuation in hemodialysis patients.
Highlights
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1]
Bowel habit alterations are generally associated with a low intake of dietary fibers and liquids, oral iron supplementation, phosphate binders, and low a level of physical activity; such conduct and behaviors are frequently part of hemodialysis (HD) patients’ treatment [3]. e chronic use of medicines to improve bowel habits is considered a trigger for its alterations, since they can alter bowel mucous secretions and motility [3]
No study with CKD or addressing bowel habits with this almond has been performed. us, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of baru almond oil in comparison with mineral oil supplementation on bowel habits of patients undergoing hemodialysis
Summary
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1]. Bowel habit alterations are generally associated with a low intake of dietary fibers and liquids, oral iron supplementation, phosphate binders, and low a level of physical activity; such conduct and behaviors are frequently part of hemodialysis (HD) patients’ treatment [3]. E chronic use of medicines to improve bowel habits is considered a trigger for its alterations, since they can alter bowel mucous secretions and motility [3]. Us, alternative approaches to improve bowel habits are required. E mineral oil is considered the main strategy because it is a feces emollient [5,6,7,8]. It has been observed that dietary oils offered in a liquid form, such as olive oil and flaxseed oil, have similar effects to mineral oil [4, 9] or even better effects by increasing the frequency of evacuation in constipated patients who consumed olive oil [4]. e probable mechanism of action of almond oils is softening feces, improving consistency, stimulating peristalsis, and reducing intestinal transit time [10].
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