Efeito dos alimentos ricos em triptofano, em melatonina e vitaminas do complexo A, B, C, D e E associados à administração de melatonina na qualidade do sono de trabalhadoras noturnas com excesso de peso

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of consumption of foods rich in tryptophan, melatonin and vitamins of complex A, B, C, D and E associated with the administration of exogenous melatonin on the quality of sleep of night workers with excessive weight, regardless of circadian desynchronization. Methods: This is a controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial, carried out with 27 nursing professionals who worked permanent night shifts (12 hours of work with 36 hours off). Food consumption was analyzed using 24-hour food recalls, recorded between 19:00 and 19:00 both on workdays and days off. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were performed to evaluate the isolated effect of consumption of foods rich in tryptophan, melatonin and vitamins of complex A, B, C, D and E and the administration of melatonin on sleep quality, as well as their interaction, on workdays, days off and on the assessment of sleep quality considering work and off time together. The same analyzes were also performed adjusting the models for circadian desynchronization. A significance level of 5% was set. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.01 years (SE 5.9 years). Most were married (62,96%) and completed postgraduate studies (40,74%). Most were nurses (51,85%) and worked the night shift for an average of 9.2 years (SE 6.4 years). Most reported having poor or very poor sleep quality (55.56%). The administration of melatonin alone improved sleep quality with and without adjustment for circadian desynchronization. Vitamin E consumption improved sleep quality even after adjusting for circadian desynchronization. Vitamin A consumption only improved sleep quality before adjustment, indicating that greater circadian desynchronization negatively interferes with the positive effect of vitamin A. On the other hand, vitamin B12 consumption improved sleep quality only after the adjustment. The interaction between melatonin administration and the consumption of vitamins D3 and B12, after adjusting for circadian desynchronization, improved sleep quality. The interaction effect between melatonin administration and consumption of vitamins E and B6, which had improved sleep quality, ceased its effect after adjustment. Conclusion: The consumption of vitamins of complex B, D and E, associated with the administration of exogenous melatonin, improved the quality of sleep of overweight night workers, in which circadian desynchronization interfered in this improvement only in relation to the consumption of vitamin E. In addition, consumption of vitamin A and administration of exogenous melatonin alone also improved sleep quality.