APOA5 gene variation interacts with dietary fat intake to modulate obesity and circulating triglycerides in a Mediterranean population

APOA5 is one of the strongest regulators of plasma TG concentrations; nevertheless, its mechanisms of action are poorly characterized. Genetic variability at the APOA5 locus has also been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk; however, this predisposition could be attenuated in the context of a prudent diet as traditionally consumed in the Mediterranean countries. We have investigated the interaction between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the APOA5 gene (-1131T > C) and dietary fat that may modulate TG-rich lipoprotein concentrations and anthropometric measures in overweight and obese participants. We recruited 1465 participants from a Spanish population (20-65 y old; BMI 25-40 kg/m(2)) attending outpatient obesity clinics. Consistent with previous reports, we found an association between the APOA5-1131T > C SNP and TG-rich lipoprotein concentrations that were higher in carriers of the minor allele than in noncarriers (P < 0.001). Moreover, we found a significant genotype-dietary fat interaction for obesity traits. Participants homozygous for the -1131T major allele had a positive association between fat intake and obesity, whereas in those carrying the APOA5-1131C minor allele, higher fat intakes were not associated with higher BMI. Likewise, we found genotype-dietary fat interactions for TG-rich lipoproteins (P < 0.001). In conclusion, we have replicated previous gene-diet interactions between APOA5 -1131T > C SNP and fat intake for obesity traits and detected a novel interaction for TG-rich lipoprotein concentrations. Our data support the hypothesis that the minor C-allele may protect those consuming a high-fat diet from obesity and elevated concentrations of TG-rich lipoproteins.     

Cultural differences in assessing dietary intake and providing relevant dietary information to British African–Caribbean populations

Diet can play a key role in the management of disorders such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, conditions highly prevalent in the British African Caribbean population.
In this paper, information not previously available is provided on the dietary habits and foods consumed by a British African–Caribbean population representative of the local community. Food frequency questionnaires were obtained from 255 randomly selected subjects in Manchester (78% of Jamaican origin), the nutrient intake results of which are available elsewhere. Here, suggestions are given to ensure that complete and valid dietary assessments (by diet history) are obtained, and the need for the approach to be somewhat different to that used in the White European population, highlighted with examples. Suggestions have also been listed for methods of dietary modification for obesity, diabetes and hypertension, taking into account differences in cultural understanding and food practices. People of Caribbean origin are not from just one territory: food habits and cultural context play an important role in every island, with clear differences between each which persist in first and later generations in Britain. In this paper, we attempt to integrate experience of learning from patients themselves during consultations and from participants in this study, with direct quantitative data on types of foods and their frequency in the local African–Caribbean diet.     

Influence of dietary carbohydrates on cholesterol metabolism in casein-fed rabbits

Dietary carbohydrates consisting of cornstarch and dextrose, as well as molassesenriched dextrose, were fed to rabbits in a high fat, cholesterol-free casein purified diet in order to evaluate their influence on food intake, and more specifically on the magnitude of the cholesterol response to casein feeding. Food intake and weight gain were similar in all groups, regardless of carbohydrate origin. The non-significant trend in serum cholesterol elevation in the molasses+dextrose group was however translated by a significant increase in its LDL-cholesterol, compared to the cornstarch and dextrose groups. Moreover, the significant increase in HDL-C and 4,3-fold decrease in the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio induced by cornstarch, in comparison to the dextrose and dextrose+molasses groups, suggests that the atherosclerosis risk associated to casein intake may be attenuated by the use of cornstarch. In addition, significantly higher liver cholesterol and TG levels following molasses+dextrose feeding, compared to dextrose and cornstarch, suggests that molasses enhances the effects of casein on serum cholesterol by a series of reactions originating from an increase in this group's hepatic lipids.     

Developing food-based dietary guidelines to promote healthy diets and lifestyles in the Eastern Caribbean

Obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes are becoming leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Eastern Caribbean countries of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica. To promote healthful diets and lifestyles and encourage behavioral changes, Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) were developed for the general population in each of these countries. This paper reports on the comprehensive process of developing the guidelines through consensus building among stakeholders, technical assessments and priority setting, and use of qualitative methods to field test messages to ensure public understanding and motivation. Nutritionists in each country received training and support from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Pan American Health Organization’s nutritionists.     

Complex carbohydrates in the dietary management of patients with glycogenosis caused by glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency

Carbohydrates with digestion characteristics between those of lente uncooked starches and rapidly digestible oligosaccharides were administered in a dose of 1.5 g/kg body weight to five patients with glycogenosis from glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency. Postprandial duration of normoglycemia and concentrations of blood insulin and lactate were determined. Uncooked barley groats in water, or incorporated in a meal turned out to behave as lente carbohydrates. Uncooked couscous in water, couscous incorporated in a meal, and partially cooked macaroni given as a meal behaved as semilente carbohydrates as compared with uncooked cornstarch and glucose. The in vitro determination of the digestibility index along with the in vivo tolerance test enables us to choose and incorporate semilente carbohydrates in the day-time treatment of patients.     

Postprandial modulation of dietary and whole-body nitrogen utilization by carbohydrates in humans

BACKGROUND: Sucrose exerts a sparing effect on whole-body protein metabolism, mainly during the absorptive phase. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize the acute postprandial effect of addition of sucrose on deamination of dietary and endogenous nitrogen, with particular consideration being given to the effects of bioavailability. DESIGN: Twenty-one subjects equipped with ileal tubes ingested (15)N-labeled soy protein combined with [(13)C]glycine, with (n = 10) or without (n = 11) sucrose. Dietary and endogenous ileal flow of nitrogen were determined from the ileal effluents. The kinetics of dietary amino acid transfer to the blood were characterized by (13)CO(2) enrichment in breath and (15)N enrichment in plasma amino acids. Deamination of dietary and endogenous amino acid was determined from body urea, urinary nitrogen, and (15)N enrichment. RESULTS: (13)CO(2) recovery in breath and (15)N plasma amino acid enrichments were highly correlated (R:(2) >/= 0.95, P: < 0.001, for both meals) and markedly delayed by sucrose (half-(13)CO(2) recovery: 274 min compared with 167 min), whereas exogenous and endogenous ileal nitrogen kinetics and balances remained unchanged. Addition of sucrose halved the early (0-2 h) deamination peak of dietary nitrogen and reduced endogenous nitrogen oxidation over the first 4 h. Both were reduced by 18-24% over the 8-h period after the meal. CONCLUSIONS: Without changing the nitrogen absorptive balance, sucrose markedly affected the bioavailability profile, which is governed by gastric emptying. Endogenous and dietary nitrogen were not spared in the same way and over the same periods, showing that the metabolism of endogenous and dietary nitrogen may be affected differently by nutritional modulation, even if the effects are of a similar magnitude over the entire postprandial period.     

The role and requirements of digestible dietary carbohydrates in infants and toddlers

Digestible carbohydrates are one of the main sources of dietary energy in infancy and childhood and are essential for growth and development. The aim of this narrative review is to outline the intakes of digestible carbohydrates and their role in health and disease, including the development of food preferences, as well the consequences of excess carbohydrate. Key experts in these fields provided up-to-date reviews of the literature. A search of available information on dietary intakes of children below the age of 4 years was conducted from 1985 up to 2010. Articles and reports including information about sugars and/or starch intakes were selected. A number of factors limit the ability to obtain an overall picture of carbohydrate intakes and food sources in this age group. These include small numbers of intake studies, differing approaches to analysing carbohydrate, a variety of terms used to describe sugars intakes and a dearth of information about starch intakes. Data suggest that sweet taste is preferred in infancy and later food choices. There are few established adverse consequences of high intakes of digestible carbohydrate for young children. The greatest evidence is for dental caries, although this is influenced by high intake frequency and poor oral hygiene. Evidence for detrimental effects on nutrient dilution, obesity, diabetes or cognition is limited. In infants, minimum carbohydrate (mainly lactose) intake should be 40% of total energy, gradually increasing to 55% energy by the age of 2 years.     

Tuberculosis in the Caribbean: using spacer oligonucleotide typing to understand strain origin and transmission.

We used direct repeat (DR)-based spacer oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping) (in association with double-repetitive element polymerase chain reaction, IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP], and sometimes DR-RFLP and polymorphic GC-rich sequence-RFLP) to detect epidemiologic links and transmission patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana. In more than a third of the 218 strains we typed from this region, clusters and isolates shared genetic identity, which suggests epidemiologic links. However, because of limited epidemiologic information, only 14.2% of the strains could be directly linked. When spoligotyping patterns shared by two or more isolates were pooled with 392 spoligotypes from other parts of the world, new matches were detected, which suggests imported transmission. Persisting foci of endemic disease and increased active transmission due to high population flux and HIV-coinfection may be linked to the recent reemergence of tuberculosis in the Caribbean. We also found that several distinct families of spoligotypes are overrepresented in this region.     

Relationships of adolescent's dietary habits with personality traits and food neophobia according to family meal frequency

BACKGROUND

A higher frequency of family meals is associated with good dietary habits in young people. This study focused on the relationships of family meal frequency with food neophobia and personality traits in adolescents.

SUBJECTS/METHOD

For this purpose, we administered a survey to 495 middle school students in Seoul metropolitan city, after which the data were analyzed using the SPSS (18.0) program. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationships among dietary habits, personality traits, and food neophobia according to frequency of family meals.

RESULTS

Dietary habits, personality traits, and food neophobia all showed significant differences according to the frequency of family meals. Further, eating regular family meals was associated with good dietary habits (P < 0.001) and was linked with improved extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness/intellect (P < 0.001). On the other hand, it showed a negative relationship with food neophobia (P < 0.001). The relationship between dietary habits and food neophobia showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01). The relationship between dietary habits and personality traits showed a positive correlation (P < 0.01). Lastly, the relationship between personality traits and food neophobia showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the study, the frequency of family meals affects dietary habits, personality traits, and food neophobia in adolescents.     

Breakfast glycaemic response in patients with type 2 diabetes: effects of bedtime dietary carbohydrates.

OBJECTIVES: Bedtime carbohydrate (CHO) intake in patients with type-2 diabetes may improve glucose tolerance at breakfast the next morning. We examined the 'overnight second-meal effect' of bedtime supplements containing 'rapid' or 'slow' CHOs. DESIGN: Randomized cross-over study with three test-periods, each consisting of two days on a standardized diet, followed by a breakfast tolerance test on the third morning. SETTING: The Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, G?teborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Sixteen patients with type 2 diabetes on oral agents and/or diet. INTERVENTIONS: Two different bedtime (22.00 h) CHO supplements (0.46 g available CHO/kg body weight) were compared to a starch-free placebo ('normal' food regimen). The CHOs were provided as uncooked cornstarch (slow-release CHOs) or white bread (rapid CHOs). RESULTS: On the mornings after different bedtime meals we found similar fasting glucose, insulin, free fatty acid and lactate levels. However, the glycaemic response after breakfast was 21% less after uncooked cornstarch compared to placebo ingestion at bedtime (406 +/- 46 vs 511 +/- 61 mmol min l(-1), P < 0.01). In contrast, it did not differ when the evening meal consisted of white bread (451 +/- 57 mmol min l(-1)) compared to placebo. According to an in vitro analysis, uncooked cornstarch contained approximately 4 times more slowly digestible starch as compared to white bread. CONCLUSIONS: A bedtime meal providing uncooked cornstarch improved breakfast tolerance the next morning while, in contrast, this was not found following a bedtime meal of white bread. The results are consistent, therefore, with the concept that an increased intake of slowly digestible carbohydrates exert an overnight second-meal effect in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Breakfast eating pattern and its association with dietary quality indices and anthropometric measurements in young women in Isfahan

ObjectiveTo assess the association between consuming or skipping breakfast and dietary quality indices such as the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), diversity scores of different food groups, and anthropometric measurements in young Isfahanian women.MethodsWomen 18 to 28 y old were selected randomly from among university students (n = 411) in Isfahan, Iran. A validated semiquantitative questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Five food groups of the Food Guide Pyramid were considered for calculating the DDS and diversity score of the food groups. Subjects were categorized based on consuming or skipping breakfast. The HEI was calculated based on 10 components including the five food groups, different fat and sodium intakes, and the DDS.ResultsBreakfast consumers versus skippers had higher scores for the HEI (66 ± 13 versus 47 ± 13, P = 0.001), the DDS (6.8 ± 1.2 versus 4.9 ± 0.7, P = 0.001), and the DDSs for fruits (1.3 ± 0.2 versus 0.9 ± 0.1, P = 0.001), vegetables (1.6 ± 0.2 versus 1.2 ± 0.1, P = 0.001), and whole grains (1.3 ± 0.2 versus 0.9 ± 0.1, P = 0.001). Also, eating breakfast was associated with lower values for dietary energy density (0.96 ± 0.25 versus 1.04 ± 0.40, P = 0.01), the body mass index (20.0 ± 1.8 versus 23.3 ± 2.7, P = 0.001), and waist circumference (69.2 ± 7.6 versus 72.5 ± 8.7, P = 0.001). There was a higher prevalence of breakfast consumers in the third tertiles of the HEI and DDS. However, there was a smaller percentage of breakfast consumers in the third tertiles of the body mass index and waist circumference.ConclusionsBreakfast consumption was associated with higher scores of the dietary quality indices and lower values for the body mass index and waist circumference in young Isfahanian women. Further studies should be performed to determine the relation between the kind of breakfast consumed and the dietary quality indices.