Zinc Fortification Decreases ZIP1 Gene Expression of Some Adolescent Females with Appropriate Plasma Zinc Levels

Zinc homeostasis is achieved after intake variation by changes in the expression levels of zinc transporters. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary intake (by 24-h recall), absorption, plasma zinc (by absorption spectrophotometry) and the expression levels (by quantitative PCR), of the transporters ZIP1 (zinc importer) and ZnT1 (zinc exporter) in peripheral white blood cells from 24 adolescent girls before and after drinking zinc-fortified milk for 27 day. Zinc intake increased (p < 0.001) from 10.5 ± 3.9 mg/day to 17.6 ± 4.4 mg/day, and its estimated absorption from 3.1 ± 1.2 to 5.3 ± 1.3 mg/day. Mean plasma zinc concentration remained unchanged (p > 0.05) near 150 µg/dL, but increased by 31 µg/dL (p < 0.05) for 6/24 adolescents (group A) and decreased by 25 µg/dL (p < 0.05) for other 6/24 adolescents (group B). Expression of ZIP1 in blood leukocytes was reduced 1.4-fold (p < 0.006) in group A, while for the expression of ZnT1 there was no difference after intervention (p = 0.39). An increase of dietary zinc after 27-days consumption of fortified-milk did not increase (p > 0.05) the plasma level of adolescent girls but for 6/24 participants from group A in spite of the formerly appropriation, which cellular zinc uptake decreased as assessed by reduction of the expression of ZIP1.     

Differences in Food Intake among Obese and Nonobese Women and Men with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: Weight reduction is a key goal for the prevention of vascular complications in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, but a nutritionally balanced intake is also important in this regard. We compared dietary intakes and vitamin supplement use between obese and nonobese women and men with type 2 diabetes to identify gaps in adherence to nutritional management guidelines.

Methods: We analyzed data from a longitudinal study of adults with type 2 diabetes, wherein participants were assessed once per season over 1 year. Dietary data were collected using a validated semiquantitative, self-administered food-frequency questionnaire. Given the absence of seasonal variations in anthropometric variables and dietary intake, data from multiple visits were averaged for each individual. Associations of both intake of fruit and vegetables and nutrients related to cardiovascular disease risk were compared between obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) and nonobese individuals through multivariable linear regression with adjustments for age, education, and energy intake.

Results: Among the 200 participants (93 women and 107 men), 53% of women and 43% of men were obese. Compared with nonobese women, obese women consumed more saturated fat (mean difference, 1.2% of total energy intake; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3% to 2.2%) and sodium (mean difference, 0.3 g; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.5 g), and they had a lower intake of fiber (mean difference, ?2.7 g; 95% CI, ?4.4 to ?0.9 g) and magnesium (mean difference, ?33.6 mg; 95% CI, ?55.2 to ?12.0 g). No differences in dietary intake were observed between obese and nonobese men, but the intakes of men overall were similar to those of obese women. Compared with nonobese participants, fewer obese individuals used vitamin/mineral supplements (women: 37% vs 48%, men: 26% vs 38%).

Conclusions: Obese women and both obese and nonobese men appeared to have poorer dietary quality compared with nonobese women. Our findings support the need to emphasize dietary composition in addition to weight control in diabetes.     

Dietary Intake and Supplement Use of Vitamins C and E and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective: Antioxidants are regulators of immune function and may play a role in upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). We investigated the potential effects of dietary intake from food and supplement use of vitamins C and E on the risk of self-reported URTI.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study of 1509 Swedish men and women ages 20 to 60 with a follow-up period of 4 months. Participants reported a total of 1181 occurrences of URTI. Poisson regression model was used to control for age, sex, and other confounding factors.

Results: Among women, we found that the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for high intake of vitamin C (>200 mg/d) from food was 0.69 (95% CI 0.49–0.98) compared with low intake (<100 mg/d). This association was not seen among men, for whom the IRR was 1.16 (95% CI 0.79–1.70) for high intake of vitamin C (>150 mg/d) compared with low intake (<50 mg/d). We saw no protective effect of vitamin E from food among either men or women, but a possible protective effect of vitamin C and E supplement use among men (vitamin C, 0.69 [95% CI 0.47–1.02]; vitamin E, 0.56 [95% CI 0.33–0.95]), although not among women.

Conclusion: The present study is the first observational study to suggest that intake of vitamin C from food is sufficient to lower the risk of URTI among women. In addition, it appears that supplement use of vitamin E and vitamin C may reduce the risk of URTI among men, who overall had a lower intake of vitamin C from food than women.     

Concentration of copper and zinc in liver of fetuses and infants.

Hepatic concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were studied in 38 fetuses and infants, who died of various causes, from 26 weeks of gestation up to 16 weeks post-natally. The six fetuses of 28-32 weeks gestation had median and mean hepatic Cu concentrations micrograms/g fresh tissue) comparable to those found in the 21 born at term, but the range of values was much narrower: all of the Cu values for those born prematurely were at or below 40 micrograms/g. Values at 10 micrograms/g and below were found in five infants at term and five who died at 1-4 months of age. There was a comparable range of Zn values for both pre-term and term babies (10 to 300 micrograms/g fresh tissue). The value of 10 micrograms/g was found only in one 4-month-old infant. The accumulation of both Cu and Zn occurs independently in the fetuses. The socioeconomic status did not influence significantly the concentration of liver Cu or Zn in babies born at term. However, size of babies as measured by liver weight showed that larger babies had significantly higher mean Cu concentration (37 +/? 24 micrograms/g) than smaller babies (21 +/? 14 micrograms/g. The same trend, but without significant difference, was observed for hepatic Zn between larger (104 +/? 78 micrograms/g) and smaller (74 +/? 59 micrograms/g babies.     

A Randomized Controlled Trial in Young Women of the Effects of Consuming Pork Meat or Iron Supplements on Nutritional Status and Feeling of Well-being

Objectives: Limited information is available on the role of pork meat in influencing iron status. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of consuming pork meat as compared to iron supplementation on nutritional status and feeling of well-being.

Methods: Young women were randomly assigned to a control diet (CG), a pork-containing diet (PG), or a control diet with iron supplementation (SG) for 12 weeks. Sixty-five women aged 24.6 ± 4.4 years (mean ± SD) completed the trial.

Results: Serum ferritin concentrations were increased significantly (p = 0.001) in participants assigned to the SG as compared with the other groups, as assessed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. At week 12, hemoglobin concentrations were significantly higher in PG and SG as compared with CG. Plasma zinc concentrations at the end of the intervention were similar to baseline concentrations for individuals in the CG and PG but were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in SG. Plasma-, erythrocyte-folate, and serum vitamin B6 and B12 concentrations were not significantly affected by the intervention, although the concentrations of vitamins B6 and B12 tended to increase in PG. Well-being, as measured using the Health Survey Short Form (SF-36) and its 8 multi-item scales, showed significant improvement in vitality in SG (p < 0.05) and bodily pain in PG (p < 0.05). No significant relationships were observed between these health concept scores and biomarkers of nutritional status.

Conclusions: Consumption of pork meat by young women maintains hemoglobin levels to the same extent as low-dose iron supplementation and enhances the components of well-being, mainly their perception of bodily pain.     

The Impact of Consuming Zinc-Biofortified Wheat Flour on Haematological Indices of Zinc and Iron Status in Adolescent Girls in Rural Pakistan: A Cluster-Randomised,Double-Blind,Controlled Effectiveness Trial

Biofortification of wheat is potentially a sustainable strategy to improve zinc intake; however, evidence of its effectiveness is needed. A household-based, double-blind, cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in rural Pakistan. The primary objective was to examine the effects of consuming zinc-biofortified wheat flour on the zinc status of adolescent girls aged 10–16 years (n = 517). Households received either zinc-biofortified flour or control flour for 25 weeks; blood samples and 24-h dietary recalls were collected for mineral status and zinc intake assessment. Plasma concentrations of zinc (PZC), selenium and copper were measured via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and serum ferritin (SF), transferrin receptor, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein by immunoassay. Consumption of the zinc-biofortified flour resulted in a moderate increase in intakes of zinc (1.5 mg/day) and iron (1.2 mg/day). This had no significant effect on PZC (control 641.6 ± 95.3 µg/L vs. intervention 643.8 ± 106.2 µg/L; p = 0.455), however there was an overall reduction in the rate of storage iron deficiency (SF < 15 µg/L; control 11.8% vs. 1.0% intervention). Consumption of zinc-biofortified flour increased zinc intake (21%) but was not associated with an increase in PZC. Establishing a sensitive biomarker of zinc status is an ongoing priority.     

Swiss Children Consuming Breakfast Regularly Have Better Motor Functional Skills and Are Less Overweight Than Breakfast Skippers

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations among eating behavior, body mass index (BMI), and motor functional skills in Swiss elementary school children.

Methods: In total, 656 schoolchildren, aged 7 to 10 years, participated in the study. Five different, normalized, and standardized motor function tests (sidewise jumping, tapping, standing long jump, 20-m sprint, and shuttle run) that determine the coordinative and conditional skills were carried out with each child at 1 of 4 time points (8, 9, 10, or 11 am) along with anthropometric measurements. Furthermore, all children completed a nutrition survey including different questions on their eating habits with emphasis on breakfast and the morning snack at school.

Results: Children consuming breakfast almost every day had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower BMI (16.7 ± 2.2 kg/m²) compared with children eating breakfast only sometimes or almost never (18.2 ± 3.0 kg/m² and 18.8 ± 3.4 kg/m², respectively). They also reached better scores in 3 of the 5 motor function tests (standing long jump, 20-m sprint, and shuttle run, p < 0.05). Furthermore, overweight and obese children reached poorer results in 4 disciplines of the motor functional tests (sidewise jumping, standing long jump, 20-m sprint, and shuttle run) than normal-weight children, and they tended to eat lunch and dinner more frequently in front of the TV or in their rooms (p < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, BMI was a significant predictor of the results for sprint, sidewise jumping, standing long jump, and shuttle run, whereas daytime, breakfast frequency, and gender predicted only some of the outcomes.

Conclusion: This study clearly underlines the importance of breakfast for school-aged children: Children eating breakfast almost every day had better motor functional skills and a lower BMI than children not regularly eating breakfast. The study further hints at the importance of generally healthy nutritional habits with regard to both motor functional skills and healthy weight status.     

The Relationship between Zinc Intake and Serum/Plasma Zinc Concentration in Children: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis

Recommendations for zinc intake during childhood vary widely across Europe. The EURRECA project attempts to consolidate the basis for the definition of micronutrient requirements, taking into account relationships among intake, status and health outcomes, in order to harmonise these recommendations. Data on zinc intake and biomarkers of zinc status reported in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) can provide estimates of dose-response relationships which may be used for underpinning zinc reference values. This systematic review included all RCTs of apparently healthy children aged 1–17 years published by February 2010 which provided data on zinc intake and biomarkers of zinc status. An intake-status regression coefficient () was calculated for each individual study and calculated the overall pooled and SE () using random effects meta-analysis on a double log scale. The pooled dose-response relationship between zinc intake and zinc status indicated that a doubling of the zinc intake increased the serum/plasma zinc status by 9%. This evidence can be utilised, together with currently used balance studies and repletion/depletion studies, when setting zinc recommendations as a basis for nutrition policies.     

Favorable Effect of Short-Term Lifestyle Intervention on Human Paraoxonase-1 Activity and Adipokine Levels in Childhood Obesity

Objective: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in adult and child populations throughout the world. Childhood obesity has a great impact on adult cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; treatment of this pathological state is important given the significant health consequences. We investigated the effect of short-term lifestyle changes on the alteration of human serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activities, leptin, adiponectin, E-selectin, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as atherogenic and antiatherogenic factors in obese children. PON1 protects lipoproteins against oxidation by hydrolyzing lipid peroxides in oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) and therefore may protect against atherosclerosis.

Methods: A total of 23 white obese and overweight children (age, 11.43 ± 1.78 years; 8 girls, 15 boys) participated in a 2-week-long lifestyle camp based on a diet and exercise program. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the national body mass index (BMI) reference tables for age and sex.

Results: After a 2-week-long supervised diet and aerobic exercise program, obese children had significantly lower leptin (55.02 ± 33.42 ng/ml vs 25.37 ± 19.07 ng/ml; p < 0.0001), ADMA (0.68 ± 0.15 μmol/l vs 0.55 ± 0.16 μmol/l; p < 0.01), and E-selectin levels (67.19 ± 30.35 ng/ml vs 46.51 ± 18.40 ng/ml; p < 0.0001), whereas they had significantly higher PON1 paraoxonase activity (110.48 ± 72.92 U/l vs 121.75 ± 93.48 U/l; p < 0.05) besides the antiatherogenic alteration of the lipid profile and significant weight change (70.32 ± 19.51 kg vs 67.01 ± 18.75 kg, p < 0.0001; BMI, 28.95 ± 5.05 kg/m² vs 27.43 ± 4.82 kg/m², p < 0.0001). Adiponectin and PON1 arylesterase activity did not change significantly.

Conclusions: Our investigation suggests that modifications in dietary habits and physical activity induce antiatherogenic changes in childhood obesity. These findings emphasize the major role of primary prevention and nonpharmaceutical treatment of childhood obesity through lifestyle changes based on diet and increased physical activity.     

氟致大鼠尿锌水平变化及对血浆SOD影响观察

用含１１０ｍｇ／Ｌ氟化钠的双蒸水饲养Ｗｉｓｔａｒｔ大鼠４周,检测大鼠尿锌、血浆锌和血浆ＳＯＤ水平。结果表明,实验组大鼠尿锌排泄量明显高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）,血浆ＳＯＤ含量明显低于对照且（Ｐ＜０．０５）。     

Composition of Plasma and Atheromatous Plaque among Coronary Artery Disease Subjects Consuming Coconut Oil or Sunflower Oil as the Cooking Medium

Objectives: Coconut oil, which is rich in medium-chain saturated fatty acids, is the principal cooking medium of the people of Kerala, India. Replacement of saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat is effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels. However, the effect of substituting coconut oil with sunflower oil on the fatty acid composition of plaque has not been thoroughly investigated. We therefore evaluated and compared the fatty acid composition of plasma and plaque among subjects consuming coconut oil or sunflower oil as the cooking medium.

Methods: Endarterectomy samples and plasma samples were obtained from subjects who underwent coronary artery bypass grafts (n = 71). The subjects were grouped based on the type of oil they were using as their cooking medium (coconut oil or sunflower oil). The fatty acid composition in the plaques and the plasma was determined by HPLC and the data were analyzed statistically.

Results: Sunflower oil consumers had elevated concentrations of linoleic acid (p = 0.001) in plasma, while coconut oil users had higher myristic acid levels (p = 0.011) in plasma. Medium-chain fatty acids did not differ significantly between the two groups in the plasma. Medium-chain fatty acids were detected in the plaques in both groups of subjects. In contrast to previous reports, long-chain saturated fatty acids dominated the lipid content of plaque in this population, and the fatty acid composition of plaque was not significantly different between the two groups. No correlation between fatty acids of plasma and plaque was observed in either group.

Conclusion: A change in cooking medium, although it altered the plasma fatty acid composition, was not reflected in the plaque composition.     

The Effect of Vitamin A Supplementation on Thyroid Function in Premenopausal Women

Objective: Vitamin A and its retinoid derivates play an important role in regulation of normal growth and development. Vitamin A has been shown to regulate thyroid hormone metabolism and inhibit thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion via down regulation of TSH-β gene expression; however, the effect of vitamin A on thyroid function in obese individuals who are at higher risk of subclinical hypothyroidism is still unclear. In the present study we investigate the impact of vitamin A supplementation on thyroid function in obese women.

Method: A 4-month randomized, double blind controlled trial was conducted among 84 healthy women aged 17–50 years old: 56 were obese (body mass index [BMI] 30–35 kg/m²) and 28 were nonobese (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²). Obese women were randomly allocated to receive either vitamin A (25,000 IU/d retinyl palmitate) or placebo. Nonobese women received vitamin A. At baseline and 4 months after intervention, serum concentrations of TSH, total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), retinol-binding protein (RBP), and transthyretin (TTR) were measured.

Results: Baseline concentrations of thyroid hormones, RBP and TTR were not significantly different between groups. Vitamin A caused a significant reduction in serum TSH concentrations in obese (p = 0.004) and nonobese (p = 0.001) groups. Serum T3 concentrations also increased in both obese and nonobese vitamin A–treated groups (p < 0.001). Serum T4 decreased in all 3 groups after treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in serum RBP in the obese group after vitamin A supplementation (p = 0.007), but no significant change was seen in serum TTR.

Conclusions: Serum TSH concentrations in vitamin A–treated subjects were significantly reduced; therefore, vitamin A supplementation might reduce the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism in premenopausal women.     

锌营养强化食品对小学生生长发育和锌铁营养状况作用的研究

本用鸡蛋白糕作载体，给５３名小学生每人每天补育锌元素６ｍｇ，３个月后其身高的增加值是５３名实验对照组（给不强化蛋糕）和７３名空白对照组（不给蛋白糕的１．２倍，体重的增加值是后两组的１．３和１．４倍，发锌的增加分别是后两组的１．８和３．４倍，血清锌的增加也明显高于后两组，同时锌强化实验组学生的血红蛋白含 量也明显增加，证明适量的锌营养强化可以增进学龄儿童的生长发育和锌铁营养水平。     

Influence of moderate daily wine consumption on body weight regulation and metabolism in healthy free-living males.

Although previous studies have clearly demonstrated that energy from alcohol may not be efficiently utilized to maintain body weight when it comprises 20% or more of the daily caloric intake, there is considerable debate regarding the influence of moderate alcohol consumption (< or = 5% of the total daily caloric intake) upon metabolism, substrate utilization and body weight regulation. Consequently, the objectives of this study were to determine whether moderate alcohol consumption could influence body weight via changes in substrate utilization, oxygen consumption or alterations in dietary macronutrient content.

Fourteen male subjects (mean age = 32.1 years) participated in a 12-week, free-living, crossover trial in which they either drank red wine (270 ml; 13% v/v ethanol) daily for 6 weeks and then abstained for the next 6 weeks or vice-versa.

Whether wine was imbibed or not, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were demonstrated for any of the following variables: body weight, body fat percentage, skinfold thickness, resting metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, caloric intake, dietary macronutrient content, or fasting insulin or glucose concentrations.

In free-living subjects over a 6-week period, the addition of two glasses of red wine to the evening meal does not appear to influence any measured variable which may adversely affect body weight or promote the development of obesity during this time period.     

Effects of a 12-Week Lifestyle Intervention on Health Outcome and Serum Adipokines in Middle-Aged Korean Men with Borderline High Blood Pressure

Background: High blood pressure, in relation to blood levels of adipokines such as adiponectin and leptin, is highly associated with an unhealthy lifestyle including sedentary behaviors, poor dietary habits such as excess sodium intake, and heavy drinking. Strategies to reduce blood pressure may benefit the levels of adipokines.

Objective: Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of lifestyle intervention on blood pressure and serum adipokines in middle-aged Korean men with borderline high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥ 130 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥ 85 mm Hg).

Methods: Fifty-two men (aged 42.5 ± 8.5 years) with normal weight (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m²) and high BP (NH group) and 40 men (age 42.0 ± 8.4 years) who were obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) with high BP (OH group) underwent 5 sessions of one-on-one intensive counseling including instruction on a nutritionally balanced diet, a low-sodium diet, how to understand calorie requirements, and strategies to implement regular exercise for blood pressure regulation over 12 weeks. In order to increase the awareness of sodium education, a salt sensory test using an unseasoned soup was performed. Anthropometrics, blood pressure measurements, 24-hour recalls were performed, and blood levels of lipids, fasting plasma glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and adiponectin were analyzed at week 0 and at week 12. Sodium consumption was roughly estimated using the Dish-based Frequency Questionnaire–15.

Results: Weight, BMI, body fat (kg and %), waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were significantly decreased after 12 weeks (p < 0.05) in all subjects. Similarly, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and CRP were decreased (p < 0.05), but LDL-C/HDL-C was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) only in the obese subjects. At baseline, blood levels of leptin were significantly higher in the obese subjects than in the normal weight subjects. In the obese subjects, a significantly negative correlation was found between leptin levels at baseline and percentage change in DBP (r = –0.338, p < 0.05). After 12 weeks, blood levels of adipokines did not show significant changes.

Conclusions: These results suggest that a short-term (12 weeks) lifestyle intervention had positive effects on blood pressure control and weight reduction in the subjects, but not on their blood levels of adipokines. It is interesting that blood level of baseline leptin was negatively associated with the changes in blood pressure after this short-term intervention.     

Vitamin and Mineral Intakes in Adults with Mood Disorders: Comparisons to Nutrition Standards and Associations with Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient intakes of people with mood disorders.

Method: A cross-sectional survey using 3-day food records was carried out in 97 adults with bipolar or major depressive disorder to compare nutrient intakes with Dietary Reference Intakes and British Columbia Nutrition Survey (BCNS) data. Blood levels of selected nutrients were compared to reference ranges. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined the effects of sociodemographic and clinical variables on nutrient intakes.

Results: The average age of respondents was 46 (±13) years; most were women (n = 69) who had less than a university degree (n = 60) and whose incomes were in the government-defined lower range (n = 39). Compared with the BCNS, a larger proportion of the sample was below the estimated average requirement for thiamin (26% vs 8%), riboflavin (21% vs 4%), folate (64% vs 27%), phosphorous (12% vs 1%), and zinc (39% vs 15%; all P < 0.0001), as well as vitamin B₆ (25% vs 16%) and vitamin B₁₂ (27% vs 8%; both P < 0.05). Combined intakes of food and supplements helped reduce the prevalence of inadequacy; however, with supplementation, the proportion of participants exceeding the tolerable upper intake levels for niacin, vitamin B₆, folate, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc ranged from 1%–8%. Income, relationship status, age, gender, and caloric intake were associated with intakes of many nutrients. Types of medications were associated with nutrient intakes, as lower intakes of thiamin and phosphorous (P < 0.05) were found with antidepressant use, higher calcium and iron intakes (P < 0.05) were associated with antianxiety medication use, and magnesium intakes were increased with mood stabilizers (regression coefficient = 52.61, P < 0.05, 95% confidence interval = 0.74 to 104.48).

Conclusions: Adults with mood disorders are at risk for many nutrient inadequacies, as well as occasional excesses; social, demographic, and clinical factors may affect their nutrient intakes.     

Food habits and nutrient intakes of Nigerian University students in traditional halls of residence.

Dietary intake analysis, over 7 days, of 120 randomly selected Nigerian University students aged 17-26 years, disclosed deviations from internationally accepted standards. The students were in residence at the University, where all meals were provided. Food preferences and habits were determined by questionnaire, and nutrient intake was calculated from weighed meals eaten over a 7-day period. Food intake of 95% of the students did not differ from that at home; 73% missed breakfast. The energy intake of the men (14.79 +/? 1.49 MJ/day) was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than that of women (13.82 +/? 0.68 MJ/day); the differences increased in the older students. The energy ingested exceeded that recommended by the FAO/WHO. Protein intakes was 95.6 +/? 20.69 g/day and 102.2 +/? 10.9 g/day for women and men, respectively, also substantially above the FAO/WHO recommendations. Thiamin and vitamin A intakes were above and riboflavin intake of men and of the 20-26-year-old women was below requirements. The intakes of iron were above, and of calcium were below the FAO recommendation of 0.5 g/day.     

Recollections of pioneers in nutrition: from starvation to cholesterol.

Objective: The aim of this work was to determine the bioavailability of herbs and spices after human consumption by measuring the ability to protect lymphocytes from an oxidative injury and by examining the impact on inflammatory biomarkers in activated THP-1 cells.

Methods: Ten to 12 subjects in each of 13 groups consumed a defined amount of herb or spice for 7 days. Blood was drawn from subjects before consumption and 1 hour after taking the final herb or spice capsules. Subject serum and various extractions of the herbs and spices were analyzed for antioxidant capacity by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) analysis or by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrzyl (DPPH). Subject peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in medium with10% autologous serum were incubated with hydrogen peroxide to induce DNA strand breaks. Subject serum was also used to treat activated THP-1 cells to determine relative quantities of 3 inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin-1α [IL-1α], and IL-6) mRNAs.

Results: Herbs and spices that protected PBMCs against DNA strand breaks were paprika, rosemary, ginger, heat-treated turmeric, sage, and cumin. Paprika also appeared to protect cells from normal apoptotic processes. Of the 3 cytokine mRNAs studied (TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-6), TNF-α was the most sensitive responder to oxidized LDL-treated macrophages. Clove, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric were able to significantly reduce oxidized LDL-induced expression of TNF-α. Serum from those consuming ginger reduced all three inflammatory biomarkers. Ginger, rosemary, and turmeric showed protective capacity by both oxidative protection and inflammation measures.

Conclusions: DNA strand breaks and inflammatory biomarkers are a good functional measure of a food's bioavailability.     

Cross-Sectional Exploration of Maternal Reports of Food Neophobia and Pickiness in Preschooler-Mother Dyads

Objective: To investigate cross-sectional associations of food neophobia and pickiness in preschoolers and in their mothers with regard also to food consumption, proposal of new foods, feeding, and weaning modes.

Design: Matched child and maternal data collected by means of self-report questionnaires administered to mothers.

Setting: Kindergartens of the City of Rome Municipality, Italy.

Subjects: One hundred twenty-seven mother-child pairs. Children were aged from 2 to 6 years. All participants were normal weight or obese.

Measures of Outcome: Mothers' and children's food neophobia and pickiness.

Results: Pickiness and neophobia were related within both children's (r_o = 0.528, p = 0.001) and mothers' (r_o = 0.186, p = 0.037) samples. Mothers' and children's neophobia and pickiness were significantly although modestly associated (neophobia r_o = 0.223, p = 0.012; pickiness r_o = 0.311, p = 0.001). Overweight and obese children were significantly more neophobic (18.8 ± 6.4 vs 15.7 ± 7.6; p = 0.03) and picky (6.87 ± 2.2 vs 5.72 ± 2.7; p = 0.03) than normal-weight children.

Conclusions: Preschoolers' food neophobia and pickiness were correlated. Mothers and children displayed similarities in food neophobia, pickiness, and dietary habits. Genetics and environmental cues jointly contribute to shape preschoolers' attitudes toward familiar and unfamiliar foods. Hence, future longitudinal studies of larger samples are necessary to better define the role of genetics, parental feeding practices, and environmental characteristics in the development of food neophobia and pickiness.     

Coffee,Hunger, and Peptide YY

Objective: There is evidence from several empirical studies suggesting that coffee may help people control body weight. Our objective was to assess the effects of caffeine, caffeinated coffee, and decaffeinated coffee, both alone and in combination with 75 g of glucose, on perceived hunger and satiety and related peptides.

Methods: We conducted a placebo-controlled single-blinded randomized 4-way crossover trial. Eleven healthy male volunteers (mean age, 23.5 ± 5.7 years; mean BMI, 23.6 ± 4.2 kg/m²) ingested 1 of 3 test beverages (caffeine in water, caffeinated coffee, or decaffeinated coffee) or placebo (water), and 60 minutes later they ingested the glucose. Eight times during each laboratory visit, hunger and satiety were assessed by visual analog scales, and blood samples were drawn to measure 3 endogenous peptides associated with hunger and satiety: ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), and leptin.

Results: Compared to placebo, decaffeinated coffee yielded significantly lower hunger during the whole 180-minute study period and higher plasma PYY for the first 90 minutes (p < 0.05). Caffeine in water had no effects on hunger or PYY. Caffeinated coffee showed a pattern between that of decaffeinated coffee and caffeine in water. These findings suggest that one or more noncaffeine ingredients in coffee may have the potential to decrease body weight. Glucose ingestion did not change the effects of the beverages.

Conclusions: Our randomized human trial showed that decaffeinated coffee can acutely decrease hunger and increase the satiety hormone PYY.