ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0667-4300
Current Organisations
University of Adelaide
,
Flinders University
,
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2010
Abstract: Alterations in lipid metabolism may contribute to the pathology of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Our objective in this study was to test the hypothesis that HHcy is associated with changes in liver acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase 2 (ACAT2) expression and cholesteryl esters (CE) in mice with HHcy. ACAT2 is encoded by Soat2 and functions to catalyze the esterification of cholesterol with acyl-CoA. Mice heterozygous for disruption of the cystathionine-beta-synthase gene (Cbs +/-) and C57BL/6 mice (Cbs +/+) were fed a control diet or a diet high in l-methionine (8.60 g/kg) and low in folic acid (0.20 mg/kg) to induce HHcy (HH diet). Lower Soat2 mRNA (P < 0.05) and ACAT protein (P < 0.001), higher total oleic acid [18:1(n-9)], and lower CE 18:1(n-9) was found in liver from Cbs +/- mice fed the HH diet, with higher plasma total homocysteine concentrations, than Cbs +/+ mice fed the control diet (35.01 +/- 5.6 vs. 2.21 +/- 0.6 mumol/L, respectively). In silico searches identified a CpG-rich region in the 5' portion of the Soat2 gene, which was differentially methylated (P < 0.05) in Cbs +/- mice fed the HH diet than in Cbs +/+ mice fed the control diet and was accompanied by higher (P < 0.05) B1 repeat element methylation, an indicator of global de novo methylation. These findings show altered methylation and expression of Soat2/ACAT2 in liver from mice with HHcy and suggest a role for changes in liver CE in the pathology of HHcy.
Publisher: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Date: 02-11-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-11-2006
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1111/MCN.12757
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date: 06-10-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1111/JGS.13363
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPEDS.2013.11.071
Abstract: To assess vitamin D status of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and to compare their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25OHD) with established cutoffs and assess whether 6 months of supplementation with 2000 IU/d, vs 400 IU/d, would reduce the group prevalence of vitamin D below these cutoffs. Subjects 8-18 years (n = 83) with quiescent CD were randomized to either 400 or 2000 IU vitamin D3/d for 6 months. Baseline mean ± SD s-25OHD was 24 ± 8 ng/mL 13 subjects (16%) had an s-25OHD <16 ng/mL, 27 (33%) < 20 ng/mL, and 65 (79%) < 30 ng/mL. There was no significant difference between groups in achieving the cutoffs of 16 ng/mL or 20 ng/mL at 6 months however, only 35% of the 400 IU group achieved the greater cutoff of 30 ng/mL compared with 74% in the 2000 IU group (P < .001). Baseline adjusted mean s-25OHD concentrations at 6 months were 9.6 ng/mL (95% CI 6.0-13.2, P 20 ng/mL. 2000 IU vitamin D3/d is more effective in raising s-25OHD concentrations to > 30 ng/mL in children with CD than 400 IU/d, but both treatments were equally effective at achieving 16 or 20 ng/mL.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXAB115
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2003
DOI: 10.1016/S0899-9007(02)01100-0
Abstract: Women of reproductive age are advised to consume supplements or fortified foods containing at least 400 microg/d folic acid for the prevention of neural tubes defects. Concerns exist about the adverse effects of folic acid on zinc status. Seventy-eight women (18 to 49 y) were assigned for 12-wk to receive either a placebo or a 400 microg/d folic acid supplement. At 12-wk mean (95% CI) red cell folate increased by 431 (350-511) nmol/L in the supplemented group relative to placebo (P < 0.001) but there was no change in plasma zinc in either group (P = 0.213). Folic acid supplementation does not reduce plasma zinc concentrations in women of childbearing age.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-08-2014
Abstract: To assess household food insecurity and dietary ersity as correlates of maternal and child anthropometric status and anemia in rural Cambodia. Trained interviewers administered a survey to 900 households in four rural districts of Prey Veng, Cambodia. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) were used to assess household food insecurity and dietary ersity. The height, weight and hemoglobin concentration of the mother and youngest child under 5 years in each household were measured. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association between household food insecurity and dietary ersity, and child stunting and wasting, maternal thinness, maternal and child anemia. The mean (s.d.) HFIAS and HDDS scores were 5.3 (3.9) and 4.7 (1.6), respectively. The respective prevalences of mild, moderate and severe food insecurity were 33, 37 and 12%. Maternal thinness, child stunting and child wasting were present in 14.6, 25.4 and 8.1% of respondents, respectively. The risk of maternal thinness, but not child stunting or wasting, increased as the severity of household food insecurity increased. Household food insecurity was also positively associated with maternal, but not child, anemia. Household dietary ersity status was not significantly associated with any of the outcomes we assessed. Efforts to improve household food security are important as a means of promoting maternal nutritional status however, additional research is needed to better understand the role of other factors that are driving the burden of child undernutrition in Cambodia.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 14-07-2022
DOI: 10.3390/NU14142890
Abstract: (1) Background: Food-based dietary guidelines promote population health and well-being through dietary patterns that reduce chronic disease risk while providing adequate energy and nutrients. In Australia, recommended dietary patterns based on servings per day from the five food groups—fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains, meats and alternatives, and dairy—have been developed for toddlers 1–2 years of age. However, no study has assessed the intake of the five food groups in this age group nationally. (2) Aim: To compare daily servings and the percentage of energy from the five food groups and discretionary foods in toddlers 1–2 years old to the Australian Dietary Guidelines. (3) Methods: Dietary intake was assessed using a one-day food record for 475 toddlers. (4) Results: Apart from fruit and dairy, servings of the five food groups were below the recommendations. Two-thirds of toddlers did not consume enough vegetables, and only 10% consumed the recommended number of servings for cereals and grains. On average, toddlers consumed only half the recommended servings of meat and alternatives. Nearly all toddlers (89%) consumed discretionary foods, which accounted for ~12% of total energy. Forty-five percent of toddlers received breastmilk. On average, breastfed toddlers consumed fewer servings from the five food groups than non-breastfed toddlers. Dairy contributed 20% of daily energy in all toddlers however, this food group accounted for 13% in breastfed and 32% in non-breastfed toddlers on the day of the food record. (4) Conclusions: Compared to the recommendations, alignment with the servings of the five food group foods was not achieved by most toddlers, except for fruit and dairy. Discretionary foods may have displaced nutritious family foods. Consistent with Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines, many toddlers in this study continued to receive breastmilk but the recommended dietary patterns do not include breastmilk. Dietary modeling, including breastmilk as the primary milk source, is urgently needed, along with practical advice on incorporating breastmilk in a toddler’s diet while optimizing food consumption.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-1994
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-04-2008
DOI: 10.1007/S00198-008-0620-4
Abstract: We examined the relationship between vitamin D and skin color measured by reflectance colorimetry at an exposed and un-exposed site in 321 people. Exposed but not unexposed skin color was associated with better vitamin D status. Sun-exposure was more important than natural skin color in determining vitamin D status in our population. Vitamin D is obtained through UV synthesis in the skin where melanin limits its synthesis. Ethnicity is often used as a proxy for skin color, but skin color varies considerably. The relation between quantitative measures of skin color and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration has not been well described. The aim of this study was to determine the association between constitutive (natural) and sun-induced skin color and 25OHD in a group of Pacific People (n = 87) and Europeans (n = 255) living in NZ (46 degrees S) in summer. Plasma 25OHD was determined and sun-induced (outer fore-arm) and constitutive (upper inner-arm) measured by reflectance colorimetry. Mean (SD) 25OHD was significantly higher in Europeans than Pacific People, 88 (31) nmol/L vs. 75 (34) nmol/L, respectively. Based on constitutive skin color, 35% of participants were very light, 45% light, 16% intermediate, 4% tanned, and 0% brown or dark. Skin color at the forearm but not constitutive skin color was a significant predictor of 25OHD. Each 10 degrees lower skin color value at the forearm (more tanning) was associated with a 5 nmol/L higher 25OHD (P < 0.001). Tanning but not natural skin color was an important determinant of 25OHD. Further study is needed in a population with a higher proportion of darker skin people.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-03-2016
DOI: 10.3390/NU8030139
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
Abstract: Erythrocytes, compared with plasma, are considered more robust markers of n-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, because dietary-induced change in fatty acid (FA) composition takes longer to complete. The extent to which this applies to intakes of saturated fatty acid (SFA) or n-6 PUFA is unclear. We compared the pattern of change over time in the fatty acid composition of plasma, erythrocyte, buccal cell, and adipose tissue lipids when changing between diets high in SFA or n-6 PUFA. Twenty-four (n = 7 male) healthy participants were instructed to consume either an SFA-rich (18% energy) or n-6 PUFA-rich (10% energy) diet for 8 wk before crossing over, without washout, to the alternate diet. The FA composition of plasma triacylglycerol (TG), nonesterified FAs, cholesterol ester, total phospholipids, erythrocyte total phospholipids, erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine, and buccal cell total phospholipids was measured every 2 wk and adipose tissue TG every 4 wk during the 16-wk intervention. Linoleic acid composition of plasma, erythrocyte, and buccal cell lipids increased (P < 0.01) during the first 2 wk of the n-6 PUFA diet and remained unchanged during the remaining 6 wk. During the 8-wk SFA diet, the same pattern of change over time occurred for the pentadecanoic acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte lipids however, the pentadecanoic acid composition of buccal cell lipids did not differ between the diet periods. There were no differences in linoleic or pentadecanoic acid composition of adipose tissue TG. These results suggest plasma and erythrocyte FAs reflect intakes of SFA and n-6 PUFA over a similar period of time.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2015
Abstract: Vitamin D supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants. Maternal supplementation beginning in gestation is a potential alternative, but its efficacy in maintaining infant 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration after birth is unknown. We determined the effect of 3 doses of maternal vitamin D supplementation beginning in gestation and continued in lactation on infant serum 25(OH)D and compared the prevalence of infant serum 25(OH)D cutoffs (>30, >40, >50, and >75 nmol/L) by dose at 8 wk of age. Pregnant women (n = 226) were randomly allocated to receive 10, 25, or 50 μg vitamin D₃/d from 13 to 24 wk of gestation until 8 wk postpartum, with no infant supplementation. Mother and infant blood was collected at 8 wk postpartum. At 8 wk postpartum, mean [nmol/L (95% CI)] infant 25(OH)D at 8 wk was higher in the 50-μg/d [75 (67, 83)] than in the 25-μg/d [52 (45, 58)] or 10-μg/d [45 (38, 52)] vitamin D groups (P < 0.05). Fewer infants born to mothers in the 50-μg/d group had a 25(OH)D concentration <30 nmol/L (indicative of deficiency) than infants in the 25- and 10-μg/d groups, respectively (2% compared with 16% and 43% P 75 nmol/L compared with 44% in the 50-μg/d group (P 30 nmol/L. At 8 wk postpartum, mean maternal 25(OH)D concentration was higher in the 50-μg/d [88 (84, 91)] than in the 25-μg/d [78 (74, 81)] or 10-μg/d [69 (66, 73)] groups (P < 0.05). Maternal supplementation beginning in gestation with 50 μg vitamin D₃/d protects 98% of unsupplemented breastfed infants against 25(OH)D deficiency (<30 nmol/L) to at least 8 wk, whereas 10 or 25 μg vitamin D/d protects only 57% and 84% of infants, respectively.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
DOI: 10.1093/AJCN/NQZ010
Abstract: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) supplementation in the prenatal period is associated with a reduction in the incidence of some symptoms of allergic disease. Infants born preterm are at increased risk of allergic disease, but it is unknown if DHA supplementation reduces the risk of childhood allergies. The aim of this study was to determine if supplementation of infants born at <33 wk gestation with high-DHA compared with standard-DHA enteral feeds decreases the incidence and severity of parent-reported allergic disease symptoms at a corrected age (CA) of 7 y. This study was a follow-up of an Australian multicenter randomized controlled trial. Infants were given high-DHA (∼1% total fatty acids) or standard-DHA (∼0.3% total fatty acids) enteral feeds from 2-4 d of postnatal age until 40 wk postmenstrual age. Parent-reported incidence of respiratory allergic disease symptoms including wheeze and rhinitis at 7 y CA were the main outcomes. Other outcomes included the incidence of eczema symptoms severity of any symptoms and the incidence of wheeze, rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema from birth to 7 y CA. Data were available for 569 of 657 (87%) children originally randomized. Symptoms of wheeze or rhinitis at 7 y CA did not differ between high- and standard-DHA groups [wheeze: RR: 1.10 95% CI: 0.73, 1.65 P = 0.66 rhinitis: RR: 1.09 95% CI: 0.81, 1.46 P = 0.59]. There was no difference in other allergic disease symptoms at 7 y CA or in the severity of symptoms. Parent-reported symptoms of wheeze, rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, or eczema from birth to 7 y CA did not differ between the groups. High-dose DHA supplementation of infants born at <33 wk gestation did not alter allergic disease symptoms or severity at 7 y CA, or from birth to 7 y CA compared with standard-dose DHA. This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ANZCTR 12606000327583 (www.anzctr.org.au).
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
DOI: 10.1093/CDN/NZAB021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2014.08.129
Abstract: Here we report on the comparative stability of free and microencapsulated L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) with free folic acid (FA) when exposed to thermal cooking conditions that are common to noodle making. Fortifying noodle flour with free L-5-MTHF produced the greatest loss of the vitamin when noodles were cooked. In contrast, the percentage recovery of microencapsulated L-5-MTHF in both fresh and cooked noodles was not significantly different to noodles that were similarly processed with fortified FA. The addition of sodium ascorbate along with L-5-MTHF enabled a sustained stability of the folate after boiling, and also after frying. The dispersal of microencapsulated folate in flour showed better homogeneity compared to similar practices used with free form L-5-MTHF and FA, respectively. We conclude that microencapsulating L-5-MTHF along with sodium ascorbate is effective to produce a stable folate in fortified noodles, a staple food for Asian populations that may require improved dietary folate intake.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2015
Abstract: Thiamin deficiency in infancy is the underlying cause of beriberi, which can be fatal without rapid treatment. Reports of thiamin deficiency are common in Cambodia however, population representative data are unavailable. Because B-complex vitamin deficiencies commonly occur in combination, riboflavin was also investigated. We determined the biomarker status of thiamin and riboflavin in women of childbearing age in rural and urban Cambodia. We measured thiamin (erythrocyte thiamin diphosphate TDP) and riboflavin (erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient EGRac) status in a representative s le of Cambodian women (aged 20-45 y) in urban Phnom Penh (n = 146) and rural Prey Veng (n = 156), Cambodia, and, for comparison purposes, in a convenience s le of women in urban Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (n = 49). Thiamin insufficiency (TDP ≤ 90 nmol/L) was common among both urban (39%) and rural (59%) Cambodian women (P < 0.001), whereas <20% of Vancouver women were thiamin insufficient (P < 0.001). The prevalence of suboptimal and deficient riboflavin status (EGRac ≥ 1.3) was 89%, 92%, and 70% among women in Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, and Vancouver, respectively (P < 0.001). Suboptimal status of both thiamin and riboflavin were common in Cambodian women, with substantially higher rates among women living in rural Prey Veng than in urban Phnom Penh. Strategies may be needed to improve the thiamin and riboflavin status of women in Cambodia. The unexpected finding of high riboflavin inadequacy status in Vancouver women warrants further investigation.
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1159/000069278
Abstract: i Aims: /i To compare the efficacy of a weekly high-dose (2,800 µg) folic acid supplement with a daily (400 µg) folic acid supplement in lowering homocysteine concentrations in healthy women of childbearing age. i Methods: /i Free-living healthy women of childbearing age (n = 138) were randomized to receive a weekly (2,800 µg), a daily (400 µg) folic acid supplement, or placebo. Blood s les were collected at baseline and at 12 weeks and analyzed for serum homocysteine and erythrocyte folate. i Results: /i At 12 weeks the mean (95% CI) serum homocysteine concentrations declined significantly (p 0.05) in women receiving the daily [week 12 – baseline: –1.4 (–2.0, –0.70) µmol/l] and the weekly supplement [–1.3 (–2.1, –0.5) µmol/l] versus placebo [0.0 (–0.5, 0.5) µmol/l]. There was no significant difference between the two folate-treated groups (p 0.05). At 12 weeks the mean erythrocyte folate concentration increased significantly in both supplemented groups versus placebo (p 0.001). The increase in erythrocyte folate was significantly greater (p 0.001) in the daily group than in the weekly group [451 (380, 521) vs. 288 (240, 335) nmol/l]. i Conclusion: /i A weekly high-dose folic acid supplement was as effective as a daily supplement in lowering homocysteine concentrations in healthy women of childbearing age. Further study is needed to determine if weekly folic acid supplementation is effective in lowering homocysteine concentrations in populations with high homocysteine.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-05-2022
DOI: 10.3390/NU14112300
Abstract: Depression is a common mood disorder associated with childbirth and is hypothesized to be affected by low vitamin D. This systematic review identified two randomized controlled trials (RCT) of vitamin D supplementation for the treatment or prevention of depressive symptoms in the perinatal period, as well as 18 observational studies of vitamin D exposure and depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods. Both RCTs claimed an improvement in depressive symptoms in the vitamin D group, although the s le sizes were too small to draw firm conclusions. The case-control and cohort studies had mixed findings and were limited by study quality. There were inconsistent results within the few studies with a more robust methodology or within s les restricted to women likely to have depression. The current evidence is inconclusive due to the poor quality and heterogeneity of studies, likely contributing to the contradictory findings. Given there are already numerous RCTs of prenatal vitamin D supplementation, we recommend adding an appropriate measure of depression in the perinatal period to assist in resolving the uncertainty.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-11-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-10-2012
DOI: 10.1111/MCN.12008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.METABOL.2013.07.009
Abstract: Circulating vitamin D (25OHD) concentrations are negatively associated with blood pressure (BP) but little is known about the mechanisms for this relationship. Adiposity is positively associated with BP and inversely with circulating 25OHD concentrations but no studies have assessed the relationship between plasma 25OHD and adiposity on BP. The goal of this study is to investigate if the association between plasma 25OHD and BP is mediated by adiposity. The relationship between plasma 25OHD, systolic and diastolic BP, and adiposity [BMI, waist circumference, visceral adipose tissue (VAT)] was assessed in a multi-ethnic cross-sectional study of Aboriginal (n=151), Chinese (n=190), European (n=170), and South Asian (n=176) participants by linear regression models. Plasma 25OHD concentrations were negatively associated with systolic (standardized B=-0.191, P<0.001) and diastolic BP (standardized B=-0.196, P<0.001) in models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, family history of CVD, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. The negative relationship between plasma 25OHD concentrations and systolic and diastolic BP was attenuated after the addition of BMI, waist circumference, and VAT to the models, but the relationship remained significant. Plasma 25OHD concentrations accounted for 0.7% and 0.8% of the variance in systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. These findings suggest that the relationship between vitamin D and BP is independent of adiposity. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms by which vitamin D affects BP.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 17-03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXZ151
Abstract: Riboflavin is required for several redox reactions. Clinical riboflavin deficiency occurs mainly in low-income countries, where it is associated with anemia. The functional significance of suboptimal riboflavin status in different populations and its role in anemia is not well understood. We assessed the biomarker status of riboflavin and its association with hemoglobin concentration and anemia in women living in Vancouver, Canada, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Healthy nonpregnant, nonbreastfeeding women (19-45 y) were recruited from Canada ( n = 206) and Malaysia (n = 210) via convenience s ling. Fasting blood was collected to assess riboflavin status [erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRac)], hematological indicators, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), ferritin, vitamin A, folate, and vitamin B-12 concentrations. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association of riboflavin status with hemoglobin concentration and anemia. EGRac (mean ± SD) values were higher, indicating poorer riboflavin status, in Malaysian compared with Canadian women (1.49 ± 0.17 compared with 1.38 ± 0.11). Likewise, riboflavin biomarker deficiency (EGRac ≥1.40) was significantly more prevalent among Malaysians than Canadians (71% compared with 40%). More Malaysian than Canadian women were anemic (hemoglobin <120 g/L 18% compared with 7%). With use of linear regression (pooled s le n = 416), EGRac values were negatively associated with hemoglobin concentration (r = -0.18 P < 0.001). This relation remained significant (P = 0.029) after adjusting for age, parity, ethnicity, vitamin B-12, folate, sTfR, ferritin, and vitamin A. Women with riboflavin deficiency (EGRac ≥1.40) were twice as likely to present with anemia (adjusted OR: 2.38 95% CI: 1.08, 5.27) compared with women with EGRac <1.40. Biochemical riboflavin deficiency was observed in Canadian and Malaysian women, with higher rates of deficiency among Malaysian women. Deficient biomarker status of riboflavin was a weak but significant predictor of hemoglobin and anemia, suggesting that the correction of riboflavin deficiency may potentially play a small protective role in anemia, but this requires further investigation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 1997
Abstract: Folate plays an essential role in DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis. For this reason, the physiological need for this vitamin is increased during periods of rapid anabolic activity such as pregnancy and lactation. Although the importance of folate and the consequences of suboptimal folate status during pregnancy, especially during the periconceptional period, are well appreciated, little is known about the value of folate during lactation. The limited number of studies available on folate intake during lactation suggest that many women do not consume an adequate amount of folate and that recommended target intakes may be too low. Although inadequate maternal folate intake does not affect milk folate concentration unless maternal deficiency is severe, potential consequences of suboptimal folate nutrition to both the mother and her future offspring should also be considered.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 21-01-2010
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114509993552
Abstract: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for vascular disease but lowering tHcy with B-vitamins, including folate, has generally not reduced vascular events in secondary prevention trials. Elevated plasma S -adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) concentration may be a more sensitive indicator of vascular disease than plasma tHcy. However, unlike tHcy, plasma AdoHcy did not correlate with folate concentration in one study indicating that folate supplementation may not lower AdoHcy. Our aim was to determine whether providing B-vitamin supplements to healthy older people with elevated tHcy ( μmol/l) affects plasma AdoHcy and S -adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) concentrations. Healthy older participants ( n 276 ≥ 65 years) were randomised to receive a daily supplement containing folate (1 mg), vitamin B 12 (500 μg) and vitamin B 6 (10 mg), or placebo, for 2 years. Of these participants, we selected the first fifty participants in each treatment group and measured plasma AdoHcy and AdoMet. Plasma tHcy was 4·4 (95 % CI 3·2, 5·6 P 0·001) μmol/l lower at 2 years in the vitamins group compared with the placebo group. At 2 years, there were no significant differences in plasma AdoMet (+4 % (95 % CI − 2, 11) P = 0·19), AdoHcy ( − 1 % (95 % CI − 10, 8) P = 0·61) or the AdoMet:AdoHcy ratio (0·22 (95 % CI − 0·04, 0·49) P = 0·10) between the two groups. In conclusion, B-vitamin supplementation of older people lowered plasma tHcy but had no effect on plasma AdoMet or AdoHcy concentration. If elevated plasma AdoHcy is detrimental, this may explain why B-vitamins have generally failed to reduce vascular events in clinical trials.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-2020
DOI: 10.3390/NU12051283
Abstract: In 2009, the Australian government mandated the addition of folic acid to bread flour to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (NTD)-affected pregnancies. In 2011–2012, the Australian Health Measures Survey (AHMS) reported a mean red blood cell (RBC) folate in women of reproductive age (16–44 y) of 1647 nmol/L. Over 99% of women had an RBC folate ≥ 906 nmol/L, a concentration consistent with a very low risk of NTDs if a woman became pregnant. However, RBC folate was measured using an immunoassay, which is not a recommended method due to questionable accuracy. The microbiological assay is the preferred method for RBC folate measurement. To determine whether the immunoassay method may have led to spurious conclusions about the folate status of Australian women, we collected fasting blood s les from 74 healthy non-pregnant, non-lactating women (18–44 y) and measured RBC folate using both the immunoassay and microbiological methods. Mean RBC folate (95% confidence interval) concentration measured with the immunoassay method was 1735 (1666, 1804) nmol/L compared with 942 (887, 1012) nmol/L using the microbiological method. No woman had an RBC folate 906 nmol/L using the immunoassay method, whereas 46% of women had an RBC folate 906 nmol/L using the microbiological method. The NTD risk was estimated to be 0.06% using the immunoassay method and 0.14% using the microbiological method. RBC folate using AHMS survey may have underestimated NTD risk in Australian women.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-11-2006
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-11-2010
DOI: 10.1080/09084282.2010.499796
Abstract: The assessment of suspected dementia often involves the analysis of change scores from neuropsychological tests administered on two occasions. Frequently, no information is available to allow the significance of a change to be evaluated. Our aim was to prepare data useful for estimating the statistical significance of retest changes for persons older than the age of 65 on the Ruff 2 and 7 Selective Attention Test, one of the few paper-and-pencil tests of attention available to the clinician. The s le tested was composed of 234 healthy adults taking part in a randomized double-blind trial of the effect on cognitive performance of lowering homocysteine using dietary supplements, during which no treatment effects were detected. The test was found to be sensitive to the effects of aging and was well tolerated by our s le of older adults. Retest reliability for the speed of visual search for digit targets (2 and 7) under both the same category (other digits) and different category (letter) distracter conditions was high, and the practice effects during a 12-month period were substantial. Test-retest data with a 1-year interval were used to estimate reliability coefficients and to calculate Reliable Change indices useful for evaluating persons with suspected dementia. The rate of decline in search speed as a function of age was the same for both distraction conditions, suggesting that older persons used a controlled serial search process for targets in both conditions of this test.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSBMB.2006.12.067
Abstract: Worldwide, vitamin D status is suboptimal relative to circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) needed to prevent a variety of chronic conditions, however, it has long been assumed that dietary intake is sufficient to meet needs when sun exposure is limited. In the USA, mean vitamin D intake from foods is close to 5 microg, the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendation for persons up to 50 years however, the amount of vitamin D needed to maintain a sufficient 25OHD level during winter is >12.5 microg, and that needed for darkly pigmented, veiled, or sun protected persons is >50 microg. In the USA, most vitamin D intake from foods is provided by fortification. Canada and New Zealand have fewer fortified choices, and intakes are correspondingly lower. Supplement use can increase mean intake to >12.5 microg but does not always reach those who need it most. Serum 25OHD levels in New Zealand reveal much more insufficiency than expected, especially for Pacific people and Mäori low serum 25OHD concentrations are seen throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Fortification and supplementation may be effective to achieve intakes of 12.5 microg vitamin D in some of the population, but for many achieving the amount needed in the absence of skin synthesis requires intakes above the current upper level for vitamin D of 50 microg.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-10-2018
DOI: 10.3390/NU10101513
Abstract: Choline, an essential dietary nutrient for humans, is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, the methyl group donor, betaine, and phospholipids and therefore, choline is involved in a broad range of critical physiological functions across all stages of the life cycle. The current dietary recommendations for choline have been established as Adequate Intakes (AIs) for total choline however, dietary choline is present in multiple different forms that are both water-soluble (e.g., free choline, phosphocholine, and glycerophosphocholine) and lipid-soluble (e.g., phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin). Interestingly, the different dietary choline forms consumed during infancy differ from those in adulthood. This can be explained by the primary food source, where the majority of choline present in human milk is in the water-soluble form, versus lipid-soluble forms for foods consumed later on. This review summarizes the current knowledge on dietary recommendations and assessment methods, and dietary choline intake from food sources across the life cycle.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1111/MCN.12812
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2006
Abstract: Scores on neuropsychological tests are often used to detect abnormal changes in cognition in older persons. Accordingly, it is important to have normative data that allow the abnormality of a test score to be determined precisely and accurately. Regression equations that estimate an expected score based on demographic or premorbid factors can be an efficient method of making normative comparisons. Our aim was to compute regression equations with age, gender and estimated premorbid IQ as predictors of scores on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), the Trail Making Test (TMT), Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and measures of semantic fluency. All measures were administered to a group of 272 healthy older persons aged between 65 and 90 during the pre-treatment phase of a study evaluating the effect of nutritional supplements on cognition. Premorbid IQ was estimated using the National Ault Reading Test (NART). Stepwise multiple regression procedures were used to determine the weights to be applied to the predictor variables. Age and premorbid IQ were found to be significantly correlated with all test variables gender correlated significantly with most scores. Regression equations based on the 3 predictor variables explained between 10% and 30% of the variance of the range of test scores. The use of these equations in clinical practice was illustrated. The significant correlations between the predictor variables and test scores justified computing a set of equations for use in interpreting data from older persons. The abnormality of the difference between predicted and obtained scores provides a convenient index of an in idual's current level of neuropsychological functioning.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-1999
DOI: 10.1080/07315724.1999.10718860
Abstract: Currently, the published information on trans fatty acid composition of foods is incomplete and of questionable accuracy. Detailed fatty acid analysis of over 200 foods was undertaken for the purpose of determining the variability in trans fatty acid content among foods within a product category, and the significance of this variability to the estimation of trans fatty acids intakes from analysis of dietary intake data. The analysis of food fatty acids used gas-liquid chromatography with 100 m capillary columns and standardized methodologies for food s ling, fat extraction, separation and quantification of trans fatty acid isomers. For the purposes of this report, trans refers to all non-naturally occurring isomers including trans, cis-trans, geometric and positional isomers. The results show that the amount of trans fatty acids varies considerably among foods within a category, reflecting differences in the fats and oils used in the manufacturing or preparation process. For ex le, the range of trans fatty acids in 17 brands of crackers was 23 to 51% total fatty acids, representing differences of from 1 to 13 g trans fatty acids per 100 g cracker. The large errors that may arise in estimates of the trans fatty acid intake of an in idual are illustrated by analyses of the potential trans fatty acid intake in a s le diet, for each food as calculated using the minimum and maximum values for trans fatty acids within a given category. The results of these analyses show estimates of trans fatty acid intake from a low of 1.4 to 25.4 g a day for the same diet. This study shows that the wide variability in trans fatty acid content of different foods may result in large errors in the estimation of trans fatty acid intake of in iduals and, potentially, groups.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-1994
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-11-2007
Abstract: Glycemic index (GI) describes the blood glucose response after consumption of a carbohydrate containing test food relative to a carbohydrate containing reference food, typically glucose or white bread. GI was originally designed for people with diabetes as a guide to food selection, advice being given to select foods with a low GI. The amount of food consumed is a major determinant of postprandial hyperglycemia, and the concept of glycemic load (GL) takes account of the GI of a food and the amount eaten. More recent recommendations regarding the potential of low GI and GL diets to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and to treat conditions other than diabetes, should be interpreted in the light of the in idual variation in blood glucose levels and other methodological issues relating to measurement of GI and GL. Several factors explain the large inter- and intra-in idual variation in glycemic response to foods. More reliable measurements of GI and GL of in idual foods than are currently available can be obtained by studying, under standard conditions, a larger number of subjects than has typically been the case in the past. Meta-analyses suggest that foods with a low GI or GL may confer benefit in terms of glycemic control in diabetes and lipid management. However, low GI and GL foods can be energy dense and contain substantial amounts of sugars or undesirable fats that contribute to a diminished glycemic response. Therefore, functionality in terms of a low glycemic response alone does not necessarily justify a health claim. Most studies, which have demonstrated health benefits of low GI or GL involved naturally occurring and minimally processed carbohydrate containing cereals, vegetables and fruit. These foods have qualities other than their immediate impact on postprandial glycemia as a basis to recommend their consumption. When the GI or GL concepts are used to guide food choice, this should be done in the context of other nutritional indicators and when values have been reliably measured in a large group of in iduals.
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 04-2019
Abstract: Older adults have potential increased risk of nutrient deficiencies because of age-related decreased dietary intake and malabsorption it is important to ensure nutrient needs are met to avoid adverse health outcomes. B vitamins are of particular interest: vitamin B 12 deficiency can cause irreversible neurodegeneration there is mandatory folic acid fortification in Canada and suboptimal riboflavin status has been reported among older adults in the United Kingdom. In this exploratory secondary analysis study we assessed vitamin B 12 and riboflavin biochemical status (via microparticle enzyme immunoassay and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRac), respectively), and the vitamin B 12 , riboflavin, and folate content of menus served to a convenience s le of older adults (≥65 years) from 5 residential care facilities within the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Diet was assessed from customized 28-day cycle meal plans. Participants (n = 207 53 men and 154 women) were aged 86 ± 7 years, largely of European descent (92%), and nonsmokers (95%). The menus served had a low prevalence of inadequacy for vitamin B 12 and riboflavin (only 4% and 1% of menus contained less than the estimated average requirement (EAR), respectively), but 93% contained less than the EAR for folate. Mean ± SD serum total vitamin B 12 concentration was 422 ± 209 pmol/L, and EGRac was 1.30 ± 0.19. The majority of older adults in residential care were provided with adequate vitamin B 12 and riboflavin menu amounts, and only 5% were vitamin B 12 deficient ( pmol/L). However, 26% were riboflavin deficient (EGRac ≥ 1.4), which may warrant further investigation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2011.12.073
Abstract: Our aim was to protect l-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (L-5-MTHF) from degradation throughout the baking and storage of a fortified white bread using microencapsulation. L-5-MTHF, with or without sodium ascorbate (ASC), was microencapsulated using skim milk powder (SMP) as the coating agent. Recoveries of L-5-MTHF in spray-dried materials were greater than 95 ± 5%. Microencapsulated L-5-MTHF was completely released from the skim milk coating material in simulated gastric fluid within the first 10 min at 37°C. Incorporation of SMP-L-5-MTHF or SMP-L-5-MTHF+ASC into bread gave recoveries of 81.3 ± 1.3% and 87.1 ± 1.2% (n=3), respectively, for L-5-MTHF immediately after bread baking. These treatments also showed significantly (p<0.05) greater L-5-MTHF stability during room temperature storage, compared to the free L-5-MTHF. This study has shown that SMP is an effective microencapsulating agent and in the presence of ASC will produce excellent conditions for stabilising L-5-MTHF in baked bread.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-07-2006
DOI: 10.1007/S00198-006-0118-X
Abstract: Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health. Our purpose was to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and their determinants in a national s le (n=2,946) of New Zealanders aged 15 years and over. Mean (99% CI) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were 47 (45-50) nmol/l in women and 52 (49-55) nmol/l in men. Mean concentrations in New Zealand European and Others (NZEO, n=2,440), Māori (n=370), and Pacific (n=136) were 51 (49-53), 42 (38-46) and 37 (33-42) nmol/l, respectively. Three percent of New Zealanders had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations indicative of deficiency (<or=17.5 nmol/l) 48% and 84% were insufficient based on cutoffs of <or=50 and <or=80 nmol/l. Determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in women were age, ethnicity, obesity, latitude and season determinants in men were ethnicity and season. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in women declined with age mean concentration was 13 (8-18) nmol/l lower in women 65 years or older and 9 (5-13) nmol/l lower in women 45-64 years compared with women 15-18 years. Spring to summer differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were 31 (28-34) and 28 (25-31) nmol/l in women and men, respectively. Obese women had lower vitamin status than normal-weight women by 6 (3-10). Women living in the South Island had a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D that was 6 (3-9) nmol/l lower than women living in the North Island. Ethnicity and season are the major determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in New Zealanders. The high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in New Zealanders, particularly in older women, may warrant strategies to improve vitamin D status.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1093/AJCN/NQZ072
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-1997
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to assess the association between dietary fiber intake and the folate status of Canadian female adolescents. We also assessed dietary folate intakes and evaluated the prevalence of biochemical folate deficiency in these subjects. Female adolescents aged 14-19 y (n = 224) were recruited and fasting blood s les were collected. Dietary intakes (3-d food record) were recorded and participants were classified as lactoovovegetarians, semivegetarians, or omnivores on the basis of food-consumption patterns assessed with food-frequency questionnaires. Fourteen percent, 17%, and 26% of lactoovovegetarians, semivegetarians, and omnivores, respectively, had dietary folate intakes below their predicted requirements 1%, 4%, and 23%, respectively, had serum folate concentrations indicative of deficiency. Despite low dietary folate intakes and serum folate concentrations, few subjects had homocysteine concentrations indicative of deficiency, suggesting that the degree of folate depletion had not yet produced functional consequences. Most important, results suggest that the consumption of nonstarch polysaccharide is significantly associated with serum folate concentrations (P < 0.001). For each 1-g increase in nonstarch polysaccharide intake, a 1.8% increase in serum folate concentration is expected. In summary, we propose that an increase in nonstarch polysaccharide intake may promote the intestinal biosynthesis of folate, providing a complementary strategy to enhance the folate nutriture of humans.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2016
Abstract: The developmental origins of health and disease theory suggest that disturbances in the fetal and early postnatal environment contribute to chronic adulthood diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Greater adiposity and insulin resistance have been reported in children of women with high erythrocyte folate but poor vitamin B-12 status during pregnancy. The mechanisms underlying this relation are not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal supplemental folic acid, with or without vitamin B-12, on adiposity, glucose homeostasis, and vascular health in adult male offspring mice. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (M-CON, 2 mg folic acid/kg, 50 μg vitamin B-12/kg) or a folic acid-supplemented diet with [10 mg folic acid/kg, 50 μg vitamin B-12/kg (SFA+B12)] or without [10 mg folic acid/kg, no vitamin B-12 (SFA-B12)] vitamin B-12 for 6 wk before mating and during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were weaned onto a control diet (16% energy from fat) or a western diet (45% energy from fat) until 23 wk of age. The effects of maternal diet on adiposity, vascular function, and glucose tolerance were assessed in 6 groups of adult male offspring: control diet-fed M-CON, SFA+B12, and SFA-B12 and western diet-fed M-CON, SFA+B12, and SFA-B12. Control and western diet-fed SFA-B12 and SFA+B12 offspring had smaller visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue than M-CON offspring (P < 0.05). Control SFA-B12 and SFA+B12 offspring had lower serum total adiponectin and vitamin B-12 concentrations and lower NADPH oxidase 2 expression in aorta compared with M-CON offspring (P < 0.05). These effects were not observed in western diet-fed offspring. Folic acid supplementation of female mice before and during pregnancy and lactation, with or without dietary vitamin B-12, affects adult male offspring adiposity, vascular function, and one-carbon metabolism in those fed a control diet but not a western diet.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 07-2009
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980008003479
Abstract: To assess the folate and vitamin B 12 status of a group of Vietnamese women of reproductive age and to estimate the rate of neural tube defects (NTD) based on red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations. A representative s le of non-pregnant women (15–49 years) living in Hanoi City ( n 244) and Hai Duong Province ( n 245). RBC folate, plasma vitamin B 12 and plasma holo-transcobalamin (holoTC), a sensitive indicator of vitamin B 12 status. Mean (95 % CI) concentrations of RBC folate, plasma B 12 and plasma holoTC were 856 (837, 876) nmol/l, 494 (475, 513) pmol/l and 78 (74, 82) pmol/l, respectively. Only 3 % and 4 % of women had plasma B 12 and holoTC concentrations indicative of deficiency. No woman had an RBC folate concentration indicative of deficiency ( nmol/l). Only 47 % of women had an RBC folate concentration ≥905 nmol/l. Accordingly, we predict the NTD rate in these regions of Vietnam to be 14·7 (14·2, 15·1) per 10 000 pregnancies. There was no evidence of folate and vitamin B 12 deficiency among this population of Vietnamese women. However, suboptimal folate status may be placing three out of five women at increased risk of NTD. Reductions in NTD rates are still possible and women would benefit from additional folic acid during the periconceptional period from either supplements or fortified foods.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2011
DOI: 10.1007/BF03404056
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-1997
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-01-2022
DOI: 10.1111/PAI.13720
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-04-2023
DOI: 10.1111/MCN.13517
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 20-07-2011
DOI: 10.3109/09637486.2011.601286
Abstract: Two milk-based beverages delivering twice the average daily antioxidant intake were formulated, based on synergistic combinations of fruit and vegetable extracts, and containing vitamin C (1.00 mg/ml) for shelf stability. Smokers (n = 42) consumed prototype milk A, B or non-supplemented milk (no extracts or vitamin C 200 ml) twice daily for 6 weeks. Fasting and post-prandial (2 h after milk consumption) blood s les were collected at baseline and the end of each treatment. Non-supplemented milk significantly reduced fasting inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α) compared to baseline. Both supplemented milk-based beverages significantly increased fasting plasma vitamin C concentrations and antioxidant potential and decreased serum uric acid, compared to non-supplemented milk. The beverages did not induce post-prandial oxidative stress or inflammation. Therefore, regular consumption of the supplemented milks may confer health benefits because of increased antioxidant potential or through mechanisms resulting from increased vitamin C or decreased uric acid concentrations.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-03-2017
DOI: 10.3390/NU9040317
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-11-2009
Abstract: A crossover study was designed to determine whether the fat and carbohydrate contents of evening meals consumed the night preceding glycaemic index (GI) testing had an effect on the GI. Twenty participants consumed two different evening meals in which the energy contributions from fat, carbohydrate and protein were in the ratio 50:30:15 and 25:60:15, respectively. Each participant completed eight tests that involved two evening meals with different macronutrient compositions followed the next morning by two treatments, glucose beverage or fruit bread, all carried out in duplicate. The GI of fruit bread was determined on the mornings following each of the evening meals. The GIs (95% CI) were 68 (60, 76) and 59 (52, 67) after the high-carbohydrate and high-fat meals, respectively, and were not different (P=0.11). Thus, varying the fat and carbohydrate contents of the evening meal before GI testing the next morning did not affect the GI.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2010
Abstract: The use of serum fatty acid biomarkers in nutritional epidemiology is increasingly common however, there is an absence of scientific evidence to substantiate whether the measurement of fatty acids as molecular percentages (which is the conventional approach) or as absolute concentrations is more informative. To advance understanding about this fundamental concept, we examined the ability of serum myristic acid and linoleic acid, expressed as molecular percentages or as concentrations, to predict dietary fat and serum cholesterol concentrations. A cross-sectional analysis of a population-based survey of New Zealand adults (n = 2732) was undertaken. The association of myristic and linoleic acids in serum cholesterol ester and phospholipid with dietary fat or serum cholesterol was assessed. Intake of saturated fat, dairy fat, and polyunsaturated fat was predicted similarly with the use of both units of measurement. After adjustment for confounders, mean total cholesterol decreased by 0.18 mmol/L from the lowest to the highest quintile of serum cholesteryl-linoleate as a molecular percentage (P = 0.027). In contrast, mean total cholesterol increased by 1.09 mmol/L from the lowest to the highest quintile of serum cholesteryl-linoleate concentration (P < 0.001). The molecular percentage and concentration of serum cholesteryl-myristate were positively associated with total cholesterol (P < 0.001). Results for serum phospholipid fatty acids were similar. Serum myristic acid and linoleic acid measured as molecular percentages, but not as concentrations, predict serum total cholesterol in a manner that distinguishes between the differential cholesterolemic effects of dietary saturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Publisher: CRC Press
Date: 22-09-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-1998
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-02-2004
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-08-2017
Abstract: Zinc is a negative acute-phase reactant hence, its concentration decreases in the presence of inflammation. There is no current consensus on how to control for the effect of inflammation on serum zinc, which has implications for accurate estimates of population-level zinc status. We aimed to measure the association between inflammation and serum zinc concentrations and to compare the means and the prevalence of zinc deficiency using unadjusted and inflammation-adjusted serum zinc concentrations among Congolese children. Non-fasting blood was collected in the afternoon in trace element-free vacutainers from 744 apparently healthy children aged 6-59 months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Serum was analyzed for zinc, C-reactive protein (CRP) and α-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) for 665 children with complete data for all three biomarkers. Linear regression was used to generate correction factors (CFs) based on three stages of inflammation: incubation (CRP >5 mg/l and normal AGP), early convalescence (CRP >5 mg/l and AGP >1 g/l) and late convalescence (AGP >1 g/l and normal CRP), relative to no inflammation. Overall unadjusted mean±s.d. serum zinc concentration was 9.4±2.1 μmol/l. Study-generated CFs (95% confidence interval) for incubation, early and late convalescence were 1.01 (0.88, 1.14), 1.15 (1.11, 1.21) and 1.07 (1.03, 1.11), respectively. After applying the CFs, overall adjusted mean±s.d. serum zinc concentration was 10.1±2.2 μmol/l, and prevalence of zinc deficiency (<8.7 μmol/l) decreased from 35% (n=234/665) to 24% (n=160/665). Adjustment of zinc concentrations for inflammation is warranted when assessing population-level zinc status.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 23 August 2017 doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.127.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-05-2013
Abstract: Diet plays an important role in the development and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. DNA methylation has been implicated as an underlying molecular mechanism that may account for the effect of dietary factors on the development and prevention of CVD. DNA methylation is an epigenetic process that provides "marks" in the genome by which genes are set to be transcriptionally activated or silenced. Epigenomic marks are heritable but are also responsive to environmental shifts, such as changes in nutritional status, and are especially vulnerable during development. S-adenosylmethionine is the methyl group donor for DNA methylation and several nutrients are required for the production of S-adenosylmethionine. These methyl nutrients include vitamins (folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, choline) and amino acids (methionine, cysteine, serine, glycine). As such, imbalances in the metabolism of these nutrients have the potential to affect DNA methylation. The focus of this review is to provide an overview on the current understanding of the relationship between methyl nutrient status and DNA methylation patterns and the potential role of this interaction in CVD pathology.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSBMB.2010.03.079
Abstract: Vitamin D is largely obtained through sun-induced skin synthesis and less from dietary sources, but during Canadian winters, skin synthesis is non-existent. The objective of this study was to estimate vitamin D intakes in Canadians from food sources. Data used in this study included food intakes of Canadians reported in the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2 (CCHS 2.2), a nationally representative s le of 34,789 persons over the age of 1 year. The mean+/-SD dietary intake of vitamin D from food of Canadians was 5.8+/-0.1 microg/day, with males 9-18 years having the highest mean intakes (7.5+/-0.2 microg/day) and females 51-70 years having the lowest intakes (5.2+/-0.3 microg/day). Males in all age groups had higher intakes than females and White Canadians had higher vitamin D intakes than Non-Whites in most age sex groups. Milk products contributed 49% of dietary vitamin D followed by meat and meat-alternatives (31.1%). The majority of Canadians consume less than current recommended intake of vitamin D from food. Consideration should be given to strategies to improve vitamin D intake of Canadians by increasing both the amount of vitamin D added to foods and range of foods eligible for fortification.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-07-2020
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 21-12-2012
DOI: 10.1021/JF304229B
Abstract: Fortification of foods with L-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (L-5-MTHF) is challenging due to low stability to environmental conditions that include exposure to pH, moisture, and temperature. The objective of the present study was to stabilize L-5-MTHF using microencapsulation technology. L-5-MTHF microcapsules constructed with different core-to-wall ratios of L-5-MTHF, both alone or in combination with sodium ascorbate, yielded high (>89%) recovery of L-5-MTHF. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analysis confirmed successful encapsulation of L-5-MTHF with high core-to-wall ratios. Microencapsulation of L-5-MTHF alone with a high core-to-wall ratio significantly (p < 0.05) improved the stability of L-5-MTHF over the course of bread baking, performed both in pilot plant and in commercial baking conditions. Breads made with fortified flour containing sodium ascorbate coencapsulated with L-5-MTHF had recoveries of L-5-MTHF that were 97% and 77%, respectively, for pilot plant and bakery breads. Co-encapsulating L-5-MTHF with ascorbate also significantly (p < 0.05) improved stability during storage, as compared to breads that contained free L-5-MTHF.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2000
DOI: 10.1007/S11745-000-0563-5
Abstract: Canola oil is not approved for use in infant formula largely because of concerns over possible accumulation of triglyceride in heart as a result of the small amounts of erucic acid (22:1n-9) in the oil. Therefore, the concentration and composition of heart triglyceride were determined in piglets fed from birth for 10 (n = 4-6) or 18 (n = 6) d with formula containing about 50% energy fat as 100% canola oil (0.5% 22:1n-9) or 100% soybean oil, or 26% canola oil or soy oil (blend) with palm, high-oleic sunflower and coconut oil, providing amounts of 16:0 and 18:1 closer to milk, or a mix of soy, high-oleic sunflower and flaxseed oils with C16 and C18 fatty acids similar to canola oil but without 22:1. Biochemical analysis found no differences in heart triglyceride concentrations among the groups at 10 or 18 d. Assessment of heart triglycerides using Oil Red O staining in select treatments confirmed no differences between 10-d-old piglets fed formula with 100% canola oil (n = 4), 100% soy oil (n = 4), or the soy oil blend (n = 2). Levels of 22:1n-9 in heart triglyceride and phospholipid, however, were higher (P<0.01) in piglets fed 100% canola oil or the canola oil blend, with higher levels found in triglycerides compared with phospholipids. The modest accumulation of 22:1n-9 associated with feeding canola oil was not associated with biochemical evidence of heart triglyceride accumulation at 10 and 18 d.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-10-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1471-0528.2010.02742.X
Abstract: To determine in a group of pregnant women if vitamin D status, based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration, was associated with a subsequent risk of pre-ecl sia or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prospective cohort study. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (49°N). Women attending a specialist antenatal clinic because of clinical or biochemical risk factors for pre-ecl sia (n = 221). Serum 25OHD concentration measured between 10 and 20 weeks of gestation. Pre-ecl sia and composite adverse pregnancy outcomes. Of the women, 78% were vitamin D insufficient (25OHD <75 nmol/l) and 53% were vitamin D deficient (25OHD <50 nmol/l). There was no difference in the rates of pre-ecl sia, gestational hypertension, preterm birth or composite adverse pregnancy outcomes by 25OHD concentration. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common in a group of women at high risk of pre-ecl sia however, it was not associated with subsequent risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-09-2022
DOI: 10.3390/NU14183819
Abstract: (1) Background: Despite the postulated importance of choline during pregnancy, little is known about the choline intake of Australians during pregnancy. In this study, we estimated dietary intakes of choline in early and late pregnancy, compared those intakes to recommendations, and investigated food sources of choline in a group of pregnant women in Australia. (2) Methods: 103 pregnant women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. In early pregnancy (12–16 weeks gestation) and late pregnancy (36 weeks gestation), women completed a food frequency questionnaire designed to assess dietary intake over the previous month. (3) Results: Choline intakes and sources were similar in early and late pregnancy. Median choline intake in early pregnancy was 362 mg/day. Of the women, 39% and 25% had choline intakes above the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) adequate intake (AI) of mg/day and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) AI of mg/day for choline in pregnancy, respectively. Eggs, red meat, nuts, legumes, and dairy accounted for 50% of choline intake, with eggs being the most significant contributor at 17%. (4) Conclusions: Few pregnant women in our study met the AI recommended by the NHMRC and EFSA. In Australia, choline intake in pregnancy may need to be improved, but further work to define choline requirements in pregnancy is required.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2012
Abstract: Daily supplementation with folate increases erythrocyte folate concentrations however, the time to reach steady-state concentrations has not been empirically demonstrated. Previous predictions of time to steady state or time to 90% steady-state concentration, based on modeling changes in erythrocyte folate during short-term trials, range widely from 40 to 86 wk. We sought to determine the time to steady-state erythrocyte folate concentrations following the initiation of daily folate supplementation using data collected from a 2-y, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving 276 participants aged 65 y or older. The daily supplement contained 1 mg of folate. Erythrocyte folate concentrations were measured, using a microbiological assay, at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo. The mean plasma and erythrocyte folate concentrations in the folate-supplemented group were higher than in the placebo group at 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo (P < 0.001). Adjusted for baseline differences, the difference in erythrocyte folate concentrations between the folate and placebo group at 6 mo was 1.78 μmol/L (95% CI: 1.62-1.95 μmol/L). The difference increased significantly to 2.02 μmol/L (95% CI: 1.85-2.18 μmol/L) at 12 mo. This difference (between the folate and placebo groups) did not significantly change after a further year of folate supplementation at 18 mo, it was 2.09 μmol/L (95% CI: 1.92-2.27 μmol/L) and at 24 mo it was 1.98 μmol/L (95% CI: 1.18-2.15 μmol/L). Twelve months of daily folate supplementation with 1 mg is sufficient time to cause erythrocyte folate concentrations to reach a new steady state.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-01-2022
DOI: 10.3390/NU14010206
Abstract: The Australian Feeding Infants and Toddler Study 2021 (OzFITS 2021) is a nationwide survey of Australian caregivers’ infant and toddler feeding practices. Here, we describe breastfeeding rates and duration, use of breastmilk substitutes, and introduction of complementary (solid) foods, including common food allergens. Caregivers (n = 1140) were recruited by a digital marketing company and were interviewed using a structured telephone questionnaire to obtain information. Breastfeeding was initiated in 98% of infants, but the duration of exclusive breastfeeding to six months was less than 1%. Nearly 40% of children continued to receive breastmilk beyond one year, with 10% of toddlers receiving breastmilk at two years. One-quarter of infants were introduced to solid foods between 4 to 5 months, and nearly all infants had received solid foods by 7 months. New guidelines encourage the early introduction of potential food allergens to reduce the risk of allergy, and by 12 months, over 90% of children had been given eggs and peanuts. One-third of children received no breastmilk substitutes during their first year. One-third of infants first received breastmilk substitutes following birth and before discharge from the hospital. Of these infants, 30% ceased breastmilk substitute use after discharge. Our findings suggest a high rate of continued breastfeeding with 44% receiving breastmilk beyond 1 year. One approach to increase the duration of exclusive breastfeeding is to reduce breastmilk substitute use while in hospital.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2011
Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency during infancy may lead to rickets and possibly other poor health outcomes. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Breast milk is the best food for infants but does not contain adequate vitamin D. Health Canada recommends all breastfed infants receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU however, there appears to be limited current Canadian data as to whether parents or caregivers are following this advice. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of vitamin D supplementation among 2-month old infants in Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Mothers of all healthy infants born between April and May 2010 were approached to participate. Telephone surveys were conducted with 577 mothers (response rate 56%) when their infants turned 2 months. Over half of the infants received only breast milk in the week prior to the survey. One third received a mixture of breast milk and infant formula and 10% received only formula. About 80% of the infants were supplemented with vitamin D at 2 months. Infants who received only breast milk were most likely to be supplemented with vitamin D (91%). Over 60% of the infants had a total vitamin D intake of 300- 500 IU/d from supplements and formula and only 5% did not receive any vitamin D. Most parents were advised to give vitamin D supplement by health professionals, such as public health nurses, midwives, and doctors. About 90% of the infants received breast milk at 2 months of age. The vitamin D supplementation rate was 80%. Future studies are needed to monitor breastfeeding duration and vitamin D supplementation rates as infants get older.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/NYAS.14610
Abstract: Women reliant on mostly rice‐based diets can have inadequate thiamine intake, placing breastfed infants at risk of thiamine deficiency and, in turn, physical and cognitive impairments. We investigated the impact of maternal thiamine supplementation doses on infants’ cognitive, motor, and language development across the first year. In this double‐blind, four‐parallel‐arm, randomized controlled trial, healthy mothers of exclusively breastfed newborn infants were recruited in K ong Thom, Cambodia. At 2 weeks postnatal, women ( n = 335) were randomized to one of four treatment groups to consume one capsule/day with varying amounts of thiamine for 22 weeks: 0, 1.2, 2.4, and 10 mg. At 2, 12, 24, and 52 weeks of age, infants were assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and the Caregiver Reported Early Development Instrument (CREDI). Multiple regression and mixed effects modeling suggest that by 6 months of age, the highest maternal thiamine dose (10 mg/day) held significant benefits for infants’ language development, but generally not for motor or visual reception development. Despite having achieved standardized scores on the MSEL that approximated U.S. norms by 6 months, infants showed a significant drop relative to these norms in both language domains following trial completion, indicating that nutritional interventions beyond 6 months may be necessary.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-2010
DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2010.10719853
Abstract: Wholegrain intake is inversely related to weight gain over time, but little information is available on the role of pulses in weight control. To compare weight loss, metabolic outcomes, and nutrient intakes in obese people assigned to a diet rich in pulses and wholegrains or a control diet. Randomized controlled study of 18 months with 113 volunteers (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 28 kg/m(2)). Diets were based on guidelines published by the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. The intervention group was advised to consume 2 serves of pulses and 4 serves of wholegrain foods per day as substitutions for more refined carbohydrates. Fiber intakes were higher, intakes of several vitamins and minerals were better maintained, and dietary glycemic index was lower in the intervention compared with the control group. Mean (standard error [SE]) weight loss at 6 months was 6.0 (0.7) kg and 6.3 (0.6) kg in the control and intervention groups, respectively, and was not different between groups (p > 0.05). Blood pressure, triglycerides, and glycemic load were lowered in both groups compared with baseline. Waist circumference was decreased at 18 months in the intervention compared with the control group (-2.8 cm 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.4, -5.1). Incorporation of pulses and wholegrain foods into a weight loss program resulted in a greater reduction in waist circumference compared with the group consuming a control diet, although no difference in weight loss was noted between groups. Retention of several nutrients was better with the pulse and wholegrain diet.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.EATBEH.2006.01.004
Abstract: We assessed whether treatment seeking overweight and obese people citing differing reasons for wanting to lose weight also differed in psychosocial characteristics thought to impact on weight loss. Dieting motives, self-esteem, body image, number of dieting attempts in the past two years, and the primary reason for wanting to lose weight were assessed in 106 treatment seeking overweight and obese volunteers (mean (SD) body mass index 35.5 (5.7)kg/m2 age 41.9 (10.8)y). Reasons for wanting to lose weight fell into three broad categories, with 35%, 50%, and 15% of the participants citing appearance, health, and mood, respectively. Participants citing health reasons were happier with their appearance than people citing mood or appearance reasons. Participants citing mood reasons had poorer self-image and self-esteem, a greater preoccupation with being overweight, and had attempted to diet more often than people citing appearance or health. The primary reason for overweight people seeking weight loss may reflect psychosocial differences that impact on successful weight loss. Identifying a person's reasons and motives for weight loss may help in tailoring dietary and psychological components of a weight loss program to the in idual.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 14-05-2018
Abstract: Human milk is a rich source of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are postulated to be important for brain development. There is a lack of data on the human milk fatty acid composition of Cambodian women compared with data from Western women. The aim of this study was to determine the human milk fatty acid composition of women living in Cambodia and compare it with that of women living in Australia. Human milk s les from Cambodian ( n = 67) and Australian ( n = 200) mothers were collected at 3 to 4 months postpartum. Fatty acid composition was analyzed using capillary gas chromatography followed by Folch extraction with chloroform/methanol (2:1 v/v), and fat content was measured gravimetrically. Compared with Australian participants, human milk from Cambodian participants contained a significantly lower level of total fat (2.90 vs. 3.45 g/dL, p = .028), lower percentages of linoleic acid (9.30% vs. 10.66%, p .0001) and α-linolenic acid (0.42% vs. 0.95%, p .0001), but higher percentages of arachidonic acid (0.68% vs. 0.38%, p .0001) and docosahexaenoic acid (0.40% vs. 0.23%, p .0001). Differences in human milk fatty acid composition between Cambodian and Australian participants may be explained by differences in the dietary patterns between the two populations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2013
Abstract: Mandatory folic acid fortification of grains such as wheat flour has been introduced in several countries to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. There are concerns, however, that folic acid could mask the hematologic signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency and lead to other adverse health outcomes in the population. Calcium L-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (L-5-MTHF), a synthetic form of reduced folate, should not mask vitamin B-12 deficiency and may be safer than folic acid. Unfortunately, L-5-MTHF is not stable in most food matrices such as bread. Microencapsulation of L-5-MTHF with sodium ascorbate and a modified starch is effective at preventing loss of the vitamin during baking and storage. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of wheat rolls fortified with microencapsulated L-5-MTHF or equimolar folic acid compared with wheat rolls containing no added folate (placebo) at increasing blood folate concentrations during 16 wk. Healthy men and women aged 18-45 y (n = 45) were randomly assigned to consume wheat rolls that contained L-5-MTHF (452 μg/d), the molar equivalent of folic acid (400 μg/d), or placebo. At 16 wk, the mean (95% CI) erythrocyte folate was 0.48 (0.27, 0.71) and 0.37 (0.17, 0.57) μmol/L higher in the L-5-MTHF (P < 0.001) and folic acid wheat roll (P = 0.001) groups, respectively, than in the placebo group. Likewise, the mean plasma folate was 23 (12, 34) and 23 (12, 34) nmol/L higher in the L-5-MTHF (P < 0.001) and folic acid wheat roll (P < 0.001) groups, respectively, than in the placebo group. There were no significant differences in blood folate concentrations between the L-5-MTHF and folic acid wheat roll groups. Both microencapsulated L-5-MTHF and folic acid-fortified wheat rolls increased blood folate concentrations compared with placebo.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXAB040
Abstract: The increase in childhood allergic disease in recent decades has coincided with increased folic acid intakes during pregnancy. Circulating unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) has been proposed as a biomarker of excessive folic acid intake. We aimed to determine if late-pregnancy serum UMFA and total folate concentrations were associated with allergic disease risk in the offspring at 1 y of age in a population at high risk of allergy. The cohort consisted of 561 mother-infant pairs from Western Australia. To be eligible the infant had to have a first-degree relative (mother, father, or sibling) with a history of medically diagnosed allergic disease. Maternal venous blood was collected between 36 and 40 wk of gestation. Serum UMFA was measured by LC-tandem MS. Serum total folate was determined using a microbiological method with chlor henicol-resistant Lactobacillus rhamnosus as the test organism, and was collected between 36 and 40 wk of gestation. UMFA concentrations were measured by tandem MS using stable isotope dilution folate concentrations were determined using the microbiological method with standardized kits. Infant allergic disease outcomes of medically diagnosed eczema, steroid-treated eczema, atopic eczema, IgE-mediated food allergy, allergen sensitization, and medically diagnosed wheeze were assessed at 1 y of age. Median (IQR) concentrations for UMFA and serum folate were 1.6 (0.6-4.7) and 53.2 (32.6-74.5) nmol/L, respectively. Of the infants, 34.6% had medically diagnosed eczema, 26.4% allergen sensitization, and 14.9% had an IgE-mediated food allergy. In both adjusted and unadjusted models there was little evidence of association between UMFA or serum folate and any of the infant allergy outcomes. In this cohort of children at high risk of allergic disease there was no association between maternal UMFA or serum folate concentrations measured in late pregnancy and allergic disease outcomes at 1 y of age.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJGH-2020-003897
Abstract: Weekly iron–folic acid (IFA) supplements are recommended for all menstruating women in countries where anaemia prevalence is %. Anaemia caused by folate deficiency is low worldwide, and the need to include folic acid is in question. Including folic acid might reduce the risk of a neural tube defect (NTD) should a woman become pregnant. Most weekly supplements contain 0.4 mg folic acid however, WHO recommends 2.8 mg because it is seven times the daily dose effective in reducing NTDs. There is a reluctance to switch to supplements containing 2.8 mg of folic acid because of a lack of evidence that this dose would prevent NTDs. Our aim was to investigate the effect of two doses of folic acid, compared with placebo, on red blood cell (RBC) folate, a biomarker of NTD risk. We conducted a three-arm double-blind efficacy trial in Malaysia. Non-pregnant women (n=331) were randomised to receive 60 mg iron and either 0, 0.4, or 2.8 mg folic acid once weekly for 16 weeks. At 16 weeks, women receiving 0.4 mg and 2.8 mg folic acid per week had a higher mean RBC folate than those receiving 0 mg (mean difference (95% CI) 84 (54 to 113) and 355 (316 to 394) nmol/L, respectively). Women receiving 2.8 mg folic acid had a 271 (234 to 309) nmol/L greater mean RBC folate than those receiving 0.4 mg. Moreover, women in the 2.8 mg group were seven times (RR 7.3, 95% CI 3.9 to 13.7 p .0001) more likely to achieve an RBC folate nmol/L, a concentration associated with a low risk of NTD, compared with the 0.4 mg group. Weekly IFA supplements containing 2.8 mg folic acid increases RBC folate more than those containing 0.4 mg. Increased availability and access to the 2.8 mg formulation is needed. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12619000818134).
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1750-3841.2011.02561.X
Abstract: The thermal stability of L-5-methyltetrafolic acid (L-5-MTHF) was investigated in model/buffer systems and food systems. L-5-MTHF degradation followed first-order reaction kinetics with relatively greater (P < 0.01) stability at pH 4 compared to pH 6.8 in the buffer systems. This was confirmed using cyclic voltammetry. The stability (for ex le, k-values) of L-5-MTHF in an oxygen controlled environment improved (P < 0.001) proportionally when in the presence of increasing molar ratios of sodium ascorbate (NaAsc). The addition of NaAsc to L-5-MTHF after heat treatment was also effective at returning thermally oxidized L-5-MTHF back to its original form. A scheme was developed to explain the degradation and regeneration of L-5-MTHF. The importance of antioxidant protection of L-5-MTHF from thermal oxidation was extended using 2 distinct food systems namely skim milk and soy milk, both with known antioxidant capacities. We conclude that the antioxidant activity of food components can enhance the stability of L-5-MTHF.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 12-06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXAA070
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 29-08-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPEDS.2016.10.066
Abstract: To assess whether ad libitum consumption of thiamin-fortified fish sauce over 6 months yields higher erythrocyte thiamin diphosphate concentrations (eTDP) among women of childbearing age and their children aged 12-59 months compared with control sauce containing no thiamin. In this double-blind, randomized controlled efficacy trial, 276 nonpregnant, nonlactating women (18-45 years of age) and their families in Prey Veng, Cambodia, were randomized to receive 1 of 3 fish sauce formulations: low thiamin concentration (low, 2 g/L), high thiamin concentration (high, 8 g/L), or a control (no thiamin) fish sauce. Baseline (t = 0) and endline (t = 6 months) eTDP were measured with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Fish sauce consumption did not differ between treatment groups (P = .19). In intent-to-treat analysis, women's baseline-adjusted endline eTDP (mean 95% CI) was higher among women in the low (259 245-274 nmol/L) and high (257 237-276 nmol/L) groups compared with control (184 169-198 nmol/L P < .001) low and high groups did not differ (P = .83). Similarly, children's baseline-adjusted eTDP was higher in the low (259 246-271 nmol/L) and high (257 243-270 nmol/L) groups compared with control (213 202-224 nmol/L P < .001). Fortified fish sauce appears to be an efficacious means of improving biochemical thiamin status in nonpregnant, nonlactating women and their children (1-5 years of age) living in rural Cambodia. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02221063.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.CLNESP.2017.09.013
Abstract: Second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) treatment in children is associated with metabolic side effects including weight gain, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. The objective of this study is to determine if SGA treatment in children affects dietary intakes and relationship to metabolic side effects. Three-day food records assessed dietary energy and macronutrient intakes in a cross-sectional population of SGA-treated (n = 35) and SGA-naïve (n = 29) children. SGA-treated children had more overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age and sex, p = 0.001) waist circumference (WC) ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex (p = 0.007) waist:height ratio (WHtR) ≥ 85th percentile for age and sex (p = 0.004), greater HOMA-IR, (p = 0.001) and plasma triglycerides (p = 0.017), and lower plasma HDL (p = 0.029). Dietary energy intakes were not different between SGA-naïve and SGA-treated children [1734 ± 486 vs 1971 ± 649 (-135, 408) kcal/day, mean ± SD (95% CI)] after adjustments for sex, age, Tanner stage, psychostimulant use, and height. Similarly, no differences in macronutrient intakes were observed. In models adjusted for SGA treatment and physical activity, no relationships between dietary intakes and BMI were found, but dietary total energy intakes were positively associated with waist circumference z-scores (p = 0.019), systolic blood pressure z-scores (p = 0.028, also adjusted for BMI) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.013, also adjusted for age, sex, BMI). All of the children had poor diets with 87.5% having >7% of daily energy from saturated fat 62.5% having >20% of daily energy from sugar and almost 60% having sodium intakes above the tolerable upper intake level. SGA treatment is not associated with greater dietary energy intakes in children. However, dietary energy intakes are associated with greater waist circumference and systolic blood pressure z-scores and HOMA-IR in children with mental health conditions.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 29-09-2014
Abstract: To examine the role of maternal diet in determining low birth weight (LBW) in Indian infants. Data from the National Family Health Survey (2005-06) were used. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of maternal diet on infant birth weight. Infants whose mothers consumed milk and curd daily [odds ratio (OR), 1.17 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.29] fruits daily (OR, 1.20 95% CI, 1.07-1.36) or weekly (OR, 1.13 95% CI, 1.02-1.24) had higher odds of not having a low birth weight baby. The daily consumption of pulses and beans (OR, 1.18 95% CI, 1.02-1.36) increased the odds while weekly consumption of fish (OR, 0.79 95% CI, 0.70-0.89) decreased the odds of not having a LBW infant. Intake of iron-folic acid supplements during pregnancy increased birth weight by 6.46 g per month. Improved intake of micronutrient-rich foods can increase birth weight.
Publisher: Hogrefe Publishing Group
Date: 12-2003
DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831.73.6.403
Abstract: Low folate status leads to increased total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration, and this has been associated with an increased risk of several diseases. Many colonic bacteria are capable of synthesizing folate, and certain dietary fibers may enhance this effect. We assessed the ability of non-fermentable (cellulose) and fermentable (citrus pectin and oligofructose) fibers to improve folate status and lower tHcy in rats. Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a folate-deficient diet with 5% cellulose for four weeks. Rats were then randomly assigned to one of five folate-adequate (400 mug/kg diet) test diets for 24 days. Diets were as follows: Basal Basal + Sulfa Drug (succinylsulfathiazole) Cellulose Citrus Pectin and Oligofructose. High-fiber diets were formulated by diluting the basal diet such that the final diets contained 10% of the added fiber. Twenty-one days later, 3 H-r-aminobenzoic acid was injected into the cecum, and rats were terminated three days later. Rats receiving the Citrus Pectin diet had significantly higher plasma (p = 0.011), erythrocyte (p = 0.035), and colonic tissue folate concentrations (p = 0.013) and lower tHcy (p = 0.003) than rats given the Cellulose diet. Rats receiving the Oligofructose had significantly higher plasma folate (p 0.001) and lower tHcy (p = 0.032) concentrations than rats receiving the Cellulose diet. 3 H-folate was detected in the livers of all rats except those receiving Sulfa Drug. Our study indicates that Citrus Pectin and Oligofructose, but not Cellulose, can significantly increase indices of folate status in rats and lower tHcy. It also confirms the ability of the large bowel to absorb folate.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-12-2011
DOI: 10.1038/NUTD.2011.18
Publisher: African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Date: 24-11-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXAA119
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 20-03-2018
DOI: 10.3390/NU10030381
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2019-029255
Abstract: Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency remains a concern in Cambodia where women with low thiamine intake produce thiamine-poor milk, putting their breastfed infants at risk of impaired cognitive development and potentially fatal infantile beriberi. Thiamine fortification of salt is a potentially low-cost, passive means of combating thiamine deficiency however, both the dose of thiamine required to optimise milk thiamine concentrations as well as usual salt intake of lactating women are unknown. In this community-based randomised controlled trial, 320 lactating women from K ong Thom, Cambodia will be randomised to one of four groups to consume one capsule daily containing 0, 1.2, 2.4 or 10 mg thiamine as thiamine hydrochloride, between 2 and 24 weeks postnatal. The primary objective is to estimate the dose where additional maternal intake of thiamine no longer meaningfully increases infant thiamine diphosphate concentrations 24 weeks postnatally. At 2, 12 and 24 weeks, we will collect sociodemographic, nutrition and health information, a battery of cognitive assessments, maternal (2 and 24 weeks) and infant (24 weeks only) venous blood s les (biomarkers: ThDP and transketolase activity) and human milk s les (also at 4 weeks biomarker: milk thiamine concentrations). All participants and their families will consume study-provided salt ad libitum throughout the trial, and we will measure salt disappearance each fortnight. Repeat weighed salt intakes and urinary sodium concentrations will be measured among a subset of 100 participants. Parameters of E max dose–response curves will be estimated using non-linear least squares models with both ‘intention to treat’ and a secondary ‘per-protocol’ (capsule compliance ≥80%) analyses. Ethical approval was obtained in Cambodia (National Ethics Committee for Health Research 112/250NECHR), Canada (Mount Saint Vincent University Research Ethics Board 2017–141) and the USA (University of Oregon Institutional Review Board 07052018.008). Results will be shared with participants’ communities, as well as relevant government and scientific stakeholders via presentations, academic manuscripts and consultations. NCT03616288 .
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-01-2023
DOI: 10.3390/NU15020335
Abstract: Aim: To determine if supplementation of infants born weeks’ gestation with higher dose docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects growth, body composition, and blood pressure at 7 y corrected age (CA) and if treatment effects differed by infant sex at birth and birth weight strata ( and ≥1250 g). Methods: Seven-year follow-up of an Australian multicenter randomized controlled trial in which 657 infants were fed high-DHA (≈1% total fatty acids) enteral feeds or standard-DHA (≈0.3% total fatty acids) from age 2–4 d until term CA. Seven-year CA outcomes were growth (weight, height), body composition (lean body mass, fat mass, waist, and hip circumference), and blood pressure. Results: There was no effect of high-DHA enteral feeds compared with standard-DHA on growth, body composition, and blood pressure at 7-year CA either overall or in subgroup analysis by sex. There was a significant interaction between high-DHA and birthweight strata on height at 7-y CA (p = 0.03). However, the post-hoc analyses by birthweight strata did not reach significance (p 0.1). High-DHA group infants were more likely to be classified as obese (relative risk 1.6 (95% CI 1.0, 2.6) p = 0.05). Conclusions: DHA supplementation of premature infants did not affect growth, body composition, or blood pressure at 7-year CA overall by sex and birthweight strata. The finding of a higher risk of obesity in children who receive high-DHA needs to be interpreted with caution due to the small number of children classified as obese.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 29-06-2017
DOI: 10.3390/NU9070676
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-10-2022
DOI: 10.3390/NU14204343
Abstract: The 2021 Australian Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (OzFITS 2021) is the first nationwide survey of the feeding practices of children under 2 years. Key Findings: Nearly half of the infants were exclusively breastfed to 4 months, and breastfeeding duration was long, with 68% of infants breastfed to 6 months and 44% breastfed into their second year. Infants were introduced to complementary foods at the appropriate time, between 4 and 6 months. We found a mismatch between the number of recommended servings from each food group in the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the dietary intake of toddlers in our study. Toddlers consumed twice as many fruit servings as recommended, and nearly all consumed discretionary foods despite no allowance for these foods. While most toddlers consumed the recommended dairy serves, they consumed half the recommended servings for other food groups—meats and alternatives, grains, and vegetables. The modeling that informed the Australian Dietary Guidelines did not include an allowance for breastmilk this needs to be addressed, as a quarter of toddlers in OzFITS 2021 received 30% or more energy from breastmilk. Infants and toddlers met their requirements for most nutrients. One exception was iron, where 90% of older infants and 25% of toddlers had inadequate intakes. Excessive sodium intake was also of concern, with 1 in 3 toddlers exceeding the upper limit of 1000 mg/day. Here, we discuss additional findings, study limitations, gaps in the evidence base, and future directions.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-11-2007
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-2009
DOI: 10.2217/CLP.09.3
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-12-2021
DOI: 10.3390/NU13124524
Abstract: (1) Background: Caregiver feeding practices during the first two years of a child’s life influence nutrition, growth, and development, as well as long term taste preferences and dietary patterns. Suboptimal feeding practices lead to poorer health outcomes, such as obesity, that persist into adulthood. Although the importance of early life nutrition is well-established, there are no Australia-wide surveys of dietary intakes of children under two years of age. The 2021 Australian Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (OzFITS) aims to fill this gap. This paper describes the methods and study s le of OzFITS 2021. (2) Methods: OzFITS 2021 is a cross-sectional study of children aged 0 to 23.9 months of age and their caregiver across Australia. Data were collected between April 2020 and April 2021. A telephone-based survey was completed with a caregiver to obtain information on child and caregiver characteristics and feeding practices. For exclusively breastfed infants, the number of breastfeeds in a 24 h period was reported. Dietary intakes for mixed fed children were estimated using a one-day food record, with 30% of caregivers completing a second food record on a non-consecutive day. (3) Results: We enrolled 1140 caregiver and child dyads. Of those eligible to complete a food record, 853 (87%) completed the food record. Compared to the Australian population, caregivers were more likely to be university-educated ( %), married or in a de facto relationship (94%), and have a household income $100,000/y (60%). (4) Conclusions: OzFITS 2021 is the first national study to examine food and nutrient intake in Australian children aged under 2 years. The study will provide information on breastfeeding rates and duration, use of breast milk substitutes, and timing of solid food introduction. Dietary intake data will allow the comparison of core food groups and discretionary food intake to Australian guidelines and estimate the prevalence of inadequate intake of key nutrients, like iron. Healthcare practitioners and policymakers can use the study findings as a source of evidence to inform the next iteration of infant feeding guidelines.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Date: 06-2015
DOI: 10.2166/WH.2014.297
Abstract: Iron is a natural element found in food, water and soil and is essential for human health. Our aim was to determine the levels of iron and 25 other metals and trace elements in groundwater from 22 households in Prey Veng, Cambodia. Water analyses were conducted using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and optical emission spectrometry. Compared to the 2011 World Health Organization guidelines for drinking water quality, aluminum, iron and manganese exceeded maximum levels (in 4.5, 72.7 and 40.9% of s les, respectively). Compared to the 2004 Cambodian drinking water quality standards, iron and manganese exceeded maximum levels (in 59.1 and 36.4% of s les, respectively). We found no evidence of arsenic contamination. Guidelines for iron were established primarily for esthetic reasons (e.g. taste), whereas other metals and elements have adverse effects associated with toxicity. Iron in groundwater ranged from 134 to 5,200 μg/L (mean ∼1,422 μg/L). Based on a daily consumption of 3 L groundwater, this equates to ∼0.4-15.6 mg iron (mean ∼4.3 mg/day), which may be contributing to high iron stores and the low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in Prey Veng women. Elevated levels of manganese in groundwater are a concern and warrant further investigation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-04-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 1998
DOI: 10.1016/S0002-8223(98)00014-5
Abstract: Torrential tricuspid regurgitation may lead to heart failure and poor survival and quality of life. Heterotopic transcatheter tricuspid replacement is increasingly offered to patients unsuitable for direct valve repair or replacement. We describe 1 patient treated by transcatheter implantation of 2 self-expanding valves in the venae cavae with a multimodality imaging approach. (
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-09-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 11-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-040416
Abstract: Taking folic acid containing supplements prior to and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Neural tube defects occur prior to 28 days postconception, after which, there is no proven benefit of continuing to take folic acid. However, many women continue to take folic acid containing supplements throughout the pregnancy. At higher intakes, folic acid is not converted to its active form and accumulates in circulation as unmetabolised folic acid (UMFA). Recently, concerns have been raised about possible links between late gestation folic acid supplementation and childhood allergy, metabolic disease and autism spectrum disorders. We aim to determine if removing folic acid from prenatal micronutrient supplements after 12 weeks gestation reduces circulating levels of maternal UMFA at 36 weeks gestation. This is a parallel-design, double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Women ≥12 and weeks’ gestation with a singleton pregnancy and able to give informed consent are eligible to participate. Women (n=100 50 per group) will be randomised to receive either a micronutrient supplement containing 0.8 mg of folic acid or a micronutrient supplement without folic acid daily from enrolment until delivery. The primary outcome is plasma UMFA concentration at 36 weeks gestation. Secondary outcomes include red blood cell folate and total plasma folate concentration. We will assess whether there is a difference in mean UMFA levels at 36 weeks gestation between groups using linear regression with adjustment for baseline UMFA levels and gestational age at trial entry. The treatment effect will be described as a mean difference with 95% CI. Ethical approval has been granted from the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Research Ethics Committee (HREC/19/WCHN/018). The results of this trial will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. ACTRN12619001511123.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-07-2395
DOI: 10.3390/NU14071381
Abstract: (1) Background: Breastmilk provides all the nutrition an infant requires between 0–6 months. After that, complementary foods are needed to meet the child’s increasing energy and nutrient requirements. Inadequate energy and nutrient intake may lead to growth faltering, impaired neurodevelopment, and increased disease risk. While the importance of early life nutrition is well recognized, there are few investigations assessing the nutritional adequacy of Australian children months. Here, we describe usual energy and nutrient intake distributions, including the prevalence of inadequate intakes and exceeding the upper limit (UL), in a national s le of Australian children 6– 24 months and infants six months who had commenced solids and/or formula. (2) Methods: Dietary intakes were assessed using a one-day food record for 976 children with a repeat one-day record in a random subset. (3) Results: Based on the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand, children’s intakes were above the Adequate Intake or Estimated Average Requirement for most nutrients. Exceptions were iron and zinc where the prevalence of inadequacy was estimated to be 90% and 20%, respectively, for infants aged 6–11.9 months. Low iron intake was also observed in one quarter of toddlers 12–24 months. On average, children consumed 10% more energy than predicted based on Estimated Energy Requirements, and ~10% were classified as overweight based on their weight for length. One third of toddlers exceeded the tolerable upper limit for sodium and consumed 1000 mg/day. Of the children under six months, 18% and 43% exceeded the UL for vitamin A (retinol) and zinc. (4) Conclusions: Compared to nutrient reference values, diets were sufficient for most nutrients however, iron was a limiting nutrient for infants aged 6–11.9 months and toddlers 12–24 months potentially putting them at risk for iron deficiency. Excessive sodium intake among toddlers is a concern as this may increase the risk for hypertension.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-04-2008
DOI: 10.1038/EJCN.2008.27
Abstract: A randomized crossover study was carried out to determine whether moderate alcohol consumption the night preceding glycaemic index testing has an effect on glycaemic response. Test foods consisted of two glucose beverages and two bread s les, containing 50 g of available carbohydrate. Each test food was consumed with and without alcohol the night preceding testing. Glucose concentration was measured over 2 h and area under the curve (AUC) determined. The AUC for bread and glucose without and with alcohol did not differ for either the glucose drink (ratio (95% confidence intervals): 1.00 (0.8, 1.1)) or bread (0.9 (0.8, 1.1)). Further, there was no difference in the glycaemic index (GI) of the bread with and without alcohol (64 (6) vs 67 (2)% P=0.78). Moderate alcohol consumption the evening before GI testing does not affect glycaemic response or GI determination.
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Date: 29-06-2006
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMOA054025
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2015.07.138
Abstract: Folate deficiency is linked to many diseases, some of which may have higher probability in in iduals with alcohol-induced alterations in one-carbon metabolism. Our study shows that folate content in commercial wine is not related to white or red varieties, but associated with the yeast that is used to produce the wine. The stability of folate in these wines, once opened for consumption, did not correlate with total phenolic or sulfite content. In addition, we employed yeast bioengineering to fortify wine with folate. We confirmed by overexpression that FOL2 was the key gene encoding the rate-limiting step of folate biosynthesis in wine yeast. In this study, we also show that overexpression of other folate biosynthesis genes, including ABZ1, ABZ2, DFR1, FOL1 and FOL3, had no effect on folate levels in wine. Ensuring stability of the increased natural folate in all wines was achieved by the addition of ascorbate.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-2010
DOI: 10.1007/BF03404383
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-04-2016
DOI: 10.1136/ARCHDISCHILD-2015-309645
Abstract: Accurate weight measurements are essential for both growth monitoring and drug dose calculations in children. Weight can be accurately measured using calibrated scales in resource-rich settings however, reliable scales are often not available in resource-poor regions or emergency situations. Current age and/or length/height-based weight-prediction equations tend to overestimate weight because they were developed from Western children's measures. To determine the accuracy of several proxy measures for children's weight among a predominately HIV-positive group of children aged 18 months to 12 years in Botswana. Weight, length/height, ulna and tibia lengths, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold were measured on 775 children recruited from Gaborone, Botswana, between 6 July and 24 August 2011. Mean (95% CI) age and weight were 7.8 years (7.5 to 8.4) and 21.7 kg (21.2 to 22.2), respectively. The majority of children were HIV-positive (n=625, 81%) and on antiretroviral treatment (n=594, 95%). The s le was randomly ided a general linear model was used to develop weight-prediction equations for one half of the s le (n=387), which were then used to predict the weight of the other half (n=388). MUAC and length/height, MUAC and tibia length and MUAC and ulna length most accurately predicted weight, with an adjusted R 2 of 0.96, 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. Using MUAC and length/height, MUAC and tibia length and MUAC and ulna length equations, ≥92% of predicted weight fell within 15% of actual weight, compared with % using current equations. The development of nomograms using these equations is warranted to allow for rapid and accurate weight prediction from these simple anthropometric measures in HIV-endemic, resource-constrained settings.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXY057
Abstract: Folic acid fortification of grains is mandated in many countries to prevent neural tube defects. Concerns regarding excessive intakes of folic acid have been raised. A synthetic analog of the circulating form of folate, l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (l-5-MTHF), may be a potential alternative. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of folic acid or l-5-MTHF supplementation on blood folate concentrations, methyl nutrient metabolites, and DNA methylation in women living in Malaysia, where there is no mandatory fortification policy. In a 12-wk, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial, healthy Malaysian women (n = 142, aged 20-45 y) were randomly assigned to receive 1 of the following supplements daily: 1 mg (2.27 μmol) folic acid, 1.13 mg (2.27 μmol) l-5-MTHF, or a placebo. The primary outcomes were plasma and RBC folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations. Secondary outcomes included plasma total homocysteine, total cysteine, methionine, betaine, and choline concentrations and monocyte long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) methylation. The folic acid and l-5-MTHF groups had higher (P < 0.001) RBC folate (mean ± SD: 1498 ± 580 and 1951 ± 496 nmol/L, respectively) and plasma folate [median (25th, 75th percentiles): 40.1 nmol/L (24.9, 52.7 nmol/L) and 52.0 nmol/L (42.7, 73.1 nmol/L), respectively] concentrations compared with RBC folate (958 ± 345 nmol/L) and plasma folate [12.6 nmol/L (8.80, 17.0 nmol/L)] concentrations in the placebo group at 12 wk. The l-5-MTHF group had higher RBC folate (1951 ± 496 nmol/L P = 0.003) and plasma folate [52.0 nmol/L (42.7, 73.1 nmol/L) P = 0.023] at 12 wk than did the folic acid group [RBC folate, 1498 ± 580 nmol/L plasma folate, 40.1 nmol/L (24.9, 52.7 nmol/L)]. The folic acid and l-5-MTHF groups had 17% and 15%, respectively, lower (P < 0.001) plasma total homocysteine concentrations than did the placebo group at 12 wk there were no differences between the folic acid and l-5-MTHF groups. No differences in plasma vitamin B-12, total cysteine, methionine, betaine, and choline and monocyte LINE-1 methylation were observed. These findings suggest differential effects of l-5-MTHF compared with folic acid supplementation on blood folate concentrations but no differences on plasma total homocysteine lowering in Malaysian women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01584050.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-02-2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 23-04-2010
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-01-2018
DOI: 10.1111/MCN.12581
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.CLINBIOCHEM.2018.08.002
Abstract: Plasma concentrations of choline and its metabolites might serve as biomarkers for the health outcomes of several pathological states such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, information about the reliability of biomarkers of choline status is limited. We investigated biological variations in repeated measures of choline and metabolites in healthy adults to assess them as biomarkers. Blood s les were collected after an overnight fast at three-time points 12 days apart from 40 adults (mean age, 33 y male, n = 21). A subset (n = 19 [male, n = 8]) provided one additional s le after a breakfast meal. Plasma free choline, betaine and dimethylglycine were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and plasma phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidylcholine were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The biological variations observed for choline and metabolites were ≤ 13% for adult fasting s les. This corresponded to intra-class correlations (ICC) that ranged from 0.593 to 0.770 for fasting values for choline and metabolites. A similar ICC range was also obtained between fasting and post-prandial states. Although most post-prandial concentrations of choline and metabolites were significantly higher (P < .05) than fasting, all fell within a calculated reference interval. The participants were correctly classified in tertiles for fasting and post-prandial states for choline (68%) and metabolites (range = 32% phosphatidylcholine and 79% for sphingomyelin). These findings indicate that biological variations of choline and metabolites are low in healthy adults and values from a single blood s le can be used as a biomarker. However, choosing phosphatidylcholine as a biomarker is less reliable.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 21-08-2014
DOI: 10.3109/19390211.2014.950783
Abstract: Chewing gum alleviates symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) following a refluxogenic meal. GutsyGum(tm), a chewing gum developed to alleviate the symptoms of GER contains calcium carbonate, with a proprietary blend of licorice extract, papain, and apple cider vinegar (GiGs®). The efficacy of GutsyGum(tm) was determined in alleviating the symptoms of GER after a refluxogenic meal compared to placebo gum. This double-blind, placebo-controlled-crossover trial with a one-week washout between treatments had 24 participants with a history of GER consume a refluxogenic meal and then chew GutsyGum(tm) or placebo gum. Participants completed GER symptom questionnaires, consisting of symptom based 10 cm Visual Analogue Scales, immediately following the meal and then at regular intervals out to four hours postmeal. Adjusted mean ± SEM heartburn score (15-min postmeal to 240 min) was significantly lower in GutsyGum(tm) than in placebo gum treatment (0.81 ± 0.20 vs. 1.45 ± 0.20 cm p = 0.034). Mean acid reflux score was significantly lower in GutsyGum(tm) than in placebo treatment (0.72 ± 0.19 vs. 1.46 ± 0.19 cm p = 0.013). There were no significant differences for any of the secondary outcomes. However, pain approached significance with less pain reported in GutsyGum(tm) versus placebo treatment (0.4 ± 0.2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2 cm p = 0.081). Although nausea (p = 0.114) and belching (p = 0.154) were lower following GutsyGum(tm), the difference was not statistically significant. GutsyGum(tm) is more effective than a placebo gum in alleviating primary symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux (Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12612000973819).
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 03-10-2016
DOI: 10.1001/JAMAPEDIATRICS.2016.2065
Abstract: Infantile beriberi, a potentially fatal disease caused by thiamine deficiency, remains a public health concern in Cambodia and regions where thiamine-poor white rice is a staple food. Low maternal thiamine intake reduces breast milk thiamine concentrations, placing breastfed infants at risk of beriberi. To determine if consumption of thiamine-fortified fish sauce yields higher erythrocyte thiamine diphosphate concentrations (eTDP) among lactating women and newborn infants and higher breast milk thiamine concentrations compared with a control sauce. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 90 pregnant women were recruited in the Prey Veng province, Cambodia. The study took place between October 2014 and April 2015. Women were randomized to 1 of 3 groups (n = 30) for ad libitum fish sauce consumption for 6 months: control (no thiamine), low-concentration (2 g/L), or high-concentration (8 g/L) fish sauce. Maternal eTDP was assessed at baseline (October 2014) and endline (April 2015). Secondary outcomes, breast milk thiamine concentration and infant eTDP, were measured at endline. Women's mean (SD) age and gestational stage were 26 (5) years and 23 (7) weeks, respectively. April 2015 eTDP was measured among 28 women (93%), 29 women (97%), and 23 women (77%) in the control, low-concentration, and high-concentration groups, respectively. In modified intent-to-treat analysis, mean baseline-adjusted endline eTDP was higher among women in the low-concentration (282nM 95% CI, 235nM to 310nM) and high-concentration (254nM 95% CI, 225nM to 284nM) groups compared with the control group (193nM 95% CI, 164nM to 222M P < .05) low-concentration and high-concentration groups did not differ (P = .19). Breast milk total thiamine concentrations were 14.4 μg/dL for the control group (95% CI, 12.3 μg/dL to 16.5 μg/dL) (to convert to nanomoles per liter, multiply by 29.6) 20.7 μg/dL for the low-concentration group (95% CI, 18.6 μg/dL to 22.7 μg/dL ) and 17.7 μg/dL for the high-concentration group (95% CI, 15.6 μg/dL to 19.9 μg/dL). Mean (SD) infant age at endline was 16 (8) weeks for the control group, 17 (7) weeks for the low-concentration group, and 14 (8) for the high-concentration group. Infant eTDP was higher among those in the high-concentration group (257nM 95% CI, 222nM to 291nM P < .05) compared with the low-concentration (212nM 95% CI, 181nM to 244nM) and control (187nM 95% CI, 155nM to 218nM) groups. Compared with women in the control group, women who consumed thiamine-fortified fish sauce through pregnancy and early lactation had higher eTDP and breast milk thiamine concentrations and their infants had higher eTDP, which was more pronounced in the high group. Thiamine-fortified fish sauce has the potential to prevent infantile beriberi in this population. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02221063.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 1998
DOI: 10.1155/1998/928706
Abstract: PURPOSE: To determine the dietary practices of the pediatric inflammatory bowel disease population at the Children's Hospital of the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation and the reported effectiveness of those diets. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire mailed to 153 pediatric patients was returned by 125 patients (76 Crohn's disease [CD] and 49 ulcerative colitis [UC] patients) - an 82% response rate. RESULTS: The median age of respondents was 13 years, and 62% were male. Ninety per cent and 71% of CD and UC patients, respectively, had changed their diets since diagnosis. Caloric supplements (eg, BOOST [Mead Johnson Nutritionals]), sole source nutrition, low fibre and lactose-free diets were used by more than 15% of CD patients, whereas lactose-free, nonspicy, low acid, additive-free, caloric supplement and low fibre diets were used by more than 15% of UC patients. A diet supplement was more commonly used in CD patients (P .05) and an additive-free diet in UC patients. Corn and corn products, nuts, milk and bran were avoided by more than 20% of CD and UC patients however, more CD than UC patients avoided corn and corn products. In addition, UC patients (more than 20%) also avoided tomato, other dairy (nonfluid milk-based products and foods containing milk products), chocolate, cheese, wheat, tomato sauces and fruit juice. A benefit was reported for 103 of 141 reported diets, with the most commonly alleviated symptoms being abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence. CONCLUSION: Many children with inflammatory bowel disease have altered their diets to manage their disease and have attributed symptomatic relief to these diets.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
Abstract: Zinc, selenium, and vitamin D status of New Zealand (NZ) school-aged children was examined in a national survey in 2002. To our knowledge, however, the role of these micronutrients as predictors of hemoglobin has not been explored despite plausible mechanisms for such relations. We examined the relations of iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin D status with hemoglobin and anemia in children of New Zealand European and other (NZEO) ethnicity enrolled in the 2002 Children's Nutrition Survey and explored whether zinc mediated the relation between selenium and hemoglobin. Multivariate regression was performed to examine the relations of serum micronutrient biomarkers, acute inflammation, socioeconomic status, and body mass index (BMI) with hemoglobin and anemia of NZEO children aged 5-15 y (n = 503). A mediation analysis also investigated direct and indirect (through zinc) relations between selenium and hemoglobin. In total, 4.6% of the children were anemic, 3.2% had depleted iron stores, and none had iron deficiency anemia. The prevalence of low serum zinc (<8.7-10.1 μmol/L depending on age and sex), selenium (<0.82 μmol/L), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (<50 nmol/L) was 14.1%, 22.9%, and 48.5%, respectively. Major predictors of hemoglobin were serum zinc, age, and BMI-for-age z score (P < 0.001) log ferritin and being female were also statistically significant (P < 0.05). Selenium had an indirect effect that was mediated by zinc, with a significant effect of selenium on zinc (P = 0.002) and zinc on hemoglobin (P < 0.001). Zinc was the only variable associated with anemia risk (OR: 5.49 95% CI: 1.95, 15.46). Low serum zinc was an independent risk factor for anemia in NZEO school-aged children and mediated the effect of low selenium on hemoglobin. These findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple micronutrient deficiencies in addition to iron when interpreting anemia and of appreciating the mechanistic interactions that underlie these associations.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/NYAS.14561
Abstract: In 2014, there was an outbreak of beriberi on Kuria, a remote atoll in Kiribati, a small Pacific Island nation. A thiamine‐poor diet consisting mainly of rice, sugar, and small amounts of fortified flour was likely to blame. We aimed to design a food fortification strategy to improve thiamine intakes in Kuria. We surveyed all 104 households on Kuria with a pregnant woman or a child 0–59 months. Repeat 24‐h dietary recalls were collected from 90 men, 17 pregnant, 44 lactating, and 41 other women of reproductive age. The prevalence of inadequate thiamine intakes was % in all groups. Dietary modeling predicted that rice or sugar fortified at a rate of 0.3 and 1.4 mg per 100 g, respectively, would reduce the prevalence of inadequate thiamine intakes to .5% in all groups. Fortification is challenging because Kiribati imports food from several countries, depending on price and availability. One exception is flour, which is imported from Fiji. Although resulting in less coverage than rice or sugar, fortifying wheat flour with an additional 3.7 mg per 100 g would reduce the prevalence of inadequacy to under 10%. Kiribati is small and has limited resources thus, a regional approach to thiamine fortification is needed.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-07-2014
DOI: 10.1111/JGS.12927
Abstract: To report 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations, an indicator of vitamin D status, in older adults living in residential care 1 year after a protocol of weekly 20,000 IU of vitamin D was started. Cross-sectional. Five residential care facilities in British Columbia, Canada. Residents aged 65 and older from five facilities (N=236). Participants provided a blood s le. Demographic and health information was obtained from the medical record. Mean 25OHD was 102 nmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI)=98-106 nmol/L). Three percent of residents had a 25OHD concentration of less than 40 nmol/L, 6% <50 nmol/L, and 19% 2.6 mmol/L), a potential consequence of too much vitamin D, was present in 14%, although 25OHD levels did not differ in those with and without hypercalcemia (108 vs 101 nmol/L P=.17). Twelve months after implementation of a 20,000-IU/wk vitamin D protocol for older adults in residential care, mean 25OHD concentrations were high, and there was no evidence of poor vitamin D status. Given the absence of demonstrated benefit of high 25OHD concentrations to the residential care population, dosages less than 20,000 IU/wk of vitamin D are recommended.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/NYAS.14562
Abstract: Thiamine deficiency is a public health issue in Cambodia. Thiamine fortification of salt has been proposed however, the salt intake of lactating women, the target population, is currently unknown. We estimated salt intakes among lactating women ( months postpartum) using three methods: repeat observed‐weighed intake records and 24‐h urinary sodium excretions ( n = 104), and household salt disappearance ( n = 331). Usual salt intake was estimated by adjusting for intrain idual intakes using the National Cancer Institute method, and a thiamine salt fortification scenario was modeled using a modified estimated average requirement (EAR) cut‐point method. Unadjusted salt intake from observed intakes was 9.3 (8.3–10.3) g/day, which was not different from estimated salt intake from urinary sodium excretions, 9.0 (8.4–9.7) g/day ( P = 0.3). Estimated salt use from household salt disappearance was 11.3 (10.7–11.9) g erson/day. Usual (adjusted) salt intake from all sources was 7.7 (7.4–8.0) g/day. Assuming no stability losses, a modeled fortification dose of 275 mg thiamine/kg salt could increase thiamine intakes from fortified salt to 2.1 (2.0–2.2) mg/day, with even low salt consumers reaching the EAR of 1.2 mg/day from fortified salt alone. These findings, in conjunction with future sensory and stability research, can inform a potential salt fortification program in Cambodia.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/NYAS.14565
Abstract: Thiamine (vitamin B 1 ) is an essential micronutrient in energy metabolism and cognitive and neurological health. Thiamine deficiency disorders (TDDs) have a range of clinical presentations that result in various morbidities and can be fatal if not promptly recognized and treated, especially in infants. To intervene, thiamine intakes by breastfeeding mothers and others at risk of thiamine deficiency should be increased to ensure adequate thiamine intake. Although thiamine fortification programs have a long history in high‐income countries, there are few mandatory fortification programs to address TDDs in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), particularly in the regions of greatest concern, South and Southeast Asia. This review highlights essential aspects for consideration in the development of a mandatory fortification program in LMICs, including an overview of the data required to model fortification dosing schemes, available thiamine fortificants, and potential fortification vehicles, as well as identifies current knowledge gaps.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXAB108
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 06-2008
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114507844382
Abstract: We aimed to describe the vitamin D status of young women living in two Chinese cities in the spring – Beijing in the north (latitude 39° north) and Hong Kong (latitude 22° north) in the south. We also examined the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations to determine a threshold for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D above which there is no further suppression of PTH. Finally, we examined whether dietary Ca intake influences this relationship. Non-pregnant women aged 18–40 years ( n 441) were recruited between February and June. Fasting blood was collected and dietary intakes were assessed using 5 d food records. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was lower in Beijing than Hong Kong women (29 v. 34 nmol/l P 0·001). Vitamin D deficiency ( ≤ 25 nmol/l) was indicated in 40 % of Beijing and 18 % of Hong Kong women, and over 90 % of women in both cities were insufficient ( ≤ 50 nmol/l). Mean Ca and vitamin D intakes were 478 mg/d and 2·0 μg/d, respectively. The relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and PTH was linear throughout the range with a slope of − 0·36 (different from 0 P 0·001 R 0·26), with no apparent threshold. There was no influence of Ca intake on the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH concentration. Vitamin D deficiency is common and insufficiency is very common in non-pregnant women in Hong Kong and Beijing during spring. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was inversely associated with PTH with no apparent threshold. Strategies such as vitamin D fortification or supplementation may be required.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-05-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2015
Abstract: Anemia is common in Cambodian women. Potential causes include micronutrient deficiencies, genetic hemoglobin disorders, inflammation, and disease. We aimed to investigate factors associated with anemia (low hemoglobin concentration) in rural Cambodian women (18-45 y) and to investigate the relations between hemoglobin disorders and other iron biomarkers. Blood s les were obtained from 450 women. A complete blood count was conducted, and serum and plasma were analyzed for ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), folate, vitamin B-12, retinol binding protein (RBP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and α1 acid glycoprotein (AGP). Hemoglobin electrophoresis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the prevalence and type of genetic hemoglobin disorders. Overall, 54% of women had a genetic hemoglobin disorder, which included 25 different genotypes (most commonly, hemoglobin E variants and α(3.7)-thalassemia). Of the 420 nonpregnant women, 29.5% had anemia (hemoglobin <120 g/L), 2% had depleted iron stores (ferritin 8.3 mg/L), <3% had folate deficiency (<3 μg/L), and 1% had vitamin B-12 deficiency (<150 pmol/L). Prevalences of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were 14.2% and 1.5% in those with and without hemoglobin disorders, respectively. There was no biochemical evidence of vitamin A deficiency (RBP 5 mg/L) and 26% (AGP >1 g/L) of nonpregnant women, respectively. By using an adjusted linear regression model, the strongest predictors of hemoglobin concentration were hemoglobin E homozygous disorder and pregnancy status. Other predictors were 2 other heterozygous traits (hemoglobin E and Constant Spring), parity, RBP, log ferritin, and vitamin B-12. Multiple biomarkers for anemia and iron deficiency were significantly influenced by the presence of hemoglobin disorders, hence reducing their diagnostic sensitivity. Further investigation of the unexpectedly low prevalence of IDA in Cambodian women is warranted.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 20-01-2011
DOI: 10.3390/NU3010152
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 03-08-2007
DOI: 10.1017/S000711450779387X
Abstract: A higher proportion of n -3 long-chain PUFA in tissue lipids has been associated with a lower risk of CVD and some cancers. Diet is an important predictor of n -3 long-chain PUFA composition however, the importance of non-dietary factors such as sex and age is unclear. We measured the proportion of n -3 long-chain PUFA in serum phospholipid, cholesterol ester and TAG of 2793 New Zealanders 15 years or older who participated in the 1997 National Nutrition Survey to determine differences by sex and age. Women had lower proportions of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid in phospholipid, by 0·07 ( P = 0·004) and 0·10 ( P 0·001) mol%, respectively, and a higher proportion of DHA by 0·16 mol% ( P = 0·001) compared with men. Intake of fish fat did not differ between men and women. There was a positive association between age and the proportion of EPA and DHA in phospholipid ( P 0·001). The sex differences in EPA and DHA were similar at all ages. Similar sex and age differences in serum cholesterol ester n -3 long-chain PUFA were found only age differences were found in serum TAG. Sex and age differences in n -3 long-chain PUFA occur in the general population. Men and women may need to be considered separately when examining the association between disease risk and biomarkers of n -3 fatty acids.
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd.
Date: 15-02-1984
DOI: 10.1042/BJ2180075
Abstract: Uptake of [3H]pteroylglutamic acid [(3H]PteGlu) was studied in microvilli isolated from the syncytiotrophoblast of the human term placenta. The effect of changes in medium osmolality on the equilibrium uptake of [3H]PteGlu was negligible, which suggested that the observed uptake represented binding to proteins on or within the microvilli rather than translocation of the vitamin from the incubation medium to a free state in the intravesicular fluid. Equilibrium uptake experiments performed over a wide range of [3H]PteGlu concentrations disclosed a class of binding sites with an association constant of 0.3 nM-1 as well as a second class of sites with high capacity and low affinity. Binding of [3H]PteGlu at the high-affinity sites was inhibited by tetrahydrofolate and N5-methyltetrahydrofolate, but not by several other structural analogues. It is likely that the high-affinity binding sites are receptors for maternal plasma folate however, their role in placental transport or storage of the vitamin was not delineated in these studies.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-02-2016
DOI: 10.3390/NU8020098
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-03-2007
Abstract: To describe the vitamin D status of women living in two Asian cities,--Jakarta (6 degrees S) and Kuala-Lumpur (2 degrees N), to examine the association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, and to determine a threshold for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D above which there is no further suppression of PTH. Also, to determine whether dietary calcium intake influences the relationship between PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Cross-sectional. Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A convenience s le of 504 non-pregnant women 18-40 years. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 48 nmol/l. Less than 1% of women had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicative of vitamin D deficiency (<17.5 nmol/l) whereas, over 60% of women had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicative of insufficiency (<50 nmol/l). We estimate that 52 nmol/l was the threshold concentration for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D above which no further suppression of PTH occurred. Below and above this concentration the slopes of the regression lines were -0.18 (different from 0 P=0.003) and -0.01 (P=0.775), respectively. The relation between vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone concentration did not differ between women with low, medium or high calcium intakes (P=0.611) however, even in the highest tertile of calcium intake, mean calcium intake was only 657 mg/d. On the basis of maximal suppression of PTH we estimate an optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of approximately 50 nmol/l. Many women had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D below this concentration and may benefit from improved vitamin D status.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2016
Abstract: Corn Soya Blend (CSB) Plus is a fortified dietary supplement used to help Cambodian women meet their nutritional requirements in pregnancy, although little is known about its ability to improve pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed the effect of prenatal CSB Plus supplementation on birth weight and secondary outcomes of low birth weight (<2500 g), small for gestational age, birth length and head circumference, preterm birth (<37 wk), maternal weight gain, and anemia at 24-28 wk, 30-32 wk, and 36-38 wk of gestation among rural Cambodian women. A cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 75 villages in K ong Chhnang Province, in which 547 women received CSB Plus (treatment) during the first trimester until delivery or continued their normal diet (control) based on their village residence. All women received routine daily iron folic acid tablets and were treated with additional iron folic acid if they were anemic (hemoglobin <11 g/dL). Cluster-adjusted linear mixed-effect and logistic regression models were used to examine group differences. There was no significant difference in birth weight between the CSB Plus and control group (46 g 95% CI: -31, 123 g P = 0.24). Significant reductions were observed in preterm birth (OR = 0.33 95% CI: 0.12, 0.89) and anemia at 36-38 wk (OR = 0.51 95% CI: 0.34, 0.77). There were no significant differences in low birth weight, small for gestational age, birth length, head circumference, or maternal weight gain. A higher rate of fetal loss was observed in the treatment group (10.2% compared with 3.7% P < 0.01). In Cambodian women, CSB Plus consumed during pregnancy did not significantly increase maternal weight gain or improve birth size but did reduce maternal anemia in late gestation and preterm birth in comparison with women consuming a normal diet. The unexpectedly higher rate of fetal loss in the treatment group is concerning and warrants further investigation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01413776.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2014
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACN.2007.03.005
Abstract: An issue that often confronts the clinician referred an elderly person for neuropsychological assessment is how to interpret the significance of changes in test scores over time. In this report, data useful for estimating the statistical significance of changes on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) are presented. The s le tested comprised 253 healthy persons aged 65 and over taking part in a randomized double-blind trial of the effect on cognitive performance of lowering homocysteine using dietary supplements. Results were based on the full s le because of the absence of any treatment effects. Test-retest data with a 1-year interval were used to estimate reliability coefficients and to calculate reliable change indices. The magnitude of a change necessary for a deterioration or improvement in scores at the two-tailed 90% confidence interval is given for the full s le, and persons above and below the age of 75.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 16-10-2015
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980015003018
Abstract: Undernutrition is prevalent among pregnant women in Cambodia. The provision of fortified dietary supplements is one strategy to help pregnant women meet their nutritional needs. Corn Soya Blend Plus (CSBP) is a widely used prenatal dietary supplement in areas with high rates of undernutrition and food insecurity. However, little is known about its acceptability during pregnancy. The present study aimed to identify factors that affected the acceptability and consumption of CSBP supplements among pregnant women. Women completed a structured interview designed to provide information on facilitators of and barriers to utilization. In addition, six focus groups were conducted with a subset of women ( n 70) to further explore attitudes, perceptions and experiences related to CSBP use. Two districts in K ong Chhnang Province, Cambodia. Pregnant women ( n 288) participating in a cluster-randomized trial of CSBP. The acceptability of CSBP was influenced by sensory attributes, family support, peer influences, and attitudes related to diet, nutritional status and weight gain in pregnancy. Attaining adequate nutrition was considered less important than other concerns during pregnancy, particularly anxiety related to the costs of delivery and postpartum care. Acceptance was lower among new mothers due to fears of weight gain. Health benefits were common reasons for continued use and minor side-effects, such as nausea, were not major barriers to consumption. CSBP was generally well accepted in this population. However, organoleptic factors and perceptions regarding nutrition and weight gain in pregnancy, particularly for first-time mothers, were barriers to increasing acceptance among Cambodian women.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-10-2004
Abstract: To determine the serum vitamin B(12) status of older New Zealanders and to assess the impact of atrophic gastritis on vitamin B(12) status. A cross-sectional nationally representative population-based survey. Serum vitamin B(12) concentrations were used to assess vitamin B(12) status. The presence and severity of atrophic gastritis was classified using serum pepsinogen I and II. A total of 466 noninstitutionalized urban and rural dwelling New Zealanders aged 65 y or older who participated in the 1997 National Nutrition Survey. The prevalence of deficient (<148 pmol/l) and marginal (148-221 pmol/l) serum vitamin B(12) concentrations was 12 and 28%, respectively. The prevalence of atrophic gastritis was 6.7% (severe 3.1%, mild-moderate 3.6%). While atrophic gastritis increased the relative risk (RR, 95% CI) of having a deficient or marginal serum vitamin B(12) concentration by 21-fold (6-67) and five-fold (1-17), respectively, those who had atrophic gastritis made up only 33 and 6% of the participants with deficient or marginal serum vitamin B(12) concentrations. An intake of vitamin B(12) from food that exceeded the recommended dietary allowance (2.4 mug/day) did not protect against deficient (RR 0.5 95% CI: 0.2, 1.2) or marginal (RR 0.9 95% CI: 0.5, 1.7) serum vitamin B(12) status. Vitamin B(12) supplement users had a reduced risk of having deficient and marginal vitamin B(12) status (RR 0.3 95% CI: 0.1, 0.8). There is a relatively high prevalence of deficient and marginal serum vitamin B(12) concentrations among older New Zealanders. However, the prevalence of atrophic gastritis was low in the New Zealand elderly compared with other surveys. Although atrophic gastritis was a risk factor for low vitamin B(12) status, it did not fully explain the prevalence of low serum vitamin B(12).
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 05-09-2017
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-02-2023
DOI: 10.3390/NU15051144
Abstract: The authors would like to correct an error in their recently published paper [...]
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-1986
DOI: 10.1111/J.1471-0528.1986.TB07991.X
Abstract: Specific binding of both [3H]retinol and [3H]retinoic acid was observed in the cytosol fraction from term placentas and specific binding of [3H]retinol but not [3H]retinoic acid was detected in the cytosol fraction from placentas of 8-12 week pregnancies. The elution volume of the bound radioactivity on Sephadex G-100 column chromatography was within the range expected for proteins of molecular weight 14 500, in agreement with the results of others for cellular retinol- and retinoic acid-binding proteins from other tissues. The role of these proteins in mediating the effects of vitamin A on growth and differentiation of the placenta and fetus has yet to be determined.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.CCA.2014.12.021
Abstract: Genetic hemoglobin (Hb) E variants are common in Cambodia and result in an altered and unstable Hb molecule. We evaluated two methods to measure Hb concentration among in iduals with and without Hb variants using a hemoglobinometer (HemoCue) and a hematology analyzer (Sysmex XT-1800i). We determined the bias and concordance between the methods among 420 Cambodian women (18-45 y). Bias and concordance appeared similar between methods among women with no Hb disorders (n=195, bias=2.5, ρc=0.68), women with Hb E variants (n=133, bias=2.5, ρc=0.78), and women with other Hb variants (n=92, bias=2.7, ρc=0.73). The overall bias was 2.6g/l, resulting in a difference in anemia prevalence of 11.5% (41% using HemoCue and 29.5% using Sysmex, p<0.001). Based on visual interpretation of the concordance plots, the HemoCue device appears to underestimate Hb concentrations at lower Hb concentrations and to overestimate Hb concentrations at higher Hb concentrations (in comparison to the Sysmex analyzer). Bias and concordance were similar across groups, suggesting the two methods of Hb measurement were comparable. We caution field staff, researchers and policy makers in the interpretation of data and the impact that bias between methods can have on anemia prevalence rates.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-2008
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114507894311
Abstract: The usefulness of the glycaemic index (GI) of a food for practical advice for in iduals with diabetes or the general population depends on its reliability, as estimated by intra-class coefficient (ICC), a measure having values between 0 and 1, with values closer to 1 indicating better reliability. We aimed to estimate the ICC of the postprandial blood glucose response to glucose and white bread, instant mashed potato and chickpeas using the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) and the GI of these foods. The iAUC values were determined in twenty healthy in iduals on three and four occasions for white bread and glucose, respectively, and for potato and chickpeas on a single occasion. The ICC of the iAUC for white bread and glucose were 0·50 (95 % CI 0·27, 0·73) and 0·49 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·75), respectively. The mean GI of white bread was 81 (95 % CI 74, 90) with a reliability of 0·27 indicating substantial within-person variability. The GI of mashed potato and chickpeas were 87 (95 % CI 76, 101) and 28 (95 % CI 22, 37) respectively with ICC of 0·02 and 0·40.The ICC of the iAUC were moderate and those of the GI fair or poor, indicating the heterogeneous nature of in iduals' responses. The unpredictability of in idual responses even if they are the result of day-to-day variation places limitations on the clinical usefulness of GI. If the very different GI of potato and chickpeas are estimates of an in idual's every-day response to different foods, then the GI of foods may provide an indication of the GI of a long-term diet.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATHEROSCLEROSIS.2005.10.020
Abstract: Beta-casein is a cow's milk protein that occurs predominantly in two forms, A1 and A2. Epidemiological evidence suggests that per capita consumption of beta-casein A1 is associated with national mortality rates from ischaemic heart disease. A biological mechanism was proposed after rabbits fed diets containing beta-casein A2 had lower serum cholesterol concentrations and less aortic intimal thickening than rabbits fed beta-casein A1. We tested whether beta-casein A1 and A2 variants differentially affect plasma cholesterol concentrations in humans. In a randomised crossover trial of two four-and-a-half week periods without washout, 62 participants replaced all dairy products in their diet with 500 mL of low-fat milk and 28 g of full-fat cheese that differed in the proportion of beta-casein A1 and A2 variants. Duplicate blood s les were taken on non-consecutive days at the end of each treatment period from 55 people who completed the study. Mean (S.D.) plasma total, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were 5.60 (0.77), 3.73 (0.70) and 1.26 (0.34) mmol/L after the A1 diet and 5.63 (0.81), 3.75 (0.75) and 1.27 (0.37) mmol/L after the A2 diets. We found no evidence that dairy products containing beta-casein A1 or A2 exerted differential effects (P > 0.05) on plasma cholesterol concentrations in humans.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Timothy Green.