Epidemiological studies confirm that high fruit and vegetable intake correlates with a reduced ri... more Epidemiological studies confirm that high fruit and vegetable intake correlates with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, various kinds of cancer and other disease. Based on these results authorized bodies worldwide recommend to eat more fruits and vegetables, e.g., the 'five a day' campaign. Through 24-hour dietary recalls (studies 2000-02) the intake of 2,318 Austrian adults (19-65 years) were examined. 38.5% participants were male and 61.5% female. Austrian adults consume on average 248 +/- 316 g vegetables per day. The most popular vegetables are leafy, fruit and root vegetables. Pulses are seldom eaten. Women consume (252 +/- 184 g) slightly more vegetables than men (242 +/- 192 g). One fourth (26%) of the investigated subjects eat lower than 100 g vegetables, 21% consume amounts between 100 and 200 g and more than half (53%) eat more than 200g daily. Approximately half of the vegetable intake is consumed fresh and the other cooked, frozen vegetables are not often used by our study subjects. The daily intake of fruit is about 119 +/- 156 g. Men consume significantly lower quantities (107 +/- 159 g) of fruits than women (127 +/- 154 g) (p < 0.001). Half (51%) of the examined adults eat less than 100 g fruit per day, 23% between 100 and 200 g and only 26% more than the recommended 200 g. Most of the fruit is consumed fresh, frozen fruits and fruits in cans are not very popular. The favorite fruits are stone fruits, followed by citrus and berry fruits. Juice of fruits and vegetables was consumed in amounts of 56.7 +/- 151.3 ml/day. The daily intake of fruit and vegetable nectar is about 130.0 +/- 264.9 ml. If the amounts of juice and nectar are added to the average intake of fruit and vegetables, the whole quantity of fruit and vegetable intake is satisfying. Our survey shows that the investigated Austrian adults are not far away from reaching the minimum goal of 400 g fruit and vegetable intake per day. Nevertheless, 16% consumed less than 200 g vegetables and fruit. To improve health benefits, a higher intake of varied fruit and vegetables should be achieved.
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities, extent of... more This study aimed to investigate the relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities, extent of airway inflammation, and systemic oxidative stress in children suffering from atopic asthma. A total of 35 asthmatic (AG) and 21 healthy children (CG) participated in this study. The volume of fractionated exhaled NO (Fe(no)) was measured with the NIOX test system. The activities of the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined photometrically. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 was measured using ELISA; malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were analyzed using HPLC. Compared to healthy controls, asthmatic children exhaled a significantly (p < .001) higher mean volume of Fe(no), had significantly reduced plasma concentrations of TAC (p = .006), and significantly enhanced levels of MDA (p < .001) and IL-6 (p = .012). SOD (p = .027), CAT (p < .001), and GSH-Px (p = .005) were significantly less active in the asthma group and significantly negatively associated with Fe(no) (SOD/Fe(no): p = .017; CAT/Fe(no): p = .008; GSH-Px/Fe(no): p = .001); the oxidative stress marker MDA showed such correlations in both investigated groups (SOD/MDA: AG: p = .001, CG: p = .381; CAT/MDA: AG: p = .003, CG: p = .020; GSH-Px/MDA: AG: p = .006, CG: p = .011). Furthermore, there was a significant (p< .01) positive correlation between MDA/Fe(no) and MDA/IL-6 observed in both groups. These results indicate that inflammation of the bronchial tree, reflected by increased NO formation in the airways and enhanced systemic oxidative stress, is related to an alteration of antioxidant enzyme activities in childhood asthma. Modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes may therefore have beneficial effects on pulmonary and systemic antioxidant defense mechanisms and could reduce airway inflammation and oxidative stress in asthmatics.
... Buss, Tembe, Prendergast, Renwick, and George (1994) provided evidence of a lower availabilit... more ... Buss, Tembe, Prendergast, Renwick, and George (1994) provided evidence of a lower availability of vitamin A from liver compared with vitamin A-containing supplements after single dosages. Data presented by van Vliet et al. ...
Background: A number of studies have found conflicting results concerning the modulation of plasm... more Background: A number of studies have found conflicting results concerning the modulation of plasma lipids induced by probiotics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify and compare the effects of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on the plasma lipid profile of normocholesterolemic women. Methods: In this study, female volunteers consumed 100 g/day of probiotic (n = 17) or conventional yoghurt (n = 16) for 2 weeks (T1–T2) and 200 g/day for further 2 weeks (T2–T3). A washout phase lasting 2 weeks followed (T4). Total and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods; LDL cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald formula. Results: The average concentration of total cholesterol was consistent throughout the whole study in the control group, but decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the probiotic group consuming 200 g yoghurt/day (T2–T3). During the period of daily yoghurt intake (T1–T3) the mean HDL cholesterol level increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the probiotic group, resulting in a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of the total/HDL cholesterol ratio. The significant (p < 0.01) reduction of the average plasma LDL cholesterol values found in this period (T1–T3) in the probiotic and the control groups was associated with a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios in both tested groups. Conclusion: Although several lipid parameters changed during the study in both the probiotic and the control group, no significant differences between the groups were observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that the regular consumption of both probiotic and conventional yoghurt for 4 weeks had a positive effect on the lipid profile in plasma of healthy women.
Homocysteine is a cardiovascular risk factor, its metabolism is influenced by certain B vitamins ... more Homocysteine is a cardiovascular risk factor, its metabolism is influenced by certain B vitamins and it is associated with endothelial dysfunction probably due to impaired bioavailability of NO caused by homocysteine-induced accumulation of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase. On this basis, we investigated the cardiovascular risk factors homocysteine and ADMA in relation to vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate in elderly people. A total of 102 subjects were recruited and divided into three groups according to age: A (70-74y, n = 48), B (75-79y, n = 35) and C (≥80y, n = 19). Plasma levels of vitamin B(6) were determined with HPLC, vitamin B(12) and folate by RIA. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine were analyzed with HPLC and levels of ADMA were measured by ELISA. Plasma levels of vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate were found to be adequate in 93, 67 and 55% of participants, respectively. This study showed a significant age-associated decrease in vitamins B(6) (A > B, A > C: p < 0.05), B(12) and folate (A > C: p < 0.05) in parallel to a significant age-related increase in the cardiovascular risk factors homocysteine (A < C, B < C: p < 0.05) and ADMA (A < B: p < 0.05; A < C: p < 0.001). Moreover, homocysteine was significantly negatively (p < 0.01) related to vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate, and significantly positively (p < 0.01) correlated to ADMA. The significant correlation between homocysteine and ADMA observed in this study may be an important mechanism decreasing NO bioavailability and so causing endothelial dysfunction. Due to the significant relation of vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate to plasma homocysteine, these vitamins may thus indirectly influence endothelial function and cardiovascular risk in elderly people.
Purpose: Allergic asthma is a chronic lung disease with a major inflammatory component including ... more Purpose: Allergic asthma is a chronic lung disease with a major inflammatory component including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the background. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Th17–associated interleukins IL–6 and IL–10, and oxidative/nitrosative markers of stress in childhood atopic asthma. Methods: For this observational study 35 asthmatic (AG) and 21 healthy (CG) children were recruited; the volume of fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (Fe no ) was measured with the NIOX nitric oxide monitoring system. Plasma levels of IL–6 and IL–10 were analysed with ELISA, malondialdehyde (MDA) with HPLC. Results: Compared to healthy controls, asthmatics exhaled a significantly (p<0.001) higher mean volume of Fe no and had significantly (p=0.012) Izvlecek Namen: Alergicna astma je kronicna pljucna bolezen s pomembno vnetno komponento, vkljucno z reaktivnimi spojinami kisika in dusika. Namen raziskave je bil raziskati odnos s Th17 povezanim...
International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernährungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition, 1998
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral beta-carotene supplementation for the... more The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral beta-carotene supplementation for the correction of an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in cystic fibrosis (CF). We studied 24-patients with cystic fibrosis and 14 healthy controls. 13 CF-patients were allocated to a CF-supplementation group, which received 1 mg beta-carotene/kg BW/d up to a body weight (BW) of 50 kg, patients with a BW greater 50 kg received 50 mg beta-carotene/d for 12 weeks. For the following 12 weeks all patients of the CF-supplementation group were treated with 10 mg beta-carotene/d. Placebos with starch were applied to 11 CF-patients. Baseline plasma beta-carotene concentrations of CF patients (mean +/- SD, 0.08 +/- 0.04 mumol/l) were significantly lower than those of age-matched controls (o.3 +/- 0.1 mumol/l) (p < 0.001). beta-carotene concentrations of the CF-supplementation group increased rapidly and reached a value of 0.6 mumol/l after 12 weeks of supplementation. Normal values were measured for ...
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-year old in 9 European countries : (The Pro Children S... more Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-year old in 9 European countries : (The Pro Children Study)
SummaryThe first results of the Women's Health Initiative dietary intervention trial were pub... more SummaryThe first results of the Women's Health Initiative dietary intervention trial were published in the USA in February. This is a colossal intervention designed to see if diets lower in fat and higher in fruits, vegetables and grains than is usual in high-income countries reduce the incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases, in women aged 50–79 years. As interpreted by US government media releases, the results were unimpressive. As interpreted by a global media blitz, the results indicate that food and nutrition has little or nothing to do with health and disease. But the trial was in key respects not reaching its aims, was methodologically controversial, and in any case has not produced the reported null results. What should the public health nutrition profession do about such messes?
Evidence on what people eat globally is limited in scope and rigour, especially as it relates to ... more Evidence on what people eat globally is limited in scope and rigour, especially as it relates to children and adolescents. This impairs target setting and investment in evidence-based actions to support healthy sustainable diets. Here we quantified global, regional and national dietary patterns among children and adults, by age group, sex, education and urbanicity, across 185 countries between 1990 and 2018, on the basis of data from the Global Dietary Database project. Our primary measure was the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, a validated score of diet quality; Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and Mediterranean Diet Score patterns were secondarily assessed. Dietary quality is generally modest worldwide. In 2018, the mean global Alternative Healthy Eating Index score was 40.3, ranging from 0 (least healthy) to 100 (most healthy), with regional means ranging from 30.3 in Latin America and the Caribbean to 45.7 in South Asia. Scores among children versus adults were generall...
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2007
Various researchers have confirmed the view that forest and wood lands, among other natural bound... more Various researchers have confirmed the view that forest and wood lands, among other natural boundaries in West Africa supply a massive amount of protein and carbohydrates to the citizens; however industrialization and urbanization has threaten many of the food species from these ecosystems. For instance Itugha known to be highly prized and delicious indigenous food is getting extinct and the possibility of it’s origin and composition being lost in antiquity is high, more so data on nutrient composition of processed lrvingia products is limited. Samples of Itugha were prepared as it is obtained in the local setting. These and fresh seeds from the same source of fruits were subjected to proximate analysis and amino acid profile determination. The synergistic effect of pounding and fermentation (two rural processing methods) on proximate composition and amino acid profile of Irvingia gabonensis seeds were evaluated. Proximate analysis differed significantly (p > 0.05) between the p...
Background: Deficiency of vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory micronutrient with some favorable effec... more Background: Deficiency of vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory micronutrient with some favorable effects on lipid profiles, has been found to be highly prevalent in adolescents. We aimed to investigate the effect of a school-based vitamin D supplementation regimen on the correction of vitamin D deficiency as well as lipid and inflammatory profiles of healthy adolescent boys. Methods: In this randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial, seventy-one healthy adolescent boys (age 17 years old) were recruited from one high school in Tehran, Iran, and randomly assigned to two groups. The supplement group received vitamin D pearls at a dose of 50,000 IU monthly for 6 months, this dose is indeed defined by the Ministry of Health in Iran for a potential national school-based vitamin D supplementation program. The other group was given placebo pearls for the same duration. Before and after the treatment, the serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), retinol, ...
Appropriate hydration is essential for health and well-being. In Europe, water consumption patter... more Appropriate hydration is essential for health and well-being. In Europe, water consumption patterns vary despite the unlimited availability of this resource. Water constitutes the largest proportion of total fluid intake in most countries. According to the 2008 European Food Safety Authority's Concise Food Consumption Database, tap water consumption was highest in the northern European countries and in Austria. While Germany had a particularly low intake of tap water, it led in consumption of fruit and vegetable juices, soft drinks, and especially bottled water. European nutrition surveys generally report an average fluid intake within the recommended range of 1500-2000 mL/day, with higher intake levels corresponding with increasing frequency of intake. However, some population groups consume less than others, e.g., the elderly who are at higher risk for dehydration due to age-related increased urinary fluid losses. In turn, physical activity is associated with higher beverage c...
Epidemiological studies confirm that high fruit and vegetable intake correlates with a reduced ri... more Epidemiological studies confirm that high fruit and vegetable intake correlates with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, various kinds of cancer and other disease. Based on these results authorized bodies worldwide recommend to eat more fruits and vegetables, e.g., the &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;five a day&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; campaign. Through 24-hour dietary recalls (studies 2000-02) the intake of 2,318 Austrian adults (19-65 years) were examined. 38.5% participants were male and 61.5% female. Austrian adults consume on average 248 +/- 316 g vegetables per day. The most popular vegetables are leafy, fruit and root vegetables. Pulses are seldom eaten. Women consume (252 +/- 184 g) slightly more vegetables than men (242 +/- 192 g). One fourth (26%) of the investigated subjects eat lower than 100 g vegetables, 21% consume amounts between 100 and 200 g and more than half (53%) eat more than 200g daily. Approximately half of the vegetable intake is consumed fresh and the other cooked, frozen vegetables are not often used by our study subjects. The daily intake of fruit is about 119 +/- 156 g. Men consume significantly lower quantities (107 +/- 159 g) of fruits than women (127 +/- 154 g) (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). Half (51%) of the examined adults eat less than 100 g fruit per day, 23% between 100 and 200 g and only 26% more than the recommended 200 g. Most of the fruit is consumed fresh, frozen fruits and fruits in cans are not very popular. The favorite fruits are stone fruits, followed by citrus and berry fruits. Juice of fruits and vegetables was consumed in amounts of 56.7 +/- 151.3 ml/day. The daily intake of fruit and vegetable nectar is about 130.0 +/- 264.9 ml. If the amounts of juice and nectar are added to the average intake of fruit and vegetables, the whole quantity of fruit and vegetable intake is satisfying. Our survey shows that the investigated Austrian adults are not far away from reaching the minimum goal of 400 g fruit and vegetable intake per day. Nevertheless, 16% consumed less than 200 g vegetables and fruit. To improve health benefits, a higher intake of varied fruit and vegetables should be achieved.
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities, extent of... more This study aimed to investigate the relationship between antioxidant enzyme activities, extent of airway inflammation, and systemic oxidative stress in children suffering from atopic asthma. A total of 35 asthmatic (AG) and 21 healthy children (CG) participated in this study. The volume of fractionated exhaled NO (Fe(no)) was measured with the NIOX test system. The activities of the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined photometrically. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 was measured using ELISA; malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were analyzed using HPLC. Compared to healthy controls, asthmatic children exhaled a significantly (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) higher mean volume of Fe(no), had significantly reduced plasma concentrations of TAC (p = .006), and significantly enhanced levels of MDA (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) and IL-6 (p = .012). SOD (p = .027), CAT (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001), and GSH-Px (p = .005) were significantly less active in the asthma group and significantly negatively associated with Fe(no) (SOD/Fe(no): p = .017; CAT/Fe(no): p = .008; GSH-Px/Fe(no): p = .001); the oxidative stress marker MDA showed such correlations in both investigated groups (SOD/MDA: AG: p = .001, CG: p = .381; CAT/MDA: AG: p = .003, CG: p = .020; GSH-Px/MDA: AG: p = .006, CG: p = .011). Furthermore, there was a significant (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .01) positive correlation between MDA/Fe(no) and MDA/IL-6 observed in both groups. These results indicate that inflammation of the bronchial tree, reflected by increased NO formation in the airways and enhanced systemic oxidative stress, is related to an alteration of antioxidant enzyme activities in childhood asthma. Modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes may therefore have beneficial effects on pulmonary and systemic antioxidant defense mechanisms and could reduce airway inflammation and oxidative stress in asthmatics.
... Buss, Tembe, Prendergast, Renwick, and George (1994) provided evidence of a lower availabilit... more ... Buss, Tembe, Prendergast, Renwick, and George (1994) provided evidence of a lower availability of vitamin A from liver compared with vitamin A-containing supplements after single dosages. Data presented by van Vliet et al. ...
Background: A number of studies have found conflicting results concerning the modulation of plasm... more Background: A number of studies have found conflicting results concerning the modulation of plasma lipids induced by probiotics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify and compare the effects of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on the plasma lipid profile of normocholesterolemic women. Methods: In this study, female volunteers consumed 100 g/day of probiotic (n = 17) or conventional yoghurt (n = 16) for 2 weeks (T1–T2) and 200 g/day for further 2 weeks (T2–T3). A washout phase lasting 2 weeks followed (T4). Total and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods; LDL cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald formula. Results: The average concentration of total cholesterol was consistent throughout the whole study in the control group, but decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.01) in the probiotic group consuming 200 g yoghurt/day (T2–T3). During the period of daily yoghurt intake (T1–T3) the mean HDL cholesterol level increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) in the probiotic group, resulting in a significant (p &lt; 0.05) improvement of the total/HDL cholesterol ratio. The significant (p &lt; 0.01) reduction of the average plasma LDL cholesterol values found in this period (T1–T3) in the probiotic and the control groups was associated with a significant (p &lt; 0.05) improvement of the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios in both tested groups. Conclusion: Although several lipid parameters changed during the study in both the probiotic and the control group, no significant differences between the groups were observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that the regular consumption of both probiotic and conventional yoghurt for 4 weeks had a positive effect on the lipid profile in plasma of healthy women.
Homocysteine is a cardiovascular risk factor, its metabolism is influenced by certain B vitamins ... more Homocysteine is a cardiovascular risk factor, its metabolism is influenced by certain B vitamins and it is associated with endothelial dysfunction probably due to impaired bioavailability of NO caused by homocysteine-induced accumulation of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase. On this basis, we investigated the cardiovascular risk factors homocysteine and ADMA in relation to vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate in elderly people. A total of 102 subjects were recruited and divided into three groups according to age: A (70-74y, n = 48), B (75-79y, n = 35) and C (≥80y, n = 19). Plasma levels of vitamin B(6) were determined with HPLC, vitamin B(12) and folate by RIA. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine were analyzed with HPLC and levels of ADMA were measured by ELISA. Plasma levels of vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate were found to be adequate in 93, 67 and 55% of participants, respectively. This study showed a significant age-associated decrease in vitamins B(6) (A &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; B, A &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; C: p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05), B(12) and folate (A &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; C: p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) in parallel to a significant age-related increase in the cardiovascular risk factors homocysteine (A &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; C, B &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; C: p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) and ADMA (A &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; B: p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05; A &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; C: p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). Moreover, homocysteine was significantly negatively (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) related to vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate, and significantly positively (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) correlated to ADMA. The significant correlation between homocysteine and ADMA observed in this study may be an important mechanism decreasing NO bioavailability and so causing endothelial dysfunction. Due to the significant relation of vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate to plasma homocysteine, these vitamins may thus indirectly influence endothelial function and cardiovascular risk in elderly people.
Purpose: Allergic asthma is a chronic lung disease with a major inflammatory component including ... more Purpose: Allergic asthma is a chronic lung disease with a major inflammatory component including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the background. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Th17–associated interleukins IL–6 and IL–10, and oxidative/nitrosative markers of stress in childhood atopic asthma. Methods: For this observational study 35 asthmatic (AG) and 21 healthy (CG) children were recruited; the volume of fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (Fe no ) was measured with the NIOX nitric oxide monitoring system. Plasma levels of IL–6 and IL–10 were analysed with ELISA, malondialdehyde (MDA) with HPLC. Results: Compared to healthy controls, asthmatics exhaled a significantly (p<0.001) higher mean volume of Fe no and had significantly (p=0.012) Izvlecek Namen: Alergicna astma je kronicna pljucna bolezen s pomembno vnetno komponento, vkljucno z reaktivnimi spojinami kisika in dusika. Namen raziskave je bil raziskati odnos s Th17 povezanim...
International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernährungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition, 1998
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral beta-carotene supplementation for the... more The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral beta-carotene supplementation for the correction of an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in cystic fibrosis (CF). We studied 24-patients with cystic fibrosis and 14 healthy controls. 13 CF-patients were allocated to a CF-supplementation group, which received 1 mg beta-carotene/kg BW/d up to a body weight (BW) of 50 kg, patients with a BW greater 50 kg received 50 mg beta-carotene/d for 12 weeks. For the following 12 weeks all patients of the CF-supplementation group were treated with 10 mg beta-carotene/d. Placebos with starch were applied to 11 CF-patients. Baseline plasma beta-carotene concentrations of CF patients (mean +/- SD, 0.08 +/- 0.04 mumol/l) were significantly lower than those of age-matched controls (o.3 +/- 0.1 mumol/l) (p < 0.001). beta-carotene concentrations of the CF-supplementation group increased rapidly and reached a value of 0.6 mumol/l after 12 weeks of supplementation. Normal values were measured for ...
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-year old in 9 European countries : (The Pro Children S... more Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-year old in 9 European countries : (The Pro Children Study)
SummaryThe first results of the Women's Health Initiative dietary intervention trial were pub... more SummaryThe first results of the Women's Health Initiative dietary intervention trial were published in the USA in February. This is a colossal intervention designed to see if diets lower in fat and higher in fruits, vegetables and grains than is usual in high-income countries reduce the incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases, in women aged 50–79 years. As interpreted by US government media releases, the results were unimpressive. As interpreted by a global media blitz, the results indicate that food and nutrition has little or nothing to do with health and disease. But the trial was in key respects not reaching its aims, was methodologically controversial, and in any case has not produced the reported null results. What should the public health nutrition profession do about such messes?
Evidence on what people eat globally is limited in scope and rigour, especially as it relates to ... more Evidence on what people eat globally is limited in scope and rigour, especially as it relates to children and adolescents. This impairs target setting and investment in evidence-based actions to support healthy sustainable diets. Here we quantified global, regional and national dietary patterns among children and adults, by age group, sex, education and urbanicity, across 185 countries between 1990 and 2018, on the basis of data from the Global Dietary Database project. Our primary measure was the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, a validated score of diet quality; Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and Mediterranean Diet Score patterns were secondarily assessed. Dietary quality is generally modest worldwide. In 2018, the mean global Alternative Healthy Eating Index score was 40.3, ranging from 0 (least healthy) to 100 (most healthy), with regional means ranging from 30.3 in Latin America and the Caribbean to 45.7 in South Asia. Scores among children versus adults were generall...
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2007
Various researchers have confirmed the view that forest and wood lands, among other natural bound... more Various researchers have confirmed the view that forest and wood lands, among other natural boundaries in West Africa supply a massive amount of protein and carbohydrates to the citizens; however industrialization and urbanization has threaten many of the food species from these ecosystems. For instance Itugha known to be highly prized and delicious indigenous food is getting extinct and the possibility of it’s origin and composition being lost in antiquity is high, more so data on nutrient composition of processed lrvingia products is limited. Samples of Itugha were prepared as it is obtained in the local setting. These and fresh seeds from the same source of fruits were subjected to proximate analysis and amino acid profile determination. The synergistic effect of pounding and fermentation (two rural processing methods) on proximate composition and amino acid profile of Irvingia gabonensis seeds were evaluated. Proximate analysis differed significantly (p > 0.05) between the p...
Background: Deficiency of vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory micronutrient with some favorable effec... more Background: Deficiency of vitamin D, an anti-inflammatory micronutrient with some favorable effects on lipid profiles, has been found to be highly prevalent in adolescents. We aimed to investigate the effect of a school-based vitamin D supplementation regimen on the correction of vitamin D deficiency as well as lipid and inflammatory profiles of healthy adolescent boys. Methods: In this randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial, seventy-one healthy adolescent boys (age 17 years old) were recruited from one high school in Tehran, Iran, and randomly assigned to two groups. The supplement group received vitamin D pearls at a dose of 50,000 IU monthly for 6 months, this dose is indeed defined by the Ministry of Health in Iran for a potential national school-based vitamin D supplementation program. The other group was given placebo pearls for the same duration. Before and after the treatment, the serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), retinol, ...
Appropriate hydration is essential for health and well-being. In Europe, water consumption patter... more Appropriate hydration is essential for health and well-being. In Europe, water consumption patterns vary despite the unlimited availability of this resource. Water constitutes the largest proportion of total fluid intake in most countries. According to the 2008 European Food Safety Authority's Concise Food Consumption Database, tap water consumption was highest in the northern European countries and in Austria. While Germany had a particularly low intake of tap water, it led in consumption of fruit and vegetable juices, soft drinks, and especially bottled water. European nutrition surveys generally report an average fluid intake within the recommended range of 1500-2000 mL/day, with higher intake levels corresponding with increasing frequency of intake. However, some population groups consume less than others, e.g., the elderly who are at higher risk for dehydration due to age-related increased urinary fluid losses. In turn, physical activity is associated with higher beverage c...
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