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29.02.2008: European flavour regulation inconsitent
Strawbery foods and drinks with no or little strawbery [1]
The Food Magazine pictures and describes 24 products from outstanding brands which appear to contain strawberries, but get their flavour from cheap flavourings, with no or little fruit in it. The magazine calls the consumer to read the small print. See the Faking the Flavour article and the pictures of the commented foods at: http://www.foodcomm.org.uk/latest_flavourings_Feb08.htm
The Food Commission says that flavourings are used to improve the appeal of low-nutrient or high fat, sugar, salt foods, replacing genuine, nutritious ingredients, having a negative impact on health. It is well documented that the whole fruit with its vitamins, antioxidants and bioflavonoids make food healthy. The flavourings simulate healthy ingredients which are not present or their content is kept at a minimum.
The Food Commission comment on EU flavour regulation and their loopholes [2]
The Food Commission stresses that describing a product containing little or no real fruit at all as strawberry flavour and plastering the packet with pictures of strawberries is misleading and deceptive. Unfortunately, this is legal and the practice is widespread. The European directive 1999/217 and their amendments regulating flavours and labelling needs therefore urgently to be revised.
According to the group the repeated exposure to flavourings may negatively affect consumers reaction to the taste of fresh, unprocessed foods.
The Food Commission says also that flavourings should be identified on labels to protect consumer with associated health problems.
[1] The Food Magazine: Faking the flavour. Issue 80, 25th February 2008
http://www.foodcomm.org.uk/latest_flavourings_Feb08.htm
[2] The Food Commission: Faking the flavour 25.02.2008
http://www.foodcomm.org.uk/
29.02.2008: Vegetables but not fruits protect against type 2 diabetes [1]
Raquel Villegas and colleagues 2008 examined associations between fruits and vegetables intake and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. They found that vegetables in general and as individual groups were inversely associated with type 2 diabetes. Fruit intake did not reduce the risk of diabetes.
In this study consumption of about 430 grams vegetables per day, was associated with a 28per cent lower risk of diabetes compared with low consumption of about 129 grams per day.
The authors suggest that the hight content in fibre, antioxidants, magnesium and a low glycemic index in vegetables were responsible for the decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, but could not entirely explain it, other compounds such as phytates, lignans, isoflavones, vitamin E and C, but not beta-carotene might have an additive or synergetic effect.
The authors concluded that vegetables, but not fruit consumption may protect against the development of type 2 diabetes.
[1] Villegas, Raquel; Shu, Xiao Ou; Gao, Yu-Tang; Yang, Gong; Elasy, Tom; Li, Honglan; Zheng, Wei: Vegetable but not fruit consumption reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese women. Journal of Nutrition. Volume 138, Pages 574-580 March 2008
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/3/574
28.02.2008: The Singapore Chinese Health Study and black tea [1]
Woon-Puay Koh and colleagues 2007 write that according to data from the 1993–2005 Singapore Chinese Health Study smoking as well as total caffeine intake were inversely related to Parkinson's disease risk.
Black tea showed an inverse association with Parkinson's disease risk that was not confounded by total caffeine intake or tobacco smoking, which on their own also reduced the risk of the disease. Ingredients of black tea other than caffeine appear to be responsible for the beverage's inverse association with Parkinson's disease. Diet and green tea drinking was unrelated to Parkinson's disease risk.
Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, black tea only 3 to 10 per cent. Oolong tea is semi-fermented tea and is somewhere between green and black tea. Ann Walker from the Tea Advisory Panel explains the positive effect of black tea with the fact that when brewing black tea the catechins undergo oxidation resulting in the generation of more complex varieties, called thearubigins and theaflavins.[2]
[1] Tan, Louis C.; Koh, Woon-Puay; Yuan, Jian-Min; Wang, Renwei; Au, Wing-Lok; Tan, June H.; Tan, Eng-King; Yu, Mimi C.: Differential Effects of Black versus Green Tea on Risk of Parkinson's Disease in the Singapore Chinese Health Study. American Journal of Epidemiology Published online ahead of print 20 December 2007, doi: doi:10.1093/aje/kwm338
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/kwm338v1
[2] Nutraingredients: Black tea may slash Parkinson's disease risk. 22.02.2008
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=83458-black-tea-catechins-parkinson-s
27.02.2008: Dairy trans fatty acids should be included in labelling or nutrient profiling for claims says EDA [1]
During a conference of the European Dairy Association (EDA) on 12th February 2008 in Brussels the speakers concluded that there is no scientific evidence on negative health effects from TFA of natural origin found in dairy and ruminant meat. EDA therefore stated that dairy TFA should not be taken into consideration for labelling or nutrient profiling for claims. The association stresses that consumption of dairy products should rather be promoted for their significant contribution to the nutrient supply such as high quality protein and several key minerals and vitamins.
EDA underlines in a position paper that science indicates that:
- There are compositional and physiological differences between ruminant TFA and industrially produced TFA from vegetable origin.
- Scientific literature showing negative health implications of TFA is based on data dealing with industrially produced TFA.
- Data looking into the health effects of ruminant TFA have not shown any negative effects.
- Intake of ruminant TFA from dairy products has no significant nutritional relevance in relation to contribution to total energy intake and overall dietary consumption.
- Ruminant TFA are different from industrially produced TFA.
- Care should be taken to deliver the right message to the consumer.
- Dairy TFA should not be considered for nutrient profiling or labelling.
- Dairy fits into a healthy diet. [2]
[1] European Dairy Association (EDA) : The Dairy Telegraph: EDA policy conference on trans fatty acids.
22.02.2008
http://www.euromilk.org/upload/docs/EDA/Dt%20237_en.pdf
[2] European Dairy Association (EDA) Position on dairy trans fatty acids. 13.02.2008
http://www.euromilk.org/upload/docs/EDA/4.%20EDA%20position%20paper%20on%20dairy%20trans%20fatty%20acids.pdf
27.02.2008: Fire-mediated dieback of the Amazonian forest [1]
The Amazon forest is menaced by biofuel and food industry. Man made and wild fires change the vegetation of the region preparing large areas for agriculture and cattle breeding.
Barlow and Peres write that a land-atmosphere global climate model predicts a widespread dieback of Amazonian forest cover through reduced precipitation. According to the authors, these predictions are controversial, however, structural and compositional resilience of Amazonian forests may also have been overestimated, as current vegetation models fail to consider the potential role of fire in the degradation of forest ecosystems.
In a vegetation survey of the region of the Arapiuns River basin in the central Brazilian Amazon the authors evaluated the consequences of recurrent fires. Barlow and peres concluded that episodic wildfires can lead to drastic changes in forest structure and composition, with cascading shifts in forest composition following each additional fire event. The authors used also the results of their survey to evaluate the validity of the savannization paradigm.
[1] Barlow J, Peres CA. Fire-mediated dieback and compositional cascade in an Amazonian forest.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2008 Feb 11 [Epub ahead of print] Pubmed
27.02.2008: Xylitol reduces browning and degradation of preservative in beverages [1]
Carmen Campos and colleagues 2008 studying the interaction between aspartame, glucose and xylitol in aqueous model systems of pH 3.00 and containing potassium sorbate found that 0.050 to 0.500 per cent aspartame reduced the degradation of potassium sorbate from of system. Xylitol was used as humectant to minimized aspartame degradation and non-enzymatic browning development.
According to Campos the preservative potassium sorbate suffers an oxidative degradation in aqueous solutions and brown pigments develop, affecting the microbial stability and the sensory quality of the food.
The authors stress that the presence of aspartame, xylitol or glucose and their mixtures produced a synergistic effect on sweetness intensity.
The authors concluded that xylitol and the use of more than one sweetener would enhance sweetness of the product and minimize degradation of potassium sorbate and reduce browning development.
[1] Gliemmo, M.F.; Calvino, A.M.; Tamasi, O.; Gerschenson, L.N.; Campos, C.A.: Interactions between aspartame, glucose and xylitol in aqueous systems containing potassium sorbate. LWT - Food Science and Technology (Elsevier). Volume 41, Issue 4, Pages 611-619, doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2007.05.004 ScienceDirect
26.02.2008: Increased intake of calcium and vitamin D from non-fat dairy reduces the risk of high blood pressure [1]
Lu Wang and colleagues investigated the associations of intake of dairy products, calcium, and vitamin D with the incidence of hypertension trend. The risk of hypertension decreased with high dietary calcium intake, but did not change with calcium or vitamin D supplements, or with high-fat dairy products for which the saturated fats in high-fat dairy products may my be responsible for. High calcium intake facilitates weight loss and enhances insulin sensitivity, which also contribute to blood pressure reduction.
The study concluded that intakes of low-fat dairy products, calcium, and vitamin D reduced the risk of hypertension in middle-aged and older women, suggesting their potential roles in the primary prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular complications.
The study supports the 2005 Dietary Guideline from the US Department of Agriculture recommending the intake of milk and milk products to three servings per day and stresses the importance of low-fat dairy products.
[1] Wang, Lu; Manson, JoAnn E.; Buring, Julie E.; Lee, I-M; Sesso, Howard D.: Dietary Intake of Dairy Products, Calcium, and Vitamin D and the Risk of Hypertension in Middle-Aged and Older Women. Hypertension. Volume 51, Pages 1-7, doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.107821
http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.107821v1
26.02.2008: Biofuels rise food prices, do more harm to the climate than good and it may harm engines
European plans to provide 20 per cent of EU energy from renewable sources - which are contained in a leaked draft of the EU renewable energy directive [1] - have been warmly welcomed by Friends of the Earth. But, the environmental campaign group warned that plans for a huge increase in agro-fuels (biofuels) seriously undermine the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the world's poor.
A leak of the draft directive says that 20 per cent of EU energy must come from renewable sources by 2020. And, as part of this strategy, all transport fuels must contain at least 10 per cent agro-fuels by 2020. Friends of the Earth criticises:
- Failure to address the impact of agro-fuels on the environment and food security.
- Not sufficiently addressing the knock-on effects of pushing up food prices.
- Not preventing agro-fuel production from pushing other farming activities (e.g. cattle ranching or other crops) into rainforests or other important eco-systems.
- Providing no criteria to protect people in developing countries from the negative impacts of agro-fuel production.
- Ignoring important eco-systems such as wildlife-rich savannahs, which are threatened (for example, the Brazilian Cerrado).
- Preventing EU member states from introducing stronger criteria for more robust bio-fuel production measures at a national level. [2]
A growing number of academics, institutions and non-government organisations are calling for the EU to drop its 10 per cent target for biofuels. There are major concerns that biofuels may do more harm to the climate than good. Recent studies have shown that the carbon savings from biofuels are often negligible and that the expansion of biofuel production is leading to rainforest destruction, rising food prices and human rights violations. [3]
According to Mike Childs from friends of the Earth the EU must listen to the growing warnings about this largely unsustainable fuel-source and scrap its damaging agro-fuels plans. Instead it should focus on forcing motor companies to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, and strategies to encourage people out of their cars. [4]
In Germany a 10 percent addition of alcohol may damage the engine of cars which are not built for this kind of petrol.
[1] Draft of the EU renewable energy directive.
http://www.foeeurope.org/agrofuels/documents/Draft_RE_Directive.pdf
[2] Friends of the earth: European renewable revolution undermined by agro-fuels folly
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/european_renewable_revolut_07122007.html
[3] Friends of the Earth: Review of biofuel welcome, but RTFO must be put on hold. Press Release 21.02.2008.
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/review_of_biofuels_welcome_22022008.html
[4] Friends of the Earth: European renewable revolution undermined by agro-fuels folly. Press release. 07 December 2007.
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/european_renewable_revolut_07122007.html
26.02.2008: Salt Reduction and Hypertension
He and Mac Gregor 2004 assessed the effect of the modest reduction in salt intake recommended by WHO 2003, SACN 2003 and Whelton 2002, and looked at the magnitude of the reduction in blood pressure in relation to the magnitude of the reduction in salt intake.
The authors concluded that a modest and long-term reduction in population salt intake could reduce strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure, and there is a correlation between the magnitude of salt reduction and the magnitude of blood pressure reduction. They suggest a daily intake range of 3 to 12 g/day [1]
Heikki Karppanen and Eero Mervaala in 2006 wrote that the level of sodium is very high, whereas that of potassium, calcium, and magnesium is low compared with the level in diets composed of unprocessed, resulting in hypertension. The authors stress that reduction of salt intake, both alone and particularly in combination with increases in intakes of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, is able to lower average blood pressure levels substantially [2]
He, Marrero and MacGregor in a study in 2007 note that an increase of 1 g/day in salt intake was related to an increase of 0.4 mm Hg in systolic and 0.6 mm Hg in pulse pressure. Their study provides further support for a reduction in salt intake in children and adolescents. [3]
Alderman commenting the study of He and colleagues 2007 point to the fact that measures of discretionary sodium use did not correlate with blood pressure, supporting the Cochrane Collaboration conclusion that there was not sufficient evidence for a general dietary recommendation to reduce sodium intake.
Alderman writes that the findings in adults are probably true for youngsters as well. However, lowering sodium intake increases sympathetic nerve activity, reduces insulin sensitivity, increases the activity of the renin–angiotensin system, and increases aldosterone secretion.
The author of the comment asks the question if these or other changes occur in children and call for solid knowledge based on evidence of benefit and risk preceding any clinical or public health intervention. The outcomes of such interventions should be tested in clinical trials to avoid doing harm. [4]
He, Marrero and MacGregor reviewed the evidence that relates salt intake to blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. They concluded that reducing salt from the current intake of 10-12 g/day to the recommended level of 5-6 g/day will have a major effect on blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality. [5]
[1] He FJ, MacGregor GA. Effect of longer-term modest salt reduction on blood pressure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004937. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004937.
http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD004937/frame.html
[2] Karppanen, Heikki; Mervaala, Eero: Sodium Intake and Hypertension.Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. Volume 49, Issue 2, September-October 2006. Pages 59-75. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2006.07.001 SienceDirect
[3] He, F.J.; Marrero, N.M.; MacGregor, G.A.: Salt and blood pressure in children and adolescents
.Journal of Human Hypertension (2008) 22, 4–11; doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002268; published online 6 September 2007
http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v22/n1/full/1002268a.html
[4] Alderman, H.M.: Salt and blood pressure in children. Commentary. Journal of Human Hypertension (2008) 22, 1–3; doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002269; published online 6 September 2007
http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v22/n1/full/1002269a.html
[5] He, F.J.; Marrero, N.M.; MacGregor, G.A.: Salt intake is related to soft drink consumption in children and adolescents: a link to obesity? Hypertension. 2008 Mar; 51(3):629-34
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18287345?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.
PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
24.02.2008: Phytoestrogens protect against lung cancer [1]
Margaret R. Spitz and colleagues assessed the role of phytoestrogens and reduction of risk of lung cancer. They found that total phytosterols, isoflavones, lignans, and phytoestrogens were each associated with reductions in risk of lung cancer ranging from 21% for phytosterols; to 46% for total phytoestrogens from food sources onlyfor men abut only total phytoestrogens from food sources were effective against lung cancer in women. There were also significant joint effects found between hormone therapy use and phytoestrogen intake, such as the lignans enterolactone and enterodiol in women.
The authors concluded that their data provide further support for the limited but growing epidemiologic evidence that phytoestrogens are associated with a decrease in risk of lung cancer, however, more studies on this subject are needed.
[1] Schabath,Matthew, B.; Hernandez, Ladia M.; Wu, Xifeng; Pillow, Patricia C.; Spitz, Margaret R.: Dietary Phytoestrogens and Lung Cancer Risk. JAMA.2005;294:No. 12, September 28, 2005. 1493-1504.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/12/1493
24.02.2008: Plant sterols contributed over one third of the LDL- cholesterol reduction [1]
High LDL-cholesterol levels are strongly associated to cardiovascular diseases. According to the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) the LDL-lowering effect of plant sterols/stanols esters, from soybean and tall pine-tree oils at
dosages of 2–3 g/day lower LDL-C levels by 6–15 percent with little or no change in HDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Whereas 2 g/day are recently considered as having maximal LDL lowering effect. Stanols are obtained hydrogenating plant sterols. The efficacy of both are similar. Because lipids are needed to solubilize stanol/sterol esters, they are usually available in commercial margarines. [2]
According to a study leaded by David Jenkins the ATP III guidelines advocate effective combinations of cholesterol-lowering dietary components, resulting in large reductions in serum cholesterol . The authors assessed the contribution of the individual components of these diets. Plant sterols were selected because at 2 g/d, they have been reported to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 9% to 14%.
The researchers found that plant sterols contributed over one third of the LDL-C reduction seen with the dietary portfolio after 1 year of following dietary advice.
[1] Jenkins, D.J.A; Kendall, C.W.C.; Nguyen, T.H.; Marchie, A.; Faulkner, D.A.; Ireland, C.; Josse, A.R.; Vidgen, E.; Trautwein, E.A.; Lapsley, K.G.; Holmes, C.; Josse, R.G.; Leiter, L.A.; Connelly, P.W.; Singer, W.: Effect of plant sterols in combination with other cholesterol-lowering foods. Metabolism (Elsevier) January 2008, Volume 57, Issue 1, Pages 130-139 PUBMED
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18078870?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
[2] National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III Final Report)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/atp3full.pdf
23.02.2008: Probiotics to phase out antibiotics in poultry breeding [1]
Antibiotics in poultry feed reduces Salmonella contamination and acts as a growth enhancer.
Billy Hargis, director of the Poultry Health Research Laboratory at the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture develops probiotic bacteria to be added to feed or water to reduce Salmonella in either meat-type chicken houses or turkey houses before being transported to the processing plant and reduce the risk of cross contamination.
The researchers are focused on Bacillus, a defined aerobic lactic acid bacterial culture which develops spores resistant to heat treatment of feed during pelleting. These probiotics may phase out the use of antibiotics in feed for poultry. However, the researcher notes that the lack of antibiotics means producers will have to give more feed to the birds to get the raise the same amount of meat.
According to Hargis the price of grain is already going up to meet demand for biofuels, so the price of meats produced from small grains will also rise. With rising prices of grain due to high demand for biofuel it will be hard to phase out antibiotics in commercial poultry breeding.
[1] The Food Safety Consortium NewsletterProbiotics: Live Organisms as Feed Supplements to Fight Salmonella. Vol. 18, No. 1 Winter 2008
http://www.uark.edu/depts/fsc/news.current.htm
23.02.2008: The Belgian E.coli outbreak report [1]
Eurosurveillance published a case occurred in October 2007, related to an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O145 and E. coli O26 in ice cream in the province of Antwerp (Belgium). Five children, aged between two and 11 years, developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).
According to Eurosurveillance three VTEC O145 and one VTEC O26 infections were laboratory confirmed in three children. The infection was traced back ice cream leftovers, detected with PCR and PFGE in faecal samples taken from calves, and in samples of soiled straw from the farm at which the ice cream was produced. Contamination took place after the pasteurisation process.
Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC), including E. coli O157:H7, O26, O145 and other E. coli serotypes, are important causes of gastrointestinal illness and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in young children. This syndrome is characterised by haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure, a complication occurring in 5-14% of VTEC infections [2] [3]. HUS is a potential life-threatening disease and can induce hypertension, proteinuria and chronic renal failure in 5% of affected patients. The age group primarily affected are children under five years.
The Eurosurveillance authors stress that the incidence of VTEC in Belgium is probably underestimated, as most of the country’s clinical laboratories do not test for these micro-organisms in routine gastroenteritis samples. They point to the need to consider zoonotic transmission and to highlight the prevention measures in facilities where there is easy contact with farm animals and their environment. Moreover, in our case the presence of VTEC in cattle at the farm and the shared activities of food-handling are problematic, as these pathogens can survive for months on surfaces, cross-contamination is a significant risk and there is the need to reinforce hygienic measures for food-handlers working at farms where food products are prepared.
[1] K De Schrijver, Buvens, G.; Possé, B.; Van den Branden, D.; Oosterlynck, C.; De Zutter, L.; Eilers, K.; Piérard, D.; Dierick, K.; Van Damme-Lombaerts, R.; Lauwers, C.; Jacobs R.: Eurosurveillance: Outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli O145 and O26 infections associated with the consumption of ice cream produced at a farm, Belgium, 2007. Euro Surveill 2008;13(7).
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/edition/v13n07/080214_5.asp
[2] Tarr PI, Gordon CA, Chandler WL.: Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Lancet. 19 March 2005;365(9464):1073-86.
[3] Boyce TG, Swerdlow DL, Griffin PM.: Escherichia coli O157:H7 and the haemolytic-uremic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1995:333(6):364-8.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/333/6/364
23.02.2008: China increases blue-ear vaccine production
According to Jia Youling, China's chief veterinary officer blue-ear pig disease also known as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. has been brought under "preliminary control" through vaccinations and mass culls of infected pigs. In 2007 the disease had infected 257,000 pigs in 26 Chinese provinces, of which 68,000 died and 175,000 were destroyed.
The highly pathogenic disease can be fatal for pigs, but the vaccinated pigs will no longer be infected by the disease. [1]
The Harbin Veterinary Research Institute has recently donated blue-ear disease vaccines for 800,000 pigs to five snow-hit provinces. The Institute increased its production of the vaccine in a bid to prevent the potential outbreak after the recent blizzard since spring is the season of a high occurrence in the blue-ear disease .
Blue-ear disease was first discovered in the United States in 1987 and spread to China in mid 1990s.
China first spotted a more virulent form of the pig disease in the summer of 2006 and identified it as a mutated highly pathogenic strain in January of 2007. [2]
[1] www.chinaview.cn: China brings blue-ear pig disease under "preliminary control" 2007-08-20 20:17:58
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/20/content_6571588.htm
[2]www.chinaview.cn: Blue-ear disease vaccines sent to 5 snow-stricken provinces. 2008-02-23 14:38:20
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/23/content_7652514.htm
22.02.2007: Confirmation of oyster parasite in UK north Kent [1]
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued a notice confirming the presence of the parasite Bonamia ostreae in a bed of native oysters from Whitstable Bay.
The area subject to movement controls has been selected to ensure maximum protection against further spread of the disease. Bonamia ostreae causes the serious disease Bonamiosis in native oyster stocks, but does not have any clinical effect on any other species of shellfish. Cefas will be monitoring the extent and effect of the disease in the controlled area.
It is not expected that the controls will interfere with current commercial activity. Bonamiosis has no implications for human health, and native oysters from this area can still be eaten.
The Notice, issued under Regulation 14 of the Fish Health Regulations 1997 (as amended), restricts the movement of any live molluscan shellfish out of the specified area, for the purposes of relaying or re-immersion in the aquatic environment, without the prior written consent of Defra.
Bonamia ostreae is a protistan parasite (2-3µm) infecting the blood cells of the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis). The bonamiasis disesas is considered as a haemocytic parasitosis developing in older oysters. The transmission of the parasite can occur between cohabiting oysters.
The parasite is present at the coasts of the USA, continental Europe and the Irish and English coastlines. Once Bonamia gets into an area it is not possible to eradicate the disease. However, stocks Irish oysters seem to have developed a degree of resistance to the disease. [2]
[1] Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Confirmation of oyster parasite in north Kent. 15 February 2008
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080215b.htm
[2] BOLCI - Bonamia ostreae life cycle investigations:The Latest Research on the Flat Oyster Disease Bonamia ostreae
http://www.bonamia.com/
22.02.2007: New findings on the toxicological role of arsenic
Arsenic increases risk of prostate cancer [1]
Waalkes and Benbrahim-Tallaa evaluated the etiologic role of inorganic arsenic in human prostate cancer. They found indications that arsenic can induce malignant transformation of human prostate epithelial cells in vitro and impacts prostate cancer cell progression by precipitating events leading to androgen independence in vitro.
The authors concluded that in vitro evidences indicate that the prostate is a target for inorganic arsenic carcinogenesis and stress the importance of the role of environmental arsenic in human prostate cancer.
A novel biomarker detection of Nonmalignant Respiratory Effects induced by chronic arsenic exposure [2]
Arsenic from drinking water has been associated with malignant and nonmalignant respiratory illnesses. Habibul Ahsan and colleagues 2007 examined the relationship of the serum level of Clara cell protein CC16-a novel biomarker for respiratory illnesses-with well Arsenic, total urinary arsenic, and urinary arsenic methylation indices.
The authors observed an inverse association between urinary As and serum CC16 among persons with skin lesions, a positive association between secondary methylation index in urinary As and CC16 levels.
The authors suggest the use of serum CC16 as a biomarker of epithelial lung damage in individuals with arsenic skin lesions. They also stress that the deleterious respiratory effects of As exposure occur at concentrations lower than reported in earlier studies.
Low levels of arsenic may act protetive against skin cancer [3]
Rikke Baastup and colleagues investigated the carcinogenic effects of low doses of arsenic in drinking water in Denmark.
No association was found between exposure to low levels of arsenic and risk for cancers of the lung, bladder, liver, kidney, prostate or colorectum, or melanoma skin cancer.
A reduced risk for non-melanoma skin cancer associated with the exposure to low levels of arsenic was found. The authors stress that these results suggest that arsenic may have a protective effect at low concentrations, however, more studies are needed to confirm the toxicities and/or protective effects of arsenic at low concentrations.
[1] Benbrahim-Tallaa, Lamia; Waalkes Michael P.: Inorganic Arsenic and Human Prostate Cancer. Environ Health Perspect 116: 158–164 (2008) . doi:10.1289/ehp.10423
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/10423/abstract.html
[2] Parvez, Faruque Chen, Yu ; Brandt-Rauf, Paul W.; Bernard, Alfred; Dumont, Xavier; Slavkovich, Vesna; Argos, Maria; ne D’Armiento, Jeani; Foronjy, Robert; Hasan, M. Rashidul; Eunus, HEM Mahbubul; Graziano, Joseph H.; Ahsan, Habibul: Nonmalignant Respiratory Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water among Never-Smokers in Bangladesh. Environ Health Perspect 116:190–195 (2008) . doi:10.1289/ehp.9507
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/9507/abstract.html
[3] Baastrup, Rikke; Sorensen, Mette; Balstrom, Thomas; Frederiksen, Kirsten; Larsen, Carsten Langtofte; Tjonneland, Anne Overvad, Kim; Raaschou-Nielsen, Ole: Arsenic in Drinking-Water and Risk for Cancer in Denmark. Environ Health Perspect 116:231–237 (2008) . doi:10.1289/ehp.10623
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/10623/abstract.html
22.02.2008 Frequency of meals
A single large daily meal is associated with elevated fasting glucose levels and delayed insulin response [1]
Marc P. Mattson and colleagues 2007 evaluated the influence of reduced meal frequency without a reduction in energy intake on glucose metabolism in normal-weight, healthy male and female subjects.
The authors found that consuming 1 meal per day elevates morning fasting plasma glucose levels, is associated with greater and more sustained elevations of plasma glucose concentrations, delayed insulin response in the oral glucose tolerance test, and elevated ghrelin levels compared with 3 meals per day. The impaired glucose tolerance was reversible.
Reduction of meal frequency may increase cardiovascular risks [2]
Researchers found that some rodent and monkey had an extend lifespan when meal frequency was reduced. Mark P. Mattson and colleagues 2007 in a follow article report the outcomes on humans of such a meal reduction frequency.
They found that normal-weight subjects are able to comply with a 1 meal/d diet with no significant effects on heart rate, body temperature, or most of the blood variables measured. However, hunger was significantly increased, blood pressure and in total, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations increased, and cortisol significant decreased.
They concluded that Normal-weight subjects are able to comply with a 1 meal/day diet. However, of concern were some cardiovascular disease risk factors, and hematologic variables.
[1] Carlson, Olga; Martin, Bronwen; Stote, Kim S.; Golden, Erin; Maudsley, Stuart; Najjar, Samer S.; Ferrucci, Luigi; Ingram,Donald K.; Longo,Dan L.; Rumpler William V.; Baerc, David J.; Egana, Josephine; Mattson, Marc B.: Impact of reduced meal frequency without caloric restriction on glucose regulation in healthy, normal-weight middle-aged men and women. Metabolism, Volume 56, Issue 12, Pages 1729-1734
http://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(07)00280-6/abstract
[2] Kim S Stote, David J Baer, Karen Spears, David R Paul, G Keith Harris, William V Rumpler, Pilar Strycula, Samer S Najjar, Luigi Ferrucci, Donald K Ingram, Dan L Longo and Mark P Mattson: A controlled trial of reduced meal frequency without caloric restriction in healthy, normal-weight, middle-aged adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 4, 981-988, April 2007
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/85/4/981
22.02.2008: Scotch salmon recall [1]
The seafood supplier Marine Harvest [2] recalls an enormous quantity of salmon products tainted with what is thought to be dieselan could come from a well boat used for transportation. Consumer say the salmon has an unpleasant "white spirit" taste.
The FSA says that based on the information received by the Agency, the chemicals implicated in the problem are present at low levels which are very unlikely to be a risk to health. The retailers implicated are Costco Wholesale UK Ltd and Tesco .
Scotland is the world's third-biggest salmon producer behind Norway and Chile. According to the Food Standards Agency the contamination is very unlikely a risk to human health, but advises consumers not to eat the products. The Agency says that it appears to be a quality rather than a safety matter. The alert does not affect organic salmon.
[1] FSA: Second update on an incident involving Scottish salmon (excluding organic salmon) due to potential risk of taint 19 February 2008.http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/alerts/2008/feb/salmonupdate2
[2] Marine Harvest
http://www.marineharvest.com/newsread/news.asp?N=5110
22.02.2008: Overweight increases risk of cancer [1]
Andrew G. Renehan and colleagues 2008 assess the strength of associations between BMI and different sites of cancer and associations between sex and ethnic groups.
The authors found a strong associations between a 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI and endometrial, gallbladder, oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and renal cancer, but a weaker association between BMI and postmenopausal breast, pancreatic, thyroid, and colon cancers in women.
In man the positive associations between increased BMI and rectal cancer and malignant melanoma in men was weak.
The association between BMI and leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in both sexes was weak.
The authors concluded that increased BMI is associated with increased risk of malignancies, and differs between sexes. The risk of premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer is increased in the Asia–Pacific population.
[1] Renehan,Andrew G.; Tyson, Margaret; Egger, Matthias; Heller, Richard F.; Zwahlen,Marcel: Body-mass index and incidence of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. The Lancet 2008; 371:569-578 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60269-X
http://www.rssl.com/OurServices/FoodENews/NewsLetter.aspx?ENewsletterID=247#9
21.2.2008: Stabilization and Preservation of Lactobacillus acidophilus [1]
Conrad and colleagues 2000 developed an alfa, alfa-trehalose -borate system to protect Lactobacillus acidophilus during freeze- and vacuum-drying.
The authors stress that the presence of borate can dramatically enhance the protective ability of trehalose and greatly improves the recovery of freeze-dried or vacuum-dried viable cells after storage at 37° C and room temperatures respectively. The authors report that a buffering strategy was tested to counteract the high pH resulting from the addition of borate to the mixture. Use of citric or lactic acids in combination with ammonium hydroxide in this strategy enhanced cell survival.
The authors point to possibility to protect more labile species during dehydration.
[1] Conrad, Paul B.; Miller, Danforth P.; Cielenski, Peter R; de Pablo, Juan J.: Stabilization and Preservation of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Saccharide Matrices. Cryobiology, Volume 41, Issue 1, August 2000, Pages 17-24. Doi:10.1006/cryo.2000.2260 SienceDirect
21.02.2008: Rapid Concentration and Detection of Enteric Viruses [1]
Butot, Putallaz and Sánchez 2006 developed a method to detect enteric viruses such as hepatitis A virus (HAV), norovirus (NV) and rotavirus (RV) from berries, vegetables and frozen products.
The viruses were extracted from the food surface by a direct elution method in a glycine-Tris (pH 9.5) buffer containing 1% beef extract and concentrated by ultrafiltration. PCR inhibitors were eliminated with pectinase treatment.The concentration method was combined with real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using specific primers.
The authors write that the procedure is suitable to detect and quantify enteric viruses within 6 h and can be applied for surveillance of enteric viruses in fresh and frozen products.
[1] Butot, S.; Putallaz, T.; Sánchez G.: Procedure for Rapid Concentration and Detection of Enteric Viruses from Berries and Vegetables. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2007 73: 186-192. doi:10.1128/AEM.01248-06
http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/1/186
21.02.2008: Bottled water: Attachment of Enteric Viruses to Bottles {1]
Butot and colleagues 2007 developed an internationally accepted virus detection methods for bottled water, facing some doubts concerning its safety due to the reported finding of norovirus sequences in 33% of commercially available water samples sold in Switzerland. [2] However, this could not be confirmed by other studies. A standard method therefore was welcome:
Storage of water that was deliberately contaminated with enteric viruses in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles led to a rapid decrease of the apparent viral load, due to adhesion adsorbed norovirus, and rotavirus on bottle walls. This was also observed with glas bottles.
The virus retention on PET bottle walls after 62 days reached an average level of up to 95% of the recovered inoculum of norovirus, hepatitis Elution of the virus from bottle walls using the described method on 294 commercially available water bottles obtained from 25 different countries did not give any positive result. The authors concluded that the sources used for bottled water are free from enteric viruses and support the theory that bottled water is not a vehicle for viral diseases.
[1] Butot, S.; Putallaz,T.; Croquet, C.; Lamothe, G.; Meyer, R.; Joosten, H.; Sánchez, G.: Attachment of Enteric Viruses to Bottles. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2007 73: 5104-5110
http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/full/73/16/5104
[2] Beuret, C.; Kohler, D.; Baumgartner,A.; Lüthi, T. M.: Norwalk-like virus sequences in mineral waters: one-year monitoring of three brands. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2002. 68:1925-1931.
http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/full/68/4/1925
20.02.2008: Canola hydrolysates as antioxidant and improving meat cooking yield [1]
According to Fereidoon Shahidi and colleagues 2008 canola protein hydrolysates are antioxidants and were found to enhance water-holding capacity and cooking yield in a meat model system.
Commercial enzymes Alkalase and Flavourzyme were used by the authors. Flavourzyme presented the hydrolysates with the best antioxidant results and the best cooking yield of meat compared with combination with Alcalasae, or Alkalase alone.
The authors conclude that canola protein hydrolysates can be useful as functional food ingredients, and stress that their potential application in the food and feed industries depend on the composition of the hydrolysates.
Silver carp hydrolysates with improved solubility and antioxidant properties [2]
Shiyuan Dong studied the antioxidant and biochemical properties of enzymatically hydrolysates silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) using Alkalase and Flavourzyme enzymes.
The hydrolysates presented improved solubility to above 75% over a wide pH range and yellow colour when hydrolysis time was more than 3 hours.
The hydrolysates exhibited significant hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity and inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation. Lower molecular weight hydrolysates possessed stronger Fe2+ chelation ability. The authors concluded that the antioxidant activity of silver carp protein hydrolysates were related to its degree of hydrolysis, hydrolysis time and molecular weight.
[1] Cumby, Nichole; Zhong, Ying; Naczk, Marian; Shahidi, Fereidoon: Antioxidant activity and water-holding capacity of canola protein hydrolysates. Food Chemistry (Elsevier) Volume 109, Issue 1, Pages 144-148. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.12.039 ScienceDirect
[2]Dong, Shiyuan; Zeng, Mingyong : Wang, Dongfeng; Liu, Zunying; Zhao Yuanhui; Yang, Huicheng: Antioxidant and biochemical properties of protein hydrolysates prepared from Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Food Chemistry, Volume 107, Issue 4, 15 April 2008, Pages 1485-1493 doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.10.011 ScienceDirect
19.02.2008: Effect of low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet on radiological features of the breast
The Canadian Diet and Breast Cancer Prevention Study Group Trial [1]
Boyd and colleagues 1997 assessed the effect of low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet on radiologic densities of the breast. Fat is radiolucent and appears dark on mammography, while stromal and epithelial tissue has greater optical density and appears light. Extensive areas of radiologically dense breast tissue seen on mammography are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
In this trial the authors found that a low-fat (21% of calories), high-carbohydrate diet (61%) reduced the area of mammographic density. Control group received a diet of 32% of calories of fat and 50% from carbohydrates. Longer observation of a larger number of subjects will be required to determine whether these effects are associated with changes in risk of breast cancer.
Macronutrient intake and change in mammographic density at menopause [2]
Boyd and colleagues 1999 assessed the reduction in breast density effect of specific macronutrients in women. The authors found that reduction in total or saturated fat intake or cholesterol intake was significantly associated with decreased dense area, whereas reduction in dietary cholesterol intake was the most effective.
The authors suggest that the observation of an effect of diet at menopause on breast density may be an indication that exposures at this time have an enhanced effect on subsequent risk.
Fat and vitamines do not affect mammographic density [3]
Sala and colleagues investigated the effect of food and nutrient intake on mammographic patterns. Mammographic parenchymal patterns are related to breast cancer risk and are also thought to be affected by diet.
The authors found that high intake of total protein and carbohydrate doubled the breast cancer risk. Total meat intake increased high risk patters among post-menopausal women. There was no excess risk for fat intake, and no association between intake of vitamins and mammographic parenchymal patterns was found.
The authors, analysing the results of their study, suggest that certain macronutrients and foods such as protein, carbohydrate and meat intake influence the risk of breast cancer through their effects on breast tissue morphology, whereas fat and vitamins do not affect mammographic density. It seems that parenchymal pattern acts as an informative biomarker of the effect of some macronutrient and foodstuffs intake on breast cancer risk.
Effect of a low-fat, high-carbohydrate dietary intervention on change in mammographic density over menopause [4]
Boyd and colleagues 2008 had previously found that a low-fat dietary intervention for 2 years in women with extensive mammographic density decreased mammographic density to a greater extent than in the control group. Post-hoc analysis indicated that this effect was strongest in women who became postmenopausal during the follow-up period. [1]
A new study to confirm these data included women who were premenopausal at entry and became postmenopausal during follow-up. Total breast and non dense area increased more in the control group compared to the intervention group. However dense area decreased to a similar degree in both groups. Menopause reduced density to a similar extent in the low-fat diet and control groups. If a low-fat diet reduces breast cancer risk, the effect is unlikely to be through changes in mammographic density at menopause.
Other Dietary factors of increased risk of breath cancer
Phyto-oestrogens and breast cancer [5]
David Ingram and colleagues assess the association between phyto-oestrogen intake (as measured by urinary excretion) and the risk of breast cancer. In this study the isoflavonic phyto-oestrogens daidzein, genistein, and equol, and the lignans enterodiol, enterolactone, and matairesinol were controlled.
There is a substantial reduction in breast-cancer risk among women with a high intake (as measured by excretion) of phyto-oestrogens-particularly the isoflavonic phyto-oestrogen equol and the lignan enterolactone. The other phytoestrogens did not reduce the risk significantly. These findings could be important in the prevention of breast cancer.
Lifelong vegetarianism and risk of breast cancer [6]
Isabel dos Santos Silva and colleagues 2002 investigated the role of lifelong vegetarianism on the aetiology of female breast cancer. Their findings suggest that lifelong vegetarianism with high intake of vegetables and pulses may be associated with a reduction in the risk of breast cancer. A lifelong meat abstention may also play a role.
The authors concluded that a diet rich in vegetables and pulses, such as found in South Asian diets, may be protective against breath cancer.
Phyto-oestrogen intake and breast cancer risk in South Asian women in England: findings from a population-based case-control study. [7]
In 2004 Isabel dos Santos Silva and colleagues investigated the phyto-oestrogens association with breast cancer risk in South Asian women from the Indian subcontinent, whose diet is rich in pulses and vegetables but poor in soy foods.
According to their findings high phyto-oestrogen intake may protect against breast cancer, but the authors call for further research in this matter.
Synergistic effect of vegetable components reduce premenopausal breast cancer risk [8]
Freudenheim and colleagues 1996 studied the role of diet, including the intake of non-food supplements, and premenopausal breast cancer risk. According to the authors intake of vitamins C and E and folic acid taken as supplements did not reduce the breast cancer risk.
The authors concluded that intake of vegetables appears to decrease premenopausal breast cancer risk. This effect may be related, in part, to beta-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin in vegetables. n The researchers stress that no single dietary factor explains the effect, and components found together in vegetables may have a synergistic effect on breast cancer risk.
Raw and cooked vegetables, fruits, selected micronutrients, and breast cancer risk: a case-control study in Germany. [9]
Adzersen and colleagues 2003 published a case-control study of breast cancer in Heidelberg, Germany. The report that intake of raw vegetables, total vegetables, and whole-grain products was inversely associated with breast cancer risk. High intake of vitamin C, folate equivalents, b-carotene, zinc, and copper also reduced the risk, however, fruits, cooked vegetables, fibre, calcium, manganese, or iron did not have such effect.
The authors concluded that in this population of German women, components of raw vegetables and some micronutrients appear to decrease breast cancer risk.
[1] Boyd NF, Greenberg C, Lockwood G, Little L, Martin L, Byng J, Yaffe M, Tritchler D.:
Effects at two years of a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet on radiologic features of the breast: results from a randomized trial. Canadian Diet and Breast Cancer Prevention Study Group.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 1997 Apr 2;89(7):488-96.
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/7/488
[2] Knight JA, Martin LJ, Greenberg CV, Lockwood GA, Byng JW, Yaffe MJ, Tritchler DL, Boyd NF.: Macronutrient intake and change in mammographic density at menopause: results from a randomized trial.: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1999 Feb;8(2):123-8.
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/8/2/123
[3] E Sala, R Warren, S Duffy, A Welch, R Luben, N DayHigh risk mammographic parenchymal patterns and diet: a case-control study. Br J Cancer. 2000 Jul;83(1):121-6. doi:10.1054/bjoc.2000.1151
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v83/n1/abs/6691151a.html
[4] Martin LJ, Greenberg CV, Kriukov V, Minkin S, Jenkins DJ, Yaffe M, Hislop G, Boyd NF.:
Effect of a low-fat, high-carbohydrate dietary intervention on change in mammographic density over menopause. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Jan 23 [Epub ahead of print]
http://www.springerlink.com/content/8143908638rr303j/
[5] Ingram D, Sanders K, Kolybaba M, Lopez D: Case-control study of phyto-oestrogens and breast cancer. Lancet. 1997 Oct 4;350(9083):990-4.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673697013391/abstract
[6] Dos Santos Silva I, Mangtani P, McCormack V, Bhakta D, Sevak L, McMichael AJ.: Lifelong vegetarianism and risk of breast cancer: a population-based case-control study among South Asian migrant women living in England. Int J Cancer. 2002 May 10;99(2):238-44
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/91015062/ABSTRACT
[7] dos Santos Silva I, Mangtani P, McCormack V, Bhakta D, McMichael AJ, Sevak L.: Phyto-oestrogen intake and breast cancer risk in South Asian women in England: findings from a population-based case-control study. Cancer Causes Control. 2004 Oct;15(8):805-18. 10.1023/B:CACO.0000043431.85706.d8
http://www.springerlink.com/content/l55j08l3572683j0/
[8] Freudenheim JL, Marshall JR, Vena JE, Laughlin R, Brasure JR, Swanson MK, Nemoto T, Graham S.: Premenopausal breast cancer risk and intake of vegetables, fruits, and related nutrients. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996 Mar 20;88(6):340-8.
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/6/340
[9] Adzersen KH, Jess P, Freivogel KW, Gerhard I, Bastert G.· Raw and cooked vegetables, fruits, selected micronutrients, and breast cancer risk: a case-control study in Germany. Nutr.Cancer. 2003;46(2):131-7. DOI: 10.1207/S15327914NC4602_05
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a785830981~db=all~order=page
18.02.2008: Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not alpha-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes [1]
Wang and colleagues 2006 systematic reviewed the literature of the effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) from fish compared with alpha-linolenic acid on cardiovascular disease outcomes and adverse events.
The authors report that most cohort studies found that increased consumption of n-3 from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not of alpha-linolenic acid, reduces the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac and sudden death, and possibly stroke. The evidence for the benefits of fish oil is stronger in secondary- than in primary-prevention settings.
[1] Wang C, Harris WS, Chung M, Lichtenstein AH, Balk EM, Kupelnick B, Jordan HS, Lau J.: n-3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not alpha-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):5-17.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/84/1/5
18.02.2008: Modest lowering of LDL- Cholesterin effect of soy milk compared with dairy milk was reported [1]
Gardner and colleagues 2007 compared the effects of commercially available soy milks made using whole soy beans, or using soy protein isolate with low-fat dairy milk on plasma lipid, insulin, and glucose responses.
The authors report that a 25 g dose of daily soy protein from soy milk led to a modest 5% lowering of LDL-C relative to dairy milk among adults with elevated LDL-C. No different effect was found between whole say bean milk and soy protein isolate milk.
[1] Gardner CD, Messina M, Kiazand A, Morris JL, Franke AA.
Effect of two types of soy milk and dairy milk on plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized trial. J Am Col Nutr. 2007 Dec;26(6):669-77
http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/6/669
18.02.2008: Study comparing the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets the A to Z Weight Loss Study recommends Atkins diet for weight loss [1] [2]
Gardner and colleagues 2007 compared Atkins, Zone, Ornish and LEARN weight-loss diets representing a spectrum of popular low to high carbohydrate intake for effects on weight loss and related risks. These diets have challenged recommendations advising a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet for weight loss.
- The Atkins diet is the lowest in carbohydrate consumption of the other three groups: less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day and increasing to 50 grams per day.
- The Zone diet is designed so that a person's daily calorie consumption is comprised of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat.
- The LEARN diet (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships, and Nutrition) instructs participants to get 55 to 60 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, and not more than 10 percent from saturated fat. This diet is based on the USDA food pyramid.
- The Ornish diet's primary guideline states that participants should not get more than 10 percent of their calories from fat.
The researchers recommend a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet such as Atkins diet for weight loss. However, long-term effects and mechanisms are still unknown.
[1] Gardner CD, Kiazand A, Alhassan S, Kim S, Stafford RS, Balise RR, Kraemer HC, King AC.: Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women: the A TO Z Weight Loss Study: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2007 Mar 7;297(9):969-77.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/297/9/969
[2] NCAM National Center for Complementary alternative Medicine: Study compares year-long effectiveness of four weight-loss plans.
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/030607.htm
18.02.2008 WESTLAND/HALLMARK MEAT CO. meat recall
CSPI blames USDA for oversight failure
According to a statement of CSPI Food Safety Director Caroline Smith DeWaal massive recall of beef from the Westland/Hallmark facility dwarfs all other meat recalls and follows over 20 beef recalls in the last 12 months. Consumers are losing confidence in USDA’s ability to ensure the meat they eat is safe. Where were the inspectors, who should have been preventing downer cattle from entering the food supply? Where were the safeguards to make sure that meat from sick animals didn’t end up on school lunch trays from coast to coast? [1]
The slaughterhouse is operated by Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., which supplies meat to the federal school lunch program.
The video
Watch the Humane Society Westland-Hallmark undercover video http://kstp.com/article/stories/s349939.shtml?V=1
The video showed cattle being rammed with forklifts and workers kicking, shocking and otherwise abusing "downer" animals that were apparently too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse. Calling it "waterboarding," some animals had water forced down their throats to choke them.
Who is the guilty party?
According to the Chicago Tribune no charges have been filed against company management. The district attorney said prosecutors would have to show management had knowledge of the activities and that had not been determined. [2]
After the arresting of the two workers which, if convicted, will face up to eight years and three years in prison. the company is out of the line of fire.
Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. statement
Statement of Steve Mendel, President of Westland Meat Co./Hallmark Meat Packing: “Words cannot accurately express how shocked and horrified I was at the depictions contained on the video that was taken by an individual who worked at our facility from October 3 thru November 14, 2007. We have taken swift action regarding the two employees identified on the video and have already implemented aggressive measures to ensure all employees follow our humane handling policies and procedures.” [3]
[1]Massive Meat Recall Represents Terrible Failure of USDA Oversight. Statement of CSPI Food Safety Director Caroline Smith DeWaal. 15.02.2008
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200802171.html
[2] Chicago Tribune.com: Two charged with abusing sick cattle at Chino slaughterhouse by Greg Risling, Associated Press Writer 6:43 PM CST, February 15, 2008 San Bernardino, Calif.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-ca-slaughterhouseabu,1,5936662.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
[3] Statement of Steve Mendel, President of Westland Meat Co./Hallmark Meat Packing February 3, 2008
http://www.westlandmeat.com/
16.02.2008: Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium [1]
Christine D Thomson and colleagues 2008 assessed the bioavailability of selenium from Brazil nut, compared with seleniumethionine used to fortify foods and in dietary supplements. They found that the consumption of 2 Brazil nuts daily is as effective for increasing selenium status and enhancing GPx activity as 100 µg Se as selenomethionine. The authors suggest to include Brazil nut in the diet to avoid to fortify foods or use supplementation of selenium in New Zealand.
This would also benefit residents in Europe where the recommended daily intake (RDI) is 65 micrograms. The selenium intake in UK is estimated to have fallen from 60 to 34 micrograms. on account of reduced import of selenium rich wheat from U.S.
However, an unhampered consume of Brazil nuts should consider the high radioactivity of the nut. According the UK DEFRA, among other foodstuffs, Brazil nuts contain some of the highest levels of natural radioactivity, in particular radium-226 and radium-228. The consumption of a 100g bag (about 30-40 nuts) per week (about 5 nuts a day) throughout the year would give rise to an annual dose of 0.2 mSv.
Ingestion and inhalation of long-lived natural radionuclides are estimated to give rise to an average annual dose of 0.27 mSv [2]
[1] Thomson, Christine D; Chisholm, Alexandra; McLachlan, Sarah K. Campbell, Jennifer M: Brazil nuts: an effective way to improve selenium status. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. February 2008, Volume 87, Pages 379-384.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/2/379
[2] UK DEFRA: Natural Sources of Radiation. Food and drink
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/radioact/radfood.htm
15.02.2008: Green Tea extends shelf life and supresses pathogens
Green tea extract may extend shelf life of mutton under Indian climatic conditions [1]
Kumudavally and colleagues 2008 evaluated the use of green tea to extend the shelf life of fresh mutton, at ambient storage conditions of Indian climate condition (25 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% RH).
According to the authors the ethanolic extract of green tea significantly inhibit spoilage microflora, including certain pathogens of acidulant treated mutton (pH 3.8). Free fatty acids, the biogenic amine index remained almost unchanged and the mutton was acceptable for up to 4 days. The control sample began to spoil between 20 and 24 hours. Very high free fatty acids and biogenic amine index values were found.
The authors concluded that green tea extract could extend the shelf life of fresh mutton for up to 4 days inhibiting sensorial spoilage.
Suppression of Helicobacter pylori by green tea extracts [2]
Keiji Wakabayashi and colleagues 2003 assessed foodstuffs on its capability to suppress the urease enzyme of Helicobacter pylori which is is essential for its colonization.
The authors found some tea such as green tea extracts and rosemary extracts inhibit H. pylori urease in vitro. Catechins, the hydroxyl group of 5′-position were the active components inhibiting urease. H. pylori-infected Monglian gerbils responded to the administration of green tea extract with suppressed gastritis and the absence H.pilori. The authors concluded that tea and tea catechins may help to control H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal diseases, since H.pylori is getting resistant to antibiotics.
[1] Kumudavally, K.V; Phanindrakumar, H.S.; Tabassum, A.; Radhakrishna, K.; Bawa, A.S.: Green tea - A potential preservative for extending the shelf life of fresh mutton at ambient temperature (25 degrees Celsius). Food Chemistry (Elsevier) 1 March 2008, Volume 107, Issue 1, Pages 426-433, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.08.045 ScienceDirect
[2] Matsubara, Satoshi; Shibata, Hideyuki; Ishikawa, Fumiyasu; Yokokura, Teruo; Takahashi, Mami; Sugimura, Takashi; Wakabayashi, Keiji: Suppression of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis by green tea extract in Mongolian gerbils. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume 310, Issue 3, 24 October 2003, Pages 715-719 doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.09.066 ScienceDirect
15.02.2008: Onion waste as source of antioxidant and anti-browning bioactive ingredients [1]
Onion wastes are not suitable for fodder, or landfill disposal due to the rapid growth of phytopathogens, the white rot mould. Onion waste is therefore an environmental problem.
Roldán and colleagues 2008 analysing the problem found that this waste could be used in the production of a paste with high antioxidant and anti-browning effects.
The frozen paste of the Recas onions contained total quercetin content of 4431 mg per 100 grams of dry weight. Pasteurisation reduced quercentine down to 721 mg per 100 grams of dry weight.
The authors suggest to use waste of the Reca onion variety and apply mild pasteurisation
to obtain a stabilised onion by-product paste with good antioxidant properties which could be used as functional food ingredient.
[1] Roldán, Eduvigis; Sánchez-Moreno, Concepción; de Ancos, Begoñand. Cano, M. Pilar: Characterisation of onion (Allium cepa L.) by-products as food ingredients with antioxidant and antibrowning properties. Food Chemistry. Volume 108, Issue 3. Pages 907-916. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.11.058 ScienceDirect
15.02.200 15.002.2008: Garlic white rot on organic muck fields [1]
Hovius and McDonald determine the efficacy of synthetic diallyl disulfide (DADS) to fight white rot of onions grown on organic muck soil. The authors concluded that DADS and to a lesser extent di-N-propyl disulfide (DPDS) effectively reduced the incidence of Allium white rot on onions grown on muck soils. Soil treatment
with DADS.
According to the authors Sclerotium cepivorum Berk causes the disease white rot on several Allium family, such as Allium cepa L., Onions, leeks, garlic, chives, shallots and salad onions The disease is significant on organic soils.
Sclerotia germination and host infection are stimulated by alkenyl L-cysteine sulfoxides released by garlic and onions. Garlic root exudates are precursors of the volatile allyl and propyl sulfides that stimulate eruptive germination of the sclerotia.
Germination can be stimulated by products such as natural onion and garlic oil, or synthetic
germination stimulants derived from petroleum, such as diallyl disulfide (DADS), a primary
decomposition product of allicin.
When the sclerotia germinates, it develops a mycelium which becomes susceptible to hyperparasitism and lysis. In the absence of a host, the fungus dies without reproducing. Two applications of the synthetic germination stimulant DADS, but not DPDS or garlic oil in consecutive years resulted i9n significant reduction of onion infection on organic
Soils should be treated when the soil temperatures are between 10 and 20°C and will remain remain in this range for approximately 3 months with good uniform spread of the stimulant.
[1] Hovius, M.H.Y.; McDonald, M.R.: Management of Allium white rot [Sclerotium cepivorum] in onions on organic soil with soilapplied diallyl disulfide and di-N-propyl disulfide. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 24: 281–286 (2002)
http://article.pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ppv/RPViewDoc?_handler_=HandleInitialGet&journal=tcjpp&volume
=24&articleFile=k02-038.pdf
14.12.2008: Biodiversity assessment of palmoil needed[1]
According to Edgar Turner and colleagues 2007 the amount of research on by-products from the oil palm, soy and biofuels industry is increasing. However, less than 1% of publications were related to biodiversity and species conservation.
The authors stress that more studies are needed on conservation strategies and sustainable management of plantations of oil plants. These plantations are cited as a major threat to tropical biodiversity centred on some of the world's most biodiverse regions.
Palm oil is also being criticised for its saturated fatty acids content increasing the risc of coronary diseases
[1] Turner, Edgar C.; Snaddon, Jake L.; Fayle, Tom M.; Foster, William A.: Oil palm research in context: Identifying the need for biodiversity assessment. PLoS ONE (3)2 e1572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001572
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001572
14.02.2008: FSA activity to reduce amount of saturated fat in foods [1]
The Agency has announced the first steps of its activity to help people in the UK reduce the amount of saturated fat they eat. Eating a diet high in saturated fat and calories can contribute to developing a range of serious diet-related illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. In the UK, intakes of saturated fat are around 20% higher than official Government recommendations.
A key part in helping to reduce saturated fat intakes will be in developing and building on positive and collaborative partnerships with industry, along with improving consumer awareness.
This programme outlines future work in the following areas:
- Building on partnerships with the food industry to:
saturated fat and added sugar they contain
-- Increase the ranges of healthier options and step up the promotion of healthier products to
consumers
-- Make smaller portion sizes more readily available
-- Publish food industry commitments to reformulate
- Increasing consumer awareness activity to raise the profile of saturated fat as part of the overall efforts to encourage people to choose a healthy diet
- - holding an independent academic workshop to examine evidence on portion sizes, chaired by Dr Susan Jebb – Head of Nutrition and Health Research at the Medical Research Council.
[1] FSA: First steps to reduce saturated fats. 5 February 2008
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/feb/satfats
13.02.2008: Nutrient profiling of food
The WHO / FAO contribution [1]
Definition of nutrient profiling: Nutrient profiling refers to a range of different mechanisms for classifying foods according to their nutritional value - varying from a simple definition of "low fat" being less than 3 g to the much more complicated nutrient profiling model recommended to inform the restrictions on advertising to children in the United Kingdom. Nutrient profiling can be defined as "the science of categorizing foods according to their nutritional composition". It can be used to communicate effectively with consumers the nutritional implications of their purchasing decisions.
There are a number of reasons why it might be important to distinguish between "unhealthy" and "healthy" food, including:
- Improving the comprehensibility of nutrition labelling
- Regulating nutrition and health claims
- Compositional standards for foods
- Reforming taxation/subsidy systems
- Regulating the marketing of foods (to children).
The WHO stresses that manufacturers already use different forms of systems to justify their marketing strategies. A uniform system would help consumers make their choice.
Preparation and use of food-based dietary guidelines [2]
The Consultation of the WHO and FAO in 1996 specified the scientific basis for developing and using food-based dietary guidelines to improve the food consumption patterns and nutritional wellbeing of individuals and populations, and recommended that dietary guidelines be based on, and aim to improve, current dietary practices and prevailing diet-related public health problems, rather than be based on nutrient requirements and recommended intake levels.
UK Food Standards Agency: Nutrient profiling research 2004 [3]
The FSA during their nutrient profiling research in 2004 developed an approach to developing nutrient profiles. The Agency needed a model model to redress the current imbalance in the way foods are currently promoted to children.
A scoring model was recommended that takes account of energy, saturated fat, non-milk extrinsic sugars, and sodium; and the degree to which these nutrients are balanced by calcium, iron, long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and fruit and vegetable content.
The model therefore identifies foods high in fat, salt or sugar, while recognising the important contribution of dairy, meat, fish, and fruit and vegetable based products to a balanced diet.
The flexibility provided by the scoring system means that the model could be adapted to suit a range of applications.
FSA: A theoretical approach to developing nutrient profiles [4]
The development of nutrient profiles necessarily involves a number of stages:
- - Choice of nutrients: There are a number of different nutrients and other food components that could possibly be used in nutrient profiles.
- - Choice of base: There are three basic ways of setting nutrient profiles: per 100g, per 100kJ and per serving.
- - Choice of model type: There are three different options for model types that can be used for nutrient profiling; threshold models, simple scoring systems, and complex scoring systems. Once the type of model is chosen it is necessary to choose between food category specific or across the board criteria.
- - Choice of numbers: The levels set for the thresholds of the individual nutrient criteria (or points scored for a particular level) can be pragmatically chosen, taken from respected sources, or linked to public health recommendations.
Nutrient profiling of foods, described as the science of ranking foods based on their nutrient content. It plays a role in regulating nutrition labels, health claims, and marketing and advertising to children. There are different models of nutrient profiling developed by research scientists, regulatory agencies, and by the food industry.
Some nutrient profiling are based on nutrients to limit such as calories, fat, sugar, saturated and trans fatty acids, and salt.
An example of this is the FSA traffic lights labelling of UK. The EU Commission is likely to choose the front of packaging system without the use of colours and does not classify foods in good, neutral or bad. Others make good diet choices such as guidelines like MyPyramid in the US.
Others have emphasized nutrients known to be beneficial to health, or some combination of both.
European nutrition and health claims requires that only foods with favourable nutrient profiles should be allowed to make claims. This fuels the debate about the concerns from the food industry that nutrient profiling models disqualify some categories of foods.
To avoid this Drewnowski suggests to create profiles that are category-specific, rather than across the board. Whereas some of these models have focused on, Although nutrient profile models are often tailored to specific goals, the development process ought to follow the same science-driven rules. These include the selection of :
- The index nutrients should be relevant to the dietary needs
- The daily reference amounts should be based on an authoritative source
- The development of an appropriate algorithm for calculating nutrient density,
- The chosen nutrient profile model should be validated against healthy diets and healthy outcomes.
A reference method for the validation of the nutrient profiling schemes using dietary surveys [6]
Volatier and colleagues 2007 say there is a lack of scientific validation of nutritional profiling schemes. To develop a reference method using existing dietary surveys, to define a set of indicator foods that are positively or negatively associated with a "healthy diet." Such indicator foods can be used both for establishing relevant nutrient profiles and for the validation of existing or future nutrient profiling schemes.
The authors propose a validation method based on food and nutrient intakes of adults participating in national dietary surveys in five EU countries: Belgium (n = 2,507), Denmark (n = 3,151), France (n = 1,474), Ireland (n = 1,379), and Italy (n = 1,513).
The characterization of indicator foods:
- The "healthy diets" of individuals are identified in the five national dietary surveys by comparison to the Eurodiet reference intakes.
Indicator foods associated positively or negatively to the "healthy diets" are determined. With a P-value of 10(-3) for the test of comparison of food intakes between the "most healthy eaters" and the "less healthy eaters," it was possible to identify 294 indicator foods out of 1,669 foods tested in the five countries. The authors call for further work to build a list of indicator foods that could be considered as a "gold standard."
[1] WHO: The marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children at the Lysebu Conference in Oslo 2006
http://www.who.int/entity/dietphysicalactivity/publications/Oslo%20meeting%20layout%2027%20NOVEMBER.pdf
[2] World Health Organization Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Preparation and use of food-based dietary guidelines. Report of a joint FAO/WHO consultation Nicosia, Cyprus WHO/NUT/96.6 1996
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/x0243e/x0243e00.htm
[3] FSA: Nutrient profiling research 2004
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodlabelling/researchandreports/nutrientprofiles
[4] Nutrient profiles: Options for definitions for use in relation to food promotion and children’s diets. Mike Rayner, Peter Scarborough and Lynn Stockley British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford October 2004
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/nutrientmodel.pdf
[5] Drewnowski, A., Fulgoni, V.: Nutrient profiling of foods: creating a nutrient-rich foot index. Nutr. Rev. 2008 Jan; 66(1):23-39
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18254882?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.P
Entrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
[6]Volatier, J.L.; Biltoft-Jensen, A.; De Henauw, S.; Gibney, M.J.; Huybrechts, I.; McCarty, S.N.: O'Neill, J.L.; Quinio, C.; Turrini, A.; Tetens, I.: A new reference method for the validation of the nutrient profiling schemes using dietary surveys. Eur.J.Nutr.2007 Dec;46 Suppl 2:29-36.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18084734?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.P
Entrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1
12.02.2008: Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study Group: Green tea polyphenols may increase stomach cancer in men but reduces the risk in women [1]
Shizuka Sasazuki and colleagues 2008 investigated the effect of the tea polyphenols on the risk of gastric cancer in a nested case-control study.
The authors found an increased risk of gastric cancer for men, when a high plasma level of (-)-epigallocatechin was measure. For women, a high plasma level of (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) of 9.3 ng/mL and up, decreased risk of gastric cancer by 73 per cent compared with ECG not detectable cases.
The effect of ECG plasma levels below 9.3 ng/ml was not significant. The authors suggest that cigarette smoking to play a role as an effect modifier observed between men and women.
[1] Sasazuki, Shizuka; Inoue, Manami; Miura, Tsutomu; Iwasaki, Motoki; Tsugane, Shoichiro: Plasma Tea Polyphenols and Gastric Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study Nested in a Large Population-Based Prospective Study in Japan. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 1st February 2008, Volume 17, Number 2, Pages 343-351, doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-0428
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/2/343
12.02.2008: Noncaloric sweeteners and obesity
Low-calorie sweeteners may be of help in resolving the obesity problem [1]
Replacing sugar with low-calorie sweeteners is a common strategy for facilitating weight control. However, arguments arise saying that intense sweeteners increase appetite for sweet foods, promote overeating, and may even lead to weight gain.
Bellisle and Drewnowski in a review published in 2007 related to studies focused on energy density, satiety and the control of food intake stress that weight loss is best achieved by a combination of reducing caloric intake, lowering energy density of the diet, increasing physical activity, and sweeteners may help a lot.
The authors concluded that low-calorie (or no-calorie)sweeteners may be of help in resolving the obesity problem. However, new studies reopens the discussion related to the effect of sweeteners:
Components and/or physical form such as liquids are associated with rising obesity [2]
Energy-containing beverages have been implicated in the increasing incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity. In 2006 Dr. R.D. Mattes from the University of Purdue wrote that epidemiological data indicates that caloric beverage consumption is positively associated with energy intake and body mass index. Caloric beverages elicit weak satiety and compensatory dietary responses, this being attributed to the components of beverages (e.g., carbohydrate form). Other theories say that the limited appetitive and dietary responses hold across beverage types.
Dr. Mattes concludes that the fluid medium rather than energy form or nutrient composition is responsible. He recommends moderate consumption of energy from beverages for example, substitution of one energy-yielding beverage for another may be less effective than reducing intake or switching to lower or non-energy sources.
The Purdue Study says sweeteners increase obesity [3]
Swithers and Terry Davidson observed in rats increased body weight gain, energy intake,
adiposity, decreases in core body temperature, and blunted caloric compensation for sweet-tasting calories. This study was published in February 2008.
Animals may use sweet taste to predict the caloric contents of food. Eating sweet noncaloric substances may degrade this predictive relationship, leading to positive energy balance through increased food intake and/or diminished energy expenditure.
They concluded that consumption of products containing artificial sweeteners may lead to increased body weight and obesity by interfering with fundamental homeostatic, physiological processes.
A study on artificial sweeteners published in 2004 by Swithers and Davidson at Purdue University suggested that artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body's natural ability to 'count' calories, and that sweetness in non-caloric or low-caloric foods leads to a disregulation of food intake in humans. The authors hypothesised hat experience with these foods interferes with the natural ability of the body to use sweet taste and viscosity to gauge caloric content of foods and beverages [4]
The 2004 Purdue study was strongly criticised by the National Soft Drink Association. The group cited researches conducted by Blackburn, Birch et al (1989) and Anderson et al (1989) that found replacing sugar with a high intensity sweetener in foods or beverages does not affect food intake or hunger in children.
Critic on the Purdue study [5]
Beth Hubrich from the Calorie Control Council says that the study 2008 Purdue study oversimplifies the causes of obesity. She blames increasing portion sizes of foods, decreasing physical activity and increased overall calorie intake for the increasing obesity epidemic.
America on the Move initiative trial says that noncaloric sweeteners could address childhood obesity [6]
Rodearmel and colleagues 2007 assessed two groups of the America on the Move trial. One group was asked to walk an additional 2000 steps per day above baseline measured by pedometers and to eliminate 420 kJ/day (100 kcal/day) from their typical diet by replacing dietary sugar with a noncaloric sweetener. A self-monitoring second group group was asked to use pedometers to record physical activity but were not asked to change their diet or physical activity level.
Both groups of children showed significant decreases in BMI for age. However, the noncaloric sweetener group had a significantly higher reduction of BMI compared with the self-monitor group.
The authors concluded that the small-changes approach advocated by America on the Move could be useful for addressing childhood obesity.
[1] Bellisle, F.; Drewnowski, A.: Intense sweeteners, energy intake and the control of body weight. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Volume 61, Pages 691-700, doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602649 Received 25 October 2006; Accepted 4 December 2006; Published online 7 February 2007.
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v61/n6/abs/1602649a.html;jsessionid=A3FFFCF9617945B66E648D95A25B6E13
[2] Mattes, R.D.: Beverages and positive energy balance: the menace is the medium. International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, S60–S65. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803494
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v30/n3s/abs/0803494a.html
[3] Swithers,Susan E.; Davidson, Terry L.: A Role for Sweet Taste: Calorie Predictive Relations in Energy Regulation by Rats. Behavioral Neuroscience. February 2008, Volume 122, Number 1, doi: 10.1037/0735-7044.00.0.000
http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bne-feb08-swithers.pdf
[4] Purdue University: June 29, 2004 Study: Artificial sweetener may disrupt body's ability to count calories.
http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/2004/040629.Swithers.research.html
[5] Calorie Control Council: Study Confirms that Low-Calorie Sweeteners Are Helpful in Weight Control
Low-Calorie Sweeteners May be One Piece in Solving the Obesity Puzzle.
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/pr_20080208.html
[6] Rodearmel, Susan J.; Wyatt, Holly R.; Stroebele, Nanette; Smith, Sheila M.; Ogden, Lorraine G.; Hill, James O.: Small Changes in Dietary Sugar and Physical Activity as an Approach to Preventing Excessive Weight Gain: The America on the Move Family Study. Pediatrics 2007; 120: e869-e879
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/120/4/e869
10.02.2008: Probiotic yoghurt to reduce the risk of Clostridium difficile infection [1]
Ian Thompson, in an article published in 2007 assessed non-antibiotic strategies including the use of probiotics. His opinion is that only oral S. boulardii should be used as an adjunct to the treatment of Clostridium difficile associated diseases, although many institutions informally employ a variety of commercially available live yoghurt preparations with unproven effects.
According to a meta-study of Lynne V. McFarland found Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and probiotic mixtures significantly reduced the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, but only S. boulardii was effective for Clostridium difficile disease. [2]
Thompson, however mentions the study of Hickson 2007 which calls for Lactobacillus and Streptococcus yoghurt to reduce incidence C. difficile.
Mary Hickson and colleagues 2007 found in a study a probiotic drink containing L casei, L bulgaricus, and S thermophilus to reduce the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea. This reduces morbidity, healthcare costs, and mortality if used routinely in patients aged over 50. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust are providing probiotic yoghurt to patients on the wards to reduce Clostridium difficile infection risk. [3]
Lynne McFarland points out that the trial had several limitations, including the fact that only a small proportion of hospitalized patients on antibiotics were enrolled in it. [4]
After the publication of a study revealing 24 deaths of acute pancreatitis which were treated with probiotics, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) said there is no danger in taking probiotic dairy drinks but will issue advices for vulnerable groups.
Probiotics are considered safe although endocarditis has been reported. Most cases of systemic infection are due to Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus casei. Thompson points to the problem of the use of probiotics in the elderly patients as relatively immunocompromised and are also more likely to have multiple comorbiditie such as cardiac valvular abnormalities that make the administration of live organisms potentially risky. [1] [2]
Clostridium difficile [5]
C. difficile is a commensal bacterium of the human intestine in a minority of the population. In small numbers it does not result in disease of any significance. Antibiotics, especially those with a broad spectrum of activity, cause disruption of normal intestinal flora, leading normal leading to an overgrowth of C. difficile.
C. difficile flourishes under most antibiotics. It is transmitted from person to person by the faecal-oral route. Because the organism forms heat-resistant spores, it can remain in the hospital or nursing home environment for long periods of time. It can be cultured from almost any surface in the hospital.
Several disinfectants commonly used in hospitals may fail to kill the bacteria, and may actually promote spore formation. However, disinfectants containing bleach are effective in killing the organisms.
[1] Thompson, Ian: Clostridium difficile-associated disease: update and focus on non-antibiotic strategies. Age and Ageing 2008 37(1):14-18; doi:10.1093/ageing/afm159
http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/37/1/14
[2] McFarland, Lynne (2006): Meta-Analysis of Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea and the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Disease. The American Journal of Gastroenterology 101 (4), 812–822. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00465.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00465.x
[3] Hickson, Mary; D'Souza, Aloysius L.; Muthu, Nirmala; Rogers, Thomas R.; Want, Susan; Rajkumar, Chakravarthi; Bulpitt, Christopher J.: Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhoea associated with antibiotics: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ 2007;335:80 (14 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39231.599815.55 (published 29 June 2007)
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/335/7610/80
[4] McFarland, Lynne V.: Diarrhoea associated with antibiotic use: Evidence support the use of probiotics, but effectiveness depends on the strain. BMJ 2007;335:54-55 (14 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39255.829120.47
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00465.x
[5] Wikipedia: Clostridium difficile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_difficile
10.02.2008: Soft drinks, fructose consumption, and the risk of gout in men
A study by Choi and Curhan suggests that dietary fructose intake is a possible risk factors for gout increasing serum urate and is associated with hyperuraemia. Obesity, alcohol, and diet with the aree also associated with the onset of gout. [1]
Hyon K. Choi and Gary Curhan, authors of the 12 years follow-up study found a strong association between sugar sweetened soft drinks and gout. They wrote that two servings a day of a sugar sweetened soft drink, high in fructose, increased the risk of developing gout by 85% compared with consumption of less than one serving of sugar sweetened soft drinks a month. Fructose rich fruits and fruit juices may also increase the risk. Diet soft drinks were not associated with the risk of gout. [2]
Other foods high in fructose are Fruit-Yoghurt, candies, backery where corn syrup is added.
[1] Underwood, Martin: Sugary drinks, fruit, and increased risk of gout
Dietary fructose could be a contributing factor. BMJ 2008;336:285-286 (9 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.39479.667731.80
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/336/7639/285
[2] Choi, Hyon K; Curhan, Gary: Soft drinks, fructose consumption, and the risk of gout in men: prospective cohort study BMJ 2008 336: 309-312
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/336/7639/309
09.02.2008: High nitrate content of beeteroot reduces blood pressure
Amrita Ahluwalia and colleagues 2008 studied the benefits of high nitrate content of vegetables like beetroot. the authors suggest that the nitrate content of the vegetables is responsible for a reduction of blood pressure , and not by the antioxidant vitamin content as assumed in foregoing studies.
The authors say that drinking 500 ml beetroot juice a day reduces blood pressure significantly three hours after the consumprtion. The authors explain that the high nitrate content of the juice increases nitrate content of the saliva, where it is converted to nitrite by bacteria living on the tong. When swallowed the nitrite is transformed in nitric oxide NO in the stomach and can the reenter the blood circulation as nitrite.
The authors reported further that dietary nitrate load also prevented endothelial dysfunction induced by an acute ischemic insult in the human forearm and significantly attenuated ex vivo platelet aggregation in response to collagen and ADP.
Some studies suggest that nitrite (NO(2)(-)), is a physiological signaling molecule with potential roles in intravascular endocrine nitric oxide (NO) transport, hypoxic vasodilation, signaling, and cytoprotection after ischemia-reperfusion. There is evidence that nitrite mediates many of the systemic therapeutic effects of NO gas inhalation, including peripheral vasodilation and prevention of ischemia-reperfusion-mediated tissue infarction. [2] [3]
Michael P. Frenneaux and colleagues 2008 found nitrite to be a potent venodilator in normoxia and hypoxia. The authors highlight the importance of nitrite as a selective arterial vasodilator in ischemic territories and as a potent venodilator in heart failure. [4]
Nitrate linked to stomach cancer
Other studies say that nitrate and nitrite are linked to stomach cancer and give advice to avoid food with high content of both substances. The Mayo Clinic names some factors which are believed to increase stomach cancer [5] :
Nitrates and nitrites are used in cured meats such as ham and bacon, hot dogs and deli meats. Both nitrates and nitrites combine with other nitrogen-containing substances in the stomach to form N-nitroso compounds that are known to cause stomach cancer.
Salted, smoked or pickled foods and red meat commonly preserved food by salting, smoking or pickling often contain large amounts of nitrites and nitrates. Countries where consumption of salted meat and fish and pickled vegetables is high, such as Japan and Korea tend to have correspondingly high rates of stomach cancer. Eating a diet high in red meat, especially when the meat is barbecued or well-done, also has been linked to stomach cancer.
[1] Webb, Andrew J.; Patel, Nakul; Loukogeorgakis, Stavros; Okorie, Mike; Aboud, Zainab; Misra, Shivani; Rashid, Rahim; Miall, Philip; Deanfield, John; Benjamin, Nigel; MacAllister, Raymond; Hobbs, Adrian J.; Ahluwalia, Amrita: Acute blood pressure lowering, vasoprotective and anti-platelet properties of dietary nitrate via bioconversion to nitrite. Hypertension - Journal of the American Heart Association. Published online ahead of print 4 February 2008, doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.103523
http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.103523v1
[2] Gladwin, M.T.; Raat, N.J.; Shiva, S.; Dezfulian, C.; Hogg, N.; Kim-Shapiro D.B.; Pate, R.P.: , Nitrite as a vascular endocrine nitric oxide reservoir that contributes to hypoxic signaling, cytoprotection, and vasodilation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2006. Nov;291(5):H2026-35
http://ajpheart.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/291/5/H2026
[3] Gladwin, M.T.: Evidence mounts that nitrite contributes to hypoxic vasodilation in the human circulation. Circulation. 2008 Feb 5;117(5):594-7. Doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.753897
[4]Maher, Abdul R.; Milsom, Alexandra B.; Gunaruwan, Prasad; Abozguia, Khalid; Ahmed, Ibrar; Weaver, Rebekah A.; Thomas, Philip; Ashrafian, Houman; Born, Gustav V.R.; James, Philip E.; Frenneaux, Michael P.: Hypoxic Modulation of Exogenous Nitrite-Induced Vasodilation in Humans
Circulation. 2008;117:670-677. Doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.719591
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/117/5/670
[5] Mayo Clinic.com: Stomach cancer
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stomach-cancer/DS00301/DSECTION=3
09.02.2008: Developmenmt of whey proteins used as emulsifiers
Whey proteins from milk are used as emulsifiers in a broad range of food products including ice creams, beverages, salad dressing and sports supplements. These tailored proteins complexes with carbohydrates, modified by enzymes to cross-link proteins, or hydrolysis has been used. The protein content of concentrates varies between 25 and 80 per cent) and isolates which have more than 90 per cent protein.
Qixin Zhong and Mei Jin using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) processing developed whey protein ingredients with improved visual appearance of powders and increased gel strength. [1]
[1] Zhong, Q.; Jin, M.: Enhanced Functionalities of Whey Proteins Treated with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Journal of Dairy Science. February 2008, Volume 91, Pages 490-499
http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/2/490
09.02.2008: There is is no epidemiological association of Staphylococcus aureus between isolates from cows and humans [1]
Hata and colleagues 2008 assessed the epidemiological association and bacteriological characteristics of human and animal Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis the authors found that pulsotypes of isolates from bulk milk differed from pulsotypes from human isolates.
The authors concluded that there is no epidemiological association between isolates from these 2 sources, and that a number of factors play a role in the adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus isolates to specific hosts.
[1] Hata, E.; Katsuda,K.; Kobayashi, H.; Nishimori, K.; Uchida, I.; Higashide, M.; Ishikawa, E.; Sasaki, T.; Eguchi, M.: Bacteriological Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Humans and Bulk Milk. Journal of Dairy Science. 2008 91: 564-569.
http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/2/564
09.02.2008: Storage at elevated temperature reduces bioavailability of lysine in dried milk products [1]
Rutherfurd and Moughan 2008 evaluated the effects of storage at elevated temperatures on reactive Lysine content and true ileal reactive Lysine digestibility in skim milk powder and hydrolyzed-lactose skim milk powder.
The authors report a decrease of digestible reactive (available) Lys content for skim milk powder by more than 20% stored at 30 and 35°C for 18 month, and 40% when stored at 40°C for 12 month. For hydrolyzed-lactose skim milk powder available Lysine decreased by 41% when stored at 30°C for only 18 mo and 34 and 65% when stored at 35 and 40°C, respectively, for 6 month.
The authors concluded that elevated temperatures and prolonged storage periods negatively influenced the available Lys contents of both milk powders. These findings may be important for storage and handling of milk powder in developing countries where storage temperature of >40°C are usual.
[1] Rutherfurd, S. M.; Moughan, P. J.: Effect of Elevated Temperature Storage on the Digestible Reactive Lysine Content of Unhydrolyzed- and Hydrolyzed-Lactose Milk-Based Products
Journal of Dairy Science. 2008. 91: 477-482. doi:10.3168/jds.2007-0612
http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/2/477
09.02.2008: Listeria in ice cream under aging and storage and distribution conditions [1]
Gougouli, Angelidis and Koutsoumanis 2008 simulated conditions of the aging process and of normal or abuse conditions during distribution and storage of commercial ice cream products to study the kinetic behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes.
The bacteria was inoculated and the samples stored under static chilling (4 to 16°C), static freezing (–5 to –33°C)
Under chilling conditions, L. monocytogenes grew well at all temperatures tested. Under freezing conditions, no significant changes in the population of the pathogen were observed throughout a 90-day storage period, however freezing did not cause a severe stress in L. monocytogenes cells which were able to initiate growth within a very short time after a temperature upshift from freezing to chilling temperatures.
The authors developed mathematical models, which can be used by the dairy industry as effective tools for predicting the behavior of the pathogen during the manufacture, distribution, and storage of ice cream products
[1] Gougouli, M.; Angelidis, A. S.; Koutsoumanis, K.: A Study on the Kinetic Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in Ice Cream Stored Under Static and Dynamic Chilling and Freezing Conditions.. Journal of Dairy Science. 2008. 91:523-530. doi:10.3168/jds.2007-0255
08.02.2008: Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins C and E, and Risk of Cataract in Women [1]
William G. Christen and colleagues in 2008 assessed the relation between dietary intake of carotenoids and vitamins C and E and the risk of cataract in .female health professionals. In this study higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.
No relationship was observed between cataract risk and intakes of other carotenoids and antioxidants, including beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and alpha-carotene Highest intakes in this study were.6716 micrograms per day for lutein and zeaxanthin and 262.4 milligrams per day for vitamin E.
[1] Christen, William G. ; Liu, Simin; Glynn, Robert J.; Gaziano, J. Michael; Buring, Julie E.: Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins C and E, and Risk of Cataract in Women - A Prospective Study. Archives of Ophthalmology. January 2008, Volume 126, Issue 1, Pages 102-109
http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/126/1/102
08.02.2008 New report on global tobacco control efforts [1]
According to Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO virtually every country needs to do more to reduce tobacco consumption. The WHO Report of the Global Tobacco Epidemic presented six strategies to reverse this growing menace.
No country fully implements all of the MPOWER policies and 80% of countries don’t fully implement even one policy. While tobacco control measures are sometimes controversial, they save lives and governments need to step up and do the right thing.
The six MPOWER strategies are:
- Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
- Protect people from tobacco smoke
- Offer help to quit tobacco use
- Warn about the dangers of tobacco
- Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
- Raise taxes on tobacco
[1] WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008 - The MPOWER package
http://www.who.int/entity/tobacco/mpower/mpower_report_full_2008.pdf
08.02.2008: New method detecting the use of synthetic fertilizer in organic produces [1]
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Francisco M. del Amor and colleagues looked to a method to determine to what extent artificial fertilizers have been used, unveiling possible frauds using organic label on conventional products.
The authors found that synthetic fertilizers typically have a 15N content close to zero and almost all the content of nitrogen is 14N.
They concluded that the use of synthetic fertilizers significantly reduced the proportion of nitrogen 15N. This was pronounced in old leaves and fruits where the use of synthetic fertilizer cause a reductions in 15/14N2vsN2atm. The also found that no additional fertilization (synthetic or organic) is required before 106 days after transplanting at that dosage because plant fresh weight was not reduced.
Air freight of organic food
Fraud with organic label comes hand in hand with the discussion about air freight being accepted during organic certification by Soil Association, the UK certifying group.
Soil Association air freighted organic food ensures benefits poor farmers [2]
The Soil Association's Standards Board proposed changes to the Soil Association's standards to ensure that organic food is only air freighted to the UK if it delivers genuine benefits for farmers in developing countries. Air freighted organic foods harm climate and environment and is against the primary meaning or “organic” to a supermarket well selling standard product mass article.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) campaigns the certifiers to allow air freight in organic certification procedures. ITC says that the Swiss organic certifier Bio Suisse will certify airfreighted products under their standard. The Centre fear that if the proposal is approved other European organic certifiers will also ban air freight in order to maintain green “parity” with the Swiss certifier. [3]
To cope with the mutating meaning of organic produces under mass production it is being suggested to use “Organic” for mass produces from the supermarkets, and another denomination for real organic food fromn small traditional farms. [4]
[1] Francisco M. del Amor, Joaquín Navarro, and Pedro M. Aparicio
Isotopic Discrimination as a Tool for Organic Farming Certification in Sweet Pepper. The Journal of Environmental Quality. 2008 37: 182-185. Published online 4 January 2008; doi:10.2134/jeq2007.0329
http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/37/1/182
[2] Soil Association: Airfreight Consultation
http://www.soilassociation.org/airfreight
[3] International Trade Centre (ITC): The Economic Impact of Restricting Airfreight Imports to the EU
http://www.intracen.org/organics/documents/Economic%20Impact%20of%20Restricting%20Airfreght.pdf
[4] Survey Organic Food
http://www.ourfood-news.com/SURVEY_Organic_Food.html
07.02.2008: Antioxidant carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin in coronary artery disease
Some epidemiological studies claimed that supplementation with beta-carotene have no heart protective effect. Other authors turned, therefore, their attention to other carotinoids like lutein and zeaxanthin:
The Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study [1]
James H.Dwyer and colleagues found in 2001 in the Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study that the protective effects of the oxygenated carotenoid lutein against early atherosclerosis. Their findings in vitro, and mouse model support the hypothesis that increased dietary intake of lutein is protective against the development of early atherosclerosis.
The oxygenated carotinoids [2]
Lidebjer and colleagues in a 2006 studied plasma levels of oxygenated carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin) and hydrocarbon carotenoids (alfa-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene) in patients with coronary artery disease and relate the findings to clinical, metabolic and immune parameters.
The authors found that lower plasma levels of oxygenated carotenoids, in particular lutein+zeaxanthin, compared to controls were associated with cardiovascular disease.
Low levels of oxygenated carotenoids were also associated other cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, high body mass index, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol and, to a minor degree, inflammatory activity. Plasma levels of lutein+zeaxanthin were independently associated with the proportions of natural killer cells which , but not with other lymphocytes, in blood, indicating that certain carotinoids may play a role in the immunology of heart diseases. Natural killer cells are part of the human immune response system.
Anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action of Lutein unveiled [3]
According to Mohamed Rafi and Yassaman Shafaie lutein is an oxycarotenoid primarily found in dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale and moderate amounts were found in corn, egg yolks, and fruits like oranges and kiwi. Lutein reduces the risk of age related macular degeneration. It also reduces chronic inflammation caused by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanism and this may lead to inflammatory diseases such as of the heart.
The author investigated in 2005 the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of lutein using LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). In this study LPS was found to stimulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) which is detrimental effects to the host.
The authors write that the addition of lutein reduced NO production significantly by decreasing the expression of the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) enzyme at the mRNA level and protein levels.
Lutein and zeaxanthin were found to increase, and alfa and beta carotene reduce myocardial infarction [4]
Hannia Campos and colleagues in a study of 2005 concluded that Adipose tissue ß-carotene showed a significant inverse relation with myocardial infarction risk; Intake of fruits and vegetables that are rich in ß-carotene was also inversely associated with the risk of myocardial infarction. The authors suggest that beta-carotene protects against myocardial infarction or it is a marker of some protective factor in foods containing beta-carotene.
In contrast, lutein and zeaxanthin in adipose tissue increased the myocardial infarction risk. Other carotenoids or tocopherols in the diet or adipose tissue showed no effect on myocardial infarction.
15-Year Cardiovascular Mortality in Dutch Elderly Men [5]
Daan Kromhout and colleaugues in 2008 found that dietary intakes of alfa-carotene and beta-carotene reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases mortality in elderly men. However, other carotenoids, tocopherols, or vitamin C do not have an effect on cardiovascular diseases death.
[1] Dwyer, James H.; Navab, Mohamad; Dwyer, Kathleen M.; Hassan, Kholood; Sun, Ping; Shircore, Anne; Hama-Levy, Susan; Hough, Greg; Wang, Xuping; Drake, Thomas; Bairey Merz, C. Noel; Fogelman, Alan M.: Oxygenated Carotenoid Lutein and Progression of Early Atherosclerosis. The Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study. Circulation. 2001;103:2922-2927
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/24/2922
[2] Lidebjer, C.; Leanderson, P.; Ernerudh, J.; Jonasson, L.: Low plasma levels of oxygenated carotenoids in patients with coronary artery disease. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Volume 17, Issue 6, Pages 448-456 Juli 2007. Received 24 June 2005; received in revised form 22 November 2005; accepted 17 February 2006. published online 28 June 2006.
(doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2006.02.006).
http://www.nmcd-journal.com/article/PIIS0939475306000718/abstract
[3] Rafi, Mohamed M.; Shafaie, Yassaman: Dietary lutein modulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expression in mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7). Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Volume 51, Issue 3, Pages 333-340. DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.200600170
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114171466/ABSTRACT
[4] Kato Kabagambe, Edmond; Furtado, Jeremy; Baylin, Ana; Campos, Hannia: Some Dietary and Adipose Tissue Carotenoids Are Associated with the Risk of Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction in Costa Rica. J. Nutr. 2005 135: 1763-1769.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/135/7/1763
[5] Buijsse, B.; Feskens, E. J. M.; Kwape, L.; Kok, F. J.; Kromhout, D.: Both (alpha)- and beta-Carotene, but Not Tocopherols and Vitamin C, Are Inversely Related to 15-Year Cardiovascular Mortality in Dutch Elderly Men. J. Nutr., February 1, 2008; 138(2): 344 - 350.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/2/344
07.02.2008: 07.02.2008: Supplementation carotinoids and antioxidants reduces risk of age-related macular degeneration
According to AMD Alliance Internationa age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for people over the age of 50 in the Western world, affecting approximately 25-30 million people. [1]
Vincenzo Parisi, and colleagues say that the daily antioxidant and carotenoid supplements of 180 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 22.5 mg zinc, 1 mg copper, 10 mg lutein, 1 mg zeaxanthin, and 4 mg astaxanthin was found to improve the function of the central retina among 27 people with non-advanced AMD. [2]
Oter studies had found that leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, squash, broccoli and peas, rich in lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of AMD by absorbing blue light that could damage the macula.
The Blue Mountains Eye Study [3]
Paul Mitchell and colleagues found that higher dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake reduced the risk of long-term incident AMD. This study confirmed the Age-Related Eye Disease Study finding of protective influences from zinc against AMD. Higher β-carotene intake was associated with an increased risk of AMD.
Energy-adjusted intakes of α-carotene; β-carotene; β-cryptoxanthin; lutein and zeaxanthin; lycopene; vitamins A, C, and E; and iron and zinc were at focus in this study
[1] AMD Alliance International: AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
http://www.amdalliance.org/
[2] Parisi, Vincenzo; Tedeschi, Massimiliano; Gallinaro, Geltrude; Varano, Monica; Saviano, Sandro; Piermarocchi, Stefano: Carotenoids and Antioxidants in Age-Related Maculopathy Italian Study: Multifocal Electroretinogram Modifications after 1 Year. Ophthalmology (Elsevier)
February 2008, Volume 115, Issue 2, Pages 324-333.e2 doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.05.029. ScienceDirect
[3] Jennifer S.L. Tan, Jie Jin Wang, Victoria Flood, Elena Rochtchina, Wayne Smith and Paul Mitchell: Dietary Antioxidants and the Long-term Incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology (Elsevier). February 2008, Volume 115, Issue 2, Pages 334-341. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.03.083 ScienceDirect
07.02.2008: The Food Standards Agency reviews fish advice on account of sustainability [1]
The FSA says that it is reviewing its advice on eating fish in relation to the sustainability of some types of fish to cope with the concern about the sustainability of fish stocks and the wider environmental impact of fishing and fish farming.
The Agency's current nutritional advice remains that consumers should be eating more fish and should be aiming to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. There may be low levels of pollutants in oily fish that can build up in our bodies, so pregnant and breastfeeding women, girls and women who one day may have a baby should not eat more than two portions of oily fish a week. Others can eat up to four portions a week.
[1] Food Standards Agency: Agency to review fish advice. 06.02.2008
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/feb/fish
07.02.2008: FSA starts new program to reduce saturated fats and added sugar intake [1]
The Agency announced a new programme to tackle the amount of saturated fat and added sugar to foods, and issues around reformulation of products. A key parts will be the partnerships with industry and improving consumer awareness.
According to FSA the program includes the following areas:
- building on partnerships with the food industry to:
- -encourage further voluntary reformulation of specific food groups to reduce the amount of saturated fat and added sugar they contain
- -increase the ranges of healthier options and step up the promotion of healthier products to consumers
- -make smaller portion sizes more readily available
- -publish food industry commitments to reformulate
- holding an independent academic workshop to examine evidence on portion sizes, chaired by Dr Susan Jebb – Head of Nutrition and Health Research at the Medical Research Council.
The Agency says that work with industry and caterers is focussed on reducing saturated fat, salt and added sugar levels in foods, reducing portion sizes and providing clear information to consumers, including honest nutrition information on labels.
Eating out of home [2]
The Agency says that men consume about a quarter of their calories outside the home, and women about a fifth. This food tends to be higher in fat, salt and sugar. For these reasons, the Agency is developing a strategy for working with the catering sector, including workplace caterers, employers, restaurants and pubs.
These efforts resulted in commitments from companies providing workplace catering, commitments from major employers, commitments from major employers, and work with businesses in other sectors of the food service and catering industry - including family dining chains, pub and restaurant chains and quick service restaurants. [3]
[1] Food Standards Agency: First steps to reduce saturated fats. 05.02.2008.
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/feb/satfats
[2] Food Standards Agency: Agency work with catering businesses 07.02.2008.
http://www.food.gov.uk/healthiereating/healthycatering/cateringbusiness/
[3] Food Standards Agency: Healthy catering commitments. 17.02.2008.
http://www.food.gov.uk/healthiereating/healthycatering/cateringbusiness/commitments
06.02.2008: Omega-3 rich krill oil launched[1]
The population of krill, small marine crustaceans which are the main feed for whales, has reduced in the past 30 years, resulting in concern over its harvesting for krill oil. The Antarctic Krill Conservation Project is a growing network of organizations working together to promote krill conservation.
The group is concerned about increasing catches to supply growing demand for krill as aquaculture fishmeal, obtain krill oil for nutritional and medical purposes, bycatch of larvae and juvenile krill, as well as new catch technologies enabling much larger catch totals, could have a combined impact that outpaces efforts to protect krill and dependent species.
Aker BioMarine, a Norwegian company promote its krill oil product as a dietary supplement in the Nordic Countries and the United Stateshas and predicts high growth of this product over the next few years. The company conducted clinical studies on the effects krill on cardiovascular disease, inflammation and joint problems, but results were not released yet. [2]
The company expects for 2009 a total production of krill meal of approximately 20,000 metric tons. New technology for boiling will extract and preserve bioactive components increases the value of the krill meal, the oil containing omega-3 phospholipids and the antoixidant “astaxanthin”. [3]
[1] Antarctic Krill Conservation Project Statement of Principles and Core Goals
http://www.krillcount.org/solutions.html
[2] Krillcount: Krill Industries Reports; February 2008.
http://www.krillcount.org/pdf/Krill-Industry-Report-1feb08.pdf
[3] Aker BioMarine builds Life Science Factory (24.10.07)
http://www.akerbiomarine.com/news.cfm?path=200,116&id=3-116
06.02.2008: Enhanced pathogen bacteria rapid detection systems
In a review in 2004 Stevens and Yaykus wrote that rapid detection technologies of small number of pathogen bacteria should be improved.
Bacterial concentration may perhaps reduce or even eliminate the need for cultural enrichment prior to detection. However, methods such as centrifugation, filtration, and immunomagnetic separation were still not ideal and continued to be a stumbling block in the advancement of molecular methods for the detection of foodborne pathogens. [1]
In this field advances have been achieved, such as immuno-capture magnetic bead systems of Matrix MicroScience that selectively concentrates target microbial pathogens from complex food matrix. It uses paramagnetic beads coated with antibodies facilitates the rapid detection of target bacteria. Viable cultures are produced which enable full and detailed analysis, of any positive result to be carried out. These systems ocan be used to enhance the performance of other rapid methods such as PCR, lateral flow, ELISA, chromogenic media etc by significantly reducing or eliminating the need for lengthy enrichment and/or selective enrichment steps.[2]
Fukushima and colleagues 2007 developed a density gradient centrifugation method to separate bacteria from complex food matrices, as well as to remove compounds that inhibit rapid detection methods, such as PCR, and to prevent false-positive results due to DNA originating from dead cells. The combined separation and concentration methods and RTi-qPCR may confirme within 3 h the presence of 10 to 100 CFU/g of Salmonella and C. jejuni directly in naturally contaminated chicken and the presence of S. aureus. The author stresses the feasibility of rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria during outbreaks. [3]
[1] Stevens, K.A.; Yaykus, L.A.: Bacterial separation and concentration from complex sample matrices: a review. Crit.Rev. in Microbiol. 2004;30(1):7-24. Review. PMID: 15116760 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] MEDLINE
[2] Matrix MicroScience: No.7-October 2006.- Rapid Isolation and Detection of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in Fresh Produce
http://www.matrixmsci.com/pdf/trix7.pdf
[3] Fukushima, H.; Katsube, K. Hata, Y.; Kishi, R.; Fujiware, S.: Rapid separation and concentration of food-borne pathogens in food samples prior to quantification by viable-cell counting and real-time PCR. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2007 Jan;73(1):92-100. Epub 2006 Oct 20. MEDLINE
06.02.2008: Trehalose improves colour, taste and polyphenols in strawberry creams and dried fruit cubes [1] [2]
According to study of Mirela Kopjar and colleagues and another study of Komes and colleagues improvements were achieved in colour and aroma levels during the production of commercial strawberry cream fillings, peer purree or peer cubes adding trehalose and using freeze drying compared with the standard method of heat evaporation trehalose also had a positive effect on the levels of fruity esters. A better rehydration was observed in dried products using trehalose.
Trehalose is a dissaccharide sugar found in mushrooms, honey, lobster and shrimp. Together with the freeze-drying technique trehalose enhanced the colour the taste and anthocyanin content of the final product.
The authors concluded that aroma compounds retention depends not only on the process selected, but also on the structure of the aroma compounds. The degree of retention depends on the complexity of the food matrix and interactions within its components, such as trehalose. The authors packed the strawberry cream fillings in air and nitrogen atmosphere, and stored for 5 months at room temperature and noted that trehalose and packaging atmosphere influenced colour, aroma and texture.
[1] Kopjar, M.; Pilizota, V.; Hribar, J.; Simcic, M.; Zlatic, E.; Nedi Tiban N.: Influence of trehalose addition and storage conditions on the quality of strawberry cream filling. Journal of Food Engineering Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2007.12.011. ScienceDirect
[2] Komes, D.; Lovric, T.; Kovacevic Ganic, K.: Aroma of dehydrated pear products. LWT - Food Science & Technology. Published on-line ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2006.12.011 ScienceDirect
05.02.2008: Modern horticulture wants to revive traditional African fruits [1]
According to National Research Council in USA tropical fruit production in Africa is dominated by species introduced from Asia and th#e , such as bananas, pineapples, and papayas which displaced the traditional species that had fed Africans for thousands of years.
With renewed scientific and institutional support, however, native fruits could make a much greater contribution to nutrition and economic development, the new report says. Fruit trees and shrubs also offer long-term benefits by improving the stability of the environment.
The National Research Council report lists the benefits of 24 fruits that are considered candidates for optimisation. The molst important of this list are:
- Aizen - A large Saharan shrub that grows in particularly hostile places where few other plants can survive, aizen could protect eroding slopes, stabilise dunes and create windbreaks. The fruits are good source of vitamins A and C, calcium and some minerals, and the seeds a source of protein and zinc.
- Balanites - Also capable of thriving in the desert, balanites' fruit are similar to dates and are already eaten in arid zones where food is scares. But their full potential is not being realised, particularly since their kernels are have a similar oil-protein balance to soybeans and sesame seeds (one half oil, one half protein). They could also help counter desertification.
- Boabab - A sticky pulp from the fruits can be dried and used as a nutritious powder that is high in protein, vitamins and minerals. This is drunk with milk or other beverages. The pulp is also made into thin pancakes that keep for a long time. The "almost indestructible" trees also yield a leafy vegetable.
- Butterfruit - Butterfruit is a small tree, but its fruit, high in calories and protein, are regarded as very promising to help reduce child malnutrition. It is also a cash crop, and the mahogany-like wood could show promise for plantations.
- Tamarind - The fruits are an excellent source of B vitamins and calcium, and last a long time with no refrigeration. The sweet-sour pulp can also be made into cakes. Tamarind trees also come with the promise of restoring damaged lands.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11879
05.02.2008: Genistein stimulates the enzyme which regulates the vascular tone and reduces hypertension [1]
Hongwei Si and Dongmin Liu studied the effect of genistein, an isoflavone from soy. They found that dietary supplementation of this phytoestrogen may increase levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)wich is an enzyme linked to higher endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO) which regulates the vascular tone and atherogenesis, improving vascular health in hipertensive rats.
The authors concluded that genistein improves hypertension by excerting direct genomic effects on the vascular wall leading to increased synthesis of enzyme eNOS improving vascular health and reducing hypertension.
[1] Si, Hongwei; Liu, Dongmin:Genistein, a Soy Phytoestrogen, Upregulates the Expression of Human Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Lowers Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Journal of Nutrition February 2008, Volume 138, Pages 297-304 jn.nutrition.org
05.02.2008: Effect of antioxidant varies in different foods [1]
A variety of n-3 PUFA enriched functional food emulsions have been placed on market. To retard oxidation EDTA, tocopherols (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), lactoferrin, gallic acid, and some plant extracts such as oregano and rosemary extracts, and chardonnay grape and raspberry extract are being used.
Charlotte Jacobsen and colleagues 2008 studied the ability of antioxidants to prevent lipid oxidation in food emulsions in general and in functional food systems enriched with n-3 PUFA in particular.
They found that the same antioxidant exerts different effects in different systems such as milk, milk drink, salad dressing, mayonnaise and other emulsions, in some cases they may even exert opposite effects on peroxide levels and on formation of individual volatiles and fishy odour and flavours. EDTA was found to be efficient in salad dressing and mayonnaise, but not in milk, which can protected against oxidation by ascorbyl palmitate. The authors recommend to evaluate the effects of antioxidants by more than one method.
[1] Jacobsen, Charlotte; Let, Mette Bruni; Skall Nielsen, Nina; Meyer, Anne S.: Antioxidant strategies for preventing oxidative flavour deterioration of foods enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated lipids: a comparative evaluation. Trends in Food Science & Technology. February 2008, Volume 19, Issue 2, Pages 76-93
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2007.08.001
04.02.2008: FDA does not have the capacity to ensure the safety of food for the nation [1]
According to the Report of the Subcommittee on Science and Technology Prepared for FDA the FDA cannot full fill its mission because its scientific base has eroded and its scientific organizational structure is weak.
The nation’s food supply is at risk. Crisis management in FDA’s two food safety centers, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), has drawn attention and resources away from FDA’s ability to develop the science base and infrastructure needed to efficiently support innovation in the food industry, provide effective routine surveillance, and conduct emergency outbreak investigation activities to protect the food supply.
FDA’s inability to keep up with scientific advances means that American lives are at risk. While the world of drug discovery and development has undergone revolutionary change — shifting from cellular to molecular and gene-based approaches — FDA’s evaluation methods have remained largely unchanged over the last half century. Likewise, evaluation methods have not kept pace with major advances in medical devices and use of products in combination.
The Subcommittee found that the deficiency has two sources:
- The demands on the FDA have soared due to the extraordinary advance of scientific discoveries, the complexity of the new products and claims submitted to FDA for pre-market review and approval, the emergence of challenging safety problems, and the globalization of the industries that FDA regulates.
- The resources have not increased in proportion to the demands. The result is that the scientific demands on the Agency far exceed its capacity to respond. This imbalance is imposing a significant risk to the integrity of the food, drug, cosmetic and device regulatory system, and hence the safety of the public.
The subcommittee concluded that the analysis revealed a very dangerous trend: the continual expansion of FDA responsibilities coupled with a dramatic decline in resources, particularly during the past two decades. The subcommittee recommended that a plan be aligned with the 2009 budget process in order to align the resources with the proposed response.
The 2009 Budget fails to reverse FDA starving [2] [3]
According to CSPI “the Bush Administration's "food protection" initiative is little more than shadow boxing against unsafe imports.
A $32 million increase proposed for fiscal year 2009 for the agency's food science and inspection programs translates into a bare-bones increase of only $2 million when adjusted for the agency's typical inflationary cost (6 percent). And while food safety is highlighted as an important area, if the agency has shortfalls elsewhere, it will likely move this money from foods to drugs or devices.
The 2009 President's budget fails to reverse the history of starving this critical public health agency of essential resources.”
[1]FDA Science and Mission at Risk Report of the Subcommittee on Science and Technology Prepared for FDA Science Board November 2007
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/briefing/2007-4329b_02_01_FDA%20Report%20on%20Science%20and%20Technology.pdf
[2]CSPI Newsroom: Bush Food Protection Initiative Fails to Nourish a Starving FDA
Statement of CSPI Food Safety Director Caroline Smith DeWaal. 04.02.2008
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200802042.html
[3] Bush Unveils $3 Trillion Budget Proposal. By Jonathan Weisman Washington Post Staff Writer. Monday, February 4, 2008; 11:57 AM.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/04/AR2008020400493.html?hpid=topnews
04.02.2008: Folic acid
The NIH study on folic acid study in preventing pregnancy complications [1]
Preconceptional folate supplementation for at least 1 year may halve number of premature birthsFolic acid reduces neural tube defects (spina bifida) and anencephaly. Foli acid is already being added to cereal products in U.S. and Canada starting in 1998.
Radek Bukowski and colleagues in a study concerning folate supplementation and pregnancy found that supplementation for at least 1 year before conception was associated with a 70% decrease in the incidence of spontaneous preterm delivery between 20 and 28 weeks and 50% decrease in the incidence of spontaneous preterm delivery between 28 and 32 weeks.
Radek Bukowski and colleagues recommend that women of childbearing age take a daily dose of 400 micrograms starting at least 1 year before conception. The study was presented at the 28th Annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2008 meeting.
Food fortification with Folic Acid [2]
According to a Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) Report, the average intake of folic acid per day per person in the UK is 200 Microgram. But periconceptional requirement of folic acid per day is 400 Microgram.
Supplementation in postconceptional period proved to be less effective in preventing NTD. Folic acid given in the periconceptional period prevents childhood leukaemia, decreases the incidence of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke. The decrease in plasma homocysteine levels reduces the number of deaths due to stroke and Ischemic heart disease, and low levels of folate and Vitamin B12 were linked to depression.
In its paper Dhruvashree Somasundara also stresses that elderly are at risk primarily because they are commonly deficient in Vitamin B12. He calls to fortify food with both folic acid and Vitamin B12.
Mandatory folic acid fortification [3]
According to Mark A. Lawrence concerns about the safety implications of mandatory folic acid fortification include possible increased risk of cancer particularly colorectal cancer, decreased cognitive function, increased risk of compromised immunity and lack of evidence of protection against coronary heart disease. Concern has also been raised regarding an increased proportion of methylenetetrahydrofolate reducatase homozygote births in women using folic acid supplements to prevent NTDs.
This genotype is reliant on a high intake of folate to maintain health and is negatively associated with increased risk of several chronic diseases if diet quality is not maintained. Further it must be excluded that other phenotypic changes in offspring may take place when folic acid is supplemented in utero.
Lowering blood homocysteine with folic acid based supplements [4]
Robert Clarke (1998) advocated that daily supplementation with both 0.5-5 mg folic acid and about 0.5mg vitamin B-12 would be expected to reduce blood homocysteine concentrations by about a quarter to a third (for example, from about 12 µmol/l to 8-9 µmol/l). The author called for large scale randomised trials to determine whether lowering blood homocysteine concentrations reduces the risk of vascular disease. This publication initiated a high amount of research on the effect of homocysteine blood level.
Homocysteine Concentration in Early Pregnancy [5]
In 2008 Linda Dodds and colleagues found that increased total homocysteine (tHcy) was associated with placental-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increased tHcy concentrations increased risk of pregnancy loss or preeclampsia compared with subjects with lower tHcy concentrations, but it was not associated with increased risk of developing gestational hypertension or having an small for gestational age infant.
The authors concluded that high tHcy in early pregnancy is a risk factor for pregnancy loss and preeclampsia and results in abnormalities of the placental vasculature.
The Norway study [6]
Roi Miodini Nilsen and colleagues reported in 2007 a strong risk reduction of placental abruption when both folic acid and multivitamin were supplemented. The authors conclude that folic acid and other vitamin supplementation during pregnancy may be associated with reduced risk of placental abruption.
Voluntary food fortification policy on folate [7]
Leane Hoey and colleagues studied the effect of fortified foods on blood levels of biomarkers of folate, vitamin B and homocysteine. They wrote that mandatory folic acid fortification of food is effective in reducing neural tube defects and may even reduce stroke-related mortality, but it remains controversial because of concerns about potential adverse effects. Europe has therefore only a voluntary fortification.
The authors found that voluntary food fortification increased dietary intake and biomarker status of folate and metabolically related B vitamins with potential beneficial effects on health. In this research the authors stress that those who do not consume fortified foods regularly may have insufficient B vitamin status and will not participate of these benefits..
Homocysteine did not Lower Mortality and Vascular Disease in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease [8]
High plasma homocysteine levels are a risk factor for mortality and vascular disease in observational studies of patients with chronic kidney disease. Folic acid and B vitamins decrease homocysteine levels in this population but whether they lower mortality is unknown.
Treatment with high doses of folic acid and B vitamins did not improve survival or reduce the incidence of vascular disease in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease.
Folates and facial clefts in newborn [9]
Allen J. Wilcox and colleagues found in a study published in 2007 that folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy (>400 µg/day) was associated with a reduced risk of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Their finds suggest that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and other high folate containing foods reduced the risk somewhat, however, folic acid supplements and multivitamins added to a folate rich diets is the best protection. Folic acid provided no protection against cleft palate alone.
Multivitamins containing folic acid reduces risk of preeclampsia [10]
Shi Wu Wen and colleagues studied the effect of folic acid supplementation in early second trimester and reduction of risk of developing preeclampsia.
The authors found that the supplementation of multivitamins containing folic acid was associated with increased serum folate (on average 10.51 μmol/L), decreased plasma homocysteine (on average 0.39 μmol/L), and reduced risk of preeclampsia. They concluded that supplementation of multivitamins containing folic acid in the second trimester is associated with reduced risk of preeclampsia. According to the authors these finding may become a new prevention strategy for pre-eclampsia,
Changes in plasma homocysteine during normal pregnancy [11]
Yoshihiro Sato and colleagues 2002 studied the changes in total plasma homocysteine concentration that occurred in the first, second, and third trimesters of normal pregnancy in comparision with nonpregnant controls. The authors found that homocysteine decrease during pregnancy compared with nonpregnant controls. Homocysteine levels were decreased with folic acid supplementation. Homocysteine correlated with albumin levels, which decreased during pregnancy and with folic acid supplementation. [12]
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy induced hypertension in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine. There can be many different causes for the syndrome. While blood pressure elevation is the most visible sign of the disease, it involves generalized damage to the maternal endothelium and kidneys and liver, with the release of vasopressive factors only secondary to the original damage. [12]
Many strategies to reduce the risk of preeclampsia are being studied using vitamine or minerals as supplements:
Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency Increases the Risk of Preeclampsia [13]
According to Lisa M. Bodnar and colleagues 2007 maternal vitamin D deficiency may be an independent risk factor for preeclampsia. The authors suggest vitamin D supplementation in early pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia and promote neonatal well-being.
Supplementation of calcium reduces severity of V preeclamptic complications [14]
J. Villar and colleagues in a study of the UN Development Programme found no change in preeclampsia rates in women supplemented with calcium, but did find a decrease in the rate of severe preeclamptic complications.
[1] Radek Bukowski, Fergal D. Malone, Flint Porter, David A. Nyberg, Christine Comstock, Gary Hankins, Keith Eddleman, Susan Gross, Lorraine Dugoff, Sabrina Craigo, Ilan E. Timor-Tritsch, Stephen R. Carr, Honor M. Wolfe, Mary E. D'Alton: Preconceptional Folate Prevents Preterm Delivery". 28th Annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) meeting. Abstract.
HispanicPRWire: Huge Drop in Preterm Birth-Risk Among Women Taking Folic Acid One Year Before Conception
Largest U.S. Study of Pre-conceptional Folic Acid Supplementation Receives March of Dimes Award.
http://www.hispanicprwire.com/print.php?l=in&id=10586&cha=9
[2] Dhruvashree Somasundara: Food fortification with Folic Acid– Risks vs Benefits
bmj.com, 6 Mar 2007
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/334/7591/433#161482
[3] Mandatory folic acid fortification - more than a 'theoretical' risk less than a panacea
Mark A. Lawrence, et al. bmj.com, 7 Mar 2007
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/334/7591/433#161592
[4] Clarke, Robert: L owering blood homocysteine with folic acid based supplements: meta-analysis of randomised trials. Homocysteine Lowering Trialists Collaboration. BMJ 1998;316:894-898. 21March 1998.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/316/7135/894
[5] Dodds, Linda; Fell, Deshayne B.; Dooley, Kent C.; Armson, B. Anthony; Allen, Alexander C.; Nassar, Bassam A.; Perkins, Sherry; Joseph K.S. : Effect of Homocysteine Concentration in Early Pregnancy on Gestational Hypertensive Disorders and Other Pregnancy Outcomes Clinical Chemistry. 54: 326-334, 2008. First published December 10, 2007; 10.1373/clinchem.2007.097469 (Clinical Chemistry. 2008;54:326-334.)
http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/2/326
[6] Nilsen, Roy M.; Vollset, Stein E.; Rasmussen, Svein A.; Ueland, Per M. ; Daltveit Anne K.: Folic Acid and Multivitamin Supplement Use and Risk of Placental Abruption: A Population-based Registry Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, doi:10.1093/aje/kwm373 Advance Access published online on January 10, 2008.
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/kwm373v1
[7] Hoey, Leane; McNulty, Helene; Askin, Nadina; Dunne, Adrian; Ward, Mary; Pentieva, Kristina; Strain, J.J.; Molloy, Anne M.; Flynn, Cliona A.; Scott, John M.: Effect of a voluntary food fortification policy on folate, related B vitamin status, and homocysteine in healthy adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 5, 1405-1413, November 2007
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/86/5/1405
[8] Jamison, Rex L.; Hartigan, Pamela; Kaufman, James S.; Goldfarb, David S.; Warren, Stuart R.; Guarino, Peter D.; Gaziano, J. Michael: Effect of Homocysteine Lowering on Mortality and Vascular Disease in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and End-stage Renal Disease. JAMA 298: 1163-1170.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/298/10/1163
[9] Wilcox, Allen J.; Lie, Rolv Terje; Solvoll, Kari; Taylor, Jack; McConnaughey, D. Robert; Abyholm, Frank; Vindenes, Hallvard; Vollset, Stein Emil; Drevon Christian A.: Folic acid supplements and risk of facial clefts: national population based case-control study. BMJ 2007;334:464 (3 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39079.618287.0B (published 26 January 2007).
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/334/7591/464
[10] Wen, Shi Wu; Chen, Xi-Kuan; Rodger, Marc; Rennicks White, Ruth; Yang, Qiuying; Smith, Graeme N.; Sigal, Ronald J.; Perkins, Sherry L.; Walker, Mark C.: Folic acid supplementation in early second trimester and the risk of preeclampsia. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 198, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 45.e1-45.e7. doi:101016/j.ajog.2007.06.067 ScienceDirect
[11] Yoshihiro Sato, Kaji, Masahide; Kondo, Izumi; Yoshida, Hidemi; Satoh, Kei; Metoki, Norifumi: Hyperhomocysteinemia in Japanese patients with convalescent stage ischemic stroke: Effect of combined therapy with folic acid and mecobalamine. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, Volume 202, Issues 1-2, 15 October 2002, Pages 65-68. doi:10.1016/S0002-9378(99)70269-3 ScienceDirect
[12] Wikipedia: Pre-eclampsia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preeclampsia
[13] Bodnar, Lisa M.; Catov, Janet M.V;. Simhan, Hyagriv N; Holick, Michael F.; Powers; Robert W.; Roberts, James M.: Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency Increases the Risk of Preeclampsia. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, doi:10.1210/jc.2007-0718
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/92/9/3517
[14}World Health Organization randomized trial of calcium supplementation among low calcium intake pregnant women.
Villar J, Abdel-Aleem H, Merialdi M, Mathai M, Ali M, Zavaleta N, Purwar M, Hofmeyr J, Nguyen T, Campódonico L, Landoulsi S, Carroli G, Lindheimer M (2006): World Health Organization randomized trial of calcium supplementation among low calcium intake pregnant women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 194 (3): 639-49.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16522392
02.02.2008: Bioplastic and biopackaging applications[1]
Bioplastics are produced from renewable raw materials which capture carbon from the atmosphere by plants. Incinerating or composting biopackaging this renewable carbon is returned to the atmosphere.
Fossil fuels is needed in the production of biopackaging, therefore it is not free of additional co2 emission. Bioplastics presents a potential to reduce the dependency on crude oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Composting could produce humus in arid-zones as an additional advantage as fertiliser and substrate in soil.
Opening up these composting systems for biopackaging, is another way of closing the loop for these innovative packaging solutions. In addition, composting systems are economically very competitive compared with incineration. The generated compost can be used to increase the carbon content in the soil and to maintain soil fertility.
Characteristics of bioplastics according to European Bioplastics
- The use of renewable resources for their production: It is subject to individual interpretation how big the share of renewable resources in a plastic product has to be in order to be called a bioplastic. No standard is available to approve this.
- Their biodegradability / compostability: It can be assessed through the European norm EN 13432, (2000). This norm is used by the association European Bioplastics to approve plastic products if the marketer advertises the product to be "compostable" or "biodegradable".
"Degradable" PE Products
According to European Bioplastics plastic bags and other products, e.g. agricultural mulching foils, made with polyethylene (PE) with the claim of being "degradable", or "bio-, UV- or oxo-degradable", and sometimes even "compostable" do not fulfill this standard and were lawsuited.
The Environmental Agreement (EA) in the form of a unilateral self-commitment by industry ensures the keeping of an internationally recognised standard for the biodegradation of polymers, produced from both, renewable or fossil resources.
Properties of bioplastics [2]
According to Bioplastics the production will tend to biobased/non-biodegradable plastics in near future, however, the barrier properties and heat resistance must be improved. Usual polylactic acid (PLA) softens at a temperature of about 60°C and is not deployable for several applications. New PLA is being developed from D- or L-lactic acid to resist heat up to 175°C.
Due to a low CO2-barrier carbonated beverages lose their sparkling character very soon at the
moment. Furthermore, the high permeability of steam reduces the shelf-life. However, it is expected
that new PLA types and barrier layers will widen the scope of applications very soon.
A new polylactic acid (PLA)-based resin from Cereplast, inc. withstands temperatures as low as -35°C, compared to about 20°C for standard PLA-based plastic with good structural properties. [3]
Brazil Braskem will strengthen their production of polyethylene from sugar cane, so-called „green PE“.
The European Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC [5].
The directive includes several requirements to reduce the organic component of waste. It permits explicitly the burning, the treatment in a mechanical biological facility and the mixed composting of organic waste components, but the waste can no longer be used for soil improvement.
Like the EU parliament and the “biowaste coalition” , comprising 12 European countries, the European Bioplastics supports the idea of a dedicated Organic Waste Directive that is unfortunately not yet on the agenda of the EU Commission. [2]
German government acknowledged the environment friendly potential of biopackaging with the amendment of the Packaging Ordinance by releasing bioplastic bottles from deposit obligation. The ordinance states that bottles with more than 75 percent RRM content will not be charged with a deposit fee. The privilege postpones the obligation of installing recovery systems to a point of time after market introduction. [4]
[1]European Bioplastics: Product quality.
http://www.european-bioplastics.org/index.php?id=155
[2] European Bioplastics: 2nd European Bioplastics Conference established as the place to be of bioplastics industry
http://www.european-bioplastics.org/media/files/docs/en-pr/PR_Conference2007_final_i.pdf
[3] Azom.com: Cereplast Introduce First Ever Freeze Tolerant Bio-Based Sustainable Plastic Resin. Posted January 24th, 2008.
http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=11104
[4] Verpackungsverordnung: Biokunststoff-Flaschen von Pfandpflicht befreien European Bioplastics begrüßt Kabinettsbeschluss – Förderung von innovativen Technologien. Berlin, 19. September 2007.
http://www.european-bioplastics.org/index.php?id=629
[5] Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:1999:182:0001:0019:EN:PDF
20.02.2007: UK parliamentary inquiry on the effect of nutrition on behaviour[1]
A report by the Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum, calls for more research and funding into the role of essential fatty acids on the mind.
The forum does not recommend fatty acid fortification of foods, but recognizes functional effects of certain essential fatty acids such as Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) , which form an important part of the cellular structure of the brain and in maintaining its normal functions.
The forum stresses that deficiency of omega-3 EFAs is associated with certain mental and behavioural disorders, such as ADHD, depression, dementia, dyspraxia, greater impulsivity and aggressive behaviour, but the association is still only partly understood.
Behaviour [2]
Bernard Gesch of Natural Justice leads a study on the effect of nutritional diet in young offenders' institutes on behaviour and mental health of prisoners. The study is being funded by Welcome Trust
Learning and behavioural difficulties [3]
The parliamentary forum recommended that the UK's Committee on Nutrition to look upon the optimum intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in different stages of life, especially for pregnant women and children.
Deficiency of omega-3 can lead to a decreased ability to focus attention, which is vital for sequencing letters and numbers, skilled movements, and detecting facial and emotional expressions such as tone of voice and gestures.
The Durham Research [4]
The Durham Research 2004 studied the treatment effect on Conners' Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dramatic results were seen within just 3 months of the trial. The children in the active group supplementing with fatty acids saw significant improvements in reading, spelling and behaviour, compared to the placebo group where no overall improvement was made.
During the 3-6 month period when the placebo group crossed over to fatty acid supplementation, considerable improvements were shown in the same areas, with an average reading gain of 13.5 months and an average spelling gain at over 6 months.
The Sustain statement, however, points out that there is no published research evidence showing that omega-3 can help to improve a normal child’s behaviour or school performance. The research done so far has been with children who have specific learning and behavioural difficulties.
However, this has not prevented the supplement companies from benefiting massively from association with the research.
An investigation of Sustain of fish-oil supplemented foods on market such as omega-3 milk
although it uses the omega-3 research as a marketing hook – neglects to note that a child would need to drink two and a half litres of it to get the same dose as used in trials. The same situation is present in products such as omega-3 enriched yoghurts, omega-3 eggs, omega-3 orange juice and omega-3 margarine. Sustain questions that they provide any real benefit.
Depression
According to the forum there is a high prevalence of depression, including childhood depression and there is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may be helpful in the treatment of depression. The inquiry,however, does not recommend universal fatty acid supplementation or fortification until recommended daily intakes for adults and children have been established.
Sustain has carried out work specifically on the issue of food and mental health for over three years through its Food and Mental Health Project. The principle of nutrient interaction states that even though every nutrient has a specific function, no nutrient works alone – anything that it does, it does with the assistance of a series of other processes, only made possible by the presence of other nutrients. Sustain says it is deceptive to consider nutrients as independent entities.
Whatever benefit omega-3 provides, it must be considered in the context of the entire diet. Certain minerals are necessary for the successful incorporation of omega-3 into the body and the presence of other fatty acids may interfere – research or supplementation programmes that ignore this key factor risk providing inaccurate perceptions of the effect
of omega-3 rich foods on the body.
Sustain advocates two or three fish meals per week, and calls for policies that help and encourage every individual to eat a balanced, healthy diet, incorporating all of the necessary nutrients for brain – and thus mental – health.
[1] Advance statement to the Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum on its investigation into the links between food and mental health. Courtney Van de Weyer Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming April 2007
http://www.sustainweb.org/pdf/fmh_advance_statement.pdf
[2] Welcome Trust: Prison study to investigate link between diet and behaviour. 28 January 2008
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTX042970.html
[3] The Guardian: Why it's time we faced fats: New research establishes a link between nutrition and the management of many behaviour and learning disorders. Felicity Lawrence investigates. Thursday May 5, 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/feature/story/0,13026,1476219,00.html
[4] The Durham Study Using Fatty Acids for Learning Conditions. 2004.
http://www.durhamtrial.org/primary%20results%20new.htm
01.02.2008: Ochratoxin and aflatoxins in spices
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several fungal species of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus. Contamination of food commodities, including cereals and cereal products, pulses, coffee, beer, grape juice, dry vine fruits and wine as well as cacao products, nuts and spices, has been reported from all over the world. In addition, contamination of animal feeds with OTA may result in the presence of residues in edible offal and blood serum, whereas the OTA contamination in meat, milk and eggs is negligible. Despite efforts to reduce the amount of this mycotoxin in foods as consumed, a certain degree of contamination seems unavoidable at present.
The Expert Panel of the European Food Safety Authority reported that the dietary exposures of adult European consumers to OTA ranged from 15 to 60 ng OTA per kg bodyweight per week. Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) of 120 ng/kg b.w. for OTA was derived by the Panel. [1]
Spices and paprika are often contaminated by aflatoxinx and ochratoxin.Aflatoxins are the only mycotoxins with legal limits for spices in the European Union. A limit for ochratoxin A is expected to be adopted soon. Limits set up by EC No. 1881/2006 regulation are 5 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 10 µg/kg for total aflatoxins, but no legal limit for ochratoxin A exist. [2]
According to Hernandez-Hierro and colleagues using a new method to analyse aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and oxratoxins based on the methoide of Rafael J. Garcia-Villanova 2004. found that aflatoxins were below these legal limits. Ochratoxin A was found with a mean of 11.8 µg/kg. A maximum level between 10 and 20 μg/kg is generally used in commercial transactions. [3] [4]
Past findings of aflatoxin and ochratoxin in spices:
Portugal, aflatoxins in paprika with amounts from 1 - 20 μg/kg aflatoxin B1.
Hungarian paprika, in 2004, with amounts up to 66.2 μg/kg of aflatoxin B1.
Red pepper from Turkey (2005) with amounts from 1.1 to 97.5 μg/kg aflatoxins.
Paprika from bazar of Turkey with amounts from 0,5 – 116,4 μg/kg aflatoxins. [5]
[1] EFSA: Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to ochratoxin A in food Question number: EFSA-Q-2005-154 Adopted 04.04.2006.
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620762138.htm
[2] COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_364/l_36420061220en00050024.pdf
[3] Hernández Hierro,J. Miguel; Garcia-Villanova, Rafael J.: Torrero,Purificación Rodríguez, Toruño Fonseca, Ivania M.: Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Red Paprika for Retail Sale in Spain: Occurrence and Evaluation of a Simultaneous Analytical Method. J .Agric. Food Chem. ASAP Article10.1021/jf073002c Web Release Date: January 19, 2008.
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/asap/abs/jf073002c.html
[4] Rafael J. Garcia-Villanova, Carlos Cordón, Ana M. González Paramás, Aparicio, P.; Garcia Rosales, M. Eugenia: Simultaneous Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup and HPLC Analysis of Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Spanish Bee Pollen. J .Agric. Food Chem.Web Release Date: October 28, 2004. Doi:10.1021jf048882z
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2004/52/i24/abs/jf048882z.html
[5} Bircan, Cavit: The determination of aflatoxins in spices by immunoaffinity column extraction using HPLC. International Journal of Food Science & Technology 40 (9), 929–934. (2005)
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.01025.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.01025.x