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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