This paper summarizes recent research on the importance of zinc for human health, and reviews available methods of evaluating zinc status in individuals and populations. The lack of generally accepted biomarkers of zinc status has impeded estimation of the global prevalence of zinc deficiency. Although measurement of zinc consumption and/or plasma zinc concentration can be used to assess population zinc status, few countries have collected adequate data to permit estimation of the prevalence of zinc deficiency. An alternative method, described herein, is to estimate the zinc content of national food supplies, using FAO food balance sheets; the assumed bioavailability of that zinc based on phytate:zinc molar ratios; and the relation between absorbable zinc and theoretical requirements according to country-specific demographics. The results of these analyses indicate that nearly half of the world's population is at risk for inadequate zinc intake, suggesting that public health programs are urgently needed to control zinc deficiency.
Obese individuals are at an increased risk of developing CVD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and bacterial and viral infections when compared with the normal-weight population. In a 9-week randomised, double-blind, cross-over study, twenty-four obese subjects aged between 20 and 60 years and with a BMI between 30 and 45 kg/m 2 were fed grape or placebo powder for 3-week intervals to determine the effects of dietary grapes on blood lipid profiles, plasma inflammatory marker concentrations and immune cell function. Blood samples were collected on days 1 and 8 for obtaining baseline information and at weeks 3, 4, 8 and 9. Comprehensive chemistry panels, lipid profile analyses by NMR, measurement of plasma inflammatory marker concentrations, and analyses of cytokine production by activated T lymphocytes and monocytes were performed for each blood draw. Dietary grape powder reduced the plasma concentrations of large LDLcholesterol and large LDL particles compared with the placebo powder (P, 0·05). The concentrations of interferon-g, TNF-a, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured in supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) activated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies and those of TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured in supernatants from PBMC activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). No difference in the production of T-cell cytokines was observed between the two intervention groups. The production of IL-1b and IL-6 was increased in supernatants from LPS-activated PBMC in the grape powder group compared with the placebo powder group (P, 0·05). These data suggest that dietary grapes may decrease atherogenic lipid fractions in obese individuals and increase the sensitivity of monocytes in a population at a greater risk of developing infections.
The clinical effects and tolerability of a novel herbal formulation comprising the extracts of Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana were assessed in two similarly designed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trials in 100 human subjects with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 kg/m 2 . Participants were randomized into two groups receiving either 400 mg of herbal blend twice daily or two identical placebo capsules. All subjects received three meals (2000 kcal/day) throughout the study and walked 5 days a week for 30 min. The primary outcome was reduction in body weight. Secondary outcomes were reduction in BMI and in waist and hip circumference. Serum glycemic, lipid, and adiponectin levels were also measured. Ninety-five subjects completed the trials, and data from these two studies were pooled and analyzed. At study conclusion (8 weeks), statistically significant reductions in body weight (5.2 kg; P < .0001), BMI (2.2 kg/m 2 ; P < .0001), as well as waist (11.9 cm; P < .0001) and hip circumferences (6.3 cm; P = .0001) were observed in the herbal group compared with placebo. An increase in serum adiponectin concentration was also found in the herbal group versus placebo (P = .0008) at study conclusion along with reductions in fasting blood glucose (12.2%, P = .01), cholesterol (13.8%, P = .002), and triglyceride (41.6%, P < .0001) concentrations. No changes were seen across organ function panels, multiple vital signs, and no major adverse events were reported. The minor adverse events were equally distributed between the two groups. Our findings suggest that the herbal blend appears to be a well-tolerated and effective ingredient for weight management.
Background Heat-treated expressed breastmilk is recommended by WHO as an option to reduce vertical HIV transmission in resource poor regions. Flash-heat (FH) is a low technology pasteurization method developed for home use, but its effect on quantity and quality of breastmilk immunoglobulins is unknown. Objective To evaluate FH's effect on breastmilk immunoglobulin levels and antigen binding capacity. Design/Methods Fifty HIV+ mothers in South Africa provided breastmilk. Part of each sample served as an unheated (UH) control; the remainder was Flash-heated. Total and antigen-specific IgA and IgG were measured by ELISA. Paired t-test was performed on log transformed data. Results FH significantly decreased total IgA and IgG concentrations [geometric mean (geometric sd) 318.0 (1.9) vs. 398.2 (1.9) mcg/mL and 89.1 (2.7) vs. 133.3 (2.5) mcg/mL, p<0.001 each]. Similar decreases in anti-HIV-1 gp120 IgG, anti-pneumococcal polysaccharide and anti-poliovirus IgA occurred (p<0.001 each). Although the latter was most affected, FH retained 66% of the antigen binding ability. In contrast, binding capacity of IgA and IgG to influenza increased after FH (p=0.029 and 0.025 respectively). Conclusions Most breastmilk immunoglobulin activity survives FH, suggesting Flash-heated breastmilk is immunologically superior to breastmilk substitutes. Clinical significance of this decreased immunoglobulin activity needs evaluation in prospective trials.
Folate bioavailability of beef liver, lima beans, peas, spinach, mushrooms, collards, orange juice and wheat germ was estimated with a protocol of folate depletion-repletion using growth and liver, serum and erythrocyte folate of weanling male rats. Diets with 125, 250 and 375 micrograms folic acid/kg were standards. Individual foods were incorporated into a folate-free amino acid-based diet alone (250 micrograms folate/kg diet from food) or mixed with folic acid (125 micrograms folate from food + 125 micrograms folic acid) to evaluate folate bioavailability and effects of food matrix. Beef liver and orange juice folates were as available as folic acid, whereas those of wheat germ were less bioavailable. Folates of peas and spinach were also less available than folic acid using liver and serum folate concentrations and total liver folate as response criteria, but they were not lower when based on growth and erythrocyte folate concentrations. Lima bean, mushroom and collard folates were as available as folic acid using four of five response criteria. Folate bioavailability of all foods generally exceeded 70%. All response criteria gave approximately equivalent results, indicating that growth and tissue folate levels are appropriate criteria. No food matrix effects were observed for any food except lima beans. Foods rich in polyglutamyl folates were less bioavailable than those of foods rich in short-chain folates.
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