Adverse Nutritional Effects Research Articles

Development and Characterization of Hybrid Meat Analogs from Whey Protein-Mushroom Composite Hydrogels.

There is a need to reduce the proportion of animal-derived food products in the human diet for sustainability and environmental reasons. However, it is also important that a transition away from animal-derived foods does not lead to any adverse nutritional effects. In this study, the potential of blending whey protein isolate (WPI) with either shiitake mushroom (SM) or oyster mushroom (OM) to create hybrid foods with enhanced nutritional and physicochemical properties was investigated. The impact of OM or SM addition on the formation, microstructure, and physicochemical attributes of heat-set whey protein gels was therefore examined. The mushroom powders were used because they have relatively high levels of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers, which may provide nutritional benefits, whereas the WPI was used to provide protein and good thermal gelation properties. A variety of analytical methods were used to characterize the structural and physicochemical properties of the WPI-mushroom hybrids, including confocal microscopy, particle electrophoresis, light scattering, proximate analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic shear rheology, textural profile analysis, and colorimetry. The charge on whey proteins and mushroom particles went from positive to negative when the pH was raised from 3 to 9, but whey protein had a higher isoelectric point and charge magnitude. OM slightly increased the thermal stability of WPI, but SM had little effect. Both mushroom types decreased the lightness and increased the brownness of the whey protein gels. The addition of the mushroom powders also decreased the hardness and Young's modulus of the whey protein gels, which may be because the mushroom particles acted as soft fillers. This study provides valuable insights into the formation of hybrid whey protein-mushroom products that have desirable physiochemical and nutritional attributes.

Once-weekly semaglutide administered after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Effects on body weight, glycemic control, and measured nutritional metrics in Japanese patients having both obesity and type 2 diabetes

BackgroundGlucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analogue may be useful for controlling weight recurrence and diabetes relapse after bariatric surgery, but may also adversely affect the measured nutritional metrics. This study aimed to investigate the effect of treatment with once-weekly semaglutide after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We also examined the effects of combined use with a low-energy, high-protein formula diet (FD). MethodsThis study was a single-center retrospective database analysis. We enrolled 29 Japanese patients with T2D who underwent LSG, and more than 12 months later received semaglutide. The patients were divided retrospectively into a FD group (=6) and a conventional diet (CD) group (n = 23). ResultsBMI and HbA1c decreased significantly by 10.7 kg/m2 and 1.1 %, respectively, 12 months after LSG, and decreased by an additional 1.6 kg/m2 and 0.6 % after 12-months of treatment with semaglutide. Decreases in serum albumin, vitamin B12 and zinc were observed only after semaglutide administration. A ratio of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates changed from 13:31:56 before to 19:30:50 after LSG, and from 17:32:51 before to 15:29:56 after semaglutide. Skeletal muscle ratio, which is the ratio of skeletal muscle mass to body weight, increased after LSG, but did not change after semaglutide. FD group showed a significant increase in skeletal muscle mass per 1 % body weight compared to CD group during semaglutide treatment. ConclusionSemaglutide after LSG in patients with obesity and T2D resulted in additional weight reduction and improved glycemic control, but worsened measured nutritional metrics. Administration of a low-energy, high protein formula diet may ameliorate adverse nutritional effects of semaglutide in patients with T2D after LSG. (Ethics Committee of Toho University Sakura Medical Center approval number S18061)

Nutritional aberration and related morphological disorders among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Ghana: A retrospective study

BackgroundMetabolic and nutritional abnormalities among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) have been reported due to either their HIV infection, primary malnutrition caused by insufficient intake or consequences of the ART regimen provided. This study investigated the prevalence and patterns of nutritional abnormalities including morphological changes among HIV patients under combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) in the Bia-West District of the Western North Region. MethodsWe employed a hospital-based retrospective longitudinal design. Records of 180 patients with HIV infection before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation were extracted at the Essam Government Hospital. Eligibility criteria included being on treatment without change in regimen for at least one year and without defaulting in scheduled visits. Data extracted included patients' demography, nutritional parameters and medication history. We assessed patients’ nutritional characteristics with the subjective global assessment (SGA) tool which includes five components of medical history (weight change, dietary intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, functional capacity & metabolic stress) and two components of physical examination (signs of fat loss and muscle wasting, alterations in fluid balance). ResultsMalnutrition, lipodystrophy and body wasting among HIV patients were 48.3% (36.5–62.4), 43.9% (32.6–57.7) and 33.3% (23.6–46.0) respectively. Incremental percentage trends of malnutrition (stage I- 7.4%, stage II -22.4%, stage III-24.7%) and lipodystrophy (Stage I - 22.2%, Stage II - 48.7%, Stage III - 51.9%) were significantly associated with worsening disease status. Patients on AZT+3TC + NVP combined regimen presented with the highest malnutrition [52.9% (28.5–76.1)], lipodystrophy [64.7% (38.6–84.7)] and loss of muscle mass [47.1% (23.9–71.5)]. Long-term ART use was significantly associated with high malnutrition rate (p= 0.02620) and increasing muscle mass loss (p = 0.0040). ConclusionHigh malnutrition, lipodystrophy and muscle wasting exist in PLHIV on cART in the Bia-West District. These adverse nutritional effects may be modulated by disease severity, ARV medication and duration.

Application of emerging technologies to obtain legume protein isolates with improved techno-functional properties and health effects.

Current demand of consumers for healthy and sustainable food products has led the industry to search for different sources of plant protein isolates and concentrates. Legumes represent an excellent nonanimal protein source with high-protein content. Legume species are distributed in a wide range of ecological conditions, including regions with drought conditions, making them a sustainable crop in a context of global warming. However, their use as human food is limited by the presence of antinutritional factors, such as protease inhibitors, lectins, phytates, and alkaloids, which have adverse nutritional effects. Antitechnological factors, such as fiber, tannins, and lipids, can affect the purity and protein extraction yield. Although most are removed or reduced during alkaline solubilization and isoelectric precipitation processes, some remain in the resulting protein isolates. Selection of appropriate legume genotypes and different emerging and sustainable facilitating technologies, such as high-power ultrasound, pulsed electric fields, high hydrostatic pressure, microwave, and supercritical fluids, can be applied to increase the removal of unwanted compounds. Some technologies can be used to increase protein yield. The technologies can also modify protein structure to improve digestibility, reduce allergenicity, and tune technological properties. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the use of emerging technologies to obtain high-purity protein isolates and the effects on techno-functional properties and health.

A Critical Review of the Characterization of Polyphenol-Protein Interactions and of Their Potential Use for Improving Food Quality.

Interest in protein-phenol interactions in biological systems has grown substantially in recent decades. The interest has focused largely on food systems in response to reports on the prominent roles of phenolic compounds in nutrition and health. Phenolic compounds can have both favourable and adverse nutritional effects. Polyphenols are widely known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antiaging properties; however, they have also been ascribed anti-nutritional effects resulting from interactions with some proteins and enzymes. Interactions between proteins and polyphenols can additionally influence food quality by altering some physical-chemical and sensory properties of foods. These effects may be useful to develop new products in food science and technology provided the nature of physical-chemical interactions between proteins and phenols is accurately elucidated. In this paper, we review the different possible modes of interaction between selected food proteins and phenolic compounds. Existing knowledge on the mechanisms behind polyphenol-protein reactions, the structures of the resulting products and their potential uses is reviewed.

Nutrition for Persons Coping With Serious Mental Illnesses

Serious mental illnesses and their treatments often have adverse nutritional effects, but little is known about the effective nutritional counseling to use with those who suffer from them. The therapeutic challenges involved include finding medications that control symptoms while minimizing their adverse effects on weight gain and on other metabolic indicators of risk. These and some recommendations are described.

UPAYA PENINGKATAN ASUPAN MAKAN PADA PASIEN KANKER

The adverse nutritional effects of cancer can be severe. Patient often fall in a condition of protein energy malnutrition which is called cachexia. Cachexia is symptom marked with anorexia, reducing of body weight, losing of muscle, organ dysfunction, hypo albuminemia, increasing of basal need, nutrition metabolism disorder and sigh of mal absorption. Cytokines that is produced after cancer cell come into the body, is supposed cause anorexia. Researcher in the hospital show that significant weight loss and poor nutritional status were documented in more than 50 percent of patients at the time of diagnosis. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immuno nutrition, and transplantation are all types’ medical therapy that has been implemented to cure cancer. Medical therapy can generate side effect especially gastrointestinal disorder, which cause reducing food intake. The objective of the diet management in patient with cancer is to fill needs of nutrition through well-balanced diet. Nutrient requirement should contain energy 28-42 kcal/kg body weight/day, protein 1.0-2.0 g/kg body weight/day, fat should be 20-30 percent from total energy need. Requirement of vitamin mount up to 10 times of requirement, whereas mineral such as iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc chromium can mount 2-8 times of requirement. In conclusion diet management is taking an important role to maintain the well-nutritional status. Keywords : cachexia. immuno nutrition

Maternal dietary antigen avoidance during pregnancy or lactation, or both, for preventing or treating atopic disease in the child.

Some breastfed infants with atopic eczema benefit from elimination of cow milk, egg, or other antigens from their mother's diet. Maternal dietary antigens are also known to cross the placenta. To assess the effects of prescribing an antigen avoidance diet during pregnancy or lactation, or both, on maternal and infant nutrition and on the prevention or treatment of atopic disease in the child. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (6 July 2012). All randomized or quasi-randomized comparisons of maternal dietary antigen avoidance prescribed to pregnant or lactating women. We excluded trials of multimodal interventions that included manipulation of the infant's diet other than breast milk or of non-dietary aspects of the infant's environment. We extracted data from published reports, supplemented by additional information received from the trialists we contacted. The evidence from five trials, involving 952 participants, does not suggest a protective effect of maternal dietary antigen avoidance during pregnancy on the incidence of atopic eczema during the first 18 months of life. Data on allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, or both, and urticaria are limited to a single trial each and are insufficient to draw meaningful inferences. Longer-term atopic outcomes have not been reported. The restricted diet during pregnancy was associated with a slightly but statistically significantly lower mean gestational weight gain, a non-significantly higher risk of preterm birth, and a non-significant reduction in mean birthweight. The evidence from two trials, involving 523 participants, did not observe a significant protective effect of maternal antigen avoidance during lactation on the incidence of atopic eczema during the first 18 months or on positive skin-prick tests to cow milk, egg, or peanut antigen at one, two, or seven years. One crossover trial involving 17 lactating mothers of infants with established atopic eczema found that maternal dietary antigen avoidance was associated with a non-significant reduction in eczema severity. Prescription of an antigen avoidance diet to a high-risk woman during pregnancy is unlikely to reduce substantially her child's risk of atopic diseases, and such a diet may adversely affect maternal or fetal nutrition, or both. Prescription of an antigen avoidance diet to a high-risk woman during lactation may reduce her child's risk of developing atopic eczema, but better trials are needed. Dietary antigen avoidance by lactating mothers of infants with atopic eczema may reduce the severity of the eczema, but larger trials are needed.

Determination of Tannin Concentrations in African Indigenous Vegetables, Grains and Cassava Roots from Emuhaya District, Western Kenya

The study evaluated tannin concentrations in four vegetables, three grains and cassava roots as the most common foodstuffs in the diet of local communities from Emuhaya district in western Kenya and their nutritional health implication. Plant specimens were collected from local arable farms and market centres and their identities confirmed at Maseno University herbarium. Tannin content was evaluated using the International Phamacopoeia Method. Percent composition of tannins in the sampled specimens were: 9.49±0.6 for rattle pod (Crotalaria brevidens (Emiroo); Family, Fabaceae), 8.38±0.3 for narrow-leaf bitter-pea (Daviesia leptophylla (Omurere); Family, Fabaceae), 2.49±0.2 for amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus (Tsimboka); Family, Amaranthaceae), 0.42±0.04 for black nightshade (Solanum nigrum (Lisutsa); Family, Solanaceae), 9.21±0.4 for peanut/groundnut (Arachis hypogaea (Tsinjugu); Family, Fabaceae), 8.24±0.4 for sesame (Sesamum indicum (Tsinuni); Family, Pedaliaceae), 8.11±0.2 for finger millet (Eleusine coracana (Obulee); Family, Poaceae) and 6.99±0.5 for cassava (Manihot esculenta (Emioko); Family, Euphorbiaceae). Solanum nigrum had significantly the lowest tannin composition profile followed by A. hybridus and M. esculenta in that order (P < 0.05). Interestingly, these three plants are preferred in the diet to the rest of the plants. The results provide scientific rationale for dietary exploitation of these plants by the local communities and may lay down some groundwork for exploiting partially refined products such as peanut butter and a wide range of grades of flour for human consumption and livestock feeds. However, consumption of tannins in the diet may sometimes be necessary for optimal health but caution needs to be taken for their conflicting adverse medical-based nutritional and physiological effects.

Functional and Edible Uses of Soy Protein Products

ABSTRACT: Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in healthful foods and are open to soy protein ingredients. Soybeans as food are very versatile and a rich source of essential nutrients. They are also an excellent source of good‐quality protein, comparable to other protein foods, and suitable for all ages. Adverse nutritional and other undesirable effects followed by the consumption of raw soybean meal have been attributed to the presence of endogenous inhibitors of digestive enzymes and lectins, as well as poor digestibility. To improve the nutritional quality of soy foods, inhibitors and lectins are generally inactivated by heat or eliminated by fractionation during food processing. Soybeans provide an alternative source of protein for people who are allergic to milk protein. Soy protein is highly digestible (92% to 100%) and contains all essential amino acids. Although relatively low in methionine, it is a good source of lysine. Soy‐protein products contain a high concentration of isoflavones, up to 1 g/kg. Increased acceptance of soy proteins is due to unmatched qualities like good functional properties in food applications, high nutritional quality, abundance, availability, and low cost. At present the various forms of soy proteins are primarily utilized for their functional effects rather than their nutritional properties. This article summarizes the integrated overview of the widely available, scattered information about the nutritional and functional uses of the soy proteins when applied in food systems and intends to present the most current knowledge with an interest to stimulate further research to optimize their beneficial effects.

Trans fatty acids from milk of Brazilian mothers of premature infants

The presence of trans fatty acids (TFA) in human milk may be a concern because of their possible adverse nutritional effects on the infant development. TFA may interfere with the metabolism of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). Marked variation in TFA of milk appears in different populations. No data have yet been reported in Brazil, particularly as regards the milk of mothers of premature infants. Because of the importance of LC-PUFA in infant growth and development, we investigated the fatty acids composition of the milk of Brazilian mothers of premature infants. We analysed, through gas-liquid chromatography, the content of fatty acids of 37 milk samples obtained from mothers delivering prematurely. Samples were collected from colostrum and mature milk of exclusive breastfeeding. All samples contained trans isomers of C18:1 acid with trans isomers of PUFA in lower proportion. The percentage of TFA (mean +/- SD) in the colostrum was 2.34 +/- 0.75, and 2.19 +/- 0.47 in the mature milk. For the LC-PUFA these values were 0.97 +/- 0.34 in the colostrum and 0.66 +/- 0.25 in the mature milk. The contents of total essential fatty acids and PUFA n-6 were inversely correlated with TFA in colostrum and mature milk. We found a positive correlation between levels of arachidonic acid in mature milk and change in the children's height. The study showed that the intake of TFA occupies an intermediate position between the values of North America and European countries, reflecting the ongoing transition to industrialised foods in Brazil.

Nutritional and health benefits of soy proteins.

Soy protein is a major component of the diet of food-producing animals and is increasingly important in the human diet. However, soy protein is not an ideal protein because it is deficient in the essential amino acid methionine. Methionine supplementation benefits soy infant formulas, but apparently not food intended for adults with an adequate nitrogen intake. Soy protein content of another essential amino acid, lysine, although higher than that of wheat proteins, is still lower than that of the milk protein casein. Adverse nutritional and other effects following consumption of raw soybean meal have been attributed to the presence of endogenous inhibitors of digestive enzymes and lectins and to poor digestibility. To improve the nutritional quality of soy foods, inhibitors and lectins are generally inactivated by heat treatment or eliminated by fractionation during food processing. Although lectins are heat-labile, the inhibitors are more heat-stable than the lectins. Most commercially heated meals retain up to 20% of the Bowman-Birk (BBI) inhibitor of chymotrypsin and trypsin and the Kunitz inhibitor of trypsin (KTI). To enhance the value of soybeans in human nutrition and health, a better understanding is needed of the factors that impact the nutrition and health-promoting aspects of soy proteins. This paper discusses the composition in relation to properties of soy proteins. Also described are possible beneficial and adverse effects of soy-containing diets. The former include soy-induced lowering of cholesterol, anticarcinogenic effects of BBI, and protective effects against obesity, diabetes, irritants of the digestive tract, bone, and kidney diseases, whereas the latter include poor digestibility and allergy to soy proteins. Approaches to reduce the concentration of soybean inhibitors by rearrangement of protein disulfide bonds, immunoassays of inhibitors in processed soy foods and soybean germplasm, the roles of phytoestrogenic isoflavones and lectins, and research needs in all of these areas are also discussed. This integrated overview of the widely scattered literature emphasizes general concepts based on our own studies as well as recent studies by others. It is intended to stimulate interest in further research to optimize beneficial effects of soy proteins. The payoff will be healthier humans and improved animal feeds.

Amino acid composition and biological effects of supplementing broad bean and corn proteins with Nigella sativa (black cumin) cake protein.

The biological effects of supplementing broad bean (Vicia faba) or corn (Zea maize) meal protein with black cumin (Nigella sativa) cake protein as well as their amino acid composition were investigated. The percentage of total protein content of Nigella cake was 22.7%. Lysine is existent in abundant amounts in faba meal protein, while leucine is the most abundant in corn meal protein (chemical score = 156) and valine is higher in Nagella cake protein. compared with rats fed sole corn or faba meal protein, substitution of 25% of corn or faba meal protein with Nigella cake protein in the diet remarkably raised the growth rate of rats and resulted in significant higher levels of rat total serum lipids and triglycerides. Also, the supplemented diet caused significant increases in serum total protein and its two fractions albumin and globulin and insignificantly increase the activity of serum phosphatases and transaminases within normal ranges. The supplementation did not have any adverse nutritional effects in the levels of lipid fractions in the serum.

Responses to supplementary feed blocks at mating with May lambing ewes

May lambing is attracting significant interest as a low input production method on UK farms but one major constraint to its uptake is a reduction in lamb output of around 20%. This is likely to be associated with adverse nutritional effects at grazing in December when nutrient intake is reduced by low sward quality and availability and weather effects. Supplementary feeding using feed blocks offers a method of improving nutrient intake which has been effective at improving reproductive performance in spring lambing hill flocks (Marsh and McCracken 1995).

Determining acceptable risks: experimental and epidemiological issues

The extent to which results of experimental toxicology studies can be used to assess risk for humans varies. Administering high doses of chemicals to experimental animals may produce indirect adverse metabolic and nutritional effects, and metabolic pathways may differ at high and low doses. The rate of metabolism at high and low doses and the metabolic pathways of chemicals in different species are important for establishing the reasons for differences in species responses. Animal species best suited to serve as a surrogate for humans vary for different chemicals. For realistic risk assessments, more detailed information on the toxicokinetics of chemicals in humans is needed. As data are developed to link early biochemical changes with future disease, it is important to determine their predictive value. Our present expectations of using various biomarkers to predict future health outcomes may be unrealistic. More baseline data are needed to determine which biomarkers are expressions of exposure and which are predictors of future disease. It is also unclear how lifestyle affects most biomarkers.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of acute and persistent diarrhoea in rural Bangladeshi children.

A community-based longitudinal study of acute and persistent diarrhoea in 705 children less than five years old was carried out for a year in a rural area of Bangladesh. Diarrhoea morbidity data were collected from each study child every fourth day by home visit. Clinical features of diarrhoeal episodes and diarrhoeal management information were documented. The overall diarrhoeal incidence rate in the study children was 4.6 episodes per child per year. The incidence of persistent diarrhoea was 34/100 child-years. Persistent diarrhoea was positively associated with young age and more severe illness, characterized by the presence of clinical dehydration or blood in the stool in the first week. Use of ORT in the first week was positively associated and use of an antibiotic was negatively associated with the occurrence of persistent diarrhoea. Reduced breast-feeding and consumption of cow's milk at some time during the episode were also positively associated with persistence. This would suggest that appropriate fluid and dietary management for all episodes should be the goal. Children with more severe initial illness characterized by the presence of blood in the stool or clinical dehydration should have more careful follow-up to identify persistent episodes and adverse nutritional effects. Breastfeeding should be continued during acute diarrhoea, but the role of ORT, antibiotics and cow's milk deserves further investigation.

Monosodium glutamate as a palatability enhancer in the european diet

Can monosodium glutamate (MSG) augment palatability in foods of the occidental diet? Its effects on the palatability of two experimental foods were investigated in 36 healthy young men and women. MSG improved palatability ratings, with an optimum at 0.6%. Weekly tests of free intake showed that subjects fed the experimental foods with 0.6% MSG added ate progressively more and faster, indicating increasing palatability with repeated exposure. The effects of MSG on familiar foods were investigated in a group of 65 institutionalized elderly persons. Spontaneous intake was measured at lunch time on 12 test days. Target foods (soup and vegetable) were served either without or with 0.6% MSG added. MSG facilitated intake of some but not all target foods, and was associated with positive (increased calcium and magnesium intake) or adverse (increased fat intake) nutritional effects. It is concluded that MSG can act as a palatability enhancer in the context of the French diet. It can facilitate long-term intake in both young and elderly persons but it should be utilized cautiously so as to improve nutrition.

Why promote breastfeeding in diarrhoeal disease control programmes?

WHOs Diarrhoeal Disease Control (CDD) Programme encourages national CDD programs to center activities around improving case management practices to reduce mortality from diarrhea since proper case management practices can deliver 90% of children with diarrhea from death. Its 2nd priority is to reduce diarrheal incidence and associated harmful effects especially malnutrition. In fact WHO provides in service training on breast feeding promotion for health workers to support national CDD programs. Eventually it will support research on implementation of breast feeding programs. Research indicates that breast feeding could reduce diarrhea morbidity 8-32%. Further it shows that breast feeding not only significantly reduces the risk of diarrhea for infants especially 1-6 month infants but also can prevent adverse nutritional effects of diarrhea. In addition a child with diarrhea often does not want to eat solid foods but eagerly wants to breast feed. Further the frequency and duration of breast feeding changes little during a diarrheal episode thus the much needed energy intake during sickness remains relatively high. Moreover continued breast feeding during a diarrheal episode reduces the mortality risk greatly. For example the median relative risk of death from diarrhea among 1-6 month old infants who do not breast feed at all is 25 when compared to exclusively breast fed infants. This risk falls to 8.6 among the same age infants who partially breast feed when compared to those that are exclusively breast fed. The benefits of breast milk include its important role in preventing and managing diarrhea related dehydration and in reducing exposure to contaminated foods and fluids. Cost effectiveness studies demonstrate that the cost/diarrhea episode and cost/diarrhea death averted could be greatly reduced if CDD programs promote breast feeding.

Myocardial changes in newborn piglets fed sow milk or milk replacer diets containing different levels of erucic acid

This study was undertaken to determine whether the neonate was more susceptible to the effects of dietary erucic acid (22:1n-9) than the adult. Newborn piglets were used to assess the safety of different levels of 22:1n-9 on lipid and histological changes in the heart. Newborn piglets showed no myocardial lipidosis as assessed by oil red 0 staining, but lipidosis appeared with consumption of sow milk and disappeared by seven days of age. Milk replacer diets containing soybean oil, or rapeseed oil mixtures with up to 5% 22:1n-9 in the oil, or 1.25% in the diet, gave trace myocardial lipidosis. Rapeseed oil mixtures with 7 to 42.9% 22:1n-9 showed definite myocardial lipidosis in newborn piglets, which correlated to dietary 22:1n-9, showing a maximum after one week on diet. The severity of the lipidosis was greater than observed previously with weaned pigs. There were no significant differences among diets in cardiac lipid classes except for triacylglycerol (TAG), which increased in piglets fed a rapeseed oil with 42.9% 22:1n-9. TAG showed the highest incorporation of 22:1n-9, the concentration of 22:1n-9 in TAG was similar to that present in the dietary oil. Among the cardiac phospholipids, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine had the highest, and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) the lowest level of 22:1n-9. The low content of 22:1n-9 in DPG of newborn piglets is not observed in weaned pigs and rats fed high erucic acid rapeseed oil. The relative concentration of saturated fatty acids was lowered in all cardiac phospholipids of piglets fed rapeseed oils, possibly due to the low content of saturated fatty acids in rapeseed oils. The results suggest that piglets fed up to 750 mg 22:1n-9/kg body weight/day showed no adverse nutritional or cardiac effects.

Quantitative assessment of geophagous behaviour as a potential source of exposure to geohelminth infection

The most common form of pica, geophagy, has direct adverse nutritional effects and also exposes children to soil-borne infection. Existing methods for assessing geophagy are either inappropriate for field use (radiology) or unreliable (reporting). A new method is described, based on the measurement of soil-derived silica in stools. More than 90% of silica is excreted within one gut transit period of ingestion. The amount excreted is proportional to the amount ingested. Faecal levels of dietary silica (<2% dry wt stool) can be distinguished from levels due to geophagy (up to 25% dry wt stool). Studies in 2 children's homes in Jamaica showed that 33% and 66% of children were geophagous, ingesting up to 10 g soil day −1. The geophagy of <20% of the children accounted for >60% of the total soil ingested. This overdispersion of exposure to soil-borne infection may contribute to the observed aggregation of geohelminth infection.