Beef Intake Research Articles

Dietary risk factors for colorectal cancer in Brazil: a case control study.

BackgroundHigh meat intake and low consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in some relevant cohort studies conducted in distinct ethnic populations. The role of the dietary pattern on the risk of sporadic colorectal adenocarcinoma (SCA) in Brazil is unknown; therefore, it was the aim of the present study.MethodsThe dietary patterns of 169 patients with SCA and 101 controls were analysed by food frequency recall. Crude odds ratios were calculated and given within 95 % confidence intervals.ResultsPatients reported higher average intakes of beef (32.0 ± 1.8 versus 23.7 ± 1.6, P = 0.0069), chicken (18.1 ± 0.9 versus 12.2 ± 0.8, P = 0.0002), and pork (8.9 ± 0.9 versus 3.4 ± 0.5, P < 0.0001). These individuals had a 1.025, 1.069, and 1.121-fold increased risk of SCA.Similar consumption of fish, vegetables, fruits and whole grains was reported by patients and controls.ConclusionsMeat consumption is greater in patients with SCA in the Brazilian population. Considering the study population – characterized by ethnic heterogeneity –, the environmental factor related to food habits may be associated with higher incidence of this disease in Brazil.

Herring and Beef Meals Lead to Differences in Plasma 2-Aminoadipic Acid, β-Alanine, 4-Hydroxyproline, Cetoleic Acid, and Docosahexaenoic Acid Concentrations in Overweight Men1–3

Background: Dietary guidelines generally recommend increasing fish intake and reducing red meat intake for better long-term health. Few studies have compared the metabolic differences between eating meat and fish.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the postprandial plasma metabolic response to meals containing baked beef, baked herring, and pickled herring.Methods: Seventeen overweight men (BMI 25–30 kg/m2, 41–67 y of age) were included in a randomized crossover intervention study. Subjects ate baked herring–, pickled herring–, and baked beef–based meals in a randomized order and postprandial blood plasma samples were taken over 7 h. Plasma metabolomics were measured with the use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and areas under the curve for detected metabolites were compared between meals.Results: The plasma postprandial response of 2-aminoadipic acid, a suggested marker of diabetes risk, was 1.6 times higher after the beef meal than after the baked herring meal (P < 0.001). Plasma β-alanine and 4-hydroxyproline both were markedly greater after beef intake than after herring intake (16 and 3.4 times the response of baked herring, respectively; P < 0.001). Herring intake led to a greater plasma postprandial response from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and cetoleic acid compared with beef (17.6 and 150 times greater, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas hippuric acid and benzoic acid were elevated after pickled herring compared with baked herring (5.4 and 43 times higher; P < 0.001).Conclusions: These results in overweight men confirm that DHA and cetoleic acid reflect herring intake, whereas β-alanine and 4-hydroxyproline are potential biomarkers for beef intake. The greater postprandial rise in 2-aminoadipic acid after the beef meal, coupled to its proposed role in stimulating insulin secretion, may have importance in the context of red meat intake and increased diabetes risk. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02381613.

The apéritif effect: Alcohol's effects on the brain's response to food aromas in women.

ObjectiveConsuming alcohol prior to a meal (an apéritif) increases food consumption. This greater food consumption may result from increased activity in brain regions that mediate reward and regulate feeding behavior. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we evaluated the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response to the food aromas of either roast beef or Italian meat sauce following pharmacokinetically controlled intravenous infusion of alcohol.MethodsBOLD activation to food aromas in non-obese women (n=35) was evaluated once during intravenous infusion of 6% v/v EtOH, clamped at a steady-state breath alcohol concentration of 50 mg/dL, and once during infusion of saline using matching pump rates. Ad libitum intake of roast beef with noodles or Italian meat sauce with pasta following imaging was recorded.ResultsBOLD activation to food relative to non-food odors in the hypothalamic area was increased during alcohol pre-load when compared to saline. Food consumption was significantly greater, and levels of ghrelin were reduced, following alcohol.ConclusionsAn alcohol pre-load increased food consumption and potentiated differences between food and non-food BOLD responses in the region of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus may mediate the interplay of alcohol and responses to food cues, thus playing a role in the apéritif phenomenon.

Reply to M Lankinen and U Schwab and WMN Ratnayake

Dear Editor: We thank Lankinen, Schwab, and Ratnayake for their interest in our article. Their letters express concern with regard to the use of the fatty acid pentadecanoic acid (15:0) as a valid biomarker for dairy intake, because low amounts of this fatty acid are also present in other foods such as fish, beef, veal, and lamb. Although doubts regarding the overall validity of pentadecanoic acid as a biomarker for dairy intake have been previously raised by other researchers (1, 2), the majority of observational studies have documented a significant correlation of pentadecanoic acid with dairy intake (3–5). In line with these previous reports, we found that serum pentadecanoic acid was correlated with total dairy intake (r = 0.20, P < 0.0001) as well as with total milk (r = 0.13, P = 0.0006) and total cheese (r = 0.16, P < 0.0001) intakes in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) cohort (6). In contrast, we did not find pentadecanoic acid to be correlated with total fish intake (r = −0.04, P = 0.31) or oily fish intake (r = −0.02, P = 0.68), nor was pentadecanoic acid correlated with serum EPA (r = 0.05, P = 0.19) or serum DHA (r = −0.05, P = 0.24) in IRAS participants. As we previously reported, fish intake in this cohort is very low, with a median consumption of 1.1 servings/wk; and oily fish, specifically, was consumed at only 0.38 servings/wk on average (7), indicating that fish intake in this cohort was unlikely to be a major contributor to pentadecanoic acid in serum. Nevertheless, we agree that it is possible that in other populations with higher intakes of fish, pentadecanoic acid may be associated with the consumption of foods other than dairy products. Furthermore, we did not find pentadecanoic acid to be correlated with intakes of beef (r = 0.07, P = 0.06), cabbage (r = −0.01, P = 0.80), or chicken (r = −0.04, P = 0.33). The IRAS food-frequency questionnaire did not include individual questions regarding veal, lamb, mutton, lard, cucumber, or seaweed intake. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting that pentadecanoic acid may be a reliable biomarker for dairy intake, the true relation between dairy intake and circulating pentadecanoic acid can only ascertained by using controlled feeding studies in which the quantity and quality of the dairy products are known (2). Ratnayake also raised a technical concern regarding the identification of pentadecanoic acid peaks by using gas chromatography (GC) analysis. We agree that accurate peak identification of fatty acids using GC is a concern due to the potential for overlapping peaks of fatty acids that coelute. To overcome this issue in our study, peaks identified by using GC-FID (flame-ionization detector), as previously described (8), were confirmed with the use of mass spectrometry, as well as various internal quality assurance and quality-control procedures, including the following: testing new methods against a library of compounds to ensure chromatographic separation, comparing results against the historical average and range of each metabolite, manual peak reviews, and testing across many types of columns. In summary, although the existing literature is not in full agreement regarding the utility of pentadecanoic acid as a marker of dairy intake (9), the majority of existing studies support it as a biomarker for dairy consumption. Importantly, correlations in our cohort suggest that this is the case for IRAS participants as well.

Branch Chain Fatty Acids of Human Milk: Influenced by Maternal Diet?

Human milk (HM) fatty acid (FA) composition differs between mothers. The FA of HM include branched chain fatty acids (BCFA). HM BCFA may be influenced by maternal consumption of ruminant products; data are lacking. We examined BCFA concentrations in HM from 3 urban populations with differing diets: Cincinnati, Shanghai and Mexico City. Sample collection was standardized as part of the GEHM study. Enrollment was limited to healthy mothers of term, singleton infants. FA were extracted from milk using Bligh‐Dyer and analyzed by gas chromatography. Dietary analysis included three 24 hour dietary recalls, limited to Cincinnati mothers. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA. Samples from ~115 women were analyzed per site at postpartum week 4. Cincinnati, Shanghai and Mexican mothers, respectively, had mean age in years of 32, 29, and 25; prepregnancy BMIs of 28, 21, and 24; and parity of 2, 1, and 2. The BCFA iso14:0, iso16:0, iso18:0, iso20:0, anteiso15:0, anteiso17:0 all differed in concentration (p&lt;0.0001) among cohorts. With linear regression of BCFA, site differences persisted after controlling for delivery mode, maternal age and BMI. Intake of dairy was associated with iso14:0, anteiso15:0 and iso16:0 but not the longer BCFA. Beef intake was not associated with any BCFA. The BCFA intake of breastfed infants differs significantly worldwide; its significance requires investigation.

Pork‐cat syndrome?

Pork–cat syndrome was first described by Drouet et al, in 1994. It is a rare pathology, seen in patients sensitized to cat epithelium, which present symptoms suggestive of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity upon ingestion of pork meat. These symptoms range from urticaria with/without angioedema, to potentially fatal anaphylaxis. This rare syndrome is a result of a cross-reactivity of a protein of approximately 66kDa, identified as cat serum albumin (SA), which is highly homologous with porcine SA. In some patients, this cross-reactivity seems to extend to other mammals meat. In this study, we aim to present a case of a 76 year-old patient, just known to be sensitized to cat epithelium, that immediately after the intake of rice and beef, started with generalized urticaria and aqueous, limited and non hematic diarrhea. He was assisted at the emergency department, with an excellent response to oral corticosteroid and antihistamines, without any residual damage. After a two months period of totally avoiding red meat, the patient presented an anaphylatic shock, in an inadvertent ingestion of beef, pork and sausages at a barbecue. After being again assisted at the hospital he was referred for our immunoallergology department. We performed - (1) skin prick tests to aeroallergens and commercial food extracts: positive to milk, cat and dog epithelium; (2) laboratory tests: blood count (normal); total IgE (559KUA/L - Phadia ImmunoCAP®) and specific IgE for cat epithelium (4.82KUA/L), dog epithelium (1.04KUA/L), milk (2.72KUA/L), beef (8.6KUA/L), pork (6.67KUA/L) and for cat serum albumin that revealed to be also positive. It was carried out a cow-milk oral challenge test with a cumulative dose of 200ml that was negative. SDS PAGE studies IgE-immunoblotting were also performed using extracts of pork, cow and cat epithelium that showed a common IgE binding band with a molecular weight of 67kDa. This study describe a rare case of meat allergy with probably cross reactivity to a cat origin protein (primary sensitization), extended not only to pork meet but also to cow meat. This hypothesis is reinforced by the presence of a 67kDa protein which may correspond to the cat SA already described in the literature found in cow, pork and cat extracts. The patient is keeping red meat eviction diet (for 8 months now), and ever since, no reactions were reported.

Demographic, behavioral, dietary, and socioeconomic characteristics related to persistent organic pollutants and mercury levels in pregnant women in Japan

Persistent organic pollutants and mercury are known environmental chemicals that have been found to be ubiquitous in not only the environment but also in humans, including women of reproductive age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between personal lifestyle characteristics and environmental chemical levels during the perinatal period in the general Japanese population. This study targeted 322 pregnant women enrolled in the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire and a food-frequency questionnaire to obtain relevant information on parental demographic, behavioral, dietary, and socioeconomic characteristics. In total, 58 non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, 17 dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofuran, and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls congeners, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid, and mercury were measured in maternal samples taken during the perinatal period. Linear regression models were constructed against potential related factors for each chemical concentration. Most concentrations of environmental chemicals were correlated with the presence of other environmental chemicals, especially in the case of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibezofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls which had similar exposure sources and persistence in the body. Maternal smoking and alcohol habits, fish and beef intake and household income were significantly associated with concentrations of environmental chemicals. These results suggest that different lifestyle patterns relate to varying exposure to environmental chemicals.

Correlation between Nutrition and Early Puberty in Girls Living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: The puberty ages in females living in western and middle eastern countries is declining rapidly because of many underlying causes including consumption of animal protein, caloric intake (fat, soft drinks), and fruits and vegetables (fiber). Aim: To investigate the relationship between early puberty and the intake of various types of protein (chicken, beef and fish), fruits, vegetables, dairy products, caffeine and soft drinks. Study Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah. The sample included 568 young women from different areas; pubertal staging was conducted using the Tanner staging, and relevant data were collected through a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient; we assumed that the data followed a normal distribution based on the large sample size of 568 girls. Results: Early breast and pubic hair development was significantly correlated with meat, fast food, French fries, and soft drink consumption. It was also observed that the age at menarche was significantly correlated with chicken consumption. Conclusion: A significant relationship between early pubertal development and excessive consumption of chicken and beef was observed along with varying relationships between fat, soft drink, caffeine, calcium, and fruit and vegetable intake and pubertal development. Reduced organic chicken and beef intake was highly recommended.

OP0136 Sex Differences in Gout Characteristics: Tailoring Care for Women and Men

ObjectivesUsing a national registry of gout patients cared for by rheumatologists, we sought to characterize the differences between women and men with gout, in terms of predisposing factors, comorbid conditions,...

Maternal serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their predictors in years with reduced production and use

Determining maternal concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and the relative impact of various demographic and dietary predictors is important for assessing fetal exposure and for developing proper lifestyle advisories for pregnant women.This study was conducted to investigate maternal PFAS concentrations and their predictors in years when the production and use of several PFASs declined, and to assess the relative importance of significant predictors.Blood from 391 pregnant women participating in The Northern Norway Mother-and-Child Contaminant Cohort Study (MISA) was collected in the period 2007–2009 and serum analyses of 26 PFASs were conducted. Associations between PFAS concentrations, sampling date, and demographic and dietary variables were evaluated by multivariate analyses and linear models including relevant covariates.Parity was the strongest significant predictor for all the investigated PFASs, and nulliparous women had higher concentrations compared to multiparous women (10ng/mL versus 4.5ng/mL in median PFOS, respectively). Serum concentrations of PFOS and PFOA of women recruited day 1–100 were 25% and 26% higher, respectively, compared to those women recruited in the last 167days of the study (day 601–867), and the concentrations of PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA increased with age. Dietary predictors explained 0–17% of the variation in concentrations for the different PFASs. Significantly elevated concentrations of PFOS, PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA were found among high consumers of marine food. The concentrations of PFHxS, PFHpS and PFNA were also increased in high consumers of game and elevated concentrations of PFHpS and PFOS were detected in high consumers of white meat. Study subjects with a high intake of salty snacks and beef had significantly higher concentrations of PFOA.The present study demonstrates that parity, sampling date and birth year are the most important predictors for maternal PFAS concentrations in years following a decrease in production and use of several PFASs. Further, dietary predictors of PFAS concentrations were identified and varied in importance according to compound.

A rare case of disseminated cysticercosis

Case report A 10-year-old girl was brought to the hospital with complaints of fever, headache and vomiting for 10days duration before a month. Fever was high grade, associated with chills. There was no history of seizures. Immunized upto date with normal development. On examination, the child was dull looking with regular pulse rate of 100/min. CNS examination showed mild neck stiffness, otherwise unremarkable. Peripheral smear study showed microcytic hypochromic anemia with mild eosinophilia. Fundus examination was normal. Child was admitted and administered antibiotics after which she recovered. Fifteen days after discharge she presented with history of diplopia and headache. There was history of beef intake for 3 years and the recent intake was before 2 months. Eye examination showed well defined white lesion of 0.5cm in the anterior chamber of eye that moved with head movement. Fundus examination showed mild papilledema. Non contrast CT brain was near normal. MRI brain findings showed multiple hyperintense lesions of less than 3mm on T2WI which appears hypointense on T1WI in the gangliocapsular, thalamus and subcortical regions. A diagnosis of cysticercosis was made and the ocular cyst had to be surgically removed and treatment with prednisolone 1-2mg/day had to be started 2-3 days prior and continued with cysticidal therapy Albendazole 15mg/kg/day for 5 to 28days. Patient asked to follow up after cyst removal for management and is asymptomatic presently. Conclusion Maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding undercooked meat could limit cysticercosis.

Abstract P394: The Prevalence of Hypertension Among Kazak Individuals of Diverse Occupational Backgrounds In Xinjiang, China

Introduction: Kazak’s hypertension ranks fifth with regard to morbidity among the 56 Chinese ethnic groups. Kazaks, are the main ethnic group in Kazakhstan, and represent a sizable ethnic minority in China and Russia. For thousands of years, China’s Kazak people are mainly active in raising livestock on the prairie grasslands in northwest China, and have developed a unique culture and lifestyle. In order to establish whether this distinct feature affects the prevalence of hypertension in this population, we undertook a population-based study which involved in three occupational backgrounds (herdsman, farmer, non-manual worker) in Xinjiang, China. We hypothesized that any variation in the effect of hypertension is based on the genetic homogeneity. Methods: A prospective cohort design was used, with 1670 participants (aged 30-92 years) from seven villages and town city recruited by a stratified random clustering sampling procedure in Hong-Dun town, Altay region Xinjiang from Jan to Mar 2013. All participants completed the survey and physical examination using standardized procedures. The overall response rate for completing both was 92.5%. Results: Compared with farmers and non-manual workers, herdsmen had the highest prevalence of hypertension and the lower rates of treatment and control (Tab). High-salt diet (air-dried beef and milky-tea) intake and low intake of fruits and vegetables were more common in the nomadic group and a dose-response relationship was observed between hypertension and occupation (Fig). Furthermore, the prevalence of hypertension within each occupational group was more common in lower socioeconomic status based on educational attainment and economic measures. Conclusion: Unlike the previous epidemic of hypertension in developed countries which was driven mainly by urbanization, these data highlight the need for careful monitoring and control of hypertension risk factors in rural residents, especially groups such as the Kazak nomads who have a greater degree of marginalization in modern China.

Relative importance of cues underlying Spanish consumers’ beef choice and segmentation, and consumer liking of beef enriched with n-3 and CLA fatty acids

The choice experiments technique was used to estimate the relative importance of some of the main attributes of beef; origin (locally produced, other Spanish origin), animal diet (conventional, enriched with n-3, with CLA, or with n-3 plus CLA), amount of visible fat (slight, moderate), meat colour (bright red, pale red), and price (6.6, 5.7, 4.8 and 3.9 € per tray containing 0.3kg of beef loin) in three Spanish cities (Barcelona, Pamplona, Zaragoza) with 322 individuals. Consumer segments with similar preference profiles of beef choices were identified using the Latent Class model. Consumer liking of beef enriched with n-3 and/or CLA fatty acids was also evaluated by the same consumers. The most important cue driving the majority of consumers’ beef purchase decisions was the amount of visible fat (36%) followed by price (25%), then colour (19%) and origin (17%), and finally animal diet (4%) which was not important. Most consumers preferred beef with a slight content of visible fat, medium–low price, locally produced and bright red colour. Segmentation analysis revealed three consumer profiles: ‘health conscious consumers’ with preference for lean beef (consumers: older, women, retired, housewives, greater food expenditure and more concerned with health); ‘price-oriented consumers’ with preference for lowest priced beef (consumers: younger, students, higher education, lower beef intake and purchase at supermarket); and ‘quality-oriented consumers’ with preference for beef with moderate amount of visible fat (consumers: men, from Barcelona). Consumers were willing to pay a premium of 1.21, 1.52 and 2.04 € over 14 €/kg for CLA, n-3 and n-3 plus CLA enriched beef, respectively. ‘Health conscious consumers’ were more willing to pay and more likely to purchase enriched beef with beneficial fatty acids. The individual beef enrichment with n-3 or CLA improved consumer liking scores, while the combined enrichment with n-3 plus CLA offered no hedonic advantages over conventional beef.

Dietary intake of fruits and beta-carotene is negatively associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk in Koreans: A case-control study

ObjectivesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare progressive neurodegenerative disease, has been suggested to have an association with oxidative stress, and thus antioxidant dietary factors may influence pathophysiological mechanisms or the risk of ALS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that intake of fruits, rich in antioxidant nutrients, is negatively associated with the risk of ALS.MethodsSeventy-seven Koreans diagnosed with ALS according to the EI Escorial criteria-revised and the same number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls participated in this study. Dietary intake was estimated using the standardized food frequency questionnaire.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fruit consumption was negatively associated with the risk of ALS, but intake of beef, fish, and fast food were positively associated with the risk of ALS. In addition, the risk of ALS was negatively associated with intake of plant calcium and beta-carotene, while positively associated with intake of total calcium and animal calcium. Intake of vegetables and other antioxidant nutrients had no effect on the risk of ALS in the present study.DiscussionThe intake of fruits and beta-carotene decreases the risk of sporadic ALS in this present study. However, large prospective and interventional studies are needed to confirm the effect of fruits and beta-carotene intake on the risk of ALS.

FRI0376 Gout knowledge, beliefs and treatment practices in a national sample of us primary care providers

BackgroundThe vast majority of patients with gout are managed by primary care providers. However, little is known regarding these physicians’ knowledge of current gout treatment recommendations and their treatment practices.ObjectivesTo...

Dietary protein and beef consumption predict for markers of muscle mass and nutrition status in older adults.

To determine the relationship of beef and protein intake to nutrition status, body composition, strength, and biochemical measures of vitamin and mineral status, inflammation and blood lipids in older adults. Cross-sectional observational study. State of Ohio, U.S.A. 142 adults ages 60-88. Subjects completed a Diet History Questionnaire, and questionnaires related to nutrition status and activity. Subjects also underwent measurements of body composition and strength, and a subset took part in a blood draw for biochemical measurements. Beef intake (g/d) was positively correlated to muscle mass measured by mid-arm muscle area (R=0.128, p=0.030). From multiple linear regression analysis, a 1oz/d (~28g/d) increase in beef consumption predicts for a 2.3cm(2) increase in mid-arm muscle area. Beef intake was negatively correlated to total (R=-0.179, p=0.035) and HDL (R=-0.247, p=0.004) cholesterol, and there was no association between beef and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, or inflammatory markers. Protein intake (% of total energy) was positively correlated to nutrition status measured by the Mini Nutrition Assessment (R=0.196, p=0.020), and calf circumference (R=0.190, p=0.024), and these correlations remained when potential confounders were accounted for in multiple linear regression models. Protein intake was also positively correlated with BMI when analyzed with multiple linear regression. Beef intake was positively associated with mid-arm muscle area, and protein intake was positively associated with nutrition status, calf circumference, and BMI in older adults. Consuming lean cuts of beef in moderation may be a healthy way in which older adults can increase protein intake, preserve muscle mass and improve nutrition status.

Phytanic acid and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Greater consumption of red meat, processed meat and dairy products has been associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in several previous reports. Phytanic acid, a saturated fatty acid obtained primarily through the consumption of ruminant meat and dairy products, may offer a potential underlying mechanism for these associations. In a population-based case-control study of 336 cases and 460 controls conducted in Nebraska during 1999-2002, we examined whether phytanic acid-containing foods or total phytanic acid intake, estimated from a food frequency questionnaire and the published phytanic acid values of 151 food items, were associated with increased NHL risk. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for overall NHL and the common NHL histologic subtypes. In multivariable models, higher intakes of density-adjusted beef [OR(T3 vs. T1) = 1.5 (1.1-2.2); P(trend) = 0.02], total dairy products [OR = 1.5 (1.1-2.2); P(trend) = 0.02) and milk [OR = 1.6 (1.1-2.3); P(trend) = 0.01] were associated with an increased risk of NHL. Intake of total phytanic acid was positively associated with NHL risk [OR = 1.5 (1.0-2.1); P(trend) = 0.04]. In analyses stratified by NHL subtype, greater consumption of beef was associated with an increased risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and greater consumption of milk was associated with an increased risk of follicular lymphoma (FL). Total phytanic acid intake was associated with an increased risk of FL and small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Our results provide support that total phytanic acid and phytanic acid-containing foods may increase NHL risk.

Total protein, animal protein and physical activity in relation to muscle mass in middle-aged and older Americans

Resistance training is recognised as a good strategy for retarding age-related declines in muscle mass and strength. Recent studies have also highlighted the potential value of protein intakes in excess of present recommendations. The roles that leisure-time physical activity and protein quality play in the preservation of skeletal muscle during ageing, and how such influences interact in free-living people are unclear. We sought to clarify these issues using data collected on 2425 participants aged ≥ 50 years in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2006). We estimated subjects' usual intakes of total protein and beef from two 24 h diet recalls and computed the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index from anthropometric measures. Participants self-reported their physical activity levels. Analyses accounted for demographic factors and smoking. The association between muscle-strengthening activity and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index varied with protein intake. Furthermore, among obese subjects with protein intakes < 70 g/d, those who performed such activities had a lower appendicular skeletal muscle mass index than those who were physically inactive. Protein intakes above the present recommendations were associated with benefits to obese subjects only. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index of non-obese subjects who performed vigorous aerobic activities was consistently high; in obese subjects, it varied with protein intake. High-protein intake was associated with a modest increase in the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index in non-obese, physically inactive subjects. The present findings reinforce the idea that muscle-strengthening exercise preserves muscle when combined with adequate dietary protein. Vigorous aerobic activity may also help.

Gout Knowledge, Beliefs and Treatment Practices in a National Sample of US Primary Care Providers

Background The vast majority of patients with gout are managed by primary care providers. However, little is known regarding these physicians’ knowledge of current gout treatment recommendations and their treatment practices. Objectives To examine in a national sample of primary care providers their knowledge, beliefs and self-reported treatment practices with regard to gout management. Methods We conducted a national survey of a random sample of 2200 primary care providers (family practitioners and internists) in the United States in 2011. Providers were asked to report their approaches to acute, intercritical, and tophaceous gout based on three vignettes. Reported treatment practices were compared to published European and American gout treatment recommendations. Results Eight hundred and thirty eight providers completed the self-administered questionnaire (response rate of 41% after excluding providers who reported not caring for gout patients or we were unable to contact due to incorrect addresses). Responders were more likely than nonresponders to be family practitioners as compared to internists (44% vs. 38%, p=0.01); otherwise they were similar in terms of age, gender, and region of the country. The majority of respondents were male (64%), white (68%), with >16 years in clinical practice (52%), and working over 40 hours a week (52%) in the private practice setting (63%). While 64% of providers reported reading ≥1 article on gout in the last year, only 12% were aware of any recommendations or guidelines on gout management. For the acute management of podagra, 16% would aspirate the joint and 49% counsel on decreasing intake of beef, pork, organ meats, and beer. When compared to the published recommendations, only 16% of providers would provide the suggested medical treatments including avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the setting of renal disease, using colchicine at a dose of ≤1.8 mg a day and not instituting a urate-lowering drug in the setting of an acute attack (internists 21% vs. family practitioners 11%, p Conclusions Internists were more likely than family practitioners to report treatment practices consistent with published treatment recommendations; however, the vast majority of both provider types did not report optimal care approaches suggesting further education is needed. Disclosure of Interest L. Harrold Grant/Research support from: Takeda Pharmaceuticals, K. Mazor Grant/Research support from: Takeda Pharmaceuticals, A. Negron: None Declared, J. Ogarek Grant/Research support from: Takeda Pharmaceuticals, C. Firneno Grant/Research support from: Takeda Pharmaceuticals, R. Yood Grant/Research support from: Savient Pharmaceuticals: for clinical drug trial;also subinvestigator for a drug trial funded by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Effect of slaughter season and muscle type on the fatty acid composition, including conjugated linoleic acid isomers, and nutritional value of intramuscular fat in organic beef

Consumer awareness regarding the intake of beef of organic origin is strongly associated with the beneficial outcomes to human health, the environment and animal welfare. In this paper the effects of slaughter season and muscle type on the fatty acid composition, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile, total cholesterol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene contents and nutritional quality of intramuscular fat in organic beef (n = 30) are reported for the first time. Organic beef showed a very low total lipid content, with seasonal changes in the levels of some fatty acids, CLA isomers, n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio, total cholesterol and β-carotene. In addition, differences between longissimus lumborum (relatively red) and semitendinosus (relatively white) muscles were found for many fatty acids, specific CLA contents, many CLA isomers and both PUFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) and n-6/n-3 ratios. However, in spite of the seasonal and carcass variations, all organic meats analysed had values of beef similar to pasture-fed cattle. From a nutritional perspective, organic meat from both slaughter seasons seems to have high CLA contents, PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 indices within the recommended values for the human diet. The data indicate that intramuscular fat in organic meat has a high nutritional value throughout the year.