Ca-rich Foods Research Articles

Supplementing Low-Sodium Bicarbonate-Calcic (Lete)® Water: Effects in Women on Bone and Systemic Metabolism.

Calcium (Ca) represents about 40% of the total mineral mass, mainly in the bone, providing mechanical strength to the skeleton and teeth. An adequate Ca intake is necessary for bone growth and development in children and adolescents and for maintaining bone mineral loss in elderly age. Ca deficiency predisposes to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Healthy nutrition, including an adequate intake of Ca-rich food, is paramount to prevent and cure osteoporosis. Recently, several clinical studies have demonstrated that, in conditions of Ca dysmetabolism, Ca-rich mineral water is beneficial as a valuable source of Ca to be used as an alternative to caloric Ca-rich dairy products. Although promising, these data have been collected from small groups of participants. Moreover, they mainly regard the effect of Ca-rich mineral water on bone metabolism. In contrast, an investigation of the effect of Ca supplementation on systemic metabolism is needed to address the spreading of systemic metabolic dysfunction often associated with Ca dysmetabolism. In the present study, we analyzed urine and blood sera of 120 women in perimenopausal condition who were subjected for six months to 2l daily consumption of bicarbonate-calcium mineral water marketed under ®Lete. Remarkably, this water, in addition to being rich in calcium and bicarbonate, is also low in sodium. A complete set of laboratory tests was carried out to investigate whether the specific water composition was such to confirm the known therapeutic effects on bone metabolism. Second, but not least, urine and blood sera were analyzed using NMR-based metabolomic procedures to investigate, other than the action on Ca metabolism, potential system-wide metabolic effects. Our data show that Lete water is a valid supplement for compensating for Ca dysmetabolism and preserving bone health and integrity.

Increasing dietary calcium intake of children and their parents: a randomised controlled trial.

Approximately 25 % of Canadian children aged 4-8 years fail to meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium (Ca). Young children's food choices are primarily determined by their parents. No interventions have directly targeted parents as a medium through which to increase children's Ca consumption. This study compared the effectiveness of a Ca-specific intervention targeted towards parents, with generic dietary advice on the Ca consumption of children aged 4-10 years. A parallel two-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted. The study was conducted across Canada. Both conditions received information on the RDA of Ca and an index of intake requirements. Material sent to the intervention condition included behavioural strategies to increase dietary Ca consumption, information on the benefits of dietary Ca intake and messages addressing perceived barriers to the consumption of Ca-rich foods. A total of 239 parents (93 % mothers) of children aged 4-10 years who consumed less than the RDA of Ca were randomly assigned in a 1:1 allocation ratio. There was a significant increase in total Ca intake and Ca from dairy for children at weeks 8, 34 and 52 (P ≤ 0·001) in both conditions. Parental Ca intake and amount spent on dairy products did not significantly increase following the intervention. Provision of daily Ca requirements with regular reminders could impact parents' delivery of Ca-rich foods to their children. This finding is important for public health messaging as it suggests that parents are a potent medium through which to promote Ca intake in children.

Human Uptake of Eggshell Powder as an Alternate Source of Calcium

Calcium (Ca) plays important structural and physiological roles in our body. Usually, our body meets up its Ca need from dietary sources. In developing countries like Bangladesh, most of the people cannot afford Carich foods. So, Ca supplements are generally prescribed to deficient individual that usually costs high. It is, therefore, necessary to find out an alternative and cheap source of Ca supplement especially in Bangladesh. Considering the above facts, the main focus of this study was to explore the possibility of using the egg shell as a source of Ca. In his study, discarded eggshells were collected, washed, decontaminated properly and ground to a fine powder. Washing with tap water followed by 10 min boiling completely decontaminated the eggshells. On an average 3.45, 5.91, 4.5 and 4.55 g of eggshell powder (ESP) per shell were obtained from a domesticated fowl, domestic duck, white leghorn, and rhode island red, respectively. Particle size was measured using scanning electron microscope and the size ranged between 3.47-5.94 μm. The Ca contents were found as 38.65, 35.0, 24.85 and 35.73 g in domesticated fowl, domestic duck, white leghorn, and rhode island red, respectively per 100 g of ESP. Taking daily Ca requirements into account, we observed that powder from almost half of an eggshell is sufficient to fulfill the daily Ca need. The amount of magnesium (Mg) in 100 g ESPs was found to be 45.37, 32.48, 45.17 and 45.27 mg and that of iron (Fe) was 35.07, 33.47, 31.91 and 33.06 mg in domesticated fowl, domestic duck, white leghorn, and rhode island red, respectively. Various toxic heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) contents remained below the detection level in ESP samples. Organoleptic tests revealed that the ESP does not have any objectionable effects on the texture and flavor of ESP-fortified foods and juice. These results suggested that the ESP can be used as an alternative and important cheap source of Ca and other beneficial micronutrients for human being. However, it is necessary to create the awareness and public perception regarding the use of EPS
 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 18(2): 249-255, 2019 (December)

The excessive enrichment of trace elements in migratory and breeding red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in China.

The excessive enrichment of trace elements, such as Pb and Cd, from food may contribute to the decline of migratory red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in China. To test this prediction, we determined the concentrations of Pb and Cd, as well as further macro and trace elements (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn) in the target species and their prey (sediment, reed root, mollusk, arthropods, and common fish species) in both the wintering (Yancheng wetland) and breeding sites (Zhalong wetland) of cranes in China. The maximum concentrations of Pb (130mgkg-1 dry weight (dw)) and Cd (10.60mgkg-1 dw) in the sediments of breeding site and the maximum concentration of Cd (4.50mgkg-1 dw) in the sediments of wintering site exceeded the probable effect level values (91.30mgkg-1 for Pb and 3.53mgkg-1for Cd), suggesting the potential exposure risk of the examined species. Indeed, Pb and Cd contents of essential foods, i.e., aquatic animals, sampled in two sites were above the limit of allowable concentration recommended by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization food standards program. Approximately 80, 31.4, and 60.3mgkg-1 dw of Pb were detected in the eggshells, liver, and kidney, respectively, of the target species, and the values are above the levels of concern (1.7mgkg-1 for eggshell and 30mgkg-1 for liver and kidney) in common birds. Nevertheless, the increased Pb and Cd levels in the prey and bodies of the red-crowned cranes did not induce the levels of Ca and Mg depletion. Average contents of the macronutrients, Ca (1.38gkg-1 dw) and Mg (1.32gkg-1 dw), in the liver of the examined species exceeded the background concentrations (0.2-0.4gkg-1 for Ca and 0.4-0.8gkg-1 for Mg) in the liver of birds. Consumption of Ca-rich foods, e.g., grits and exoskeleton species, may aid in compensating the possible loss caused by the increased Pb and Cd concentrations in the bodies of the cranes.

Calcium intake and the associations with faecal fat and energy excretion, and lipid profile in a free-living population

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between the habitual Ca intake and faecal fat and energy excretion as well as blood lipid profile in free-living normal-weight and overweight individuals. The participants were enrolled for an 8-d period where data from a 7-d diet registration (days 1-7), a 5-d faeces collection (days 3-7), a 2-d urine collection (days 5-7), and anthropometric measurements and a fasting blood sample (day 8) were collected. Analyses showed that dietary Ca intake (g/10MJ per d) was positively associated with excretion of faecal fat (P=0·004) and energy (P=0·031) when adjusted for BMI, age, sex and intake of Ca-containing supplements. However, after adjustment for intake of fibre, the effect of Ca intake disappeared. Nevertheless, total cholesterol (CHOL) and LDL-CHOL concentrations were associated negatively with Ca intake (β -0·62 (95 % CI -0·96, -0·28)mmol/l, P<0·001, and β -0·49 (95 % CI -0·78, -0·20)mmol/l, P=0·001, respectively, per 1000mg/10MJ per d increase in Ca intake). In conclusion, incorporation of Ca-rich food products in a habitual diet was associated with reduced total CHOL and LDL-CHOL concentrations, which may lower the risk of CVD in the long term.

Effects of calcium supplementation on growth and biochemistry in two passerine species breeding in a Ca-poor and metal-polluted area.

Several studies provide evidence of calcium (Ca)-limited reproduction in birds. A Ca-supplementation experiment was carried out in 2014 in a Ca-poor area associated with metal pollution in SW Finland. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between Ca availability and heavy metal exposure in free-living passerines, and to compare Ca levels in plasma and feces and the effects of Ca supplementation and metals on breeding, nestling growth, and plasma biochemistry in great tits and pied flycatchers. Although the Ca supplement was used by parents, in general the treatment had limited effects on growth and biochemistry, suggesting that parents are capable of finding sufficient Ca-rich foods to allow nestlings to grow properly. Snail shells were an abundant Ca source in the moderately polluted zone for pied flycatcher, and great tits likely combines the intake of snail shells and other anthropogenic Ca-rich items. Great tits had higher Ca concentrations in feces and plasma than pied flycatcher nestlings, suggesting that they need and sustain higher Ca levels and seem to be more opportunistic in search for Ca than pied flycatcher, since they consumed more of the supplemented Ca. Negative effects of pollution in nestling size and fledgling number were found in great tit. This species may suffer especially from the lower food quality and quantity in the polluted area. The pied flycatcher seems to be adapted to low Ca availability and they can successfully breed when metal concentrations are not too high. Our results show that great tits and pied flycatchers may employ different strategies in response to low Ca availability.

Parent calcium-rich-food practices/perceptions are associated with calcium intake among parents and their early adolescent children

The study aimed to (i) segment parents of early adolescents into subgroups according to their Ca-rich-food (CRF) practices and perceptions regarding early adolescent CRF intake and (ii) determine whether Ca intake of parents and early adolescents differed by subgroup. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 509 parents and their early adolescent children completed a questionnaire in 2006-2007 to assess parent CRF practices and perceptions and to estimate parent and child Ca intakes. Self-administered questionnaires were completed in community settings or homes across nine US states. Parents self-reporting as Asian, Hispanic or non-Hispanic White with a child aged 10-13 years were recruited through youth or parent events. Three parent CRF practice/perception segments were identified, including 'Dedicated-Milk Providers/Drinkers' (49 %), 'Water Regulars' (30 %) and 'Sweet-Drink-Permissive Parents' (23 %). Dedicated-Milk Providers/Drinkers were somewhat older and more likely to be non-Hispanic White than other groups. Ca intakes from all food sources, milk/dairy foods and milk only, and milk intakes, were higher among early adolescent children of Dedicated-Milk Providers/Drinkers compared with early adolescents of parents in other segments. Soda pop intakes were highest for early adolescents with parents in the Water Regulars group than other groups. Dedicated-Milk Providers/Drinkers scored higher on culture/tradition, health benefits and ease of use/convenience subscales and lower on a dairy/milk intolerance subscale and were more likely to report eating family dinners daily than parents in the other groups. Parent education programmes should address CRF practices/perceptions tailored to parent group to improve Ca intake of early adolescent children.

Pollution-related changes in diets of two insectivorous passerines

Insectivorous birds living in polluted areas are not only exposed to pollutants but they may also be affected by changes in their invertebrate food. The populations of many invertebrate species are affected by environmental pollution and such changes may lead to differences in the diet of insectivorous birds. We examined nestling food quality (invertebrate composition and heavy metal levels) and breeding performance of two cavity-nesting passerines, the Great tit, Parus major, and the pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, in an area with long-term heavy metal pollution by a copper smelter. There were no differences in feeding frequencies or the amount of food that parents provided to their nestlings between polluted and unpolluted sites, but food quality in a polluted area differed from that of the control area in both bird species. P. major took more beetles and variable "flying insects" and less caterpillars (of smaller size) and moths in the polluted area as compared to the unpolluted one. F. hypoleuca ate more beetles and larvae and less moths and spiders in the polluted area. Breeding success of P. major was better when the nestling diet contained a large proportion of caterpillars and the relationship was especially strong in the polluted area. On the contrary, F. hypoleuca broods succeeded equally well with variable diets. Our data suggest that a more opportunistic forager, F. hypoleuca, is less vulnerable to a changing invertebrate composition caused by human environmental impacts than a caterpillar specialist, P. major. In a heavy metal polluted area, F. hypoleuca seems to be more sensitive to a decreased amount of Ca rich food items (e.g. snails) while P. major suffers especially from the lack of carotenoid rich caterpillars. Our results emphasize the importance of secondary environmental changes, like food quality, in addition to direct impacts of pollutants.

Diet, Status and Decomposition at Weingarten: Trace Element and Isotope Analyses on Early Mediaeval Skeletal Material

Trace element and stable isotope analyses were carried out on archaeological human bone samples as well as animal bone specimens from the Early Mediaeval graveyard at Weingarten (Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany). The purpose of the study is twofold. First, a dietary reconstruction is presented aiming at both the overall nutritional pattern and intra-populational dietary differences, which become evident through cluster analysis. The existence of such differences is connected with, and explained by, social variation within the population as indicated by characteristic grave goods. In both the adult and the non-adult subsample access to Ca-rich food, and most probably animal-derived products is congruent with an affiliation to higher social ranks. Second, variables that can help evaluate the preservation of organic and mineral bone phases, such as whole bone yield of C and N, collagen yield and yield of C and N from collagen, histological preservation and Ca/P ratio were compared with respect to their possible influence on differential nutritional patterns. No clear correspondence of any of these variables with results from the palaeodietary reconstruction, i.e., no diagenetic bias was found. This is interpreted in favour of the detection of dietary groups by cluster analysis and their variation with social standing within the community of Weingarten.

Effects of physical characteristics and dietary habits on bone mineral density in adolescent girls.

In the health management of bone, of most importance is how to spend the period until peak bone mass, that is appropriate self management for bone health. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of physical characteristics and dietary habits on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the second metacarpal bone (sigma GS/D: BMD) by the digital image processing method (DIP) in 197 healthy adolescent girls (Japanese students at a junior high school, aged 12-15 y), an important period of physical and bone growth. Concerning the physical characteristics of the subjects according to age group, body height in each age group was higher than the standard values for Japanese according to age, but body weights in the 14-year-old and 15-year-old groups were significantly lower than the standard values for Japanese. Compared with the standard BMD values for Japanese according to age, BMD in the subjects was high in the 12-year-old, 13-year-old and 14-year-old groups but low in the 15-year-old group (-7.3%). Concerning the nutritional state, energy, calcium (Ca), and iron intakes were insufficient in every age group. BMD relative to the standard BMD value for Japanese (standard value was regarded as 0%) was evaluated according to the ingestion frequency of Ca-rich foods. The relative BMD value (%) increased with the ingestion frequency of Ca-rich foods. These results suggest that maintenance of an appropriate physique and adequate intake of nutrients such as Ca are important for bone growth during adolescence. Active promotion of educational guidance mainly on the effects of diet on bone health in adolescents in necessary.

Milk consumption decreases activity of human serum alkaline phosphatase: A cross-sectional study

Since the Japanese have not reached the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium (600 mg), milk is recommended as a Ca-rich food to increase Ca intake and prevent osteoporosis in Japan. To determine whether milk consumption influences Ca/bone metabolism in the Ca-deficient population, relationships between milk consumption and serum alkaline phosphatase (AI-P) activity were analyzed in 3,098 premenopausal and 1,182 postmenopausal women and 13,141 men aged 30 to 69 years. Milk consumption was classified into no/yes groups by a self-administered questionnaire that asked “Do you drink a glass of milk (180 to 200 mL) or more everyday?”. Regardless of age or sex, the “yes” group had a lower activity of serum AI-P than the “no” group. Milk consumption decreased the activity to a greater degree in women, especially perimenopausal/postmenopausal women, than in men. These results were confirmed in a multivariate analysis considering age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking and drinking habits as confounding factors. Although menopause obviously increased serum AI-P activity in perimenopausal women, it could not influence the effects of milk consumption on the activity. These results suggest that milk has osteostatic effects on humans via a mechanism different from that of estrogens. Milk consumption, even one glass per day, may be an easy and effective strategy for prevention of osteoporosis in the Ca-deficient population, especially perimenopausal/postmenopausal women.

Factors influencing dairy calcium intake in women.

Most national dietary studies have reported inadequate calcium (Ca) intake by women, indicating that marketing and educational efforts have not effected dietary behavior changes. The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors which influence dairy Ca intake. A questionnaire was developed to accomplish these objectives, and piloted for clarity and content validity. Dietary Ca intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. After revisions, women were sampled from four sources: a health spa, elderhostel classes, through a Cooperative Extension Service program, and from the Illinois Older Women's League. The response rate was 66.5%. Mean total reported Ca intake (n = 351) was 591 +/- 355 mg/day. Over 40% of the women reported Ca intakes below 60% of the RDA and could therefore be considered to have deficient intake. Unfortunately, 27.1% of these with deficient intake believed they were meeting the Ca RDA. Significant differences (p < or = 0.01) were found in attitudes and beliefs about dairy Ca when comparing women whose intake was below 60% of the RDA with those whose intake was above 60%. The most commonly mentioned beliefs of the entire sample concerned cholesterol (16.5%), high calories (13.7%) and gastrointestinal discomfort (12.8%). These findings suggest an important discrepancy between perceived and actual Ca intake which could influence receptiveness to education. Non-dairy Ca rich food sources need to be clarified as does the caloric and cholesterol content of dairy foods.

The Role of Helix aspersa as a Major Herbivore in the Transfer of Lead Through a Polluted Ecosystem

(1) Helix aspersa Muller was studied as a major herbivore in an ecosystem contaminated with lead. An artificial food was used to test diet selection according to Pb or Ca levels and to construct a budget of Pb uptake and loss, at various doses. (2) Dosed agar gels containing PbSO4 and CaSO4 were presented to juvenile snails. No preference for or aversion to Pb and Ca-rich food is demonstrated. (3) The rates of uptake of Pb by H. aspersa are shown to be comparable to those estimated by extraction with 10% acetic acid. Tissue and faecal concentrations are related to dietary consumption, and evidence suggests that tissue turnover of the metal increases with consumption. (4) The proportion of Pb available to other trophic levels in either the tissues or the faeces rises with the snail's consumption of the metal. Comparisons are made with snails from a contaminated car-park. (5) A range of ecological and physiological factors are known to make the concentrations of Pb in snails time-dependent. H. aspersa may therefore serve to 'buffer' the supply of Pb to other trophic levels.

Effects of supplementation of the diets with calcium and calcium-rich foods on bone density of elderly females with osteoporosis

Diets of 20 elderly females with osteoporosis were supplemented daily with 2.25 oz of processed cheese, and 3 capsules of dicalcium phosphate + vitamin D containing 350 mg Ca, 270 mg P, and 399 IU vitamin D, for a 6-month period. The bone density of the 3-2 phalanx was measured densitometrically from the hand x-ray taken with a standard aluminum stepwedge. Fasting blood and urine were analyzed at the beginning and end of the experimental period. The mean bone density increased (p less than 0.05). There were 11 subjects with increased bone density, three with no changes and six with reductions in bone density. Calcium, P, and alkaline phosphatase in serum and Ca/creatinine and P/creatinine in urine were unchanged. The changes in bone density were correlated to the changes in body weight (r = 0.6529). The results suggested that, even with a mean age of 70 yr, some elderly persons can benefit from supplementary Ca and Ca-rich foods to improve bone density.