Daily Milk Intake Research Articles

Social support and dairy products intake among adolescents: a study from Iran

BackgroundAdequate daily milk and dairy products intake seems to an important for adolescents’ health. This study aimed to identify the high-risk group adolescents who did not meet the recommended daily serving milk and dairy products and indeed to find out associated factors relating to their nutrition behaviors.MethodsThis cross sectional study was carried out on 7th grade students, in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, Iran. An anonymous self–administrated questionnaire including items on perceived social support, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors was administered. In addition a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) measuring daily milk products serving intake as a main outcome measure was completed for each respondent. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the association between milk and dairy products consumption and independents variables.ResultsIn all 402 students (51.5 % female) participated in the study. The mean age of students was 12.9 (SD = 0.49) years. The average daily intake of milk and dairy products was 1.64 (SD = 0.78) servings per day. Overall 14.2 % of adolescents (18.8 % of girls, and 9.2 % of boys, p = 0.006) reported consumption of the recommended daily milk and dairy products serving per day. The results indicated that gender boys (OR for boys = 2.41, 95 % CI = 1.25–4.67), mother age (OR for age group 40–55 years = 2.52, 95 % CI = 1.18–5.38), poor perceived emotional family support, (OR = 1.10, 95 % CI = 1.05–3.61), and poor perceived practical family support (OR = 2.04, 95 % CI = 1.18–4.17) were the most significant contributing factors to low level milk and dairy products intake in adolescents.ConclusionThe findings indicated that adolescents did not take the recommended daily amount of milk and dairy products and this appeared to be strongly related to low perceived family support. To achieve the recommended daily milk and dairy products serving consumption, family involvements in any programs that specifically address emotional and practical support for promoting daily milk and dairy products intake among adolescents are suggested.

Daily intake of fermented milk with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota reduces the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy middle-aged office workers

PurposeAlthough several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of probiotics for preventing upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in at-risk populations, including children and the elderly, few studies have investigated the efficacy of probiotics in healthy adults living normal, everyday lives. Thus, we tried to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota-fermented milk (LcS-FM) on the incidence of URTIs in healthy middle-aged office workers.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial, 96 eligible male workers aged 30–49 years consumed LcS-FM containing 1.0 × 1011 viable LcS cells or control milk (CM) once daily for 12 weeks during the winter season. URTI episodes were evaluated by a physician via a questionnaire of URTI symptoms.ResultsThe incidence of URTIs during the intervention period was significantly lower in the LcS-FM group than in the CM group (22.4 vs. 53.2 %, P = 0.002). The time-to-event analysis showed that the LcS-FM group had a significantly higher URTI-free rate than the CM group over the test period (log-rank test: χ2 11.25, P = 0.0008). The cumulative number of URTI episodes and cumulative days with URTI symptoms per person was lower in the LcS-FM group, and the duration per episode was shorter. Inhibition of both reductions in NK cell activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and increases in salivary cortisol levels was observed in the LcS-FM group.ConclusionThe results suggest that the daily intake of fermented milk with LcS may reduce the risk of URTIs in healthy middle-aged office workers, probably through modulation of the immune system.

Does age at weaning influences behaviour of Murrah buffalo calves under semi-intensive management conditions?

The purpose of the study was to compare the behaviour of neonatal Murrah buffalo calves reared under weaning and suckling methods. Initially, 42 newly born calves were selected and they were equally but alternately assigned into 3 groups as suckling (Gr 1), weaning at birth (Gr 2) and weaning on 45th day (Gr 3). The different behavioural parameters of calves were recorded for first 15 days of suckling/weaning during each milk-feeding hour. The average daily milk intake of calves was significantly lower in Gr 1than Gr 3 but higher than Gr 2. The time taken by calves for milk consumption was significantly higher in Gr 3 than Gr 1 or Gr 2. The learning time for selffeeding in Gr 2 was significantly higher than Gr 3 and Gr 1. The incidence of inter-suckling was significantly higher in Gr 3 than Gr 1 (11.49%) and Gr 2 (59.08%). The incidence of defecation and urination was non significantly higher in suckling than weaning groups. The total suckling score was significantly higher in Gr 3 than Gr 1 and Gr 2. Weaning in buffalo calves at birth yielded more success rate than weaning at 45th day. This study highlights deeper understanding of weaned calf behaviour which can be useful for adopting weaning management practice in buffaloes to promote clean milk production and to get other established benefits of weaning similar to dairy cattle.

초등학생의 우유와 유제품 섭취와 기호도 -경기도 화성시 일부 초등학생 5~6학년 대상으로

Efforts to have children consume milk continue across the world for the sufficient supply of calcium and protein. This study examines the frequency and amount of dairy milk and the recognition, acceptability, and knowledge of milk and dairy products by considering fifth- and sixth-graders in Hwaseong, Korea. The acceptability of milk and dairy products measured based on a five-point Likert-type scale was assessed to determine its correlations with breakfast frequency, the frequency of milk intake, and milk knowledge. According to descriptive statistics, 47% and 53% of the subjects were fifth- and sixth-graders, respectively, 53% and 47% were male and female, respectively, 45.3% and 51.2% had mothers in their thirties and forties, respectively, and 57% had working mothers. Breakfast frequency was 5.2 and 5.3 times per week, and milk and dairy intake was 4.6 times. The milk knowledge score was 5.3 out of 10 points. The average daily intake of milk was a cup (55.1%), and a vast majority preferred white milk (68.6%). Ice cream bar type (4.49 points) and cone type (4.48 points) showed the highest acceptability, and breakfast frequency was positively correlated with white milk and cheddar cheese (p<0.01). Daily milk intake frequency was positively correlated with white milk and fortified milk. Milk knowledge was positively correlation with white milk, fortified milk, functional yogurt (p <0.05), fermented milk, and cheese (p<0.01). The higher the breakfast frequency, the more likely the intake of white milk (p<0.01). An increase in milk intake increased milk knowledge (p<0.05). The higher the level of knowledge, the more likely the intake of fortified milk and the frequency of milk intake. These results suggest that school lunch milk may increase awareness and milk intake through continuing education in milk knowledge. High acceptability scores for white milk, fortified milk, and fermented milk indicate their suitability for school milk consumption.

A comparison study on the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among city, township and rural area adults in China

ObjectivesTo explore the association of dietary behaviour factors on obesity among city, township and rural area adults.SettingA stratified cluster sampling technique was employed in the present cross-sectional study. On the...

Gestational changes in iodine status in a cohort study of pregnant women from the United Kingdom: season as an effect modifier

Background: Iodine is required throughout pregnancy for thyroid hormone production, which is essential for fetal brain development. Studies of iodine status in pregnant women from the United Kingdom (UK) have focused on early gestation (<16 wk). Data on the effect of advancing gestation on urinary iodine excretion are conflicting, with suggestions of both an increase and a decrease.Objectives: The aims were to evaluate iodine status in a cohort of UK pregnant women and to explore how it changes throughout gestation.Design: We used samples and data from 230 UK pregnant women who were recruited to the Selenium in PRegnancy INTervention study. Iodine concentration was measured in spot-urine samples that were collected at ∼12, 20, and 35 wk of gestation; creatinine concentration was also measured to correct for urine dilution. A linear mixed model was used to explore the effect of gestational week on iodine-to-creatinine ratio, with change in season, body mass index, daily milk intake, and maternal age controlled for.Results: The median urinary iodine concentration from urine samples collected at all time points (n = 662) was 56.8 μg/L, and the iodine-to-creatinine ratio was 116 μg/g, thus classifying this cohort as mildly-to-moderately iodine deficient. The median iodine-to-creatinine ratios at 12, 20, and 35 wk were 102.5, 120.0, and 126.0 μg/g, respectively. Only 3% of women were taking iodine-containing prenatal supplements. The iodine-to-creatinine ratio increased with advancing gestation, and there was a significant interaction between gestational week and season (P = 0.026). For a 1-wk increase in gestation, the iodine-to-creatinine ratio increased by a factor of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.08) in winter and by a factor of 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.08) in summer.Conclusions: This group of UK pregnant women was mildly-to-moderately iodine deficient at all trimesters, which is of public health concern. The finding that the iodine-to-creatinine ratio increased over the course of gestation may not be generalizable to populations with different iodine status from ours and merits further investigation. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN37927591.

Cord IGF-I concentrations in Indian newborns: associations with neonatal body composition and maternal determinants.

Indian newborns have been described as 'thin-fat' compared with European babies, but little is known about how this phenotype relates to the foetal growth factor IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor I) or its binding protein IGFBP-3. To assess cord IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations in a sample of Indian newborns and evaluate their associations with neonatal adiposity and maternal factors. A prospective cohort study of 146 pregnant mothers with dietary, anthropometric and biochemical measurements at 28 and 34 weeks gestation. Neonatal weight, length, skin-folds, circumferences, and cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured at birth. Average cord IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were 46.6 (2.2) and 1269.4 (41) ng mL(-1) , respectively. Girls had higher mean IGF-I than boys (51.4 ng mL(-1) vs. 42.9 ng mL(-1) ; P < 0.03), but IGFBP-3 did not differ. Cord IGF-I was positively correlated with all birth size measures except length, and most strongly with neonatal sum-of-skin-folds (r = 0.50, P < 0.001). IGFBP-3 was positively correlated with ponderal index, sum-of-skin-folds and placenta weight (r = 0.21, 0.19, 0.16, respectively; P < 0.05). Of maternal demographic and anthropometric characteristics, only parity was correlated with cord IGF-I (r = 0.27, P < 0.001). Among dietary behaviours, maternal daily milk intake at 34 weeks gestation predicted higher cord IGF-I compared to no-milk intake (51.8 ng mL(-1) vs. 36.5 ng mL(-1) , P < 0.01) after controlling for maternal characteristics, placental weight, and newborn gestational age, sex, weight and sum-of-skin-folds. Sum-of-skin-folds were positively associated with cord IGF-I in this multivariate model (57.3 ng mL(-1) vs. 35.1 ng mL(-1) for highest and lowest sum-of skin-fold quartile, P < 0.001). IGFBP-3 did not show significant relationships with these covariates. In this Indian study, cord IGF-I concentration was associated with greater adiposity among newborns. Maternal milk intake may play a role in this relationship.

Relationship between daily intake of milk and doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements

Relationship between daily intake of milk and doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements

Urinary calcium levels in women treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements

Objective: The principal aim of the study was to evaluate the calcium levels in urine in those women in treatment with calcium and vitamin D Supplements. Other objectives were to determine the association between urinary calcium levels and calcium and vitamin D ingested doses, and the relationship between the daily intake and calcium levels in urine. Methods: To achieve these objectives we determinate the calcium levels in urine collected for 24h in those women with treatment with calcium and vitamin D supplements during the last year (57 women since April 2014–December 2014). The variables measured were: age, urinary Calcium levels in urine collected for 24h (measured in mg/dl) doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements that women are taking per day, daily intake of milk (nulle: 0 UU/day; low: 1 UU/day; moderate: 2 UU/day; high: 3 UU/day or more). Results: The mean age in women included in this study was 66 with a range between 46 and 88. The 14.3% of women that are taking calcium and vitamin D supplements had a urinary calcium levels inurinegreater than250mg. The2.6%ofwomen in treatment with calcium and vitamin D supplements were taking more than 1000mg of elemental calcium per day and the 69.6%of them were taking more than 800 UU/day. We did not find significantly differences between the urinary calcium levels and the doses of calcium and/or vitamin D that these women were taking in supplements. The 51.8%of women included in this study had a nulle or low daily intake of milk and only the 1.8%of them had a high daily intake.We did not find significantly differences between the calcium levels in urine (24h) and daily intake. Conclusions: Only a very low percentage of women in treatmentwith calcium and/or vitaminD supplements had pathological urinary calcium levels (≥250mg/dl) after a year. We did not find that a higher intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements were correlated with elevated urinary calcium levels.

Human Milk Intake and Pesticide Transfer in Agricultural and Urban Areas of Sonora, Mexico

BackgroundBreast milk is considered the best way to feed newborn babies in order to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Despite being essentially sterile and safe, people may be exposed to various pollutants when living in different environments.ObjectiveTo measure human milk production by isotopic techniques, mother's body composition and pesticide transfer to babies through human milk in agricultural and urban areas of Sonora, Mexico.MethodsHuman milk intake was determined by the dose‐to‐the‐mother technique using deuterium oxide dilution. Likewise, mother's body composition was assessed by the intercept method. Organochlorine pesticide residues (p,p'‐DDT, p,p'‐DDE, p,p'‐DDD) and pyrethroids (deltamethrin , cypermethrin and cyhalothrin) in breast milk samples where measured by gas chromatography.Results62 lactating women and their infants participated in the study, 32 where urban residents and 30 lived in the agricultural area. There was a difference of approximately 100 mL on the daily milk intake between the study areas (799 mL in the agricultural area and 707 mL in urban participants (p&lt; 0.05)). The concentrations of DDT metabolites were higher in the urban group (p&lt; 0.002), however none of the samples exceeded the safe limits established by the Environmental Protection Agency and FAO/WHO.ConclusionBreast milk intake was higher in agricultural areas in Sonora compared to the urban region. Consumption of human milk by infants, can still be considered a safe feeding practice in these environments.

The Study of Breast Milk IGF-1, Leptin, Ghrelin and Adiponectin Levels as Possible Reasons of High Weight Gain in Breast-Fed Infants

Background: Excessive consumption of protein that leads to increased blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important risk factor for high growth velocity and obesity in formula-fed infants. However, it is not clear whether these factors can explain the high growth velocity in breast-fed infants. Aim: To study the possible links between the growth velocity in breast-fed infants and the levels of protein, IGF-1 and other hormones, which regulate energy homeostasis, in mothers' breast milk. Methods: We studied 103 mother-infant pairs. Their daily breast milk intake and level of IGF-1, leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, protein and fat in breast milk were measured at 1, 2 and 3 months of lactation. The infant group was divided into three subgroups of low, normal and high weight gain tertiles. Results: The breast milk consumed by the infants with high weight gain contained higher levels of IGF-1 than that consumed by those with low weight gain at all periods studied (p = 0.032 at 3 months of lactation), and ghrelin levels were higher at 1 and 2 months and leptin levels at 2 and 3 months of lactation (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the breast milk IGF-1 level and infant weight gain (r = 0.294, p = 0.043). Total daily breast milk, fat and hormone intake was also higher in the high weight gain group compared to the low weight gain group. Conclusion: One of the reasons for the high growth velocity in breast-fed infants may be the enhanced levels of the studied hormones in breast milk.

Associations between milk intake and activity in the first days of a calf's life and later growth and health

We examined whether calves’ milk intake and activity in the days after birth predict later growth and the risk of illness. Female Holstein calves (n=130) were housed in individual pens where they were allowed ad libitum milk from birth to 5 days of age. Daily milk intakes were recorded and accelerometers attached to the calves measured time spent standing and lying down. After 5 days, calves were housed in group pens with four to nine calves per group and allowed 12L/day of milk and ad libitum hay and starter from automated feeders. Calves were weighed at birth (birth weight=BW) and at 28 days of age and health status was determined daily. Digestible energy (DE) intakes were calculated from feed intakes. During days 2–4, there were large differences among calves in the amount of milk consumed, which ranged from 7.3% BW/day (2.4L/day) to 30.5% BW/day (12L/day) with a median of 16.3% BW/day (6.7L/day). Twenty-one calves were treated for illness from days 6 to 28. These calves had lower milk intakes on days 2, 3 and 4 than calves that remained healthy (P<0.05). For the calves that did not become ill, milk intake on day 4 was correlated (r=0.29; P<0.01) with ADG from days 0 to 28 and correlated (r=0.33; P=0.03) with the residual body weight on day 28 (when birth weight and digestible energy intakes from days 5 to 28 were accounted for using multiple regression). Time spent standing from days 2 to 4 varied between calves but was not correlated with BW, milk intake during days 2–4, or weight gains to day 28 (P>0.10). Very young calves can drink large quantities of milk, and the calves that drink the largest amounts in the first days of life have greater long-term growth rates and are less likely to become ill. Milk intake may be a better sign of early calf vigour than activity levels.

Consumption of non-cow's milk beverages and serum vitamin D levels in early childhood.

Vitamin D fortification of non-cow's milk beverages is voluntary in North America. The effect of consuming non-cow's milk beverages on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children is unclear. We studied the association between non-cow's milk consumption and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in healthy preschool-aged children. We also explored whether cow's milk consumption modified this association and analyzed the association between daily non-cow's milk and cow's milk consumption. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited children 1-6 years of age attending routinely scheduled well-child visits. Survey responses, and anthropometric and laboratory measurements were collected. The association between non-cow's milk consumption and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was tested using multiple linear regression and logistic regression. Cow's milk consumption was explored as an effect modifier using an interaction term. The association between daily intake of non-cow's milk and cow's milk was explored using multiple linear regression. A total of 2831 children were included. The interaction between non-cow's milk and cow's milk consumption was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Drinking non-cow's milk beverages was associated with a 4.2-nmol/L decrease in 25-hydroxyvitamin D level per 250-mL cup consumed among children who also drank cow's milk (p = 0.008). Children who drank only non-cow's milk were at higher risk of having a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level below 50 nmol/L than children who drank only cow's milk (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.6 to 4.7). Consumption of non-cow's milk beverages was associated with decreased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in early childhood. This association was modified by cow's milk consumption, which suggests a trade-off between consumption of cow's milk fortified with higher levels of vitamin D and non-cow's milk with lower vitamin D content.

Limited infant exposure to benznidazole through breast milk during maternal treatment for Chagas disease

BackgroundBenznidazole (BNZ) is safe and effective for the treatment of paediatric Chagas disease. Treatment of adults is also effective in many cases, but discouraged in breastfeeding women because no information...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of Lactobacillus helveticus strains from traditional fermented dairy foods and antihypertensive effect of fermented milk of strain H9

Hypertension is a major global health issue which elevates the risk of a large world population to chronic life-threatening diseases. The inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is an effective target to manage essential hypertension. In this study, the fermentation properties (titratable acidity, free amino nitrogen, and fermentation time) and ACE-inhibitory (ACEI) activity of fermented milks produced by 259 Lactobacillus helveticus strains previously isolated from traditional Chinese and Mongolian fermented foods were determined. Among them, 37 strains had an ACEI activity of over 50%. The concentrations of the antihypertensive peptides, Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro, were further determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The change of ACEI activity of the fermented milks of 3 strains exhibiting the highest ACEI activity upon gastrointestinal protease treatment was assayed. Fermented milks produced by strain H9 (IMAU60208) had the highest in vitro ACEI activity (86.4±1.5%), relatively short fermentation time (7.5 h), and detectable Val-Pro-Pro (2.409±0.229 µM) and Ile-Pro-Pro (1.612±0.114 µM) concentrations. Compared with the control, a single oral dose of H9-fermented milk significantly attenuated the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by 15 to 18mmHg during the 6 to 12 h after treatment. The long-term daily H9-fermented milk intake over 7 wk exerted significant antihypertensive effect to SHR, but not normotensive rats, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower, by 12 and 10mmHg, respectively, compared with the control receiving saline. The feeding of H9-fermented milk to SHR resulted in a significantly higher weight gain at wk 7 compared with groups receiving saline, commercial yogurt, and captopril. Our study identified a novel probiotic L. helveticus strain originated from kurut sampled from Tibet (China), which is a valuable resource for future development of functional foods for hypertension management.

Milk and Protein Intake by Pregnant Women Affects Growth of Foetus

The study assessed the effects of the daily intake of milk and protein by pregnant women on foetal growth and determined the growth pattern and velocity of growth. A total of 504 ultrasound observations from 156 respondents were collected following a cross-sectional design in the last trimester of pregnancy; majority of them were in the last month of pregnancy. De facto and purposive sampling was done, and direct interviews of affluent pregnant women were conducted. Kruskal-Wallis test shows that majority of the respondents had tendency to consume 155.65 to 465.17 mL of milk per day, resulting in better and higher foetal growth. Most respondents consumed about 50-70 g of protein per day, and the foetal growth measurements, such as abdomen-circumference, femur length, biparietal diameter, and head-circumference, on an average, were higher in the same group. Quadratic regression model exhibited that all the traits of growth pattern in Model 1 (low milk and protein intake) appeared to have more mode of decline, in contrast to Model 2 (more milk and protein intake), which shows better growth. In addition, velocity of growth pattern was obtained through the first derivative of quadratic regression of growth pattern. Moreover, 95% confidence interval calculated for regression line slope of Model 1 and Model 2 showed that the estimation point (2 B2) of Model 1 does not lay into 95% CI of Model 2; so, statistical significance assorted and also the same trend conversely hold for Model 2. The rate of growth was highly influenced by maternal milk and protein intake. These findings suggest that contribution of common nutrients or other nutritional factors present in milk and protein promote the growth of foetus.

Iron metabolism in infants: influence of bovine lactoferrin from iron-fortified formula

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether an iron-fortified formula with a concentration of lactoferrin would significantly improve the hematologic indexes and iron status in term infants compared with those same values in infants fed an iron-fortified formula without lactoferrin. MethodIn this prospective, multicenter, controlled intervention study, 260 infants ages 4 to 6 mo were selected from six maternal and children's health care hospitals in the area. All infants were divided into two groups with the sequence of outpatient: lactoferrin-fortified formula milk group (fortified group, FG, containing lactoferrin 38 mg/100 g milk and iron element 4 mg/100 g milk) and no lactoferrin fortified milk (control group, CG, containing lactoferrin 0 mg/100 g milk and iron element 4 mg/100 g milk) for 3 mo. The levels of weight, height, and head circumference and the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), and serum transferring receptor (sTfR) were measured and sTfR-SF index (TFR-F index), total body iron content (TBIC) and low height for age (HAZ), low weight for age (WAZ), and low weight for height (WHZ) were computed before and after the intervention, respectively. ResultsIn all, 213 (115 in FG and 98 in CG) infants completed the intervention trial and all measurements of biochemical indicators. There were no significant differences in the average amount of daily intake of formula milk (94.3 ± 9.8 g versus 88.2 ± 8.7 g for FG and CG; P > 0.05) and iron element (3.8 ± 0.4 mg versus 3.7 ± 0.6 mg for FG and CG; P > 0.05). The average amount of daily intake of lactoferrin for infants in FG group was 35.8 ± 3.7 mg. The levels of weight, WAZ, WHZ, Hb, SF, TFR-F index, and TBIC after intervention of infants in FG were all significantly higher than those of infants in CG weight, 8723 ± 245 g versus 8558 ± 214g; WAZ, 1.02 ± 0.31 versus 0.44 ± 0.18; WHZ, 0.98 ± 0.31 versus 0.41 ± 0.12; Hb, 125.5 ± 15.4 g/L versus 116.9 ± 13.1 g/L; SF, 44.7 ± 17.2 μg/L versus 31.6 ± 18.4 μg/L; TFR-F index, 1.88 ± 0.41 versus 1.26 ± 0.39; TBIC, 6.12 ± 0.78 mg/kg versus 5.26 ± 0.55 mg/kg for FG and CG; P < 0.05), but significantly lower (P < 0.05) for the prevalence of anemia (4.1% versus 7.5%), iron deficiency (13.9% versus 24.4%), and iron-deficient anemia (1.7% versus 6.1%). ConclusionWhen infants who were exclusively breastfed were supplemented with lactoferrin-fortified milk, significant increases in TBIC and iron absorption in the intestine were seen.

Consumption of dietary health supplements among hospitalized patients at an acute tertiary Hospital

Dietary health supplements (DHS)-drug interaction risk may be greater in patients requiring numerous medications; yet little is known about DHS use in hospitalized patients. This study aims to characterize patients who use DHS, to evaluate the association between DHS use and socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary habits; and to investigate whether users report DHS use to healthcare professionals (HCPs). Patients admitted to the medical wards, with age ≥21 years, medically stable, cognitively intact and conversant in English, Mandarin or Malay language were interviewed by a dietitian. Of the 100 patients surveyed, up to 42% were DHS users. They tend to be non-smokers (98%) (p=0.02) with higher daily fruit intake of at least two servings (31%) (p=0.02), daily milk intake of at least one cup (21%) (p=0.03) and whole grain bread intake of at least once a day (31%) (p<0.05) when compared with non-users. DHS were mostly used for general well being, disease prevention and treatment. However, more than half of the users did not inform HCPs about DHS use as they were not asked by HCPs. Our findings have important implication by raising concern for DHS–drug interaction given the low disclosure rate of DHS use and poor inquiring by HCPs.

Bifidobacterium fermented milk and galacto-oligosaccharides lead to improved skin health by decreasing phenols production by gut microbiota

A questionnaire survey found that women suffering from abnormal bowel movements have many skin problems such as a high frequency of dry skin. Although there are similarities between the structure and barrier function mechanism of the gut and skin, experimental data are insufficient to show an association between the intestinal environment and skin conditions. Phenols, for example phenol and p-cresol, as metabolites of aromatic amino acids produced by gut bacteria, are regarded as bioactive toxins and serum biomarkers of a disturbed gut environment. Recent studies have demonstrated that phenols disturb the differentiation of monolayer-cultured keratinocytes in vitro, and that phenols produced by gut bacteria accumulate in the skin via the circulation and disrupt keratinocyte differentiation in hairless mice. Human studies have demonstrated that restriction of probiotics elevated serum free p-cresol levels and harmed skin conditions (reduced skin hydration, disrupted keratinisation). In contrast, daily intake of the prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) restored serum free p-cresol levels and skin conditions in adult women. Moreover, a double-blind placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that the daily intake of fermented milk containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult and prebiotic GOS reduced serum total phenol levels and prevented skin dryness and disruption of keratinisation in healthy adult women. It is concluded that phenols produced by gut bacteria are one of the causes of skin problems. Probiotics and/or prebiotics, such as B. breve strain Yakult and/or GOS, are expected to help maintain a healthy skin by decreasing phenols production by gut microbiota. These findings support the hypothesis that probiotics and prebiotics provide health benefits to the skin as well as the gut.

Effect of daily intake of milk enriched with a high dose of vitamin D in healthy postmenopausal women: preliminary results from a randomized, controlled and double-blind nutritional trial (The EFICALCIO study)

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences on calcified tissues ISSN 2052-1219 (online)