Habitual Dietary Intake Research Articles

Habitual protein intake, protein distribution patterns and dietary sources in Irish adults with stratification by sex and age.

Given the importance of habitual dietary protein intake, distribution patterns and dietary sources in the aetiology of age-related declines of muscle mass and function, the present study examined these factors as a function of sex and age in Irish adults aged 18-90years comprising The National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS). In total, 1051 (males, n=523; females, n=528) undertook a 4-day semi-weighed food diary. Total, body mass relative intake and percentage contribution to total energy intake of dietary protein were determined in addition to protein distribution scores (PDS), as well as the contribution of food groups, animal- and plant-based foods to total protein intake. Total and relative protein intake [mean (SD)] were highest in those aged 18-35years [96(3)gday-1 , 1.32(0.40)gkg-1 day-1 ], with lower protein intakes with increasing age (i.e. in adults aged≥65 years [82(22)g, 1.15(0.34)gkg-1 day-1 , P<0.001 for both]. Differences in protein intake between age groups were more pronounced in males compared to females. Protein distribution followed a skewed pattern for all age groups [breakfast, 15(10)g; lunch, 30(15)g; dinner, 44(17)g]. Animal-based foods were the dominant protein source within the diet [63%(11%) versus 37%(11%) plant protein, P<0.001]. Protein intake and the number of meals reaching the purported threshold for maximising post-prandial anabolism were highest in young adults, and lower with increasing age. For main meals, breakfast provided the lowest quantity of protein across all age categories and may represent an opportunity for improving protein distribution, whereas, in older adults, increasing the number of meals reaching the anabolic threshold regardless of distribution pattern may be more appropriate.

Dietary intake from complementary feeding is associated with intestinal barrier function and environmental enteropathy in Brazilian children from the MAL-ED cohort study.

A child's diet contains nutrients and other substances that influence intestinal health. The present study aimed to evaluate the relations between complementary feeding, intestinal barrier function and environmental enteropathy (EE) in infants. Data from 233 children were obtained from the Brazilian site of the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project cohort study. Habitual dietary intake from complementary feeding was estimated using seven 24-h dietary recalls, from 9 to 15 months of age. Intestinal barrier function was assessed using the lactulose-mannitol test (L-M), and EE was determined as a composite measure using faecal biomarkers concentrations - α-1-antitrypsin, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neopterin (NEO) at 15 months of age. The nutrient adequacies explored the associations between dietary intake and the intestinal biomarkers. Children showed adequate nutrient intakes (with the exception of fibre), impaired intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation. There was a negative correlation between energy adequacy and L-M (ρ = -0·19, P < 0·05) and between folate adequacy and NEO concentrations (ρ = -0·21, P < 0·01). In addition, there was a positive correlation between thiamine adequacy and MPO concentration (ρ = 0·22, P < 0·01) and between Ca adequacy and NEO concentration (ρ = 0·23; P < 0·01). Multiple linear regression models showed that energy intakes were inversely associated with intestinal barrier function (β = -0·19, P = 0·02), and fibre intake was inversely associated with the EE scores (β = -0·20, P = 0·04). Findings suggest that dietary intake from complementary feeding is associated with decreased intestinal barrier function and EE in children.

Association Between Dietary Patterns and Fluorosis in Guizhou, China.

Objective: Many studies have explored the effects of individual foods or nutrients on fluorosis, but no studies have focused on dietary patterns. This study examined the relationship between dietary patterns and coal-burning fluorosis in Guizhou, China.Methods: This 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted in Zhijin County of Guizhou province with a sample size of 200 cases of fluorosis and 200 age and gender matched controls. Habitual dietary intake was assessed by face-to-face interviews, using a validated 75-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and various covariates using structured questionnaires. The dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis.Results: The factor analysis identified three major dietary patterns which were labeled healthy, easy-to-roast and high protein. After adjusting for various confounding factors, a decreased risk for fluorosis was observed in the highest tertile of the healthy dietary pattern relative to the lowest tertile (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.27–0.84, P-trend = 0.003) and a positive association was observed between the easy-to-roast dietary pattern and fluorosis risk (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.15–3.66), with a significant linear trend (P = 0.017). We did not find an association between fluorosis risk and the high protein dietary pattern. The relationships remained significant when the analyses were stratified by gender and fluorosis subtypes.Conclusion: The healthy dietary pattern may lower coal-burning fluorosis risk; in contrast, the easy-to-roast dietary pattern significantly increases the risk of coal-burning fluorosis.

An Investigation of Habitual Dietary Supplement Use Among 557 NCAA Division I Athletes

Background: Supplements may expose athletes to dangerous ingredients, banned substances, toxins or contaminants; however, few investigations assess use among collegiate athletes in the U.S.Objective: This cross-sectional study evaluated habitual dietary supplement intake, defined use ≥2 days/week over the past year, in NCAA Division I athletes.Methods: Male and female members of a NCAA Division I team, at two universities in southern California completed a 13-item survey. Among 705 eligible participants, 596 submitted surveys (84.5% response rate), 557 surveys included complete data. Chi-square (χ2) analyses evaluated differences among athletes based on sex, weight status, year in college, and sport-type. Independent t-test or ANOVA evaluated mean differences for continuous variables.Results: A total of 45.2% athletes (n = 252) reported taking supplements (≥2 days/week over the past year). Vitamin/minerals (25.5%, n = 142), protein/amino acids (24.6%, n = 137) were used most frequently. Male, vs female athletes, took more supplements overall (1.2 ± 0.1 vs 0.8 ± 0.1, p = 0.004) and indicated higher use of protein/amino acid products (34.2% vs 13.5%, p < 0.005), whereas, females reported higher use of vitamin/minerals (30.5% vs 21.1%, p < 0.05). Higher supplement use was also reported by athletes with BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 (vs <30 kg/m2, 1.9 ± 0.3 vs 1.0 ± 0.1, p = 0.02), and athletes in ≥ third college year (vs first or second year, 1.2 ± 0.1 vs 0.9 ± 0.1, p = 0.03).Conclusions: Nearly half of NCAA athletes reported habitual supplements use, with significant variation in patterns based on sex, sport-type, year in college, and weight status.

Modest improvement in CVD risk markers in older adults following quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) consumption: a randomized-controlled crossover study with a novel food product.

To investigate the effect of consuming quinoa biscuits on markers of CVD risk over 4weeks in free-living older adults. A randomized-controlled, double-blind crossover trial was conducted in which consenting healthy adults aged 50-75years (n = 40) consumed 15g quinoa biscuits (60g quinoa flour/100g) or control iso-energetic biscuits (made using wheat flour) daily for 28 consecutive days (4weeks), in addition to their normal diet. Following a 6-week washout, participants consumed the alternate biscuit for a final 4weeks. Anthropometry and fasted blood samples were obtained before and after each intervention period. At the beginning of the trial, mean ± SD total cholesterol concentrations were 6.02 ± 1.22mmol/L (3.7-9.2mmol/L); 33 participants (82.5%) had high cholesterol (> 5mmol/L). No participants were lost to follow-up and there were no changes in habitual dietary intakes or levels of physical activity between each 4-week intervention period. Significantly greater decreases in total and LDL cholesterol concentrations (-0.30 ± 0.58 and -0.25 ± 0.38mmol/L, respectively), TC: HDL ratio (-0.11 ± 0.30), weight (-0.61 ± 0.89kg) and BMI (-0.22 ± 0.34kg/m2) were apparent following consumption of the quinoa versus control biscuits (all P < 0.05). Changes in triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, or PUFA or CRP concentrations were not significant between treatment groups. Consumption of novel quinoa biscuits produced small, but favorable changes in body weight, BMI, and circulating cholesterol concentrations, all of which may contribute to lowered CVD risk in older adults.

Exploring the Potential Relationship Between Phytate Ingestion, Urinary Phytate Excretion, and Renal Stone Risk in a Unique Human Model: No Hard Evidence in Support of Phytate as a Stone Inhibitor

Dietary phytate (IP6) enjoys a reputation as an inhibitor of calcium renal stone formation, although there are very few human studies to support this notion. In South Africa, urolithiasis occurs in the white (W) but is rare in the black (B) population. We undertook this unique human model to further investigate the IP6 theory. Healthy W and B males completed baseline food-frequency recall questionnaires. Dietary intake of IP6 was restricted for 18 days. An IP6 dietary supplement was ingested on days 15-18. Twenty-four-hour urinary phytate and other urinary components were determined. Relative supersaturations of calcium salts were calculated. The urinary metastable limit (MSL) of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and its crystallisation kinetics were determined experimentally. Habitual dietary intake of IP6 and its urinary excretion were significantly higher in B than in W (1650 ± 202 vs. 640 ± 134 mg/d, P = .0002 and 1.13 ± 0.12 vs. 0.75 ± 0.13 μM, P <.05, respectively). In B, urinary phytate decreased significantly after 15 days of IP6 restriction, but in W, its excretion remained constant. After supplementation, urinary IP6 increased significantly in both groups reaching levels commensurate with the baseline value in B. No significant differences occurred in B in any of the routine urinary risk factors throughout the trial. However, in W, urinary citrate excretion increased on day 18 relative to day 0. There were no significant intragroup or intergroup changes in relative supersaturation, metastable limit, or crystallization kinetics. Despite notable differences in the renal handling of ingested IP6, there were no changes in any of the well-established urinary risk factors for calcium renal stone formation in either of our uniquely different test groups. We conclude that, in the absence of hard evidence, claims that IP6 is a stone inhibitor remain unproven.

Assessing the impact of a mushroom-derived food ingredient on vitamin D levels in healthy volunteers

BackgroundPrevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency has been noted in athletic populations, although less is known about recreationally active individuals. Biofortification of natural food sources (e.g. UV radiated mushrooms) may support vitamin D status and is therefore of current scientific and commercial interest. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a mushroom-derived food ingredient on vitamin D status in recreationally active, healthy volunteers.MethodsTwenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either: 25 μg (1000 IU) encapsulated natural mushroom-derived vitamin D2; matched-dose encapsulated vitamin D3 or placebo (PL) for 12 weeks. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, week 6 and 12 for analysis of serum 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Habitual dietary intake and activity were monitored across the intervention.ResultsVitamin D status (25(OH)DTOTAL) was significantly increased with vitamin D3 supplementation from 46.1 ± 5.3 nmol·L− 1 to 88.0 ± 8.6 nmol·L− 1 (p < 0.0001) across the intervention, coupled with an expected rise in 25(OH)D3 concentrations from 38.8 ± 5.2 nmol·L− 1 to 82.0 ± 7.9 nmol·L− 1 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, D2 supplementation increased 25(OH)D2 by + 347% (7.0 ± 1.1 nmol·L− 1 to 31.4 ± 2.1 nmol·L− 1, p < 0.0001), but resulted in a − 42% reduction in 25(OH)D3 by week 6 (p = 0.001). A net + 14% increase in 25(OH)DTOTAL was established with D2 supplementation by week 12 (p > 0.05), which was not statistically different to D3. Vitamin D status was maintained with PL, following an initial − 15% reduction by week 6 (p ≤ 0.046 compared to both supplement groups).ConclusionsThe use of a UV radiated mushroom food ingredient was effective in maintaining 25(OH)DTOTAL in healthy, recreationally active volunteers. This may offer an adjunct strategy in supporting vitamin D intake. However, consistent with the literature, the use of vitamin D3 supplementation likely offers benefits when acute elevation in vitamin D status is warranted.

Associations between Family Dinner Frequency and Voluntary Mealtime Communication with Habitual Dietary Intake among Middle School Students

Associations between Family Dinner Frequency and Voluntary Mealtime Communication with Habitual Dietary Intake among Middle School Students

Association between dietary fat intake and MRI-determined visceral, subcutaneous, or hepatic fat in men and women from the general population

AbstractIntroduction:An increase in dietary fat intake - at the expense of dietary carbohydrate intake - may play an important role in the accumulation of adipose tissue at different sites and liver fat accumulation. Thus, the present study investigated the isocaloric substitution of dietary carbohydrates with fat, and its cross-sectional association with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and hepatic fat content as determined by MRI.Material and Methods:Data from 283 participants (mean age 56.1 ± 9.0 years) from the KORA FF4 study study who underwent whole-body MRI were included. VAT, SAT, and total body fat were quantified by a volume-interpolated VIBE-T1w-Dixon MR sequence. Hepatic fat content was determined as the proton density fat-fraction (PDFF) derived from multiecho-T1w MR sequence. Habitual dietary intake was estimated by combining the information provided by repeated 24-h food lists and a food frequency questionnaire. Cross-sectional associations were analyzed using linear regressions.Results:Carbohydrate intake (in % of total energy intake (E%)) correlated significantly inversely with VAT (r = -0.34) and hepatic fat (r = -0,30), while fat intake (E%) correlated positively with hepatic fat content (r = 0.16). Replacing total carbohydrates with an isocaloric amount of total fat was significantly positively associated with VAT and hepatic fat, while there was no significant association with SAT. The multivariable adjusted β-coefficient for replacing 5 E% carbohydrates with total fat was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.76) for VAT. An increase in total fat intake by 5% of total energy was associated with an increase in liver fat content by 24%. Dietary fiber intake was significantly inversely associated with VAT and hepatic lipid content.Discussion:In middle-aged adults, substitution of carbohydrates with total fat was associated with a higher volume of VAT and an increase of hepatic fat, while whole-grain associated carbohydrates show inverse associations. If reproduced in prospective studies, such findings would strongly argue for limiting dietary fat intake.

Metabolic syndrome and perceived quality of life: a case-control study in Ghana

AbstractMetabolic syndrome (MetS), which refers to co-occurrence of cardiovascular risks primarily obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipidemia was previously uncommon in sub-Sahara African. But it is increasingly becoming a public health concern heightened by the epidemiological transition associated with excess energy intake, sedentary lifestyles and urbanization. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary, lifestyle and physiologic risk factors associated with MetS and the effect on perceived quality of life. The design was one-to-one age and sex-matched case-control study. MetS was defined as concomitant adiposity, hypertension and diabetes. Cases (n = 76) were recruited in the diabetic clinic of a municipal hospital in Ghana while controls (n = 76) were recruited in the communities in which the cases lived. Lifestyle habits and physical activity were assessed using a validated lifestyle and habits questionnaire while habitual dietary intakes were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure and fasting capillary glucose were measured. Differences between cases and controls were tested using McNemar and paired t-test tests. Crude odds ratio (COR) for MetS was estimated using conditional logistic regression.Mean age of participants was 57.31 ± 5.46 years (range 45–65 years). Females constituted the majority (95%, n = 144). Among the cases and controls, lateral obesity (100% vs 60.5%), central obesity (98.7% vs 36.8%), hypertension (90.8% vs 2.6%) and diabetes (72.4% vs 1.3%) differed significantly. Fewer cases (10.5%) consumed diversified and healthy diets compared to the controls (77.6%) (p = 0.001). Significant number of cases felt a high risk for illness based on how they assessed their physical health (73.7% vs 2.6%), exercise and fitness regime (88.2% vs 13.2%), nutrition and weight control (14.5% vs 1.3%) and psychological health (19.7% vs 0%). However, none felt socially unhealthy. Lower risk for MetS was found among participants who had at least secondary education (COR:0.17 95% CI:0.04–0.73) and lived in a peri-urban setting (COR:0.22 95% CI:0.09–0.53) while unemployment (COR:9.00 95% CI:1.26–64.35) and central obesity (COR: 48.0 95% CI: 6.62–147.74) were associated with higher risk. MetS adversely affected general sense of wellbeing of the middle age adults. Obesity was an important predictor. Educational interventions to promote diversification of dietary intakes and enhance weight control are crucial to reduce MetS and could improve the quality of life of those affected. These interventions should be integrated into already existing community-based social support, and health systems.

Association of erythrocyte n-3 fatty acids with DXA-body fat and cardio-metabolic indices in middle-aged and elderly adults: a prospective study

AbstractIntroductionMany clinical trials showed favorable effects of high-doses supplemental n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on cardio-metabolic risk factors. However, limited studies examined the prospective associations of circulating n-3 PUFA with body fat and its distribution, metabolic syndrome (MS), carotid atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in subjects with habitual diets containing low levels of n-3 PUFA.Materials and MethodsThis community-based prospective study enrolled 4048 participants (40–75 years) at baseline (2008–2010, 2013) from Guangzhou, China. They were followed-up approximately once every 3 years. Fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes were measured at baseline. We determined metabolic syndrome factors, body fat by DXA scanning, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and NAFLD by ultrasound at the visits. General information, anthropometric indices, habitual dietary intake and other covariates were assessed at each visit.ResultsAmong the total 4048 subjects, 3075 and 2671 subjects had erythrocyte n-3 PUFA data and completed the first and second follow-ups. Generally, erythrocyte n-3 PUFA were favorably associated with body fat (particularly at abdomen) and its changes, and with the presence and incidence of MS, type 2 diabetes, carotid IMT thickening. The participants with the highest (vs lowest) quartile of n-3 PUFA were associated with -5.81% fat mass (p &lt; 0.001) and -2.11% of fat mass change at the abdomen (Android) area. The adjusted hazards ratios (95% CI) for the highest (vs. lowest) group were 0.74 (0.61, 0.89) (total n-3 PUFA), 0.71 (0.59, 0.86) (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), 0.78 (0.65, 0.95) (docosapentaenoic acid, DPA), 1.96 (1.60, 2.40) (gamma-linolenic acid, GLA) for MS; 0.70(0.55, 0.90) (total n-3 PUFA), 0.67(0.52,0.87) (DHA) and 0.73(0.57,0.93) (DPA) for bifurcation IMT thickening, 0.57(0.38, 0.86) (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and 0.63 (0.41, 0.95) (DPA) for type 2 diabetes, and 1.18 (1.09, 1.33) (DHA) for alleviated NAFLD. Both higher levels of total and individual marine n-3 PUFAs (DHA, EPA and DPA) were associated with lower blood pressure at baseline and lower changes in diastolic and systolic blood pressure over the follow-up period. Plant n-3 PUFA (α-linolenic acid, ALA) largely had less significant association with the above-mentioned indices as compared with marine n-3 PUFAs.DiscussionHigher proportions of erythrocyte n-3 PUFA (particularly marine sources) was associated with lower body fat, blood pressure and their changes, and lower risks of MS, type 2 diabetes and bifurcation IMT thickening, but higher chance of alleviated NAFLD in middle-aged and older adults.

Associations of Diet and Plasma BCAA Concentrations in Healthy Men and Women – Results from the KarMeN Study

AbstractDiet is the only source of the essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) isoleucine, leucine and valine. High plasma concentrations of these amino acids are discussed as risk factors for the onset of several diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) or cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Information about the contribution of the overall diet to plasma levels of these amino acids is controversial. Our objective was to investigate which dietary pattern is associated with plasma BCAA concentrations in a healthy population and which other additional nutrients besides isoleucine, leucine and valine, such as other amino acids, may contribute to the diseases risk.The Karlsruhe Metabolomics and Nutrition (KarMeN) study is a cross-sectional study aiming to determine the impact of a number of factors on the human metabolome in healthy men and women aged 18 and 80 years. In our study, fasting plasma amino acid concentrations as well as current and habitual dietary intake were assessed in 298 apparently healthy individuals, 171 men (57.4%) and 127 women (42.6%) with a mean age of 44.5 and 51.6 years, respectively. All reported foods were summarized into 35 food groups. Dietary patterns were derived that explain as much variation as possible in plasma BCAA concentrations using reduced rank regression. The first derived current dietary pattern covering the diet of the past 24 hours, showed 19.2% of explained variance for BCAA plasma concentrations, whereas the first habitual dietary pattern, covering a period of more than 4 weeks, explained 32.5%. For further analysis, we focused on the first derived habitual dietary pattern. This pattern was high in meat, sausages, sauces, eggs, and ice cream but low in nuts, cereals, mushrooms, and pulses. The age, sex, and energy intake adjusted dietary pattern score was associated with an increase in animal-based protein and at the same a decrease in plant-based protein, dietary fibre and an unfavorable fatty acid composition. Amino acids alanine, lysine and the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were positively associated with the dietary pattern score as well. All of these factors were reported to be associated with risk of T2D and CVD.Our data suggest that rather than the dietary intake of BCAA, the overall dietary pattern contributing to high BCAA plasma concentrations may modulate the chronic diseases risk.

Body composition of New Zealand European and Pacific women is associated with lower dietary fibre intake and gut microbiota diversity

AbstractDiet is considered one of the key drivers of the world-wide obesity epidemic, and the gut microbiota may play a role in this multifaceted disease due to their mutualistic relationship. This study investigated relationships between habitual dietary intake of New Zealand European and Pacific women and their gut microbiota and body fat content. Pacific (44%) and NZ European (NZE; 56%) women (n = 287) aged 18–45 years were recruited based on body mass index (normal versus obese) and stratified as low (&lt; 35%) or high (≥ 35%) body fat percentage (BF%). Dietary intake was assessed with a 5-day estimated food record and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, which were used to calculate habitual dietary intake using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method. BF% was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fasting blood samples were analysed for markers of insulin sensitivity. The DNA from faecal samples was analysed following shotgun sequencing. There were no significant differences in BF% between Pacific and NZE women (p = 0.498). Significant differences in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were observed between Pacific (3.4 [2.3, 5.9]) and NZE (2.1 [1.5, 3.1], p ≤ 0.001) women, and between; low-BF% (1.9 [1.3, 2.7]) and high-BF% (3.4 [2.5, 5.9], p ≤ 0.001) groups. The highest (27.6g/d [24.9, 30.6]) compared to the lowest tertile (16g/d [13.3, 17.6]) of habitual total dietary fibre (DF) intake was associated with a significantly lower HOMA-IR (2.1 [1.3, 3.1] versus 3.3 [2.1, 5.3] p ≤ 0.001) respectively. Higher DF intake was also associated with significantly lower BF% (β -0.35, p ≤ 0.001), and this relationship became stronger when considering the intake of other macronutrients (β -0.47, p ≤ 0.001). Alpha diversity; observed taxonomic units (OTU's; rs = -0.15, p = 0.011), Pielou's evenness (rs = -0.20, p = 0.001), and Shannon index (rs = -0.22, p ≤ 0.001), were all negatively correlated with BF%. In contrast BF% was positively correlated with the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio (rs = 0.26, p ≤ 0.001). HOMA-IR index was significantly higher in Pacific and women in the higher BF% group, indicating an increased metabolic disease risk. Higher habitual DF intake was associated with lower BF% and HOMA-IR, suggesting a potential metabolically protective effect. The positive effects of higher DF intake may be associated with microbiota diversity, as higher BF% was associated with reduced alpha diversity and an increased Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio. Further analysis will explore which foods contributed to the higher DF intake, and associations with body composition, microbiota and biomarkers of metabolic health.

Validation of low-calorie sweetener(LCS)-focused food frequency questionnaire for assessment of intakes in a free-living adult population: preliminary results

AbstractBoth obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been associated with excessive free sugar consumption. Increasingly, LCS are used to replace free sugar to reduce the energy density of the diet, whilst maintaining diet palatability. However, while experimental data suggest a beneficial effect of LCS on weight management and glycaemic control, data from free-living populations are contradictory and primarily use reported intakes of low-calorie sweetened beverages as a marker of overall LCS consumption. Therefore, a dietary assessment tool that reliably assesses overall LCS consumption and is applicable in large-scale epidemiological studies is desirable. This study aimed to validate an LCS-focused food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing habitual dietary intake of the LCS using the method of triads. Healthy adults were recruited at Ulster University, Coleraine (n = 120). A 65-item FFQ and a 4-day food diary (FD) were used to assess dietary intake of LCS with amounts based on maximum permitted levels for foods and beverages as per EU legislation. A novel urinary biomarker approach, developed by this research group, was used to objectively assess consumption of 5 commonly used LCS(1). The method of triads was used to validate the FFQ by evaluating the correlations between the FFQ, FD and the urinary biomarkers (reference method). A total of 110 participants (51 males, 59 females) completed all analyses. Median (IQR) total LCS consumption estimated from the FFQ, FD and urinary biomarker was 116.8 (24.9–303.3) mg/d, 27.8 (0.0–247.3) mg/d and 5.0 (0.6–34.9) mg/d respectively. Moderate correlations were observed between the FD and urinary biomarker (r = 0.471; P &lt; 0.001) and between the FFQ and FD (r = 0.471; P &lt; 0.001). There was a low correlation between the FFQ and urinary biomarker (r = 0.291; P &lt; 0.001). Using the method of triads, the overall validity co-efficient for the FFQ was moderate (0.54). These preliminary results indicate potential for this LCS-focused FFQ as a method of assessing LCS consumption in free-living populations. However, as maximum permitted levels of LCS in foods and beverages were used to estimate LCS consumption from the FFQ and FD, they are likely to significantly overestimate actual LCS intakes as compared to the more reliable biomarker approach. Therefore, the FFQ ability to categorise individuals into low-, medium- and high LCS consumers will be tested. Further analysis is ongoing to assess the completeness of urine collections using PABA analysis and will also focus on individual LCS intake.

Urinary flavanone concentrations as biomarkers of dietary flavanone intakes in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

In the present study, the aim was to investigate the correlation between the acute and habitual dietary intake of flavanones, their main food sources and the concentrations of aglycones naringenin and hesperetin in 24 h urine in a European population. A 24-h dietary recall (24-HDR) and a 24-h urine sample were collected the same day from a subsample of 475 people from four different countries of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Acute and habitual dietary data were captured through a standardised 24-HDR and a country/centre-specific validated dietary questionnaire (DQ). The intake of dietary flavanones was estimated using the Phenol-Explorer database. Urinary flavanones (naringenin and hesperetin) were analysed using tandem MS with a previous enzymatic hydrolysis. Weak partial correlation coefficients were found between urinary flavanone concentrations and both acute and habitual dietary flavanone intakes (Rpartial = 0·14-0·17). Partial correlations were stronger between urinary excretions and acute intakes of citrus fruit and juices (Rpartial ∼ 0·6) than with habitual intakes of citrus fruit and juices (Rpartial ∼ 0·24). In conclusion, according to our results, urinary excretion of flavanones can be considered a good biomarker of acute citrus intake. However, low associations between habitual flavanone intake and urinary excretion suggest a possible inaccurate estimation of their intake or a too sporadic intake. For assessing habitual exposures, multiple urinary collections may be needed. These results show that none of the approaches tested is ideal, and the use of both DQ and biomarkers can be recommended.

Aerobic exercise increases post-exercise exogenous protein oxidation in healthy young males.

The capacity to utilize ingested protein for optimal support of protein synthesis and lean body mass is described within the paradigm of anabolic competence. Protein synthesis can be stimulated by physical exercise, however, it is not known if physical exercise affects post-exercise protein oxidation. Characterization of the driving forces behind protein oxidation, such as exercise, can contribute to improved understanding of whole body protein metabolism. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of two levels of aerobic exercise intensity on immediate post-exercise exogenous protein oxidation. Sixteen healthy males with a mean (SD) age of 24 (4) years participated. The subjects’ VO2-max was estimated with the Åstrand cycling test. Habitual dietary intake was assessed with a three-day food diary. Exogenous protein oxidation was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. These measurements were initiated after the ingestion of a 30 g 13C-milk protein test drink that was followed by 330 minutes breath sample collection. On three different days with at least one week in between, exogenous protein oxidation was measured: 1) during rest, 2) after 15 minutes of aerobic exercise at 30% of VO2-max (moderate intensity), and 3) after 15 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60% of VO2-max (vigorous intensity). After vigorous intensity aerobic exercise, 31.8%±8.0 of the 30 g 13C-milk protein was oxidized compared to 26.2%±7.1 during resting condition (p = 0.012), and 25.4%±7.6 after moderate intensity aerobic exercise compared to resting (p = 0.711). In conclusion, exogenous protein oxidation is increased after vigorous intensity aerobic exercise which could be the result of an increased protein turnover rate.

Adherence to dietary guidelines in relation to visceral fat and liver fat in middle-aged men and women: the NEO study

BackgroundIt is unclear to what extent adherence to dietary guidelines may specifically affect visceral fat and liver fat. We aimed to study the association between the Dutch Healthy Diet Index (DHD-index) and total body fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC) in middle-aged men and women.DesignIn this cross-sectional study, VAT was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 2580 participants, and HTGC by proton-MR spectroscopy in 2083 participants. Habitual dietary intake and physical activity were estimated by questionnaire. Adherence to the current Dutch dietary guidelines was estimated by the 2015 DHD-index score based on the thirteen components (vegetables, fruit, wholegrain products, legumes, nuts, dairy, fish, tea, liquid fats, red meat, processed meat, sweetened beverages, and alcohol). The DHD-index ranges between 0 and 130 with a higher score indicating a healthier diet. We used linear regression to examine associations of the DHD-index with VAT and HTGC, adjusted for age, smoking, education, ethnicity, basal metabolic rate, energy restricted diet, menopausal state, physical activity, total energy intake, and total body fat. We additionally excluded the components one by one to examine individual contributions to the associations.ResultsIncluded participants (43% men) had a mean (SD) age of 56 (6) years and DHD-index score of 71 (15). A 10-point higher DHD-index score was associated with 2.3 cm2 less visceral fat (95% CI; −3.5; −1.0 cm2) and less liver fat (0.94 times, 95% CI; 0.90; 0.98). Of all components, exclusion of dairy attenuated the associations with TBF and VAT.ConclusionsAdherence to the dietary guidelines as estimated by the DHD-index was associated with less total body fat, and with less visceral and liver fat after adjustment for total body fat. These findings might contribute to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying associations between dietary habits and cardiometabolic diseases.

A Prospective Study of Dietary Meat Intake and Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of different meat intake and substitution of them with risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD). At the baseline, habitual dietary intakes of 4881 participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study who were free of CKD were assessed by a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, total energy intake, triglycerides, body mass index, physical activity, hypertension, and diabetes, was used to assess the relationship between major protein sources of food (total red meat, unprocessed red meat, and processed red meat) and incident CKD. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the CKD were estimated for substituting one serving of total red meat with one serving of low-fat dairy, nuts, whole grains, and legumes. The mean ± standard deviation age of participants was 40.1 ± 12.8 years. After adjustment for confounders, compared with the lowest quartile of total red meat intake, OR of incident CKD in the highest quartile was 1.73 (95% CI: 1.33 to 2.24; P for trend <0.001) in the final model. OR for participants in the highest compared with that in the lowest quartile of processed red meat was 1.99 (95% CI: 2.54 to 2.56; P for trend <0.001). In the substitution analyses, replacing 1 serving of total red meat and processed meat with 1 serving of low-fat dairy, nuts, whole grains, and legumes was associated with a lower risk of incident CKD. Higher consumption of total red meat and processed meat was associated with increased risk of incident CKD. Furthermore, substitution of total red and processed meat in the diet with other sources of dietary protein was associated with lower CKD risk.

Drivers of adolescent adiposity: Evidence from the Australian LOOK study

ObjectivesTo contribute to our understanding of the drivers of body composition during adolescence we sought to employ valid and reliable measures to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between percentage body fat (%BF) and physical activity (PA), moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA), sedentary time (ST), total energy, sugar and fat intake. DesignLongitudinal cohort study. MethodsWe measured 556 (289 male) participants at age 12.4 (SD 0.4) years, and 269 (123 males) at 16.3 (SD 0.4) years, for %BF (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry); habitual PA, MVPA, ST (accelerometry); and dietary intake (‘multi-pass’ weekday and weekend 24-h recall). Accounting for likely under-reporting of energy intake (Goldberg cut-off), general linear mixed modelling was used to generate relationships with %BF. ResultsCross-sectional analyses indicated that 10min more MVPA per day was associated with 0.6 lower %BF (95%CI 0.4–0.9, p<0.001), and 10min less ST/day with 0.07 lower %BF (95%CI 0.00–0.15, p<0.001), independently of PA. In contrast, %BF was unrelated to total energy (p=0.4), sugar intake (p=0.2) or fat intake (p=0.9). Longitudinal analysis showed that if PA was increased by 3% (10,000 counts/day) over the 4 years, then %BF was reduced by 0.08 (95%CI 0.05–0.12, p=0.06). ConclusionsThe independent relationships of %BF with PA and ST, but absence of relationships with energy, sugar or fat intake, suggest that general community campaigns in a developed country directed at reducing adolescent obesity through modifications to energy intake and output would benefit from a more concerted focus on the latter.

Blood Lactate Concentration Is Not Related to the Increase in Cardiorespiratory Fitness Induced by High Intensity Interval Training.

Background: There is individual responsiveness to exercise training as not all individuals experience increases in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), which does not benefit health status considering the association between VO2max and mortality. Approximately 50% of the training response is genetic, with the other 50% accounted for by variations in dietary intake, sleep, recovery, and the metabolic stress of training. This study examined if the blood lactate (BLa) response to high intensity interval training (HIIT) as well as habitual dietary intake and sleep duration are associated with the resultant change in VO2max (ΔVO2max). Methods: Fourteen individuals (age and VO2max = 27 ± 8 years and 38 ± 4 mL/kg/min, respectively) performed nine sessions of HIIT at 130% ventilatory threshold. BLa was measured during the first and last session of training. In addition, sleep duration and energy intake were assessed. Results: Data showed that VO2max increased with HIIT (p = 0.007). No associations occurred between ΔVO2max and BLa (r = 0.44, p = 0.10), energy intake (r = 0.38, p = 0.18), or sleep duration (r = 0.14, p = 0.62). However, there was a significant association between training heart rate (HR) and ΔVO2max (r = 0.62, p = 0.02). Conclusions: When HIIT is prescribed according to a metabolic threshold, energy intake, sleep status, and BLa do not predict ΔVO2max, yet the HR response to training is associated with the ΔVO2max.