Urban-rural comparison of nutrient intake by adult women in Shandong Province, China

Nutraceuticals Targeting Generation and Oxidant Activity of Peroxynitrite May Aid Prevention and Control of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic low-grade inflammatory process in which activated microglia generate cytotoxic factors-most prominently peroxynitrite-which induce the death and dysfunction of neighboring dopaminergic neurons. Dying neurons then release damage-associated molecular pattern proteins such as high mobility group box 1 which act on microglia via a range of receptors to amplify microglial activation. Since peroxynitrite is a key mediator in this process, it is proposed that nutraceutical measures which either suppress microglial production of peroxynitrite, or which promote the scavenging of peroxynitrite-derived oxidants, should have value for the prevention and control of PD. Peroxynitrite production can be quelled by suppressing activation of microglial NADPH oxidase-the source of its precursor superoxide-or by down-regulating the signaling pathways that promote microglial expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Phycocyanobilin of spirulina, ferulic acid, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, good vitamin D status, promotion of hydrogen sulfide production with taurine and N-acetylcysteine, caffeine, epigallocatechin-gallate, butyrogenic dietary fiber, and probiotics may have potential for blunting microglial iNOS induction. Scavenging of peroxynitrite-derived radicals may be amplified with supplemental zinc or inosine. Astaxanthin has potential for protecting the mitochondrial respiratory chain from peroxynitrite and environmental mitochondrial toxins. Healthful programs of nutraceutical supplementation may prove to be useful and feasible in the primary prevention or slow progression of pre-existing PD. Since damage to the mitochondria in dopaminergic neurons by environmental toxins is suspected to play a role in triggering the self-sustaining inflammation that drives PD pathogenesis, there is also reason to suspect that plant-based diets of modest protein content, and possibly a corn-rich diet high in spermidine, might provide protection from PD by boosting protective mitophagy and thereby aiding efficient mitochondrial function. Low-protein diets can also promote a more even response to levodopa therapy.

Breast milk macro- and micronutrient composition in lactating mothers from suburban and urban Shanghai

AIM

The objective of this study was to measure and compare the macro- and micronutrient composition of breast milk in urban and suburban lactating mothers living in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

Primiparous women residing in three urban regions (n= 30/region) and a suburban area of Shanghai (n= 30) were recruited. Breast milk samples were collected 8-10 days postpartum and dietary intake was determined.

RESULTS

Women from the suburban area were of lower socio-economic status as indicated by levels of education, occupation and income. With the exception of carbohydrates, mothers in all urban areas had significantly higher macronutrient intake levels than suburban area mothers. Sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium intake levels were significantly lower in suburban compared to all urban women. Concentrations of protein, lipids, copper, sodium, potassium, chlorine, zinc, manganese, phosphorus and iron were all significantly lower in milk obtained from suburban compared to urban women. Concentrations of carbohydrates in milk from suburban women were significantly higher than concentrations in than two of the three urban groups. Offspring from women in Chongming county gained significantly less weight between birth and 6 months than did offspring born to women from the three other counties.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, there were significant differences in macro- and micronutrient intake levels and breast milk concentrations between women from urban and suburban Shanghai. These differences may have important implications for the growth and development of breastfed infants.

Food composition table-based estimation of energy and major nutrient intake in comparison with chemical analysis: a validation study in Korea

This study was initiated to examine the accuracy of conventional food composition table-based estimation of intakes of energy, protein, lipid and carbohydrate, in comparison with chemical analysis. For this purpose, 66 women (at the ages of 29 to 54 years) in three locations in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, volunteered to offer 24-hour food duplicate samples. A half of them were house-wives, and the remaining half were farmers or fishers. The duplicate samples were subjected 1) to the chemical analysis for daily intake of energy, protein, lipid and carbohydrate after official methods in Korea (measured values), and 2) to the estimation of intakes of the same items taking advantage of Korean Food Composition Tables (estimated values). The two sets of the results, i.e., the measured and estimated values, were compared by paired and unpaired t-test, and linear regression analysis. The estimated values correlated closely with the measured values, irrespective of energy or the three major nutrients. A close agreement was observed for energy intake (the estimated/measured ratio of > 98%), and it was also the case for protein intake (101%). Under- and over-estimation was observed, however, in regard to carbohydrate (by - 8%) and lipid intake (by + 24%), respectively. It was concluded that the Korean Food Composition Tables are sufficiently accurate when applied for estimation of total energy intake as well as protein intake. Cares should be taken, however, in applying the tables for estimation of lipid and carbohydrate intake, because there may be the risk of over- and under-estimation for the former and the latter, respectively.

Number of dishes as an indicator of nutrient intake in China

The objectives of this analysis are to investigate if counting the number of dishes consumed per day is a rapid procedure for estimating daily nutrient intake in China, and to explore if urban-rural differences exist in the daily number of dishes. A nutritional survey (including dish number counting) was conducted on 499 adult women in six urban and four rural communities in China. The number of dishes was an influential variable in estimating intake of protein, animal protein, fat, animal fat, and some vitamins (e.g., vitamin B2) and minerals (e.g., zinc), but not of energy and carbohydrate. Intake of some nutrients (e.g., protein) was sufficient when people consume more than 10 dishes per day. Thus, the number of dishes is a useful indicator of sufficient intake of animal protein and fat as well as some micro-nutrients. The application of the dish number counting method showed that there was a significant difference between urban (11.9 dishes per day) and rural populations (7.9 dishes).

Longitudinal changes in nutrient intakes in the Melbourne Chinese Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess longitudinal changes in the consumption of nutrients and the impact of socio-economic factors on diet transition in the Melbourne Chinese Health Study (MCHS) cohort.

DESIGN

Longitudinal study including two phases: baseline (1989/90) and follow-up (1995/97).

SETTINGS

Melbourne metropolitan areas in Victoria, Australia. STUDY SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two hundred and sixty-two Chinese men and women aged 25 years and over, recruited at baseline, who had completed the both baseline and follow-up food-frequency questionnaires.

RESULTS

Women increased their daily intakes of energy (+549 kJ), protein (+7.8 g), fat (+7.3 g) and dietary fibre (+5.6 g) whereas men decreased their daily consumption of carbohydrate (-38.5 g) over an average period of 8 years. Energy contributions from protein and fat rose while that from carbohydrate dropped for all cohort subjects. Increased intakes of riboflavin, beta-carotene and iron were observed in men, while an increased consumption of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and minerals (except sodium) was observed in women. Socio-economic factors such as education, family income levels and occupational categories appeared to have a far more powerful influence on changes in individual daily nutrient intakes than age or length of stay in Australia. Changes in nutrient intake in women were less affected by sociodemographic variables.

CONCLUSION

The observed changes in nutrient intakes indicated a progressive approach towards the Australian Recommended Dietary Intakes within this Chinese cohort population.

Estimation of nutrient intake by the new version of Japanese food composition tables in comparison with that by the previous version

This study was initiated to examine if the revision of the food composition tables from the 4th version to the 5th version has induced any substantial changes in nutrient intake estimation, and if so, in which nutrient item and to what extent. For this purpose, 24-hour duplicates of food samples were collected in 1996 to 1998 from 71 girl university students, together with food menus of the day. The nutrients in the duplicates were estimated by use of the 4th and the 5th version food composition tables in parallel, with supplements of other databases. The results of the estimation with the two databases were compared by Student's paired t-test. Compared with the results with the 4th version, the estimation utilizing the 5th version gave 3 to 8% increases in intakes of major nutrients including energy (except for protein), a 20% increase in vitamin A, and decreases in iron (-13%) and NaCl (-3%), whereas there were only small or essentially no changes in other minerals and vitamins. The largest increment in energy through the re-calculation came from the cereals (especially rice), and it was meats for the increment in lipid intake. The increment in vitamin A with the 5th version is primarily due to the re-evaluation of fruits and vegetables. The present observation suggests that care should be practiced in examining secular trends in nutrition when the basis of estimation is shifted from one database of the 4th version of food composition tables to another of the 5th version. Further study of a larger scale is apparently warranted to confirm the conclusions.

Urban-rural comparison on cadmium exposure among general populations in Shandong Province, China

In 1996, peripheral blood samples and 24-h food duplicate samples together with samples of wheat, rice, foxtail millet and maize were collected from 50 non-smoking women each from Jinan (a provincial capital) and Baiquan (a nearby basically self-sustaining farming village) in China. The samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd) contents by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after wet digestion. The dietary Cd intake of the people in the city was 6.4 micrograms/day as a geometric mean (GM) and 5.9 micrograms/day for the villagers. The Cd level in blood was 0.48 and 0.29micrograms/l (as GMs) for the city and village people, respectively. Thus, Cd burden of the people in the city tended to be greater than that for those in the village. Nevertheless, the Cd burden of the Jinan citizens was lower than the values published for people in large cities in China. When Cd intake via the four cereals was compared with Cd in total food to estimate the total contribution of the four cereals (combined) in total dietary Cd intake, the cereals accounted for 60% of total dietary Cd intake among the city people and as high as 78% among the villagers. Cadmium contents in the four cereals were in a narrow range and it was considered acceptable to combine all cereals in evaluating them as dietary Cd sources.

Total food duplicate study on nutrient intake of working women in Manila, the Philippines

Intakes of various nutrients by working women in Manila, the Philippines, was surveyed by the total food duplicate method, with foci to elucidate relative weight of three meals and snack in addition to quantitative evaluation of nutrient intakes. In practice, 45 women (average age; 37.2 years) volunteered, who were all nonsmokers and nonhabitual drinkers, and mostly married. In parallel, hematology, serum biochemistry, anthropometry and clinical examinations were conducted. On average, the women took 1787 kcal energy, 57 g protein, and 54 g lipid daily. Comparison with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Filipinos showed that intakes of energy and major nutrients were adequate, whereas that of minerals (e.g., 15 mg Fe/day vs. 26 mg Fe/day as RDA) and vitamins (e.g., 0.65 mg vitamin B1/day vs. 1 mg/day as RDA) were generally insufficient. Prevalence of anemia was however rather low with an average hemoglobin concentration of 12.9 g/100 ml blood. Rice was the staple source of energy for daily life, and beef rather than fish and shellfish was the leading source of protein. Lunch was the richest meal of a day (with the largest intake of energy, protein and lipid), and snacks rather than dinner appeared to be next substantial.

Maize and foxtail millet as substantial sources of dietary lead intake

In 1996, 24-h food duplicate samples were collected from two groups of 50 non-smoking women each; one group was in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province in China, and the other in a farming village in the Zhangqiu area some 30 km away from the city. The people in the village took significantly more dietary lead (46 micrograms/day) than their counterparts in the city (26 micrograms/day), and blood lead concentrations (35 and 50 micrograms/l for the urban and the rural people, respectively) were in parallel with the dietary lead intake. Search for cereals as the determinants of dietary lead intake and blood lead concentration by multiple regression analysis showed that maize was the most influential source of dietary lead intake among the four common cereals of wheat, rice, foxtail millet (to be called just millet) and maize, whereas millet was the leading determinant of the blood lead level among the four cereals although the influential power was weaker than millet for dietary lead. Lead content in maize (47 ng/g) and millet (47 ng/g) was twice or even more times higher than the levels in wheat (26-30 ng/g) and rice (20-21 ng/g). The significant roles of non-rice/non-wheat cereals such as millet and maize as possible dietary lead sources for farming populations are discussed.

Urban-rural difference in cereal consumption by people in Shandong Province, China

In October, 1996, 24-hour food duplicate samples were collected from two groups of 50 adult women each; one group was in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province in China, and the other in a farming village of Baiquan in Zhangqiu area some 30 km away from the city. Perusal of food menus showed that wheat, rice, foxtail millet and maize were major cereals for the two groups. Nutritional analysis of the food duplicate samples were conducted taking advantage of weight of each food item and the standard food composition tables for Chinese populations. Whereas wheat was the leading source in both groups (73% of cereal-based energy in the city and 64% in the village), further urban-rural comparison showed that women in the village took substantial amounts of millet (19%) and maize (12%) in contrast to small consumption by the city people (millet by 5% and maize by 2%). Rice consumption was larger in the city (20%) than in the village (5%). The differences between the two groups were all significant for each of the four cereals. Nutritional significance of consumption of maize in particular and also that of millet were discussed.