Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a growing concern worldwide, particularly among Aboriginal Canadians. Diet has been associated with diabetes risk, and dietary pattern analysis (DPA) provides a method in which whole dietary patterns may be explored in relation to disease. Factor analysis (FA) and reduced rank regression (RRR) of data from the Sandy Lake Health and Diabetes Project identified patterns associated with incident T2DM at follow-up. A RRR-derived pattern characterized by tea, hot cereal, and peas, and low intake of high-sugar foods and beef was positively associated with diabetes; however, the relationship was attenuated with adjustment for age and other covariates. A FA-derived pattern characterized by processed foods was positively associated with incident T2DM in a multivariate model (OR=1.38; CIs: 1.02, 1.86 per unit), suggesting intake of processed foods may predict T2DM risk.

Previous findings have indicated that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of osteoporosis and that individual polyphenols, by virtue of their antioxidant properties, may mitigate these damaging effects. Nutritional supplements, greens+ bone builderTM, containing polyphenols and other micronutrients beneficial for bone health are of recent interest as complementary strategies in the management of osteoporosis. A randomized controlled study was conducted to explore the combined effects of the nutrients found within the supplement on bone health for 8 weeks. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity increased whereas oxidative stress parameters and the bone resorption marker, crosslinked C-telopeptide of type I collagen decreased after supplementation. There was no significant change in the bone formation marker, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide. This thesis shows an association of polyphenols with other micronutrients acts through their antioxidant capacity to decrease oxidative stress parameters and bone resorption, thus potentially reducing the risk for osteoporosis.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and calcium deficiency affect millions of children globally. Sprinkles is a multi-micronutrient powder (MNP) that has successfully treated anemic infants and can be modified to include additional micronutrients. The efficacy for treating IDA and preventing calcium deficiency requires evaluation due to potential nutrient interactions. We assessed the efficacy of Sprinkles MNP including iron with and without calcium on hemoglobin (Hb) response in 100 anemic rural Bangladeshi infants for 2 months. Sprinkles MNP with and without calcium resulted in a significantly higher Hb concentrations in both groups (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001). However, infants who received Sprinkles MNP without calcium had a significantly higher change in Hb concentration (P=0.024) and rate of recovery from anemia (P=0.008). No differences in socio-demographic or dietary characteristics were documented between groups. Although both groups had an improvement in Hb status, the antagonistic interaction between iron and calcium requires further study.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and calcium deficiency affect millions of children globally. Sprinkles is a multi-micronutrient powder (MNP) that has successfully treated anemic infants and can be modified to include additional micronutrients. The efficacy for treating IDA and preventing calcium deficiency requires evaluation due to potential nutrient interactions. We assessed the efficacy of Sprinkles MNP including iron with and without calcium on hemoglobin (Hb) response in 100 anemic rural Bangladeshi infants for 2 months. Sprinkles MNP with and without calcium resulted in a significantly higher Hb concentrations in both groups (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001). However, infants who received Sprinkles MNP without calcium had a significantly higher change in Hb concentration (P=0.024) and rate of recovery from anemia (P=0.008). No differences in socio-demographic or dietary characteristics were documented between groups. Although both groups had an improvement in Hb status, the antagonistic interaction between iron and calcium requires further study.

There is growing interest in the potential role of omega-3/fibre-rich seeds in attenuating obesity and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Preliminary data suggests that consumption of white Salvia hispanica L. (Salba&reg;) seeds prolongs satiety and may aid weight loss. This randomized, double-blind, parallel study assessed the efficacy and safety of Salvia hispanica in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM on weight, body composition, glycemic control and other CVD risk factors. Fifty-eight participants consumed a hypocaloric diet including Salvia hispanica or an energy-and-fibre-matched control over 24 weeks. Greater reductions in weight, waist circumference and inflammation occurred in the Salvia hispanica group versus control. There were no significant between-group differences in safety parameters, glycemic control or other CVD risk factors. Salvia hispanica seeds may support weight loss in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects are maintained.

Le but de cette étude consiste à démontrer l’impact positif d’une supplémentation en glutamine chez des nageurs élites, afin d’améliorer le statut immunitaire et d’évaluer si les changements plasmatiques de la glutamine peuvent expliquer l’incidence d’infections des voies respiratoires (IVRS). En parallèle, ce projet évalue si les apports alimentaires influencent la glutamine plasmatique et l’incidence d’IVRS. L’étude s’est effectuée auprès de 14 athlètes élites (8 hommes, 6 femmes). Chaque athlète a participé aux deux conditions expérimentales : un supplément de glutamine et une solution placebo isocalorique. Les périodes de supplémentation se déroulaient sur sept jours, incluant trois journées consécutives de compétition. Le profil hématologique, après les compétitions, montre qu’un supplément de glutamine n’améliore pas significativement la concentration plasmatique en glutamine ni les niveaux de cytokines comparativement à une solution placebo. Bien que les résultats soient semblables sous les deux conditions, les niveaux post-compétition ont tendance à être supérieurs aux valeurs pré-supplémentation, lorsqu’un apport exogène en glutamine est fourni à l’organisme alors que les concentrations plasmatiques de glutamine tendent à diminuer lorsqu’une solution placebo est administrée (p=0.067). L'incidence d’IVRS ne peut être expliquée par une faible concentration plasmatique de glutamine ni par un apport exogène de glutamine. On observe cependant une augmentation d’IVRS suite aux compétitions, soient de 8 athlètes pour le groupe placebo contre 3 au groupe glutamine. Les athlètes atteints d'IVRS semblent consommer moins d'énergie totale (kcal) et de protéines que les athlètes sains (p=0.060). Les résultats obtenus ne démontrent pas qu’une supplémentation en glutamine améliore le profil immunitaire et ne prévienne l’incidence d’IVRS, mais ils soulèvent l’hypothèse qu’un apport exogène en glutamine stabilise les niveaux plasmatiques de glutamine, permettant aux athlètes de poursuivre leurs entraînements et de récupérer efficacement. / The purposes of this study were to determine the positive impacts of glutamine supplementation upon immune system status and to determine whether changes in plasma glutamine relate to the appearance of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in elite swimmers. Furthermore, this study evaluated dietary intakes and its influence on immune parameters and URTI incidence. Fourteen athletes (8 men, 6 women) took part of the study. Each athlete participated in both experimental conditions: glutamine supplement and an isocaloric solution placebo. The supplementation period lasted seven day, including three consecutive competing days. Post competing hematologic profils of swimmers show that glutamine supplement does not significantly improve plasma glutamine neither cytokines levels, compared to a placebo solution. Even if plasma glutamine concentrations are similar with both conditions, the post competiting levels tend to be higher than pre competing values, when glutamine is supplemented. Futhermore, plasma glutamine levels show a decreasing trend under control conditions (p=0.060). In this study, URTI can not be explained by low plasma glutamine or supplemented glutamine. However, URTI incidence is higher after competitions, where 8 athletes showed symptoms (control group) and 3 only in the experimental group. Athletes with URTI seem to consume less energy and proteins than healthy athletes (p=0.060). These data does not suggest that glutamine supplementation improves immune function or prevents URTI in highly trained swimmers during competition. However, results support the hypothesis that exogenous glutamine stabilizes plasma glutamine levels, allowing athletes to tolerate training workload and recover properly.

Breast cancer molecular subtypes, based on expression of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors, alter prognosis and treatment options. &alpha;-linolenic acid (ALA) is a complementary therapy, however its effectiveness across breast cancer types and estrogen environments is unclear. This research determined the effect of ALA on growth, apoptosis, fatty acid profile, and gene changes in four breast cancer cell lines with varying receptor expression with or without (&plusmn;) estradiol (E2). ALA (50-200uM) &plusmn; E2 reduced growth in all cell lines. 75&mu;M ALA +E2 increased phospholipid % ALA in all cell lines and induced apoptosis in cell lines lacking the three receptors. Cellular % ALA was positively associated with apoptosis and inversely associated with cell growth. ALA altered expression of cell cycle, apoptosis and signal transduction genes. In conclusion, ALA incorporates into breast cancer cells, reduces growth and induces apoptosis regardless of receptor status or E2 level.

The primary objective of this research was to explore the impact of glucose ingestion on 2-back task performance (accuracy, discrimination, and reaction times (RT) to target), its relationship to neural activation, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, and potential modulation by insulin resistance (IR) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in hypertensive but otherwise healthy older adults. While there was no effect of glucose ingestion on task performance or task-relevant neural activation patterns, this study uniquely observed that IR and LDL associated with all 3 measures of 2-back performance and task-relevant neural activation patterns. The left and right precuneus, left cingulate, and left insula were identified as task-associated regions according to our specific target minus nontarget contrast. Of particular importance was the task activation in the right precuneus as it both showed sensitivity to IR and predicted task RTs to targets, suggesting it plays a modulatory role linking IR to task performance.

Vitamin D may have immunomodulatory effects in the intestine. Our objective was to determine if exposure to vitamin D mitigates intestinal inflammation in IL-10 KO mice. Mice were randomized to a diet containing 25 IU (low) or 5000 IU (high) of vitamin D/kg of diet in utero and offspring were maintained on the same diet or switched to the other diet at weaning. Fecal samples were collected at 3 months of age. Vitamin D did not affect intestinal inflammation in male and female mice and did not affect KC cytokine concentration or regulate colonic gene expression in male mice. Vitamin D modulated the gut microbiota in a sex-specific manner and depending on timing of exposure. Females in the HH group had significantly higher fecal counts of C. coccoides than the other vitamin D interventions. Therefore, vitamin D may favourably modulate microbiota composition without attenuating inflammation.

Vitamin D may have immunomodulatory effects in the intestine. Our objective was to determine if exposure to vitamin D mitigates intestinal inflammation in IL-10 KO mice. Mice were randomized to a diet containing 25 IU (low) or 5000 IU (high) of vitamin D/kg of diet in utero and offspring were maintained on the same diet or switched to the other diet at weaning. Fecal samples were collected at 3 months of age. Vitamin D did not affect intestinal inflammation in male and female mice and did not affect KC cytokine concentration or regulate colonic gene expression in male mice. Vitamin D modulated the gut microbiota in a sex-specific manner and depending on timing of exposure. Females in the HH group had significantly higher fecal counts of C. coccoides than the other vitamin D interventions. Therefore, vitamin D may favourably modulate microbiota composition without attenuating inflammation.