El proyecto consiste en la elaboración de un complemento alimenticio a base de harina de sangre de pollo y cacao en polvo, con la finalidad de ayudar a mejorar la alimentación de las personas, dado los altos niveles de desnutrición existentes en el país. Se propone el desarrollo de este producto utilizando la harina de sangre de pollo debido a su alto contenido de hierro en comparación con otros alimentos, lo que representa un factor diferencial y novedoso. / The project involves the creation of a food supplement based on chicken blood flour and cocoa powder to help feed people, given the existing high levels of malnutrition. The development of the product is based in chicken blood flour for its high iron content compared with other, which represents a new differential factor. / Trabajo de investigación

The purpose of this project is to review literature on creatine monohydrate (simply known as creatine/Cr) supplementation and its effects on exercise, human performance, and health. Included in this project is basic information relating to the biochemical and physiological effects of Cr, including possible side effects.

The thesis deals with a theme of probiotic mikroorganisms which are aplicated as a dietary supplement. Health benefit on the host have been known for a long time, however, there might be some negative effects affecting a consumer. In connection with this observation defining requirements and evaluating of safety of probiotics in food was necessary. The new probiotic dietary supplement can not be expanded on the market without these processes. Every strain must be tested separately on each property. The ability of rezistance against conditions inside human gastrointestinal tract belongs to the most basic tests. The aim of the practical part is testing this ability of rezistance in vitro by simulated conditions. The model of gastrointestinal juices was designed according to the Czechoslovak codex. The form contributes to the higher rezistance of probiotics within implementing to the host. Also a dosage form of probiotics was involved to a in vitro testing.

Existe una alta prevalencia en cuanto al uso de suplementos alimenticios (SA) en deportistas a nivel mundial. Se ha visto que usualmente a mayor número de horas de práctica del deporte el atleta es más propenso a utilizar mayor cantidad de suplementos alimenticios. En cuanto al Perú, al igual que en la región de América del Sur, existen pocas investigaciones acerca del tema. Se realizó un estudio observacional de tipo transversal analítico para evaluar la asociación entre la frecuencia de práctica del deporte y los tipos de suplementos alimenticios que utilizan los judocas de la Federación Deportiva Peruana de Judo y los judocas pertenecientes a la selección de la Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC). Se utilizó una encuesta para el recojo de datos y se hizo de manera personal. Se encontró una relación significativa entre el número de horas de entrenamiento a la semana y el consumo de suplementos alimenticios en ambas categorías de suplementos alimenticios estudiadas; existe una asociación al factor de protección. Asimismo, se vio que aquellos que practicaban el deporte en un número de horas mayor a 19 por semana tenían 1,58 más probabilidades de consumir SA para la construcción muscular que quienes entrenaban igual o menos de 19 horas por semana. De igual modo, se encontró mediante un análisis multivariado ajustado que los judocas que practicaban el deporte más de 19 horas por semana tenían 1,21 más probabilidades de consumir SA para la mejora del rendimiento. Los hallazgos de este estudio pueden ser utilizados por los nutricionistas de ambas instituciones para (a) identificar los SA utilizados por los atletas, frecuencia y razón de uso y (b) implementar programas educativos sobre el correcto uso de SA. / There is a high prevalence of the use of dietary supplements in athletes from different parts of the world. It has been noted that usually more hours of training are prone to more dietary supplement use. In regard to Peru there are very few references; no important studies regarding the topic were found. Studying about the knowledge, consuming habits, and sources of information regarding the use in general and the type of food supplements used could help to create better policies and protocols of attention for coaches and athletes, and thereby improve the performance of the athletes. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the frequency of the practice of the sport and the consumption of nutritional supplements in qualified judocas of the Peruvian Judo Sports Federation and members of de judo team of the Peruvian University of Applied Science. Likewise, those were related with the different variables that could influence them. A survey instrument was used to collect data and were done in a personal survey. A significant relationship was found between the use of dietary supplements and training hours on both studied dietary supplement groups. It was found that those participants who trained more than 19 hours per week had 1,58 more possibilities of using dietary supplements for muscle building than those who trained 19 or less hours per week. In the same way, it was found that based on an adjusted multivariate analysis by statistically significant variables, the participants who trained more than 19 hours per week had 1,21 times more probability of using dietary supplements for performance enhancement. The findings on this study could be used by the nutritionist of both institutions to identify the used dietary supplements, frequency and main reason of use, as well as implement educational programs about the correct usage of dietary supplements. / Tesis

<p>Omega-3 masne kiseline su uslovne za zdravlje ljudi i imaju značajne fiziolo&scaron;ke uloge. Dijetetski proizvodi na bazi omega-3 masnih kiselina predstavljaju značajan izvor omega-3 masnih kiselina. Riblje ulje je dobar izvor polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PUFA). Dnevni unos omega-3 polinezasićenih masnih kiselina je u većini delova sveta ispod preporučenog, uglavnom usled nedovoljne zastupljenosti ribe u ishrani. Zbog toga se danas riblje ulje nalazi u obliku različitih dijetetskih proizvoda i ponuda ovih preparata na trži&scaron;tu je veoma &scaron;iroka. Problem sa unosom ribljeg ulja kao dodatka ishrani je njegov intenzivan i neprijatan ukus i miris, &scaron;to može da dovede do neadekvatne suplementacije. Su&scaron;enje raspr&scaron;ivanjem (engl. spray drying) predstavlja tehniku koja omogućava trenutno su&scaron;enje rastvora, suspenzija ili emulzija. U pitanju je metoda koja ima &scaron;iroku primenu u farmaceutskoj industriji, a između ostalog se primenjuje i u cilju maskiranja neprijatnog ukusa lekova. Kao omotač mikrokapsula dobijenih su&scaron;enjem raspr&scaron;ivanjem je moguće koristiti proteine, ali je neophodno dobro ispitati i poznavati njihove fizičko-hemijske osobine i funkcionalnost. Inkorporiranjem mikrokapsula ribljeg ulja u čokoladu bi se dobila funkcionalna ili obogaćena hrana, &scaron;to predstavlja i finalnu formulaciju u ovom radu. Obogaćivanjem čokolade sa visokim sadržajem kakao delova mikrokapsulama ribljeg ulja kreirao bi se vi&scaron;estruko funkcionalan proizvod. Odabir čokolade kao matriksa za obogaćivanje uslovljen je činjenicom da je ona &scaron;iroko konzumiran proizvod. Ciljevi ovog rada bili su da se ispita uticaj metode su&scaron;enja raspr&scaron;ivanjem na stabilnost preformulacije ribljeg ulja, da se utvrde karakteristike mikrokapsula dobijenih su&scaron;enjem raspr&scaron;ivanjem (prinos i efikasnost mikrokapsulacije, oksidativnu stabilnost ulja, morfolo&scaron;ke osobine i veličinu mikrokapsula), zatim da se utvrdi uticaj veličine čestica na kristalizaciju u masnoj fazi suspenzije koja se koristi za izradu konditorskih proizvoda i da se utvrde fizičko-hemijske karakteristike (teksturu, boju, reolo&scaron;ke osobine) čokolade koja sadrži inkorporirane mikrokapsule ribljeg ulja u odnosu na čokoladu bez dodatka mikrokapsula. Metode su obuhvatale karakterizaciju proteina dobijenih iz soje, gra&scaron;ka, krompira, pirinča i surutke, njihovih rastvora, kao i emulzija ribljeg ulja u vodenim rastvorima tih proteina, određivanje prinosa i efikasnosti mikrokapsulacije i karakterizaciju dobijenih mikrokapsula. Prilikom ispitivanja uticaja veličine čestica na kristalizaciju u masnoj fazi suspenzije koja se koristi za izradu konditorskih proizvoda i fizičko-hemijskih osobina čokolade koja sadrži inkorporirane mikrokapsule ribljeg ulja primenjivane su metode za određivanje teksture, reolo&scaron;kih karakteristika, sadržaja čvrstih masti i boje dobijenih formulacija. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da se proteini pona&scaron;aju kao dobri emulgatori i da su&scaron;enje raspr&scaron;ivanjem predstavlja efikasan način za dobijanje mikrokapsula ribljeg ulja sa proteinima kao omotačima mikrokapsula. Kristalizacija masne faze u suspenziji koja predstavlja model čokolade zavisi od veličine čvrstih čestica. Kada je u pitanju proizvodnja čokolade sa inkorporiranim mikrokapsulama ribljeg ulja kod kojih su kao omotači kori&scaron;ćeni proteini soje, surutke i krompira, dodatak tih mikrokapsula ne utiče na karakteristike čokolade u meri dovoljnoj da bi se naru&scaron;io proizvodni proces izrade. Sve navedeno upućuje na zaključak da bi proizvodnja čokolade sa inkorporiranim mikrokapsulama ribljeg ulja, tehnolo&scaron;ki bila moguća.</p> / <p>Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health and have significant physiological roles. Dietary products based on omega-3 fatty acids are a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil is a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The daily intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is below the recommended level in most parts of the world, mainly due to the lack of fish in the diet. This is why fish oil is now found as various dietary products which are widely present in the world&rsquo;s market. The problem with fish oil intake as a dietary supplement is its intense and unpleasant taste and odor, which can lead to inadequate supplementation. Spray drying is a technique that allows instantaneous drying of solutions, suspensions or emulsions. It is a widely used method in the pharmaceutical industry and is used, among other things, to mask the unpleasant taste of medicines. It is possible to use proteins as a coating of spray-dried microcapsules, but it is necessary to test and know their physicochemical properties and functionality. Incorporating fish oil microcapsules into chocolate would make functional or enriched foods, which is consider as a final formulation in this work. Enriching the high cocoa content chocolate with fish oil microcapsules would create a multi-functional product. The choice of chocolate as a base is conditioned by the fact that it is a widely consumed product. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spray drying method on the stability of fish oil pre-formulation, to determine the characteristics of microcapsules obtained by spray drying (yield and efficiency of microencapsulation, oxidative stability of oil, morphological properties and size of microcapsules), to determine the effect of particle size crystallization in the oil phase of the suspension used for confectionery products and to determine the physicochemical characteristics (texture, color, rheological properties) of chocolate containing fish oil microcapsules in comparison with chocolate without the addition of microcapsules. Methods included characterization of proteins obtained from soybeans, peas, potatoes, rice and whey, their solutions, as well as fish oil emulsions in aqueous solutions of these proteins, determination of the yield and efficiency of microencapsulation, and characterization of the microcapsules obtained. In the examination of the effect of particle size on crystallization in the oil phase of the suspension used for the manufacture of confectionery and physicochemical properties of chocolate containing fish oil microcapsules, methods were used to determine the texture, rheological characteristics, solid fat content and color of the formulations obtained. The results show that proteins act as good emulsifiers and that spray drying is an effective way to obtain fish oil microcapsules with proteins as microcapsule shells. The crystallization of the oil phase in the suspension representing the chocolate model depends on the size of the solid particles. In the case of production of chocolate with incorporated fish oil microcapsules using soybean, whey and potato proteins as coating material, the addition of these microcapsules does not affect the chocolate characteristics to a degree sufficient to impair the manufacturing process. All of the above points to the conclusion that the production of chocolate with incorporated fish oil microcapsules would be technologically possible.</p>

Contexte : Les cancers cutanés sont les cancers les plus fréquents dans les populations de peau blanche. Si l’exposition aux rayonnements ultraviolets est le facteur de risque le plus connu, peu d’études ont permis une comparaison directe des profils d’exposition solaire associés à ces tumeurs dans une même population, et les déterminants des comportements d’exposition solaire restent peu connus à ce jour. Par ailleurs, bien que les antioxydants, ayant la capacité de neutraliser les radicaux libres, représentent des candidats potentiels pour la chimioprévention des cancers cutanés, l’état actuel des connaissances ne permet pas d’émettre de conclusion claire en ce qui concerne leur rôle vis-à-vis du risque de cancers cutanés.Objectif : L’objectif de cette thèse est de préciser le lien existant entre l’exposition solaire et le risque de cancers cutanés, d’explorer les profils associés à certains comportements d’exposition solaire et d’étudier les associations potentielles entre compléments alimentaires en antioxydants et risque de cancers cutanés dans l’étude française E3N (Étude Épidémiologique auprès de femmes de l’Éducation Nationale).Résultats : Nos résultats suggèrent que les trois types de cancers cutanés sont associés à différents profils d'exposition solaire et que l’utilisation de crème solaire, de lampes UV et de compléments solaires sont associés à plusieurs habitudes favorables et défavorables pour la santé. De plus, nos résultats suggèrent que les consommations de compléments solaires et de compléments en vitamine E sont associées à un risque accru de carcinomes cutanés.Conclusion : Ce travail souligne l’importance de la prévention pour réduire la prévalence des cancers cutanés ainsi que la nécessité de mieux comprendre les profils associés à différents comportements d’exposition solaire et leur impact potentiel sur les associations avec le risque de cancers cutanés. Par ailleurs, nos résultats ne soutiennent pas l’hypothèse d’un effet protecteur de la consommation de compléments alimentaires en antioxydants vis-à-vis du risque de cancers cutanés et appellent à davantage de recherches afin de mieux comprendre leurs effets à long terme sur la santé. / Background: Skin cancers are the most common cancers in white-skinned populations. While exposure to solar radiation is the best known risk factor, few studies have allowed a direct comparison of exposure profiles associated with these tumours within a single population, and little is known about the determinants of sun exposure behaviors. Moreover, although antioxidants, which have the ability of scavenging free radicals, are potential candidates for the chemoprevention of skin cancers, the current state of the literature does not allow to make clear conclusions with regards to their role on skin cancer risk.Objectives: The objective of this thesis is to examine the associations between UV exposures and skin cancer risk, to describe the profiles associated with several sun exposure behaviors, and to explore the potential associations between antioxidant dietary supplements and the risk of skin cancer in the French E3N (Étude Épidémiologique auprès de femmes de l’Éducation Nationale) study.Results: Our results suggest that the three types of skin cancers are associated with different sun exposure profiles and that sunscreen use, sunbed use, and solar supplement use are associated with both healthy and risky behaviors. In addition, our findings suggest that the use of solar supplements and vitamin E supplements is associated with an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.Conclusions: This work emphasizes the importance of prevention to reduce the prevalence of skin cancers as well as the need to better understand the profiles associated with sun exposure behaviors and their potential impact on the associations with the risk of skin cancer. Furthermore, our results do not support the hypothesis of a protective effect of the consumption of antioxidant dietary supplements on the risk of skin cancer and call for more research in order to better understand their long-term effects on health.

Impaired intrauterine growth, inability of the fetus to achieve the required growth potential, contributes to a higher burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Intrauterine growth is an inferred process and small for gestational age is considered a rough estimate of impaired intrauterine growth that requires reliable gestational age data. Due to sparse data and measurement errors in gestational age, researchers rely on markers such as birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference to infer fetal growth. While the etiology of impaired fetal growth is multifactorial, maternal anemia and undernutrition contribute substantially to impaired fetal growth and are prioritized in 2030 global nutrition goals by the World Health Assembly. Nutrition supplements such as lipid-based nutrient supplements, multiple micronutrients, and iron or folic acid during pregnancy are presumed to improve maternal anemia. But the effect of the supplements during pregnancy on fetal growth appears to be small to negligible, which has shifted the researcher’s focus to the pre-conception period. However, prior reviews on the preconception period have either synthesized the evidence from observational studies, or have explored outcomes such as congenital anomalies (e.g., neural tube defects), neurodevelopment disorders, or only birth weight. Hence the evidence from existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of preconception nutrition supplements on maternal anemia and all markers of fetal growth including birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference has not been systematically summarized and synthesized. We bridged this knowledge gap in the current dissertation (Aim 1). The Women First (WF) Preconception Nutrition Trial found that lipid-based nutrient supplementation started preconception or during pregnancy conferred greater benefits for birth weight and birth length among mothers who were anemic (Hemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dL) than among mothers who were non-anemic (Hb ≥ 12 g/dL) pre-pregnancy. However, by dichotomizing women into anemic and non-anemic women, we may miss high-risk women with specific Hb levels who may obtain greater benefits for intrauterine growth associated with the supplements. Assessing the effect of preconception nutrient supplements across a range of pre-pregnancy Hb levels will help us identify women with specific Hb cut-offs who may have the greatest potential to respond to the supplements (Aim 2). Additionally, there are major gaps in understanding the mechanisms of how nutrient supplements, consumed either before or during pregnancy, improve intrauterine growth. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms would allow for fine-tuning of nutrition interventions for greater efficacy. Here, we examined whether Hb during pregnancy could be a potential mechanism through which nutrition supplements improve intrauterine growth (Aim 3). For Aim 1, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of the RCTs evaluating the effect of preconception nutrition supplements on maternal hemoglobin and markers of intrauterine growth including birth weight, birth length, birth head circumference, and small for gestational age. Additionally, we examined preterm birth as an important perinatal outcome. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central. We computed pooled mean differences and risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effect models. We employed I2 and Cochran’s Q test statistics to assess heterogeneity. We used the GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations) tool to assess the quality of evidence. For Aim 2 and Aim 3, we leveraged the existing data from a large multi-country Women First (WF) Preconception Nutrition Trial conducted in Pakistan, India, Guatemala, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Women in the WF trial were randomized to consume a lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) at least three months before and during pregnancy (Arm 1- preconception), only during pregnancy (Arm 2- during), or not at all (Arm 3 - control). The outcome was weight, length, and head circumference within 48 hours of birth expressed as Z-scores. For Aim 2, we analyzed the WF trial data on 2443 women-newborn dyads. For each site, we computed adjusted mean differences in these Z-scores between the randomized arms across six pre-pregnancy Hb categories (8-8.9, 9-9.9, 10-10.9, 11-11.9, 12-12.9, and ≥13g/dL) based on Hb distributions. We pooled site-specific effect measures using meta-analysis. For Aim 3, hemoglobin measured at 12 (n=2075) and 32 weeks of gestation (n=2157) was a mediator. We employed causal mediation analysis under a counterfactual approach to estimate direct and indirect effects. For Aim 1, we identified 20 eligible RCTs (n=27,659 women). Preconception nutrition supplements (iron and folic acid, multiple micronutrients, and a lipid-based nutrient supplement) increased maternal hemoglobin by 0.30g/dL ((0.03, 0.57); I2=79%). However, we did not find a significant effect of the supplements on birth weight (12.47gm ((-33.14, 58.08); I2=58%)), birth length (0.15cm (-0.26, 0.56); I2=68%; n=5), birth head circumference (-0.23cm (-0.88, 0.43); I2=84%), small for gestational age (RR: 0.91 (0.80,1.04); I2=31%), or preterm birth (RR: 0.93 (0.69,1.25); I2=57%). Overall, the quality of evidence was assessed as moderate and very low for maternal hemoglobin and three markers of intrauterine growth including birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference, respectively. In Aim 2, we found that the effect of LNS on birth weight, length, and head circumference varied by pre-pregnancy Hb categories. Pooled mean differences in the Z-scores for birth length (0.60 (0.03, 1.23)), birth weight (0.50, (0.11, 0.89)), and birth head circumference ((0.26, (0.02, 0.51)) were greatest for Arm 1-preconception vs. Arm 3-control women with Hb 9-9.9g/dL. Women with Hb 10-10.9g/dL also benefited from preconception LNS. However, compared to controls, the effects of preconception LNS on birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference attenuated for women with Hb 10-10.9g/dL. Compared to Arm 3-control, LNS during pregnancy (Arm 2) improved birth length, birth weight, and birth head circumference for women with Hb 8-10.9g/dL. Preconception LNS (Arm1) vs. LNS during pregnancy (Arm 2) improved the three markers of intrauterine growth only for women with Hb 9-9.9g/dL. Women with nearly normal (11-11.9 g/dL) and normal Hb (≥12g/dL) did not appreciably benefit from LNS, offered before and or during pregnancy. For Aim 3, Hb at 12 or 32 weeks of gestation did not mediate the relationship between the LNS and intrauterine growth. Indirect effects of preconception LNS (Arm 1) vs. Arm 3, mediated by Hb at 12 weeks, were 0.02 (-0.02, 0.01), 0.01 (-0.01, 0.02), and 0.01 (-0.01, 0.02) for length, weight, and head circumference Z-scores, respectively. The corresponding direct effects, not mediated by Hb, were 0.18 (0.09, 0.33), 0.12 (0.03, 0.23), and 0.06 (-0.03, 0.20), respectively. Site-specific and gestational age-adjusted data analyses both at 12 and 32 weeks of gestation confirmed the findings of negligible mediation by Hb during pregnancy. All types of preconception nutrition supplements studied to date appear to reduce maternal anemia. However, it is uncertain whether there are beneficial effects of preconception nutrition supplements on markers of intrauterine growth. Low quality of evidence from the RCTs examining the markers of intrauterine growth warrants future well-designed RCTs to produce solid scientific data, particularly on the benefits of a more comprehensive package of preconception nutrition supplements that include both macro- and micronutrients. The findings from the WF trial suggest that the benefits of preconception LNS on fetal growth are mainly confined to women with pre-pregnancy Hb 9-9.9g/dL. Compared to controls, women with Hb 10-10.9g/dL also benefited from preconception LNS, albeit the magnitude of effect on three markers of intrauterine growth was modest for women with Hb 10-10.9g/dL. However, LNS, started during pregnancy, appeared to improve markers of intrauterine growth for women with a wider range of Hb 8-10.9g/dL. Women with Hb ≥ 11g/dL did not benefit from LNS started either pre-conception or during pregnancy. These findings suggest that prioritizing women with specific pre-pregnancy Hb categories for targeted nutrition interventions may be advisable. This would target limited resources most efficiently in LMICs. Lastly, negligible mediation by Hb during pregnancy suggests that alternative pathways that potentially mediate the relationship between LNS and intrauterine growth need to be investigated.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 / Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of citric acid inclusion level in the diet on growth performance, carcass weight, tibia bone breaking strength and ash content of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 35 days. The first experiment determined the effect of citric acid inclusion level in the diet on growth performance traits of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. The experiment commenced with 200 male day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens with an initial average live weight of 40±1.6g per chick. The chicks were assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design, each replicated five times, and each replicate having ten chicks. The citric acid inclusion levels were at 0, 12.5, 25 or 50g per kg DM of feed. The second experiment determined the effect of citric acid inclusion level in the diet on growth performance, carcass weight, tibia bone breaking strength and ash content traits of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 35 days. The experiment commenced with 180 male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 days. The chickens were assigned to four treatment groups, each having three replicate pens of eight chickens per replicate in a completely randomized design. Data was analysed using the General Linear model (GLM) procedures of the Statistical Analysis of System, version 9.3.1 software program. Where there were significant differences (P<0.05) between the treatment means, Tukey Multiple Comparison Test was used for mean separation. Citric acid inclusion in the starter diets improved (P<0.05) live weight and growth rate of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. Citric acid inclusion in the starter diets did not affect (P>0.05) daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. The inclusion of citric acid did affect (P<0.05) live weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and growth rate of chickens aged 22 to 35 days. Citric acid inclusion levels used in the present study influenced (P<0.05) DM and CP digestibility, ME intake and N-retention of male broiler chickens aged 22 to 35 days. The results of the current study showed that citric acid inclusion in a diet improved (P<0.05) chicken bone morphology. Thus, positive relationships were observed between citric acid inclusion level and right tibia bone weight, diameter, calcium, phosphorous and Magnesium contents of chicken bones aged 35 days. There were positive relationships between citric acid inclusion level and breast weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 35 days. Further studies are recommended to ascertain these findings. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

OBJECTIVE: Older people are vulnerable to zinc deficiency, which may impact upon their mood. This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention study aimed to investigate the effect of oral zinc gluconate supplementation (15 mg/d; 30 mg/d; and placebo) on subjective mood (affect) in older Europeans. SUBJECTS: Healthy volunteers (n 387) aged 55-87 years were recruited. SETTING: Volunteers in Rome (Italy; n 108) and Grenoble (France; n 91) were aged 70-87 years and those in Coleraine (Northern Ireland; n 93) and Clermont-Ferrand (France; n 95) were aged 55-70 years. DESIGN: Mood was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale on four occasions per day over 4 d at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-intervention. RESULTS: Mixed ANOVA indicated that neither positive nor negative affect altered in response to zinc (15 mg/d or 30 mg/d) compared to placebo in either the 55-70 years or the >/=70 years age group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that zinc does not benefit mood in healthy older people.

Thesis (D. Tech. (Clinical Technology )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013 / The HIV pandemic in South-Africa has created a new form of vulnerability for households with regards to food security and nutritional status which are vital components in the general care of HIV-infected individuals. The risk of nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition are predictors of disease progression and treatment in resource limited settings. Furthermore, HIV affects nutritional status by increasing the energy requirements, reducing food intake, affecting nutrient absorption and metabolism inadequacies due to cytokine activity and diarrhea. Several vitamins and minerals are important in fighting HIV infection because they are required by the immune system and major organs to attack infectious pathogens. Many of these micronutrients have been found to be deficient in HIVinfected persons and several studies were launched worldwide to investigate the feasibility of food assistance and nutrient supplementation. Nutritional supplementation has been advocated in HIV-infected persons especially in lowincome countries such as South Africa. Therefore, a study to evaluate the role of nutritional supplementation in HIV-positive patients becomes necessary, especially in a developing country such as South Africa. It is against this background that the present research was initiated to examine the influence of a nutritional supplement on the immune status and health status of HIVpositive/ AIDS adult individuals. The aim of the investigation was to determine if supplementation with a mixture comprised from specific minerals, vitamins and herbs over a period of one year, affected the haematological status, immune status, viral load and pulmonary function in forty (40) HIV-infected individuals living in the Mangaung Metropolitan, RSA. viii A quantitative, open-labeled, before-after clinical trial was conducted at the Central University of Technology, in Bloemfontein, Free State Province in the RSA. Socio-demographic and dietary intake questionnaires were completed. All data pertaining to anthropometric measurements, haematological status, immune status, viral load and pulmonary function were obtained my means of using standard procedures and technological equipment. The data were subjected to parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis. The results of the present investigation show that the eating pattern of this urbanized group of individuals reflects high energy (KJ) and macronutrient intakes coinciding with sub-optimal intake of Vitamin D and iodine. Of all the haematological variables the only statistical significant changes observed were increases in the median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.0219) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p=0.0245) after six months of nutritional supplementation. At 12 months a statistical significant decrease in the median CD/CD8 ratio (p<0.0048), median Hematocrit concentration (p<0.0312), median mean cell volume (MCV) (p<0.0359), and median RDW (p<0.0273) accompanied a statistically significant increase in the MCHC (p<0.0003) at 12 months after supplementation. At 6 months 89% (CI95%: 73%; 96%) of the individuals showed a decline in viral load counts with a median percentage decline of 34% (CI95%: 73%; 96%). At 12 months 85% [CI95%: 68%; 94%] of the individuals show a decrease in viral load counts with a median percentage decline of 62.9% (CI95%: 50%; 78.6%) following the intake of the supplement. The main findings of the present investigation reveal that 68% (50%-81%) of the individuals show a statistical median increase (p=0.0302) of 16.9% (11.5%; ix 36.1%) in the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) at six months. A significant decrease (p=0.0484) in the median FEF75 of 28.1% (14%; 35.3%) is observed in 70% (53%-83%) of the individuals after 12 months of exposure to the supplement. No statistical significant changes are observed for FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF50 over the entire trial period. The present results suggest that a significant measurable decrease in viral load in HIV-infected individuals can be obtained by means of subjecting individuals to a nutritional fortification supplement strategy for 6 months or more.