Current dietary recommendations have placed increasing emphasis on dietary fat as an important element to decrease risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although total fat and the fatty acid composition of diets influence the risk of CVD, the optimal amounts of different fatty acids are not well defined, especially if n-6 and n-3 fatty acids are considered. Despite the fact that postmenopausal women are at increased risk of CVD, few studies have investigated the influence of dietary fatty acids on this risk. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of supplementation with different fatty acids on risk factors of CVD in postmenopausal women. Sixteen healthy, postmenopausal women were randomly assigned in a three-period crossover trial to treatments of 15 g/d supplements of oleic acid-rich sunflower oil (TS), linoleic acid-rich safflower oil (SO), and eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil (FO). Each treatment period lasted 5 weeks followed by a 7-week washout interval. When the women were supplemented with FO compared to supplementation with either TS or SO, the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol tended to increase (p=0.07 and 0.05, respectively) as did the size of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle (P=0.03 in both instances) while the concentration of triacylglycerol (p=0.0001 and 0.02, respectively) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) (P=0.005 and P=0.01, respectively) decreased. The concentration , i.e., total cholesterol, cholesterol ester, free cholesterol, phospholipids, α- and γ-tocopherol, of the two LDL subfractions was not influenced by any of the oil supplements but was greater in the large (L) subfraction than the small (S). When the oxidation of the two subfractions was measured by monitoring the formation of conjugated dienes, the lag time was shorter in both fractions after supplementation with FO compared to supplementation with SO (P=0.0001) or TS (P=0.0001) but the effect was greater in the L subfraction. The rate of formation of conjugated dienes, which was slower after FO supplementation than supplementation with either TS (P=0.02) or SO (P=0.001), was faster in the L compared to the S subfraction. When oxidation was measured by monitoring the increase in negative charge on apo B over 23 hr, only the 1 hr time point differed. The increase was greater in the FO-supplemented group than either the TS- or SO-supplemented groups (P=0.001 in both instances). The change was greater in S LDL (P=0.007). These findings demonstrate a greater potential antiatherogenic property of dietary n-3-rich oil than n-6- or n-9-rich ones as indicated by changes to plasma lipids, lipoproteins, apo B, and particle size but the influence of the oxidative susceptibility of L and S subfractions is less conclusive. / Graduation date: 2000

Twenty-one women, lifelong residents of Xichang County, Sichuan Province, China, an area of very low soil selenium (Se), received tablets containing either 100 μg Se daily as Se-enriched yeast (+Se) or no additional Se (-Se), throughout the last trimester of pregnancy and the first three months of lactation. Diet was analyzed using diet recalls and proximate analysis of mixed diet samples. Milk and plasma samples were analyzed for Se content, glutathione peroxidase activity, and fatty acid profile and plasma alone was analyzed for vitamin E content and lipid peroxidation. At parturition and three months after delivery, milk and plasma Se levels and plasma GPx activities were significantly higher in the +Se women than the -Se women. Milk GPx activity did not change significantly with supplementation. Plasma vitamin E was not different between the treatment groups at either time. Plasma lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS) were significantly higher in the supplemented women at both time points. Fatty acid profiles at delivery and three months after delivery were similar in both plasma and milk between the two groups. The data suggest that this level and length of supplementation, when given to pregnant women of very low Se status, are not adequate to influence the fatty acids in milk. / Graduation date: 2000

Bone loss among the elderly is of increasing concern to the medical community. In a study combining retrospective data on 438 women from southern Arizona and current bone mineral values determined at the one-third distal radius, the effects of premenopausal reproductive events on postmenopausal bone mineral are investigated. Among those women who reach menarche at an early age are some whose growth is not accompanied by normal height and long bone growth. These women tend to exhibit lower bone mineral density postmenopausally. In addition, the early accumulation of weight in excess of height and a later age at menarche appears to result in wider bones still observed postmenopausally. Pregnancy normally is accompanied by an acceleration of calcium accumulation in excess of the fetal demand. However, parity appears to have little significant impact on postmenopausal bone mineral status. However, women pregnant during their teens tend to accumulate a greater amount of bone than women who first become pregnant later. These benefits to the teenage mother can be lost during lactation, an impairment of the skeleton which may continue into the postmenopausal years. The skeleton appears to require a recovery period between pregnancy and lactation cycles. Inadequate recovery time, particularly when accompanied by advanced maternal age, may have adverse effects on postmenopausal bone mineral status.

Two studies were conducted to determine how HDL cholesteryl ester and apoprotein catabolism might contribute to the observed hypercholesterolemia of copper-deficient rats. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two dietary treatments; copper-adequate (control, 5-7 mg Cu/kg diet) and copper-deficient (0.6-0.8 mg Cu/kg diet). Deionized water and diet were provided ad libitum. Dietary copper deficiency resulted in enlarged intravascular pools of HDL cholesteryl esters and total protein. HDL were isolated from rats of both treatment groups, radiolabeled, and injected into animals of the respective groups. In Study I, HDL apoproteins were labeled by iodination, whereas HDL in Study II were doubly labeled by additionally incorporating into the particle core [³H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether, which served as a nondegradable analog of HDL cholesteryl ester. At specific time intervals up to 12 hours after injection, blood and tissue samples were removed and analyzed for radioactivity. Plasma disappearance curves indicated that HDL cholesteryl esters were preferentially catabolized 1.6-fold faster than HDL protein in controls and 2.5-fold faster in copper-deficient animals. Clearance of individual apoproteins did not occur at significantly different rates in either treatment group. Absolute mass removal of HDL cholesteryl ester and total protein from the plasma was significantly increased in copper-deficient rats. Virtually all of the increased removal of HDL cholesteryl ester was attributed to the liver, whereas most of the increased uptake of HDL protein was attributed to the bulk tissues and not the liver. Since previous studies indicate that copper deficiency may not result in increased cholesterol excretion, these data suggest that cholesteryl esters delivered to the liver of copper-deficient rats are possibly reassembled into new HDL particles at an increased rate. The observed hypercholesterolemia in this animal model, then, appears to be the result of an imbalance in the net flux of cholesterol between the tissues and the plasma.

No description available.

This research explicated the use of exploratory data analysis in describing type II diabetes mellitus among the Navajo Indians. A sample of 98 diagnosed diabetics was obtained from a retrospective chart review and had a 1.3:1 female to male ratio, a median age of 58.6 years, and a mean duration for diabetes of 7.66 years. Other characteristics included a median age at diagnosis of 50 years, a median weight prior to diagnosis (expressed in percent desired weight) of 140%, and a median blood glucose value at time of diagnosis of 241 mg/dl. The distribution patterns for age, weight, and blood glucose revealed several asymmetry problems which had implications for the appropriateness of using parametric statistics in numerical summarizations. Bivariate analyses revealed a negative association between age at diagnosis and percent desired weight prior to diagnosis. This finding identifies the risk that obesity brings to the young and that aging brings to the non-obese, Navajo Indian.

This paper attempted to determine the effect that gastrointestinal discomforts, socioeconomic status, dietary knowledge and beliefs about foods to omit during pregnancy had on the nutritional status of pregnant women. Hemoglobin, upper arm muscle circumference, weight for height and eating patterns measured nutritional status. Twenty women in their second trimester of pregnancy, active duty or the dependent wife of an Air Force E-4 and below, were surveyed. Questionnaires and anthropometric measures were used. Pearson Product Moment Correlations and a canonical correlation were accomplished. Data analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between eating patterns and gastrointestinal discomfort. There was a significant positive correlation between beliefs about foods to omit and eating patterns. Significant negative correlations existed between dietary knowledge and military status, monthly grocery bill, and number of people fed.

M. Tech Food Service Management (Hospitality, Tourism and Public Relations, Faculty of Human Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Good maternal nutrition is vital for the health and survival of the developing foetus. Nutritive inadequacy has been associated with pregnant women in developing countries particularly Sub Saharan Africa. Adequate intake of both macro and micronutrients by this vulnerable group must be ensured to avoid maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. In this study, a novel approach was employed to develop a cost effective, culturally acceptable and nutrient-dense food multi-mix (FMM) supplement that would help meet 20-25 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of pregnant women aged between 20and 30 years in the Vaal region. Twenty FMM supplements were formulated using South African food composition tables to ensure adequate nutritional content. Two out of the twenty, were selected and named FMM C1 and C3 respectively. FMM C I and C3 was selected owing to their better nutrient contents and affordability when compared with the others. Food items used to formulate FMM C 1 included maize meal, pea powder, peanut dry, milk powder and kidney beans. FMM C3 was formulated with sorghum, maize meal, peanut dry and onion powder. Chosen food items were dried, roasted, ground and mixed together proportionately. FMM supplements (C 1 & C3) were analyzed using standard laboratory techniques to determine their nutrient content. Results obtained were from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The shelf life of the FMM supplements was microbiologically tested. Shelf life testing proved safety for the time of consumption, as very little microbiological growth was found in 28 days. The FMM supplements were then incorporated in the development of two acceptable recipes (soup and gravy).Simple recipe leaflets were developed for use by the subjects. The process proved that it is possible to formulate a FMM or any other food product according to certain formulation criteria since formulated FMM supplements (C1 and C3) met the criteria of at least 20% RDA of Protein (g). However, the criteria for micronutrients and energy were difficult to meet as folate iron and energy showed lower percentages of 10%, 14% and 18% respectively in the experimental situation. Sensory evaluation was conducted to ascertain the acceptability of the developed recipes (soup and gravy). The sample consisted of pregnant women randomly selected from John Haynes and Sharpeville clinics respectively, it can be concluded it is possible to formulate and develop products that were culturally acceptable to the consumers (pregnant women) as sensory analysis indicated the majority (85%) of the respondents liked the gravy and 65% liked the soup. Further research is needed to address the impact on nutritional status, long-term compliance and development of range of FMM with various ingredients to determine the most nutritional, cost effective and acceptable product for pregnant women.

D. Tech. (Food Service Management, Dept. of Hospitality, Tourism and PR management), Vaal University of Technology / The main objective of this study was to develop a cost-effective, culturally acceptable, nutrient-dense food multimix (FMM) based on local food staples for pregnant women in the Vaal region. The impact of the consumption of the multimix on the nutritional status of the women, dietary diversity and outcomes of pregnancy was assessed in an intervention study by measuring the same variables as for a pilot study where the nutritional status of pregnant women was determined. Compliance was measured through monitoring of the FMM consumption and sensory evaluation tests. Quantitative food frequency questionnaires (QFFQs) and 24-hour recall questionnaires were completed in interviews. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were recorded. The pilot study indicated that the mean total iron intake was 9,74 mg/day, below the estimated average requirement (EAR) of 22 mg/day for pregnant women. Therefore, 41,7 per cent of the women were found to be iron deficient and 50 per cent suffered from iron deficiency anaemia. Food consumed supplied little iron. Eighty per cent of the women were overweight before falling pregnant. Based on the pilot study, the FMM was developed and subjected to the following processes: chemical analysis, shelf life tests, recipe development and sensory evaluation. The product was then implemented in an intervention programme. A control group of pregnant women received soup powder. The respondents were relatively healthy and did not suffer from any chronic diseases. According to the nutrient intakes measured by the QFFQ, indicating usual dietary intakes, the iron intake of 87,5 per cent of the experimental group and 94 per cent of the control group fell below the EAR before intervention. After the intervention it improved in that the iron intake of 35,2 per cent of the experimental group and 33,3 per cent of the control group fell below the EAR. The top 10 items consumed by the experimental group during pre- and post-intervention were mainly rich in carbohydrates. Food containing iron absorption inhibitors such as tannin in tea and phytates in maize meal and bread were among the top 10 foods listed. The highest number of individual food items consumed by an individual in seven days was 39 before the intervention and 52 after the intervention, among the experimental group. The individual food variety improved after the intervention. The reason for this could be the inclusion of the FMM in their diets. The majority of the respondents consumed eight to nine of the nutritious food groups before and after the intervention. The mean food variety score (FVS) for the control group was 38,9 (±10,5) before the intervention, which decreased to 35,8 (±8,39) after the intervention. No improvement in FVS was observed after the intervention in the control group and the FVS indicated medium dietary diversity (30-60 food items). The post-intervention results show that there was an improvement in most of the iron variables. The experimental group showed statistically significant differences between pre- and post-intervention measurements in transferrin and haematocrit levels and the control group in haematocrit levels. All the babies born to the mothers of both the experimental and control groups were healthy with measurements in the normal range. The reason for this could be that the inclusion of the FMM and soup powder in the diets of the experimental and control group, respectively, made the women more aware of the importance of pregnancy monitoring. Furthermore, the attention given to the women by the clinic sisters and the researchers could have contributed to all the improvements mentioned.

Foram analisadas 72 amostras de leite humano cru recebidas do Banco de Leite do Conjunto Hospitalar de Sorocaba, com valores de acidez conhecidos. Quarenta e oito delas tinham acidez aceitável (até 8º D) e outras 24 amostras com acidez acima desse limite. Foram realizadas contagens bacterianas: bactérias lácticas, lipolíticas, coliformes totais e fecais, microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos totais e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva. Quarenta e nove questionários de freqüência alimentar foram aplicados em lactantes doadoras de leite com o propósito de estabelecer correlação entre microbiologia, acidez e nutrição das lactantes. Nas amostras com valor de acidez < 8°D as populações microbianas encontradas foram: para o grupo dos microrganismos mesófilos aeróbios totais e bactérias lácticas a população máxima encontrada ficou na ordem de 106 UFC/mL. Já para bactérias lipolíticas este valor não ultrapassou 1,9x105UFC/mL. Os coliformes totais foram isolados em 47,2% (34 amostras) das amostras analisadas, destas 87,5% confirmaram também a presença de E.coli. Para Staphylococcus coagulase positiva o valor máximo encontrado foi 1x104 UFC/mL e foi similar às amostras ácidas e não ácidas. Nas amostras rejeitadas (acidez > 8ºD) as contagens máximas tanto para o grupo de mesófilos como de bactérias lácticas foram da ordem 107 UFC/mL. As bactérias lipolíticas foram encontradas em 53,52% (13 amostras) do total de amostras analisadas e o grupo dos coliformes foi detectado em 52,94% das amostras ácidas, destas 33,33% apresentaram crescimento de E. coli. Os dados foram avaliados pela correlação de Pearson entre as variáveis: população de microrganismos mesófilos aeróbios totais e acidez Dornic. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em p<0,05. Os valores de acidez Dornic não mostraram correlação (R = 0,215) estatisticamente significativa com a população de microrganismos mesófilos aeróbios totais (UFC/mL) para as amostras analisadas. De acordo os dados nutricionais, pequenas diferenças são observadas em relação ao consumo de alimentos e alteração de acidez do leite humano. Pelos valores encontrados não foi possível detectar correlação entre a nutrição da lactante e os valores de acidez encontrados nas amostras de leite humano. / Seventy two samples of human breastmilk obtained from the Milk of the Hospitals Group of Sorocaba were analyzed, prior to pasteurization. Dornic acidity was titrated in duplicate for each sample. Forty eight of them had acceptable acidity (up to 8° D) and other 24 samples with acidity above of that limit. Quantifying the initial population: lactic bacteria, lipolitics bacteria, total coliforms and Escherichia coli, aerobic mesofilic microorganisms and Staphylococcus positive coagulase. Forty nine questionnaires of alimentary frequency were applied in lactic donors of milk with the purpose of to detect correlation among microbiology, acidity and nutrition of the lactic ones. The samples with value of acidity <8°D the found populations of microorganism were: group of the microorganisms mesofilic total aerobic and lactic bacteria the found maximum population was 106 CFU/mL. Although for lipolitics bacteria this value did not cross 1,9x105 CFU/mL. The group of total coliforms were isolated in 47,2% (34 samples) of the analyzed samples, of these 87,5% they also confirmed the presence of E.coli. In Staphylococcus positive coagulase the detect maximum value was 1x104 CFU/mL and it was similar to the acid samples and no acid. In the samples with acidity above 8ºD (rejected) the maximum population so much for the mesofilic group as of lactic bacteria they were 107 CFU/mL. The lipolitics bacteria were found in 53,52% (13 samples) of the total of analyzed samples and the group of the coliforms was detected in 52,94% of the acid samples, of these 33,33% they presented growth of E. coli. Data were analyzed to detect correlation between variables: population of aerobic mesofilic microorganisms and acidity Dornic, using Pearson`s coefficient. The level of significance was set at p <0,05. The values of acidity Dornic did not show correlation (R = 0,215) statistically significant with the population of aerobic mesofilic microorganisms (CFU/mL) for the analyzed samples. According to the data nutritional, small differences are noticed regarding to the consumption of foods and alteration of acidity of the human milk. For the found values it was not possible to detect correlation between the nutrition of the lactic and the values of acidity found in the samples of human milk.