Showing papers in "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition in 1993"
Journal Article•
184 citations
TL;DR: Two Hausa villages in the Sahel of south-eastern Niger were surveyed for food procurement practices, with special focus on dietary use of wild plants, and more than 80 species were commonly consumed.
Abstract: Two Hausa villages in the Sahel of south-eastern Niger were surveyed for food procurement practices, with special focus on dietary use of wild plants. Activities and behaviours during years of adequate rainfall were compared to practices during drought. A diversified food base was maintained through hunting, gathering, agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry. Members of households surveyed (n = 112) foraged for edible wild plants located in bushlands adjacent to villages, within household compounds, or within agricultural fields. Dominant agricultural crops were beans, millet, peanuts, and sorghum; prominent household garden species were melon, okra, and squash. At the time of the survey most households experienced marginal crop yields. Edible wild plants were prominent in local diet during both drought and during years of adequate rainfall; more than 80 species were commonly consumed. Protein values of several wild plants exceeded 20%, including Amaranthus hybridus, Cassia occidentalis, Cenchrus ...
119 citations
TL;DR: The amino acids, fatty acids and mineral contents of pigeon pea were analysed and showed that the protein contained nutritionally useful quantities of most of the essential amino acids but was low in sulphur-containing amino acids.
Abstract: The amino acids, fatty acids and mineral contents of pigeon pea were analysed. Amino acids analysis showed that the protein contained nutritionally useful quantities of most of the essential amino acids but was low in sulphur-containing amino acids. The total essential amino acids in the pigeon pea amounted to 43.61%. Linoleic and palmitic were the predominant fatty acids with values of 54.8 and 21.4% respectively in the oil sample. Caprylic, lauric, oleic and eicosenoic acids were present only in small quantities. The results also showed that potassium, magnesium and calcium were the most abundant minerals in the pigeon pea sample while it was significantly low in sodium.
112 citations
TL;DR: Infants aged 6-12 months are a major group of weaning food consumers and their energy and protein requirements were used as a starting point to develop a strategy for the home or small-industrial scale manufacture of weaned foods.
Abstract: Weaning foods must bridge the gap between breast-feeding and an ‘adult' family diet. Infants aged 6-12 months are a major group of weaning food consumers. Their energy and protein requirements were used as a starting point to develop a strategy for the home or small-industrial scale manufacture of weaning foods. In addition such food must have an ‘easy-to-swallow' consistency, and be microbiologically safe when consumed. On the other hand the level of anti-nutritional factors must be minimised. Ingredients must be locally available and acceptable. These would usually include a staple cereal or starchy tuber. The protein quantity and quality of the product can be optimised by adding legumes (beans, pulses) on the basis of their lysine content. Major problems to be solved include the bulkiness caused by starch gelatinisation and removal of the anti-nutritional factors which occur naturally in legumes. In addition, limited facilities for food preparation and storage allow contamination and rapid proliferatio...
81 citations
TL;DR: The proximate composition and functional properties of the flours of three varieties of Lima bean were determined with and without hulls, and zinc, calcium and potassium are more concentrated in the hull, phosphorus more so in the cotyledon while iron is evenly distributed in the Hull and cotYledon.
Abstract: The proximate composition and functional properties of the flours of three varieties of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus Linn.) were determined with and without hulls. The Lima beans were identified by colour as white, brown and dark brown. The percentage protein varied from 21.8 to 26.2 depending on the variety and whether the sample was dehulled. The ash and fat contents did not vary considerably while the fibre depended on variety and whether the sample was dehulled. The mineral analysis showed that zinc, calcium and potassium are more concentrated in the hull, phosphorus more so in the cotyledon while iron is evenly distributed in the hull and cotyledon. The least gelation concentrations for the beans were found to vary from 8% in the brown sample to 12% in the dark brown sample. The water absorption capacities varied from 130% for the white whole seed sample to 142% in the dark brown dehulled sample. The oil absorption capacities varied from 82% to 91.5% depending on whether the sample was dehulled or no...
58 citations
TL;DR: Raw seeds of tribal pulses, Parkia roxburghii and Entada phaseoloides, were analysed for proximate and mineral composition, seedprotein fractions, seed protein amino acid profiles, fatty acid profiles of lipids and anti-nutritional factors.
Abstract: Raw seeds of tribal pulses, Parkia roxburghii and Entada phaseoloides, were analysed for proximate and mineral composition, seed protein fractions, seed protein amino acid profiles, fatty acid profiles of lipids and anti-nutritional factors. The seeds of P. roxburghii contain higher contents of crude protein and crude lipid compared to E. phaseoloides resulting in high energy value. Both the seeds were rich in potassium and iron. The seeds of E. phaseoloides were found to be a rich source of minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and manganese. Albumins and globulins constituted the predominant fractions of the seed proteins. In P. roxburghii and E. phaseoloides the contents of the essential amino acids, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine, were fairly high. Fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids were found to be relatively high in both the tribal pulses. Anti-nutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalaline) and haemagglutinating activity...
49 citations
TL;DR: The blood glucose levels and the corresponding insulin levels in response to three commonly-used vegetables in southern India in a isocarbohydrate meal were compared to the levels achieved in responseto 75g of glucose in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients.
Abstract: The blood glucose levels and the corresponding insulin levels in response to three commonly-used vegetables in southern India in a isocarbohydrate meal were compared to the levels achieved in response to 75g of glucose in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. The meals contained 73–79g of available carbohydrate, 10–13.5g of protein, 5g of fat and 0.5–1.3g of crude fibre. The vegetables tested were bittergourd (Momordica charantia; group 1), curry leaves (Murrya koiengii; group 2), and drumstick leaves (Moringa oleifera; group 3). The incremental areas of the standard meal without the vegetable and the test meal with any one of the vegetables were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05 for groups 1 and 2, P ≤ 0.01 for group 3) compared to 75g of glucose. The blood glucose responses (as % mean ± s.e.m.) of meals containing bitter gourd, curry leaves or drumstick leaves were 72 ± 10, 60 ± 7 and 56 ± 4, respectively, compared to 75g of glucose, and 88 ± 7, 97 ± 6 and 79 ± 5, respectively, compared to the...
45 citations
TL;DR: The high dietary bulk properties of traditional starch-based weaning foods in developing countries are a major constraint when it comes to providing young children with enough food, and can be considered one of the diet-related causes of the high prevalence of malnutrition as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The main characteristics of cereal weaning foods are their high volume, low energy density and stiff consistency, commonly referred to as dietary bulk. The high dietary bulk properties of traditional starch-based weaning foods in developing countries are a major constraint when it comes to providing young children with enough food, and can be considered one of the diet-related causes of the high prevalence of malnutrition.
38 citations
TL;DR: In patients with diabetes the glycaemic responses of various fruit products vary over a two-fold ran, for comparison with the GI of white bread.
Abstract: Patients with diabetes are often recommended to use whole fruit rather than canned fruit or fruit juice because of a belief that the addition of sucrose to canned fruit and the removal of dietary fibre to make fruit juice may increase blood glucose responses. However, the glycaemic responses of few fruits and fruit products have been assessed in patients with diabetes. Therefore, we determined the glycaemic index (GI) values of ten fruits and fruit products in patients with diabetes, for comparison with the GI of white bread (100). The mean ± s.e.m. GI values, with number of subjects in parentheses, were: pineapple juice, 66 ± 3 (13); grapefruit juice, 69 ± 5 (13); apple juice, 59 ± 8 (6); canned peaches, 74 ± 7 (11); canned pears, 63 ± 6 (10); canned apricots, 91 ± 6 (9); fruit cocktail, 79 ± 5 (8); dried apricots, 46 ± 7 (9); fresh oranges, 69 ± 11 (10); and fresh pears, 58 ± 7 (13). It is concluded that in patients with diabetes the glycaemic responses of various fruit products vary over a two-fold ran...
36 citations
TL;DR: In vitro protein digestibility was measured with a pepsin/pancreatin enzymatic digestion procedure that simulates digestion in humans and that shows results corresponding to human studies.
Abstract: The effect of different lactic fermentation techniques was studied on the in vitro protein digestibility of non-tannin and high-tannin varieties of maize, sorghum, finger millet and bulrush millet, respectively. Lactic fermentation was achieved in gruels or water slurries of the cereal flours by addition of different starter cultures. In vitro protein digestibility was measured with a pepsin/pancreatin enzymatic digestion procedure that simulates digestion in humans and that shows results corresponding to human studies. Lactic fermentation significantly (P < 0.01) improved the in vitro protein digestibility of the gruels, except for the non-tannin maize variety. There was no difference in protein digestibility between gruels fermented before or after cooking. Unfermented, non-tannin cereal gruels had significantly (P < 0.05) higher in vitro protein digestibility values, range 61–79%, compared with unfermented high-tannin cereal gruels of sorghum and finger millet, range 33–40%, and lactic-fermented sample...
36 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the proteolytic changes taking place in muscle proteins during the processing of dry-cured ham from the point of view of its increased nutritional quality.
Abstract: The proteolytic changes taking place in muscle proteins during the processing of dry-cured ham were evaluated from the point of view of its increased nutritional quality. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed the breakdown of several muscle proteins in dry-cured ham. Peptide analysis by both reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) or free solution capillary electrophoresis (FSCE) confirmed the intense proteolysis. Dry-cured ham also showed large amounts of all the free essential amino acids: valine (221.4 mg/100g muscle), methionine (90.8 mg/100g muscle), isoleucine (155.7 mg/100g muscle), leucine (246.9 mg/100g muscle), phenylalanine (37.0 mg/100g muscle), tryptophan (25.7 mg/100g muscle) and, in particular, lysine (509.0 mg/100g muscle). Thus, dry-cured ham constitutes a concentrated source of essential amino acids of great importance when the energy intake is low or in a poor nutritional quality diet.
TL;DR: The feeding of leaf concentrate to children attending Sarvodaya nursery schools has recently been implemented but this method of supplementing pre-school children is not sustainable in Sri Lanka.
Abstract: Leaf concentrate (or leaf protein) production continues to be promoted in the developing world but its feasibility as a community-based activity has never been adequately evaluated. In Sri Lanka the feeding of leaf concentrate to children attending Sarvodaya nursery schools has recently been implemented. Using hand-operated machinery and relying on community participation for leaf provision and processing, the objective was to provide leaf concentrate equivalent to 333g of leaf/child daily.The feasibility of this process was evaluated by monitoring leaf provision, machine performance, community participation, attitudes, and acceptability over a seven month period.Leaf provision and community participation were found to be inadequate. The machinery was inefficient and unpopular, and the process was considered too time-consuming. Whilst the leaf concentrate itself was acceptable, this method of supplementing pre-school children is not sustainable in Sri Lanka.
TL;DR: A village in northern Tanzania affected by the paralytic disease konzo was compared to a neighbouring unaffected village to investigate possible causes of high cyanide exposure from cassava associated with the disease as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A village in northern Tanzania affected by the paralytic disease konzo was compared to a neighbouring unaffected village to investigate possible causes of high cyanide exposure from cassava associated with the disease. Food shortage caused shortening of the established cassava-processing method in both villages. Intensive trade in cassava also contributed to shortening of processing in the affected village. An experiment revealed that established cassava processing by fermenting crushed roots effectively reduced levels of cyanogenic glucosides but significant amounts of yielded cyanohydrins remained in the flour, even after four nights fermentation. Mean (±s.e.m.) cyanohydrin levels were higher in flour from short-processed roots: 57 ± 6 mg cyanide equivalents per kg dry weight, compared to 36 ± 7 when fermented for four nights (P = 0.04). High cyanide intake was supported by high mean (±s.e.m.) urinary thiocyanate: 490 ± 48 μmol/l in the affected village and 350 ± 39 in the unaffected one (not significan...
TL;DR: The seasonal changes in concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) present in the milk of the three main milk-producing species (cow, ewe and goat) were studied for one year by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
Abstract: The seasonal changes in concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) present in the milk of the three main milk-producing species (cow, ewe and goat) were studied for one year by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry The mean concentrations obtained for the four minerals studied, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn, were: 016 ± 003, 044 ± 011, 421 ± 041 and 0026 ± 0006 mg/kg of fresh weight respectively for cow milk; 041 ± 014, 077 ± 032, 566 ± 220 and 0089 ± 0028 mg/kg of fresh weight for ewe milk; 040 ± 007, 067 ± 012, 476 ± 050 and 0155 ± 0059 mg/kg of fresh weight for goat milk According to these concentrations the consumption of a cup (250 ml) of cow's milk contributes 40 μg of copper, 130 μg of iron, 823 μg of zinc and 64 μg of manganese; in the case of ewe's milk the contribution is 100 μg of copper, 192 μg of iron, 1415 μg of zinc and 22 μg of manganese; and a cup of goat's milk gives 100 μg of copper, 167 μg of iron, 1190 μg of zinc and 39 μg of mangan
TL;DR: In this paper, random samples (n = 108) of commercial garri collected from the main garri-producing communities in Nigeria were analysed for total, free and bound hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content.
Abstract: Random samples (n = 108) of commercial garri collected from the main garri-producing communities in Nigeria were analysed for total, free and bound hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content. The samples contained highly variable levels of total HCN (1.3–38.6 mg HCN/kg) and free HCN (1.2–32.4 mg/kg). Frequency distribution of the total cyanide levels showed that about 80% of the samples contained less than 20 mg HCN/kg; 13% contained 20–30 mg HCN/kg and the remaining 7% contained 30–40 mg HCN/kg. About 90% of all samples contained ≥10 mg/kg bound HCN. There were distinct inter- and intra-communal variabilities in the residual HCN levels of garri, which apparently arose from wide variabilities in the cassava varieties in use, differences in agronomic/environmental factors with respect to cassava production, and a clear lack of standardisation of the processing techniques before and during garrification (frying).
TL;DR: In this article, the residual cyanide levels of garri using performance, nitrogen balance, relative organ weights, serum and urinary thiocyanate and some haematological variables as the response criteria were investigated.
Abstract: Forty-eight weanling albino rats were used to investigate the dietary implications of the residual cyanide levels of garri using performance, nitrogen balance, relative organ weights, serum and urinary thiocyanate and some haematological variables as the response criteria. The experimental rats showed no outward signs of toxicity. However, rats fed cyanide-containing garri diets had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) slower rates of growth than the controls, and fermentation of cassava improved the utilization of the diets as shown by the enhanced values of feed efficiency, ‘operative’ protein efficiency ratio and biological value with increasing fermentation time. Serum and urinary thiocyanate levels were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) higher in the rats fed garri diets than in the corn starch controls. Regression analysis showed a significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive correlation (r = 0.97) between urinary thiocyanate levels and the residual cyanide content of garri. The haematological variables studied showed no consistent...
TL;DR: The sources of protein in the diet of adults who participated in the Diet and Nutritional Survey of British Adults have been examined to explore whether there are groups of people eating high cereal protein diets.
Abstract: The quantity and quality of protein ingested is determined by the dietary pattern. It has recently been suggested that the requirements for essential amino acids cannot be met on diets high in cereals unless at least 30% of the total protein intake is derived from animal sources. The sources of protein in the diet of adults who participated in the Diet and Nutritional Survey of British Adults (Gregory et al., 1990) have been examined to explore whether there are groups of people eating high cereal protein diets. As the intake of cereals as a source of protein increases, the total intake of protein decreases. Relatively few people (21 out of 1844) derived more than 45% of their protein intake from cereals. Vegetarians (n = 29), identified as those not eating meat during the study, were much more likely to derive more than 45% of their total protein intake from cereals. Dietary patterns were explored in relation to age, gender, regional and social class differences. In the majority of the population, upper ...
TL;DR: A review of advances in chemistry and synthesis of Lascorbic acid can be found in this article, highlighting its importance in nutrition, health, food processing (enzymatic browning, meat preservation, beer manufacture, wine production, dairy products, fats and oils, flour and dough improvement), and industrial applications.
Abstract: This review includes current information on advances regarding the chemistry and synthesis of L-ascorbic acid, highlighting its importance in nutrition, health, food processing (enzymatic browning, meat preservation, beer manufacture, wine production, dairy products, fats and oils, flour and dough improvement), plant and animal applications, and industrial applications.
TL;DR: All four wild legume germplasm seed samples appeared to be good sources of minerals: iron, zinc and manganese, and seed lipids in all the investigated samples contained a large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid.
Abstract: Wild underexploited edible legume seeds, Cassia obtusifolia, Entada scandens and two germplasms of Phaseolus lunatus, were investigated for their proximate composition, minerals, seed protein fractions, amino acid profiles, fatty acid composition and certain anti-nutritional substances. The seeds of P. lunatus (both germplasms) had a higher content of crude protein than cultivated lima beans. C. obtusifolia and E. scandens were rich in crude lipid and crude fibre. All four wild legume germplasm seed samples appeared to be good sources of minerals: iron, zinc and manganese. While the globulins constituted the major seed proteins in C. obtusifolia and E. scandens, albumins formed the major seed protein fraction in both germplasms of P. lunatus. Seed lipids in all the investigated samples contained a large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid. With the exception of E. scandens, the seed materials contained low levels of free phenols, tannins and L-DOPA. Haema...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The functional properties of haemagglutinins (lectins) extracted, purified and lyophilised from some edible varieties of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) were studied.
Abstract: The functional properties of haemagglutinins (lectins) extracted, purified and lyophilised from some edible varieties of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) were studied. The solubilities of the haemagglutinins were pH dependent. For example, the solubilities of TPL 13 and TPL 323 were minima at about pH 6 while that of the TPL 237 was minimum at about pH 5. The water absorption capacities varied from 41.66% in TPL 13 to 104.06% in TPL 323 while the oil absorption varied from 361.46% in TPL 13 to 90.94% in TPL 323. The samples had good gelation property which varied between 6 and 8% while the emulsion capacity was between 12.24 and 28.12%. The foaming capacity and foaming stability varied respectively from 350.50% and 337% for TPL 13 to 220.15% and 210.29% for TPL 237.
TL;DR: Female donors returned to pre-donation levels at the end of the study only in those taking essence, greater than would be expected from the iron content of the essence, and the relevance of this finding is discussed.
Abstract: We have investigated, in a group of regular blood donors, the effect of donating a unit of blood on blood haemoglobin concentration, serum iron and ferritin over a three week study period. The fall in haemoglobin was not significant but the fall in serum iron reached statistical significance (P < 0.05). Serum ferritin fell significantly in the female donors (P < 0.05). We compared the use of Brand' Essence of Chicken, a traditional Chinese remedy for blood replenishment and alleviating tiredness, with placebo in a double-blind study on these changes. Haemoglobin and ferritin were not affected by the essence but serum iron in female donors returned to pre-donation levels at the end of the study only in those taking essence. This response is greater than would be expected from the iron content of the essence and the relevance of this finding is discussed.
TL;DR: This review highlights mechanisms linking fish oil with alleviation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and particular emphasis is given to the role of fish oils and other fats in eicosanoid synthesis.
Abstract: Evidence continues to accumulate supporting a beneficial role for fish and fish oil consumption in the amelioration of human disease. This review highlights mechanisms linking fish oil with alleviation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Particular emphasis is given to the role of fish oils and other fats in eicosanoid synthesis.
TL;DR: Methods to evaluate the availability of food energy from difficult to digest carbohydrates are described, with emphasis on problems of interpreting results from energy determinations and to the accuracy and precision of the methods used.
Abstract: Methods to evaluate the availability of food energy from difficult to digest carbohydrates are described. Emphasis is given to problems of interpreting results from energy determinations and to the accuracy and precision of the methods used. Consideration is given to determination of the heats of combustion of food components; determination of the metabolisable energy of diets and both apparent and partial metabolisable energy values of dietary components; and derivation and determination of net energy values of carbohydrates including methods to assess the availability of carbohydrates using enzymatic models, the ileostomy model, intubation, the labelled CO2 breath test, the hydrogen (H2) breath test, and isotopic tracer methods. The use and misuse of animals and indirect calorimetry in humans are also considered. Energy evaluation methods are classified into those which make direct determinations and those which determine indices for which established factors are needed for conversion into energy values...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, a casein diet was fed to 52 Wistar male weanling rats for a 30-day period in order to induce a selenium deficiency in the rats.
Abstract: Selenium concentration and bioavailability were assessed in a common Mato Grosso urban regional diet (RUDMT), using 52 Wistar male weanling rats, weighing 56.2 ± 1.4 g. Thirty-two rats were fed a casein diet that was free of selenium, vitamin E and methionine and contained anti-oxidant-free oil for a 30 day period in order to induce a selenium deficiency. The remaining rats were fed on a casein diet, forming control group I, with 0.10μg of selenium per gram of diet. After selenium deficiency had been established, 24 rats were divided into three groups which were fed on three different diets for 25 days: (i) RUDMT group, with 0.02 μg of selenium per gram of diet; (ii) control group II, with 0.10μg of selenium per gram of diet; and (iii) pair-feeding group, with 0.04 μg of selenium per gram of diet. During this latter period, the control group I without depletion continued to be fed on the casein diet with 0.10 μg of selenium per gram of diet. Apparent selenium absorption, selenium concentration and the enz...
TL;DR: While processing procedures such as seed coat removal did not significantly affect the dialysable iron, cooking of the beans led to significant increases in the diffusibility of iron, however, the addition of ‘Kanwa’, an alkaline salt, lowered the dialYSable iron significantly.
Abstract: Twelve Nigerian cowpea varieties were investigated for physical properties, iron contents and dialysable iron. The seed coat accounted for 5.8-11.4% of the weight of the seeds, leached solids 5.1-13.6%, swelling capacity 43.9-94.5% and the seed density ranged between 0.91-1.28g/cm3.There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the iron contents of the whole, peeled, cooked and soaked cowpea samples. While processing procedures such as seed coat removal did not significantly affect the dialysable iron, cooking of the beans led to significant increases in the diffusibility of iron. However, the addition of ‘Kanwa’, an alkaline salt, lowered the dialysable iron significantly (P < 0.05). The implications of these results on the diets of Nigerians in relation to iron nutrition are discussed.
TL;DR: Results showed that crude protein varied significantly among cereals, but germination did not lead to any significant increase in protein content of cereal flours, while fat content, crude fibre and ash decreased slightly.
Abstract: Togwa is a traditional sweet gruel prepared from malted cereal grains and is widely consumed by both adults and children. Traditional preparation techniques vary from one locality to another and this has resulted in different types of togwa varying in nutritional quality and organoleptic characteristics. Four cereal grains, maize (Zea mays), bulrush millet (Pennisetum typhoideum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and finger millet (Eleusine coracona) were germinated for 0, 48, 72, 96, and 120h, dried at 50±C and milled. Flour from each cereal was used for togwa preparation. Nutrient content determination was carried out by proximate analysis and energy density determination by the calorimetric method. Results showed that crude protein varied significantly (P ≤ 0.001) among cereals, but germination did not lead to any significant increase in protein content of cereal flours, while fat content, crude fibre and ash decreased slightly. Ash content varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among the cereals. A significant incr...
TL;DR: While Lubavitchers were significantly better educated than their Outremont counterparts, they reported more adherence to therapeutic diets, and greater frequencies of smoking, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with a trend for cancer.
Abstract: The nutritional intakes of 250 ultra-orthodox adults from Hassidic Jewish sects (the majority of sects living in Outremont in central Montreal versus Lubavitcher Hassidim) were assessed as part of a Montreal study examining the influence of the Jewish religion and dietary laws (kashruth) on family food habits. Each participant completed a self-administered, mailed questionnaire, providing information on country of origin, marital, work and educational status, some health-relevant behaviours, and self-reported personal and family history of selected chronic diseases; a two-day food record attached to this questionnaire was employed to evaluate week-day and sabbath nutrient levels. Body mass index was high among older women and younger men. While Lubavitchers were significantly better educated than their Outremont counterparts, they reported more adherence to therapeutic diets, and greater frequencies of smoking, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with a trend for cancer; Outremont sects showed a ...
TL;DR: The diet based on the regional diet of Sao Paulo presented the smallest selenium bioavailability as assessed by the apparent absorption index, the level of seenium in plasma and liver and the glutathione peroxidase activity in Plasma and hepatic cytosol.
Abstract: The selenium (Se) bioavailability of a diet consumed by a low income population in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, was assessed in Wistar rats by determining the apparent selenium absorption and retention, as well as the selenium concentration and level of glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma and liver. The study used three groups of eight selenium-depleted rats which were given the following treatments: group 1, diet prepared based on the Sao Paulo regional diet, with 0.02 μg/g Se; group 2, a casein-based diet with 0.03 μg/g Se; and group 3, a casein-based diet with 0.1 μg/g Se. All diets were isoproteic. The diet based on the regional diet of Sao Paulo presented the smallest selenium bioavailability as assessed by the apparent absorption index, the level of selenium in plasma and liver and the glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma and hepatic cytosol. It seems that confounding factors such as deficiency in vitamins and essential amino acids, as well as the fibre fraction, might have contributed...