Nutrition
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I investigated whether metabolism of essential fatty acids and the concentrations of their long-chain metabolites (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFAs]) are altered in fetal or perinatal growth retardation, maternal hypercholesterolemia, low-grade systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis, conditions that predispose to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). I critically reviewed the literature pertaining to the metabolism of essential fatty acids in CHD and conditions that predispose to it. LCPUFAs enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, suppress the production of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6, attenuate insulin resistance, and have antiatherosclerotic properties. ⋯ LCPUFAs can prevent various conditions that predispose to the development of CHD. The low incidence of CHD seen in adequately breast-fed infants can be linked to the LCPUFA content of breast milk. Based on this evidence, I suggest that provision of LCPUFAs during critical periods of growth, especially from the second trimester of pregnancy to age 5 y, prevents CHD in adult life.
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Street foods are an important source of nutrients for poor urban residents. This study aimed to identify determinants of the proportion of daily energy provided by non-home-prepared foods. ⋯ In the determinants of non-home-prepared energy consumption, we discerned a pattern from rather basic determinants to determinants of a more complicated nature with increasing socioeconomic level of the groups. Furthermore, a shift from street foods to kiosks as the main source of non-home-prepared foods consumed appeared with increasing socioeconomic levels.
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The purposes of this study were to determine the intake of nutrients related to bone health, including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), protein, and vitamin D, in elderly Japanese women and to examine possible intercorrelations between Ca intake and other nutrients. ⋯ The intake of dietary nutrients relevant to bone health in ambulatory Japanese elderly women was examined and documented. The potential confounding effects of these nutrients, especially P, K, and protein, should be taken into account when evaluating the effects of dietary Ca on bone health in observational studies.
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[corrected] A standard rodent diet for space flight must meet the unique conditions imposed by the space environment and must be nutritionally adequate because diet can influence the outcome of experiments. We evaluated the use of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Foodbars as a standard space flight diet for rats. ⋯ Results indicated that NASA Rodent Foodbars meet the physical and nutritional criteria required to support rodents in the space environment and thus may be used successfully as a standard diet for short-term space flight studies. However, the nutritional adequacy of NASA Rodent Foodbars as a standard diet on longer-duration (>20 d) space flight missions remains to be determined.