Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
ReviewCoexistence of micronutrient malnutrition: implication for nutrition policy and programs in Asia.
Micronutrients (MN) share common metabolic pathways, or work in complementarity. Missing or having too much of one micronutrient may tip the balance, resulting in manifested deficiencies of one or more micronutrients. Coexistence of micronutrient deficiencies have been reported from developing countries. ⋯ However, it requires a holistic environment to be effective. More evidence on efficacy and/or effectiveness of food-based interventions is urgently needed, to establish policy and program options to deal with coexistence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Interactions among micronutrients are recognized, and should be taken into account for designing appropriate intervention program.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialNatto and viscous vegetables in a Japanese style meal suppress postprandial glucose and insulin responses.
Naturally viscous vegetables and natto, made by fermenting soybeans, are very palatable and considered to be healthy foods in Japan. The objective was to assess whether the consumption of natto and viscous vegetables as part of a traditional Japanese breakfast based on high-glycemic index white rice affects glycemic, insulinemic, lipidemic and satiety responses in healthy subjects. Eleven healthy subjects consumed the reference, control and test meals in a randomized cross-over design. ⋯ The incremental areas under the curve for glucose and insulin over 0-120 min after the test meal were also significantly reduced as compared with the control meal (28 and 27%). The consumption of naturally viscous vegetables with white rice reduced acute glycemia and insulinemia. This practical dietary combination would ensure compliance and favorably alter the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
ReviewConstantly evolving safety assessment protocols for GM foods.
he introduction of GM foods has led to the evolution of a food safety assessment paradigm that establishes safety of the GM food relative to its conventional counterpart. The GM foods currently approved and marketed in several countries have undergone extensive safety testing under a structured safety assessment framework evolved by international organizations like FAO, WHO, Codex and OECD. The major elements of safety assessment include molecular characterization of inserted genes and stability of the trait, toxicity and allergenicity potential of the expressed substances, compositional analysis, potential for gene transfer to gut microflora and unintentional effects of the genetic modification. ⋯ The safety assessment challenges of these foods are the potential of the methods to detect unintentional effects with higher sensitivity and rigor. Development of databases on food compositions, toxicants and allergens is currently seen as an important aid to development of safety protocols. With the changing global trends in genetic modification technology future challenge would be to develop GM crops with minimum amount of inserted foreign DNA so as to reduce the burden of complex safety assessments while ensuring safety and utility of the technology.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
High plasma homocysteine is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease independent of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-->T genotypes.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between the methylenetetrafolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T genotypes, B-vitamins (folate, vitamin B-12 and B-6), homocysteine and the risk of CAD. In this case-control study, patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery were assigned to the case group (n=121). ⋯ The MTHFR genotypes were found to have no associations with the risk of CAD. However, plasma homocysteine (>or= 12.5 micromol/L) (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.23-9.88) had a significant association with increased risk of CAD even after additionally adjusted folate status. High plasma homocysteine concentration had a direct effect on the risk of CAD independent of MTHFR 677C-->T genotypes.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2007
Meta AnalysisApplication of perioperative immunonutrition for gastrointestinal surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and economic validity of perioperative immunonutrition and effect on postoperative immunity in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Immunonutrition diet supplemented two or more of nutrients including glutamine, arginine, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and ribonucleic acids. A meta-analysis of all relevant clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. ⋯ There were no serious side effects and two trials found low hospital cost. In conclusion, perioperative diet adding immunonutrition is effective and safe to decrease postoperative infection and reduce length of hospital stay through improving immunity of postoperative patients as compared with the control group. Further prospective study is required in children or critical patients with gastrointestinal surgery.