The American journal of clinical nutrition
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By reducing intakes of animal fats and gradually reducing intakes of trans fatty acids, a one-third reduction in cholesterol-raising fatty acids seems practical, from 12% to 7-8% of total energy intake. The intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids should not exceed current intakes, approximately 7% of total energy. Although further research is needed to determine a recommended ratio of oleic acid to carbohydrates, on the basis of the relatively low rates of coronary artery disease and cancer in both the Mediterranean region (where oleic acid intake is high at the expense of carbohydrates) and in populations consuming low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets, a reasonable compromise is a diet in which total fat is approximately 30% of energy, allowing for an intake of oleic acid of 15-16% of total energy.
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Comparative Study
Consistency between US dietary fat intake and serum total cholesterol concentrations: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANESs) are conducted periodically to assess the health and nutritional status of the US population by means of standardized interviews and physical examinations. Since the early 1970s there have been three national cross-sectional surveys: NHANES I, 1971-1974; NHANES II, 1976-1980; and NHANES III, phase 1, 1988-1991. During the 18 y between the midpoint of NHANES I (1972) and the midpoint of phase 1 of NHANES III (1990), the age-adjusted mean percentage of energy from fat declined from 36.4% to 34.1% for adults aged 20-74 y. ⋯ Changes in reported intake are matched by similar shifts in the food supply for sources of these nutrients. These changes suggest that the Healthy People 2000 goal of reducing the mean serum cholesterol concentration of US adults to < or = 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is attainable. The changes in diet are promising, yet we are challenged to achieve greater reductions in the intake of total fat and saturated fatty acids.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The response to treatment of subclinical thiamine deficiency in the elderly.
The significance of subclinical thiamine deficiency in the elderly was determined by assessing response to thiamine supplementation in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-five of 222 people aged > or = 65 y had two concentrations of erythrocyte thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) < 140 nmol/L 3 mo apart and 41 other people had the first, but not the second, TPP concentration below this value. Both groups were randomly assigned in a double-blind trial to oral thiamine (10 mg/d) or a placebo. ⋯ We conclude that a low TPP concentration on two occasions is a better predictor of response to treatment than an isolated measurement. Quality of life was enhanced by providing thiamine supplements. Blood pressure and weight were lower after thiamine supplementation.