Nutrient selection and optimization to formulate a nutrient bar stable on storage and specific to women at risk of osteoporosis.

The objective of study was to select and characterize different food ingredients of plant origin and to optimize different levels of their formulations to develop nutrient bars; stable on storage and specific to women at risk of osteoporosis. After intensive literature review, ingredients selected include-cereal-mix of brown rice, oats and corn flakes, defatted soy flour, dried fruit mix of figs, dates and golden raisins, flaxseeds, two herbs namely dandelion leaves (Taraxicum officinale) and basil (Ocimum basilicum), honey and rice bran oil. Out of the 6 trials, total of 24 formulations were prepared to develop the bars. Tin moulds were used to shape and bake the bars, with standard temperature observed at 125 ± 5 °C for 25 ± 5 min. Selected ingredients showed high nutritional score on proximate and other nutrient analysis; four formulations of trail-VI got higher scores and were microbiologically safe. However, product showed some oxidative changes on storage. It was concluded that functional foods with healthy nutrients prepared for women at risk of osteoporosis not only aid in their bone health but are also commercially viable.

Impact of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity on Bone Health among 40 to 60 Year Old Females at Risk of Osteoporosis in India.

Osteoporosis is a disorder of bones with increasing risk among women. However, a number of modifiable factors can help in combating this disorder. Present study examined the relationship of diet and physical activity and risk of osteoporosis through biochemical tests, bone mass density (BMD) scores, and standard questionnaires. Genetic risk for osteoporosis, presence of osteoarthritis, and thyroid problems were found among 8%, 7%, and 3% of participants, respectively; and 78% had onset of menopause between 47 to 55 years of age. Results revealed that less intake of proteins, minerals, and diverse fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly (p≤0.05; 0.01) correlated with decreased BMD score and serum calcium. It was concluded that adequate intake of varied fruits and vegetables, good protein, habit of daily physical activity, adequate sun exposure, and dietary calcium, may play a promising role in decreasing the risk of osteoporosis among women of this age group.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of Aloe vera L. in non-insulin dependent diabetics.

Ninety non-insulin dependent diabetic subjects were selected from Punjab Agricultural University and Civil hospitals of Ludhiana. The selected subjects were divided into three groups viz. Group I, II and III having thirty subjects each. The subjects of group I were not given any treatment. The subjects of group II and III were supplemented with 100 mg and 200 mg of Aloe vera L. gel powder respectively for a period of 3 months and supplementation was continued along with nutrition counselling for the next 3 months. The nutrition education was given for 3 months after 15 days interval to the subjects of group II and III through individual and group contact. The blood glucose and lipid profile were analyzed. The blood pressure of the subjects was also measured. It was seen that there was a significant (p ≤ 0.01) reduction in fasting blood glucose level by 11.4% and 15.4% and post prandial glucose level 18.5% and 27.8% in the subjects of group II and III respectively after the study. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) reduction in total cholesterol 8.6% and 10.1%, triglycerides 9.6% and 12.2%, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 12.8% and 14.6%, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) 9.6% and 12.2% and an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 7.3% and 9.4% was observed in the subjects of group II and III respectively. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C reduced from 5.6 to 4.8 and 6.1 to 5.0 and LDL-C to HDL-C from 3.7 to 3.0 and 4.1 to 3.1 in the subjects of group II and III respectively after the study. There was also a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.01) in the blood pressure of the subjects of group II and III and a non significant decrease (p ≤ 0.01) was seen in the subjects of group I. With the intervention of Aloe vera L., significant reduction was observed in blood glucose, lipid profile and blood pressure of the diabetic patients.

Effect of supplementation of drumstick (Moringa oleifera) and amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) leaves powder on antioxidant profile and oxidative status among postmenopausal women.

Menopause is a gradual three-stage process that concludes with the end of periods and reproductive life. The antioxidant enzyme system get affected in postmenopause due to deficiency of estrogen, which has got antioxidant properties. The objective of the present study was therefore, to analyze the effect of supplementation of drumstick and amaranth leaves powder on blood levels of antioxidant and marker of oxidative stress. Ninety postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years were selected and divided into three groups viz. Group I, II and III having thirty subjects in each group. The subjects of group II and III were supplemented daily with 7 g drumstick leaves powder (DLP) and 9 g amaranth leaves powder (ALP), respectively for a period of 3 months in their diet. The subjects of group I was not given supplementation. Serum retinol, serum ascorbic acid, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were analyzed before and after supplementation. Fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin level of the subjects were also analyzed. The data revealed that supplementation of DLP and ALP significantly increased serum retinol (8.8 % and 5.0 %), serum ascorbic acid (44.4 % and 5.9 %), glutathione peroxidase (18.0 % and 11.9 %), superoxide dismutase (10.4 % and 10.8) whereas decrease in marker of oxidative stress i.e. malondialdehyde (16.3 % and 9.6 %) in postmenopausal women of group II and group III, respectively. A significant (p ≤ 0.01) decrease was also observed in fasting blood glucose level (13.5 % and 10.4 %) and increase in haemoglobin (17.5 % and 5.3 %) in group II and group III, respectively. The results indicated that these plants possess antioxidant property and have therapeutic potential for the prevention of complications during postmenopause.

Interplay of vitamin D and metabolic syndrome: A review.

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Vitamin D deficiency plays key role in the pathophysiology of risk factors of metabolic syndrome which affect cardiovascular system, increase insulin resistance and obesity, stimulate rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that cause hypertension. The discovery of vitamin D receptor expressed ubiquitously in almost all body cells such as immune, vascular and myocardial cells, pancreatic beta cells, neurons and osteoblasts suggests an involvement of vitamin D mediated effects on metabolic syndrome. Moreover vitamin D deficiency as well as cardiovascular diseases and related risk factors frequently co-occur. This underlines the importance of understanding the role of vitamin D in the context of metabolic syndrome. The paper provides an insight into the physiology of vitamin D and relationship of vitamin D deficiency with risk factors of metabolic syndrome through observational and supplementation studies.

Effect of supplementation of traditional medicinal plants on blood glucose in non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a pilot study.

The effect of supplementation of a powdered mixture of three traditional medicinal plants-bittergourd, jamun seeds, and fenugreek seeds-in raw and cooked form on blood glucose was studied in 60 non-insulin-dependent male diabetics. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. The patients of group I were given the raw powdered mixture in the form of capsules; the patients of group II were given this mixture in the form of salty biscuits. Daily supplementation of 1 g of this powered mixture for a 1.5-month period and then a further increase to 2 g for another 1.5 months significantly reduced the fasting as well as the postprandial glucose level of the diabetic patients. A significant decrease in oral hypoglycemic drug intake and decline in percentage of the subjects who were on hypoglycemic drugs were found after the 3-month feeding trial. It was concluded that 2 g of a powdered mixture of traditional medicinal plants in either raw or cooked form can be successfully used for lowering blood glucose in diabetics.