Dietary pectin at 0.2% in milk replacer did not inhibit growth, feed intake, or nutrient digestibility in a 3-week neonatal pig study.

Pectin is a fermentable soluble fiber that can be used as a thickener in formulas for infants and young children. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives concluded that pectin is not of concern for inclusion in infant formula at up to 0.2%. As part of the safety assessment of the suitability of pectin for young infants (≤12 weeks of age), we conducted a 3-week dietary study in a neonatal pig model to 1) investigate the impact of pectin at different doses on neonatal pigs' growth and 2) explore the potential explanation for the dose response. Male and female neonatal pigs were fed milk replacer containing 0, 0.2%, or 1% pectin beginning on postnatal day 2 for 21 days. Body weight, feed intake, and apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and energy were reduced in pigs fed diets containing 1% pectin (P < 0.01) but not in pigs fed with 0.2% pectin. These data indicate that inclusion of pectin in the diet at 0.2%, equivalent to 704 mg/kg BW/day is safe, well tolerated, and did not result in any adverse health effects in this neonatal pig study.

Influence of dietary -arginine supplementation of sows during late pregnancy on piglet birth weight and sow and litter performance during lactation.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of feeding supplemental -Arg during late pregnancy on piglet birth weight and preweaning performance. In Exp. 1, 97 gilts and sows were allotted (gestation d 93) to receive a control diet (CON; 19.8 g standardized ileal digestible [SID] Arg/d) or the CON + 1.0% -Arg (ARG; 46.6 g SID Arg/d). Gilts and sows were weighed on gestation d 93 and 110, 48 h after farrowing, and at weaning. Data, including number born alive, number weaned, individual birth and weaning weight, and placenta weight, were recorded. Blood samples were collected on d 93 and 110 and analyzed for plasma IGF-1, insulin, and blood urea nitrogen concentration. In a second experiment, 383 sows in a commercial research farm were allotted to receive CON or ARG. An -Arg premix was provided daily by top dress beginning at gestation d 81 (±0.1 d) and fed for an average of 35 d (±0.2 d). Sows received 2.73 kg feed/d with CON sows provided 17 g SID Arg/d and ARG sows receiving a total of 44 g SID Arg/d. Litter birth weight was recorded and average birth weight was computed. In a subset of 82 sows, individual birth weights were recorded. In Exp. 1, there was a tendency for greater late pregnancy maternal BW gain ( = 0.06) in ARG compared with CON. A tendency for a parity × treatment interaction was observed for late pregnancy BW gain, with first litter sows fed ARG gaining the most, gilts fed ARG intermediate, and all other treatments gaining the least ( = 0.10). No differences between treatment groups were observed for maternal plasma IGF-1, insulin, and urea nitrogen and in progeny performance to weaning ( > 0.28). In Exp. 2, piglet birth weight was more effectively tested because of the large number of multiparous sows involved. There was a tendency for individual birth weight to decline in ARG compared with CON ( < 0.08), but birth weight distribution between <0.80 and >2.8 kg was similar. No other differences were observed ( > 0.18). In conclusion, late pregnancy supplementation with -Arg had no effect on number of pigs born alive, piglet birth weight, or lactation performance.

Subjectively healthy elderly consuming a liquid nutrition supplement maintained body mass index and improved some nutritional parameters and perceived well-being.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate regular use of a liquid nutrition supplement by subjectively healthy elderly persons in terms of body mass index, nutrient intake, selected biochemical parameters, and perceived quality-of-life changes, and to identify advantages and limitations of use. DESIGN: A 16-week intervention study in which subjects were assigned randomly to either a supplemented group or a control group and compared in terms of intergroup and intragroup differences in weight, food intake, blood values, and quality-of-life indexes. Adherence to protocol was monitored by monthly visits with an interviewer and food intake records. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Seventy-one independent living, older Canadian adults (mean age = 70 +/- 7 years) consuming on average less than 4 servings of fruit and vegetables daily and a supplement-free diet before the study. Subjects were without functional limitations and did not require therapeutic diets or medical treatments that affect nutritional status. Data were collected in home interviews. Blood for analysis was obtained from a subsample of 36 subjects. INTERVENTION: Inclusion of six 235-mL cans of liquid nutrition supplement weekly into the self-selected dietary patterns of the supplemented group. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Results were analyzed by Student t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum test, analysis of variance, and multiple stepwise regression. RESULTS: Body mass index, energy intake, and consumption of fruit and vegetables did not change throughout the study. In the supplemented group, statistically significant increases occurred from baseline to termination of the study in these nutrients: protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and folate. Serum albumin, folate, ferritin, hemoglobin, and zinc values were within the normal range for the supplemented and control groups. Scores for the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Status scales increased for the supplemented group from baseline to termination for vitality and general health perception. Values for the General Well-Being Questionnaire improved for anxiety and general well-being. Of the dietary predictors, folate intake explained the most variance for vitality and for general well-being, 8.6% and 14.2%, respectively. APPLICATIONS: A liquid nutrition supplement could be recommended to the elderly when energy maintenance and increases in nutrient intake are necessary and convenience is an important consideration. Dietetics professionals should address the issues of affordability of the supplement, the role of food in achieving nutritional adequacy, and overall quality of life of clients. Folate intake as a predictor of perceived general well-being and vitality requires further investigation.