Food proteins: new sources from seeds. Fortified and processed seed proteins have a role in satisfying human protein needs.

Adequate protein nutrition is possible at lower cost without the undermining of man's satisfaction with his food. This potential requires the upgrading of the proteins of cereals by supplementation with amino acids and the development of new protein foods from low-cost sources such as the oilseeds; infant malnutrition can be eliminated by such means. The more sophisticated new foods such as protein beverages and textured products are proving acceptable to man and will supplement meager supplies of animal protein.

A pilot study of the effects of niacin administration on free fatty acid and growth hormone concentrations in children with obesity.

CONTEXT: Children with obesity have low spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion. High circulating free fatty acid (FFA) concentration is believed to inhibit GH secretion in those with obesity. In adults, lipolytic inhibition with niacin lowers FFA and increases GH, but there are no prior studies in children with obesity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the dose and frequency of niacin administration required to lower FFA and stimulate GH in children with obesity. DESIGN: Dose-finding study of nondiabetic children ages 6-12 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile given niacin 250 mg q2h × 3 doses (n = 2), 500 mg q2h × 3 doses (n = 5) or 500 mg q1h × 4 doses (n = 5). PARTICIPANTS: Eight boys and four girls (age 9.7 ± 1.8 years; BMI 26.4 ± 3.1 kg m-2 ; BMIz 2.2 ± .25) were studied. MAIN OUTCOME: Percentage of serum FFA values that were below 0.2 mEq L-1 . GH, insulin and glucose were also measured serially. RESULTS: FFA decreased as the dose and frequency of niacin increased (p = .01). Niacin 500 mg q1h 4 doses suppressed FFA < 0.2 mEq L-1 and significantly increased GH (p = .04). Adverse effects were flushing/warmth (100%), tingling (60%) and GI complaints (20-40%). CONCLUSIONS: Niacin 500 mg q1h significantly lowered serum FFA and increased GH. These pilot data suggest that high FFA is an important suppressor of GH secretion in children with obesity.

Food choices for lowering sodium intake.

Excessive intake of dietary sodium is one form of affluent or industrial society malnutrition. When combined with a genetic-based sodium sensitivity, this high sodium intake becomes a factor in the etiology of hypertension. Most dietary sodium comes from food, natural of processed. Indirect measures of discretionary sodium intake, that from the salt shaker in the kitchen or at the table, put it at a level of 25% to 50% in the United States. Direct measures on a small sample of subjects indicate that less than 10% of sodium intake is discretionary. Anyone who needs to reduce sodium intake must, therefore, make major changes in diet. This requires information on the sodium content of common foods, the availability of low sodium analogs of popular foods, and a variety of low sodium condiments to provide more choice for the individual.

Electrolyte output, blood pressure, and family history of hypertension.

Adult, normotensive subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of whether their first degree relatives were diagnosed as being hypertensive. Urine samples were collected over a 24-hr period for 3 days and analyzed for electrolyte excretion; the rate of electrolyte excretion was also measured separately during the overnight period. Significant correlations were shown between blood pressure and sodium and chloride excretion, both the 24-hr total and the overnight rate; Na/K ratio; weight; and body mass index for those subjects with a positive family history of hypertension. In subjects with no family history of hypertension there were no significant correlations between those parameters and blood pressure. The rate of urinary excretion of sodium overnight may provide a means for further studies on populations to determine the interrelationship between sodium excretion, other parameters, blood pressure, and family history of hypertension.

Relationship of dietary regimens to success, efficiency, and cost of weight loss.

One hundred twenty-five subjects in a behaviorally oriented, weight loss program that used several dietary patterns were retrospectively grouped according to the percentage of time they followed one of four dietary regimens: (a) Group 1--partial fasting, 400 kcal; (b) group 2--600 kcal; (c) group 3--1,200 to 1,500 kcal; and (d) group 4--failure to diet. The groups were described and compared regarding program completion, i.e., success and cost of weight loss. Groups 1 and 2 did significantly better than the other two in nearly all respects. Group 1 did better than Group 2 on program completion; the reverse was true when success of those completing 75 and 100 per cent of the program was compared. Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly on success variables.

Isolation and characterization of peanut spherosomes.

Spherosomes of cotyledons of germinating peanuts (Arachis hypogea L.) were examined by electron microscopy and found to be particles about 1.0 to 2.0 mu in diameter bounded by a limiting membrane. Isolated spherosomes appear similar to spherosomes in situ. The isolated spherosomes are composed of 98.1% total lipids, 0.77% phospholipid and 1.27% protein by dry weight. The amounts of protein and phospholipid associated with the isolated spherosomes are sufficient to account for limiting membranes. Spherosomes amply account for the lipid in a peanut cotyledon. The activity of lipase and fatty acyl-Coenzyme A synthetase is not associated with the isolated spherosomes. This suggests that peanut spherosomes are principal sites of lipid storage but not of lipid degradation.

Salt sensitivity in experimental animals and man.

Interest has intensified in the possible role of dietary sodium in the etiology of hypertension and its management. A summary is provided of the evidence relating salt intake to hypertension from three sources: epidemiology of hypertension among societies, observations that management of hypertension is easier at lower intakes of NaCl, and observations that relate blood pressure to urinary output of sodium. The doubts raised about such a relationship are also summarized. Part of the confusion surrounding the relationship between sodium intake (or output) and blood pressure between individuals results from the interplay of other determinents: genetics (family history), weight, body mass index and Na/K ratio. These are discussed and research issues are outlined. The public policy implications of the current information and means for lowering of dietary sodium intake are discussed.