Total Usual Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of United Arab Emirates Children (<4 Years): Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2021.

Background: The transition from a predominantly milk-based diet to a diverse family diet is a window of opportunity for optimal child growth and development. Objectives: The study aims to examine the nutritional status and food-consumption patterns of children under 4 y of age in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and their adherence to nutrient and dietary recommendations. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey of 525 children aged 0-47.9 mo was conducted in 3 major emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and dietary assessment was conducted using the 24-h dietary recall approach. Usual intakes of energy, macronutrient, and micronutrients, including from supplements, were assessed using PC-SIDE software. Adherence to food-group recommendations was evaluated based on the American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics dietary guidelines. Results: Among 0-4-y-old children, 10% were stunted, 6% were wasted, 17% were at risk of overweight, 5% were overweight, and 3% were obese. The contribution of sweets and sugar sweetened beverages to energy intake increased from 5% in 6-11.9-mo-old children to 17% in 36-47.9-mo-old children. Compared with dietary guidelines, the lowest adherence was for fruit (13-18%) and vegetables (7-12%), while protein was within the recommendations, and 92% and 89% of children (aged 24 to 35.9 mo and 36 to 47.9 mo, respectively) had high intakes of saturated fat. Almost all toddlers failed to meet the Adequate Intake for fiber. The proportions of children exceeding the free-sugar upper limit increased from 10.6% in infants (0-5.9 mo) to 56.7% in toddlers (12- 23.9 mo). Micronutrient inadequacies were observed, particularly for calcium, zinc, folate, and vitamins A and D. Conclusions: This study suggests a triple burden of malnutrition among infants and young children in the UAE. Results call for national nutrition intervention strategies aimed at improving dietary quality in the pediatric population.

Policosanols as nutraceuticals: fact or fiction.

Policosanols (PC) are very long chain aliphatic alcohols derived from the wax constituent of plants. In the early 1990s, researchers at Dalmer Laboratories in La Habana Cuba isolated and produced the first PC supplement from sugarcane wax. The original PC supplement has been approved as a cholesterol-lowering drug in over 25 countries throughout the Caribbean and South America. Cuban studies claim that 1 to 20 mg/day of the original PC supplement are effective at producing significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). These studies also show that PC supplements are potent antioxidants, promote proper arterial endothelial cell function, inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis, and serve as effective treatments for intermittent claudication. However, for the most part, those studies reporting therapeutic efficacy of PC were carried out by one research group situated in Cuba. Conversely, research groups outside of Cuba have failed to validate the cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant efficacy of PC. Cuban researchers, however, continue to claim that the efficacy is attributed to the unique purity and composition of the original PC preparation, a mixture not found in PC products used by external research groups. The absence of independent and external studies confirming the therapeutic benefits of PC in disease prevention and treatment raises questions regarding their true efficacy.

Efficacy of plant sterols is not influenced by dietary cholesterol intake in hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Plant sterols (PSs) reduce plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by reducing cholesterol absorption; however, it is not known whether the level of dietary cholesterol intake has an impact on the efficacy of PSs on blood lipids. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of high vs low dietary cholesterol levels on the lipid-lowering efficacy of free PSs. The study was a semirandomized, double-blind, crossover trial consisting of four 28-day feeding phases each separated by a 4-week washout period. Otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic subjects (n = 22) consumed each of (a) low-cholesterol control (C(-)S(-)), (b) high-cholesterol control (C(+)S(-)), (c) 22 mg PSs per kilogram of body weight with a low-cholesterol diet (C(-)S(+)), and (d) 22 mg PSs per kilogram of body weight with a high-cholesterol diet (C(+)S(+)). Blood was drawn on the first and last 2 days of each phase to measure plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerols as well as plasma campesterol and beta-sitosterol concentrations. Dietary cholesterol had no effect on PS efficacy as a cholesterol-lowering agent because no interaction was found between the 2 factors. However, dietary cholesterol and PS intake had significant independent effects on plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. beta-Sitosterol levels in plasma increased (P < .0001) as a result of PS supplementation. Data from the present study indicate that, although PSs and dietary cholesterol exert independent effects on plasma cholesterol, PS efficacy is not affected by varying levels of cholesterol intake.

Changes in cholesterol kinetics following sugar cane policosanol supplementation: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Sugar cane policosanols (SCP) have been shown to exert cholesterol-modulating properties in various studies conducted in Cuba by substantially reducing cholesterol synthesis. Independent research examining changes in cholesterol kinetics in response to SCP is limited to few studies, none of which was able to replicate findings of the original research. Moreover, no data are available on the effect of SCP on cholesterol absorption to date. The present study was undertaken to determine effects on cholesterol kinetics, namely synthesis and absorption, within hypercholesterolemic individuals consuming a SCP treatment. Twenty-one otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic subjects participated in a randomized double-blind crossover study where they received 10 mg/day of policosanols or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an evening snack for a period of 28 days. The last week of the study phase, subjects were given 13C labelled cholesterol and deuterated water for the measurement of cholesterol absorption and synthesis respectively. Blood was collected on the first two and last five days of the trial. Cholesterol absorption and synthesis were determined by measuring red cell cholesterol 13C and deuterium enrichment, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant change in LDL cholesterol levels as compared to control. In addition, the area under the curve for red cell cholesterol 13C enrichment across 96 hours was not significantly different in the SCP group as compared to control. Similarly, no difference was observed in the fractional rate of cholesterol synthesis over the period of 24 hours between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study fail to support previous research concerning efficacy and mechanism of action for policosanols.

Nutritional status and dietary intakes of children amid the nutrition transition: the case of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is undergoing social and economic changes that may impact the nutritional status of children living in its countries. The objective of this review is to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary intakes of children (0-12 years) in selected EMR countries, namely, Jordan, Lebanon, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the United Arab Emirates. MedLine, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles published between 1990 and 2016; international organizations and governmental websites were also searched. Stunting in the region was estimated at 7.3% to 9.3%, wasting at 1.1% to 11.8%, and underweight at 1.6% to 5.3%. In contrast, overweight and obesity affected 19% to 21% of school-aged children from Lebanon and KSA. Available biochemical data showed that pediatric anemia, vitamin A, and vitamin D deficiencies remain a challenge in the region. Dietary intake studies have identified inadequate intakes of iron, calcium, zinc, folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin D, concurrently with high intakes of fat, saturated fat, and sugar. This review provides valuable insight into the nutrition situation of children in 2 major areas of the EMR, the Levant and the Gulf, and identified several gaps and challenges in existing nutritional assessment studies. Key issues include the triple burden of malnutrition in this age group (underweight, nutrient inadequacies, and overweight/obesity), while calling for integrated action to improve the nutritional status of children in countries of the region. Opportunities for future research include nationwide nutritional and dietary surveys in countries where the largest data gaps remain such as the United Arab Emirates and KSA.

Lack of cholesterol-lowering efficacy of Cuban sugar cane policosanols in hypercholesterolemic persons.

BACKGROUND: More than 50 studies have reported substantial reductions in plasma lipid concentrations in response to 2-40 mg Cuban sugar cane policosanol (SCP) mixtures/d. However, several animal and human trials conducted outside of Cuba that used non-Cuban mixtures have failed to reproduce the efficacy of policosanols observed in earlier studies. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate lipid-modulating actions of the authentic Cuban SCPs on plasma lipids in healthy hypercholesterolemic volunteers. DESIGN: Twenty-one volunteers consumed, under supervision, 10 mg SCPs/d or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an afternoon snack, for a period of 28 d with the use of a randomized, double-blind crossover study design. Subjects maintained their habitual diet and physical activity and were weighed daily throughout the study period. Blood was collected at days 1, 2, 28, and 29 of the feeding trial, and lipid concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Body weights did not vary significantly throughout the trial and did not affect plasma lipid values. No significant difference was observed between treatment and control groups in plasma total, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations. CONCLUSION: Present results show no beneficial effects of Cuban SCPs on lipid indicators in hypercholesterolemic persons and question the clinical usefulness of policosanol mixtures as cholesterol-lowering neutraceutical agents.

Use of dual X-ray absorptiometry to measure body mass during short- to medium-term trials of nutrition and exercise interventions.

Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has a range of clinical applications, from assessing associations between adipose or lean body mass and the risk of disease to measuring the effects of dietary interventions on adipose deposition and oxidation and/or muscle accumulation. Many lifestyle-related studies, however, are short- to medium-term interventions, and inter- or intradevice variation between DXA scanners can facilitate type I and type II errors during data analysis. Studies demonstrate that variation in body composition measurements exist not only between DXA instruments using fan-beam and pencil-beam technologies but also between DXA instruments produced by different manufacturers. Moreover, studies show inter- and intrainstrument variation between identical DXA instruments. Such inter- and intrascan variability between instruments can be compounded by the particular patient population being investigated. The objective of this review is to discuss inter- and intradevice variation of DXA instruments and to outline quality control procedures that should be implemented prior to initiating short-term single or multicenter clinical trials that use DXA to investigate the effects of an intervention on loss or accretion of lean or fat mass.

Sugar cane policosanols do not reduce LDL oxidation in hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Sugar cane policosanols (SCP) have been shown to exert antioxidant properties in various studies conducted in Cuba. Independent studies have since reported no significant effect of SCP consumption on oxidized LDL levels. The objective of the present study was to confirm the effects of Cuban SCP on LDL oxidation using a high-precision capture ELISA procedure in hypercholesterolemic individuals. Twenty-one otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic men and post-menopausal women participated in a randomized double blind crossover study where they received 10 mg/day of policosanol or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an evening snack for a period of 28 days. Subjects maintained their usual dietary and exercise habits throughout the duration of the study. Blood was collected on the first as well as the last 2 days of the trial. LDL oxidation was measured from plasma using a solid phase two-site enzyme immunoassay. A lack of effect of SCP was observed on LDL cholesterol levels, as well as no difference in LDL oxidation between the SCP treatment and placebo at the end of the intervention period. Subject body weights remained stable throughout the study and showed no significant correlation with LDL oxidation levels. Absolute levels of plasma LDL cholesterol were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with plasma concentrations of oxidized LDL. The findings of the present study suggest that SCP do not significantly affect LDL oxidation. Our results align with results of recent policosanol research questioning the efficacy of these natural extracts as cardio-protective agents.

Glycemic responses and sensory characteristics of whole yellow pea flour added to novel functional foods.

A fundamental understanding regarding postprandial glycemic responses to foods containing whole yellow-pea flour (WYPF) remains unknown. This, alongside concerns that WYPF possesses unfavorable sensory characteristics has limited the incorporation of WYPF into new functional food products as a healthy novel ingredient. The objective of this study was to evaluate how WYPF modulates postprandial glycemic responses as well as sensory characteristics in novel foods. In a single-blind crossover trial, the present study assessed postprandial glycemic responses of banana bread, biscotti, and spaghetti containing either WYPF or whole wheat flour (WWF). Boiled yellow peas (BYP) and white bread (WB) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. On day 1, subjects evaluated appearance, taste, texture, smell as well as overall acceptance of each WYPF and WWF food on a 5-point hedonic scale. WYPF banana bread (97.9 +/- 17.8 mmol x min/L) and biscotti (83 +/- 13 mmol x min/L), as well as BYP (112.3 +/- 19.9 mmol x min/L), reduced (P < 0.05) glycemic responses compared to WB (218.1 +/- 29.5 mmol x min/L). The glycemic response of WYPF pasta (160.7 +/- 19.4 mmol x min/L) was comparable to WB. WYPF biscotti produced a lower (P = 0.019) postprandial glycemic response compared to WWF biscotti (117.2 +/- 13.1 mmol x min/L). Hedonic responses between corresponding foods were similar except for the WYPF pasta (2.9 +/- 0.9) which possessed a lower sensory score (P = 0.02) for smell compared to WWF pasta (3.6 +/- 1). WYPF can be used to produce low-glycemic functional foods possessing sensory attributes that are comparable to identical food products containing WWF.

Lack of effect of sugar cane policosanol on plasma cholesterol in Golden Syrian hamsters.

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols shown to have beneficial effects on plasma lipid levels in animals and humans. Over 50 studies have reported significant reductions in plasma cholesterol using policosanol obtained from Cuban sugar cane (Dalmer, La Havana, Cuba). However, other research groups using policosanol from alternative sources have failed to reproduce the efficacy of these alcohols observed in earlier studies. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the cholesterol-lowering effect of the Dalmer sugar cane policosanol (SCP) product versus an alternative mixture of similar policosanol composition. Forty-eight male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly assigned to four groups and fed experimental diets ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks: (i) non-cholesterol control, (ii) 0.1% cholesterol control, (iii) 0.1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 275 mg/kg diet of Dalmer Cuban sugar cane policosanol and (iv) 0.1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 275 mg/kg diet of alternative sugar cane policosanol. Hamsters were sacrificed and blood was collected at the end of the feeding period. Body weights and food intakes were similar across study groups. Neither of the two policosanol treatments had any significant effect on plasma lipid levels, as compared to cholesterol control. The outcome of the present study questions the clinical usefulness of policosanol mixtures as cholesterol-lowering nutraceuticals.

Comparison of composition and absorption of sugarcane policosanols.

Policosanols (PC) exist as very-long-chain alcohols derived from sugarcane currently used in many countries as a cholesterol-lowering therapy. PC purity and relative percentage composition have been suggested as primary reasons why the original Cuban PC (OPC) supplements possess lipid-lowering efficacy. The purpose of the present study was, first, to compare the relative percentage purity and PC composition of both OPC and alternative sources of PC (APC). A second objective was to feed Syrian hamsters a diet containing 0.275 mg PC/g of either the OPC or an APC product (APC1) and compare subsequent tissue, plasma and faecal PC levels. Five animals from the APC1 dietary group received a diet containing ten times the original amount of PC. Results indicate that the APC formulations have a composition that is highly consistent with the OPC supplement, with octacosanol being present within the cited 60-70 % range. PC were undetectable in the small intestine, liver, adipose or plasma in animals fed either source. Hamsters fed OPC excreted octacosanol (C28) more rapidly (P < 0.05) than hamsters receiving APC1. If the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of PC mixtures is dependent on their purity and composition, then sugarcane-derived APC products should possess similar therapeutic properties as the OPC supplement.