Plasma beta-carotene is not a suitable biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake in german subjects with a long-term high consumption of fruits and vegetables.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: beta-Carotene is often used as a marker for the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, but little is known about plasma beta-carotene concentrations in subjects whose habitual (long-term) diets are characterized by different amounts of foods of plant origin. We compared dietary beta-carotene intake and plasma concentrations in women on habitual diets differing in the consumed amounts of foods of plant origin. METHODS: A comparison of dietary beta-carotene intakes and plasma beta-carotene concentrations in women adhering to an average Western diet (n = 172), wholesome nutrition (following preventive recommendations) (n = 238) or a raw food diet (n = 104). RESULTS: Dietary beta-carotene intake was 5.5, 9.3, 14.7 mg/day for women adhering to an average Western diet, wholesome nutrition and raw food diet, respectively (p < 0.001). Corresponding multivariate adjusted plasma beta-carotene concentrations were 1.07, 1.65, and 1.16 micromol/l, respectively (p < 0.001). Comparable dietary beta-carotene intake resulted in lower multivariate adjusted plasma beta-carotene in women adhering to a raw food diet and average Western diet compared to those on wholesome nutrition (p < 0.001 for all intake groups up to 20 mg/day). The amount of fruit and vegetable intake did not predict plasma beta-carotene levels in women consuming a raw food diet. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma beta-carotene concentrations differed among the diet groups, with highest plasma levels in women adhering to wholesome nutrition. Plasma beta-carotene concentrations may not reflect beta-carotene intake and the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed.

Long-term effect of a plant-based diet on magnesium status during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dietary magnesium intake and magnesium concentrations in serum, red blood cells (RBC) and urine during pregnancy of women habitually following a long-term plant-based diet and of women following an average Western (control) diet. DESIGN: Prospective study during pregnancy. SETTING: Giessen, Germany. SUBJECTS: Healthy pregnant women (n=108) in their 9-12th, 20-22nd and 36-38th gestational week habitually following a plant-based diet for more than 3 y or an average Western diet. The vegetarians were subdivided into ovo-lacto vegetarians (n=27) and low-meat eaters (n=43). RESULTS: Significant higher dietary magnesium intakes were observed in pregnant women consuming a plant-based diet (508+/-14 mg/day for ovo-lacto vegetarians, P<0.001 and 504+/-11 mg/day for low-meat eaters, P<0.001) than in pregnant women consuming a control diet (412+/-9 mg/day). Serum magnesium concentrations were similar in all diet groups whereas RBC magnesium was slightly higher in low-meat eaters than in controls (P=0.058). Urinary magnesium excretion was higher in ovo-lacto vegetarians (P=0.023), followed by low-meat eaters (P=0.017) when compared to the control group. During the third trimester of pregnancy, the frequency and the occurrence of calf cramps was lower in the plant-based diet group than in the control group (P=0.004 and 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to a higher dietary magnesium intake confirmed by higher urinary magnesium excretion, habitual plant-based diets result in a slightly improved magnesium status during pregnancy and reduce the frequency of calf cramps during the third trimester of pregnancy compared to an average Western diet. Therefore, plant-based diets during pregnancy can be recommended with regard to magnesium supply.

Plasma vitamin A, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin concentrations in protein-calorie malnutrition. III. Response to varying dietary treatments.

Plasma vitamin A, retinol-binding protein, and prealbumin concentrations have been studied in 38 northern Thai children with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). The 4-week study period consisted of 1 week of stabilization followed by 3 weeks of treatment with formula diets varying in their protein and calorie content. The stabilization period comprised 7 days of initial treatment with fluids, antibiotics, and a gradually increasing intake of protein and calories to a final level of 1 g protein and 100 kcal/kg of body weight. During this period vitamin A, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin levels all showed significant increases compared to admission values, whereas plasma albumin and total protein did not change. During the subsequent 3 weeks, the effects of four different dietary regimens, with daily calorie and protein intakes of 100 or 175 kcal/kg and 1 or 4 g/kg, respectively, were studied. Significant increases in plasma total protein concentration were seen in each of the four test groups, and increases in plasma albumin and prealbumin were also seen in three of the four test groups, and increases in plasma albumin and prealbumin were also seen in three of the four test groups (all but the 175 kcal-1 g protein group). Significant increases in plasma vitamin A levels were not seen in any of the groups. The higher protein regimens (4 g/kg per day) resulted in much greater increases in plasma albumin and total protein levels than did the lower protein regimens. No significant differences in the changes in retinol-binding protein or vitamin A levels were apparent between the test groups. Sixteen additional children with both clinical vitamin A deficiency and protein-calorie malnutrition showed significant increases in total plasma vitamin A concentrations 24 hours after the intramuscular injection of 100,000 IU water-miscible vitamin A palmitate, without a change in plasma retinol-binding protein concentrations. These studies demonstrate that plasma retinol-binding protein and prealbumin concentrations are more rapidly responsive and sensitive to dietary protein intake than is plasma albumin concentration. Furthermore, the absence of a 24-hour rise in plasma retinol-binding protein after parenteral vitamin A provides further evidence that hepatic retinol-binding protein synthesis is impaired in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Changes in the red blood cell membrane in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Ten children with protein-calorie malnutrition (five with kwashiorkor, three with marasmus, and two with marasmic-kwashiorkor) were studied at hospital admission and during recovery for evidence of changes in red blood cell lipids, osmotic fragility, and chromium survival. On admission, the children had significantly higher-than-normal red blood cell membrane cholesterol and phospholipid, and an elevated cholesterol:phospholipid ratio. Both red blood cell osmotic fragility and red cell survivals were depressed. These measurements returned to normal limits with recovery.

Dietary intakes and lifestyle factors of a vegan population in Germany: results from the German Vegan Study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of dietary intakes and lifestyle factors of German vegans. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Germany. SUBJECTS: Subjects were recruited through journal advertisements. Of 868 volunteers, only 154 participated in all study segments (pre- and main questionnaire, two 9-day food frequency questionnaires, blood sampling) and fulfilled the following study criteria: vegan dietary intake at least 1 year prior to study start, minimum age of 18 y, no pregnancy or childbirth during the last 12 months. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions. RESULTS: All the 154 subjects had a comparatively low BMI (median 21.2 kg/m(2)), with an extremely low mean consumption of alcohol (0.77+/-3.14 g/day) and tobacco (96.8% were nonsmokers). Mean energy intake (total collective: 8.23+/-2.77 MJ) was higher in strict vegans than in moderate ones. Mean carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes in proportion to energy (total collective: 57.1:29.7:11.6%) agreed with current recommendations. Recommended intakes for vitamins and minerals were attained through diet, except for calcium (median intake: 81.1% of recommendation), iodine (median: 40.6%), and cobalamin (median: 8.8%). For the male subgroup, the intake of a small amount of food of animal origin improved vitamin and mineral nutrient densities (except for zinc), whereas this was not the case for the female subgroup (except for calcium). CONCLUSION: In order to reach favourable vitamin and mineral intakes, vegans should consider taking supplements containing riboflavin, cobalamin, calcium, and iodine. Intake of total energy and protein should also be improved.

Fuzzy sets and fuzzy decision making in nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: This paper demonstrates that a nutrient intake can be described in a differentiated way and can be evaluated by employing fuzzy decision making. It also examines whether fuzzy decision making can simplify nutrition education by small individual improvements in food selection behaviour. RESULTS: The recommendations for nutrient intakes are presented as fuzzy sets, so that the intake of each nutrient can be evaluated by an objective fuzzy value. The evaluation of the harmonic minimum allows, for the first time, that the fuzzy value of an individual nutrient can be stated as a total value. On the basis of individual nutrition assessment, fuzzy logic in connection with fuzzy decision making, allows optimization of meals considering individual food preferences. This makes it possible in nutrition counselling to improve the nutrient intake markedly with relative small changes in food choice. CONCLUSION: Fuzzy decision making can simplify and optimize nutrition education.

Giessen Wholesome Nutrition Study: relation between a health-conscious diet and blood lipids.

OBJECTIVE: To study in humans the relationship between a diet consistent with most of the current recommendations for the prevention of nutrition-related diseases (Wholesome Nutrition) and the blood lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL-ratio, triglycerides). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with two diet groups. SETTING: Former West Germany. SUBJECTS: Healthy women (n=243, aged 25-65 y) adhering to Wholesome Nutrition for at least 5 y (subdivided into 111 ovo-lacto vegetarians and 132 low-meat eaters) and an according control group of 175 women eating an average German mixed diet. They were all recruited through an advertisement campaign and selected on the basis of their food consumption. RESULTS: Considering potential confounders, the Wholesome Nutrition subgroups had higher HDL-cholesterol levels than the control group. No differences were observed for total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. For LDL/HDL-ratio and triglycerides the effect of diet was dependent on interaction terms. With increasing risk factors (age or body mass index (BMI)) the Wholesome Nutrition subgroups showed more favourable blood lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Women eating a preventive diet on a long-term basis exhibit more favourable blood lipid profiles than women consuming an average mixed diet. This is particularly obvious for HDL-cholesterol in the presence of certain risk factors and when an ovo-lacto vegetarian version is practised. SPONSORSHIP: Eden Foundation, Bad Soden, Germany.

Double-blind, randomized feedback control fails to improve the hypocholesterolemic effect of a plant-based low-fat diet in patients with moderately elevated total cholesterol levels.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the cholesterol-lowering effect of a plant-based low-fat diet can be improved by a flexible control design that controls the extent of fat reduction based on the individual response of blood cholesterol. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind intervention study. SETTING: A hotel in Prerow, Germany. SUBJECTS: A total of 32 participants (21 female and 11 male participants) with total cholesterol level > 5.7 mmol/l. INTERVENTION: The control group consumed a plant-based low-fat diet with constantly 20% of energy as fat; the intervention group received a diet with either 20 or 15% of energy as fat, depending on the serum cholesterol response of the preceding week. A flexible control design based on the individual cholesterol response during a run-in period of 1 week was used within a low-fat intervention. RESULTS: During the run-in period, the consumption of a plant-based low-fat diet led to a reduction in total cholesterol by 18+/-6 mmol/l (P < 0.001), in LDL cholesterol by 19+/-9 mmol/l (P < 0.001) and triglycerides by 13+/-3 mmol/l (P < 0.001). During the feedback control period, an additional reduction in total cholesterol by 13+/-8 (P < 0.001) and in LDL cholesterol by 17+/-11 (P < 0.001) was observed compared to 15+/-15 and 7+/-18 in the control group. The effect of an additional feedback control was only marginal and not statistically significant compared to the effect of the low-fat diet alone. CONCLUSIONS: On a level of fat intake already reduced to 20% of energy, the use of a feedback control to adapt the fat content of the diet depending on the individual serum cholesterol response was not more effective in reducing blood cholesterol levels than a plant-based low-fat diet alone.

A rapid mechanical lysing procedure for routine analysis of plasmids from lactobacilli, isolated from sourdoughs.

Variations in cell wall composition of lactobacilli complicate attempts to standardize plasmid detection on the basis of enzymatic lysing procedures. Mechanical disruption of cell walls by a horizontal mixer-mill proved to be more effective, rapid and reproducible. In order to judge the risk of damaging plasmid deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) in this way, plasmid profiles obtained after enzymatic lysing and mechanical disruption of cell walls were compared. As no differences were detected the mechanical procedure was accepted as a suitable method for routine analysis of plasmid profiles.

Dietary intake of vitamin B6 and concentration of vitamin B6 in blood samples of German vegans.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the dietary vitamin B6 intake and determine the vitamin B6 concentration in blood samples of German vegans. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study with 33 examination sites all over Germany. Subjects Ninety-three vegans (50 females) with a mean (+/- standard deviation (SD)) age of 43.7 +/- 15.7 years who took no vitamin supplements. METHODS: Dietary intake was assed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) was calculated as the ratio of stimulated (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate added) to unstimulated activity in blood samples that were provided after an overnight fast. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD vitamin B6 intake was 2.83 +/- 0.98 mg day(-1) and mean +/- SD protein intake was 56.6 +/- 21.7 g day(-1). Of the participants 4% showed vitamin B6 intakes lower than daily recommended intakes for Germany, 16% showed EAST-AC > 1.85, and a further 58% showed EAST-AC of 1.5-1-85. Moderate vegans were affected to a lesser extent than strict vegans. None of the established confounders was a significant predictor of EAST-AC. In logistic regression analyses the contribution of nutriments and cereals to pyridoxine intake was the only predictor of EAST-AC classified as < or = 1.85 and > 1.85, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the high total intake of vitamin B6, an adequate concentration in blood samples could not be realised for a majority of the participants. Due to the health implications of a marginal pyridoxine status, vegans should be encouraged to include foods with a high bioavailability of pyridoxine, such as beans, lentils and bananas, in the daily diet.

German vegan study: diet, life-style factors, and cardiovascular risk profile.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Evaluation of cardiovascular risk profile in 154 German vegans. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, Germany. Study instruments: 2 FFQ, 2 questionnaires, analyses of fasting venous blood samples. RESULTS: The total study population had a low BMI (mean: 22.3 kg/m(2)), a moderate blood pressure (mean: 120/75 mm Hg), an extremely low consumption of alcohol (mean: 0.77 g/day) and 96.8% were nonsmokers. Moderate physical activity (PAL) was reported by nearly 50%, whereas 22.7% declared to have a high PAL (>3 h/week). Median triacylglycerol (TG) was 0.81 mmol/l, total cholesterol (TC) was 4.33 mmol/l, HDL was 1.34 mmol/l. The mean TC/HDL-ratio was 3.3. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) was 8.13 mg/dl, concentrations of >30 mg/dl were prevalent in 25% of the participants. In general, status of folate and pyridoxine were sufficient, while 49.7% showed cobalamin concentrations <150 pmol/l. Plasma homocysteine levels were slightly elevated (median: 12.5 micromol/l). Cobalamin concentration and duration of vegan nutrition were the main determinants of homocysteine in the total study population. CONCLUSION: Although TC and LDL concentrations were favorable, low HDL and elevated homocysteine and Lp(a) concentrations were unfavorable. Overall, these results confirm the notion that a vegan diet is deficient in vitamin B(12), which may have an unfavorable effect on CHD risk.

[Correlation between nutrition and fertility]. / Die Wechselbeziehung zwischen Ernahrung und Fruchtbarkeit.

PIP: Human nutrition has an important influence on fertility. Insufficient nutrition leads to longterm lactational amenorrhea, but also to low birthweight, delayed menarche, high morbidity, and consequently high mortality rates. The hormone prolactin is 1 of the most important factors influencing lactational amenorrhea. Ovulation and menstruation during lactation are absent as long as prolactin concentrations are high. Duration, intensity, and frequency of breastfeeding play important roles. Milk quantity and quality change depending on duration and severity of malnutrition. (author's modified)^ieng

Nutrient intake of endurance runners with ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet and regular western diet.

During an endurance run (1,000 km in 20 days) it was investigated whether an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet (OLVD) could cover the nutritional requirements of endurance athletes. A regular western diet (RWD) was used as reference. Both diets were offered with an energy content of 4,500 kcal per day and an energy percentage of carbohydrate:fat:protein of 60:30:10. The runners were divided into two dietary groups according to their usual dietary habits. The results of the 55 participants who completed the race show that runners from both groups had the same intake of energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein. Runners of the OLVD group consumed more dietary fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as less cholesterol. With the exception of sodium chloride and cobalamin, the intake of the calculated minerals and vitamins was higher in the OLVD and exceeded the official recommendations. This study shows that an OLVD with a high nutrient density is adequate to cover the nutritional requirements of endurance-athletes. The intake and absorption of iron should be monitored closely in all diet groups.