Research update: new ideas under the microscope

Inflamed situation​

Comparison of low fat and low carb diets on circulating fatty acid composition and markers of inflammation.

Abnormal distribution of plasma fatty acids and increased inflammation are prominent features of metabolic syndrome. This study tested whether components of metabolic syndrome were responsive to carbohydrate restriction. The results indicated that a very low carbohydrate diet brought profound changes in fatty acid composition and reduced inflammation compared to a low fat diet.

By: Forsythe, C. E.; Phinney, S. D.; Luz-Fernandez, M.; Quann, E. E.; Wood, R. J.; Bibus, D. M.; Kraemer, W. J.; Feinman, R. D.; Volek, J. S.​

Source: Lipids 43 (1) 65-77​

A good wheeze?​

The role of diet in primary allergy prevention. Part 1: Current approaches.

With asthma and allergic diseases reaching epidemic proportions, there is an urgent need to identify logical early targets for interventions to reverse this trend. While this is likely to be multifactorial, dietary factors have been identified as important targets for allergy prevention. This review examines the evidence, controversies and limitations of current food allergen avoidance strategies and the need for alternative dietary approaches.

By: McCarthy, S.; Martino, D.; Chow, B.; Prescott, S. L.​

Source: Agro Food Industry hi-tech 18 (5) 9-11​

Fat-busting oil​

Development and characterisation of structured lipids containing capric and conjugated linoleic acids as functional dietary lipid molecules.

Recently, dietary oil with high diacylglycerol (DAG) contents, so called DAG-oil, was introduced in Japan and the US. It was claimed that the oil, mostly composed of DAG, is metabolized differently from conventional triacylglycerol oil, reducing weight and fat mass. The produced lipid molecules in this study have potential as functional healthy dietary fats and oils.

By: Phuong-Lan Vu; Jung-Ah Shin; Yun-Jeung Lee; Ha-Young Nam; Jeung-Hee Lee; Akoh, C. C.; Ki-Teak Lee.​

Source: International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 59 (2) 95-104​

Mellow yellow​

Curcumin: a natural yellow pigment with great potential.

The health benefits of the natural yellow pigment curcumin are discussed, including its anticarcinogenic activity, its role in maintaining and/or improving cardiovascular health and its anti-inflammatory activity.

By: Krishna Kumar, I. M.; Maliakel, B. P.​

Source: Agro Food Industry hi-tech 18 (5) 52-53​

Size matters​

Evolutionary origins of obesity.

As mammals and primates, humans have the capacity to store body fat when opportunities to consume excess energy arise. But during the millions of years of evolution such opportunities were rare. Humans evolved complex genetic and physiological systems to protect against starvation and defend stored body fat. In the modern obesogenic environment, individuals possessing the appropriate combination of ancestral energy-conserving genes are at greater risk of obesity.

By: Bellisari, A.​

Source: Obesity Reviews 9 (2) 165-180​

Population boom​

Agro-food industry growth and obesity in China: what role for regulating advertising and promotion/nutrition labelling?

This paper examines the regulation of food marketing and nutrition labelling as strategies to help combat obesity in China in an era of rapid agro-food industry growth. Given China's position in the world today, there is an opportunity for the government and the agro-food industry to lead the world by creating a balanced, health-promoting model of complementary legislation and industry action.

By: Hawkes, C.​

Source: Obesity Reviews 9 (S1) 151-161​

Geriatric nutrition​

Nourishing an ageing society. A book of 35 chapters.

This book deals with many aspects of the role of nutrition with the elderly, including the prevention of age-associated diseases, nutrition management in nursing homes, nutrition and fracture risk, obesity in older adults, nutritional anaemia, and nutritional factors in dementia.

By: Morley, J. E.; Thomas, D. R. [Editors]​

Source: Saint Louis Univ. Sch. of Med., MO, US ISBN: 9780849338151​

The acid test​

Is folic acid good for everyone?

Fortification of food with folic acid to reduce neural tube defects was introduced in the US 10 years ago, exposing several hundred thousand people to an increased intake of folic acid for each neural tube defect pregnancy that is prevented. Are the benefits to the few outweighed by possible harm to the many exposed?

By: Smith, A. D.; Young-In Kim; Refsum, H.​

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 87 (3) 517-533​

Philippine foods​

Development of functional foods in the Philippines.

This paper reviews the functional attributes of selected traditional Philippine foods such as rice, coconut, legumes; selected native vegetables, root crops, fruits and processed products with functional attributes including nata de coco and achara. More studies are needed to establish their health benefits and recommended intake.

By: Tecson-Mendoza, E. M.​

Source: Food Science and Technology Research 13 (3) 179-186​