Nutrition
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I investigated whether metabolism of essential fatty acids and the concentrations of their long-chain metabolites (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFAs]) are altered in fetal or perinatal growth retardation, maternal hypercholesterolemia, low-grade systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis, conditions that predispose to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). I critically reviewed the literature pertaining to the metabolism of essential fatty acids in CHD and conditions that predispose to it. LCPUFAs enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, suppress the production of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6, attenuate insulin resistance, and have antiatherosclerotic properties. ⋯ LCPUFAs can prevent various conditions that predispose to the development of CHD. The low incidence of CHD seen in adequately breast-fed infants can be linked to the LCPUFA content of breast milk. Based on this evidence, I suggest that provision of LCPUFAs during critical periods of growth, especially from the second trimester of pregnancy to age 5 y, prevents CHD in adult life.
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Our purpose is to highlight some of the past and potential future uses of microarray in nutrition research, while also commenting on some aspects of the design conduct and analysis of microarray data that will leave to improved data quality. ⋯ Microarrays are a very powerful tool for studying virtually every nutrition-related disease and trait and can provide valuable insights that are not obtainable with other techniques. However, unless nutrition researchers conduct their studies with scientific hard-mindedness, the studies will be of lower power at least if not completely misleading.
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We review the experimental evaluations of several widely marketed nonprescription compounds claimed to be memory enhancers and treatments for age-related memory decline. We generally limit our review to double-blind placebo-controlled studies. The compounds examined are phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), citicoline, piracetam, vinpocetine, acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), and antioxidants (particularly vitamin E). ⋯ In sum, for most of the "brain-specific" nutrients we review, some mildly suggestive effects have been found in preliminary controlled studies using standard psychometric memory assessments or more general tests designed to reveal cognitive impairment. We suggest that future evaluations of the possible memory benefits of these supplements might fruitfully focus on memory processes rather than on memory tests per se.