Nutrition
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We previously showed that prior oral supplementation of oils rich in omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and omega-6, gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid, can prevent the development of alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in experimental animals. But the effect of individual fatty acids on chemically induced diabetes mellitus is not known. We report the results of our studies with omega-6 fatty acids. ⋯ These results suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids can prevent chemically induced diabetes in experimental animals and attenuate the oxidant stress that occurs in diabetes mellitus.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Growth pattern of infants fed with a mixture of extruded malted maize and cowpea.
Breast milk alone is insufficient to support normal growth during the second half of infancy, so I investigated supplementary feeding for infants' successful transition to solid food. ⋯ Based on similarities in socioeconomic background and weight at birth and 4 mo in the L(1)A(1) and L(2)N infants, the better nutrition status of the L(1)A(1) is attributed to the formulated complementary diet. The contribution of this mixture to total nutrient intake seemed substantial enough to meet the infants' nutritional requirements. The use of a cheaply available plant protein will go a long way in reducing protein-energy malnutrition among children in developing countries. However, because of the low purchasing power of the low-income family, the costs of this product should be studied.
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Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been characterized as immunonutrients, but the effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on intestinal permeability has rarely been reported. ⋯ GLA and DHA affect tight junction permeability in intestinal monolayer cells specifically and in a concentration-dependent manner.
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Although the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease remains unclear, dietary fat is thought to exacerbate intestinal inflammation. Chitosan is a water-insoluble dietary fiber, and a chitosan and ascorbic acid mixture has been shown in rats to increase fecal fat excretion without affecting protein digestibility. However, it remains unclear whether a chitosan and ascorbic acid mixture is safe and effective for patients with Crohn's disease. We designed a pilot trial to investigate the tolerability and amount of fat excretion after the oral administration of a chitosan and ascorbic mixture for inactive Crohn's disease. ⋯ These results indicated that oral administration of a chitosan and ascorbic acid mixture in patients with Crohn's disease is tolerable and increases fecal fat excretion without affecting disease activity.