Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
ReviewCoexistence of micronutrient malnutrition: implication for nutrition policy and programs in Asia.
Micronutrients (MN) share common metabolic pathways, or work in complementarity. Missing or having too much of one micronutrient may tip the balance, resulting in manifested deficiencies of one or more micronutrients. Coexistence of micronutrient deficiencies have been reported from developing countries. ⋯ However, it requires a holistic environment to be effective. More evidence on efficacy and/or effectiveness of food-based interventions is urgently needed, to establish policy and program options to deal with coexistence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Interactions among micronutrients are recognized, and should be taken into account for designing appropriate intervention program.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialNatto and viscous vegetables in a Japanese style meal suppress postprandial glucose and insulin responses.
Naturally viscous vegetables and natto, made by fermenting soybeans, are very palatable and considered to be healthy foods in Japan. The objective was to assess whether the consumption of natto and viscous vegetables as part of a traditional Japanese breakfast based on high-glycemic index white rice affects glycemic, insulinemic, lipidemic and satiety responses in healthy subjects. Eleven healthy subjects consumed the reference, control and test meals in a randomized cross-over design. ⋯ The incremental areas under the curve for glucose and insulin over 0-120 min after the test meal were also significantly reduced as compared with the control meal (28 and 27%). The consumption of naturally viscous vegetables with white rice reduced acute glycemia and insulinemia. This practical dietary combination would ensure compliance and favorably alter the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
Co-existing micronutrient deficiencies among stunted Cambodian infants and toddlers.
The prevalence of malnutrition in Cambodia is among the highest in Southeast Asia, and diarrhea and pneumonia are the leading causes of death among children. Whether these adverse health outcomes are associated with co-existing micronutrient deficiencies is uncertain. We have determined the prevalence of anaemia, as well as iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiency and their co-existence among stunted children (77 females; 110 males) aged 6-36 mos. ⋯ Nearly 10% had low values for all three indices, and 18% had just one low value. In conclusion, anaemia, and deficiencies of iron, zinc, and vitamin A are severe public health problems among these stunted Cambodian children. Intervention strategies addressing multiple micronutrient deficiencies are needed.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2008
High plasma homocysteine is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease independent of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-->T genotypes.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between the methylenetetrafolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T genotypes, B-vitamins (folate, vitamin B-12 and B-6), homocysteine and the risk of CAD. In this case-control study, patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery were assigned to the case group (n=121). ⋯ The MTHFR genotypes were found to have no associations with the risk of CAD. However, plasma homocysteine (>or= 12.5 micromol/L) (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.23-9.88) had a significant association with increased risk of CAD even after additionally adjusted folate status. High plasma homocysteine concentration had a direct effect on the risk of CAD independent of MTHFR 677C-->T genotypes.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2007
Salt usage behaviors are related to urinary sodium excretion in normotensive Korean adults.
High sodium intake is considered to be the major risk factor for hypertension but studies about sodium intake on prevention and management of hypertension is limited due to the difficulties in assessment of sodium intake. Dietary sodium comes not only from naturally occurring sodium in foods but also from the added sodium during processing, cooking and at the table. Present study was conducted to identify salt usage behavior questions related to urinary sodium excretion among normotensive adult Koreans. ⋯ Each participant answered the questionnaire and collected one 24-hour urine and urine samples were analyzed for sodium contents. Correlation analyses between scores of the questions and sodium excretion in 24-hour urine were performed to identify question items related to sodium excretion. Among fifteen questions, scores of three questions on salt usage behaviors were significantly correlated to urinary sodium excretion (r=0.17~0.19; p <0.05) and the sum of scores of the three questions showed higher correlation coefficients. (r=0.26, p <0.001) The salt usage behavior questions developed in this study would be useful in predicting sodium intake and in studying the relationship between sodium intake and health among Korean adults.