Empowering a tea-plantation community to improve its micronutrient health

This project was designed to convince and empower management and plantation workers to improve their own nutritional health status and productivity. Plantations are generally bypassed by the government's primary health-care system. A nine-month intervention with iron (60 mg of elemental iron) and vitamin A supplementation and iodized salt was performed on the Balanoor Plantations in India. Of the women tea pickers, 99% (n = 334) received the supplements and bought the iodized salt from the plantation ration shop. Their mean hemoglobin level rose significantly from 11.0 to 11.9 g/dl. The women pickers gave the supplements to their families as well as themselves. The results were the same whether iron was given once or twice a week. The mean hemoglobin level of the women pickers rose significantly from 11.1 to 12.0 g/dl with the twice-weekly dose and from 10.9 to 11.8 g/dl with the weekly dose. The prevalence of clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency in the entire plantation population (about 2,500) was reduced significantly (from 19% to 4%), as was iodine deficiency (from 17% to 7%). Common health problems decreased from 88% to 54%. The number of patients referred to larger hospitals decreased significantly from 116 to 86. Absenteeism was not affected.     

A multinutrient package of iron,vitamin A,and iodine improved the productivity and earnings of women tea pickers in south India

Tea-picking is a highly skilled activity that is usually performed by women. This study, conducted on the Balanoor Plantations, India, from 1996 to 1998, was successful in empowering 339 women pickers and their families to take iron (60 mg of elemental iron two times a week) and vitamin A (1,600 IU) once a week, and to purchase subsidized iodized salt (30 ppm) from the plantation ration shop. The average hemoglobin level of the pickers rose significantly (p < .001) from 11.0 g/dl at baseline to 11.9 g/dl at the end of the nine months of intervention. The average amount of tea per picker increased significantly (p < .001) from 22.9 to 25.6 kg. There was a significant decrease in the number of "moderate pickers," who picked between 14 and 25 kg per day, and a significant increase in the number of "good pickers," who picked more than 25 kg per day, and the earnings of the majority of the pickers increased. The management of the estate where the intervention occurred benefited from a decrease in the number of pickers needed during the supplement period from 2,857 to 2,763, with no significant change in the yield per hectare in the two years. The yield per hectare on the control estate was not significantly different from that on the intervention estate, and the average amount of tea picked per worker was the same for the two periods (20.8 and 20.7 kg).     

Milk fortified with iron or iron supplementation to improve nutritional status of pregnant women: an intervention trial from rural Vietnam

Anemia is still the major nutritional problem among pregnant women in Southeast Asia. The objective of this study was to measure hemoglobin status and reduction of underweight in a group of pregnant women who received iron-fortified or nonfortified milk, and another group who received iron supplements (tablets) or placebo. The 44 women in the iron-fortified milk group received 15 mg of iron per day per 400 ml of milk, and 41 women received placebo. The 40 women in the iron supplement group received 60 mg of iron per day, and 43 women received nonfortified milk. During this intervention trial, all women were supervised from the 14th to the 18th week of gestation until delivery. Blood was sampled at 0, 5, 10, and 16 weeks of intervention. After the 16th week of intervention, the changes in hemoglobin (deltaHb) concentrations in both treatment groups (the iron-fortified milk and the iron tablet groups) were not significantly different (deltaHb: -0.5+/-0.9 and -0.3+/-0.9 g/L, respectively), but the changes were significantly greater in the nonfortified milk and placebo groups (deltaHb: -1.2+/-0.9 and -1.1+/-0.8 g/L, respectively; p < .01). The change in transferrin saturation (deltaTS) in the iron-fortified milk group (deltaTS: 3.4+/-12.9%) was greater than that in the placebo and nonfortified milk groups (deltaTS: -10.1+/-9.8% and -11.6+/-10.7 %, respectively) (p < .01). The weight gain of the subjects during intervention did not differ significantly in the fortified and nonfortified milk groups (delta weight: 5.0+/-2.0 and 5.8+/-2.1 kg, respectively), but was higher than in the iron tablet group (delta weight: 4.6+/-3.1 kg; p < .05) and the placebo group (delta weight: 3.8+/-2.5 kg; p < .001). Iron supplementation and fortification were seen to be effective in promoting weight gain in pregnant Vietnamese women. For women who are underweight, the administration of iron-fortified milk has additional benefits to those of supplementation, most likely due to additional energy and nutrient inputs.     

Efficacy of iron-fortified Ultra Rice in improving the iron status of women in Mexico

BACKGROUND: Universal fortification of staple foods with iron has been widely promoted as a cost-effective strategy to reduce iron deficiency in developing-country populations. Nonetheless, relatively few efficacy trials have been reported to date to demonstrate impact on iron status. The Ultra Rice technology provides a means of delivering fortificant iron via rice. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of rice fortified with microencapsulated, micronized iron pyrophosphate to improve the iron status of women in Mexico in a randomized, controlled intervention trial. METHODS: Nonpregnant, nonlactating women 18 to 49 years of age were recruited from six factories. The women received a daily portion of cooked rice 5 days per week for a period of 6 months, before and after which iron status indicators were determined in venous blood samples. RESULTS: The average intake of iron from the fortificant was 13 mg/day. Mean plasma ferritin concentration and estimated body iron stores were significantly higher, and transferrin receptors were lower, in the iron-fortified rice group following the intervention. Mean hemoglobin concentration also increased in the treatment group, but the increase was significant only when the analysis was restricted to those with baseline hemoglobin < 12.8 g/dL. The absolute reduction in anemia and iron deficiency was 10.3 and 15.1 percentage points, respectively. Total iron intake from fortificant was a significant covariate of change in body iron stores. The overall prevalence of anemia was reduced by 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Fortification of rice with iron using this technology is an efficacious strategy for preventing iron deficiency.     

Anemia in pregnant women who use smokeless tobacco

A significantly higher mean hemoglobin level in women smokers in comparison to nonsmokers with a generalized rightward shift of the hemoglobin distribution curve has been reported at the population level. Studies on pregnant women, however, have often associated smoking with decreased hemoglobin levels, although not consistently. We examined whether smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy influenced hemoglobin levels in a population-based cohort of 918 pregnant women in Mumbai, India. Mean hemoglobin levels (Hb) were significantly lower in users (10.00 g/dl) compared with nonusers (10.46 g/dl), p<.000. Anemia (Hb<10 g/dl) was significantly associated with smokeless tobacco in the univariate analysis (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). There was no change after adjusting odds ratios for potential confounders in multivariate analysis (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). The odds ratios for anemia were adjusted for age of mother, education, socioeconomic status, type of residence, lower body mass index, parity, vegetarian or nonvegetarian food habit, and hemodilution during pregnancy. The results suggest that smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with lower hemoglobin levels, as has often been observed with cigarette smoking. Smokeless tobacco use is widely prevalent among women in Southeast Asia and is gaining popularity across the world as a safe alternative to smoking. Further exploration and clarification of this association is therefore of considerable importance to public health.     

Fortified food made by the extrusion of a mixture of chickpea,corn and bovine lung controls iron-deficiency anaemia in preschool children

A fortified food that was rich in protein, vitamins and iron made of chickpea, bovine lung and corn was developed with the aim of controlling iron-deficiency anaemia in children from poorer areas. It was tested in Teresina, State of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, on a population with high anaemia prevalence. Two local daycare units with similar characteristics were selected and the children at one of them received a 30 g pack three times a week, representing a total iron daily intake of 6.96 mg. The other daycare unit was followed as a control. The capillary haemoglobin concentration was determined for the children at both daycare units, at the beginning of the study and after a two-month intervention period. The mean haemoglobin concentration in the test group at the beginning of the intervention was 11.8 g/dL, which increased to 13.1 g/dL at the end of the intervention. In the control group these figures remained practically constant (11.6–11.8 g/dL). These represented a dramatic and significant drop in anaemia prevalence, from 61.5% to 11.5% in the test group, and an insignificant reduction (63.1–57.7%) in the control group. The acceptance of the fortified snack was excellent and no undesirable effects were observed.     

Effectiveness of intermittent iron treatment of two- to six-year-old Jordanian children with iron-deficiency anemia

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is a common nutritional problem in young children among vulnerable populations in Jordan. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of intermittent iron supplementation in improving iron status. Such a study has not been carried out in 2- to-6-year-old Jordanian children diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia in a clinical setting. OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of intermittent versus daily iron treatment in a clinical setting in 2- to 6-year-old Jordanian children with iron-deficiency anemia. METHODS: About 4400 children aged 2 to 6 years who visited Prince Hashim Military Hospital in Zarqa, Jordan, from August 2000 to June 2001 were screened for age, general health, and birthweight. About 10% of these children were screened for anemia, using complete blood count (defined as a hemoglobin level < or = 10.5 g/dL, and a mean corpuscular volume < or =75 ft). Anemic children underwent further screening for iron deficiency, defined as serum ferritin level < or =12 microg/L. Children with iron-deficiency anemia, as indicated by hemoglobin < or = 10.5 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume < or =75 fL, and serum ferritin < or =12 microg/L, or as indicated by mean corpuscular volume < or =75 fL and hemoglobin < or = 10.5 g/dL, were enrolled in the study after informed oral consent by their parents. Study children (n=134) were assigned randomly to one of three groups. Subjects in group 1 (n=45), group 2 (n=45), and group 3 (n=44) received iron treatment daily, weekly, and twice weekly, respectively. Out of 134 children recruited for the study, only 63 (39 boys and 24 girls) completed the 3-month treatment period. All of the children received medicinal iron drops at a dosage of 5 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulfate per kilogram of body weight. The parents also received nutritional counseling. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration increased significantly in all groups with no significant differences between groups. The increases in hemoglobin in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 2.47 +/- 0.17, 2.12 +/- 0.18, and 2.18 +/- 0.18 g/dL, respectively. Measurements of final serum ferritin concentration were available for only 12, 12, and 10 children in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In all children who completed the study, except for one in group 1, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and serum ferritin reached normal values in response to iron treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly and twice-weekly iron therapy with 5 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulfate per kilogram of body weight accompanied by nutritional counseling was as effective as daily iron therapy in correcting iron-deficiency anemia in 2- to 6-year-old children under the clinical conditions of this study.     

Impact of pilot project of Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) on destitute women: CARE, Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: The rate of malnutrition among women in Bangladesh is high, but historically there has not been a specific program focusing on the improvement of the nutritional status of Bangladeshi women. OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in the nutritional status of destitute women of the Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) by incorporating a health and nutrition intervention package with RMP ongoing activities. METHODS: An intervention study involving 1,275 poor destitute women was conducted from July 2004 to June 2005 in 17 districts in Bangladesh under two field offices, Mymensingh and Jessore, covering 8 and 9 districts, respectively. The respondents were divided into intervention, comparison, and control groups. All participants in the intervention and comparison groups were paid as part of the RMP and received weekly 30-minute nutrition interventions for 7 weeks in addition to routine training. The comparison group also received RMP training. The control group consisted of women with similar demographic characteristics to the intervention and comparison groups who did not receive pay or any intervention. The intervention was a unique combination of the three components of the UNICEF triangle model (food security, caring practices, and disease control). Data on socioeconomic and anthropometric characteristics, immunization, and vitamin A capsule intake were also collected with the use of a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean body weight had significantly increased by 1,333 g in the intervention group and had decreased by 277 g in the control group and 147 g in the comparison group. The body mass index of women in the intervention group had also significantly increased at the end of the study (p < .001). There was a significant increase in the intake of iodized salt in the intervention group as well as increased immunization coverage in all groups. Intake of the first vitamin A capsule by children increased (from 60% to 97%) in the intervention group only. CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition pilot intervention was highly effective in improving the nutritional status of women in the RMP.     

Prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and adolescent girls in 16 districts of India

BACKGROUND: Nutritional anemia is one of India's major public health problems. The prevalence of anemia ranges from 33% to 89% among pregnant women and is more than 60% among adolescent girls. Under the anemia prevention and control program of the Government of India, iron and folic acid tablets are distributed to pregnant women, but no such program exists for adolescent girls. OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of anemia among pregnant women and adolescent girls from 16 districts of 11 states of India. METHODS: A two-stage random sampling method was used to select 30 clusters on the basis of probability proportional to size. Anemia was diagnosed by estimating the hemoglobin concentration in the blood with the use of the indirect cyanmethemoglobin method. RESULTS: The survey data showed that 84.9% of pregnant women (n = 6,923) were anemic (hemoglobin < 110 g/L); 13.1% had severe anemia (hemoglobin < 70 g/L), and 60.1% had moderate anemia (hemoglobin > or = 70 to 100 g/L). Among adolescent girls (n = 4,337)from 16 districts, the overall prevalence of anemia (defined as hemoglobin < 120 g/L) was 90.1%, with 7.1% having severe anemia (hemoglobin < 70 g/L). CONCLUSIONS: Any intervention strategy for this population must address not only the problem of iron deficiency, but also deficiencies of other micronutrients, such as B12 and folic acid and other possible causal factors.     

Studies on the effectiveness of NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce in controlling iron deficiency: a population-based intervention trial

The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce for controlling iron deficiency in a high-risk population. This was an 18-month, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial in 14,000 residents aged three years or older in Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China, using sodium-iron ethylene diamine tetraacetate (NaFeEDTA)-fortified soy sauce (29.6 mg Fe/100 ml). The study data included measurements of food consumption, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum retinol. The results showed that the diet consisted primarily of cereals, fruits, and vegetables, with very little meat. Food consumption remained unchanged during the study period and was similar in the fortified and control groups. The average daily soy sauce consumption of the group consuming the fortified product was 16.4 ml per person, which provided 4.9 mg of iron from NaFeEDTA. At the end of the trial, all age and sex subgroups receiving NaFeEDTA had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, a lower prevalence of anemia, and higher plasma ferritin levels than the controls. The effects became statistically significant after six months of intervention and were maintained throughout the study period. We conclude that NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce was highly effective in controlling iron deficiency and reducing the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in men, women, and children. NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce is affordable and was well accepted by the study population.     

Influence of Health Attitudes on the Acceptability of Cranberry Juic

ABSTRACT: Although cranberry juice cocktail contains only 27 to 31% cranberry juice, higher concentrations of cranberry may appeal to health-conscious consumers. Fifty women rated blends containing 27, 34, 41, 54, and 100% cranberry juice for body, sweetness, tartness, and overall acceptability and completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales questionnaire. One week later, subjects received information on health benefits of cranberries and re-evaluated samples labeled with the percentage cranberry juice. MHLC scores did not affect the ratings of the samples. Mean ratings for all attributes were not different between 27 and 34% juices. Hedonic ratings for tartness and overall acceptability of the 41% blend increased during the 2nd session.     

Anemia prevalence and risk factors in pregnant women in an urban area of Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Anemia affects almost two-thirds of pregnant women in developing countries and contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality and to low birthweight. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anemia and the dietary and socioeconomic factors associated with anemia in pregnant women living in an urban community setting in Hyderabad, Pakistan. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of 1,369 pregnant women enrolled at 20 to 26 weeks of gestation and followed to 6 weeks postpartum. A blood sample was obtained at enrollment to determine hemoglobin levels. Information on nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practice and dietary history regarding usual food intake before and during pregnancy were obtained by trained interviewers within 1 week of enrollment. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia (defined by the World Health Organization as hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL) in these subjects was 90.5%; of these, 75.0% had mild anemia (hemoglobin from 9.0 to 10.9 g/dL) and 14.8% had moderate anemia (hemoglobin from 7.0 to 8.9 g/dL). Only 0.7% were severely anemic (hemoglobin < 7.0 g/ dL). Nonanemic women were significantly taller, weighed more, and had a higher body mass index. Multivariate analysis after adjustment for education, pregnancy history, iron supplementation, and height showed that drinking more than three cups of tea per day before pregnancy (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [aPOR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 8.0), consumption of clay or dirt during pregnancy (aPOR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 12.3), and never consuming eggs or consuming eggs less than twice a week during pregnancy (aPOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.5) were significantly associated with anemia. Consumption of red meat less than twice a week prior to pregnancy was marginally associated with anemia (aPOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.8) but was significantly associated with lower mean hemoglobin concentrations (9.9 vs. 10.0 g/dL, p = .05) during the study period. A subanalysis excluding women with mild anemia found similar associations to those of the main model, albeit even stronger. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of women at 20 to 26 weeks of pregnancy had mild to moderate anemia. Pica, tea consumption, and low intake of eggs and red meat were associated with anemia. Women of childbearing age should be provided nutritional education regarding food sources of iron, especially prior to becoming pregnant, and taught how food choices can either enhance or interfere with iron absorption.     

含铁牛血肽改善大鼠缺铁性贫血的效果评价

为开发牛血肽相关功能性产品提供理论依据，作者研究了含铁牛血肽对于大鼠缺铁性贫血的治疗效果。以低铁鼠粮饲喂初离乳雌性SD大鼠3周，建立缺铁性贫血模型。以含铁鼠粮为正常对照，以生血宁为阳性对照，用含铁牛血肽灌胃至血红蛋白质质量浓度达到100 g/L以上。结果表明：含铁牛血肽显著地改善了缺铁性贫血引起的大鼠体质量以及白细胞、红细胞、血红蛋白和红细胞压积等血常规指标的下降，同时改善铁代谢指标血清铁和血清铁蛋白。低剂量牛血肽效果相当于生血宁，中高剂量牛血肽效果优于生血宁，证明饲喂含铁牛血肽可以改善大鼠缺铁性贫血。     

Effects of iron supplementation versus dietary iron on the nutritional iron status: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT

This meta-analysis compared the effects of dietary intervention versus iron supplementation on biochemical parameters related to the iron nutritional status in humans. The PubMed, CENTRAL, LILACS, SCIELO, OPENGREY.EU and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for randomized clinical trials that assigned individuals to a dietary intervention or to an iron supplementation regimen, for 12 weeks or more. The primary outcome was the hemoglobin concentration, and secondary outcomes were ferritin, RDW, mean corpuscular volume, soluble transferrin receptor, total iron binding capacity, serum iron, and transferrin saturation. From the 6095 records identified, twelve studies were included, six with children, five with adolescents/adults, and one with pregnant women. In the subgroup of studies that included anemic/iron deficient children, supplementation significantly increased the hemoglobin concentration (weighted mean difference (WMD): 3.19 g/L [95% CI: 1.31, 5.07]) and induced a significantly greater reduction of the soluble transferrin receptor (WMD: ?0.46 mg/L [95% CI: ?0.70, ?0, 21]), when compared to dietary intervention. It also induced a greater reduction of the total binding capacity of iron in adolescents/adults (WMD: ?6.96 μmol/L [95% CI: ?12.70, ?1.21]). Supplementation showed a better effect on hemoglobin recovery in anemic/iron deficient children, while no differences were observed between supplementation and dietary intervention in treating adolescents/adults.     

Expressive writing as a smoking cessation treatment adjunct for young adult smokers.

This investigation evaluated the efficacy of expressive writing as a treatment adjunct to a brief office smoking cessation intervention plus nicotine patch therapy in young adults. Participants aged 18-24 years were randomized to a brief office intervention (n=99) or to an expressive writing plus brief office intervention (n=97). Both conditions received four individual visits plus 6 weeks of nicotine patch therapy, which began on the quit date following the week 2 visit. Participants in the expressive writing plus brief intervention condition wrote for 2 consecutive days before and 3 consecutive days after the quit date. The brief office intervention group completed a control writing assignment. At end of treatment (week 8), biochemically confirmed 7-day point-prevalence abstinence for the expressive writing plus brief office intervention condition was significantly greater than for the brief office condition (33% vs. 20%, p=.043, OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.0-3.7, from a logistic regression adjusting for gender). At 24 and 52 weeks, abstinence rates were similar for the brief office intervention versus expressive writing plus brief office intervention (12% vs. 11% at 24 weeks; 11% vs. 11% at 52 weeks). The results suggest that expressive writing has promise as a smoking cessation treatment adjunct for young adults. Lengthier interventions or the use of boosters should be tested to extend treatment effects. However, participants reported a low level of enthusiasm for the expressive writing, which may be a barrier to implementing it over a longer time frame. Therefore, other modes of delivering expressive writing to young adult cigarette smokers should be explored.     

响应面法优化猕猴桃皮渣可溶性膳食纤维提取工艺

以猕猴桃皮渣为原料,采用酸水解法从猕猴桃皮渣中提取可溶性膳食纤维。通过单因素试验和响应面分析法,考察料液比、浸提液pH 值、提取温度、提取时间对可溶性膳食纤维提取率的影响,优化提取工艺参数。结果表明,酸水解法提取猕猴桃皮渣可溶性膳食纤维的最佳提取工艺条件为料液比1:37(g/ml)、浸提液pH2.5、提取温度80℃、提取时间100min,在该条件下可溶性膳食纤维的得率为47.74%。     

野生桃金娘主要抗氧化成分及其抗氧化能力

本实验研究了野生桃金娘（Rhodomyrtus tomentosa）的抗氧化能力、总多酚含量、总黄酮含量、抗坏血酸含量和花青素类成分。采用超高效液相串联光电二极管阵列（photo-diode array,PDA）检测器和离子肼质谱法（ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to photo-diode array and ion-trap mass spectrometry,UPLC-PDAIT-MS）鉴定花青素类化合物,通过高通量的自由基清除方法测定抗氧化能力。结果表明：野生桃金娘具有较高的抗氧化能力。每克桃金娘的1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基清除能力相当于67.2 μmol的抗坏血酸和28.5 μmol没食子酸;过氧化氢自由基清除能力（PSC单位）相当于23.2 μmol的抗坏血酸和14.3 μmol没食子酸;2,2’-联氮双（3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸）二铵盐（2,2’-azinobis（3-ethylbenzothi azoline-6-sulfonic acid） ammonium salt,ABTS）自由基（ABTS+·）清除能力相当于30.4 μmol的抗坏血酸和7.8 μmol没食子酸;对三价铁的还原能力相当于28.7 μmol的抗坏血酸和3.1 μmol没食子酸。野生桃金娘的总多酚含量和总黄酮含量分别是4 976 mg 没食子酸/100 g（以干质量计）和49.7 mg儿茶酚/100 g（以干质量计）,总抗坏血酸含量是9 mg/100 g（以鲜质量计）。总花青素含量相当于414 mg矢车菊素/100 g（以干质量计）,共有飞燕草素3-O-葡萄糖苷等7 种花青素类化合物被鉴别出来。     

灰树花发酵复合保健饮料的研究

以灰树花发酵为主要原料,用猕猴桃汁进行勾兑,采用正交试验的方法,探索最佳发酵工艺条件和配方,开发出色、香、味俱佳的复合型保健饮料。     

Evaluation of the effects of specialized therapeutic canned food on the course of iron-deficiency anemia in young children

A total of 25 normal children and 131 children with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) were investigated, 53 out of 131 IDA patients served as controls and received a standard food ration for children suffering from IDA, the rest received nutrition containing medicinal canned food. The following paraclinical parameters were evaluated in all the children investigated: red blood cell and hemoglobin content, calcium concentration, the content of ascorbic acid and vitamin B1, iron metabolism indices (serum iron, general and latent iron-binding capacity of the blood serum, coefficient of transferrin saturation with iron, serum ferritin). The results of the study have shown a favourable effect of the special-purpose medicinal canned food on IDA course in young children that necessitates their wide production and practical use.     

Raspberry juice consumption, oxidative stress and reduction of atherosclerosis risk factors in hypercholesterolemic golden Syrian hamsters

The effects of raspberries on early atherosclerosis in Syrian hamsters were investigated using three juices prepared from var. Cardinal, Glen Ample and Tulameen berries. The hamsters received an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks and at the same time a juice at a daily dose corresponding to the consumption of 275 ml by a 70 kg human. A control group received the same diet with water instead juice. The principal polyphenolic compounds in the juices were anthocyanins and ellagitannins, which were present at concentrations of 218-305 μg mL(-1) and 45-72 μg mL(-1), respectively. The three juices had similar but not identical effects. They all inhibited cardiac and aortic production of superoxide anion and increased hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity although only Tulameen juice brought about a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity. Glen Ample was the only juice to significantly increase plasma paraoxonase activity. All the juices lowered plasma triglyceride level while consumption of Tulameen and Cardinal, but not Glen Ample, significantly lowered plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Cardinal was the sole juice to significantly increase HDL-cholesterol and likewise it also significantly reduced body weight. These findings suggest that moderate consumption of raspberry juices can help to prevent the development of early atherosclerosis, with the underlying mechanisms related to improved antioxidant status and serum lipid profiles.