Trace minerals intake: Risks and benefits for cardiovascular health

Minerals play a major role in regulating cardiovascular function. Imbalances in electrolyte minerals are frequent and potentially hazardous occurrences that may lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Transition metals, such as iron, zinc, copper and selenium, play a major role in cell metabolism. However, there is controversy over the effects of dietary and supplemental intake of these metals on cardiovascular risk factors and events. Since their pro-oxidant or antioxidant functions can have different effects on cardiovascular health. While deficiency of these trace elements can cause cardiovascular dysfunction, several studies have also shown a positive association between metal serum levels and cardiovascular risk factors and events. Thus, a J- or U-shaped relationship between the transition minerals and cardiovascular events has been proposed. Given the existing controversies, large, well-designed, long-term, randomized clinical trials are required to better examine the effects of trace mineral intake on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in the general population. In this review, we discuss the role of dietary and/or supplemental iron, copper, zinc, and selenium on cardiovascular health. We will also clarify their clinical applications, benefits, and harms in CVDs prevention.     

Bioavailability of nutrients in rats fed on edible seaweeds,Nori (Porphyra tenera) and Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida), as a source of dietary fibre

A comparative study of the influence of two edible seaweeds, Nori (Porphyra tenera) and Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida), on dietary nutritive utilization was performed. Male adult Wistar rats were fed, for 2 weeks, diets containing Nori, Wakame or cellulose as source of dietary fibre. All diets contained similar amounts of dietary fibre (5%), protein (14%) and ash (5%). Intake, body weight gain, food efficiency (weight gain/food intake), apparent digestibility and retention coefficients for protein, fat, and minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and potassium) were evaluated. The addition of Wakame or Nori did not affect the gain in body weight of rats or food efficiency. Fresh and dry stool weights were higher in rats fed seaweeds than in the control group. Seaweed-fed animals showed significantly lower apparent digestibilities of protein and fat but absorbed nitrogen was more effectively used by animals. Apparent digestibility and retention coefficients for calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, sodium and potassium were lower for seaweed-fed rats, and showed lower values for Wakame than Nori. The seaweeds could be a good source of dietary fibre in diet but they may modify digestibility of dietary protein and minerals.     

Physicochemical changes in dry-cured hams salted with potassium,calcium and magnesium chloride as a partial replacement for sodium chloride

The reduction of added sodium chloride in dry-cured ham has been proposed to reduce dietary sodium intake in Mediterranean countries. The effect of substituting sodium chloride with potassium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride on some physicochemical characteristics of dry-cured ham during processing was evaluated.     

Dietary factors in essential hypertension

Dietary alteration or intervention is an ideal method of preventing or treating hypertension. Medication may be eliminated or reduced in many cases. Correction of obesity and alcohol abuse are confirmed methods of treating hypertension. Reduction of sodium intake is effective in that portion of the population which is salt-sensitive. Probably, the ratio of sodium to potassium is of importance and increasing potassium intake while reducing sodium intake is effective in many situations. Evidence is being reported which indicates that adequate intake of calcium, and perhaps magnesium, is effective in preventing hypertension. Limited information indicates that a sufficiency of dietary essential fatty acids and fibre are effective in hypertension prevention. The role of dietary protein, carbohydrates, fat, cholesterol, vitamins, and essential elements (other than those mentioned above) in the pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated at this time, but there are indications that adequate intakes are beneficial in hypertension. Water hardness may have some effect in reducing hypertension incidence, and any effectiveness would probably result from calcium and magnesium in the drinking water. Animal studies and limited human studies indicate some detrimental effects of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, upon the pathogenesis of hypertension. Information regarding caffeine intake is inconclusive.     

Changing dietary electrolyte balance for dairy cows in cool and hot environments

Two Latin square studies, each containing eight primiparous cows (four Holstein, four Jersey), were conducted to determine the effect of changing dietary electrolyte balance during cool and hot environmental conditions on performance of lactating dairy cows. Electrolyte balance, expressed as Na + K - Cl in milliequivalents per kilogram of diet, was altered by changing K and Cl content in the diet using potassium bicarbonate or calcium chloride. Maximum and minimum temperatures averaged 26.7 and 15.0 degrees C during the cool phase and 32.3 and 22.5 degrees C during the hot phase of the study. Milk yield improved linearly with increasing electrolyte balance with nonsignificant treatment by phase interaction, whereas DMI of cows improved quadratically with increasing dietary electrolyte balance. A treatment by phase interaction for DMI was detected, although intake of DM reached a plateau at a similar dietary electrolyte balance during the cool and hot phases. Body (milk) temperature of cows appeared to be related to the level of feed consumed and varied by treatment within phase. Body (milk) temperature was higher during the hot phase of the experiment. Blood bicarbonate and pH were lowest in cows offered the low electrolyte balance (high Cl) diet, and blood and urinary Na + K-Cl increased linearly with increasing dietary electrolyte balance. The response to dietary electrolyte balance appeared to be mediated through blood buffering and the impact on physiologic systems of the cow.     

Lactational responses to dietary magnesium, potassium, and sodium during winter in Florida

Forty-eight midlactation Holstein cows were used to evaluate dietary treatments arranged as a 4 x 2 x 2 factorial: .26, .38, .48, or .60% Mg, .24 or .62% Na, and 1.14 or 1.59% K. Supplemental Mg, K, and Na were supplied by feed-grade magnesium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, or sodium chloride. All dietary treatments were equal in Ca and P. There were no effects of dietary Na or K on feed intake or milk production. Feed intakes were equal with .26, .38, and .48% Mg but declined 4.9% with .60% Mg. Milk yields responded curvilinearly to dietary Mg. Similarly, 4% FCM yields responded curvilinearly, increasing 7% with .48% Mg compared with .26% Mg then declining with .60% Mg. Milk fat percentages were unaffected by dietary Mg concentration, but milk fat yields responded curvilinearly. Milk protein percentages declined linearly as dietary Mg increased. Plasma Mg concentrations increased linearly from 2.52 to 2.68 mg/dl as dietary Mg increased. Renal fractional excretions of Ca responded curvilinearly as dietary Mg increased and decreased as dietary K increased. Results of this experiment suggested that current recommendations for dietary Mg do not maximize lactational performance. A companion laboratory experiment showed that feed-grade magnesium phosphate had less alkalizing capacity than two MgO sources.     

Commercial Mineral Enhanced Dairy By‐Products as Sodium Replacers,Antioxidants and Calcium Fortifiers in Sausages

Sausages are perceived as high in Na and with a too high Na:K ratio. Frankfurter type sausages are regarded as important contributors of sodium in the diet and thereby of health risks. Surplus products from the dairy industry are various mineral powders enriched in either potassium, calcium, or phosphate and include various amounts of lactose. Sausages were produced at 3 sodium levels (equivalent to 13, 15, and 17 g NaCl/kg sausage) using 4 different milk ingredients (a dried skimmed milk powder, a calcium enriched milk powder, a potassium enriched powder, and a lactose enriched powder). The sausages with added calcium and potassium enriched milk powders resulted in the hardest sausages when compared at the same sodium level. Milk mineral addition also produced whiter and less red sausages. No effect on rancidity after 6 wk at chill (4 °C) storage was observed by adding milk minerals, when compared with adding dried skimmed milk powder. A significant advantage of using these milk minerals in sausages is that the Na:K ratio can be reduced from an unhealthy (in this study 36) to a far healthier ratio ( ? 2) with limited or no taste changes. High additions of milk calcium (6 g/kg), where Ca‐phosphates prevail, added as milk mineral, had no influence on sensory bitterness or aftertaste as typically observed for CaCl₂ additions. Ca additions to sausages are presently presumed to be an advantage with respect to human nutrition.     

Responses of lactating cows to dietary sodium source and quantity and potassium quantity during heat stress

Effects of heat stress and added dietary sodium bicarbonate (0 or 1.0% of dry matter), sodium chloride (0 or .73% of dry matter), and total dietary potassium (1.3 or 1.8% of dry matter) on acid-base status, production, and mineral metabolism of lactating Holstein cows were evaluated. Design was split-plot with 24 cows in shade or no shade environments; dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 X 2 X 2 factorial within each environment. Basal diet (38% corn silage:62% concentrate) contained .18% sodium; sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride treatments were in addition. All dietary treatments were equal in chloride content. Cows in no shade exhibited signs of respiratory alkalosis during the hot part of the day. Daily feed intake was lower in no shade than shade but milk yield and percent milk fat were not affected by environment. Sodium bicarbonate addition increased actual and 4% fat-corrected milk yields and percent milk fat. Sodium chloride addition increased actual and 4% fat-corrected milk yield when adjusted for amount of feed intake, and 1.8% dietary potassium increased feed intake and actual milk yield. Increasing total dietary sodium from .18 to .55%, from either supplemental source, enhanced 4% fat-corrected milk production, but combination of sources (.88% total sodium) showed no additional benefit over .55%.     

Reduced‐sodium cheeses: Implications of reducing sodium chloride on cheese quality and safety

Sodium chloride (NaCl) universally well‐known as table salt is an ancient food additive, which is broadly used to increase the storage stability and the palatability of foods. Though, in recent decades, use of table salt in foods is a major concern among the health agencies of the world owing to ill effects of sodium (Na) that are mostly linked to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. As a result, food scientists are working to decrease the sodium content in food either by decreasing the rate of NaCl addition or by partial or full replacement of NaCl with other suitable salts like potassium chloride (KCl), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), or magnesium chloride (MgCl₂). However, in cheese, salt reduction is difficult to accomplish owing to its multifaceted role in cheese making. Considering the significant contribution in dietary salt intake (DSI) from cheese, researchers across the globe are exploring various technical interventions to develop reduced‐sodium cheeses (RSCs) without jeopardizing the quality and safety of cheeses. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide an insight of NaCl reduction on sensory, physicochemical, and technofunctional attributes of RSCs with an aim to explore various strategies for salt reduction without affecting the cheese quality and safety. The relationship between salt reduction and survival of pathogenic and spoilage‐causing microorganisms and growth of RSCs microflora is also discussed. Based on the understanding of conceptual and applied information on the complex changes that occur in the development of RSCs, the quality and safety of RSCs can be accomplished effectively in order to reduce the DSI from cheese.     

常熟市城乡居民膳食结构分析

目的:了解常熟市城乡居民膳食结构及营养素摄入情况,为改善居民膳食现状、制定符合本地实际的营养干预政策提供依据。方法:采用3日称重、24h膳食回顾和食物频率调查问卷相结合的膳食调查方法,由专业调查员入户进行食品称重、问卷询问和记录。结果:常熟市调查人群的膳食结构不尽合理,存在着水果、奶类等摄入偏低,植物油和食盐等摄入过量,总能量、膳食纤维、维生素A、硫胺素、核黄素、钙、钾、镁、锌、硒等营养素摄入量不足,钠、铁超过参考摄入量等问题。结论:必须采取综合措施,加强膳食指南的健康教育和营养干预,从而提高营养与健康水平,预防和控制营养相关疾病。     

Effect of dietary potassium percent for lactating dairy cows.

Three groups of Holstein cows (four cows per group) past the peak of lactation were fed dietary potassium as percent of dry matter as follows: .45% for 20 days to all groups; .45, .55, and .66% to the respective groups for 12 wk; and .66% to all groups for 19 days. Dietary potassium had no significant effect on milk fat and solids-not-fat contents of milk, milk production, or milk and blood serum cations (potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium). However, body weights were affected. Symptoms common in potassium deficiency were not apparent. Average daily milk production, feed intake, and body weight gains for the 12 wk in kilograms were: 21.9, 15.8, and 15.7; 23.4, 16.4, and 54.5; and 22.8, 19.9, and 92.9 for the .45, .55, and .66% rations. When .66% potassium was fed to groups previously fed .45 and .55% potassium, feed intake increased by 3.6 kg and 1.3 kg but increased only .2 kg in the group previously fed .66%.     

The effects of mild water stress and soil type on the responses of grass and clover to sodium fertilizer

The effect of mild water stress on the response of herbage grown in sandy or loam soils to sodium nitrate fertilizer has been investigated. Sodium nitrate was applied at the equivalent of 32 kg Na ha⁻¹ to perennial ryegrass and white clover grown in pots with sand, loam and mixed soils and irrigated daily. One half of the pots were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation water for three days each week. Water stress reduced herbage yield but did not affect the response to sodium fertilizer, except that the ash concentration of grass was increased only when water stress was applied as well as sodium fertilizer. The sodium fertilizer increased herbage sodium concentrations and decreased calcium and magnesium concentrations. It also increased the potassium concentration in clover and in herbage grown in sandy but not loam or mixed soils. Clover and grass had similar sodium and magnesium concentration, but clover contained more nitrogen, potassium and calcium than grass. Therefore, under the conditions of this experiment, the increase in herbage sodium concentration with sodium fertilizer was consistent and not affected by water stress, soil type or herbage species. Changes in herbage potassium concentration, however, were inconsistent, which detracts from the value of sodium fertilizer for reducing hypomagnesaemia in ruminants. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potassium carbonate as a potassium source and dietary buffer for lactating Holstein cows during hot weather

Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were offered diets containing .93, 1.29, and 1.53% potassium during hot weather. Cows fed 1.53% potassium consumed more dry matter than cows fed either .93 or 1.29% potassium. Milk production and composition were not different. Potassium intake and fractional excretion increased, and fecal output as a percentage of intake declined with diets containing 1.29 and 1.53% potassium. Magnesium fractional excretion was least and fecal output greatest in cows fed 1.29% potassium. Fecal sodium output and fecal output as a percentage of intake was reduced by 1.53% dietary potassium. During comparison period 2, potassium carbonate at 0, .5, or 1.0% had no effect on feed consumption or milk yield, but buffered diets increased milk fat percentage and depressed milk protein percentage. No effects of buffers on ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids, or digestibility of dry matter or fiber were noted. Cows responded favorably during hot weather to potassium supplementation at 1.53% of the diet, but with high dietary potassium, effects on other minerals must be considered. Chloride, although present above requirements in all diets, was greater in the highest potassium diet.     

Dietary intake and urinary excretion of various mineral substances in patients with hypertension and ischemic heart disease

A total of 150 inpatients were examined for the content of mineral substances (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) in the blood, daily diet and daily urine. In normal subjects, intake of liquid and the elements was found to slightly exceed their excretion with urine. In patients with stage IIA essential hypertension and circulatory failure, stage I-II, the excretion of the elements exceeded their intake, which was likely to be associated with intake of diuretics. In patients with coronary heart disease, potassium was eliminated in a greater amount and calcium in a less amount as compared with the amounts supplied with the diet. The most demonstrable retention of sodium was recorded in patients with stage III essential hypertension. These patients showed a certain elevation of sodium concentration and potassium lessening in red cells. In making up the diets for patients, it is desirable to consider the pattern of changes in the ratio of the amount of mineral substances supplied with food and excreted with urine, plasma and red cell concentrations of sodium and potassium (which are mainly excreted by the kidneys), as well as those of calcium and magnesium, but with a certain reservation, since the latter ones are excreted from the body via the gastrointestinal tract.     

Dietary fat and breast cancer mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The influence of dietary fat upon breast cancer mortality remains largely understudied despite extensive investigation into its influence upon breast cancer risk. Objective: To conduct meta-analyses of studies to clarify the association between dietary fat and breast cancer mortality. Design: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for relevant articles published up to March 2012. Risk of all-cause or breast-cancer-specific death was evaluated by combining multivariable adjusted estimates comparing highest versus lowest categories of intake; and per 20 g increase in intake of total and/or saturated fat (g/day) using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Fifteen prospective cohort studies investigating total fat and/or saturated fat intake (g/day) and breast cancer mortality were included. There was no difference in risk of breast-cancer-specific death (n = 6; HR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.86, 1.52; p = 0.34) or all-cause death (n = 4; HR = 1.73; 95% CI: 0.82, 3.66; p = 0.15) for women in the highest versus lowest category of total fat intake. Breast-cancer-specific death (n = 4; HR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.09; p < 0.01) was higher for women in the highest versus lowest category of saturated fat intake. Conclusions: These meta-analyses have shown that saturated fat intake negatively impacts upon breast cancer survival.     

Milk minerals and the metabolic syndrome

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome or single components of it has dramatically risen across continents in the recent past and shows a tendency to increase in the future. The increase of these metabolic disorders was accompanied by dramatic changes in people's lifestyles, mainly less physical activity and a change in dietary habits. The consumption of fast food, convenience food and soft drinks increased, while a decline in the consumption of milk and milk products occurred. Most epidemiological studies have demonstrated a negative association between calcium and dairy consumption, and the prevalence of components of the metabolic syndrome. Diets rich in calcium or dairy products facilitated weight loss and fat loss in obese subjects or rodents and reduced weight and the regaining of fat in rodents during re-feeding after dieting. A more pronounced effect was seen if calcium was derived from dairy products. From animal and cell culture experiments a mechanism was proposed that is based mainly on dietary calcium-stimulated reduction of circulating calcitriol levels, which consequently results in a lower influx of calcium into adipocytes, leading to a metabolic state that favors catabolic over anabolic pathways. Moreover, the direct effect of calcitriol on autocrine cortisol synthesis may contribute to the weight-regulating effect of calcium. Overall, human and animal experiments have shown that dietary calcium has a slight but significantly beneficial effect on blood pressure. This was more pronounced if the calcium intake was based on milk products, which may be due to the high magnesium and potassium, and low sodium content, and to angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibiting peptides in milk products. The threshold for the minimum calcium requirement with respect to weight regulation is considered to be 800–1000 mg per day. More controlled intervention studies are needed to confirm the findings and support this hypothesis. The diversity of results indicates a complex rather than a simplistic model.     

Proximate composition and mineral contents of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) breast meat, claw meat and hepatopancreas

The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of the breast, claw meat and hepatopancreas of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Samples were subjected to proximate (protein, fat, ash and moisture) and calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium (Ca, Mg, P, K and Na) analyses. Protein, fat, ash and moisture of the breast, claw meat and hepatopancreas of the blue crab averaged 19.05, 0.59, 2.10 and 76.85 g/100 g, respectively. The results have revealed that this species is a rich source of protein, Ca, Mg, P and Na. Claw meat had higher protein concentrations (19.55 g/100 g) than both breast meat and hepatopancreas (18.81 g/100 g). Na was predominant element among minerals analysed. There were significant differences between Ca, Mg, P, K and Na contents of claw, breast meat and hepatopancreas of the blue crab. Information on the nutrient composition is needed to facilitate the processing, utilisation and marketing of blue crab products. Blue crab could balance human nutrition and could be used as an alternative dietary supplement of proteins and mineral matter.     

Effect of dietary sulfur and selenium concentrations on selenium balance of lactating Holstein cows

The effects of dietary sulfate and selenium concentrations on selenium balance in dairy cows were investigated. Midlactation Holstein cows (n = 30) were fed diets containing either 0.1 or 0.3 mg of supplemental Se (from sodium selenate)/kg of dry matter and 0, 0.2, or 0.4% added S from a mix of calcium and magnesium sulfate in a factorial arrangement. The experiment lasted 112 d. Dry matter intake was linearly reduced with increasing S, but the effect was greater when 0.3 mg/kg of Se was fed (significant interaction). Treatment effects for yields of milk, milk fat, and milk protein were similar to those for dry matter intake. Increased dietary S linearly reduced plasma Se concentrations. Increasing dietary S linearly reduced apparent (42.7, 33.1, and 30.1%) and estimated true (50.5, 46.0, and 42.3%) Se digestibility. Excretion of Se via feces (1.6 vs. 2.8 mg/d) and urine (0.5 vs. 1.3 mg/d) was higher and output in milk (0.4 vs. 0.3 mg/d) was lower for cows fed 0.3 mg/kg of Se compared with 0.1 mg/kg, but no Se effect was found for estimated true Se digestibility. Dietary S from sulfate reduced Se balance especially when cows were fed diets with less than 0.3 mg of Se/kg of diet dry matter.     

Sensory study of different sodium chloride substitutes in aqueous solution

The reduction of salt (sodium chloride) in food is one of the major challenges facing the food industry today and is motivated by the positive association between dietary salt intake and some diseases. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the equivalent amount of different sodium chloride replacements required to promote the same degree of ideal saltiness in aqueous solution and to study the sensory profile of sodium chloride and its substitutes using temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) analysis. The relative potencies of potassium chloride, monosodium glutamate, potassium phosphate, calcium lactate and potassium lactate compared to an aqueous solution with 0.75% sodium chloride were 74.75%, 59.52%, 60.48%, 11.40% and 4.96%, respectively. An evaluation of the sensory profiles of potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, calcium lactate and monosodium glutamate revealed saltiness as well as other tastes, including bitterness, sourness, umami and an unidentified undesirable taste as being dominant. The potassium chloride was the only one which showed temporal sensory profile similar to sodium chloride.     

Effect of Total and Partial Substitution of Sodium Chloride on the Quality of Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese was manufactured to give 1.6% residual sodium chloride or equivalent amounts (ionic strength basis) of magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, or 1:1 mixtures of sodium chloride and the chloride salt of magnesium, calcium, or potassium from two split batches of curd. Sensory evaluation after 4 mo ripening at 4°C showed that cheese salted solely with magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or potassium chloride was extremely bitter and totally unacceptable. There was extensive lipolysis (as measured by free fatty acid development) in the cheese salted with magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or potassium chloride. Proteolysis was highest in the cheese salted with calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. These cheese gave the lowest Instron values for firmness, hardness, and cuttability. Extensive proteolysis in these cheese may be partly due to the low salt in moisture. Taste panel scores for flavor and texture of the sodium chloride/calcium chloride and sodium chloride/magnesium chloride salted cheese were significantly lower than the scores for the control cheese. Scores for flavor and texture of the potassium chloride/sodium chloride salted cheese were not significantly different from scores of the control cheese.