Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 6, issue 2

Authors: Sukkar, Samir

Article Type: Letter

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-013-0132-4

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 85-87, 2013

Authors: Patel, Seema

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Generally, the rose hips are discarded as horticultural wastes. Recently, they have been discovered to be storehouse of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Rich in polyphenols, essential fatty acids, vitamin A and C, mineral Ca and Fe, they have potential to be developed as functional foods. The extracts have demonstrated antioxidant, antiarthritic, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, gastroprotective and skin ameliorative effects. A slew of rose hip-based pharmaceutical supplements are already released to the market. Since very long, the indigenous traditional knowledge has accepted the medicinal value of rose hips. Now, modern clinical science is waking up to the rationale behind …their incorporation in therapeutic regimens. This review has been compiled with a vision to promote the scarcely studied and barely exploited nutritional source as a nutraceutical aid and complementary and alternative medicine. Show more

Keywords: Rose hips, Functional food, Antioxidant, Antiinflammatory, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0118-7

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 89-97, 2013

Authors: Proietti, M. | Del Buono, A. | Pagliaro, G. | Del Buono, R. | Di Rienzo, C.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: The onset of several human diseases takes place in an inefficient intestine. We probably should reevaluate the relationship between food and health. Three million Italians and twenty million Americans suffer from the gluten sensitivity syndrome, similar yet different from celiac disease. Different pathological status arise as a consequence of sensitivity to gluten, depending on the genetic polymorphism of the subjects and the environment in which they live. If we gain more knowledge on interactions between food, eating habits, genomics and the environment, this could mean better prevention and/or treatment. The era of epigenetics has begun, while the dogma of genetic …determinism seems to be fading. Show more

Keywords: Mycotoxins, Immunological tolerance, Intestinal permeability syndrome, Celiac disease, Gluten sensitivity, Autistic spectrum

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-013-0125-3

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 99-104, 2013

Authors: Vasilopoulou, Effie | Dilis, Vardis | Trichopoulou, Antonia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Dietary traditions are an important part of cultural identity and the production of traditional foods may provide a considerable income to interested businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. Traditional foods, notably those from the Mediterranean area, earned a reputation for their nutritional quality, and should, therefore, be protected and supported. European law has recently provided a framework to promote the beneficial nutritional and health properties of foods, by allowing the communication of scientifically supported claims, after a standard evaluation procedure. European Commission Regulation 1924 of 2006 is intended to minimize consumer misleading and promote healthy dietary choices. In this context, …we have investigated the potential of 194 traditional Greek foods to bear nutrition claims, by comparing their energy content and nutritional composition to the European specifications on a wide range of nutritional components, including protein, total fat and fatty acids, sugars, salt, dietary fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals. The average number of claims per traditional food was 5, with a range between 0 and 14. Overall, about 1,024 nutrition claims were potentially relevant for the 194 traditional foods studied. From those, about half were made on vitamins and minerals. Foods linked with the most claims were nuts and seeds. European Regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods may provide an important tool for the sustainment of Mediterranean traditional foods, since those foods frequently have distinct nutritional qualities. Show more

Keywords: Traditional foods, Nutrition claims, Mediterranean diet, Food labeling, Dietary recommendations

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-013-0123-5

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 105-111, 2013

Authors: Kotsaga, Effrosyni

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study examines food marketing to children on Greek television. Food advertisements broadcast in public and commercial channels during children's programmes and programmes watched by family members are examined. The research took into consideration four different time periods of the second semester of 2011. 7 days in summer, 7 days in autumn, 4 weekends in autumn and five evenings in winter were examined. The total time of all advertisements counted was 25:28:06 h where the total time of food advertisements was 4:58:01 h. Food advertisements in summer counted to 12.47 % of the total number of advertisements. In autumn food …advertisements counted to 30 % of all advertisements shown. On 4 weekends in autumn, food advertisements were equal to 29.47 % of total advertisements. In winter advertisements related to food were equal to 36 % of advertisements. In total out of 3,238 advertisements 913 were related to food. Most food advertisements were shown on commercial channels. Unhealthy food was advertised at all times as well as healthy lifestyle. Children are aggressively attacked by food marketing at all time periods. Advertisements that target children should be carefully examined even those that promote healthy lifestyle. Strict regulation is required to protect children from aggressive marketing. Show more

Keywords: Food marketing, Children, Television, Greece

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0119-6

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 113-118, 2013

Authors: Odunola, Oyeronke A. | Muhammad, Aliyu | Farooq, Ahsana D. | Dalvandi, Kourosh | Rasheed, Huma | Choudhary, Muhammad I. | Erukainure, Ochuko L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Apart from their nutritional properties, foods are basically health promoting or disease preventing. Typical example of such type of foods is honey. Sodium arsenite has been implicated in covalent interactions with the thiol groups in proteins, thereby affecting their structure–function relationship. This study was undertaken to investigate on the comparative assessment of redox-sensitive biomarkers from brain, blood serum and liver tissues as well as genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells of male Wister albino rats due to acacia honey and sodium arsenite administration in vivo. Male Wister albino in four groups of five rats, each were administered with distilled water, …acacia honey (20 %), sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg body weight), acacia honey and sodium arsenite daily for 1 week. They were killed using 60 mg/kg sodium pentothal. Blood serum, brain and liver tissues were used for the assessment of GSH level, catalase, SOD activities, protein content and lipid peroxidation. The degree of clastogenicity was assessed using the mouse micronucleus assay in bone marrow cells. Sodium arsenite significantly (p < 0.05) suppresses the GSH level, SOD and catalase activities with simultaneous induction of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and clastogenic effects. Acacia honey was able to increased (p < 0.05) GSH level SOD and catalase activities with concomitant anti-clastogenic effects due to reduction in micronuclei. Acacia honey mitigates sodium arsenite induced-oxidative stress and clastogenicity in male Wister albino rats with its antioxidant properties more pronounced in liver tissues. Show more

Keywords: Acacia honey, Sodium arsenite, Oxidative stress, Clastogenicity, Wister albino rats

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-013-0127-1

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 119-126, 2013

Authors: Lampropoulos, Konstantinos M. | Bonou, Maria | Bountziouka, Vassiliki | Evangelopoulos, Angelos | Giotopoulou, Amalia | Vallianou, Natalia | Avgerinos, Peter | Panagiotakos, Demosthenes | Barbetseas, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Studying dietary patterns and its relation to the development of various chronic diseases have received much interest during the past years, since they capture a holistic approach of true diet. Haptoglobin (Hp) has been associated with cardiovascular heart disease risk especially with acute myocardial infarction, coronary and peripheral artery disease, stroke, and heart failure. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary patterns and Hp blood levels among apparently healthy adults. During 2009, 490 volunteers (46 ± 16 years, 40 % male) were consecutively enrolled to the study (participation rate 85 %). Biochemical analyses were performed through established procedures, …after 12 h fasting. Anthropometric, lifestyle and dietary characteristics were also recorded to account for potential confounders. Principal components analysis (PCA) was the data-driven technique to extract the dietary patterns. Pattern analysis revealed eight dietary patterns through the application of PCA; however, four of them were considered nutritionally important as they explained 35 % of total variance in food consumption (“Western diet”, “Mediterranean diet”, “Meat and bakery products” and “Alcohol and stimulants pattern”). The fourth pattern (alcohol and stimulants intake) has been characterised by intake of alcoholic drinks (wine, beer, and spirits) and stimulants (coffee and tea). Adherence to the latter pattern was associated with reduced Hp levels (b ± SE −5.9 ± 2.7, p = 0.03), adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, physical activity, and smoking habits. However, multi-adjusted analysis revealed that the individual effect of alcohol or stimulants on lowering Hp levels was not significant (p = 0.27 and p = 0.05, respectively). Moderate drinking of alcoholic drinks and stimulants seems to be associated with lower haptoglobin levels, suggesting another potential mechanism for the health benefits achieved through alcohol and stimulants drinking. Show more

Keywords: Haptoglobin, Alcohol, Dietary pattern, Healthy individuals

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-013-0122-6

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 127-133, 2013

Authors: Erukainure, O. L. | Ebuehi, O. A. T. | Adeboyejo, F. O. | Okafor, E. N. | Hafizur, R. M. | Aliyu, M. | Elemo, G. N.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Studies have provided evidence of the hypoglycemic properties of fiber-containing foods compared to fiber-free foods. In this study, the hypoglycemic properties and beneficial effects of fiber-enriched cake in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were reported. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. Fiber-enriched cake was produced from selected fruits and fed to the treatment group. The rats were monitored daily for food intake, and body weight. Their blood glucose levels were monitored on weekly basis. Treatment lasted for 14 days, after which the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and centrifuged to obtain …serum which was analyzed to evaluate serum insulin level. Histological study was carried out on the pancreatic tissues. There was no significant difference in diet intake and body weight among the experimental groups. Feeding on the formulated cake led to 68.75 % reduction of the blood glucose level compared to the diabetic group. Significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum insulin level was observed in the cake-fed group. Feeding on the formulated cake led to restoration of pancreatic β-cells. The fiber-enriched cake had a therapeutic protective effect against diabetes which can serve as a functional food in the treatment and management of the disease. Show more

Keywords: Blood glucose, FER, Fiber, Hypoglycemic, Insulin

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0116-9

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 135-141, 2013

Authors: Giorgio, Calabrese | Monica, Maj | Margherita, Testa | Elisabetta, Fioramonti | Filippo, Rossi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The study involved 983 adolescents attending the first 2 years at high school (14–15 years) in Bra (Northern Italy). The research was aimed at studying the essentials of food habits of adolescents while in school, at home or away from home, their conditions and opinions about body weight, about sport practice and the satisfaction with their physical appearance. The involved students were given a questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken (weight and height). The percentage of underweight students was higher among female students than males (8.45 vs. 3.93 %), while boys tended to be overweight more than girls (8.05 vs. …4.02 %). The only obesity cases (n = 3) were found among boys. Female students attending the Professional Institute have a higher BMI than those at the Lyceum (21.97 vs. 21.03; P < 0.05). No significant differences in the BMI value have been found among male students attending different schools. The questionnaire results showed that almost half of the students do not have breakfast at home while they prefer coffee shops or vending machines. The BMI value of the students, who have breakfast at home is lower than that of the students, who almost never have breakfast (21.71 vs. 22.52; P < 0.05). 42 % of meals are not eaten together with the family, even if at home there is a person responsible for the preparation of meals. Sport is practiced by 58.5 % of males and 42.6 % of females in a competitive way and on a regular basis. 35 % of students are occasionally satisfied with their physical appearance; 13.3 % are never satisfied. A significant relationship can be found between the satisfying ratio and gender: 66.2 % of males are always or often satisfied, while 63.9 % of females are unsatisfied or poorly satisfied. Show more

Keywords: Adolescents, Eating habits, Overweight

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0117-8

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 143-150, 2013

Authors: Soattin, M. | De Stefano, F. | Vitturi, N. | Mion, M. M. | Cosma, C. | Plebani, M. | Busetto, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an important cardiovascular risk factor and visceral fat plays a central role in its development. Visceral fat measurement by TC or MRI is difficult to apply in routine clinical practice. Our aim was to evaluate anthropometric measurements, abdominal ultrasonography (US) and a new abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) (ViScan, TANITA) as predictors of metabolic abnormalities. 105 subjects, (age 52.8 ± 14.7 years, BMI of 29.2 ± 5.3 kg/m2 ) were analysed. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, adipochine and inflammatory citochines were determined. Waist and hip circumferences and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) were measured and abdominal …BIA with ViScan was performed; peri-renal, para-renal, peri-hepatic, pre-peritoneal, and peritoneal fat thicknesses were measured by US Anthropometric indexes, ViScan and US measurements were evaluated as predictors of MS abnormalities in a partial correlation analysis adjusted for BMI. Only SAD and peritoneal US fat thickness are good predictors for the metabolic abnormalities related to MS after adjusting for BMI. The correlation among different anthropometric, abdominal BIA and ultrasonographic measurements, corrected for BMI, showed that SAD had a strong correlation with peritoneal fat thicknesses. Both SAD and US peritoneal fat thickness are good predictors of metabolic abnormalities. Show more

Keywords: Obesity, Ultrasound, Metabolic abnormalities

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-013-0129-z

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 151-158, 2013