Fw: Weekly Update - March 9, 2009

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Weekly Update - March 9, 2009

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Clinical Pearls Nutrition Research Updates for the Week of March 9,

2009

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Quote of the Week

Heredity is nothing, but stored environment.

-Luther Burbank

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New Expert Interview (more...) :

a.. Cognitive Performance, Oxidative Stress and PycnogenolT, Prof

Con Stough, Australia

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Summary# 47035

Topic: Eating Broccoli Sprouts May Protect Against Respiratory

Inflammation

Keywords: ASTHMA, OXIDATIVE STRESS, RESPIRATORY INFLAMMATION -

Broccoli Sprouts, Sulforaphane

Reference: " Oral sulforaphane increases Phase II antioxidant

enzymes in the human upper airway, " Riedl MA, Saxon A, et al, Clin Immunol,

2009; 130(3): 244-51. (Address: The Hart and Louis Laboratory, Clinical

Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, UCLA Geffen School of

Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. E-mail:

mriedl@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 65

subjects, results indicate that consumption of sulforaphane-containing

broccoli sprouts may increase Phase II antioxidant enzymes in the upper

airway, which may in turn reduce the inflammatory effects of oxidative

stress. The subjects consumed varying amounts of broccoli sprouts (max =

200g) or alfalfa sprouts (placebo). RNA expression for selected Phase II

enzymes was measured in nasal lavage cells at baseline and intervention end.

A dose-dependent increase in Phase II enzyme expression was observed in the

broccoli sprouts group alone. Thus, the authors conclude, " This study

demonstrates the potential of antioxidant Phase II enzymes induction in the

human airway as a strategy to reduce the inflammatory effects of oxidative

stress. "

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Summary# 47037

Topic: Intake of Phytosterol Glycosides May Reduce Cholesterol

Absorption

Keywords: CHOLESTEROL - Phytosterols, Phytosterol Glycosides,

Diet, Cholesterol Absorption

Reference: " Phytosterol Glycosides Reduce Cholesterol Absorption

in Humans, " Lin X, Ostlund Jr RE, et al, Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver

Physiol, 2009 Feb 26; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Washington University

School of Medicine, USA. E-mail: ROstlund@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design

study involving 11 healthy subjects, results indicate that intake of

phytosterol glycosides (extracted and purified from soy lecithin) may reduce

cholesterol absorption. Using a crossover design, the subjects received 300

mg of phytosterols in the form of phytosterol glycosides or phytosterol

esters, or placebo in a series of 3 single-meal tests (breakfast containing

30 mg cholesterol-d7) given at intervals of 2 weeks. Compared with placebo,

phytosterol glycoside supplementation was associated with a 37.6% reduced

cholesterol absorption, and phytosterol esters supplementation was

associated with a 30.6% reduced cholesterol absorption. Thus, the authors of

this study conclude, " These results suggest that natural phytosterol

glycosides purified from lecithin are bioactive in humans and should be

included in methods of phytosterol analysis and tables of food phytosterol

content. "

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Summary# 47047

Topic: Vitamin D May Help Reduce Cholesterol in Patients Taking

Atorvastatin

Keywords: CHOLESTEROL, HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA, CARDIOVASCULAR

DISEASE - Vitamin D, Atorvastatin, Statin

Reference: " Effects of vitamin D supplementation in

atorvastatin-treated patients: a new drug interaction with an unexpected

consequence, " Schwartz JB, Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2009; 85(2): 198-203.

(Address: Department of Research, The Jewish Home of San Francisco, San

Francisco, California, USA. E-mail: Janice.schwartz@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 16 patients (8 women, 8 men), on

average 63 years of age, taking vitamin D (800 IU/d) along with the

cholesterol-lowering statin drug, atorvastatin (45 mg/d) for a period of 6

weeks was found to reduce atorvastatin and active metabolite concentrations

as well as LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations, as compared

to placebo. In addition, supplementation with vitamin D was found to

increase vitamin D-25-OH metabolites without increasing 1,25-dihydroxy

vitamin D. These results suggest that in patients taking atorvastatin,

supplementing with vitamin D may help to further reduce LDL and total

cholesterol levels, while reducing atorvastatin and active metabolite

concentrations.

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Summary# 47044

Topic: Vitamin D and Calcium May Reduce the Risk of Colorectal

Cancer in Patients with Colorectal Adenoma

Keywords: COLORECTAL CANCER, COLORECTAL ADENOMA - Vitamin D,

Vitamin D(3), Calcium

Reference: " Effects of vitamin d and calcium supplementation on

markers of apoptosis in normal colon mucosa: a randomized, double-blind,

placebo-controlled clinical trial, " Fedirko V, Bostick RM, et al, Cancer

Prev Res (Phila Pa), 2009; 2(3): 213-23. (Address: Department of

Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518

Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. E-mail:

rmbosti@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot

study involving 92 men and women with at least one colorectal adenoma,

supplementation with calcium and vitamin D (individually and in combination)

was found to enhance apoptosis in the normal human colorectal epithelium.

For a period of 6 months, subjects received: 2.0 g/d calcium, 800 IU/d

vitamin D(3), the combination of the two supplements, or a placebo. After 6

months, results found a 56% increase in the expression of Bax (an apoptosis

promoter) among subjects supplemented with vitamin D(3) and a 33% increase

among subjects supplemented with calcium or calcium + vitamin D(3), as

compared to placebo. The strongest effects were found with vitamin D(3)

treatment in the upper 40%, or differentiated zone of colorectal crypts.

These results suggest that both vitamin D(3) and calcium may help to prevent

colorectal cancer.

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Summary# 47046

Topic: Long Term Tea Intake Linked to Lower Prevalence of

Diabetes

Keywords: DIABETES MELLITUS, DIABETES TYPE 2 - Tea Intake

Reference: " Long-term tea intake is associated with reduced

prevalence of (type 2) diabetes mellitus among elderly people from

Mediterranean islands: MEDIS epidemiological study, " Panagiotakos DB, Lionis

C, et al, Yonsei Med J, 2009; 50(1): 31-8. (Address: Department of

Nutrition-Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. E-mail:

dbpanag@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 1,040 elderly subjects from

various Mediterranean islands, consumption of tea was found to be associated

with lower fasting blood glucose levels and a lower prevalence of type 2

diabetes. 54% of subjects reported consuming tea at least once/week (mean

intake: 1.6 cups/d), with 98% reporting consumption of black or green tea,

and most reporting consumption for at least 30 years. According to multiple

logistic regression analysis, moderate tea consumption (1-2 cups/d) was

associated with a 70% reduced odds of type 2 diabetes. These results

indicate that long-term moderate consumption of green or black tea may

reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

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Summary# 47041

Topic: Calcium Intake May Help Prevent Vertebral Fractures in

Women

Keywords: FRACTURES, BONE HEALTH, MENOPAUSE - Calcium, Mineral

Reference: " Calcium intake and the 10-year incidence of

self-reported vertebral fractures in women and men: the Japan Public Health

Centre-based Prospective Study, " Nakamura K, Kurahashi N, et al, Br J Nutr,

2009; 101(2): 285-94. (Address: Department of Community Preventive Medicine,

Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757

Asahimachi-dori, Niigata 951-8510, Japan. E-mail:

kazun@... ).

Summary: In a study involving data collected from 75,634

subjects (40-69 years of age), lower intake of calcium was found to be

associated with a higher incidence of vertebral fractures in women. Women in

the lowest quartile of calcium intake were found to have a RR of 2.10 for

vertebral fractures, as compared to women in the highest quartile of calcium

intake. When the RR was calculated using energy-adjusted calcium intake, the

RR was still significantly high (1.92) for women in the lowest quartile of

calcium intake. No association between calcium intake and vertebral fracture

was found in men. The authors conclude, " An increase of Ca intake should be

considered as a preventive strategy for vertebral fractures in peri- and

post-menopausal women with a low Ca intake. "

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Summary# 47040

Topic: Infant Formula Supplemented With Prebiotics May Reduce

Intestinal And Respiratory Infections

Keywords: INFECTIONS, INFANCY - Prebiotics,

Fructo-oligosaccharides, Galacto-oligosaccharides

Reference: " A formula containing galacto- and

fructo-oligosaccharides prevents intestinal and extra-intestinal infections:

An observational study, " Bruzzese E, Guarino A, et al, Clin Nutr, 2009 Feb

19; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università

di Napoli " Federico II " , Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy).

Summary: In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, open

study involving 342 infants (mean age = 53.7 days), results indicate that

supplementation of infant formula with prebiotics may reduce intestinal and

respiratory infections in the first year. The infants were randomized to

formula supplemented with a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides,

or control formula for 12 months. The incidence of gastroenteritis was

observed to be lower in the prebiotics-supplemented group. Additionally, the

number of infants with multiple antibiotic courses was lower in the

prebiotic group, compared with the placebo group. Thus, the authors of this

study conclude, " Prebiotic administration reduce intestinal and, possibly,

respiratory infections in healthy infants during the first year of age. "

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Summary# 47045

Topic: Daily Consumption of Green or Black Tea May Prevent the

Onset of Ischemic Stroke

Keywords: ISCHEMIC STROKE, CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT - Green Tea,

Black Tea

Reference: " Green and Black Tea Consumption and Risk of Stroke.

A Meta-Analysis, " Arab L, Liu W, Elashoff D, Stroke, 2009 Feb 19; [Epub

ahead of print]. (Address: UCLA School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA,

USA. E-mail: Larab@... ).

Summary: In a meta-analysis involving data from 9 studies

involving 4,378 strokes (among 194,965 individuals), subjects consuming 3 or

more cups of green or black tea per day were found to have a 21% lower risk

of stroke, compared to those consuming <1 cup per day (absolute risk

reduction=0.79) The reviewers conclude, " Although a randomized clinical

trial would be necessary to confirm the effect, this meta-analysis suggests

that daily consumption of either green or black tea equaling 3 cups per day

could prevent the onset of ischemic stroke. "

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Summary# 47043

Topic: Green Tea Consumption May Reduce the Risk of Lung Cancer

Keywords: LUNG CANCER - Green Tea

Reference: " Green tea, black tea consumption and risk of lung

cancer: A meta-analysis, " Tang N, Wu Y, et al, Lung Cancer, 2009 Jan 5;

[Epub ahead of print]. (Address: National Shanghai Center for New Drug

Safety Evaluation and Research, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical

Industry, 199 Guoshoujing Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong, Shanghai

201203, China. E-mail: napping.tang@... ).

Summary: In a meta-analysis involving 22 studies investigating

the associations between consumption of green tea and black tea and risk of

lung cancer, an increase in green tea consumption of two cups per day was

found to be associated with an 18% reduced risk of lung cancer (RR=0.82),

and the highest green tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk

(RR=0.78) of lung cancer. While black tea consumption was also associated

with a reduced risk of lung cancer, the association was not significant

(RR=0.86; increase of 2 cups/day, RR=0.82). These results suggest that

regular consumption of green tea may help reduce the risk of lung cancer.

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Summary# 47049

Topic: Higher Folic Acid Dose Recommended

Keywords: NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS, PREGNANCY - Folic Acid

Reference: " Steady state folate concentrations achieved with 5

compared with 1.1 mg folic acid supplementation among women of childbearing

age, " Nguyen P, Tam C, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2009; 89(3): 844-52. (Address:

G. Koren, The Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555

University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. E-mail:

gideon.koren@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 40 non-pregnant women of

childbearing age (between 18 and 45 years), supplementation with 5 mg/d

folic acid was found to produce higher blood folate concentrations (2339

nmol/L) than supplementation with 1.1 mg/d folic acid (1625 nmol/L), after

4, 6, 12, and 30 weeks of supplementation. The authors conclude, " The use of

5 mg folic acid among women of childbearing age produced higher blood folate

concentrations, with a faster rate of folate accumulation, compared with 1.1

mg folic acid. "

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Summary# 47036

Topic: Poor Maternal Vitamin B12 Status Significantly Increases

Risk of Neural Tube Defects in Offspring

Keywords: PREGNANCY, NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS - Vitamin B12, Folic

Acid

Reference: " Maternal vitamin B12 status and risk of neural tube

defects in a population with high neural tube defect prevalence and no folic

Acid fortification, " Molloy AM, Mills JL, et al, Pediatrics, 2009; 123(3):

917-23. (Address: Schools of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, School of

Medicine, Dublin 2, Ireland. E-mail: amolloy@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 171 women with neural tube

defect-affected pregnancy, 107 pregnant women with previous neural tube

defect birth, and matched controls, with no folic acid fortification,

results indicate a significantly increased risk for neural tube defects

associated with inadequate or deficient maternal vitamin B12 status. Blood

samples were collected from the women at an average of 15 weeks' gestation.

The lowest quartile of maternal vitamin B12 status was associated with a 2-3

fold increased risk of neural tube defects in offspring (maternal vitamin

B12 concentrations < 250 ng/L were associated with the highest risk). Thus,

the authors of this study conclude, " Deficient or inadequate maternal

vitamin B(12) status is associated with a significantly increased risk for

neural tube defects. We suggest that women have vitamin B(12) levels of >300

ng/L (221 pmol/L) before becoming pregnant. "

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Summary# 47042

Topic: Alpha-lipoic Acid, Oxidative Stress, and Sickle Cell

Disease

Keywords: SICKLE CELL DISEASE - Alpha-Lipoic Acid, ALA

Reference: " Alpha-lipoic acid modifies oxidative stress

parameters in sickle cell trait subjects and sickle cell patients, " s

VD, Manfredini V, et al, Clin Nutr, 2009 Feb 19; [Epub ahead of print].

(Address: Laboratório de Estresse Oxidativo, Departamento de Biofísica,

Instituto de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e

Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento

Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43431, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil. E-mail:

mara.benfato@... ).

Summary: In a placebo-controlled study involving 60 subjects

with different hemoglobin profiles (AA=normal; AS=sickle cell disease trait;

SS=sickle cell disease patient), treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (200 mg)

for a period of 3 months was found to significantly increase catalase

activity in the AS group and reduce glutathione peroxidase activities in all

the groups. In addition, subjects in the AA group showed significant

reductions in levels of malondialdehyde and carbonyl. These results suggest

that treatment with alpha-lipoic acid may protect " .AA subjects from

oxidative damage to lipids and proteins " while the dose of ALA used in this

study was " not effective to prevent oxidative damage " in SCD subjects.

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Summary# 47048

Topic: Zinc and Selenium Status in Vegetarians

Keywords: VEGETARIANS, NUTRITIONAL STATUS - Minerals, Zinc,

Selenium

Reference: " Zinc and selenium nutritional status in

vegetarians, " de Bortoli MC, Cozzolino SM, Biol Trace Elem Res, 2009;

127(3): 228-33. (Address: PRONUT (Program of Applied Human

Nutrition)-FSP/FCF/FEA, University of São o, São o, Brazil. E-mail:

mbortoli@... ).

Summary: In a cross-sectional study involving 30 male and female

vegetarians (27 years of age, 4.5 years of vegetarianism) with a mean BMI of

21.5, zinc concentration in erythrocytes was found to be deficient (37

microg/gHb) among both male and female vegetarians. On the other hand,

concentrations of selenium in plasma and erythrocytes were found to be

adequate. The authors conclude, " .vegetarians should be constantly assessed

and receive nutritional support to reduce the effects of inadequate zinc

status. "

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Summary# 47039

Topic: Lutein Supplementation May Benefit Individuals With

Long-Term Computer Display Light Exposure

Keywords: VISION - Lutein, Computer Monitor

Reference: " A 12-week lutein supplementation improves visual

function in Chinese people with long-term computer display light exposure, "

Ma L, Lin XM, et al, British J of Nutr, 2009 Feb 19; [Epub ahead of print].

(Address: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health,

Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, P. R. China. E-mail:

linbjmu@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 37

healthy subjects with long-term computer display light exposure, aged 22 to

30 years, results indicate supplementation with lutein may improve visual

function. The subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 groups for 12 weeks: 1)

(n=12) received 6 mg lutein daily; 2) (n=12) received 12 mg lutein daily; 3)

received placebo. At intervention end, a trend towards increase in visual

acuity was observed in group 2. Additionally, contrast sensitivity increased

in the lutein-supplemented groups. Thus, the authors of this study conclude,

" Visual function in healthy subjects who received the lutein supplement

improved, especially in contrast sensitivity, suggesting that a higher

intake of lutein may have beneficial effects on the visual performance. "

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Summary# 47038

Topic: Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation May Improve Fat

Mass Loss in Women With Very Low Calcium Intake

Keywords: WEIGHT LOSS, OBESITY, OVERWEIGHT - Calcium, Vitamin D,

Weight Loss Program, Weight Reducing Program

Reference: " Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fat mass

loss in female very low-calcium consumers: potential link with a

calcium-specific appetite control, " Major GC, Tremblay A, et al, British J

of Nutr, 2009; 101(5): 659-663. (Address: Division of Kinesiology,

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval

University, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada. E-mail:

angelo.tremblay@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

involving 63 obese or overweight women (mean age = 43 years; mean BMI = 32)

participating in a weight-reducing program, results indicate that calcium

and vitamin D supplementation may reduce fat mass in women with very low

daily calcium intake. The women received supplementation with 600 mg

elemental calcium and 5 microg vitamin D (twice a day) or placebo, for 15

weeks, while undergoing a weight-reducing program. In very low calcium

consumers (initial calcium intake <= 600 mg/d), calcium + vitamin D

supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in body weight

and fat mass, along with a decrease in spontaneous dietary lipid intake.

Thus, the authors of this study conclude, " During the weight-reducing

programme, a calcium+D supplementation was necessary in female

overweight/obese very low-calcium consumers to reach significant fat mass

loss that seemed to be partly explained by a decrease in lipid intake. We

propose that this change in lipid intake could be influenced by a

calcium-specific appetite control. "

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