We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of n-3 fatty acids supplementation on the risk of developing depression, depressive symptoms and remission of depression. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to December 2022 to find randomised trials of n-3 fatty acids supplementation in adults. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to estimate standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95 % CI for continuous outcomes and risk difference and 95 % CI for binary outcomes. A total of sixty-seven trials were included. Each 1 g/d n-3 fatty acids supplementation significantly improved depressive symptoms in adults with and without depression (moderate-certainty evidence), with a larger improvement in patients with existing depression. Dose–response analyses indicated a U-shaped effect in patients with existing depression, with the greatest improvement at 1·5 g/d. The analysis showed that n-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly increased depression remission by 19 more per 100 in patients with depression (low-certainty evidence). Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids did not reduce the risk of developing depression among the general population, but it did improve the severity of depression among patients with existing depression.

This study is aimed to evaluate the effect and underling mechanism of dietary supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) disodium on improving inflammatory liver injury in piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of seventy-two crossbred barrows were allotted into four groups as follows: the CTRL group (basal diet + saline injection); the PQQ group (3 mg/kg PQQ diet + saline injection); the CTRL + LPS group (basal diet + LPS injection) and the PQQ + LPS group (3 mg/kg PQQ diet + LPS injection). On days 7, 11 and 14, piglets were challenged with LPS or saline. Blood was sampled at 4 h after the last LPS injection (day 14), and then the piglets were slaughtered and liver tissue was harvested. The results showed that the hepatic morphology was improved in the PQQ + LPS group compared with the CTRL + LPS group. PQQ supplementation decreased the level of serum inflammatory factors, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase, and increased the HDL-cholesterol concentration in piglets challenged with LPS; piglets in the PQQ + LPS group had lower liver mRNA level of inflammatory factors and protein level of α-smooth muscle actin than in the CTRL + LPS group. Besides, mRNA expression of STAT3/TGF-β1 pathway and protein level of p-STAT3(Tyr 705) were decreased, and mRNA level of PPARα and protein expression of p-AMPK in liver were increased in the PQQ + LPS group compared with the CTRL + LPS group (P < 0·05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PQQ alleviated inflammatory liver injury might partly via inhibition of the STAT3/TGF-β1 pathway in piglets challenged with LPS.

Recent evidence suggests better appetite control in states of high-energy flux (HEF) in adults and lean children. Nevertheless, it is unknown whether this extends to youth with obesity. This study compares the effects of low, moderate or HEF on short-term appetitive control in adolescents with obesity. Sixteen adolescents with obesity (12–16 years, Tanner stages 3–5, 11 females) randomly completed three conditions: (i) low-energy flux (LEF); (ii) moderate energy flux (MEF; + 250 kcal) and (iii) HEF (HEF; + 500 kcal). Energy flux was achieved in MEF and HEF through elevated energy intake (EI) and concomitant increase in energy expenditure using cycling exercise (65 % VO2peak). Ad libitum EI, macronutrient intake and relative EI were assessed at dinner, subjective appetite sensations taken at regular intervals and food reward measured before dinner. Ad libitum EI at dinner was greater in LEF compared with HEF (P = 0·008), and relative EI (REI) was higher in LEF compared with MEF (P = 0·003) and HEF (P < 0·001). The absolute consumption of carbohydrates was lower in LEF compared with MEF (P = 0·047) and HEF (P < 0·001). Total AUC for hunger and desire to eat was lower in HEF compared with LEF (P < 0·001) and MEF (P = 0·038). Total AUC for prospective food consumption was lower on HEF compared with LEF (P = 0·004). Food choice sweet bias was higher in HEF (P = 0·005) compared with LEF. To conclude, increasing energy flux may improve short-term appetite control in adolescents with obesity.

In work aimed at developing methodologies for validation of estimates of the dietary intake of free-living individuals, Bingham and colleagues have examined the use of urinary nitrogen (UN) excretion as an index of protein intake (Bingham & Cummings, 1985; Bingham, 1994; Bingham et al. 1995). The basis of this approach is that in subjects in N equilibrium, N intake is assumed equal to N excretion. Thus, if N excretion is measured it should indicate N and dietary protein intakes. In practice, since most N excretion occurs via the urine, which is relatively simple to collect, Bingham and colleagues examined the relationship between 24 h UN and N intake (DN). They argued that in subjects on typical UK diets UN should bear a fixed relationship to DN, and measured it carefully in a group of subjects. They showed that in a group of eight individuals in which intake and N excretion were measured meticulously, UN was 81% DN (SD 2, range 78–83%). They argued that measurement of this ratio could be used to assess the validity of food intake measurement and concluded ‘In healthy individuals eating normal western diets, 24 h urine N from an 8 day collection verified for its completeness by the PABA check method, should establish urine N to within 81(SD 5)% of the habitual dietary intake, range 70–90%. If the dietary assessment from 18 days of records or 24 h recalls or the diet history falls within these limits, it can be stated that there is no evidence of interference with normal dietary habits, or of reporting errors….’ (Bingham & Cummings, 1985).

A quality assessment of the primary studies reported in the literature carried out using select dietary ingredients (DI) purported to affect vascular endothelial function was conducted through a systematic PubMed search from January 2000 to August 2012. A total of seventy randomised controlled trials with defined DI (folic acid (fifteen), n-3 fatty acids (twenty), cocoa (fifteen) and isoflavones (twenty)) and standardised measures of vascular endothelial function were evaluated. Jadad scores, quality scoring parameters for DI and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) methodology used were ascertained. A total of 3959 randomised subjects, mean age 51 (se 0·21) years (range 9–79 years), were represented in the dataset. The mean Jadad scores did not differ statistically among the DI studies, with the majority of the studies being of good quality. Higher DI quality scores were achieved by studies using the botanical ingredients cocoa and isoflavones than by those using the nutrient ingredients folic acid and n-3 fatty acids. The mean DI quality scores were 4·13 (se 0·34), 5·20 (se 0·47), 6·13 (se 0·41) and 6·00 (se 0·59) for the folic acid, n-3 fatty acid, cocoa and isoflavone intervention studies, respectively (and significantly different). The mean Corretti FMD scores were 7·27 (se 0·56), 7·46 (se 0·79), 6·29 (se 0·61) and 7·11 (se 0·56) for the folic acid, n-3 fatty acid, cocoa and isoflavone intervention studies, respectively (NS). FMD studies failed to adequately describe the equipment used and more than half failed to provide an adequate description of the procedures used for vascular image acquisition and measurement. DI can be utilised for dietary intervention studies; however, the methodology should be clearly reported using the guidelines for assessment for both DI and FMD.

DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic modifications in breast cancer (BC) development, and long-term dietary habits can alter DNA methylation. Cadherin-4 (CDH4, a member of the cadherin family) encodes Ca2+-dependent cell–cell adhesion glycoproteins. We conducted a case–control study (380 newly diagnosed BC and 439 cancer-free controls) to explore the relationship of CDH4 methylation in peripheral blood leukocyte DNA (PBL DNA), as well as its combined and interactive effects with dietary factors on BC risk. A case-only study (335 newly diagnosed BC) was conducted to analyse the association between CDH4 methylation in breast tissue DNA and dietary factors. CDH4 methylation was detected using quantitative methylation-specific PCR. Unconditional logistic regressions were used to analyse the association of CDH4 methylation in PBL DNA and BC risk. Cross-over analysis and unconditional logistic regression were used to calculate the combined and interactive effects between CDH4 methylation in PBL DNA and dietary factors in BC. CDH4 hypermethylation was significantly associated with increased BC risk in PBL DNA (ORadjusted (ORadj) = 2·70, (95 % CI 1·90, 3·83), P < 0·001). CDH4 hypermethylation also showed significant combined effects with the consumption of vegetables (ORadj = 4·33, (95 % CI 2·63, 7·10)), allium vegetables (ORadj = 7·00, (95 % CI 4·17, 11·77)), fish (ORadj = 7·92, (95 % CI 3·79, 16·53)), milk (ORadj = 6·30, (95 % CI 3·41, 11·66)), overnight food (ORadj = 4·63, (95 % CI 2·69, 7·99)), pork (ORadj = 5·59, (95 % CI 2·94, 10·62)) and physical activity (ORadj = 4·72, (95 % CI 2·87, 7·76)). Moreover, consuming milk was significantly related with decreased risk of CDH4 methylation (OR = 0·61, (95 % CI 0·38, 0·99)) in breast tissue. Our findings may provide direct guidance on the dietary intake for specific methylated carriers to decrease their risk for developing BC.

Fortifying complementary foods with lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) may improve energy and nutrient intakes of infants at risk for undernutrition. We aimed to determine the relative validity of an interactive 24-h recall (i-24-HR) for assessing the impact of an LNS intervention on dietary intakes of energy and nutrients among rural Malawian 9–10-month-old infants (n 132) participating in the International Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements Dose (iLiNS-DOSE) trial. Dietary data were collected for the same day via i-24-HR and weighed food records. Inter-method agreements were estimated overall and by intervention group, using Bland–Altman plots and paired t tests; measurement error models (differential error); and percentage of food omissions and intrusions were estimated. Overall, inter-method differences in mean intakes of energy and most nutrients were not significant. When stratified by group, recalled energy intakes were under-estimated (−368 kJ; P=0·01) in the control but not in the intervention group (−42 kJ; P=0·6). This differential reporting error was related to an over-estimation of recalled LNS (8·1 v. 4·5 g; P<0·001) in the intervention group, compensating for an under-estimation of energy and nutrient intakes from complementary foods. Sources of measurement error in the i-24-HR were under-estimations of starchy staples, meat/fish/eggs and legumes/nuts/seeds (overall percentage agreement between 38 and 89 %; P<0·028); and over-estimations of added sugar, soups/broths and LNS (overall percentage agreement between 138 and 149 %; P<0·001). Common (>30 % eating occasions) omissions were milk/fish/eggs, starchy roots/vegetables and sweetened snacks. Common intrusions were milk/yogurt. Starchy staples and LNS were recalled when consumed (>85 %) (i.e. matched). These results emphasise the importance of considering differential error when interpreting dietary results in LNS trials.

Non-communicable diseases are projected to become the most common causes of death in Africa by 2030. The impact on health of epidemiological and nutritional transitions in sub-Saharan Africa remains unclear. To assess the trends of dietary fatty acids over time in Uganda, we examined fatty acids in serum collected from individuals in rural south-west Uganda, at three time points over two decades. Independent cross-sectional samples of 915 adults and children were selected from the general population cohort in 1990 (n 281), 2000 (n 283) and 2008 (n 351). Serum phospholipid fatty acids were measured by GC. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to compare the geometric means of fatty acids by time period. Serum fatty acid profiling showed high proportions of SFA, cis-MUFA and industrial trans-fatty acids (iTFA), likely to be biomarkers of high consumption of palm oil and hydrogenated fats. In contrast, proportions of n-6 and n-3 PUFA from vegetable oils and fish were low. From 1990 to 2008, serum phospholipids showed increases in absolute amounts of SFA (17·3 % increase in adults and 26·4 % in children), MUFA (16·7 % increase in adults and 16·8 % in children) and n-6:n-3 PUFA (40·1 % increase in adults and 39·8 % in children). The amount of elaidic acid, iTFA from hydrogenated fats, increased in children (60·1 % increase). In this rural Ugandan population, we show evidence of unfavourable trends over time of dietary fatty acids.

Healthy dietary patterns may protect against age-related cognitive decline, but results of studies have been inconsistent and few have had extensive longitudinal follow-up with comprehensive cognitive testing. The aim of the present study was to determine associations of dietary patterns with trajectories of global- and domain-specific cognitive change over a 12-year period. Data from 863 community-dwelling, dementia-free participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 study of ageing completed a FFQ at baseline (aged 70 years) and underwent cognitive testing at baseline, and at the ages of 73, 76, 79 and 82 years. Composite cognitive scores were constructed for four cognitive domains (visuospatial ability, processing speed, memory and verbal ability) and global cognitive function. A Mediterranean-style pattern and a traditional pattern were derived using principal component analysis of self-reported dietary intakes. In fully adjusted latent growth curve models, higher baseline adherence to the Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (β = 0·056, P = 0·009) and lower baseline adherence to the traditional dietary pattern (β  =  −0·087, P < 0·001) were cross-sectionally associated with better verbal ability. A slightly steeper decline in verbal ability over 12 years was observed in those with higher Mediterranean-style diet scores at baseline (β = −0·003, P = 0·008). All other associations were non-significant. Our findings in this well-characterised Scottish cohort indicate that adherence to a healthy Mediterranean-style diet is associated cross-sectionally with better verbal (crystallised) ability, with the converse being true for the traditional diet. A healthier baseline diet did not predict a reduced risk of global- or domain-specific cognitive decline.

Differences in blood concentration of sex hormones in the follicular (FP) and luteal (LP) phases may influence energy metabolism in women. We compared fasting energy metabolism and sweet taste preference on a representative day of the FP and LP in twenty healthy women (25·3 (sd 5·1) years, BMI: 22·2 (sd 2·2) kg/m2) with regular self-reported menses and without the use of hormonal contraceptives. From the self-reported duration of the three prior menstrual cycles, the predicted FP and LP visits were scheduled for days 5–12 and 20–25 after menses, respectively. The order of the FP and LP visits was randomly assigned. On each visit, RMR and RQ by indirect calorimetry, sweet taste preference by the Monell two-series forced-choice tracking procedure, serum fibroblast growth factor 21 by a commercial ELISA (FGF21, a liver-derived protein with action in energy balance, fuel oxidation and sugar preference) and dietary food intake by a 24-h dietary recall were determined. Serum progesterone and oestradiol concentrations displayed the expected differences between phases. RMR was lower in the FP v. LP (5042 (sd 460) v. 5197 (sd 490) kJ/d, respectively; P = 0·04; Cohen effect size, drm = 0·33), while RQ showed borderline significant higher values (0·84 (sd 0·05) v. 0·81 (sd 0·05), respectively; P = 0·07; drm = 0·62). Also, in the FP v. LP, sweet taste preference was lower (12 (sd 8) v. 16 (sd 9) %; P = 0·04; drm = 0·47) concomitant with higher serum FGF21 concentration (294 (sd 164) v. 197 (sd 104) pg/ml; P < 0·01; drm = 0·66). The menstrual cycle is associated with changes in energy expenditure, sweet taste preference and oxidative fuel partitioning.

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections. Cranberry has been suggested for H. pylori eradication. We aimed to conduct the first meta-analysis to summarise current evidence on effects of cranberry supplementation on H. pylori eradication in H. pylori positive subjects. We searched the online databases up to December 2020. Four randomised clinical trials (RCT) were included with human subjects, investigating the effect of cranberry on H. pylori eradication. The pooled results were expressed as the OR with 95 % CI. Based on five effect sizes with a total sample size of 1935 individuals, we found that according to the OR, there was a positive effect of cranberry supplementation on H. pylori eradication, increasing the chance of H. pylori eradication by 1·27 times, but this relationship was not statistically significant (overall OR: 1·27; 95 % CI 0·63, 2·58). The results also indicated the moderate between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 63·40 %; P = 0·03) of the studies. However, there were no significant differences in some subgroup analyses in the duration of treatment, the duration of follow-up and the Jadad score. Our findings revealed that although cranberry had a positive effect on H. pylori eradication in adults, this effect was not statistically significant. Due to the small number of included studies and moderate heterogeneities, the potential of cranberry supplementation on H. pylori eradication should be validated in large, multicentre and well-designed RCT in the future.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of vitamin A, D and their interaction on the glycaemic control in patients with both diabetes and tuberculosis. Tuberculosis infection and its treatment induce hyperglycaemia and complicate the glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. A randomised controlled trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design was conducted in a tuberculosis-specialised hospital in Qingdao, China. A total of 279 patients who have both diabetes and tuberculosis were included in this analysis. The patients received standard anti-tuberculosis treatment alone (control group), or together with a dose of vitamin A (600 μg RAE/d) or vitamin D (10 μg/d) or a combination of vitamin A (600 μg RAE/d) and vitamin D (10 μg/d) for 2 months. The effects of the intervention on fasting plasma glucose and 2-h postprandial blood glucose were investigated by ANCOVA. The analysis was adjusted for baseline values, age, sex, smoking, drinking and antidiabetic treatment as covariates. No significant effect was observed for vitamin A and D supplementation on fasting plasma glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, BMI and related blood parameters. No interaction was observed between vitamin A and D supplementation for these endpoints. Vitamin A and D supplementation showed a null effect on the glycaemic control for patients with concurrent diabetes and tuberculosis. Future work should evaluate the effect of vitamin A and D supplementation on insulin-related indices for these patients and investigate the effect of vitamin D receptor genotypes.

N-3 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) and probiotics are generally considered to induce health benefits. The objective was to investigate (1) the impact of fish oil and/or probiotics on serum fatty acids (sFA), (2) the interaction of sFA with low-grade inflammation and (3) the relation of sFA to the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnant women with overweight/obesity were allocated into intervention groups with fish oil + placebo, probiotics + placebo, fish oil + probiotics or placebo + placebo in early pregnancy (fish oil: 1·9 g DHA and 0·22 g EPA, probiotics: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420, 1010 CFU, each daily). Blood samples were collected in early (n 431) and late pregnancy (n 361) for analysis of fatty acids in serum phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesteryl esters (CE), TAG and NEFA with GC and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and GlycA by immunoassay and NMR spectroscopy, respectively. GDM was diagnosed according to 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. EPA in PC, CE and TAG and DHA in PC, CE, TAG and NEFA were higher in fish oil and fish oil + probiotics groups compared with placebo. EPA in serum NEFA was lower in women receiving probiotics compared with women not receiving. Low-grade inflammation was inversely associated with n-3 LC-PUFA, which were related to an increased risk of GDM. Fish oil and fish oil + probiotics consumption increase serum n-3 LC-PUFA in pregnant women with overweight/obesity. Although these fatty acids were inversely related to inflammatory markers, n-3 LC-PUFA were linked with an increased risk for GDM.

This secondary analysis examined the influence of changes in physical activity (PA), sedentary time and energy expenditure (EE) during dietary energy restriction on the rate of weight loss (WL) and 1-year follow-up weight change in women with overweight/obesity. Measurements of body weight and composition (air displacement plethysmography), RMR (indirect calorimetry), total daily EE (TDEE) and activity EE (AEE), minutes of PA and sedentary time (PA monitor) were taken at baseline, after 2 weeks, after ≥5 % WL or 12 weeks of continuous (25 % daily energy deficit) or intermittent (75 % daily energy deficit alternated with ad libitum day) energy restriction, and at 1-year post-WL. The rate of WL was calculated as total %WL/number of dieting weeks. Data from both groups were combined for analyses. Thirty-seven participants (aged 35 (sd 10) years; BMI = 29·1 (sd 2·3) kg/m2) completed the intervention (WL = –5·9 (sd 1·6) %) and 18 returned at 1-year post-WL (weight change=+4·5 (sd 5·2) %). Changes in sedentary time at 2 weeks were associated with the rate of WL during energy restriction (r = –0·38; P = 0·03). Changes in total (r = 0·54; P < 0·01), light (r = 0·43; P = 0·01) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (r = 0·55; P < 0·01), sedentary time (r = –0·52; P < 0·01), steps per d (r = 0·39; P = 0·02), TDEE (r = 0·46; P < 0·01) and AEE (r = 0·51; P < 0·01) during energy restriction were associated with the rate of WL. Changes in total (r = –0·50; P = 0·04) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (r = –0·61; P = 0·01) between post-WL and follow-up were associated with 1-year weight change (r = –0·51; P = 0·04). These findings highlight that PA and sedentary time could act as modifiable behavioural targets to promote better weight outcomes during dietary energy restriction and/or weight maintenance.

Maternal fish consumption exposes the fetus to beneficial nutrients and potentially adverse neurotoxicants. The current study investigated associations between maternal fish consumption and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Maternal fish consumption was assessed in the Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 1 (n 229) using 4-day food diaries. Neurodevelopment was evaluated at 9 and 30 months, and 5 and 9 years with test batteries assessing twenty-six endpoints and covering multiple neurodevelopmental domains. Analyses used multiple linear regression with adjustment for covariates known to influence child neurodevelopment. This cohort consumed an average of 8 fish meals/week and the total fish intake during pregnancy was 106·8 (sd 61·9) g/d. Among the twenty-six endpoints evaluated in the primary analysis there was one beneficial association. Children whose mothers consumed larger quantities of fish performed marginally better on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (a test of nonverbal intelligence) at age 5 years (β 0·003, 95 % CI (0, 0·005)). A secondary analysis dividing fish consumption into tertiles found no significant associations when comparing the highest and lowest consumption groups. In this cohort, where fish consumption is substantially higher than current global recommendations, maternal fish consumption during pregnancy was not beneficially or adversely associated with children’s neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The association between time-restricted eating (TRE) and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is less studied. Moreover, whether the association is independent of physical exercise or diet quality or quantity is uncertain. In this nationwide cross-sectional study of 3813 participants, the timing of food intakes was recorded by 24-h recalls; NAFLD was defined through vibration-controlled transient elastography in the absence of other causes of chronic liver disease. OR and 95 % CI were estimated using logistic regression. Participants with daily eating window of ≤ 8 h had lower odds of NAFLD (OR = 0·70, 95 % CI: 0·52, 0·93), compared with those with ≥ 10 h window. Early (05.00–15.00) and late TRE (11.00–21.00) showed inverse associations with NAFLD prevalence without statistical heterogeneity (Pheterogeneity = 0·649) with OR of 0·73 (95 % CI: 0·36, 1·47) and 0·61 (95 % CI: 0·44, 0·84), respectively. Such inverse association seemed stronger in participants with lower energy intake (OR = 0·58, 95 % CI: 0·38, 0·89, Pinteraction = 0·020). There are no statistical differences in the TRE-NAFLD associations according to physical activity (Pinteraction = 0·390) or diet quality (Pinteraction = 0·110). TRE might be associated with lower likelihood of NAFLD. Such inverse association is independent of physical activity and diet quality and appears stronger in individuals consuming lower energy. Given the potential misclassification of TRE based on one- or two-day recall in the analysis, epidemiological studies with validated methods for measuring the habitual timing of dietary intake are warranted.

Lactation is a physiologically demanding period in mink production, during which kit and dam losses may occur. Ambient temperature and quantitative water supply are thought to affect animal performance and well-being, but conclusive data in the literature are sparse. Therefore, effects of ambient temperature (Ta; low, about 5° medium, about 15° high, average 20-25°) and water supply (ad libitum (N), or 10 % extra supplementation in the food (E)) were investigated regarding effects on quantitative water intake and excretion, urine osmolality and solute excretion, and urinary cortisol and catecholamines as stress indicators in an experiment with twelve lactating mink with litters of three to seven kits in three consecutive periods, lasting 3, 3 and 2 d respectively. Kit ages ranged from 15 to 20 d at the end of the experiment. Water requirement for milk production (factorial calculations) and water available for evaporation (balance component) were estimated. Period, and hence mainly Ta, had a significant influence on intake of metabolizable energy, quantitative water intake and excretion, but there was less effect of water supply. The total water intake and excretion were very high in relation to the weight of the animals as an effect of lactation. Water intake and excretion, and urinary Na excretion, seemed to be less accurately regulated compared with corresponding functions in non-lactating animals. Rectal temperature increased with increasing Ta, possibly as a means of decreasing evaporative water loss. Water output in milk was estimated to increase from 118 g/d at low Ta to 134 g/d at high Ta. The amounts of water available for evaporation were estimated to be 42, 58 and 69 g/kg0·75 at low, medium and high Ta. Cortisol data did not indicate that the animals experienced negative stress. It was concluded that prolonged periods of high Ta may be hazardous for lactating mink because of decreased intake of metabolizable energy resulting in energy deficit and excessive mobilization of body reserves simultaneously as the requirement for intake of water increases considerably.

South Asian populations are predisposed to early onset of the metabolic syndrome. Lifestyle intervention programmes have demonstrated a reduction in the metabolic syndrome and CVD risk; however, the most effective components of the multi-faceted lifestyle interventions are unknown. We studied 2637 Sri Lankan males (n 1237) and females (n 1380), with a mean BMI of 23·9 (sd 4·2) kg/m2, aged 22·5 (sd 10·0) years, who had participated in a 5-year lifestyle-modification programme to examine the effect of dietary changes on distinct components of the metabolic syndrome. The dietary intervention comprised advice to replace polished starches with unpolished starches, high-fat meat and dairy products with low-fat products and high-sugar beverages and snacks with low-sugar varieties. For the purposes of this analysis, data from the control and intensive lifestyle groups were combined. Anthropometric and biochemical data were recorded, and a FFQ was completed annually. Multiple regression was used to determine the effect of the dietary changes on distinct components of the metabolic syndrome. The ratio unpolished:polished rice was inversely related to change in fasting glucose (β=−0·084, P=0·007) and TAG (β=−0·084, P=0·005) and positively associated with change in HDL-cholesterol (β=0·066, P=0·031) at the 5-year follow-up after controlling for relevant confounders. Red meat intake was positively associated with fasting glucose concentrations (β=0·05, P=0·017), whereas low-fat (β=−0·046, P=0·018) but not high-fat dairy products (β=0·003, P=0·853) was inversely related to glucose tolerance at the follow-up visit. Replacement of polished with unpolished rice may be a particularly effective dietary advice in this and similar populations.

Long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) are known to reduce blood pressure (BP), heart rate and vagal tone, but potential stress-mitigating effects of n-3 LCPUFA are not well investigated. We explored the effects of oily fish consumption on long-term stress and the stress response in schoolchildren. Healthy 8–9-year-old children were randomised to receive about 300 g/week of oily fish or poultry for 12 weeks (199 randomised, 197 completing). At baseline and endpoint, we measured erythrocyte n-3 LCPUFA, hair cortisol and the response to a 1-min cold pressor test (CPT) on saliva cortisol, BP and continuous electrocardiogram recordings. Post-intervention hair cortisol did not differ between the groups, but sex-specificity was indicated (Psex × group = 0·074, boys: −0·9 (95 % CI −2·9, 1·0) ng/g, girls: 0·7 (95 % CI −0·2, 1·6) ng/g). Children in the fish group tended to be less prone to terminate CPT prematurely (OR 0·20 (95 % CI 0·02, 1·04)). Mean heart beat interval during CPT was 18·2 (95 % CI 0·3, 36·6) ms longer and high frequency power increased (159 (95 % CI 29, 289) ms2) in the fish v. poultry group. The cardiac autonomic response in the 10 min following CPT was characterised by a sympathetic peak followed by a parasympathetic peak, which was most pronounced in the fish group. This exploratory study does not support a strong effect of oily fish consumption on stress but indicates that oily fish consumption may increase vagal cardiac tone during the physiological response to CPT. These results warrant further investigation.