Reactive hypoglycaemia (RH) is a condition that has been popularised in the media and lay literature, particularly that targeting women, over the past 30 years. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether a non-patient group reporting symptoms that they attributed to a low blood glucose level would demonstrate biochemical hypoglycaemia when symptomatic and whether their habitual diet and activity level differed from those of controls. Thirty non-obese, healthy women (aged 19–45 years) reporting symptoms more than once a week that they attributed to hypoglycaemia (RH group), and eighteen controls, measured their finger-prick blood glucose level 3h after breakfast and lunch, and recorded their diet and activity daily for 7d. The RH group also measured their blood glucose when symptoms were being experienced. Symptoms less than 4h after eating were classed as postprandial. The mean postprandial blood glucose level in the RH group when asymptomatic (4·66 (sem 0·08) mmol/l) was significantly lower than that of controls (5·05 (sem 0·11) mmol/l; P<0·01). Symptoms occurred 2·6 (sem 0·13) h after eating, at a lower blood glucose level (4·18 (sem 0·10) mmol/l; P<0·001) than when the women were asymptomatic. On symptomatic days, the RH group were more physically active than the controls (1·64 (sem 0·04) v. 1·50 (sem 0·03) multiples of resting energyexpenditure; P<0·05), with a lower energy intake (7901 (sem 311) et al.. 9332 (sem 227) kJ; P<0·001). In conclusion, subjects reporting symptoms they associated with hypoglycaemia generally did not demonstrate biochemical hypoglycaemia but did have significantly lower blood glucose levels than controls. Higher physical activity and a failure to match energy intake to estimated energy requirement may be important in the aetiology of symptoms.

Phaseolus vulgaris phaseolin has been shown to stimulate faecal losses of endogenous N in rats. Experiments with purified phaseolin were carried out in rats to test the hypothesis that these losses reflect intestinal disorders. Phaseolin composition varies depending on its constitutive subunits. Therefore, three phaseolin types (S, T, I) were tested. Phaseolin T was incorporated in varying levels (0, 33, 67 or 100% of the dietary protein) as raw material in experiment 1. In experiment 2, the three phaseolin types were incorporated at 50%, with or without previous thermic treatment. Raw casein was the basal protein source and was also heated in experiment 2. Faecal digestibility of phaseolin and gut integrity were evaluated in both experiments. The incorporation level or type of phaseolin had little effect on gross anatomy of gut segments but these factors influenced the weight and pH of fresh contents of the stomach and caecum (P<0·05). Raw phaseolin T incorporated at various levels led to an enlargement of duodenal villi together with a tendency for increased crypt depth in the jejunum (P=0·06). Activities of both alkaline phosphatase in the duodenum and aminopeptidase N in the ileum decreased (P<0·05) after thermal treatment of casein while they increased (P<0·05) for heat-treated phaseolin S and T, respectively. In conclusion, raw phaseolin had no effect on the tissue weight of gut segments and induced limited alterations in the small intestine. Differences due to phaseolin level or type were limited too.

The importance of nutritional intervention for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is well recognised. It would be expected that the increase in knowledge over the past decade would be reflected in improvements in nutritional status for the CF paediatric population. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the nutritional status of children with CF, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Body cell mass adjusted for gender and size (BCM/Htp) was measured in sixty-four children with CF to represent nutritional status and expressed as a Z-score. The cross-sectional results showed a mean BCM/Htp Z-score of 0·54 (sd 1·21), with males having a slightly higher Z-score than females but with a larger variation. At the initial measurement, only one female and one male were considered sub-optimally nourished. The longitudinal analysis after 2 years showed that the mean population had a significantly decreased BCM/Htp Z-score; however, when each gender was analysed separately, this decrease was significant only in the males. At the final measurement, only two females and three males were considered sub-optimally nourished. It is evident from our results that children with CF are well nourished, with only a small percentage considered malnourished. It appears that nutritional status decreases with age, with this decline being more evident in males. These results signify that although children with CF are better nourished with current treatment support, intervention needs to continue throughout a CF patient's life to counteract the changes that occur with age.

Zn bioavailability is often lower in vegetarian diets mainly due to low Zn and high phytic acid contents. The objective of the present study was to determine the fractional and total absorption of Zn from a vegetarian diet in comparison with meat diets with equal concentrations of phytic acid. A randomized crossover design, comprising three whole-day diet periods of 5 d each, with a vegetarian diet or diets containing Polish-produced meat or Danish-produced meat, was conducted. Twelve healthy female subjects completed the study. All diets had a high content of phytic acid (1250μlmol/d) and in the meat diets the main meals contained 60 g pork meat. All main meals were extrinsically labelled with the radioactive isotope 65Zn and absorption of Zn was measured in a whole-body counter. The mean Zn content of the whole-day diet was: Polish meat diet 9·9 (SE 0·14) mg, Danish meat diet 9·4 (SE 0·19) mg and vegetarian diet 7·5 (SE 0·18) mg. No difference was observed in the fractional absorption of Zn (Polish meat diet: 27 (SE 1·2) %, Danish meat diet: 27 (SE 1·9)% and vegetarian diet: 23 (SE 2·6) %). A significantly lower amount of total Zn was absorbed from the vegetarian diet (mean Zn absorption of Polish meat diet: 2·7 (SE 0·12) mg/d (P<,0·001), Danish meat diet: 2·6 (SE 0·17) mg/d (P=/4 0·006) and vegetarian diet: 1·8 (SE 0·20) mg/d). In conclusion, the vegetarian diet compared with the meat-based diets resulted in lower amounts of absorbed Zn due to a higher content of Zn in the meat diets, but no difference was observed in the fractional absorption of Zn.

Although dairy products have been found to be associated with an elevated risk of prostate cancer, studies investigating the potential effect of Ca are limited, and findings are inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to test the relationship between the risk of prostate cancer and consumption of dairy products and Ca. The analysis included 2776 men from the French SU.VI.MAX (Supplementation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants) prospective study, among whom sixty-nine developed prostate cancer during the follow-up period (median: 7·7 years). Food consumption was assessed at inclusion from repeated 24h records and nutrient intake was calculated using a food composition table. A higher risk of prostate cancer was observed among subjects with higher dairy product (relative risk (RR; 95% CI), 4th quartile V. 1st: 1·35 (1·02, 1·78), P=0·04) and Ca intake (RR (95% CI), 4th quartile P. 1st: 2·43 (1·05, 5·62), P=0·04). Nevertheless, we identified a harmful effect of yoghurt consumption upon the risk of prostate cancer (RR (95% CI), increment 125g/d: 1·61 (1·07, 2·43), P=0·02) independently of the Ca content. Our data support the hypothesis that dairy products have a harmful effect with respect to the risk of prostate cancer, largely related to Ca content. The higher risk of prostate cancer with linear increasing yoghurt consumption seems to be independent of Ca and may be related to some other component.

The majority of research has focused on the association between trans unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA) from hydrogenated vegetable oils and heart disease even though TUFA are also produced from hydrogenated fish oil. We compared the acute effect of three solid fats on postprandial cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG) and NEFA concentrations in normocholesterolaemic males. Eight healthy male volunteers consumed each of the three 40g fat meals (partially hydrogenated fish oil (PHFO), palm oil and lard) in random order and blood samples were drawn at 2, 4, 6 and 8h thereafter for lipid analysis. The postprandial response in plasma TAG, TAG-rich lipoprotein-TAG (TRL-TAG), total cholesterol and plasma NEFA, measured as the area under the postprandial curve, was not significantly different between the three meals (p>0·05), which varied in MUFA, PUFA and TUFA content. There was no marked elevation of longer-chain fatty acids (C20–22, cis or trans isomers) into the TRL-TAG fraction following the PHFO meal even though they provided 40% of the total fatty acids in the PHFO meal. The postprandial TRL-TAG response to PHFO was expected to be higher, as it is higher in TUFA, lower in PUFA and similar in saturated fatty acid composition compared with the lard and palm oil test meals. The absence of a higher postprandial response following ingestion of PHFO could be as a result of reduced absorption and increased oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (both cis and trans isomers)

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols that is extracted from purified sugar cane wax or a variety of other plant sources, and has been shown to have beneficial effects on serum lipid concentrations. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a policosanol supplement (Octa-60) on lipid profiles of hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Nineteen hypercholesterolaemic and familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects completed this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The subjects received either a daily dose of 20 mg policosanol or placebo for 12 weeks. After a wash-out period of 4 weeks, the interventions were crossed over. Lipid levels were measured at baseline and at the end of each intervention period. No significant differences in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol from baseline to end or between policosanol and placebo were seen in the hypercholesterolaemic or familial hypercholesterolaemic groups. There were small reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol from baseline to end in the hypercholesterolaemic group, but these changes did not differ significantly from the changes with the placebo, indicating that the observed decrease in cholesterol in the policosanol group was not due to the specific effect of policosanol treatment. The differences in response may be ascribed to the differences in composition of the higher aliphatic primary alcohols in the previously used products, compared with the local policosanol supplement. An intake of 20 mg/d policosanol for 12 weeks had no significant effect on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic patients when compared with placebo intake.

Fish-bone peptides (FBP) with a high affinity to Ca were isolated using hydroxyapatite affinity chromatography, and FBP II with a high ratio of phosphopeptide was fractionated in the range of molecular weight 5·0–1·0kDa by ultramembrane filtration. In vitro study elucidated that FBP II could inhibit the formation of insoluble Ca salts in neutral pH. In vivo effects of FBP II on Ca bioavailability were further examined in the ovariectomised rat. During the experimental period, Ca retention was increased and loss of bone mineral was decreased by FBP II supplementation in ovariectomised rats. After the low-Ca diet, the FBP II diet, including both normal level of Ca and vitamin D, significantly decreased Ca loss in faeces and increased Ca retention compared with the control diet. The levels of femoral total Ca, bone mineral density, and strength were also significantly increased by the FBP II diet to levels similar to those of the casein phosphopeptide diet group (no difference; P>0·05). In the present study, the results proved the beneficial effects of fish-meal in preventing Ca deficiency due to increased Ca bioavailability by FBP intake

Malnutrition and its impact on clinical outcome may be underestimated in hospitalised elderly as many screening procedures require measurements of weight and height that cannot often be undertaken in sick elderly patients. The ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ (‘MUST’)has been developed to screen all adults, even if weight and/or height cannot be measured, enabling more complete information on malnutrition prevalence and its impact on clinical outcome to be obtained. In the present study, 150 consecutively admitted elderly patients (age 85 (sd 5·5) years) were recruited prospectively, screened with ‘MUST’ and clinical outcome recorded. Although only 56% of patients could be weighed, all (n 150) could be screened with ‘MUST’; 58% were at malnutrition risk and these individuals had greater mortality (in-hospital and post-discharge, P<0·01) and longer hospital stays (P=0·02) than those at low risk. Both ‘MUST’ categorisation and component scores (BMI, weight loss, acute disease) were significantly related to mortality (P<0·03). Those patients with no measured or recalled weight (‘MUST’ subjective criteria used) had a greater risk of malnutrition (P<0·002) than those who could be weighed and, within both groups, clinical outcome was worse in those at risk of malnutrition. The present study suggests that ‘MUST’ predicts clinical outcome in hospitalised elderly, in whom malnutrition is common (58%). In those who cannot be weighed, a higher prevalence of malnutrition and associated poorer clinical outcome supports the importance of routine screening with a tool, like ‘MUST’, that can be used to screen all patients.

Zn has been shown to possess antioxidant properties in vitro and in vitro. As inadequate dietary Zn intake has been reported in these populations, Zn supplementation may protect against oxidative stress and thereby limit the progression of degenerative diseases in such populations. We conducted the present study to evaluate the long-term supplementation effects of two moderate doses of Zn on in vitro Cu-induced LDL oxidation in French men and women.Three groups of sixteen healthy subjects aged 55–70 years from each sex participated in this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Each group received for six months either 0, 15 or 30mg supplemental Zn per d. At the beginning and at the end of the supplementation periods, dietary intakes of Zn, Cu, Fe and vitamin E were estimated using 4d food-intake records (including the weekend) and the GENI program. Zn, Cu, Fe and vitamin E statuswere also determined. In vitro LDL oxidizability (basal conjugated diene level, maximal conjugated diene formation and lag time) and lipid parameters were also determined. Dietary intakes of Zn, Cu, Fe and vitamin E were adequate in this population. Zn supplementation significantly increased serum Zn levels but did not significantly modify Cu, Fe or vitamin E status. However, Zn supplementation had no effect on in vitro LDL oxidation parameters, nor were there any sex-related differences in in vitro LDL oxidizability. The present study showed that long-term Zn supplementation of healthy subjects aged 55–70 years had no effect on in vitro Cu-induced LDL oxidation under the study conditions.

Exercise involving lengthening muscle actions, such as downhill running, results in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which may be attributable to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although exercise causes oxidative stress, any link between ROS and DOMS remains speculative. There is emerging evidence to suggest that ROS play an important physiological role, assisting in the recovery process and protecting the cell from future damage; however, this has not been fully established. Despite this uncertainty as to the precise role of ROS, attempts to prevent post-exercise ROS production through antioxidant intervention are still common. The study investigated the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on ROS production and DOMS following downhill running. Subjects were assigned to two groups. The ascorbic acid group (group AA) received 1 g ascorbic acid 2 h pre-, and for 14 d post-downhill running, whilst the placebo group (Pl group) received a placebo. Blood samples were drawn pre-supplement, pre- and post-exercise, and then 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 d post-exercise for analysis of ascorbate, malonaldehyde and total glutathione. DOMS was assessed using a visual analogue scale and pressure algometry. Muscle function was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry. Plasma ascorbate was elevated throughout in group AA compared with the Pl group. Downhill running resulted in DOMS in both groups. Muscle function was impaired post-exercise in both groups, although a delayed recovery was noted in group AA. Malonaldehyde increased 4 d post-exercise in the Pl group only. Ascorbic acid supplementation attenuates ROS production following downhill running, without affecting DOMS. Furthermore, ascorbic acid supplementation may inhibit the recovery of muscle function.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are widely used in commercial food products. Most studies on FOS concern the health benefits, but some negative effects were recently reported concerning thefaecal cytotoxicity and excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides in combination with a Ca-restricted diet. The present study was performed to investigate whether these effects of FOS are observed in adults consuming a regular diet unrestricted in Ca. The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, involving eleven healthy adults, who consumed 25–30g FOS or maltodextrin (control) in a random order for 2 weeks in addition to their regular diet. Stools were collected for analysis of pH and SCFA (as markers of fermentation), for the assessment of faecal water cytotoxicity, and for the analysis of alkaline phosphataseactivity (as a marker of epithelial cell turnover) andO-linked oligosaccharides (to estimate the excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides). FOS consumption significantly altered bacterial fermentation (increased percentage of acetate, decreased percentage of butyrate) and tended to decrease stool pH. Furthermore, FOS consumption resulted in a significantly higher stool frequency and in significantly more complaints of flatulence. No significant differences between the control and FOS period were observed in the mean cytotoxicity of faecal water (37·5 (sem 6·9) % v. 18·5 (sem 6·9) % P=0·084), in mean alkaline phosphatase activity (27·7 (sem 2·9) v. 24·6 (sem 3·2) U/g dry faeces; P=0·496) or in the mean excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides (49·9 (sem 4·0)v. 53·5 (sem 4·3) mg/g dry faeces; P=0·553). We conclude that dietary FOS in a dose up to 25–30g/d altered the bacterial fermentation pattern but did not affect faecal cytotoxicity or the faecal concentration of mucin-type oligosaccharides in human adults consuming a regular diet.

The objectives of the present study are to describe the dietary sources of total fat and of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and to formulate food-based dietary guidelines for SFA in Belgian adolescents. A random sample of 13–18-year-old adolescents was drawn from secondary schools in the region of Ghent. A 7d estimated food record method was used to quantify nutrient and food intake. The average daily SFA intake is 4% above the recommended 10% of the total energy contribution. The most important contributors of SFA on food group level were ‘fats, oils and savoury sauces’, ‘meat and meat products’, ‘sugar, confectionery, sweet fillings and sauces’, ‘cheese’, ‘milk and milk products’ and ‘bread, rusk and breakfast rolls’. On food subgroup level ‘fresh meat’, ‘high-fat margarine’ and ‘high-fat cheese’ had the highest contribution to SFA intake in all adolescents. Adolescents with a low SFA intake (lowest tertile) were compared with adolescents with a high intake (highest tertile). In the lowest tertile the intake of total fat and MUFA was significantly lower than in the highest tertile, while the intake of total carbohydrates, mono- and disaccharides and complex carbohydrates was significantly higher. Overall, the high-fat cheese intake is significantly lower in the lowest tertile, while the fruit intake is higher. The present analysis shows that the nutritional profile of Belgian adolescents could be potentially improved by decreasing the portion sizes of fresh meat (in boys), high-fat margarine, high-fat cheese and reducing intake of commercially prepared baked goods and processed foods, including fast foods.

The present study was designed to examine the effects of habitual consumption of Taiwanese vegetarian diets on hormonal secretion, and on lipid and glycaemic control. Of the ninety-eight healthy female adults recruited from Hualien, Taiwan (aged 31–45 years), forty-nine were Buddhist lactovegetarians and forty-nine were omnivores. Dietary intakes were measured, and blood levels of nutrients and hormones were analysed. Vegetarians consumed less energy, fat and protein, but more fibre than the omnivores. Compared with the omnivores, the vegetarians had, on average, lower BMI and smaller waist circumference. Except for slightly lower levels of thyroxine (T4) in vegetarians, vegetarians and omnivores both showed similar levels of triiodothyronine (T3), free T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone, T3:T4 ratio and cortisol. Compared with the omnivores, the vegetarians had significantly lower levels of fasting insulin (median: 35·3 v. 50·6pmol/l) and plasma glucose (mean: 4·7 (se 0·05) v. 4·9 (se 0·05) mmol/l). Insulin resistance, as calculated by the homeostasis model assessment method, was significantly lower in the vegetarians than in the omnivores (median: 1·10 v. 1·56), while β-cell function was not different between the two groups. BMI and diet were both independent predictors for insulin resistance, and contributed 18 and 15% of the variation in insulin resistance, respectively. In conclusion, Taiwanese vegetarians had lower glucose and insulin levels and higher insulin sensitivity than did the omnivores. Diet and lower BMI were partially responsible for the high insulin sensitivity observed in young Taiwanese vegetarians.

Pre-processed foods often contain a high percentage of lipid, present as emulsions stabilised with various surface-active agents. The acidic gastric environment can affect the behaviour of such emulsions, modifying the lipid spatial distribution and, in turn, the rate of gastric emptying and nutrient delivery to the gut. The aim of the present study was to use echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging (EPI) to determine the behaviour of model olive oil emulsions during gastric processing. Six healthy male volunteers were intubated nasogastrically on two separate occasions and fed 500ml 15% (w/w) olive oil-in-water, surfactant-stabilised emulsions designed to have identical droplet size distribution and which were either stable or unstable under gastric acid conditions. EPI was used to assess the oil fraction of the intragastric emulsions, gastric emptying and to visualise the spatial distribution of the oil at 10, 30 and 50min postprandially. The in vivo imaging measurements of the oil volume fraction of the emulsions correlated well (r 0·66, acid-stable; r 0·52, acid-unstable) with that assayed in the gastric aspirates. Compared with the acid-stable emulsion, the acid-unstable emulsion in the gastric lumen rapidly separated into lipid-depleted ‘aqueous’ and lipid layers. Phase separation in the acid-unstable meal allowed the oil-depleted component to empty first and more rapidly than the stable emulsion as determined by the gastric emptying curves. These pilot data suggest that gastric processing and emptying of high-fat foods could be manipulated by careful choice of emulsifier.

The aim of the study was to provoke cephalic and metabolic responses by oral fat stimulation with different high-fat meals in the postprandial state. A randomized parallel design was executed with three groups of subjects (twenty-six women and ten men; twelve subjects per group). Oral fat stimulation was achieved by the modified sham feeding (MSF) technique. Five hours after a high-fat breakfast, the subjects were given one of three test meals in random order: a high-fat lunch, water or the same lunch as the MSF. The main fat sources in the high-fat lunch and MSF were olive oil, linoleic oil and oleic oil. For 3h after the test meal, blood samples were taken for analysis of metabolite, and visual analogue scales of appetite profile were completed. A cephalic response appeared to be achieved by MSF in that we observed a relative increase in insulin and glucose; this response lasted up until 90min, indicating possible vagal stimulation. NEFA increased significantly after MSF compared with water ingestion in the case of olive oil (p<0·0001) and linoleic oil (p<0·05), but not with oleic oil. MSF provoked a significantly higher increase in triacylglycerol and glycerol levels compared with water ingestion in the case of linoleic oil (p<0·05). Satiety was significantly increased in the eating condition and in the MSF condition (p<0·0002, all oils) compared with water ingestion. We conclude that cephalic and perhaps vagal stimulation by different fats increased the concentrations of the metabolites and stimulated satiety, with linoleic oil showing the strongest response.

The objective of the present study was to determine the comparative hypotensive responses to drinks containing predominantly fat and carbohydrate (CHO) in healthy elderly subjects. Using a randomised, cross-over study, the participants, twelve elderly subjects, six of them female (72·2 (sd 5·7) years), were investigated. On three separate days, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were measured following ingestion of 300ml drinks containing: (1) CHO (75g glucose and 93g Polyjoule (CHO polymer) providing 2732kJ (653kcal)); (2) 88% fat (cream blended with milk providing 2732kJ (653kcal)); (3) water. Systolic BP decreased following the CHO drink (P<0·001) and the high-fat drink (P<0·001) but not water; there was no difference in the magnitude of the decrease between the CHO drink and the drink containing fat (13·4v. 15·6mmHg). However, the onset of the fall was slower after the fat-containing drink (13·0v. 26·5min (P=0·01); area under the curve for 0–30min for CHO drink −6·5v. fat-containing drink 125·4 mmHg×min (P=0·043)). We conclude that ingestion of a high-fat drink results in a comparable fall in BP to a CHO drink although the onset is relatively slower. These observations may have implications for the management of postprandial hypotension.

Low phylloquinone (vitamin K1) intakes have been associated with low bone mineral density in older adults. Phylloquinone intakes and serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) levels were assessed in ninety-seven apparently healthy, free-living Irish women aged 50–75 years. Phylloquinone intakes were estimated using a detailed dietary history, which measured habitual food intakes from a typical 14 d period, and recently published food composition data for phylloquinone. Fasting serum ucOC was measured using an enzyme immunoassay. The median daily intake of phylloquinone in the group from all sources was 108·8 mg and from food sources only was 106·6 mg, indicating that approximately 99% of the phylloquinone came from food. Vegetables and vegetable dishes contributed 67% of the total phylloquinone intake, but further analysis showed that broccoli, cabbage and lettuce were the primary sources, making a total contribution of 44 %. Twenty per cent of the women had a phylloquinone intake below the UK recommendation of 1μg/kg body weight per day and 34% failed to meet the US Adequate Intake value of 90mg/day. Mean serum ucOC levels in the women were 6·2 (SD 1·7) ng/ml and were predicted by phylloquinone intake (β— 22·20, generated from log-transformed phylloquinone intake data; P=4 0·04). On the basis of comparisons with both UK recommendations and US A equate Intakes for phylloquinone, the habitual intakes of phylloquinone in a high proportion of Irish postmenopausal women may not be adequate.

The study objective was to estimate food and nutrient availability in Bolivian households using data from the nationally representative under the Programme for the household surveys undertaken yearly from 1999 to 2002 Improvement of Surveys and the Measurement of Living Conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean (MECOVI). In the present study, we analysed data from four repeated, cross-sectional surveys and applied European Data Food Networking (DAFNE) methodology for post-harmonising the data. Raw data of 19 483 households in Bolivia (3035 in 1999, 4857 in 2000, 5845 in 2001 and 5746 in 2002) were retrieved from the databases of the national household surveys. Results showed that the Bolivian diet is characterised by higher availability of foods of plant origin (cereals, fruits, potatoes and vegetables). Meat, milk and their products follow in the dietary preferences of Bolivians. Disparities in food availability within the country were also observed. Rural households systematically recorded lower amounts of food available, in comparison with the urban ones. Households of higher social status recorded higher availability values for all food groups, except for potatoes and cereals. Findings suggest that Bolivian households of lower socio-economic status prefer energy-dense and cheaper food sources. We concluded the dietary and socio-demographic data collected in the MECOVI household surveys could serve nutrition surveillance purposes. In addition, the application of DAFNE methodology for post-harmonising the data allows both national and international comparisons.

The present study is the first to examine the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with β-casein A1 promotes an increased risk relative to supplementation with β-casein A2 in patients traditionally at high risk of developing CVD. The study was conducted in fifteen asymptomatic participants (six male; nine female) at high risk of developing CVD. A double-blind cross-over study design was used with a total duration of 24 weeks. Dietary intervention was a daily supplementation (25g) of either casein A1 or A2 (for 12 weeks each). Surrogate measures of cardioprotection studied included the examination of vascular (endothelium and arterial) function, resting blood pressure, plasma lipids and biochemical markers of inflammation. Total plasma cholesterol levels were significantly lower following 12 weeks of both casein A1 and A2 interventions but the decrease was not different between intervention. Plasma insulin, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, protein C and S and von Willebrand factor levels were not different between the two casein supplements. Endothelium function, measured as a vascular response using venous occlusion plethysmography to intra-aterial infusions of the endothelium-dependent agonist acetylcholine, were not different between the two casein interventions. Similarly, neither blood pressure nor measures of large artery stiffness were affected by differing the casein variant. We therefore conclude that there is no evidence from the present study that supplementation with casein A1 has any cardiovascular health disadvantage over consumption of casein A2.