Patterns of food and nutrient intakes in Italy were estimated starting from a nationwide food survey carried out by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in 1994–6, called INN-CA 1995. The present analysis looks at food and nutrient intakes of the subsample of the adults (18–60-year-old individuals). In particular, the two extreme quartiles of the distribution of total fat intake expressed as percentage of energy were considered in the analysis. The results showed that the subjects included in the fourth quartile (high-fat consumers) consumed fewer vegetables than the subjects in the first quartile (low-fat consumers). Furthermore, high-fat consumers had a tendency to have an unbalanced diet, whereas the low-fat consumers present a better pattern. In synthesis, 50% of the adults reach the goal of at least 400g of vegetables and fruit daily, and 25% consume less than 30 % of energy from total fats. Convincing that part of the population whose diet does not comply with dietary goals to come back to the Mediterranean tradition might be a priority for nutrition education in Italy.

Dietary intake characteristics were studied among 3833 adults of the second Dutch National Food Consumption Survey held in 1992. The subjects were classified into three groups based on their intake of total fat (% energy), saturated fatty acids (% energy), dietary fibre (g/MJ), and fruit and vegetables (g/d). All the classifications resulted in differences in energy intake. Except for dietary fibre, the mean energy intake was higher in the higher-intake tertiles. For the classification based on total fat, saturated fatty acids and dietary fibre the more prudent diets were accompanied with a lower energy-intake. As to the consumption of food groups, differences existed in both the proportion of consumers and in the mean consumption among users. It is concluded that the trends observed are probably more important than the actual figures.

Micronutrient deficiencies may be common during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Insufficient dietary intake, malabsorption, diarrhoea, and impaired storage and altered metabolism of micronutrients can contribute to the development of micronutrient deficiencies. Low plasma or serum levels of vitamins A, E, B6, B12 and C, carotenoids, Se, and Zn are common in many HIV-infected populations. Micronutrient deficiencies may contribute to the pathogenesis of HIV infection through increased oxidative stress and compromised immunity. Low levels or intakes of micronutrients such as vitamins A, E, B6 and B12, Zn and Se have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes during HIV infection, and new studies are emerging which suggest that micronutrient supplementation may help reduce morbidity and mortality during HIV infection.

The present review focuses on the importance of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) provision for the normal development of the pig neonate. The review describes first the selected fatty acid composition of a range of porcine tissues including nervous tissues, muscle and adipose tissues, reproductive organs and immune-responsive organs and/or cells. The importance of PUFA to the functioning of the immune system of the neonate is considered briefly and is followed by an in-depth consideration of the sources of PUFA for the neonatal pig. The effects of different categories or specific types of fatty acid (i.e. non-essential, linoleic, α-linolenic, long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA) on various indices of pig neonatal growth are reviewed. The importance of n-3 PUFA supply to the fetal and early neonatal pig is underlined and evidence is presented for more attention to be given to the amounts available from maternal sources. Based on the material reviewed, recommendations are made on the dietary intake of PUFA in the gestating pig.

Based on the premise that dietary nitrate is detrimental to human health, increasingly stringent regulations are being instituted to lower nitrate levels in food and water. Not only does this pose a financial challenge to water boards and a threat to vegetable production in Northern Europe, but also may be eliminating an important non-immune mechanism for host defence. Until recently nitrate was perceived as a purely harmful dietary component which causes infantile methaemoglobinaemia, carcinogenesis and possibly even teratogenesis. Epidemiological studies have failed to substantiate this. It has been shown that dietary nitrate undergoes enterosalivary circulation. It is recirculated in the blood, concentrated by the salivary glands, secreted in the saliva and reduced to nitrite by facultative Gram-positive anaerobes (Staphylococcus sciuri and S. intermedius) on the tongue. Salivary nitrite is swallowed into the acidic stomach where it is reduced to large quantities of NO and other oxides of N and, conceivably, also contributes to the formation of systemic S-nitrosothiols. NO and solutions of acidified nitrite, mimicking gastric conditions, have been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a wide range of organisms. In particular, acidified nitrite is bactericidal for a variety of gastrointestinal pathogens such as Yersinia and Salmonella. NO is known to have vasodilator properties and to modulate platelet function, as are S-nitrosothiols. Thus, nitrate in the diet, which determines reactive nitrogen oxide species production in the stomach (McKnight et al. 1997), is emerging as an effective host defence against gastrointestinal pathogens, as a modulator of platelet activity and possibly even of gastrointestinal motility and microcirculation. Therefore dietary nitrate may have an important therapeutic role to play, not least in the immunocompromised and in refugees who are at particular risk of contracting gastroenteritides.

Excessive deposition of Fe in the organs and tissues of Sub-Saharan Africans was first described in South Africa in 1929. Fe overload, or siderosis, was initially attributed to infections and to metallic poisoning (Cu, Sn, Zn), and then to malnutrition. In 1953 it was hypothesized that it was due primarily to excessive Fe intake derived from foods and drinks prepared in Fe vessels. Recently, in 1992 it was advanced that a gene distinct from any HLA-linked locus may also play a role. As to sequelae, in early research on series of hospital patients, the condition was linked to scurvy, osteoporosis, diabetes, cirrhosis, and latterly, to hepatocellular cancer and tuberculosis. Accordingly, many have concluded that Fe overload is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, that adventitious Fe intake should be reduced, and that phlebotomy be recommended for those severely affected. However, there are numerous limitations in the evidence. There are also problems in interpretation, since levels of Fe in the serum are affected additionally by a variety of factors: infection, inflammation, certain cancers and alcohol intake. These considerations complicate attempts to assess to what extent the associations described denote causation, and whether Fe overload has significant ramifications for ill in the general African population. While the adverse sequelae of overload may be less of significance than many believe, the precise pathogenicity of the phenomenon will remain uncertain until further investigations, including prospective studies, are undertaken.