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Chronic consumption of fish and fish oil high in (n-3) PUFA reduces triacylglycerols (TG) but may increase oxidative stress, whereas consumption of soy isoflavones may reduce oxidative stress. Elevated serum TG and oxidative stress are considered cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, but the effects of acute (n-3) PUFA and soy isoflavones on these CVD risk factors are unknown. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of acutely supplementing a high-fat, high-fructose meal with fish oil and isoflavone placebo (FO) and fish oil placebo and soy isoflavones (ISO). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 10 overweight or obese men consumed a high-fat, high-fructose meal with 4 dietary supplement combinations; fish oil placebo and isoflavone placebo (placebo); fish oil and isoflavone placebo (FO); fish oil placebo and isoflavones (ISO); and fish oil and isoflavones (FO + ISO). Serum collected at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 h postprandially was analyzed for fatty acids, isoflavones, TG, and oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid hydroperoxides, oxidized-LDL, total antioxidant status). FO significantly increased serum (n-3) PUFA and ISO increased serum isoflavones. The study meal significantly increased serum total fatty acids and TG without affecting oxidative stress biomarkers. Serum TG and oxidative stress biomarkers did not differ between treatments. The FO and ISO were bioavailable but cid not attenuate the postprandial rise in serum TG. Neither the study meal nor the FO or ISO induced significant chanes in oxidative stress biomarkers. The current study adds to a limited literature on the acute effects of FO and ISO intervntions on postprandial biomarkers of CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of essential fatty acid intakes, including (n-3) PUFA, are available in pediatric populations based on limited indirect approaches. Furthermore, recommended intakes for short- and long-chain (LC) (n-3) PUFA have emerged for this population. This study provides direct quantification of fatty acid intakes in children aged 4-8 y. Identical portions of all food and natural health products consumed over 3d were collected. Duplicate samples were analyzed for energy, macronutrients, and fatty acids, including ±3-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by high performance capillary GLC. The results for 41 children [25 females, 16 males; 5.8 ± 0.2 y (mean age ± SEM)] showed daily energy intakes of 5879 ± 211 kJ (mean ± SEM) and (n-3) PUFA intakes in mg/d as follows: ALA, 1161 ± 108; EPA, 38.4 ± 9.3; DPA, 26.3 ± 3.9; and DHA, 54.1 ± 11.4. Based on the Dietary Reference Intakes from the Institute of Medicine, 61% of the children met the adequate intake for ALA and 22% met the suggested adequate intake for DHA+ EPA (10% of the adequate intake for ALA). These intakes were also compared with the recent Australia/New Zealand recommendations for children, where only 51% met the recommended intake for EPA+ DPA+DHA. These results demonstrate a moderate shortfall in ALA intake in Canadian children and a nutrient gap for the LC (n-3) PUFA, including DHA, when comparing intakes for this population to suggested and recommended intakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recently, we showed that cod protein (CP) improved insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant subjects. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary CP compared with those of other animal proteins on plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers, lipids, and lipoproteins in insulin-resistant subjects. Nineteen Caucasian men and women aged 40-65 y, overweight or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m²), and insulin resistant, rotated in a crossover design and consumed a CP diet and a similar diet containing lean beef, pork, veal, eggs, milk, and milk products (BPVEM) for 4 wk each. Diets differed only in protein source and thus provided equivalent amounts of dietary fibers, monounsaturated/fat, PUFA [including (n-3) fatty acids), and SFA. Blood samples were collected before and after each experimental diet. Notably, the CP diet decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; P = 0.021), whereas the BPVEM diet tended to increase it (P = 0.063), leading to a significant difference between diets (P = 0.041). Changes in plasma interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and adiponectin concentrations did not differ between diets. Plasma total cholesterol (P = 0.0007), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.014), and apolipoprotein B (P = 0.005) were reduced only by the BPVEM diet. Thus, changes in total cholesterol differed between diets (P = 0.040), whereas changes in LDL cholesterol (P = 0.052) and apolipoprotein B (P = 0.075) tended to differ. Changes in all other lipids and lipoproteins did not differ between diets. Therefore, these results show that CP can lower hsCRP, a marker of inflammation associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are reported to have many "health promoting" properties; however, despite numerous reports of their bioactivities, their absorption and metabolism in humans are poorly understood. The objective of this research was to detail the pharmacokinetic parameters of anthocyanins after the administration of a 721-mg oral dose of cyanidin 3-glycosides from chokeberry extract to human subjects. Solid-phase extraction, preparative-HPLC, preparative-TLC, HPLC-diode array detection, HPLC-MS, and NMR were utilized to isolate, identity, and quantify anthocyanins in 0- to 7-h (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 h) serum and 0- to 24-h urine samples (total individual urine voids over 24 h). The cumulative concentration of total anthocyanins (parent and metabolites) detected in the serum (0-7 h) was 376.65 +/- 16.20 (nmol x h)/L (area under the concentration time curve), reaching a maximum concentration (C(max) = 96.08 +/- 6.04 nmol/L) within 2.8 h. The parent anthocyanins represented only 32.0% [120.63 +/- 2.85 (nmol x h)/L] of the total anthocyanins detected with 68.0% [256.02 +/- 5.23 (nmol x h) identified as conjugated metabolites. Additionally, the total urinary excretion of anthocyanins over 24 h was 1071.54 +/- 375.46 microg, reaching a maximal rate of excretion (R(max) = 202.74 +/- 85.06 microg/h) at 3.72 +/- 0.83 h. Parallel to the serum data, only 32.5% (347.85 +/- 60.61 microg) of the anthocyanins excreted in the urine (total 24 h) were the parent compounds with 67.5% (723.69 +/- 92.59 microg) occurring as conjugated metabolites. The metabolites were identified as glucuronidated and methylated derivatives of the parent cyanidin 3-glycosides. The above results indicate that cyanidin 3-glycosides are rapidly absorbed and metabolized extensively following a moderate-to-high oral dose in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During pregnancy, (n-3) PUFA are incorporated into fetal brain and retinal lipids. Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6(n-3)], in particular, is required physiologically for optimal development and function of the central nervous system. Maternal intake of (n-3) PUFA must be sufficient to maintain maternal tissues stores and meet fetal accruement. Recommendations for pregnant women include an Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) of 0.6-1.2% of energy for (n-3) PUFA intake in the current Dietary Reference Intakes, and > or =300 mg/d of DHA suggested by the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids working group. The present study directly quantitated the (n-3) PUFA intake, including DHA, of pregnant, Canadian women (n = 20) in their 2nd and 3rd trimester. Fatty acid intakes were quantitated in triplicate by lipid extraction and GLC of 3-d duplicate food collections calibrated with an internal standard before homogenization. Total fat intakes were also estimated using dietary analysis software from simultaneous 3-d food records to corroborate biochemical analyses. The mean (n-3) PUFA intake was 0.57 +/- 0.06% of energy, with 65% of the women below the AMDR. The mean DHA intake was 82 +/- 33 mg/d, with 90% of the women consuming <300 mg/d. Nutritional education of pregnant women to ensure adequate intakes of (n-3) PUFA for optimal health of mother and child and the inclusion of DHA in prenatal vitamins may be pertinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the influence of dietary supplementation with an algae source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on serum/platelet DHA status and risk factors for heart disease in vegetarian subjects. Consumption of DHA capsules; Enhancement of DHA status of serum and platelets; Influence on the formation of eicosapentaenoic acid; Effect on cholesterol ratios.