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Background The microbiota, essential oils, and diet have been shown to interact with one another in ways that influence weight control. Scope and approach The review focus on gut microbiota, essential oils, and diet for weight control, (1) specifically addressing the role of diet on gut microbiota in weight control, (2) to assess the effectiveness of essential oils in the diet in weight control, (3) discussing the interconnections and implications of gut microbiota, essential oils, and diet in weight control. Key findings and conclusions The effects of essential oils on gut microbiota and weight management are rather complex similar to the case with many other natural products. Essential oils are effective in weight control by affecting microbiota and various molecular targets. Changing the gut microbiota by diet and inclusion of essential oils to balance its composition can be a promising approach for weight control.

Ailesel Akdeniz ateşi otozomal geçişli ve en sık görülen otoinflamatuar hastalıklardan birisidir. Özellikle Avrupa kökenli bazı etnik gruplarda daha yaygındır. Türkler, Kuzey Afrikalılar, Araplar, Yahudiler ve Ermenilerde sıklıkla görülmektedir. Ülkemiz de ise prevalansı 1/400 ve 1/1000 arasında değişmektedir. Patogenezinde 16p13.3. kromozomda lokalize olan 10 ekzondan oluşan MEFV genindeki mutasyon etkilidir. MEFV geni 781 amino asitlik bir proteini (pirin veya marenostrin) kodlamaktadır ve inflamasyon durumunda intranükleer peptidlerin transkripsiyonunu düzenlemektedir. Klinik olarak Ailesel Akdeniz ateşi, tekrarlayan ateş ve semptomların eşlik ettiği belirgin akut faz yanıtı (lökositoz, yüksek eritrosit sedimantasyon hızı, fibrinojen, C reaktif protein, serum amiloid) ile karakterizedir. Atakları uyaran ve sonlandıran nedenler tam olarak bilinmemekle birlikte enfeksiyon, menstrüasyon, cerrahi girişim gibi çeşitli faktörlerin, soğuk iklim koşulları, yüksek yağlı diyet ve fazla fiziksel aktivitenin atakları tetikleyebileceği bilinmektedir. Yürütülen az sayıdaki çalışmada Ailesel Akdeniz ateşi hastalığına sahip bireylerin mikrobiyotasında hakim olan türün de sağlıklı bireylerin mikrobiyota örüntülerinden farklı olduğu gözlenmiştir. Bu çalışmanın amacı Ailesel Akdeniz ateşi hastalığına sahip bireylerin atak sıklık ve sürelerine etki eden başta diyet örüntüsü dahil olmak üzere bazı faktörleri incelenmeyi amaçlamaktadır.

Mycotoxins are toxic natural contaminants of food and feeds and are produced by various fungi from Aspergillus, Alternaria, Fusarium, and Penicillium genera. Molds and their toxins have attracted much attention worldwide due to the important economic losses related to their effects on human health and domestic and international trade. Although more than 400 mycotoxins have been identified, most studies have focused on aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fusarium toxins, zearalenone, patulin, and trichothecenes owing to their relationships with food safety and economic losses. In Turkey, the dramatic variations in climatic conditions among regions have facilitated the spread of various foodborne mycotoxins. Accordingly, in this systematic review, a summary of the occurrence and contamination levels of foodborne mycotoxins in Turkey was provided. Based on the literature review, mycotoxin levels were shown to exceed the limits designated by the European Union in apple juice (35%), milk (21%), dairy products (12%), dried fruits and vegetables (11%), herbs (10%), cereal and cereal products (2%), nuts (1%), and feeds (1%). Thus, there is a need for additional studies on the mycotoxin prevalence in all types of foods and feeds throughout Turkey, and education programs on mycotoxin management are important for reducing the prevalence of mycotoxin contamination.

Grape seeds are rich sources of proanthocyanidins, which comprise polyhydroxyflavan oligomers or polymers. The beneficial health properties of grape seed proanthocyanidins are attributed to their conjugated and colonic metabolites. There is potential for a two-way relationship between the gut microbiota and grape seed proanthocyanidin. In particular, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that grape seed proanthocyanidins appear to exert pharmacological effects. These include anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-cancer, and cardio- and eye-protective properties. In this review, it is aimed to summarize the current literature regarding grape seed proanthocyanidins, focusing on the recently proposed mechanisms of action from clinical trials considered to underlie pharmacological and disease-preventing properties, along with their bioavailability, toxicology, and safety with regard to potential utilization in the food industry.

Infant feeding decisions are some of the most important choices parents make. Breast milk or formula is the first decision made in infant feeding. Complementary feeding is common among very young children in Turkey. Therefore, the aim of this research is to focus on the introduction of solid foods, and to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and breastfeeding practices of infants’ mothers. The study includes a stratified random sample of 335 infants and toddlers between 4 and 24 months of age. The duration of breastfeeding increased with the second‐born, third‐born or higher‐born infants, but did not significantly increase with the third born. The mean breastfeeding duration in this sample was 11.19 months. Bread was reported by two‐thirds of mothers when their infants were four to six months of age, followed by fruit juice and vegetable soup, egg and cow’s milk. Mothers in our study introduced supplementary food much earlier than recommendations. Further research is needed ...

Preschool education is extremely limited in Turkey, suggesting an absence of public recognition of its importance and a lack of state support. In the ‘VI. Five Years Development Plan’, it was exposed that the target in preschool education could not be reached. Especially, regional differences played an important role. According to population and health research in Turkey in 1998 for those under the age of five, the prevalence of stunted growth among children was 16%. Since children’s physical and mental developments depend on a nutritious diet, it is emphasized that nutrition education must be diffuse and organized education for both children and their families. At the universities in Turkey, the faculties of education graduate the preschool education teachers. The syllabus of these departments shows that nutrition education is given to the students. Especially, during the early years when children are sensitive and are captive listeners and when habits are formed, nutrition education is a must in the for...

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of body weight on stress and nutrition in women. Data were gathered from 889 women living in Turkey. The participants were selected randomly. Women were informed that the purpose of the study was to gather information on stress and nutrition and each participant attended a face-to-face interview .Subjects were administered a questionnaire containing demographic profile, anthropometric measurements, daily energy and macro-nutrients intakes, Stress Scale were used for descriptive purposes. Stress Symptom Scale, Stress Related Factors, Susceptibility to Stress Scale and Total Score were significantly associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) and daily energy and nutrients intake. Underweight and obese women had higher stress scores than normal weight women (p

PurposeAdministrative personnel working at the Selcuk University were divided into two groups: hand‐out group and e‐mail group. The aim of the study was to compare the results between the two groups before and after the food safety education.Design/methodology/approachA 34 item questionnaire was used to measure the five behavioral constructs. The data was entered into the software program SPSS 12.0. To determine change a paired t‐test was conducted for e‐mail and hand‐out groups separately.FindingsThe e‐mail group improved significantly between beginning and at the end of the education for 11 of the 25 concerns and practices.Practical implicationsThe findings support continued development of online food safety education.Originality/valueRespondents completing the education via e‐mail were more satisfied with their delivery method.

The aim of the present study was to examine the knowledge and behaviours related to food safety among consumers who had the primary responsibility for food preparation in the home. Home interviews of 458 randomly selected householders representing three districts in Konya, Turkey, were conducted. The study found significant difference among education levels concerning attitude towards food safety and knowledge. No significant effect of demographic profile on food handling practices was found. These findings increase concerns about consumer safety knowledge and practices. It is advised that a national surveys should be conducted, followed by a properly designed food safety public health campaign, to enhance household food safety awareness.

The purpose of this study was to examine, in a sample of university students, the relationship between stress and benefits and barriers of fruit and vegetable consumption. Subjects were administered a questionnaire containing demographic profile, benefits and barriers of fruit and vegetable consumption, Brief Symptom Inventory, Stress Scale, and Brief Coping Style Inventory. Frequencies and means were used for descriptive purposes. Spearman (gender) and Pearson product moment correlations, multiple linear regressions, and factor analyses were performed. Stress Symptom Scale, Susceptibility to Stress Scale Stress, and Coping Style Inventory were significantly associated with barriers of fruit and vegetable intake. Results from the questionnaire indicated that the self-reported mean intake was 3.67 ± 1.81 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. The present study revealed a significant influence of fruit and vegetable restraint on eating behavior under stress. The results suggest that increased stress was strongly associated with barriers of fruit and vegetable intake among Turkish university students.

The objective of this study was to evaluate preschool teachers’ attitudes towards nutrition labels. A sample of 154 preschool teachers was surveyed to determine their label‐reading behaviours and knowledge. A total of 71.5% of the preschool teachers reported that they read food labels when purchasing food items (i.e. rather often or sometimes). Turkish preschool teachers who are frequent nutrition label users are relatively younger, at the age of 25–40 years and university graduates. Preschool teachers’ lack of interest in many of the terms in nutrition labels seemed to correspond with their lack of knowledge about them. It is concluded that nutrition labelling education education programmes can help preschool teachers to use nutrition labels to improve the quality of their diets. Since preschool teachers are regarded as the single most important factor in creating an effective and inclusive class for children, teaching is a effective tool for behavioural changes in nutrition.

WOS: 000224447300006, PubMed: 15482609, Objectives: In Turkey, the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) is 30.1 per 10 000 births. For this reason it seems an important problem for women of childbearing age. Adequate periconceptional consumption of folic acid could prevent NTDs. Most women are unaware of this recommendation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate women' knowledge and beliefs with regard to folic acid, and to estimate the consumption frequency of vitamin supplements periconceptionally and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Design: Eight hundred and eighteen married women who had delivered a live-born infant within the previous 12 months completed the questionnaire. Each subject participated in a 20-minute interview, with the questionnaire comprising multiple-choice statements. A random sample of 10 public health centres was drawn from 27 in three districts in Konya where about 50% of the population lives. Results: Only 22% of subjects had heard or read about folic acid. Thirteen per cent of women indicated knowledge of the direct link between folic acid supplementation and NTD prevention. The knowledge was greatest among 26- to 35-year-olds. Women with a university degree were more likely to have heard about folic acid than were less-educated women. Conclusion: The results indicate that further government efforts are needed to inform the population and promote the optimal use of folic acid supplements and folate-enriched foods. It is the responsibility of national authorities to increase health education concerning folic acid and the prevention of NTDs in their countries.

Selenium is an essential trace element for both men and animals at lower concentrations and has toxic effects at higher concentrations. The element’s essentiality was first recognised in 1957. Low bioavailability could be contributing to cancers, cardiovascular disease, and subfertility. Selenium and its compounds are widely used in stainless steel production, as a pigment in ceramics, vulcanizing agent of rubber, lubricants, fungicides, medicines used in dermatology and in radionulide imaging of the pancreas. Selenium’s annual world production is estimated at 1,350 tonnes. In the last decade selenium was shown to be an essential component of type I oidothyronine 5’ deiodinase which converts tyroxin to the more biologically active hormone 3,5,3’‐triiodothyronine. The function of selenium in thyroid hormone metabolism has important implications for the interpretation of the effects of selenium deficiency, especially in an elderly population. The population of the elderly has grown in numbers during recent years, throughout the world. The thyroid gland function in a great measure defines the quality of life in elderly people. The purpose of this review is to show the role of selenium in thyroid hormone metabolism.

Clenbuterol use is linked to its ability to induce weight gain and a greater proportion of muscle to fat. Clenbuterol residues can affect lung and heart function in persons who have eaten liver or meat of animals which were given the drug. Any residue of clenbuterol is regarded unacceptable in the EU. The purpose of the study was to determine the occurrence of clenbuterol in UHT milk samples in Turkey. The occurrence of hormone residues in Ultra Heat Treatment (UHT) milk samples was investigated by semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay technique. There was a high incidence rate of clenbuterol, with forty-one (68.3%) milk samples being contaminated. 21.7% of the samples were over the permissible level for clenbuterol as accepted by the EU. Clenbuterol levels in the samples purchased in Central Anatolia Region appear to be serious public health problem at the moment.

Dairy cattle that have been treated with antibiotics produce milk containing antibiotic residues, which may lead to severe allergic reactions in sensitive consumers, culture failure and subsequent loss of product. The purpose of the present study was to determine the levels of tetracycline, streptomycin and chloramphenicol in ultra-heat-treatment milk samples by semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A total of 60 milk samples were analysed. For streptomycin and tetracycline, the concentrations found were below the maximum residue limits permitted by the European Union. There was a high incidence rate of chloramphenicol and tetracycline, with 28 milk samples (46.8%) and 40 milk samples (66.8%) being contaminated, respectively. Chloramphenicol levels in the samples appear a serious public health problem at the moment.

The purpose of this article is to identify and compare Turkish fourth graders attitudes towards breakfast living in Turkey and Germany. A sample group of 882 Turkish students enrolled in fourth grade in Hamburg (Germany, N=422) and Konya (Turkey, N=460) were surveyed. Independent t-tests, chi(2) test and Pearson product-moment correlations were used. More students living in Turkey had breakfast and had enough time before going to school (P < 0.01). Students living in Turkey reported that eating breakfast affected them positively (P < 0.01). Students living in Germany reported that eating breakfast made them feel tired (P < 0.01). The consumption of breakfast cereal (P < 0.05) and fruit juice (P < 0.01) that had not been consumed widely in Turkey increased in Germany. Students who eat breakfast also eat lunch (r=0.296 and -0.236, P < 0.01, students living in Turkey and Turkish students living in Germany, respectively). Nutrition education programs in primary schools may change Student's attitudes about breakfast and offering a breakfast programme in schools may greatly improve breakfast consumption rates. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) appears in milk as a direct result of the ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 by cattle. The role of milk in human nutrition is well-known. The purpose of the study was to determine the levels of AFM1 in UHT milk samples in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The occurrence of AFM1 contamination in UHT milk samples was investigated by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. A total of 129 samples of commercial UHT whole milk were analysed. The mean value was 108.17 ng/L. There was a high incidence rate of AFM1, with 75 (58.1%) milk samples being contaminated. Although 68 (53%) were below the limit, the remaining 61 (47%) were well above the limit permitted by the EU. Four of the samples exceeded the prescribed limit of US regulations. It can be concluded that AFM1 levels in the samples purchased in Central Anatolia Region, appear to be a serious public health problem at the moment. Dairy farmers must be educated by the government authorities on potential health consequences of aflatoxins.

A questionnaire was developed to determine the behaviors associated with eating fruit and vegetables and to assess perceived benefits and barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. A total of 713 non-food/nutrition major university students were randomly selected from seven universities in Turkey. Self-reported mean intake was found to be 3.67 ± 1.81 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Positive correlations existed between daily fruit and vegetable portions. Male students were significantly higher than female students in body mass index measurements (BMI 22.71 vs. 20.1, p _ .05). Among male students only BMI was positively associated with age. Compared to male students, female students were more likely to eat fruit and vegetables. Male students were less likely to eat fruit instead of dessert. Vegetables were more preferred by female students at lunch and dinner. Exploratory principal-components analyses showed that a two-component solution best represented the data. The first component represented the benefits of eating more fruit. The second component described barriers to eating more fruit. Both components have an internal consistency of 0.73 and 0.56 respectively, with benefits accounting for 17% and barriers 12% of variance These scales may be used to increase the benefits to get students to think about change, and decreasing the barriers to allow the behavior to change in fruit and vegetable consumption should follow this. Since Turkish students do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, nutrition education efforts must be targeted at students (i.e. acceptability of these foods in different meal and snacks is maintained, promoted, and encouraged). Barriers may be reduced, thereby allowing students to take action and maintain the behavior change.