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The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for zinc for children were based on limited data and there is concern that the UL may be set too low. The first effect of excessive zinc intake is a reduction in copper status. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on copper status in children. Healthy, 6- to 8-y-old boys from Ontario, Canada were assigned to take a placebo (n = 10) or 5 mg (n = 10), 10 mg (n = 9), or 15 mg (n = 8) of zinc supplement daily for 4 mo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Biochemical measures were evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 4 mo of supplementation. Food records were completed near the baseline and 4-mo visits. Age and anthropometric measurements did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatment groups at baseline. Mean zinc intakes from food alone (10.9-14.8 mg zinc/d) approached or exceeded the UL of 12 mg/d. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc groups had a greater change in the urine zinc:creatinine ratio at 4 mo (P = 0.02). Traditional (plasma copper and ceruloplasmin activity) and more sensitive biomarkers of copper status, including erythrocyte SOD1 activity and the erythrocyte CCS:SOD1 protein ratio, were unchanged in zinc-supplemented boys, demonstrating that copper status was not depressed. Serum lipid measures and hemoglobin concentrations were also unaffected and gastrointestinal symptoms were not reported. These data provide evidence in support of the need for reexamining the current UL for zinc for children.

Introduction and Rationale Weight change and, specifically, weight loss are common in residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The occurrence of weight change results from multifactorial processes, some of which can be considered nutrition risk factors. Meal rounds can be a continuous quality improvement activity to readily identify nutrition risk factors that can influence weight change. Methods This brief report will describe the activity of meal rounds and how they can be used to improve nutrition services. Baseline data from a previously published study on 37 residents will provide proportions of nutrition risk factors identified during meal rounds that can influence weight change. Outcomes Feeding and eating difficulties are prevalent in residents with dementia (eg, agitation 29.7%, resisting assistance 21.6%). Early identification of these difficulties using meal rounds may be a means of preventing weight change and promoting quality nutrition care in LTCFs. The proposed intervention of meal rounds conducted as described can improve the quality of nutrition services in LTCFs.

Resume Les monokines, telles que l'interleukine (IL-1), le tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) et les interferons (IFN), jouent un role majeur dans les processus inflammatoires, immunologiques et metaboliques. Parmi les effets qui leur sont attribues figurent l'anorexie, la stimulation de la neoglucogenese, la synthese hepatique des proteines de l'inflammation, des modifications des concentrations sanguines en zinc, en fer et en cuivre, une augmentation de l'activation des lymphocytes, et une activation indirecte des cellules tueuses (LAK) activees par les lymphokines. Le retentissement d'une alteration de l'etat nutritionnel sur la production et l'activite des monokines n'a pas ete etudie en detail. La denutrition proteique severe entraine une diminution de la production d'IL-1 in vitro et une faible reponse tissulaire a l'IL-1 in vivo. En ce qui concerne l'influence d'une denutrition legere ou moderee, les rares resultats ne permettent pas de conclure. Les consequences d'une malnutrition proteique ou proteinoenergetique sur les activites TNFα et IFN sont encore moins bien connues.

To establish the validity and reproducibility of the dietary component of a mobile vitamin D calculator app.Participants entered their dietary intake into the Vitamin D Calculator app on 3 recording days over 1 month and underwent subsequent 24-hour dietary recalls.There were 50 adults (25 female), aged 18-25 years (mean, 22 ± 2 years). Paired-samples t tests tested for significant differences (P.05) in mean vitamin D and calcium intake between the app and dietary recalls; Bland-Altman plots assessed agreement between the 2 measures. Intra-class correlations and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests assessed reproducibility of intakes estimated by the app. Mean vitamin D (n = 50) and calcium (n = 48) intakes and risk classifications did not differ significantly between the 2 measures (P.05).The Vitamin D Calculator app is a valid classification measure for dietary vitamin D and calcium intake. This tool could be used by the general public to increase awareness and intake of these nutrients.