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Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. Prevalence has continued to rise in recent decades as Western dietary patterns have become more pervasive. Evidence suggests that diets emphasizing the consumption of plant-based foods might protect against asthma development and improve asthma symptoms through their effects on systemic inflammation, oxidation, and microbial composition. Additionally, increased fruit and vegetable intake, reduced animal product consumption, and weight management might mediate cytokine release, free radical damage, and immune responses involved in the development and course of asthma. The specific aim of this review paper is to examine the current literature on the associations between dietary factors and asthma risk and control in children and adults. Clinical trials examining the mechanism(s) by which dietary factors influence asthma outcomes are necessary to identify the potential use of nutritional therapy in the prevention and management of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Many diseases are linked to lifestyle in the United States, yet physicians receive little training in nutrition. Medical students' prior knowledge of nutrition and cooking is unknown. Objective. To determine incoming medical students' prior nutrition knowledge, culinary skills, and nutrition habits. Methods. A dual-methods study of first-year medical students. Cross-sectional survey assessing prior knowledge, self-efficacy, and previous education of cooking and nutrition. Interviews of second-year medical students explored cooking and nutrition in greater depth. Results. A total of 142 first-year medical students participated; 16% had taken a nutrition course, with majority (66%) learning outside classroom settings. Students had a mean score of 87% on the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire versus comparison group (64.9%). Mean cooking and food skills score were lower than comparison scores. Overall, students did not meet guidelines for fiber, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Interviews with second-year students revealed most learned to cook from their families; all believed it important for physicians to have this knowledge. Conclusions. Medical students were knowledgeable about nutrition, but typically self-taught. They were not as confident or skilled in cooking, and mostly learned from their family. They expressed interest in learning more about nutrition and cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole grains have been recommended in the diet in most countries, with numerous publications focusing on their health effect. A systematic analysis of these publications on different research methods, regions and perspectives will contribute to an understanding of the innovation pattern in this field. This bibliometric study analyzes the global publication characteristics, hotspots and frontiers of whole grain health benefit research, and discusses the trends and prospects of this topic. The overall number of publications is on the rise, with the United States contributing the most publications. The most cited literature shows that observational studies, systematic reviews and meta-analysis are the most widely used methods. The main focus in this area is on dietary fiber and bioactive substances, while the latter has received increased attention in recent years in particular. With the increasingly prominent problems of hidden hunger and chronic disease, the development of whole grain foods and their optimum intake have gradually become hot topics. In addition to the need to reveal the mechanism of whole grain health effects, consensus needs to be reached on standards and definitions for whole grain foods, and attention should be paid to the retention of taste and healthy nutrients in processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging body of literature has highlighted the significance of breastmilk oligosaccharides and dietary fibers in complementary weaning foods for the development of the infant's microbiome that has both short- and long-term health implications. This review highlights the newborns' consumption of fiber and oligosaccharides as directly linked to the mother's diet, and that current dietary recommendations for pregnant mothers in the United States and globally fall short in both addressing the importance of dietary fiber intake for enhancing mother's health and establishing the developing infant microbiome. Although limited in data, there is suggestion for maternal dietary interventions to include healthy fibers as an effective means of promoting infant health via modification of breast milk composition. This paper argues that there is an urgent need for a two-fold national policy that addresses the significance of fiber in breastfeeding mothers' diets and modifies the dietary recommendations accordingly, and provides a paid parental leave, which would enable mothers to not only breastfeed for at least six months, but to also effectively follow the dietary recommendations needed to support breast milk quality that is linked to their infants' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified which energy expenditure (EE) and dietary intake outcomes determine EE from doubly-labeled water (DLW) in U.S. older adults (n = 681; 45.9% male; mean age 63.2). A secondary data analysis using baseline data from The Interactive Diet and Activity Tracking in AARP (IDATA) study was conducted. Stepwise linear regressions identified predictor outcomes of EE from DLW within sexes. Outcomes included data from ActiGraph accelerometers, Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) self-report activity questionnaire, Automated Self-Administered 24-hour dietary recall, Dietary History Questionnaire II (DHQ II), and resting EE. Energy expenditure by ActiGraph in males predicted EE from DLW (R2 = 0.33, p <.001). EE from ActiGraph and total dietary fiber from DHQ II predicted EE from DLW in females (R2 = 0.44, p <.001). The CHAMPS closely matched EE from DLW when considering resting EE. These findings can be used to assess energy balance in a non-invasive manner in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigration can improve economic status and access to education compared to the country of origin, but it challenges access to health and preventive care. Assess Brazilian immigrants' overall health conditions and dietary intake in New Jersey (US). This pilot study assessed health conditions and dietary intake. Brazilians immigrants were interviewed through their communities. Trained dietitians interviewed them using a questionnaire and three days of 24H recall. Dietary intake was analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research software. A sample of 118 individuals completed the protocol, majority female and overweight/obese, living in the US for 11.3 years with 21.1% declaring having Noncommunicable Diseases. The average number of daily meals was 2.20 ± 1.04. Energy intake does not correlate with time in the US. Obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension are the most prevalent Noncommunicable Diseases, demanding interventions that include managing saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutritional status has been recognized as an important factor influencing cognitive function-related diseases, but few comprehensive nutrition indicators are available to assess the risk of cognitive decline.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and cognitive function in an elderly population, and the differences in nutrient intake between different levels of nutritional risk.Methods: Based on cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014, we included 2,564 older participants. The lower quartile of each of the four cognitive tests was considered to have cognitive function impairment (CFI). Binary and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between the PNI and the odds ratio of CFI.Results: After adjustment for confounding variables, we found that the odds of CFI were significantly lower for participants with normal PNI levels than for those with low PNI levels. In a comparison of global cognitive impairment scores, participants with a normal PNI had lower ratios of poor cognitive performance than those with a low PNI. By comparing the nutrient intake at different PNI levels, we found a reduction in the intake of protein, dietary fiber, total saturated fatty acids, and multiple micronutrients in the low PNI group.Conclusion: Our study shows that the PNI can be a good predictor of the odds of CFI in the elderly population and that it is a convenient indicator of reduced intake of nutrients which may be important to brain health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population attributable risk (PAR) is becoming more widely used for quantifying preventability of cancer. However, its estimations have had a wide range, leading to questions about the true preventability. Our study aimed to compare the two PAR estimation methods (ie, literature‐based method and low‐risk method) for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the US population based on the same set of modifiable risk factors: physical activity, body mass index, alcoholic drinks, red meat, processed meat, dietary fiber, dietary calcium and cigarette smoking. For the literature‐based method, 65% and 53%, and for the low‐risk method, 62% and 49% of CRC cases for males and females, respectively, were attributable to the eight dietary and lifestyle risk factors. Additional sensitivity analyses were conducted with respect to the different choices of risk factors, relative risks (RRs) and exposure prevalence estimates used in the literature‐based method. The PARs including only the "convincing" factors and excluding "probable" factors defined by the WCRF/AICR were 50% for males and 34% for females. Using RRs derived from different studies changed the PARs considerably (57%‐74% for males and 37%‐60% for females). Our study assessed the robustness of PAR calculations through a direct comparison between the two methods using different assumptions and data and generally found high concordance. From the additional analyses, we found that the choice of risk factors and RRs could substantially influence the PAR estimates. Given the findings, future studies reporting PAR should consider presenting a range of PAR estimates based on choices of risk factors and RRs. What's new? Population attributable risk (PAR) is increasingly used for quantifying the preventability of cancer. However, estimations vary widely. This study assessed the robustness of PAR calculations for colorectal cancer in the US population through a direct comparison between the literature‐based method and the low‐risk method using the same risk factors, and generally found high concordance. Additional sensitivity analyses, however, showed that for the literature‐based method, the choice of risk factors and relative risks could substantially influence PAR estimations. Future PAR studies using the literature‐based method should consider presenting a range of estimates from different choices of risk factors and relative risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) advise cancer survivors to follow their lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention. Adhering to these recommendations may have beneficial effects on patient-reported outcomes after a cancer diagnosis, but evidence is scarce. We aimed to assess associations of the individual dietary WCRF/AICR recommendations regarding fruit and vegetables, fibre, fast foods, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened drinks and alcohol consumption with patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Cross-sectional data of 150 stage I–III CRC survivors, 2–10 years post-diagnosis, were used. Dietary intake was measured by 7-d dietary records. Validated questionnaires were used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fatigue and neuropathy. Confounder-adjusted linear regression models were used to analyse associations of each WCRF/AICR dietary recommendation with patient-reported outcomes. Higher vegetable intake (per 50 g) was associated with better global QoL (β 2·6; 95 % CI 0·6, 4·7), better physical functioning (3·3; 1·2, 5·5) and lower levels of fatigue (−4·5; −7·6, −1·4). Higher fruit and vegetables intake (per 100 g) was associated with better physical functioning (3·2; 0·8, 5·5) and higher intake of energy-dense food (per 100 kJ/100 g) with worse physical functioning (−4·2; −7·1, −1·2). No associations of dietary recommendations with neuropathy were found. These findings suggest that adhering to specific dietary WCRF/AICR recommendations is associated with better HRQoL and less fatigue in CRC survivors. Although the recommendations regarding healthy dietary habits may be beneficial for the well-being of CRC survivors, longitudinal research is warranted to gain insight into the direction of associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non-Hispanic black (NHB) men have higher rates of chronic disease than men in other racial/ethnic groups. Poor diet quality is one risk factor for chronic disease, but research on the diet quality and nutrient intake of NHB men is sparse. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the diet quality and nutrient intake of NHB and non-Hispanic white (NHW) men in the United States. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data on 5050 men (31.3% NHB, 68.7% NHW) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2007-2012. To assess diet quality, we calculated Healthy Eating Index (HEI)–2010 scores from each participant's 24-hour recall data. We used logistic regression models to determine if NHB men had lower odds of meeting dietary recommendations for nutrient intake than NHW men. We used linear regression models to identify significant differences in HEI-2010 scores between NHB and NHW men. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic measures, NHB and NHW men had similar diet quality (P =.59). Compared with NHW men, NHB men had lower odds of meeting recommendations for dietary fiber and cholesterol intake and higher odds of meeting recommendations for saturated fat and sodium intake. Conclusion: Differences between NHB and NHW men in the intake of certain nutrients may be related to chronic disease disparities. Future research should consider racial/ethnic differences in dietary intake among men and the impact these differences have on men's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study examined which snack factors and nutritional ingredients influence college students' snack choices using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Participants: In November 2016, a total of 1,624 undergraduate students participated in the study. Methods: Two DCEs were constructed using a unique approach of block fractional factorial designs. The first DCE examined four three-level snack factors: healthiness, taste, convenience, and price. The second DCE focused on six two-level nutritional ingredients: sugar, salt, calories, fat, all natural, and fiber. Results: Students preferred quick and cheap snacks, but higher prices on healthy snacks did not affect their decision significantly. Healthiness and sugar had the highest relative importance of snack factors and nutritional ingredients, respectively. High-sugar snacks were less favored if students considered themselves educated in nutrition. Conclusion: Thus, potential ways to improve the snack choices for college students are to offer healthier snacks on college campuses and to promote nutrition education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean diet accordance has been associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, a common feature in more advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, a brief tool was needed to monitor Mediterranean diet accordance of older adults with PD. Relative validity, acceptability, and feasibility of the 21-item online screener, Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans (MEPA-III) was assessed. Maximum diet accordance is reflected by a MEPA III score of 21 points. Forty-four adults completed the online reference tool, the VioScreen™ Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and then the MEPA-III screener three to seven days later. MEPA-III scores averaged 10.7 ± 2.7. When FFQ responses were coded to match those of MEPA-III screener components, agreement for individual components averaged 71.5%, with 8 of 21 component scores with kappas ≥ 0.31 (p < 0.05). Total MEPA-III scores were concordant with those from the FFQ (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). Participants reported that the MEPA-III screener was acceptable (median score 8 out of a possible 10). The screener was feasible because the median completion time was 4.1 min (range 1.6–14.9). The online MEPA-III screener demonstrates good validity, acceptability and feasibility and can be used to characterize a Mediterranean-style diet pattern among participants with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the U.S., there has been a rise in overweight and obesity among persons living with HIV (PLWH). The aim of this study was to examine dietary intake and body mass index (BMI) in PLWH in Atlanta Georgia relative to the U.S. population. Dietary intake among PLWH was compared with recommended standards as well as estimated dietary intake for adults in the U.S. Over 31% of the study participants were overweight [BMI = 25–29.9 kg/m2], and 33.1% obese [BMI ≥ 30 kg/ m2]. Results indicated significant dietary differences between participants in our sample and U.S. daily recommendations for adults as well as estimated intakes of the U.S. population. Both males and females consumed more percentage of energy from fat and less fiber as well as fruit and vegetables servings than what is recommended. Results suggest that overweight and obesity are an additional health burden to PLWH in our sample and that their daily dietary practices are not meeting the U.S. government-recommended nutritional standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe the dietary profile and health characteristics of first-generation South Asian Indian (SAI) adolescents in the United States because SAIs have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and dietary risk factors for those diseases begin in youth. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine age, gender, usual dietary intake, body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose, and length of residency among 56 first-generation, urban SAI adolescents. Intake of saturated fat exceeded recommendations for all participants, and potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber intakes were insufficient in nearly all. Sodium intake exceeded recommendations for most males. Cholesterol intake and sweets consumption was lower among those who lived in the U.S. longer. There were no associations of dietary patterns with health characteristics. Dietary patterns that may increase future disease risk included high saturated fats and low potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Certain dietary factors have been associated with the risk of breast cancer recurrence, but data in Hispanic survivors is scarce. Objective: to examine dietary patterns and diet quality in two groups of Hispanic breast cancer survivors. Methods: 23 Mexican-American (MA) and 22 Puerto Rican (PR) female breast cancer survivors completed a culturally adapted validated food frequency questionnaire. Intake was standardized per 1000 kcal and compared to US Dietary Guidelines and the DASH-style diet adherence score was calculated. Results: Overweight/obese was 70 % in MA and 91 % in PR. PR consumed diets rich in fruit/100 % fruit juices and beans, while MA diets were high in vegetables, beans, and total grains. Both groups consumed high amounts of starchy vegetables, refined grains, animal protein and calories from solid fats and added sugars but low intakes of whole grains, dairy products and nuts and seeds. DASH scores were relatively low. Conclusion: MA and PR female breast cancer survivors have different dietary patterns but both groups had relatively low diet quality. These groups could benefit from culturally tailored interventions to improve diet quality, which could potentially reduce cancer recurrence. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01504789. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Replacing typical American snacks with tree nuts may be an effective way to improve diet quality and compliance with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).Objective: To assess and quantify the impact of replacing typical snacks with composite tree nuts or almonds on diet metrics, including empty calories (i.e., added sugars and solid fats), individual fatty acids, macronutrients, nutrients of public health concern, including sodium, fiber and potassium, and summary measures of diet quality.Methods: Food pattern modeling was implemented in the nationally representative 2009-2012 National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) in a population of 17,444 children and adults. All between-meal snacks, excluding beverages, were replaced on a per calorie basis with a weighted tree nut composite, reflecting consumption patterns in the population. Model 1 replaced all snacks with tree nuts, while Model 2 exempted whole fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains (>50% of total grain content). Additional analyses were conducted using almonds only. Outcomes of interest were empty calories (i.e., solid fats and added sugars), saturated and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, protein, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The Healthy Eating Index-2010, which measures adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, was used as a summary measure of diet quality.Results: Compared to observed diets, modeled food patterns were significantly lower in empty calories (-20.1% and -18.7% in Model 1 and Model 2, respectively), added sugars (-17.8% and -16.9%), solid fats (-21.0% and -19.3%), saturated fat (-6.6% and -7.1%)., and sodium (-12.3% and -11.2%). Modeled patterns were higher in oils (65.3% and 55.2%), monounsaturated (35.4% and 26.9%) and polyunsaturated fats (42.0% and 35.7%), plant omega 3 s (53.1% and 44.7%), dietary fiber (11.1% and 14.8%), and magnesium (29.9% and 27.0%), and were modestly higher in potassium (1.5% and 2.9%). HEI-2010 scores were significantly higher in Model 1 (67.8) and in Model 2 (69.7) compared to observed diets (58.5). Replacing snacks with almonds only produced similar results; the decrease in sodium was more modest and no increase in plant omega-3 fats was observed.Conclusion: Replacing between-meal snacks with tree nuts or almonds led to more nutrient-rich diets that were lower in empty calories and sodium and had more favorable fatty acid profiles. Food pattern modeling using NHANES data can be used to assess the likely nutritional impact of dietary guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent population dietary studies indicate that diets rich in ultra-processed foods, increasingly frequent worldwide, are grossly nutritionally unbalanced, suggesting that the dietary contribution of these foods largely determines the overall nutritional quality of contemporaneous diets. Yet, these studies have focused on individual nutrients (one at a time) rather than the overall nutritional quality of the diets. Here we investigate the relationship between the energy contribution of ultra-processed foods in the US diet and its content of critical nutrients, individually and overall. Methods: We evaluated dietary intakes of 9,317 participants from 2009 to 2010 NHANES aged 1+ years. Food items were classified into unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods. First, we examined the average dietary content of macronutrients, micronutrients, and fiber across quintiles of the energy contribution of ultra-processed foods. Then, we used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify a nutrient-balanced dietary pattern to enable the assessment of the overall nutritional quality of the diet. Linear regression was used to explore the association between the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and the balanced-pattern PCA factor score. The scores were thereafter categorized into tertiles, and their distribution was examined across ultra-processed food quintiles. All models incorporated survey sample weights and were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and educational attainment. Results: The average content of protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, D, and E, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium in the US diet decreased significantly across quintiles of the energy contribution of ultra-processed foods, while carbohydrate, added sugar, and saturated fat contents increased. An inverse dose--response association was found between ultra-processed food quintiles and overall dietary quality measured through a nutrient-balanced-pattern PCA-derived factor score characterized by being richer in fiber, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C, and having less saturated fat and added sugars. Conclusions: This study suggests that decreasing the dietary share of ultra-processed foods is a rational and effective way to improve the nutritional quality of US diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Extensive research supports a protective effect of a high-fiber diet in certain disease states; however, little is known about its relationship to lung health. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) contain spirometry measures and dietary intake information, allowing us to assess this relationship.Objective: Determine the association between fiber intake and measures of lung function in a representative sample of U.S. adults.Methods: Participants included 1,921 adults who had spirometry measurements and fiber intake available. The primary outcomes were lung function measurements, including FEV1, FVC, and percent predicted FEV1 and FVC. We also conducted a categorical analysis of fiber intake and airflow restriction and obstruction based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and Spirometry Grade (SG) classifications. Multivariable regression models were used to look at the association of lung function measurements with dietary fiber intake after adjustment for relevant confounders. All analyses accounted for the weighted data and complex design of the NHANES sample.Measurements and Main Results: Subjects in the highest quartile intake of fiber had mean FEV1 and FVC measurements that were 82 ml and 129 ml higher than the lowest quartile of intake (P = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively), and mean percent predicted FEV1 and FVC values that were 2.4 and 2.8 percentage points higher (P = 0.07 and 0.02, respectively). In the categorical analysis, higher fiber intake was associated with a higher percentage of those with normal lung function (P = 0.001) and a significant decline in the proportion of participants with airflow restriction (P = 0.001).Conclusion: Low fiber intake was associated with reduced measures of lung function. A diet rich in fiber-containing foods may play a role in improving lung health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare judgements of nutrition and judgement accuracy when evaluating cereals with the current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nutrition facts panel (NFP) and two new proposed NFP based on FDA guidelines.Design: A between-subjects design randomly assigned participants to three NFP conditions (current NFP label and two modified NFP based on FDA proposals). Participants viewed breakfast cereals, and rated each on nutritional quality and on the likelihood of purchasing and consuming it. Participants provided demographic information and responses to questionnaires assessing nutrition/obesity knowledge, concern for healthy eating and nutrient importance.Setting: USA.Subjects: Two hundred and thirteen adults who completed an online survey (66·2 % female, mean age 37·31 (sd 12·56) years).Results: Judged nutrition quality of cereals was positively correlated with protein, fibre and potassium and negatively correlated with sugars and sodium. This pattern appeared when using the current NFP or the modified versions. Highlighted nutrients in modified NFP formats did not affect their perceived importance. Accuracy of the nutrition quality judgements was measured in relationship to an objectively defined nutrition score, NuVal®. Nutrition judgement accuracy was highest under the current NFP (Spearman's ρ=0·76 for the current NFP; 0·64 and 0·72 for the other formats). Regression analysis showed that nutrition judgement accuracy increased significantly (adjusted R 2=0·13) with obesity knowledge (β=0·27), age (β=0·15) and current NFP (β=0·13).Conclusions: The current NFP is equally or more effective in conveying nutritional information compared with NFP formats based on the FDA proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between diet and inflammation, and adiposity in minority youth. Design and Methods: The study was designed as a cross‐sectional analysis of 142 overweight (≥85th body mass index percentile) Hispanic and African–American adolescents (14–18 years) with the following measures: anthropometrics, adiposity via magnetic resonance imaging, dietary intake via 24‐h dietary recalls, and inflammation markers from fasting blood draws utilizing a multiplex panel. Partial correlations were estimated and analysis of covariance (ancova) models fit to examine the relationship among dietary variables, inflammation markers and adiposity measures with the following a priori covariates: Tanner stage, ethnicity, sex, total energy intake, total body fat and total lean mass. Results: Inference based on ancova models showed that the highest tertile of fibre intake (mean intake of 21.3 ± 6.1 g d−1) vs. the lowest tertile of fibre intake (mean intake of 7.4 ± 1.8 g d−1) was associated with 36% lower plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (P = 0.02) and 43% lower resistin (P = 0.02), independent of covariates. Similar results were seen for insoluble fibre. No other dietary variables included in this study were associated with inflammation markers. Conclusions: These results suggest that increases in dietary fibre could play an important role in lowering inflammation and therefore metabolic disease risk in high‐risk minority youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and third most commonly diagnosed cancer among adults. This study is the first to examine the relationship between diet-related beliefs for colorectal cancer prevention and dietary intake among an urban, predominantly Black population (n = 169). More than two-thirds reported diet-related CRC prevention beliefs. Those with diet-related CRC prevention beliefs had healthier intakes for dietary fiber ( p = .005), fruit, vegetable, bean ( p = .027), red meat ( p = .032), vitamin C ( p = .039), and cholesterol ( p = .045). Most people may already have diet-related CRC prevention beliefs and having them is associated with a more healthful dietary intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constipation in children is defined on the basis of several clusters of symptoms, and these symptoms are likely to persist into adulthood. The aim of this review article is to summarize the current literature on the use of dietary fiber and whole grains as treatments for childhood constipation. Current recommendations for fiber intake in children vary substantially among organizations, suggesting that the function of fiber in children is not fully understood. Additionally, no formal definition of 'whole grain' exists, which further complicates the interpretation of the literature. Few randomized controlled trials have examined the effect of dietary fiber supplementation in children with constipation. Currently, no randomized controlled trials have investigated the efficacy of whole grains in treating childhood constipation. This is an area that warrants further attention. Increasing the intake of dietary fiber and/or whole grain has the potential to relieve childhood constipation; however, additional randomized controlled trials are necessary to make a formal recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to investigate the effect of several dietary polyphenols on uptake of 14C-butyrate (14C-BT) by Caco-2 cells and try to correlate this effect with the modulation of the anticarcinogenic effect of BT in these cells. Acutely, uptake of 14C-BT (10 μM) was decreased by resveratrol, quercetin, myricetin, and chrysin, and increased by xanthohumol, catechin, and epicatechin; and uptake of 14C-BT (20 mM) was reduced by resveratrol, quercetin, myricetin, chrysin, EGCG, and epicatechin. Resveratrol acts as a competitive inhibitor of 14C-BT uptake. Chronically, quercetin and EGCG increased uptake of 14C-BT (10 μM), whereas myricetin, rutin, chrysin, and xanthohumol decreased it. Moreover, catechin (1 μM), quercetin, myricetin, rutin, EGCG, and chrysin increased uptake of 14C-BT (20 mM), whereas catechin (0.1 μM) decreased it. EGCG, myricetin, and catechin decreased MCT1 mRNA expression, while chrysin increased it; quercetin, rutin, and xanthohumol had no effect. BT (5 mM; 48 h) markedly decreased cellular viability and proliferation and increased cell differentiation and apoptosis. In general, combination of polyphenolic compounds with BT did not significantly modify these changes. In conclusion, changes in uptake of BT induced by polyphenols do not correlate with changes on the effect of BT upon cell viability, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1995–1996, the authors mailed a food frequency questionnaire to 3.5 million American Association of Retired Persons members who were aged 50–69 years and who resided in one of six states or two metropolitan areas with high-quality cancer registries. In establishing a cohort of 567,169 persons (340,148 men and 227,021 women), the authors were fortunate in that a less-than-anticipated baseline response rate (threatening inadequate numbers of respondents in the intake extremes) was offset by both a shifting and a widening of the intake distributions among those who provided satisfactory data. Reported median intakes for the first and fifth intake quintiles, respectively, were 20.4 and 40.1 (men) and 20.1 and 40.0 (women) percent calories from fat, 10.3 and 32.0 (men) and 8.7 and 28.7 (women) g per day of dietary fiber, 3.1 and 11.6 (men) and 2.8 and 11.3 (women) servings per day of fruits and vegetables, and 20.7 and 156.8 (men) and 10.5 and 97.0 (women) g per day of red meat. After 5 years of follow-up, the cohort is expected to yield nearly 4,000 breast cancers, more than 10,000 prostate cancers, more than 4,000 colorectal cancers, and more than 900 pancreatic cancers. The large size and wide intake range of the cohort will provide ample power for examining a number of important diet and cancer hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) were collected during the 1997 harvest from 12 different cultivars of trees grown in a replicated trial in an experimental orchard at Lincoln University. Two US commercial cultivars (Tehama and Vina), three European commercial cultivars (Esterhazy, G139, G120) and eight New Zealand selections (Rex, Dublin's Glory, Meyric, Stanley, 150, 151, 153) were evaluated. The total oil content ranged from 62.6 to 70.3% while the crude protein ranged from 13.6 to 18.1%. Dietary fiber ranged from 4.2 to 5.2% while the starch content made up no more than 2.8% of the remaining portion of the kernel. The amino acid content of the walnuts was similar between cultivars and the patterns of essential amino acids were characteristic of a high quality protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet can play a major role in cancer prevention. The international differences in cancer incidence are largely accounted for by lifestyle practices that include nutrition, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco use. About 50% of cancer incidence and 35% of cancer mortality in the U.S., represented by cancers of the breast, prostate, pancreas, ovary, endometrium, and colon, are associated with Western dietary habits. Cancer of the stomach, currently a major disease in the Far East, relates to distinct, specific nutritional elements such as excessive salt intake. For these cancers, information is available on possible initiating genotoxic factors, promoting elements, and prophylactic agents. In general, the typical diet in the United States contains low levels of the potent carcinogenic agents, heterocyclic amines, formed during the cooking of meats. It provides only about half the potent appropriate fiber intake and is high in calories. About twice as many calories as would be desirable come from fat, certain kinds of which enhance the development of cancers. Other foods with functional properties, such as soy products and tea, can be beneficial. To achieve reduction in risk of certain cancers, diet must be optimized, primarily to reduce caloric intake and the fat component. The latter should be 20% or less of total caloric intake and fiber should be increased to 25-35 g per day for adults. One approach to achieving these goals is the Fiber First Diet,© a diet designed around adequate fiber intake from grains, especially cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, which thereby reduces both calorie and fat intake. Such dietary improvements will not only reduce cancer and other chronic disease risks, but will contribute to a healthy life to an advanced age. A corollary benefit is a lower cost of medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Describes the research on dietary repercussions of modifying the usual dietary intake of health-aware young adults to meet the recommendations of the Step I United States National Cholesterol Education Program. Impact of the dietary modification on fibre, calcium, sodium and zinc intake; How the research was conducted; Subject of the research.

Estimates the effects of fiber-specific information on dietary fiber intake in the United States. Analysis of nutrition information and intake data for a sample of household meal planners; Measurement of information variables; Attitude toward consuming fiber-rich foods; Major determinants of information and intake; Intake effect exerted by education.