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The pattern of nutrient intake and meal consumption among shiftworkers is investigated, and establishednutritional science methods and a new qualitative meal-classification concept are used. Although only a small sample is used, it is safe to conclude that theshifts of a rotating three-shift pattern do not significantly affect the numberof meals and snacks, nor their nutritional content.

BACKGROUND: Night work is becoming more common and shift workers display several metabolic disturbances. Aim To study the endocrine responses in relation to time of day during a 24-h period and how dietary macronutrient composition affects these responses. DESIGN: Seven males (26-43 y and 19.9-26.6 kg x m(-2)) were studied in a crossover design. Isocaloric diets described as high-carbohydrates (HC; 65 energy percent (E%) carbohydrates and 20E% fat) or high-fat (HF; 40E% carbohydrates and 45E% fat) were given. After a 6-day diet adjustment period, the subjects were kept awake for 24 h in a metabolic unit and were served an isocaloric meal (continuation of respective diet) every 4-h. Blood samples were taken throughout the 24-h period. RESULTS: Insulin and leptin responses to meal intake differed with respect to time of day (p < 0.05). Time of day affected glucagon, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (fT4), total triiodothyronine (tT3), cortisol, chromogranin A (CgA) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) concentrations (p < 0.05). Meal intake decreased cortisol concentration after meals at 0800, 1200 and 0400 but not at 1600, 2000 and 0000 h. The PP's postprandial increase was greater during 0800-1600 h compared to 2000-0800 h. With the HC meals, lower glucagon and CgA concentrations (p < 0.05), and a tendency for lower tT3 concentrations (p = 0.053) were observed compared to the HF meals. CONCLUSION: Insulin, PP, TSH, fT4, cortisol and leptin responses to meal intake differed with respect to time of day. The decreased evening/nocturnal responses of cortisol and PP to meal intake indicate that nocturnal eating and night work might have health implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the nutrient composition and nutritional contribution of naturally occurring vegetables (NOV) in four villages in Vietnam. The frequency of consumption and quantities eaten were evaluated within the overall diet of 101 and 110 women in the Mekong Delta (flood period and rainy season, respectively) and of 103 women in the Central Highlands (rainy season). The concentrations of Ca, Fe and Zn were analysed in 28 species, and presence of tannins and phytic acid in 19 species. Provitamin carotenoids were determined in 11 species. Over 90% of the women consumed NOV, and they contributed 43, 72 and 75% (Central Highlands, Mekong rainy and Mekong flood period, respectively) of the total quantities of vegetables eaten. Aquatic species such as lpomoea aquatica and Limnocharis flava, and terrestrial vegetables such as Schismattoglottis calyptrata, were among the most commonly consumed vegetables. They were eaten in mean daily quantities exceeding 50 g and had high concentrations of Ca, Fe and beta-carotene. Other major aquatic vegetables included the stems of Eleocharis sp., Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphea lotus, all of which were used as salad vegetables and had relatively low nutrient density. The problems of assessing the current role of NOV due to lack of data on intakes in the context of the overall diets, as well as data on their composition, are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents abstracts of articles about human nutrition. Endemic goiter with iodine sufficiency; Nutritional effects of red wine; Short-term effectiveness of mandatory iodization of table salts; Iron absorption in men consuming diets with a high or low iron bioavailability.

The quantitative relationships between nitrogen (N) intake, urea production, excretion and amino acid oxidation are currently a matter of debate. Some investigators have proposed that urea production is essentially constant over a wide range of N intakes and that urea hydrolysis is regulated according to the N needs of the organism. We have assessed this proposal by compiling results from four separate experiments in healthy young adults (n = 34) carried out in our laboratories and all at the end of the respective diet periods using an identical 24-h continuous intravenous infusion of [(15)N, (15)N]urea and L-[1-(13)C]leucine. The N intakes were: expt. 1; protein-free diet for 5 d; expt. 2; N at 44 mg N. kg(-1). d(-1) from a balanced L-amino acid mixture for 13 d; expt. 3; N at 161 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) from egg protein for 6 d; expt. 4 -one group received 157 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) and the other 392 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) from milk-protein-based diets for 6 d. Urea production and excretion were linearly correlated with N intake (r = 0.98 and 0.94, respectively; P < 0.01). Urea hydrolysis increased linearly with N intake (r = 0.7; P < 0.05), with considerable variation in the rate among individuals, especially at the N intake of approximately 160 mg N. kg(-1)d(-1). These findings are consistent with the generally accepted view that a control of body N balance is via a regulation of urea production. They do not support the concept that urea hydrolysis is the more important site in the control of body N loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]