Children who are born in a community with insufficient micronutrients, particularly iodine in remote rural areas are associated with low intellectual functions and mental retardation. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the mental performance of the schoolchildren in Bario, a highland settlement of the Kelabit people in the district of Baram, Sarawak and to determine its correlation with the availability of iodine in the environment, as well as other micronutrients such as selenium, copper and manganese. A total of 25 schoolchildren in Bario age ranging from 7 to 12 years old participated in the study. Mental performance of the schoolchildren were tested using TONI-2 (Test of Nonverbal Intelligence--second edition), a cognitive ability measures with a response format which eliminates language and reduces motoric and cultural factors. The iodine levels from several wells, soils and salt found in Bario were determined using HPLC (software version 3.05.01) whilst serum levels of selenium, copper and manganese were measured using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GFAAS). The results showed that the median and mode scores of intelligence quotient for Bario were 82 and 75, respectively, whilst median and mode scores of intelligence percentile were 11.0 and 5.0, respectively. The maximum score achieved were at the average level with the quotient score between 90-110. It was found that salt produced from one of the wells in Bario contained high quantity of iodine. Based on standards established by the Trace Elements Laboratory, Roben Institute, University of Surrey, United Kingdom, schoolchildren in Bario are having sufficient blood levels of copper and a high selenium and manganese levels. Despite the remoteness of the study area, the schoolchildren in Bario, Sarawak showed higher mental performance compared to other isolated areas. This is probably correlated with the high micronutrients availability, particularly iodine, found naturally in Bario.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Iodine/*blood ; Malaysia ; *Mental Processes ; Micronutrients/*blood ; Soil/*analysis ; Water/*analysis

The aim of this study was to examine dietary pattern, nutritional intake, and diet quality of Korean pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Between October 2008 and May 2012, 166 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM completed a questionnaire and dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day food record. Blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations were measured and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Two major dietary patterns ("carbohydrate and vegetable" and "western" patterns) were identified through factor analysis. Dietary pattern scores for each dietary pattern were categorized into tertiles. The dietary quality index-international (DQI-I) was used to measure overall diet quality. Subjects with higher carbohydrate and vegetable pattern scores reported less physical activity (p < 0.05) and have higher diastolic blood pressure levels (p = 0.05). After adjusting for age and energy intake, higher carbohydrate and vegetable pattern scores were associated with higher sodium intakes (p = 0.02), but lower intakes of fat (p = 0.002) and other micronutrients. On the other hand, higher western pattern scores were associated with higher fat intake (p = 0.0001), but lower intakes of sodium (p = 0.01) and other micronutrients. Higher scores for both dietary patterns were associated with lower scores in the moderation category of the DQI-I (p < 0.0001). HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels were significantly lower among participants with high DQI-I than those with low DQI-I (p < 0.05). The study findings suggest that many Korean women with GDM do not consume nutritionally adequate or balanced diets, regardless of dietary pattern.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Diabetes, Gestational* ; Diet* ; Energy Intake ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hand ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Micronutrients ; Motor Activity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Sodium ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVETo assess micronutrients level in children with short bowel syndrome.

METHODSClinical data of 17 children with short bowel syndrome from April 2004 to July 2006 were collected. They received the measurement of serum vitamin A, E and - carotene by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSThere were 9 boys and 8 girls with age range of 3 months to 18 years. Eleven children did not need parenteral nutrition (PN), and 6 still depended on PN. Six cases were free of ileocolic valve and 11 cases had ileocolic valve. The length of remaining intestine was more than 75 cm in 5 patients and less than 75 cm in 12 patients. Among 11 cases without PN, 9 were tested for serum iron, zinc and copper levels. Their incidences of below the reference value of vitamin A, E and beta - carotene were 23.5%, 35.3% and 58.8%, respectively. The incidences of below the reference value of vitamin A and beta - carotene were higher in patients with weaned PN, less than 75 cm remaining intestine and without ileocolic valve. The patients with more than 75 cm remaining intestine and still with PN had a higher incidence of below the reference of vitamin E, but the incidence was similar in the patients with or without ileocolic valve. Serum zinc was lower than normal level in 3 cases and serum iron was low in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONSupplement of extra micronutrients is essential for short bowl syndrome patient whatever they receive the PN or have normal diets, and follow- up is recommended.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Micronutrients ; blood ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Short Bowel Syndrome ; blood ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: Even though several epidemiological studies have observed positive associations between blood lead levels and homocysteine, no study has examined whether this association differs by the levels of micronutrients, such as folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, which are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine. In this study, we examined the interactions between micronutrients and blood lead on homocysteine levels. METHODS: This study was performed with 4089 adults aged > or =20 years old in the US general population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. RESULTS: There were significant or marginally significant interactions between micronutrients and blood lead levels on mean homocysteine levels. Positive associations between blood lead and homocysteine were clearly observed among subjects with low levels of folate or low vitamin B6 (p-trend <0.01, respectively). However, in the case of vitamin B12, there was a stronger positive association between blood lead and homocysteine among subjects with high levels of vitamin B12, compared to those with low levels of vitamin B12. In fact, the levels of homocysteine were already high among subjects low in vitamin B12, irrespective of blood lead levels. When we used hyperhomocysteinemia (homocysteine>15 micromol/L) as the outcome, there were similar patterns of interaction, though p-values for each interaction failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the association between blood lead and homocysteine differed based on the levels of folate, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 present in the blood. It may be important to keep sufficient levels of these micronutrients to prevent the possible harmful effects of lead exposure on homocysteine levels.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Folic Acid/blood ; Homocysteine/*blood ; Humans ; Lead/*blood ; Male ; Micronutrients/*blood ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; United States ; Vitamin B 12/blood ; Vitamin B 6/blood

Beside pharmacological therapy, therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) including diet therapy is essential for prevention of atherosclerosis. Dietary guidelines to reduce risk for atherosclerosis should be individualized considering the risk factors of atherosclerosis, i.e., obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. In obese patients, the primary goal should be weight reduction to improve overall health by reducing the calorie intake allowed for balanced essential nutrients, especially, adequate protein and micronutrients. Especially, alcohol has been the critical factor in calorie intake in Koreans. Nutritional recommendations of the TLC diet for hyperlipidemia are reduced intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and increased intake of polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, soluble fiber, and phytosterols. Excessive intake of carbohydrate and simple sugar might be the risk factors for elevating VLDL in Korean women. For the management of diabetes, mealtime regularity, regular meal size, and balanced nutrients should be emphasized. Low GI diet can be beneficial to control blood glucose. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is known to improve the health of hypertensive patients. Nutrient targets for the DASH diet are low fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and high fiber. Low sodium diet (2,300 mg/day) and foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium are recommended. The Korean traditional diet considering the individual dietary pattern of patients could be the practical healthy diet to prevent atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Glucose ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Life Style ; Magnesium ; Meals ; Micronutrients ; Obesity ; Phytosterols ; Potassium ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Weight Loss

Adequate intake of nutrients by pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is very important for appropriate weight gain and maintenance of normoglycemia without ketonuria. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional intake of pregnant women with GDM or T2DM who had not been provided with nutritional education regarding blood glucose management. Between June 2008 and May 2010, 125 pregnant women who had been diagnosed with GDM or T2DM and had not received any nutrition education regarding glycemic control and proper diet during pregnancy were interviewed to collect data regarding background characteristics, health-related behaviors, and course of pregnancy and instructed to record their dietary intake using a 24-hour recall method for one day. Using the collected data, the index of nutritional quality, nutrient adequacy ratio, and mean adequacy ratio values of the subjects were calculated. Analysis of the values indicated that the majority of the subjects did not meet recommended intake levels for most micronutrients and consumed an undesirable ratio of macronutrients, specifically a higher percentage of total carbohydrates than the current recommendation level. The GDM and T2DM groups obtained 56.6% and 63.6%, respectively (p = 0.012), of their calories by carbohydrate intake, which exceeded the recommended levels (125.8% in GDM groups, 141.3% in T2DM groups).
Blood Glucose ; Carbohydrates ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Diabetes, Gestational* ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Ketosis ; Micronutrients ; Nutritive Value ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Weight Gain

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient for human and plays an important role as a cofactor for several enzymes involving fatty acid synthesis, hepatic gluconeogenesis, and oxidative stresses. Also, Mn intake status has been reported to have beneficial effects in reversing metabolic dysfunction including obesity and nonalcoholic steatosis which is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stresses, however, information on dietary Mn intake in Koreans are limited. Hence we investigated the relationship between dietary Mn intake and antioxidant defense factors in healthy and obese subjects. Total of 333 healthy subjects were recruited in the study and were assigned to one of three study groups: a normal group (18.5-22.9), a overweight group (23-24.9), and a obesity group (>25) according to their body mass index (BMI). We assessed Mn intakes (24-hr recall method) and several indicators for antioxidative defenses such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and urinary malonaldehyde (MDA). Results showed that body weight and blood pressure of study subjects were increased in dependent of their BMI (p < 0.01). However dietary Mn intakes and oxidative stress biomarkers (GSH, GPx, and MDA) were not significantly different by groups defined by BMI. In correlation analysis adjusting for age, sex and energy intake, dietary Mn intake of the subjects in different BMI categories were not significantly correlated with GSH, GPx, MDA and showed a weak or no association with these oxidative stress markers. In conclusion dietary Mn intake at least in this study has a little or no influence on markers of oxidative status in both healthy and obese subjects.
Adult* ; Biomarkers* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index* ; Body Weight ; Energy Intake ; Gluconeogenesis ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; Manganese* ; Micronutrients ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Oxidative Stress*

BACKGROUND: Identification of dietary patterns is important for glycemic management in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Elderly T2DM patients (> 65 years of age, n = 48) were categorized based on their concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Subjects with HbA1c levels below 7% were placed in the good control (GC) group and those with HbA1c levels equal to or above 8% were placed in the poor control (PC) group. Anthropometric data, blood parameters, and dietary intake records were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation coefficient test. RESULTS: Anthropometric data, including body mass index (24.7 +/- 2.9 kg/m2), did not differ between the GC and PC groups. Significant abnormalities in blood glucose levels (P < 0.01), lean body mass (P < 0.01), and plasma protein and albumin levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) were found in the PC group. In contrast to the GC group, the PC group depended on carbohydrate (P = 0.014) rather than protein (P = 0.013) or fat (P = 0.005) as a major source of energy, and had a lower index of nutritional quality for nutrients such as protein (P = 0.001), and all vitamins and minerals (P < 0.001, 0.01, or 0.05 for individual nutrients), except vitamin C, in their usual diet. Negative correlations between HbA1C levels and protein (r = -0.338, P < 0.05) or fat (r = -0.385, P < 0.01) intakes were also found. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals should encourage elderly diabetic patients to consume a balanced diet to maintain good glycemic control.
Aged ; Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diet ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Micronutrients ; Minerals ; Nutritive Value ; Plasma ; Vitamins

Deficiency Diseases ; blood ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Genotyping Techniques ; Humans ; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques ; Micronutrients ; deficiency ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Precision Medicine ; methods ; Risk Assessment

Recently, Korean people are consuming seaweeds almost 3.5 times more now than three decades ago. It is well known that seaweeds contain lots of soluble dietary fiber in addition to micronutrients such as beta-carotene, iodine and some bioactive components. Seaweeds are considered to be effective for preventing chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, cancer or constipation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seamustard intake on body weight gain, blood glucose level and lipid profiles in rats fed diets with different energy nutrient composition. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (average initial weight 103.7 g) were divided into groups for two experiments as follows; Control, M2.5 & M5 groups (Exp. I) and M5, M10, HCM5, HCM10, HFM5 & HFM10 groups (Exp. II). The rats were fed diet and water ad libitum for 4 weeks. In general, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and triglyceride concentration among groups. In Exp. I, serum LDL-cholesterol level of rats fed diet with 5% seamustard powder (M5) was significantly lower than that of control group, while HDL-cholesterol level, TC/LDL ratio and weight of adrenal gland were higher. In Exp. II, food intake, body weight gain and EER of high fat diet with 10% seamustard group (HFM10) were the lowest among groups. Except gastrocnemius muscle, all organ weights of HFM10 group were the lowest. Fecal cholesterol excretion and serum LDL-cholesterol concentration of HFM10 group were the highest, while serum HDL-cholesterol level was the lowest among groups. Interestingly, HDL-cholesterol concentration was the highest in HCM5 group among groups. From these results, it was suggested that seamustard intake might be more effective for body weight control, but not for improving blood lipid profiles in high fat diet than in high carbohydrate diet.
Adrenal Glands ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; beta Carotene ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Constipation ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Dietary Fiber ; Eating ; Glucose ; Humans ; Iodine ; Male ; Micronutrients ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Obesity ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Water ; Weight Loss