UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES
Volume 28, No. 1
January/February 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
State Superintendent of Public Instruction O'Connell Announces
California Kids' 2002 Physical Fitness Results
Nutrition Education In WIC: New Challenges, New Approaches
Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer
Anemia: Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
New Data on Low-Carb Diets
Neurologic Impairment In Children Associated with Maternal
Dietary Deficiency of Cobalamin
Dietary Supplement Framework
Herbal Remedies Studied
Health Advisory on Sprouts
Dietary Supplements Seized after Autism Claims
Health Benefits and Potential Risks of Vegetarian Diets
Cyber Warning for Herbal Products Promoter
Health Claims for Soy Debated
Mild Aerobic Exercise Does Not Offer Protection from Osteoporosis
Leptin Considered New Bone-Builder
Heart Disease Is the Number One Cause of Death for Women -
But It Doesn’t Have to Be
Therapy with Folate and Vitamins B12 and B6 after Coronary
Angioplasty
Garlic Prevents Plaque Formation In Arteriosclerosis
CDC Updates Pediatric Growth Charts Web Site
Workplace Web Site Aims to Ease Diabetes Burden
Science.Gov Is Launched
Healthy Consumer Information In Spanish
Updated Nutrient Database for Standard Reference In Foods
The ABC’s of Adding Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to Your School Lunch
Subscription for NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES
Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr, PhD, Editor
Department of Nutrition
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr, PhD, Nutrition Specialist, Cristy Hathaway, and staff
prepare NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES. It is designed to provide research-based information
on ongoing nutrition and food-related programs. It is published bimonthly (six
times annually) as a service of the University of California Cooperative Extension
and the United States Department of Agriculture. Subscription to NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES
is available from UC Cooperative Extension, Department of Nutrition, University
of California, Davis, California. Cost is ten dollars ($10.00) for a one-year
subscription. Subscriptions and questions or comments on articles may be addressed
to: NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES, Department of Nutrition, University of California,
Davis, CA 95616-5270. Phone (530) 752-3387; FAX, (530) 752-8905.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION O'CONNELL
ANNOUNCES CALIFORNIA KIDS' 2002 PHYSICAL FITNESS RESULTS
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell, recently announced
results of last spring's physical fitness testing of California students in
grades 5, 7, and 9. Approximately 92 percent of school districts submitted data
in 2002, with 1,265,546 students participating in the spring 2002 administration.
The increase in district participation has risen steadily since 1999.
Students must meet the minimum fitness standards for all six areas of the test
to be considered fit; only 24 percent of students in the three grades tested
achieved that goal. In grade 5, 25.6 percent of students tested, 26.6 percent
in grade 7, and 25.2 in grade 9 passed at least five of the six fitness standards.
"I am concerned that such a small percentage of students is meeting the minimum requirements for health-related physical fitness," O'Connell said.
"Inactive children are at risk for serious health conditions, many of which may continue into adulthood. I encourage schools to use these results to review and improve their programs to ensure that students are learning the life-long skills needed to become and stay healthy."
Statewide physical fitness testing in California public schools was re-established by Assembly Bill 265 in 1995. The law requires that school districts administer a physical fitness test, designated by the State Board of Education, to all 5th, 7th, and 9th graders annually. The designated test used was the Fitnessgram, developed by the Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research.
Senate Bill 896, (statues of 1998), requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to report results to the Governor and Legislature at least once every two years. The State Superintendent, however, determined that an annual report would be more helpful in monitoring student progress.
The Fitnessgram in 2002 assessed six major fitness areas, including aerobic capacity (cardiovascular endurance), body composition (percent of body fat), abdominal strength and endurance, trunk strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance, and overall flexibility. A number of testing options were provided so that all students, including those with special needs, had the opportunity to participate.
Subgroup data indicated that in grades 5 and 7, more females than males met all six fitness standards, but more males than females achieved the six standards in grade 9. Across all grade levels, more females than males were in the healthy fitness zone for flexibility, body composition, and trunk extension strength, but more males than females were in the fitness zone for abdominal strength and upper body strength.
A further breakdown of the results showed that 48 to 57 percent of students
across all grades met the minimum fitness standard for aerobic capacity. From
61 to 69 percent met the standard for body composition, upper body strength,
and flexibility. The strongest showing across all grades was in trunk strength,
where 80 to 86 percent of the students met the minimum standard.
"The fact that a majority of students are not aerobically fit indicates
a need for more emphasis on cardiovascular activity. Schools should provide
the opportunity to address these low levels of physical fitness in our children
by providing quality physical education experiences with sound instructional
practices," said O'Connell.
The average school day includes additional opportunities for physical activity such as recess/break activities and organized activities that take place at lunch and before and after school. These diverse activities are designed to meet the needs and interests of all students.
A recent analysis by the CDE compared 2001 results of physical fitness testing with the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (SAT 9), given as part of the California Standardized Testing and Reporting Program. The analysis showed a significant relationship between academic achievement and fitness.
"In addition to health concerns, the positive and distinct relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement provides yet another factor for our schools to consider when making decisions and designing programs for our students," O'Connell said. "Annual fitness testing should be seen as a useful source of information on program effectiveness, much like academic testing."
The 2002 physical fitness results for schools, districts, counties, and the
state are available on the CDE's Web site: http://www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/pe/pe.html.
No individual student data is reported on the Internet.
Source: CDE Press Release; February 5, 2003.
NUTRITION EDUCATION IN WIC: NEW CHALLENGES, NEW APPROACHES
Nutrition educators in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program face many challenges, limited time, staff recruitment and training, and funding. But nutrition information is becoming increasingly important to help prevent the rise in weight and health risks in all populations, and many WIC agencies are finding new ways to get around the same old challenges.
The rise in overweight and obesity, 61 percent of the US adult population, also affects WIC children. More than 13 percent of children in the program are overweight, according to a 2001 government report.
WIC has traditionally focused on nutrition education for concerns such as childhood anemia and postpartum nutrition for mothers, said Kathleen Heise, RD, MPH, chair of the National WIC Association (NWA) nutrition services section. But that needs to change. “The definition of nutrition education has been limited and we are trying to expand it to include health prevention, to include things such as exercise, mainly because of the obesity problems,” Heise said. “If we just focus on conventional methods, we’re losing ground with this epidemic.”
" There’s been an ongoing effort to promote nutrition in the WIC program,” said Cecilia Richardson, MS, RD, LD, staff and nutrition programs director at NWA. “With childhood obesity being such a big problem, now is the time to focus on prevention.”
Reaching out in new ways
New methods for addressing nutrition education and obesity prevention are supported by the government and NWA. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which runs the WIC Program, funded programs in five states, California, Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, as well as the Intertribal Council of Arizona last year, as part of its Fit WIC program, which examines ways WIC can help prevent childhood obesity. The agency is also in a process called Revitalizing Quality Nutrition Services to improve nutrition education.
In Virginia, where Heise is in charge of WIC nutrition services, the Fit WIC program had a three-prong approach. It educated clients, encouraged staff to act as role models by not drinking soft drinks or eating candy in front of clients, and worked with other community programs such as Head Start.
Virginia has also examined other methods of reaching clients, including Web-based education, where clients log on to the Virginia WIC Web site and go through an information and question program.
The state has also developed kiosk multimedia education in clinic waiting rooms, and self-education where clients take home information, answer questions, and return them to the clinic for further discussion. “You and I don’t learn the same way, so I try to use as many nutrition education methods as possible,” Heise said.
In Vermont, the Fit WIC program focused more on physical activity and consisted of learning activities for parents and children to do together, including books, music tapes, and toys. The program was tested at four pilot sites, but it was rolled out state-wide this fall, said Mary Woodruff, MPH, RD, WIC nutrition coordinator.
The NWA discussed many of the challenges and issues surrounding nutrition education at the 2002 Nutrition and Breastfeeding Conference in Washington DC. Sessions covered new ideas in nutrition education, obesity counseling, and behavior change.
Still facing challenges
Despite positive new steps in providing nutrition education to clients, there are still many challenges to the process. One is recruiting and training skilled staff, said Heise, Woodruff, and Doris McGuire, MS, RD, WIC nutrition coordinator for the Navajo Nation WIC Program.
If staffing is short, nutrition education sessions are the first thing to go, said McGuire. Training staff is especially important when dealing with issues of overweight and obesity. It’s a sensitive topic that WIC staff has concerns about, said Heise. “The staff needs to have some training on how to [discuss it] and not alienate participants,” added Woodruff.
Time and space constraints present another challenge. With competing mandated priorities, it’s difficult to find time for nutrition education for WIC participants, Woodruff said. There often isn’t adequate space for a group education session, nor are there often enough chairs, tables, and a sink for clients to wash their hands if any food preparation classes are taught.
Go to www.fns.usda.gov/wic/RQNS/RQNS.htm for more information about WIC nutrition
education from FNS. Go to www.nwica.org/conference/default.asp
for information about the NWA conference.
Source: Kathleen Heise, RD, MPH; Nutrition Week; XXXII (17); September 2, 2002;
p. 3.
REDUCING YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recently released a new pamphlet, “Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer.” The pamphlet contains valuable information regarding ways to alter one’s diet and lifestyle to reduce risk of developing breast cancer.
Diet and Lifestyle: Important Risk Factors You Control
The experts who wrote AICR’s 1997 landmark report, Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer, concluded that a mostly plant-based diet, avoidance of alcohol, maintenance of a healthy weight and regular physical activity could reduce the incidence of breast cancer by 33 to 50 percent.
By modifying your diet and exercise habits, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
· Get moving every day. Physical activity can help reduce breast cancer
risk. Walk, swim, garden, dance or ride your bike. Use the stairs. Get involved
in activities that you enjoy.
· Maintain a healthy weight. The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer
increases with obesity. Make sure your portion sizes match your calorie needs.
Eating more vegetables and fruits can help you cut down on higher-calorie and
high-fat foods on your plate.
· Eat a mostly plant-based diet with a large variety of vegetables, fruits,
whole grains and beans. Make a point to eat at least five servings of vegetables
and fruits each day.
· If you drink alcohol, use moderation. Women should have no more than
one drink a day. And if you don’t drink, don’t start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the amount of fat in my diet matter?
Although dietary fat was once considered a major factor in breast cancer risk,
recent research has shifted focus to emphasize the cancer-protective effect
of vegetables and fruits. For better general health, you should cut down on
fat, especially saturated fat found in animal foods. But some fat is needed
in your diet. Moderate amounts of olive and canola oils, nuts and fatty fish
are good choices.
Will soy protect me from breast cancer? Or is it harmful?
Soy might offer some protection against breast cancer and other diseases. The
current research supports including moderate amounts of soy as a part of a mostly
plant-based diet, perhaps several servings per week. Women who are at high risk
for breast cancer, take tamoxifen or have been diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive
(ER+) breast cancer may want to limit themselves to no more than a few servings
per week. Soy protein and isoflavone supplements have not been adequately researched
and, therefore, are not recommended at this time.
Should I eat flaxseed?
More flaxseed studies are needed to make a specific recommendation. For now,
a small amount of ground flaxseed (1 tablespoon) per day may provide some health
benefits and is most likely safe. Until more information is available, women
undergoing breast cancer treatment, children, young adults, and women who are
pregnant, breast feeding or trying to conceive should be cautious about using
flax.
What about the studies that deny the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables?
When making personal health decisions, it is important to look at a large number
of research results, not just one or two, because the many variables among scientific
studies lead to different conclusions. One individual study may gain media attention
because it contradicts the larger body of evidence. Hundreds of studies over
the last decades, however, support a long-term diet high in vegetables and fruits
for reducing cancer risk.
To order the pamphlet, “Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer,” contact:
American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R Street, NW, PO Box 97167, Washington
DC 20090-7167
1-800-843-814 or 202-328-7744
www.aicr.org
Source: American Institute for Cancer Research; Pamphlet # E28-BHB/E05; 2002.
ANEMIA: INCREASED RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Anemia portends poorer prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and in elderly patients with myocardial infarction (MI), but is anemia a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population? In a recent large, population-based cohort study, researchers analyzed the relationship between anemia (hemoglobin, less than 13 g/dL in men and less than 12 g/dL in women) and CVD outcomes (MI, angioplasty, bypass surgery, or death from coronary heart disease) in 6267 men and 8143 women without a CVD at baseline (1).
During an average follow-up of 6.1 years, anemia at the time of enrollment
independently predicted development of cardiovascular disease (adjusted hazard
ratio (AHR), 1.4) and was associated significantly with all-cause mortality
(AHR, 1.65). The relation between anemia and CVD persisted in subgroup analyses
of women (AHR, 1.71) and whites (AHR, 1.63).
These results indicate that anemia is an independent risk factor for the development
of cardiovascular disease in the general population. Whether the relation is
causal or whether anemia is simply a marker for increased risk for CVD is not
yet clear; plausible mechanisms include the effects of anemia on increasing
cardiac output, in promoting left ventricular hypertrophy, and on worsening
ischemia.
Reference:
1. Sarnak MJ, Tighiouart H, Manjunath G, at al. Anemia as a risk factor for
cardiovascular disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
J AM Coll Cardiol; July 3, 2002; 40:27-33.
Source: Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH; Journal Watch; September 1, 2002; p.
133.
When researcher from the University of Chicago and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center gave 10 people a low carbohydrate high protein (LCHP) diet for six weeks, they found it weakened kidney function and disrupted mineral balance (1). On a LCHP diet, kidneys had to handle a larger acid load that increased the likelihood of kidney stone formation. More calcium was excreted in the urine and there was less calcium absorption in the intestine, which, may lead to weakened bones. For the first two weeks of the study, people ate their usual diet, then two weeks of a very restrictive carbohydrate diet, then four weeks of a moderately restricted carbohydrate diet.
Reference:
1. Reddy ST, Wang CY, Sakhaee K, Brinkley L, and Pak CYC. Effect of low-carbohydrate
high-protein diets on acid-base balance, stone-forming propensity, and calcium
metabolism. Am J Kidney Disease; August 2002; 40(2); pp. 265-274.
Source: Nutrition Week; September 2, 2002; XXXII (17); p. 7.
NEUROLOGIC IMPAIRMENT IN CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL DIETARY DEFICIENCY OF COBALAMIN
Recent reports of cobalamin deficiency in children
The most common cause of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency in infants and young children is maternal dietary deficiency (1), which generally manifests in breastfed infants at age 4-8 months (2). This deficiency is difficult to diagnose because of nonspecific symptoms (3). During 2001, neurological impairment resulting from cobalamin deficiency was diagnosed in two children in Georgia (MMWR; January 31, 2003; 52(4); pp.61, 63-64). The children were breastfed by mothers who followed vegetarian diets (i.e., vegan diets that do not include food of any animal origin).
The two children described above had cobalamin deficiency and manifested multiple symptoms of under-nutrition, particularly growth failure. After treatment for cobalamin deficiency, both children showed marked improvement in cobalamin status and development. In some cases, irreversible neurological damage results form prolonged cobalamin deficiency, but the extent and degree of disability depends on the deficiency severity and duration (3). Seizures after treatment have been reported previously in children with cobalamin deficiency, although whether these are secondary to the treatment or to the underlying condition is unknown (4).
The prevalence of cobalamin deficiency is unknown for children aged <4 years. No clinical practice guidelines exist for diagnosing cobalamin deficiency in young children. Methylmalonic acid is a sensitive and specific indicator of cobalamin deficiency; holotranscobalamin II, total homocysteine, and serum B12 are also useful indicators (1,2,5). Macrocytic anemia and other hematologic indices are not appropriate screening tools (3).
Food sources of cobalamin
Persons who follow vegetarian diets should ensure adequate cobalamin intake. The only reliable unfortified sources are animal products, including meat, dairy products, and eggs. Most naturally occurring plant sources of cobalamin are not bioavailable; however, plant foods fortified with cobalamin, such as some cereals, meat analogs, soy or rice beverages, and nutritional yeast (6), can be reliable and regular sources. The content of fortified food is usually listed on the food label and ingredient list. Fortified food and supplements made from cobalamin (e.g., cyanocobalamin) provide cobalamin that is physiologically active in humans (5). Products whose labels do not specify cobalamin and list only vitamin B12 might include non-bioavailable sources. Vegetarians, particularly women during pregnancy and lactation, should be knowledgeable about the cobalamin content of their food or seek nutritional advice. Few of the common infant-toddler cereals are fortified with cobalamin (7). Breast milk from mothers with adequate nutritional status, infant formula, cow’s milk, or a cobalamin-fortified soy or rice beverage provides a cobalamin source for infants and children. If it is not possible to acquire the recommended dietary intake of cobalamin through food, a daily supplement should be taken that contains at least the recommended dietary intake of cobalamin from a reliable source (Table 1).
Vegetarian diets as a risk factor for cobalamin deficiency
Health-care providers should be vigilant about the potential for cobalamin deficiency in breastfed children of vegetarian mothers. Potential cobalamin deficiency should be included in the differential diagnosis when assessing young children of vegetarian mothers who have symptoms consistent with cobalamin deficiency, including failure to thrive, developmental delay, neurological/psychiatric manifestations, and hematological abnormalities (3).
Health-care providers who care for mothers in the preconceptional, prenatal, and postpartum periods and their young children should ask pregnant and lactating mothers about their diets to identify those who are vegetarians. Pregnant and lactating women should eat foods rich in cobalamin or take a daily supplement containing at least the recommended dietary intake of cobalamin (Table 1). For those eating no or very limited food of animal origin or a known cobalamin source, a cobalamin assessment is indicated. If lactating mothers are cobalamin deficient, their infants should be evaluated for cobalamin deficiency and treated appropriately.
Table 1: Recommended intake of vitamin B12, by population subgroup
Population Subgroup mg/day
Infants aged <6 months* 0.4
Infants aged 7-12 months* 0.5
Children aged 1-3 years… 0.9
Children aged 4-8 years… 1.2
Children aged 9-13 years… 1.8
Children aged 14-18 years… 2.4
Adults aged ³19 years… 2.4
Pregnant women aged 14-50 years… 2.6
Lactating women aged 14-50 years… 2.8
*Adequate intake.
…Recommended dietary allowance.
Source: Institute of Medicine (8).
References:
1. Rosenblatt DS and Whitehead VM. Cobalamin and folate deficiency: acquired
and hereditary disorders in children. Semin Hematol; 1999; 36: 19-34.
2. Allen LH. Vitamin B12 metabolism and status during pregnancy, lactation,
and infancy. In: Allen L, King J, Lonnerdal B, Eds. Nutrient regulation during
pregnancy, lactation, and infant growth. New York, New York: Plenum Press; 1994:173-86.
3. Rasmussen SA, Fernhoff PM, and Scanlon KS. Vitamin B12 deficiency in children
and adolescents. J Pediatr; 2001; 138:10-7.
4. Grattan-Smith PJ, Wilcken B, Procopis PG, and Wise GA. The neurological syndrome
of infantile cobalamin deficiency: developmental regression and involuntary
movements. Move Disord; 1997; 12:39-46.
5. Hermann W and Geisel J. Vegetarian lifestyle and monitoring vitamin B12 status.
Clin Chim Acta; 2002; 326:47-59.
6. Messina V and Mangels AR. Considerations in planning vegan diets: children.
J Am Diet Assoc; 2001; 101:661-9.
7. Bowes AD. Bowes and Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used, 17th
ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers,
1998.
8. Institute of Medicine. Vitamin B12. In: Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin,
Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin,
and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998:306-56.
Adapted from: MMWR; January 31, 2003; 52(4); pp. 61,63-64.
Although consumer interest in dietary supplements has exploded into a $15 billion-a-year industry, the many shelves of bottles remain virtually unregulated. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the products are assumed to be safe unless the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proves otherwise.
Reflecting interest in regulation of these products, and at the request of
the FDA, the Institute of Medicine has devised a framework for evaluating the
safety of dietary supplements. “Ideally, a critical safety evaluation
for each dietary supplement could be completed,” write the authors of
Proposed Framework for Evaluating the Safety of Dietary Supplements. However,
the lack of resources to study hundreds of products means that the FDA would
have to prioritize. New ingredients would be high on the list, as would those
with suspected or reported links to adverse events. The report is available
at http://www.iom.edu.
Source: JAMA; August 21, 2002; 288(7); p. 823.
In an ongoing effort to learn more about herbal remedies, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institute of health (NIH) is pouring $6 million into a new center for Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) and Echinacea pallida (Echinacea) research in Ames, Iowa. Reported to alleviate depression and colds, respectively, the two supplements are among the best selling in the United States, although little research backs their popularity.
The new center brings together pharmacologists, nutrition scientists, molecular biologists, botanists, and clinicians from the University of Iowa (Iowa City) and Iowa State University (Ames). It joins five other recently created NIH-funded botanical research centers focused on the biological activity and clinical use of tea and grape extracts, soy isoflavones, and other supplements. Established in 1995, the ODS has become a force in a rapidly expanding field, with an expected operating budget of $18.5 million for fiscal year in 2003, up from $1 million in fiscal year 1996. The ODS was established by Congress under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, which mandated the new center in Ames last year at the urging of Sen. Tom Harkin (D, Iowa).
Ongoing work at the ODS includes comprehensive reviews of the toxicity of ephedra
and the heart disease prevention characteristics of omega-3 fatty acids. Both
reports are due at the end of the year. The office also maintains extensive
databases of dietary supplement research, with online (International Bibliographical
Information on Dietary Supplements) and print (Annual bibliographical of Significant
Advances in Dietary Supplement Research) versions available at http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/.
Source: JAMA; August 21, 2002; 288(7); p. 823.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its 1999 health advisory on the risks of eating raw sprouts. The bacteria Salmonella and Escherichia coli 0157:H7 have been linked to mung bean and alfalfa sprouts, and resulting foodborne illness has affected people of all ages. Healthy people infected with these bacteria may have diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, and fever for several days. For people at high risk, such as children, the elderly, and those whose immune systems are compromised, E. coli infection could lead to serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure or death. Salmonella infection in high-risk groups can also cause serious illness.
Some segments of the sprout industry have greatly enhanced the safety of their products by following recommendations in guidance issued in 1999 by the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. However, adherence to this guidance has not been universal, and outbreaks linked to raw and lightly cooked sprouts have continued to occur.
To significantly reduce the risk of illness, the FDA advises consumers to cook all sprouts thoroughly before eating. Consumers who eat out and who wish to reduce their risk of foodborne illness should specifically request that raw sprouts not be added to their food, such as sandwiches and salads.
Homegrown sprouts also present a health risk if eaten raw or lightly cooked.
Many outbreaks have been attributed to contaminated seeds, which can grow high
levels of harmful bacteria during sprouting, even under clean conditions. The
FDA will continue to closely monitor the safety of sprouts and will take further
actions as necessary.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 4.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS SEIZED AFTER AUTISM CLAIMS
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized dietary supplements from an Oregon company after determining that the product’s manufacturer was making unsubstantiated medical claims.
After investigating the firm’s Internet site, the FDA requested that the US Marshals Service seize hundred of bottles of Kirkman’s HypoAllergenic Taurine Capsules. Humphrey Laboratories of Lake Oswego, Oregon doing business as Kirkman Laboratories, claimed that the product treats autism, a neurobehavioral disorder that begins in early childhood.
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, all labeling on dietary supplements must be truthful and not misleading and may not make any claims that the product will cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease. Claims that the capsules treat autism caused the firm’s product to be a misbranded food and an unapproved new drug.
No illnesses have been reported in association with this product.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 4.
HEALTH BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL RISKS OF VEGETARIAN DIETS
In recent years, there has been a steady rise both in the number of people who consider themselves vegetarians and the number of people wanting vegetarian options on a regular basis. This has led researchers to seek ways to define the optimal vegetarian diet and to consider the health benefits of following such a regimen.
Research has shown that vegetarian diets reduce risk for such conditions as obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers (1). Results of five prospective cohort studies found ischemic heart disease to be 24 percent lower for vegetarians than non-vegetarians. Lower colon and prostate cancer rates have also been found among vegetarians. The question remains, however, as to whether these health benefits derive from avoiding meat, consuming certain plant foods, or other lifestyle factors unrelated to diet.
Vegetarian diets vary greatly, from vegan (no animal products at all) to lacto-ovo vegetarian (includes dairy and eggs) to macrobiotic and fruitarian, and the type of vegetarian diet chosen affects nutritional and health status (1). A healthy vegetarian diet includes a variety of plant foods such as grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. And while those foods are hardly unique to vegetarian diets, the fact that vegetarians tend to consume them in larger quantities than do non-vegetarians could account for the overall health benefits of vegetarian diets.
For one thing, plant foods such as whole grains, beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and some types of nuts are excellent sources of fiber, which in turn is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, whereas old school thinking on controlling cardiovascular disease through diet called for a decreasing total and saturated fat solely by avoiding meat consumption, a variety of plant foods should be added to the diet.
In addition, plant foods that are high in fiber and low in glycemic index are helpful both in preventing and managing diabetes. In fact, foods with low glycemic index, such as beans, legumes, and whole grains, reduce the incidence of diabetes by 40 percent even after controlling for other risk factors. The bottom line: vegetarians may face less risk or mortality from diabetes than do non-vegetarians.
Likewise, deaths from most types of cancer are significantly lower among vegetarians, both men and women, than among non-vegetarians, even after controlling for the absence of red meat and non-dietary factors such as smoking. Again, fiber consumption comes into play here, as does intake of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, isothiocyanates, and allyl sulfides (antioxidants), and ligins and phytoestrogens present in soy.
Still, certain concerns do arise with a vegetarian diet. Among these is bone health, because calcium is not available in many plant foods. This makes it necessary for most vegetarians to use fortified foods or supplements to get the recommended amount of calcium. On the other hand, the low protein content and the presence of phytoestrogens in a vegan diet actually may protect bones.
Just how prevalent is vegetarianism? Surveys show some 2 to 4 percent of North
Americans eat a vegetarian diet, with the practice more common among women (2).
Motivations for choosing a vegetarian diet ranges from concerns about animal
rights and ethical issues to environmental concerns, religious beliefs, fears
about food safety, and a desire to improve one’s own health.
Barr and colleagues studied 193 women, recruited through newspaper advertisements
and by word of mouth, to assess vegetarian dietary practices and explore how
those practices change over time (2). They found that 51 of 90 current vegetarians
occasionally consumed fish, and 14 occasionally ate chicken. Fifty-six of the
vegetarians, including 4 of the 6 vegans, said their diets had become more restrictive
over time, and 48 planned to make more changes, most often to cut down on dairy
products.
The study also sought to examine why some vegetarians revert to an omnivorous
diet. Of 35 former vegetarians surveyed, 10 cited health-related reasons, including
weakness, fatigue, and anemia. Another 8 said they missed the taste of meat,
7 cited changed living situations, 6 thought the diet was too time-consuming,
and 5 cited nutrition concerns, such a not getting enough protein. [Note: some
respondents gave more than one reason.]
Another recent study focused on teens and vegetarian diets (3). While acknowledging the health benefits of varied vegetarian diet, these researchers cautioned that extra care must be taken to meet the additional nutritional demands of adolescence to ensure that teen vegetarians get enough energy, calcium, iron, and vitamins B12 and D. In Sweden, the site of this study, about 5 percent of 16- to 20-year-old students select a vegetarian school lunch, and 0.1 percent eats vegan food.
The study assessed the dietary intakes of 30 teenage vegans, 15 males and 15 females, and 30 sex-, age-, and height-matched omnivores through a diet-history interview that was validated by the doubly labeled water method for energy expenditure and measuring nitrogen, sodium, and potassium excretion in urine. Blood samples measured iron status and serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations.
The vegans consumed more vegetables, legumes, and dietary supplements (87 percent of the vegans vs. 43 percent of the omnivores used supplements) and less cake, cookies, candy, and chocolate than did non-vegetarians. But the vegans also consumed less than the average requirements of riboflavin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and selenium. Low iron status was similar for the two female groups: 20 percent among vegans and 23 percent among omnivores. Male vegans weighed less and had lower BMI (a mean of 20.5 vs. 22) than did male omnivores. The vegans had followed a vegan diet for a mean of 1.7 years and a vegetarian diet for 2.8 years. All 30 vegans cited ethical concerns as the main reason for their diet, with only four also citing health reasons.
After including supplements, vegans consumed less calcium and selenium than the average requirement. They got a higher share of total energy from carbohydrates and took in more polyunsaturated fat, monosac-charides, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium and less protein, saturated fat, cholesterol, and disaccharides. Male vegans had lower sodium and alcohol intakes. The findings suggest that teen vegan diets may require judicious use of dietary supplements, and iron status is a potential concern in all adolescent females.
References:
1. Rajaram S and Sabaté J. Health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Nutrition;
Volume 16, Issues 7-8, July-August 2000, pp. 531-533.
2. Barr SI and Chapman GE. Perceptions and practices of self-defined current
vegetarian, former vegetarian, and non-vegetarian women. J Am Diet Assoc, March
2002; 102(3):354.
3. Larsson CL and Johansson GK. Dietary intake and nutritional status of young
vegans and omnivores in Sweden. AM J Clin Nutr, July 2002; 76(1); pp. 100-6
Adapted from: Nutrition & the M.D.; August 2002; 28(8); pp. 5-6.
CYBER WARNING FOR HERBAL PRODUCTS PROMOTER
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to a Web site operator for promoting and selling an herbal product called Yellow Jackets. The product was being promoted as an alternative to illicit street drugs, and could pose a serious risk to consumers. The warning, called a cyber letter, is an e-mail sent by the agency to notify the company of potential violations. The FDA issued the cyber letter to the Internet address of Mr. Xoch Linnebank of the Netherlands.
According to Linnebanks’s Web site, the Yellow Jackets product contains ephedra and other herbal ingredients, including kola nut extract (a source of caffeine). There does not appear to be any legitimate drug use for this product, and its sale as a substitute for a controlled substance would be illegal. “Consumers should not purchase or use these or similar products available trough the Internet or elsewhere,” says FDA Deputy Commissioner Lesser M. Crawford, DVM, PhD.
Cyber letters give foreign Web site operators an explanation of statutory provisions that govern interstate commerce of drugs in the United States. The letter also warns that future shipments of products may be detained at the border and subject to refusal of entry. Copies of each letter are sent to regulatory officials in the country in which the Web site operator is based.
A document called “Guidance for Industry: Street Drug Alternatives,” which explains the FDA’s policy on products that are promoted as street drug alternatives, is available at www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/3602fnl.htm.
Consumers who want more information about online drug sales, or who wish to
report Web sites that they believe are promoting illegal products, can contact
the FDA at: www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 5.
Soy products have enjoyed a groundswell of support in recent years, with 76 percent of consumers in 2000 viewing them as healthy, compared with 59 percent just two years earlier. Added to that is the fact that government and public recognition has been gained for the products: (1) in 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a health claim for soy protein as a cholesterol-lowering agent; (2) in 2000, the American Heart Association recommended that people with high cholesterol consume soy protein foods; and (3) also in 2000, the USDA began to allow schools in the National School Lunch Program to completely replace animal protein (1).
Yet data are “frustratingly inconsistent” as to the true health benefits of soy, Messina and colleagues say (1), an increasing number of studies are looking into the health effects of soy products, particularly on cancer, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive function, menopausal symptoms, and renal function.
One of the most exciting papers presented at the Fourth International Symposium
on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, held in November
2001, and reviewed by Messina and colleagues, concerns a study in which isoflavone
supplements seemed to help patients with prostate cancer (1). This study found
that more than half of the patients treated with isoflavone supplements (approximately
60 mg isoflavones, aglycone units) daily for six months showed a significant
lowering in the linear rise in prostate-specific antigen levels. But in another
area discussed in the same article, bone health; conflicting results were presented,
showing the need for research that directly compares isoflavone supplements
with soy protein or soy foods.
Despite the controversy, these researchers conclude that Americans would benefit
from higher soy intake. “Consuming soy foods in amounts that provide approximately
10g/d of soy protein, which is similar to Asian intake and consistent with the
amount of soy associated with decreases in coronary heart disease, certain cancers,
and improved bone health in many epidemiological studies, holds the potential
to exert health benefits while still only representing [about] 15 percent of
total US protein intake,” Messina and colleagues state.
In a separate paper that reviews the literature on soy for breast cancer survivors, Messina and Loprinzi find the data to be not overwhelming on either side of the issue, proving neither that adult consumption of soy plays a role in risk of developing breast cancer, nor that soy intake affects survival of patients with breast cancer (2). Given that fact, they conclude simply that if patients with breast cancer like soy products, they should eat them and suggest that Asian soy intake levels may be used as a general guide for Western women to emulate.
Messina and Loprinzi note that many patients with breast cancer have embraced soy products, isoflavone supplements, and isoflavone-added foods because of literature suggesting soy consumption could reduce risk of breast cancer and maybe improve chances for survival. But the estrogenic effects of isoflavones have led to controversy among health professionals and confusion among patients. There are data, however, that suggest that it is the progestogen, not the estrogen, part of the hormone replacement therapy that increases breast cancer risk.
Interestingly, the Americans who consume the most soy are infants, with millions of babies having been fed soy-based formula in the past three decades (3). In fact, the scenario in the United States is directly opposite that in Asia, where the population consumes relatively high levels of soy throughout life, except between birth and weaning.
Data indicate no long-term adverse effects, through early adulthood, from consuming soy formula (4). Later effects resulting either in health benefits or problems through the aging process are unknown at this time. Debate over the safety of soy formulas has whirled around reports of adverse effects from experimental studies of high levels of isoflavones on animal reproductive systems; human data do not support those reports. Given that soy may prevent certain forms of cancer, researchers are looking into whether early soy intake could prevent cancers with later onsets, such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
References:
1. Messina MJ, Gardner C, and Barnes S. Gaining Insight into the Health Effects
of Soy but a Long Way Still to Go: Commentary on the Fourth International Symposium
on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease. J Nutr; 2002;
132: 547S-551S.
2. Messina MJ and Loprinzi CL. Soy for Breast Cancer Survivors: A Critical Review
of the Literature. J Nutr; 2001; 131: 3095S-3108S.
3. Badger TM, Ronis MJJ, Hakkak R, Rowlands JC, and Korourian S. The Health
Consequences of Early Soy Consumption. J Nutr; 2002 132: 559S-565S.
4. Strom BL, Schinnar R, Ziegler EE, et al. Exposure to Soy-Based Formula in
Infancy and Endocrinological and Reproductive Outcomes in Young Adulthood. JAMA,
August 15, 2001; 286:807.
Source: Nutrition & the M.D.; August 2002; 28(8); pp. 7-8.
MILD AEROBIC EXERCISE DOES NOT OFFER PROTECTION FROM OSTEOPOROSIS
While day-to-day physical activities such as walking, housework and shopping may be good for your heart, they don't do much for your bones, researchers at John Hopkins University in Baltimore say.
Stewart and colleagues found that neither light-intensity activities nor aerobic fitness level contributed to bone health, contrasting previous studies suggesting that aerobics could play a role. Having a few extra pounds, however, was helpful. Among a group of older adults studied, those with greater muscle strength and higher body fat, especially in the abdomen, had higher bone mineral densities (1).
“Carrying extra body weight increases the forces on bone, strengthening it, though the largest forces come from more vigorous exercise rather than routine low-intensity physical activity,” says lead author Kerry J. Stewart, EdD, director of clinical exercise physiology at Johns Hopkins. “In our study of typical older people, who unfortunately do not participate in regular vigorous exercise, daily activities and low-intensity exercise like walking appeared to be relatively ineffective for preventing aging-related bone loss.”
The researchers do not advocate gaining weight to fight osteoporosis.
“Paradoxically, a high percentage of abdominal fat seems to increase bone mineral density,” Stewart says, “but it also increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, and worsens the symptoms of chronic conditions such as knee arthritis.”
Stewart and colleagues studied 84 adults (38 men and 46 women) ages 55 to 75 with higher than normal blood pressure but who were otherwise healthy. They were not exercising regularly, defined as moderate, or high-intensity exercise for 30 minutes a day, three or more times per week.
Researchers used X-rays to measure the participants’ bone mineral density in the total skeleton, lower spine and hip, and calculated abdominal fat with magnetic resonance imaging. They weighed each participant and had each do a treadmill exercise test and a series of weight-training exercises to measure aerobic fitness and muscle strength. In addition, the individuals completed a physical activity questionnaire. The study found that aerobic exercise was not associated with bone mineral density but abdominal fat was. Muscle strength was associated with bone mineral density at some, but not all, sites tested.
Reference:
1. Stewart, KJ, DeRegis JR, Turner KL, et al, Fitness, fatness and activity
as predictors of bone mineral density in older persons. Journal of Internal
Medicine, November 2002; 252(5); pp. 1-8.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 8.
LEPTIN CONSIDERED NEW BONE-BUILDER
A recent review of the literature on leptin, a recently discovered protein, poses this question: “Should leptin be admitted to the bone-builders’ club?”
The answer? Yes, probably. Leptin injections prevent bone loss and stimulate bone growth in rodents; leading to speculation that leptin could help treat osteoporosis, according to researcher James F. Whitfield, PhD, Principle Research Officer, Institute of Biological Science, National Research Council Canada. Leptin could well turn out to be the “star member of the club because it can increase osteoblast lifespan, and at the same time reduce the osteoclast generation, which is something the current star members, the parathyroid hormones, cannot do,” Whitfield says.
Leptin, whether injected, infused, or secreted by fat cells and late-stage osteoblasts, helps osteopro-genitors develop, new bone matrix mineralize, and new blood vessels form to bring cells and other components to bone-construction sites, and makes osteoblasts work for a longer time. Paradoxically, leptin causes brain cells to manufacture something that holds down osteoblast activity, but also keeps neuropeptide Y (NPY), which stimulates eating and reduces osteoblast activity, from being released into the bloodstream.
Thus, central mechanisms can hold back osteoblastic activity with low levels of leptin. When leptin is injected, the direct anabolic effect on bone dominates any potential neuroinhibitory effects, thus the judgment that it appears to be a “bone-builder” and may have potential therapeutic value for osteoporosis.
Reference:
1. [Online source]: www.medscape.com/viewpublication/128.
Source: Nutrition & the M.D.; October 2002; 28(10); p. 8.
HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR WOMEN - BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE
That is the message of a Web site called “The Heart Truth,” created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to give women an urgent wake-up call about the risks of heart disease and how to lower them. The site aims to alert all women, but especially those ages 40 to 60, the prime risk years for developing heart disease, that it is never to late to improve heart health, even for those who have already had a heart attack. Younger women also will learn from the site that heart disease develops gradually and may start as early as teenage years. And those who have heart disease can help improve their heart health and quality of life by following tips found on the site.
To help drive its point home, “The Heart Truth” features personal stories about heart disease from eight women. Some of these women describe their experiences with having a heart attack; others tell about measures they are taking to avoid one. The site also has an interactive questionnaire to help answer the question, “Are you at an increased risk of having a heart attack?”
The site also has the latest information on menopause, a time when a women’s risk of heart disease starts to rise. The risks for other health problems such as osteoporosis and breast cancer also increase. Web pages with the latest information on the use of hormone therapy during and after menopause, as well as alternative approaches to treating menopausal symptoms, are also featured.
To learn more about women’s heart disease, go to “The Heart Truth”
at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 37.
THERAPY WITH FOLATE AND VITAMINS B12 AND B6 AFTER CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY
Results from a recently published Swiss study showed that homocysteine-lowering therapy reduced the 6-month incidence of restenosis in patients who underwent coronary angioplasty (1). Now, the same investigators report results that include more patients and longer follow-up (2).
A total of 553 patients underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty; about half of the lesions also were stented. Patients were then randomized to receive 6-month daily courses of homocysteine-lowering therapy (1-mg folic acid, 400-mg vitamin B12, and 10-mg B6) or placebo. At 1 year, a composite endpoint (including revascularization, myocardial infarction, and death) occurred significantly less often with active treatment than with placebo (15 percent vs. 23 percent). The benefit was attributed largely to a lower rate of repeat revascularization of initial target lesions in the active treatment group (10 percent vs. 16 percent).
A 6-month course of this inexpensive intervention appears to provide protection against restenosis for at least a year after coronary angioplasty. The presumed mechanism is the homocysteine-lowering effect of the folate/B12/B6 combination: Plasma homocysteine levels dropped by about 30 percent in patients who receive active treatment. In ongoing studies, investigators are examining whether longer-term treatment with folate and vitamins B12 and B6 will confer additional benefits in patients with coronary disease.
Reference:
1. Schnyder G, Roff M, Pin R, et al. Decreased Rate of Coronary Restenosis after
Lowering of Plasma Homocysteine Levels. N Engl J Med; 2001; 345:1593.
2. Schnyder G et al. Effect of homocysteine lowering therapy with folic acid,
vitamin B12 an vitamin B6 on clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention:
The Swiss heart Study. A randomized controlled trail JAMA; August 28, 2002;
288:973-9.
Source: Allan S. Brett, MD. Journal Watch; October 1, 2002; 22(19); p. 149.
GARLIC PREVENTS PLAQUE FORMATION IN ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
Researchers from Germany report that, in test tubes, garlic prevents formation of “nanoplaques” that can accumulate to cause arteriosclerosis. During a National Institutes of Health (NIH) workshop on herbs and cardiovascular disease held in Bethesda, MD, in August 2002, Gunter Siegel, MD, from the Free University of Berlin, described his team’s research, which pinpoints exactly how garlic blunts plaque formation.
In the presence of calcium, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol binds with molecules secreted from the inner lining of the arteries, forming tiny plaques that can accumulate and harden. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, so-called good cholesterol, inhibits this process by absorbing excess plaque-forming molecules.
Siegel’s team found that garlic extract works exactly the same way, but more potently. “In concentrations relevant to man,” he said, “garlic extract was two and a half times more effective “ in inhibiting plaque formation than was high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
But Lack of Standardized Extracts Foils Studies
Despite intriguing laboratory studies hinting at garlic’s potential to prevent arteriosclerosis, inconsistent results from dozens of clinical trials have left researchers confused. The main problem is lack of standardization of garlic extracts, according to experts at a the NIH workshop on herbs and heart disease.
“The most striking limitation in these trials is the overall lack of standardization or characterization of the garlic preparations used,” said Christopher Gardner, PhD, director of the Stanford University Center for Research in Disease Prevention, who reviewed 30 clinical trials.
The lack of concern for identifying and measuring active compounds has rendered
several otherwise good trials useless, said Larry Lawson, PhD, research director
at Plant Bioactives Research Institute, Orem, Utah. For instance, concentrations
of allicin, a main active ingredient, may vary three-fold among garlic varieties,
confounding any data based on raw garlic consumption. The allicin yield among
powdered preparations varies even more, as much as 230-fold in brands used in
clinical trials, said Lawson. “Quantification of products used in clinical
trials is critical,” he said.
Source: JAMA; September 18, 2002; 288(11); p. 1342.
CDC UPDATES PEDIATRIC GROWTH CHARTS WEB SITE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently revised the Pediatric Growth Chart Web site to include growth charts in Spanish and French, Frequently Asked Questions, a new entry page for the interactive web-based training modules, a revised PowerPoint presentation, and a link to WIC-specific growth charts (for ages 2 to 5 years). All growth charts and related material can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.
The interactive web-based training modules are aimed at pediatric health care
professionals, including nutritionists, dietitians, nurses, and pediatricians
to provide expertise in using and interpreting the 2000 growth charts. Module
topics include an Overview of the CDC Growth Charts, Using the BMI-for-age Growth
Charts, and Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations to Screen,
Assess, and Manage. Other growth chart-related modules developed by the Health
Resources Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau can also
be accessed at the site. Please visit the site for more information.
Source: CDC Press Release; January 9, 2003.
WORKPLACE WEB SITE AIMS TO EASE DIABETES BURDEN
Nearly 17 million people have diabetes in the United States, and the number is increasing. On average, workers with diabetes miss about 8.3 days of work a year, compared with 1.7 missed days by people without the disease. This accounts for about 14 million disability days a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To help ease the burden of diabetes in the workplace, a new Web site, www.diabetesatwork.org
presents materials on the latest trends in disease management, work site wellness
strategies, and other interactive tools for on-the-job diabetes management.
Among the offerings are helpful fact sheets on topics such as diabetes myths,
foot and skin care, eating out with diabetes, and what to do after getting a
diabetes diagnosis. The site also has a section with tips on how to choose the
best health plan for management of the disease and how to prevent complications
such as kidney disease and blindness.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 37.
A new federal Web site, http://www.science.gov/,
has been launched. The goal of this site is to make scientific information gathered
by different agencies more accessible to the public. The site is an offshoot
of http://www.firstgov.gov/, and is useful because it houses information under
one roof from the multiple agencies that perform scientific research.
Source: USDA/CSREES/ISTM; 2003.
HEALTHY CONSUMER INFORMATION IN SPANISH
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put dozens of the agency’s Spanish-language publications within easy reach on a new Web site at: www.fda.gov/oc/spanish/. All the agency’s areas of responsibility, foods, drugs, biologics, medical devices, and veterinary medicine, are represented.
The site’s subjects include:
· Rare diseases
· Eating for a healthy heart
· Using medicine wisely
· Mammograms
· Vitamins/dietary supplements
· Foodborne illness
The site also links to general information about health conditions such as
diabetes, the flu, and hearing loss.
Source: FDA Consumer; January-February 2003; 37(1); p. 37.
UPDATED NUTRIENT DATABASE FOR STANDARD REFERENCE IN FOODS
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently launched an updated version of its flagship database that reports nutrients in 6,220 food items. Named the "Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 15," or SR15 for short, it is the major authoritative source of food composition in the United States.
From cheese crackers to chicken patties, salsa to salmon, chances are you'll find it in SR15. Both generic and brand name food items are included. Information is derived from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) research, qualified food industry sources, USDA-sponsored contracts and rigorously evaluated scientific literature. A single food item's complete profile boasts 117 nutrient categories, which appear in columnar format. Newly developed algorithms are used to evaluate data for scientific accuracy, and quality control programs maximize data reliability.
Meat product categories in particular have been beefed up. Ground beef data were revamped to reflect new market trends and the demand for lower fat products. Nutritive profiles were added for a variety of emu, ostrich, deer, bison, and elk products as well as for eight new beef cuts. Many brand name, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and candies were updated to reflect current names and nutrient values.
The method of reporting vitamin A equivalents changed from micrograms (mcg) of retinol equivalents to retinol activity equivalents (RAEs). This change was made to adopt the same standard used by the National Academy of Sciences in the new Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for vitamin A. By reporting RAEs, consumers and health care providers who want to compare their vitamin A intakes to the new DRIs will find those values in SR15.
The ARS Nutrient Data Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, provides electronic access
to SR15 for free from its web site and for purchase on CD-ROM. To access SR15,
go to: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR15/sr15.html
ARS is USDA's chief scientific research agency.
Source: ARS News Service; Agricultural Research Service, USDA, August 15, 2002.
THE ABC’S OF ADDING FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO YOUR SCHOOL LUNCH
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Bowley Plant Science
Teaching Center, UC Davis
Sponsored by:
Davis Educational Foundation
Farm to School Connection
CA Department of Education
UC Children’s Garden Program
Funding by University of California Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education Program (UCSAREP)
Come find out what one school district is doing to improve student nutrition by including fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables in the school lunch program.
Who Should Come
This one-day workshop for food service staff, educators, administrators, school
board members, farmers, parents, and other interested community members will
include sessions on the nuts and bolts of setting up the program and a chance
to see it in action at Cesar Chavez Elementary School.
The Model
The Davis Joint Unified School District’s “Crunch Lunch” is
the centerpiece of the program, which includes garden-based learning, farm visits,
cooking in the classroom, and recycling lunch waste. The school district program
is supported by the Davis Educational Foundation’s Farm to School Connection.
The connection works to educate and nourish students through farm and garden-based
experiences that connect education, agriculture, environment, nutrition, health
and community. The participants in the program will provide financial and organizational
information including obstacles encountered and lessons learned over the past
three years.
For more information contact: Ann M. Evans, CDE, (916) 324-9073, aevans@cde.ca.gov or Deb Bruns, Davis Educational Foundation, (530) 756-7845, dbruns@cal.net.
Registration is limited and will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
Workshop fee: $25 (includes “Crunch Lunch” at Cesar Chavez Elementary School and packet of resource material for getting started)
Make checks payable to: Davis Educational Foundation (DEF)
Send registration with payment to: DEF, P.O. Box 1813, Davis, CA 95617
SUBSCRIPTION FOR NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES NEWSLETTER
NOTE: The top line of the mailing label shows the expiration date for your subscription. Please renew before that date to avoid a break in service.
____ Renew my subscription o Start a new subscription
Enclosed is a payment of $10.00 for a one year subscription (6 issues). Checks should be payable to the Regents of the University of California.
PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION TO ENSURE ACCURACY
Name_______________________________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________________________
City____________________________State_____________Zip____________County_______________________
Professional Affiliation (optional)__________________________________________________________________
_____The above is a change of address
Mail this form and payment to:
NUTRITION PERSPECTIVES
Department of Nutrition, University of California
One Shields Ave.
Davis, California, 95616-8669.
The University of California, in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, or mental or physical handicap in any of its programs or activities, or with respect to any of its employment policies, practices, or procedures. The University of California does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, medical condition (as defined in section 12926 of the California Government Code), nor because individuals are disabled or Vietnam era veterans. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Director, Office of Affirmative Action, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612-3550, (510) 987-0097.