Associations between Stunting, Wasting and Body Composition: A Longitudinal Study in 6- to 15-Month-Old Kenyan Children.

Background: Early growth and body composition may influence the risk of obesity and health in adulthood. Few studies have examined how undernutrition is associated with body composition in early life.

Objectives: We assessed stunting and wasting as correlates of body composition in young Kenyan children.

Effect of locally produced complementary foods on fat-free mass, linear growth, and iron status among Kenyan infants: A randomized controlled trial.

The impact of quality complementary food products on infant growth and body composition has not been adequately investigated. This study evaluated the effect on fat-free mass (FFM) accrual, linear growth, and iron status of locally produced complementary food products comparing to a standard product. In a randomized, double-blind trial, 499 infants at 6 months received nine monthly rations of (a) WinFood Classic (WFC) comprising germinated amaranth (71%), maize (10.

Antagonistic effect of alkaloids and saponins on bioactivity in the quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra sond.): further evidence to support biotechnology in traditional medicinal plants.

Background: The Quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra) is used as a medicinal plant among traditional communities in many countries to manage tumors and other diseases associated with oxidative stress. To validate indigenous knowledge and possibly position this herb for technology uptake and utilization, we established the level of antioxidant activity in R. caffra, and probed for the presence of associated phytochemicals.

Kenyan medicinal plants used as antivenin: a comparison of plant usage.

The success of snake bite healers is vaguely understood in Kenya, partly due to their unknown materia medica and occult-mystical nature of their practice. A comparison is made of plants used in snake bite treatments by two culturally distinct African groups (the Kamba and Luo). Thirty two plants used for snakebite treatment are documented.