The contribution of milks and formulae to micronutrient intake in 1-3 years old children in urban China: a simulation study.

Background And Objectives: A recent dietary survey in 5 big cities in China provided information on various milk options consumed by 1-3 years old children. To investigate the nutritional role of these milks (young-child formula (YCF), cow's milk, others), simulation analyses based on this survey were performed.

Methods And Study Design: We studied daily intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C and E and compared these to the Chinese DRIs.

A dietary and nutritional status survey among young children in five big cities of China.

Background And Objectives: To investigate the dietary patterns and nutritional status of young children living in urban environments in China.

Methods And Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 750 children aged 6 - 35 months living in 5 large cities in China. The survey methodology included a physical exami-nation, blood hemoglobin measurements and a 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire Results: The educational lev-el of participant mothers was high (79% had attended college or university or higher), which may not be fully representative across all areas of urban China.

Dietary survey of anaemic infants and young children in urban areas of China: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Objectives: To explore the diet characteristics of anaemic infants and young children of China, blood tests and diets surveys were conducted in five cities.

Methods And Study Design: About 150 children aged 6-36 mo were selected in a typical community health center of each city, and the total sample was 750. Nutritional status was measured through 24h dietary recall method and HEMO Cue was used for Haemoglobin concentration testing.

Enteral feeding enriched with carotenoids normalizes the carotenoid status and reduces oxidative stress in long-term enterally fed patients.

Background & Aims: Circulating carotenoid levels decrease progressively in patients receiving long-term enteral tube feeding with carotenoid-free formulas. Low dietary intake and low blood levels of carotenoids are associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a low dose carotenoid mixture (3-mg/1500kcal) for 3 months on serum carotenoid levels and oxidative stress in patients receiving long-term enteral nutrition as the sole source of nutrition.

Dietary fructo-oligosaccharides in healthy adults do not negatively affect faecal cytotoxicity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are widely used in commercial food products. Most studies on FOS concern the health benefits, but some negative effects were recently reported concerning the faecal cytotoxicity and excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides in combination with a Ca-restricted diet. The present study was performed to investigate whether these effects of FOS are observed in adults consuming a regular diet unrestricted in Ca.

Bifidogenic effects of solid weaning foods with added prebiotic oligosaccharides: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: Breast-fed infants have relatively high proportions of faecal bifidobacteria. This bifidogenic microbiota is at least partly explained by the high levels of prebiotic oligosaccharides in human milk. The present study aimed at testing the effect of solid foods with added prebiotic galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) on the composition of the intestinal microbiota of fully formula-fed infants during the weaning period.

Effects of infant formula containing a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides or viable Bifidobacterium animalis on the intestinal microflora during the first 4 months of life.

Adding prebiotics or probiotics to infant formula to improve the intestinal flora of formula-fed infants is considered to be a major innovation. Several companies have brought relevant formulations onto the market. However, comparative data on the effects of pre- and probiotics on the intestinal microflora of infants are not available.

Effect of an enriched drink on cognitive function in frail elderly persons.

Background: Many elderly persons report that they have difficulties learning new things and remembering names, plans, and conversations. Because decreased cognitive function in elderly persons is potentially related to their poor nutritional status, provision of essential nutrients may improve cognitive function. The authors wanted to determine whether consumption of an enriched drink, including moderate doses of all essential micronutrients, improves cognitive function in frail elderly persons.

Clinical outcome of immunonutrition in a heterogeneous intensive care population.

Objective: To study the effect of a high-protein enteral formula enriched with arginine, glutamine, and antioxidants and containing omega3 fatty acids and a mixture of fibers, on the clinical outcome of a heterogeneous intensive care (ICU) population.

Design And Setting: A randomized, prospective, double blind, controlled, two-center clinical trial in two intensive care units in The Netherlands.

Patients And Participants: A total of 597 adult ICU patients expected to require enteral tube feeding for more than 2 days were randomized to receive immunonutrition or an isocaloric control formula.

Alpha-lactalbumin combined with a regular diet increases plasma Trp-LNAA ratio.

Brain serotonin influences food intake and mood. It is synthesised from tryptophan (Trp) of which uptake in the brain is dependent on plasma ratio of tryptophan to the sum of other large neutral amino acids (Trp-LNAA). A carbohydrate-rich diet increases this ratio, whereas a protein-rich diet decreases it.

Biochemical antioxidant levels respond to supplementation with an enriched drink in frail elderly people.

Objective: To investigate whether a drink enriched with essential vitamins and minerals can improve biochemical status of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in frail elderly people.

Methods: A six-month randomized, double blind, placebo controlled intervention study. Frail elderly people 65 years of age or older, with a body mass index (BMI) below 25 kg/m(2) and residing in a home for the elderly or in sheltered housing.