Micronutrient bioavailability research priorities.

A micronutrient bioavailability workshop, which involved international experts and members of the scientific community and the food industry, with interactive breakout sessions based on synectics principles, was organized by the International Life Sciences Institute Europe Addition of Nutrients to Food Task Force and the European Commission Network of Excellence European Micronutrient Recommendations Aligned. After presentations by experts, a series of "challenge statements" was discussed. The aim was to address topical issues, in particular those that linked bioavailability with the derivation of micronutrient requirements and dietary recommendations, to identify gaps in knowledge and to consider research priorities.

Milk enriched with "healthy fatty acids" improves cardiovascular risk markers and nutritional status in human volunteers.

Objective: The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available milk containing small amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, oleic acid, and vitamins A, B6, D, E, and folic acid compared with semi-skimmed and skimmed milk in volunteers with moderate cardiovascular risk.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-seven subjects 25 to 65 y of age with moderate cardiovascular risk were randomly allocated into three groups. In addition to their diets, one group consumed 500 mL/d of the enriched milk, another group consumed 500 mL/d of skimmed milk, and a control group consumed 500 mL/d of semi-skimmed milk.

Intake of fish oil, oleic acid, folic acid, and vitamins B-6 and E for 1 year decreases plasma C-reactive protein and reduces coronary heart disease risk factors in male patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Certain nutrients have been shown to be effective in preventing coronary heart disease. We hypothesized that a daily intake of low amounts of a number of these nutrients would exert beneficial effects on risk factors and clinical variables in patients that suffered from myocardial infarction (MI) and were following a cardiac rehabilitation program. Forty male MI patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups.

Absorption of calcium from milks enriched with fructo-oligosaccharides, caseinophosphopeptides, tricalcium phosphate, and milk solids.

Background: Adequate intakes of calcium are required for optimal bone health and protection against chronic disease. Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium.

Objective: The absorption of calcium from a range of fortified milks was measured in humans with the use of stable isotopes.

The administration of a multivitamin/mineral fortified dairy product improves folate status and reduces plasma homocysteine concentration in women of reproductive age.

Background And Objectives: Folate deficiency during the periconceptional period is related to the occurrence and recurrence of neural tube defects. The aim of the study was to assess whether the administration of folic acid and other vitamins and minerals as a fortified dairy product (400 microg per day of folic acid) improves the folate status in women of reproductive age.

Design And Methods: Plasma and red blood cell folate, plasma vitamin E, B12, total plasma homocysteine, plasma lipid profile, and serum ferritin and transferrin levels were investigated in 31 healthy nonpregnant women receiving 500 mL/day of the fortified dairy product for eight weeks.

Short-term dietary conjugated linoleic acid supplementation does not enhance the recovery of immunodepleted dexamethasone-treated rats.

Background: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to decrease fat deposition, and increase lean body mass. This has been broadly inferred to mean that CLA alters protein turnover. However, data to test the effects of CLA on protein turnover are lacking.