Iron status of young children in Europe.

Iron deficiency (ID) is common in young children aged 6-36 mo. Although the hazards associated with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are well known, concerns about risks associated with excess iron intake in young children are emerging. To characterize iron status in Europe, we describe the prevalence of ID, IDA, iron repletion, and excess stores with the use of published data from a systematic review on iron intake and deficiency rates, combined with other selected iron status data in young European children.

A micronutrient-fortified young-child formula improves the iron and vitamin D status of healthy young European children: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) are common among young European children because of low dietary intakes and low compliance to vitamin D supplementation policies. Milk is a common drink for young European children. Studies evaluating the effect of milk fortification on iron and vitamin D status in these children are scarce.

Theoretical Impact of Replacing Whole Cow's Milk by Young-Child Formula on Nutrient Intakes of UK Young Children: Results of a Simulation Study.

Background: Research into the role of young-child formulae (YCF) in a child's diet is limited and there is no consensual recommendation on its use. We evaluated the theoretical nutritional impact of replacing the existing practice of consuming cow's milk by YCF.

Methods: From the UK Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children, whole cow's milk consumers, aged 12-18 months (n = 591) were selected for simulation scenarios.

Iron and Vitamin D Deficiency in Healthy Young Children in Western Europe Despite Current Nutritional Recommendations.

Background And Aim: Iron deficiency (ID) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) are the 2 most common micronutrient deficiencies in young children worldwide and may lead to impaired neurodevelopment and rickets, respectively. Risk factors for ID and VDD differ between populations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for ID and VDD in 12- to 36-month-old children in Western Europe.

Nutritional challenges and opportunities during the weaning period and in young childhood.

The early years of life are a period of very rapid growth and development. In this critical phase, food preferences are formed which carry over into childhood and beyond and foundations are laid for a healthy adult life. Excess energy, imbalances in macronutrient quality, and nutritional deficiencies may form inappropriate nutritional signals, leading to metabolic disturbances and affecting the obesity risk.

Effects of n-3 fatty acids on major cardiovascular events in statin users and non-users with a history of myocardial infarction.

Aims: Recent secondary prevention trials have failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect of n-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular outcomes, which may be due to the growing use of statins since the mid-1990s. The aim of the present study was to assess whether statins modify the effects of n-3 fatty acids on major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: Patients who participated in the Alpha Omega Trial were divided into consistent statin users (n = 3740) and consistent statin non-users (n = 413).

Modelling approach to simulate reductions in LDL cholesterol levels after combined intake of statins and phytosterols/-stanols in humans.

Background: To examine the effects on LDL cholesterol of the combined use of statins and phytosterols/-stanols, in vivo studies and clinical trials are necessary. However, for a better interpretation of the experimental data as well as to possibly predict cholesterol levels given a certain dosing regimen of statins and phytosterols/-stanols a more theoretically based approach is helpful. This study aims to construct a mathematical model to simulate reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in persons who combine the use of statins with a high intake of phytosterols/-stanols, e.

Salmon consumption by pregnant women reduces ex vivo umbilical cord endothelial cell activation.

Background: In vitro exposure of endothelial cells (ECs) to n-3 (omega-3) long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs) reduces cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression. However, to our knowledge, no previous human studies have examined the influence of an altered diet on CAM expression.

Objective: We assessed whether salmon (rich in n-3 LCPUFAs) consumption twice a week during pregnancy affected offspring umbilical vein EC CAM expression.

Costs and health effects of adding functional foods containing phytosterols/-stanols to statin therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The present modelling study aimed to evaluate if and by how much functional foods containing phytosterols/-stanols add to the benefits of statins in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in terms of cost-effectiveness. Long-term health effects, measured as quality-adjusted life-years gained, and costs for scenarios with additional phytosterol/-stanol use were compared to scenarios without extra use. Phytosterols/-stanols were given only to persons who were eligible for use according to their 10-year absolute risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (SCORE-risk).

Functional foods and dietary supplements: products at the interface between pharma and nutrition.

It is increasingly recognized that most chronic diseases of concern today are multifactorial in origin. To combat such diseases and adverse health conditions, a treatment approach where medicines and nutrition complement each other may prove to be the most successful. Within nutrition, apart from (disease-related) dietetic regimes, an increasing number of functional foods and dietary supplements, each with their own health claim, are marketed.

Influence of the use of functional foods enriched with phytosterols/-stanols on adherence to statin therapy.

Purpose: Subjects using functional foods with approved health claims may be more likely to be non-adherent with prescribed drug therapy. This study aimed to assess the influence of the use of phytosterol/-stanol-enriched functional foods on adherence to statin therapy among patients initiating treatment.

Methods: We used data from the statin intervention research project, a randomized controlled trial aimed at improving adherence to statins.

Simultaneous intake of oat bran and atorvastatin reduces their efficacy to lower lipid levels and atherosclerosis in LDLr-/- mice.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of separate and simultaneous dietary intake of atorvastatin (ATO) and the soluble fiber oat bran on serum and hepatic lipid levels and the degree of atherosclerosis. Ninety female LDL-receptor-deficient (LDLr-/-) mice were fed a Western-type diet containing either low dose (0.0025%), high dose (0.

Dose-dependent cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterol/phytostanol-enriched margarine in statin users and statin non-users under free-living conditions.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness (extent to which an intervention works in daily medical practice) of the use of phytosterol/phytostanol-enriched margarines to lower total and non-HDL cholesterol levels in users and non-users of statins.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Data were obtained from questionnaires on health and food intake from a population-based longitudinal cohort linked to pharmacy-dispensing records.

A pharmaceutical care program to improve adherence to statin therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite the well-known beneficial effects of statins, many patients do not adhere to chronic medication regimens.

Objective: To implement and assess the effectiveness of a community pharmacy-based pharmaceutical care program developed to improve patients' adherence to statin therapy.

Methods: An open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 26 community pharmacies in the Netherlands.

Effects of the use of phytosterol/-stanol-enriched margarines on adherence to statin therapy.

Purpose: The use of margarines enriched with phytosterols or phytostanols is recommended as an appropriate adjunctive therapy for patients with certain lipid profiles, but may result in a behavioral modification leading to a change in person's adherence to lipid-lowering drug treatment. This study aimed to examine the influence of the use of margarines enriched with phytosterols/-stanols on adherence to statin therapy.

Methods: Retrospective data from food frequency questionnaires were used to assess phytosterol/-stanol-enriched margarine intake from a population based, longitudinal cohort between 1998 and 2007.

Effect of adenosine 5'-triphosphate infusions on the nutritional status and survival of preterminal cancer patients.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of intravenous infusions of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on nutritional status and survival in preterminal cancer patients. Ninety-nine preterminal cancer patients (estimated life expectancy 1-6 months) with mixed tumor types were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous ATP weekly (8-10 h/week, maximum 50 microg/kg/min) for 8 weeks, or no ATP (control group). Nutritional status parameters were assessed until 8 weeks, and analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of covariance.