Comparison of Nutritional Status and Blood Factors Before and After Consumption of Balanced Soymilk in Elderly Female Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease

This was a clinical trial study to aid the recovery of elderly female alcoholic liver disease patients by providing a balanced nutritional supplement comprising soymilk. All patients gave their consent before enrolling. The average demographics of the subjects were age 81.57 years, height 150.43 cm, weight 52.67 kg, and body mass index 24.15 kg/m2 . An increase in the daily consumption of fruits and fruit juice was observed after the patients had started taking the balanced meal as compared to before. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and cholesterol decreased after consuming soymilk, whereas vitamin B 12, niacin, folic acid, and dietary fiber significantly increased (P<0.05). Blood cholesterol and BUN levels showed a decreasing tendency.Our results indicate that consuming soymilk in a balanced diet for female patients afflicted with alcoholic liver disease helps improve their nutritional status by increasing the nutrients lacking in the body.

A Study on the Relationship between Eye Disease and Nutrient Intake in Korean Adults: Data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015, 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the differences in nutrient intakes on the onset of eye disease in the ophthalmic disease group vs. the normal group. The analysis method of this study was performed by adjusting age and gender. The daily caloric intake was 1,672.1±26.4 kcal in the ophthalmic disease group which was significantly lower than the 2,041.5±13.6 kcal intake in the normal group (P=0.006).The intake of proteins (P=0.015) and carbohydrates (P=0.000) was significantly lower in the ophthalmic disease group than in the normal group. The incidence of eye diseases was found to decrease by about 0.79 (95% CI: 0.74∼0.83) times as the NAR index of protein was increased, followed by 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64∼ 0.98) times with an increase in niacin consumption. In this study, income, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, and quality of life were considered as the confounding variables related to eye disease, along with age and gender, but did not lead to show significant results. It was found that the ophthalmic disease group had an unbalanced nutritional intake compared to the normal group. Therefore, we conclude that nutrition education is necessary to ensurebalanced eating habits for management and prevention of degeneration after the onset of eye diseases.

A Study on the Relationship between Eye Disease and Nutrient Intake in Korean Adults: Data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015, 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the differences in nutrient intakes on the onset of eye disease in the ophthalmic disease group vs. the normal group. The analysis method of this study was performed by adjusting age and gender. The daily caloric intake was 1,672.1±26.4 kcal in the ophthalmic disease group which was significantly lower than the 2,041.5±13.6 kcal intake in the normal group (P=0.006).The intake of proteins (P=0.015) and carbohydrates (P=0.000) was significantly lower in the ophthalmic disease group than in the normal group. The incidence of eye diseases was found to decrease by about 0.79 (95% CI: 0.74∼0.83) times as the NAR index of protein was increased, followed by 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64∼ 0.98) times with an increase in niacin consumption. In this study, income, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, and quality of life were considered as the confounding variables related to eye disease, along with age and gender, but did not lead to show significant results. It was found that the ophthalmic disease group had an unbalanced nutritional intake compared to the normal group. Therefore, we conclude that nutrition education is necessary to ensurebalanced eating habits for management and prevention of degeneration after the onset of eye diseases.

Chemical composition of nuts and seeds sold in Korea

Eleven types of nuts and seeds were analyzed to determine their energy (326-733 mg), moisture (1.6-18.3 mg), carbohydrate (8.8-70.9 mg), protein (4.9-30.5 mg), lipid (2.5-69.8 mg), and ash (1.2-5.5 mg) contents per 100 g of sample. Energy content was highest in pine nuts (733 mg/100 g), carbohydrate level was highest in dried figs (70.9 mg/100 g) and protein was highest in peanuts (30.5 mg/100 g). The amino acid compositions of nuts and seeds were characterized by the dominance of hydrophobic (range = 1,348.6-10,284.6 mg), hydrophilic (range = 341.1-3,244.3 mg), acidic (range = 956.1-8,426.5 mg), and basic (range = 408.6-4,738.5 mg) amino acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were highest in macadamia nuts (81.3%), whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were highest in the walnuts (76.7%). Macadamia nuts did not contain any vitamin E, whereas sunflower seeds contained the highest level (60.3 mg/kg). Iron (Fe) content was highest in pumpkin seeds (95.85 +/- 33.01 ppm), zinc (Zn) content was highest in pistachios (67.24 +/- 30.25 ppm), copper (Cu) content was greatest in walnuts (25.45 +/- 21.51 ppm), and lead (Pb) content was greatest in wheat nuts (25.49 +/- 4.64 ppm), significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, current commercial nuts and seeds have no safety concerns, although further analysis of Pb contents is necessary to ensure safety.

Effects of perilla oil on plasma concentrations of cardioprotective (n-3) fatty acids and lipid profiles in mice

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of perilla oil as well as several vegetable oils, including flaxseed oil, canola oil, and rice bran oil on plasma levels of cardioprotective (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in mice by feeding each vegetable oil for a period of eight weeks. Concentrations of docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fish-based (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, showed an increase in the plasma of mice fed perilla and flaxseed oils compared to those of mice in the control group (P < 0.05), whereas rice bran and canola oils did not alter plasma DPA and EPA concentrations. Arachidonic acid concentration was increased by feeding rice bran oil (P < 0.05), but not canola, flaxseed, or perilla oil. In addition, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were altered by feeding dietary rice bran, canola, perilla, and flaxseed oils. Findings of this study showed that perilla oil, similar to flaxseed oil, is cardioprotective and could be used as an alternative to fish oil or even flaxseed oil in animal models.

Effects of taurine on cadmium exposure in muscle, gill, and bone tissues of Carassius auratus

This study was performed in order to investigate the effects of taurine on cadmium poisoning in muscle, gill, and bone tissues of wild goldfish. For this experiment, 80 wild goldfish were divided into four experimental groups: 0.3 mg/L of cadmium and 0 mg/L of taurine (Group I), 0.3 mg/L of cadmium and 20 mg/kg of taurine (Group II), 0.3 mg/L of cadmium and 40 mg/L of taurine (Group III), and 0.3 mg/L of cadmium and 80 mg/L of taurine (Group IV). The results were as follows: The cadmium concentration in muscle tissue of wild goldfish was 0.65-3.21 mg/kg wet wt in Group I, whereas it decreased in Group IV. Levels of cadmium in gill tissue of wild goldfish were 16.57-42.39 mg/kg wet wt in Group I, 15.23-43.01 mg/kg wet wt in Group II, 15.11-39.56 mg/kg wet wt in Group III, and 13.15-38.55 mg/kg wet wt in Group IV (P < 0.05), suggesting that the cadmium concentration decreased in the experimental groups compared to control. The cadmium concentration in bone tissue of wild goldfish after 28 days was 0.52-9.75 mg/kg in Group II, whereas it increased in Group III (P < 0.05). In conclusion, taurine may have a preventive effect against cadmium accumulation in biological tissues.

Study on the obesity and nutrition status of housewives in Seoul and Kyunggi area

This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of obesity of 212 women (age 45-60 years) in Seoul and the Kyunggi area through analysis of BMI and the dietary life factors related to obesity using a survey on dietary habits, dietary assessment, and nutrient intake. The height of the underweight group was taller than normal. The height of the obese group was equal to that of the normal group, but the weight was 8.5 kg greater than the normal group. Women in the underweight group consumed meals irregularly, and only 33.4% ate breakfast. Additionally, the rate of overeating was low in the underweight group, and milk, dairy products (yogurt, etc.), fruit, and fruit juice were consumed more than once a day. It was found that 62.1% of the women in the obese group never ate out, and the rate of eating one serving of fruit, drinking one cup of fruit juice, and eating various kinds of foods was high. The average point of women's dietary life was 21.9 +/- 2.9, and 12.7% of all women responded that their dietary life was good. However, in the obese group, only 6.9% of the women reported that their dietary life was good. Evaluation of snacking habits revealed that the underweight group consumed a high level of carbonated drinks and ice cream, whereas for in the obese group, 24.1% of the women consumed milk and its products and 5.6% regularly consumed fast and fried foods. Evaluation of nutrient intake revealed that the consumption of energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B1, B2, B6, niacin, vitamin C, and vitamin E was high in all of the groups, but the intake of folic acid in the underweight group was lower than the required level. Overall, 24.1% of the women in the obese group were found to have metabolic diseases, mostly hypertension (43%). In conclusion, a balanced diet to avoid excessive nutrient intake is needed to prevent obesity.

Evaluation of the health status of preschool children stratified based on the weight-length index (WLI)

This study was conducted to prepare basic materials and offer advice regarding dietary habits to prevent and cure childhood obesity by comparing and analyzing dietary habit, nutritional status, blood factors, and mineral contents of hair. All subjects were stratified by their weight-length index (WLI). According to the standard WLI values, 64.9% of children were within the normal value, 13.5% of children were underweight, and 21.6% of children were overweight and obese (WLI > or = 110%). Overall, the score assessed dietary habit for all children was 21.32 +/- 2.55 point (921 subjects), with 5.1% of children having excellent dietary habits and 3.1% having poor dietary habits. Additionally, 37.9% of underweight children, 37.6% of normal weight children, and 43.2% of overweight and obese children consumed higher amounts of protein than underweight children did (meat, fish, eggs, and soy products) (P < 0.05). Overweight and obese children consumed more fried foods than underweight or normal weight children (P < 0.05). Moreover, 38.0% of the children had hemoglobin levels of 12 g/dl, while 7.6% were anemic (11.1 g/dl). When a hematocrit level of 33% was taken as the standard, 11.0% of children were anemic. The plasma transferrin content was 263.76 +/- 54.52 mg/dl in overweight and obese children. The mean values of Fe, Cu, Ca, Cr, Mn, Se, Na, K, Li, V, Co, and Mo were within the reference values, but the Zn concentrations of underweight, normal weight, and overweight and obese children were 67.97 +/- 28.51 ppm, 70.09 +/- 30.81 ppm, and 73.99 +/- 30.36 ppm, respectively. The Zn concentration of overweight and obese children (73.99 +/- 30.36 ppm) was lower than that of the standard value (180~220 ppm). Therefore, a nutritional education program and new guidance for dietary pattern should be developed to reduce the number of underweight and overweight and obese children.

Comparison of Nutritional and Physical Status according to the Residental Type among College Women in Seoul Women's University and Sahmyook University

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of residence types ( parent house, dormitory or boarding home, boarding home w/o food) on the dietary habits and health status of college women (20-23 y). Overall, 46.1% of college women reported that they were economically middle class and spent 200,000-390,000 won. Additionally, 17.4% of college women considered themselves healthy, while 33.8% reported that they were not healthy. Furthermore, 32.0% of college women had experience to control their weight and 39.8% reported that they exercised to control their weight. There were no significant differences in the height and weight of the subjects according to residential type, but the amount of skeletal muscles mass (21.0 +/- 2.6 kg) of the subjects that lived in dormitory or boarding home was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of women who lived at home. Additionally, 30.8% of students that lived in private residences, 25.0% of students that dwelled in dormitory or boarding homes and 27.7% of students that boarding home w/o food had three regular meals every day (p < 0.05). It has been reported that 18.3% of college students eat processed and instant foods due to their convenience. In the present study, intakes of energy, protein, fat, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E and folic acid for the subjects who lived in dormitory or boarding homes was significantly higher than those of students who lived in private residences (p < 0.05). Additionally, intakes of iron, calcium, and zinc were lower in the subjects that boarding home w/o food (p < 0.05). Finally, the blood glucose level was 84.7 +/- 13.0 mg/dL, and differed significantly by residential types (p < 0.05); however, the average glucose levels of all subjects were within the normal range (90-110 mg/dL).

Analyses on Nutritional and Behavioral Risk Factors of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in Korean Preschoolers

In order to examine nutritional and behavioral risk factors of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korean preschoolers, we analyzed data on 144 children aged 3 - 6 years with AD and their 434 healthy counterparts. The data included breastfeeding history, current weight, food behaviors assessed by the Mini Dietary Assessment (MDA), food intake by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and behavior problems by the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale (PKBS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed after controlling for preschool location and child's age, gender and total energy intake, as appropriate. There was no group difference of child and household characteristics. Breastfeeding history was related to lower AD risk (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40 - 0 .99), yet no statistically significant association was found with overweight status. Regarding food behaviors, AD risk was lower in children who drank milk at least one cup per day (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.35 - 0.78) and had regular meals (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.42 - 0.92). Moreover, there were lower risks of AD in the second (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.28 - 0.82) and the highest (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.32 - 0.94) intake quartiles as compared with the lowest quartile of kimchi intake. Similarly, AD risk was lower in the highest quartile of rice (OR = 0.51 CI = 0.28 - 0.93) and the second quartile of fruit (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.25 - 0.82) intakes. AD children had more problems in social interaction (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.26 - 3.07) and independence (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.01 - 2.54) measures than the healthy controls. Likewise, AD children tended to show more problem behaviors such as anxiety (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 0.99 - 2.69). Our results suggest that nutritional and behavioral dimensions are related to AD risk, yet the case control study design may preclude generalization of these results.

Study on the Eating Habits and Growth Development in Korean Preschool Children

The study was designed to observe the correlation between the eating habits and growth development in 1,574 children(3 - 6 years old) in Kyunggi-do and Seoul, Korea. The eating habits and nutrient intake were determined by mini dietary assessment and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). 35.6% children had been practicing an unbalanced diets. Children with unbalanced diet consumed less amount of protein source foods (meat, fish, egg, soy products), vegetables and fruits and had irregular meal time, but more of them preferred sweet foods (ice creme, cookies) and carbonated drinks as snack compared with children in balanced diet. 24 - 35% children consumed energy, iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), Niacin, Zinc (Zn) less than 75% RDA. Energy intake of children with unbalanced diet was not significantly different from those with balanced diet, but they consumed less amount of niacin, Fe, Ca and Zn than those with balanced diet. By using the relative percentage of standard weight-length-index (WLI), 65.7% children was normal weight, 12.9% was underweight, 13.4% was overweight and 7.9% was obese. However, 11.9% of underweight and normal weight children was so called thin obese since their body fat content was greater than 20%. There were 16.8% underweight in children with unbalanced diet and 12.6% underweight in those with balanced diet. Compared to normal weight, the underweight children significantly consumed less amount of milk and its product, high protein foods, fried foods and fruits, but obese children consumed more high protein source foods (meat, fish, egg, etc) and sweet foods. In conclusion, the eating habits of unbalanced meal was prevalent problem in preschool children which resulting in their health risks. Therefore, it would be needed that new approach for nutrition education to improve eating habits in preschoolers.

Hair Zinc and Lead : Relationship to Nutrient Intake and Height and Body Weight in Korean Preschool Children

The objective was to evaluate the factors influencing on the growth of children aged 3 - 6 years by mini dietary assessment and anthropometric indices in 556 children and by analyzing mineral contents of hair from 273 children by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean concentration of zinc (Zn) in hair was 68.9 +/- 31.1 ppm and the zinc level of 91% children was less than 60% of the reference value of 180 ppm. The mean content of lead (Pb) in hair was 1.76 +/- 1.20 ppm, but only 67% of 273 children was within the reference value of 2 ppm and the lead level of 33% of children was 2 - 4 times higher than the reference value. The level of Zn was negatively correlated with Pb content (r = -0.305, p 150%) which resulted in total 10.3% obese. Contrary to our expectation 32.8% children was underweight (70 - 89.9% of standard) and 36% of the underweight children showed the low content of zinc (10 - 49 ppm) in hair. There was no significant correlation between dietary intake of Zn and hair Zn content. Hair Zn content was low even though children consumed greater than 75% of their requirement for zinc. Regardless of dietary intake of Zn, hair Zn level was rather negatively correlated to the content of Pb in hair. 38.8% children had an unbalanced diet which resulted in lower intake of calorie, Ca, Zn, vitamin B2 compared with those consuming variety of foods. Therefore, it would be needed that new approach for nutrition education to improve eating habit having the unbalanced diet in preschool children. It might be also suggested to develop new food products to complement the nutrients of Zn, Ca, Fe as snacks or dietary supplement for Korean preschool children.