Blood Heavy Metal Concentrations of Korean Adults by Seafood Consumption Frequency: Using the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV), 2008

To determine blood heavy metal concentrations by seafood consumption in Korean adults, blood cadmium, mercury, and lead concentrations in a representative sample of 1,709 Koreans participated in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KHANES IV-2) in 2008 were analyzed by age and seafood consumption frequency. The mean blood cadmium, mercury, and lead concentrations were 1.14 +/- 0.73 microg/L, 5.50 +/- 3.83 microg/L, and 2.56 +/- 1.22 microg/dL, respectively. The subjects aged > or = 50 years had significantly higher blood cadmium concentrations than the subjects aged 20~39 years. Blood mercury concentrations of the 50's were significantly higher than those of the 20's and 30's (p 5.8 microg/L which is a blood mercury level equivalent to the current Reference Dose. Only 2 subjects had lead concentrations > 10 microg/dL, the standard lead level by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. The subjects consuming pollack, mackerel, anchovy, corvina, shellfish, and salted seafood at least once a week had significantly higher mercury concentrations than the subjects consuming those seafoods less than once a month. However, there were no clear relationships between blood cadmium and lead concentrations and seafood consumption frequencies.

Effects of Routine Haecho Bibimbab Consumption on the Improvement of Bowel Habits during Short Period

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of routine haecho bibimbab (boiled rice with assorted seaweed mixtures) consumption on the bowel habits in humans. Forty free-living adults (female 38, male 2) participated in this study (mean age 41.2 +/- 7.5). After a baseline survey on general characteristics, life style and dietary habits, the participants were asked to consume haecho bibimbab during two-week period for lunch. Habitual bowel movements were checked out every day by a questionnaire and nutrient intake was estimated by a 24-hour recalls before and after the study. After 2 weeks of clinical trial, the bowel habits had improved. Haecho bibimbab increased the number of bowel movements, changed hard stools into softer ones. It also lessen the sense of incomplete evacuation, and abdominal pain during defecation, increased water intake (p < 0.001) and improved gastrointestinal problem. The participants believed that haecho bibimbab was effective in improving their constipation symptoms and bowel habits (p < 0.01). Routine haecho bibimbab consumption tended to increase especially vitamin A, E and folate intake (p < 0.01). The present findings suggest that routine seaweed-based lunch meal (haecho bibimbab) consumption may improve bowel habits without side effects.