Evaluation of Iranian household's diet in terms of calcium and iron density in the seven provinces of Iran

Background: Imbalanced diet, as it may cause micronutrient malnutrition has been known as a causal factor for several chronic diseases. Several studies in Iran have shown that some micro-nutrient deficiencies are prevalent and of high concern. Minerals such as calcium and iron can supply physical and mental health as well as survival, and growth development. In this study, Nutrient density analysis was used to display Iranian households' diet quality

Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the diet quality of seven provinces, namely Eastern Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan, Khouzestan, Sistan Balochestan and Fars was assessed in terms of calcium and iron. To do so, the data were obtained through national household food consumption survey conducted by National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, 2000-02, in Iran

Results: Generally, 80% of households' calcium density was less than the standard value and this rate was 40-70% for iron. Index of nutrition quality [INQ] for calcium and iron were respectively almost 1/2 and 1/3 of requirements in all provinces

Conclusions: There were significant differences in calcium intake density between the rural and urban households however; there were no differences between the selective provinces and all over the country

Do the other nutrients except calcium and vitamin D prevent the incidence of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis as a skeletal disorder characterize by compromised bone strength predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture. All people should be encouraged to take efforts to prevent bone loss and fractures. Nutrition is one of several factors that can be modified to reduce osteoporosis risk. The purpose of this review article is assessment the role of the other nutrients the exception of calcium and vitamin D on bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.The search was undertaken in three databases [PubMed, google scholar and science direct] for publications from 2005 onwards using key words as follows. Initial searches yielded approximately 2467 results. After considering additional exclusion criteria, 33 clinical trial and meta- analysis papers remained.According to investigations, high intake of dietary protein increase bone resorption and calcium excretion and low protein intake can prevent calcium absorption and decrease strength and bone mass. Omega-3 supplementation also can decrease bone resorption and alpha-linleic acid [for men and women] and arashidonic acid [in men] and isoflavones can significantly diminish the risk of hip fracture. Adequate intake of some nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, boron and manganese in bone formation and copper, fluoride and strontium in bone mineralization have positive effects. However, high intake of vitamin A and fluoride result in hip fracture incretion. Vitamin K [in form of K2] along with calcium and vitamin D induce bone fracture decrease. If intake of phosphate, iron and sodium be more than the recommended values, they may present negative effects on bone mineralization.In conclusion, risk of osteoporosis incidence may be diminished with an adequate and balanced diet containing variety of foods to meet needs and a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition education and training the other preventive factors should be carrying out in childhood to achieve the peak bone mass in youth and aging

Can current supply figures support the nutritional recommendation of fish consumption in Iran? a case-study of the challenges in front of a nutrition policy

Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets [FBSs] and national household food consumption surveys [NHFCSs] show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001-03. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg [as raw-whole fish]/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment

Arsenic intakes from spices and sheep tail [Donbeh] in a high oesophageal cancer area: pilot study from Iran

Arsenic is a carcinogenic and toxicant element widely found in the environment and might be part of causation web of Oesophageal Cancer [OC], which has one of the highest incidence rates in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran. In this pilot study, we collected 10 Sheep tail [donbeh] and 9 mixed spices samples, as widely consumed foods in the region, from main counties in the province and analyzed for arsenic concentrations using AOAC atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Findings showed that arsenic levels in all samples were less than the safe level of 1 ppm. Total arsenic intake from sheep tail and mixed spices sources were estimated at 4.68 and 4.24 micro g/day in men and women, respectively. Therefore, the study suggests that arsenic intake from these commonly consumed foods do not seem as a major hazard for OC etiology

Maternal weight gain might predict child's weight at the 12th and 24th months of age in Damavand city, North-East Tehran

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association between pregnancy weight gain and child weight at the 12th and 24th months of age in Damavand city, North-East Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, using existing data collected by the urban health centers, records of 266 women who attended urban health centers for prenatal care and delivered between March 2004 and March 2008 with singleton term pregnancy were analyzed. Data on pre-pregnancy weight and height, total pregnancy weight gain, mother's age, parity, neonatal birth weight, birth order, mother's education, working status, breastfeeding practice and child weight at the 12th and 24th months of age were extracted. Pregnant Women were categorized based on their pre-pregnancy body mass index [BMI] as underweight, normal, and overweight and obese. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were employed to analyze data using SPSS software. Mean [+/-SD] of gestational weight gain was 11.4+/-3.9 kg. On average, 34% of mothers had inadequate weight gain, while 44 and 22% gained appropriate and excessive weight, respectively, based on the US Institute of Medicine [IoM-1990] guidelines. About 11, 56, 20 and 13% of mothers were defined as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese based on their BMI values. Initial BMI and educational level was associated with pregnancy weight gain. There was a significant difference between mean child weight at the 12th and 24th months of ages in all three categories of pregnancy weight gain, i.e. inadequate [<6.8 Kg], normal [6.8-11.3 Kg], and excessive [>11.3 Kg] [p< 0.01]. Gestational weight gain seemed associated with child weight. Educating and assisting pregnant women to meet the weight gain within recommendations range might therefore be an important strategy to prevent child malnutrition, both under- and overweight, in early life

Dietary folate intake and concentration of folate in serum and red blood cell in a group of female university students in Tehran, Iran

Adequate intake of folate has an important role in the prevention of nutritional anemia and other complications in childbearing age women. This study was undertaken to determine dietary folate intake and concentration of folate in serum and red blood cell [RBC] in female students of a medical university in Tehran, the capital of Iran. In this cross sectional study, 346 female students were randomly selected from students' lists of eight schools at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Those who were interested and eligible participated in this study. For each student, questionnaires about general characteristics were completed. Dietary folate intake was assessed by 3 days food recall questionnaire. These data were analyzed by Food Processor [FP]. Folate in serum and RBC were determined by Radio Immunoassay [RIA]. The results showed that mean age and body mass index in these students were 21.4+/-4.2 yrs and 22.2+/-3.2 kg/m2,respectively. Mean of 3 days folate intake was 239.4+/-101.8 micro g/d. The majority of subjects [93%] did not meet the reference dietary intake for folate. Mean serum folate levels in whole population was 7.8+/-3.6 ng/ml and RBC folate was 249.6+/-124.9 ng/ml. No correlation was found between folate concentrations in serum and RBC with folate intake from food. The result of this study showed that folate intake of students is very low. Therefore, appropriate intervention is necessary for adequate intake of folate

Does three months genistein and daidzein in the form of soy protein supplementation have any effects on bone formation markers after menopause?

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is caused by a sharp decrease in estrogen levels leading to an increased rate of bone remodeling. Dietary supplements are preferred as alternative therapeutic options for many women instead of estrogen therapy. These alternative therapies include the use of natural substances such as soy isoflavones due to their weak estrogenic activity and affinity for estrogen receptors.Present study was carried out as a "before and after clinical trial" on 25 postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years. Soy protein at 35g level containing 98.3mg isoflavones [containing 47.2 genistein and 37.8 daidzein] were given to subjects daily for 12 weeks. Blood and urine samplings were done in 3 stages, in the beginning and at the end of 6th and 12th week. Repeated measurement analysis was employed to analyze any possible changes in food intake and biochemical variables in 3 stages. The level of significance was set at below 5 percent [P<0.05]. Mean body mass index and physical activity level had no change and mean daily intake of macronutrients and important micronutrients were not different at 6 and 12 weeks compared to the start of the study The results showed a total serum alkaline phosphatase [TALP] significant increase while the other bone formation indicators namely osteocalcin and insulin growth factor binding protein [IGFBP3] did not change significantly. These data suggest that soy protein or its isoflavones may increase bone formation by supplementation