Effect of Fiber bread on the management of diabetes mellitus

To evaluate the effects of soluble fiber rich bread on lowering blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipid levels. An interventional study. The study was undertaken at Medical Unit III, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Duration of the project was one year [1997-1998]. Twenty stable diabetics of both genders were included in this study. They were provided with this bread [test diet] to replace their usual breakfast bread and chapati for lunch and dinner. The intakes of other foods as well as medications were unchanged. Anthropometric measurements, fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood sugar, fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were recorded before and after 4 weeks of intervention. Blood sugar and blood pressure were checked every week. Quality of life was assessed subjectively with the help of questionnaire, which were asked before and after the end of the intervention. Glycemic control, both fasting and postprandial, improved significantly during intervention. Satisfactory reduction of blood pressure as well as serum cholesterol and triglyceride level was also observed in these cases. The medicines reduced significantly and quality of life improved in all subjects. None of these subjects complained any gastrointestinal discomfort during their consumption of this bread for 4 weeks. The use of soluble fiber rich bread helps to control blood sugar, the hyperlipidemia, and blood pressure which are elevated in poorly controlled diabetics. Thus, integrated improvement will improve the quality of life, reduce the cost of drugs as well as help to avoid harmful effect of drugs

Obesity in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the commonest tumour in females in Pakistan. A case control study was therefore, conducted in which 100 females with biopsy proven breast cancer and 100 normal females matched for age, as controls, were included. The study showed association between obesity and breast cancer occurrence, especially in post-menopausal women. No effect of height as a risk factor for breast cancer was found. Nutritional factors related to body weight can be risk factors at any time in adult life

Effects of nutrition on the management of cirrhosis

Irrespective of socio-economic groups, thirty two cirrhotics of both sexes were followed-up to assess the effect of nutrition on their management. An average of 62gm and 54gm protein and 48gm and 40gm of fat intake was well tolerated in males and females respectively. The inclusion of fat and animal proteins helped these patients to overcome the deficiency of these nutrients. A rise of serum albumin from 2.7gm% to 3.8% and from 2.9gm% to 4.2gm% in males and females respectively is an index of improvement of hepatic function. Hemoglobin concentration of these cases also improved from 10.3gm% to 12.9gm%

Aflatoxin in uncooked market commodities: spices

Seventy one samples of different spices sold open as well as packed were collected from different localities of Karachi city to evaluate their aflatoxin contamination. Thirteen percent of foods sold open were contaminated with aflatoxin while no aflatoxin was detected in foods packed in polythelene bags

Urinary excretion of aflatoxin and liver cancer in Karachi

Two hundred urine samples from apparently healthy subjects were examined for aflatoxin Aflatoxin was detected in the urine of 9.5% of subjects from the lower and 5% from the upper socioeconomic groups. Liver cancer is also more common in less privileged individuals. Aflatoxin excretion had no relationship with the age or sex of the subjects studied

Food fallacy in cirrhosis

Irrespective of socio-economic groups one hundred cirrhotic patients of both sexes were studied for the evaluation of dietary practices in the management of liver cirrhosis. Ninety normals have also been taken as matched controls. Fat and proteins were grossly restricted in cirrhosis which resulted in significantly inadequate intake of calories