ABSTRACT
Chromium is an indispensable nutrient for the carbohydrates and lipids metabolism. In this study the chromium content in the twenty main foods of the diet from Northwestern Mexico was determined, as well as the daily mean intake which was estimated based on the food intake basket of this region. Chromium content was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using the graphite furnace technique and previous digestion of foods in microwave oven. The chromium mean intake was estimated considering the chromium daily mean intake for person per day and the chromium content of the foods analyzed in this study. The range chromium content in the foods analyzed was between 0.0004 and 0.1641 microgram/g dry weight. White cheese showed the highest chromium content followed by pasta soup, wheat tortilla, bread and meat. The main foods chromium contributors in the diet were: wheat tortilla (20%), white cheese (11%), corn tortilla (11%), pasta soup (10%), milk (10%), meat (9%) and white bread (8%). The daily chromium intake was 30.43 +/- 1.6 micrograms/d. Chromium values obtained in the food analyzed are considered low. Moreover, chromium intake obtained from the diet is not enough to meet the safety and adequate daily chromium intake. Therefore, the population from the Northwestern Mexico has a suboptimal dietary chromium intake.
Subject(s)
Chromium/analysis , Diet/standards , Food Analysis , Chromium/administration & dosage , Feeding Behavior , Humans , Mexico , Spectrophotometry, AtomicABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a single massive dose of vitamin A on the vitamin and iron status in children of margined urban areas in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 children received one dose of 100,000 IU (children from 6 to 12 months) and of 200,000 IU (children from 12 to 36 months) of retinol palmitate distributed by the Health Ministry in June, 1994. Serum levels of retinol, carotenoids, iron, transferrin and ferritin were measured at three periods: basal, after two weeks and after three months. RESULTS: The mean for retinol basal values was 0.7 mumol/l, after two weeks it was 0.97 mumol/l (p < 0.001) and after three months it was 0.83 mumol/l (p > 0.05). When basal values were measured, 6.3% of the children showed severe vitamin A deficiency, which disappeared in the periods following the supplement; additionally, 42% showed moderate deficiency which had decreased to less than 7% after three months. No differences were found for serum iron and transferrin levels (p > 0.05), however, ferritin levels increased (p < 0.001) after three months indicating an improvement in iron reserves. CONCLUSIONS: Massive dose distribution may have an important impact on vitamin A and iron status in children.
Subject(s)
Vitamin A Deficiency/therapy , Vitamin A/administration & dosage , Biomarkers/blood , Carotenoids/blood , Child, Preschool , Female , Ferritins/blood , Humans , Infant , Male , Mexico , Poverty Areas , Program Evaluation , Vitamin A Deficiency/bloodABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dietary fiber, energy, sodium, calcium and potassium intake on the blood pressure of a group of normotensive adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects were 38 healthy normotensive adult males aged 30-45 years, resident of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Blood pressure, diet, anthropometric data and physical activity were recorded. RESULTS: Their diet was high in fiber and fat. Sodium intake was 56% above the recommended values in 87% of the subjects, and the variable with the highest correlation to diastolic blood pressure. Of the subjects, 36.9% were overweight and obese, and a significant statistic association was found between BMI and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship was found between hypertension and high consumption of sodium, overweight and obesity in healthy adult normotensive males.