Impact of milk consumption on cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity.

BACKGROUND: The impact of dairy intake on cardiometabolic risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) needs further research. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of milk consumption on a wide array of cardiometabolic risk factors associated with MetS (blood lipids, cholesterol homeostasis, glucose homeostasis, systemic inflammation, blood pressure, endothelial function) in postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity. METHODS: In this randomized, crossover study, 27 women with abdominal obesity consumed two 6-week diets based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), one with 3.2 servings/d of 2% fat milk per 2000 kcal (MILK) and one without milk or other dairy (NCEP). The macronutrient composition of both diets was comparable (55% carbohydrates, 15% proteins, 30% fat and 10% saturated fat). RESULTS: The MILK diet had no significant effect on LDL-C, triglycerides, LDL size, CRP and cell adhesion molecule concentrations and on indicators of insulin sensitivity. The MILK diet reduced HDL-C, adiponectin, endothelin and fasting glucose levels as well blood pressure (all P ≤ 0.01), but those changes were comparable to those seen with the NCEP milk-free diet (all between-diet P ≥ 0.07). Finally, the MILK diet was associated with lower VLDL apolipoprotein B fractional catabolic rate (-13.4%; P = 0.04) and plasma sterol concentrations (-12.0%; P = 0.04) compared with the control NCEP milk-free diet. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that short-term consumption of low fat milk in the context of a prudent NCEP diet has no favorable nor deleterious effect on cardiometabolic risk factors associated with MetS in postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity.

Study of the effect of trans fatty acids from ruminants on blood lipids and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: The intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) from industrially hydrogenated vegetable oils (iTFA) is known to have a deleterious effect on cardiovascular health, the effects of TFA from ruminants (rTFA) are virtually unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of rTFA and iTFA on plasma LDL concentrations and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy subjects. DESIGN: In a double-blind, randomized crossover controlled study, 38 healthy men were fed each of 4 experimental isoenergetic diets lasting 4 wk each. The 4 diets were high in rTFA (10.2 g/2500 kcal), moderate in rTFA (4.2 g/2500 kcal), high in iTFA (10.2 g/2500 kcal), and low in TFA from any source (2.2 g/2500 kcal) (control diet). RESULTS: Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher after the high- rTFA diet than after the control (P = 0.03) or the moderate- rTFA (P = 0.002) diet. Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations also were significantly (P = 0.02) higher after the iTFA diet than after the moderate-rTFA diet. Plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly (P = 0.02) lower after the high-rTFA diet than after the moderate-rTFA diet. Finally, all risk factors were comparable between the control and the moderate-rTFA diets. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, whereas a high dietary intake of TFA from ruminants may adversely affect cholesterol homeostasis, moderate intakes of rTFA that are well above the upper limit of current human consumption have neutral effects on plasma lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

[Dietetic field of practice influences their use of the internet and the need for computers]. / Les champs de pratique des diététistes influencent leur utilisation d'Internet et leurs besoins de formation.

The study documents the use of the Internet by Quebec dietitians, and addresses their specific needs according to their fields of practice. Of the 1,852 questionnaires mailed, 708 were returned. Most of the respondents have a computer at home or at work, and have access to the Internet. The Internet is used mostly at home. Factors limiting greater use of the Internet include time, knowledge and cost. The most popular services are electronic mail and the World Wide Web. Most of the respondents would be interested in training programs on database searches, on searching for information on the Internet and on evaluating the validity of information found on the Internet. Data analysis has revealed that Internet usage is related to dietitians' fields of practice. Moreover, specific training needs have been identified for clinical dietitians, dietitians in private practice and in public health, and those combining managerial and clinical activities. Results suggest the need to adapt training programs and services to dietitians' fields of practice and to develop these programs accordingly.