Dietary exposure to food azo-colours in a sample of pre-school children from Southern Brazil.

The dietary exposure of six food azo-colours was assessed in a sample of pre-schoolers from Guaratuba-Paraná, Brazil. Consumption data of 323 children aged 2 to 5 years was collected through 3-day food records. Dietary exposure, is expressed by milligrams of food colour by kilogram of body weight per day, as compared to the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Three exposure scenarios were developed to account for uncertainties around consumption estimates. Intakes of Amaranth (INS 123) described in means, 50th and 95th percentiles exceeded ADI levels in the two most conservative scenarios, with the highest percentiles exceeding about four times the ADI. High intakes of Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110) were also observed, of up to 85% of the ADI in the worst-case scenario. Findings suggest high exposure levels to azo-dyes in the survey population, with children likely exceeding the ADI for Amaranth (INS 123) and concerns for Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110). Major food contributors were beverages (juice powders and soft drinks), dairy and sweets. Further studies on dietary exposure assessment are needed at the national level. The authors highlight the need of controlling the use of such additives through national policies that are aligned with the consumption patterns observed in the country.

Dietary exposure to low-calorie sweeteners in a sample of Brazilian pregnant women.

The dietary exposure to low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) was estimated in a sample of pregnant Brazilian women. Consumption data were obtained with a 24-h Dietary Recall interview. Because of the uncertainty in assessing foods with LCS, they were classified into three scenarios to ensure inclusion of the 15 LCS allowed for use in Brazil: ranging from a less to a more conservative scenario. The concentration of LCS was estimated using the amount declared on the label or the maximum permitted levels and analytical determination data for table-top sweeteners. The frequency of consumption was higher for acesulfame-K, aspartame, and cyclamate. The food groups contributing the most to the consumption of LCS were non-alcoholic beverages, table-top sweeteners, confectionary and desserts. The level of dietary exposure to LCS was within the safety limit. However, continued efforts to monitor their dietary exposure are necessary given the limitations highlighted in this study.

Exposição Solar, vitamina D e Prevenção de Câncer Colorretal: uma revisão sistemática / Sun exposure, vitamin D and colorectal cancer prevention: a systematic review

"Introdução: Pesquisas têm reportado a relação da vitamina D com a redução do risco de câncer colorretal, apesar das evidências ainda serem controversas. Os níveis sanguíneos da 25-hidroxivitamina D (25OHD), indicador do estado nutricional de vitamina D, é resultante tanto da ingestão dietética quanto da síntese pela pele frente à exposição solar. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a associação entre a exposição solar, a ingestão de vitamina D e os níveis sanguíneos de 25OHD com o risco de câncer colorretal em seres humanos. Métodos: Foram realizadas consultas nas bases de dados PubMed e Biblioteca Cochrane, com restrição apenas para resumo disponível, compreendendo todos os artigos publicados nestas bases até 24 de Outubro de 2014. Foram incluídos artigos originais, realizados em humanos, com desenho observacional, cuja medida de exposição fosse ingestão da vitamina D dietética e/ou total, níveis de 25OHD (soro ou plasma) ou exposição solar, que apresentasse o risco relativo (RR) ou odds ratio (OR) ou hazard ratio (HR), e o respectivo intervalo de confiança de 95%, e desfecho de câncer de cólon e/ou reto. Resultados: Foram incluídos 34 artigos no total, sendo um sobre exposição solar, vinte sobre ingestão de vitamina D e quinze sobre níveis sanguíneos de 25OHD. A maioria dos trabalhos observaram associação inversa com o câncer colorretal, embora apenas três (15%) trabalhos de ingestão dietética ou total de vitamina D, e cinco (33%) sobre níveis sanguíneos de 25OHD, foram estatisticamente significativos. O estudo de exposição solar observou relação inversa com o câncer de cólon, porém não estatisticamente significativa. Conclusão: Alguns estudos observacionais sugerem que a vitamina D, particularmente suas concentrações sanguíneas e a ingestão alimentar, está inversamente relacionada com o risco de câncer colorretal. Porém, mais estudos são necessários para confirmar essa relação, considerando as diversas variáveis que afetam a vitamina D e o risco de câncer colorretal."(AU)

"Background: Several studies have been reporting the relationship between vitamin D and reduction of colorectal cancer risk, although the evidence is still controversial. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) blood levels, which is the vitamin D status indicator, results of dietary intake and skin production from sunlight exposure. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between sun exposure, vitamin D intake and 25OHD blood levels with colorectal cancer risk in humans. Methods: Pubmed and Cochrane Library databases were consulted, with restrictions only for abstract avaiable, considering all articles published before October 24th, 2014. Original articles, conducted in humans, with observational design, which measure of exposure was dietary or total vitamin D intake, 25OHD levels (serum or plasma) or sun exposure, that presented the relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR), and the 95% confidence interval, and with colon or rectal cancer as the outcome were included. Results: It was included 34 articles, one about sun exposure, twenty about vitamin D intake and fifteen about 25OHD blood levels. Most studies found an inverse association with colorectal cancer, although only three (15%) on dietary or total vitamin D intake, and five (33%) on 25OHD blood levels were statistically significant. The study on sun exposure observed inverse association with colon cancer, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Some observational studies suggest that vitamin D, particularly the blood concentrations and dietary intake is inversely related to colorectal cancer risk. However, further studies are needed to confirm this relationship, considering the many variables that affect vitamin D and the risk of colorectal cancer."(AU)