Functional foods: an ecologic perspective.

A functional food is defined as any food or food ingredient that may provide a health benefit beyond that conferred by the nutrients the food contains. As nutrition scientists move into this arena, they must build on the wealth of information that already exists in plant biology. In particular, the evolutionary and physiologic bases for the production of secondary plant chemicals in plants must be considered in order to plan meaningful experiments for testing the functionality of these chemical compounds for humans. One problem that may arise is that in using the term functional food, the meaning may be lost in the continued proliferation of related terms used in product marketing. The new National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements addressed some of these issues as it developed the operating definitions described in this report.

Copper, iron, manganese, and zinc content of hair from two populations of rhesus monkeys.

The concentrations of the elements copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in hair of caged (in Maryland) and free-ranging (in Puerto Rico) rhesus monkey populations were determined. Significant chronological age-related decreases were evident for the trace elements Mn and Zn in both populations (P < or = 0.01) and for Cu and Fe in free-ranging monkeys (P < or = 0.005). The only overall gender difference was higher hair Mn concentration in free-ranging males than in females (P < 0.03). There were no significant differences in hair Cu, Fe, or Mn related to pregnancy status. Hair Zn was lower in samples from pregnant than from nonpregnant monkeys from the caged monkeys (P < or = 0.05), but did not differ in the free-ranging monkeys. Comparison of the two populations revealed that hair Zn levels were significantly higher in caged vs free-ranging animals (P < 0.001). We attribute this higher hair Zn in the caged monkeys to contact and ingestion of Zn from their galvanized enclosures. Hair iron levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in free-ranging monkeys, possibly as a result of Fe-rich soil ingestion from their environment. These data support continued investigation of the use of hair as an indicator of the exposure of large groups or populations to potentially high levels of specific minerals, and the use of nonhuman primates as models for the study of trace element deficiency and/or toxicity in humans.

Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus content of hair from two populations of rhesus monkeys.

The use of hair for the assessment of human mineral nutritional status is controversial, yet has potential because of the ease of collection and storage, and the high concentration of minerals in hair. This study generated baseline values for hair macromineral content in the most commonly used primate model for human nutrition and disease, the rhesus monkey. Hair digests from monkeys in Maryland (n = 98) and Puerto Rico (n = 208) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Significant differences existed between the two populations for hair calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.02). Male hair had higher concentrations of Mg in specimens from the Puerto Rican population (P < 0.001), whereas hair phosphorus was higher in female hair (P < 0.02). There were no significant differences attributable to pregnancy status. Differences in hair content attributable to categorical age were found for Ca and Mg (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). Significant location differences paralleled dietary differences. These values therefore can be considered reference ranges for hair Ca, Mg, and P for free-ranging and caged rhesus monkeys.

A semi-natural habitat for housing small, nonhuman primates.

A semi-natural habitat that was designed to house a social group of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus sciureus) at Goucher College, in Maryland is described. The design could be readily adapted for use with other small primate species.

Dietary restriction and aging: the initiation of a primate study.

Juvenile (1 yr) and adult (3-5 yr) male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and juvenile (1-4 yr) and adult (5-10 yr) male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were fed a diet at or near ad libitum levels based on recommended caloric intake for age and body weight or fed 30% less of the same diet with this restriction gradually introduced over a 3-mo period. Analysis of body weights among these respective control and experimental groups from the first year of the study indicated that the monkeys undergoing dietary restriction were gaining weight at a markedly slower rate compared to control values. Actual food intake among diet-restricted groups had been reduced 22-24% below control levels. Periodic analysis of hematology and blood chemistry measurements over the first year of the study detected few significant differences between control and experimental groups to indicate that diet restriction was not detrimental to general health. When values obtained from hematology and blood chemistry measurements of juvenile and adult groups (control and experimental groups combined) were compared to ad libitum fed old monkeys from each species (greater than 18 yr for rhesus; greater than 10 yr for squirrel monkeys), many significant age differences were noted. Among the largest and most consistent findings in both species were age-related decreases in concentrations of lymphocytes, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and phosphates as well as the albumin/globulin ratio and the blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio. Age-related increases in serum globulin and creatinine concentrations were also found. These parameters as well as many others being implemented in the study will be monitored further to determine if diet restriction affects the rate of development as well as aging as observed in numerous rodent studies applying such nutritional manipulations.

Spiritism in Puerto Rico. Results of an island-wide community study.

Using data from the first community-based, epidemiological survey of Puerto Rico, this paper examines the current prevalence of use of spiritist healers by Puerto Ricans, the role of spiritism in the provision of mental health services, and the association between spiritism and psychiatric disorders and symptoms. Those who visit spiritists were found to be more likely to work outside the home, to have a low family income, to have sought help for emotional problems from mental health professionals, and to have mild symptoms of depression.

An overview of the food intake patterns of the Cayo Santiago rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta): report of a pilot study.

The food ingestion patterns of the rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) of Group L on Cayo Santiago were quantitatively recorded during two months which coincided with the annual breeding season. Three methods of sampling were used concurrently: interval scan sampling, group location mapping and focal animal observation. These data generated time budgets and specifics about foods selected by six age/sex classes of animals. Overall the animals spent 10.8% of their time engaged in eating. This eating time was distributed as 50.2% on commercial diet/other non-naturally occurring food items and 49.8% on natural vegetation of known or unknown plant part. Distinct diurnal rhythms were observed in overall behaviors and food selection patterns. Soil was part of the daily food intake of all animals. Age/sex class differences in volume of food intake and eating bout interruptions indicated that juveniles may adaptively focus on vegetative food sources during times of social stress. The changing environmental conditions on Cayo Santiago are viewed as presenting the opportunity for future studies of perceptual learning and adaptation by groups and the entire population.

Incomplete abortion and hydrometrosis in a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

A 6-year-old, primiparous female squirrel monkey, diagnosed as being at approximately 100 days of gestation, developed clinical signs of pregnancy toxemia. An ovariohysterectomy was performed and complete recovery followed supportive treatment. Based on histopathology, a diagnosis of incomplete abortion and hydrometrosis was made.

Ascending intrauterine infections in rhesus monkeys.

Seventeen cases of abortions and stillbirths from a harem breeding colony of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were studied to determine the role of aerobic bacteria in their etiology. Using histopathologic criteria correlated with bacterial cultures, the cause in 11 of 17 cases was found to be ascending infection with normal vaginal flora, most commonly gram-positive cocci, especially an alpha-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus viridans). Actively breeding animals in the colony were screened for Str viridans, and it was determined to be a normal vaginal inhabitant that had the potential of becoming an opportunistic pathogen.

Facial expressions in captive squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

The facial expressions of captive, group-living squirrel monkeys are described. Elements of facial expressions, the occurrence of these expressions and accompanying vocalizations are detailed. The range of facial expressions recorded for this species is similar to that previously reported for other simian primates.