031309 email

Subject: February AJCN and Feb Jrnl of Nutrition from Nutrition Investigator Roc

SUMMARY -AJCN Feb, 2009 - The February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition-lots to digest! Read the full stories with links at http://www.beloit.edu/nutrition/ln/ln09febajcn.htm.

1. IS MATERNAL SUPPLEMENTATION BENEFICIAL? Papers presented at this symposium consider 3 specific nutrients: methyl donors folate and choline, iodine, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n–3), all nutrients for which there is new evidence for increased dietary importance during pregnancy and lactation and all of which are important for neurodevelopment of the fetus and infant. Requirements increase for 14 of 21 essential micronutrients during pregnancy In 2000, about 48% of men and 57% of women took some form of supplements. In 2005, annual expenditures in the US were about $15 billion.

2. IS IT TIME FOR VITAMIN B12 FORTIFICATION? About 20% of people in the US and Britain have marginal vitamin B12 status. Such women had three times the risk of bearing children with neural tube defects. Risk of cognitive impairment in elderly doubles.

Enjoy soy, fish oil, and vitamin E:
3. Soy intake reduces postmenopausal colorectal cancer
4. Vitamin E reduces pancreatic cancer risk about 50%.
5. Fish oil derivative alleviates moderate to severe depression

Helping reduce obesity, blood pressure, and cognitive decline
6. Small changes in diet and exercise can reduce obesity
7. Parental obesity strongly influences children's obesity
8. Reducing dietary salt intake may lower blood pressure[Although there is evidence supporting both sides of the relationship between dietary salt and blood pressure, this study of 29 obese men did find that lowering salt INTAKE lowered blood pressure]
9. Very high or low weight lowers cognitive function when older

OTHER NEWS
10 . Prevalence of iron deficiency is low (3%) among breastfed infants. Iron deficiency during infancy is common in the developing world
11. For type I diabetics, high fat, low sugar diet causes poorer control of blood sugar levels

SUMMARY -Journal of Nutrition Feb, 2009 - Only two notes with links at http://www.beloit.edu/nutrition/ln/ln09febjnut.htm.
1. Arginine shifts metabolism to muscle rather than fat gain
2. Green tea enhances fat loss in obese humans