Nutrition News

Nutrition Updates
September 2008
Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE

Trans fatty acids may affect more than cardiovascular health

• This retrospective study compared dietary data on trans fatty acids and total caloric intake in former participants of the Princeton School cardiovascular risk study. Analysis showed an increased risk for miscarriage in women with increased reported intakes of trans fats. One possible mechanism for this risk is explained.
  http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(07)01380-5/abstract


• Although no cause and effect relationship has been identified, this cross-sectional study of 622 people who underwent colonoscopy and were questioned regarding their lifestyle habits found a positive association between the consumption of trans fats and the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. Find the details in the American Journal of Epidemiology:
  http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/168/3/289

• How do weight loss and exercise affect the body’s ability to burn calories and fat? According to this study on overweight, sedentary adults, exercise training, either alone or in combination with weight loss, increases the body’s ability to burn fat for energy.
  http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/3/825


• Physical activity can blunt the genetic predisposition to obesity
  Good news! According to this genetic-related research on an Amish population, even people with the phenotype towards obesity can blunt the tendency to be overweight with regular physical activity. Find the details at
  http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/168/16/1791


• Does weight loss decrease bone density?
  This study in which 46 individuals were randomized to receive various calorie restrictions found no significant bone loss on a moderate calorie-restricted diet with or without exercise. Find the abstract at:
  http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/168/17/1859

• Do supplements of glucosamine and condroitin help prevent the progression of osteoarthritis? This 24-month double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 572 patients with knee osteoarthritis found no significant improvement in the progressive loss of joint space with supplements of 500 milligrams glucosamine and/or 400 milligrams condroitin sulfate three times a day compared to placebo. Find the abstract at
  http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121425887/abstract


• Updates on dietary supplements
  Access to up-to-date information about regulations regarding dietary supplements can be found at this US Food and Drug Administration website:
  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html

What happens when overweight children replace habitual consumption of sweetened beverages with milk?
This randomized controlled trial on overweight children in Chile found an overall increase in lean body mass and height measurement in children who replaced their usual intake of sweetened beverages with 3 cups of milk per day. Body fat percentage did not change, however.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/3/605

• Are flax oil supplements as effective as fish oils to increase omega-three fatty acids in the blood?
  This clinical trial on firefighters in Canada found that as little as 2.4 grams of flax oil per day was sufficient to increase EPA and DHA (the primary omega-three fatty acids in fish oils) in the blood. Find the research details at:
  http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/3/801


• What effects do maternal fish intake and breastfeeding have on an infant’s developmental milestones?
  This prospective population-based cohort study on 25,366 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort concluded: “Maternal fish intake during pregnancy and the duration of breastfeeding are independently associated with better early child development. Future research and consumption guidelines, incorporating nutritional benefits as well as contaminant risks, should consider the overall effect of prenatal fish consumption on child development.” Find the details at
  http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/88/3/789