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Biomedical properties of edible seaweed in cancer therapy and chemoprevention trials: a review

Namvar F, Tahir PM, Mohamad R, Mahdavi M, Abedi P, Najafi TF, et al.

Nat Prod Commun, 2013 Dec;8(12):1811-20.
PMID: 24555303

This review article summarizes in vitro and in vivo experiments on seaweed anticancer activity and seaweed chemical components. Seaweed use in cancer therapy, chemopreventive randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experiments are discussed. The literature reviewed in this article was obtained from various scientific sources and encompasses publications from 2000-2012. Seaweed therapeutic effects were deemed scientifically plausible and may be partially explained by the in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies described. Although the mechanisms of action remain unclear, seaweed's anticancer properties may be attributable to its major biologically active metabolites. Much of the seaweed research outlined in this paper can serve as a foundation for explaining seaweed anticancer bioactivity. This review will open doors for developing strategies to treat malignancies using seaweed natural products.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms/diet therapy*
Symposium on nutrition and cognition: towards research and application for different life stages

Benton D, Winichagoon P, Ng TP, Tee ES, Isabelle M

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2012;21(1):104-24.
PMID: 22374567

A SYMPOSIUM ON NUTRITION AND COGNITION: Towards research and application for different life stages was held on October 2010 in Malaysia. The influence of diet and nutrition on the cognitive development of the child and on cognitive decline in later life was reviewed. Central to the study of such topics is the assessment of cognitive functioning. Cognitive functioning falls into six main areas: executive functioning, memory, attention, perception, psychomotor and language skills, although each domain can be further subdivided. As it is in the nature of human functioning that the performance on any cognitive test can reflect aspects of many of these domains, ideally a battery of tests should be used to establish the basis of any difference in performance. In intervention studies, frequently there has been a failure to demonstrate a beneficial influence of changes in diet. A possible reason is that studies have failed to acknowledge the time scale and critical ages over which diet has an impact. Diet may have a slow and progressive influence making it difficult for short-term studies to show an improvement. In addition, as many factors influence human behaviour, dietary interventions should only be one part of a coordinated approach; the effect of diet will depend on the social and psychological context in which an individual lives. Placing diet into a broader social and psychological context greatly increases the chance of generating significant findings. This report highlights and reviews presentations and discussions at the symposium.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*
Fulltext Development and promotion of Malaysian Dietary Guidelines

Tee ES

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2011;20(3):455-61.
PMID: 21859667

Development and promotion of dietary guidelines is one of the key activities outlined in the National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia for the prevention of nutrition-related disorders. The first official Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (MDG) was published in 1999 and was thoroughly reviewed and launched on 25 March 2010. The new MDG 2010 is a compilation of science-based nutrition and physical activity recommendations. These guidelines form the basis of consistent and scientifically sound nutrition messages for the public. There are 14 key messages and 55 recommendations, covering the whole range of food and nutrition issues, from importance of consuming a variety of foods to guidance on specific food groups, messages to encourage physical activities, consuming safe food and beverages and making effective use of nutrition information on food labels. The MDG also has an updated food pyramid. Various efforts have been made to ensure that the revised MDG is disseminated to all stakeholders. The Ministry of Health has organised a series of workshops for nutritionists and other health care professionals, and the food industry. In collaboration with other professional bodies and the private sector, the Nutrition Society of Malaysia has been promoting the dissemination and usage of the MDG to the public through a variety of formats and channels. These include the publication of a series of leaflets, educational press articles, educational booklets, as well as through educational activities for children. It is imperative to monitor the usage and evaluation of these dietary messages.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet/methods*
Feeding ecology of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia: a 3-year record including two mast fruitings

Kanamori T, Kuze N, Bernard H, Malim TP, Kohshima S

Am J Primatol, 2010 Sep;72(9):820-40.
PMID: 20653008 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20848

We observed the diet and activity of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in the primary lowland dipterocarp forests of Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia, during 2005-2007, including two mast fruitings. We collected 1,785 hr of focal data on 26 orangutans. We identified 1,466 samples of their food plants and conducted a fallen fruit census to monitor fruit availability in the study area. Their activity budget was 47.2% feeding, 34.4% resting, and 16.9% traveling. Fruits accounted for the largest part (60.9%) of feeding time, especially during mast fruiting periods (64.0-100%), although the percentages of leaves (22.2%) and bark (12.3%) were higher than those reported for P. abelii and P. pygmaeus wurmbii. Although 119 genera and 160 plant species were consumed by focal animals, only 9 genera accounted for more than 3% of feeding time (total: 67.8% for 9 genera). In particular, the focal orangutans fed intensively on Ficus and Spatholobus during most of the study period, especially in periods of fruit shortage. The percentage of fruit feeding changed markedly from 11.7 to 100% across different months of the year, and was positively correlated with the amount of fallen fruit. When fruit feeding and availability decreased, orangutans fed primarily on leaves of Spatholobus and Ficus, and the bark of Spatholobus and dipterocarp. The percentage of time devoted to feeding during mast fruitings, when the orangutans foraged almost exclusively on fruits, was lower than during seasons when the orangutan diet included leaves and bark as well as fruits. Resting increased as feeding decreased in the late stage of each fruiting season, suggesting that the orangutans adopted an energy-minimizing strategy to survive the periods of fruit shortage by using energy stored during the fruit season.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*; Longitudinal Studies
Increased energy intake for preterm infants with (or developing) bronchopulmonary dysplasia/ chronic lung disease

Lai NM, Rajadurai SV, Tan KH

Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2006.
PMID: 16856077

Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease have nutritional deficits that may contribute to short and long term morbidity and mortality. Increasing the daily energy intake for these infants may improve their respiratory, growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Matched MeSH terms: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/diet therapy*
Diet and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Asia--a Systematic Review

Azeem S, Gillani SW, Siddiqui A, Jandrajupalli SB, Poh V, Syed Sulaiman SA

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(13):5389-96.
PMID: 26225683

Diet is one of the major factors that can exert a majorly influence on colorectal cancer risk. This systematic review aimed to find correlations between various diet types, food or nutrients and colorectal cancer risk among Asian populations. Search limitations included Asian populations residing in Asia, being published from the year 2008 till present, and written in the English language. A total of 16 articles were included in this systematic review. We found that red meats, processed meats, preserved foods, saturated/animal fats, cholesterol, high sugar foods, spicy foods, tubers or refined carbohydrates have been found by most studies to have a positive association with colorectal cancer risk. Inversely, calcium/dairy foods, vitamin D, general vegetable/fruit/fiber consumption, cruciferous vegetables, soy bean/soy products, selenium, vitamins C,E and B12, lycophene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, folic acid and many other vitamins and minerals play a protective role against colorectal cancer risk. Associations of fish and seafood consumption with colorectal cancer risk are still inconclusive due to many varying findings, and require further more detailed studies to pinpoint the actual correlation. There is either a positive or no association for total meat consumption or white meats, however their influence is not as strong as with red and processed meats.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*
Growth performance, intestinal microbial populations, and serum cholesterol of broilers fed diets containing Lactobacillus cultures

Jin LZ, Ho YW, Abdullah N, Jalaludin S

Poult Sci, 1998 Sep;77(9):1259-65.
PMID: 9733111

A study was conducted to determine the effects of adherent Lactobacillus culture on growth performance, intestinal microbial population, and serum cholesterol level of broilers. Four dietary treatments, consisting of the basal diet (control), basal diet + 0.05, 0.10, or 0.15% Lactobacillus culture (LC), were fed to 2,000 Arbor Acres broiler chicks from 1 to 42 d of age (DOA). The chicks were randomly assigned to 40 cages (50 chicks per cage, 10 cages per diet). The experimental period was 42 d. Body weights and feed to gain ratio were measured at 21 and 42 DOA. The intestinal microbial populations and serum cholesterol levels were determined at 10, 20, 30, and 40 DOA. The results showed that body weights and feed to gain ratios were improved significantly (P < 0.05) when compared to control broilers for broilers fed diets containing 0.05 or 0.10% LC, but not 0.15% LC, at 21 and 42 DOA. Coliform counts in the cecum of birds receiving 0.05% LC at 10, 20, and 30 DOA, and 0.10% at 10 and 20 DOA were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the control birds. The total aerobes, total anaerobes, lactobacilli, and streptococci in the small intestines and ceca of the control birds were not significantly different from those of the treated groups. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the three diets containing LC at 30 DOA, and in the birds fed 0.05 or 0.10% LC at 20 DOA.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*
Inter- and intraspecific variation in the diets of sympatric siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) and lar gibbons (Hylobates lar)

Palombit RA

Folia Primatol., 1997;68(6):321-37.
PMID: 9375367

Studies of the siamang (Hylobates syndactylus continentis) and the lar gibbon (Hylobates lar lar) where they co-occur in mainland Asia have demonstrated interspecific dietary segregation based on body size and have suggested that observed levels of frugivory represent metabolically based maxima for these species. I studied sympatric groups of siamang (H. s. syndactylus) and lar gibbons (H. l. vestitus) at Ketambe in northern Sumatra (Indonesia) in order to assess the magnitude of within- and between-species variation in diets. The insular subspecies are considerably more frugivorous (60-70% of feeding time) than mainland conspecifics (35-50%). This is primarily because Sumatran hylobatids spend about twice as much time (approx. 45% of feeding) eating fig fruits (Ficus spp., Moraceae). A higher density of figs at Ketambe (compared to Kuala Lompat) may account for this behavioral difference. Enhanced frugivory has been achieved at the expense of folivory, which is much reduced in Sumatra--especially in H. lar (4% of diet)- and is limited almost entirely to immature foliage. The expected decline in protein intake resulting from diminished folivory in Sumatra may be counterbalanced by observed increases in insectivory, which is especially pronounced in lar gibbons. Interspecific dietary segregation emerges most clearly in how individuals of each species supplement their similarly fig-dominated diets. Siamang rely more on immature foliage--primarily from lianas, which generate young leaves more reliably and abundantly than trees do. Conversely, lar gibbons exploit the pulpy fruit of trees and lianas more heavily than siamang do. This general pattern occurs where the two species coexist in Malaysia, thereby suggesting a substantive interspecific difference that is somewhat greater in the insular populations.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*; Dietary Proteins
Fulltext Rehabilitation of malnourished preschool children with Nutri-Pak

Ng TKW, Supasri R, Florencio CA

Med J Malaysia, 1980 Dec;35(2):122-8.
PMID: 7266403

The results of the food consumption study suggested that the calorie and protein intakes of ID and 20 malnourished preschool children in the study area were much lower than the RDA and thus these children should benefit from a supplementary feeding project. However, after 42 days of supplementation with Nutri-Pak, the project's objective of increasing by 5%, the percent standard weight for age of at least 60% of the subjects was not achieved since only one child's weight reached this target. From the records of monitoring, it was noticed that the low consumption of Nutri -Pak. a partial replacement by the the food supplement of the children's diet in the home. uncooperative mothers, and illness or disease factors had contributed to the much lower weight gains than expected in most of the children.

Matched MeSH terms: Nutrition Disorders/diet therapy*
Food ideology and eating behavior: contributions from Malay studies

Laderman C

Soc Sci Med, 1984;19(5):547-59.
PMID: 6484640 DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(84)90050-9

A study of food ideology and eating behavior in a Malay village demonstrates that the relationship between belief and action is complex and not always predictable. Over-reliance upon stated beliefs, and generalizations derived from particular ecological settings, have influenced investigators into making universal and logical statements about Malay eating behavior and its health consequences--a logic which, however, does not always jibe with reality. Food ideology, like any other portion of a belief system, is subject to innovation, interpretation and rationalization, and contains within it 'rules to break rules' which assure the continued integrity of the symbolic system by patterning what might otherwise be seen as rifts in its fabric. An understanding of eating behavior must be based both on a knowledge of the subsidiary, as well as primary, clauses of food ideology, and on direct observation of the behaviors elicited by these beliefs and modified by the setting, the situation and the individual.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*
Fulltext Sodium intake in Malaysian adults: validation of estimations by dietary and spot urine excretion methods versus 24-hour urine excretion

Mohamad Hasnan Ahmad, Fatimah Othman, Azli Baharudin, Cheong Siew Man, Muslimah Yusof, Rashidah Ambak, et al.

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2018;2(3):489-498.
MyJurnal

There are several methods available for assessment of sodium intake, including dietary and urinary excretion, which are fraught with methodological difficulties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate dietary and urinary excretion methods against 24-hour urinary excretion method in estimating sodium intake in Malaysian adults. A cross-sectional study has been carried out between November to December 2015. About 1568 adults aged 18 to 59 years old have participated from 16 study sites located in the 13 states and two federal territories of Malaysia. The study collected basic socio-demographic data and habitual dietary intake by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Respondents were also asked to complete a two-day food intake diary (2FD) and collect their 24-hours urine and spot urine using standard protocols. A total of 1116 adults successfully completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 71%. Sodium intake from 24-hour urine excretion was estimated at 2585.9mg/day which is above the recommendation by World Health Organization (WHO). The 2FD showed the nearest mean estimate to the reference method but the spot urine with Tanaka’s predictive equation showed the least bias. The estimation of sodium from spot urine alone or with Kawasaki’s predictive equation and FFQ method showed poor mean estimates and a large bias compared to the reference method. The 2FD and spot urine with Tanaka’s prediction equation can be good alternatives for estimating daily sodium intake at the population level but not at the individual level.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet; Sodium, Dietary; Diet Records
The feeding ecology and dietary overlap in two sympatric primate species, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and dusky langur (Trachypithecus obscurus obscurus), in Malaysia

Ruslin F, Matsuda I, Md-Zain BM

Primates, 2019 Jan;60(1):41-50.
PMID: 30564972 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-018-00705-w

Knowledge about the feeding ecology and dietary overlap of sympatric primates is essential for understanding how animals avoid or reduce interspecific competition. From April 2014 to March 2015, we investigated the feeding ecologies of two sympatric primates, a hindgut fermenter, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and a foregut fermenter, the dusky langur (Trachypithecus obscurus obscurus), in a mixed landscape consisting of urban and agro-forested areas and forest fragments in Malaysia. We collected a total of 5570 and 4029 of feeding records for M. fascicularis and T. o. obscurus, respectively, using the 10-min scan sampling method. Food availability and seasonal changes in plant species consumed by both study groups were determined by vegetation surveys carried out across an area of 1.6 ha. A total of 113 and 130 plant species were consumed by M. fascicularis and T. o. obscurus, respectively. Leaves (51%) and fruits (40%) accounted for the majority of the feeding records in T. o. obscurus, whereas fruits (32%) and anthropogenic foods (27%) together with leaves (15%) and insects (6%) accounted for the majority of the feeding records for M. fascicularis. Throughout the year, there were 59 consumed plant species common to both species, and the dietary overlap was the highest for fruits. Although leaves were always more abundant than fruits in our study site, the amount of monthly fruit eating by the two species showed a significant correlation with that of fruit availability. Monthly fruit availability had a positive effect on overall monthly dietary overlap while flower and leaf availability had a negative effect. We showed that fruit was the preferred food resource of two sympatric species with different digestive systems. This could have implications for resource competition, interspecific competition, and niche separation, which should be investigated in more detail.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*
Fulltext Pre-Pregnancy BMI Influences the Association of Dietary Quality and Gestational Weight Gain: The SECOST Study

Yong HY, Mohd Shariff Z, Mohd Yusof BN, Rejali Z, Tee YYS, Bindels J, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 10 04;16(19).
PMID: 31590213 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193735

Poor diet quality in pregnancy could impact gestational weight gain (GWG) and consequently fetal growth and development. But today there is limited data available on gestational diet quality. This study investigated the association between diet quality in each pregnancy trimester and GWG in Malaysian women. Diet quality was assessed using the modified Healthy Eating Index for Malaysians (HEI). Total GWG was defined as the difference between measured weight at last prenatal visit and pre-pregnancy weight. About one-fourth of women (23.3%) had excessive total GWG. There were significant differences in the HEI component score across trimesters, except for fruits. Overall, overweight/obese women had lower total HEI score (51.49-55.40) during pregnancy compared to non-overweight/obese women (53.38-56.50). For non-overweight/obese women, higher total HEI scores in the second and third trimesters were significantly associated with lower risk of inadequate GWG (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99, p = 0.01) and higher risk of excessive GWG (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.07, p = 0.03), respectively. Overweight/obese women with higher total HEI scores in the second (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.07, p = 0.02) and third trimester (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.08, p = 0.02) were significantly at higher risk for excessive GWG. Pregnant women had relatively low diet quality throughout pregnancy. Diet quality and GWG association differed according to pre-pregnancy BMI with excessive GWG more likely to be associated with higher total HEI scores in the third trimester.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*; Prospective Studies
Halal and kosher slaughter methods and meat quality: a review

Farouk MM, Al-Mazeedi HM, Sabow AB, Bekhit AE, Adeyemi KD, Sazili AQ, et al.

Meat Sci, 2014 Nov;98(3):505-19.
PMID: 24973207 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.05.021

There are many slaughter procedures that religions and cultures use around the world. The two that are commercially relevant are the halal and kosher methods practiced by Muslims and Jews respectively. The global trade in red meat and poultry produced using these two methods is substantial, thus the importance of the quality of the meat produced using the methods. Halal and kosher slaughter per se should not affect meat quality more than their industrial equivalents, however, some of their associated pre- and post-slaughter processes do. For instance, the slow decline in blood pressure following a halal pre-slaughter head-only stun and neck cut causes blood splash (ecchymosis) in a range of muscles and organs of slaughtered livestock. Other quality concerns include bruising, hemorrhages, skin discoloration and broken bones particularly in poultry. In addition to these conventional quality issues, the "spiritual quality" of the meat can also be affected when the halal and kosher religious requirements are not fully met during the slaughter process. The nature, causes, importance and mitigations of these and other quality issues related to halal and kosher slaughtering and meat production using these methods are the subjects of this review.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet/ethnology*
Fulltext Salt content of instant noodles in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Tan CH, Chow ZY, Ching SM, Devaraj NK, He FJ, MacGregor GA, et al.

BMJ Open, 2019 05 01;9(4):e024702.
PMID: 31048428 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024702

OBJECTIVE: To determine the salt content in instant noodles sold in Malaysia.
STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was done involving 707 different flavours and packaging of instant noodles sold in six hypermarkets and retailer chains in Malaysia and the corresponding brand's official websites in 2017.
METHODS: The salt content (gram per serving and per 100 g) was collected from the product packaging and corresponding brand's official website.
RESULTS: Of the 707 different packaging and flavours of instant noodles, only 62.1% (n=439) provided the salt content in their food label.The mean (±SD) salt per 100 g of instant noodles was 4.3±1.5 g and is nearly four times higher than the salt content of food classified in Malaysia as a high salt content (>1.2 g salt per 100 g). The salt content for instant noodle per packaging ranged from 0.7 to 8.5 g. 61.7% of the instant noodles exceeded the Pacific Salt Reduction Target, 11.8% exceeded the WHO recommended daily salt intake of <5.0 per day and 5.50% exceeded Malaysia Salt Action Target. 98% of instant noodles will be considered as high salt food according to the Malaysia Guidelines.The probability of the instant noodles without mixed flavour (n=324) exceeding the Pacific Salt Reduction Target was tested on univariate and multivariate analysis. Instant noodles with soup, Tom Yam flavour, pork flavour and other flavours were found to be predictors of instant noodles with the tendency to exceed Pacific Salt Reduction Target when compared with instant noodles without mixed flavours (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Only 62% of instant noodles displayed the salt content on their food label. Salt content in instant noodles is very high, with 90% exceeding the daily salt intake recommended by WHO. Prompt action from regulatory and health authorities is needed to reduce the salt content in instant noodles.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet*; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/analysis*
Beneficiary and Adverse Effects of Phytoestrogens: A Potential Constituent of Plant-based Diet

Sridevi V, Naveen P, Karnam VS, Reddy PR, Arifullah M

Curr Pharm Des, 2021;27(6):802-815.
PMID: 32942973 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826999200917154747

BACKGROUND: Phytoestrogens are non-endocrine, non-steroidal secondary derivatives of plants and consumed through a plant-based diet also named as "dietary estrogens". The major sources of phytoestrogens are soy and soy-based foods, flaxseed, chickpeas, green beans, dairy products, etc. The dietary inclusion of phytoestrogen based foods plays a crucial role in the maintenance of metabolic syndrome cluster, including obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, postmenopausal ailments and their complications. In recent days, phytoestrogens are the preferred molecules for hormone replacement therapy. On the other hand, they act as endocrine disruptors via estrogen receptor-mediated pathways. These effects are not restricted to adult males or females and identified even in development.
OBJECTIVE: Since phytoestrogenic occurrence is high at daily meals for most people worldwide, they focused to study for its beneficiary effects towards developing pharmaceutical drugs for treating various metabolic disorders by observing endocrine disruption.
CONCLUSION: The present review emphasizes the pros and cons of phytoestrogens on human health, which may help to direct the pharmaceutical industry to produce various phytoestrongen based drugs against various metabolic disorders.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet; Diet, Vegetarian
Fulltext Association of dietary patterns with serum phosphorus in maintenance haemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study

Khor BH, Sualeheen A, Sahathevan S, Chinna K, Gafor AHA, Bavanandan S, et al.

Sci Rep, 2020 07 23;10(1):12278.
PMID: 32704087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68893-4

Sources of dietary phosphate differentially contribute to hyperphosphatemia in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. This cross-sectional study in Malaysia investigated association between dietary patterns and serum phosphorus in MHD patients. Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis, based on 27 food groups shortlisted from 3-day dietary recalls of 435 MHD patients. Associations of serum phosphorus were examined with identified dietary patterns. Three dietary patterns emerged: Home foods (HFdp), Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBdp), and Eating out noodles (EO-Ndp). The highest tertile of patients in HF (T3-HFdp) pattern significantly associated with higher intakes of total protein (p = 0.002), animal protein (p = 0.001), and animal-based organic phosphate (p 2.00 mmol/l was significantly 2.35 times higher (p = 0.005) with the T3-SSBdp. The SSBdp was associated with greater consumption of inorganic phosphate and higher serum phosphorus levels.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet*
Fulltext Do patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus know about specific dietary recommendations?

Tohid H, Saharuddin A, Teh RJ, Noor Azimah M, Wan Farzihan WA, Mohd Radzniwan AR

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2017;16(2):93-99.
MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic patients generally have a good idea about healthy diet however their awareness regarding specific dietary recommendations is questionable. Thus, this paper aims to examine the awareness regarding specific dietary components among diabetic patients at a primary care clinic and its influence on self-reported dietary practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire (English-Malay version) was used. It was adapted with additional questions to assess respondents’ awareness on: (1) healthful eating plan, (2) the quantity of one serving of fruits and vegetables, (3) choices and the allowed quantity of high fat food intake, (4) meaning of carbohydrate, and (5) carbohydrate spacing per day.
RESULTS: From the 360 respondents, 85.0% knew about healthful eating plan. However, those who were unaware of the meaning of carbohydrate, carbohydrate spacing, the allowed high fat food intake, and the quantity of one serving of fruits and vegetables were 34.1%, 47.5%, 40.0%, and 30.8% respectively. Generally, the dietary practice reported by those who knew ‘one serving of fruits and vegetables’ (p<0.001), ‘allowed quantity of high fat food intake’ (p=0.001), ‘meaning of carbohydrate’ (p<0.001), or ‘carbohydrate spacing’ (p<0.001) was significantly different than those who were unaware of these terms.
CONCLUSION: Although most respondents knew about healthful eating plan, majority of them were unaware of the specific dietary components, suggesting superficial dietary knowledge. Unfortunately, poor dietary awareness significantly influenced their self-reported dietary practice which could be considered as inaccurate. Thus, strategies to improve their dietary knowledge is necessary at the primary care setting.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, diet, awareness, self-care, primary care
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet*
Burden of anemia among indigenous populations

Khambalia AZ, Aimone AM, Zlotkin SH

Nutr Rev, 2011 Dec;69(12):693-719.
PMID: 22133195 DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00437.x

An international perspective of the magnitude of anemia in indigenous peoples is currently lacking. The present systematic review was performed to characterize the global prevalence, severity, and etiology of anemia in indigenous peoples by conducting a systematic search of original research published in English from 1996 to February 2010 using PubMed, Medline, and Embase. A total of 50 studies, representing the following 13 countries, met the inclusion criteria: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the United States, and Venezuela. Results indicate major deficiencies in the coverage and quality of anemia monitoring data for indigenous populations worldwide. The burden of anemia is overwhelmingly higher among indigenous groups compared to the general population and represents a moderate (20-39.9%) to severe (≥40%) public health problem. For the most part, the etiology of anemia is preventable and includes inadequate diet, poor living conditions, and high infection rates (i.e., malaria and intestinal parasites). A concerted global effort is needed to reduce the worldwide burden of anemia in these marginalized populations.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet*
Low FODMAP diet significantly improves IBS symptoms: an Irish retrospective cohort study

Nawawi KNM, Belov M, Goulding C

Eur J Nutr, 2020 Aug;59(5):2237-2248.
PMID: 31520160 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-02074-6

INTRODUCTION: There is growing evidence that a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the effects of this diet in Irish IBS cohort over a 12-month follow-up period, including after re-introduction of the high FODMAP foods.
METHODS: All the tertiary referrals seen by an FODMAP-trained dietician were reviewed (2013-2016). Patients were evaluated for IBS symptoms by a questionnaire (four-point Likert scale). Subsequently, advice regarding the low FODMAP diet was given. Symptoms' response was assessed at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, by use of the same questionnaire. Re-introduction of high FODMAP foods was aimed to commence at the subsequent follow-up.
RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were identified. Thirty-seven patients were excluded due to failure to attend for follow-up. Hundred and twenty-seven patients (77% patients, of which 85% were female) completed the initial 3-month follow-up. Forty-five percent (74/164) and twenty-five percent (41/164) of the patients had continued follow-up at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Of the 127 patients who returned for follow-up, their commonest baseline symptoms were lethargy (92%), bloating (91%), flatulence (91%), and abdominal pain (89%). All symptoms were significantly improved at the initial follow-up (p diet.
CONCLUSION: In this Irish retrospective cohort study, the low FODMAP diet significantly improved all IBS symptoms at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Following the re-introduction of the high FODMAP foods in a subgroup of patients, they were able to maintain their long-term symptomatic response up to 9 months. The low FODMAP diet might be continued for longer than 3 months; however, further studies are needed to assess the long-term safety of this diet.

Matched MeSH terms: Diet; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted

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