Gloria J. Davies

Effect of ispaghula husk on the faecal output of bile acids in healthy volunteers

Faecal bile acids are associated with both colorectal cancer and serum cholesterol levels. We investigate whether dosing with ispaghula husk affects the faecal bile acid weights and concentrations in healthy adults. Sixteen healthy volunteers consumed 7.0 g/day ispaghula husk, containing 5.88 g/day Englyst-determinable dietary fibre, for the middle 8 weeks of a 12-week period. Stool samples were collected, analysed for faecal bile acids and their form and dry weight determined. Correlations between the faecal bile acids, the stool parameters and the dietary intake were tested. Ispaghula husk treatment significantly lowers faecal lithocholic and isolithocholic acids and the weighted ratio of lithocholic acids to deoxycholic acid. These effects revert towards their initial states at the end of the treatment period. These changes in the faecal bile acid profiles indicate a reduction in the hydrophobicity of the bile acids in the enterohepatic circulation.

Diet and lifestyle triggers for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: symptom identification

Previous studies have determined that diet and lifestyle may trigger the onset of symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. It remains unclear as to how these triggers precipitate the onset of specific symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible diet and lifestyle trigger factors in Caucasian patients with heartburn. Ethical approval was gained from the Bedfordshire Local Research Ethics Committee. Ten male patients of mean age 53.1 (range 43–64) years and twelve female patients of mean age 53.1 (range 31–63) years were recruited from a general practitioner surgery in Bedfordshire, UK. All participants completed a symptoms and triggers diary for seven consecutive days, indicating the time of symptom onset, the type of symptom, severity and associated trigger factors. Symptoms were categorised using the validated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease questionnaire, the GERD impact scale. This scale is used in the primary-care setting to assess how frequently symptoms are reported and the impact of these symptoms on patient’s daily lifestyle. As there were no significant differences between the genders they were analysed together.

Heartburn: impact on physical activity level

Physical activity has been demonstrated to be a trigger factor in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This effect has not been demonstrated in those suffering from heartburn alone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of heartburn on the level of physical activity undertaken in Caucasian patients with heartburn. Ethical approval was gained from the Bedfordshire Local Research Ethics Committee. Twenty-three healthy males (mean age 46.3 (range 30–65) years), twenty-seven healthy females (mean age 44.8 (range 28–65) years), ten male patients (mean age 53.1 (range 43–64) years) and twelve female patients (mean age 53.1 (range 31–63) years) were recruited from Bedfordshire, UK. All participants completed a lifestyle questionnaire including self-reported height and weight and the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Mean BMI calculations showed no difference between each group. When assessing the overall IPAQ scores no difference was seen, as each group had a mean score categorising moderate physical activity levels. Within the control and heartburn groups no differences were identified between the genders. On further examination of calculated values for the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) for the individual dimensions of IPAQ it can be seen that the heartburn group did less MET-min/week for all dimensions.

Dietary intake, physical activity and waist circumference in pre-adolescent children

Greater central adiposity in childhood may increase the propensity for cardiovascular risk factors in later life. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between anthropometric measures, nutrient intakes and physical activity levels in pre-adolescent schoolchildren. Healthy and overweight children aged 7–13 years were recruited from Inner London schools. The purpose and the requirements of the study were explained to the children (n 441) at school and those interested in taking part were given a study information pack. Written informed consent was received from parents or guardians for ninety-five children (response rate of 22%). Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight and waist circumference) were taken from each child. Subjects completed a 3 d weighed-food diary and a 7 d physical activity diary. Nutrient intake was estimated by dietary analysis software (CompEat version 5.8.0; Nutrition Systems, Grantham, Lincs., UK). Data from thirty of the ninety-five subjects were included in the study because of incomplete food and physical activity diaries. Mean nutrient intakes were compared with dietary reference values (DRV) using one sample t tests.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and BMI in individuals not seeking healthcare for reflux disease

Presently, there is considerable interest about having a healthy body weight. A high body weight and BMI may influence the onset of heartburn in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This association has been demonstrated in men and women and has been reported as a determining trigger factor in the onset of symptoms and progression of heartburn to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of symptoms in individuals who were not seeking healthcare for gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Ethical approval was gained from the Bedfordshire Local Research and Ethics Committee. Participants were recruited from a general practitioner surgery in Bedfordshire, UK. Subjects were screened with the use of a questionnaire and those who deemed themselves to be healthy and therefore were not seeking healthcare for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were invited to participate. Fifty Caucasian subjects completed a lifestyle questionnaire including the GERD impact scale, which is a gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms questionnaire, and the international physical activity questionnaire.

Salt intakes in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

.The aim of the present study was to investigate possible differences in dietary intakes of salt in three groups of patients. Thosediagnosed with non-erosive resux disease (NERD), erosive resux disease (ERD) and BO, were recruited from the Gastroenterology Clinicat Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. Ethical approval was given by the Tayside Research Ethics Committee. A total of 102 patients completeda 7d estimated diet record, patients were asked to record salt added during cooking and at the table. Salt intakes were estimated from Naintakes using Dietplan 6 (ForestÞeld Software Ltd, Horsham, West Sussex, UK). Salt intakes were compared with dietary recommenda-tions