Halit Tanju Besler

Lipoprotein Oxidation, Plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity and Homocysteine Level in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Free radical-mediated peroxidation of biological molecules, especially of lipids, is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases like multiple sclerosis. Low concentration of antioxidant vitamins: beta carotene, retinol, alpha tocopherol and ascorbic acid have been observed in serum or cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients. On the basis of these observations, we studied the potential lipoprotein oxidation and total antioxidant capacity in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Lipoprotein oxidizability for plasma in vitro, serum levels of autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins, plasma total homocysteine levels with vitamin B12 and folate, and plasma total antioxidant capacity were measured in twenty four patients with multiple sclerosis and twenty four healthy sex- and age-matched person as control. In multiple sclerosis patients during an attack, a significant increase in both in vitro lipid oxidizability for plasma and in the levels of autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and a strong decrease in plasma total antioxidant capacity were detected. Plasma total homocysteine levels were significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients whose plasma vitamin B12 and folate levels were lower but not statistically significant, than controls. The present study indicates that lipoprotein oxidation may be important factor in the course of multiple sclerosis and in vitro measurements of plasma oxidation kinetics as an indication for lipoprotein oxidation might be useful as an additional tool for the clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Serum Levels of Antioxidant Vitamins and Lipid Peroxidation in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract We determined serum levels of ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, retinol and alpha tocopherol and lipid peroxidation (as estimated by thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) generation) in 24 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 24 healthy sex- and age-matched person as control. The levels of four antioxidant vitamins were significantly lower in MS patients compared to controls (p<0.05). TBARS levels were significantly higher in the patients of MS compared to the controls (p=0.001). In MS patients, the levels of beta-carotene, alpha tocopherol and ascorbic acid correlated significantly with each other (r2=0.689−0.779). It appeared that there was inverse correlation between the serum levels of ascorbic acid or beta-carotene, but not of alpha tocopherol or retinol, and TBARS levels in MS. The present study indicates that antioxidant vitamins (alpha tocopherol, beta-carotene, retinol and ascorbic acid) are decreased in sera of MS patients during an attack, and that this decrease may well be dependent on the increased oxidative burden as reflected by lipid peroxidation products. The role of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in prevention and/or treatment of MS remains to be explored.

Consumer understanding and use of food and nutrition labeling in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES To determine patterns of food and nutrition labels use by Turkish consumers, and examine constraints on the use of this information. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTING Twenty-six regions of Turkey. PARTICIPANTS Consumers (n = 1,536), aged 12-56 years. VARIABLES MEASURED Level of interest in food and nutrition labels, the perceived sources of information about nutrition, the performance of the food industry at labeling, and sociodemographic factors. ANALYSIS Descriptive statistics and χ(2) statistics. RESULTS The uses of food labels and nutrition labels were reported, respectively, by 76.5% and 72.4% of participants. Nutrition label use was significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, educational level, and socioeconomic status (P < .001 for all variables). Barriers to the use of nutrition labels included: the lack of understanding of terms, symbols, and values; poor presentation of the information; and concerns about the accuracy of the information. Consumers who wished to use nutrition labels to make healthful choices demanded a standardized location and format for the labels, as well as simplified information conveyed with comprehensible terms and statements. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS New strategies to encourage the effective consumer use of food and nutrition labels should include educational programs and revision of the label format.

β-Glucan and Dark Chocolate: A Randomized Crossover Study on Short-Term Satiety and Energy Intake

Aim: The aims of this study were to adapt a traditional recipe into a healthier form by adding 3 g of oat β-glucan, substituting milk chocolate to dark chocolate with 70% cocoa, and to examine the effect of these alterations on short-term satiety and energy intake. Materials and Methods: Study subjects (n = 25) were tested in a randomized, crossover design with four products closely matched for energy content. Four different versions of a traditional recipe including milk chocolate-control (CON), oat β-glucan (B-GLU), dark chocolate (DARK) or oat β-glucan and dark chocolate (B-GLU + DARK) were given to subjects on different test days. After subjects were asked to report visual analog scale (VAS) scores on sensory outcomes and related satiety for four hours ad libitum, lunch was served and energy intake of individuals was measured. Results: VAS scores indicated that none of the test foods exerted an improved effect on satiety feelings. However, energy intake of individuals during ad libitum lunch was significantly lower in dark chocolate groups (CON: 849.46 ± 47.45 kcal versus DARK: 677.69 ± 48.45 kcal and B-GLU + DARK: 691.08 ± 47.45 kcal, p = 0.014). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that substituting dark chocolate for milk chocolate is more effective in inducing satiety during subsequent food intake in healthy subjects.

Nutritional status and eating habits of the institutionalised elderly in Turkey: a follow-up study.

BACKGROUND As the elderly population increases in Turkey, so do the associated health and nutritional problems. The main purpose of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of elderly individuals who live in institutions. METHODS A total of 102 elderly volunteers was recruited from seven residential homes of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Ankara. In the consecutive years of 2007, 2008 and 2009, dietary intake was assessed using a 24-h food recall. Nutritional status was screened using a questionnaire from the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, basic characteristics were determined and anthropometric measurements were assessed. RESULTS The percentage of elderly participants who were malnourished or at risk for malnutrition increased by the completion of the follow-up (P < 0.05). It was found that energy, total protein, animal proteins, carbohydrates, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc intake of men decreased significantly over the years studied (P < 0.05). A significant decrease occurred among women in animal protein, vitamin B1 , niacin and the percentage of energy from proteins (P < 0.05); however, an increase in energy from fat (P < 0.05) was determined. Within the years studied, the percentage of nutrients meeting the Turkish recommended daily allowances decreased from 2007 to 2009 both in men and women. During the years 2007 to 2009, the percentage of waist circumferences >102 cm for men was 46.4%, 45.6% and 48.1%, respectively, and the percentage of waist circumferences for women >88 cm was 75.6%, 75.6% and 81.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS During the follow-up, significant nutritional changes were determined. To prevent malnutrition, periodical screening of nutritional status should be a priority and a standard policy for elderly people, especially for those institutionalised.

Promoting a Healthy Diet in Young Adults: The Role of Nutrition Labelling

The use of the nutrition facts label has been associated with healthy eating behaviors for adults. However, the relationship between nutrition facts label use and overall diet quality is not well known in young adults, a vulnerable group that acquire lifelong eating behaviors during this period of life. This study aimed to assess if the use of information on the nutrition facts label is associated with a higher diet quality in young adults. In this cross-sectional study, 958 university students aged 18–34 years were recruited. Nutrition facts label use was recorded. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall. Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores were calculated. HEI-2005 score was significantly associated with using nutrition facts label (p < 0.001). The mean total HEI-2005 score was 60.7 ± 10.11, 62.4 ± 11.43 and 67.1 ± 12.23 respectively for never, sometimes and everytime users of nutrition facts label (p < 0.001). Sub-group scores of HEI-2005 for total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, whole grains, milk, oils, saturated fat, and calories from solid fat, alcohol and added sugar (SoFAAS) were significantly higher in regular nutrition facts label users (p < 0.05, for each). This study showed that young adults who regularly use the nutrition facts label have a higher diet quality.

Nutritional genomics and Turkish dietitians' practice

Although nutritional genomics gives dietitians the opportunity to redefine their roles in the health care community, little is known about dietitians’ approach to the topic. The study aimed to describe Turkish dietitians’ knowledge, involvement and confidence in nutritional genomics. A piloted questionnaire was emailed to a sample of 1126 registered dietitians of the Turkish Dietetics Association with a 12% response rate (n 135). The knowledge was measured using 17 multiple choice questions relating to general nutrition, genetics and nutritional genomics; the involvement in 11 activities was measured using the frequencies in practice; and the confidence in six activities were measured by Likert scales. A median knowledge score of 42% indicated low levels of knowledge in nutritional genomics. The nutritional genomics knowledge was positively correlated with general nutrition knowledge (P = 0.003). The median confidence score in six activities and the median involvement score in 11 activities relating to genetics and nutritional genomics were found to be 30.5% and 27%, respectively. The confidence levels in many activities were positively correlated with the knowledge (P<0.05). A majority of the participants stated that they believe in the importance of nutritional genomics for dietetics counselling and wanted to attend further education programmes (respectively, 89% and 94% of the study population). Most dietitians have limited knowledge and experience with nutritional genomics and are not confident in their ability to apply the topic. A critical need for genetics and nutritional genomics education of dietitians has been identified in this study. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2010), 69 (OCE6), E469 doi:10.1017/S0029665110003320