Jadwiga Hamułka

Health Effects of Carotenoids during Pregnancy and Lactation

Adequate nutrition is particularly important during pregnancy since it is needed not only for maintaining the health of the mother, but also determines the course of pregnancy and its outcome, fetus development as well as the child’s health after birth and during the later period of life. Data coming from epidemiological and interventions studies support the observation that carotenoids intake provide positive health effects in adults and the elderly population. These health effects are the result of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have also demonstrated the significant role of carotenoids during pregnancy and infancy. Some studies indicate a correlation between carotenoid status and lower risk of pregnancy pathologies induced by intensified oxidative stress, but results of these investigations are equivocal. Carotenoids have been well studied in relation to their beneficial role in the prevention of preeclampsia. It is currently hypothesized that carotenoids can play an important role in the prevention of preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. Carotenoid status in the newborn depends on the nutritional status of the mother, but little is known about the transfer of carotenoids from the mother to the fetus. Carotenoids are among the few nutrients found in breast milk, in which the levels are determined by the mother’s diet. Nutritional status of the newborn directly depends on its diet. Both mix feeding and artificial feeding may cause depletion of carotenoids since infant formulas contain only trace amounts of these compounds. Carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin play a significant role in the development of vision and nervous system (among others, they are important for the development of retina as well as energy metabolism and brain electrical activity). Furthermore, more scientific evidence is emerging on the role of carotenoids in the prevention of disorders affecting preterm infants, who are susceptible to oxidative stress, particularly retinopathy of prematurity.

The influence of selected demographic and lifestyle factors on lutein intakes by groups of Polish women

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of selected demographic and lifestyle factors on the intake of lutein by groups of Polish women aged 19–81 years. The study was carried out in 100 respondents in the year 2006 with the use of 4-day dietary food records. The mean intake of lutein was 2.16 mg/person/day. The primary sources of lutein in food rations of the participants were vegetables and vegetable products (72.2%), especially leafy vegetables (48.6%), cereal products (9.3%) and eggs (7.9%). The main determinants of lutein intake in the groups of Polish women were age (r=0.238, P=0.017), body mass index (r=0.250, P=0.012), place of dwelling (r=0.206, P=0.050) as well as occupation (r= − 0.249, P=0.013). The knowledge of environmental factors affecting lutein consumption is important because of its role in the prevention of diet-related diseases.

Effect of an Education Program on Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes toward Nutrition, Diet Quality, Lifestyle, and Body Composition in Polish Teenagers. The ABC of Healthy Eating Project: Design, Protocol, and Methodology

To increase teenagers’ nutrition knowledge is an important target and has the potential to improve their dietary habits and lifestyle while reducing incidences of obesity-related non-communicable diseases throughout the whole lifespan. This study protocol presents the general approach and details of an assessment of nutritional knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, diet quality, lifestyle and body composition that have been used to comprehensively evaluate the cross-behavioral patterns covering dietary and lifestyle behaviors in Polish teenagers. The study was designed in two paths as: a cross-sectional study (covering 1569 students) and an education-based intervention study (464 students) with a 9-month follow-up. We describe a short form of the food frequency questionnaire (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren) used to collect data and details of diet-related and lifestyle-related education program, which was developed and implemented by academic researchers involved in the study. We also describe details of the data development and statistical analysis, including multidimensional methods of clustering variables to identify cross-behavioral patterns covering diet and lifestyle. The results of the study will provide evidence-based support for preventive health care to promote normal growth and development of young population and reduce the risk of diet-related diseases in adulthood, by early shaping of adequate dietary and lifestyle behaviors. In the future, well-tailored education programs addressed to teenagers can be created as an important public health action, based on our results.

Vegetables and fruit, as a source of bioactive substances, and impact on memory and cognitive function of elderly

The phenomenon of population aging is not only associated with an increase in the number and proportion of older people in society, but also with an increase in the incidence of cognitive impairment. This can impair the functioning of the elderly in everyday life, work and social life participation and impair their quality of life. Hence, it is important to identify the protective factors. Neurodegenerative changes are closely linked to inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Diet is of great importance, with particular attention being paid to the adequate intake of fruits and vegetables, due to their proven health benefits. This may be correlated to the protective effect of the bioactive substances that are present in fruits and vegetables, in particular flavonoids and carotenoids. The elderly who consume 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables have a higher antioxidant capacity of blood serum, while the risk of chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative and mortality rates are lower. The analysis included the results of 16 published epidemiological studies, including people aged 65+. Their results are discussed in 4 fields of the effects on cognitive function (1) fruit and vegetable intake; (2) flavonoids intake; (3) carotenoid nutritional status; (4) mechanism of action of plant bioactive substances. It has been found that the positive effects of consumption of fruits and vegetables may be associated with cognitive functions in the three possible areas, ie.: (1) improvement in cognitive testing; (2) delaying or preventing age-related deterioration of cognitive decline; (3) reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Antioxidant Vitamins as Oxidative Stress Markers in Rat Plasma After Physical Exercise - a Short Report

Abstract The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that β-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C administered individually or in combination may differently modify their levels in blood plasma being also markers of the oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats were supplemented antioxidants per os (α-to-copherol - 2 mg/d, ascorbic acid - 12 mg/d, β-carotene - 1 mg/d), both individually or in combination of 2 or 3, for 14 days. During experiment, half of the animals in each group (n=8) were subjected to treadmill exercise for 15 min at the speed of 20 m/min, to induce oxidative stress. Vitamins in rat plasma were assessed by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results suggest that vitamin E and C supplemented simultaneously may provide some benefit during physical exercise. The significant influence of administered α-tocopherol acetate and physical exercise on the level of α-tocopherol in the plasma was observed. Thus only the concentration of α-tocopherol in blood may be treated as a marker of oxidative stress.