Mediterranean Diet Effect: an Italian picture

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall diet quality effects; mainly on antioxidant nutritional status and some cytokines related to the cellular immune response as well as oxidative stress in a healthy Italian population group. METHODS: An observational study was conducted on 131 healthy free-living subjects. Dietary intake was assessed by […]

The risk of child and adolescent overweight is related to types of food consumed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the association between the risk of overweight and the consumption of food groups in children and adolescents. METHODS: We studied 1764 healthy children and adolescents (age 6-19y) attending 16 Seventh-Day Adventist schools and 13 public schools using a 106-item non-quantitative food frequency questionnaire from the late 1980 Child-Adolescent Blood Pressure Study. Logistic […]

Evaluation of energy and dietary intake estimates from a food frequency questionnaire using independent energy expenditure measurement and weighed food records

BACKGROUND: We have developed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for the assessment of habitual diet; with special focus on the intake of fruit; vegetables and other antioxidant-rich food and beverages. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative validity of the intakes of energy; food and nutrients from the FFQ. METHODS: Energy […]

Chronic and acute effects of walnuts on antioxidant capacity and nutritional status in humans: a randomized; cross-over pilot study

BACKGROUND: Compared with other common plant foods; walnuts (Juglans regia) are consistently ranked among the highest in antioxidant capacity. In vitro; walnut polyphenols inhibit plasma and LDL oxidation; while in animal models they lower biomarkers of oxidative stress and raise antioxidant capacity. A limited number of human feeding trials indicate that walnuts improve some measures […]

The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods; beverages; spices; herbs and supplements used worldwide

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: A plant-based diet protects against chronic oxidative stress-related diseases. Dietary plants contain variable chemical families and amounts of antioxidants. It has been hypothesized that plant antioxidants may contribute to the beneficial health effects of dietary plants. Our objective was to develop a comprehensive food database consisting of the total antioxidant content of typical […]

The effect of walnut intake on factors related to prostate and vascular health in older men

BACKGROUND: Tocopherols may protect against prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: We assessed the effect of walnuts; which are rich in tocopherols; on markers of prostate and vascular health in men at risk for prostate cancer. We conducted an 8-week walnut supplement study to examine effects of walnuts on serum tocopherols and prostate specific […]

An increase in dietary n-3 fatty acids decreases a marker of bone resorption in humans

Human; animal; and in vitro research indicates a beneficial effect of appropriate amounts of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on bone health. This is the first controlled feeding study in humans to evaluate the effect of dietary plant-derived n-3 PUFA on bone turnover; assessed by serum concentrations of N-telopeptides (NTx) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase […]