Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults: a randomized; controlled trial.

Background: Age-related hearing loss is a common chronic condition of elderly persons. Low folate status has been associated with poor hearing. Objective: To determine whether folic acid supplementation slows age-related hearing loss. Design: Double-blind; randomized; placebo-controlled trial conducted from September 2000 to December 2004. Setting: The Netherlands. Participants: 728 older men and women recruited from […]

Characteristics of in-shell Brazil nuts and their relationship to aflatoxin contamination: criteria for sorting.

External characteristics of in-shell Brazil nuts were evaluated for dimensions (length and face width); weight; chromaticity; and shell thickness. The internal characteristics evaluated were moisture content (mc); aflatoxin contamination (analyzed by LC-MS/MS); and shell/nut ratio. According to their length; Brazil nuts were classified in three groups: I; II; and III; corresponding to large; medium; and […]

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) consumption improves Glutathione and HDL-cholesterol levels in experimental diabetes.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the influence of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) consumption on oxidant-antioxidant status and lipid profile in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. 32 rats were divided into 4 groups as control; control+peanut; diabetic; diabetic+peanut. Control and diabetic groups were fed on standard rat chow whereas control+peanut and diabetic+peanut were fed […]

Some rheological properties of aqueous peanut flour dispersions.

The rheological behaviors of aqueous peanut flour dispersions were characterized across a range of conditions; including controlled heating and cooling rates under both large- and small-strain deformations. Fat content of the dry flours influenced rheological changes; as dispersions of higher-fat flours were less viscous than lower-fat flours on an equal weight basis. A roast effect […]

Influence of plant lipids on immune responses in mice to the major Brazil nut allergen Ber e 1

BACKGROUND: Lipids; particularly bacterial lipopolysaccharide; can impact on immune responses to proteins; with low doses enhancing type 2 responses. OBJECTIVE: We have examined the influence of natural plant lipid extracts on antibody responses provoked in mice by recombinant Ber e 1; the major allergen in Brazil nuts. METHODS: BALB/c strain mice were immunized (by intraperitoneal […]

Allergy to cashew nuts and peanuts. Article in Dutch; Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd

Anaphylaxis due to the ingestion of peanuts is a serious; common condition; known to both the general public and physicians. Recently; an increasing number of patients with an anaphylactic reaction after eating small amounts of cashew nuts have been reported. In three children; a boy aged 7 and two girls aged 9 and 10 years; […]

IgE cross-reactivity between the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 and tree nut allergens

Allergy to peanut and tree nuts is characterised by a high frequency of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and typically lifelong persistence. Although peanut is the most common cause of nut allergy; peanut allergic patients are frequently also sensitive to tree nuts. It is not known if this is due to cross-reactivity between peanut and tree nut […]