Nutrition and osteoporosis prevention for the orthopaedic surgeon.
Osteoporosis is a prevalent and debilitating condition with no signs of subsiding. Rising numbers of people consuming nutrient-poor diets coupled with ageing populations and sedentary lifestyles appear to be the main drivers behind this. While the nutrients calcium and vitamin D have received most attention, there is growing evidence that wholefoods and other micronutrients have roles to play in primary and potentially secondary osteoporosis prevention. Until recently, calcium and vitamin D were regarded as the main nutrients essential to bone health but now there are emerging roles for iron, copper and selenium, among others. Fruit and vegetables are still not being eaten in adequate amounts and yet contain micronutrients and phytochemicals useful for bone remodelling (bone formation and resorption) and are essential for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. There is emerging evidence that dried fruits, such as prunes, provide significant amounts of vitamin K, manganese, boron, copper and potassium which could help to support bone health. Just 50 g of prunes daily have been found to reduce bone resorption after six months when eaten by osteopaenic, postmenopausal women. Dairy foods have an important role in bone health. Carbonated drinks should not replace milk in the diet. A balanced diet containing food groups and nutrients needed for bone health across the whole lifecycle may help to prevent osteoporosis. Greater efforts are needed to employ preventative strategies which involve dietary and physical activity modifications, if the current situation is to improve.
Almonds ameliorate glycemic control in Chinese patients with better controlled type 2 diabetes: a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial.
BACKGROUND: Almonds can decrease glycemic index of co-consumed foods and are a rich source for oleic acid and α-tocopherol. The aim of the randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was to examine whether as compared to NCEP step II diet as control (CON), ~60 g/d almonds (ALM) added to CON would improve glucoregulation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 33 Chinese T2DM patients. METHODS: Forty T2DM patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive CON or ALM for 12 wks after a 2-wk. run-in period. Blood and urine samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of each dietary intervention phase for the assessment of biomarkers of glucoregulation, lipid profile, inflammation, and oxidative stress. RESULTS: While ALM had a better overall nutritional quality than CON, neither ALM nor CON improved the glycemic status as the primary study outcome and other CVD risk factors, except the circulating nitric oxide being decreased by ALM compared to CON. Among 27 of 33 patients with the baseline HbA1c ≤8, ALM decreased post-interventional fasting serum glucose and HbA1c by 5.9% and 3.0% as compared to that of CON, respectively (P = 0.01 and 0.04). Mean total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were not changed by both diets. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest almonds incorporated into healthful diets can improve glycemic status in diabetic patients with a better glycemic control.
Cranberries improve postprandial glucose excursions in type 2 diabetes.
Recent research supports a favorable role of cranberries on cardiometabolic health. Postprandial metabolism, especially hyperglycemia, has been shown to be an independent cardiovascular risk and few clinical studies have reported the role of berries in improving postprandial dysmetabolism. We investigated the postprandial effects of dried cranberries following a high-fat breakfast challenge in obese participants with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), in a randomized crossover trial. Blood draw and vascular measurements were conducted at fasting, 1, 2 and 4 hours (h), following the consumption of a fast-food style high-fat breakfast (70 g fat, 974 kcal) with or without cranberries (40 g). Analyses of our data (n = 25; BMI (kg m-2) (mean ± s.d.) = 39.5 ± 6.5; age (years) = 56 ± 6) revealed that postprandial increases in glucose were significantly lower in the cranberry vs. control at 2 & 4 h (p < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in insulin, insulin resistance evaluated by homeostasis model assessment, lipid profiles and blood pressure between the cranberry and control groups. Among the biomarkers of inflammation and oxidation, postprandial serum interleukin-18 and malondialdehyde were significantly lower at 4 h, and serum total nitrite was higher at 2 h in the cranberry vs. control group (all p < 0.05). No effects were noted on C-reactive protein or interlukin-6. Overall, dietary cranberries had notable effects in improving high-fat breakfast induced postprandial glucose and selected biomarkers of inflammation and oxidation in participants with T2DM. These findings provide evidence that adding whole cranberries to a high-fat meal may improve postprandial blood glucose management and warrant further investigation.
Impact of providing walnut samples in a lifestyle intervention for weight loss: a secondary analysis of the HealthTrack trial.
Background: Being more specific about individual food choices may be advantageous for weight loss. Including a healthy food (e.g. walnuts) may help to expose effects. Objective: To examine the impact of including walnuts in diets for weight loss. Design: Secondary analysis of the HealthTrack lifestyle intervention trial. Overweight and obese participants were randomized to: usual care (C), interdisciplinary intervention including individualized dietary advice (I), or interdisciplinary intervention including 30 g walnuts/day (IW). Changes in body weight, energy intake, intake of key foods, physical activity, and mental health over three and 12 months were explored. Results: A total of 293 participants completed the intensive three-month study period, and 175 had data available at 12 months. The IW group achieved the greatest weight loss at three months. IW reported significant improvements in healthy food choices, and decreased intakes of discretionary foods/beverages, compared to C. Weight loss remained greatest in IW at 12 months. Discussion: Significant effects were seen after three months, with the IW group achieving greater weight loss and more favorable changes in food choices. Conclusions: Including 30 grams walnuts/day in an individualized diet produced weight loss and positive changes in food choice.
Nut intake and 5-year changes in body weight and obesity risk in adults: results from the EPIC-PANACEA study.
PURPOSE: There is inconsistent evidence regarding the relationship between higher intake of nuts, being an energy-dense food, and weight gain. We investigated the relationship between nut intake and changes in weight over 5 years. METHODS: This study includes 373,293 men and women, 25-70 years old, recruited between 1992 and 2000 from 10 European countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Habitual intake of nuts including peanuts, together defined as nut intake, was estimated from country-specific validated dietary questionnaires. Body weight was measured at recruitment and self-reported 5 years later. The association between nut intake and body weight change was estimated using multilevel mixed linear regression models with center/country as random effect and nut intake and relevant confounders as fixed effects. The relative risk (RR) of becoming overweight or obese after 5 years was investigated using multivariate Poisson regressions stratified according to baseline body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: On average, study participants gained 2.1 kg (SD 5.0 kg) over 5 years. Compared to non-consumers, subjects in the highest quartile of nut intake had less weight gain over 5 years (-0.07 kg; 95% CI -0.12 to -0.02) (P trend = 0.025) and had 5% lower risk of becoming overweight (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98) or obese (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.90-0.99) (both P trend <0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of nuts is associated with reduced weight gain and a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese.
China International Tree Nuts Conference 2017
Experts shared their knowledge and views on the global tree nut market, and more specifically on production and consumption of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.
The event was attended by more than 320 participants from over 20 countries, including the United States, Iran, Australia, India, Chile, Mexico, South Africa, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Canada, Ghana, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Mr. Pino Calcagni, INC Vice Chairman and Chair of the Statistics Committee, presented a global statistical review of the tree nut industry, highlighting production and consumption trends, and the potential of the tree nut market.
More information
South Korea: Food Import Controls
The proposed amendments are:
- A new provision to permit the detention of import shipments without physical examination if there is evidence that the shipment may pose a risk to the public health;
- The timing of import sanitary assessment starts when the import risk analysis commences.
The deadline for comments is September 17, 2017.
For further information, please contact us at inc@nutfruit.org.
Chinese Walnut Crop
Yunnan was hit by a spring frost; Shanxi by a long drought early in the growing season. Shaanxi, Gansu and Henan had similar patterns to those of Yunnan and Shanxi. The positive note was the increase in young trees in the flat areas and consequent increase in production, mainly due to good irrigation systems.
The good news comes from Xinjiang, which expects another big crop. Broad land, rich water resources and substantial production of premium varieties have made this region the No. 1 walnut origin in China, accounting for 30% of the total crop. Another positive note is that Hebei expects a crop increase of 20%.
For years, Chinese horticulture experts have developed a number of new premium varieties in the major growing regions, being the main advantages color, taste and yield. Several varieties have developed into commercial production, which will support the return of China to the world market with good quality walnuts and competitive pricing.
Japan: MRLs Update
The document sets or modifies the following maximum residue levels (MRL) in nuts and dried fruits:
- The MRL for DCIP in cranberry, date, pecan, walnut, almond and other nuts is lowered from 0.2 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for triforine in peanuts is lowered from 0.05 ppm to 0.01 ppm; and in apricot, cranberry, grape, date, pecan, walnut, almond and other nuts is lowered from 0.2 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for pyraclostrobin in grape is lowered from 3 ppm to 2 ppm; and in raisin is lowered from 5 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for pyribencarb in apricot is newly set at 2 ppm.
- The MRL for fosetyl in peanuts is lowered from 0.5 ppm to 0.01 ppm; in apricot, cranberry, date is lowered from 70 ppm to 0.01 ppm; and in pecan, walnut, almond and other nuts is lowered from 1,000 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
The deadline for comments was July 19, 2017.
USDA GAIN Report. Japan proposes the revision of MRLs for 32 agricultural chemicals.
In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan notified the World Trade Organization of the “Revision of the Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives under the Food Sanitation Act (revision of agricultural chemical residue standards)”.
As for nuts and dried fruits, the document proposes changes to the following maximum residue levels (MRL):
- The MRL for buprofezin in pecan, walnut and other nuts (except almond) is newly set at 0.05 ppm.
- The MRL for fipronil in peanut, apricot, cranberry, grape, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered at 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for 2,2-DPA in apricot, prune is lowered from 1 ppm to 0.01 ppm; in cranberry, date, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.05 ppm to 0.01 ppm; in grape is lowered from 3 ppm to 0.01 ppm; and in pecan and almond is lowered from 0.1 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for bensulide in peanuts is lowered from 0.1 ppm to 0.01 ppm; and in apricot, prune, cranberry, grape, date, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.03 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for furathiocarb in peanuts is lowered from 0.05 ppm to 0.01 ppm; in apricot, prune, cranberry, grape, date, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.1 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for phosphamidon in apricot, prune, cranberry, grape, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.2 ppm to 0.01 ppm; and in date is lowered from 0.05 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for sec-butylamine in peanuts, apricot, prune, cranberry, grape, date, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.1 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for tebuthiuron in peanuts, apricot, prune, cranberry, grape, date, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.02 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for tolyfloxysulfuron in almond is lowered from 0.02 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for phenothrin in peanuts, apricot, prune, cranberry, grape, date, pecan, almond, walnut and other nuts is lowered from 0.02 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
- The MRL for tetrachlorvinphos in grape is lowered from 10 ppm to 0.01 ppm.
For buprofezin and fipronil, the deadline for comments is October 3, 2017. For the others the deadline is October 6, 2017.
For further information, please contact us at inc@nutfruit.org.
Ukrainian Nut Association Conference
The event counted on the presence of a number of experts, growers, exporters and government officials, including the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine, to debate about the development of the nut industry in Ukraine, especially walnuts and hazelnuts. INC Senator, Mr. Hubert Berrebi attended the event.
Conference topics included research and development of walnut varieties, economics of planting, the work of the Ukrainian Nut Association, and prospects and opportunities for the financial support of nut growers.
The Ukrainian Nut Association was registered in the Justice Ministry of Ukraine in late 2008. Its main goal is the development of the nut industry in Ukraine. Main priorities include research in new varieties (institutes, botanical gardens and arboreta), advanced technologies, nurseries (walnut, hazelnut, almond and chestnut) and plantations. Special attention is given to harvesting, storage, processing (nut kernels, oil, canned food, beverages and briquettes), marketing and exportation. Today the association is represented by 23 affiliated branches in Ukraine and by representatives in Europe, Middle East, Chile and USA.
The association estimates that there were more than 8,000 hectares of walnut and 1,200 ha of hazelnut planted, and expects the country to plant 2,500 additional hectares in 2017, of which 1,520 ha are of walnut; 890 ha of hazelnut; 40 ha of almond.