Dietary Supplementation of Almond Prevents Oxidative Stress by Advocating Antioxidants and Attenuates Impaired Aversive Memory in Male Rats.
Scopolamine, an anti-muscarinic agent, has been shown to induce amnesia and oxidative stress similar to that observed in the older age. The present study was designed to determine the relationship between the oxidative status and memory improvement in scopolamine injected rats pre-administered with almonds. Rats (n = 8) in the almond group were administered orally with 400 mg/kg almond suspension for 28 days daily before the intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg). Passive avoidance task (PAT) was used to assess memory function at the end of treatment. The present study revealed that scopolamine injection significantly impaired the memory function in rats pre-treated with saline which was accompanied by increased oxidative stress as evident by increased brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes as compared to healthy controls. Pre-treatment with almond significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced oxidative stress and memory dysfunction. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with almonds may have a beneficial effect in reducing the risk of oxidative stress-induced memory loss and delaying or preventing the onset of age-related memory impairment.
A Walnut-Enriched Diet Affects Gut Microbiome in Healthy Caucasian Subjects: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.
Regular walnut consumption is associated with better health. We have previously shown that eight weeks of walnut consumption (43 g/day) significantly improves lipids in healthy subjects. In the same study, gut microbiome was evaluated. We included 194 healthy subjects (134 females, 63 ± 7 years, BMI 25.1 ± 4.0 kg/m²) in a randomized, controlled, prospective, cross-over study. Following a nut-free run-in period, subjects were randomized to two diet phases (eight weeks each); 96 subjects first followed a walnut-enriched diet (43 g/day) and then switched to a nut-free diet, while 98 subjects followed the diets in reverse order. While consuming the walnut-enriched diet, subjects were advised to either reduce fat or carbohydrates or both to account for the additional calories. Fecal samples were collected from 135 subjects at the end of the walnut-diet and the control-diet period for microbiome analyses. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing data was clustered with a 97% similarity into Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). UniFrac distances were used to determine diversity between groups. Differential abundance was evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. All analyses were performed using Rhea. Generalized UniFrac distance shows that walnut consumption significantly affects microbiome composition and diversity. Multidimensional scaling (metric and non-metric) indicates dissimilarities of approximately 5% between walnut and control (p = 0.02). The abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Bifidobacteria increased significantly (p < 0.02) while Clostridium sp. cluster XIVa species (Blautia; Anaerostipes) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during walnut consumption. The effect of walnut consumption on the microbiome only marginally depended on whether subjects replaced fat, carbohydrates or both while on walnuts. Daily intake of 43 g walnuts over eight weeks significantly affects the gut microbiome by enhancing probiotic- and butyric acid-producing species in healthy individuals. Further evaluation is required to establish whether these changes are preserved during longer walnut consumption and how these are linked to the observed changes in lipid metabolism.
Nut Consumption and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From CALGB 89803 (Alliance).
Purpose Observational studies have reported increased colon cancer recurrence and mortality in patients with states of hyperinsulinemia, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high glycemic load diet. Nut intake has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. However, the effect of nut intake on colon cancer recurrence and survival is not known. Patients and Methods We conducted a prospective, observational study of 826 eligible patients with stage III colon cancer who reported dietary intake on food frequency questionnaires while enrolled onto a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we assessed associations of nut intake with cancer recurrence and mortality. Results After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, compared with patients who abstained from nuts, individuals who consumed two or more servings of nuts per week experienced an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for disease-free survival of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.92; Ptrend = .03) and an HR for overall survival of 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.74; Ptrend = .01). In subgroup analysis, the apparent benefit was confined to tree nut intake (HR for disease-free survival, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.85; Ptrend = .04; and HR for overall survival, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.82; Ptrend = .04). The association of total nut intake with improved outcomes was maintained across other known or suspected risk factors for cancer recurrence and mortality. Conclusion Diets with a higher consumption of nuts may be associated with a significantly reduced incidence of cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III colon cancer.
A High Nut Consumption May Be Associated With a Reduced Incidence of Cancer Recurrence
In total, 826 patients with stage III colon cancer were included in the study. Patients reported dietary intake on food frequency questionnaires while enrolled onto a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial. After a follow-up of 6.5 years, patients who consumed two or more servings of nuts per week were compared with patients who abstained from nuts. Results showed that those who regularly consumed at least two one-ounce servings of nuts each week showed a 42% improvement in disease-free survival and a 57% improvement in overall survival.
In conclusion, diets with higher nut consumption may be associated with a significantly reduced incidence of cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III of colon cancer.
The study was supported by the INC-NREF.
Fadelu, T., Zhang, S., Niedzwiecki, D., Ye, X., Saltz, L.B., Mayer, R.J.,… & Fuchs, C.S. (2018). Nut Consumption and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From CALGB 89803 (Alliance). Journal of Clinical Oncology. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.75.5413.
Can Prunes Help You Improve Your Intestinal Health?
The study included a total of 120 healthy adults who had a low fiber intake and a stool frequency of 3-6 times per week. Each participant took one of the three following treatments: 80 g/day of prunes (plus 300 ml/day of water); 120 g/day of prunes (plus 300 ml/day of water) or control (300 ml/day water) for 4 weeks. Stool weight was the primary outcome and determined by 7-day stool collection. Secondary outcomes as stool frequency and consistency were also measured, among others.
Results showed that both groups supplemented with prunes increased the stool weight and improved stool frequency when compared with the non-prunes consumer group (control). There was also a greater increase in Bifidobacteria across the prune-groups.
In conclusion, researchers found that prunes significantly improved gut transit in healthy individuals with infrequent stool habits and low fiber intake.
Lever, E., Scott, S. M., Louis, P., Emery, P. W., & Whelan, K. (2018). The effect of prunes on stool output, gut transit time and gastrointestinal microbiota: A randomised controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 30, 1e9.
Can Prunes Help You Improve Your Intestinal Health?
The study included a total of 120 healthy adults who had a low fiber intake and a stool frequency of 3-6 times per week. Each participant took one of the three following treatments: 80 g/day of prunes (plus 300 ml/day of water); 120 g/day of prunes (plus 300 ml/day of water) or control (300 ml/day water) for 4 weeks. Stool weight was the primary outcome and determined by 7-day stool collection. Secondary outcomes as stool frequency and consistency were also measured, among others.
Results showed that both groups supplemented with prunes increased the stool weight and improved stool frequency when compared with the non-prunes consumer group (control). There was also a greater increase in Bifidobacteria across the prune-groups.
In conclusion, researchers found that prunes significantly improved gut transit in healthy individuals with infrequent stool habits and low fiber intake.
Lever, E., Scott, S. M., Louis, P., Emery, P. W., & Whelan, K. (2018). The effect of prunes on stool output, gut transit time and gastrointestinal microbiota: A randomised controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 30, 1e9.
A High Nut Consumption May Be Associated With a Reduced Incidence of Cancer Recurrence
In total, 826 patients with stage III colon cancer were included in the study. Patients reported dietary intake on food frequency questionnaires while enrolled onto a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial. After a follow-up of 6.5 years, patients who consumed two or more servings of nuts per week were compared with patients who abstained from nuts. Results showed that those who regularly consumed at least two one-ounce servings of nuts each week showed a 42% improvement in disease-free survival and a 57% improvement in overall survival.
In conclusion, diets with higher nut consumption may be associated with a significantly reduced incidence of cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III of colon cancer.
The study was supported by the INC-NREF.
Fadelu, T., Zhang, S., Niedzwiecki, D., Ye, X., Saltz, L.B., Mayer, R.J.,… & Fuchs, C.S. (2018). Nut Consumption and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From CALGB 89803 (Alliance). Journal of Clinical Oncology. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.75.5413.
Canada: MRLs Update
The recommended MRL for flazasulfuron in grapes is 0.01 ppm.
The final date for comments is April 9, 2018.
Proposed Registration Decision. Flazasulfuron Herbicide and Flazasulfuron 25WG Herbicide. PRD2018-03.
Canada: Front-of-Package Labeling
The proposed Regulations would amend the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) to add a new front-of-package (FOP) labelling requirement for foods containing nutrients of public health concern (sodium, saturated fats and/or sugars) at or above a certain threshold, to enable Canadians to more easily identify foods high in these nutrients and help reduce potential health risks.
With the aim of collecting input on the proposed regulations and nutrition symbols, Health Canada launched a 75-day public comment period (from February 10, 2018 to April 26, 2018). The online survey is open to consumers, industry members and associated groups, health professionals and associated groups, non-government groups, consumer associations, academics and researchers, and all levels of government.
Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Food and Drugs Act (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Partially Hydrogenated Oils and Vitamin D)
Brazil: MRLs Update
- The security period of mancozeb for fig cultures is changed from 21 days to 10 days.
- The MRL of piridaben for grape culture is changed from 0.1 ppm to 0.2 ppm.
- The MRL of flupyradifurone for grape culture is set at 2 ppm with a safety security period of 7 days.
For mancozeb and piridaben, the final date for comments was February 28, 2018.
For flupyradifurone, the final date for comments is March 23, 2018.
M02-Mancozeb
P35-Piridaben
F69-Flupyradifurone