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At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Dietary oestrogens and male fertility potential.

Reports of increased incidences of male reproductive abnormalities and falling sperm counts have prompted interest into the nature of these threats to global fertility. Xenoestrogens have been flagged as major culprits but to date, little is known about the effects of dietary phytoestrogens on male reproductive health. These non-steroidal oestrogens of plant origin are potent endocrine disruptors that modulate normal physiological functions. Phytoestrogens have become a major component in the typical Western fast food diet over the last few decades. Soy formula milk is another common source of phytoestrogens, now used increasingly as an alternative to breast or cow's milk for infants with allergies. This use is of particular concern since the most vulnerable periods for oestrogenic insult are thought to be the pre- and neonatal periods when irreversible damage can be inflicted on the developing germinal epithelium. Studies into the safety of phytoestrogens are urgently needed either to allay fears or increase awareness of the effects of our modern diet on future fertility.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Environmental concerns and diet in Singapore.

Many factors affect how people perceive the world and their environment, and how such perceptions affect lifestyle decisions, yet the relationship between personal perceptions about environmental hazards and diet is rarely examined. In this study, environmental concerns on a local and global scale were examined, along with dietary patterns, to determine if there were associations and age-related differences. The hypothesis that concerns about water pollution might be reflected in choices about seafood consumption was examined. Many aspects of dietary choices varied significantly by age, including (1) younger people ate more "fast food" than others, (2) subjects aged 22-32 yr ate more meals in restaurants than older or younger people, (3) older individuals drank more tea than younger subjects, while younger people drank more soda than older people, and (4) there were few significant differences in total fish and shellfish meals, although young people ate more meals of other types of meat. Individuals who rated their health the best reported significantly fewer seafood meals than others. People who listed pollution as the major environmental problem did not consume seafood less often than others. While pollution was listed as the most important environmental problem globally, people distinguished between air and water pollution only for Singapore. Although Singapore, with its rapidly expanding economy, has reason to be concerned about both water and air pollution, only 14% of those listing pollution as the main Singapore environmental problem mentioned "water pollution." Singapore has been able to take measures to reduce water pollution from internal sources. Respondents considered air pollution a greater problem, perhaps reflecting recent haze disasters from deliberately set forest fires in Indonesia, which are beyond the direct control of Singapore or Singaporeans.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Exposures to carbon dioxide in the poultry processing industry.

The use of dry ice has increased dramatically in poultry processing plants because of changes in the fast food industry. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in four such plants were measured and were found to exceed the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health Level (50,000 ppm) inside holding coolers where ventilation is poor. In other areas, where dry ice is delivered to poultry packages, time-weighted average exposures can exceed the threshold limit value of 5000 ppm by substantial margins, even if local exhaust ventilation systems are present. Reports of adverse health effects from carbon dioxide exposure and various control measures are reviewed. Recommendations regarding sampling and analytical techniques also are presented. Operators of poultry plants where dry ice is used need to recognize the occupational hazards of exposure to carbon dioxide.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A nationwide case-control study of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection in the United States.

Risk factors for Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection were investigated in a case-control study at 10 medical centers throughout the United States. Among 73 case-patients and 142 matched controls, exposures in the 7 days before illness associated with E. coli O157:H7 infection in univariate analysis included consumption of hamburger (matched odds ratio [MOR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-7.9), undercooked hamburger (MOR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.6-12.2), or hot dogs (MOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.4); eating at a fast-food restaurant (MOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.6); drinking unchlorinated well water (MOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.7); swimming in a pond (MOR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.1-26.0); and having a household member with diarrhea (MOR, 11.9; 95% CI, 2.7-53.5). In multivariate analysis, only eating undercooked hamburger remained associated with infection. Seven (8%) of 93 patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and 1 died. Prevention strategies aimed at modifying risk factors may help to reduce the risk of infection with E. coli O157:H7.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Honey increased saliva, plasma, and urine content of total nitrite concentrations in normal individuals.

This study investigated effects of oral honey solution on total nitrite, a stable nitric oxide metabolite, in saliva, plasma, and urine samples collected from normal subjects. Fourteen adult healthy volunteers, 25-50 years old, nine males and three females, were enrolled in the study. Total nitrite was estimated in saliva, plasma, and urine after 14 hours of food fasting. Each subject was then asked to drink honey solution (80 g of raw honey dissolved in 250 mL of water). Saliva and blood samples were collected at 1, 2, and 3 hours after ingestion of honey solution for total nitrite assay, while urine samples were collected after 3 hours for total nitrite assay. The mean total fasting nitrite in saliva was 108 +/- 61.3 micromol/L, which was increased to 130 +/- 62.9, 131.2 +/- 59, and 135.1 +/- 64.3 micromol/L at 1, 2, and 3 hours, respectively. Plasma total nitrite was 22.41 +/- 16.22 micromol/L before drinking honey, which was increased to 34.71 +/- 18.13, 29.38 +/- 14.29, and 33 +/- 13.09 micromol/L at 1, 2, and 3 hours, respectively, after drinking honey. Urine total nitrite before drinking honey was 75.8 +/- 54.79 micromol/L, which was increased to 107.8 +/- 70.83 micromol/L 3 hours after ingestion of honey solution. Although not statistically significant, honey solution showed a tendency to increase total nitrite concentration in different biological fluids from humans, including saliva, plasma, and urine.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

trans Fatty acids in human milk are inversely associated with concentrations of essential all-cis n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and determine trans, but not n-6 and n-3, fatty acids in plasma lipids of breast-fed infants.

BACKGROUND: Human milk fatty acids vary with maternal dietary fat composition. Hydrogenated dietary oils with trans fatty acids may displace cis n-6 and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids or have adverse effects on their metabolism. The effects of milk trans, n-6, and n-3 fatty acids in breast-fed infants are unclear, although n-6 and n-3 fatty acids are important in infant growth and development. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the relations between trans and cis unsaturated fatty acids in milk and plasma phospholipids and triacylglycerols of breast-fed infants, and to identify the major maternal dietary sources of trans fatty acids. DESIGN: We collected milk from 103 mothers with exclusively breast-fed 2-mo-old infants, blood from 62 infants, and 3-d dietary records from 21 mothers. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SEM) percentages of trans fatty acids were as follows: milk, 7.1 +/- 0.32%; infants' triacylglycerols, 6.5 +/- 0. 33%; and infants' phospholipids, 3.7 +/- 0.16%. Milk trans fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) (P < 0.001), and linoleic acid (18:2n-6) (P = 0.007) were each related to the same fatty acid in infant plasma phospholipids. Milk trans fatty acids were inversely related to milk 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, but not to milk or infant plasma 20:4n-6 or 22:6n-3. trans Fatty acids represented 7.7% of maternal total fat intake (2.5% of total energy); the major dietary sources were bakery products and breads (32%), snacks (14%), fast foods (11%), and margarines and shortenings (11%). CONCLUSIONS: There were comparable concentrations of trans fatty acids in the maternal diet, breast milk, and plasma triacylglycerols of breast-fed infants. Prepared foods were the major dietary source of trans fatty acids.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2003

Individual versus corporate responsibility for smoking-related illness: Australian press coverage of the Rolah McCabe trial.

This paper provides a thematic frame analysis of Australian newspaper reporting of the outcome and implications of the trial of Rolah McCabe versus British American Tobacco Australasia (BATA). In this trial, a Melbourne woman was awarded A$700,000 damages for smoking-attributable lung cancer when the defendant, BATA, had its case dismissed due to document destruction. In 60 commentaries from Australian national or capital city newspapers between 12 April and 9 May 2002, a total of 79 instances of eight tobacco-related frames were identified. Overall, 43% of the 79 instances were positive for tobacco control, 46% were negative for tobacco control and 11% were neutral. The most common frame that was negative for tobacco control (in 35% of articles) was the conception that smokers exert 'free will' in deciding to smoke and should therefore be personally responsible for their smoking and any disease that arises as a result of it. A related, but less commonly employed frame (in 18% of articles) was the expressed fear of a 'slippery slope' of litigation, which portrayed smoking as similar to eating fast food or other 'vices'. The most common frame that was positive for tobacco control (in 35% of articles) was the notion that the tobacco industry was 'evil' and, to a lesser extent, that the government should 'do more' to control smoking (15% of articles). These findings provide a sobering public health challenge to improve public communication efforts about the powerful forces that conspire to induce people to start smoking and keep them smoking for decades, despite a strong desire to quit. There is a need to fund public education programs and quit smoking services more adequately to address the complex education task of understanding the nature of addiction to tobacco and the enormity of the health risk.

Australia↗
PubMed2005

Young people and healthy eating: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators.

A systematic review was conducted to examine the barriers to, and facilitators of, healthy eating among young people (11-16 years). The review focused on the wider determinants of health, examining community- and society-level interventions. Seven outcome evaluations and eight studies of young people's views were included. The effectiveness of the interventions was mixed, with improvements in knowledge and increases in healthy eating but differences according to gender. Barriers to healthy eating included poor school meal provision and ease of access to, relative cheapness of and personal taste preferences for fast food. Facilitators included support from family, wider availability of healthy foods, desire to look after one's appearance and will-power. Friends and teachers were generally not a common source of information. Some of the barriers and facilitators identified by young people had been addressed by soundly evaluated effective interventions, but significant gaps were identified where no evaluated interventions appear to have been published (e.g. better labelling of food products), or where there were no methodologically sound evaluations. Rigorous evaluation is required particularly to assess the effectiveness of increasing the availability of affordable healthy food in the public and private spaces occupied by young people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Results of a screening method used in a 12-month stool survey for Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 has been epidemiologically linked to outbreaks of hemorrhagic colitis associated with fast-food restaurants and nursing homes. Sporadic cases now exceed those associated with outbreaks. The incidence of the organism in patients with common diarrhea syndromes and in asymptomatic persons is unknown. Routine serotyping of E. coli isolates is impractical for most clinical microbiology laboratories. We developed a screening plate by utilizing sorbitol fermentation as a biochemical marker to identify organisms for serotyping. A total of 2,552 stool samples were screened. In 106 (4.1%), sorbitol-negative E. coli were identified. Of these, two were serotype O157:H7, and both produced a Vero cell toxin. One patient had hemorrhagic colitis and the other a mild, febrile, self-limited diarrhea with no other bacterial pathogen identified. This plate provides an easy, effective method of screening for sorbitol-negative E. coli, a process facilitating the selection of organisms for serotyping and one that may help clarify this organism's role in human disease.

Canada↗
PubMed1994

Emerging infectious diseases in the United States, 1993.

Three outbreaks of disease in the United States in 1993 caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7, Cryptosporidium organisms, and a previously unrecognized hantavirus clearly illustrate the increasing challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases. The largest US outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection reported occurred as a result of contaminated hamburgers served at a fast-food restaurant chain. The largest recorded waterborne disease outbreak in US history was due to contamination of a municipal water supply with cryptosporidia. In the southwestern United States, hantavirus was first recognized as the cause of a pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate exceeding 50%. The detection of and response to these outbreaks document the need for a strong partnership between the clinical and public health sectors to prevent and control diseases. Health care reform in the United States provides an opportunity to address critical needs, such as improved surveillance and diagnosis, to ensure timely detection of and rapid response to newly emerging infectious diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Long-term dietary habits affect soy isoflavone metabolism and accumulation in prostatic fluid in caucasian men.

The soy isoflavones daidzein and genistein are believed to reduce prostate cancer risk in soy consumers. However, daidzein can be metabolized by the intestinal flora to form a variety of compounds with different bioactivities. In the current study, we investigated the influence of long-term dietary habits on daidzein metabolism in healthy Caucasian men (19-65 y old). A secondary goal was to compare plasma and prostatic fluid concentrations of 5 isoflavonoids: genistein, daidzein, equol, dihydrodaidzein, and O-desmethylangolensin. Baseline plasma levels of isoflavonoids were quantitated in 45 men by HPLC-electrospray ionization-MS. Participants then consumed a soy beverage daily for 1 wk, and post-soy isoflavonoid levels were quantitated in plasma and prostatic fluid. Equol was the only metabolite that appeared to be influenced by routine dietary habits. Stratified analyses revealed that men who had consumed > or =30 mg soy isoflavones/d for at least 2 y had 5.3-times the probability of producing equol than men who had consumed < or =5 mg/d (P = 0.014). Additionally, those men who consumed animal meat regularly had 4.7-times the probability of producing equol than men who did not consume meat (P = 0.023). Equol production was not linked to age, BMI, or the consumption of yogurt, dairy, fruit, or American-style fast food. Daidzein and its metabolites (but not genistein) were typically present at higher levels in prostate fluid than plasma (median = 4-13 times that in plasma). In conclusion, our data suggest that the ability of Caucasian men to produce equol is favorably influenced by the long-term consumption of high amounts of soy and the consumption of meat. Last, the high concentrations of isoflavonoids in prostatic fluid increases the potential for these compounds to have direct effects in the prostate.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A shigellosis outbreak traced to commercially distributed shredded lettuce.

In the period August 30-October 7, 1986, 347 persons in adjacent west Texas counties (Ector and Midland) contracted culture-confirmed Shigella sonnei gastroenteritis. A case-control study showed an increased risk of acquiring shigellosis in Ector County with eating at outlets of fast-food Restaurant A, and in Midland County with eating at Restaurant B or C. A second case-control study, of persons who had eaten at Ector County outlets of Restaurant A, showed an increased risk of acquiring shigellosis with eating foods containing shredded lettuce and tomatoes, which were served together (odds ratio = 68.8; 95% confidence interval 8.5-293.1). All implicated restaurants received shredded lettuce produced at one lettuce-shredding plant; two implicated restaurants did not receive tomatoes from the lot delivered to other implicated restaurants. The lettuce-shredding plant distributed shredded lettuce and intact lettuce; restaurants that received only intact lettuce were not involved in the outbreak. Investigation at the lettuce-shredding plant suggested that a food handler might have been the source of contamination and that the method of processing might have allowed cross-contamination to occur. In the laboratory, the outbreak strain of S. sonnei multiplied rapidly on shredded lettuce at 22 C and survived on refrigerated shredded lettuce for at least seven days. This outbreak, one of the largest outbreaks of Shigella infections in the United States in the last decade, indicates that a large, geographically widespread shigellosis outbreak can result from contaminated shredded lettuce that is distributed commercially.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Halting the obesity epidemic: a public health policy approach.

Traditional ways of preventing and treating overweight and obesity have almost invariably focused on changing the behavior of individuals, an approach that has proven woefully inadequate, as indicated by the rising rates of both conditions. Considering the many aspects of American culture that promote obesity, from the proliferation of fast-food outlets to almost universal reliance on automobiles, reversing current trends will require a multifaceted public health policy approach as well as considerable funding. National leadership is needed to ensure the participation of health officials and researchers, educators and legislators, transportation experts and urban planners, and businesses and nonprofit groups in formulating a public health campaign with a better chance of success. The authors outline a broad range of policy recommendations and suggest that an obesity prevention campaign might be funded, in part, with revenues from small taxes on selected products that provide "empty" calories-such as soft drinks-or that reduce physical activity-such as automobiles.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A problem with characteristics of the thin albumen in laying hens.

Industry observations indicate that a proportion of shell eggs exhibit an uncharacteristic spreading of the thin albumen when they are broken-out for fast-food preparation. Because the height and characteristics of the thick albumen are unaffected, the eggs are classified as Grade A. Preliminary observations discounted effects of egg storage or contaminated feed. Two experiments were conducted with Leghorn hens over a full laying cycle, and involved different levels of protein (14, 16, 18, or 20%) and associated amino acids, or different degrees of acid-base balance (150, 200, 250, or 300 mEq/kg). In each trial, treatments were represented by eight replicate groups of four adjacently and individually caged birds. Diet treatment had some effects on conventional production parameters, although there were no major effects on the area of the thin albumen produced when eggs were broken out. In Experiment 1, birds fed the highest level of protein produced eggs with the smallest thin albumen area; however, there was considerable bird to bird variation with thin albumen area varying from 69 to 122 cm2. Ten birds with compact (x 69 cm2) and 10 birds with spreading thin albumen (x 112 cm2) were inseminated with semen from a single, unrelated rooster. Offspring from these hens had significantly (P < 0.01) different thin albumen characteristics corresponding to those of their dams. Offspring producing eggs with the spreading thin albumen had the thickest eggshells as assessed by deformation measurement (P < 0.05). It is proposed that the excessively large spreading thin albumen area is caused by eggs spending more time in the shell gland.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2004

Effects of applying Safe2O poultry wash to broiler wings on shelf life, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonads, Staphylococcus species, and psychrotrophic bacteria levels after three, seven, and ten days of storage.

Bacterial contamination of raw processed poultry continues to be of concern to consumers as well as regulatory and health officials. For many years wings were considered a low-value product; therefore, shelf life of wings was not a major concern. Due to changes in consumer attitudes and increases in the fast-food market, wings are now a valuable commodity. Because wings have a shorter shelf life than most other raw poultry products, acceptable intervention to decrease the population of associated spoilage organisms and human enteropathogens are needed. Safe2O Poultry Wash was evaluated as a postchill treatment to reduce microbial contamination and increase shelf life. Ninety-six carcasses were obtained from a local processor prior to final wash. On arrival at the research facility all carcasses were inoculated with 1 mL of a culture with 10(3) cfu/mL Listeria monocytogenes. After a 30-min attachment time, carcasses were subjected to a 4-s in-out final wash, hung for 3 min, and chilled in ice-water for 45 min. After the chilling, wings were removed by hand with a knife, pooled together, and subjected to a hand spray (4 mL/wing) with deionized water or Safe2O Poultry Wash. Two wings were then placed in each of 96 ziplock type storage bags, and wings were held at 5 +/- 1 degrees C for 3, 7, 10, and 14 d. On the day of sample, weep was decanted, and 100 mL of Butterfield's phosphate buffer was added to each bag. Three sets of wings were shaken by hand for 1 min, and total aerobes, Pseudomonads, Staphylococcus sp., psychrotrophic bacteria, and L. monocytogenes in the rinsates were enumerated. By using 7 log10 recovery of total aerobes from rinsates as a spoilage baseline, all wings were spoiled by d 10, but the wings treated with water were approaching spoilage counts on d 7, (log10 6.8), whereas only log10 5.5 bacteria were recovered from the wings sprayed with Safe2O Poultry Wash. Fewer Pseudomonads, Staphylcoccus sp., L. monocytogenes, and psychrotrophic bacteria were recovered from wings treated with Safe2O Poultry Wash and stored for 10 d. Log10 counts for the organisms were Pseudomonas sp., 8.2 and 6.9; Staphylcoccus sp., 5.5 and 4.9; L. monocytogenes, 5.2 and 4.6; and psychrotrophs, 8.2 and 6.9 for the water and Safe2O Poultry Wash treatments, respectively. Use of the Safe2O Poultry Wash as a postchill treatment on wings could increase the shelf life of wings by up to 3 d.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A collaborative health promotion effort: nursing students and Wendy's Team Up.

Community health nursing students, faculty, and Wendy's fast food restaurant conducted a 2-day health fair that provided health screening, counseling, and educational opportunities for the community, an exciting learning experience for the students, funds for the school of nursing, and good public relations for Wendy's. The authors describe the planning, implementation, and evaluation of this health fair as a student learning activity.

Community Health Nursing↗
PubMed1987

Preeclampsia and reproductive performance in a community of vegans.

Studies at "the Farm," a community of spiritually gathered young people in Summertown, Tenn, have shown that it is possible to sustain a normal pregnancy on a vegan diet. The source of dietary protein (ie, animal or vegetable) does not seem to affect birth weight, as long as vegans are health conscious, receive continuous prenatal care, supplement their diets with prenatal vitamins, calcium, and iron, and apply protein-complementing nutritional principles. Preeclampsia may be caused by a relative prostacyclin deficiency in the face of excessive production of thromboxane A2. A vegan diet (one low in arachidonic acid) might provide protection against this condition, especially if the conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid is inhibited by decreased activity of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase. We examined the maternity care records of 775 vegan mothers for symptoms of preeclampsia, and only one case met the clinical criteria. Since preeclampsia in our culture is frequently associated with unrestrained consumption of "fast foods" (foods having high levels of saturated fat) and rapid weight gain, it is possible that a vegan diet could alleviate most, if not all, of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.

Birth Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fast-Casual Dining: Our Next Eating Passion?

Americans have a new speedy-eating passion: fast-casual dining! Does this mean that now we can forget about McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and the other fast-food restaurants that nutritionists have been railing against? Are they yesterday's news?

Journal Article↗