Intake of n-3 LCPUFA and trans-fatty acids is unrelated to development in body mass index and body fat among children

Background The number of children and adolescents with obesity has increased worldwide. Some studies have found an increase in the intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) to be beneficial for weight and obesity status. The objectives of this study were to examine if intake of trans-fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 LCPUFA at school start was associated with weight and body fat development in the following 3 and 7 years, and if substituting other fats for n-3 LCPUFA in regression models influenced weight and body fat development. Methods A total of 285 children (boys:130, girls:155) were included in this study. Weight, height and skinfold thickness (SF) of children were measured at age 6, 9 and 13 years by trained research personnel. Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between n-3 LCPUFA or TFA intake and subsequent changes in body mass index (BMI) or SF. To investigate substitution effects, we constructed regression models including information on n-3 LCPUFA and all other energy given components of the diet, except for the nutrient to be substituted (all other fats and specific subgroups; saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)). Results No significant associations were observed between intake of TFA or n-3 LCPUFA and changes in BMI and SF. Also, results from regression analysis showed substituting other fats for n-3 LCPUFA did not associate with BMI or SF development. Conclusion The lack of associations between n-3 LCPUFA and TFA and adiposity suggests that fat composition in the diet does not play a major role in obesity development among school-aged children.

THE BOUILLON TABLES FROM TURKEY: DETERMINATON OF CIS-TRANS FATTY ACID PROFILES BY CAPILLARY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

Nowadays, commmercial bouillon tablets are mostly used as a flavor enhancer substant or an instant product in Turkish cuisine. As chemical structure, Trans FAs are unsaturated fatty acids having at least one double bond in its trans geometric configuration. Trans FA are occured by the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils in the manufacturing of margarine and vegetable shortening. In this study, industrially produced commmercial bouillon tablet (n=14) samples from Turkey were analyzed by capillary (DB 23 column) gas chromatography method and an under controlled temperature oven programm with particular emphasis on cis–trans fatty acid profiles. The bouillon samples were collected as two goups (first group containing animal additives [AAB n=12] and second group including vegatable additives [VAB n=2]). There is no detailed information on fatty acid (FA) compounds, including trans fatty acids (TFAs), of consumed several commercial boullions in Turkey. There is no “trans fatty acid-free” declaration on various bouillon labels in Turkey. Large variations were observed among the cis–trans FA profiles of the boullion samples from Turkey,despite the fact that the samples are produced in the same production conditions.The palmitic (PAM) levels (predominant cis saturated FAs for all samples) of AAB samples (32.63–44.44%) were more high rather than the VAB samples (47.62–50.64%). Other major saturated FAs for AAB and VAB samples were determined stearic ( (5.28–9.90% AAB and 6.33–6.73% VAB), lauric (0.19– 5.84% AAB and 1.13–1.30% VAB) and myristic acids (0.86–2.61% AAB and 1.39–1.45% VAB).The changes of oleic (OLA) acid (from other predominant cis monounsaturated FA) of VAB samples (30.75–33.45%) were high than those of AABs (12.64–29.35%). The ranges of LO, an essential /nutritional fatty acid and the predominant FA of PUFAs, and PUFAs of AAB – except two samples– commercial bouillon samples (0.45–9.82% and 0.45–9.97% ) were low rather than VAA samples (7.97–8.14% and 8.14–8.35 %). Conjugated Linoleic (CLA) FAs, having nutritional FAs having anti-carcinogenic, antioxidative and anti-atherosclerotic effects, were determined in small amounts for only six samples (0.03% to 0.06% ). Elaidic acid (C18:1 trans acid) content, the mainly trans FA in all boullion, was within the range of 20.00–27.32% in the AAB samples, and it was significantly higher than the range in VAB samples (0.08–0.14%). Total trans fatty acids (TFAs) were another important major (second) FAs for all bouillon samples. The changes of Trans/Cis ratio ranged between 0.26 and 0.50 for AAB samples but VB samples has a little values from 0.002 to 0.003. Turkish vegetable boullion. samples have low total trans FA contents (0.19–0.26%) than the animal boullion samples (20.19–28.78%).There are a large variation and significant (P<0.05) differences were statistically determined among major cis FAs (PAM, SA, OLA, LO and LN) and their involved parameters (SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs). The consumed several commercial boullions in Turkey were classified and characterized chemometric method (Principal Component Analysis, PCA) based on some fatty acid profiles and their parameters. Applying PCA to the all bouillon samples data determined the percentage of total variance explained by the first two PCs were 49.3% and 21.8% (totally 71.1%), respectively.

A healthy dietary pattern with a low inflammatory potential reduces the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

Purpose An optimal diet for lowering the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still to be defined, but may comprise of nutrient intakes, dietary patterns, diet quality, and eating frequency. This study was designed to investigate the contribution of diet in developing GDM in a comprehensive way. Methods The dietary intake of overweight or obese women, a risk group for GDM (n = 351), was assessed using 3-day food diaries and diet quality questionnaires in early pregnancy. Eating frequency and nutrient intakes were calculated, and dietary patterns identified using principal component analysis. The inflammatory potential of the diet was determined by calculating the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and energy-adjusted DII (E-DII™). GDM was diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 gestational weeks. Results Higher adherence to ‘healthier dietary pattern’ characterized by consumptions of vegetables and rye bread associated with a reduced risk of GDM (adjusted OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11–0.70). Higher E-DII score, indicating pro-inflammatory diet, was associated with a 27% higher risk of GDM (adjusted OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.08–1.49) for each E-DII point. In the evaluation of nutrient intakes, total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and trans fatty acids were higher and fiber lower in women developing GDM compared to women not developing GDM (all p < 0.05). Intakes of total fat, SFAs, and trans fatty acids were also significant predictors for GDM (all p < 0.05). Conclusions The results emphasize the importance of an overall healthy diet and limitation of foods with SFAs, and other nutrients with a high inflammatory potential in reducing the risk of GDM. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01922791, August 14, 2013.

Ultra-processed Foods are the Major Sources of Total Fat, Saturated and Trans-fatty Acids Among Tunisian Preschool and School Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Excessive intake of fat and fatty acids is associated with major health hazards such as obesity or chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to provide the first data on total fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and trans fatty acids (TFA) intakes and their major food sources in Tunisian children. A total of 1200 children, aged 3 to 9 years old (yo), were randomly selected from primary schools and kindergarten under a cross-sectional design. The 24-hour recall method and food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary intake. The energy percentages of total fat, SFA and TFA in Tunisian children were respectively 29.6, 11.4 and 0.15. No sex differences were found. The WHO recommendations for total fat, SFA and TFA were adopted by 58 %, 39 % and 89 % of the study population, respectively. The leading food groups of fat and fatty acids were ultra-processed foods, breakfast cereals and dairy products. The meat, fish, eggs and fish alternatives were the fifth main contributors to the total fat and SFA intakes in Tunisian children. The implementation of a relevant strategy for fat reduction, especially from ultra-processed foods, considered as low nutrient energy-dense products, is needed to promote health among children and prevent diet-related chronic diseases.

FRACTIONATION OF OIL OF A NEW LINE OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS

The main methods of obtaining fractionated oils and fats have been analysed. They involve three essentially different processes of fractionation of acylglycerols: dry fractionation, aqueous fractionation with a detergent, and solvent fractionation. Considerable attention has been paid to determining the conditions for fractionation of sunflower oil modified in its fatty acid composition. It has been emphasised that using stearic sunflower oil free from trans fatty acids as a source of fats is a topical task. The practical importance of complex research on fractional crystallisation of stearic sunflower oil has been substantiated. The experiments have allowed establishing the fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of the oil of the new line of sunflower seeds of the saturated type Х114В (stearic type). The structure of its acylglycerols has been mathematically determined. Data have been obtained that besides the increased stearic acid content (9.1% of the total fatty acids), the oil under study also contains a significant amount of the disaturated–monounsaturated fraction of acylglycerols (6.16%). The method of fractionating sunflower oil of the stearic type, which has been scientifically substantiated, involves one-stage fractional crystallisation from the melt. The conditions of fractional crystallisation have been experimentally established: the crystallisation temperature range (+6 – +9°С), the crystallisation time (38 days), and the cooling rate (≈0.0051°С/s). The target fraction of sunflower oil of the stearic type has been obtained. It differs from the original oil in its fatty acid and acylglycerol composition. The yield of this oil fraction was 24.57%. It has been found that the fatty acid composition of this fraction has a content of palmitic acid increased by 0.9% and that of stearic acid higher by 3.3%, while its linoleic acid content decreased to 41.9%. The total amount of saturated fatty acids in the target fraction sample is 19.8% of all fatty acids. It has been found that the proportion of disaturated–monounsaturated acylglycerols in the target fraction increases by 3.27%. The resulting target fraction will be useful in flour and confectionery technologies as a substitute for fats containing trans fatty acids

Assessment of Industrially Produced Trans Fatty Acids in Traditional Dishes, Arabic Sweets, and Market Food Products and Its Risks on Non-communicable Diseases in Lebanon

Industrially produced trans fatty acids (IP-TFAs) are a major dietary contributor to non-communicable diseases worldwide. To address the industrially produced trans fatty acids food sources in Lebanon, a mapping exercise was enrolled between January 2019 and April 2021 to establish a national database. The 2019 survey was a pooled data from five separate sources and had relatively 30 types of traditional dishes. In contrast, the subsequent surveys in 2020 had a sample of 35 types of Arabic sweets and 80 types of market food products. The 2021 survey covered all types of butter and margarine available in the Lebanese markets. Our findings show that about 93% of the products tested in Lebanon, between 2019 and 2021, met the World Health Organization recommendations, while about 7% exceeded the limit. The mean level of the IP-TFAs elaidic and linolelaidic acids in most traditional dishes (0.9%), Arabic sweets (0.6%), butter, and margarine (1.6%), and market foods (0.52%) were relatively low compared with other countries. Although trans fatty acids have a small impact on heart disease mortality in Lebanon, they are unquestionably significant. The persistence of food products with high quantities of trans fatty acids poses a health risk to Lebanese citizens. Fortunately, proper laws in Lebanon can easily remedy this situation.

Non-Conjugated-Industrially-Produced-Trans Fatty in Lebanese Foods: The Case of Elaidic and Linolelaidic Acids

To determine Industrially-Produced Trans fatty acids (IP-TFAs) distribution of Lebanese traditional foods, especially regarding Elaidic acid (EA; 9t18:1) and Linolelaidic acid (LEA; 9t12t18:2), a mapping exercise was enrolled between January 2019 and April 2021 in which 145 food samples of three categories (traditional dishes, Arabic sweets, and market food products) were analyzed using Gas chromatography methods. Results showed that about 93% of the products tested in Lebanon, between 2019 and 2021, met the World Health Organization recommendations, while about 7% exceeded the limit. The mean level of the IP-TFAs Elaidic and Linolelaidic acid in most Traditional dishes (0.9%), Arabic sweets (0.6%), butter and margarine (1.6%), and market foods (0.52%) were relatively low compared with other countries. Despite that, the relative impact of IP-TFAs on heart diseases mortality in Lebanon is limited but unambiguously still substantial. The persistence of food products with high IP-TFAs levels threatens the health of Lebanese people. Fortunately, this problem is fairly easy to solve in Lebanon via proper legislation.