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Antti Aro

Publications and source records attributed to Antti Aro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The scientific basis for trans fatty acid regulations-is it sufficient? A European perspective.

The C18:1 trans fatty acids (TFA) comprise a variety of positional isomers, but no definite differences have been documented so far between the metabolic and health effects of industrial and ruminant TFA. In Europe the intake of industrially produced TFA (IP-TFA) has declined, and the majority of TFA are of ruminant origin. TFA have been replaced with cis-unsaturates in soft margarines and they have been reduced also in industrial fats, but often by using palm kernel oils. When modifying the dietary fat composition the proportion of saturated plus TFA should be kept to one-third of total dietary fatty acid intake.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy and safety of food fortification with calcium among adults in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of foods fortified with calcium in the adult population in Finland. DESIGN: A simulation study based on the FINDIET 2002 Survey, which estimated habitual food consumption, dietary supplement use and nutrient intakes using 48-hour recall and two 3-day food records, and an Internet survey of the consumption of fortified foods and dietary supplements. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Participants of FINDIET 2002 were 25-64 years old from five areas (n = 2007). Participants of the Internet-based survey (n = 1537) were over 15 years of age from all over the country. RESULTS: If all potentially fortifiable foods were to be fortified with calcium, the proportion of participants with calcium intake below the recommended level (< 800 mg day(-1)) would decrease from 20.3% to 3.0% in men and from 27.8% to 5.6% in women compared with the situation where no foods were fortified. At the same time, the proportion of participants with calcium intake above the tolerable upper intake level (UL, > 2500 mg day(-1)) would increase from 0.6% to 12.7% in men and from 0.1% to 3.8% in women. However, in a probability-based model (11% of all fortifiable foods to be fortified with calcium) the proportion of participants with calcium intake below the recommended level would be 15.7% in men and 23.2% in women. The proportion with intake above the UL in this model would be 1.2% in men and 0.7% in women. CONCLUSIONS: Food fortification would be a relatively effective and safe way to increase the calcium intake of the Finnish adult population.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Orally administered betaine has an acute and dose-dependent effect on serum betaine and plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy humans.

Betaine, i.e., trimethylglycine, is linked to homocysteine metabolism. A 3-mo daily betaine supplementation decreased even normal plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in humans. The pharmacokinetic characteristics and metabolism of betaine in humans have not been investigated in detail. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of orally administered betaine and its acute effect on plasma tHcy concentrations. Healthy volunteers (n = 10; 3 men, 7 women) with normal body weight (mean +/- SD, 69.5 +/- 17.0 kg), 40.8 +/- 12.4 y old, participated in the study. The betaine doses were 1, 3, and 6 g. The doses were mixed with 150 mL of orange juice and ingested after a 12-h overnight fast by each volunteer according to a randomized double-blind crossover design. Blood samples were drawn for 24 h and a 24-h urine collection was performed. Orally administered betaine had an immediate and dose-dependent effect on serum betaine concentration. Single doses of 3 and 6 g lowered plasma tHcy concentrations (P = 0.019 and P < 0.001, respectively), unlike the 1-g dose. After the highest dose, the concentrations remained low during the 24 h of monitoring. The change in plasma tHcy concentration was linearly associated with betaine dose (P = 0.006) and serum betaine concentration (R2 = 0.17, P = 0.025). The absorption and elimination of betaine were dose dependent. The urinary excretion of betaine seemed to increase with an increasing betaine dose, although a very small proportion of ingested betaine was excreted via urine. In conclusion, a single dose of orally administered betaine had an acute and dose-dependent effect on serum betaine concentration and resulted in lowered plasma tHcy concentrations within 2 h in healthy subjects.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

Dietary fat content modifies liver fat in overweight nondiabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Fat accumulation in the liver has been shown to be closely correlated with hepatic insulin resistance and features of insulin resistance, even independent of body weight. The reason for interindividual variation in liver fat content is unknown. Cross-sectional data suggest that dietary fat content may influence liver fat, but this possibility has not been directly tested in humans. DESIGN AND METHODS: Liver fat (proton spectroscopy), intraabdominal and sc fat (magnetic resonance imaging), and markers of insulin sensitivity (insulin, free fatty acids, and lipids) were determined in 10 normal, obese women (age, 43 +/- 5 yr, mean +/- sd; body mass index, 33 +/- 4 kg/m2; range, 27-38 kg/m2) at baseline and after two 2-wk isocaloric periods containing either 16% (low-fat diet) or 56% (high-fat diet) of total energy as fat. RESULTS: Liver fat at baseline averaged 10 +/- 7%. It decreased by 20 +/- 9% during the low-fat diet and increased by 35 +/- 21% during the high-fat diet (P = 0.014 for liver fat after low- vs. high-fat diets; P = 0.042 for change in liver fat by the low- vs. high-fat diet). Fasting serum insulin averaged 70 +/- 41 pmol/liter at baseline. It decreased to 60 +/- 24 pmol/liter during the low-fat diet (P = 0.007 vs. before low-fat diet) and increased to 81 +/- 44 pmol/liter during the high-fat diet (P = 0.040 vs. before high-fat diet; P = 0.005 for change in serum insulin during low- vs. high-fat diet). Serum lipids, free fatty acids, and intraabdominal and sc fat masses were unchanged. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the amount of dietary fat influences liver fat content.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations and risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cohort study in siblings of affected children.

Animal models have indicated that alpha-tocopherol may protect against type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). Epidemiological data on the subject are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of serum alpha-tocopherol concentration and risk of DM1 in a cohort of initially non-diabetic siblings of children affected by DM1 (n = 722). We used two study designs: 1) Siblings who progressed to DM1 were compared with control siblings who remained negative for DM1-associated autoantibodies in a nested case-control study design. 2) All siblings with DM1-associated autoantibodies were prospectively followed for DM1. In both designs, high concentrations of serum alpha-tocopherol tended to be associated with a lower risk of DM1 (p = 0.08 and 0.09, respectively). Although the results did not reach statistical significance, they support the hypothesis that high alpha-tocopherol levels may protect against DM1.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Changes in dietary fat intake alter plasma levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and lipoprotein(a).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of dietary modifications on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-seven healthy women were fed two diets. Both diets contained a reduced amount of total and saturated fat. In addition, one diet was low in vegetables and the other was high in vegetables, berries, and fruit. The dietary intake of total fat was 70 g per day at baseline and decreased to 56 g (low-fat, low-vegetable diet) and to 59 g (low-fat, high-vegetable diet). The saturated fat intake decreased from 28 g to 20 g and to 19 g, and the amount of polyunsaturated fat intake increased from 11 g to 13 g and to 19 g (baseline; low-fat, low-vegetable; low-fat, high-vegetable; respectively). The amount of oxidized LDL in plasma was determined as the content of oxidized phospholipid per ApoB-100 using a monoclonal antibody EO6 (OxLDL-EO6). The median plasma OxLDL-EO6 increased by 27% (P<0.01) in response to the low-fat, low-vegetable diet and 19% (P<0.01) in response to the low-fat, high-vegetable diet. Also, the Lp(a) concentration was increased by 7% (P<0.01) and 9% (P=0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the dietary fat intake resulted in increased plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) and OxLDL-EO6.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Burnout patterns in rehabilitation: short-term changes in job conditions, personal resources, and health.

This longitudinal study reports the patterning of the burnout symptoms and the changes in employees' job conditions, personal resources, and psychological health 4 months after a rehabilitation intervention. The data were gathered by means of questionnaires before and after a rehabilitation period. Four patterns were identified: not burned out (n = 55), exhausted and cynical (n = 36), burned out (n = 26), and low professional efficacy (n = 18). These patterns differed in terms of job resources, personal resources, and depression. There were both positive and negative changes detected in participants' psychological health and job resources at the follow-up. The study shows the importance of identifying different burnout patterns in order to focus rehabilitation activities more effectively.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2004

The effect of low doses of betaine on plasma homocysteine in healthy volunteers.

Homocysteine is a risk factor for vascular diseases, and lowering of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) may be beneficial for health. Homocysteine can be remethylated to methionine by betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase using betaine (2(N,N,N-trimethyl)glycine) as methyl donor. A dose of 6 g betaine/d has been used in the treatment of homocystinuria, but data on the dose-response are scarce. Thirty-four healthy men and women were supplied with doses of 1, 3 and 6 g betaine and then with 6 g betaine+1 mg folic acid for four consecutive 1-week periods. The mean plasma tHcy concentration decreased by 1.1 (NS), 10.0 and 14.0 % (P<0.001) after supplementation with 1, 3 and 6 g betaine respectively. A further decrease in plasma tHcy by 5 % (P<0.01) was achieved by combining 1 mg folic acid with the 6 g betaine dose. Plasma betaine increased from 31 (sd 13) to 255 (sd 136) mumol/l in a dose-dependent manner (R(2) 0.97). We conclude that plasma tHcy is lowered rapidly and significantly by 3 or 6 g betaine/d in healthy men and women.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of equal weight loss with orlistat and placebo on body fat and serum fatty acid composition and insulin resistance in obese women.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fat has been reported to influence insulin sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine how identical weight loss (target: loss of 8% of body weight over 3-6 mo) in women taking orlistat or placebo combined with a hypocaloric diet influences body composition and insulin sensitivity. DESIGN: Forty-seven obese women [body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 32.1 +/- 0.4] were randomly assigned to receive either orlistat (120 mg 3 times daily; n = 23) or placebo (n = 24) with a hypocaloric diet. Whole-body insulin sensitivity (insulin clamp technique), serum fatty acids, and body composition (magnetic resonance imaging) were measured before and after weight loss. RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly at baseline with respect to age, body weight, intraabdominal and subcutaneous fat volumes, or insulin sensitivity. Weight loss did not differ significantly between the orlistat (7.3 +/- 0.2 kg, or 8.3 +/- 0.1%) and placebo (7.4 +/- 0.2 kg, or 8.2 +/- 0.1%) groups. Insulin sensitivity improved significantly (P < 0.001) and similarly after weight loss in the orlistat (from 4.0 +/- 0.3 to 5.1 +/- 0.3 mg x kg fat-free mass(-1) x min(-1)) and placebo (from 4.4 +/- 0.4 to 5.4 +/- 0.4 mg x kg fat-free mass(-1) x min(-1)) groups. Intraabdominal fat and subcutaneous fat decreased significantly in both groups, but the ratio of the 2 decreased significantly only in the orlistat group. The proportion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n-6) in serum phospholipids was inversely related to insulin sensitivity both before (r = -0.48, P < 0.001) and after (r = -0.46, P < 0.001) weight loss, but it did not change significantly in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss rather than inhibition of fat absorption enhances insulin sensitivity. A decrease in fat absorption by orlistat appears to favorably influence the ratio between intraabdominal and subcutaneous fat, which suggests that exogenous fat or its composition influences fat distribution.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Iron status of adults in the capital area of Finland.

BACKGROUND: Enrichment of wheat flour with iron, which commenced in Finland in the mid-1970s, ceased in 1994. No data on iron status among adults have been published since 1993. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the iron status, adequacy of iron intake and dietary sources of iron in Finnish adults. METHODS: A random sample of adults aged 25-64 years in the capital area of Finland was stratified for sex and 10-year age groups. Food consumption was measured with 24-h recall and a 38-item food frequency questionnaire. Iron status was evaluated by haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and other haematological variables from venous blood samples in both genders (n = 239 men and 190 women), and serum ferritin (SF) for women (n = 137). RESULTS: The mean Hb concentration was 133+/-12 g/l and 137 +/- 10 g/l for women aged < 50 years and >/= 50 years, respectively, and 150 +/- 10 g/l for men. In younger women, the mean SF level was 32 +/- 30 micro g/l and 20% of women showed iron depletion (SF < 12 micro g/l),whereas in older women, the respective results were 62 +/- 59 micro g/l and 11 %. The prevalence of anaemia was 5.8 % for women (Hb < 120 g/l) and 1.3 % for men (Hb < 130 g/l). The respective mean intakes of iron were 10 mg/d and 13 mg/d. Cereals and meat were the major dietary sources of iron. CONCLUSIONS: While iron status is fairly good among Finnish males, especially in younger women it is suboptimal,with iron intake failing to reach recommended levels. Food consumption was poorly associated with iron status.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

PASSCLAIM - Diet-related cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has a multifactorial aetiology and many potential risk markers are known. As it was not feasible to discuss all markers and their possible interactions in relation to all aspects of CVD, selections had to be made in this paper. In the context of claims and functional foods, emphasis was placed on those aetiological processes and risk markers that have been shown previously to be modified by diet: lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, haemostatic function, oxidative damage, homocysteine metabolism, and blood pressure. Except for methodological and biological characteristics of these biomarkers, their relationships with the risk of CVD are discussed. For LDL and HDL cholesterol, fasting triacylglycerol, homocysteine, and blood pressure well-validated, easy applicable, and generally accepted biomarkers exist. For haemostatic function and oxidative damage validation of markers with respect to CVD or intermediate clinical markers is recommended. For diet-related CVD, however, the ultimate question is whether changes in the biomarker are truly related to changes in risk. Only for LDL cholesterol and blood pressure does consensus exist among scientists for a possible application as enhanced function claims. For HDL, triacylglycerol, and homocysteine, and in particular for haemostatic function and oxidative damage, however, formal proof is lacking that diet-induced changes in these biomarkers alter the risk of CVD. At the same time, it should be emphasised that CVD is multifactorial. Therefore it does not seem justified that a change in one particular biomarker is enough evidence to substantiate a claim. There are examples of food components or drugs that one biomarker is changed in a favourable way, but at the same time another biomarker is changed in an unfavourable way. Therefore, studies to further validate generic predictors for the CVD risk should be initiated.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Plasma homocysteine concentration is decreased by dietary intervention.

High plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration is reported to be a risk factor for vascular diseases. We investigated the extent to which serum folate and plasma tHcy respond to a high intake of natural folate from food. Thirty-seven healthy females volunteered t o participate in a crossover dietary intervention. The study included a baseline period and two 5-week diet periods (low- and high-folate diets) with a 3-week washout in between. The low-folate diet contained one serving of both vegetables and fruit/d, while during the high-folate diet the subjects ate at least seven servings of vegetables, berries, and citrus fruit/d. Serum and erythrocyte (RBC) folate, serum vitamin B (12), and plasma tHcy concentrations were measured at the base-line and at the end of each diet period. The mean concentrations of serum and RBC folate were 11.0 (SD 3.0) nmol/l and 412 (SD 120) nmol/l at the end of the low-folate diet and 78 (95 % CI 62, 94) % and 14 (95 % CI 8, 20) % higher in response to the high-folate diet (P< 0.001). The serum concentration of vitamin B12 remained unchanged during the intervention. The mean plasma tHcy concentration was 8.0 pmol/ at the end of the low-folate diet and decreased by 13 (95% CI 9, 18) % in response to the high-folate diet (P<0.001). In conclusion, a diet high in fresh berries, citrus fruit, and vegetables effectively increases serum and RBC folate and decreases plasma homocysteine.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Risk analysis applied to food fortification.

OBJECTIVE: To describe how a risk analysis can be applied to food fortification, with emphasis on voluntary fortification and intake levels that might exceed usual dietary levels. DESIGN: Use of the risk analysis model as a frame to classify nutrients according to the risk of exceeding upper safe intake levels. Furthermore, to apply the model when discussing possible consequences of liberal fortification practices on eating behaviour and disease patterns. SETTING: The discussion on food fortification presently going on internationally. RESULTS: Micronutrients can be classified according to their safety margin, i.e. the size of the interval between the recommended intake and the upper safe level of intake. We suggest that nutrients with a small safety margin, i.e. for which the upper safe level is less than five times the recommended intake, be placed in a category A and should be handled with care (retinol, vitamin D, niacin, folate and all minerals). Category B comprises nutrients with an intermediate safety margin (vitamins E, B6, B12 and C), while nutrients that according to present knowledge are harmless even at 100 times the recommendation (vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and biotin) are categorised as C. DISCUSSION: The risk analysis model is a useful tool when assessing the risk of both too low and excess intakes of single micronutrients, but can also be applied to analyse the consequences of fortification practices on eating behaviour and disease patterns. Liberal fortification regulations may, for example, distort the conception of what is healthy food, and drive consumption towards a more unhealthy diet, contributing to the plague of overweight and concomitant increased risk of degenerative diseases. CONCLUSION: The impact of fortification practices on the total eating pattern of a population should become an integrated part of the discussions and regulations connected to the issue.

Food, Fortified↗
PubMed2003

Dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols in relation to glucose metabolism in subjects at high risk of type 2 diabetes: the Botnia Dietary Study.

BACKGROUND: The role of antioxidants in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated cross-sectional relations of dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of antioxidants with glucose metabolism in a high-risk population. DESIGN: The subjects were 81 male and 101 female first- and second-degree, nondiabetic relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes. Antioxidant intake data were based on 3-d food records. Subjects taking supplements containing beta-carotene or alpha-tocopherol were excluded. Plasma antioxidant concentrations were measured by HPLC. By using multiple linear regression analysis and adjusting for demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle covariates, we studied whether dietary and plasma alpha- and beta-carotene, lycopene, and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol were related to fasting and 2-h concentrations of glucose and nonesterified fatty acids during an oral-glucose-tolerance test, to the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, and to measures of beta cell function (incremental 30-min serum insulin concentration during an oral-glucose-tolerance test and first-phase insulin secretion during an intravenous-glucose-tolerance test). RESULTS: In men, dietary carotenoids were inversely associated with fasting plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.05), plasma beta-carotene concentrations were inversely associated with insulin resistance (P = 0.003), and dietary lycopene was directly related to baseline serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (P = 0.034). In women, dietary alpha-tocopherol and plasma beta-carotene concentrations were inversely and directly associated, respectively, with fasting plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.05). In both sexes, cholesterol-adjusted alpha-tocopherol concentrations were directly associated with 2-h plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The data suggest an advantageous association of carotenoids, which are markers of fruit and vegetable intake, with glucose metabolism in men at high risk of type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Associations of dietary fiber with glucose metabolism in nondiabetic relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes: the Botnia Dietary Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study cross-sectional associations of dietary fiber intake with insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance in a population at high risk for type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The subjects consisted of 248 male and 304 female adult nondiabetic relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes. Dietary intake was measured by means of two 3-day food records. Associations of total, water-insoluble, and water-soluble fiber with measures of glucose metabolism based on an oral glucose tolerance test, were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for sex, age, length of education, physical activity, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, and serum triglyceride and HDL cholesterol concentrations. The homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index, the incremental 30-min serum insulin concentration divided by the incremental 30-min glucose concentration, and fasting and 2-h glucose concentrations were the outcome variables. RESULTS: The dietary intake of total as well as water-insoluble and water-soluble fiber was inversely associated with insulin resistance: -0.17 (0.07), P = 0.012; -0.15 (0.07), P = 0.024; and -0.14 (0.07), P = 0.049 [regression coefficients (SE)]. Fiber variables were unrelated to insulin secretion and plasma glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results support evidence that a high intake of dietary fiber is associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity and therefore may have a role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗