Biomedical subjects

H J Zunft

Publications and source records attributed to H J Zunft.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Arabinoxylan-enriched meal increases serum ghrelin levels in healthy humans.

Soluble fibre like arabinoxylan (AX) is thought to have beneficial effects on metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effect of a breakfast enriched in AX fibre on glucose, insulin and ghrelin values. AX-enriched and control breakfasts were served to fifteen young volunteers (nine female, six male). Glucose, insulin and ghrelin responses were measured after the meal. To avoid effects from differences in glucose metabolism, further analysis was restricted to those subjects with known normal glucose regulation (seven female, four male). The AX fibre-enriched breakfast did not significantly change glucose levels for two hours after breakfast, but decreased insulin levels in the entire cohort (p = 0.035). Glucose response was also not significantly different in subjects with normal glucose regulation (p = 0.367), and the insulin responses after an AX-enriched breakfast showed only a tendency towards lower values (p = 0.065). Nevertheless, plasma ghrelin two hours after AX-enriched breakfast was higher than after the control meal (396.1 +/- 36.4 pg/ml vs. 328.3 +/- 32.6 pg/ml, p < 0.001). In subjects with normal glucose regulation, the AX-enriched breakfast increased ghrelin levels without any significant difference in glucose or insulin response. This effect is therefore unlikely to be mediated by insulin, but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Randomized controlled trial of changes in dietary carbohydrate/fat ratio and simple vs complex carbohydrates on body weight and blood lipids: the CARMEN study. The Carbohydrate Ratio Management in European National diets.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effects of changes in dietary carbohydrate/fat ratio and simple vs complex carbohydrates. DESIGN: Randomized controlled multicentre trial (CARMEN), in which subjects were allocated for 6 months either to a seasonal control group (no intervention) or to one of three experimental groups: a control diet group (dietary intervention typical of the average national intake); a low-fat high simple carbohydrate group; or a low-fat high complex carbohydrate group. SUBJECTS: Three hundred and ninety eight moderately obese adults. MEASUREMENTS: The change in body weight was the primary outcome; changes in body composition and blood lipids were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Body weight loss in the low-fat high simple carbohydrate and low-fat high complex carbohydrate groups was 0.9 kg (P < 0.05) and 1.8 kg (P < 0.001), while the control diet and seasonal control groups gained weight (0.8 and 0.1 kg, NS). Fat mass changed by -1.3kg (P< 0.01), -1.8kg (P< 0.001) and +0.6kg (NS) in the low-fat high simple carbohydrate, low-fat high complex carbohydrate and control diet groups, respectively. Changes in blood lipids did not differ significantly between the dietary treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that reduction of fat intake results in a modest but significant reduction in body weight and body fatness. The concomitant increase in either simple or complex carbohydrates did not indicate significant differences in weight change. No adverse effects on blood lipids were observed. These findings underline the importance of this dietary change and its potential impact on the public health implications of obesity.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Relationship between attitudes to health, body weight and physical activity and level of physical activity in a nationally representative sample in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors that influence attitudes and beliefs about the effects of body weight and physical activity on health. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between March and April 1997 in the 15 member states of the EU. SUBJECTS: Approximately 1000 adults aged 15 years plus from each country were selected by quota-controlled sampling; the total sample was of 15,239 persons (7162 males and 8077 females). Data were weighted by population size for each country and by age, gender and regional distribution within countries. RESULTS: Overall 27% of men and 35% of women reported not engaging in any form of recreational activity; rates were highest in those with a primary-level education (37% men, 43% women) compared with tertiary-level education (20% men, 25% women). Recreational activity levels declined with age and tended to be lowest in those who were more physically active at work. Eighteen per cent of respondents believed that physical activity was one of the two greatest influences on health; 13% mentioned body weight, 38% mentioned food, 41% mentioned smoking and 33% mentioned stress. Logistic regression was used to assess for the effects of gender, age, educational level, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, activity level and country on beliefs that body weight and physical activity influenced health. Primary-educated, overweight, ex- and non-smoking women were most likely to mention body weight as an influence; young tertiary-educated, thinner, non-smoking and active males were most likely to mention physical activity. There was wide variation across Europe in reported behaviour and beliefs, which persisted after taking account of all of the other factors in the regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively few people in some countries believed body weight and physical activity were important influences on health. Many people mentioned stress and it might be possible to use this interest to motivate changes in physical activity to relieve stress. It may be important to take a more integrated approach to activity patterns that consider the role of work and recreation. Although social and demographic factors were important, after adjusting for these factors there was still wide between-country variation in reported attitudes, beliefs and behaviour. This will need to be taken into account in any activity promotion campaigns.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Body image perception in relation to recent weight changes and strategies for weight loss in a nationally representative sample in the European Union.

OBJECTIVES: To assess body image perception and satisfaction with current body image across the EU and to explore the influence of sociodemographic variables, body-weight change and strategies for losing weight on body image perception. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted in the 15 member states of the EU between March and April 1997. SUBJECTS: The questionnaire was completed by 15,239 subjects (aged 15 years and upwards). Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS: Just 39% of respondents in the EU were satisfied with their weight and these were more likely to be male (46%) rather than female (31%). Across the EU 29% of Finnish subjects were content with their weight compared with 47% in Belgium and 48% in Luxembourg. The highest percentage of subjects who were content with their body weight was among females who were underweight (58%) and males who were normal weight (66%). A further 20% of underweight females wished to be lighter compared to only 5% of males. Diet was the most frequently selected method for losing weight especially among females wishing to be considerably lighter (27%) while males were as likely to use exercise as diet as a strategy to lose weight. CONCLUSIONS: Geographical and sociodemographical influences on body image perception are evident across the EU. There were clear gender differences in the desire to be thinner with a high proportion of females who were underweight being content to be so.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity in a nationally representative sample in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the attitudes of consumers, in particular their perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity from all EU member states, and having a measure of prevailing levels of activity, inactivity and self-reported body weight and body shape. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using an interview-assisted face-to-face questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between March and April 1997 in the 15 member states of the EU. SUBJECTS: Overall, 15,239 EU subjects, classified according to sex, age (six levels) and highest level of education attained (primary, secondary or tertiary), completed the survey. Sample selection of subjects in each EU member state was quota-controlled to ensure they were nationally representative. RESULTS: The most important motivation for people to participate in physical activity is to maintain good health (42%), to release tension (30%) and to get fit (30%). The importance of the health argument is highest in older persons and in subjects with a primary education level. Only 13% of the EU population (16% of women, 10% of men) perceived losing weight as a benefit of physical exercise. The most important barriers to increase physical activity are work or study commitments (28%) and the subjects' belief that they are not 'the sporty type' (25%). There is considerable between-country variation in the answering pattern within the EU.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Nutrition, physical activity and health status in Middle and East European countries.

In the Middle- and East-European countries the political, economic and social situation changed fundamentally in 1989 and 1990. These alterations are reflected in markers of dietary intake, physical activity and health with a trend similar in Czechia, East Germany, Lithuania and Poland. Thus, the previous increase in energy consumption stopped and was followed by a decline. The increasing preference for a lower level of activity is demonstrated by the number of private cars clearly accelerating its rate of growth after the change. Life expectancy had been increasing during the eighties only slightly. After the change the yearly increase became higher than before. The rate difference is higher in men than in women. Beginning from 1991 the CVD mortality decreased considerably.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed1998

Influence of dietary fiber on DNA adduct formation in rat tissues.

The occurrence of DNA-adduct-like indigenous compounds (I-compounds) was examined in tissue samples of rats differing in their microbial state and diet with or without pectins of different degrees of esterification (DE). For 21 days groups of six germfree and ten conventional rats were each fed either pectin-free or with diets containing 7.5% of three differently esterified pectin preparations (pectin A: DE 92.6%; pectin B: DE 70.8%; pectin C: DE 34.5%). DNA was isolated from colonic mucosa, liver, lung, kidney and measured by the highly sensitive 32P postlabelling assay for DNA adduct analysis. In germfree animals I-compounds were detected in all tissue samples after feeding the low-esterified pectin C. Under the higher-esterified pectins, A and B, a weak adduct formation could be demonstrated only in the liver, but not in the colonic mucosa, lung, and kidney. In conventional animals DNA adducts were found in all samples of colonic mucosa with the highest intensity in the control group, followed by the low-esterified pectin C group, and a weak intensity under the higher-esterified pectins A and B. The experiments show a tendency to a higher number and intensity of spots in the germfree compared with the conventional rats, in rats with a pectin-free compared with the pectin diet, and under the low-esterified compared with the higher-esterified pectins.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

DNA adducts in tissues of germ-free and conventional rats fed high- and low-esterified pectins.

Tissue samples from germ-free and conventional rats fed pectins with different degrees of esterification (DE) were tested for containing indigenous DNA adducts (I-compounds). For 21 days groups of six germ-free and 10 conventional rats each were fed either pectin-free or with diets containing 7.5% of three differently esterified pectin preparations (Pectin A, DE 92.6%; Pectin B, DE 70.8%; Pectin C, DE 34.5%). DNA was isolated from colonic mucosa, liver, lung, kidney and analysed for DNA adducts by the 32P-postlabelling assay. The experiments showed a tendency to a higher number and intensity of DNA-adduct-like spots (1) in the colonic mucosa compared with liver, lung, and kidney, (2) in germ-free compared with conventional rats, (3) with pectin-free compared with pectin-containing diets, (4) under the low-esterified compared with the higher-esterified pectins.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effects of inulin and lactose on fecal microflora, microbial activity, and bowel habit in elderly constipated persons.

Constipation is an ailment encountered often in elderly people. A study was initiated to test the effects of lactose or inulin on the bowel habits of constipated elderly patients and to correlate these effects with several variables measured in feces such as microflora composition, concentration of lactate and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), pH, and the activities of beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase, Groups of 15 and 10 patients received lactose and inulin, respectively, for a period of 19 d. The dose, 20 g/d from days 1 to 8, was gradually increased to 40 g/d from days 9 to 11 and was kept at this dose from days 12 to 19. There was considerable interindividual variations with this kind of dietary intervention. Inulin increased bifidobacteria significantly from 7.9 to 9.2 log10/g dry feces, but decreased enterococci in number and enterobacteria in frequency. In individuals consuming lactose, a noticeable increase in fecal counts of enterococci and a decrease in lactobacilli and clostridia was detected. Total bacterial counts remained unchanged. No changes in the concentrations of fecal SCFAs and lactate were observed. SCFAs showed a slight trend toward higher molar ratios of acetate to butyrate in response to the intake of lactose or inulin. The fecal pH and the beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase activities were not influenced by sugar intake. Inulin showed a better laxative effect than lactose and reduced functional constipation with only mild discomfort.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Perceived need to alter eating habits among representative samples of adults from all member states of the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the perceived need to alter eating habits among nationally-representative samples from each member state of the European Union (EU). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally-representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between October 1995 and February 1996 in the 15 member states of the European Union. SUBJECTS: 14,331 subjects (aged 15 y upwards) completed the questionnaire. Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS: 71% of EU subjects agreed with the statement 'I do not need to make changes to the food I eat, as it is already healthy enough'. There was wide variation between the member states ranging from 47% in Finland to 87% in Italy indicating agreement. Overall there was little difference between the sexes except in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Ireland, but the proportions of subjects agreeing with the statement generally increased with advancing age and decreased with higher levels of education. The effects of demographics were not consistent across member states. A total of 49% of EU subjects agreed with the statement 'I usually do not think of the nutritional aspects of the food I eat'. Significantly more females than males disagreed with the statement in all countries except Portugal. In all member states there were widespread beliefs that people in general should decrease their consumption of savoury snacks and increase their consumption of fruit and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that dietary advice may not be perceived as personally relevant among EU subjects. In addition important target groups for the promotion of healthy eating have been identified for example, males or subjects with low levels of education. Because of the variation in attitudes a single pan-EU healthy eating programme is unlikely to be effective for all countries or for different demographic groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Perceived benefits of healthy eating among a nationally-representative sample of adults in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main perceived benefits associated with healthy eating among European adults. Efforts to make a healthy diet more attractive have to be based on motives capable of stimulating alterations in nutritional behaviour. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally-representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING: The survey was conducted between October 1995 and February 1996 in the 15 member states of the European Union. SUBJECTS: A total of 14331 subjects (aged 15 y upwards) completed the questionnaire. Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS: The question 'which specific benefits, if any, would you personally believe can be achieved by healthy eating'? was answered from a collection of 9 given items with stay healthy by 67% of subjects, with prevent disease by 66%, with be fit by 53%, with control weight by 53% and with quality of life by 45%. The most important personal benefit was asked by the question 'which one benefit would be the most personally significant for you'? 31% of subjects stated stay healthy, 24% prevent disease, 10% control weight, 10% quality of life, 9% be fit. The frequency of answered statements differed considerably between the EU countries, however, no regional structure was detected. More women then men expected benefits from healthy eating. With increasing age more people tended to believe in the benefits stay healthy and prevent disease. Be fit was a more important benefit for younger people (aged 15-34 y). People with a higher level of education associated more benefits from healthy eating.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Basis and consequences of primary and secondary prevention of gastrointestinal tumors.

Carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) are among the most common malignancies with regard to their incidence and mortality. Nutritional factors play an important role in the tumor development. The strength of their influence varies with the localization in the GI tract. Epidemiological studies focusing on GI cancer incidence or mortality as an endpoint necessitate large numbers of subjects to achieve significant results. Generally, a low energy and fat intake and a high intake of antioxidative vitamins (vitamin C, E, beta-carotene) and secondary plant metabolites (especially polyphenols) appear to be protective in GI carcinogenesis. Moderate drinking of alcohol and increased consumption of whole grain products, as opposed to highly refined carbohydrates, may help to reduce the risk of colon cancer. The recommended type of diet is low in fat, especially in saturated fatty acids, includes monounsaturated fatty acids, and includes moderate amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (no more than 10% of calories). Moderate consumption of salt and of highly salted, smoked, and barbecued foods should be encouraged. Obesity should be avoided by trying to match energy intake with expenditure while increasing physical activity levels. The mechanisms by which nutritional factors act especially on molecular events still remain to be examined. The use of molecular biomarkers will help us better understand cancer development as well as the role and significance of nutritional factors in this process.

Bile↗

PubMed1996

[Long-term effects of nutrition with fat-reduced foods on energy consumption and body weight].

UNLABELLED: In a 3-month intervention study 70 women (40 < age < 60; 24 < BMI < 29), randomized into two groups, were supplied ad libitum and free of charge with 1) customary fat-reduced foods (D group) or 2) products with normal fat content (K group). After 6 months without any contact to the volunteers food intake and body weight were controlled. RESULTS: During the intervention period fat intake (by 22 g/d) and total energy intake (by 266 kcal/d) of the volunteers in the D group were significantly lower than in the K group. Fat reduction was not accompanied by a compensative increase in the intake of other nutrients. The weight loss was significant in the D group (1.5 kg) and not significant in the K group (0.7 kg). Between the two groups the difference in weight reduction was not significant. In the follow-up a lowered fat and energy intake had been voluntarily retained in the D group and adopted by most of the individuals in the K group. CONCLUSION: The consumption of low-fat products lowers the energy and fat intake and may be useful for a long-term weight control and health support.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Health promotion and nutrition counseling for obese patients--a responsibility of medical care].

For prevention and therapy of overweight the joined effort of physicians and nutritional consultants is suggested to be the most effective approach. To develop a model of cooperation, the present situation of communication has been analyzed by questioning 57 overweight volunteers (by questionnaire), 34 physicians (both by questionnaire and interview), and 4 nutritional consultants (by interview). The physicians and the nutritional consultants feel the lack of communication and they express the wish to improve the cooperation. There is also a need for organizing structures of such collaboration, e.g. nutritional consultation either as part of the medical practice or as a special practice where the patient is to be referred to.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Lactose--a potential dietary fiber. The regulation of its microecological effect in the intestinal tract. 1. Problems, state of knowledge and methods].

Food components of different chemical structure which attain the colon without being attacked by digestion and absorption during their transit through the small intestine are defined as dietary fibre. In the colon they serve as energy or nutrient source for the intestinal microflora or are excreted without change. Not only chemical structure is decisive when a food component has to be assigned to either nutrients or dietary fibre: Substances resisting small intestine digestion due to the lack of corresponding catabolizing enzymes in man are supposed to be "obligate" dietary fibre. "Potential" dietary fibre are nutrients which are only partially digested in the small intestine. Lactose--the main carbohydrate of milk--represents a typical potential dietary fibre. The present paper investigates the factors being responsible for both the degree of lactose utilization in the small intestine and its efficiency in the colon.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Lactose--a potential dietary fiber. The regulation of its microecological effect in the intestinal tract. 2. The nutrient effect of lactose].

In the small intestine lactose is subjected to the hydrolytic impact of beta-galactosidase originating mainly from the mucosa. In rats about two thirds of the enzyme activity are located in the first part of the small intestine, and one third in the second one. A part of the mucosal enzyme does not remain in the mucosa. It becomes detached and can be determined in the chymus. The ratio of the transient to the resident proportion amounts to 1.8: 1 in germfree and 0.23: 1 in conventional rats. Bacterial settlement causes an increase in the mucosal mass resulting in higher total activity whereas the specific activity of the mucosal enzyme remains unchanged. Microorganisms occurring close to the small intestine mucosa take part in lactose degradation. Lactose-containing diet leads to an increase in both the bacterial and the mucosal activity, the latter one to varying degrees. Lactose concentration in the ileal chymus rises with increasing intake of lactose and decreasing protein and phosphate intake. Following a saturation kinetics the velocity of lactose hydrolysis is correlated with the lactose concentration of the diet. alpha-lactose is hydrolysed more rapidly in the small intestine of both human sucklings and rats than beta-lactose. As the results of a mathematical model show lactose mutarotation does not effect on the degree of lactose degradation in the small intestine. Depending on the intake of lactose and the food composition the rate of lactose hydrolysis amounts to: --max. 50% after small intestine perfusion in human sucklings, --max. 80% after small intestine perfusion in rats, --max. 60% in rats with ileostomata.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Lactose--a potential dietary fiber. The regulation of its microecologic effect in the intestinal tract. 3. Dietary fiber actions of lactose due to microbial activity].

The activity of the mucosal beta-galactosidase of caecum and colon is low in both germfree and conventional rats. beta-Galactosidase activity occurs also in the chymus of germfree rats. It increases after monoassociation and is higher in conventional than in germfree animals. Lactose entering caecum and colon acts like dietary fibre and is hydrolysed mainly by the intestinal flora. Aerobe lactobacilli and bacteroides predominate in the microflora of rat caecum and colon. A lactose-containing diet increases the total number of germs and stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria. After special diets, rich in lactose and low in protein and phosphate (e.g. human milk and similar formulae), the number of bacteroides and other putrefactive germs decreases. Moreover, a lactose-containing diet alters the metabolic activity of intestinal microorganisms (activity of microbial beta-galactosidase, acidification and lowering of ph in the chymus, production of hydrogen, proteolytic activity.) Lactose as dietary fibre decreases the nitrogen excretion in the urine and increases the N-excretion in the faeces of conventional rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Lactose--a potential dietary fiber. The regulation of its microecologic effect in the intestinal tract. 4. Dietary fiber action of lactose: evaluation with multivariate statistical analysis].

The conditions and the intestinal processes responsible for the action of lactose as a potential dietary fibre are described. The beta-galactosidase activity in the rat caecum and colon is influenced by dietary factors: It declines with increasing lactose concentration and it rises with increasing protein and phosphate concentration in the diet. The enzyme activity correlates negatively with the content of lactose, and positively with the content of protein and phosphate in the chymus. The products of lactose hydrolysis are degraded by microbial glycolysis in caecum and colon. The glycolytic products are mainly absorbed and energetically utilized by the macroorganism. Phosphate stimulates the microbial metabolism and, therefore, accelerates the consumption of the energy substrate lactose. Mathematical optimization gives the necessary composition of the diet which causes an intended microecological effect. To minimize the chymus pH (5.1 in the colon ascendens; 4.6 in the colon descendens; 4.3 in the faeces) the lactose content of the diet has to be greater than or equal to 160 mumol/g, the protein content less than or equal to 10 mg/g, and the phosphate content less than or equal to 5.5 mumol/g. The minimal pH value depends to a greater extent on variations in the supply of protein and phosphorus with the diet whereas the response to changes in lactose concentration is less noticeable.

Animals↗