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M Eichholzer

Publications and source records attributed to M Eichholzer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Nutrition in Switzerland 2002--results of the Swiss Health Survey].

The 2002 Swiss Health Survey is the third survey conducted by the Federal Office of Statistics in intervals of five years. Data are collected of a random sample (n = 19706) of persons aged 15 and over, living in Switzerland: 29% are overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2), and 8% are obese (BMI 30+ kg/m2). 31% do not care about their nutrition. Less than daily consumption is reported by 34% for fruit, by 18% for vegetable, by 64% for milk, by 39% for milk products. 20% eat every day meat or meat products, 38% do rarely or never consume fish. Inadequate nutritional habits are observed more often in men, young people, and in participants with a low level of education. According to the Swiss Health Surveys of 1992, 1997, and 2002 nutritional habits have hardly improved during the last ten years in Switzerland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Overweight, obesity and underweigh in Switzerland: results of the 2000 Nutri-Trend Study].

The Nutri-Trend-Study 2000 conducted by Nestlé Suisse SA and supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health collected data on body weight and height of a random sample (n = 1004) of persons aged 18-54 years living in Switzerland. 3% of participants are underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), 26% overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2), 5% obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) and 66% are of normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). Nutritional knowledge and attitudes of the BMI-groups do not differ substantially. All groups but especially participants with a BMI of 25+ should be better informed about the health consequences of an unbalanced diet. Furthermore they should be encouraged to adopt a physically active lifestyle and a healthy diet to remain within the BMI-range of normal weight or to reduce overweight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Safety aspects of folic acid for the general population].

Periconceptional use of folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects considerably. In Switzerland, implementation of these findings could be improved through fortification of a staple food with folic acid. The present paper reviews possible hazards associated with high intake of folic acid in the general population. Among the potential safety issues are interaction between folic acid and zinc, interaction between folic acid and drugs (phenytoin, methotrexate etc.) and hypersensitivity to folic acid. Of main concern are adverse effects of folic acid in cobalamin deficiency. Solutions are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Folate and the risk of colorectal, breast and cervix cancer: the epidemiological evidence.

It is only recently that folate deficiency has been implicated in the development of cancer. The mechanisms by which folate might protect against cancer are not clear but may relate to its role in DNA methylation and DNA synthesis. All case-control, cohort and intervention trials reported in English, French, or German, on folate intake or blood levels in relation to the risk of colorectal, breast, and cervix cancer were reviewed. Twenty case-control, and 12 nested case-control or cohort studies were identified. The epidemiological studies consistently show an inverse association between intake and/or levels of folate and the frequency of colorectal carcinomas, and less clearly of adenomas. Long-term use of supplements of folate seems to be of greater benefit than dietary intake. The effect of folate seems to be modulated by alcohol, methionine, and MTHFR polymorphisms. Results from animal studies suggest that folate supplementation might decrease or increase cancer risk depending on dosage and timing. Recent studies also suggest an inverse association between folate intake and breast cancer among women who regularly consume alcohol. Conversely, epidemiological evidence remains uncertain for the role of folate in cervical cancer prevention; the results of two intervention trials on rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia regression or progression were negative. An effect of folate later in carcinogenesis is not supported by the few (nested) case-control studies on invasive cervical cancer. Some of the conflicting results may be due to the fact that dietary intake or blood levels of folate do not accurately reflect folate concentrations in the cells of cancer origin. Furthermore, only a few studies have taken into account the modulating effect of alcohol, methionine, and MTHFR polymorphisms in their analyses. The observed inverse associations between folate and risk of cancer, on the other hand, may be confounded by various factors, especially by other potentially protective constituents in fruits and vegetables. Ongoing intervention studies can strengthen evidence for causality by excluding such confounding, but the optimal dose, duration, and stage of carcinogenesis and the appropriate (genetically predisposed) study group for folate chemoprevention are not yet defined.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

The role of folate, antioxidant vitamins and other constituents in fruit and vegetables in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: the epidemiological evidence.

Evidence that fruit and vegetables may protect against coronary heart disease is accumulating. It is unclear which constituents of fruit and vegetables are responsible for this protective effect. Folate as a co-substrate in homocysteine metabolism may be important. An intake of about 400 micrograms folate equivalents/day seems to be required to achieve stable low homocysteine blood levels. Five of eight epidemiologic studies show significant inverse associations between folate and cardiovascular disease. These associations could be confounded by antioxidant vitamins and/or other substances. In trials examining an association between folate and cardiovascular disease such confounding must be excluded, before specific recommendations can be given. Observational studies suggest that vitamin C plays a role in the aetiology of cardiovascular disease, but there are no completed intervention trials of this vitamin alone. With regard to vitamin E two cohort studies point to cardiovascular benefits with the long-term use of supplements of at least 100 IU/day, but the results of controlled trials are inconclusive. There is some evidence from observational studies of an inverse association between beta-carotene and cardiovascular disease, particularly in smokers. Intervention trials do not support this hypothesis, rather, they suggest a possible harmful effect of beta-carotene supplements in smokers. Nevertheless, protective effects of beta-carotene and vitamin E in different dosages, durations of administration, or different combinations are still possible. The last paragraph of this review discusses limitations of the present and priorities of future research.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2001

Nutrition and prostate cancer.

Nutrition is apparently a major risk factor for the development and progression of prostate cancer. Based on experimental studies and epidemiologic data mainly from case-control studies or cohort studies, there is strong evidence that reduction of the total energy consumption, a diet comprising less than 30% fat, and increased intake of phytoestrogens, vitamins D and E and selenium could yield a decreased prostate cancer incidence. Furthermore, some of these measures appear to have antitumoral capacity even in the presence of the disease. These observations have provided a rationale to forward large prospective trials on dietary interventions to prove the efficacy of the concept and further delineate the correlation between nutritional compounds and prostate cancer risk. These chemoprevention trials are either aiming a reduction prostate cancer incidence or a decrease in tumor progression. Depending on the study design, large numbers of individuals need to be enrolled and long follow-up intervals are required thus making such trials highly complex and cost-intensive. However, regarding the potential relevance of chemoprevention on public health, further efforts to identify nutritional factors affecting prostate cancer growth are warranted.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2000

[Nutrition and cancer].

The complex process of carcinogenesis is mainly due to environmental factors and therefore preventable. Diet may account for about 35% of cancer. This review presents the nutritional evidence for the development of the four most common cancers in Switzerland. The clearest risk factors for breast cancer are those associated with hormonal and reproductive factors. In relation to dietary factors, high alcohol intake, weight gain and adipositas (postmenopausal breast cancer) probably increase the risk of breast cancer. The evidence is less clear for the consumption of (animal) fat, meat, fruit and vegetables (inverse association). Hormones may also play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. There is no convincing evidence that any dietary factors modify the risk of prostate cancer. Diets high in vegetables are possibly protective, regular consumption of fat and meat possibly increase the risk. Intervention trials revealed protective effects of supplementation with selen or alpha-tocopherol. The main cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, and smokers whose diet is protective nevertheless remain at high risk. The evidence that diets high in vegetables and fruit protect against lung cancer is convincing, but it is not clear what constitutents are responsible for this effect. Intervention trials revealed no protective effect of beta-carotene, and in high risk groups, lung cancer risk was even increased. There is convincing evidence that diets high in vegetables decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. The same is true for regular physical activity. Alcohol and consumption of diets high in (red) meat, probably increase the risk of colorectal cancer. For cancer prevention it is recommended to choose a predominantly plant-based diet, to avoid obesity, to reduce the intake of fat, (red) meat, alcohol and salt, not to smoke and to be physically active. The main aim of nutritional therapy of cancer patients is to improve quality of life, whereas the effect on life expectancy is very limited.

Feeding Behavior↗
PubMed2000

Daily consumption of (red) meat or meat products in Switzerland: results of the 1992/93 Swiss Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine the frequency of daily meat and meat product consumption and the preference for red meat in Switzerland. DESIGN: Cross-sectional Study. SETTINGS AND SUBJECTS: Data were taken from the 1992/1993 Swiss Health Survey, which collected data on a random sample of persons aged 15 and over, living in Switzerland. The survey, which had a response rate of 71%, included 7930 male and 7358 female respondents. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regressions controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were performed. RESULTS: Daily consumption of meat or meat products (25%) and more frequent consumption of red than white meat (26% of meat eaters) were prevalent in Switzerland. Men, middle-aged persons, participants with a low level of education, persons living in the German or Francophone regions of Switzerland, those with Swiss nationality, smokers, overweight and obese people, those with daily alcohol consumption and physically inactive persons were found to consume daily meat or meat products more frequently. A preference for red meat rather than white meat was more often observed in men, young people, persons living in the German or Francophone regions of Switzerland, smokers and participants who consumed alcohol at least once daily. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of data from the 1992/1993 Swiss Health Survey shows that in specific subgroups of the Swiss population meat and meat product consumption is still more frequent than recommended, but crude comparisons with older and more recent studies indicate a decrease in meat consumption. The observed clustering of daily meat consumption with other risk factors underscores the necessity to include dietary recommendations in health programs addressing other unhealthy lifestyles. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 136-142

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Association of low plasma cholesterol with mortality for cancer at various sites in men: 17-y follow-up of the prospective Basel study.

BACKGROUND: Low serum cholesterol has been associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality in various studies, which has led to uncertainty regarding the benefit of lower blood cholesterol. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between low blood cholesterol (<5.16 mmol/L) and cancer at sites that have rarely been evaluated. We placed special emphasis on the potential confounding effect of antioxidant vitamins. DESIGN: Plasma concentrations of cholesterol and antioxidant vitamins were measured in 1971-1973 in 2974 men working in Basel, Switzerland. In 1990, the vital status of all participants was assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety of the participants had died from cancer, 87 from lung, 30 from prostate, 28 from stomach, and 22 from colon cancer. Group means for plasma cholesterol concentrations did not differ significantly between survivors and those who died from cancer at any of the studied sites. With plasma cholesterol, vitamins C and E, retinol, carotene, smoking, and age accounted for in a Cox model, an increase in total cancer mortality in lung, prostate, and colon but not in stomach cancer mortality was observed in men >60 y of age with low plasma cholesterol. When data from the first 2 y of follow-up were excluded from the analysis, the relative risk estimates remained practically unchanged with regard to lung cancer but decreased for colon, prostate, and overall cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cancer mortality risks associated with low plasma cholesterol were not explained by the confounding effect of antioxidant vitamins, but were attributed in part to the effect of preexisting cancer.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiology of overweight in Switzerland: results of the Swiss National Health Survey 1992-93].

UNLABELLED: In many western countries more than half of the population is considered overweight (BMI > or = 25). METHODS: Data from the first national representative health survey for Switzerland (conducted 1992/93), including 7930 men and 7358 women (response rate 71%) aged 15 and over, were used. Means and percentiles of body weight, body height and BMI were calculated for men and women of different age groups. Overweight was defined as a BMI > or = 25, graded as overweight grade I (25.00-29.99), grade II (30.00-39.99), and grade III (BMI > or = 40.00) and analyzed according to gender, age, etc. RESULTS: Mean values for height decreases with increasing age, and body weight increases up to the age of 55-64 years in men and women. BMI values of all percentiles and age groups are lower for women than for men with the exception of age groups of 55 years or older and the 90 percentile. The prevalence of grade I overweight is 33.1% for men and 17.1% for women, of grade II overweight 5.8% and 4.5%, and of grade III overweight 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. Overall prevalence of overweight is 21.8% for women and 39.2% for men. Increasing age is associated with a higher prevalence of overweight. The prevalence of overweight in men increases with age up to 55-64 years, then levels off. In women, prevalence continues to rise. Overweight is more common in men of all age groups than in women. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic studies of the national prevalence of overweight are essential for monitoring the magnitude, and changes in the magnitude, of this serious public health problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Smoking, plasma vitamins C, E, retinol, and carotene, and fatal prostate cancer: seventeen-year follow-up of the prospective basel study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer has one of the highest incidence rates of all cancers. Vitamin intake and tobacco use may have an impact on incidence and mortality, but epidemiologic evidence is scarce and inconsistent. METHODS: Plasma vitamins C, E, retinol, and carotene were measured in 1971-1973 in 2,974 men working in Basel, Switzerland. In 1990, the vital status of all participants was assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety men had died from cancer, including 30 with prostate cancer. On average, prostate cancer cases were 15 years older and smoked slightly more frequently than survivors. The mean values of plasma carotene, and of vitamin C, were nonsignificantly lower in prostate cancer cases than in survivors. After calculation of relative risk using the Cox model with exclusion of mortality during the first 2 years of follow-up, low vitamin E levels in smokers were related to an increased risk for prostate cancer. Relative risks of low vitamin C and carotene levels were about 1. A slightly but nonsignificantly increased risk was observed for low levels of retinol. CONCLUSIONS: Given the profound implication if the risk of prostatic cancer could be reduced, the relationship with vitamin E and smoking requires further study.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1999

[Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in Switzerland: results of the Swiss Health Survey 1992/93].

Inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables increases the risk of various (chronical) diseases. It is therefore recommended to eat at least three portions of vegetables and two portions of fruit every day. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of inadequate fruit and vegetable (potatoes are not regarded as vegetables in Switzerland) consumption in Switzerland and to determine sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of inadequate consumption. Data presented in this study were taken from the first national representative health survey for Switzerland (conducted 1992/1993) including 7930 men and 7358 women (response rate 71%), age 15 and over. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regressions controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were done. Inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables was common among the study population. Less than daily consumption of fruit was reported by about 30%, of vegetables by 17%. About 25% of study participants do not eat fruit or vegetables every day, for 11% the consumption of both is insufficient. Men, young people, study participants with a low educational background, people living in the French and Italian speaking part of Switzerland, smokers and participants with low physical activity reported more often inadequate fruit and vegetable intake than women, older people, well educated study participants, inhabitants of the German speaking part of Switzerland, nonsmokers, and less physically active people. These results stress the need for nutrition education programs aimed at increased consumption of fruit and vegetables in Switzerland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Dietary nitrates, nitrites, and N-nitroso compounds and cancer risk: a review of the epidemiologic evidence.

Experimental animal studies have shown N-nitroso compounds (NOC) to be potent carcinogens. Epidemiologic evidence of the carcinogenic potential of dietary NOC and precursor nitrates and nitrites in humans remains inconclusive with regard to the risk of stomach, brain, esophageal, and nasopharyngeal cancers. Inadequate available data could obscure a small to moderate effect of NOC.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[The nutritional status in Switzerland--consequences for prevention].

Diet is of importance in the prevention of most chronic diseases. Dietary habits are measured regularly in most countries. In Switzerland data on groups and individuals are available, but a comprehensive dietary survey is still lacking. Since World War II an overall decrease in foods rich in complex carbohydrates and an increase in foods rich in fat available per capita of the population has been observed. Data on individuals show that 30%, i.e. 39% of men and 22% of women, in Switzerland are over-weight (BMI < or = 25). The percentages of energy intake as fat and sugar are higher, and the percentage of energy intake as complex carbohydrates lower than recommended. 7% of women and 6% of men consume hazardous amounts of alcohol (men > or = 60 g/day, women > or = 20 g/day). Marginal vitamin deficiencies are observed in various population groups for the vitamins B1, B2, B6, folic acid and vitamin C. Due to the fortification of salt and the widespread use of American wheat rich in selenium, iodine and selenium intake can be considered adequate. An insufficient intake of calcium is demonstrated in the elderly and an insufficient intake of calcium and iron in women. As a consequence of this nutritional situation, the first national nutritional guidelines have recently been published in Switzerland.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[The significance of nutrition in primary prevention of cancer].

The complex process of carcinogenesis is mainly due to environmental factors and therefore preventable. Diet may account for about 35% of cancer cases; risk factors and protective factors are discussed. Accordingly, obesity is associated with an increased risk of endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancers. Less clear is the relationship with colorectal and prostate cancer. The observed inverse association of body weight with lung cancer risk is most probably confounded by smoking habits and/or the effect of preclinical cancer. The risk factor fat has been studied mainly in relation to colorectal, breast and prostate cancer; the results are controversial. More consistent are the associations between (red) meat consumption and risk of colorectal and prostate cancer. Alcohol is a risk factor for tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the hepatocellular carcinoma and the (distal) colorectal cancer. Even small amounts of alcohol seem to increase the risk of breast cancer. Residues, contaminants, mycotoxins and additives like benzopyrene, nitrosamine(s), and aflatoxine are associated with a smaller risk of cancer than "overnutrition". High intake of fruit and vegetables is related to a reduced risk of lung cancer and cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract. What the specific chemicals in fruits and vegetables are that are responsible for this association are still unclear. Despite only weak associations between dietary factors and cancer risk, for potential protective effects it is recommendable to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, to avoid obesity, to reduce the intake of fat, meat and alcohol and to avoid cured, pickled, smoked, and mouldy food.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1996

Prediction of male cancer mortality by plasma levels of interacting vitamins: 17-year follow-up of the prospective Basel study.

Plasma vitamins C, E, retinol and carotene were measured in 1971-1973 in 2,974 men working in Basel Switzerland. In 1990, the vital status of all participants was assessed. A total of 290 men had died from cancer during the 17 years of follow-up, including 87 with lung cancer, 30 with prostate cancer, 28 with stomach cancer and 22 with colon cancer. Overall mortality from cancer was associated with low mean plasma levels of carotene (adjusted for cholesterol) and of vitamin C. Lung and stomach cancers were associated with low mean plasma carotene level. After calculation of the relative risk, using the Cox model, with exclusion of mortality during the first 2 years of follow-up, simultaneously low levels of plasma carotene (below quartile I) and lipid-adjusted retinol were related to a significantly increased mortality risk for all cancers and for lung cancer. Simultaneously, low levels of plasma vitamin C and lipid-adjusted vitamin E also were associated with a significantly increased risk for lung cancer. Additionally, low vitamin E levels in smokers were related to an increased risk for prostate cancer. It is concluded that low plasma levels of the vitamins C, E, retinol and carotene are related to increased risk of subsequent overall and lung-cancer mortality and that low levels of vitamin E in smokers are related to an increased risk of prostate-cancer mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Poor plasma status of carotene and vitamin C is associated with higher mortality from ischemic heart disease and stroke: Basel Prospective Study.

Previous cross-cultural comparisons of the mortality from ischemic heart disease in European communities with associated plasma levels of essential antioxidants have revealed strong inverse correlations for vitamin E and relatively weak correlations for other antioxidants. Similarly, in a case-control study in Edinburgh low plasma levels of vitamin E were significantly associated with an increased risk of previously undiagnosed angina pectoris whereas low levels of other essential antioxidants lacked statistical significance. The current Basel Prospective Study is particularly well suited to elucidate the impact of antioxidants other than vitamin E. In this population (which was recently evaluated regarding cancer mortality) the plasma levels of vitamins E and A are exceptionally high and above the presumed threshold level of risk for ischemic heart disease. The present 12-year follow-up of cardiovascular mortality in this study reveals a significantly increased relative risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke at initially low plasma levels of carotene (< 0.23 mumol/l) and/or vitamin C (< 22.7 mumol/l), independently of vitamin E and of the classical cardiovascular risk factors. Low levels of both carotene and vitamin C increase the risk further, in the case of stroke even with significance for overmultiplicative interaction. In conclusion, in cardiovascular disease independent inverse correlations may exist for every major essential antioxidant although the latter can also interact synergistically. Therefore future intervention trials of antioxidants in the prevention of ischemic heart disease should primarily test the simultaneous optimization of the status of all principal essential antioxidants.

Adult↗