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Biomedical subjects

M van Dusseldorp

Publications and source records attributed to M van Dusseldorp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Are levels of bone turnover related to lower bone mass of adolescents previously fed a macrobiotic diet?

Dutch adolescents who consumed a macrobiotic (vegan-type) diet in early life, demonstrate a lower relative bone mass than their omnivorous counterparts. We investigated whether subjects from the macrobiotic group showed signs of catching up with controls in terms of relative bone mass, reflected by higher levels of serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase and lower levels of urinary cross-links. Group differences in calciotropic hormones and mineral excretion were also investigated. Bone measurements, blood, and urine samples were obtained from 69 macrobiotic (34 girls, 35 boys) and 99 control (57 girls, 42 boys) subjects, aged 9-15. Bone turnover markers and 1,25(OH)2D reached maximal levels at pubertal stages 3-4, and decreased thereafter. After adjusting for puberty, age, and lean body mass, no group differences were found in markers of bone turnover, 1,25(OH)2D, PTH, or calcium excretion, but phosphate excretion was 23% lower in macrobiotic girls. After adjustment for puberty, 1,25(OH)2D was positively related to osteocalcin. In summary, we found no evidence for group differences in bone turnover, or catch up in relative bone mass, which might be due to the fact that 60% of subjects were still in early stages of puberty.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Homocysteine metabolism and effects of folic acid supplementation in patients affected with spina bifida.

Folic acid supplementation around conception decreases the risk of having offspring with a neural tube defect. However, the aetiology is often still unknown. This study investigated whether spina bifida patients have lower blood folate and higher fasting and post-methionine-load plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations than control patients. Moreover, the effects of supplementation with 500 microg folic acid/d on folate and tHcy concentrations were determined. Spina bifida patients (n = 12) and disabled control patients (n = 15) received 4 weeks of placebo treatment followed by 4 weeks of intervention with 500 microg folic acid/d. Blood was collected at the start and after 4 and 8 weeks. A methionine-loading test was performed at the start and the end of the study. At baseline, no significant differences occurred between spina bifida and control patients. Folic acid supplementation significantly increased plasma and red blood cell folate concentrations in both groups. Folic acid decreased fasting tHcy concentrations in control patients by 1.6+/-0.5 micromol/l (p<0.01) and in spina bifida patients by 2.2 +/- 1.3 micromol/l (p = 0.10). This study does not show a derangement in homocysteine metabolism in spina bifida compared to control patients. Moreover, folic acid supplementation seems at least as effective in spina bifida patients as in controls.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Signs of impaired cognitive function in adolescents with marginal cobalamin status.

BACKGROUND: Lack of cobalamin may lead to neurologic disorders, which have been reported in strict vegetarians. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate whether cognitive functioning is affected in adolescents (aged 10-16 y) with marginal cobalamin status as a result of being fed a macrobiotic diet up to an average age of 6 y. DESIGN: Data on dietary intake, psychological test performance, and biochemical variables of cobalamin status were collected from 48 adolescents who consumed macrobiotic (vegan type) diets up to the age of 6 y, subsequently followed by lactovegetarian or omnivorous diets, and from 24 subjects (aged 10-18 y) who were fed omnivorous diets from birth onward. Thirty-one subjects from the previously macrobiotic group were cobalamin deficient according to their plasma methylmalonic acid concentrations. Seventeen previously macrobiotic subjects and all control subjects had normal cobalamin status. RESULTS: The control subjects performed better on most psychological tests than did macrobiotic subjects with low or normal cobalamin status. A significant relation between test score and cobalamin deficiency (P: = 0.01) was observed for a test measuring fluid intelligence (correlation coefficient: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.08). This effect became more pronounced (P: = 0.003) within the subgroup of macrobiotic subjects (correlation coefficient: -0.38; 95% CI: -0.62, - 0.14). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that cobalamin deficiency, in the absence of hematologic signs, may lead to impaired cognitive performance in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Bioavailability of folate from processed spinach in humans. Effect of food matrix and interaction with carotenoids.

The effect of the food matrix and dietary fibre on the bioavailability of folate is not known. In a controlled, 3-week dietary intervention study, 28 men and 42 women were divided into six groups to receive either a control diet (n = 10), or the control diet plus 20 g/MJ per day (n = 12 per group) of whole-leaf spinach, minced spinach, liquefied spinach, or liquefied spinach to which dietary fibre (10 g/kg wet weight) was added. The sixth group received the control diet plus a synthetic carotenoid supplement with similar amounts of beta-carotene and lutein as found in spinach. A significantly higher plasma folate response was found for the pooled spinach groups than for the control group. Among the spinach groups no significant differences were detected. However, the plasma folate response of the pooled minced and liquefied spinach groups was greater than that of the whole-leaf spinach group (p = 0.03). Re-addition of dietary fibre to the liquefied spinach to compensate for the fibre broken down during liquefaction did not reduce the plasma folate response. The consumption of the carotenoid supplement did not have an effect on plasma folate concentrations compared with the control group. The food matrix in which the folate is entrapped plays a role in folate bioavailability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Homocysteine-lowering effect of 500 microg folic acid every other day versus 250 microg/day.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations are a risk factor for neural tube defects and vascular diseases. Supplementation with folic acid decreases tHcy. We investigated whether supplementation with 500 microg folic acid every other day is as effective in lowering tHcy as 250 microg folic acid each day. METHODS: In a 4-week intervention study, 22 healthy young women (18-40 years old) took either 500 microg folic acid every other day (500-microg/2d group) or 250 microg folic acid each day (250-microg/d group). Fasting blood was collected on days 0 and 28. RESULTS: Plasma folate concentrations increased by 11.4 nmol/l (6.8-15.9) in the 250-microg/d group and by 9.1 nmol/l (95% CI 1.9-16.3) in the 500-microg/2d group. These increases were not significantly different from each other. THcy concentrations decreased by 1.52 micromol/l (95% CI -2.09 to -0.95; p < 0.001) in the 250-microg/d group and by 0.88 micromol/l (-1.53 to -0.23; p < 0.05) in the 500-microg/2d group. The difference in decrease between the 250-microg/d group and the 500-microg/2d group was 0.64 micromol/l (p = 0.11). CONCLUSION: Although not conclusive, this study suggests that supplying subjects with folic acid each day decreases tHcy more effectively than a double dose every other day.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Low-dose folic acid supplementation does not influence plasma methionine concentrations in young non-pregnant women.

An elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and for having offspring with a neural-tube defect. Folate is a methyl donor in the remethylation of homocysteine into methionine. Although folic acid supplementation decreases tHcy concentrations, effects of folic acid supplementation on plasma methionine concentrations are unclear. There is also concern that folic acid supplementation negatively affects vitamin B12 status. We studied effects of low-dose folic acid supplementation on methionine and vitamin B12 concentrations in plasma. We also investigated whether baseline plasma methionine and tHcy concentrations correlated with the baseline folate and vitamin B12 status. For a period of 4 weeks, 144 young women received either 500 micrograms folic acid each day, or 500 micrograms folic acid and placebo tablets on alternate days, or a placebo tablet each day. Plasma methionine, tHcy and plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were measured at start and end of the intervention period. Folic acid supplementation had no effect on plasma methionine or plasma vitamin B12 concentrations although it significantly decreased tHcy concentrations. Plasma methionine concentrations showed no correlation with either tHcy concentrations (Spearman rs-0.01, P = 0.89), or any of the blood vitamin variables at baseline. Baseline tHcy concentrations showed a slight inverse correlation with baseline concentrations of plasma vitamin B12 (rs-0.25, P < 0.001), plasma folate (rs-0.24, P < 0.01) and erythrocyte folate (rs-0.19, P < 0.05). In conclusion, low-dose folic acid supplementation did not influence plasma methionine or plasma vitamin B12 concentrations. Furthermore, no correlation between plasma methionine concentrations and the blood folate and vitamin B12 status was shown.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Bioavailability of lutein from vegetables is 5 times higher than that of beta-carotene.

BACKGROUND: To gain more insight into the relation between vegetable consumption and the risk of chronic diseases, it is important to determine the bioavailability of carotenoids from vegetables and the effect of vegetable consumption on selected biomarkers of chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the bioavailability of beta-carotene and lutein from vegetables and the effect of increased vegetable consumption on the ex vivo oxidizability of LDL. DESIGN: Over 4 wk, 22 healthy adult subjects consumed a high-vegetable diet (490 g/d), 22 consumed a low-vegetable diet (130 g/d), and 10 consumed a low-vegetable diet supplemented with pure beta-carotene (6 mg/d) and lutein (9 mg/d). RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of vitamin C and carotenoids (ie, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin) were significantly higher after the high-vegetable diet than after the low-vegetable diet. In addition to an increase in plasma beta-carotene and lutein, the pure carotenoid-supplemented diet induced a significant decrease in plasma lycopene concentration of -0.11 micromol/L (95% CI: -0.21, -0.0061). The responses of plasma beta-carotene and lutein to the high-vegetable diet were 14% and 67%, respectively, of those to the pure carotenoid- supplemented diet. Conversion of beta-carotene to retinol may have attenuated its plasma response compared with that of lutein. There was no significant effect on the resistance of LDL to oxidation ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Increased vegetable consumption enhances plasma vitamin C and carotenoid concentrations, but not resistance of LDL to oxidation. The relative bioavailability of lutein from vegetables is higher than that of beta-carotene.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Low-dose folic acid supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine concentrations: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: An elevated plasma total homocysteine concentration is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects. A high daily intake of supplemental folic acid is known to decrease total homocysteine concentrations. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of low-dose folic acid administration (250 or 500 (microgram/d) for 4 wk on plasma total homocysteine concentrations and folate status. We also investigated whether total homocysteine concentrations and blood folate concentrations returned to baseline after an 8-wk washout period. DESIGN: In this placebo-controlled study, 144 healthy women aged 18-40 y received 500 microgram folic acid/d, 500 microgram folic acid every second day (250 microgram/d), or a placebo tablet with their habitual diet (mean dietary folate intake: 280 microgram/d). RESULTS: Administration of 250 and 500 microgram folic acid/d for 4 wk significantly increased folate concentrations in plasma (P < 0.001) and red blood cells (P < 0.01). Total homocysteine concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in women (n = 50) who took 250 microgram folic acid/d [mean (+/-SEM) deviation from baseline: - 11.4 +/- 198%] and in women (n = 45) who took 500 microgram folic acid/d (-21.8 + 1.49%). Eight weeks after the end of the intervention period (week 12), plasma total homocysteine concentrations in the folic acid-supplemented groups had not returned to baseline (week 0). CONCLUSIONS: Doses of folic acid as low as 250 microgram/d, on average, in addition to usual dietary intakes of folate significantly decreased plasma total homocysteine concentrations in healthy, young women. An 8-wk washout period was not sufficient for blood folate and plasma total homocysteine concentrations to return to baseline concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Risk of persistent cobalamin deficiency in adolescents fed a macrobiotic diet in early life.

BACKGROUND: Cobalamin deficiency has been described in children consuming macrobiotic diets. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether moderate consumption of animal products is sufficient for achieving normal cobalamin function in 73 adolescents who had received a macrobiotic diet until 6 y of age and had then switched to a lactovegetarian, lactoovovegetarian, or omnivorous diet (macrobiotic adolescents). DESIGN: Hematologic indexes and serum concentrations of methylmalonic acid (MMA), total homocysteine (tHcy), and folate were measured. Current consumption frequency of animal products and cobalamin intake from dairy products were assessed by questionnaire. Data from 94 age-matched adolescents who received an omnivorous diet from birth were used as a reference. RESULTS: Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower and concentrations of MMA and folate and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were significantly higher in macrobiotic adolescents than in control adolescents: of macrobiotic adolescents, 21% had abnormal MMA concentrations (>0.41 micromol/L), 37% had abnormal cobalamin concentrations (<218 pmol/L), 10% had abnormal tHcy concentrations (> 12.8 micromol/L), and 15% had abnormal MCV (> 89 fL). In macrobiotic adolescents, dairy products (200 g milk or yogurt and 22 g cheese/d) supplied on average 0.95 microg cobalamin/d; additionally, these adolescents consumed fish, meat, or chicken 2-3 times/wk. In girls, meat consumption contributed more to cobalamin status than the consumption of dairy products, whereas in boys these food groups were equally important. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of the formerly strict macrobiotic adolescents still had impaired cobalamin function. Thus, moderate consumption of animal products is not sufficient for restoring normal cobalamin status in subjects with inadequate cobalamin intake during the early years of life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Dietary folate from vegetables and citrus fruit decreases plasma homocysteine concentrations in humans in a dietary controlled trial.

Elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations are considered a risk factor for neural tube defects (NTD) and cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with folic acid decreases the risk of women having children with NTD. In both sexes, it decreases tHcy levels. We investigated the efficacy of natural dietary folate in improving folate and homocysteine status. We performed a 4-wk dietary controlled, parallel design intervention trial with 66 healthy subjects (18-45 y) divided into 3 treatment groups: the dietary folate group, the folic acid group and the placebo group. Each day each group was fed a different diet. The dietary folate group received a diet high in vegetables and citrus fruit (total folate content approximately 560 microgram) plus a placebo tablet. The folic acid group received a diet naturally low in folate (approximately 210 microgram) plus 500 microgram folic acid and placebo tablet on alternate days, i.e., 250 microgram folic acid/d. And the placebo group received the same low-folate diet as the folic acid group plus a placebo tablet. After 4 wk of intervention, folate status improved, and tHcy concentrations decreased in both the dietary folate and the folic acid groups. From the amount of additional folate (350 microgram/d) and folic acid (250 microgram/d) consumed, the relative bioavailability of dietary folate compared to folic acid was calculated to be 60-98%, depending on the endpoint used. In conclusion, increasing the consumption of vegetables and citrus fruit, both good sources of folate, will improve folate status and decrease tHcy concentrations. This may contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and NTD in the general population

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Folate intake in Europe: recommended, actual and desired intake.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate possible inconsistencies between recommended, actual and desired folate intake in European adult populations. DESIGN: Review of dietary recommendations, of food consumption surveys, and of intervention and observational studies relating folate intake to the risk of neural tube defects and plasma homocysteine levels. RESULTS: In Europe, mean dietary folate intake in adults is 291 micrograms/d (range 197-326) for men and 247 micrograms/d (range 168-320) for women. The recommended intakes vary between 200-300 micrograms/d (men) and 170-300 micrograms/d (women). However, women with a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect (NTD), are recommended to take 4000 micrograms/d of supplemental folic acid when planning a subsequent pregnancy. For those without a history of NTD, the use of 400 micrograms/d of supplemental folic acid is the best option to prevent the occurrence of NTDs. A daily dose of 650 micrograms supplemental folic acid normalises elevated plasma homocysteine levels, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. A dietary folate intake of at least 350 micrograms/d is desired to prevent an increase in plasma homocysteine levels of the adult population in general. CONCLUSIONS: Mean dietary folate intake in Europe is in line with recommendations, but the desired dietary intake of > 350 micrograms/d is only reached by a small part of studied European populations. It is considered unethical to investigate whether supplements with a dose lower than 400 micrograms/d of folic acid are also protective against NTDs. However, research to establish the lowest effective dose of dietary folate/supplemental folic acid to optimise homocysteine levels and research on the bioavailability of folate is required. This will enable the choice of a strategy to achieve desired folate intakes in the general population. In the meantime, consumption of plant foods like vegetables, fruits, and cereals should be stimulated to reach the desired level of 350 micrograms of dietary folate per day.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Reduced bone mass in Dutch adolescents fed a macrobiotic diet in early life.

This study investigated the effect of a macrobiotic (vegan-type) diet, low in calcium and vitamin D, consumed in early life, on bone mineral during adolescence. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area were measured in 195 adolescents (103 girls, 92 boys) aged 9-15 years, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ninety-three adolescents (43 girls, 50 boys) had followed a macrobiotic diet in childhood, and 102 (60 girls, 42 boys) were control subjects. After adjustment for bone area, weight, height, percent body lean, age, and puberty, BMC was significantly lower in macrobiotic subjects, in boys and girls, respectively, at the whole body, -3.4% and -2.5%, spine, -8.5% and -5.0%, femoral neck, -8.0% and -8.2%, midshaft radius, -6.8% and -5.6%, and also in girls, at the trochanter, -5.8% (p < 0.05). No group differences were observed at the wrist. Group differences were not explained by current calcium adjusted bone mass at age 9-15 years, observations which may hold important implications for fracture risk in later life.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1994

Effects of macrobiotic diets on linear growth in infants and children until 10 years of age.

In order to study the relationship between diet and growth, we have assessed growth patterns in children 0-10 years old on macrobiotic diets. A cross-sectional anthropometric study (0-8 years old children, n = 243) indicated that deviation from the reference growth curve occurred during the weaning period. Between 2 and 4 years there was a partial catch-up for weight and arm circumference but not for height. As a next step, a mixed-longitudinal study was performed in 4-18-month-old macrobiotic infants (n = 53) and matched omnivorous controls (n = 57). For a period of 6 months, data on growth and dietary intake were collected. The data on linear growth supported the findings on growth stagnation observed cross-sectionally. Linear growth was associated with the protein content of the diet, but not with energy intake. On the basis of our findings nutritional modifications to the macrobiotic diet (addition of fat and fish) were recommended for all macrobiotic families. Six months later (two years after the first cross-sectional data collection) the anthropometric study was repeated in the same cohort (n = 194). This follow-up study revealed that children from families which, since the initial study, had increased the consumption of fatty fish, dairy products, or both, had grown in height more rapidly than the remaining children (P < 0.05). Since no indications were found for the presence of adverse social circumstances, infectious diseases or other confounding factors, our data clearly demonstrate that linear growth retardation in children on macrobiotic diets is caused by nutritional deficiencies alone.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1991

Boiled coffee and blood pressure. A 14-week controlled trial.

The question of whether long-term elimination of coffee from the diet lowers blood pressure has not been settled. Consumption of Scandinavian-style "boiled coffee" is associated with coronary heart disease. However, little is known about the effect of brewing method on the blood pressure-raising potential of coffee. We have studied the effects on blood pressure and heart rate of total elimination of coffee and tea in comparison with drinking boiled coffee consumed as such, or boiled coffee consumed after filtration through paper filter. Thirty-one women and 33 men first consumed 6 cups/day of boiled and filtered coffee for 17 days. Then they were randomly divided into three groups, which for the next 79 days received either unfiltered boiled coffee (caffeine content 860 mg/l), boiled-and-filtered coffee (887 mg caffeine/l), or no coffee, the latter being replaced by fruit juice and mineral water. Total elimination of coffee did not significantly affect blood pressure or heart rate relative to boiled-and-filtered coffee. In subjects who drank boiled coffee, mean ambulant systolic blood pressure rose significantly relative to those who consumed boiled-and-filtered coffee (mean difference +/- SEM, 3.1 +/- 1.1 mm Hg, p = 0.006). This response showed a tendency to be stronger for women (4.5 +/- 1.8 mm Hg) than for men (1.7 +/- 1.2 mm Hg). We conclude that elimination of filtered coffee has no substantial long-term effect on blood pressure, but consumption of unfiltered boiled coffee may cause a slight but significant rise in systolic blood pressure.

Adult↗